bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Integrated analysis of mRNAs and long noncoding RNAs in the semen from Holstein bulls with high and low sperm motility
Authors: Wang Xiuge , Yang Chunhong , Guo Fang , Zhang Yaran , Ju Zhihua , Jiang Qiang , Zhao Xueming , Liu Yong , Zhao Han , Wang Jinpeng , Sun Yan , Wang Changfa , Zhu Huabin , Huang Jinming 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSperm motility is the main index used to assess the quality of bull semen. It may also be used to evaluate the fertility potential of bulls. Protein-coding mRNA and long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) participate in the regulation of spermatogenesis. Here, we employed strand-specific RNA sequencing to profile the semen transcriptome (mRNA and lncRNA) of six paired full-sibling Holstein bulls with divergent sperm motility and to determine the functions of mRNA and lncRNA in sperm motility. Among 20,875 protein-encoding genes detected in semen, 19 were differentially expressed between the high sperm motility group (H: H1, H2, and H3) and low sperm motility group (L: L1, L2, and L3). Of the 11,561 lncRNAs identified in sperm, 2,517 were differentially expressed between the H and L groups. We found that TCONS_00041733 lncRNA targets the node gene EFNA1 (ephrin A1), involved in male reproductive physiology. Our study provides a global mRNA and lncRNA transcriptome of bull semen, as well as novel insights into the regulation of neighboring protein coding by lncRNAs and the influence of mRNAs on sperm motility.
The intrepid urban coyote: a comparison of bold and exploratory behavior in coyotes from urban and rural environments
Authors: Breck Stewart W. , Poessel Sharon A. , Mahoney Peter , Young Julie K. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCoyotes (Canis latrans) are highly adaptable, medium-sized carnivores that now inhabit nearly every large city in the United States and Canada. To help understand how coyotes have adapted to living in urban environments, we compared two ecologically and evolutionarily important behavioral traits (i.e., bold-shy and exploration-avoidance behavior) in two contrasting environments (i.e., rural and urban). Boldness is an individual’s reaction to a risky situation and exploration is an individual’s willingness to explore novel situations. Our results from both tests indicate that urban coyotes are bolder and more exploratory than rural coyotes and that within both populations there are individuals that vary across both spectrums. Bolder behavior in urban coyotes emerged over several decades and we speculate on possible processes (e.g., learning and selection) and site differences that could be playing a role in this behavioral adaptation. We hypothesize that an important factor is how people treat coyotes; in the rural area coyotes were regularly persecuted whereas in the urban area coyotes were rarely persecuted and sometimes positively rewarded to be in close proximity of people. Negative consequences of this behavioral adaptation are coyotes that become bold enough to occasionally prey on pets or attack humans.
Impact of lipid binding on the tertiary structure and allergenic potential of Jug r 3, the non-specific lipid transfer protein from walnut
Authors: Dubiela Pawel , Del Conte Rebecca , Cantini Francesca , Borowski Tomasz , Aina Roberta , Radauer Christian , Bublin Merima , Hoffmann-Sommergruber Karin , Alessandri Stefano 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPlant non-specific lipid transfer proteins type 1 (nsLTP1) are small basic proteins with a hydrophobic cavity able to host a number of different ligands: i.e. fatty acids, fatty acyl-CoA, phospholipids, glycolipids, and hydroxylated fatty acids. However, ligand binding specificity differs among nsLTPs. Within this protein family, Jug r 3 from walnut has been identified as a major allergen. So far, data on the structural characterization of Jug r 3 and its lipid binding capacity are lacking. We report the results from a fluorescence-based ligand-binding assay and ligand-based NMR experiments, to study the binding interactions between Jug r 3 and the 18-carbon monounsaturated oleic acid. Furthermore, protein-based NMR experiments were employed to detect the oleate binding site of Jug r 3. The NMR data were used to dock the oleate molecule into the structural model of Jug r 3. Finally, the impact of the interaction on the allergenic potential of Jug r 3 was investigated by IgE ELISA with 6 sera from walnut allergic patients. Our data corroborate the hypothesis of direct impact of food-derived matrix on the IgE reactivity of nsLTPs.
