bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Follicular structures of cows with cystic ovarian disease present altered expression of cytokines
Authors: Stassi Antonela F. , Gareis Natalia C. , Marelli Belkis E. , Matiller Valentina , Leiva Cristian J.M. , Rey Florencia , Ortega Hugo H. , Salvetti Natalia R. , Baravalle M. Eugenia 
Published: August 2019

SummaryOvulation is considered an inflammatory, cytokine-mediated event. Cytokines, which are recognized as growth factors with immunoregulatory properties, are involved in many cellular processes at the ovarian level. In this sense, cytokines affect fertility and are involved in the development of different ovarian disorders such as bovine cystic ovarian disease (COD). Because it has been previously demonstrated that ovarian cells represent both sources and targets of cytokines, the aim of this study was to examine the expression of several cytokines, including IL-1β, IL-1RA, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-4 and IL-8, in ovarian follicular structures from cows with spontaneous COD. The protein expression of these cytokines was evaluated by immunohistochemistry. Additionally, IL-1β, IL-4 and IL-8 concentrations in follicular fluid (FF) and serum were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In granulosa and theca cells, IL-1RI, IL-1RII, IL-1RA and IL-4 expression levels were higher in cystic follicles than in the control dominant follicles. The serum and FF concentrations of IL-1β and IL-4 showed no differences between groups, whereas IL-8 concentration was detected only in FF of cysts from cows with COD. The FF and serum concentrations of IL-1β and IL-8 showed no significant differences, whereas IL-4 concentration was higher in FF than in serum in both the control and COD groups. These results evidenced an altered expression of cytokines in ovaries of cows with COD that could contribute to the pathogenesis of this disease.
Histone hyperacetylation and DNA methylation interplay during murine spermatogenesis
Authors: Burlibaşa Liliana , Ionescu Andreea Carmen , Dragusanu Delia-Mihaela 
Published: August 2019

SummaryMale germ cell development is a critical period during which epigenetic patterns are established and maintained. The progression from diploid spermatogonia to haploid spermatozoa involves the incorporation of testis-specific histone variants, mitotic and meiotic divisions, haploid gene expression, histone–protamine transitions and massive epigenetic reprogramming. Understanding the protein players and the epigenetic mark network involved in the setting of the epigenetic programme in spermatogenesis is an exciting new clue in the field of reproductive biology with translational outcomes. As information in the existing literature regarding cross-talk between DNA methylation and histone hyperacetylation in the advanced stages of murine spermatogenesis is still scarce and controversial we have investigated the effect of a DNA-methyltransferase inhibitor, 5-aza-2′-deoxycytidine, at the cytological and molecular level (by transmission electron microscopy, immunocytochemistry and immunoprecipitation methods). Our results revealed an important role for regulation of DNA methylation in controlling histone hyperacetylation and chromatin remodelling during spermatogenesis.
Effect of butafosfan supplementation during oocyte maturation on bovine embryo development
Authors: Teixeira Hax Lucas , Rincón Joao Alveiro Alvarado , Schneider Augusto , Pegoraro Lígia Margareth Cantarelli , Franco Collares Letícia , Alves Pereira Rubens , Pradieé Jorgea , Del Pino Francisco Augusto Burket , Nunes Corrêa Marcio 
Published: August 2019

SummaryAround 60–80% of oocytes maturated in vivo reached competence, while the proportion of maturation in vitro is rarely higher than 40%. In this sense, butafosfan has been used in vivo to improve metabolic condition of postpartum cows, and can represent an alternative to increase reproductive efficiency in cows. The aim of this study was to evaluate the addition of increasing doses of butafosfan during oocyte maturation in vitro on the initial embryo development in cattle. In total, 1400 cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) were distributed in four groups and maturated according to supplementation with increasing concentrations of butafosfan (0 mg/ml, 0.05 mg/ml, 0.1 mg/ml and 0.2 mg/ml). Then, 20 oocytes per group were collected to evaluate nuclear maturation and gene expression on cumulus cells and oocytes and the remaining oocytes were inseminated and cultured until day 7, when blastocysts were collected for gene expression analysis. A dose-dependent effect of butafosfan was observed, with decrease of cleavage rate and embryo development with higher doses. No difference between groups was observed in maturation rate and expression of genes related to oocyte quality. Our results suggest that butafosfan is prejudicial for oocytes, compromising cleavage and embryo development.
