bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The nuclear melatonin receptor RORα is a novel endogenous defender against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury
Authors: He Ben , Zhao Yichao , Xu Longwei , Gao Lingchen , Su Yuanyuan , Lin Nan , Pu Jun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCircadian rhythm disruption or decrease in levels of circadian hormones such as melatonin increases ischemic heart disease risk. The nuclear melatonin receptors RORs are pivotally involved in circadian rhythm regulation and melatonin effects mediation. However, the functional roles of RORs in the heart have never been investigated and were therefore the subject of this study on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury pathogenesis. RORα and RORγ subtypes were detected in the adult mouse heart, and RORα but not RORγ was downregulated after MI/R. To determine the pathological consequence of MI/R‐induced reduction of RORα, we subjected RORα‐deficient staggerer mice and wild‐type (WT) littermates to MI/R injury, resulting in significantly increased myocardial infarct size, myocardial apoptosis and exacerbated contractile dysfunction in the former. Mechanistically, RORα deficiency promoted MI/R‐induced endoplasmic reticulum stress, mitochondrial impairments, and autophagy dysfunction. Moreover, RORα deficiency augmented MI/R‐induced oxidative/nitrative stress. Given the emerging evidence of RORα as an essential melatonin effects mediator, we further investigated the RORα roles in melatonin‐exerted cardioprotection, in particular against MI/R injury, which was significantly attenuated in RORα‐deficient mice, but negligibly affected by cardiac‐specific silencing of RORγ. Finally, to determine cell type‐specific effects of RORα, we generated mice with cardiomyocyte‐specific RORα overexpression and they were less vulnerable to MI/R injury. In summary, our study provides the first direct evidence that the nuclear melatonin receptor RORα is a novel endogenous protective receptor against MI/R injury and an important mediator of melatonin‐exerted cardioprotection; melatonin‐RORα axis signaling thus appears important in protection against ischemic heart injury.
A quantitative real‐time PCR assay for identification and enumeration of the occasionally co‐occurring ichthyotoxic Pseudochattonella farcimen and P. verruculosa (Dictyochophyceae) and analysis of variation in gene copy numbers during the growth phase of single and mixed cultures
Authors: Eckford‐Soper Lisa K. , Daugbjerg Niels 
Published: January 2016