Reproductive adaptation in alate adult morphs of the English grain aphid Sitobion avenae under starvation stress
Authors: Xu Xiangli , Lv Nannan , Shi Qi , Hu Xiangshun , Wu Junxiang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAdapting their reproductive physiology is a tactic that insects use in responding to conditions of food unavailability. The present study examined the potential effects of starvation periods on the ovarian development and reproduction of alate adult morphs of Sitobion avenae (Fabricius). Morphs both continuously fed and starved aphids contained two telotrophic ovaries, each comprising five ovarioles. As time increase after emergence, the number of offspring produced by the fed aphids increased gradually, whereas the number of embryos in their ovaries decreased gradually. Both the number of mature embryos and the volume of embryos rapidly increased at 24 h after emergence, and then remained at an approximately constant level between 24 and 144 h. Compared to the fed aphids, starved aphids only produced a small number of nymphs, and there was no significant change in the total number of embryos between 24 and 144 h, whereas both the number of mature embryos and volume of embryos increased significantly. Irrespective of starvation period, highly significant relationships between life span and fecundity were found. Adult aphids starved for longer periods presented lower longevity and fecundity, but dead females contained more mature embryos than those starved for shorter periods. These results suggested that, under starvation stress, S. avenae tends to invest in the development of larger embryos at the expense of reducing lifespan and future fecundity. This adaptive reproductive strategy under starvation stress could be one of the factors contributing to the successful establishment of new colonies of alate migratory aphids.
On the mechanism of the electrophysiological changes and membrane lesions induced by asbestos fiber exposure in Xenopus laevis oocytes
Authors: Bernareggi Annalisa , Conte Giorgia , Constanti Andrew , Borelli Violetta , Vita Francesca , Zabucchi Giuliano 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe so-called amphibole asbestos fibers are enriched with mineral iron ions, able to stimulate ROS production. We recently reported that crocidolite asbestos was able to interact with the cell membranes of Xenopus laevis oocytes, to alter their electrical membrane properties. Here, we found that applied iron ions (Fe3+) or H2O2 (for ROS generation) mimicked these effects, suggesting that at least one effect of iron-containing asbestos fiber exposure was mediated by ROS production. Furthermore, combined Fe3+ and H2O2 acted synergistically, producing a membrane effect stronger than that induced by these factors alone. Similar to crocidolite, these changes peaked within 30 minutes of incubation and vanished almost completely after 120 min. However, in the presence of cytochalasin D, which inhibits membrane actin repair mechanisms, crocidolite or applied Fe3+/H2O2 invariably produced oocyte cell death. While the electrophysiological modifications induced by crocidolite suggested a modification of an intrinsic chloride ion channel, the morphological appearance of the treated oocytes also indicated the formation of membrane “pores”; the effects of asbestos exposure may therefore consist of multiple (not necessarily exclusive) underlying mechanisms. In conclusion, using Xenopus oocytes allowed us for the first time, to focus on a specific membrane effect of crocidolite asbestos exposure, which deserves to be tested also on human lung cell lines. Much available evidence suggests that asbestos fibers damage cells through the production of ROS. Our present data confirm that crocidolite fibers can indeed trigger ROS-mediated damaging effects in the oocyte cell membrane, provided iron ions and H2O2 are available for ROS production.
Orange jasmine as a trap crop to control Diaphorina citri
Authors: Tomaseto Arthur F. , Marques Rodrigo N. , Fereres Alberto , Zanardi Odimar Z. , Volpe Haroldo X. L. , Alquézar Berta , Peña Leandro , Miranda Marcelo P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractNovel, suitable and sustainable alternative control tactics that have the potential to reduce migration of Diaphorina citri into commercial citrus orchards are essential to improve management of huanglongbing (HLB). In this study, the effect of orange jasmine (Murraya paniculata) as a border trap crop on psyllid settlement and dispersal was assessed in citrus orchards. Furthermore, volatile emission profiles and relative attractiveness of both orange jasmine and sweet orange (Citrus × aurantium L., syn. Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck) nursery flushes to D. citri were investigated. In newly established citrus orchards, the trap crop reduced the capture of psyllids in yellow sticky traps and the number of psyllids that settled on citrus trees compared to fallow mowed grass fields by 40% and 83%, respectively. Psyllids were attracted and killed by thiamethoxam-treated orange jasmine suggesting that the trap crop could act as a ‘sink’ for D. citri. Additionally, the presence of the trap crop reduced HLB incidence by 43%. Olfactometer experiments showed that orange jasmine plays an attractive role on psyllid behavior and that this attractiveness may be associated with differences in the volatile profiles emitted by orange jasmine in comparison with sweet orange. Results indicated that insecticide-treated M. paniculata may act as a trap crop to attract and kill D. citri before they settled on the edges of citrus orchards, which significantly contributes to the reduction of HLB primary spread.