Identification and characterization of POU class V family genes in Japanese red bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster
Authors: Hasegawa Shun , Nakao Isseki , Ootani Yuki , Ogawa Ami , Takano Miku , Kinoshita Tsutomu 
Published: August 2019

SummaryMammalian Pou5f1 encodes the POU family class V (POU-V) transcription factor which is essential for the pluripotency of embryonic cells and germ cells. In vertebrates, various POU-V family genes have been identified and classified into the POU5F1 family or its paralogous POU5F3 family. In this study, we cloned two cDNAs named CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3, which encode POU-V family proteins of the Japanese red bellied newtCynops pyrrhogaster. In the predicted amino acid sequence encoded by CpPou5f1, the typical MAGH sequence at the N-terminus and deletion of arginine at the fifth position of POU-homeodomain were recognized, but not in the sequence encoded by CpPou5f3. Phylogenetic analysis using Clustal Omega software indicated that CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3 are classified into the clade of the POU5F1 and POU5F3 families, respectively. In a real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis, the marked gene expression of CpPou5f1 was observed during oogenesis and early development up to the tail-bud stage, whereas weak gene expression of CpPou5f3 was detected only in the early stages of oogenesis and gastrula. In adult organs, CpPou5f1 was expressed only in the ovary, while gene expression of CpPou5f3 was recognized in various organs. A regeneration experiment using larval forelimb revealed that transient gene expression of CpPou5f1 occurred at the time of wound healing, followed by gene activation of CpPou5f3 during the period of blastema formation. These results suggest that CpPou5f1 and CpPou5f3 might play different roles in embryogenesis and limb regeneration.
A high selective tri-band bandpass filter with switchable passband states
Authors: Bandyopadhyay Anjan , Sarkar Pankaj , Mondal Tapas , Ghatak Rowdra 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA new class of switchable bandpass filter using PIN diodes is presented in this paper. The design aims at achieving a multistate switchable bandpass filtering characteristics between the passbands centered at 2.4, 3.5, and 5.2 GHz. The proposed filter is designed by assembling two λg/2 open-ended and four short-ended λg/4 uniform impedance resonators. The open-ended resonator generates a fixed passband at 3.5 GHz, whereas the short-ended resonators loaded with PIN diodes are independently controlling the ON and OFF characteristics of the passband centered at 2.4 and 5.2 GHz. The transmission zeros around each passband are produced without employing any additional circuit. The filter sample is fabricated and tested for experimental verification. A good agreement has been observed between EM-simulated and measured results. The designed filter has a compact size of 0.20 λg × 0.15 λg at 2.4 GHz.
What can clinicians do to improve outcomes across psychiatric treatments: a conceptual review of non-specific components
Authors: Priebe S. , Conneely M. , McCabe R. , Bird V. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAimsPsychiatric treatments have specific and non-specific components. The latter has been addressed in an extensive literature on the placebo-effect in pharmacology and on common factors in psychotherapy. In the practice of mental health care, pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and social treatments are combined in complex interventions. This paper aims to review non-specific components across diverse psychiatric treatments and consider implications for practice and research.MethodsWe conducted a non-systematic review of non-specific components across psychiatric treatments, their impact on treatment processes and outcomes, and interventions to improve them.ResultsThe identified research is heterogeneous, both in design and quality. All non-specific components capture aspects of how clinicians communicate with patients. They are grouped into general verbal communication – focusing on initial contacts, empathy, clarity of communication, and detecting cues about unspoken concerns – non-verbal communication, the framing of treatments and decision-making. The evidence is stronger for the impact of these components on process measures – i.e. therapeutic relationship, treatment satisfaction and adherence than on clinical outcomes – i.e. symptoms and relapse. A small number of trials suggest that brief training courses and simple methods for structuring parts of clinical consultations can improve communication and subsequently clinical outcomes.ConclusionsMethodologically, rigorous research advancing current understandings of non-specific components may increase effectiveness across different treatments, potentially benefitting large numbers of patients. Brief training for clinicians and structuring clinical communication should be used more widely in practice.
