bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of microRNA-23–27–24 clusters in skeletal muscle is not influential in skeletal muscle development and exercise-induced muscle adaptation
Authors: Lee Minjung , Wada Shogo , Oikawa Satoshi , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Ushida Takashi , Akimoto Takayuki 
Published: January 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs are small regulatory noncoding RNAs that repress gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. Previous studies have reported that the expression of miR-23, miR-27, and miR-24, driven from two miR-23–27–24 clusters, is altered by various pathophysiological conditions. However, their functions in skeletal muscle have not been clarified. To define the roles of the miR-23–27–24 clusters in skeletal muscle, we generated double-knockout (dKO) mice muscle-specifically lacking the miR-23–27–24 clusters. The dKO mice were viable and showed normal growth. The contractile and metabolic features of the muscles, represented by the expression of the myosin heavy chain and the oxidative markers PGC1-α and COX IV, were not altered in the dKO mice compared with wild-type mice. The dKO mice showed increased cross-sectional areas of the oxidative fibers. However, this dKO did not induce functional changes in the muscles. The dKO mice also showed normal adaptation to voluntary wheel running for 4 weeks, including the glycolytic-to-oxidative fiber type switch, and increases in mitochondrial markers, succinate dehydrogenase activity, and angiogenesis. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that the miR-23–27–24 clusters have subtle effects on skeletal muscle development and endurance-exercise-induced muscle adaptation.
Characteristics, capability, and origin of shale gas desorption of the Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Tang Xianglu , Jiang Zhenxue , Jiang Shu , Cheng Lijun , Zhong Ningning , Tang Ling , Chang Jiaqi , Zhou Wen 
Published: January 2019

AbstractShale gas desorption and loss is a serious and common phenomenon in the Sichuan Basin. The characteristics, capability, and origin of shale gas desorption are significant for understanding the shale gas reservoir accumulation mechanism and guiding shale gas exploration. The shale gas of the Longmaxi Formation in the southeastern Sichuan Basin was studied based on a shale gas desorption simulation experiment, combined with mineral composition, total organic carbon, specific surface area, isothermal adsorption, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) data. Here, the shale gas desorption capability was quantitatively evaluated, and its controlling factors are discussed. The results show that the shale gas desorption process within the Longmaxi Formation varies significantly. The total time of the desorption process varies from 600 min to 4400 min, and it mainly occurs by the 98 °C desorption stage. The desorption capability of the lower Formation is markedly weaker than that of the upper Formation, and it is mainly determined by the shale properties. Organic matter (OM) is the most important controlling factor. As the OM content increases, the specific surface area, methane adsorption capacity, and OM pores increase, leading to a rapid decrease in shale gas desorption capability. In addition, feldspar exhibits a positive correlation with shale gas desorption capability due to its large pores but low specific surface area.
Auditory Accommodation to Poorly Matched Non-Individual Spectral Localization Cues Through Active Learning
Authors: Stitt Peter , Picinali Lorenzo , Katz Brian F. G. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis study examines the effect of adaptation to non-ideal auditory localization cues represented by the Head-Related Transfer Function (HRTF) and the retention of training for up to three months after the last session. Continuing from a previous study on rapid non-individual HRTF learning, subjects using non-individual HRTFs were tested alongside control subjects using their own measured HRTFs. Perceptually worst-rated non-individual HRTFs were chosen to represent the worst-case scenario in practice and to allow for maximum potential for improvement. The methodology consisted of a training game and a localization test to evaluate performance carried out over 10 sessions. Sessions 1–4 occurred at 1 week intervals, performed by all subjects. During initial sessions, subjects showed improvement in localization performance for polar error. Following this, half of the subjects stopped the training game element, continuing with only the localization task. The group that continued to train showed improvement, with 3 of 8 subjects achieving group mean polar errors comparable to the control group. The majority of the group that stopped the training game retained their performance attained at the end of session 4. In general, adaptation was found to be quite subject dependent, highlighting the limits of HRTF adaptation in the case of poor HRTF matches. No identifier to predict learning ability was observed.
