bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
E2F1 in neurons is cleaved by calpain in an NMDA receptor‐dependent manner in a model of HIV‐induced neurotoxicity
Authors: Zyskind Jacob W. , Wang Ying , Cho Giyong , Ting Jenhao H. , Kolson Dennis L. , Lynch David R. , Jordan‐Sciutto Kelly L. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe transcription factor E2F1 activates gene targets required for G1‐S phase progression and for apoptosis, and exhibits increased expression levels in neurons in several CNS diseases including HIV encephalitis, Alzheimer disease, and Parkinson's Disease. While E2F1 is known to regulate cell viability through activation of caspases, here we present evidence supporting the involvement of E2F1 in N‐methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptor‐dependent, HIV‐induced neuronal death mediated by calpains. Using an in vitro model of HIV‐induced neurotoxicity that is dependent on NMDA receptor and calpain activation, we have shown that cortical neurons lacking functional E2F1 are less susceptible to neuronal death. In addition, we report that neuronal E2F1 is cleaved by calpain to a stable 55‐kiloDalton fragment following NR2B‐dependent NMDA receptor stimulation. This cleavage of E2F1 is protein conformation‐dependent and involves at least two cleavage events, one at each terminus of the protein. Intriguingly, the stabilized E2F1 cleavage product is produced in post‐mitotic neurons of all ages, but fails to be stabilized in cycling cells. Finally, we show that a matching E2F1 cleavage product is produced in human fetal neurons, suggesting that calpain cleavage of E2F1 may be produced in human cortical tissue. These results suggest neuronal E2F1 is processed in a novel manner in response to NMDA receptor‐mediated toxicity, a mechanism implicated in HIV‐associated neurocognitive disorders pathogenesis as well as several other diseases of the CNS.
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After crossing the blood–brain barrier, HIV‐infected monocytes differentiate into macrophages and release excitotoxins and inflammatory factors including glutamate into the brain parenchyma (1). These factors stimulate neuronal N‐Methyl‐d‐aspartate (NMDA) receptors (2), causing calcium influx (3) and subsequent activation of the cysteine protease calpain (4). Activated calpain cleaves multiple substrates including E2F1, producing a stabilized protein fragment with truncations at the N‐ and C‐terminus (5). Calpain‐cleaved E2F1 may contribute to calpain‐mediated neuronal damage observed in NMDA receptor‐mediated neurotoxicity (6).
Tolfenamic acid reduces tau and CDK5 levels: implications for dementia and tauopathies
Authors: Adwan Lina , Subaiea Gehad M. , Basha Riyaz , Zawia Nasser H. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractTau and its aggregates are linked to the pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other tauopathies and, therefore, are explored as therapeutic targets for such disorders. Tau belongs to a family of microtubule‐associated proteins that promote microtubule assembly. When hyperphosphorylated, tau becomes prone to forming aggregates. Increased brain levels of hyperphosphorylated tau correlate with dementia. Specificity protein 1 (Sp1), a transcription factor elevated in AD, is responsible for the transcription of AD‐related proteins including the amyloid precursor protein, tau, and its cyclin‐dependent kinase‐5 (CDK5) activators. Tolfenamic acid promotes the degradation of Sp1, our previous studies demonstrated its ability to down‐regulate transcriptional targets of Sp1 like amyloid precursor protein and reduce amyloid beta (Aβ), the main component of AD plaques. In this study, we administered tolfenamic acid daily to hemizygous R1.40 transgenic mice for 34 days, and examined tau and CDK5 gene and protein expression within the brain. Our results demonstrate that tolfenamic acid lowers tau mRNA and protein, as well as the levels of its phosphorylated form and CDK5. Thus, we present a drug candidate that inhibits the transcription of multiple major intermediates in AD pathology, thereby helping uncover a new mechanism‐based approach for targeting AD.
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A new approach for targeting Alzheimer's disease through a transcriptional based mechanism is presented. Tolfenamic acid lowers the levels of tau, which forms pathological aggregates in Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, by promoting the degradation of the transcription factor specificity protein 1 which regulates tau transcription.
Regulation of emotional memory by hydrogen sulfide: role of GluN2B‐containing NMDA receptor in the amygdala
Authors: Wang Can‐Ming , Yang Yuan‐Jian , Zhang Jie‐Ting , Liu Jue , Guan Xin‐Lei , Li Ming‐Xing , Lu Hai‐Feng , Wu Peng‐Fei , Chen Jian‐Guo , Wang Fang 
Published: October 2014

