bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
RXR Ligands Modulate Thyroid Hormone Signaling Competence in Young Xenopus laevis Tadpoles
Authors: Mengeling Brenda J , Goodson Michael L , Furlow J David 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAppropriate thyroid hormone (TH) signaling through thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) is essential for vertebrate development. Amphibian metamorphosis is initiated and sustained through the action of TH on TRs, which are conserved across vertebrates. TRs heterodimerize with retinoid X receptors (RXRs) on thyroid hormone response elements (TREs) in the genome; however, in most cell line and adult animal studies, RXR ligands do not affect expression of TR target genes. We used a quantitative, precocious metamorphosis assay to interrogate the effects of the RXR agonist bexarotene (Bex) and the RXR antagonist UVI 3003 (UVI) on T3-induced resorption phenotypes in Xenopus laevis tadpoles 1 week postfertilization. Bex potentiated gill and tail resorption, and UVI abrogated T3 action. These results held in transgenic tadpoles bearing a TRE-driven luciferase reporter. Therefore, we used poly-A-primed RNA sequencing transcriptomic analysis to determine their effects on T3-induced gene expression. We also assayed the environmental pollutant tributyltin (TBT), which is an RXR agonist. We found that the proteases that carry out resorption were potentiated by Bex and TBT but were not significantly inhibited by UVI. However, several transcription factors from multiple families (sox4, fosl2, mxd1, mafb, nfib) were all inhibited by UVI and potentiated by Bex and TBT. All required T3 for induction. Time course analysis of gene expression showed that although the agonists could potentiate within 12 hours, the antagonist response lagged. These data indicate that the agonists and antagonist are not necessarily functioning through the same mechanism and suggest that RXR liganding may modulate TH competence in metamorphic signaling.
Transfection of Capsaspora owczarzaki, a close unicellular relative of animals
Authors: Parra-Acero Helena , Ros-Rocher Núria , Perez-Posada Alberto , Kożyczkowska Aleksandra , Sánchez-Pons Núria , Nakata Azusa , Suga Hiroshi , Najle Sebastián R. , Ruiz-Trillo Iñaki 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
How animals emerged from their unicellular ancestor remains a major evolutionary question. New genome data from the closest unicellular relatives of animals have provided important insights into the evolution of animal multicellularity. We know that the unicellular ancestor of animals had an unexpectedly complex genetic repertoire, including many genes that are key to animal development and multicellularity. Thus, assessing the function of these genes among unicellular relatives of animals is key to understanding how they were co-opted at the onset of the Metazoa. However, such analyses have been hampered by the lack of genetic tools. Progress has been made in choanoflagellates and teretosporeans, two of the three lineages closely related to animals, whereas no tools are yet available for functional analysis in the third lineage: the filastereans. Importantly, filastereans have a striking repertoire of genes involved in transcriptional regulation and other developmental processes. Here, we describe a reliable transfection method for the filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki. We also provide a set of constructs for visualising subcellular structures in live cells. These tools convert Capsaspora into a unique experimentally tractable organism to use to investigate the origin and evolution of animal multicellularity.
Niche-mediated BMP/SMAD signaling regulates lung alveolar stem cell proliferation and differentiation
Authors: Chung Mei-I , Bujnis Melissa , Barkauskas Christina E. , Kobayashi Yoshihiko , Hogan Brigid L. M. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACT
The bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway, including antagonists, functions in lung development and regeneration of tracheal epithelium from basal stem cells. Here, we explore its role in the alveolar region, where type 2 epithelial cells (AT2s) and Pdgfrα+ type 2-associated stromal cells (TASCs) are components of the stem cell niche. We use organoids and in vivo alveolar regrowth after pneumonectomy (PNX) – a process that requires proliferation of AT2s and differentiation into type 1 cells (AT1s). BMP signaling is active in AT2s and TASCs, transiently declines post-PNX in association with upregulation of antagonists, and is restored during differentiation of AT2s to AT1s. In organoids, BMP4 inhibits AT2 proliferation, whereas antagonists (follistatin, noggin) promote AT2 self-renewal at the expense of differentiation. Gain- and loss-of-function genetic manipulation reveals that reduced BMP signaling in AT2s after PNX allows self-renewal but reduces differentiation; conversely, increased BMP signaling promotes AT1 formation. Constitutive BMP signaling in Pdgfrα+ cells reduces their AT2 support function, both after PNX and in organoid culture. Our data reveal multiple cell-type-specific roles for BMP signaling during alveolar regeneration.
da necessidade de interrogar o pensamento: gestos sobre a infância no tempo escolar
Authors: Marques Luciana Pacheco , Oliveira Cristiane elvira De assis , Santos Núbia Schaper 
Published: May 2018

