bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Two Figla homologues have disparate functions during sex differentiation in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis)
Authors: Li Hailong , Xu Wenteng , Zhang Ning , Shao Changwei , Zhu Ying , Dong Zhongdian , Wang Na , Jia Xiaodong , Xu Hao , Chen Songlin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFigla is a germ-cell-specific transcription factor associated with ovary development and differentiation. In vertebrates, one transcriptional form of Figla is commonly found. However, besides the common form of this gene (named Figla_tv1), a new transcriptional form (named Figla_tv2) was identified in half-smooth tongue sole (Cynoglossus semilaevis). The full-length cDNA of Figla_tv1 was 1057 bp long with a 591-bp open reading frame encoding a predicted 196 amino acid protein, while Figla_tv2 encoded a 125 amino acid protein. Figla_tv1 and Figla_tv2 expression in various tissues was detected by qRT-PCR. Figla_tv1 was expressed mainly in ovary, skin and liver, while Figla_tv2 was expressed in all examined tissues. In the gonads, Figla_tv1 was expressed in ovary, while Figla_tv2 was predominately expressed in testis of pseudomales. Further, in situ hybridization located Figla_tv1 only in oocytes and Figla_tv2 mainly in germ cells of pseudomale testis. After knocking down Figla_tv2 in a pseudomale testis cell line, the expression of two steroid hormone-encoding genes, StAR and P450scc, was significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05). Our findings suggest that Figla_tv1 has a conserved function in folliculogenesis, as in other vertebrates, and that Figla_tv2 may have a role in the spermatogenesis of pseudomales by regulating the synthesis and metabolism of steroid hormones.
Evolution of an intron-poor cluster of the CIPK gene family and expression in response to drought stress in soybean
Authors: Zhu Kaikai , Chen Fei , Liu Jinyi , Chen Xinlu , Hewezi Tarek , Cheng Zong-Ming 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCalcium ion is an intracellular messenger that plays a central role in signal transduction pathways. Calcineurin B-like proteins (CBLs) and CBL-interacting protein kinases (CIPKs) signal network have shown different functions in the Ca2+ signaling process. In this work, we identified the entire soybean (Glycine max) CIPK gene family, which comprised 52 genes and divided into four subgroups (I to IV) based on phylogeny. The gene structural analysis separated these 52 genes into an intron-rich clade and an intron-poor clade. Chromosomal location analysis resulted in the identification of 22 duplicated blocks and six tandem duplication events. Phylogenetic classification of 193 CIPK proteins from representative plant species suggested that the intron-poor clade of CIPKs originated in seed plants. Analysis of global gene expression patterns of soybean CIPK family revealed that most intron-poor soybean CIPK genes are drought-inducible; a finding that was further confirmed using qRT-PCR. Our study provides a foundation for further functional analysis to reveal the roles that CIPKs and more specifically the intron-poor clade play in drought tolerance in soybean.
Tuning the electrocaloric enhancement near the morphotropic phase boundary in lead-free ceramics
Authors: Le Goupil Florian , McKinnon Ruth , Koval Vladimir , Viola Giuseppe , Dunn Steve , Berenov Andrey , Yan Haixue , Alford Neil McN. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe need for more energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly alternatives in the refrigeration industry to meet global emission targets has driven efforts towards materials with a potential for solid state cooling. Adiabatic depolarisation cooling, based on the electrocaloric effect (ECE), is a significant contender for efficient new solid state refrigeration techniques. Some of the highest ECE performances reported are found in compounds close to the morphotropic phase boundary (MPB). This relationship between performance and the MPB makes the ability to tune the position of the MPB an important challenge in electrocaloric research. Here, we report direct ECE measurements performed on MPB tuned NBT-06BT bulk ceramics with a combination of A-site substitutions. We successfully shift the MPB of these lead-free ceramics closer to room temperature, as required for solid state refrigeration, without loss of the criticality of the system and the associated ECE enhancement.
Robust Denaturation of Villin Headpiece by MoS2 Nanosheet: Potential Molecular Origin of the Nanotoxicity
Authors: Gu Zonglin , Yang Zaixing , Kang Seung-gu , Yang Jerry R. , Luo Judong , Zhou Ruhong 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMoS2 nanosheet, a new two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides nanomaterial, has attracted significant attentions lately due to many potential promising biomedical applications. Meanwhile, there is also a growing concern on its biocompatibility, with little known on its interactions with various biomolecules such as proteins. In this study, we use all-atom molecular dynamics simulations to investigate the interaction of a MoS2 nanosheet with Villin Headpiece (HP35), a model protein widely used in protein folding studies. We find that MoS2 exhibits robust denaturing capability to HP35, with its secondary structures severely destroyed within hundreds of nanosecond simulations. Both aromatic and basic residues are critical for the protein anchoring onto MoS2 surface, which then triggers the successive protein unfolding process. The main driving force behind the adsorption process is the dispersion interaction between protein and MoS2 monolayer. Moreover, water molecules at the interface between some key hydrophobic residues (e.g. Trp-64) and MoS2 surface also help to accelerate the process driven by nanoscale drying, which provides a strong hydrophobic force. These findings might have shed new light on the potential nanotoxicity of MoS2 to proteins with atomic details, which should be helpful in guiding future biomedical applications of MoS2 with its nanotoxicity mitigated.
Au Nanocage Functionalized with Ultra-small Fe3O4 Nanoparticles for Targeting T1–T2Dual MRI and CT Imaging of Tumor
