bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Metabolic phenotypes and the gut microbiota in response to dietary resistant starch type 2 in normal-weight subjects: a randomized crossover trial
Authors: Zhang Lei , Ouyang Yang , Li Huating , Shen Li , Ni Yueqiong , Fang Qichen , Wu Guangyu , Qian Lingling , Xiao Yunfeng , Zhang Jing , Yin Peiyuan , Panagiotou Gianni , Xu Guowang , Ye Jianping , Jia Weiping
Published: March 2019

Resistant starch (RS) has been reported to reduce body fat in obese mice. However, this effect has not been demonstrated in humans. In this study, we tested the effects of RS in 19 volunteers with normal body weights. A randomized, double-blinded and crossover design clinical trial was conducted. The study subjects were given either 40 g high amylose RS2 or energy-matched control starch with three identical diets per day throughout the study. The effect of RS was evaluated by monitoring body fat, glucose metabolism, gut hormones, gut microbiota, short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) and metabolites. The visceral and subcutaneous fat areas were significantly reduced following RS intake. Acetate and early-phase insulin, C-peptide and glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) secretion were increased, and the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels were decreased after the RS intervention. Based on 16S rRNA sequencing, certain gut microbes were significantly decreased after RS supplementation, whereas the genus Ruminococcaceae_UCG-005 showed an increase in abundance. Other potential signatures of the RS intervention included Akkermansia, Ruminococcus_2, Victivallis, and Comamonas. Moreover, the baseline abundance of the genera Streptococcus, Ruminococcus_torques_group, Eubacterium_hallii_group, and Eubacterium_eligens_group was significantly associated with the hormonal and metabolic effects of RS. These observations suggest that a daily intake of 40 g of RS is effective in modulating body fat, SCFAs, early-phase insulin and GLP-1 secretion and the gut microbiota in normal-weight subjects.
Analytical model of surface second-harmonic generation
Authors: Javůrek Dalibor , Peřina Jan
Published: March 2019

The process of second-harmonic generation (SHG) in a finite one-dimensional nonlinear medium is analyzed in parallel by the Green-function technique and the Fourier-transform method. Considering the fundamental pump field propagating along a given direction and eliminating back-reflections at the boundaries the terms giving the surface second-harmonic fields in the particular solution of the wave equation are uniquely identified. Using these terms the flow of energy corresponding to the surface second-harmonic fields is analyzed in the vicinity of the boundaries. The formula giving the depth of the nonlinear medium contributing to the surface SHG is obtained. Both approaches for describing the SHG are compared considering complexity and quantization of the interacting fields. In addition, a theoretical model of surface SHG in centrosymmetric media is proposed. The model is built upon assumption that the second-order nonlinearity decays exponentially with distance from the boundary. As an important example, the generation of surface SHG from a thin dielectric nonlinear layer placed on a silicon substrate is analyzed by the proposed model.
Benefits of a Bacillus probiotic to larval fish survival and transport stress resistance
Authors: Tarnecki Andrea M. , Wafapoor Marzie , Phillips Remy N. , Rhody Nicole R.
Published: March 2019

The need for sustainable bacterial management approaches in aquaculture is crucial for advancement of the industry. Probiotics are a promising strategy as evidenced by benefits demonstrated in intensive larviculture of various marine fish species. In this study we investigate the effects of a mixed Bacillus species (B. licheniformis and B. amyloliquefaciens) probiotic on rearing of larval common snook (Centropomus undecimalis). Experimental treatments included (1) probiotics supplemented to the water and live feed, (2) probiotics supplemented to the water only, and (3) no probiotic controls. Data from two separate trials indicated up to 2.5 times higher survival with probiotic addition, as well as 20% higher survival 7 days following a transport event. These benefits were not explained by faster growth, measured water quality parameters, or innate immune enzyme activities. Microbiota analysis indicated the importance of system stabilization prior to larval stocking to improve rearing success and probiotic performance. ied Potential probiotic benefits include accelerated gastrointestinal tract development, enhanced immunity, inhibition of opportunistic bacteria, and improvements to water quality parameters. Results suggest this probiotic should be tested in other marine fish species in order to reduce larval rearing bottlenecks.
Isolation and characterization of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol as a hormogonium-inducing factor (HIF) from the coralloid roots of Cycas revoluta (Cycadaceae)
Authors: Hashidoko Yasuyuki , Nishizuka Hiroaki , Tanaka Manato , Murata Kanako , Murai Yuta , Hashimoto Makoto
Published: March 2019

Coralloid roots are specialized tissues of cycads (Cycas revoluta) that are involved in symbioses with nitrogen-fixing Nostoc cyanobacteria. We found that a crude methanolic extract of coralloid roots induced differentiation of the filamentous cell aggregates of Nostoc species into motile hormogonia. Hence, the hormogonium-inducing factor (HIF) was chased using bioassay-based isolation, and the active principle was characterized as a mixture of diacylglycerols (DAGs), mainly composed of 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (1), 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycerol (2), 1-stearoyl-2-linolenoyl-sn-glycerol (3), and 1-stearoyl-2-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (4). Enantioselectively synthesised compound 1 showed a clear HIF activity at 1 nmol (0.6 µg) disc−1 for the filamentous cells, whereas synthesised 2-linoleoyl-3-palmitoyl-sn-glycerol (1′) and 1-palmitoyl-2-linoleoyl-rac-glycerol (1/1′) were less active than 1. Conversely, synthesised 1-linoleoyl-2-palmitoyl-rac-glycerol (8/8′) which is an acyl positional isomer of compound 1 was inactive. In addition, neither 1-monoacylglycerols nor phospholipids structurally related to 1 showed HIF-like activities. As DAGs are protein kinase C (PKC) activators, 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (12), urushiol C15:3-Δ10,13,16 (13), and a skin irritant anacardic acid C15:1-Δ8 (14) were also examined for HIF-like activities toward the Nostoc cells. Neither 12 nor 13 showed HIF-like activities, whereas 14 showed an HIF-like activity at 1 nmol/disc. These findings appear to indicate that some DAGs act as hormogonium-inducing signal molecules for filamentous Nostoc cyanobacteria.
Transmission dynamics study of tuberculosis isolates with whole genome sequencing in southern Sweden
Authors: Alaridah Nader , Hallbäck Erika Tång , Tångrot Jeanette , Winqvist Niclas , Sturegård Erik , Florén-Johansson Kerstin , Jönsson Bodil , Tenland Erik , Welinder-Olsson Christina , Medstrand Patrik , Kaijser Bertil , Godaly Gabriela
Published: March 2019