We present in this article a discussion about gestures produced from the childhood entry in the interface with the experience of school time. It is a discussion woven inside the center for studies and research in education in particular, the times group of the faculty of education of the federal university of Juiz de Fora/MG. Throughout history, time has been discussed in various ways and still is, as well as childhood, conceptually constructed as a result of social, political, religious, and cultural influences. In the attempt to "start thinking", we ask ourselves about what theoretical formulations have been based on childhood at the interface with school time in the field of education? We defend the central thesis that childhood, in a western cut, has been presented in productions still as social time. It is a recent movement to consider childhood as an event, experience, as opposed to the idea of childhood as the stage of life. As a result, considering infancy related to the tension between social time and time as intensity of the present, implies the need for pedagogical gestures that think this tension and, thus, consider the children of the current, narrowing their relations with the school, with knowledge and with life. To enlighten the issues sewn from our concerns, we chose authors such as Agamben, Leal, Bakhtin/Volochinov, Kohan, Vieira, Bento and Meneghel, Kramer, Borba, who focused on childhood and education. In order to problematize the time category, we dialogued with St. Augustine, Oliveira, Marques C. and Marques L, Skliar. The reading of our interlocutors and our listening with/to the school could subsidize the thought that we can invent ways not only imagined as possible with the perspective of reflecting time, childhood, experience and school on other bases. The interrogation, not the conviction, enables the sense of knowledge in the materiality of our practices, produced inside/outside the university. These are underprivileged subjects in curriculum matrices and disciplines that address the issue of children, their childhoods and temporalities.
a very crazy trip: some considerations about words researched by childhoods
Authors: Costa Luciano Bedin da , Borges Joelma De vargas , Azzolin Rita De cássia nunes 
Published: May 2018

This paper is based on philosophical experiments carried out with students of public schools and a federal university, taking writing as a mobilizing verb for thought, learning and "very crazy trips". it presents estátuas de nuvens: dicionário de palavras pesquisadas por infâncias” e “inspiradores de mundos”, two books organized by a research-extension group focused on childhood and philosophy. from the books are extracted fragments to think the work of the childhood next to these students, to infantes writers from 2 to 95 years old. beyond a stage of life, childhood is understood here as a power of the unheard, as that which does not yet speak before so many great words. words, when researched by childhood, become potentially succulent and somewhat riskier. more than saying things, words are understood here as surface so that things can slide and with them, the world itself. writing is here assumed as a power of encounter, an event that actualizes networks of friendship and which, together with the small and great infantes writers, triggers other relations with the other and with themselves. the paper presents some photographic images that, in addition to representing or illustrating the lived experiences, intend to elicit the excursion of the sense and other derivations.
Barriers to implementing the Sepsis Six guidelines in an acute hospital setting
Authors: Breen Sarah-Jane , Rees Sharon 
Published: May 2018

