bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Alterations in rice chloroplast integrity, photosynthesis and metabolome associated with pathogenesis of Rhizoctonia solani
Authors: Ghosh Srayan , Kanwar Poonam , Jha Gopaljee 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSheath blight disease is caused by a necrotrophic fungal pathogen Rhizoctonia solani and it continues to be a challenge for sustainable rice cultivation. In this study, we adopted a multi-pronged approach to understand the intricacies of rice undergoing susceptible interactions with R. solani. Extensive anatomical alteration, chloroplast localized ROS, deformed chloroplast ultrastructure along with decreased photosynthetic efficiency were observed in infected tissue. GC-MS based metabolite profiling revealed accumulation of glycolysis and TCA cycle intermediates, suggesting enhanced respiration. Several aromatic and aliphatic amino acids along with phenylpropanoid intermediates were also accumulated, suggesting induction of secondary metabolism during pathogenesis. Furthermore, alterations in carbon metabolism along with perturbation of hormonal signalling were highlighted in this study. The gene expression analysis including RNAseq profiling reinforced observed metabolic alterations in the infected tissues. In conclusion, the present study unravels key events associated during susceptible rice-R. solani interactions and identifies metabolites and transcripts that are accumulated in infected tissues.
High affinity anchoring of the decoration protein pb10 onto the bacteriophage T5 capsid
Authors: Vernhes Emeline , Renouard Madalena , Gilquin Bernard , Cuniasse Philippe , Durand Dominique , England Patrick , Hoos Sylviane , Huet Alexis , Conway James F. , Glukhov Anatoly , Ksenzenko Vladimir , Jacquet Eric , Nhiri Naïma , Zinn-Justin Sophie , Boulanger Pascale 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBacteriophage capsids constitute icosahedral shells of exceptional stability that protect the viral genome. Many capsids display on their surface decoration proteins whose structure and function remain largely unknown. The decoration protein pb10 of phage T5 binds at the centre of the 120 hexamers formed by the major capsid protein. Here we determined the 3D structure of pb10 and investigated its capsid-binding properties using NMR, SAXS, cryoEM and SPR. Pb10 consists of an α-helical capsid-binding domain and an Ig-like domain exposed to the solvent. It binds to the T5 capsid with a remarkably high affinity and its binding kinetics is characterized by a very slow dissociation rate. We propose that the conformational exchange events observed in the capsid-binding domain enable rearrangements upon binding that contribute to the quasi-irreversibility of the pb10-capsid interaction. Moreover we show that pb10 binding is a highly cooperative process, which favours immediate rebinding of newly dissociated pb10 to the 120 hexamers of the capsid protein. In extreme conditions, pb10 protects the phage from releasing its genome. We conclude that pb10 may function to reinforce the capsid thus favouring phage survival in harsh environments.
Structural and magnetic properties of core-shell Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles
Authors: León Félix L. , Coaquira J. A. H. , Martínez M. A. R. , Goya G. F. , Mantilla J. , Sousa M. H. , Valladares L. de los Santos , Barnes C. H. W. , Morais P. C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe present a systematic study of core-shell Au/Fe3O4 nanoparticles produced by thermal decomposition under mild conditions. The morphology and crystal structure of the nanoparticles revealed the presence of Au core of d = (6.9 ± 1.0) nm surrounded by Fe3O4 shell with a thickness of ~3.5 nm, epitaxially grown onto the Au core surface. The Au/Fe3O4 core-shell structure was demonstrated by high angle annular dark field scanning transmission electron microscopy analysis. The magnetite shell grown on top of the Au nanoparticle displayed a thermal blocking state at temperatures below TB = 59 K and a relaxed state well above TB. Remarkably, an exchange bias effect was observed when cooling down the samples below room temperature under an external magnetic field. Moreover, the exchange bias field (HEX) started to appear at T~40 K and its value increased by decreasing the temperature. This effect has been assigned to the interaction of spins located in the magnetically disordered regions (in the inner and outer surface of the Fe3O4 shell) and spins located in the ordered region of the Fe3O4 shell.
