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Salt-tolerant 'Chuanqiao No.1' and salt-sensitive 'Chuanqiao No.2' Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum (L.) Gaertn.) were used as materials. Effects of ethephon on physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat under salt stress were studied by different concentrations of ethephon (ETH) under 150 mM NaCl stress. Ethephon treatment could improve seed germination rate of both varieties under salt stress, and the effect of ethephon treatment on salt-sensitive variety was better. Ethephon treatment could improve physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat seedlings under salt stress, and appropriate concentrations of ETH root treatment in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety were 1.0 and 1.5 mM, and for ETH spraying were 0.4 and 0.6 mM. The effect of ETH spraying on improving physiological characteristics of Tartary buckwheat under salt stress was better than that of ETH root treatment. Salt tolerance gene FtNHX1 reached its maximum expression level at 24 h, which was increased by 277.77% and 251.17% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress under ETH root treatment, while under ETH spraying treatment, which was increased by 232.39% and 190.91% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress. Salt tolerance gene FtSOS1 reached its maximum expression levels at 12 h, which was increased by 60.94% and 98.75% in salt-tolerant and saltsensitive variety compared with salt stress under ETH root treatment, while under ETH spraying treatment, which was increased by 35.98% and 67.63% in salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive variety compared with salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

RNA-binding motif protein 5 (RBM5) acts as a tumor suppressor in various human cancers and presents with several important characteristics, such as the potentiation of apoptosis, inhibition of the cell cycle, and alternative splicing of Fas and caspase-2 precursor mRNA. However, its role in bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) remains unknown. In this study, we found that RBM5 expression was significantly down-regulated in BUC tissues when compared with the adjacent nontumor tissues. The down-regulation of RBM5 activates β-catenin, which binds to the T-cell factor/lymphocyte enhancer factor element of the miR-432-5p promoter and elevates the expression of miR-432-5p in bladder cancer cells. The up-regulated miR-432-5p directly targets 3'-UTR and depresses RBM5 expression. Thus, RBM5-miR-432-5p-β-catenin forms a feedback loop in regulating bladder cancer cell apoptosis. Our findings provide evidence that the regulatory feedback loop among RBM5, miR-432-5p, and Wnt-β-catenin is responsible for the progress of bladder cancer cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marek's disease virus (MDV) and reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV) cause Marek's disease (MD) and reticuloendotheliosis (RE), respectively. Co-infection with MDV and REV is common in chickens, causing serious losses to the poultry industry. However, experimental studies of such co-infection are lacking. In this study, Chinese field strains of MDV (ZW/15) and REV (JLR1501) were used as challenge viruses to evaluate the pathogenicity of co-infection and the influence of MD vaccination in chickens. Compared to the MDV-challenged group, the mortality and tumor rates increased significantly by 20.0% (76.7 to 96.7%) and 26.7% (53.3 to 80.0%), in the co-challenged group, respectively. The protective index of the MD vaccines CVI988 and 814 decreased by 33.3 (80.0 to 47.7) and 13.3 (90.0 to 76.7), respectively. These results indicated that MDV and REV co-infection significantly increased disease severity and reduced the vaccine efficacy. The MDV genome load showed no difference in the feather pulps and spleen, and pathogenicity-related MDV gene expression (meq, pp38, vIL-8, and ICP4) in the spleen significantly increased at some time points in the co-challenged group. Clearly, synergistic pathogenicity occurred between MDV and REV, and the protective efficacy of existing MD vaccines was attenuated by co-infection with Chinese field MDV and REV strains. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marek's disease (MD) virus (MDV) has been evolving continuously, leading to increasing vaccination failure. Here, the MDV field strain BS/15 was isolated from a severely diseased Chinese chicken flock previously vaccinated with CVI988. To explore the causes of vaccination failure, specific-pathogen free (SPF) chickens vaccinated with CVI988 or 814 and unvaccinated controls were challenged with either BS/15 or the reference strain Md5. Both strains induced MD lesions in unvaccinated chickens with similar mortality rates of 85.7% and 80.0% during the experimental period, respectively. However, unvaccinated chickens inoculated with BS/15 exhibited a higher tumor development rate (64.3% vs. 40.0%), but prolonged survival and diminished immune defects compared to Md5-challenged counterparts. These results suggest that BS/15 and Md5 show a similar virulence