bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Genetic Interactions with Age, Sex, Body Mass Index, and Hypertension in Relation to Atrial Fibrillation: The AFGen Consortium
Authors: Weng Lu-Chen , Lunetta Kathryn L. , Müller-Nurasyid Martina , Smith Albert Vernon , Thériault Sébastien , Weeke Peter E. , Barnard John , Bis Joshua C. , Lyytikäinen Leo-Pekka , Kleber Marcus E. , Martinsson Andreas , Lin Henry J. , Rienstra Michiel , Trompet Stella , Krijthe Bouwe P. , Dörr Marcus , Klarin Derek , Chasman Daniel I. , Sinner Moritz F. , Waldenberger Melanie , Launer Lenore J. , Harris Tamara B. , Soliman Elsayed Z. , Alonso Alvaro , Paré Guillaume , Teixeira Pedro L. , Denny Joshua C. , Shoemaker M. Benjamin , Van Wagoner David R. , Smith Jonathan D. , Psaty Bruce M. , Sotoodehnia Nona , Taylor Kent D. , Kähönen Mika , Nikus Kjell , Delgado Graciela E. , Melander Olle , Engström Gunnar , Yao Jie , Guo Xiuqing , Christophersen Ingrid E. , Ellinor Patrick T. , Geelhoed Bastiaan , Verweij Niek , Macfarlane Peter , Ford Ian , Heeringa Jan , Franco Oscar H. , Uitterlinden André G. , Völker Uwe , Teumer Alexander , Rose Lynda M. , Kääb Stefan , Gudnason Vilmundur , Arking Dan E. , Conen David , Roden Dan M. , Chung Mina K. , Heckbert Susan R. , Benjamin Emelia J. , Lehtimäki Terho , März Winfried , Smith J. Gustav , Rotter Jerome I. , van der Harst Pim , Jukema J. Wouter , Stricker Bruno H. , Felix Stephan B. , Albert Christine M. , Lubitz Steven A.
Published: September 2017

It is unclear whether genetic markers interact with risk factors to influence atrial fibrillation (AF) risk. We performed genome-wide interaction analyses between genetic variants and age, sex, hypertension, and body mass index in the AFGen Consortium. Study-specific results were combined using meta-analysis (88,383 individuals of European descent, including 7,292 with AF). Variants with nominal interaction associations in the discovery analysis were tested for association in four independent studies (131,441 individuals, including 5,722 with AF). In the discovery analysis, the AF risk associated with the minor rs6817105 allele (at the PITX2 locus) was greater among subjects ≤ 65 years of age than among those > 65 years (interaction p-value = 4.0 × 10−5). The interaction p-value exceeded genome-wide significance in combined discovery and replication analyses (interaction p-value = 1.7 × 10−8). We observed one genome-wide significant interaction with body mass index and several suggestive interactions with age, sex, and body mass index in the discovery analysis. However, none was replicated in the independent sample. Our findings suggest that the pathogenesis of AF may differ according to age in individuals of European descent, but we did not observe evidence of statistically significant genetic interactions with sex, body mass index, or hypertension on AF risk.
Decoding finger movement in humans using synergy of EEG cortical current signals
Authors: Yoshimura Natsue , Tsuda Hayato , Kawase Toshihiro , Kambara Hiroyuki , Koike Yasuharu
Published: September 2017

The synchronized activity of neuronal populations across multiple distant brain areas may reflect coordinated interactions of large-scale brain networks. Currently, there is no established method to investigate the temporal transitions between these large-scale networks that would allow, for example, to decode finger movements. Here we applied a matrix factorization method employing principal component and temporal independent component analyses to identify brain activity synchronizations. In accordance with previous studies investigating “muscle synergies”, we refer to this activity as “brain activity synergy”. Using electroencephalography (EEG), we first estimated cortical current sources (CSs) and then identified brain activity synergies within the estimated CS signals. A decoding analysis for finger movement in eight directions showed that such CS synergies provided more information for dissociating between movements than EEG sensor signals, EEG synergy, or CS signals, suggesting that temporal activation patterns of the synchronizing CSs may contain information related to motor control. A quantitative analysis of features selected by the decoders further revealed temporal transitions among the primary motor area, dorsal and ventral premotor areas, pre-supplementary motor area, and supplementary motor area, which may reflect transitions in motor planning and execution. These results provide a proof of concept for brain activity synergy estimation using CSs.
A mesocosm study of oxygen and trace metal dynamics in sediment microniches of reactive organic material
Authors: Lehto Niklas J. , Larsen Morten , Zhang Hao , Glud Ronnie N. , Davison William
Published: September 2017