Controllable beam reshaping by mixing square-shaped and hexagonal optical vortex lattices
Authors: Stoyanov L. , Maleshkov G. , Zhekova M. , Stefanov I. , Paulus G. G. , Dreischuh A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn the present work we show experimentally and by numerical calculations a substantial far-field beam reshaping by mixing square-shaped and hexagonal optical vortex (OV) lattices composed of vortices with alternatively changing topological charges. We show that the small-scale structure of the observed pattern results from the OV lattice with the larger array node spacing, whereas the large-scale structure stems from the OV lattice with the smaller array node spacing. In addition, we demonstrate that it is possible to host an OV, a one-dimensional, or a quasi-two-dimensional singular beam in each of the bright beams of the generated focal patterns. The detailed experimental data at different square-to-hexagonal vortex array node spacings shows that this quantity could be used as a control parameter for generating the desired focused structure. The experimental data are in excellent agreement with the numerical simulations.
Terrestrial mammalian wildlife responses to Unmanned Aerial Systems approaches
Authors: Bennitt Emily , Bartlam-Brooks Hattie L. A. , Hubel Tatjana Y. , Wilson Alan M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractUnmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) are increasingly being used recreationally, commercially and for wildlife research, but very few studies have quantified terrestrial mammalian reactions to UAS approaches. We used two Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAS to approach seven herbivore species in the Moremi Game Reserve, Botswana, after securing the relevant permissions. We recorded responses to 103 vertical and 120 horizontal approaches, the latter from three altitudes above ground level (AGL). We ran mixed logistic regressions to identify factors triggering (i) any response and (ii) an evasive response. We included effects of activity, altitude, direction of approach, distance, habitat, herd type, herd size, other species, target species, time, VTOL type and wind strength. Response triggers were linked to altitude, distance, habitat and target species. Elephant (Loxodonta africana), giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis), wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) and zebra (Equus quagga) were most affected by VTOL approach, impala (Aepyceros melampus) and lechwe (Kobus leche) were least responsive, and tsessebe (Damaliscus lunatus) displayed intermediate sensitivity. VTOLs flown lower than 60 m AGL and closer than 100 m horizontal distance from target animals triggered behavioural responses in most species. Enforced regulations on recreational UAS use in wildlife areas are necessary to minimise disturbance to terrestrial mammals.
Genetic susceptibility of common polymorphisms in NIN and SIGLEC5 to chronic periodontitis
Authors: Tong Hua , Wei Zhuliang , Yin Jing , Zhang Bo , Zhang Tianxiao , Deng Chunni , Huang Yali , Zhang Nan 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChronic periodontitis (CP) is a common oral disease characterized by the slow progression of alveolar attachment loss and bone destruction. Genetic components have been reported to play an important role in the onset and development of CP. In the present study, we aimed to replicate the association signals of NIN and SIGLEC5 identified in previous genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of samples from Chinese Han individuals. Association signals between clinical severity indicators of CP and relevant single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were also examined. A total of 3,160 study subjects, including 1,076 CP patients and 2,084 healthy controls, were recruited. A total of 32 SNPs, including 22 from NIN and 10 from SIGLEC5, were selected for genotyping. SNPs rs12883458 (OR = 1.45, P = 1.22 × 10−5, NIN) and rs4284742 (OR = 0.75, P = 1.69 × 10−5, SIGLEC5) were significantly associated with CP disease status. rs4284742 was significantly associated with all 3 clinical severity indicators, including bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment loss (CAL). According to evidence from bioinformatics analyses, both significant SNPs, rs12883458 and rs4284742, are likely surrogates of underlying variants with true effects. In summary, our findings provide direct evidence for the association of NIN and SIGLEC5 with CP susceptibility.
