bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Expressional divergence of the fatty acid-amino acid conjugate-hydrolyzing aminoacylase 1 (L-ACY-1) in Helicoverpa armigera and Helicoverpa assulta
Authors: Cheng Qian , Gu Shaohua , Liu Zewen , Wang Chen-Zhu , Li Xianchun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHow FACs-producing generalist and specialist herbivores regulate their FACs-hydrolyzing enzyme L-ACY-1 to balance FACs’ beneficial vs. detrimental effects remains unknown. To address this question, we comparedL-ACY-1expression inHelicoverpa armigeraandHelicoverpa assulta, a pair of closely related sibling species differing mainly in their host range, by the same sets of hostplants, protein to digestible carbohydrate (P:C) ratios, or allelochemical.L-ACY-1expression remained low/unchanged inH. armigera, but was induced by hot pepper fruits and repressed by cotton bolls inH. assulta. The representative allelochemicals of the tested hostplants significantly (capsaicin) or insignificantly (gossypol and nicotine) inducedL-ACY-1expression inH. armigera, but insignificantly inhibited (capsaicin and gossypol) or induced (nicotine) it inH. assulta. L-ACY-1expression remained low/unaltered on balanced (P50:C50 and P53:C47) or protein-biased diets and induced on carbohydrate-biased diets inH. armigera, but was at the highest level on balanced diets and reduced on either protein- or carbohydrate-biased diets inH. assulta. Furthermore,L-ACY-1expression was significantly higher inH. assultathan inH. armigerafor most of feeding treatments. Such expressional divergences suggest that FACs are utilized mainly for removal of excessive nitrogen in generalists but for nitrogen assimilation in specialists.
The expression profiles of miRNA–mRNA of early response in genetically improved farmed tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) liver by acute heat stress
Authors: Qiang Jun , Bao Wen J. , Tao Fan Y. , He Jie , Li Xia H. , Xu Pao , Sun Lan Y. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGenetically improved farmed tilapia (GIFT, Oreochromis niloticus) are commercially important fish that are cultured in China. GIFT are highly susceptible to diseases when exposed to high temperatures in summer. Better understanding the GIFT regulatory response to heat stress will not only help in determining the relationship between heat stress signalling pathways and adaption mechanisms, but will also contribute to breeding new high-temperature tolerant strains of GIFT. In this study, we built control (28 °C) and heat-treated (37.5 °C) groups, and extracted RNA from the liver tissues for high-throughput next-generation sequencing to study the miRNA and mRNA expression profiles. We identified 28 differentially expressed (DE) miRNAs and 744 DE mRNAs between the control and heat-treated groups and annotated them using the KEGG database. A total of 38 target genes were predicted for 21 of the DE miRNAs, including 64 negative miRNA–mRNA interactions. We verified 15 DE miRNA–mRNA pairs and 16 other DE mRNAs by quantitative real-time PCR. Important regulatory pathways involved in the early response of GIFT to heat stress included organism system, metabolism, and diseases. Our findings will facilitate the understanding of regulatory pathways affected by acute heat stress, which will help to better prevent heat damage to GIFT.
Different elevational patterns of rodent species richness between the southern and northern slopes of a mountain
Authors: Shuai Ling-Ying , Ren Chun-Lei , Yan Wen-Bo , Song Yan-Ling , Zeng Zhi-Gao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStudies on elevational gradients in biodiversity have accumulated in recent decades. However, few studies have compared the elevational patterns of diversity between the different slopes of a single mountain. We investigated the elevational distribution of rodent diversity (alpha and beta diversity) and its underlying mechanisms along the southern and northern slopes of Mt. Taibai, the highest mountain in the Qinling Mountains, China. The species richness of rodents on the two slopes showed distinct distribution patterns, with a monotonically decreasing pattern found along the southern slope and a hump-shaped elevational pattern evident along the northern slope. Multi-model inference suggested that temperature was an important explanatory factor for the richness pattern along the southern slope, and the mid-domain effect (MDE) was important in explaining the richness pattern along the northern slope. The two slopes also greatly differed in the elevational patterns of species turnover, with the southern slope demonstrating a U-shaped curve and the northern slope possessing a roughly hump-shaped pattern. Our results suggest that even within the same mountain, organisms inhabiting different slopes may possess distinct diversity patterns, and the underlying mechanisms may also differ. The potential role of the factors associated with slope aspect in shaping diversity, therefore, cannot be ignored.
