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High oleic acid rapeseed oil offers superior nutritional and health benefits, but its mass production is limited due to poor resistance and slightly lower yield. Photosynthesis serves as the foundation of biological survival and closely correlates with crop resistance to stresses, yield, and quality. To identify photosynthesis-related genes, transcriptome sequencing was conducted on high oleic acid rapeseed Gaoyousuan No. 1 and low oleic acid rapeseed Xiangyou 15 resulting in the identification of a total of 9396 differentially expressed genes (4669 upregulated and 4727 down-regulated). From these genes nine candidate genes were screened using GO and KEGG analysis with BnGLO4 being selected for cloning purposes. The BnGLO4 gene fragment has a length of 1161 bp with an ORF sequence of 1092 bp encoding a theoretical isoelectric point of pI 7.60; it encodes an unstable lipid-soluble protein localized in peroxisomes without transmembrane structural domains or signal peptides. Its amino acid sequence homology was highest with that of BnaA01G0355200ZS, BnaA01G0355600ZS, BnaA05G0410400ZS, BnaC01G0441800ZS, and Brassica rapa (XP_0091171 45.1), Brassica napus (CDY39100.1), Brassica cretica (KAF3533604.1) and Brassica oleracea var. oleracea (XP_0136106 44.1) belonging to the same cruciferous family. The BnGLO4 gene may be associated with responses to abiotic stresses such as salt, drought, and temperature extremes along with photosynthesis and growth in rapeseed plants. The expression levels of the GLO4 gene (BnaA01G0355200 ZS) were highest in filaments while being higher at each stage in seeds and siliques with the highest expression level at day 14 in seeds. Expression was significantly upregulated after 3 h of salt stress treatment, reaching a maximum at 12 h before slightly decreasing at 24 h. The findings of this study lay a foundation for further investigation on photosynthesis and stress response in high oleic rapeseed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present study, we investigated the mechanism of action of Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) in diabetic retinopathy (DR) using network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental validation. GeneCards and DisGeNET were used to collect DR targets. The intersection of the two targets was obtained using Venny 2.1. Cytoscape was used to construct "disease-drug-component-target" and protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks. DAVID database was used to enrich key targets with Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG). AutoDockVina was used to perform molecular docking of primary active ingredients with key targets. Molecular docking validation was performed with key targets by AutoDockVina. Finally, the network pharmacological results were validated by animal experiments. A total of 84 common targets of DBD and DR were collected, 220 entries were revealed by GO analysis, and 113 signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG enrichment analysis. Molecular docking results showed that the key targets had suitable docking activities with quercetin, dousterol and other active ingredients. Animal experiments showed that DBD could improve retinal tissue morphology, lower blood glucose, increase insulin secretion, reduce VEGF and TNF-α protein expression levels and increase PI3K and Akt1 expression levels in the retinal tissues of DR rats (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The treatment of DR by DBD had the characteristics of multiple active ingredients, multiple targets and multiple pathways, which could exert therapeutic effects on DR by regulating the core targets of TNF-α, VEGFA, PI3K, and AKT and affecting the signaling pathways of PI3K/AKT and TNF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In aquaculture, co-culturing rice with fish may mitigate greenhouse-gas emissions. In this study, coculture of four rice cultivars in a laboratory-scale rice–fish system reduced CH4 and N2O emissions relative to fish monoculture. Differences in CH4 and N2O emissions among rice cultivars primarily stem from the differential effects of rice plants on plant-mediated CH4 transport, CH4 oxidation and nitrogen absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent research developments of extreme learning machine (ELM) with multilayer network architecture lead to a promising high performance with extremely fast training speed for representation learning. In this work, the authors are dedicated to develop an efficient and expressive representation learning method with hierarchical ELM, and proposing a novel architectural unit named as double random hidden layers ELM auto-encoder (DELM-AE). The novel DELM-AE consists of one input layer, two random hidden mapping layers for encoding feature, and one output layer for decoding feature. When stacking DELM-AE in the hierarchical structure, they can construct an H-DELM model, where the input of the current AE is the feature representation learned by the previous one, but the output is identical to the original input information and is not the input. Hence, the H-DELM can reproduce the original input data as much as possible to learn more expressive and compact feature. They validate their method on various widely public datasets, and the results demonstrate that H-DELM can bring significant performance improvements in terms of classification accuracy and robustness compared with existing relevant multilayer ELM and other deep learning algorithms at a slight computational cost. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Naïve Bayes (NB) classifier has shown amazing performance in many real applications. However, the true probability distributions are usually unknown and tend to be quite complicated with high feature dimensions. Incorrect estimation models will decrease classification performance. In this study, a new method named multi-segment NB classifier is proposed to reduce errors caused by improper estimation models by implementing the classification directly in the likelihood space rather than through calculating posterior probability. The estimation of the conditional probability distribution is treated as a non-linear projection method which maps the original features into the likelihood space. Then, the mapped data is divided into some successive sub-segments and the classifier in each segment is trained by the corresponding sub-dataset, respectively. The discriminant functions are learned through a distance-measure method instead of a probability-based way and the parameters of the former classifier are used in the next training process in order to decrease the searching space. Experimental results on benchmark datasets demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With increased direct current (DC) load density and the penetration of a large number of distributed generation (DG) units in alternating current (AC) distribution networks (DNs); a planning approach that considers transforming some of the AC lines into DC lines and building the DC network is proposed. Considering the DG output uncertainty and the load fluctuation, a planning model for an AC/DC hybrid distribution network (DN) with the DG based on the construction of multi-scenario technology with timing characteristics is built. In the DG configuration planning model, the lines to be transformed into DC form the access location and the decision regarding the DC or AC form of the newly built lines are considered optimizing variables. The DG investment, the network and converters of the DG and load, the active power loss and the voltage stability are considered in the objective functions. An improved adaptive niche genetic algorithm based on the fuzzy degree of membership and variance weighting is used to solve the nested model. Finally, considering