Goliath catfish spawning in the far western Amazon confirmed by the distribution of mature adults, drifting larvae and migrating juveniles
Authors: Barthem Ronaldo B. , Goulding Michael , Leite Rosseval G. , Cañas Carlos , Forsberg Bruce , Venticinque Eduardo , Petry Paulo , Ribeiro Mauro L. de B. , Chuctaya Junior , Mercado Armando 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe mapped the inferred long-distance migrations of four species of Amazonian goliath catfishes (Brachyplatystoma rousseauxii, B. platynemum, B. juruense and B. vaillantii) based on the presence of individuals with mature gonads and conducted statistical analysis of the expected long-distance downstream migrations of their larvae and juveniles. By linking the distribution of larval, juvenile and mature adult size classes across the Amazon, the results showed: (i) that the main spawning regions of these goliath catfish species are in the western Amazon; (ii) at least three species—B. rousseauxii, B. platynemum, and B. juruense—spawn partially or mainly as far upstream as the Andes; (iii) the main spawning area of B. rousseauxii is in or near the Andes; and (iv) the life history migration distances of B. rousseauxii are the longest strictly freshwater fish migrations in the world. These results provide an empirical baseline for tagging experiments, life histories extrapolated from otolith microchemistry interpretations and other methods to establish goliath catfish migratory routes, their seasonal timing and possible return (homing) to western headwater tributaries where they were born.
Pharmacological Inhibition of c-Jun N-terminal Kinase Reduces Food Intake and Sensitizes Leptin’s Anorectic Signaling Actions
Authors: Gao Su , Howard Shannon , LoGrasso Philip V. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe role for c-Jun N-terminal Kinase (JNK) in the control of feeding and energy balance is not well understood. Here, by use of novel and highly selective JNK inhibitors, we investigated the actions of JNK in the control of feeding and body weight homeostasis. In lean mice, intraperitoneal (i.p.) or intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of SR-3306, a brain-penetrant and selective pan-JNK (JNK1/2/3) inhibitor, reduced food intake and body weight. Moreover, i.p. and i.c.v. administrations of SR11935, a brain-penetrant and JNK2/3 isoform-selective inhibitor, exerted similar anorectic effects as SR3306, which suggests JNK2 or JNK3 mediates aspect of the anorectic effect by pan-JNK inhibition. Furthermore, daily i.p. injection of SR3306 (7 days) prevented the increases in food intake and weight gain in lean mice upon high-fat diet feeding, and this injection paradigm reduced high-fat intake and obesity in diet-induced obese (DIO) mice. In the DIO mice, JNK inhibition sensitized leptin’s anorectic effect, and enhanced leptin-induced STAT3 activation in the hypothalamus. The underlying mechanisms likely involve the downregulation of SOCS3 by JNK inhibition. Collectively, our data suggest that JNK activity promotes positive energy balance, and the therapeutic intervention inhibiting JNK activities represents a promising approach to ameliorate diet-induced obesity and leptin resistance.
Alcohol and nicotine codependence-associated DNA methylation changes in promoter regions of addiction-related genes
Authors: Xu Hongqin , Wang Fan , Kranzler Henry R. , Gelernter Joel , Zhang Huiping 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAltered DNA methylation in addiction-related genes may modify the susceptibility to alcohol or drug dependence (AD or ND). We profiled peripheral blood DNA methylation levels of 384 CpGs in promoter regions of 82 addiction-related genes in 256 African Americans (AAs) (117 cases with AD-ND codependence and 139 controls) and 196 European Americans (103 cases with AD-ND codependence and 93 controls) using Illumina’s GoldenGate DNA methylation array assays. AD-ND codependence-associated DNA methylation changes were analyzed using linear mixed-effects models with consideration of batch effects and covariates age, sex, and ancestry proportions. Seventy CpGs (in 41 genes) showed nominally significant associations (P < 0.05) with AD-ND codependence in both AAs and EAs. One CpG (HTR2Bcg27531267) was hypomethylated in AA cases (P = 7.2 × 10−5), while 17 CpGs in 16 genes (includingHTR2Bcg27531267) were hypermethylated in EA cases (5.6 × 10−9 ≤ P ≤ 9.5 × 10−5). Nevertheless, 13 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) nearbyHTR2Bcg27531267 and the interaction of these SNPs and cg27531267 did not show significant effects on AD-ND codependence in either AAs or EAs. Our study demonstrated that DNA methylation changes in addiction-related genes could be potential biomarkers for AD-ND co-dependence. Future studies need to explore whether DNA methylation alterations influence the risk of AD-ND codependence or the other way around.
