bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effect of hybrid varieties, application timing, and herbicide rate on field corn tolerance to tolpyralate plus atrazine
Authors: Metzger Brendan A. , Soltani Nader , Raeder Alan J. , Hooker David C. , Robinson Darren E. , Sikkema Peter H.
Published: August 2019

A wide margin of crop safety is a desirable trait of POST herbicides, and investigation of crop tolerance is a key step in evaluation of new herbicides. Six field experiments were conducted in Ontario, Canada, from 2017 to 2018 to examine the influence of corn (Zea mays L.) hybrid (DKC42-60RIB, DKC43-47RIB, P0094AM, and P9840AM), application rate (1X and 2X), and application timing (PRE, V1, V3, and V5) on the tolerance of field corn to tolpyralate, a new 4-hydroxyphenyl pyruvate dioxygenase inhibitor, co-applied with atrazine. Two corn hybrids (DKC42-60RIB and DKC43-47RIB) exhibited slightly greater visible injury from tolpyralate + atrazine, applied POST, than P0094AM and P9840AM at 1 to 2 wk after application (WAA); hybrids responded similarly with respect to height, grain moisture, and yield. Applications of tolpyralate + atrazine at a 2X rate (80 + 2,000 g ai ha−1) induced greater injury (≤31.6%) than the field rate (40 + 1,000 g ha−1) (≤11.6%); the 2X rate applied at V1 or V3 decreased corn height and slightly increased grain moisture at harvest. On average, field rates resulted in marginally higher grain yields than 2X rates. Based on mixed-model multiple stepwise regression analysis, the air temperature at application, time of day, temperature range in the 24 h before application, and precipitation following application were useful predictor variables in estimating crop injury with tolpyralate + atrazine; however, additional environmental variables also affected crop injury. These results demonstrate the margin of corn tolerance with tolpyralate + atrazine, which provides a basis for optimization of application timing, rate, and corn hybrid selection to mitigate the risk of crop injury with this herbicide tank mixture.
Predictability of Northern Hemisphere Final Stratospheric Warmings and Their Surface Impacts
Authors: Butler Amy H. , Charlton‐Perez Andrew , Domeisen Daniela I.V. , Simpson Isla R. , Sjoberg Jeremiah
Published: August 2019

Each spring, the climatological westerly winds of the Northern Hemisphere (NH) stratospheric polar vortex turn easterly as the stratospheric equator‐to‐pole temperature gradient relaxes. The timing of this event is dictated both by the annual return of sunlight to the pole and by dynamical influences from the troposphere. Here we consider the predictability of NH final stratospheric warmings in multimodel hindcasts from the Subseasonal to Seasonal project database. We evaluate how well the Subseasonal to Seasonal prediction systems perform in capturing the timing of final warmings. We compare the predictability of early warmings (which are more strongly driven by wave forcing) and late warmings and find that late warmings are more skillfully predicted at longer lead times. Finally, we find significantly increased predictive skill of NH near‐surface temperature anomalies at Weeks 3–4 lead times following only early final warmings.
Topographic Changes During the 2018 Kīlauea Eruption From Single‐Pass Airborne InSAR
Authors: Lundgren P.R. , Bagnardi M. , Dietterich H.
Published: August 2019

The 2018 eruption of Kīlauea volcano, Hawai‘i, was its most effusive in over 200 years. We apply the airborne Glacier and Ice Surface Topography Interferometer (GLISTIN‐A) interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) instrument to measure topographic change associated with the eruption. The GLISTIN‐A radar flew in response to the eruption, acquiring observations of Kīlauea on 7 days between 18 May and 15 September 2018. Topography differences were computed relative to GLISTIN‐A observations in 2017. Bare‐Earth topography and offshore bathymetry were used to correct for vegetation and creation of new coastal land within the lower East Rift Zone (LERZ) lava flow field. We estimate that the LERZ subaerial flows total bulk volume is 0.593 ± 0.011 km3 and that the summit collapse volume is −0.836 ± 0.002 km3. Within the temporal sampling and uncertainty from submarine flow volumes, we find that both the LERZ and caldera volume changes were approximately linear.
Complex Earthquake Sequences On Simple Faults
Authors: Cattania C.
Published: August 2019

While power law distributions in seismic moment and interevent times are ubiquitous in regional earthquake catalogs, the statistics of individual faults remains controversial. Continuum fault models without heterogeneity typically produce characteristic earthquakes or a narrow range of sizes, leading to the view that regional statistics originate from interaction of multiple faults. I present theoretical arguments and numerical simulations demonstrating that seismicity on homogeneous planar faults can span several orders of magnitude in rupture dimensions and interevent times, if the fault dimension W is sufficiently large compared to a characteristic length Lcrit, related to the nucleation dimension. Large faults are increasingly less characteristic, with the fraction of system‐size ruptures proportional to (Lcrit/W)1/2. Earthquake statistics for large W/Lcrit is remarkably close to nature, exhibiting Omori decay and power law distributed rupture lengths. Simple crack models are consistent with a Gutenberg‐Richter distribution with b=3/4 and provide a physical basis for these distributions on individual faults.
Future Heat Stress During Muslim Pilgrimage (Hajj) Projected to Exceed “Extreme Danger” Levels
Authors: Kang Suchul , Pal Jeremy S. , Eltahir Elfatih A.B.
Published: August 2019