Enhancement of vitality and activity of a plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) by atmospheric pressure non-thermal plasma
Authors: Ji Sang-Hye , Kim Ju-Sung , Lee Choong-Hwan , Seo Han-Sol , Chun Se-Chul , Oh Jaesung , Choi Eun-Ha , Park Gyungsoon 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe inconsistent vitality and efficiency of plant growth promoting bacteria (PGPB) are technical limitations in the application of PGPB as biofertilizer. To improve these disadvantages, we examined the potential of micro Dielectric Barrier Discharge (DBD) plasma to enhance the vitality and functional activity of a PGPB, Bacillus subtilis CB-R05. Bacterial multiplication and motility were increased after plasma treatment, and the level of a protein involved in cell division was elevated in plasma treated bacteria. Rice seeds inoculated with plasma treated bacteria showed no significant change in germination, but growth and grain yield of rice plants were significantly enhanced. Rice seedlings infected with plasma treated bacteria showed elevated tolerance to fungal infection. SEM analysis demonstrated that plasma treated bacteria colonized more densely in the broader area of rice plant roots than untreated bacteria. The level of IAA (Indole-3-Acetic Acid) and SA (Salicylic Acid) hormone was higher in rice plants infected with plasma treated than with untreated bacteria. Our results suggest that plasma can accelerate bacterial growth and motility, possibly by increasing the related gene expression, and the increased bacterial vitality improves colonization within plant roots and elevates the level of phytohormones, leading to the enhancement of plant growth, yield, and tolerance to disease.
Exposure, vulnerability, and resiliency of French Polynesian coral reefs to environmental disturbances
Authors: Vercelloni Julie , Kayal Mohsen , Chancerelle Yannick , Planes Serge 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPreserving coral reef resilience is a major challenge in the Anthropocene, yet recent studies demonstrate failures of reef recovery from disturbance, globally. The wide and vigorous outer-reef system of French Polynesia presents a rare opportunity to assess ecosystem resilience to disturbances at a large-scale equivalent to the size of Europe. In this purpose, we analysed long-term data on coral community dynamics and combine the mixed-effects regression framework with a set of functional response models to evaluate coral recovery trajectories. Analyses of 14 years data across 17 reefs allowed estimating impacts of a cyclone, bleaching event and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreak, which generated divergence and asynchrony in coral community trajectory. We evaluated reef resilience by quantifying levels of exposure, degrees of vulnerability, and descriptors of recovery of coral communities in the face of disturbances. Our results show an outstanding rate of coral recovery, with a systematic return to the pre-disturbance state within only 5 to 10 years. Differences in the impacts of disturbances among reefs and in the levels of vulnerability of coral taxa to these events resulted in diverse recovery patterns. The consistent recovery of coral communities, and convergence toward pre-disturbance community structures, reveals that the processes that regulate ecosystem recovery still prevail in French Polynesia.
Transcriptome Analysis of Mesenchymal Stem Cells from Multiple Myeloma Patients Reveals Downregulation of Genes Involved in Cell Cycle Progression, Immune Response, and Bone Metabolism
Authors: Fernando Rodrigo Carlini , Mazzotti Diego Robles , Azevedo Hatylas , Sandes Alex Freire , Rizzatti Edgar Gil , de Oliveira Mariana Bleker , Alves Veruska Lia Fook , Eugênio Angela Isabel Pereira , de Carvalho Fabrício , Dalboni Maria Aparecida , Martins David Correa , Colleoni Gisele Wally Braga 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA growing body of evidence suggests a key role of tumor microenvironment, especially for bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC), in the maintenance and progression of multiple myeloma (MM), through direct and indirect interactions with tumor plasma cells. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the gene expression and functional alterations of MSC from MM patients (MM-MSC) in comparison with their normal counterparts from normal donors (ND-MSC). Gene expression analysis (Affymetrix) was performed in MM-MSC and ND-MSC after in vitro expansion. To validate these findings, some genes were selected to be evaluated by quantitative real time PCR (RT-qPCR), and also functional in vitro analyses were performed. We demonstrated that MM-MSC have a distinct gene expression profile than ND-MSC, with 485 differentially expressed genes (DEG) - 280 upregulated and 205 downregulated. Bioinformatics analyses revealed that the main enriched functions among downregulated DEG were related to cell cycle progression, immune response activation and bone metabolism. Four genes were validated by qPCR - ZNF521 and SEMA3A, which are involved in bone metabolism, and HLA-DRA and CHIRL1, which are implicated in the activation of immune response. Taken together, our results suggest that MM-MSC have constitutive abnormalities that remain present even in the absence of tumors cells. The alterations found in cell cycle progression, immune system activation, and osteoblastogenesis suggest, respectively, that MM-MSC are permanently dependent of tumor cells, might contribute to immune evasion and play an essential role in bone lesions frequently found in MM patients.