High mRNA expression level of IL-6R was associated with better prognosis for patients with ovarian cancer: a pooled meta-analysis
Authors: Chen Qu , Xu Bin , Lan Lei , Yang Da , Yang Min , Jiang Jingting , Lu Binfeng , Shen Yueping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInterleukin-6 acts as both a pro-inflammatory cytokine and an anti-inflammatory myokine. IL-6/IL-6R signaling pathway, in particular, has been proposed to be a pivotal cytokine promoting ovarian cancer progression. This study aimed to elucidate potential clinical and biological function of IL-6R mRNA expression in ovarian cancer. We used the keywords “ovarian cancer” and searched through GEO database and finally a total of 7 studies together with TCGA database were incorporated in this analysis. We used Cutoff Finder to determine a cutoff point and stratified patients into two groups and found that high-expression of IL-6R mRNA in tumor tissues was a positive prognostic factor for overall survival. Simultaneously, high expression level of IL-6R mRNA correlates with better survival of patients who had additional chemotherapy treatment. These analyses suggested a possible role of tumoral expression of IL-6R in ovarian cancer. In conclusion, our results showed that mRNA levels of IL-6R in ovarian cancer was positively associated with better prognosis and sensitivity to chemotherapy and can potentially be used as a prognostic marker for this cancer.
Reduction of the off-pathway iron-sulphur cluster N1a of Escherichia coli respiratory complex I restrains NAD+ dissociation
Authors: Gnandt Emmanuel , Schimpf Johannes , Harter Caroline , Hoeser Jo , Friedrich Thorsten 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRespiratory complex I couples the electron transfer from NADH to ubiquinone with the translocation of protons across the membrane. The reaction starts with NADH oxidation by a flavin cofactor followed by transferring the electrons through a chain of seven iron-sulphur clusters to quinone. An eighth cluster called N1a is located proximally to flavin, but on the opposite side of the chain of clusters. N1a is strictly conserved although not involved in the direct electron transfer to quinone. Here, we show that the NADH:ferricyanide oxidoreductase activity of E. coli complex I is strongly diminished when the reaction is initiated by an addition of ferricyanide instead of NADH. This effect is significantly less pronounced in a variant containing N1a with a 100 mV more negative redox potential. Detailed kinetic analysis revealed that the reduced activity is due to a lower dissociation constant of bound NAD+. Thus, reduction of N1a induces local structural rearrangements of the protein that stabilise binding of NAD+. The variant features a considerably enhanced production of reactive oxygen species indicating that bound NAD+ represses this process.
An expandable embryonic stem cell-derived Purkinje neuron progenitor population that exhibits in vivo maturation in the adult mouse cerebellum
Authors: Higuera Gustavo A. , Iaffaldano Grazia , Bedar Meiwand , Shpak Guy , Broersen Robin , Munshi Shashini T. , Dupont Catherine , Gribnau Joost , de Vrij Femke M. S. , Kushner Steven A. , De Zeeuw Chris I. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe directed differentiation of patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells into cell-type specific neurons has inspired the development of therapeutic discovery for neurodegenerative diseases. Many forms of ataxia result from degeneration of cerebellar Purkinje cells, but thus far it has not been possible to efficiently generate Purkinje neuron (PN) progenitors from human or mouse pluripotent stem cells, let alone to develop a methodology for in vivo transplantation in the adult cerebellum. Here, we present a protocol to obtain an expandable population of cerebellar neuron progenitors from mouse embryonic stem cells. Our protocol is characterized by applying factors that promote proliferation of cerebellar progenitors. Cerebellar progenitors isolated in culture from cell aggregates contained a stable subpopulation of PN progenitors that could be expanded for up to 6 passages. When transplanted into the adult cerebellum of either wild-type mice or a strain lacking Purkinje cells (L7cre-ERCC1 knockout), GFP-labeled progenitors differentiated in vivo to establish a population of calbindin-positive cells in the molecular layer with dendritic trees typical of mature PNs. We conclude that this protocol may be useful for the generation and maturation of PNs, highlighting the potential for development of a regenerative medicine approach to the treatment of cerebellar neurodegenerative diseases.
