bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ontogenetic changes of geometrical and mechanical characteristics of the avian femur: a comparison between precocial and altricial birds
Authors: Wei Xinsen , Zhang Zihui 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe mechanical performance of limb bones is closely associated with an animal's locomotor capability and is thus important to our understanding of animal behaviour. This study combined a geometrical analysis and three‐point bending tests to address the question of how the mechanical performance of the femurs of Japanese quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica) and pigeon (Columba livia domestica) respond to changing functional demands during ontogeny. Results showed that hatchling quails had stiff bone tissues, and the femoral ultimate loads scaled negatively with body mass, corresponding to high functional demands during early growth. The hatchling pigeon femora had weak material properties but they showed a dramatic increase in Young's modulus during growth. Consequently, although femoral cross‐sectional geometry showed negative allometry, the ultimate loads scaled positively with body mass. Older pigeons had more circular bone cross‐sections than younger pigeons, probably due to load stimulation changes occurred shortly after the onset of locomotion. Negative allometry and isometry of the cross‐sectional geometry of hind limb bones were observed in flying birds and ground‐dwelling birds, respectively. The correspondence between geometrical change and locomotor pattern suggests that ontogenetic changes in cross‐sectional geometry may be an effective indicator of avian locomotor behaviour.
A new mineralized tissue in the early vertebrateAstraspis
Authors: Lemierre Alfred , Germain Damien 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe dermoskeleton of the earliest vertebrates is well known but their endoskeleton is thought to have been largely cartilaginous until the Late Silurian. We confirm that the dermal plates ofAstraspisare three‐layered, with a superficial layer of enameloid and orthodentine, a middle layer of aspidin and a basal layer of lamellar acellular bone. This dermoskeleton is found in association with globular calcified cartilage, indicating the presence of a partially mineralized endoskeleton. In addition to the classical three‐layered organization, some dermal plates exhibit alignments of chondrocyte‐like lacunae, very similar to a pattern typical of chondroid metaplastic bone, previously unknown in early vertebrates. This discovery implies the presence of a proliferative cartilage, hitherto only known in Osteichthyans. This discovery indicates that a pattern similar to the first step of endochondral ossification was already present in the earliest vertebrates.
A potential risk factor for paraoxonase 1: in silico and in-vitro analysis of the biological activity of proton-pump inhibitors
Authors: Türkeş Cüneyt 
Published: July 2019

Abstract

Objectives
Proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) are drugs commonly utilized by about 7% of adults in the world. Recent researches have shown that there are countless and severe side effects of these drugs. This situation has raised concern among clinicians and patients alike. The purpose of this study is to contribute the novel drug discovery and development technology and toxicology field by researching interactions of PPIs on paraoxonase 1.

Methods
In this study, the paraoxonase 1 enzyme was purified from human serum by using rapid and straightforward chromatographic techniques. Subsequently, the inhibition effects of pantoprazole, omeprazole, and esomeprazole, PPIs, were investigated on paraoxonase 1. Besides, molecular docking studies were performed to unravel the binding mechanism between the enzyme and drugs.

Key findings
All drugs showed potent inhibitory activities. IC50 of the drugs values were 54.780 ± 0.524, 86.470 ± 0.818 and 93.390 ± 0.885 mm and Ki constants were found as 39.895 ± 0.005 mm, 70.112 ± 0.010 mm and 78.868 ± 0.008 mm, respectively. The binding scores observed in silico studies were found to agree with the obtained from in-vitro experimental results.

Conclusions
We observed that the drugs decreased PON1 activity at low concentrations. The results show that adjusting the dosages of these medications is a crucial case for each patient. The physicians should more carefully interpret whether there is an essential indication before prescribing PPIs and, if there is, to approve the proper dosing for the situation.
Pharmacokinetics of ceftriaxone in freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis) after intramuscular administration at two dosages
Authors: Poapolathep Saranya , Giorgi Mario , Chaiyabutr Narongsak , Klangkaew Narumol , Phaochoosak Napasorn , Wongwaipairote Tara , Poapolathep Amnart 
Published: July 2019