AbstractAs an endogenous gaseous molecule, hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has attracted extensive attention because of its multiple biological effects. However, the effect of H2S on amygdala‐mediated emotional memory has not been elucidated. Here, by employing Pavlovian fear conditioning, an animal model widely used to explore the neural substrates of emotion, we determined whether H2S could regulate emotional memory. It was shown that the H2S levels in the amygdala of rats were significantly elevated after cued fear conditioning. Both intraamygdala and systemic administrations of H2S markedly enhanced amygdala‐dependent cued fear memory in rats. Moreover, it was found that H2S selectively increased the surface expression and currents of NMDA‐type glutamate receptor subunit 2B (GluN2B)‐containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs) in lateral amygdala of rats, whereas blockade of GluN2B‐containing NMDARs in lateral amygdala eliminated the effects of H2S to enhance amygdalar long‐term potentiation and cued fear memory. These results demonstrate that H2S can regulate amygdala‐dependent emotional memory by promoting the function of GluN2B‐containing NMDARs in amygdala, suggesting that H2S‐associated signaling may hold potential as a new target for the treatment of emotional disorders.
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In our study, the effect of hydrogen sulfide (H2S) on amygdala‐mediated emotional memory was investigated. It was found that H2S could enhance amygdala‐dependent emotional memory and long‐term potentiation (LTP) in rats by selectively increasing the function of GluN2B‐containing NMDA receptors in the amygdala. These results suggest that H2S‐associated signaling may be a new target for the treatment of emotional disorders.
Pattern and process in the largest primeval beech forest of Europe (Ukrainian Carpathians)
Authors: Hobi Martina L. , Commarmot Brigitte , Bugmann Harald 
Published: October 2014

AbstractQuestionsAre the structural characteristics of natural beech forests predominant on small monitoring plots representative of the large‐scale features of these forests? Do the findings of our large‐scale investigation support the hypothesis that this primeval beech forest is shaped by fine‐scale processes, or is there evidence that high‐severity disturbance events have affected its structure?LocationUkrainian Carpathians, Uholka‐Shyrokyi Luh, the largest primeval beech forest in Europe, covering 102.8 km2.MethodsOn 314 (500 m2) circular plots, systematically distributed across the forest, all living and dead trees with a DBH ≥6 cm were assessed. Lying deadwood, tree regeneration, the size of canopy gaps and the number of canopy layers were recorded. Spatial analyses were conducted using Moran's I. Dendrochronological analysis was used to reconstruct tree ages and growth patterns.ResultsThe forest is characterized overall by a density of 435.0 ± 12.2 ha−1 (mean ± SE) living trees, a basal area of 36.6 ± 0.8 m2·ha−1, a volume of living trees of 582.1 ± 13.5 m3·ha−1 and a total deadwood volume of 162.5 ± 8.4 m3·ha−1. Beech is the dominant species (97.3 ± 0.7%, by basal area), interspersed with mostly deciduous species with moderate shade tolerance. The forest canopy is multi‐layered, with a high abundance of old trees, and with canopy gaps rarely larger than the crown projection area of a few trees.ConclusionsThe results lend support to findings from small monitoring plots, but our landscape approach allows a reliable estimation of key forest characteristics such as basal area and standing volume, which tend to be overestimated in studies on subjectively placed small monitoring plots. We conclude that disturbance events of moderate or higher severity have left only few discernible traces in forest structure or species composition. All findings suggest that this forest is characterized by a mainly small‐scale disturbance regime, leading to a homogeneity of forest characteristics of the living stand at larger spatial scales and causing only minor fluctuations around the average values of forest parameters observed.
Physiological, structural and molecular traits activated in strawberry plants after inoculation with the plant growth‐promoting bacterium Azospirillum brasilense REC3
Authors: Guerrero‐Molina M. F. , Lovaisa N. C. , Salazar S. M. , Martínez‐Zamora M. G. , Díaz‐Ricci J. C. , Pedraza R. O. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe plant growth‐promoting strain REC3 of Azospirillum brasilense, isolated from strawberry roots, prompts growth promotion and systemic protection against anthracnose disease in this crop. Hence, we hypothesised that A. brasilense REC3 can induce different physiological, structural and molecular responses in strawberry plants. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study these traits activated in Azospirillum‐colonised strawberry plants, which have not been assessed until now. Healthy, in vitro micropropagated plants were root‐inoculated with REC3 under hydroponic conditions; root and leaf tissues were sampled at different times, and oxidative burst, phenolic compound content, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, callose deposition, cell wall fortification and gene expression were evaluated. Azospirillum inoculation enhanced levels of soluble phenolic compounds after 12 h post‐inoculation (hpi), while amounts of cell wall bound phenolics were similar in inoculated and control plants. Other early responses activated by REC3 (at 24 hpi) were a decline of lipid peroxidation and up‐regulation of strawberry genes involved in defence (FaPR1), bacterial recognition (FaFLS2) and H2O2 depuration (FaCAT and FaAPXc). The last may explain the apparent absence of oxidative burst in leaves after bacterial inoculation. Also, REC3 inoculation induced delayed structural responses such as callose deposition and cell wall fortification (at 72 hpi). Results showed that A. brasilense REC3 is capable of exerting beneficial effects on strawberry plants, reinforcing their physiological and cellular characteristics, which in turns contribute to improve plant performance.
Mutation of the rice ASL2 gene encoding plastid ribosomal protein L21 causes chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death
Authors: Lin D. , Jiang Q. , Zheng K. , Chen S. , Zhou H. , Gong X. , Xu J. , Teng S. , Dong Y. 
Published: October 2014