The Muslim pilgrimage or Hajj, which is one of the five pillars of Muslim faith, takes place outdoors in and surrounding Mecca in the Saudi Arabian desert. The U.S. National Weather Service defines an extreme danger heat stress threshold which is approximately equivalent to a wet‐bulb temperature of about 29.1 °C—a combined measure of temperature and humidity. Here, based on results of simulations using an ensemble of coupled atmosphere‐ocean global climate models, we project that future climate change with and without mitigation will elevate heat stress to levels that exceed this extreme danger threshold through 2020 and during the periods of 2047 to 2052 and 2079 to 2086, with increasing frequency and intensity as the century progresses. If climate change proceeds on the current trajectory or even on a trajectory with considerable mitigation, aggressive adaptation measures will be required during years of high heat stress risk.
Bathymetry of Southeast Greenland From Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) Data
Authors: An Lu , Rignot Eric , Chauche Nolwenn , Holland David M. , Holland Denise , Jakobsson Martin , Kane Emily , Wood Michael , Klaucke Ingo , Morlighem Mathieu , Velicogna Isabella , Weinrebe Wilhelm , Willis Josh K.
Published: August 2019

Southeast Greenland has been a major participant in the ice sheet mass loss over the last several decades. Interpreting the evolution of glacier fronts requires information about their depth below sea level and ocean thermal forcing, which are incompletely known in the region. Here, we combine airborne gravity and multibeam echo sounding data from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's Oceans Melting Greenland (OMG) mission with ocean probe and fishing boat depth data to reconstruct the bathymetry extending from the glacier margins to the edges of the continental shelf. We perform a three‐dimensional inversion of the gravity data over water and merge the solution with a mass conservation reconstruction of bed topography over land. In contrast with other parts of Greenland, we find few deep troughs connecting the glaciers to the sources of warm Atlantic Water, amidst a relatively uniform, shallow (350 m) continental shelf. The deep channels include the Kangerlugssuaq, Sermilik, Gyldenløve, and Tingmiarmiut Troughs.
Response of Groundwater Storage and Recharge in the Qaidam Basin (Tibetan Plateau) to Climate Variations From 2002 to 2016
Authors: Bibi Sadia , Wang Lei , Li Xiuping , Zhang Xiaotao , Chen Deliang
Published: August 2019

Groundwater (GW) and recharge as the main drivers of the water budget are challenging to quantify due to the complexity of hydrological processes and limited observations. Understanding these processes in relation to climate is crucial for evaluating future water availability of Tibetan Plateau. By computing storage changes in Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment terrestrial water storage and Global Land Surface Data Assimilation System land surface state variables and water balance approach, we calculated GW storage changes and recharges. In the Qaidam Basin (northern Tibetan Plateau), terrestrial water storage from the Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment revealed a significant increasing trend of 25.5 mm/year during 2002–2012. However, an obviously turning point was found around 2012 and terrestrial water storage revealed a significant decreasing rate of 37.9 mm/year during 2013–2016. Similarly, GW (recharge) had a significant increasing trend of 21.2 (4.5) mm/year before 2012 and a decreasing rate of 32.1 (10.9) mm/year after 2012. Domain‐averaged difference (P‐ET) between precipitation (P) and evapotranspiration (ET) also exhibited an increasing trend of 4.4 mm/year during 2002–2012 and a decreasing rate of 9.0 mm/year during 2013–2016. Precipitation followed dissimilar pattern with an increasing rate of 5.3 mm/year during 2002–2012 while no significant trend during 2013–2016. However, ET had a consistent increasing trend over the basin during the past 15 years (0.9 mm/year before 2012 and 9.0 mm/year thereafter). This study concluded that GW amount and distribution is mainly controlled by precipitation and ET. Decrease in precipitation at high elevations and increase in ET may impact future groundwater availability in this region.
The Role of Chemistry in Fracture Pattern Development and Opportunities to Advance Interpretations of Geological Materials
Authors: Laubach S. E. , Lander R. H. , Criscenti L. J. , Anovitz L. M. , Urai J. L. , Pollyea R. M. , Hooker J. N. , Narr W. , Evans M. A. , Kerisit S. N. , Olson J. E. , Dewers T. , Fisher D. , Bodnar R. , Evans B. , Dove P. , Bonnell L. M. , Marder M. P. , Pyrak‐Nolte L.
Published: August 2019

Fracture pattern development has been a challenging area of research in the Earth sciences for more than 100 years. Much has been learned about the spatial and temporal complexity inherent to these systems, but severe challenges remain. Future advances will require new approaches. Chemical processes play a larger role in opening‐mode fracture pattern development than has hitherto been appreciated. This review examines relationships between mechanical and geochemical processes that influence the fracture patterns recorded in natural settings. For fractures formed in diagenetic settings (~50 to 200 °C), we review evidence of chemical reactions in fractures and show how a chemical perspective helps solve problems in fracture analysis. We also outline impediments to subsurface pattern measurement and interpretation, assess implications of discoveries in fracture history reconstruction for process‐based models, review models of fracture cementation and chemically assisted fracture growth, and discuss promising paths for future work. To accurately predict the mechanical and fluid flow properties of fracture systems, a processes‐based approach is needed. Progress is possible using observational, experimental, and modeling approaches that view fracture patterns and properties as the result of coupled mechanical and chemical processes. A critical area is reconstructing patterns through time. Such data sets are essential for developing and testing predictive models. Other topics that need work include models of crystal growth and dissolution rates under geological conditions, cement mechanical effects, and subcritical crack propagation. Advances in machine learning and 3‐D imaging present opportunities for a mechanistic understanding of fracture formation and development, enabling prediction of spatial and temporal complexity over geologic timescales. Geophysical research with a chemical perspective is needed to correctly identify and interpret fractures from geophysical measurements during site characterization and monitoring of subsurface engineering activities.
Strategies among phytoplankton in response to alleviation of nutrient stress in a subtropical gyre
Authors: Lampe Robert H , Wang Seaver , Cassar Nicolas , Marchetti Adrian
Published: August 2019