Deposition of particulate organic matter (POM) induces diagenetic hot spots at the sediment-water interface (SWI). Here we explore the effects of intensive POM degradation for metal mobilization at the SWI. By using a combined planar optode-DGT (diffusive gradient in thin-films) sensor we obtained simultaneous measurements of dissolved O2 and trace metal dynamics around an aggregate of reactive organic matter placed on the SWI of a sediment mesocosm. The aggregate induced a rapid, highly localized, decrease in O2 concentration, resulting in an anoxic feature at the SWI. Co-located with this feature, we observed intense Fe and Mn mobilization, removal of Co, Ni and Zn and found evidence for the concurrent release and precipitation of Pb within a small confined volume. We also identified two small microniches in the anoxic sediment below the SWI, defined by elevated trace metal mobilization. Differences between the metal release rates in these two microniches indicate that they were formed by the mineralisation of different types of organic matter buried in the sediment. Our results provide direct empirical evidence for the potential importance of POM-induced reactive microniches when considering the fluxes of metals from and within aquatic sediments, and suggest that other elements’ cycles may also be affected.
Conservation performance of different conservation governance regimes in the Peruvian Amazon
Authors: Schleicher Judith , Peres Carlos A. , Amano Tatsuya , Llactayo William , Leader-Williams Nigel
Published: September 2017

State-controlled protected areas (PAs) have dominated conservation strategies globally, yet their performance relative to other governance regimes is rarely assessed comprehensively. Furthermore, performance indicators of forest PAs are typically restricted to deforestation, although the extent of forest degradation is greater. We address these shortfalls through an empirical impact evaluation of state PAs, Indigenous Territories (ITs), and civil society and private Conservation Concessions (CCs) on deforestation and degradation throughout the Peruvian Amazon. We integrated remote-sensing data with environmental and socio-economic datasets, and used propensity-score matching to assess: (i) how deforestation and degradation varied across governance regimes between 2006–2011; (ii) their proximate drivers; and (iii) whether state PAs, CCs and ITs avoided deforestation and degradation compared with logging and mining concessions, and the unprotected landscape. CCs, state PAs, and ITs all avoided deforestation and degradation compared to analogous areas in the unprotected landscape. CCs and ITs were on average more effective in this respect than state PAs, showing that local governance can be equally or more effective than centralized state regimes. However, there were no consistent differences between conservation governance regimes when matched to logging and mining concessions. Future impact assessments would therefore benefit from further disentangling governance regimes across unprotected land.
A Controllable and Integrated Pump-enabled Microfluidic Chip and Its Application in Droplets Generating
Authors: Zhao Bei , Cui Xingye , Ren Wei , Xu Feng , Liu Ming , Ye Zuo-Guang
Published: September 2017

A microfluidic chip with a controllable and integrated piezoelectric pump was proposed and demonstrated, where the pump was designed as a micro-actuator based on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) organic piezoelectric film. In this case, the pump should integrate with the microfluidics device very well into one chip. The flow rate can be precisely controlled in the range of 0–300 µl/min for water by tuning the Vpp and frequency of Alternating Current (AC) voltage applied on the diaphragm. To analyze the relationship between the flow rate and the deflection of diaphragm, the deformations of diaphragm at different voltages were researched. The displacement of diaphragm was defined as 17.2 µm at the voltages of 3.5 kV, 5 Hz when the pump chamber was full of water. We have used the integrated microfluidic chip with two pumps for droplet generation to demonstrate its great potential for application in droplet-based microfluidic chip.
Live imaging reveals the dynamics and regulation of mitochondrial nucleoids during the cell cycle in Fucci2-HeLa cells
Authors: Sasaki Taeko , Sato Yoshikatsu , Higashiyama Tetsuya , Sasaki Narie
Published: September 2017