MicroRNA-449c-5p inhibits osteogenic differentiation of human VICs through Smad4-mediated pathway
Authors: Xu Rongjian , Zhao Min , Yang Yun , Huang Zhuo , Shi Chunying , Hou Xianglin , Zhao Yannan , Chen Bing , Xiao Zhifeng , Liu Jianzhou , Miao Qi , Dai Jianwu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCalcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is the most common heart valve disorder, yet its mechanism remains poorly understood. Valve interstitial cells (VICs) are the prevalent cells in aortic valve and their osteogenic differentiation may be responsible for calcific nodule formation in CAVD pathogenesis. Emerging evidence shows microRNA (miRNA, or miR) can function as important regulators of many pathological processes, including osteogenic differentiation. Here, we aimed to explore the function of miR-449c-5p in CAVD pathogenesis. In this study, we demonstrated the role of miR-449c-5p in VICs osteogenesis. MiRNA microarray assay and qRT-PCR results revealed miR-449c-5p was significantly down-regulated in calcified aortic valves compared with non-calcified valves. MiR-449c-5p overexpression inhibited VICs osteogenic differentiation in vitro, whereas down-regulation of miR-449c-5p enhanced the process. Target prediction analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed Smad4 was a direct target of miR-449c-5p. Furthermore, knockdown of Smad4 inhibited VICs osteogenic differentiation, similar to the effect observed in up-regulation miR-449c-5p. In addition, animal experiments proved indirectly miR-449c-5p could alleviate aortic valve calcification. Our data suggested miR-449c-5p could function as a new inhibitory regulator of VICs osteogenic differentiation, which may act by targeting Smad4. MiR-449c-5p may be a potential therapeutic target for CAVD.
Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum LI09 and Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10 attenuate D-galactosamine-induced liver injury by modifying the gut microbiota
Authors: Fang Daiqiong , Shi Ding , Lv Longxian , Gu Silan , Wu Wenrui , Chen Yanfei , Guo Jing , Li Ang , Hu Xinjun , Guo Feifei , Ye Jianzhong , Li Yating , Li Lanjian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe gut microbiota is altered in liver diseases, and several probiotics have been shown to reduce the degree of liver damage. We hypothesized that oral administration of specific Bifidobacterium strains isolated from healthy guts could attenuate liver injury. Five strains were tested in this study. Acute liver injury was induced by D-galactosamine after pretreating Sprague-Dawley rats with the Bifidobacterium strains, and liver function, liver and ileum histology, plasma cytokines, bacterial translocation and the gut microbiome were assessed. Two strains, Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum LI09 and Bifidobacterium catenulatum LI10, conferred liver protection, as well as alleviated the increase in plasma M-CSF, MIP-1α and MCP-1 and bacterial translocation. They also ameliorated ileal mucosal injury and gut flora dysbiosis, especially the enrichment of the opportunistic pathogen Parasutterella and the depletion of the SCFA-producing bacteria Anaerostipes, Coprococcus and Clostridium XI. Negative correlations were found between MIP-1α / MCP-1 and Odoribacter (LI09 group) and MIP-1α / M-CSF and Flavonifractor (LI10 group). Our results indicate that the liver protection effects might be mediated through gut microbiota modification, which thus affect the host immune profile. The desirable characteristics of these two strains may enable them to serve as potential probiotics for the prevention or adjuvant treatment of liver injury.