Construction of a high density genetic map of an interspecific cross of Capsicum chinense and Capsicum annuum and QTL analysis of floral traits
Authors: Zhu Zhangsheng , Sun Binmei , Wei Jianlang , Cai Wen , Huang Zhubin , Chen Changming , Cao Bihao , Chen Guoju , Lei Jianjun 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe yield of pepper plants (Capsicumspp.) is their most important trait and is affected by the flower number and flowering time.Capsicum annuumproduces a single flower per node and has an early flowering habit. By contrast,Capsicum chinenseyields multiple flowers per node and has a late flowering character. However, the genetic mechanism underlying the control of these floral traits remains largely unknown. In this study, 150 F2populations from an interspecific cross between the inbred lines 740 (C.chinense) and CA1 (C.annuum) and their parents were used to construct a molecular genetic linkage map using the specific length amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) technique. This linkage map, spanning 1,586.78 cM in length, contained 9,038 markers on 12 chromosomes, with a mean marker distance of 0.18 cM. Phenotypic data on the flowering time and flower number per node were collected over multiple years, and QTL analysis identified 6 QTLs for the flowering time and flower number per node by composite interval mapping (CIM) and genome-wide composite interval mapping (GCIM) methods at least in two environments. The candidate genes within the major QTL were predicted. In the major flowering time QTL, the candidate geneCapana02g000700, which encodes the homeotic protein APETALA2, was identified. Quantitative reverse-transcription PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that its expression level in 740 was higher than that in CA1. Gene expression analysis indicated that the expression ofCapana02g000700was significantly upregulated in flowers, and many floral development-related genes were found to be coexpressed withCapana02g000700, supporting the function of this gene in association with flowering time inC.chinenseandC.annuumspecies.
Identification of recurrent fusion genes across multiple cancer types
Authors: Yu Yan-Ping , Liu Peng , Nelson Joel , Hamilton Ronald L. , Bhargava Rohit , Michalopoulos George , Chen Qi , Zhang Jun , Ma Deqin , Pennathur Arjun , Luketich James , Nalesnik Michael , Tseng George , Luo Jian-Hua 
Published: January 2019

AbstractChromosome changes are one of the hallmarks of human malignancies. Chromosomal rearrangement is frequent in human cancers. One of the consequences of chromosomal rearrangement is gene fusions in the cancer genome. We have previously identified a panel of fusion genes in aggressive prostate cancers. In this study, we showed that 6 of these fusion genes are present in 7 different types of human malignancies with variable frequencies. Among them, the CCNH-C5orf30 and TRMT11-GRIK2 gene fusions were found in breast cancer, colon cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma multiforme, ovarian cancer and liver cancer, with frequencies ranging from 12.9% to 85%. In contrast, four other gene fusions (mTOR-TP53BP1, TMEM135-CCDC67, KDM4-AC011523.2 and LRRC59-FLJ60017) are less frequent. Both TRMT11-GRIK2 and CCNH-C5orf30 are also frequently present in lymph node metastatic cancer samples from the breast, colon and ovary. Thus, detecting these fusion transcripts may have significant biological and clinical implications in cancer patient management.