Authors: Wang Guannan , Gao Wei , Zhang Xuanjun , Mei Xifan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractDiagnostic approaches based on multimodal imaging of clinical noninvasive imaging (eg. MRI/CT scanner) are highly developed in recent years for accurate selection of the therapeutic regimens in critical diseases. Therefore, it is highly demanded in the development of appropriate all-in-one multimodal contrast agents (MCAs) for the MRI/CT multimodal imaging. Here a novel ideal MCAs (F-AuNC@Fe3O4) were engineered by assemble Au nanocages (Au NC) and ultra-small iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4) for simultaneous T1–T2dual MRI and CT contrast imaging. In this system, the Au nanocages offer facile thiol modification and strong X-ray attenuation property for CT imaging. The ultra-small Fe3O4 nanoparticles, as excellent contrast agent, is able to provide great enhanced signal of T1- and T2-weighted MRI (r1 = 6.263 mM−1 s−1, r2 = 28.117 mM−1 s−1) due to their ultra-refined size. After functionalization, the present MCAs nanoparticles exhibited small average size, low aggregation and excellent biocompatible. In vitro and In vivo studies revealed that the MCAs show long-term circulation time, renal clearance properties and outstanding capability of selective accumulation in tumor tissues for simultaneous CT imaging and T1- and T2-weighted MRI. Taken together, these results show that as-prepared MCAs are excellent candidates as MRI/CT multimodal imaging contrast agents.
Molecular classification based on apomorphic amino acids (Arthropoda, Hexapoda): Integrative taxonomy in the era of phylogenomics
Authors: Wu Hao-Yang , Wang Yan-Hui , Xie Qiang , Ke Yun-Ling , Bu Wen-Jun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWith the great development of sequencing technologies and systematic methods, our understanding of evolutionary relationships at deeper levels within the tree of life has greatly improved over the last decade. However, the current taxonomic methodology is insufficient to describe the growing levels of diversity in both a standardised and general way due to the limitations of using only morphological traits to describe clades. Herein, we propose the idea of a molecular classification based on hierarchical and discrete amino acid characters. Clades are classified based on the results of phylogenetic analyses and described using amino acids with group specificity in phylograms. Practices based on the recently published phylogenomic datasets of insects together with 15de novosequenced transcriptomes in this study demonstrate that such a methodology can accommodate various higher ranks of taxonomy. Such an approach has the advantage of describing organisms in a standard and discrete way within a phylogenetic framework, thereby facilitating the recognition of clades from the view of the whole lineage, as indicated by PhyloCode. By combining identification keys and phylogenies, the molecular classification based on hierarchical and discrete characters may greatly boost the progress of integrative taxonomy.
pol-miR-731, a teleost miRNA upregulated by megalocytivirus, negatively regulates virus-induced type I interferon response, apoptosis and cell cycle arrest
Authors: Zhang Bao-cun , Zhou Ze-jun , Sun Li 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMegalocytivirus is a DNA virus that is highly infectious in a wide variety of marine and freshwater fish, including Japanese flounder (Paralichthys olivaceus), a flatfish that is farmed worldwide. However, the infection mechanism of megalocytivirus remains largely unknown. In this study, we investigated the function of a flounder microRNA, pol-miR-731, in virus-host interaction. We found that pol-miR-731 was induced in expression by megalocytivirus and promoted viral replication at the early infection stage. In vivo and in vitro studies revealed that pol-miR-731 (i) specifically suppresses the expression of interferon regulatory factor 7 (IRF7) and cellular tumor antigen p53 in a manner that depended on the integrity of the pol-miR-731 complementary sequences in the 3′ untranslated regions of IRF7 and p53, (ii) disrupts megalocytivirus-induced Type I interferon response through IRF7, (iii) inhibits megalocytivirus-induced splenocyte apoptosis and cell cycle arrest through p53. Furthermore, overexpression of IRF7 and p53 abolished both the inhibitory effects of pol-miR-731 on these biological processes and its stimulatory effect on viral replication. These results disclosed a novel evasion mechanism of megalocytivirus mediated by a host miRNA. This study also provides the first evidence that a virus-induced host miRNA can facilitate viral infection by simultaneously suppressing several antiviral pathways.
Embryonic Stem Cell Proliferation Stimulated By Altered Anabolic Metabolism From Glucose Transporter 2-Transported Glucosamine
Authors: Jung Jin Hyuk , Iwabuchi Kumiko , Yang Zhihong , Loeken Mary R. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe hexose transporter, GLUT2 (SLC2A2), which is expressed by mouse embryos, is important for survival before embryonic day 10.5, but its function in embryos is unknown. GLUT2 can transport the amino sugar glucosamine (GlcN), which could increase substrate for the hexosamine biosynthetic pathway (HBSP) that produces UDP-N-acetylglucosamine for O-linked N-acetylglucosamine modification (O-GlcNAcylation) of proteins. To understand this, we employed a novel murine embryonic stem cell (ESC) line that, like mouse embryos, expresses functional GLUT2 transporters. GlcN stimulated ESC proliferation in a GLUT2-dependent fashion but did not regulate pluripotency. Stimulation of proliferation was not due to increased O-GlcNAcylation. Instead, GlcN decreased dependence of the HBSP on fructose-6-PO4 and glutamine. Consequently, glycolytic- and glutamine-derived intermediates that are needed for anabolic metabolism were increased. Thus, maternally obtained GlcN may increase substrates for biomass accumulation by embryos, as exogenous GlcN does for GLUT2-expressing ESC and may explain the need for GLUT2 expression by embryos.
Comparison between electropositive and electronegative cold atmospheric‐pressure plasmas: a modelling study
Authors: Liu Ding Xin , Li Jia Feng , Yang Ai Jun , Wang Xiao Hua , Rong Ming Zhe , Kong Michael G. 
Published: June 2016