The epidemiology of hepatitis C virus in Central Asia: Systematic review, meta-analyses, and meta-regression analyses
Authors: Botheju Welathanthrige S. P. , Zghyer Fawzi , Mahmud Sarwat , Terlikbayeva Assel , El-Bassel Nabila , Abu-Raddad Laith J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe objective was to delineate hepatitis C virus (HCV) epidemiology in countries of Central Asia (CA), specifically Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. A systematic review was conducted guided by the Cochrane Collaboration Handbook, and reported using PRISMA guidelines. Meta-analyses were performed using DerSimonian-Laird random-effects models with inverse variance weighting. Random-effects meta-regression analyses were performed on general population studies. The systematic review identified a total of 208 HCV prevalence measures. No incidence or Turkmenistan studies were identified. Meta-analyses estimated HCV prevalence among the general population at 0.7% (95%CI: 0.7–0.8%) in Kazakhstan, 2.0% (95%CI: 1.7–2.4%) in Kyrgyzstan, 2.6% (95%CI: 1.7–3.6%) in Tajikistan, and 9.6 (95%CI: 5.8–14.2%) in Uzbekistan. Across CA, the pooled mean prevalence was 13.5% (95%CI: 10.9–16.4%) among non-specific clinical populations, 31.6% (95%CI: 25.8–37.7%) among populations with liver-related conditions, and 51.3% (95%CI: 46.9–55.6%) among people who inject drugs. Genotypes 1 (52.6%) and 3 (38.0%) were most frequent. Evidence was found for statistically-significant differences in prevalence by country, but not for a temporal decline in prevalence. CA is one of the most affected regions by HCV infection with Uzbekistan enduring one of the highest prevalence levels worldwide. Ongoing HCV transmission seems to be driven by injecting drug use and healthcare exposures.
Increase in secreted airway mucins and partial Muc5b STAT6/FoxA2 regulation during Pneumocystis primary infection
Authors: Rojas Diego A. , Iturra Pablo A. , Méndez Andrea , Ponce Carolina A. , Bustamante Rebeca , Gallo Miriam , Bórquez Pamela , Vargas Sergio L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAirway mucus responses to subclinical infections may explain variations in progression of chronic lung diseases and differences in clinical expression of respiratory infections across individuals. Pneumocystis associates to more severe Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), asthma, respiratory distress of premature newborns, and is a consistent subclinical infection between 2 and 5 months of age when hospitalizations for respiratory cause and infant mortality are higher. This atypical fungus associates to increased mucin 5AC (MUC5AC), a central effector of Th2-type allergic inflammation, in infant lungs. However, mucus progression, expression of MUC5B essential for airway defense, and potential for pharmacologic modulation of mucus during Pneumocystis infection remain unknown. We measured MUC5B and Pneumocystis in infant lungs, and progression of mucin levels and effect of inhibition of the STAT6/FoxA2 mucus pathway using Kaempferol, a JAK/STAT6 inhibitor, in immunocompetent rats during Pneumocystis primary infection. Pneumocystis associated to increased MUC5B in infant lungs. Muc5b increased earlier and more abundantly than Muc5ac during experimental primary infection suggesting an acute defensive response against Pneumocystis as described against bacteria, while increased Muc5ac levels supports an ongoing allergic, Th2 lymphocyte-type response during primary Pneumocystis infection. Kaempferol partly reversed Muc5b stimulation suggesting limited potential for pharmacological modulation via the STAT6-FoxA2 pathway.
Screening of Fungi for Potential Application of Self-Healing Concrete
Authors: Menon Rakenth R. , Luo Jing , Chen Xiaobo , Zhou Hui , Liu Zhiyong , Zhou Guangwen , Zhang Ning , Jin Congrui 
Published: February 2019

AbstractConcrete is susceptible to cracking owing to drying shrinkage, freeze-thaw cycles, delayed ettringite formation, reinforcement corrosion, creep and fatigue, etc. Continuous inspection and maintenance of concrete infrastructure require onerous labor and high costs. If the damaging cracks can heal by themselves without any human interference or intervention, that could be of great attraction. In this study, a novel self-healing approach is investigated, in which fungi are applied to heal cracks in concrete by promoting calcium carbonate precipitation. The goal of this investigation is to discover the most appropriate species of fungi for the application of biogenic crack repair. Our results showed that, despite the significant pH increase owing to the leaching of calcium hydroxide from concrete, Aspergillus nidulans (MAD1445), a pH regulatory mutant, could grow on concrete plates and promote calcium carbonate precipitation.