AbstractOne of the major obstacles to the successful treatment of infectious disease in freshwater crocodile species is incorrect dosing of antibiotics. There are few reports on pharmacokinetics and dosage regimens of antimicrobial drugs in crocodiles. The purpose of the present study was to clarify the pharmacokinetic characteristics of ceftriaxone (CEF) in Siamese freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus siamensis). Freshwater crocodiles, Crocodylus siamensis, in breeding farms were treated with a single intramuscular administration of CEF at two dosages, 12.5 and 25 mg/kg body weight (b.w.). Blood samples were collected at preassigned times up to 168 hr. The plasma concentrations of CEF were measured by a validated method through liquid chromatography tandem‐mass spectrometry. CEF plasma concentrations were quantified up to 72 and 96 hr after low‐ and high‐dose administration, respectively. The Cmax values of CEF were 24.61 ± 5.15 µg/ml and 26.39 ± 2.81 µg/ml at dosages of 12.5 and 25 mg/kg b.w., respectively. The AUClast values increased in a dose‐dependent fashion. The half‐life values were not statistically different between the groups (around 20 hr). The average binding percentage of CEF to plasma protein was 53.78 ± 2.11%. Based on the pharmacokinetic data, susceptibility break‐point and the surrogate PK‐PD index (T > MIC, 0.2 μg/ml), i.m. administration of CEF at a dose of 12.5 mg/kg b.w. might be appropriate for initiating treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in freshwater crocodiles.
Testing cognitive gadgets
Authors: Heyes Cecilia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractCognitive Gadgets is a book about the cultural evolution of distinctively human cognitive mechanisms. Responding to commentators with different and broader interests, I argue that intelligent design has been more important in the formation of grist (technologies, practices and ideas) than of mills (cognitive mechanisms), and that embracing genetic accommodation would leave research on the origins of human cognition empirically unconstrained. I also underline the need to assess empirical methods; query the value of theories that merely accommodate existing data; and ask whether acquiring literacy is more laborious than learning to imitate, to talk and to read minds.
CRISPR/Cas9 knockout of leghemoglobin genes in Lotus japonicus uncovers their synergistic roles in symbiotic nitrogen fixation
Authors: Wang Longlong , Rubio Maria Carmen , Xin Xian , Zhang Baoli , Fan Qiuling , Wang Qiang , Ning Guogui , Becana Manuel , Duanmu Deqiang 
Published: July 2019

Summary

Legume nodules contain high concentrations of leghemoglobins (Lbs) encoded by several genes. The reason for this multiplicity is unknown.

CRISPR/Cas9 technology was used to generate stable mutants of the three Lbs of Lotus japonicus. The phenotypes were characterized at the physiological, biochemical and molecular levels. Nodules of the triple mutants were examined by electron microscopy and subjected to RNA‐sequencing (RNA‐seq) analysis.

Complementation studies revealed that Lbs function synergistically to maintain optimal N2 fixation. The nodules of the triple mutants overproduced superoxide radicals and hydrogen peroxide, which was probably linked to activation of NADPH oxidases and changes in superoxide dismutase isoforms expression. The mutant nodules showed major ultrastructural alterations, including vacuolization, accumulation of poly‐β‐hydroxybutyrate and disruption of mitochondria. RNA‐seq of c. 20 000 genes revealed significant changes in expression of carbon and nitrogen metabolism genes, transcription factors, and proteinases. Lb‐deficient nodules had c. 30–50‐fold less heme but similar transcript levels of heme biosynthetic genes, suggesting a post‐translational regulatory mechanism of heme synthesis.

We conclude that Lbs act additively in nodules and that the lack of Lbs results in early nodule senescence. Our observations also provide insight into the reprogramming of the gene expression network associated with Lb deficiency, probably as a result of uncontrolled intracellular free O2 concentration.
UGT709G1: a novel uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferase involved in the biosynthesis of picrocrocin, the precursor of safranal in saffron (Crocus sativus)
Authors: Diretto Gianfranco , Ahrazem Oussama , Rubio‐Moraga Ángela , Fiore Alessia , Sevi Filippo , Argandoña Javier , Gómez‐Gómez Lourdes 
Published: July 2019

Summary

Saffron, a spice derived from the dried red stigmas of Crocus sativus, is one of the oldest natural food additives. The flowers have long red stigmas, which store significant quantities of the glycosylated apocarotenoids crocins and picrocrocin. The apocarotenoid biosynthetic pathway in saffron starts with the oxidative cleavage of zeaxanthin, from which crocins and picrocrocin are derived. In the processed stigmas, picrocrocin is converted to safranal, giving saffron its typical aroma.