Epidemiological contact tracing complemented with genotyping of clinical Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates is important for understanding disease transmission. In Sweden, tuberculosis (TB) is mostly reported in migrant and homeless where epidemiologic contact tracing could pose a problem. This study compared epidemiologic linking with genotyping in a low burden country. Mycobacterium tuberculosis isolates (n = 93) collected at Scania University Hospital in Southern Sweden were analysed with the standard genotyping method mycobacterial interspersed repetitive units-variable number tandem repeats (MIRU-VNTR) and the results were compared with whole genome sequencing (WGS). Using a maximum of twelve single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as the upper threshold of genomic relatedness noted among hosts, we identified 18 clusters with WGS comprising 52 patients with overall pairwise genetic maximum distances ranging from zero to nine SNPs. MIRU-VNTR and WGS clustered the same isolates, although the distribution differed depending on MIRU-VNTR limitations. Both genotyping techniques identified clusters where epidemiologic linking was insufficient, although WGS had higher correlation with epidemiologic data. To summarize, WGS provided better resolution of transmission than MIRU-VNTR in a setting with low TB incidence. WGS predicted epidemiologic links better which could consolidate and correct the epidemiologically linked cases, avoiding thus false clustering.
Harmonic radar tracking reveals random dispersal pattern of bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) queens after hibernation
Authors: Makinson James C. , Woodgate Joseph L. , Reynolds Andy , Capaldi Elizabeth A. , Perry Clint J. , Chittka Lars
Published: March 2019

The dispersal of animals from their birth place has profound effects on the immediate survival and longer-term persistence of populations. Molecular studies have estimated that bumblebee colonies can be established many kilometers from their queens’ natal nest site. However, little is known about when and how queens disperse during their lifespan. One possible life stage when dispersal may occur, is directly after emerging from hibernation. Here, harmonic radar tracking of artificially over-wintered Bombus terrestris queens shows that they spend most of their time resting on the ground with intermittent very short flights (duration and distance). We corroborate these behaviors with observations of wild queen bees, which show similar prolonged resting periods between short flights, indicating that the behavior of our radar-monitored bees was not due to the attachment of transponders nor an artifact of the bees being commercially reared. Radar-monitored flights were not continuously directed away from the origin, suggesting that bees were not intentionally trying to disperse from their artificial emergence site. Flights did not loop back to the origin suggesting bees were not trying to remember or get back to the original release site. Most individuals dispersed from the range of the harmonic radar within less than two days and did not return. Flight directions were not different from a uniform distribution and flight lengths followed an exponential distribution, both suggesting random dispersal. A random walk model based on our observed data estimates a positive net dispersal from the origin over many flights, indicating a biased random dispersal, and estimates the net displacement of queens to be within the range of those estimated in genetic studies. We suggest that a distinct post-hibernation life history stage consisting mostly of rest with intermittent short flights and infrequent foraging fulfils the dual purpose of ovary development and dispersal prior to nest searching.
Long-term outcomes according to additional treatments after endoscopic resection for rectal small neuroendocrine tumors
Authors: Cha Jae Hwang , Jung Da Hyun , Kim Jie-Hyun , Youn Young Hoon , Park Hyojin , Park Jae Jun , Um Yoo Jin , Park Soo Jung , Cheon Jae Hee , Kim Tae Il , Kim Won Ho , Lee Hyun Jung
Published: March 2019

The present study aimed to investigate treatment strategies determining additional treatment after endoscopic resection (ER) of rectal neuroendocrine tumor (NET)s and long-term outcomes of endoscopically resected rectal NETs. We analyzed a total of 322 patients medical records of patients who underwent ER for rectal NETs. Rectal NETs initially resected as polyps and treated with conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) were observed more frequently in the non-curative group (P = 0.041 and P = 0.012, respectively). After ER, only 44 of the 142 patients (31.0%) who did not meet the criteria for curative resection received additional salvage treatment. In multivariate analysis, lesions diagnosed via biopsies (OR, 0.096; P = 0.002) or suspected as NETs initially (OR, 0.04; P = 0.001) were less likely to undergo additional treatment. Positive lymphovascular invasion (OR 61.971; P < 0.001), positive (OR 75.993; P < 0.001), or indeterminate (OR 13.203; P = 0.001) resection margins were more likely to undergo additional treatment. Although lymph node metastasis was found in 6 patients, none experienced local or metastatic tumor recurrence during the median follow-up of 40.49 months. Long-term outcomes after ER for rectal NETs were excellent. The prognosis showed favorable outcomes regardless of whether patients receive additional salvage treatments.
Sclerite-bearing annelids from the lower Cambrian of South China
Authors: Han Jian , Conway Morris Simon , Hoyal Cuthill Jennifer F. , Shu Degan
Published: March 2019