the improved electrical and electronic engineers 33 (IEEE33) node system as an example, the correctness and effectiveness of the proposed planning method are verified. Compared to the plan without transforming some of the AC lines into DC lines and building a DC network, more DG can be admitted, and the economic cost of the AC/DC hybrid DN is notably decreased when planning to transform some of the AC lines into DC lines and build a DC network. The active power network loss and the voltage stability index are similarly further optimized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fish respond to salinity stress by transcriptional induction of many genes, but the mechanism of their osmotic regulation is unknown. We developed a reporter assay using cells derived from the brain of the tilapia Oreochromis mossambicus (OmB cells) to identify osmolality/salinity-responsive enhancers (OSREs) in the genes of O. mossambicus. Genomic DNA comprising the regulatory regions of two strongly salinity-induced genes, inositol monophosphatase 1 (IMPA1.1) and myo-inositol phosphate synthase (MIPS), was isolated and analyzed with dual luciferase enhancer trap reporter assays. We identified five sequences (two in IMPA1.1 and three in MIPS) that share a common consensus element (DDKGGAAWWDWWYDNRB), which we named “OSRE1.” Additional OSREs that were less effective in conferring salinity-induced trans-activation and do not match the OSRE1 consensus also were identified in both MIPS and IMPA1.1. Although OSRE1 shares homology with the mammalian osmotic-response element/tonicity-responsive enhancer (ORE/TonE) enhancer, the latter is insufficient to confer osmotic induction in fish. Like other enhancers, OSRE1 trans-activates genes independent of orientation. We conclude that OSRE1 is a cis-regulatory element (CRE) that enhances the hyperosmotic induction of osmoregulated genes in fish. Our study also shows that tailored reporter assays developed for OmB cells facilitate the identification of CREs in fish genomes. Knowledge of the OSRE1 motif allows affinity-purification of the corresponding transcription factor and computational approaches for enhancer screening of fish genomes. Moreover, our study enables targeted inactivation of OSRE1 enhancers, a method superior to gene knockout for functional characterization because it confines impairment of gene function to a specific context (salinity stress) and eliminates pitfalls of constitutive gene knockouts (embryonic lethality, developmental compensation). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian infectious bronchitis virus (IBV) causes high mortality and reduced production even in vaccinated birds. The study hypothesis was that a decoction of a Chinese herbal medicine, modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang, in the drinking water would reduce mortality and improve recovery and antioxidant capabilities in chickens infected with IBV. Two hundred 15-day-old chickens were randomly divided into 5 groups of 40 each. One group was an untreated control group. Chickens in the other 4 groups were inoculated intranasally with IBV and all developed reduced activity and appetite and respiratory signs within 48 hours. Chickens in 3 groups received 0.6%, 0.4% or 0.2% modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang twice daily in the drinking water for 5 days beginning 48 hours after IBV inoculation. Clinical signs were monitored and deaths and recoveries recorded. Serum superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were evaluated on 6 randomly selected chickens from each group, 5 times over a 3-15 day period and the M±SD statistically compared. Mortality was very significantly (p<0.01) reduced from 42% in the untreated group to 5%, 10% and 27% (0.6%, 0.4% or 0.2% herbs respectively) and affected birds recovered with no adverse effects from the herbs. Chickens receiving 0.6% or 0.4% modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang had very significantly (p<0.01) higher serum SOD and GSH-Px and lower serum MDA than untreated IBV chickens. The antioxidant properties of modified Ma Xing Shi Gan Tang make it a novel non-toxic medication for the treatment and potential prevention of IBV infections of chickens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on four thawing methods (still air, still water, ultrasonic wave, and microwave) and single-factor tests, we established a four-factor three-level response surface methodology for a regression model (four factors: pH, drip loss rate, cooking loss rate, protein content). The optimal combined thawing method for beef rib-eye is: microwave thawing (35 s work/10 s stop, totally 170 s) until beef surfaces soften, then air thawing at 15°C until the beef centre temperature reaches -8°C, and finally ultrasonic thawing at 220 W until the beef centre temperature rises to 0°C. With this method, the drip loss rate is 1.9003%, cooking loss rate is 33.3997%, and protein content is 229.603 µg, which are not significantly different from the model-predicted theoretical results (P = 0.05). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the construction of similarity measures for Atanassov's intuitionistic fuzzy sets (AIFSs) is considered from the view of evidence theory. We define similarity measures for AIFSs in the framework of Dempster-Shafer evidence theory. The proposed similarity measures are applied to deal with pattern recognition and multiple criteria decision making problems. First, existing similarity measures for AIFSs are critically reviewed. Then we introduce the transformation from AIFSs to basic probability assignments (BPAs) in evidence theory. Based on Jousselme's distance measure and cosine similarity measure between BPAs, two similarity measures between AIFSs are proposed. A composite similarity measure is constructed following the proof of properties related to our proposed similarity measures. Then, we use some contrastive examples to illustrate that the proposed similarity measure between AIFSs can overcome the drawbacks of existing similarity measures. Finally, we apply the proposed similarity measures between AIFSs to deal with pattern recognition and multiple criteria decision making problems. It is demonstrated that our proposed similarity measures can provide compatible results compared to those results obtained based on previous measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we address the problem of how to measure non-specificity for intuitionistic fuzzy sets. This problem is relevant to the construction of intuitionistic fuzzy uncertainty measure. Although there already exist many uncertainty measures for intuitionistic fuzzy sets, few of them can discriminate uncertainty degrees of crisp sets. In order to construct a unified uncertainty measure for intuitionistic fuzzy sets, non-specificity must be taken into account. Starting from the Hartley measure, which is related to the cardinality of a crisp set, we propose a non-specificity measure for intuitionistic fuzzy sets. Properties of the proposed non-specificity measure are also investigated. Illustrative examples are employed to show its performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A theory for nonlinear excitations in quantum plasmas is presented for narrow-gap semiconductors by considering the combined effects of quantum and pseudorelativity. The system is governed by a coupled Klein-Gordon equation for the collective wave functions of the conduction electrons and Poisson's equation for the electrostatic potential. This gives a closed system, including the effects of charge separation, quantum tunneling, and pseudorelativity. By choosing the typical parameters of semiconductor InSb, the quasistationary soliton solution, which is a multipeaked dark soliton, is obtained numerically and shows depleted electron densities correlated with a localized