Aim: To identify the barriers to implementation of the Sepsis Six pathway. Background: Research has suggested that compliance with the Sepsis Six pathway remains low. Methods: A convenience sample of doctors and nurses from one emergency department, two medical wards and two surgical wards were asked to complete a survey questionnaire. Results: Data from 108 respondents were available for analysis. Doctors and nurses agreed that lack of sepsis recognition during observation rounds and failure to associate sepsis with deranged temperature and blood results acted as barriers to the identification of sepsis. Doctors and nurses agreed that nursing delays and knowledge deficits were the top barriers leading to delay in sepsis treatment. Conclusion: Knowledge deficits, lack of resources and practical issues were barriers identified in this survey. This will inform the educational and process needs of both doctors and nurses in order to improve sepsis care.
Hydrothermal Experiments Reveal the Influence of Organic Matter on Smectite Illitization
Authors: Cai Jingong , Du Jiazong , Chen Zewen , Lei Tianzhu , Zhu Xiaojun 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSmectite illitization is an important diagenetic phenomenon of mudstones, but only rarely has the influence of organic matter (OM) on this process been examined. In the present study, hydrothermal experiments were conducted with smectite (M1, total organic carbon (TOC) <0.3%) and a smectite and N,N-dimethylhexadecylamine (16DMA) complex (M2, TOC >1%). X-ray diffraction (XRD), infrared, X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and organic carbon analyses were employed to characterize the mineralogy and OM of the samples and the effect of OM on smectite illitization. The XRD patterns showed changes in clay mineral parameters with increased temperature. These changes varied in both M1 and M2 and indicated a difference in the degree of smectite illitization. Moreover, the OM in M2 was mainly adsorbed in smectite interlayers, the OM was largely desorbed/decomposed at temperatures above 350°C, and the OM was the main reason for differences in the degree of smectite illitization between M1 and M2. Bulk mineral composition, elemental content, and infrared absorption band intensities were changed with increased temperature (especially above 350°C). This indicated the formation of new minerals (e.g., ankerite). Overall, OM entered the interlayer space of smectite in M2 and delayed the exchange of K+ by interlayer cations, and thus, suppressed the transformation of smectite to illite and resulted in differences in smectite illitization of M1 and M2. In particular, the formation of CO2 after the decomposition of OM at temperatures above 300°C led to the formation of ankerite in M2. This demonstrated the effect of organic-inorganic interactions on smectite illitization and mineral formation. The disparities in smectite illitization between M1 andM2, therefore, were linked to differences in the mineral formation mechanisms of a water-rock system (M1) and a water-rock-OM system (M2) in natural environments. The insights obtained in the present study should be of high importance in understanding organic-mineral interactions, hydrocarbon generation, and the carbon cycle.
Out of Sync: Complex Temporality in Transgender Men’s YouTube Transition Channels
Authors: Eckstein Ace J. 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Since 2006, transgender men have been using YouTube to document their physical transition. Building on queer temporality scholarship and the concept of transing, this article analyzes the temporality of these YouTube transition channels. Two key temporal strands—asynchrony and temporal entanglements—constitute a complex temporality in these transition channels. This complex temporality of transition undermines a linear understanding of transition through the entanglement of past, present, and future embodiment. In disrupting a linear model that positions passing as the telos of transition, a complex temporality of transition resists aggrandizing cis standards of gender and embodiment and allows for transgender experiences to be understood apart from these hegemonic ideals.
Comprehension of climatic and occupational heat stress amongst agricultural advisers and workers in Slovenia
Authors: POGAČAR Tjaša , ČREPINŠEK Zalika , KAJFEŽ BOGATAJ Lučka , NYBO Lars 
Published: May 2018