Cambrian annelids are strikingly diverse and reveal important details of annelid character acquisition. Their contribution, however, to a wider understanding of the evolution of the trochozoans (encompassing the annelids as well as such groups as the brachiopods and molluscs) remains limited. Thus the early annelids had been linked to a variety of cataphract Cambrian metazoans, notably Wiwaxia and the halkieriids, but recent work assigns such fossils to stem-group molluscs. Here we report two new annelids from the Lower Cambrian Chengjiang Lagerstätte, South China. Ipoliknus avitus n. gen., n. sp. is biramous with neurochaetae and notochaetae, but significantly also bears dorsal spinose sclerites and dorso-lateral dentate sclerites. Adelochaeta sinensis n. gen., n. sp. is unique amongst Cambrian polychaetes in possessing the rod-like supports of the parapodia known as aciculae. This supports phylogenetic placement of Adelochaeta as sister to some more derived aciculate Palaeozoic taxa, but in contrast Ipoliknus is recovered as the most basal of the stem-group annelids. Sclerites and chaetae of I. avitus are interpreted respectively as the remnants and derivatives of a once more extensive cataphract covering that was a characteristic of more primitive trochozoans. The two sets of chaetae (noto- and neurochaetae) and two sets of sclerites (spinose and dentate) suggest that in a pre-annelid an earlier and more complete scleritome may have consisted of four zones of sclerites. Other cataphract taxa from the Lower Palaeozoic show a variety of scleritome configurations but establishing direct links with such basal annelids as Ipoliknus at present must remain conjectural.
Perspectives on the clonal persistence of presumed ‘ghost’ genomes in unisexual or allopolyploid taxa arising via hybridization
Authors: Unmack P. J. , Adams M. , Bylemans J. , Hardy C. M. , Hammer M. P. , Georges A.
Published: March 2019

Although hybridization between non-sibling species rarely results in viable or fertile offspring, it occasionally produces self-perpetuating or sexually-parasitic lineages in which ancestral genomes are inherited clonally and thus may persist as ‘ghost species’ after ancestor extinction. Ghost species have been detected in animals and plants, for polyploid and diploid organisms, and across clonal, semi-clonal, and even sexual reproductive modes. Here we use a detailed investigation of the evolutionary and taxonomic status of a newly-discovered, putative ghost lineage (HX) in the fish genus Hypseleotris to provide perspectives on several important issues not previously explored by other studies on ghost species, but relevant to ongoing discussions about their detection, conservation, and artificial re-creation. Our comprehensive genetic (allozymes, mtDNA) and genomic (SNPs) datasets successfully identified a threatened sexual population of HX in one tiny portion of the extensive distribution displayed by two hemi-clonal HX-containing lineages. We also discuss what confidence should be placed on any assertion that an ancestral species is actually extinct, and how to assess whether any putative sexual ancestor represents a pure remnant, as shown here, or a naturally-occurring resurrection via the crossing of compatible clones or hemi-clones.
Crystal structure and epitope analysis of house dust mite allergen Der f 21
Authors: Pang Sze Lei , Ho Kok Lian , Waterman Jitka , Rambo Robert Paul , Teh Aik-Hong , Mathavan Indran , Harris Gemma , Beis Konstantinos , Say Yee-How , Anusha Matta Sri , Sio Yang Yie , Chew Fook Tim , Ng Chyan Leong
Published: March 2019

Group 21 and 5 allergens are homologous house dust mite proteins known as mid-tier allergens. To reveal the biological function of group 21 allergens and to understand better the allergenicity of the rDer f 21 allergen, we determined the 1.5 Å crystal structure of rDer f 21 allergen fromDermatophagoides farinae. The rDer f 21 protein consists of a three helical bundle, similar to available structures of group 21 and homologous group 5 allergens. The rDer f 21 dimer forms a hydrophobic binding pocket similar to the one in the Der p 5 allergen, which indicates that both of the homologous groups could share a similar function. By performing structure-guided mutagenesis, we mutated all 38 surface-exposed polar residues of the rDer f 21 allergen and carried out immuno-dot blot assays using 24 atopic sera. Six residues, K10, K26, K42, E43, K46, and K48, which are located in the region between the N-terminus and the loop 1 of rDer f 21 were identified as the major IgE epitopes of rDer f 21. Epitope mapping of all potential IgE epitopes on the surface of the rDer f 21 crystal structure revealed heterogeneity in the sIgE recognition of the allergen epitopes in atopic individuals. The higher the allergen-sIgE level of an individual, the higher the number of epitope residues that are found in the allergen. The results illustrate the clear correlation between the number of specific major epitope residues in an allergen and the sIgE level of the atopic population.
Insight into the genome and brackish water adaptation strategies of toxic and bloom-forming Baltic Sea Dolichospermum sp. UHCC 0315
Authors: Teikari Jonna E. , Popin Rafael V. , Hou Shengwei , Wahlsten Matti , Hess Wolfgang R. , Sivonen Kaarina
Published: March 2019