By a targeted search for differentially expressed uridine diphosphate glycosyltransferases (UGTs) in Crocus transcriptomes, a novel apocarotenoid glucosyltransferase (UGT709G1) from saffron was identified.

Biochemical analyses revealed that UGT709G1 showed a high catalytic efficiency toward 2,6,6‐trimethyl‐4‐hydroxy‐1‐carboxaldehyde‐1‐cyclohexene (HTCC), making it suited for the biosynthesis of picrocrocin, the precursor of safranal. The role of UGT709G1 in picrocrocin/safranal biosynthesis was supported by the absence or presence of gene expression in a screening for HTCC and picrocrocin production in different Crocus species and by a combined transient expression assay with CsCCD2L in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves.

The identification of UGT709G1 completes one of the most highly valued specialized metabolic biosynthetic pathways in plants and provides novel perspectives on the industrial production of picrocrocin to be used as a flavor additive or as a pharmacological constituent.
The effectiveness of app‐based mobile interventions on nutrition behaviours and nutrition‐related health outcomes: A systematic review and meta‐analysis
Authors: Villinger Karoline , Wahl Deborah R. , Boeing Heiner , Schupp Harald T. , Renner Britta 
Published: July 2019

SummaryA systematic review and meta‐analysis were conducted to assess the effectiveness of app‐based mobile interventions for improving nutrition behaviours and nutrition‐related health outcomes, including obesity indices (eg, body mass index [BMI]) and clinical parameters (eg, blood lipids). Seven databases were searched for studies published between 2006 and 2017. Forty‐one of 10 132 identified records were included, comprising 6348 participants and 373 outcomes with sample sizes ranging from 10 to 833, including 27 randomized controlled trials (RCTs). A beneficial effect of app‐based mobile interventions was identified for improving nutrition behaviours (g = 0.19; CI, 0.06‐0.32, P = .004) and nutrition‐related health outcomes (g = 0.23; CI, 0.11‐0.36, P < .001), including positive effects on obesity indices (g = 0.30; CI, 0.15‐0.45, P < .001), blood pressure (g = 0.21; CI, 0.01‐0.42, P = .043), and blood lipids (g = 0.15; CI, 0.03‐0.28, P = .018). Most interventions were composed of four behaviour change technique (BCT) clusters, namely, “goals/planning,” “feedback/monitoring,” “shaping knowledge,” and “social support.” Moderating effects including study design, type of app (commercial/research app), sample characteristics (clinical/non‐clinical sample), and intervention characteristics were not statistically significant. The inclusion of additional treatment components besides the app or the number or type of BCTs implemented did not moderate the observed effectiveness, which underscores the potential of app‐based mobile interventions for implementing effective and feasible interventions operating at scale for fighting the obesity epidemic in a broad spectrum of the population.
How Do Different Types of Local Governments' Sustainability Programs Relate to Their Environmental Outcomes
Authors: Ji Hyunjung 
Published: July 2019

