bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
piRNA‐19128 regulates spermatogenesis by silencing of KIT in chicken
Authors: Guo Qixin , Xu Lu , Bi Yulin , Qiu Lingling , Chen Yin , Kong Lingling , Pan Rui , Chang Guobin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSpermatogenesis is a complex process. Some studies have shown that Piwi‐interacting RNAs (piRNAs) play an important role in spermatogenesis. To verify the evaluate between piRNAs and PIWI proteins in chicken and its possible role in spermatogenesis and reproductive stem cell proliferation and differentiation, we performed immunoprecipitation and deep sequencing analyses and determined the expression profiles of small RNAs in primordial germ cells (PGCs), spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs), spermatogonia (Sa) cells, and spermatozoa. Length analysis showed that piRNAs bound to PIWIL1 mainly contained 23‐30 nt. Base preference analysis showed “1U‐10A”; moreover, base preference of piRNAs was obvious in all of germline cells. Here we reported the TE family of gallus gallus, and targeted by piRNA. Target gene of piRNA annotation enrichment analysis identified candidate genes KIT, SRC, WNT4, and HMGB2. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis showed that these genes were associated with steroid hormone biosynthesis, Notch signaling pathway, and melanogenesis. These results indicate that chicken piRNAs perform important regulatory roles during spermatogenesis similar to mice piRNAs. Chicken piRNAs interacted with PIWI proteins and regulated spermatogenesis and germ cell proliferation and differentiation. Further, we observed a negative correlation between piRNA‐19128 and KIT expression. Results of dual‐luciferase reporter assay confirmed that piRNA‐19128 directly interacted with KIT, suggesting that it plays a key role in the regulation spermatogenesis by inhibiting KIT expression. Thus, the present study provides information on the length and base preference of chicken piRNAs and suggests that piRNA‐19128 regulates spermatogenesis in chicken by silencing KIT.
Jolkinolide B inhibits glycolysis by downregulating hexokinase 2 expression through inactivating the Akt/mTOR pathway in non‐small cell lung cancer cells
Authors: Gao Xiang , Han Han 
Published: January 2018

AbstractJolkinolide B (JB), a bioactive compound isolated from herbal medicine, has been found to inhibit tumor growth by altering glycolysis. However, whether glycolysis is influenced by JB in non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) cells and the mechanism remain unknown. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of JB on the glycolysis in NSCLC cells and the underlying molecular mechanism. The results showed that JB treatment inhibited cell viability of A549 and H1299 cells in a concentration‐dependent manner. JB reduced the glucose consumption, lactate production, and HK2 expression. The expressions of p‐Akt and p‐mTOR were also decreased by JB treatment. Knockdown of HK2 reduced glucose consumption and lactate production. Inhibition of the Akt/mTOR pathway decreased HK2 expression and inhibited glycolysis. In conclusion, the results indicated that JB inhibits glycolysis by down‐regulating HK2 expression through inactivating the Akt/mTOR pathway in NSCLC cells, suggesting that JB might be a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of NSCLC.
Effects of insulin on transcriptional response and permeability in an in vitro model of human blood‐brain barrier
Authors: Kuai Ziyu , Xu Yan , Zhao Qi , Liu Jie , Guan Shanshan , Qiao Yongbo , Gong Xin , Nie Jiaojiao , Li Pengju , Liu Dongni , Xing Yifan , Li Huiwen , Sun Zixiao , Wang Wenqi , Ning Chunan , Shi Yuhua , Kong Wei , Shan Yaming 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlzheimer's disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia worldwide and is an emerging global epidemic. Active and passive immune therapies targeting beta amyloid (Aβ) have shown very limited evidence in human studies of clinical benefits from these approaches. Epidemiological studies have shown that subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2D) are at higher risk of developing AD. However, whether and how these two conditions are causally linked is unknown. With the purpose of confirming the relationship between T2D and AD, this study specifically focused on effects of insulin in an in vitro model of the human blood‐brain barrier (BBB) and on potential mechanisms of action in the treatment of AD. By using a series of assays to establish a BBB model, we demonstrated that insulin treatment alone could induce the increase of brain endothelial barrier properties. The transcriptional response of hCMEC/D3 cells to activation with different concentrations of insulin was determined by RT‐PCR, and expression levels of genes involved in the control of barrier permeability, including inter‐brain endothelial junctions, integrin‐focal adhesions complexes, and transporter system, were found to be altered by the treatment. Notably, the influence of insulin on expression of the ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter which contributes to the clearance of Aβ was investigated. Insulin up‐regulated adherens junction and tight junction transmembrane proteins, as well as the ABC transporter. By treatment with insulin, the models have major advantages: it is fast, it has low cost, it is fit for considerable samples, and its conditions are under control.