The Baltic Sea is a shallow basin of brackish water in which the spatial salinity gradient is one of the most important factors contributing to species distribution. The Baltic Sea is infamous for its annual cyanobacterial blooms comprised of Nodularia spumigena, Aphanizomenon spp., and Dolichospermum spp. that cause harm, especially for recreational users. To broaden our knowledge of the cyanobacterial adaptation strategies for brackish water environments, we sequenced the entire genome of Dolichospermum sp. UHCC 0315, a species occurring not only in freshwater environments but also in brackish water. Comparative genomics analyses revealed a close association with Dolichospermum sp. UHCC 0090 isolated from a lake in Finland. The genome closure of Dolichospermum sp. UHCC 0315 unraveled a mixture of two subtypes in the original culture, and subtypes exhibited distinct buoyancy phenotypes. Salinity less than 3 g L−1 NaCl enabled proper growth of Dolichospermum sp. UHCC 0315, whereas growth was arrested at moderate salinity (6 g L−1 NaCl). The concentrations of toxins, microcystins, increased at moderate salinity, whereas RNA sequencing data implied that Dolichospermum remodeled its primary metabolism in unfavorable high salinity. Based on our results, the predicted salinity decrease in the Baltic Sea may favor toxic blooms of Dolichospermum spp.
Disturbed flow induces a sustained, stochastic NF-κB activation which may support intracranial aneurysm growth in vivo
Authors: Baeriswyl Daniel C. , Prionisti Ioanna , Peach Tom , Tsolkas Grigoris , Chooi Kok Yean , Vardakis John , Morel Sandrine , Diagbouga Mannekomba R. , Bijlenga Philippe , Cuhlmann Simon , Evans Paul , Kwak Brenda R. , Ventikos Yiannis , Krams Rob
Published: March 2019

Intracranial aneurysms are associated with disturbed velocity patterns, and chronic inflammation, but the relevance for these findings are currently unknown. Here, we show that (disturbed) shear stress induced by vortices is a sufficient condition to activate the endothelial NF-kB pathway, possibly through a mechanism of mechanosensor de-activation. We provide evidence for this statement through in-vitro live cell imaging of NF-kB in HUVECs exposed to different flow conditions, stochastic modelling of flow induced NF-kB activation and induction of disturbed flow in mouse carotid arteries. Finally, CFD and immunofluorescence on human intracranial aneurysms showed a correlation similar to the mouse vessels, suggesting that disturbed shear stress may lead to sustained NF-kB activation thereby offering an explanation for the close association between disturbed flow and intracranial aneurysms.
The EEG signature of sensory evidence accumulation during decision formation closely tracks subjective perceptual experience
Authors: Tagliabue Chiara F. , Veniero Domenica , Benwell Christopher S. Y. , Cecere Roberto , Savazzi Silvia , Thut Gregor
Published: March 2019

How neural representations of low-level visual information are accessed by higher-order processes to inform decisions and give rise to conscious experience is a longstanding question. Research on perceptual decision making has revealed a late event-related EEG potential (the Centro-Parietal Positivity, CPP) to be a correlate of the accumulation of sensory evidence. We tested how this evidence accumulation signal relates to externally presented (physical) and internally experienced (subjective) sensory evidence. Our results show that the known relationship between the physical strength of the external evidence and the evidence accumulation signal (reflected in the CPP amplitude) is mediated by the level of subjective experience of stimulus strength. This shows that the CPP closely tracks the subjective perceptual evidence, over and above the physically presented evidence. We conclude that a remarkably close relationship exists between the evidence accumulation process (i.e. CPP) and subjective perceptual experience, suggesting that neural decision processes and components of conscious experience are tightly linked.
Noninvasive Self-diagnostic Device for Tear Collection and Glucose Measurement
Authors: Lee Seung Ho , Cho Yong Chan , Bin Choy Young
Published: March 2019

We propose a noninvasive, self-diagnostic device that enables safe tear collection and glucose measurement. The device described herein was manufactured by tight assembly of a lid for tear collection in conjunction with a strip-type glucose sensor. The lid was designed to be in contact with the inferior palpebral conjunctiva for tear collection and was thus designed to possess a proper contact area and rounded boundaries to avoid eye tissue damage. For the strip-type glucose sensor, we employed a commercially available electrochemical sensor (Accu-Chek test strips), which was modified to reduce the volume of the reaction chamber (0.4 μl) for a small amount of collected tear fluid. When tested with in vivo animal models, the device was able to collect tear fluid in a relatively short time (<2 s) without causing eye tissue damage, and the device allowed the collected tear fluid to be delivered to the sensor for measurement of tear glucose concentrations. The blood glucose concentrations estimated with the tear glucose concentrations obtained with the device exhibited a high correlation with those actually measured with a clinically available glucometer (R2 = 0.9617).
Diminished apoptosis in hypoxic porcine retina explant cultures through hypothermia
Authors: Maliha Ana M. , Kuehn Sandra , Hurst José , Herms Fenja , Fehr Michael , Bartz-Schmidt Karl U. , Dick H. Burkhard , Joachim Stephanie C. , Schnichels Sven
Published: March 2019

Simulation of hypoxic processes in vitro can be achieved through cobalt chloride (CoCl2), which induces strong neurodegeneration. Hypoxia plays an important role in the progression of several retinal diseases. Thus, we investigated whether hypoxia can be reduced by hypothermia. Porcine retinal explants were cultivated for four and eight days and hypoxia was mimicked by adding 300 µM CoCl2 from day one to day three. Hypothermia treatment (30 °C) was applied simultaneously. Retinal ganglion, bipolar and amacrine cells, as well as microglia were evaluated via immunohistological and western blot analysis. Furthermore, quantitative real-time PCR was performed to analyze cellular stress and apoptosis. In addition, the expression of specific marker for the previously described cell types were investigated. A reduction of ROS and stress markers HSP70, iNOS, HIF-1α was achieved via hypothermia. In accordance, an inhibition of apoptotic proteins (caspase 3, caspase 8) and the cell cycle arrest gene p21 was found in hypothermia treated retinae. Furthermore, neurons of the inner retina were protected by hypothermia. In this study, we demonstrate that hypothermia lowers hypoxic processes and cellular stress. Additionally, hypothermia inhibits apoptosis and protects neurons. Hence, this seems to be a promising treatment for retinal neurodegeneration.
Inflammatory disease and C-reactive protein in relation to therapeutic ionising radiation exposure in the US Radiologic Technologists
Authors: Little Mark P. , Fang Michelle , Liu Jason J. , Weideman Ann Marie , Linet Martha S.
Published: March 2019