The ichthyotoxic genus Pseudochattonella forms recurrent extensive blooms in coastal waters in Japan, New Zealand and Northern Europe. It comprises of two morphologically similar species, P. verruculosa and P. farcimen, which complicates visual species identification and enumeration of live and fixed material. Primers designed previously could not quantitatively distinguish species in mixed assemblages. To address this issue we developed two primer sets: one revealed itself to be genus specific for Pseudochattonella and the other species‐specific for P. verruculosa. By subtracting cell estimates for P. verruculosa from combined results we could calculate cell numbers for P. farcimen. This approach has overcome the challenges posed by the very limited sequence availability and low gene variability between the two species. The qPCR assay was extensively tested for specificity, efficiency and sensitivity over an entire growth cycle in both single and mixed assemblages. Comparison of cell abundance estimates obtained by qPCR assay and microscopy showed no statistically significant difference until stationary and death phases. The assay was also tested on environmental samples collected during a small Pseudochattonella bloom in Denmark in March–April 2015. It was impossible to distinguish P. farcimen and P. verruculosa by light microscopy but qPCR showed both species were present. The two methods provided nearly identical cell numbers but the assay provided discrimination and enumeration of both species.
Danger underground and in the open – predation on blind mole rats (Rodentia: Spalacinae) revisited
Authors: Németh Attila , Hegyeli Zsolt , Sendula Tímea , Horváth Márton , Czabán Dávid , Csorba Gábor 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Being totally blind with no tail or pinnae, blind mole rats are the most specialised rodents for the subterranean lifestyle. However, they come to the surface occasionally due to unusual climatic events, for foraging, to collect hay for bedding material, for dispersal as subadults, due to intraspecific aggression, and in illness.
The only previous review suggests that surface activity of and predation on blind mole rats is rare and that they are preyed on mainly at night by owls.
Based on 57 scientific publications, 14 unpublished reports and several personal observations (from 15 countries), the present review reveals that altogether 26 species of bird and mammal prey on blind mole rats either regularly or occasionally. It is evidenced that not only the number of predators, but also the importance of blind mole rats in their diet has been seriously underestimated.
The tight relationship between the colour of the soil and the colour of the pelage of blind mole rats suggests the importance of diurnal raptors via their selective impact. Predation by mammals happens relatively often, and mustelids hunt blind mole rats not only on the surface, but probably also inside their burrows. The labyrinth‐like structure of the burrows may play a vital role in confusing mammalian predators trying to hunt inside the burrows, and may increase the blind mole rat's chance of escape.
With the proven importance of blind mole rats as a food resource for several threatened species of birds of prey, the survival, reproductive success, and population size of these species may partly depend on the density of the rodents. Although many species within the blind mole rat subfamily are themselves threatened to various extents, the role of blind mole rat populations in carnivore and raptor conservation should be considered and evaluated.
A high frequency of allopolyploid speciation in the gymnospermous genus Ephedra and its possible association with some biological and ecological features
Authors: Wu Hui , Ma Zhen , Wang Ming‐Ming , Qin Ai‐Li , Ran Jin‐Hua , Wang Xiao‐Quan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe origin and evolution of polyploids have been studied extensively in angiosperms and ferns but very rarely in gymnosperms. With the exception of three species of conifers, all natural polyploid species of gymnosperms belong to Ephedra, in which more than half of the species show polyploid cytotypes. Here, we investigated the origin and evolution of polyploids of Ephedra distributed in the Qinghai–Tibetan Plateau (QTP) and neighbouring areas. Flow cytometry (FCM) was used to measure the ploidy levels of the sampled species that are represented by multiple individuals from different populations, and then, two single‐copy nuclear genes (LFY and DDB2) and two chloroplast DNA fragments were used to unravel the possible origins and maternal donors of the polyploids. The results indicate that the studied polyploid species are allopolyploids, and suggest that allotetraploidy is a dominant mode of speciation in Ephedra. The high percentage of polyploids in the genus could be related to some of its biological attributes such as vegetative propagation, a relatively high rate of unreduced gamete formation, and a small genome size relative to most other gymnosperms. Significant ecological divergences between allotetraploids and their putative progenitors were detected by PCAs and anova and Tukey's tests, with the exception of E. saxatilis. The overlap of geographical distributions and ecological niches of some diploid species could have provided opportunities for interspecific hybridization and allopolyploid speciation.
Bullying of the Manager and Employees' Prosocial or Antisocial Behaviors: Impacts on Equity, Responsibility Judgments, and Witnesses' Help‐Giving
Authors: Desrumaux Pascale , Machado Tony , Vallery Gérard , Michel Lucie 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThis article aims at studying how bullying acts, revictimization, and behaviors' targets influence responsibility judgments of witnesses bullying and determine help decision. According to the literature, help‐giving has various determinants such as gravity of the bullying acts and behaviors of the perpetrators and responsibility attributed to the perpetrators and to the victims often depend on behaviors. With vignettes, we examined the influence of bullying acts, victim's prosocial or antisocial behavior at work, and revictimization on equity judgments, perceived responsibility of perpetrators and victims, and help‐giving. Eight vignettes of bullying at work were submitted to 205 participants. The results showed that the situation was judged less equitable, the victim less responsible, the perpetrator more responsible, and the intention of help increased (a) when the perpetrator's acts were serious and (b) when the bullied had emitted a prosocial behavior versus an antisocial one.
What's a Masculine Negotiator? What's a Feminine Negotiator? It Depends on the Cultural and Situational Contexts
Authors: Shan Wen , Keller Joshua , Imai Lynn 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGender‐related categorization is a key feature of the literature on gender in negotiation. While previous literature focused on context‐free traits such as warmth and competence, we examine how people categorize specific negotiation goals and behaviors asmasculineandfeminine across theUnitedStates andChina in different negotiation contexts, illustrating the role of cultural and situational contexts in gender‐related categorization. Two studies found that whileAmerican participants categorized competitive goals and behaviors as masculine and cooperative ones as feminine across business‐to‐consumer (B2C) and business‐to‐business (B2B) negotiation contexts,Chinese participants' patterns depended on the negotiation context. InB2Ccontexts,Chinese participants categorized competitive goals and behaviors as feminine and cooperative ones as masculine; inB2Bcontexts, they made further distinctions, categorizing competitive goals and behaviors that are socially inappropriate as feminine, but competitive ones that are socially appropriate, and cooperative goals and behaviors, as masculine. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
VAMP721a and VAMP721d are important for pectin dynamics and release of bacteria in soybean nodules
Authors: Gavrin Aleksandr , Chiasson David , Ovchinnikova Evgenia , Kaiser Brent N. , Bisseling Ton , Fedorova Elena E. 
Published: January 2016

