MicroRNA-222 regulates muscle alternative splicing through Rbm24 during differentiation of skeletal muscle cells

A number of microRNAs have been shown to regulate skeletal muscle development and differentiation. MicroRNA-222 is downregulated during myogenic differentiation and its overexpression leads to alteration of muscle differentiation process and specialized structures. By using RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC) pulldown followed by RNA sequencing, combined with in silico microRNA target prediction, we have identified two new targets of microRNA-222 involved in the regulation of myogenic differentiation, Ahnak and Rbm24. Specifically, the RNA-binding protein Rbm24 is a major regulator of muscle-specific alternative splicing and its downregulation by microRNA-222 results in defective exon inclusion impairing the production of muscle-specific isoforms of Coro6, Fxr1 and NACA transcripts. Reconstitution of normal levels of Rbm24 in cells overexpressing microRNA-222 rescues muscle-specific splicing. In conclusion, we have identified a new function of microRNA-222 leading to alteration of myogenic differentiation at the level of alternative splicing, and we provide evidence that this effect is mediated by Rbm24 protei

Psihologija individualnih razlika – Ambulatorno procenjivanje kao pristup u merenju

Neko će se zapitati, zašto je potrebno da imamo još jednu knjigu o metodama i tehnikama koje se koriste u psihologiji (individualnih razlika). Do sada, u našoj sredini je izdato nekoliko veoma vrednih i kvalitetnih knjiga i udžbenika koji su u svom fokusu imali metodologiju i tehnike koje se koriste u psihološkim istraživanjima (npr. Todorović, 2008; Popadić et al., 2019). Najveći deo dosadašnje karijere posvetila sam izučavanju problema merenja u psihologiji individualnih razlika, odnosno merenju bazičnih crta ličnosti. Ipak, isprva nisam razmišljala o tome da je psiholozima i drugim radoznalim stručnjacima potrebna još jedna “metodološka” knjiga. Međutim, pregledom postojećih knjiga i udžbenika uvidela sam da ipak postoji značajan prostor koji do sada u našem regionu nije bio “pokriven”. Psihologija individualnih razlika je oblast u okviru koje se dešava verovatno najviše inovacija u metodologiji istraživanja. Iako razvoj metoda i tehnika u ovoj oblasti ima već zavidno dugačku istoriju, iznenađujuće je koliko se novih procedura i metoda osmišljava kako bismo mogli da razumemo sve aspekte veoma komplikovane ljudske prirode koja se oslikava u ponašanju. Među najsavremenije i najinovativnije procedure koje se u ovoj oblasti psihologije koriste spadaju, metode i tehnike ambulatornog procenjivanja. Ambulatorno procenjivanje obuhvata veliki skup metoda i tehnika u kojima je akcenat na tome da se prikupljanje podataka odvija dok se ljudi nalaze u realnom, svakodnevnom okruženju tokom njihovih svakodnevnih aktivnosti. Knjiga pred čitaocima se sastoji iz dva dela. Prvi uvodni deo je posvećen glavnim izvorima prikupljanja podataka u psihologiji individualnih razlika kao što su mere samoizveštaja, procene od strane drugih, bihejvioralne procene, objektivne mere, i tako dalje. Iako je o ovoj temi već diskutovano u domaćoj naučnoj literaturi, do sada ova tema nije bila sistematizovano prikazana, a neophodna je za jednostavno praćenje drugog dela knjige. U drugom delu knjige, fokus je na tehnikama ambulatornog procenjivanja. Ovaj deo knjige je takođe organizovan prema izvoru iz kojeg prikupljamo podatke. Imajući u vidu da je izvođenje istraživanja koje podrazumeva primenu neke od tehnika ambulatornog procenjivanja prilično zahtevno, pokušala sam da olakšam zainteresovanim koleginicama i kolegama planiranje i izvođenje istraživanja kroz različite praktične istraživačke smernice. Takođe, kvalitetna savremena nauka postavlja vrlo visoke stan10 Psihologija individualnih razlika darde kada je reč o ophođenju prema ispitanicima. Primena ambulatornog procenjivanja u istraživanjima nužno eliminiše mogućnost anonimnog učešća ispitanika zbog prirode podataka koji se prikupljaju. Imajući to u vidu, pokušala sam da olakšam istraživačima dajući pregled koraka koji će omogućiti da nesmetano izvode ambulatorna istraživanje koja ispunjavaju sve etičke standarde. Na kraju, poslednje poglavlje daje osvrt na poziciju ambulatornog procenjivanja u multimetodskoj proceni, koja se smatra najboljim, savremenim, standardom za validaciju konstrukata. Kako je područje metodologije istraživanja izuzetno kompleksno, poglavlja u knjizi su napisana tako da se međusobno dopunjuju i zajedno grade jednu celinu. Međutim, poglavlja su pisana i tako da se mogu i pojedinačno čitati, te stručnjak koji je zainteresovan za neki specifični aspekt ambulatornog procenjivanja može samo tome da se posveti. Knjiga je namenjena pre svega istraživačima zainteresovanim za procenu individualnih razlika u ličnosti i intelektualnim sposobnostima. Knjiga može biti od koristi i studentima psihologije svih nivoa studija. Iako je primarno namenjena psiholozima koji se dominantno bave psihologijom individualnih razlika, biće korisno sredstvo u planiranju i izvođenju istraživanja i drugima koji se bave i socijalnom, kliničkom, razvojnom, i psihologijom rada i organizacije. Imajući u vidu da je procena individualnih razlika važna za različite kontekste, kao što su radno okruženje i selekcija, psihodijagnostička procena, obrazovni kontekst, knjiga takođe može biti i od koristi psiholozima praktičarima koji rade u radnim organizacijama, obrazovnom sistemu ili na klinici