potential. The dynamical simulation result shows that the dark soliton is stable and has a multipeaked profile, which is consistent with the quasistationary solution. The present model and results may be useful in understanding the nonlinear properties of semiconductor plasma on an ultrafast time scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the impact of excretal returns derived from livestock dung on nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in a grazed alpine grassland ecosystem. N2O flux, vegetation and soil characteristics were measured in an alpine steppe on the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Measurements were obtained from control (CK) plot and experimental plot to which either yak dung (YD) or Tibetan sheep dung (SD) was added. We found significantly lower surface soil temperature and higher soil moisture in the YD plot than in either the CK or SD plot. The application of YD resulted in significantly less biomass of aboveground vegetation, lower carbon and nitrogen uptake, and significantly higher cumulative N2O emission in comparison to the CK or SD treatment. N2O from SD treatment was probably mainly produced via nitrification, while N2O from YD treatment was primarily produced by denitrification. Emission factors of N2O for both YD and SD were far lower than the default values proposed by the IPCC and the release of N2O from YD and SD patches is low. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Theory of belief function can be introduced to the interval set by defining interval-valued belief structures. The Dempster-Shafer (D-S) theory of evidence has been extended to combine interval-valued belief structures for decades. Although there already exist several combination approaches proposed by previous researchers, this problem has not been fully resolved so far. A novel combination of interval-valued belief structures is developed after analyzing existing irrational or suboptimal approaches. The novel combination approach is modeled based on intuitionistic fuzzy set, rather than nonlinear programming models, which are computational complicated. Numerical examples are implemented to illustrate the performance of the proposed novel approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study was carried out to investigate the protective effects of Baicalin on decidual cells of LPS-induced abortion mice. In the in vitro experiment, the decidual cells were cultured by uterus tissue mass cultivation sampled at day 6 of pregnancy, and gradient concentrations of LPS were used to determine the optimal LPS concentration of the injured decidual cells model. The injured decidual cells were treated with Baicalin (4 µg/mL) to determine the protective role of Baicalin. In the in vivo experiment, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected intravenously via the tail vein to induce abortion at day 6 of pregnancy, and the mice were given different concentrations of Baicalin by oral gavage consecutively at days 7 to 8 of pregnancy. On day 9 of gestation, the mice were sacrificed. The TNF and progesterone contents in the serum were assayed by ELISA. The results clearly revealed that Baicalin can prevent the injury to decidual cells from LPS dose dependently, TNF was decreased significantly (P < 0.01) compared to LPS group, and there was no effect on the progesterone. These findings suggest that Baicalin has protective effects on the injured decidual cells in the pregnant mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The HIV-1 accessory factor Vif is necessary for efficient viral infection in non-permissive cells. Vif antagonizes the antiviral activity of human cytidine deaminase APOBEC3 proteins that confer the non-permissive phenotype by tethering them (APOBEC3DE/3F/3G) to the Vif-CBF-β-ElonginB-ElonginC-Cullin5-Rbx (Vif-CBF-β-EloBEloC- Cul5-Rbx) E3 complex to induce their proteasomal degradation. EloB and EloC were initially reported as positive regulatory subunits of the Elongin (SIII) complex. Thereafter, EloB and EloC were found to be components of Cul-E3 complexes, contributing to proteasomal degradation of specific substrates. CBF-β is a newly identified key regulator of Vif function, and more information is needed to further clarify its regulatory mechanism. Here, we comprehensively investigated the functions of EloB (together with EloC) in the Vif-CBF-β-Cul5 E3 ligase complex. Results: The results revealed that: (1) EloB (and EloC) positively affected the recruitment of CBF-β to Vif. Both knockdown of endogenous EloB and over-expression of its mutant with a 34-residue deletion in the COOH-terminal tail (EloBΔC34/EBΔC34) impaired the Vif-CBF-β interaction. (2) Introduction of both the Vif SLQ→AAA mutant (VifΔSLQ, which dramatically impairs Vif-EloB-EloC binding) and the Vif PPL→AAA mutant (VifΔPPL, which is thought to reduce Vif-EloB binding) could reduce CBF-β binding. (3) EloB-EloC but not CBF-β could greatly enhance the folding of full-length Vif in Escherichia coli. (4) The over-expression of EloB or the N-terminal ubiquitin-like (UbL) domain of EloB could significantly improve the stability of Vif/VifΔSLQ/VifΔPPL through the region between residues 9 and 14. Conclusion: Our results indicate that the Vif interaction with EloB-EloC may contribute to recruitment of CBF-β to Vif, demonstrating that the EloB C-teminus may play a role in improving Vif function and that the over-expression of EloB results in Vif stabilization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies how to improve the third-order shear deformation theories of isotropic plates, which is a question raised by late Reissner in 1985 (ASME Appl. Mech. Rev., 38, pp.1453-1464). It is demonstrated in this paper that a proper displacement field with the higher-order shear deformations given by the method of displacement assumption should satisfy the constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy a priori in addition to the traction conditions on plate surfaces. This additional constraint on the assumed displacement fields with the higher-order shear deformations is in line with Love's criterion of the consistent first approximation to the strain energy wherein the transverse shear strain energy is included. The constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy is physically similar to the requirement for the use of the shear coefficients in the first-order shear deformation plate theories proposed by Reissner and Mindlin, respectively. A procedure to improve the assumed displacement field with the third-order shear deformations is presented. The present study shows that the various displacement fields with the simple third-order shear deformations would be identical when the constraint on the consistence of the transverse shear strain energy is enforced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fsp27, a member of the CIDE protein family which is selectively expressed in adipocytes, has emerged as a novel regulator for unilocular lipid droplet (LD) formation, lipid metabolism, differentiation of adipocytes and insulin sensitivity. An LD is a subcellular compartment that is used by adipocytes for the efficient storage of fats. The CIDE-N domain of Fsp27 functions as a recruitment platform that induces the correct configuration of the Fsp27 CIDE-C domain to facilitate LD fusion. This study reports the high-yield expression of the mouse Fsp27 CIDE-N domain in Escherichia coli; a two-step purification protocol with high efficiency was established and crystallographic analysis was performed. The purity of the recombinant Fsp27 was >95% as assessed by SDS-PAGE. Crystals were obtained at 291 K using 28% polyethylene glycol 4000 as a precipitant. Diffraction data were collected to 1.92 Å resolution and the crystal belonged to space group P6(5), with unit-cell parameters a=b=63.3, c=37.4 Å, α=β=90, γ=120°. The components of the crystal were identified by ion-trap LC/MS/MS spectrometric analysis. The structure has been solved by molecular replacement and refinement is in progress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article offers information on syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease (STD) which has increased in the number of cases in Rhode Island. It states that the disease, common in HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM), is caused by the bacterium Treponema pallidum, which genome lacks transposable elements that suggests its conservation and stability. It mentions the epidemiology and clinical manifestations of the disease in different stages such as oral lesions, protean and Condylomata lata. It cites some treatment regimes for the condition such as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction, acetominophen and Benzathine administration.