but manifest with different pathogenic characteristics. Moreover, the protective indices of CVI988 and 814 were 33.3 and 66.7 for BS/15, and 92.9 and 100 for Md5, respectively, indicating that neither vaccine could provide efficient protection against BS/15. Taken together, these data suggest that MD vaccination failure is probably due to the existence of variant MDV strains with known virulence and unexpected vaccine resistance. Our findings should be helpful for understanding the pathogenicity and evolution of MDV strains prevalent in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) is important for brain function, and higher DHA intake is inversely correlated with relative risk of Alzheimer's disease. The potential benefits of DHA supplementation in people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have not been fully examined. Our study aimed to determine the effect of DHA supplementation on cognitive function and hippocampal atrophy in elderly subjects with MCI. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in Tianjin, China. 240 individuals with MCI aged 65 years and over were recruited and equalized randomly allocated to the DHA or the placebo group. Participants received 12-month DHA supplementation (2 g/day) or corn oil as placebo. Both global and specific subdomains of cognitive function and hippocampal volume were measured at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Both changes were analyzed by repeated-measure analysis of variance (ANOVA). This trial has been registered: ChiCTR-IOR-15006058. A total of 219 participants (DHA: 110, Placebo: 109) completed the trial. The change in mean serum DHA levels was greater in the intervention group (+3.85%) compared to the control group (+1.06%). Repeated-measures analyses of covariance showed that, over 12 months, there was a significant difference in the Full-Scale Intelligence Quotient (ηp² = 0.084; p = 0.039), Information (ηp² = 0.439; p = 0.000), and Digit Span (ηp² = 0.375; p = 0.000) between DHA-treated versus the placebo group. In addition, there were significant differences in volumes of left hippocampus (ηp² = 0.121, p = 0.016), right hippocampus (ηp² = 0.757, p = 0.008), total hippocampus (ηp² = 0.124, p = 0.023), and global cerebrum (ηp² = 0.145, p = 0.032) between the two groups. These findings suggest that DHA supplementation (2 g/day) for 12 months in MCI subjects can significantly improve cognitive function and slow the progression of hippocampal atrophy. Larger, longer-term confirmatory studies are warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, morphology observation and illumina sequencing were performed on two different coloration skins of crimson snapper (Lutjanus erythropterus), the black zone and the red zone. Three types of chromatophores, melanophores, iridophores and xanthophores, were organized in the skins. The main differences between the two colorations were in the amount and distribution of the three chromatophores. After comparing the two transcriptomes, 9200 unigenes with significantly different expressions (ratio change ě 2 and q-value ± 0.05) were found, of which 5972 were up-regulated in black skin and 3228 were up-regulated in red skin. Through the function annotation, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis of the differentially transcribed genes, we excavated a number of uncharacterized candidate pigment genes as well as found the conserved genes affecting pigmentation in crimson snapper. The patterns of expression of 14 pigment genes were confirmed by the Quantitative real-time PCR analysis between the two color skins. Overall, this study shows a global survey of the morphological characters and transcriptome analysis of the different coloration skins in crimson snapper, and provides valuable cellular and genetic information to uncover the mechanism of the formation of pigment patterns in snappers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

New multi-color photometry and spectroscopic observation were made on the eclipsing binary DS Psc from 2009 to 2014, leading to the light curves in the B, V, and R bands with a complete phase coverage. Forty-one new times of light minimum are determined, and the spectral type of the binary system is firstly deduced. The O-C method is applied to obtain a new orbital period and the epoch formula, in combination with the times of light minimum in literature. The light curves are fitted to derive the photometric solution of the binary system firstly by using the Wilson-Devinney code. The result shows that DS Psc is an over-contact binary system with the spectral type of G7 V, the orbital inclination of 66.6°, and the mass ratio of 2.506. Since the less-massive component has a higher surface temperature than the more-massive one, DS Psc should belong to the W subtype of W UMa binary stars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small RNA molecules that regulate gene expression. Emerging evidence suggests that differential miRNA expression is associated with viral infection and tumorigenesis. Recently discovered microRNAs in the Marek's disease virus (MDV) genome have been suggested to have regulatory