Local governments worldwide have developed a suite of sustainability programs to improve environmental conditions within their jurisdictions. However, critics suggest that local governments' sustainability programs are more symbolic than substantial in that they are often developed to create the appearance of addressing environmental issues rather than actual environmental performance outcomes. Despite the skeptics, as yet, we have little empirical understanding of the environmental impact of local sustainability programs. This paper bridges the gap by considering how the design of 102 county governments' individual sustainability programs relates to improvement of their ozone quality between 2003 and 2013. After controlling for the spatial dependence of ozone quality among neighboring counties, this paper offers the evidence that local sustainability programs are related to improved environmental conditions. Moreover, the sustainability programs that are designed more comprehensively across environmental issues appear to have greater policy efficacy compared to those focusing on a few environmental issues. These findings provide optimistic views about the local, non‐regulatory policy effort for improving collective environmental quality. This implication is particularly salient given the lack of strong national and international environmental regulatory regimes.
Pre‐ and post‐transplant bacterial infections in liver transplant recipients
Authors: Heldman Madeleine R. , Ngo Stephen , Dorschner Peter B. , Helfrich Mia , Ison Michael G. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundEarly (<1 month) bacterial infection after liver transplant is a major cause of morbidity and mortality among liver transplant recipients. We investigated the impact of pre‐transplant bacterial infection on early post‐transplant bacterial infection incidence and outcomes.MethodsA retrospective cohort study identified all patients who underwent liver transplantation between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012, at a single tertiary center in the United States. Infections occurring within the 30 days prior to transplant and within the 30 following transplant were identified. Information regarding pre‐transplant morbidity and post‐transplant outcomes was collected.ResultsOne‐hundred seventy‐four patients were included in the study. Forty patients (23%) experienced a total of 50 pre‐transplant infections. Fifty‐two (30%) developed a total of 62 post‐transplant infections. Patients with a pre‐transplant infection were more likely to develop a post‐transplant infection compared to patients without a pre‐transplant infection (48% [19 of 40] vs. 25% [33 of 134], respectively, P = .006). Patients with a pre‐transplant infection had a longer mean post‐transplant length of stay compared to those without a pre‐transplant infection (16.3 days vs. 10.4 days, respectively, P < .001), but survival at 30 days was similar in both groups (95% [38 of 40] vs. 97% [130 of 134, respectively, P = .56).ConclusionsAmong liver transplant recipients, pre‐transplant infection is an important risk factor for early post‐transplant bacterial infections. Pre‐transplant infection is associated with increased early morbidity but not mortality after transplant.
Angioinvasive, cutaneous infection due to Colletotrichum siamense in a stem cell transplant recipient: Report and review of prior cases
Authors: Werbel William A. , Baroncelli Riccardo , Shoham Shmuel , Zhang Sean X. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractColletotrichum is an important fungal plant pathogen, yet an uncommon cause of human disease. Herein we report a case of invasive, cutaneous infection in a stem cell transplant recipient due to Colletotrichum species, with accompanying review of the literature. The infection was successfully treated with a combination of liposomal amphotericin B and voriconazole. Multilocus phylogenetic analysis revealed that the distinct isolate belongs to Colletotrichum siamense, a member of the Colletotrichum gloeosporioides species complex not previously described as a human pathogen. Colletotrichum infection remains in the differential for skin lesions in the immune compromised host.
Population‐dependent reproducible deviation from natural bread wheat genome in synthetic hexaploid wheat
Authors: Jighly Abdulqader , Joukhadar Reem , Sehgal Deepmala , Singh Sukhwinder , Ogbonnaya Francis C. , Daetwyler Hans D. 
Published: July 2019

SummarySequence elimination is one of the main mechanisms that increases the divergence among homoeologous chromosomes after allopolyploidization to enhance the stability of recently established lineages, but it can cause a loss of some economically important genes. Synthetic hexaploid wheat (SHW) is an important source of genetic variation to the natural hexaploid wheat (NHW) genepool that has low genetic diversity. Here, we investigated the change between SHW and NHW genomes by utilizing a large germplasm set of primary synthetics and synthetic derivatives. Reproducible segment elimination (RSE) was declared if a large chromosomal chunk (>5 cM) produced no aligned reads in more than five SHWs. RSE in five genomic regions was the major source of variation between SHW and NHW. One RSE eliminated almost the complete short arm of chromosome 1B, which contains major genes for flour quality, disease resistance and different enzymes. The occurrence of RSE was highly dependent on the choice of diploid and tetraploid parental lines, their ancestral subpopulation and admixture, e.g. SHWs derived from Triticum dicoccon or from one of two Aegilops tauschii subpopulations were almost free of RSE, while highly admixed parents had higher RSE rates. The rate of RSE in synthetic derivatives was almost double that in primary synthetics. Genome‐wide association analysis detected four loci with minor effects on the occurrence of RSE, indicating that both parental lines and genetic factors were affecting the occurrence of RSE. Therefore, pre‐pre‐breeding strategies should be applied before introducing SHW into pre‐breeding programs to ensure genomic stability and avoid undesirable gene loss.
GSK3‐like kinase BIN2 phosphorylates RD26 to potentiate drought signaling in Arabidopsis
Authors: Jiang Hao , Tang Buyun , Xie Zhouli , Nolan Trevor , Ye Huaxun , Song Gao‐Yuan , Walley Justin , Yin Yanhai 
Published: July 2019