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) is organized in nucleoprotein complexes called mitochondrial nucleoids (mt-nucleoids), which are critical units of mtDNA replication and transmission. In humans, several hundreds of mt-nucleoids exist in a cell. However, how numerous mt-nucleoids are maintained during the cell cycle remains elusive, because cell cycle synchronization procedures affect mtDNA replication. Here, we analyzed regulation of the maintenance of mt-nucleoids in the cell cycle, using a fluorescent cell cycle indicator, Fucci2. Live imaging of mt-nucleoids with higher temporal resolution showed frequent attachment and detachment of mt-nucleoids throughout the cell cycle. TFAM, an mtDNA packaging protein, was involved in the regulation of this dynamic process, which was important for maintaining proper mt-nucleoid number. Both an increase in mt-nucleoid number and activation of mtDNA replication occurred during S phase. To increase mt-nucleoid number, mtDNA replication, but not nuclear DNA replication, was necessary. We propose that these dynamic and regulatory processes in the cell cycle maintain several hundred mt-nucleoids in proliferating cells.
Multiple P450s and Variation in Neuronal Genes Underpins the Response to the Insecticide Imidacloprid in a Population of Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Denecke Shane , Fusetto Roberto , Martelli Felipe , Giang Alex , Battlay Paul , Fournier-Level Alexandre , O’ Hair Richard A. , Batterham Philip
Published: September 2017

Insecticide resistance is an economically important example of evolution in response to intense selection pressure. Here, the genetics of resistance to the neonicotinoid insecticide imidacloprid is explored using the Drosophila Genetic Reference Panel, a collection of inbred Drosophila melanogaster genotypes derived from a single population in North Carolina. Imidacloprid resistance varied substantially among genotypes, and more resistant genotypes tended to show increased capacity to metabolize and excrete imidacloprid. Variation in resistance level was then associated with genomic and transcriptomic variation, implicating several candidate genes involved in central nervous system function and the cytochrome P450s Cyp6g1 and Cyp6g2. CRISPR-Cas9 mediated removal of Cyp6g1 suggested that it contributed to imidacloprid resistance only in backgrounds where it was already highly expressed. Cyp6g2, previously implicated in juvenile hormone synthesis via expression in the ring gland, was shown to be expressed in metabolically relevant tissues of resistant genotypes. Cyp6g2 overexpression was shown to both metabolize imidacloprid and confer resistance. These data collectively suggest that imidacloprid resistance is influenced by a variety of previously known and unknown genetic factors.
MicroRNA-28 potentially regulates the photoreceptor lineage commitment of Müller glia-derived progenitors
Authors: Ji Hong-Pei , Xiong Yu , Song Wei-Tao , Zhang En-Dong , Gao Zhao-Lin , Yao Fei , Su Tao , Zhou Rong-Rong , Xia Xiao-Bo
Published: September 2017

Retinal degenerative diseases ultimately result into irreversible photoreceptor death or loss. At present, the most promising treatment for these diseases is cell replacement therapy. Müller glia are the major glia in the retina, displaying cardinal features of retinal progenitor cells, and can be candidate of seed cells for retinal degenerative diseases. Here, mouse retinal Müller glia dissociated and cultured in vitro amplified and were dedifferentiated into Müller glia-derived progenitors (MGDPs), demonstrating expression of stem/progenitor cell markers Nestin, Sox2 and self-renewal capacity. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play unique roles in the retinogenesis, so we hypothesized miRNAs would contribute to photoreceptor lineage commitment of MGDPs. By TargetScan, Miranda, and Pictar bioinformatics, gain/loss-of-function models, dual luciferase assay, we identified and validated that miR-28 targeted the photoreceptor-specific CRX transcription factor. Anti-miR-28 could induce MGDPs to differentiate into neurons strongly expressing CRX and Rhodopsin, while miR-28 mimic suppressed CRX and Rhodopsin expression. Knockdown of CRX by siRNA blocked the expression of CRX and Rhodospin upregulated by anti-miR-28, indicating that anti-miR-28 potentially induced photoreceptor commitment of MGDPs by targeting CRX, but more experiments are necessary to confirm their role in differentiation.
Seed germination of Caragana species from different regions is strongly driven by environmental cues and not phylogenetic signals
Authors: Fang Xiang-Wen , Zhang Juan-Juan , Xu Dang-Hui , Pang Jiayin , Gao Tian-Peng , Zhang Chun-Hui , Li Feng-Min , Turner Neil C.
Published: September 2017