Chronic inflammation underlies many autoimmune diseases, including hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, and rheumatoid arthritis, also type-2 diabetes and osteoarthritis. Associations have been suggested of high-dose ionising radiation exposure with type-2 diabetes and elevated levels of C-reactive protein, a marker of chronic inflammation. In this analysis we used a proportional hazards model to assess effects of radiotherapy on risks of subsequent inflammatory disease morbidity in 110,368 US radiologic technologists followed from a baseline survey (1983–1989/1994–1998) through 2008. We used a linear model to assess log-transformed C-reactive protein concentration following radiotherapy in 1326 technologists. Relative risk of diabetes increased following radiotherapy (p < 0.001), and there was a borderline significant increasing trend per treatment (p = 0.092). For osteoarthritis there was increased relative risk associated with prior radiotherapy on all questionnaires (p = 0.005), and a significant increasing trend per previous treatment (p = 0.024). No consistent increases were observed for other types of inflammatory disease (hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, rheumatoid arthritis) associated with radiotherapy. There was a borderline significant (p = 0.059) increasing trend with dose for C-reactive protein with numbers of prior radiotherapy treatments. Our results suggest that radiotherapy is associated with subsequent increased risk of certain inflammatory conditions, which is reinforced by our finding of elevated levels of C-reactive protein.
Interlayer exchange coupling in ferromagnetic semiconductor trilayers with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy
Authors: Chongthanaphisut Phunvira , Bac Seul-Ki , Choi Seonghoon , Lee Kyung Jae , Chang Jihoon , Choi Suho , Lee Sanghoon , Nnaji Moses , Liu X. , Dobrowolska M. , Furdyna J. K.
Published: March 2019

We report the observation of ferromagnetic (FM) and antiferromagnetic (AFM) interlayer exchange coupling (IEC) in GaMnAsP-based trilayer structures with out-of-plane magnetic anisotropy. Magnetization and anomalous Hall effect (AHE) measurements show well-resolved magnetization transitions corresponding to the two GaMnAsP layers. Minor loop measurements reveal a characteristic shift caused by IEC in all trilayer samples investigated. Interestingly, the FM IEC changes to AFM IEC for a trilayer with the thinnest (7 nm) top GaMnAsP layer as the temperature increases. The observation of temperature-induced transition of FM and AFM IEC in the same sample suggests the possibility of device applications by controlling the type of IEC in such GaMnAsP-based multilayers.
Compact Localized States in Engineered Flat-Band $${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$ Metamaterials
Authors: Lazarides N. , Tsironis G. P.
Published: March 2019

The conditions leading to flat dispersionless frequency bands in truly one-dimensional parity-time ($${\mathscr{P}}{\mathscr{T}}$$
P
T
) symmetric metamaterials comprised of split‐ring resonators (SRRs) arranged in a binary pattern are obtained analytically. In this paradigmatic system, in which the SRRs are coupled through both electric and magnetic dipole-dipole forces, flat-bands may arise from tailoring its natural parameters (such as, e.g., the coupling coefficients between SRRs) and not from geometrical effects. For sets of parameters which values are tailored to flatten the upper band of the spectrum, the solution of the corresponding quadratic eigenvalue problem reveals the existence of compact, two-site localized eigenmodes. Numerical simulations confirm the existence and the dynamic stability of such modes, which can be formed through the evolution of single-site initial excitations without disorder or nonlinearity.
Unveiling high specific energy supercapacitor from layer-by-layer assembled polypyrrole/graphene oxide|polypyrrole/manganese oxide electrode material
Authors: Kulandaivalu Shalini , Suhaimi Nadhrah , Sulaiman Yusran
Published: March 2019

A novel layer-by-layer (LBL) based electrode material for supercapacitor consists of polypyrrole/graphene oxide and polypyrrole/manganese oxide (PPy/GO|PPy/MnO2) has prepared by electrochemical deposition. The formation of LBL assembled nanocomposite is confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The field emission scanning electron microscopy images clearly showed that PPy/MnO2was uniformly coated on PPy/GO. The PPy/GO|PPy/MnO2symmetrical supercapacitor has revealed outstanding supercapacitive performance with a high specific capacitance of 786.6 F/g, an exceptionally high specific energy of 52.3 Wh/kg at a specific power of 1392.9 W/kg and preserve a good cycling stability over 1000 cycles. It is certain that PPy/GO|PPy/MnO2has an extraordinary perspective as an electrode for future supercapacitor developments. This finding contributes to a significant impact on the evolution of electrochemical supercapacitor.
Vitamin C deficiency causes muscle atrophy and a deterioration in physical performance
Authors: Takisawa Shoko , Funakoshi Tomoko , Yatsu Tomofumi , Nagata Kisaburo , Aigaki Toshiro , Machida Shuichi , Ishigami Akihito
Published: March 2019