The propagation characteristic of atmospheric responses to the abnormal warm sea-surface temperature (SST) in the Kuroshio Extension in winter was investigated using National Centre for Atmospheric Research CAM3.0. The results show that geopotential height perturbations at 500 hPa occupy much of the mid- and high-latitude areas north of 20°N and are stronger in winter and spring than in summer. Power spectrum analysis reveals that the perturbations contain both quasi-biweekly and intraseasonal oscillations. In the latitude band with maximum perturbation amplitude, the oscillations propagate mainly eastward. The centers of dominant oscillations are situated in the mid- and higher-latitude areas north to 40°N. The perturbations in the Arctic mainly propagate meridionally, whereas those south of the Arctic propagate zonally, at a steady-phase velocity basically. The propagation characteristics of wind perturbations and temperature perturbations are similar to those of geopotential height perturbations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractMetabolic subtlety and clinical relevance of different forms of reactive oxygen species in diabetes remain unclear. Using single knockout of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1-/-) or Se-glutathione peroxidase-1 (GPX1-/-) and their double-knockout (DKO) mouse models, we determined if elevating endogenously-derived superoxide and hydroperoxide exerted distinct impacts and mechanisms on body glucose homeostasis. Whereas the three knockout groups displayed decreased plasma insulin concentrations and islet β-cells mass, only SOD1-/-showed decreased body weight, increased blood glucose, and blocked glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Null of SOD1 and GPX1 elevated respective islet superoxide and hydroperoxide production, and upregulated p53 phosphorylation. Knockout of SOD1 downregulated the foxhead box A2/pancreatic and duodenal homeobox 1 pathway in a superoxide-dependent fashion at epigenetic, mRNA, and protein levels in islets, but improved insulin signaling in liver and muscle. The SOD1-/-mice showed more apparent pancreatitis than the GPX1-/-mice that were more susceptible to the cerulein-induced amylase increase. Knockout of SOD1 impaired islet function, pancreas integrity, and body glucose homeostasis more than that of GPX1. Simultaneous ablation of both enzymes did not result in additive or aggravated metabolic outcomes. Antioxid. Redox Signal.14, 391–401. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transcription factor Krüppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is critical for normal trafficking of T lymphocytes, but its role in B cells is unclear. We report that B cell-specific KLF2 deficiency leads to de- creased expression of the trafficking molecules CD62L and β7- integrin, yet expression of sphingosine-1 phosphate receptor 1 (which is a critical target of KLF2 in T cells) was, unexpectedly, minimally altered. Unexpectedly, Klf2 deletion led to a drastic reduction in the B1 B-cell pool and a substantial increase in transitional and marginal zone B-cell numbers. In addition, we observed that KLF2-deficient B cells showed increased apoptosis and impaired proliferation after B-cell receptor cross-linking. Gene expression analysis indicated that KLF2-deficient follicular B cells display numerous characteristics shared by normal marginal zone B cells, including reduced expression of several signaling molecules that may contribute to defective activation of these cells. Hence, our data indicate that KLF2 plays a critical role in dictating normal subset differentiation and functional reactivity of mature B cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to investigate the antiabortive effects of Quercetin and Bornvl Acetate and their immunological modulation at maternal-fetal interface. Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) was injected via tail vein to induce abortion in mice which received Quercetin and Bornvl Acetate at days 4–7 of gestation. Uterine CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes and IFN-γ/IL-4 of each group (n = 10) were detected by immunohistochemistry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, respectively. The ratio of CD4+/CD8+ increased significantly (P < .01) in the uterus of LPS-induced abortion mice. In the Quercetin and Bornvl Acetate pretreated mice followed by LPS administration, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ dropped to 0.562 ± 0.021, lower than that of LPSabortion group (P < .01). The mean value of IFN-γ/IL-4 in LPS-treated mice was 0.310±0.066, higher than that of Quercetin and Bornyl Acetate group. The results indicate that Quercetin and Bornyl Acetate have an antiabortive effect through modulation of immunological balance at maternal-fetal interface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, the effect of buffer zone size on the performance of a regional climate model (RCM) was investigated. In contrast to carrying out simulations where the buffer zone expands inward, numerical experiments were performed with the buffer zone expanded outward, which ensured an objective comparison on the effect of buffer zone sizes. Case simulations on the abnormal 1998 East Asian summer monsoon demonstrated that an RCM's performance depended on the outward expansion of the buffer zone. Moreover, a broader buffer zone is able to improve large-scale circulation simulation in the upper troposphere; however, a narrower buffer zone shows better performance in the middle and lower troposphere. Numerical experiments show that the performance of RCMs in simulating the seasonal evolution of rainbands over eastern China is not completely consistent with that of the western Pacific subtropical high (WPSH). A possible reason why the configuration with the buffer zone expanding inward can improve the extension/withdrawal of the summer monsoon and the associated precipitation evolution over eastern China is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Regional eco-security assessment is an intricate, challenging task. In previous studies, the integration of eco-environmental models and geographical information systems (GIS) usually takes two approaches: loose coupling and tight coupling. However, the present study used a full coupling approach to develop a GIS-based regional eco-security assessment decision support system (ESDSS). This was achieved by merging the pressure-state-response (PSR) model and the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) into ArcGIS 9 as a dynamic link library (DLL) using ArcObjects in ArcGIS and Visual Basic for Applications. Such an approach makes it easy to capitalize on the GIS visualization and spatial analysis functions, thereby significantly supporting the dynamic estimation of regional eco-security. A case study is presented for the Tibetan Plateau, known as the world’s “third pole” after the Arctic and Antarctic. Results verified the usefulness and feasibility of the developed method. As a useful tool, the ESDSS can also help local managers to make scientifically-based and effective decisions about Tibetan eco-environmental protection and land use. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: There is a shortage of research concerning the relationships between land-use change, soil erosion, and soil organic carbon (SOC) and nitrogen (N) dynamics in alpine environments such as those found in the Tibetan plateau. In this paper, typical sloping farmlands converted from grassland 50 years ago in eastern Tibet were selected to determine dynamics of soil erosion, SOC, and total N associated with land-use change. Soil samples were collected from sloping farmland and control fields (grassland). The 137Cs, SOC, total N contents, and soil particle size fractions were analyzed in these samples. As compared with the control fields, 137Cs, SOC, and total N inventories in the sloping farmlands decreased by 30%, 27%, and 33%, respectively. Meanwhile variations in the three parameters were enhanced in the sloping farmlands, with coefficients of variation (CVs) of 38%, 23%, and 20%, respectively, for 37Cs, SOC, and total N. In addition, SOC and total N inventories significantly decreased with increasing soil erosion in the sloping farmland. In a sloping farmland with a steep 24° gradient, the 137Cs inventory gradually increased along a downslope transect with its lowest value at 0Bqm−2 in the top-slope position (0m). The soil clay (<0.002mm) content in such an area increased with decreasing elevation (r=−0.95, p=0.001). Significant correlations between 137Cs and clay (r=0.92, p=0.003), SOC (r=0.96, p=0.001), or total N (r=0.95, p=0.001) were also found in the farmland. These results showed that converting alpine grassland to sloping farmland accelerates soil erosion, losses in SOC and N, and increases the soil’s spatial variability. The combined impacts of tillage and water erosion contributed a significant decrease in the soil’s organic carbon and N storages. Particularly in steep sloping farmlands, tillage erosion contributed for severe soil loss, but the soil redistribution pattern was dominated by water erosion, not tillage erosion, due to the lack of boundaries across the field patches. It was also found that 137Cs, SOC, and total N moved along the same pathway within these sloping farmlands, resulting in net C and N losses during soil redistribution. The negative influences of land-use conversion from grassland to farmland in sloping areas in the Tibetan plateau should be addressed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Two new Keggin polyoxometalates [Co(phen)3]2[SiW12O40]·6H2O (1) and (ppy)6 H4SiMo12O40·0.4H2O (2) (phen = 1,10′-phenanthroline, ppy = 4-(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)pyridine) have been synthesized by the hydrothermal method. Single crystal X-ray analysis revealed that compound 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic crystal system with cell parameters of a = 13.344(2) Å, b = 17.191(3) Å, c = 22.002(4) Å, α = 90.00°, β = 99.566(2)°, γ = 90.00°, V = 4977 Å3, Z = 2, and compound 2 crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system with cell parameters of a = 11.297(2) Å, b = 12.341(3) Å, c = 19.354(4) Å, α = 107.60(3)°, β = 95.80(3)°, γ = 94.16(3)°, V = 2543.7(9) Å3, Z = 1. Both 1 and 2 represent organic ligand molecules and inorganic Keggin anions, which are further interconnected to a 3D framework by supramolecular interactions. (© 2008 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A three-dimensional polyoxovanadate formulated as HV3O8·H2O has been synthesized by hydrothermal method. (© 2007 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although learning and memory theories hypothesize that memories are encoded by specific circuits, it has proven difficult to localize learning within a cortical area. Neural network theories predict that activation of a small fraction of the neurons in a circuit can activate that circuit. Consequently, altering the physiology of a small group of neurons might potentiate a specific circuit and enhance learning, thereby localizing learning to that circuit. In this study, we activated protein kinase C (PKC) pathways in small groups of neurons in rat postrhinal (POR) cortex. We microinjected helper virus-free herpes simplex virus vectors that expressed a constitutively active PKC into POR cortex. This PKC was expressed predominantly in glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in POR cortex. This intervention increased phosphorylation of five PKC substrates that play critical roles in neurotransmitter release (GAP-43 and dynamin) or glutamatergic neurotransmission (specific subunits of AMPA or NMDA receptors and myristoylated alanine-rich C kinase substrate). Additionally, activation of PKC pathways in cultured cortical neurons supported activation-dependent increases in release of glutamate and GABA. This intervention enhanced the learning rate and accuracy of visual object discriminations. In individual rats, the numbers of transfected neurons positively correlated with this learning. During learning, neuronal activity was increased in neurons proximal to the transfected neurons. These results demonstrate that potentiating small groups of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in POR cortex enhances visual object learning. More generally, these results suggest that learning can be mediated by specific cortical circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Angiotensin II (Ang II), protein kinase C (PKC), reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by NADPH oxidase, the activation of Janus kinase 2 (JAK2), and the polyol pathway play important parts in the hyperproliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC), a characteristic feature of diabetic macroangiopathy. The precise mechanism, however, remains unclear. This study investigated the relation between the polyol pathway, PKC-β, ROS, JAK2, and Ang II in the development of diabetic macroangiopathy. VSMC cultured in high glucose (HG; 25 mM) showed significant increases in the tyrosine phosphorylation of JAK2, production of ROS, and proliferation activities when compared with VSMC cultured in normal glucose (5.5 mM (NG)). Both the aldose reductase specific inhibitor (zopolrestat) or transfection with aldose reductase antisense oligonucleotide blocked the phosphorylation of JAK2, the production of ROS, and proliferation of VSMC induced by HG, but it had no effect on the Ang II-induced activation of these parameters in both NG and HG. However, transfection with PKC-β antisense oligonucleotide, preincubation with a PKC-β-specific inhibitor (LY379196) or apocynin (NADPH oxidase-specific inhibitor), or electroporation of NADPH oxidase antibodies blocked the Ang II-induced JAK2 phosphorylation, production of ROS, and proliferation of VSMC in both NG and HG. These observations suggest that the polyol pathway hyperactivity induced by HG contributes to the development of diabetic macroangiopathy through a PKC-β-ROS activation of JAK2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lewy body dementia (LBD), consisting of dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson's disease dementia (PDD), is the second most common type of neurodegenerative dementia in older people. The current study aimed to investigate the clinical characteristics of LBD in Chinese memory clinics.Methods: A total of 8405 dementia medical records were reviewed, revealing 455 patients with LBD. Demographic data, neuropsychological scores, and the scale for Medial Temporal lobe Atrophy (MTA) were then analyzed from nine memory clinics in the China Lewy Body Disease Collaborative Alliance.Results: The clinical proportion of LBD among the subjects and among all dementia types was 5.4% (4.9-5.9%) and 