The MKK3 MAPK cascade integrates temperature and after-ripening signals to modulate seed germination.

The timing of seed germination is controlled by the combination of internal dormancy and external factors. Temperature is a major environmental factor for seed germination. The permissive temperature range for germination is narrow in dormant seeds and expands during after-ripening (AR) (dormancy release).

A novel robust discrete-time integral sliding mode tracking control design for time-varying delay MIMO systems with unknown uncertainties.

This paper proposes a novel robust tracking control scheme for discrete time linear uncertain Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems subject to time-varying delay on the states. The considered system is affected by unknown but norm bounded uncertainties on parameters as well as matched disturbances on the states. The designed controller is based upon a proposed novel integral sliding surface and a new switching type of reaching law.

Improving the Efficiency of 3D Monocular Object Detection and Tracking for Road and Railway Smart Mobility.

Three-dimensional (3D) real-time object detection and tracking is an important task in the case of autonomous vehicles and road and railway smart mobility, in order to allow them to analyze their environment for navigation and obstacle avoidance purposes. In this paper, we improve the efficiency of 3D monocular object detection by using dataset combination and knowledge distillation, and by creating a lightweight model. Firstly, we combine real and synthetic datasets to increase the diversity and richness of the training data.

Corrigendum: Deciphering the mechanism of inhibition of SERCA1a by sarcolipin using molecular simulations.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmolb.2020.

MXD4/MAD4 Regulates Human Keratinocyte Precursor Fate.

Deciphering the pathways that regulate human epidermal precursor cell fate is necessary for future developments in skin repair and graft bioengineering. Among them, characterization of pathways regulating the keratinocyte (KC) precursor immaturity versus differentiation balance is required for improving the efficiency of KC precursor ex vivo expansion. In this study, we show that the transcription factor MXD4/MAD4 is expressed at a higher level in quiescent KC stem/progenitor cells located in the basal layer of human epidermis than in cycling progenitors.

Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell‒Derived Keratinocytes, a Useful Model to Identify and Explore the Pathological Phenotype of Epidermolysis Bullosa Simplex.

Epidermolysis bullosa simplex (EBS), an autosomal dominant skin disorder, is characterized by skin fragility. Genetically, the majority of cases are related to missense sequence variations in two keratin genes K5 or K14, leading to cytolysis of basal keratinocytes (KCs) and intraepidermal blistering. Progress toward the identification of treatments has been hampered by an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying this disease and availability of relevant and reliable in vitro models recapitulating the physiopathological mechanisms.

Deciphering the Mechanism of Inhibition of SERCA1a by Sarcolipin Using Molecular Simulations.

SERCA1a is an ATPase calcium pump that transports Ca from the cytoplasm to the sarco/endoplasmic reticulum lumen. Sarcolipin (SLN), a transmembrane peptide, regulates the activity of SERCA1a by decreasing its Ca transport rate, but its mechanism of action is still not well-understood. To decipher this mechanism, we have performed normal mode analysis in the all-atom model, with the SERCA1a-SLN complex, or the isolated SERCA1a, embedded in an explicit membrane.

Sarcolipin alters SERCA1a interdomain communication by impairing binding of both calcium and ATP.

Sarcolipin (SLN), a single-spanning membrane protein, is a regulator of the sarco-endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA1a). Chemically synthesized SLN, palmitoylated or not (pSLN or SLN), and recombinant wild-type rabbit SERCA1a expressed in S. cerevisiae design experimental conditions that provide a deeper understanding of the functional role of SLN on the regulation of SERCA1a.

Chemical Synthesis of Native S-Palmitoylated Membrane Proteins through Removable-Backbone-Modification-Assisted Ser/Thr Ligation.

The preparation of native S-palmitoylated (S-palm) membrane proteins is one of the unsolved challenges in chemical protein synthesis. Herein, we report the first chemical synthesis of S-palm membrane proteins by removable-backbone-modification-assisted Ser/Thr ligation (RBM -assisted STL). This method involves two critical steps: 1) synthesis of S-palm peptides by a new γ-aminobutyric acid based RBM (RBM ) strategy, and 2) ligation of the S-palm RBM-modified peptides to give the desired S-palm product by the STL method.