Summary

In root nodules rhizobia enter host cells via infection threads. The release of bacteria to a host cell is possible from cell wall‐free regions of the infection thread. We hypothesized that the VAMP721d and VAMP721e exocytotic pathway, identified before in Medicago truncatula, has a role in the local modification of cell wall during the release of rhizobia.

To clarify the role of VAMP721d and VAMP721e we used Glycine max, a plant with a determinate type of nodule. The localization of the main polysaccharide compounds of primary cell walls was analysed in control vs nodules with partially silenced GmVAMP721d.

The silencing of GmVAMP721d blocked the release of rhizobia. Instead of rhizobia‐containing membrane compartments – symbiosomes – the infected cells contained big clusters of bacteria embedded in a matrix of methyl‐esterified and de‐methyl‐esterified pectin. These clusters were surrounded by a membrane. We found that GmVAMP721d‐positive vesicles were not transporting methyl‐esterified pectin. We hypothesized that they may deliver the enzymes involved in pectin turnover. Subsequently, we found that GmVAMP721d is partly co‐localized with pectate lyase.

Therefore, the biological role of VAMP721d may be explained by its action in delivering pectin‐modifying enzymes to the site of release.
Porphyromonas gingivalis induces autophagy in THP‐1‐derived macrophages
Authors: Park M.H. , Jeong S.Y. , Na H.S. , Chung J. 
Published: January 2016