7.3% (6.7-8.0%), respectively, with a mean onset age of 68.6 ± 8.4 years. Patients with DLB comprised 5.6% (n = 348, age of onset 69.1 ± 8.3), while PDD comprised 1.7% (n = 107, age of onset 66.7 ± 8.8) of all dementia cases. There were slightly more males than females with DLB (n = 177, 50.9%) and PDD (n = 62, 57.9%). Patients with DLB had a poorer performance compared to those with PDD on the MMSE (16.8 ± 7.1 vs. 19.5 ± 5.7, p = 0.001), the MoCA (11.4 ± 6.6 vs. 14.0 ± 5.8, p<0.001), the CDR (1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 1.6 ± 0.7, p = 0.002), and the MTA (1.8 ± 0.7 vs. 1.2 ± 0.6, p = 0.002). Diagnostic differences for LBD exist among the centers; their reported proportions of those with DLB ranged from 0.7 to 11.4 and those with PDD ranged from 0.0 to 2.9%.Conclusions: Variations of diagnoses exists in different regions and the clinical proportion of LBD is likely to be underestimated in China and other regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 170 years after causing the potato famine in Ireland, late blight is still considered one of the most devastating crop diseases. Commercial potato breeding efforts depend on natural sources of resistance to protect crops from the rapidly evolving late blight pathogen, Phytophthora infestans. We have identified and mapped a novel broad-spectrum disease resistance gene effective against P. infestans from the wild, diploid potato species Solanum bulbocastanum. Diagnostic resistance gene enrichment sequencing (dRenSeq) was used to confirm the uniqueness of the identified resistance. RenSeq and GenSeq-based mapping of the resistance, referred to as Rpi-blb4, alongside recombinant screening, positioned the locus responsible for the resistance to potato chromosome 5. The interval spans approximately 2.3 Mb and corresponds to the DM reference genome positions of 11.25 and 13.56 Mb. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The disaster of seawater intrusion seriously affects people's lives and restricts economic development. so the detection and treatment of seawater intrusion iS a long-term task. On the basis of field investigation and water quality analysis. according to the change characteristics of apparent resistivity of groundwater after Cl reaches 250 fiig/L. the theoretical basis for the application of high-density resistivity method was determined. and the characteristic values of apparent resistivity for seawater intrusion interfaces in different geological characteristic regions in Laizhou Ray area were determined by typical profile tests. Combined with water quality investigation and other means, profiles for the high-density resistivity method were arranged, and the interfaces between saline and fresh water were accurately divided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spent mushroom substrates, Tremella fuciformis (Tf), Flammulina velutipes (Fv), and Lentinula edodes (Le), were used to produce biochar at different temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C, 500 °C, 600 °C, and 700 °C). Elemental compositions and surface properties of derived biochar were determined. The yield and volatile matter (VM) of the biochars decreased as the pyrolysis temperature increased with Le300 having the highest yield (47.4%). The highest VM was obtained in Tf300 (79.6%). The biochars were alkaline, with Fv700 having the highest pH (11.6). Pyrolysis temperature and feedstock influenced nutrient composition of biochars and highest values were obtained in: Tf300 (N=2.07%), Fv700 (P=12.0 g/kg), Le700 (K=21.9 g/kg), Fv600 (CEC=32.3 cmol/kg), Fv700 (Ash=33.4%) and Le700 (C=58.6%). Heavy metals in the Fv biochar were highest but within their tolerable limits. Fourier transform infrared spectra showed various functional groups on the biochar surfaces with C-O being dominant (except on Le biochar). X-ray diffraction revealed that SiO2 and CaCO3 were present on biochar surfaces. The Fv biochars had the largest surface area with Fv400 having the highest value (210.6 m2g-1) while Le400 had the highest average pore diameter (159.7 Å). These properties render the biochars suitable as soil amendment and in environmental remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study is to design sustained-release tablets using matrix technology, which can well control the release of highly water-soluble drugs with good system robustness and simple preparation process. Taking venlafaxine hydrochloride (VH) as a drug model, the feasibility of using chitosan (CS), carbomer (CBM) combination system to achieve this goal was studied. Formulation and process variables influencing drug release from CS- CBM matrix tablets were investigated. It was found that CS-CBM combination system weakened the potential influence of CS, CBM material properties and gastric emptying time on drug release profile. Demonstrated by direct observation, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), in situ self-assembled polyelectrolyte complex (PEC) film was formed on the tablet surface during gastrointestinal tract transition, which contributed to the tunable and robust control of drug release. The sustained drug release behavior was further demonstrated in vivo in Beagle dogs, with level A in vitro and in vivo correlation (IVIVC) established successfully. In conclusion, CS-CBM matrix tablets are promising system to tune and control the release of highly water-soluble drugs with good system robustness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To fully investigate the characteristics and the complementarities of demand side resources (DSRs), and to achieve efficient utilization of resources, the aggregation of DSRs is studied in this paper. Considering the uncertainty of DSRs, the characteristics analysis and the selection of relevant daily feature corresponding to various types of DSR are carried out. Then a multi-scenario model based on quarter division and self-organizing map (SOM) neural network algorithm is proposed. In the model, the clustering feature vector is selected as the input vector of the SOM algorithm to perform DSR clustering analysis to get the different scenarios. In addition, to obtain the resource aggregation (RA) with good load characteristics, response characteristics and distributed generation (DG) consumption, a multi-scenario objective optimization aggregation model of DSR based on scenario partition is established, and an the model is solved by an improved niche evolutionary multi-objective immune algorithm. Finally, the case studies are given to verify the validity of the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, porous biomass carbon has become a new functional material used as an absorbent and an electrode material. In this study, we present an organic waste conversion achieved through a two-step process: first, fallen phoenix tree leaves were transformed into carbon microspheres via the hydrothermal method; second, a porous carbon material was prepared from these carbon microspheres through an activation process using KOH. The carbon microspheres were analyzed by using several characterization methods, including X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and the Brunauer-Emmett-Teller method. The porous carbon material exhibited excellent supercapacitive performance with specific capacitances of 367 F/g at a current density of 0.5 A/g and 240 F/g at a current density of 20 A/g. The capacitance retention of the material was 91.7% after 2000 charge/discharge cycles at a current density of 20 A/g. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Iron is an essential trace element with an abroad physiological function, and iron deficiency can impair animal health. Vitamin C (VC) has the potential to release iron from diets and increase iron uptake. This study evaluates the effects of dietary iron and vitamin C on the growth performance, iron utilization, antioxidant capacity, and nonspecific immunity of the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis). Juvenile E. sinensis (1:14 ± 0:01 g) were fed six diets supplemented with three levels of iron (41.40, 92.25, and 143.00 mg/kg), and each iron level supplemented either 4.33 mg/kg or 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C for 8 weeks. Crabs fed 41.40 mg/kg of iron diet had the lowest weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) and had the highest feed conversion rate (FCR) regardless of dietary vitamin C levels. Dietary 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C improved WG and SGR but decreased FCR when the diets were supplemented with 41.40 and 143.00 mg/kg of iron (P < 0:05). Dietary 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C significantly improved the expression levels of divalent metal ion transporter 1, ferroportin, and iron regulation protein in the intestine and hepatopancreas when supplemented with 92.25 and 143.00 mg/kg of iron (P < 0:05) and enhanced the transferrin content in hemolymph and iron deposition in the hepatopancreas when supplemented with 92.25 and 143.00 mg/kg of iron (P < 0:05). Crabs fed the diet supplemented with 41.40 mg/kg of iron had the highest malondialdehyde content and the lowest superoxide dismutase activity in the hepatopancreas. Dietary 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C supplementation also increased the acid phosphatase and bacteriolytic activity when diets were supplemented with 41.40 and 143.00 mg/kg of iron (P < 0:05). In addition, crabs fed 143.00 mg/kg of iron and 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C diet had the highest survival rate after the Aeromonas hydrophila challenge. This study demonstrates that dietary 700.90 mg/kg of vitamin C could promote iron absorption and utilization, thereby increasing the growth, immunity, and disease resistance of E. sinensis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our laboratory has previously shown that GPX1 overexpressing (OE) mice had greater insulin concentration in pancreatic tissue homogenates and elevated insulin secretion in isolated islets upon glucose stimulation than their wild-type (WT) mice. The present study was conducted with Se-adequate, adult OE and WT male mice (n = 4-6 per genotype by assay) to elucidate the mechanism of GPX1 role in pancreatic insulin synthesis and secretion. Pancreatic beta-cell mass, measured by immunostaining of insulin in paraffin sections of pancreas, was 85% greater (P < 0.05) in the OE than in the WT mice. In isolated islets, the OE mice had greater (P < 0.05) mRNA levels of insulin (+ 77%) and pancreatic duodenal homeobox-1 or Pdx-1 (+ 127%) than the WT mice. The elevated Pdx-1 gene expression in the OE islets concurred with an increase in PDX-1 protein, and was associated with a decreased (P < 0.05) intracellular peroxide concentration and an increased (P < 0.05) mRNA level of Foxa2 (an upstream transcription activator of Pdx-1). Meanwhile, the OE mice displayed a 44% reduction (P < 0.05) in pancreatic uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2), along with an enhanced (P < 0.05) islet mitochondria membrane potential. In conclusion, overexpression of GPX1 altered islet intracellular peroxide tone and consequently PDX-1-Foxa2 pathway and UCP2 protein expression, resulting in abnormal pancreatic insulin synthesis and secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transgenic CD47 overexpression is an encouraging approach to ameliorating xenograft rejection and alloresponses to pluripotent stem cells, and the efficacy correlates with the level of CD47 expression. However, CD47, upon ligation, also transmits signals leading to cell dysfunction or death, raising a concern that overexpressing CD47 could be harmful. Here, we unveiled an alternative source of cell surface CD47. We showed that extracellular vesicles, including exosomes, released from normal or tumor cells overexpressing CD47 (transgenic or native) can induce efficient CD47 cross-dressing on pig or human cells. Like the autogenous CD47, CD47 cross-dressed on cell surfaces is capable of interacting with SIRPα to inhibit phagocytosis. However, ligation of the autogenous, but not cross-dressed, CD47 induced cell death. Thus, CD47 cross-dressing provides an alternative source of cell surface CD47 that may elicit its anti-phagocytic function without transmitting harmful signals to the cells. CD47 cross-dressing also suggests a previously unidentified mechanism for tumor-induced immunosuppression. Our findings should help to further optimize the CD47 transgenic approach that may improve outcomes by minimizing the harmful effects of CD47 overexpression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accurate precipitation data are of great importance for environmental applications. Interpolation methods are usually applied to afford spatially distributed precipitation data. However, due to the scarcity of rain gauges, different spatial interpolation methods may result in deviations from the real spatial distribution of precipitation. In this study, three different interpolation methods were investigated with regard to their suitability for producing a spatial precipitation distribution on China's Tibetan Plateau. Precipitation data from 39 rain gauges were spatially interpolated using ordinary kriging, cokriging with covariates as elevation (Cok-elevation), and cokriging with covariates as tropical rainfall measuring mission (Cok-TRMM). The results showed that the mean absolute error (MAE), mean relative error (MRE), and root mean square error (RMSE) for Cok-TRMM amounted to 103.85 mm, 0.32, and 134.50 mm, respectively. These numbers were lower than the fi gures for ordinary kriging (MAE 111.01 mm, MRE 0.34, RMSE 144.86 mm) and Cok-elevation (MAE 111.43 mm, MRE 0.34, RMSE 144.35 mm). In addition, the correlation coefficient between observed and predicted values of Cok-TRMM (r² = 0.53) was higher than that for ordinary kriging (r² = 0.46) and Cok-elevation (r² = 0.46). Our results demonstrate that Cok-TRMM is more effective at producing a spatial precipitation distribution on the Tibetan Plateau and can serve as a new spatial interpolation method for precipitation in data-scarce regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tetherin (BST-2/CD317) is an interferon-inducible antiviral protein that restricts the release of enveloped viruses from infected cells. The HIV-1 accessory protein Vpu can efficiently antagonize this restriction. In this study, we analyzed mutations of the transmembrane (TM) domain of Vpu, including deletions and substitutions, to delineate amino acids important for HIV-1 viral particle release and in interactions with tetherin. The mutants had similar subcellular localization patterns with that of wild-type Vpu and were functional with respect to CD4 downregulation. We showed that the hydrophobic binding surface for tetherin lies in the core of the Vpu TM domain. Three consecutive hydrophobic isoleucine residues in the middle region of the Vpu TM domain, I15, I16 and I17, were important for stabilizing the tetherin binding interface and determining its sensitivity to tetherin. Changing the polarity of the amino acids at these positions resulted in severe impairment of Vpu-induced tetherin targeting and antagonism. Taken together, these data reveal a model of specific hydrophobic interactions between Vpu and tetherin, which can be potentially targeted in the development of novel anti- HIV-1 drugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Imidazolium-substituted azobenzene liquid crystal derivatives were synthesised and their chemical structures were determined by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and UV spectroscopy and elemental analysis. The liquid crystalline properties pf the new compounds