Abdul Awal Chowdhury Masud¹, Md. Fazlul Karim¹, M. H. M. Borhannuddin Bhuyan², Jubayer Al Mahmud³, Kamrun Nahar⁴, Masayuki Fujita⁵, Mirza Hasanuzzaman^1,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.90, No.2, pp. 353-372, 2021, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2021.013259

Abstract Drought is the most common form of abiotic stress that reduces plant growth and productivity. It causes plant injuries through elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Potassium (K) is a vital plant nutrient that notably ameliorates the detrimental effect of drought stress in the plant. A pot experiment was conducted at the Laboratory of Plant Stress Responses, Faculty of Agriculture, Kagawa University, Japan, under controlled environment of green house to explore the role of K in mitigating drought severity in wheat (Triticum asevitum L.) seedlings. Three days after germination, seedlings were exposed to three water regimes viz., 100, 50,… More >

TIANQI WANG, WANXI YANG^*

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.4, pp. 469-478, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.014708

Abstract Mitochondria are important in eukaryotic cells due to their functions in energy production and regulation over other cellular activities. Oocytes are produced by a long and precisely controlled process, the dysfunction of which leads to impaired female fertility. As oocytes mature, mitochondria are constantly under the regulation of nuclear genes, the process of which can be modulated by extracellular signals. Understanding how nuclear genes regulate mitochondrial functions is important for studying animal reproduction and human fertility. As more and more genes regulating mitochondrial functions in oocytes are being revealed, new approaches for improving female fertility in both human and animals… More >

KANO TANABE¹, RYUTARO KAJIHARA^2,3,*

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.4, pp. 545-558, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.012740

Abstract Antibody is an important part of adaptive immune system and is produced only by B cells. There are five main classes (IgM, IgD, IgG, IgA, IgE) and some subclasses in antibodies. IgM and IgD are produced by mature naïve B cells. On the other hand, IgG, IgA and IgE are produced by activated antigen-specific B cells via class switch recombination (CSR). CSR is the irreversible DNA rearrangement from upstream to downstream classes in immunoglobulin heavy chain genes. Co-stimulations of CD40 ligand (CD40L) and cytokines are required for induction of CSR by activating several transcription factors. These signal transduction pathways involve… More >

PATRIC HAMBLETON¹, MANUEL ALEJANDRO BARBIERI^1,2,3,4,*

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.4, pp. 525-534, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.011407

Abstract Cancerous cells display abnormalities in the signal transduction pathways responsible for responding to extracellular growth factors, or mitogens. Mutations that alter proteins involved in these types of pathways can lead to inappropriate or unregulated cell growth, and therefore predispose the cell to become malignant. The critical role of the Ras/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway in transducing growth signals to the interior of the cell and subsequently stimulating cell growth and proliferation is underscored by the fact that roughly one quarter of all human tumors contain mutant forms of Ras proteins. A particular focus on the signaling and membrane trafficking adaptor… More >

Meiling Tang^1,2,#, Yuhe Li^1,3,#, Yahui Chen^1,4, Lei Han^1,3, Hongxia Zhang^1,3, Zhizhong Song^1,3,4,*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.89, No.4, pp. 925-941, 2020, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2020.011184

Abstract As the preferred nitrogen (N) source, ammonium (NH₄⁺ ) contributes to plant growth and development and fruit quality. In plants, NH₄⁺ uptake is facilitated by a family of NH₄⁺ transporters (AMT). However, the molecular mechanisms and functional characteristics of the AMT genes in peach have not been mentioned yet. In this present study, excess NH₄⁺ stress severely hindered shoot growth and root elongation, accompanied with reduced mineral accumulation, decreased leaf chlorophyll concentration, and stunned photosynthetic performance. In addition, we identified 14 putative AMT genes in peach (PpeAMT). Expression analysis showed that PpeAMT genes were differently expressed in peach leaves, stems… More >

Hanna Amoanimaa-Dede, Chuntao Su, Akwasi Yeboah, Chunhua Chen, Shaoxia Yang, Hongbo Zhu^*, Miao Chen^*