AbstractThe plastid ribosome proteins (PRPs) play important roles in plastid protein biosynthesis, chloroplast differentiation and early chloroplast development. However, the specialised functions of individual protein components of the chloroplast ribosome in rice (Oryza sativa) remain unresolved. In this paper, we identified a novel rice PRP mutant named asl2 (Albino seedling lethality 2) exhibiting an albino, seedling death phenotype. In asl2 mutants, the alteration of leaf colour was associated with chlorophyll (Chl) content and abnormal chloroplast development. Through map‐based cloning and complementation, the mutated ASL2 gene was isolated and found to encode the chloroplast 50S ribosome protein L21 (RPL21c), a component of the chloroplast ribosome large subunit, which was localised in chloroplasts. ASL2 was expressed at a higher level in the plumule and leaves, implying its tissue‐specific expression. Additionally, the expression of ASL2 was regulated by light. The transcript levels of the majority of genes for Chl biosynthesis, photosynthesis and chloroplast development were strongly affected in asl2 mutants. Collectively, the absence of functional ASL2 caused chloroplast developmental defects and seedling death. This report establishes the important role of RPL21c in chloroplast development in rice.
Current Status of In Vitro Embryo Production in Sheep and Goats
Authors: Paramio M‐T , Izquierdo D 
Published: October 2014

ContentsSheep and goat production is an important economic activity in Spain with an increasing interest in milk production. Multiovulation and Embryo Transfer (MOET) and In vitro Embryo Production (IVEP) are assisted reproductive technologies aimed at increasing the genetic diffusion of females. In vitro embryo production is a multi‐step methodology comprising the following procedures: (i) In vitro Maturation (IVM) of oocytes recovered directly from the follicles, (ii) In vitro Fertilization (IVF) or co‐incubation of capacitated spermatozoa with in vitro matured oocytes and (iii) In vitro culture (IVC) of zygotes up to the blastocyst stage. In vitro embryo production from oocytes recovered from prepubertal females is called JIVET (Juvenile in vitro Embryo Transfer) and allows shortened generation intervals and increased genetic gain. Embryo production together with embryo cryoconservation would allow large‐scale embryo marketing, a pathogen‐free genetic movement and easier and cheaper germplasm commercial transactions. Commercial Embryo activity in small ruminants is low compared to cows in the European Union (data from the European Embryo Transfer Association) and in the world (data from the International Embryo Transfer Association). There is less IVEP research in small ruminants compared to other livestock species. The aim of this review was to provide an overview of the current status of IVEP of small ruminant with an emphasis on (i) description of the main methodologies currently used for IVM, IVF and IVC of embryos (ii) comparing procedures and outputs from JIVET and IVEP of adult females and (iii) the future research perspectives of this technology.
Use of Colour and Spectral Doppler Ultrasonography in Stallion Andrology
Authors: Ortega‐Ferrusola C , Gracia‐Calvo LA , Ezquerra J , Pena FJ 
Published: October 2014