were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, polarising optical microscopy and powder X-ray diffraction. The monomer DC10 was found to exhibit a monolayer smectic C (SmC) phase with schlieren texture on both heating and cooling. The effects of ionic interactions as well as the length of the alkyl chains on the mesophase are discussed. The results indicate that ionic interactions between imidazolium groups are the driving force for the formation of the monolayer SmC phase, the thermal stability of which is enhanced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  A new Keggin polyoxometalate-based polymer, formulated as (Hppy)2Cu2(ppy)4[SiMo12O40] (1) ppy = 4-(5-phenylpyridin-2-yl)pyridine, had been synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Complex 1 exhibits a one-dimensional polyoxometalate-based chain constructed from Keggin anions of [SiMo12O40]4− weakly connected by dinuclear [Cu(ppy)2] groups. This complex crystallizes in the triclinic space group P-1, a = 12.621(3) Å, b = 13.168(3) Å, c = 17.467(4) Å, α = 86.09(3)°, β = 85.35(3)°, γ = 64.10(3)°, V = 2601.1(9) Å3, Z = 1. The elemental analyses, FT-IR, TG-DTA for this compound were also determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Direct gene transfer into neurons has potential for developing gene therapy treatments for specific neurological conditions, and for elucidating neuronal physiology. Due to the complex cellular composition of specific brain areas, neuronal type-specific recombinant gene expression is required for many potential applications of neuronal gene transfer. One approach is to target gene transfer to a specific type of neuron. We developed modified Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) particles that contain chimeric glycoprotein C (gC) -- glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) proteins. HSV-1 vector particles containing either gC -- GDNF or gC -- BDNF target gene transfer to nigrostriatal neurons, which contain specific receptors for GDNF or BDNF. A second approach to achieve neuronal type-specific expression is to use a cell type-specific promoter, and we have used the tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) promoter to restrict expression to catecholaminergic neurons or a modified neurofilament heavy gene promoter to restrict expression to neurons, and both of these promoters support long-term expression from HSV-1 vectors. To both improve nigrostriatal-neuron specific expression, and to establish that targeted gene transfer can be followed by long-term expression, we performed targeted gene transfer with vectors that support long-term, neuronal-specific expression. Results: Helper virus-free HSV-1 vector packaging was performed using either gC -- GDNF or gC -- BDNF and vectors that contain either the TH promoter or the modified neurofilament heavy gene promoter. Vector stocks were injected into the midbrain proximal to the substantia nigra, and the rats were sacrificed at either 4 days or 1 month after gene transfer. Immunofluorescent costaining was performed to detect both recombinant gene products and nigrostriatal neurons. The combination of targeted gene transfer with neuronal-specific promoters improved nigrostriatal neuron-specific expression (83 to 93%) compared to either approach alone, and supported long-term (1 month) expression at levels similar to those observed using untargeted gene transfer. Conclusion: Targeted gene transfer can be used in combination with neuronal-specific promoters to achieve a high level of nigrostriatal neuron-specific expression. Targeted gene transfer can be followed by long-term expression. Nigrostriatal neuron-specific expression may be useful for specific gene therapy approaches to Parkinson's disease or for genetic analyses of nigrostriatal neuron physiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sepsis is a severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome caused by bacterial, fungal, viral, or parasitic infections. During sepsis, proinflammatory cytokines play a key role in initiating the inflammatory process. It is still urgently needed to develop novel drugs for sepsis treatment. Dihydroresveratrol is a polyphenol derivative belonging to phenylpropane, which has anti-inflammatory, antifibrosis, antiaging, and antitumor effects, whereas the role of dihydroresveratrol in sepsis is still unclear. In this study, we observed that dihydroresveratrol improved septic liver injury. We further observed that dihydroresveratrol decreased the expression of inflammatory cytokines and oxidative damage to rat liver tissues. Dihydroresveratrol improved liver injury in septic rats via regulating nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-latitude and high-altitude regions contain vast stores of permafrost carbon. Climate warming may result in the release of CO2 from both the thawing of permafrost and accelerated autotrophic respiration, but it may also increase the fixation of CO2 by plants, which could relieve or even offset the CO2 losses. The Tibetan Plateau contains the largest area of alpine permafrost on Earth. However, the current status of the net CO2 balance and feedbacks to warming remain unclear, given that the region has recently experienced an atmospheric warming rate of over 0.3 °C decade-1. We examined 32 eddy covariance sites and found an unexpected net CO2 sink during 2002 to 2020 (26 of the sites yielded a net CO2 sink) that was four times the amount previously estimated. The CO2 sink peaked at an altitude of roughly 4,000 m, with the sink at lower and higher altitudes limited by a low carbon use efficiency and a cold, dry climate, respectively. The fixation of CO2 in summer is more dependent on temperature than the loss of CO2 than it is in the winter months, especially at higher altitudes. Consistently, 16 manipulative experiments and 18 model simulations showed that the fixation of CO2 by plants will outpace the loss of CO2 under a wetting-warming climate until the 2090s (178 to 318 Tg C y-1). We therefore suggest that there is a plant-dominated negative feedback to climate warming on the Tibetan Plateau. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dengue virus infection mainly causes dengue hemorrhagic fever (DHF) and/or dengue shock syndrome (DSS). However, ADE (antibody-dependent enhancement) is one of the main patho- genic factors, and its pathogenic mechanism has not been fully elucidated. Recently, with the development of high-throughput sequencing, an increased number of RNAs have been confirmed to play a vital regulatory role in the process of virus infection. However, there is a lack of research on dengue virus infection and ADE. In this study, we used RNA-Seq to detect differentially expressed RNAs (DE RNAs) profiles in mock-infected, DENV-3-infected, and ADE-infected THP-1 cells. Firstly, we found 69 circRNAs, 259 miRNAs, and 18 mRNAs were differentially expressed in THP-1 vs DENV-3. In THP-1 vs ADE, 94 circRNAs, 263 miRNAs, and 111 mRNAs were differentially expressed. In DENV-3 vs ADE, 68 circRNAs, 105 miRNAs, and 94 mRNAs were differentially expressed. Functional enrichment analysis of these DE RNAs mainly focused on immune system, viral infectious diseases, cytokine-cytokine receptor interactions, and NOD/RIG-I-like receptor signaling pathways. In DENV-3 vs ADE, notably, the expression of HBB was up-regulated, which was a FCY Receptor-mediated phagocytosis protein. Additionally, we predicted the encoding ability of DE circRNAs, and it was found that a small peptide was encoded by novel_circ_001562 and that its amino acid sequence was consistent with that of DDX60L, which is a class of interferon-stimulated genes. Finally, we constructed the ceRNA regulatory network pathway. Therefore, our study provides a new strategy for further investigation on DENV-host interactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]