Determining the critical period for weed control in high-yielding cotton using common sunflower as a mimic weed
Authors: Charles Graham W. , Sindel Brian M. , Cowie Annette L. , Knox Oliver G. G. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractField studies were conducted over six seasons to determine the critical period for weed control (CPWC) in high-yielding cotton, using common sunflower as a mimic weed. Common sunflower was planted with or after cotton emergence at densities of 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, and 50 plants m−2. Common sunflower was added and removed at approximately 0, 150, 300, 450, 600, 750, and 900 growing degree days (GDD) after planting. Season-long interference resulted in no harvestable cotton at densities of five or more common sunflower plants m−2. High levels of intraspecific and interspecific competition occurred at the highest weed densities, with increases in weed biomass and reductions in crop yield not proportional to the changes in weed density. Using a 5% yield-loss threshold, the CPWC extended from 43 to 615 GDD, and 20 to 1,512 GDD for one and 50 common sunflower plants m−2, respectively. These results highlight the high level of weed control required in high-yielding cotton to ensure crop losses do not exceed the cost of control.
The Response of the Ionosphere‐Thermosphere System to the 21 August 2017 Solar Eclipse
Authors: Cnossen I. , Ridley A. J. , Goncharenko L. P. , Harding B. J. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe simulated the effects of the 21 August 2017 total solar eclipse on the ionosphere‐thermosphere system with the Global Ionosphere Thermosphere Model (GITM). The simulations demonstrate that the horizontal neutral wind modifies the eclipse‐induced reduction in total electron content (TEC), spreading it equatorward and westward of the eclipse path. The neutral wind also affects the neutral temperature and mass density responses through advection and the vertical wind modifies them further through adiabatic heating/cooling and compositional changes. The neutral temperature response lags behind totality by about 35 min, indicating an imbalance between heating and cooling processes during the eclipse, while the ion and electron temperature responses have almost no lag, indicating they are in quasi steady state. Simulated ion temperature and vertical drift responses are weaker than observed by the Millstone Hill Incoherent Scatter Radar, while simulated reductions in electron density and temperature are stronger. The model misses the observed posteclipse enhancement in electron density, which could be due to the lack of a plasmasphere in GITM. The simulated TEC response appears too weak compared to Global Positioning System TEC measurements, but this might be because the model does not include electron content above 550‐km altitude. The simulated response in the neutral wind after the eclipse is too weak compared to Fabry Perot interferometer observations in Cariri, Brazil, which suggests that GITM recovers too quickly after the eclipse. This could be related to GITM heating processes being too strong and electron densities being too high at low latitudes.
Retrieving Sea Ice Drag Coefficients and Turning Angles From In Situ and Satellite Observations Using an Inverse Modeling Framework
Authors: Heorton H. D. B. S. , Tsamados M. , Cole S. T. , Ferreira A. M. G. , Berbellini A. , Fox M. , Armitage T. W. K. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFor ice concentrations less than 85%, internal ice stresses in the sea ice pack are small and sea ice is said to be in free drift. The sea ice drift is then the result of a balance between Coriolis acceleration and stresses from the ocean and atmosphere. We investigate sea ice drift using data from individual drifting buoys as well as Arctic‐wide gridded fields of wind, sea ice, and ocean velocity. We perform probabilistic inverse modeling of the momentum balance of free‐drifting sea ice, implemented to retrieve the Nansen number, scaled Rossby number, and stress turning angles. Since this problem involves a nonlinear, underconstrained system, we used a Monte Carlo guided search scheme—the Neighborhood Algorithm—to seek optimal parameter values for multiple observation points. We retrieve optimal drag coefficients of CA=1.2×10−3 and CO=2.4×10−3 from 10‐day averaged Arctic‐wide data from July 2014 that agree with the AIDJEX standard, with clear temporal and spatial variations. Inverting daily averaged buoy data give parameters that, while more accurately resolved, suggest that the forward model oversimplifies the physical system at these spatial and temporal scales. Our results show the importance of the correct representation of geostrophic currents. Both atmospheric and oceanic drag coefficients are found to decrease with shorter temporal averaging period, informing the selection of drag coefficient for short timescale climate models.