Despite generally low primary productivity and diatom abundances in oligotrophic subtropical gyres, the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre (NASG) exhibits significant diatom-driven carbon export on an annual basis. Subsurface pulses of nutrients likely fuel brief episodes of diatom growth, but the exact mechanisms utilized by diatoms in response to these nutrient injections remain understudied within near-natural settings. Here we simulated delivery of subsurface nutrients and compare the response among eukaryotic phytoplankton using a combination of physiological techniques and metatranscriptomics. We show that eukaryotic phytoplankton groups exhibit differing levels of transcriptional responsiveness and expression of orthologous genes in response to release from nutrient limitation. In particular, strategies for use of newly delivered nutrients are distinct among phytoplankton groups. Diatoms channel new nitrate to growth-related strategies while physiological measurements and gene expression patterns of other groups suggest alternative strategies. The gene expression patterns displayed here provide insights into the cellular mechanisms that underlie diatom subsistence during chronic nitrogen-depleted conditions and growth upon nutrient delivery that can enhance carbon export from the surface ocean.
Visitors’ experiences of public and private dental care in Sweden in 1992–2012
Authors: Pälvärinne Raimo , Birkhed Dowen , Forsberg Birger , Widström Eeva
Published: August 2019

Aim

The aim was to compare adult patients’ experiences of public and private dental care in Sweden over time from the ages of 50 and 70 years, between 1992 and 2012.

Materials and methods

Data on visiting patterns, oral health, fees and satisfaction were obtained from a questionnaire study every 5 years in 1992–2012 and analysed by using the Chi-square test and logistic regression. In the present study, the answers given by 6083 respondents in 1992 and 5220 in 2012 were included.

Results

Of the 50-year olds, 73.5% had visited the private sector and 26.5% the public sector. In 1992, patients in the public dental service (PDS) had visited their dentists less frequently and experienced having a slightly poorer dental status compared with private patients. After 20 years (2012), the distribution of patients between the two sectors was almost the same (71.4% and 28.8%) and the differences in visiting pattern and dental health persisted. During the study period, 21.6% of the patients changed treatment sector. A small proportion of patients had high treatment costs. A larger proportion of the private sector visitors than the PDS visitors were consistently satisfied with the dental care they had received.

Conclusions

As a whole, most adult patients in Sweden were satisfied with their dental care at both public and private clinics.
Downregulation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3b inhibited proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer
Authors: Ma Fang , Li Xue , Ren Juchao , Guo Ruiting , Li Yuwei , Liu Jichang , Sun Yundong , Liu Zhifang , Jia Jihui , Li Wenjuan
Published: August 2019

Eukaryotic translation initiation factor 3 (eIF3) plays an important role in the regulation of mRNA translation, cell growth and cancer development. eIF3b is the main scaffolding subunit in the eIF3 complex and has been demonstrated to contribute to the development of several cancers. First, our study found that the downregulation of eIF3b could inhibit the proliferation and metastasis of gastric cancer cells by regulating the expression of cancer-related genes. In addition, the expression of eIF3b correlated with the stage and progression of gastric cancer and was shown to be upregulated in human chronic gastritis and in gastric cancer tissues compared with the expression of eIF3b in normal gastric tissues. Moreover, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection could upregulate the expression of eIF3b in gastric cancer cells, suggesting that eIF3b might be involved in the carcinogenic process of H. pylori. The above findings identified the oncogenic role of eIF3b in gastric cancer development, and this may contribute to the exploration and discovery of novel therapeutic targets for gastric cancer treatment.
Ferroportin downregulation promotes cell proliferation by modulating the Nrf2–miR-17-5p axis in multiple myeloma
Authors: Kong Yuanyuan , Hu Liangning , Lu Kang , Wang Yingcong , Xie Yongsheng , Gao Lu , Yang Guang , Xie Bingqian , He Wan , Chen Gege , Wu Huiqun , Wu Xiaosong , Zhan Fenghuang , Shi Jumei
Published: August 2019

Recent findings demonstrate that aberrant downregulation of the iron-exporter protein, ferroportin (FPN1), is associated with poor prognosis and osteoclast differentiation in multiple myeloma (MM). Here, we show that FPN1 was downregulated in MM and that clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR)-mediated FPN1 knockout promoted MM cell growth and survival. Using a microRNA target-scan algorithm, we identified miR-17-5p as an FPN1 regulator that promoted cell proliferation and cell cycle progression, and inhibited apoptosis—both in vitro and in vivo. miR-17-5p inhibited retarded tumor growth in a MM xenograft model. Moreover, restoring FPN1 expression at least partially abrogated the biological effects of miR-17-5p in MM cells. The cellular iron concentration regulated the expression of the iron-regulatory protein (IRP) via the 5′-untranslated region of IRP messenger RNA and modulated the post-transcriptional stability of FPN1. Bioinformatics analysis with subsequent chromatin immunoprecipitation-polymerase chain reaction and luciferase activity experiments revealed that the transcription factor Nrf2 drove FPN1 transcription through promoter binding and suppressed miR-17-5p (which also increased FPN1 expression). Nrf2-mediated FPN1 downregulation promoted intracellular iron accumulation and reactive oxygen species. Our study links FPN1 transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation with MM cell growth and survival, and validates the prognostic value of FPN1 and its utility as a novel therapeutic target in MM.
The Eleanor ncRNAs activate the topological domain of the ESR1 locus to balance against apoptosis
Authors: Abdalla Mohamed Osama Ali , Yamamoto Tatsuro , Maehara Kazumitsu , Nogami Jumpei , Ohkawa Yasuyuki , Miura Hisashi , Poonperm Rawin , Hiratani Ichiro , Nakayama Hideki , Nakao Mitsuyoshi , Saitoh Noriko
Published: August 2019