Experimental data from a quantum computer verifies the generalized Pauli exclusion principle
Authors: Smart Scott E. , Schuster David I. , Mazziotti David A. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract“What are the consequences… that Fermi particles cannot get into the same state…” R. P. Feynman wrote of the Pauli exclusion principle, “In fact, almost all the peculiarities of the material world hinge on this wonderful fact.” In 1972 Borland and Dennis showed that there exist powerful constraints beyond the Pauli exclusion principle on the orbital occupations of Fermi particles, providing important restrictions on quantum correlation and entanglement. Here we use computations on quantum computers to experimentally verify the existence of these additional constraints. Quantum many-fermion states are randomly prepared on the quantum computer and tested for constraint violations. Measurements show no violation and confirm the generalized Pauli exclusion principle with an error of one part in one quintillion.
Progress in targeting RAS with small molecule drugs
Authors: McCormick Frank 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
RAS proteins have traditionally been deemed undruggable, as they do not possess an active site to which small molecules could bind but small molecules that target one form of oncogenic RAS, KRAS G12C, are already in preclinical and clinical trials, and several other compounds that bind to different RAS proteins at distinct sites are in earlier stage evaluation. KRAS is the major clinical target, as it is by far the most significant form of RAS in terms of cancer incidence. Unfortunately, KRAS exists in two isoforms, each with unique biochemical properties. This complicates efforts to target KRAS specifically. KRAS is also a member of a family of closely related proteins, which share similar effector-binding regions and G-domains, further increasing the challenge of specificity. Nevertheless, progress is being made, driven by new drug discovery technologies and creative science.
Balancing mitochondrial dynamics via increasing mitochondrial fusion attenuates infarct size and left ventricular dysfunction in rats with cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: Maneechote Chayodom , Palee Siripong , Kerdphoo Sasiwan , Jaiwongkam Thidarat , Chattipakorn Siriporn C. , Chattipakorn Nipon 
Published: January 2019

Abstract
An uncontrolled balance of mitochondrial dynamics has been shown to contribute to cardiac dysfunction during ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Although inhibition of mitochondrial fission could ameliorate cardiac dysfunction, modulation of mitochondrial fusion by giving a fusion promoter at different time-points during cardiac I/R injury has never been investigated. We hypothesized that giving of a mitochondrial fusion promoter at different time-points exerts cardioprotection with different levels of efficacy in rats with cardiac I/R injury. Forty male Wistar rats were subjected to a 30-min ischemia by coronary occlusion, followed by a 120-min reperfusion. The rats were then randomly divided into control and three treated groups: pre-ischemia, during-ischemia, and onset of reperfusion. A pharmacological mitochondrial fusion promoter-M1 (2 mg/kg) was used for intervention. Reduced mitochondrial fusion protein was observed after cardiac I/R injury. M1 administered prior to ischemia exerted the highest level of cardioprotection by improving both cardiac mitochondrial function and dynamics regulation, attenuating incidence of arrhythmia, reducing infarct size and cardiac apoptosis, which led to the preservation of cardiac function and decreased mortality. M1 given during ischemia and on the onset of reperfusion also exerted cardioprotection, but with a lower efficacy than when given at the pre-ischemia time-point. Attenuating a reduction in mitochondrial fusion proteins during myocardial ischemia and at the onset of reperfusion exerted cardioprotection by attenuating mitochondrial dysfunction and dynamic imbalance, thus reducing infarct size and improving cardiac function. These findings indicate that it could be a promising intervention with the potential to afford cardioprotection in the clinical setting of acute myocardial infarction.
The Production of Question Intonation by Young Adult Cochlear Implant Users: Does Age at Implantation Matter?
Authors: Lehnert-LeHouillier Heike , Spencer Linda J. , Machmer Elizabeth L. , Burchell Kristy L. 