Insight into the Role of Surface Wettability in Electrocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution Reactions Using Light-Sensitive Nanotubular TiO2 Supported Pt Electrodes
Authors: Meng Chenhui , Wang Bing , Gao Ziyue , Liu Zhaoyue , Zhang Qianqian , Zhai Jin 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSurface wettability is of importance for electrochemical reactions. Herein, its role in electrochemical hydrogen evolution reactions is investigated using light-sensitive nanotubular TiO2 supported Pt as hydrogen evolution electrodes (HEEs). The HEEs are fabricated by photocatalytic deposition of Pt particles on TiO2 nanotubes followed by hydrophobization with vaporized octadecyltrimethoxysilane (OTS) molecules. The surface wettability of HEEs is subsequently regulated in situ from hydrophobicity to hydrophilicity by photocatalytic decomposition of OTS molecules using ultraviolet light. It is found that hydrophilic HEEs demonstrate a larger electrochemical active area of Pt and a lower adhesion force to a gas bubble when compared with hydrophobic ones. The former allows more protons to react on the electrode surface at small overpotential so that a larger current is produced. The latter leads to a quick release of hydrogen gas bubbles from the electrode surface at large overpotential, which ensures the contact between catalysts and electrolyte. These two characteristics make hydrophilic HEEs generate a much high current density for HERs. Our results imply that the optimization of surface wettability is of significance for improving the electrocatalytic activity of HEEs.
Multi-Instance Metric Transfer Learning for Genome-Wide Protein Function Prediction
Authors: Xu Yonghui , Min Huaqing , Wu Qingyao , Song Hengjie , Ye Bicui 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMulti-Instance (MI) learning has been proven to be effective for the genome-wide protein function prediction problems where each training example is associated with multiple instances. Many studies in this literature attempted to find an appropriate Multi-Instance Learning (MIL) method for genome-wide protein function prediction under a usual assumption, the underlying distribution from testing data (target domain,i.e., TD) is the same as that from training data (source domain,i.e., SD). However, this assumption may be violated in real practice. To tackle this problem, in this paper, we propose a Multi-Instance Metric Transfer Learning (MIMTL) approach for genome-wide protein function prediction. In MIMTL, we first transfer the source domain distribution to the target domain distribution by utilizing the bag weights. Then, we construct a distance metric learning method with the reweighted bags. At last, we develop an alternative optimization scheme for MIMTL. Comprehensive experimental evidence on seven real-world organisms verifies the effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed MIMTL approach over several state-of-the-art methods.
Enhanced Development of Skeletal Myotubes from Porcine Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells
Authors: Genovese Nicholas J. , Domeier Timothy L. , Telugu Bhanu Prakash V. L. , Roberts R. Michael 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe pig is recognized as a valuable model in biomedical research in addition to its agricultural importance. Here we describe a means for generating skeletal muscle efficiently from porcine induced pluripotent stem cells (piPSC) in vitro thereby providing a versatile platform for applications ranging from regenerative biology to the ex vivo cultivation of meat. The GSK3B inhibitor, CHIR99021 was employed to suppress apoptosis, elicit WNT signaling events and drive naïve-type piPSC along the mesoderm lineage, and, in combination with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-cytidine, to activate an early skeletal muscle transcription program. Terminal differentiation was then induced by activation of an ectopically expressed MYOD1. Myotubes, characterized by myofibril development and both spontaneous and stimuli-elicited excitation-contraction coupling cycles appeared within 11 days. Efficient lineage-specific differentiation was confirmed by uniform NCAM1 and myosin heavy chain expression. These results provide an approach for generating skeletal muscle that is potentially applicable to other pluripotent cell lines and to generating other forms of muscle.
Novel Protective Role of Myeloid Differentiation 1 in Pathological Cardiac Remodelling
Authors: Xiong Xiaojv , Liu Yu , Mei Yang , Peng Jianye , Wang Zhiqiang , Kong Bin , Zhong Peng , Xiong Liang , Quan Dajun , Li Qi , Wang Guangji , Huang He 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMyeloid differentiation 1 (MD-1), a secreted protein interacting with radioprotective 105 (RP105), plays an important role in Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) signalling pathway. Previous studies showed that MD-1 may be restricted in the immune system. In this study, we demonstrated for the first time that MD-1 was highly expressed in both human and animal hearts. We also discovered that cardiac-specific overexpression of MD-1 significantly attenuated pressure overload-induced cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and dysfunction, whereas loss of MD-1 had the opposite effects. Similar results were observed forin vitroangiotensin II-induced neonatal rat cardiomyocyte hypertrophy. The antihypertrophic effects of MD-1 under hypertrophic stimuli were associated with the blockage of MEK-ERK 1/2 and NF-κB signalling. Blocking MEK-ERK 1/2 signalling with a pharmacological inhibitor (U0126) greatly attenuated the detrimental effects observed in MD-1 knockout cardiomyocytes exposed to angiotensin II stimuli. Similar results were observed by blocking NF-κB signalling with a pharmacological inhibitor (BAY11–7082). Our data indicate that MD-1 inhibits cardiac hypertrophy and suppresses cardiac dysfunction during the remodelling process, which is dependent on its modulation of the MEK-ERK 1/2 and NF-κB signalling pathways. Thus, MD-1 might be a novel target for the treatment of pathological cardiac hypertrophy.