L-Ascorbic acid (AsA) is a water-soluble antioxidant. We examined the effect of AsA deficiency on skeletal muscle using senescence marker protein-30 (SMP30)-knockout (KO) mice that are defective in AsA biosynthesis, which makes this mouse model similar to humans, to clarify the function of AsA in skeletal muscle. Eight-week-old female SMP30-KO mice were divided into the following two groups: an AsA-sufficient group [AsA(+)] that was administered 1.5 g/L AsA and an AsA-deficient group [AsA(−)] that was administered tap (AsA-free) water. At 4 weeks, the AsA content in the gastrocnemius muscle of AsA(−) mice was 0.7% compared to that in the gastrocnemius muscle of AsA(+) mice. Significantly lower weights of all muscles were observed in AsA(−) mice than those in AsA(+) mice at 12 and 16 weeks. The cross-sectional area of the soleus was significantly smaller in AsA(−) mice at 16 weeks than that in AsA(+) mice. The physical performance of AsA(−) mice was significantly less than that of AsA(+) mice at 12 weeks. Following AsA deficiency for 12 weeks, the expression of ubiquitin ligases, such as atrogin1/muscle atrophy F-box (MAFbx) and muscle RING-finger protein 1 (MuRF1), was upregulated. Furthermore, all detected effects of AsA deficiency on muscles of the AsA(−) group at 12 weeks were restored following AsA supplementation for 12 weeks. Thus, longer-term AsA deficiency is associated with muscle wasting, that this can be reversed by restoring AsA levels.
In situ 10-cell RNA sequencing in tissue and tumor biopsy samples
Authors: Singh Shambhavi , Wang Lixin , Schaff Dylan L. , Sutcliffe Matthew D. , Koeppel Alex F. , Kim Jungeun , Onengut-Gumuscu Suna , Park Kwon-Sik , Zong Hui , Janes Kevin A.
Published: March 2019

Single-cell transcriptomic methods classify new and existing cell types very effectively, but alternative approaches are needed to quantify the individual regulatory states of cells in their native tissue context. We combined the tissue preservation and single-cell resolution of laser capture with an improved preamplification procedure enabling RNA sequencing of 10 microdissected cells. This in situ 10-cell RNA sequencing (10cRNA-seq) can exploit fluorescent reporters of cell type in genetically engineered mice and is compatible with freshly cryoembedded clinical biopsies from patients. Through recombinant RNA spike-ins, we estimate dropout-free technical reliability as low as ~250 copies and a 50% detection sensitivity of ~45 copies per 10-cell reaction. By using small pools of microdissected cells, 10cRNA-seq improves technical per-cell reliability and sensitivity beyond existing approaches for single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Detection of low-abundance transcripts by 10cRNA-seq is comparable to random 10-cell groups of scRNA-seq data, suggesting no loss of gene recovery when cells are isolated in situ. Combined with existing approaches to deconvolve small pools of cells, 10cRNA-seq offers a reliable, unbiased, and sensitive way to measure cell-state heterogeneity in tissues and tumors.
A reference collection of patient-derived cell line and xenograft models of proneural, classical and mesenchymal glioblastoma
Authors: Stringer Brett W. , Day Bryan W. , D’Souza Rochelle C. J. , Jamieson Paul R. , Ensbey Kathleen S. , Bruce Zara C. , Lim Yi Chieh , Goasdoué Kate , Offenhäuser Carolin , Akgül Seçkin , Allan Suzanne , Robertson Thomas , Lucas Peter , Tollesson Gert , Campbell Scott , Winter Craig , Do Hongdo , Dobrovic Alexander , Inglis Po-Ling , Jeffree Rosalind L. , Johns Terrance G. , Boyd Andrew W.
Published: March 2019

Low-passage, serum-free cell lines cultured from patient tumour tissue are the gold-standard for preclinical studies and cellular investigations of glioblastoma (GBM) biology, yet entrenched, poorly-representative cell line models are still widely used, compromising the significance of much GBM research. We submit that greater adoption of these critical resources will be promoted by the provision of a suitably-sized, meaningfully-described reference collection along with appropriate tools for working with them. Consequently, we present a curated panel of 12 readily-usable, genetically-diverse, tumourigenic, patient-derived, low-passage, serum-free cell lines representing the spectrum of molecular subtypes of IDH-wildtype GBM along with their detailed phenotypic characterisation plus a bespoke set of lentiviral plasmids for bioluminescent/fluorescent labelling, gene expression and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene inactivation. The cell lines and all accompanying data are readily-accessible via a single website, Q-Cell (qimrberghofer.edu.au/q-cell/) and all plasmids are available from Addgene. These resources should prove valuable to investigators seeking readily-usable, well-characterised, clinically-relevant, gold-standard models of GBM.
Effects of low and moderate refractive errors on chromatic pupillometry
Authors: Rukmini A. V. , Chew Milton C. , Finkelstein Maxwell T. , Atalay Eray , Baskaran Mani , Nongpiur Monisha E. , Gooley Joshua J. , Aung Tin , Milea Dan , Najjar Raymond P.
Published: March 2019