Published: January 2019

PurposeThe purpose of this observational study was to investigate the properties of sentence-final prosody in yes/no questions produced by cochlear implant (CI) users in order to determine whether and how the age at CI implantation impacts CI users' production of question intonation later in life.MethodWe acoustically analyzed recordings from 46 young adult CI users and 10 young adults with normal hearing who read yes/no questions. Of the 46 CI users, 20 had received their CI before the age of 4.0 years (early implantation group), 15 between ages 4.0 and 8.11 years (midimplantation group), and 11 at the age of 9.0 years or later (late implantation group). We assessed the prosodic properties of the produced questions for each implantation group and the normal hearing comparison group (a) by measuring the sentence-final rise in fundamental frequency, (b) by labeling the question-final intonation contour using the Tones and Breaks Index (Beckman & Ayers, 1994;Silverman, Beckman, et al., 1992;Veilleux, Shattuck-Hufnagel, & Brugos, 2006), and (c) by assessing phrase-final lengthening.ResultsThe fundamental frequency rises produced by all CI users exhibited a smaller magnitude than those produced by the normal hearing comparison group, although the difference between early implanted CI users and the normal hearing group did not reach statistical significance. Early implanted CI users were more comparable in their use of question-final intonation contours to the individuals with typical hearing than to those users with CI implanted later in life. All CI users exhibited significantly less phrase-final lengthening than the normal hearing comparison group, regardless of age at CI implantation.ConclusionThe results of this investigation of question intonation produced by CI users suggest that those CI users who were implanted with CI earlier in life produce yes/no question intonation in a manner that is more similar to, albeit not the same as, individuals with normal hearing when compared to the productions of those users with CI implanted after 4.0 years of age.
Changes in Articulatory Control Pre– and Post–Facial Transplant: A Case Report
Authors: Grigos Maria I. , LeBlanc Étoile , Hagedorn Christina , Diaz-Siso J. Rodrigo , Plana Natalie , Rodriguez Eduardo D. 
Published: January 2019

PurposeFacial transplantation involves partial or total replacement of neuromuscular and skeletal structures of the face, head, and neck using donor tissues and is among the most extensive facial reconstructive procedures. This case report compares changes in speech production and articulator movement in a 44-year-old man from pretransplant to a 13-month posttransplant period.MethodSpeech production and articulator movement data were examined at 5 time points, once pretransplant and 4 times posttransplant (4, 7, 10, and 13 months), and compared to 4 healthy controls. A motion capture system was used to track jaw and vertical/horizontal lip movement during nonspeech and speech tasks. Speech intelligibility, jaw displacement, lip aperture, and movement variability were measured.ResultsSpeech intelligibility varied across the study period and was restored to control status by 7 months posttransplant. Jaw displacement and lip aperture in the vertical plane significantly increased over time for nonspeech and speech tasks. Changes in horizontal lip movements over time were minimal. Jaw and lip movement variability fluctuated over time and was greater than the controls by 13 months posttransplant.DiscussionFindings quantify changes in articulator movement and contributions to improved speech production following facial transplant. Changes reflect the adaptability of the speech motor system and are discussed in relation to pretransplant speech motor control patterns.
Improved active clamped ZVS buck converter with freewheeling current transfer circuit
Authors: Fan Shaogui , Sun Li , Duan Jiandong , Zhang Kai 
Published: January 2019

An improved active clamped zero‐voltage switching (ZVS) buck converter with freewheeling current transfer circuit is proposed in this study. Comparing with the traditional active clamped ZVS buck converter, the current of freewheeling diode, the clamping voltage and duty cycle loss are all halved. The reduced current and voltage stress will result in high reliability and efficiency. Moreover, the reduced duty cycle loss will result in a low input voltage. In the improved converter, a small inductor and an auxiliary diode are added to build the freewheeling current transfer circuit. The operating principle of the improved converter is described. The analysis and design considerations of the proposed converter are given. A 1.2 kW prototype converter is set up to validate the improved converter.