MCF7 cells acquire estrogen-independent proliferation after long-term estrogen deprivation (LTED), which recapitulates endocrine therapy resistance. LTED cells can become primed for apoptosis, but the underlying mechanism is largely unknown. We previously reported that Eleanor non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) upregulate the ESR1 gene in LTED cells. Here, we show that Eleanors delineate the topologically associating domain (TAD) of the ESR1 locus in the active nuclear compartment of LTED cells. The TAD interacts with another transcriptionally active TAD, which is 42.9 Mb away from ESR1 and contains a gene encoding the apoptotic transcription factor FOXO3. Inhibition of a promoter-associated Eleanor suppresses all genes inside the Eleanor TAD and the long-range interaction between the two TADs, but keeps FOXO3 active to facilitate apoptosis in LTED cells. These data indicate a role of ncRNAs in chromatin domain regulation, which may underlie the apoptosis-prone nature of therapy-resistant breast cancer cells and could be good therapeutic targets.
Integrating tough Antheraea pernyi silk and strong carbon fibres for impact-critical structural composites
Authors: Yang Kang , Guan Juan , Numata Keiji , Wu Change , Wu Sujun , Shao Zhengzhong , Ritchie Robert O.
Published: August 2019

High stiffness and strength carbon fibres are commonly used to reinforce epoxy-resin composites. While wildAntheraea pernyisilk fibres exhibit high toughness originating from their α-helix/random coil conformation structures and their micro-fibre morphology, their insufficient strength and stiffness hinders them from being used in similar structural composites. In this work, we use interply hybridization of silk and carbon fibres to reinforce epoxy-matrix composites. With increased carbon fibre content, the quasi-static tensile/flexural stiffness and strength increases following the rule of mixtures while more silk fibre acts to increase ductility and impact strength. This results in a composite comprising equal volumes of carbon and silk fibres achieving an impact strength of 98 kJ m−2, which is twice that of purely carbon-fibre reinforced composites (44 kJ m−2). This work shows tough natural silk fibres and strong synthetic fibres can be successfully integrated into epoxy-resin composites for tailored mechanical properties.
Evolutionary modification of AGS protein contributes to formation of micromeres in sea urchins
Authors: Poon Jessica , Fries Annaliese , Wessel Gary M. , Yajima Mamiko
Published: August 2019

Evolution is proposed to result, in part, from acquisition of new developmental programs. One such example is the appearance of the micromeres in a sea urchin that form by an asymmetric cell division at the 4th embryonic cleavage and function as a major signaling center in the embryo. Micromeres are not present in other echinoderms and thus are  considered as a derived feature, yet its acquisition mechanism is unknown. Here, we report that the polarity factor AGS and its associated proteins are responsible for micromere formation. Evolutionary modifications of AGS protein seem to have provided the cortical recruitment and binding of AGS to the vegetal cortex, contributing to formation of micromeres in the sea urchins. Indeed, introduction of sea urchin AGS into the sea star embryo induces asymmetric cell divisions, suggesting that the molecular evolution of AGS protein is key in the transition of echinoderms to micromere formation and the current developmental style of sea urchins not seen in other echinoderms.
Visualization and quantification of inhomogeneous and anisotropic magnetic fields by polarized neutron grating interferometry
Authors: Valsecchi Jacopo , Harti Ralph P. , Raventós Marc , Siegwart Muriel D. , Morgano Manuel , Boillat Pierre , Strobl Markus , Hautle Patrick , Holitzner Lothar , Filges Uwe , Treimer Wolfgang , Piegsa Florian M. , Grünzweig Christian
Published: August 2019

The intrinsic magnetic moment of a neutron, combined with its charge neutrality, is a unique property which allows the investigation of magnetic phenomena in matter. Here we present how the utilization of a cold polarized neutron beam in neutron grating interferometry enables the visualization and characterization of magnetic properties on a microscopic scale in macroscopic samples. The measured signal originates from the phase shift induced by the magnetic potential. Our method enables the detection of previously inaccessible magnetic field gradients, in the order of T cm−1, extending the probed range by an order of magnitude. We visualize and quantify the phase shift induced by a well-defined square shaped uniaxial magnetic field and validate our experimental findings with theoretical calculations based on Hall probe measurements of the magnetic field distribution. This allows us to further extend our studies to investigations of inhomogeneous and anisotropic magnetic field distribution.
Cortical reliability amid noise and chaos
Authors: Nolte Max , Reimann Michael W. , King James G. , Markram Henry , Muller Eilif B.
Published: August 2019