roles during MDV oncogenesis. To gain more insight into the molecular mechanisms of the tumorigenesis of MDV, we used microarrays to screen host and viral miRNAs that were sensitive to infection by MDV. Microarray analysis showed significant differential expression of 79 miRNAs, which was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis. These data suggest that differentially expressed miRNAs may have major roles in MDV-induced tumorigenesis. In addition, we found two clades of chicken miRNAs had increased expression in splenic tumors and non-tumorous spleen tissues from GA-infected chickens. Thus, the expression of these miRNAs can be considered signatures for MDV infection and tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light-gated cation channel channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) has been used in a variety of model systems to investigate the function of complex neuronal networks by stimulation of genetically targeted neurons. In slice physiology, ChR2 opens the door to novel types of experiments and greatly extends the technical possibilities offered by traditional electrophysiology. In this short review, we first consider several technical aspects concerning the use of ChR2 in slice physiology, providing examples from our own work. More specifically, we discuss differences between light-evoked action potentials and spontaneous or electrically induced action potentials. Our work implies that light-evoked action potentials are associated with increased calcium influx and a very high probability of neurotransmitter release. Furthermore, we point out the factors limiting the spatial resolution of ChR2 activation. Secondly, we discuss how synaptic transmission and plasticity can be studied using ChR2. Postsynaptic depolarization induced by ChR2 can be combined with two-photon glutamate uncaging to potentiate visually identified dendritic spines. ChR2-mediated stimulation of presynaptic axons induces neurotransmitter release and reliably activates postsynaptic spines. In conclusion, ChR2 is a powerful tool to investigate activity-dependent changes in structure and function of synapses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the chaos game representation, a 2D graphical representation of protein sequences was introduced in which the 20 amino acids are rearranged in a cyclic order according to their physicochemical properties. The Euclidean distances between the corresponding amino acids from the 2-D graphical representations are computed to find matching (or conserved) fragments of amino acids between the two proteins. Again, the cumulative distance of the 2D-graphical representations is defined to compare the similarity of protein. And, the examination of the similarity among sequences of the ND5 proteins of nine species shows the utility of our approach. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Comput Chem, 2010 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study which examines the hypothesis that a free radical scavenger plays an important role in reducing mechanical allodynia in chemotherapy-induced neuropathic pain. It states that the study aims to determine whether phenyl N-tert-butynitrone (PBN) helps in preventing paclitaxel-induced neuropathic pain in rats. It mentions that a male Sprague-Dawley adult rat weighing 200-350g was used in the study. It reveals that rats treated with PBN shows normal gain of body weight compared with the control groups. It adds that the early treatment of PBN has no effect in the development of pain behaviors. However, PBN treatment on day 7 through day 15 completely prevented mechanical allodynia development for at least 30 days.

Studying impurities in rock systems is important to gaining an understanding on how the minerals themselves had been synthesized and how inhomogeneous colored patterns are formed. The present paper describes two-dimensional X-ray fluorescence (XRF) mapping of bloodstone and obtains the concentration distributions of Fe, Cu, Zn, Rb and Sr and intensity distribution of Si, Ti, Mn, Br, Y and Zr in a particular region of a sample from the integrated intensity of XRF spectra. The inter-correlation of impurity trace elements contained in rock systems is discussed quantitatively by employing the well-known Lachance-Traill algorithm. It was found that Ti and Mn are correlated to the major element Fe while Cu, Rb and Sr appear where low Fe concentration occurs and are related to the other major element Si. X-ray diffraction data suggests that Ti, Fe and Mn are identified as existing in the sample as a form of andradite. In conclusion, it has been suggested that bottle green is related to a Fe2+or Cu compound, yellow and red are from the contribution of Fe2O3or another Fe3+compound, while black results from the contribution of Fe3O4. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long-term potentiation (LIP), a form of synaptic plasticity, is a primary experimental model for understanding learning and memory formation. Here, we use light-activated channelrhodopsin-2 (ChR2) as a tool to study the molecular events that occur in dendritic spines of CA1 pyramidal cells during LTP induction. Two-photon uncaging of MNI-glutamate allowed us to selectively activate excitatory synapses on optically identified spines while ChR2 provided independent control of postsynaptic depolarization by blue light. Pairing of these optical stimuli induced lasting increase of spine volume and triggered translocation of αCaMKII to the stimulated spines. No changes in αCaMKII concentration or cytoplasmic volume were observed in neighboring spines on the same dendrite, providing evidence that αCaMKII accumulation at postsynaptic sites is a synapse-specific memory trace of coincident activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using the 13.7-m millimeter wave telescope of Purple Mountain Observatory, we for the first time observed in C18O(J=1−0), the northwest region (size 16′ × 25′) of the molecular cloud W31. We constructed contour maps in different velocity ranges (grid separation 1′). Three compact molecular clumps are identified and their physical parameters are derived from the observed temperature and line width; they are found to be rather young and stable. We discuss their distribution with respect to the associated HII regions, in regard to star formation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Observations of the C18O(1-0) line emission toward 74 massive young stellar objects or candidates were carried out using the 13.7m millimetre wave telescope of Purple Mountain Observatory at Qinghai Station. 63 of the observed objects show the emission and 57 of these are new detections. Based on the observed radiation temperature (TR*) and line width at half intensity (ΔV), the optical thickness of C18O(1 - 0) and column density of C18O are derived for each such source under LTE. The intensity ratio and integrated intensity ratio between the 13CO(1-0) and C18O(1 - 0) lines are also discussed. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objective: to investigate the prevalence and risk factors of diabetes to dementia and its subtypes such as Alzheimer disease (AD) and vascular dementia (VD) among the Chinese elderly population.Methods: among 8,213 Chinese people aged 65 years and older, 1,109 subjects with type 2 diabetes millitus (T2DM) were ascertained by interview and direct glucose testing. All diabetic subjects were initially screened with the “DSM-IV criteria” for dementia and its subtypes. We compared the prevalence of dementia in diabetic patients with that in ordinary subjects, and analyzed the association of the status of diabetes with dementia including AD and VD. Logistic regression was used to assess OR of dementia and its subtypes with T2DM.Results: after a comprehensive geriatric and cognitive assessment, 132 diabetic subjects were diagnosed with all-cause dementia. The prevalence rate for dementia with T2DM was 1.61%. Of demented subjects, 37 subjects had AD, 30 subjects had VD. The prevalence rates for AD with T2DM and VD with T2DM were 4.51% and 3.65%, respectively. In the univariate analyses, among all diabetic subjects, compared with cognitive intactly subjects, the demented subjects, including AD and VD subjects, were older, more female had higher percentage of current smoking, had a greater duration of diabetes, took more frequent use of diabetes medications, and stronger effect of APOE ε4 status. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, variables including age, APOE ε4 allele, duration from onset of diabetes, using oral hypoglycemic agents, HMG-CoA reductase (statins) were significantly associated with increased risk for dementia with T2DM (all P < 0.05).Conclusions: the present study shows that T2DM is associated with dementia and its subtypes amongst elderly people in the Chinese population. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The sense of mammalian hearing exhibits nonlinear phenomena which are most significant to hearing function, such as nonlinear dynamic compression, nonlinear tuning and combination tones. These nonlinear phenomena are suggested to originate from the Hopf amplification within the cochlea, while the mechanism underlying the Hopf amplification remains elusive. According to the experimental results of force-gating channel operation in hair cells, through a theoretic model, this work reveals a velocity-dependent open probability of force-gating channels in auditory hair cells, and a velocity-dependent active force produced by the force-gating channel operating, which makes sensors hear typical Hopf vibrators with nonlinear hearing phenomena. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The centrosymmetric title compound, C24H34N4O4, has been characterized structurally by 1H NMR and X-ray crystallography. The two benzene rings are parallel to each other. The compound forms intramolecular hydrogen bonds, where the oxime group acts as a hydrogen-bond donor and the OH group acts as a hydrogen-bond acceptor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To identify more accurate predictors of upper urinary tract dilatation (UUTD) in neurogenic bladder (NB) children, we studied the relationship among urodynamic parameters at different bladder filling stages, detrusor leak point pressure (DLPP) and UUTD. Methods: A total of 158 children (3-16 years) with NB were included and then divided into 2 groups according to whether their NB diagnosis was complicated with UUTD: the UUTD group (39 patients) and those without UUTD group (control group, 119 patients). The bladder filling phase was divided into 3 equal parts: the early, middle, and end filling stages. The bladder compliance (BC) and detrusor pressure (ΔPdet) at each phase and DLPP at the end filling stage were recorded. Results: A BC<8 mL/cm H2O both in the middle and end stages is more specific than a BC<9 mL/cm H2O in the end stage (72%, 73%, vs. 66%), and ΔPdet >8 cm H2O in the early stage, 20 cm H2O in the middle stage and 25 cm H2O in the end stage are more sensitive than ΔPdet >40 cm H2O in the end stage (82%, 85%, 85%, vs. 49%). A DLPP cutoff value of 20 cm H2O showed higher sensitivity for predicting UUTD than 40 cm H2O. Conclusions: Low BC and a high ΔPdet in the middle and end filling stages are more accurate factors than classic indicators for predicting UUTD. In addition, a DLPP value of >20 cm H2O in the end bladder filling stage shows high sensitivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the olfactory bulb, the modulatory neurotransmitter dopamine (DA) is coexpressed with GABA by local interneurons, but its role in odor processing remains obscure. We examined functions of DA mediated by D2-like receptors in the olfactory bulb of adult zebrafish by pharmacology, whole-cell recordings, calcium imaging, and optogenetics. Bath application of DA had no detectable effect on odorantevoked sensory input. DA directly hyperpolarized mitral cells (MCs) via D2-like receptors and slightly increased their response gain. Consistent with this effect on input- output functions of MCs, small odorant responses were suppressed, whereas strong responses were enhanced in the presence of DA. These effects increased the root-mean-square contrast of population activity patterns but did not reduce their correlations. Optical stimulation of interneurons expressing channelrhodopsin-2 evoked fast GABAergic inhibitory currents in mitral cells but failed to activate D2 receptor-mediated currents when stimuli were short. Prolonged stimulus trains, however, activated a slow hyperpolarizing current that was blocked by an antagonist of D2-like receptors. GABA and DA are therefore both released from interneurons by electrical activity and hyperpolarize MCs, but D2-dependent dopaminergic effects occur on slower timescales. Additional effects of DA may be mediated by D1-like receptors. These results indicate that DA acts on D2-like receptors via asynchronous release and/or volume transmission and implicate DA in the slow adaptation of circuit function. The shift of the membrane potential away from spike threshold could adapt mitral cells to background input without compromising their sensitivity [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract  A new complex [Co(H2pztc)(bpy)H2O] (H4pztc = pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine) has been synthesized by hydrothermal reactions of Co(NO3)2 · 6H2O with H4pztc and bpy and characterized by IR and X-ray diffraction single crystal structure analysis. It belongs to monoclinic system, P21/c space group with a = 13.454(2) Å, b = 12.939(2) Å, c = 11.4993(19) Å, α = 90°, β = 111.640(3)°, γ = 90°. This complex is assembled into 3D supramolecular architecture by hydrogen bonds (O–H···O, C–H···O). Index Abstract  A new complex of cobalt(II) with pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid and 2,2′-bipyridine is assembled by intermolecular hydrogen bonds forming 2D layer and 3D supramolecular network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pitch is one of the most important auditory perception characteristics of sound; however, the mechanism underlying the pitch perception of sound is unclear. Although theoretical researches have suggested that perception of virtual pitch is connected with physics in cochlea of inner ear, there is no direct experimental observation of virtual pitch processing in the cochlea. By laser interferometry, we observe shift phenomena of virtual pitch in basilar membrane vibration of exsomatized cochlea, which is consistent with perceptual pitch shift observed in psychoacoustic experiments. This means that the complex mechanical vibration of basilar membrane in cochlea plays an important role in pitch information processing during hearing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Docetaxel-based chemotherapy failure in advanced prostate carcinoma has partly been attributed to the resistance of prostate cancer (PC) cells to docetaxel-induced apoptosis. Hence, there is an urgent need to identify mechanisms of docetaxel chemoresistance and to develop new combination therapies. Methods: miR-193a-5p level was evaluated by qPCR in prostate tissues and cell lines, and its expression in the tissues was also examined by in situ hybridization. PC cell line (PC3 cell) was transfected with miR-193a-5p mimic or its inhibitor, and then cell apoptosis and the expression of its downstream genes Bach2 and HO-1 were detected by TUNEL