Vocal expression of emotional valence in Przewalski’s horses (Equus przewalskii)
Authors: Maigrot Anne-Laure , Hillmann Edna , Anne Callista , Briefer Elodie F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVocal expression of emotions has been suggested to be conserved throughout evolution. However, since vocal indicators of emotions have never been compared between closely related species using similar methods, it remains unclear whether this is the case. Here, we investigated vocal indicators of emotional valence (negative versus positive) in Przewalski’s horses, in order to find out if expression of valence is similar between species and notably among Equidae through a comparison with previous results obtained in domestic horse whinnies. We observed Przewalski’s horses in naturally occurring contexts characterised by positive or negative valence. As emotional arousal (bodily activation) can act as a confounding factor in the search for indicators of valence, we controlled for its effect on vocal parameters using a behavioural indicator (movement). We found that positive and negative situations were associated with specific types of calls. Additionally, the acoustic structure of calls differed according to the valence. There were some similarities but also striking differences in expression of valence between Przewalski’s and domestic horses, suggesting that vocal expression of emotional valence, unlike emotional arousal, could be species specific rather than conserved throughout evolution.
Visceral adiposity index is strongly associated with hyperuricemia independently of metabolic health and obesity phenotypes
Authors: Dong Huimin , Xu Yang , Zhang Xiuzhi , Tian Simiao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVisceral adiposity index (VAI) is a novel sex-specific index for visceral adipose function; however the association between VAI and hyperuricemia in China is unknown. We aimed to investigate this association, also whether it was independent of metabolic health and obesity phenotypes. 7632 adult subjects from the China Health and Nutrition Survey 2009 were retained. Subjects were categorized into four obesity phenotypes based on a cross-classification of BMI and metabolic health status by two representative criteria. VAI was the best predictors for hyperuricemia irrespective of obesity phenotypes, with area under curve (AUC) ranging 0.665–0.719. The odd ratio (OR) for hyperuricemia in the highest quartile of the VAI were 6.93 (95% CI 5.79–8.29) after adjusting for age and gender. Following further adjustments for metabolic obesity phenotypes and lifestyle confounders, the ORs were 4.88 (3.92–6.09) and 5.65 (4.68–6.82) according to these two criteria, respectively. A similar significant pattern was still found even after adjustment for blood pressure and other cardiovascular risks. Within each metabolic obesity phenotype, the significant association between VAI and hyperuricemia was consistently evident. In conclusion, the association of the VAI with hyperuricemia was significant, especially this association was independent of metabolic health and obesity phenotypes in the Chinese population.
Bacterial Foraging Optimization –Genetic Algorithm for Multiple Sequence Alignment with Multi-Objectives
Authors: Manikandan P. , Ramyachitra D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis research work focus on the multiple sequence alignment, as developing an exact multiple sequence alignment for different protein sequences is a difficult computational task. In this research, a hybrid algorithm named Bacterial Foraging Optimization-Genetic Algorithm (BFO-GA) algorithm is aimed to improve the multi-objectives and carrying out measures of multiple sequence alignment. The proposed algorithm employs multi-objectives such as variable gap penalty minimization, maximization of similarity and non-gap percentage. The proposed BFO-GA algorithm is measured with various MSA methods such as T-Coffee, Clustal Omega, Muscle, K-Align, MAFFT, GA, ACO, ABC and PSO. The experiments were taken on four benchmark datasets such as BAliBASE 3.0, Prefab 4.0, SABmark 1.65 and Oxbench 1.3 databases and the outcomes prove that the proposed BFO-GA algorithm obtains better statistical significance results as compared with the other well-known methods. This research study also evaluates the practicability of the alignments of BFO-GA by applying the optimal sequence to predict the phylogenetic tree by using ClustalW2 Phylogeny tool and compare with the existing algorithms by using the Robinson-Foulds (RF) distance performance metric. Lastly, the statistical implication of the proposed algorithm is computed by using the Wilcoxon Matched-Pair Signed- Rank test and also it infers better results.