SummaryAutophagy provides a mechanism for the turnover of cellular organelles and proteins through a lysosome‐dependent degradation pathway and is a possible mechanism in inflammatory disease. Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease caused by periodontal pathogens. Porphyromonas gingivalis, an important periodontal pathogen, activates cellular autophagy to provide a replicative niche while suppressing apoptosis in endothelial cells. However, the molecular basis for a causal relationship between P. gingivalis and autophagy is unclear. This research examines the involvement of P. gingivalis in autophagy through light chain 3 (LC3) and autophagic proteins, and the role of P. gingivalis‐induced autophagy in the clearance of P. gingivalis and inflammation. To investigate the molecular mechanism of autophagy induced by P. gingivalis, PMA‐differentiated THP‐1‐derived macrophages were infected with live P. gingivalis. The P. gingivalis increased the formation of autophagosomes in a multiplicity of infection‐dependent manner, as well as autophagolysosomes. Porphyromonas gingivalis activated LC3‐I/LC3‐II conversion and increased the conjugation of autophagy‐related 5 (ATG5) –ATG12 and the expression of Beclin1. The expressions of Beclin1, ATG5–ATG12 conjugate, and LC3‐II were significantly inhibited by the presence of 3‐methyladenine, an autophagy inhibitor. Interestingly, 3‐methyladenine increased the survival of P. gingivalis and proinflammatory cytokine interleukin‐1β production. The data indicate that P. gingivalis induces autophagy in PMA‐differentiated THP‐1‐derived macrophages and in turn, macrophages eliminate P. gingivalis through an autophagic response, which can lead to the restriction of an excessive inflammatory response by downregulating interleukin‐1β production. The induction of autophagy by P. gingivalis may play an important role in the periodontal inflammatory process and serve as a target for the development of new therapies.
Enhanced frontal activation underlies sparing from the attentional blink: Evidence from human electrophysiology
Authors: Dell'Acqua Roberto , Doro Mattia , Dux Paul E. , Losier Talia , Jolicœur Pierre 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUsing the ERP method, we examined the processing operations elicited by stimuli that appear within the same temporal attention window. Forty subjects searched for letter targets among digit distractors displayed in rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP). ERPs were examined under conditions where a single target was embedded among distractors and compared to those recorded when two consecutive targets were embedded among distractors. Standard and independent component analyses revealed two temporally and topographically distinct ERP responses, a midfrontal P3a component peaking at about 300 ms followed by a midparietal P3b component peaking at about 450 ms. With minimal latency variations, the frontal P3a was amplified when elicited by two consecutive targets relative to a single target. The parietal P3b response was also amplified when elicited by two consecutive targets compared to a single target but, in contrast to P3a, it was also associated with a substantially longer time course. These results provide evidence for the involvement of frontal brain regions in the close‐to‐concurrent selection of two consecutive targets displayed in RSVP, and of posterior brain regions in the serial encoding of targets in visual working memory. The present findings are discussed in relation to current models of temporal gating of attention and the attentional blink effect.
Blurring the Boundaries of Environmentalism: The Role of Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society as a Boundary Organization in Northern Conservation Planning
Authors: Caine Ken J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBoundary organizations facilitate the transfer of practical knowledge between scientific and political realms. In the Northwest Territories of Canada the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS), an environmental nongovernmental organization (ENGO), increasingly undertakes boundary work as a partner or leading organization in the development of novel arrangements in natural resource management. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted over three years’ participation in working groups for Great Bear Lake watershed management planning and the protection of an Aboriginal cultural landscape, I examine how CPAWS served an atypical ENGO function as a boundary organization. Historically ENGOs in Canada have taken a strong preservationist and anti‐industrial development stance to environmental governance issues. CPAWS, in these contemporary cases, was sensitive to multiple interests and values and assisted in both community and government projects by taking a proactive and participatory role, recognizing the need for community economic development including resource‐extractive industries. At the same time, however, CPAWS strategically promoted its status in other national conservation projects. An indirect outcome is increased perceived efficacy and influence of the boundary organization in larger forums and contexts. CPAWS effectively transformed its historically perceived preservationist, litigious, and watchdog stance to a position as active, positive, and even powerful organizational actor in conservation and development in Canada.
Optical coherence tomography to evaluate the effects of oxidative hair dye on the fiber
Authors: Velasco Maria Valéria Robles , de Abreu Simone Rachid Pfannemüller , de Freitas Anderson Zanardi , Bedin Valcinir , Baby André Rolim , da Gama Robson Miranda 
Published: January 2016

Background/purposeOxidative hair dyes can damage the hair, since these chemical procedures are involved to change the fiber structure and therefore changes in their mechanical and surface properties. Evaluate and compare the effect of the two colors of oxidative hair dye emulsions on Caucasian hair. This research analyzed the Dark brown hair untreated (I); Dark brown hair treated with light brown dye (II); Dark brown hair treated with light blond dye (III); Light blond hair untreated (IV); Light blond hair treated with light brown dye (V); Light blond hair treated with light blond dye (VI) on Caucasian hair.MethodsThe hair samples were submitted to breaking strength, color, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) analysis.ResultsFor the breaking strength assay no presented statistically significant differences between treatments. The parameters of color and brightness can differ in some hair dye formulations, but also the hair type can respond differently. The OCT images of the sample I and IV was possible observed, clearly Medulla and Cortex, which was not observed clearly after treatment with both oxidative hair dye colors.ConclusionBased on the results, the oxidative hair dyes increased alteration in color and ultrastructure of hair.
Research opportunities to advance solar energy utilization
Authors: Lewis Nathan S. 
Published: January 2016

Relying more on the Sun
Improved technologies for harnessing solar energy are not limited to creating more efficient solar cells. The associated hardware of delivering power from solar cells to homes and businesses, and storing this intermittent resource on the grid, offer R&D opportunities. Lewis reviews the status of these areas, as well as solar thermal and solar fuels approaches for harnessing solar energy.