staining and Western blotting. Luciferase reporter assay was used to detect the effect of miR-193a-5p and Bach2 on HO-1 expression. Xenograft animal model was used to test the effect of miR-193a-5p and docetaxel on PC3 xenograft growth. Results: miR-193a-5p was upregulated in PC tissues and PC cell lines, with significant suppression of PC3 cell apoptosis induced by oxidative stress. Mechanistically, miR-193a-5p suppressed the expression of Bach2, a repressor of the HO-1 gene, by directly targeting the Bach2 mRNA 3'-UTR. Docetaxel treatment modestly decreased Bach2 expression and increased HO-1 level in PC3 cells, whereas a modest increase of HO-1 facilitated docetaxel-induced apoptosis. Notably, docetaxel-induced miR-193a-5p upregulation, which in turn inhibits Bach2 expression and thus relieves Bach2 repression of HO-1 expression, partly counteracted docetaxel-induced apoptosis, as evidenced by the increased Bcl-2 and decreased Bax expression. Accordingly, silencing of miR-193a-5p enhanced sensitization of PC3 cells to docetaxel-induced apoptosis. Finally, depletion of miR-193a-5p significantly reduced PC xenograft growth in vivo. Conclusions: Silencing of miR-193a-5p or blockade of the miR-193a-5p-Bach2-HO-1 pathway may be a novel therapeutic approach for castration-resistant PC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyse the photometric data and spectroscopic data collected on the δ Scuti star AE Ursae Majoris (AE UMa). The fundamental and the first overtone frequencies are confirmed as f0 = 11.625 60 c d-1 and f1 = 15.031 24 c d-1, respectively, from the frequency content by analysing light curves over 40 nights, spanning from 2009 to 2012. Additionally, another 37 frequencies are identified as either the harmonics or the linear combinations of the fundamental and the first overtone frequencies, among which 25 are newly detected. The rate of period change of the fundamental mode is determined as (1/P0)(dP0/dt) = 5.4(±1.9) x 10-9 yr-1 as revealed from the O - C diagram based on the 84 newly determined times of maximum light combined with those derived from the literature. The spectroscopic data suggest that AE UMa is a Population I δ Scuti star. With these physical properties, we perform theoretical explorations based on the stellar evolution codeMESA on this target, considering that the variation of pulsation period is caused by secular evolutionary effects. We finally constrain AE UMa with physical parameters as follows: mass of 1.805 ± 0.055 M⊙, radius of 1.647 ± 0.032 x 1011 cm, luminosity of 1.381 ± 0.048(log L/L⊙) and age of 1.055 ± 0.095 x 109 yr. AE UMa can be the (Population I) δ Scuti star that locates just after the second turn-off of its evolutional track leaving the main sequence, a star in the phase of the Hertzsprung Gap with a helium core and a hydrogen-burning shell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Avian metapneumovirus (aMPV) fusion (F) protein mediates virus-cell membrane fusion to initiate viral infection, which requires F protein binding to its receptor(s) on the host cell surface. However, the receptor(s) for aMPV F protein is still not identified. All known subtype B aMPV (aMPV/B) F proteins contain a conserved Arg-Asp-Asp (RDD) motif, suggesting that the aMPV/B F protein may mediate membrane fusion via the binding of RDD to integrin. When blocked with integrin-specific peptides, aMPV/B F protein fusogenicity and viral replication were significantly reduced. Specifically we identified integrin αv and/or β1-mediated F protein fusogenicity and viral replication using antibody blocking, small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) knockdown, and overexpression. Additionally, overexpression of integrin αv and β1 in aMPV/B non-permissive cells conferred aMPV/B F protein binding and aMPV/B infection. When RDD was altered to RAE (Arg-Ala-Glu), aMPV/B F protein binding and fusogenic activity were profoundly impaired. These results suggest that integrin αvβ1 is a functional receptor for aMPV/B F protein-mediated membrane fusion and virus infection, which will provide new insights on the fusogenic mechanism and pathogenesis of aMPV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The steroid hormone dafachronic acid (DA) regulates dauer formation and lifespan in Caenorhabditis elegans by binding to the nuclear receptor DAF-12. However, little is known about how DA concentrations change under various physiologic conditions and about how DA/DAF-12 signaling interacts with other signaling pathways that also regulate dauer formation and lifespan. Using a sensitive bioanalytical method, we quantified the endogenous DA concentrations in a long-lived germline-less glp-1 mutant and in the Dauer formationdefective (Daf-d) mutants daf-12, daf-16, daf-5, and daf-3.We found that the DA concentration in the glp-1 mutant was similar to that in the wild type (WT). This result is contrary to the long-held belief that germline loss-induced longevity involves increased DA production and suggests instead that this type of longevity involves an enhanced response to DA. We also found evidence suggesting that increased DA sensitivity underlies lifespan extension