Micorrización de plantulas en contendor de Pinus nigra con Suillus granulates bajo condiciones de campo

Seedling mycorrhization acts as an efficient tool for improving the quality of seedlings. In this study, the effectiveness of Suillus granulatus, originating from Pinus heldreichii forests (Montenegro), to produce containerized ectomycorrhizal seedlings of autochthonous Pinus nigra in open field conditions was investigated. Spore (106, 107, 108) and vegetative (1:16, 1:8, 1:4) inoculation on ectomycorrhizal formation and seedling growth were tested. Spore and vegetative inoculums of autochthonous Pisolithus arhizus were used in the same trial as additional control treatments. The utilization of vegetative and spore inoculums of autochthonous S. granulatus has proven to be an effective method of obtaining containerized ectomycorrhizal P. nigra seedlings under open field conditions after 11 months. S. granulatus spore inoculations resulted in well developed ectomycorrhiza, decreasing the growth of the P. nigra seedlings in the first growing season. Mycelial inoculations resulted in slightly developed S. granulatus ectomycorrhiza, which increased the growth of the seedlings. Therefore, it would be feasible to use spore inocula of S. granulatus, with 106 spores per plant, to produce ectomycorrhizal P. nigra plants on a large scale. Controlled mycorrhizal inoculation of seedlings is not a common practice in Montenegrin and Serbian nurseries; as such, the obtained results will contribute to the enhancement of nursery production of Pinus nigra and other conifers. This also could be assumed as a starting point for many further efforts and investigations with autochthonous fungal and plant material in this region.La micorrización de plántulas actúa como una herramienta eficaz para la mejora de la calidad de los brinzales. En este estudio se investiga la eficacia de Suillus granulatus, procedentes de bosques de Pinus heldreichii (Montenegro), para producir plántulas ectomicorrícicas en contenedores de Pinus nigra autóctonos en condiciones de campo. Se ensayaron inoculacion por esporas (106, 107, 108) y vegetativa (1:16, 1:8, 1:4) para la formación ectomicorrízica y el crecimiento de las plántulas. Se utilizó inóculo de esporas y vegetativo de Pisolithus arhizus autóctonos en el mismo ensayo como tratamiento control. La utilización de inóculos vegetativos y esporas de S. granulatus autóctonos ha demostrado ser un método eficaz para la obtención de plantas en contenedor ectomicorrícicas de P. nigra bajo condiciones de campo después de 11 meses. La inoculación de esporas de S. granulatus produjeron un buen desarrollo ectomicorrizas, disminuyendo el crecimiento de las plántulas de P. nigra en la primera estación de crecimiento. Las inoculaciones miceliales produjeron un escaso desarrollo ectomicorrizico de S. granulatus, con aumento en el crecimiento de las plántulas. Por lo tanto, sería factible el uso de inóculos de esporas de S. granulatus, con 106 esporas por planta, para producir plantas ectomicorrícicas de P. nigra a gran escala. La inoculación micorrízica controlada de plántulas no es una práctica común en los viveros de Serbia y Montenegro y, como tal, los resultados obtenidos contribuirán a la mejora de la producción en viveros de Pinus nigra y otras coníferas. Esto también podría ser asumido como un punto de partida para futuras investigaciones con material autóctono de hongos y plantas en esta región