Typical responses of cortical neurons to identical sensory stimuli appear highly variable. It has thus been proposed that the cortex primarily uses a rate code. However, other studies have argued for spike-time coding under certain conditions. The potential role of spike-time coding is directly limited by the internally generated variability of cortical circuits, which remains largely unexplored. Here, we quantify this internally generated variability using a biophysical model of rat neocortical microcircuitry with biologically realistic noise sources. We find that stochastic neurotransmitter release is a critical component of internally generated variability, causing rapidly diverging, chaotic recurrent network dynamics. Surprisingly, the same nonlinear recurrent network dynamics can transiently overcome the chaos in response to weak feed-forward thalamocortical inputs, and support reliable spike times with millisecond precision. Our model shows that the noisy and chaotic network dynamics of recurrent cortical microcircuitry are compatible with stimulus-evoked, millisecond spike-time reliability, resolving a long-standing debate.
Climate change exacerbates hurricane flood hazards along US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts in spatially varying patterns
Authors: Marsooli Reza , Lin Ning , Emanuel Kerry , Feng Kairui
Published: August 2019

One of the most destructive natural hazards, tropical cyclone (TC)–induced coastal flooding, will worsen under climate change. Here we conduct climatology–hydrodynamic modeling to quantify the effects of sea level rise (SLR) and TC climatology change (under RCP 8.5) on late 21st century flood hazards at the county level along the US Atlantic and Gulf Coasts. We find that, under the compound effects of SLR and TC climatology change, the historical 100-year flood level would occur annually in New England and mid-Atlantic regions and every 1–30 years in southeast Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico regions in the late 21st century. The relative effect of TC climatology change increases continuously from New England, mid-Atlantic, southeast Atlantic, to the Gulf of Mexico, and the effect of TC climatology change is likely to be larger than the effect of SLR for over 40% of coastal counties in the Gulf of Mexico.
Octahedral gold-silver nanoframes with rich crystalline defects for efficient methanol oxidation manifesting a CO-promoting effect
Authors: Xiong Likun , Sun Zhongti , Zhang Xiang , Zhao Liang , Huang Peng , Chen Xiwen , Jin Huidong , Sun Hao , Lian Yuebin , Deng Zhao , Rümmerli Mark H. , Yin Wanjian , Zhang Duo , Wang Shuao , Peng Yang
Published: August 2019

Three-dimensional bimetallic nanoframes with high spatial diffusivity and surface heterogeneity possess remarkable catalytic activities owing to their highly exposed active surfaces and tunable electronic structure. Here we report a general one-pot strategy to prepare ultrathin octahedral Au3Ag nanoframes, with the formation mechanism explicitly elucidated through well-monitored temporal nanostructure evolution. Rich crystalline defects lead to lowered atomic coordination and varied electronic states of the metal atoms as evidenced by extensive structural characterizations. When used for electrocatalytic methanol oxidation, the Au3Ag nanoframes demonstrate superior performance with a high specific activity of 3.38 mA cm−2, 3.9 times that of the commercial Pt/C. More intriguingly, the kinetics of methanol oxidation on the Au3Ag nanoframes is counter-intuitively promoted by carbon monoxide. The enhancement is ascribed to the altered reaction pathway and enhanced OH−co-adsorption on the defect-rich surfaces, which can be well understood from the d-band model and comprehensive density functional theory simulations.
Vegfc/d-dependent regulation of the lymphatic vasculature during cardiac regeneration is influenced by injury context
Authors: Vivien Céline J. , Pichol-Thievend Cathy , Sim Choon Boon , Smith Jacob B. , Bower Neil I. , Hogan Benjamin M. , Hudson James E. , Francois Mathias , Porrello Enzo R.
Published: August 2019

The lymphatic vasculature mediates essential physiological functions including fluid homeostasis, lipid and hormone transport, and immune cell trafficking. Recent studies have suggested that promoting lymphangiogenesis enhances cardiac repair following injury, but it is unknown whether lymphangiogenesis is required for cardiac regeneration. Here, we describe the anatomical distribution, regulation, and function of the cardiac lymphatic network in a highly regenerative zebrafish model system using transgenic reporter lines and loss-of-function approaches. We show that zebrafish lacking functional vegfc and vegfd signaling are devoid of a cardiac lymphatic network and display cardiac hypertrophy in the absence of injury, suggesting a role for these vessels in cardiac tissue homeostasis. Using two different cardiac injury models, we report a robust lymphangiogenic response following cryoinjury, but not following apical resection injury. Although the majority of mutants lacking functional vegfc and vegfd signaling were able to mount a full regenerative response even in the complete absence of a cardiac lymphatic vasculature, cardiac regeneration was severely impaired in a subset of mutants, which was associated with heightened pro-inflammatory cytokine signaling. These findings reveal a context-dependent requirement for the lymphatic vasculature during cardiac growth and regeneration.
Inference-assisted intelligent crystallography based on preliminary data
Authors: Hoshino Manabu , Nakanishi-Ohno Yoshinori , Hashizume Daisuke
Published: August 2019