triggered by exogenous DA. At the L2/L3 stage, the DA concentration in a daf-12 null mutant decreased to 22% of theWT level. This finding is consistent with the previously proposed positive feedback regulation between DAF-12 and DA production. Surprisingly, the DA concentrations in the daf-16, daf-5, and daf-3 mutants were only 19-34% of theWT level at the L2/L3 stage, slightly greater than those in the Dauer formation-constitutive (Daf-c) mutants at the pre-dauer stage (4-15% of the WT L2 control). Our experimental evidence suggested that the positive feedback between DA and DAF-12 was partially induced in the three Daf-d mutants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We analyzed the effects of a traditional Chinese medicine, Qizhi Jiangtang Jiaonang (QJJ), on insulin resistance (IR) in vitro. After an in vitro model of IR was established by treating human liver cancer cells (HepG2 cells) with palmitic acid, the cells were then treated with various concentrations of QJJ. Treatment with 400 µM palmitic acid for 24 h induced IR in HepG2 cells. The survival rate for HepG2 cells in the IR group was significantly lower than that of the untreated control group (P < 0.001); however, QJJ restored HepG2 cell survival (P < 0.001). As compared with HepG2 cells in the IR group, QJJ at all doses analyzed significantly increased glucose consumption (all P < 0.05). Moreover, treatment with all the QJJ doses significantly reduced the mean intracellular reactive oxygen species levels as compared with the IR group (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, high-dose QJJ reduced both TNF-α and IL-6 levels as compared to the IR group (all P < 0.05). QJJ ameliorated the altered PI3K, GLUT4, and RAGE expression observed with IR. In conclusion, QJJ can improve IR in HepG2 cells, which may be mediated through the IRS-1/PI3K/GLUT4 signaling pathway as well as regulation of NF-κB-mediated inflammation and oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neuronal activity patterns contain information in their temporal structure, indicating that information transfer between neurons may be optimized by temporal filtering. In the zebrafish olfactory bulb, subsets of output neurons (mitral cells) engage in synchronized oscillations during odour responses, but information about odour identity is contained mostly in non-oscillatory firing rate patterns. Using optogenetic manipulations and odour stimulation, we found that firing rate responses of neurons in the posterior zone of the dorsal telencephalon (Dp), a target area homologous to olfactory cortex, were largely insensitive to oscillatory synchrony of mitral cells because passive membrane properties and synaptic currents act as low-pass filters. Nevertheless, synchrony influenced spike timing. Moreover, Dp neurons responded primarily during the decorrelated steady state of mitral cell activity patterns. Temporal filtering therefore tunes Dp neurons to components of mitral cell activity patterns that are particularly informative about precise odour identity. These results demonstrate how temporal filtering can extract specific information from multiplexed neuronal codes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Heightened surveillance of acute febrile illness in China since 2009 has led to the identification of a severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) with an unknown cause. Infection with Anaplasma phagocytophilum has been suggested as a cause, but the pathogen has not been detected in most patients on laboratory testing. Methods: We obtained blood samples from patients with the case definition of SFTS in six provinces in China. The blood samples were used to isolate the causal pathogen by inoculation of cell culture and for detection of viral RNA on polymerase-chain-reaction assay. The pathogen was characterized on electron microscopy and nucleic acid sequencing. We used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, indirect immunofluorescence assay, and neutralization testing to analyze the level of virus-specific antibody in patients' serum samples. Results: We isolated a novel virus, designated SFTS bunyavirus, from patients who presented with fever, thrombocytopenia, leukocytopenia, and multiorgan dysfunction. RNA sequence analysis revealed that the virus was a newly identified member of the genus phlebovirus in the Bunyaviridae family. Electron-microscopical examination revealed virions with the morphologic characteristics of a bunyavirus. The presence of the virus was confirmed in 171 patients with SFTS from six provinces by detection of viral RNA, specific antibodies to the virus in blood, or both. Serologic assays showed a virus-specific immune response in all 35 pairs of serum samples collected from patients during the acute and convalescent phases of the illness. Conclusions: A novel phlebovirus was identified in patients with a life-threatening illness associated with fever and thrombocytopenia in China. (Funded by the China Mega-Project for Infectious Diseases and others.) N Engl J Med 2011;364:1523-32. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The factors that influence the decarboxylation of pyrazine-2,3,5,6-tetracarboxylic acid (H4pztc) under hydrothermal conditions were investigated. Higher temperature and lower pH are very effective promoters for the decarboxylation of H4pztc in the presence of ds-block metal ions. Four novel complexes of H4pztc and four complexes from the decarboxylation of H4pztc, [Zn2(pz25dc)(phen)4](NO3)2·10H2O (1), [Zn2(pztc)(phen)4]·12H2O (2), {[Zn2(pztc)(bpy)2(H2O)2]·2H2O}n(3), [Cu2(pz25dc)(phen)4](NO3)2·10H2O (4), {[Cu2(pztc)(bpy)2H2O]·4H2O}n(5), [Cu2(H2pztc)(bpy)2(H2O)2](NO3)2·2H2O (6), [Cd(pz26dc)(phen)(H2O)2] (7) and [Cd(pz26dc)(bpy)(H2O)2] (8) (pz25dc = pyrazine-2,5-dicarboxylate, pz26dc = pyrazine-2,6-dicarboxylate, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline, bpy = 2,2′-bipyridyl) have been synthesized and characterized by X-ray single crystal diffraction, elemental analysis, IR, thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and fluorescence measurement. 1, 2, 4and 6are dinuclear complexes bridged by pztc or pz25dc, 3and 5are 1D coordination polymers. In 6, the Cu(II) ions are bridged by bis-tridentate H2pztc2−. 7and 8are mononuclear Cd(II) complexes. The 2D or 3D supramolecular structures of 1–8were built up by hydrogen bonds and ππ interactions. Notably, a novel T5(0)A0 water tape and a S-shaped (H2O)10cluster are observed in 2and 5, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taxus yunnanensis Cheng et L. K. Fu is a rare species endemic to Southeast Asia. The development of the male reproductive structures with emphasis on microsporogenesis and microgametogenesis are described for the first time. Our results showed that T. yunnanensis exhibits several features that are very different from other species of Taxus, such as pollination occurring in the same year as pollen cone initiation; production of several forms of tetrads including isobilateral, T-shaped or tetrahedron; shorter duration of microsporogenesis; longer duration of microgametogenesis; and production of more microsporophylls per pollen cone suggesting faster growth rate. Reports on the details of male reproductive development in Taxus spp. have focused on the activities of generative nuclei, while the activities of the sterile and tube nuclei are rarely mentioned. This paper provides a few more details about the sterile and tube nuclei, particularly, their relative position during the division of the generative nucleus to form two sperm. Furthermore, as our knowledge of the phenology of Taxus is confined to species that grow on high latitude areas, this paper provides information on the phenology of Taxus in low latitude areas. Overall, this paper provides several new insights about pollen cone development, microsporogenesis, and microgametogenesis in Taxus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using a modified biotin-streptavidin capturing method, a total of 20 polymorphic microsatellite markers were developed from Moringa oleifera Lam. (Moringaceae), a useful multipurpose tree. Twenty-four domesticated individuals, with germplasms of India and Myanmar, were used to screen polymorphism of these 20 microsatellite markers. The number of alleles per locus ranged from two to six. The expected and observed heterozygosity varied from 0.3608 to 0.7606 and from 0.0000 to 0.8750, respectively. Seven loci were significantly deviated from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The availability of these microsatellite primers would provide a powerful tool for aspects of detailed population genetic studies of M. oleifera. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although prostate restricted replicative adenovirus (PRRA) has exhibited significant anti-tumor efficacy in pre-clinical studies, it is necessary to develop more potent adenoviruses for prostate cancer (PCa) gene therapy. We evaluated the synergistic killing effect of PRRA and AdEndoAngio, a replication-defective adenovirus expressing the endostatin-angiostatin fusion protein (EndoAngio). When co-administered with AdEndoAngio, PRRA significantly elevated EndoAngio expression, suggesting that AdEndoAngio co-replicates with PRRA. Conditioned medium (CM) from PCa cells infected by PRRA plus AdEndoAngio inhibited the growth, tubular network formation and migration of human umbilical vein endothelial cells better than CM from PCa cells infected by AdEndoAngio alone. Furthermore, the in vivo animal studies demonstrated that the co-administration of PRRA plus AdEndoAngio resulted in complete regression of 7 out of 8 treated androgen independent (AI) CWR22rv tumors, with a tumor nodule maintaining a small size for 14 weeks. The residual single tumor exhibited extreme pathological features together with more endostatin-reactive antibody-labeled tumor cells and fewer CD31 reactive antibody-labeled capillaries than the AdEndoAngio-treated tumors. These results show that a combination therapy utilizing PRRA together with antiangiogenic therapy has more potent anti-tumor effects and advantages than single PRRA and deserves more extensive investigation.Molecular Therapy (2006) 13, S167–S167; doi: 10.1016/j.ymthe.2006.08.499 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]