AbstractPlant steroid hormones brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate plant growth and development at many different levels. Recent research has revealed that stress‐responsive NAC (petunia NAM and Arabidopsis ATAF1, ATAF2, and CUC2) transcription factor RD26 is regulated by BR signaling and antagonizes BES1 in the interaction between growth and drought stress signaling. However, the upstream signaling transduction components that activate RD26 during drought are still unknown. Here, we demonstrate that the function of RD26 is modulated by GSK3‐like kinase BIN2 and protein phosphatase 2C ABI1. We show that ABI1, a negative regulator in abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, dephosphorylates and destabilizes BIN2 to inhibit BIN2 kinase activity. RD26 protein is stabilized by ABA and dehydration in a BIN2‐dependent manner. BIN2 directly interacts and phosphorylates RD26 in vitro and in vivo. BIN2 phosphorylation of RD26 is required for RD26 transcriptional activation on drought‐responsive genes. RD26 overexpression suppressed the brassinazole (BRZ) insensitivity of BIN2 triple mutant bin2 bil1 bil2, and BIN2 function is required for the drought tolerance of RD26 overexpression plants. Taken together, our data suggest a drought signaling mechanism in which drought stress relieves ABI1 inhibition of BIN2, allowing BIN2 activation. Sequentially, BIN2 phosphorylates and stabilizes RD26 to promote drought stress response.
High‐intensity interval training changes the expression of muscle RING‐finger protein‐1 and muscle atrophy F‐box proteins and proteins involved in the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway and autophagy in rat skeletal muscle
Authors: Cui Xinwen , Zhang Yimin , Wang Zan , Yu Jingjing , Kong Zhenxing , Ružić Lana 
Published: July 2019

New Findings
What is the central question of this study?
What are the adaptations of protein synthesis and degradation that occur in skeletal muscle in response to high‐intensity interval training (HIIT), and what are the magnitudes of the changes in response to HIIT, compared to moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT), and the mechanisms underlying these changes?

What is the main finding and its importance?
HIIT is more effective than MICT in altering the expression of muscle RING‐finger protein‐1 and muscle atrophy F‐box, and enhancing the autophagic flux in rat soleus muscle. In addition, HIIT could activate the mechanistic target of rapamycin pathway. These findings suggest that HIIT might be an effective exercise strategy for health promotion in skeletal muscle.

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the impact of high‐intensity interval training (HIIT) on the proteins involved in protein synthesis, the ubiquitin–proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy in skeletal muscle of middle‐aged rats. Nine‐month‐old male Wistar rats (n = 56) were randomly divided into three groups: a control (C) group, a moderate‐intensity continuous training (MICT) group and a HIIT group. Rats in the training groups ran on treadmills 5 days per week for 8 weeks. The MICT group ran for 50 min at 60% , while the HIIT group ran for 3 min at 80% of six times separated by 3‐min periods at 40% . Aerobic endurance, number of autophagosomes and expression of proteins involved in protein synthesis and degradation in the soleus muscle were measured at three time points: before training, after 4 weeks and after 8 weeks of training. Compared to the C group, HIIT and MICT increased the expression of phosphorylated mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) after 8 weeks (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). HIIT increased the expression of muscle RING‐finger protein‐1 (MuRF‐1) after 4 weeks (P < 0.01), and decreased its expression after 8 weeks (P < 0.01). Both HIIT and MICT decreased the expression of muscle atrophy F‐box (MAFbx) after 4 weeks (P < 0.05). HIIT improved the expression of microtubule‐associated protein 1A/1B‐light chain 3 (LC3)‐II (P < 0.05), and decreased the P62 content (P < 0.01) after 4 weeks. The LC3II/LC3I ratio was increased after 8 weeks (P < 0.01). This study demonstrated that HIIT could activate the mTOR pathway, alter the expression of MuRF‐1 and MAFbx proteins, and enhance autophagic flux in soleus muscle of middle‐aged rats.