Overcoming the plasticity of plant specialized metabolism for selective diterpene production in yeast
Authors: Ignea Codruta , Athanasakoglou Anastasia , Andreadelli Aggeliki , Apostolaki Maria , Iakovides Minas , Stephanou Euripides G. , Makris Antonios M. , Kampranis Sotirios C. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPlants synthesize numerous specialized metabolites (also termed natural products) to mediate dynamic interactions with their surroundings. The complexity of plant specialized metabolism is the result of an inherent biosynthetic plasticity rooted in the substrate and product promiscuity of the enzymes involved. The pathway of carnosic acid-related diterpenes in rosemary and sage involves promiscuous cytochrome P450s whose combined activity results in a multitude of structurally related compounds. Some of these minor products, such as pisiferic acid and salviol, have established bioactivity, but their limited availability prevents further evaluation. Reconstructing carnosic acid biosynthesis in yeast achieved significant titers of the main compound but could not specifically yield the minor products. Specific production of pisiferic acid and salviol was achieved by restricting the promiscuity of a key enzyme, CYP76AH24, through a single-residue substitution (F112L). Coupled with additional metabolic engineering interventions, overall improvements of 24 and 14-fold for pisiferic acid and salviol, respectively, were obtained. These results provide an example of how synthetic biology can help navigating the complex landscape of plant natural product biosynthesis to achieve heterologous production of useful minor metabolites. In the context of plant adaptation, these findings also suggest a molecular basis for the rapid evolution of terpene biosynthetic pathways.
Ultrathin Fe2O3 nanoflakes using smart chemical stripping for high performance lithium storage
Authors: Wang Yazhou , Han Jisheng , Gu Xingxing , Dimitrijev Sima , Hou Yanglong , Zhang Shanqing 
Published: August 2017

A top-down strategy is developed to prepare ultrathin Fe2O3 nanoflakes (approximately 4 nm thick). The ultrathin nanoflakes showed a large specific capability, high rate performance and long lifetime as anode material for lithium ion batteries.
Neonatal Cranial Ultrasound: Advanced Techniques and Image Interpretation
Authors: Riedesel Erica 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNeonatal cranial ultrasound has become an essential part of the routine care of neonates. Ultrasound is noninvasive, relatively inexpensive, and can be performed at the bedside. Addition of advanced ultrasound techniques such as use of high-frequency linear transducers, additional acoustic windows, and color and pulsed wave Doppler can significantly improve image quality and diagnostic accuracy of cranial ultrasound. This review will focus on these techniques and their application in the detection of central nervous system pathology in the high-risk preterm and term neonates.
Comparison of Live Rat Femoral Artery Model with Intraoperative Microvascular Anastomosis
Authors: Butler Charles , Suami Hiroo , Liu Jun , Selber Jesse , Schaverien Mark 
Published: August 2017

Background The live rat femoral artery model is the gold standard in high-fidelity simulation for microvascular anastomosis worldwide. Despite widespread use, there is a paucity of evidence for its validity. This study aims to determine the correlation between microvascular anastomosis in the live rat femoral artery model and clinical performance.
Methods Twenty-nine microsurgical fellows were included in the study. At the beginning and end of the 1-year fellowship, fellows were assessed performing arterial microvascular anastomoses in the laboratory in a live rat femoral artery model. Each procedure was digitally video recorded and blinded. Fellows were also assessed in the operating room at the beginning and end of training performing microvascular anastomoses in multiple free flap cases. Validated tools were used for assessment, and duration of procedure was also recorded. The results from the evaluations were compared and interfellow comparisons were performed.
Results At both the beginning and end of the fellowship, there was no significant correlation between clinical performance evaluations during operating room cases and laboratory evaluations. In the laboratory, higher performance scores were associated with faster times at both the beginning and end of the fellowship.
Conclusion Contrary to conventional wisdom, microsurgical skill in the live rat femoral artery model in the laboratory does not correlate with clinical performance in the operating room. This calls into question the utility of this model for training purposes. Further research is necessary to corroborate these results and potentially establish experimental models with greater validity and reliability.