FTO reduces mitochondria and promotes hepatic fat accumulation through RNA demethylation
Authors: Kang Huifang , Zhang Zhiwang , Yu Lin , Li Yixing , Liang Mingzhen , Zhou Lei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFat mass and obesity‐associated protein (FTO) is a RNA demethylase, whether FTO regulates fat metabolism through its demethylation is unclear. The results of this study confirmed that N6‐methyladenosine (m6A) is associated with fat accumulation both in vivo and in vitro. The data showed that FTO down‐regulated m6A levels, decreased mitochondrial content, and increased triglyceride (TG) deposition. However, an FTO (R316A) mutant lacking demethylation activity could not regulate mitochondria and TG content, indicating that FTO affects mitochondrial content and fat metabolism by modulating m6A levels in hepatocytes. In addition, the regulatory roles of cycloleucine (methylation inhibitor) and betaine (methyl donor) could regulate m6A levels and fat deposition. This work clarified that the demethylation function of FTO plays an essential role in the fat metabolism of hepatocytes and links the epigenetic modification of RNA with fat deposition, thereby providing a new target (m6A) for regulation of hepatic fat metabolism.
Ethylene epoxidation over supported silver catalysts – influence of catalyst pretreatment on conversion and selectivity
Authors: Aho Atte , Eränen Kari , Lemus‐Yegres Lived J , Voss Bodil , Gabrielsson Anders , Salmi Tapio , Murzin Dmitry Yu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDEthylene oxide is a key intermediate in the chemical industry. It is produced through catalytic epoxidation of ethylene. Significant economic benefits can be achieved by small improvements in catalyst activity and selectivity. The aim of this work was to study how different preparation methods and pretreatments affect the catalyst performance under industrially relevant reaction conditions. The influence of pretreatment strategy on the selectivity and reaction temperature was for the first time investigated at a constant ethylene conversion of 7%.RESULTSEpoxidation of ethylene to ethylene oxide was studied over a range of silver catalysts which were prepared with different thermal treatments. The influence of catalyst preparation method and catalyst pretreatment strategy on the catalytic performance was investigated. It was found that calcination resulted in lower ethylene conversion compared with pre‐drying. In the latter case an induction period was observed, absent for the calcined catalyst. This induction period can be eliminated by oxidative or reductive pretreatment of the catalyst.CONCLUSIONSThe most promising pretreatment strategy was carried out by first treating the catalyst with 1 ppm of DCE for 5 h at 230 °C followed by overnight pre‐treatment in 20% ethylene at 250 °C. With this pretreatment it was possible to achieve a target ethylene conversion of 7% at 232.6 °C with a selectivity to ethylene oxide of 82.1%. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Comparative anatomy of the clasper of the subfamily Potamotrygoninae (Chondrichthyes: Myliobatiformes)
Authors: de Moreira Renan A. , Loboda Thiago S. , de Carvalho Marcelo R. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractClaspers of stingrays (Myliobatiformes) are poorly documented in comparison to claspers of skates, with our knowledge restricted mainly to external morphological characters and skeletal components included in descriptions of new species; more encompassing morphological comparative analyses are lacking. Concerning potamotrygonins, clasper morphology has been described for a handful of species, but without elucidating their variation and systematic potential. The present article analyzed clasper structures in all genera of the subfamily Potamotrygoninae (Potamotrygon, Paratrygon, Plesiotrygon, and Heliotrygon), which were compared to the clasper of Styracura and some dasyatid genera. Potamotrygon shows some morphometric variation among the species analyzed. Anatomically, we found variation mainly in the dorsal terminal 1 and accessory terminal 1 cartilages, which are considered diagnostic among potamotrygonin genera; external morphological structures did not present significant differences among potamotrygonins.
Exploring the Effects of Creativity Training on Creative Performance and Creative Self‐Efficacy: Evidence from a Longitudinal Study
Authors: Meinel Martin , Wagner Timm F. , Baccarella Christian V. , Voigt Kai‐Ingo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn organizations and educational institutions, creativity trainings are the preferred approach to enhancing individual creative abilities. However, three issues regarding these trainings still remain largely unsolved. First, the question of how long‐lasting creativity training effects are has not been sufficiently answered so far. Second, the question arises whether all participants benefit from such trainings equally in terms of their creative performance (CP). Third, an increasing number of studies have shown that creativity trainings may also be able to increase participants' creative self‐efficacy (CSE), that is, the confidence in one's own creativity. Other studies, however, did not find evidence for this effect. Therefore, this article aims to address these issues by analyzing data from three measurement waves. Results reveal that participants' CP increased during the training and decreased only slightly 4 weeks after the training. Additionally, we found an effect of diminishing training returns in that the higher a participant's CP before the training the lower the training effect was. In contrast to most prior literature, we found no support for an effect of creativity training on participants' CSE. We discuss these findings and offer implications for both theory and practice. Finally, we state this study's limitations and derive avenues for further research.