Saturated VSD model of a six-phase induction machine

In this paper, a saturated model of an asymmetrical six-phase induction machine is presented. The model is based on the vector space decomposition approach, and it includes main and leakage flux saturation, as well as the mutual coupling between orthogonal planes, while using the Gamma equivalent circuit approach. The accuracy of the proposed model in unbalanced operating modes that are characteristic for multiphase machines, such as post-fault and power sharing operation, makes it advantageous compared to existing models. The model is developed assuming that the machine operates in asymmetrical conditions and that, therefore, there is fundamental frequency excitation in both planes. The inter-plane coupling effect is examined using finite element analysis and an experimental procedure for its quantification is developed. The model is verified by comparison with the experimental results obtained from a prototype asymmetrical six-phase induction machine, and its advantages compared to existing models are emphasized

Relationship between electrocardiogram‐based features and personality traits: Machine learning approach

Background: Based on the known relationship between the human emotion and standard surface electrocardiogram (ECG), we explored the relationship between features extracted from standard ECG recorded during relaxation and seven personality traits (Honesty/humility, Emotionality, eXtraversion, Agreeableness, Conscientiousness, Openness, and Disintegration) by using the machine learning (ML) approach which learns from the ECG-based features and predicts the appropriate personality trait by adopting an automated software algorithm. Methods: A total of 71 healthy university students participated in the study. For quantification of 62 ECG-based parameters (heart rate variability, as well as temporal and amplitude-based parameters) for each ECG record, we used computation procedures together with publicly available data and code. Among 62 parameters, 34 were segregated into separate features according to their diagnostic relevance in clinical practice. To examine the feature influence on personality trait classification and to perform classification, we used random forest ML algorithm. Results: Classification accuracy when clinically relevant ECG features were employed was high for Disintegration (81.3%) and Honesty/humility (75.0%) and moderate to high for Openness (73.3%) and Conscientiousness (70%), while it was low for Agreeableness (56.3%), eXtraversion (47.1%), and Emotionality (43.8%). When all calculated features were used, the classification accuracies were the same or lower, except for the eXtraversion (52.9%). Correlation analysis for selected features is presented. Conclusions: Results indicate that clinically relevant features might be applicable for personality traits prediction, although no remarkable differences were found among selected groups of parameters. Physiological associations of established relationships should be further explored.Ministry of Education, Science, and Technological Development, Republic of Serbia, Grant/Award Number: 179018 and TR33020; Abbott Laboratorie