Phyton-International Journal of Experimental Botany, Vol.89, No.4, pp. 805-833, 2020, DOI:10.32604/phyton.2020.011979

Abstract Sweet potato is a multifunctional root crop and a source of food with many essential nutrients and bioactive compounds. Variations in the flesh color of the diverse sweet potato varieties are attributed to the different phytochemicals and natural pigments they produce. Among them, carotenoids and anthocyanins are the main pigments known for their antioxidant properties which provide a host of health benefits, hence, regarded as a major component of the human diet. In this review, we provide an overview of the major pigments in sweet potato with much emphasis on their biosynthesis, functions, and regulatory control. Moreover, current findings on… More >

Changli Lu¹, Ming Zhao^1,2, Imran Khan³, Peerapong Uthansakul^4,*

CMC-Computers, Materials & Continua, Vol.66, No.1, pp. 437-455, 2021, DOI:10.32604/cmc.2020.012557

Abstract Cap-and-trade regulation provides incentives for manufacturers to reduce carbon emissions, but manufacturers’ insufficient capital can disrupt the implementation of low-carbon emission reduction technologies. To alleviate capital constraints, manufacturers can adopt external financing for low-carbon emission reduction investments. This paper studies the independent financing and financing cooperation behavior in a supply chain in which the manufacturer and retailer first implement low-carbon emission reduction technologies and then organize production and sales in accordance with wholesale price contracts. Through comparing the optimal profits and low-carbon emission reduction levels under the independent financing and financing cooperation mode, we come to the following conclusions: (1)… More >

HUIFANG CHEN^1,2, XIAOYING ZHOU², ZONGHONG LONG², XIANGLONG TANG², HONG LI^2,*

BIOCELL, Vol.44, No.3, pp. 371-379, 2020, DOI:10.32604/biocell.2020.08893

Abstract UQCRC1 is one of the 10 mitochondrial complex III subunits, this protein has a role in energy metabolism, myocardial protection, and neurological diseases. The upstream mechanism of the UQCRC1 protective effect on cardiomyocytes is currently unavailable. In order to explore the upstream molecules of UQCRC1 and elucidate the protective mechanism of UQCRC1 on cardiomyocytes in more detail, we focused on the nuclease-sensitive elementbinding protein 1 (YB-1). We hypothesized YB-1 acts as an upstream regulatory molecule of UQCRC1. This study found that YB-1 RNAi significantly reduces the expression of the UQCRC1 protein level (p < 0.05) and obviously decreases the mitochondrial… More >

Liliana Aguilar^∗, Salvador W. Nava-Díaz, Gabriel Chavira^†

Computer Systems Science and Engineering, Vol.34, No.5, pp. 297-303, 2019, DOI:10.32604/csse.2019.34.297

Abstract Natural ventilation is a component that provides a positive impact in the quality of air conditions in indoor environments, especially in non-industrial buildings. The maintenance of a continuous entrance of outside air through windows provides to the indoor a feasible and affordable manner to regulate and sustain low standards in theVOC (Volatile Organic Compounds). The technology and the Human Computer-Interaction have contributed to the creation of Intelligent Environments (EI) that provides to humans being a positive and non-intrusive responsiveness of the environment to improve their quality of life in daily activities. The Decision Trees for Decision Making is a mathematical… More >

Erna Qi^1,∗, Min Deng²

Computer Systems Science and Engineering, Vol.34, No.4, pp. 237-248, 2019, DOI:10.32604/csse.2019.34.237

Abstract The application of computer technology, especially the emergence of some statistical software and graphic presentation technology, has enabled many areas of research that require a large amount of data analysis. This paper discusses the relationship between R&D investment and corporate financial performance, and further studies the effect of environmental regulations on this relationship through these technologies. The unbalanced panel data of listed companies from 2007 to 2016 were used as a sample, and then corresponding regression modelswere established through logical reasoning. Empirical analysis has found that there is an inverted U-shaped relationship between R&D investment and company financial performance, and… More >