Crystal structure analysis is routinely used to determine atomically resolved molecular structures and structure-property relationships. The accumulation of reliable structural characteristics obtained by crystal structure analysis has forged a robust basis that is frequently used in molecular and materials sciences. However, experimental techniques remain hampered by time-consuming ‘blind’ measurement-analysis iterations, which are sometimes required to find appropriate crystals and experimental conditions. Herein, we present a method that uses a small preliminary data set to evaluate the to-be-observed structures and the to-be-collected data. Moreover, we demonstrate the practical utility of this method to improve the efficiency of crystal structure analysis. This method will help selecting suitable crystals and choosing favorable experimental conditions to generate results that satisfy the level of precision required for specific research objectives.
CLIC4 regulates late endosomal trafficking and matrix degradation activity of MMP14 at focal adhesions in RPE cells
Authors: Hsu Kuo-Shun , Otsu Wataru , Li Yao , Wang Heuy-Ching , Chen Shuibing , Tsang Stephen H. , Chuang Jen-Zen , Sung Ching-Hwa
Published: August 2019

Dysregulation in the extracellular matrix (ECM) microenvironment surrounding the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) has been implicated in the etiology of proliferative vitreoretinopathy and age-related macular degeneration. The regulation of ECM remodeling by RPE cells is not well understood. We show that membrane-type matrix metalloproteinase 14 (MMP14) is central to ECM degradation at the focal adhesions in human ARPE19 cells. The matrix degradative activity, but not the assembly, of the focal adhesion is regulated by chloride intracellular channel 4 (CLIC4). CLIC4 is co-localized with MMP14 in the late endosome. CLIC4 regulates the proper sorting of MMP14 into the lumen of the late endosome and its proteolytic activation in lipid rafts. CLIC4 has the newly-identified “late domain” motif that binds to MMP14 and to Tsg101, a component of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) complex. Unlike the late domain mutant CLIC4, wild-type CLIC4 can rescue the late endosomal sorting defect of MMP14. Finally, CLIC4 knockdown inhibits the apical secretion of MMP2 in polarized human RPE monolayers. These results, taken together, demonstrate that CLIC4 is a novel matrix microenvironment modulator and a novel regulator for late endosomal cargo sorting. Moreover, the late endosomal sorting of MMP14 actively regulates its surface activation in RPE cells.
The Zea mays mutants opaque2 and opaque16 disclose lysine change in waxy maize as revealed by RNA-Seq
Authors: Wang Wei , Niu Suzhen , Dai Yi , Wang Mingchun , Li Yan , Yang Wenpeng , Zhao Degang
Published: August 2019

In maize, opaque2 (o2) and opaque16 (o16) alleles can increase lysine content, while the waxy (wx) gene can enhance the amylopectin content of grains. In our study, o2 and o16 alleles were backcrossed into waxy maize line (wxwx). The o2o2o16o16wxwx lines had amylopectin contents similar to those of waxy line. Their nutritional value was better than waxy line, but the mechanism by which the o2 and o16 alleles increased the lysine content of waxy maize remained unclear. The o2o2o16o16wxwx lines and their parents on kernels (18th day after pollination) were subjected to RNA sequencing (RNA-Seq). The RNA-Seq analysis revealed 272 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). Functional analyses revealed that these DEGs were mainly related to biomass metabolism. Among them, in o2o2o16o16wxwx lines, 15 genes encoding α-zein were down-regulated, which resulted in the reduction of α-zein synthesis and increased lysine content; lkr/sdh1 and Zm00001d020984.1 genes involved in the lysine degradation pathway were down-regulated, thereby inhibited lysine degradation; sh2, bt2 and ae1 genes involved in starch metabolism were upregulated, leaded to wrinkling kernel and farinaceous endosperm. Our transcriptional-level identification of key genes responsible for increased grain lysine content and farinaceous endosperm formation following introgression of o2 and o16 alleles should promote molecular breeding for maize quality.
Systemically Administered Plant Recombinant Holo-Intrinsic Factor Targets the Liver and is not Affected by Endogenous B12 levels
Authors: Workinger Jayme L. , Kuda-Wedagedara Akhila N. W. , Julin Mara M. , White Jordan M. , Nexo Ebba , Viola Nerissa T. , Doyle Robert P.
Published: August 2019

Precision targeting imaging agents and/or treatment agents to select cells or organs in the body remains a significant need and is an area of intense research. It has been hypothesized that the vitamin B12 (B12) dietary pathway, or components thereof, may be exploitable in this area. The question of whether gastric Intrinsic factor (IF), critical for B12 absorption in the GI tract via the cubilin receptor, could be used as a targeting moiety for the cubilin receptor systemically, has not been investigated. Cubilin is the only known receptor for holo-IF and is found primarily in the kidney and ear (outside of the ileum of the GI) offering significant scope for specific targeting. We utilized plant derived human gastric IF in fluorescent cell and PET based in vivo imaging and biodistribution studies and demonstrated that plant derived IF primarily targets the liver, likely a consequence of the unique glycosylation profile of the IF, and is not affected by endogenous B12 levels.
Empathic perspective taking promotes interpersonal coordination through music
Authors: Novembre Giacomo , Mitsopoulos Zoe , Keller Peter E.
Published: August 2019