Cold atmospheric‐pressure He + N2 and He + O2 plasmas are chosen as the representatives for electropositive and electronegative plasmas, of which the discharge characteristics are studied and then compared to each other by fluid models. As the increase of the impurity (N2 or O2) fraction from 0 to 10%, for He + N2 plasmas the electron density and ion density increase, the spatiotemporal distributions of electron density, ion density, electron temperature and electron generation rate change a little. On contrast, for He + O2 plasmas the electron density decreases, the ion density first increases and then decreases, the electron temperature increases in the bulk region, but decreases in the sheath region, and the plasmas transform from γ mode to α mode as the significant change of electron generation rate distributions. Larger electric field is needed in the bulk region to sustain the electronegative plasma, so the electrical characteristics of He + O2 plasmas transform form capacitive to resistive with increasing O2 fraction. Meanwhile, the ion‐coupling power increases dramatically, which can be estimated by a formula based on the electronegativity. A new criterion for determining the sheath boundary, |∇E| = 5 kV/cm2, is put forward, which is found suitable for both the electropositive and electronegative plasmas.
Pore‐scale contact angle measurements of CO2–brine–glass beads system using micro‐focused X‐ray computed tomography
Authors: Lv Pengfei , Liu Yu , Jiang Lanlan , Song Yongchen , Huang Qingxun 
Published: June 2016