American beech leaf‐litter leachate chemistry: Effects of geography and phenophase
Authors: Hudson Janice E. , Levia Delphis F. , Wheeler Kathryn I. , Winters Catherine G. , Vaughan Matthew C. H. , Chace Jameson F. , Sleeper Ryan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe decomposition of broadleaved tree leaves can contribute a substantial amount of energy to forested watersheds via dissolved organic matter (DOM), nutrients, and biological activity. Less is known about how these inputs may vary within a single tree species that is known to have two genetically distinct and geographically separate populations, or how these inputs may change throughout autumn senescence and abscission. It is often implicitly assumed that intraspecific differences in leaf‐litter leachate chemistry do not significantly differ geographically. We analyzed the morphological and chemical leaf traits and leachates from Fagus grandifolia (American beech) leaves (n = 360) during three phenophases: fresh green leaves, senescing leaves, and fallen leaves. During each phenophase, leaves were collected from four sites along a geographic transect stretching from Vermont to North Carolina (over 1400 km), with two sites representing each genetic population and differing climatic conditions. Leachates were analyzed for routine solutes and nutrients, as well as fluorescent and UV‐visible absorbance indices. Amounts of macro‐ and micronutrients were highly variable among sites and phenophases but tended to be lowest during the fallen‐leaf phase, while measured fluorescence and absorbance indices tended to increase during the senescing‐leaf phase and plateau. Results suggest significant differences in leached nutrients among sites, and optical properties and nutrients among phenophases. Aromaticity and molecular weight of DOM in leachates was generally low, and aromaticity and humification of leachates both increased over time with leaf age. These results also suggest that geographically (or genetically) separate populations of the same species do not experience senescence in the same way and that implicit assumptions of intraspecific uniformity of leaf‐litter leachate chemistry for a given tree species may be invalid.
The role of megatides and relative sea level in controlling the deglaciation of the British–Irish and Fennoscandian ice sheets
Authors: Scourse J. D. , Ward S. L. , Wainwright A. , Bradley S. L. , Uehara K. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTKey external forcing factors have been proposed to explain the collapse of ice sheets, including atmospheric and ocean temperatures, subglacial topography, relative sea level and tidal amplitudes. For past ice sheets it has not hitherto been possible to separate relative sea level and tidal amplitudes from the other controls to analyse their influence on deglaciation style and rate. Here we isolate the relative sea level and tidal amplitude controls on key ice stream sectors of the last British–Irish and Fennoscandian ice sheets using published glacial isostatic adjustment models, combined with a new and previously published palaeotidal models for the NE Atlantic since the Last Glacial Maximum (22 ka BP). Relative sea level and tidal amplitude data are combined into a sea surface elevation index for each ice stream sector demonstrating that these controls were potentially important drivers of deglaciation in the western British Irish Ice Sheet ice stream sectors. In contrast, the Norwegian Channel Ice Stream was characterized by falling relative sea level and small tidal amplitudes during most of the deglaciation. As these simulations provide a basis for observational field testing we propose a means of identifying the significance of sea level and tidal amplitudes in ice sheet collapse.
Citrus species and hybrids depicted by near‐ and mid‐infrared spectroscopy
Authors: Páscoa Ricardo NMJ , Moreira Silvana , Lopes João A , Sousa Clara 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDCitrus trees are among the most cultivated plants in the world, with a high economic impact. The wide sexual compatibility among relatives gave rise to a large number of hybrids that are difficult to discriminate. This work sought to explore the ability of infrared spectroscopy to discriminate among Citrus species and/or hybrids and to contribute to the elucidation of its relatedness.RESULTSAdult leaves of 18 distinct Citrus plants were included in this work. Near‐ and mid‐infrared (NIR and FTIR) spectra were acquired from leaves after harvesting and a drying period of 1 month. Spectra were modelled by principal component analysis and partial least squares discriminant analysis. Both techniques revealed a high discrimination potential (78.5–95.9%), being the best results achieved with NIR spectroscopy and air‐dried leaves (95.9%).CONCLUSIONInfrared spectroscopy was able to successfully discriminate several Citrus species and/or hybrids. Our results contributed also to enhance insights regarding the studied Citrus species and/or hybrids. Despite the benefit of including additional samples, the results herein obtained clearly pointed infrared spectroscopy as a reliable technique for Citrus species and/or hybrid discrimination. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy calibrations for assessment of oil, phenols, glucosinolates and fatty acid content in the intact seeds of oilseed Brassica species