The interrelated effect of sleep and learning in dogs (Canis familiaris); an EEG and behavioural study
Authors: Kis Anna , Szakadát Sára , Gácsi Márta , Kovács Enikő , Simor Péter , Török Csenge , Gombos Ferenc , Bódizs Róbert , Topál József 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe active role of sleep in memory consolidation is still debated, and due to a large between-species variation, the investigation of a wide range of different animal species (besides humans and laboratory rodents) is necessary. The present study applied a fully non-invasive methodology to study sleep and memory in domestic dogs, a species proven to be a good model of human awake behaviours. Polysomnography recordings performed following a command learning task provide evidence that learning has an effect on dogs’ sleep EEG spectrum. Furthermore, spectral features of the EEG were related to post-sleep performance improvement. Testing an additional group of dogs in the command learning task revealed that sleep or awake activity during the retention interval has both short- and long-term effects. This is the first evidence to show that dogs’ human-analogue social learning skills might be related to sleep-dependent memory consolidation.
Restenosis Inhibition and Re-differentiation of TGFβ/Smad3-activated Smooth Muscle Cells by Resveratrol
Authors: Zhu Yichen , Takayama Toshio , Wang Bowen , Kent Alycia , Zhang Mengxue , Binder Bernard Y.K. , Urabe Go , Shi Yatao , DiRenzo Daniel , Goel Shakti A. , Zhou Yifan , Little Christopher , Roenneburg Drew A. , Shi Xu Dong , Li Lingjun , Murphy William L. , Kent K. Craig , Ke Jianjuan , Guo Lian-Wang 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTo date, there is no periadventitial drug delivery method available in the clinic to prevent restenotic failure of open vascular reconstructions. Resveratrol is a promising anti-restenotic natural drug but subject to low bioavailability when systemically administered. In order to reconcile these two prominent issues, we tested effects of periadventitial delivery of resveratrol on all three major pro-restenotic pathologies including intimal hyperplasia (IH), endothelium impairment, and vessel shrinkage. In a rat carotid injury model, periadventitial delivery of resveratrol either via Pluronic gel (2-week), or polymer sheath (3-month), effectively reduced IH without causing endothelium impairment and vessel shrinkage. In an in vitro model, primary smooth muscle cells (SMCs) were stimulated with elevated transforming growth factor (TGFβ) and its signaling protein Smad3, known contributors to IH. TGFβ/Smad3 up-regulated Kruppel-like factor (KLF5) protein, and SMC de-differentiation which was reversed by KLF5 siRNA. Furthermore, TGFβ/Smad3-stimulated KLF5 production and SMC de-differentiation were blocked by resveratrol via its inhibition of the Akt-mTOR pathway. Concordantly, resveratrol attenuated Akt phosphorylation in injured arteries. Taken together, periadventitial delivery of resveratrol produces durable inhibition of all three pro-restenotic pathologies — a rare feat among existing anti-restenotic methods. Our study suggests a potential anti-restenotic modality of resveratrol application suitable for open surgery.