Climate changes and the associated higher frequency of heat waves in Middle-European countries will aggravate occupational heat stress experienced by Slovenian workers. Appropriate behavioral adaptations are important coping strategies and it is pertinent to establish if knowledge among advisers and workers is sufficient and identify the symptoms experienced by workers. Therefore a survey including 230 farmers and 86 agricultural advisers was completed. Thermal comfort ranged from hot to extremely hot for 85 ± 5 % of farmers working outside and heat stress had a negative impact on well-being (74 ± 6 %), productivity (68 ± 6 %) and concentration (34 ± 6 %). Reported symptoms were excessive sweating (84 ± 5 %), thirst (81 ± 5 %), and tiredness (59 ± 6 %). Women had a higher prevalence of headache (64 ± 10 %) compared to males (47 ± 8 %), higher frequency of fatigue (69 ± 10 vs 56 ± 8 %), and incidents with nausea or vomiting (19 ± 8 vs 9 ± 5 %). 81 ± 4 % of the responders reported that more time is required to complete tasks when the weather is hot. Nevertheless, 61 ± 6 % of farmers have never been informed of the impacts of heat stress and 29 ± 10 % of the agricultural advisers does not include this information in their guidance. This emphasizes the need for increased information and implementation of feasible solutions to mitigate the negative impact of heat stress on workers in the agricultural sector.
Effect of salinity on Brassica rapa var. toria (BRSRT) under selenium defence: A trial to assess the protective role of selenium
Authors: SAO Akanksha , SARAF Priya , BAGCHI Divya 
Published: May 2018

The present study assesses the role of selenium, an antioxidant in salt-stressed plants. A hydroponic trial of sodium selenate (Na2SeO4) on the growth, oxidative stress and antioxidant protection system of Brassica rapa var. toria (BRSRT) plant was studied. 40 µmol and 100 µmol of Na2SeO4 were hydroponically applied to BRSRT roots with 50 mmol and 100 mmol sodium chloride (NaCl) for 12 days. Plant growth, biomass production and photosynthetic pigments at 100 mmol salt stress was inhibited while oxidative stress indicators, for example, hydrogen peroxide and lipid peroxidation were stimulated. Supplementation of 40 µmol Na2SeO4 with 50 mmol and 100 mmol NaCl improved growth, photosynthetic pigments and acted as an antioxidant by inhibiting lipid peroxidation and increasing superoxide dismutase, ascorbate peroxidase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase activities. The in-gel assays also showed enhanced activities of these enzymes. At 100 µmol concentration, selenium under salt stress, repressed growth and expression of antioxidant enzymes and stimulated oxidative stress with enhanced glutathione peroxidase activity. Under consolidated stress treatment, an addition of 40 µmol Na2SeO4 was the most effective for both NaCl concentrations. The finding reveals that the optimal selenium supplementation presents a promising potential for use in conditions of relatively high levels of NaCl stress for BRSRT seedlings.
A comparative study of using a wooden storage box and storage platform for white yam tuber storage
Authors: AKPENPUUN Timothy , AKINYEMI Banjo , OYESOMI Tayo 
Published: May 2018

The study was undertaken to evaluate the performances of an experimental box and platform, as storage structures for white yam tubers (Dioscorea rotundata Poir.). The criteria used for evaluation were the degree of mass loss during storage, tuber sprouting and rotting during the 20 weeks storageperiod: March - June 2015. Measurements of temperatures and relative humidity of the storage environment were taken three times daily during the period. Mass loss in each tuber was measured weekly while sprouts were removed from tubers weekly. Results show that the average temperature and relative humidity in the experimental box were 29.7 °C and 78.6 % respectively, while for the platform, they were 30.7 °C and 76.5 %., respectively. Rotting was completely absent on tubers in both storage approaches. White yam tubers stored in the box exhibited a cumulative mass loss of 9 %, while on the platform, it was15.0 %. The experimental box performed better in respect to mass loss and nutritional composition.
Effect of different concentrations of saffron corm and leaf residue on the early growth of arugula, chickpea and fenugreek under greenhouse conditions
Authors: FALLAHI Hamid-Reza , AGHHAVANI-SHAJARI Mahsa , BRANCA Ferdinando , DAVARZANI Javad 
Published: May 2018