Chromatic pupillometry is an emerging modality in the assessment of retinal and optic nerve disorders. Herein, we evaluate the effect of low and moderate refractive errors on pupillary responses to blue- and red-light stimuli in a healthy older population. This study included 139 participants (≥50 years) grouped by refractive error: moderate myopes (>−6.0D and ≤−3.0D, n = 24), low myopes (>−3.0D and <−0.5D, n = 30), emmetropes (≥−0.5D and ≤0.5D, n = 31) and hyperopes (>0.5D and <6.0D, n = 54). Participants were exposed to logarithmically ramping-up blue (462 nm) and red (638 nm) light stimuli, designed to sequentially activate rods, cones and intrinsically-photosensitive retinal ganglion cells. Pupil size was assessed monocularly using infra-red pupillography. Baseline pupil diameter correlated inversely with spherical equivalent (R = −0.26, P < 0.01), and positively with axial length (R = 0.37, P < 0.01) and anterior chamber depth (R = 0.43, P < 0.01). Baseline-adjusted pupillary constriction amplitudes to blue light did not differ between groups (P = 0.45), while constriction amplitudes to red light were greater in hyperopes compared to emmetropes (P = 0.04) at moderate to bright light intensities (12.25–14.0 Log photons/cm²/s). Our results demonstrate that low and moderate myopia do not alter pupillary responses to ramping-up blue- and red-light stimuli in healthy older individuals. Conversely, pupillary responses to red light should be interpreted cautiously in hyperopic eyes.
Fossil evidence of elytra reduction in ship-timber beetles
Authors: Yamamoto Shûhei
Published: March 2019

Beetles (Coleoptera) comprise about one quarter of all described animal species. One of the main contributors to their evolutionary success is the elytra, or hardened forewings, which have protective functions while maintaining their ability to fly. Unlike other beetles, some ship-timber beetles (Lymexylidae) have extremely small elytra and largely exposed functional hindwings. There is little fossil evidence illuminating the evolutionary history of short elytra in lymexylids. Here, I report five well-preserved lymexylid fossils in mid-Cretaceous and Cenozoic ambers from Myanmar (ca. 99 million years ago [Mya]), Russia (ca. 44 Mya), and the Dominican Republic (ca. 16 Mya). Three Cretaceous fossils have strongly reduced, shortened elytra, with unexpected variation in elytral size and shape, whereas very small, modified elytra are found only in much younger Dominican amber. These morphologically diverse extinct lymexylids shed new light on the early origin and evolutionary history of elytra reduction and its diverse variation in the ship-timber beetles. Based on the striking morphological similarities with extant lymexylids, these extinct taxa might have had the same, or similar, ecological, behavioural, and flight modes as the extant ship-timber beetles.
The use of Leaf Surface Contact Cues During Oviposition Explains Field Preferences in the Willow Sawfly Nematus oligospilus
Authors: Fernández Patricia C. , Braccini Celina L. , Dávila Camila , Barrozo Romina B. , Aráoz M. Victoria Coll , Cerrillo Teresa , Gershenzon Jonathan , Reichelt Michael , Zavala Jorge A.
Published: March 2019

After an insect herbivore has reached its host plant, contact cues from the leaf surface often determine host acceptance. We studied contact cues during oviposition behavior of a willow pest, the sawfly Nematus oligospilus (Hymenoptera: Tenthredinidae), a specialist feeder on Salix (Salicaceae) trees, and how it determines oviposition preference in lab and field conditions. We described the sequence of behaviors that lead to egg laying on the most and least preferred willow species. Then we studied the morphology of chemosensory structures present on the female antenna, cerci and ovipositor. Since phenolic glycosides (PGs) are the main secondary metabolites present in Salicaceae species, we investigated their role in host acceptance. We quantified these compounds in different willow species and correlated PG content with oviposition preference under lab and natural field conditions. We demonstrated a major role for contact cues in triggering N. oligospilus egg laying on the leaf surface of preferred willow genotypes. Firstly cues are sensed by antennae, determining to leave or stay on the leaf. After that, sensing is performed by abdominal cerci, which finally triggers egg laying. The lack of PGs in non-preferred species and the significant correlation observed between PGs, natural damage and oviposition preference suggest a role for these compounds in host selection. Our study suggests that in specialist feeders, secondary compounds normally acting as defenses can actually act as a susceptibility factor by triggering specific insect behavior for oviposition. These defensive compounds could be selected against to increase resistance.
Electrophysiological correlates of top-down attentional modulation in olfaction
Authors: Singh Archana K. , Touhara Kazushige , Okamoto Masako
Published: March 2019

The capacity to pay attention is important for the cognitive ability, for example, evaluating an object for its qualities. Attention can selectively prioritize the neural processes that are relevant to a given task. Neuroimaging investigations on human attention are primarily focused on vision to the exclusion of other sensory systems, particularly olfaction. Neural underpinnings of human olfactory attention are still not clearly understood. Here, we combined electroencephalographic measurements of olfactory event related potential with electrical neuroimaging to investigate how the neural responses after inhaling the same odor differ between conditions with varying levels of attention, and, in which brain areas. We examined the neural responses when participants attended to a rose-like odor of phenylethyl alcohol for evaluating its pleasantness versus its passive inhalation. Our results gathered significant evidence for attentional modulation of the olfactory neural response. The most prominent effect was found for the late positive component, P3, of olfactory event related potential within a second from the odor onset. The source reconstruction of this data revealed activations in a distributed network of brain regions predominantly in inferior frontal cortex, insula, and  inferior temporal gyrus. These results suggest that the neuronal modulations from attention to olfactory pleasantness may be subserved by this network.
Phosphorylation Regulates CAP1 (Cyclase-Associated Protein 1) Functions in the Motility and Invasion of Pancreatic Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Huhehasi , Hasan Rokib , Zhang Haitao , Gray Joshua , Williams Dominic , Miller Morgan , Allen Faith , Lee Virlan , Kelly Thomas , Zhou Guo-Lei
Published: March 2019