New High‐Temperature Dependence of Magnetic Susceptibility‐Based Climofunction for Quantifying Paleoprecipitation From Chinese Loess
Authors: Gao Xinbo , Hao Qingzhen , Oldfield Frank , Bloemendal Jan , Deng Chenglong , Wang Luo , Song Yang , Ge Junyi , Wu Haibin , Xu Bing , Li Fengjiang , Han Long , Fu Yu , Guo Zhengtang 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe ferrimagnetic properties of soils are used to quantitatively reconstruct paleomonsoon precipitation from Chinese loess. Numerous magneto‐climofunctions have been established based on the magnetic proxies that are selectively sensitive to neoformation of fine‐grained superparamagnetic (SP) or single‐domain (SD) ferrimagnetic particles. Accumulating evidence has indicated that maghemite is the final product of the ferrimagnetic phases during pedogenesis in loessic soils. Quantitative estimates of abundance of maghemite of both SP and SD grains are therefore still required in developing magneto‐climofunctions. Here, we present detailed measurements on a suite of modern soil samples from the Chinese Loess Plateau to determine pedogenic ferrimagnetic mineralogy and to develop a new magneto‐climofunction based on a new parameter derived from the high‐temperature‐dependent magnetic susceptibility. Particle size fractionation processes combined with magnetic measurements indicate that fine‐grained SP and SD maghemite is the dominant pedogenic ferrimagnetic phases. High‐temperature‐dependent susceptibility measurements show that the thermally induced susceptibility drops between ~230 and ~400 °C during heating mainly result from the conversion of maghemite to hematite. We proposed a new parameter quantifying changes in the temperature dependence of magnetic susceptibility between 230 and 400 °C, χtd, that captures the concentration of pedogenically formed maghemite. Results show that χtd has a strong correlation with known quantities of maghemite in synthetic standard samples and that χtd of modern soils correlates with modern mean annual precipitation quite well (R2 = 0.82, n = 24). The established χtd‐mean annual precipitation climofunction provides a new approach to reconstructing paleorainfall during past warm interglacials from paleosols in Chinese loess.
Controls on Global Mantle Convective Structures and Their Comparison With Seismic Models
Authors: Mao Wei , Zhong Shijie 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSeismic observations suggest (1) significant accumulation of subducted slabs above the 670‐km discontinuity in many subduction zones, (2) possible structure change at ~1,000‐km depth, and (3) the large low shear wave velocity provinces above the core‐mantle boundary in the African and Pacific lower mantle be associated with chemical heterogeneity. Global mantle convection models with realistic plate motion history reproduce most of these structures. However, it remains unclear how the convection models compare with seismic models at different spatial wavelengths and depths. By conducting quantitative analysis between mantle convection and seismic models, we found that mantle convective structures show significant correlations with seismic structures in the upper mantle and mantle transition zone for wavelengths up to spherical harmonic degree 20. However, the global correlation is weak at intermediate to short wavelengths (for degrees 4 and higher) in the lower mantle below ~1,000‐km depth. A weak layer beneath the spinel‐to‐postspinel phase change help consistently reproduce stagnant slabs in the western Pacific, while having insignificant effects elsewhere, that is, the large low shear wave velocity province structures. The cold slab structures and their correlations with the seismically fast anomalies are nearly identical for our convection models with and without the plumes, indicating that seismically fast anomalies in the mantle mainly result from the subducted slabs. Models with viscosity increase at 1,000‐km depth and the 670‐km depth phase change may reproduce seismic slab structures including the stagnant slabs in the mantle transition zone equally well as models with a thin weak layer below the 670‐km phase boundary.