In this study the effect of different concentrations of leaf (LR) and corm residue (CR) of saffron on seedling growth of fenugreek (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.), chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) and arugula (Eruca sativa Mill.) as three potential companion crops for saffron were investigated under greenhouse condition. The experimental treatments were four concentrations (0.5, 1.5, 3 and 6 %) together with no residue treatment of LR and CR were arranged in completely randomized design. Results showed that the highest emergence percentage of chickpea was obtained at LR concentration of 6 %. Chickpea shoot length and mass had an increasing trend with increase in concentrations of saffron CR. LR and CR of saffron only at concentration of 3 and 6 % reduced the emergence percentage and emergence rate of fenugreek, but all concentration of CR and LR had no negative effect on length and mass of shoot. Saffron residue imposed a slight inhibitory effect on emergence percent and emergence rate of arugula, while had it a positive effect on some seedling growth characters especially root dry mass. Hence, three tested crops can be recommended as potential candidates to be associated with the saffron, although, the growth response of selected plants was dose-dependent and somewhat different.
mRNA expression profile in peripheral blood mononuclear cells based on ADRB1 Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly polymorphisms in essential hypertension — a case-control pilot investigation in South Indian population
Authors: Varakantham Varsha , Kurakula Sailoo Ashok Kumar , Nagalla Balakrishna , Bharatraj Dinesh Kumar 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground:β1-Adrenoreceptor (ADRB1) genetic polymorphisms are widely studied for susceptibility to many cardiovascular diseases such as essential hypertension. However, the mRNA expression ofADRB1is rarely studied.Methods:A case-control pilot study with 292 hypertensives and 324 controls was designed to evaluate the role of the Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly, which are commonly studied single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP), in the mRNA levels ofADRB1, in conjunction with its genetic predisposition to essential hypertension.Results:Differential expression ofADRB1mRNA was seen between hypertensives and controls (p<0.01) based on genetic variants of Ser49Gly. Among hypertensive subjects, Ser49Ser and Gly49Gly were highly expressed in comparison to Ser49Gly (p<0.05 and p<0.01, respectively), whereas genetic variants of Arg389Gly did not demonstrate any such variations. We found no association between theADRB1SNPs viz., Ser49Gly and Arg389Gly and essential hypertension.Conclusions:The increased mRNA levels of Gly49Gly may indicate a plausible role in the interindividual variations in drug response. Further,ADRB1polymorphisms did not contribute to the genetic risk of essential hypertension. Studies with larger sample size are warranted to confirm these observations in the South Indian population.
Harmonization of units and reference intervals of plasma proteins: state of the art from an External Quality Assessment Scheme
Authors: Secchiero Sandra , Sciacovelli Laura , Plebani Mario 
Published: May 2018

Abstract

Background:
The need to harmonize laboratory information is particularly intense in the field of plasma proteins, considering their clinical impact and relevance in monitoring diseases.

Methods:
We evaluated units and reference intervals (RIs) utilized by participants of the External Quality Assessment Scheme (EQAS) for plasma proteins of the Centre of Biomedical Research. Moreover, we evaluated inter-laboratory analytical variability from 2001 to 2017.

Results:
The census of participants’ units employed in 2017 showed that for albumin (ALB), ~66% of laboratories still used dL instead of L, and for most other proteins, ~70% still expressed the results in mg/dL. Laboratories primarily used the RIs reported in the packaging inserts of their analytical systems, but for each protein, there was a wide variability of RIs, also among laboratories using the same analytical method. Mean CVs% of the 13 certified proteins in the last five EQA cycles ranged from 3.8% of haptoglobin (HPT) to 12.4% of α1-antitrypsin (AAT) and decreased from 2001 to 2017 for most of them, in particular for C3, ALB, α2-macroglobulin (A2M), HPT and transferrin (TRF).

Conclusions:
In the face of a reduction in inter-laboratory variability for a lot of proteins, there has not been a substantial change in the units and in the RIs used by the participants. To change old habits is difficult and requires coordination and collaboration. The EQAS plays an important role in the assessment and monitoring of all elements that contribute to the formulation of laboratory information and may be useful to contribute to their harmonization.