Seed germination behavior is an important factor in the distribution of species. Many studies have shown that germination is controlled by phylogenetic constraints, however, it is not clear whether phylogenetic constraints or environmental cues explain seed germination of a genus from a common ancestor. In this study, seed germination under different temperature- and water-regimes [induced by different osmotic potentials of polyethylene glycol (PEG)] was investigated in the phylogenetically-relatedCaraganaspecies that thrive in arid, semiarid, semihumid and humid environments. The results showed that the final percentage germination (FPG) decreased from 95% in species from arid habitats to 0% in species from humid habitats, but with no significant phylogenetic signal. Rather, the response of seed germination to temperature and PEG varied greatly with species from arid to humid habitats and was tightly linked to the ecological niche of the species, their seed coat structure and abscisic acid concentration. The findings are not consistent with the hypothesis that within a family or a genus, seed germination strategies can be a stable evolutionary trait, thus constraining interspecific variation, but the results clearly show that seed germination ofCaraganaspecies distributed across a range of habitats has adapted to the environment of that habitat.
Gene expression profiling of calcifications in breast cancer
Authors: Shin Sung Ui , Lee Jeonghoon , Kim Ju Han , Kim Won Hwa , Song Sung Eun , Chu Ajung , Kim Hoe Suk , Han Wonshik , Ryu Han Suk , Moon Woo Kyung
Published: September 2017

We investigated the gene expression profiles of calcifications in breast cancer. Gene expression analysis of surgical specimen was performed using Affymetrix GeneChip® Human Gene 2.0 ST arrays in 168 breast cancer patients. The mammographic calcifications were reviewed by three radiologists and classified into three groups according to malignancy probability: breast cancers without suspicious calcifications; breast cancers with low-to-intermediate suspicious calcifications; and breast cancers with highly suspicious calcifications. To identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between these three groups, a one-way analysis of variance was performed with post hoc comparisons with Tukey’s honest significant difference test. To explore the biological significance of DEGs, we used DAVID for gene ontology analysis and BioLattice for clustering analysis. A total of 2551 genes showed differential expression among the three groups. ERBB2 genes are up-regulated in breast cancers with highly suspicious calcifications (fold change 2.474, p < 0.001). Gene ontology analysis revealed that the immune, defense and inflammatory responses were decreased in breast cancers with highly suspicious calcifications compared to breast cancers without suspicious calcifications (p from 10−23 to 10−8). The clustering analysis also demonstrated that the immune system is associated with mammographic calcifications (p < 0.001). Our study showed calcifications in breast cancers are associated with high levels of mRNA expression of ERBB2 and decreased immune system activity.
Leaf thermotolerance in tropical trees from a seasonally dry climate varies along the slow-fast resource acquisition spectrum
Authors: Sastry Aniruddh , Barua Deepak
Published: September 2017

Knowledge of the upper limits of temperature tolerance is essential to understand how tropical trees will respond to global warming. We quantified leaf thermotolerance in 41 tree species growing in a seasonally dry tropical region of the Indian subcontinent to examine: (1) differences between evergreen and deciduous species; (2) relationships with leaf mass per area (LMA) and leaf size; and, (3) seasonal variation in thermotolerance. Thermotolerance ranged from 45.5 °C to 50.5 °C among species, was higher for evergreen than deciduous species, and was negatively related to a continuous estimate of deciduousness. Species with higher LMA had higher thermotolerance, but we did not detect any relationship between leaf size and thermotolerance. Seasonal changes in thermotolerance varied among species implying that species’ capacity to acclimate may differ. Thermal safety margins, the difference between thermotolerance and maximum habitat temperatures indicate that most species may be highly vulnerable to future warming. Overall our results show that deciduous, and fast growing species with low LMA are likely to be more negatively affected by global warming. This differential vulnerability may lead to directional changes in composition in dry tropical forests, and such changes could alter vegetation-atmosphere feedbacks and further exacerbate global warming.
Structural and functional insights into the periplasmic detector domain of the GacS histidine kinase controlling biofilm formation in Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Ali-Ahmad Ahmad , Fadel Firas , Sebban-Kreuzer Corinne , Ba Moly , Pélissier Gauthier Dangla , Bornet Olivier , Guerlesquin Françoise , Bourne Yves , Bordi Christophe , Vincent Florence
Published: September 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogenic bacterium responsible for both acute and chronic infections and has developed resistance mechanisms due to its ability to promote biofilm formation and evade host adaptive immune responses. Here, we investigate the functional role of the periplasmic detector domain (GacSPD) from the membrane-bound GacS histidine kinase, which is one of the key players for biofilm formation and coordination of bacterial lifestyles. A gacS mutant devoid of the periplasmic detector domain is severely defective in biofilm formation. Functional assays indicate that this effect is accompanied by concomitant changes in the expression of the two RsmY/Z small RNAs that control activation of GacA-regulated genes. The solution NMR structure of GacSPD reveals a distinct PDC/PAS α/β fold characterized by a three-stranded β-sheet flanked by α-helices and an atypical major loop. Point mutations in a putative ligand binding pocket lined by positively-charged residues originating primarily from the major loop impaired biofilm formation. These results demonstrate the functional role of GacSPD, evidence critical residues involved in GacS/GacA signal transduction system that regulates biofilm formation, and document the evolutionary diversity of the PDC/PAS domain fold in bacteria.
Nepenthes pitchers are CO2-enriched cavities, emit CO2 to attract preys
Authors: Baby Sabulal , Johnson Anil John , Zachariah Elavinamannil Jacob , Hussain Abdul Azeez
Published: September 2017