Bench-to-bedside strategies for osteoporotic fracture: From osteoimmunology to mechanosensation
Authors: Xie Yong , Zhang Licheng , Xiong Qi , Gao Yanpan , Ge Wei , Tang Peifu 
Published: August 2019

AbstractOsteoporosis is characterized by a decrease in bone mass and strength, rendering people prone to osteoporotic fractures caused by low-energy forces. The primary treatment strategy for osteoporotic fractures is surgery; however, the compromised and comminuted bones in osteoporotic fracture sites are not conducive to optimum reduction and rigid fixation. In addition, these patients always exhibit accompanying aging-related disorders, including high inflammatory status, decreased mechanical loading and abnormal skeletal metabolism, which are disadvantages for fracture healing around sites that have undergone orthopedic procedures. Since the incidence of osteoporosis is expected to increase worldwide, orthopedic surgeons should pay more attention to comprehensive strategies for improving the poor prognosis of osteoporotic fractures. Herein, we highlight the molecular basis of osteoimmunology and bone mechanosensation in different healing phases of elderly osteoporotic fractures, guiding perioperative management to alleviate the unfavorable effects of insufficient mechanical loading, high inflammatory levels and pathogen infection. The well-informed pharmacologic and surgical intervention, including treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and sufficient application of antibiotics, as well as bench-to-bedside strategies for bone augmentation and hardware selection, should be made according to a comprehensive understanding of bone biomechanical properties in addition to the remodeling status of osteoporotic bones, which is necessary for creating proper biological and mechanical environments for bone union and remodeling. Multidisciplinary collaboration will facilitate the improvement of overall osteoporotic care and reduction of secondary fracture incidence.
Enhancing photoelectrochemical water splitting by combining work function tuning and heterojunction engineering
Authors: Ye Kai-Hang , Li Haibo , Huang Duan , Xiao Shuang , Qiu Weitao , Li Mingyang , Hu Yuwen , Mai Wenjie , Ji Hongbing , Yang Shihe 
Published: August 2019

AbstractWe herein demonstrate the unusual effectiveness of two strategies in combination to enhance photoelectrochemical water splitting. First, the work function adjustment via molybdenum (Mo) doping significantly reduces the interfacial energy loss and increases the open-circuit photovoltage of bismuth vanadate (BiVO4) photoelectrochemical cells. Second, the creation and optimization of the heterojunction of boron (B) doping carbon nitride (C3N4) and Mo doping BiVO4 to enforce directional charge transfer, accomplished by work function adjustment via B doping for C3N4, substantially boost the charge separation of photo-generated electron-hole pairs at the B-C3N4 and Mo-BiVO4 interface. The synergy between the above efforts have significantly reduced the onset potential, and enhanced charge separation and optical properties of the BiVO4-based photoanode, culminating in achieving a record applied bias photon-to-current efficiency of 2.67% at 0.54 V vs. the reversible hydrogen electrode. This work sheds light on designing and fabricating the semiconductor structures for the next-generation photoelectrodes.
Alternate subunit assembly diversifies the function of a bacterial toxin
Authors: Fowler Casey C. , Stack Gabrielle , Jiao Xuyao , Lara-Tejero Maria , Galán Jorge E. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBacterial toxins with an AB5 architecture consist of an active (A) subunit inserted into a ring-like platform comprised of five delivery (B) subunits. Salmonella Typhi, the cause of typhoid fever, produces an unusual A2B5 toxin known as typhoid toxin. Here, we report that upon infection of human cells, S. Typhi produces two forms of typhoid toxin that have distinct delivery components but share common active subunits. The two typhoid toxins exhibit different trafficking properties, elicit different effects when administered to laboratory animals, and are expressed using different regulatory mechanisms and in response to distinct metabolic cues. Collectively, these results indicate that the evolution of two typhoid toxin variants has conferred functional versatility to this virulence factor. More broadly, this study reveals a new paradigm in toxin biology and suggests that the evolutionary expansion of AB5 toxins was likely fueled by the plasticity inherent to their structural design coupled to the functional versatility afforded by the combination of homologous toxin components.