Therapeutic effects of Euphorbia Pekinensis and Glycyrrhiza glabra on Hepatocellular Carcinoma Ascites Partially Via Regulating the Frk-Arhgdib-Inpp5d-Avpr2-Aqp4 Signal Axis
Authors: Zhang Yanqiong , Yan Chen , Li Yuting , Mao Xia , Tao Weiwei , Tang Yuping , Lin Ya , Guo Qiuyan , Duan Jingao , Lin Na 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTo clarify unknown rationalities of herbaceous compatibility of Euphorbia Pekinensis (DJ) and Glycyrrhiza glabra (GC) acting on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ascites, peritoneum transcriptomics profiling of 15 subjects, including normal control (Con), HCC ascites mouse model (Mod), DJ-alone, DJ/GC-synergy and DJ/GC-antagonism treatment groups were performed on OneArray platform, followed by differentially expressed genes (DEGs) screening. DEGs between Mod and Con groups were considered as HCC ascites-related genes, and those among different drug treatment and Mod groups were identified as DJ/GC-combination-related genes. Then, an interaction network of HCC ascites-related gene-DJ/GC combination-related gene-known therapeutic target gene for ascites was constructed. Based on nodes’ degree, closeness, betweenness and k-coreness, the Frk-Arhgdib-Inpp5d-Avpr2-Aqp4 axis with highly network topological importance was demonstrated to be a candidate target of DJ/GC combination acting on HCC ascites. Importantly, both qPCR and western blot analyses verified this regulatory effects based on HCC ascites mice in vivo and M-1 collecting duct cells in vitro. Collectively, different combination designs of DJ and GC may lead to synergistic or antagonistic effects on HCC ascites partially via regulating the Frk-Arhgdib-Inpp5d-Avpr2-Aqp4 axis, implying that global gene expression profiling combined with network analysis can offer an effective way to understand pharmacological mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.
Acellular Urethra Bioscaffold: Decellularization of Whole Urethras for Tissue Engineering Applications
Authors: Simões Irina N. , Vale Paulo , Soker Shay , Atala Anthony , Keller Daniel , Noiva Rute , Carvalho Sandra , Peleteiro Conceição , Cabral Joaquim M. S. , Eberli Daniel , da Silva Cláudia L. , Baptista Pedro M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPatients with stress urinary incontinence mainly suffer from malfunction of the urethra closure mechanism. We established the decellularization of porcine urethras to produce acellular urethra bioscaffolds for future tissue engineering applications, using bioscaffolds or bioscaffold-derived soluble products. Cellular removal was evaluated by H&E, DAPI and DNA quantification. The presence of specific ECM proteins was assessed through immunofluorescence staining and colorimetric assay kits. Human skeletal muscle myoblasts, muscle progenitor cells and adipose-derived stromal vascular fractions were used to evaluate the recellularization of the acellular urethra bioscaffolds. The mechanochemical decellularization system removed ~93% of tissue’s DNA, generally preserving ECM’s components and microarchitecture. Recellularization was achieved, though methodological advances are required regarding cell seeding strategies and functional assessment. Through microdissection and partial digestion, different urethra ECM-derived coating substrates were formulated (i.e. containing smooth or skeletal muscle ECM) and used to culture MPCs in vitro. The skeletal muscle ECM substrates enhanced fiber formation leading to the expression of the main skeletal muscle-related proteins and genes, as confirmed by immunofluorescence and RT-qPCR. The described methodology produced a urethra bioscaffold that retained vital ECM proteins and was liable to cell repopulation, a crucial first step towards the generation of urethra bioscaffold-based Tissue Engineering products.
Hybridogenesis and a potential case of R2 non-LTR retrotransposon horizontal transmission in Bacillus stick insects (Insecta Phasmida)
Authors: Scavariello Claudia , Luchetti Andrea , Martoni Francesco , Bonandin Livia , Mantovani Barbara 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHorizontal transfer (HT) is an event in which the genetic material is transferred from one species to another, even if distantly related, and it has been demonstrated as a possible essential part of the lifecycle of transposable elements (TEs). However, previous studies on the non-LTR R2 retrotransposon, a metazoan-wide distributed element, indicated its vertical transmission since the Radiata-Bilateria split. Here we present the first possible instances of R2 HT in stick insects of the genus Bacillus (Phasmida). Six R2 elements were characterized in the strictly bisexual subspecies B. grandii grandii, B. grandii benazzii and B. grandii maretimi and in the obligatory parthenogenetic taxon B. atticus. These elements were compared with those previously retrieved in the facultative parthenogenetic species B. rossius. Phylogenetic inconsistencies between element and host taxa, and age versus divergence analyses agree and support at least two HT events. These HT events can be explained by taking into consideration the complex Bacillus reproductive biology, which includes also hybridogenesis, gynogenesis and androgenesis. Through these non-canonical reproductive modes, R2 elements may have been transferred between Bacillus genomes. Our data suggest, therefore, a possible role of hybridization for TEs survival and the consequent reshaping of involved genomes.