Carnivorous plants of the genus Nepenthes supplement their nutrient deficiency by capturing arthropods or by mutualistic interactions, through their leaf-evolved biological traps (pitchers). Though there are numerous studies on these traps, mostly on their prey capture mechanisms, the gas composition inside them remains unknown. Here we show that, Nepenthes unopened pitchers are CO2-enriched ‘cavities’, when open they emit CO2, and the CO2 gradient around open pitchers acts as a cue attracting preys towards them. CO2 contents in near mature, unopened Nepenthes pitchers were in the range 2500–5000 ppm. Gas collected from inside open N. khasiana pitchers showed CO2 at 476.75 ± 59.83 ppm. CO2-enriched air-streaming through N. khasiana pitchers (at 619.83 ± 4.53 ppm) attracted (captured) substantially higher number of aerial preys compared to air-streamed pitchers (CO2 at 412.76 ± 4.51 ppm). High levels of CO2 dissolved in acidic Nepenthes pitcher fluids were also detected. We demonstrate respiration as the source of elevated CO2 within Nepenthes pitchers. Most unique features of Nepenthes pitchers, viz., high growth rate, enhanced carbohydrate levels, declined protein levels, low photosynthetic capacity, high respiration rate and evolved stomata, are influenced by the CO2-enriched environment within them.
Earth system feedback statistically extracted from the Indian Ocean deep-sea sediments recording Eocene hyperthermals
Authors: Yasukawa Kazutaka , Nakamura Kentaro , Fujinaga Koichiro , Ikehara Minoru , Kato Yasuhiro
Published: September 2017

Multiple transient global warming events occurred during the early Palaeogene. Although these events, called hyperthermals, have been reported from around the globe, geologic records for the Indian Ocean are limited. In addition, the recovery processes from relatively modest hyperthermals are less constrained than those from the severest and well-studied hothouse called the Palaeocene–Eocene Thermal Maximum. In this study, we constructed a new and high-resolution geochemical dataset of deep-sea sediments clearly recording multiple Eocene hyperthermals in the Indian Ocean. We then statistically analysed the high-dimensional data matrix and extracted independent components corresponding to the biogeochemical responses to the hyperthermals. The productivity feedback commonly controls and efficiently sequesters the excess carbon in the recovery phases of the hyperthermals via an enhanced biological pump, regardless of the magnitude of the events. Meanwhile, this negative feedback is independent of nannoplankton assemblage changes generally recognised in relatively large environmental perturbations.
Iron oxide nanoparticles can cross plasma membranes
Authors: Zanella Daniele , Bossi Elena , Gornati Rosalba , Bastos Carlos , Faria Nuno , Bernardini Giovanni
Published: September 2017

Iron deficiency is a major global public health problem despite decades of efforts with iron supplementation and fortification. The issue lies on the poor tolerability of the standard of care soluble iron salts, leading to non-compliance and ineffective correction of iron-deficiency anaemia. Iron nanoformulations have been proposed to fortify food and feed to address these issues. Since it was just postulated that some nanoparticles (NPs) might cross the plasma membrane also by a non-endocytotic pathway gaining direct access to the cytoplasm, we have studied iron NP uptake under this perspective. To this aim, we have used a recently tested protocol that has proven to be capable of following the cytoplasmic changes of iron concentration dynamics and we have demonstrated that iron oxide NPs, but not zerovalent iron NPs nor iron oxide NPs that were surrounded by a protein corona, can cross plasma membranes. By electrophysiology, we have also shown that a small and transient increase of membrane conductance parallels NP crossing of plasma membrane.
Monovision by Implantation of Posterior Chamber Phakic Intraocular Lens with a Central Hole (Hole ICL) for Early Presbyopia
Authors: Kamiya Kazutaka , Takahashi Masahide , Takahashi Natsumi , Shoji Nobuyuki , Shimizu Kimiya
Published: September 2017