Conventional methods for measuring contact angle are usually applied on smooth surfaces. Methods concerning contact angle determinations performed directly on pore surfaces of porous media have rarely been reported. This work approaches the pore‐scale measurement of local contact angle in a CO2–brine–glass beads system, using micro‐focused X‐ray computed tomography (micro‐CT). Both drainage and imbibition experiments with 0.1 ml/min injection rate were conducted at 40°C and 8 MPa. The effectiveness of this pore‐scale approach is confirmed by comparing the results with the results gathered from traditional sessile drop methodology. Observations indicate that the contact angle hysteresis phenomenon was not so obvious for intermediate‐wet glass beads in the employed experimental setting. In real reservoir circumstances, the roughness and capillary variation caused significant deviations in contact angle distribution for both drainage and imbibition, even in rock cores consisting of a single‐phase material.
Lebenslaufforschung in der Epidemiologie und den Sozialwissenschaften. Gemeinsam einsam?
Authors: Richter M. , Günther S. , Herke M. 
Published: June 2016

ZusammenfassungDer Lebenslauf wird zunehmend als Schlüssel zu einem besseren Verständnis der Entwicklung von Gesundheit und gesundheitlicher Ungleichheiten angesehen. Ziel des Aufsatzes ist es, das Potenzial einer umfassenden, interdisziplinären Perspektive auf den Lebenslauf und die Gesundheit zu untersuchen, die soziologische und psychologische Theorien und Modelle integriert und so einen stärkeren Dialog zwischen der Epidemiologie und den Sozialwissenschaften ermöglicht. Dabei werden zentrale Prinzipien und Konzepte aus den verschiedenen Forschungsdisziplinen diskutiert, die sich mit der Bedeutung des Lebenslaufs auseinandersetzen. Es wird ein theoriegestützter Forschungsrahmen abgeleitet, der den interdisziplinären Austausch fördert und illustriert, wie eine bio-psycho-soziale Perspektive auf den Lebenslauf stärker in den Bereich der Epidemiologie übertragen werden kann. Die paradigmatischen Prinzipien der interdisziplinären Lebenslaufforschung (human agency, timing, linked lives und historical context) bieten einen wichtigen theoretischen Rahmen für eine holistische, theoriebasierte Sicht auf den Lebenslauf und seine ineinander verflochtenen Verläufe. Der Stressprozess repräsentiert in diesem Kontext einen wichtigen ätiologischen Mechanismus zwischen den Lebenslaufprinzipien und Gesundheit. Um die Entwicklung von Gesundheit und gesundheitlicher Ungleichheiten besser als bislang zu verstehen, bedarf es eines interdisziplinären Ansatzes. Die hier vorgeschlagenen theoretischen Beiträge zur Lebenslaufepidemiologie ergänzen den wertvollen methodischen Fokus des Forschungsfeldes und können den interdisziplinären Dialog stärken.
VgrG C terminus confers the type VI effector transport specificity and is required for binding with PAAR and adaptor–effector complex
Authors: Bondage Devanand D. , Lin Jer-Sheng , Ma Lay-Sun , Kuo Chih-Horng , Lai Erh-Min 
Published: June 2016

Significance
The type VI secretion system involves multiple strategies for effector delivery via fusion or interaction of effectors to structural components of the phage tail-like structure, the tube component Hcp or spike protein VgrG. However, the detailed mechanisms underlying how diverse VgrG proteins govern effector delivery remains unclear. Here, we report that the divergent C-terminus of VgrG protein is the molecular determinant governing specific effector delivery and is required for interacting with a specific adaptor/chaperone protein that stabilizes and binds directly with the cognate effector. The striking conservation of genetic modules encoding homologous VgrG, a distinct set of potential adaptor/chaperone, and a specific effector in various Proteobacteria strongly suggest a conserved mechanism in type VI effector delivery.
Structural rearrangement of the intracellular domains during AMPA receptor activation
Authors: Zachariassen Linda G. , Katchan Ljudmila , Jensen Anna G. , Pickering Darryl S. , Plested Andrew J. R. , Kristensen Anders S. 
Published: June 2016