Authors: Sen Rahul , Sharma Sanjula , Kaur Gurpreet , Banga Surinder S 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDVery few near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) calibration models are available for non‐destructive estimation of seed quality traits in Brassica juncea. Those that are available also fail to adequately discern variation for oleic acid (C18:1), linolenic (C18:3) fatty acids, meal glucosinolates and phenols. We report the development of a new NIRS calibration equation that is expected to fill the gaps in the existing NIRS equations.RESULTSCalibrations were based on the reference values of important quality traits estimated from a purposely selected germplasm set comprising 240 genotypes of B. juncea and 193 of B. napus. We were able to develop optimal NIRS‐based calibration models for oil, phenols, glucosinolates, oleic acid, linoleic acid and erucic acid for B. juncea and B. napus. Correlation coefficients (RSQ) of the external validations appeared greater than 0.7 for the majority of traits, such as oil (0.766, 0.865), phenols (0.821, 0.915), glucosinolates (0.951, 0.986), oleic acid (0.814. 0.810), linoleic acid (0.974, 0.781) and erucic acid (0.963, 0.943) for B. juncea and B. napus, respectively.CONCLUSIONThe results demonstrate the robust predictive power of the developed calibration models for rapid estimation of many quality traits in intact rapeseed‐mustard seeds which will assist plant breeders in effective screening and selection of lines in quality improvement breeding programmes. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
The accuracy of distance perception in the frontal plane of projection‐based stereoscopic environments
Authors: Woldegiorgis Bereket Haile , Lin Chiuhsiang Joe 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAn experiment was conducted to investigate the accuracy of distance judgment in a frontal plane of projection‐based stereoscopic environments. The targets were presented at nine distinct frontal plane positions and at three depth levels. Eighteen right‐handed participants with self‐declared normal visual acuity reached the target, either continuously visible or presented briefly, by holding pointing sticks. All combinations of the experimental conditions were repeated for an equivalent real‐world environment. Accuracies of judgments were then computed from three‐dimensional data collected by a motion system composed of six infrared cameras. As compared with about 94% accuracy in the physical world, the space in the frontal plane was only about 85% on the stereoscopic environment. The result also revealed more accurate judgment in the continuous presence of the target. Furthermore, the accuracy was affected by the egocentric distance of the frontal plane from the position of the participant. The study concluded that the compression in the frontal plane and underestimation of depth, which has been reported by the majority of previous studies could be an indication that the space compression in virtual environments might be in all the three‐dimensions. These findings can be used as guidelines for developers and content designers to properly locate virtual targets and selection of efficient interaction modes.
Complicated Grief Among Military Service Members and Veterans Who Served After September 11, 2001
Authors: Charney Meredith E. , Bui Eric , Sager Julia C. , Ohye Bonnie Y. , Goetter Elizabeth M. , Simon Naomi M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMinimal research is available on the prevalence and impact of complicated grief (CG) in military service members and veterans, despite high reported rates of loss in this population. The present study aimed to examine prevalence rates of CG in a sample of treatment‐seeking military service and members and veterans who served after September 11, 2001. Additionally, the study aimed to examine characteristics associated with CG as well as the association between CG and quality of life. In a sample of 622 military service members and veterans who served after September 11, 2001, 502 reported a significant loss (80.7%). Usable data were available for a total of 468 participants. Of these 468 participants, 30.3% (n = 142) met diagnostic criteria for CG, as defined by a score of 30 or more on the Inventory of Complicated Grief (ICG; Prigerson et al., 1995). We conducted a series of t tests and chi‐square tests to examine the differences between individuals who met criteria for CG and those who did not. The presence of CG was associated with worse PTSD, d = 0.68, p < .001; depression, d = −1.10, p < .001; anxiety, d = −1.02, p < .001; stress, d = 0.99, p < .001; and quality of life, d = 0.76, p < .001. Multiple regression analyses examined the independent impact of CG on quality of life. Complicated grief was associated with poorer quality of life above and beyond PTSD, β = −.12, p = .017. In addition, in a separate regression, CG was associated with poorer quality of life above and beyond depression, β = −.13, p < .001. Overall, our findings highlight the impact of CG on this population, and have implications for assessment and treatment.
Fabrication of Polymer–Protein Hybrids
Authors: Ju Yuanyuan , Zhang Yue , Zhao Hanying 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRapid developments in organic chemistry and polymer chemistry promote the synthesis of polymer–protein hybrids with different structures and biofunctionalities. In this feature article, recent progress achieved in the synthesis of polymer–protein conjugates, protein–nanoparticle core–shell structures, and polymer–protein nanogels/hydrogels is briefly reviewed. The polymer–protein conjugates can be synthesized by the “grafting‐to” or the “grafting‐from” approach. In this article, different coupling reactions and polymerization methods used in the synthesis of bioconjugates are reviewed. Protein molecules can be immobilized on the surfaces of nanoparticles by covalent or noncovalent linkages. The specific interactions and chemical reactions employed in the synthesis of core–shell structures are discussed. Finally, a general introduction to the synthesis of environmentally responsive polymer–protein nanogels/hydrogels by chemical cross‐linking reactions or molecular recognition is provided.