Coordinated behavior promotes collaboration among humans. To shed light upon this relationship, we investigated whether and how interpersonal coordination is promoted by empathic perspective taking (EPT). In a joint music-making task, pairs of participants rotated electronic music-boxes, producing two streams of musical sounds that were meant to be played synchronously. Participants – who were not musically trained – were assigned to high and low EPT groups based on pre-experimental assessments using a standardized personality questionnaire. Results indicated that high EPT pairs were generally more accurate in synchronizing their actions. When instructed to lead the interaction, high and low EPT leaders were equally cooperative with followers, making their performance tempo more regular, presumably in order to increase their predictability and help followers to synchronize. Crucially, however, high EPT followers were better able to use this information to predict leaders’ behavior and thus improve interpersonal synchronization. Thus, empathic perspective taking promotes interpersonal coordination by enhancing accuracy in predicting others’ behavior while leaving the aptitude for cooperation unaltered. We argue that such predictive capacity relies on a sensorimotor mechanism responsible for simulating others’ actions in an anticipatory manner, leading to behavioral advantages that may impact social cognition on a broad scale.
Real-time imaging of photosynthetic oxygen evolution from spinach using LSI-based biosensor
Authors: Kasai Shigenobu , Sugiura Yamato , Prasad Ankush , Inoue Kumi Y. , Sato Teruya , Honmo Tomohiro , Kumar Aditya , Pospíšil Pavel , Ino Kosuke , Hashi Yuka , Furubayashi Yoko , Matsudaira Masahki , Suda Atsushi , Kunikata Ryota , Matsue Tomokazu
Published: August 2019

The light-driven splitting of water to oxygen (O2) is catalyzed by a protein-bound tetra-manganese penta-oxygen calcium (Mn4O5Ca) cluster in Photosystem II. In the current study, we used a large-scale integration (LSI)-based amperometric sensor array system, designated Bio-LSI, to perform two-dimensional imaging of light-induced O2 evolution from spinach leaves. The employed Bio-LSI chip consists of 400 sensor electrodes with a pitch of 250 μm for fast electrochemical imaging. Spinach leaves were illuminated to varying intensities of white light (400–700 nm) which induced oxygen evolution and subsequent electrochemical images were collected using the Bio-LSI chip. Bio-LSI images clearly showed the dose-dependent effects of the light-induced oxygen release from spinach leaves which was then significantly suppressed in the presence of urea-type herbicide 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)−1,1-dimethylurea (DCMU). Our results clearly suggest that light-induced oxygen evolution can be monitored using the chip and suggesting that the Bio-LSI is a promising tool for real-time imaging. To the best of our knowledge, this report is the first to describe electrochemical imaging of light-induced O2 evolution using LSI-based amperometric sensors in plants.
Spectroscopic imaging with single acquisition ptychography and a hyperspectral detector
Authors: Batey Darren J. , Cipiccia Silvia , Van Assche Frederic , Vanheule Sander , Vanmechelen Juriaan , Boone Matthieu N. , Rau Christoph
Published: August 2019

We present a new method of single acquisition spectroscopic imaging with high spatial resolution. The technique is based on the combination of polychromatic synchrotron radiation and ptychographic imaging with a recently developed energy discriminating detector. We demonstrate the feasibility with a Ni-Cu test sample recorded at I13-1 of the Diamond Light Source, UK. The two elements can be clearly distinguished and the Ni absorption edge is identified. The results prove the feasibility of obtaining high-resolution structural and chemical images within a single acquisition using a polychromatic X-ray beam. The capability of resolving the absorption edge applies to a wide range of research areas, such as magnetic domains imaging and element specific investigations in biological, materials, and earth sciences. The method utilises the full available radiation spectrum and is therefore well suited for broadband radiation sources.
Allylpyrocatechol, isolated from betel leaf ameliorates thyrotoxicosis in rats by altering thyroid peroxidase and thyrotropin receptors
Authors: Panda Sunanda , Sikdar Malabika , Biswas Sagarika , Sharma Rajesh , Kar Anand
Published: August 2019

Allylpyrocatechol (APC) was isolated from betel leaf and its possible role in L-thyroxin (L-T4)-induced thyrotoxic rats was evaluated. The disease condition, thyrotoxicosis was confirmed by higher levels of thyroid hormones and low thyrotropin (TSH) in serum. Increased hepatic activities of 5′-mono-deiodinase(5′D1), glucose-6-phospatase (G-6-Pase); serum concentrations of alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) and tumour necrosis factor-alpha(TNF-α) were observed in thyrotoxic rats. Hepatic lipid peroxidation(LPO) was also increased and the endogenous antioxidants were depleted in these rats. In western blot analysis thyroid peroxidase expression was found to be reduced, whereas thyrotropin receptor(TSHR) expression was enhanced in thyroid gland of these animals. On the other hand, APC treatment in thyrotoxic rats decreased the levels of serum thyroid hormones, ALT, AST, TNF-α and LDH, as well as hepatic 5′ D1 and G-6-Pase activities. However, it increased the serum TSH levels. APC also reduced the hepatic LPO and increased the cellular antioxidants in thyrotoxic rats. However, expression of TSHR was inhibited and TPO was increased by APC. The test compound also improved histological features in both liver and thyroid. Present report appears to be the first one that indicates the positive role of APC in ameliorating T4-induced thyrotoxicosis.
Immunoevolution of mouse pancreatic organoid isografts from preinvasive to metastatic disease
Authors: Filippini Dea , Agosto Sabrina D’ , Delfino Pietro , Simbolo Michele , Piro Geny , Rusev Borislav , Veghini Lisa , Cantù Cinzia , Lupo Francesca , Ugel Stefano , De Sanctis Francesco , Bronte Vincenzo , Milella Michele , Tortora Giampaolo , Scarpa Aldo , Carbone Carmine , Corbo Vincenzo
Published: August 2019