ContentsDoppler ultrasonography is an important tool in the andrological evaluation in humans; however, this method is not so extensively used by equine andrologists. Spectral or pulse Doppler is a useful non‐invasive method for the early diagnosis of subfertility problems in the male, especially those triggered by vascular disturbance. The identification of any disturbance in the blood flow of the testis is crucial for a correct diagnosis of various testicular and scrotal disorders but also to monitor the therapeutic outcome following treatment. The aim of this review is to provide an update on the current use of colour and spectral Doppler ultrasound in stallion andrology, and to promote the use of this technique during the soundness reproductive examination of the stallion, as this particular branch of reproductive medicine is receiving increasing interest.
Matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging: a powerful tool for probing the molecular topology of plant cutin polymer
Authors: Veličković Dušan , Herdier Hélène , Philippe Glenn , Marion Didier , Rogniaux Hélène , Bakan Bénédicte 
Published: October 2014

SummaryThe cutin polymers of different fruit cuticles (tomato, apple, nectarine) were examined using matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry imaging (MALDI MSI) after in situ release of the lipid monomers by alkaline hydrolysis. The mass spectra were acquired from each coordinate with a lateral spatial resolution of approximately 100 μm. Specific monomers were released at their original location in the tissue, suggesting that post‐hydrolysis diffusion can be neglected. Relative quantification of the species was achieved by introducing an internal standard, and the collection of data was subjected to non‐supervised and supervised statistical treatments. The molecular images obtained showed a specific distribution of ions that could unambiguously be ascribed to cutinized and suberized regions observed at the surface of fruit cuticles, thus demonstrating that the method is able to probe some structural changes that affect hydrophobic cuticle polymers. Subsequent chemical assignment of the differentiating ions was performed, and all of these ions could be matched to cutin and suberin molecular markers. Therefore, this MALDI‐MSI procedure provides a powerful tool for probing the surface heterogeneity of plant lipid polymers. This method should facilitate rapid investigation of the relationships between cuticle phenotypes and the structure of cutin within a large population of mutants.
The role of models for multicriteria evaluation and multiobjective design of cropping systems for managing weeds
Authors: Colbach N , Biju‐Duval L , Gardarin A , Granger S , Guyot S H M , Mézière D , Munier‐Jolain N M , Petit S 
Published: October 2014

SummaryWeeds are both harmful for crop production and important for biodiversity, while herbicides can pollute the environment. We thus need new cropping systems optimising all cultural techniques, reconciling agricultural production, herbicide reduction and biodiversity conservation. Here, we show how to (i) develop models quantifying the effects of cropping systems on weed dynamics, (ii) integrate interactions between weeds and other organisms, (iii) predict the impact on production and biodiversity and (iv) use the model for multicriteria evaluation and multiobjective design of cropping systems. Among the existing weed dynamics models, we chose the one closest to our requirements to illustrate these different steps, that is, FlorSys which predicts multispecific weed dynamics as a function of cultural techniques and pedoclimate. We have illustrated the development of interaction submodels with the example of a crop pathogen whose propagation is increased when infecting grass weeds. To evaluate the weed flora impact, predicted weed densities were translated into indicators of harmfulness (crop yield loss, technical harvest problems, harvest pollution, field infestation, crop disease increase) and biodiversity (weed species richness and equitability, trophic resources for birds, insects and pollinators). Simulations were run over several years and with different weather scenarios (i) to optimise cultural techniques to control harmful weeds, (ii) to analyse the impact of changing agricultural practices (e.g. simplified tillage and rotations, no‐till, temporary crops) on weed density, species and trait composition and (iii) to evaluate cropping systems for their ability to reconcile agricultural production and biodiversity, thus identifying levers for designing sustainable cropping systems.
Sizing Design for 4-High Cold Rolling Mills
Authors: Nelson Andrew W. , Zhang Feng , Malik Arif S. , Zipf Mark E. 
Published: October 2014