Early growth response gene-2 (Egr-2) regulates the development of B and T cells

The study was supported by Arthritis Research UK. Copyright @ 2011 Li et al.BACKGROUND: Understanding of how transcription factors are involved in lymphocyte development still remains a challenge. It has been shown that Egr-2 deficiency results in impaired NKT cell development and defective positive selection of T cells. Here we investigated the development of T, B and NKT cells in Egr-2 transgenic mice and the roles in the regulation of distinct stages of B and T cell development. METHODS AND FINDINGS: The expression of Egr1, 2 and 3 were analysed at different stages of T and B cell development by RT-PCT and results showed that the expression was strictly regulated at different stages. Forced expression of Egr-2 in CD2+ lymphocytes resulted in a severe reduction of CD4+CD8+ (DP) cells in thymus and pro-B cells in bone marrow, which was associated with reduced expression of Notch1 in ISP thymocytes and Pax5 in pro-B cells, suggesting that retraction of Egr-2 at the ISP and pro-B cell stages is important for the activation of lineage differentiation programs. In contrast to reduction of DP and pro-B cells, Egr-2 enhanced the maturation of DP cells into single positive (SP) T and NKT cells in thymus, and immature B cells into mature B cells in bone marrow. CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that Egr-2 expressed in restricted stages of lymphocyte development plays a dynamic, but similar role for the development of T, NKT and B cells.This article is provided by the Brunel Open Access publishing fund

Impact and process assessment of the seven CITYLAB implementations

CITYLAB focuses on four axes that call for improvement and intervention: •Highly fragmented last-mile deliveries in city centres •Inefficient deliveries to large freight attractors and public administrations •Urban waste, return trips and recycling •Logistics sprawl Within these axes, the project supports seven implementations that are being tested, evaluated and rolled out. An implementation is defined as the process of preparing, testing and putting into practice a new service or a new way of operating or organising logistics activities. The objective of this report is to present an assessment of the effects and consequences of the implementations as they are conducted. For each case, we summarise the process leading to the application of a specific technical and managerial solution, and present the outcomes. For each implementation, we present •Problem and aim •Description of the solution •Implementation process •Effects and consequences •Challenges ahead •Lessons and generalisation of results This deliverable provides a complete picture of the evolvement of the implementations during the CITYLAB project and final versions of the process and impact assessment

Risks, benefits, and knowledge gaps of non-native tree species in Europe

Changing ecosystem conditions and diverse socio-economical events have contributed to an ingrained presence of non-native tree species (NNTs) in the natural and cultural European landscapes. Recent research endeavors have focused on different aspects of NNTs such as legislation, benefits, and risks for forestry, emphasizing that large knowledge gaps remain. As an attempt to fulfill part of these gaps, within the PEN-CAFoRR COST Action (CA19128) network, we established an open-access questionnaire that allows both academic experts and practitioners to provide information regarding NNTs from 20 European countries. Then, we integrated the data originating from the questionnaire, related to the country-based assessment of both peer-reviewed and grey literature, with information from available datasets (EUFORGEN and EU-Forest), which gave the main structure to the study and led to a mixed approach review. Finally, our study provided important insights into the current state of knowledge regarding NNTs. In particular, we highlighted NNTs that have shown to be less commonly addressed in research, raising caution about those characterized by an invasive behavior and used for specific purposes (e.g., wood production, soil recultivation, afforestation, and reforestation). NNTs were especially explored in the context of resilient and adaptive forest management. Moreover, we emphasized the assisted and natural northward migration of NNTs as another underscored pressing issue, which needs to be addressed by joint efforts, especially in the context of the hybridization potential. This study represents an additional effort toward the knowledge enhancement of the NNTs situation in Europe, aiming for a continuously active common source deriving from interprofessional collaboration. Copyright © 2022 Dimitrova, Csilléry, Klisz, Lévesque, Heinrichs, Cailleret, Andivia, Madsen, Böhenius, Cvjetkovic, De Cuyper, de Dato, Ferus, Heinze, Ivetić, Köbölkuti, Lazarević, Lazdina, Maaten, Makovskis, Milovanović, Monteiro, Nonić, Place, Puchalka and Montagnoli