Significance
α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) are the main excitatory receptors in the brain. Although neurotransmitter binding to AMPARs is well understood, knowledge regarding their activation mechanisms remains incomplete. We exploited genetic insertion of fluorescent proteins to create AMPARs displaying fluorescence resonance energy transfer and allow optical monitoring of conformational changes in the receptor. Ligand-driven conformational changes are observed to occur in two intracellular domains of the receptor that are distant from the extracellular site where glutamate binds. The C terminus extends laterally from the receptor and remains relatively close to the plasma membrane. By measuring the activation of receptors electrically and optically at the same time, this study reveals AMPAR conformational changes occurring during receptor state transitions for a region not resolved in structural studies.
A macroscopic H
+
and Cl
−
ions pump via reconstitution of EcClC membrane proteins in lipidic cubic mesophases
Authors: Speziale Chiara , Salvati Manni Livia , Manatschal Cristina , Landau Ehud M. , Mezzenga Raffaele 
Published: June 2016

Significance
Membrane protein crystallization from lipidic cubic mesophases has recently revolutionized membrane structural biology, yielding several high-resolution X-ray structures over the past 2 decades. Reconstituted membrane proteins within lipidic cubic mesophases also play a decisive role in other areas of biology, nanotechnology, and drug delivery. Despite the implications in all these fields, elucidation of the molecular mechanisms of membrane protein reconstitution within this complex environment is only at its infancy, and many questions remain unanswered. This work sheds a new light on the reconstitution mechanisms of ion transporters in lipidic cubic mesophases and illustrates how controlling the reconstitution at a macroscopic level leads to the design of new functional materials with unprecedented charge separation and transport properties.
The neurofibromin recruitment factor Spred1 binds to the GAP related domain without affecting Ras inactivation
Authors: Dunzendorfer-Matt Theresia , Mercado Ellen L. , Maly Karl , McCormick Frank , Scheffzek Klaus 
Published: June 2016

Significance
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and Legius syndrome (LS) are disorders characterized by deregulation of the Ras/MAPK pathway, which is central to a variety of cellular processes, including growth and differentiation. Both neurofibromin protein and Sprouty-related, EVH1 domain-containing protein 1 (Spred1) inhibit the Ras/MAPK pathway, and loss-of-function alterations in their encoding genes cause NF1 or LS, respectively. Such alterations are also often found in sporadic tumors unrelated to NF1 or LS. An earlier report described a cellular complex containing neurofibromin and Spred1; the details of these interactions remained unknown. Here we show that the EVH1 domain of Spred1 binds to the GTPase activating protein-related domain of neurofibromin without interfering with its catalytic activity. We further describe how a disease associated mutation in neurofibromin prevents Spred1 binding.
Adverse Effects of Marijuana Use
Authors: Feeney Kathleen E. , Kampman Kyle M. 
Published: June 2016

Marijuana has consistently been reported as the most commonly used illicit substance in the United States each year. Currently, the legalization of marijuana is up for debate across the nation. While marijuana use is prevalent among the adolescent population, research has shown that there can be devastating effects on health and well-being. A review of the literature shows that marijuana use can have a negative impact on physical health, psychological well-being, and multiple psychosocial outcomes. Adolescents who used marijuana more frequently and began using marijuana at an earlier age experienced worse outcomes and long-lasting effects. Lay Summary: This article reviews recent literature regarding adverse effects of marijuana use. Negative effects of marijuana use relating to physical health, psychological well-being, and outcomes such as academic performance are discussed, especially in relation to the adolescent population.
Ethical Aspects of Nuclear and Mitochondrial DNA Transfer
Authors: Blesa José Rafael , Tudela Julio , Aznar Justo 
Published: June 2016

Somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) (cloning), as a reproductive or therapeutic method, and mitochondrial DNA transfer, as a method to prevent the transmission of mitochondrial diseases, are analyzed in this paper from a bioethics perspective. The licit purpose of being able to treat certain diseases, as in the case of SCNT, cannot justify, in any case, resorting to illicit means such as the manipulation, selection, and elimination of human embryos in the blastocyst phase, by using cell lines obtained from them. Crossing this line paves the way (as utilitarian ethics advocates) to assuming any cost in scientific experimentation so long as satisfactory results are obtained. With mitochondrial replacement, either human embryos are directly manipulated (pronuclear transfer) or germline cells are manipulated (maternal spindle transfer); changes in these could be transmitted to the offspring. Lay Summary: This article analyzes somatic cell nuclear transfer (cloning) and mitochondrial DNA transfer techniques, in both reproductive and therapeutic applications, and preventive methods in the transmission of mitochondrial diseases, from a bioethical perspective. The manipulation, selection, and elimination of human embryos delimits the ethical acceptability of these promising techniques.