As the demand for thin and ultra-thin gage for cold-rolled sheet metals increases, cold rolling manufacturers and sheet metal producers must utilize technological advancements to stay competitive globally. To manufacture a competitive rolling mill, the mill designer must identify an appropriate mill configuration, roll sizes, and flatness control systems, etc. The design must be robust enough to accommodate broad product envelopes containing strips of different widths, gages, and materials. At the same time, the mill “sizing” must be competitive by avoiding over- or under-design. These two objectives, designing a robust mill and remaining competitive, tend to conflict, which establishes the need for optimal mill design based on rigorous multidisciplinary analysis.
Conventionally, mill design is done using a ‘sequential’ design approach relying heavily on experience. The major limitation of sequential mill design is that it can lead to over-design or under-design since it segregates design tasks for the coupled components, making it difficult to consider many combinations of the design space. The result is a ‘feasible’ rather than ‘optimum feasible’ mill design. This work applies nonlinear programming to optimize the basic design of a 4-high reversing cold rolling mill, subject to static strength, fatigue, and strip geometric quality constraints. The work offers an improved multi-disciplinary design approach based on stress and fatigue analysis of rolls, and an efficient strip profile/flatness analysis to identify suitable design limits for roll bending devices.
Investigation and Optimization of Disk-Laser Welding of 1 MM Thick Ti-6Al-4V Titanium Alloy Sheets
Authors: Caiazzo Fabrizia , Alfieri Vittorio , Fierro Ilaria , Sergi Vincenzo 
Published: October 2014

Welded Ti-6Al-4V joints are employed in nuclear engineering, civil industries, military and space vehicles. Laser beam welding has been used for welding thanks to its advantages in terms of increase in penetration depth and reduction of possible defects; moreover a smaller grain size in the fused zone is benefited in comparison to either TIG and plasma arc welding, thus providing an increase in the tensile strength of the welded structures.
The aim of this work is to develop and test the regression model for a number of crucial responses. The study has been carried out on 1 mm thick Ti-6Al-4V plates; a square butt welding configuration was considered employing a disk-laser source. A three level Box-Behnken experimental design is considered. An optimum condition has been suggested via numerical optimization of the desirability function with proper weights and importance of constraints. Vickers micro hardness testing was conducted to discuss structural changes in fused and heat affected zone.
Draft Genome Sequence of a Psychrophilic Bacterium,
Sphingomonas antarcticum
, Isolated from the Soils of Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica
Authors: Sreenivas Ara , Sathyanarayana Reddy Gundlapally , Shivaji Sisinthy 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

We report the 4.5-Mbp genome sequences of
Sphingobacterium antarcticum
4BY, a psychrophilic bacterium isolated from the soils of Schirmacher Oasis, Antarctica. The draft genome of
S. antarcticum
strain 4BY consists of 4,566,318 bp with 40.4% G+C content, 4,234 protein coding genes, and 52 RNAs.
Complete Genome Sequence of an Indian Field Isolate of Classical Swine Fever Virus Belonging to Subgenotype 1.1
Authors: Kamboj Aman , Patel Chhabi L. , Chaturvedi V. K. , Saini Mohini , Gupta Praveen K. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT
We report the complete genome sequence of an Indian field isolate of classical swine fever virus (CSFV) belonging to predominant subgenotype 1.1 prevalent in India. This report will help in understanding the molecular diversity of CSFV strains circulating worldwide and to select and develop a suitable vaccine candidate for classical swine fever (CSF) control in India.
Genome Assembly of Methicillin-Resistant Quality Control Strain Staphylococcus aureus CDC73-57501 (ATCC 29247)
Authors: Daligault H. E. , Davenport K. W. , Minogue T. D. , Bishop-Lilly K. A. , Broomall S. M. , Bruce D. C. , Chain P. S. , Coyne S. R. , Freitas T. , Frey K. G. , Gibbons H. S. , Jaissle J. , Lo C.-C. , Meincke L. , Munk A. C. , Redden C. L. , Rosenzweig C. N. , Johnson S. L. 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Staphylococcus aureus
is a major cause of bacterial infections in the United States, with high percentages of serious infections resistant to a variety of β-lactam antibiotics. Here, we present the scaffolded genome assembly into 16 contigs of
S. aureus
CDC73-57501 (ATCC 29247), a methicillin-resistant quality control strain.
Complete Genome Sequence of Mycoplasma canadense Strain HAZ 360_1 from Bovine Mastitic Milk in Japan
Authors: Hata Eiji 
Published: October 2014

ABSTRACT

Bovine mycoplasmal mastitis is spreading quickly among cows.
Mycoplasma canadense
, a causal species of bovine mastitis, reduces milk quality and quantity via the infiltration of numerous inflammatory cells. Presented here is the complete 693,241-bp genome sequence of
M. canadense
strain HAZ 360_1, which was isolated in Japan.