On Computing Structural and Behavioral Complexities of Threshold Boolean Networks : Application to Biological Networks.

Various threshold Boolean networks (TBNs), a formalism used to model different types of biological networks (genes notably), can produce similar dynamics, i.e. share same behaviors.

No correlation between MTHFR c.677 C > T, MTHFR c.1298 A > C, and ABCB1 c.3435 C > T polymorphisms and methotrexate therapeutic outcome of rheumatoid arthritis in West Algerian population.

Context: The c.677 C > T and c.1298 A > C polymorphisms of methylenetatrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) gene and c.

VAV1 regulates experimental autoimmune arthritis and is associated with anti-CCP negative rheumatoid arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients can be stratified into two subgroups defined by the presence or absence of antibodies against citrullinated circular peptides (anti-CCP) with most of the genetic association found in anti-CCP positive RA. Here we addressed the role of VAV1, previously associated to multiple sclerosis (MS), in the pathogenesis of RA in experimental models and in a genetic association study. Experimental arthritis triggered by pristane or collagen type II was induced in DA rats and in the DA.

Networks and games for precision medicine.

Recent advances in omics technologies provide the leverage for the emergence of precision medicine that aims at personalizing therapy to patient. In this undertaking, computational methods play a central role for assisting physicians in their clinical decision-making by combining data analysis and systems biology modelling. Complex diseases such as cancer or diabetes arise from the intricate interplay of various biological molecules.

Neuroprotective Effect of Nanodiamond in Alzheimer's Disease Rat Model: a Pivotal Role for Modulating NF-κB and STAT3 Signaling.

Current therapeutic approaches of Alzheimer's disease (AD) are symptomatic and of modest efficacy, and there is no available effective cure or prevention of AD; hence, the need arise to search for neuroprotective agents to combat AD. The current study aimed at investigating the neuroprotective effect of nanodiamond (ND), adamantine-based nanoparticles, in aluminum-induced cognitive impairment in rats, an experimental model of AD. AD was induced by aluminum chloride (17 mg/kg, p.

Improved tolerance of peripheral fatigue by the central nervous system after endurance training.

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effect of endurance training on central fatigue development and recovery.

Methods: A control group was compared to a training group, which followed an 8-week endurance-training program, consisting in low-force concentric and isometric contractions. Before (PRE) and after (POST) the training period, neuromuscular function of the knee extensor (KE) muscles was evaluated before, immediately after and during 33 min after an exhausting submaximal isometric task at 15 % of the maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) force.

Relationship between SNPs and expression level for candidate genes in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: The study of polymorphisms of genes differentially expressed may lead to the identification of putative causal genetic variants in multifactorial diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Based on preceding transcriptomic results, we genotyped 10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) belonging to six genes (S100A8, RNASE2, PGLYRP1, RUNX3, IL2RB, and LY96) showing the highest fold change (> 1.9) when level of expression was compared between RA patients and controls.

Effects of endurance training on the maximal voluntary activation level of the knee extensor muscles.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the neural adaptations to endurance training, and more specifically the adaptation of the cortical voluntary activation of the knee extensor (KE) muscles.

Methods: Sixteen sedentary men were randomly allocated into an endurance training (n = 8) or a control group (n = 8). All subjects performed a maximal aerobic speed test (MAS) before and immediately after the training period.

Matrix-bound PAI-1 supports cell blebbing via RhoA/ROCK1 signaling.

The microenvironment of a tumor can influence both the morphology and the behavior of cancer cells which, in turn, can rapidly adapt to environmental changes. Increasing evidence points to the involvement of amoeboid cell migration and thus of cell blebbing in the metastatic process; however, the cues that promote amoeboid cell behavior in physiological and pathological conditions have not yet been clearly identified. Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) is found in high amount in the microenvironment of aggressive tumors and is considered as an independent marker of bad prognosis.