Science
, this issue p.
10.1126/science.aad1920
Commentary: HIV Whole-Genome Sequencing Now: Answering Still-Open Questions
Authors: Metzner Karin J. 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Diversity, evolution, and epidemiology of HIV are directly relevant to HIV transmission and pathogenesis; hence, they play a key role in antiretroviral treatment and vaccine design. Global HIV whole-genome sequencing would provide a treasure chest of data to answer many questions still open in these fields. An article by Berg et al. in this issue of the
Journal of Clinical Microbiology
describes a universal strategy to amplify and sequence heterogeneous HIV whole genomes (M. G. Berg, J. Yamaguchi, E. Alessandri-Gradt, R. W. Tell, J.-C. Plantier, and C. A. Brennan, J Clin Microbiol 54:868–882, 2016,
http://dx.doi.org/10.1128/JCM.02479-15
).
Mutations in a Highly Conserved Motif of nsp1β Protein Attenuate the Innate Immune Suppression Function of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus
Authors: Li Yanhua , Shyu Duan-Liang , Shang Pengcheng , Bai Jianfa , Ouyang Kang , Dhakal Santosh , Hiremath Jagadish , Binjawadagi Basavaraj , Renukaradhya Gourapura J. , Fang Ying 
Published: January 2016

ABSTRACT

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) nonstructural protein 1β (nsp1β) is a multifunctional viral protein, which is involved in suppressing the host innate immune response and activating a unique −2/−1 programmed ribosomal frameshifting (PRF) signal for the expression of frameshifting products. In this study, site-directed mutagenesis analysis showed that the R128A or R129A mutation introduced into a highly conserved motif (
123
GKYLQRRLQ
131
) reduced the ability of nsp1β to suppress interferon beta (IFN-β) activation and also impaired nsp1β's function as a PRF transactivator. Three recombinant viruses, vR128A, vR129A, and vRR129AA, carrying single or double mutations in the GKYLQRRLQ motif were characterized. In comparison to the wild-type (WT) virus, vR128A and vR129A showed slightly reduced growth abilities, while the vRR129AA mutant had a significantly reduced growth ability in infected cells. Consistent with the attenuated growth phenotype
in vitro
, pigs infected with nsp1β mutants had lower levels of viremia than did WT virus-infected pigs. Compared to the WT virus in infected cells, all three mutated viruses stimulated high levels of IFN-α expression and exhibited a reduced ability to suppress the mRNA expression of selected interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs). In pigs infected with nsp1β mutants, IFN-α production was increased in the lungs at early time points postinfection, which was correlated with increased innate NK cell function. Furthermore, the augmented innate response was consistent with the increased production of IFN-γ in pigs infected with mutated viruses. These data demonstrate that residues R128 and R129 are critical for nsp1β function and that modifying these key residues in the GKYLQRRLQ motif attenuates virus growth ability and improves the innate and adaptive immune responses in infected animals.

IMPORTANCE
PRRSV infection induces poor antiviral innate IFN and cytokine responses, which results in weak adaptive immunity. One of the strategies in next-generation vaccine construction is to manipulate viral proteins/genetic elements involved in antagonizing the host immune response. PRRSV nsp1β was identified to be a strong innate immune antagonist. In this study, two basic amino acids, R128 and R129, in a highly conserved GKYLQRRLQ motif were determined to be critical for nsp1β function. Mutations introduced into these two residues attenuated virus growth and improved the innate and adaptive immune responses of infected animals. Technologies developed in this study could be broadly applied to current commercial PRRSV modified live-virus (MLV) vaccines and other candidate vaccines.