Pancreatic cancer has the worst prognosis among major malignancies, largely due to its highly invasive property and difficulty in early detection. Mechanistic insights into cancerous transformation and especially metastatic progression are imperative for developing novel treatment strategies. The actin-regulating protein CAP1 is implicated in human cancers, while the role still remains elusive. In this study, we investigated roles for CAP1 and its phosphor-regulation in pancreatic cancer cells. No evidence supports remarkable up-regulation of CAP1 in the panel of cancer cell lines examined. However, knockdown of CAP1 in cancer cells led to enhanced stress fibers, reduced cell motility and invasion into Matrigel. Phosphorylation of CAP1 at the S308/S310 tandem regulatory site was elevated in cancer cells, consistent with hyper-activated GSK3 reported in pancreatic cancer. Inhibition of GSK3, a kinase for S310, reduced cell motility and invasion. Moreover, phosphor mutants had defects in alleviating actin stress fibers and rescuing the reduced invasiveness in the CAP1-knockdown PANC-1 cells. These results suggest a required role for transient phosphorylation for CAP1 function in controlling cancer cell invasiveness. Depletion of CAP1 also reduced FAK activity and cell adhesion, but did not cause significant alterations in ERK or cell proliferation. CAP1 likely regulates cancer cell invasiveness through effects on both actin filament turnover and cell adhesion. Finally, the growth factor PDGF induced CAP1 dephosphorylation, suggesting CAP1 may mediate extracellular signals to control cancer cell invasiveness. These findings may ultimately help develop strategies targeting CAP1 or its regulatory signals for controlling the invasive cycle of the disease.
The genes expression difference between winged and wingless bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi based on transcriptomic data
Authors: Zhang Rong-Jiao , Chen Jing , Jiang Li-Yun , Qiao Ge-Xia
Published: March 2019

Aphids produce wing and wingless morphs, depending on the environmental conditions during their complex life cycles. Wing and wingless variations play an important role in migration and host alternation, affecting the migration and host alternation processes. Several transcriptional studies have concentrated on aphids and sought to determine how an organism perceives environmental cues and responds in a plastic manner, but the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. Therefore, to better understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the wing polyphenism of this fascinating phenomenon, we provide the first report concerning the wing development of aphids in bird cherry-oat aphid Rhopalosiphum padi with comparative transcriptional analysis of all the developmental stages by RNA-Seq. We identified several candidate genes related to biogenic amines and hormones that may be specifically involved in wing development. Moreover, we found that the third instar stage might be a critical stage for visibility of alternative morphs as well as changes in the expression of thirty-three genes associated with wing development. Several genes, i.e., Wnt2, Fng, Uba1, Hh, Foxo, Dpp, Brk, Ap, Dll, Hth, Tsh, Nub, Scr, Antp, Ubx, Asc, Srf and Fl, had different expression levels in different developmental stages and may play important roles in regulating wing polyphenism.
Construction of non-canonical PAM-targeting adenosine base editors by restriction enzyme-free DNA cloning using CRISPR-Cas9
Authors: Jeong You Kyeong , Yu Jihyeon , Bae Sangsu
Published: March 2019

Molecular cloning is an essential technique in molecular biology and biochemistry, but it is frequently laborious when adequate restriction enzyme recognition sites are absent. Cas9 endonucleases can induce site-specific DNA double-strand breaks at sites homologous to their guide RNAs, rendering an alternative to restriction enzymes. Here, by combining DNA cleavage via a Cas9 endonuclease and DNA ligation via Gibson assembly, we demonstrate a precise and practical DNA cloning method for replacing part of a backbone plasmid. We first replaced a resistance marker gene as a proof of concept and next generated DNA plasmids that encode engineered Cas9 variants (VQR, VRER and SpCas9-NG), which target non-canonical NGA, NGCG and NG protospacer-adjacent motif (PAM) sequences, fused with adenosine deaminases for adenine base editing (named VQR-ABE, VRER-ABE and NG-ABE, respectively). Ultimately, we confirmed that the re-constructed plasmids can successfully convert adenosine to guanine at endogenous target sites containing the non-canonical NGA, NGCG and NG PAMs, expanding the targetable range of the adenine base editing.
Characterization of the gut microbiota of invasive Agrilus mali Matsumara (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) using high-throughput sequencing: uncovering plant cell-wall degrading bacteria
Authors: Bozorov Tohir A. , Rasulov Bakhtiyor A. , Zhang Daoyuan
Published: March 2019

The genusAgriluscomprises diverse exotic and agriculturally important wood-boring insects that have evolved efficient digestive systems.Agrilus maliMatsumara, an invasive insect, is causing extensive mortality to endangered wild apple trees in Tianshan. In this study, we present an in-depth characterization of the gut microbiota ofA. malibased on high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and report the presence of lignocellulose-degrading bacteria. Thirty-nine operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were characterized from the larval gut. OTUs represented 6 phyla, 10 classes, 16 orders, 20 families, and 20 genera. The majority of bacterial OTUs belonged to the order Enterobacteriales which was the most abundant taxa in the larval gut. Cultivable bacteria revealed 9 OTUs that all belonged to Gammaproteobacteria. Subsequently, we examined the breakdown of plant cell-wall compounds by bacterial isolates. Among the isolates, the highest efficiency was observed inPantoeasp., which was able to synthesize four out of the six enzymes (cellulase, cellobiase, β-xylanase, and β-gluconase) responsible for plant-cell wall degradation. One isolate identified asPseudomonas orientalisexhibited lignin peroxidase activity. Our study provides the first characterization of the gut microbial diversity ofA. malilarvae and shows that some cultivable bacteria play a significant role in the digestive tracts of larvae by providing nutritional needs.