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDA) has a highly immunosuppressive microenvironment, which is contributed by the complex interaction between cancer cells and a heterogeneous population of stromal cells. Therefore, facile and trackable models are needed for integrative and dynamic interrogation of cancer-stroma interaction. Here, we tracked the immunoevolution of PDA in a genetically-defined transplantable model of mouse pancreatic tumour organoids that recapitulates the progression of the disease from early preinvasive lesions to metastatic carcinomas. We demonstrated that organoid-derived isografts (ODI) can be used as a biological source of biomarkers (NT5E, TGFB1, FN1, and ITGA5) of aggressive molecular subtypes of human PDA. In ODI, infiltration from leukocytes is an early event during progression of the disease as observed for autochthonous models. Neoplastic progression was associated to accumulation of Maf+ macrophages, which inversely correlated with CD8+ T cells infiltration. Consistently, levels of MAF were enriched in human PDA subtypes characterized by abundance of macrophage-related transcripts and indicated poor patients’ survival. Density of MAF+ macrophages was higher in human PDA tissues compared to preinvasive lesions. Our results suggest that ODIs represent a suitable system for genotypic-immunophenotypic studies and support the hypothesis of MAF+ macrophages as a prominent immunosuppressive population in PDA.
Non-Pulmonary Vein Triggers of Atrial Fibrillation Are Likely to Arise from Low-Voltage Areas in the Left Atrium
Authors: Kawai Shunsuke , Mukai Yasushi , Inoue Shujiro , Yakabe Daisuke , Nagaoka Kazuhiro , Sakamoto Kazuo , Takase Susumu , Chishaki Akiko , Tsutsui Hiroyuki
Published: August 2019

The pathophysiology of non-pulmonary vein (PV) triggers of atrial fibrillation (AF) is unclear. We hypothesized that left atrial non-PV (LANPV) triggers are associated with atrial tissue degeneration. This study analyzed 431 patients that underwent catheter ablation (mean age 62 yrs, 303 men, 255 paroxysmal AF [pAF] patients). Clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of non-PV trigger were analyzed. Fifty non-PV triggers in 40 patients (9.3%) were documented; LANPV triggers were the most prevalent (n = 19, 38%). LANPV triggers were correlated with non-paroxysmal AF (non-pAF) (OR 3.31, p = 0.04) whereas right atrial non-PV (RANPV) triggers (n = 14) and SVC triggers (n = 17) were not. The voltage at the LANPV sites during SR was 0.3 ± 0.16 mV (p < 0.001 vs. control site). Low-voltage areas (LVAs) in the LA were significantly greater in non-pAF compared to pAF (14.2% vs. 5.8%, p < 0.01). RANPV trigger sites had preserved voltage (0.74 ± 0.48 mV). Long-term outcomes of patients with non-PV triggers treated with tailored targeting strategies were not significantly inferior to those without non-PV triggers. In conclusion, non-PV triggers arise from the LA with degeneration, which may have an important role in AF persistence. A trigger-oriented, patient-tailored ablation strategy considering LA voltage map may be feasible and effective in persistent/recurrent AF.
Elevation of ambient temperature is associated with an increased risk of herpes zoster: a time-series analysis
Authors: Choi Yoon-Jung , Lim Youn-Hee , Lee Kyung-Shin , Hong Yun-Chul
Published: August 2019

Although varicella zoster (VZ) and herpes zoster (HZ) are caused by the same varicella zoster virus (VZV), the former is caused by primary infection while the latter is caused by reactivation of latent VZV, and their relationships with ambient temperature are also different. It is relatively well-established that VZ incidence declines with ambient temperature, but the relationship between HZ and ambient temperature is inconclusive. Thus, we investigated the effects of ambient temperature on the incidence of HZ in time-series analysis by using data from the Korean National Emergency Department Information System between 2014 and 2016. We applied a generalized linear model to investigate the relationship between ambient temperature and emergency room (ER) visits due to HZ, after controlling for confounders in seven metropolitan cities and nine provinces in South Korea. Region-specific estimates were pooled to obtain the national average estimates. There were a total of 61,957 ER visits nationwide for HZ during the study period. HZ significantly increased by 2.03% to 2.94% in the moving average lag models throughout 0 to 11 days with maximum percent increase of 2.94% (95% CI: 2.20, 3.68) in the 6-day moving average lag model.
Efficient and specific oligo-based depletion of rRNA
Authors: Kraus Amelie J. , Brink Benedikt G. , Siegel T. Nicolai
Published: August 2019

In most organisms, ribosomal RNA (rRNA) contributes to >85% of total RNA. Thus, to obtain useful information from RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq) analyses at reasonable sequencing depth, typically, mature polyadenylated transcripts are enriched or rRNA molecules are depleted. Targeted depletion of rRNA is particularly useful when studying transcripts lacking a poly(A) tail, such as some non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), most bacterial RNAs and partially degraded or immature transcripts. While several commercially available kits allow effective rRNA depletion, their efficiency relies on a high degree of sequence homology between oligonucleotide probes and the target RNA. This restricts the use of such kits to a limited number of organisms with conserved rRNA sequences. In this study we describe the use of biotinylated oligos and streptavidin-coated paramagnetic beads for the efficient and specific depletion of trypanosomal rRNA. Our approach reduces the levels of the most abundant rRNA transcripts to less than 5% with minimal off-target effects. By adjusting the sequence of the oligonucleotide probes, our approach can be used to deplete rRNAs or other abundant transcripts independent of species. Thus, our protocol provides a useful alternative for rRNA removal where enrichment of polyadenylated transcripts is not an option and commercial kits for rRNA are not available.