Active uptake of hydrophilic copper complex Cu(ii)–TETA in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes
Authors: Fu Chunyan , Lizhao Junhong , Luo Zhenghui , Wang Tao , Grapperhaus Craig A , Ding Xueqin , Kang Y James 
Published: February 2019

Abstract
Myocardial ischemia leads to copper efflux from the heart. The ischemic tissue with a low copper content fails to take up copper from the circulation even under the conditions of serum copper elevation. Cardiac copper repletion thus requires other available forms of this element than those currently known to bind to copper transport proteins. The copper complex of triethylenetetramine (TETA) is a metabolite of TETA, which has the potential to increase cardiac copper content in vivo. In the present study, we synthesized Cu(ii)–TETA, analyzed its crystal structure, and demonstrated the role of this compound in facilitating copper accumulation in primary cultures of neonatal rat cardiomyocytes. The Cu(ii)–TETA compound formed a square pyramidal chloride salt [Cu(TETA)Cl]Cl structure, which dissociates from chloride in aqueous solution to yield the four-coordinate dication Cu(ii)–TETA. Cu(ii)–TETA was accumulated as an intact compound in cardiomyocytes. Analysis from time-dependent copper accumulation in cardiomyocytes defined a different dynamic process in copper uptake between Cu(ii)–TETA and CuCl2 exposure. An additive copper accumulation in cardiomyocytes was found when the cells were exposed to both CuCl2 and Cu(ii)–TETA. Gene silencing of copper transport 1 (CTR1) did not affect cross-membrane transportation of Cu(ii)–TETA, but inhibited copper cellular accumulation from CuCl2. Furthermore, the uptake of Cu(ii)–TETA by cardiomyocytes was ATP-dependent. It is thus concluded that the formation of Cu(ii)–TETA facilitates copper accumulation in cardiomyocytes through an active CTR1-independent transportation process.
Interpretation of heliocentric water production rates of comets
Authors: Marshall D. , Rezac L. , Hartogh P. , Zhao Y. , Attree N. 
Published: February 2019

Aims. We investigate the influence of three basic factors on water production rate as a function of heliocentric distance: nucleus shape, the spin axis orientation, and the distribution of activity on a comet’s surface.
Methods. We used a basic water sublimation model driven by solar insolation to derive total production rates for different nuclei shapes and spin axis orientations using the orbital parameters of 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. We used known shape models derived from prior missions to the Jupiter Family and short period comets. The slopes of production rates versus heliocentric distance were calculated for the different model setups.
Results. The standard (homogeneous) outgassing model confirms the well-known result regarding the heliocentric dependence of water production rate that remains invariant for different nuclei shapes as long as the rotation axis is perpendicular to the orbital plane. When the rotation axis is not perpendicular, the nucleus shape becomes a critically important factor in determining the water production curves as the illuminated cross section of the nucleus changes with heliocentric distance. Shape and obliquity can produce changes in the illuminated cross section of up to 50% over an orbit. In addition, different spin axis orientations for a given shape can dramatically alter the pre- and post-perihelion production curves, as do assumptions about the activity distribution on the surface. If, however, the illuminated cross section of the nucleus is invariant, then the dependence on the above parameters is weak, as demonstrated here with the 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko shape. The comets Hartley 2 and Wild 2 are shown to yield significantly different production curve shapes for the same orbit and orientation as 67P/CG, varying by as much as a factor of three as a result of only changing the nucleus shape. Finally, we show that varying just three basic parameters, shape, spin axis orientation, and active spots distribution on the surface can lead to arbitrary deviations from the expected inverse square law dependence of water production rates near 1 au.
Conclusions. With the results obtained, we cannot avoid the conclusion that, without prior knowledge of basic parameters (shape, spin axis orientation, activity locations), it is difficult to reveal the nature of cometary outgassing from the heliocentric water production rates. Similarly, the inter-comparison of water production curves of two such comets may not be meaningful.