This study was aimed to evaluate visual performance at near to far distances in early presbyopic patients undergoing monovision by implantation of an ICL with a central hole (hole ICL). This pilot study comprised thirty-four eyes of 17 early presbyopic patients (age, 40 to 53 years) who underwent hole ICL implantation, and whose targeted refraction was set at emmetropia for the dominant eye, and at slight myopia (−0.5 to −1.0 diopters (D)) for the non-dominant eye. Corrected distance visual acuity was significantly improved, from −0.11 ± 0.07 preoperatively to −0.19 ± 0.09 logMAR postoperatively (p < 0.001, Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Uncorrected distance visual acuity was also significantly improved from 1.43 ± 0.35 preoperatively to −0.04 ± 0.18 logMAR postoperatively (p < 0.001). The mean binocular visual acuity was 0.01 logMAR or better at all distances (5.0, 3.0, 2.0, 1.0, 0.7, 0.5, and 0.3 m). All eyes were within ± 0.5 D of the targeted correction. All patients had within the normal range of near stereopsis. Neither cataract formation, significant intraocular pressure rise, nor vision-threatening complications occurred. Monovision by hole ICL implantation provided good binocular vision at near to far distances, without developing cataract, suggesting its feasibility as a new surgical presbyopic approach for early presbyopia.
A unique case of human Zika virus infection in association with severe liver injury and coagulation disorders
Authors: Wu Yanhua , Cui Xiaoyun , Wu Na , Song Rui , Yang Wei , Zhang Wei , Fan Dongying , Chen Zhihai , An Jing
Published: September 2017

Absatrct

Zika virus (ZIKV) has caused major concern globally due to its rapid dissemination and close association with microcephaly in children and Gullian-Barr syndrome in adults. In this study, we identified a patient returned from Cambodia who experienced high fever, chill and myalgia. Lab tests discovered sign of severe liver injury including significantly elevated serum transaminases’ level, decreased serum albumin level, and markedly increased levels of lactic dehydrogenase, alpha-hydroxybutyric dehydrogenase and creatine kinase in serum. Moreover, severe thrombocytopenia and altered blood levels of fibrinogen and fibrinogen degradation product were also observed, indicating the existence of clotting disorders. A ZIKV strain clustered into the Asian lineage was isolated from the patient’s serum. When inoculated into suckling mice, this virus significantly retarded mouse body-weight gain and caused 70% mortality. Our results demonstrate a close association between ZIKV and severe liver injury and coagulation disorders and suggest that clinicians should be aware of compatible symptoms in patients and manage them accordingly.
Cultural and Developmental Influences on Overt Visual Attention to Videos
Authors: Kardan Omid , Shneidman Laura , Krogh-Jespersen Sheila , Gaskins Suzanne , Berman Marc G. , Woodward Amanda
Published: September 2017

Top-down influences on observers’ overt attention and how they interact with the features of the visual environment have been extensively investigated, but the cultural and developmental aspects of these modulations have been understudied. In this study we investigated these effects for US and Yucatec Mayan infants, children, and adults. Mayan and US participants viewed videos of two actors performing daily Mayan and US tasks in the foreground and the background while their eyes were tracked. Our region of interest analysis showed that viewers from the US looked significantly less at the foreground activity and spent more time attending to the ‘contextual’ information (static background) compared to Mayans. To investigate how and what visual features of videos were attended to in a comprehensive manner, we used multivariate methods which showed that visual features are attended to differentially by each culture. Additionally, we found that Mayan and US infants utilize the same eye-movement patterns in which fixation duration and saccade amplitude are altered in response to the visual stimuli independently. However, a bifurcation happens by age 6, at which US participants diverge and engage in eye-movement patterns where fixation durations and saccade amplitudes are altered simultaneously.
Comparative transcriptome analysis of axillary buds in response to the shoot branching regulators gibberellin A3 and 6-benzyladenine in Jatropha curcas
Authors: Ni Jun , Zhao Mei-Li , Chen Mao-Sheng , Pan Bang-Zhen , Tao Yan-Bin , Xu Zeng-Fu
Published: September 2017

Cytokinin (CK) is the primary hormone that positively regulates axillary bud outgrowth. However, in many woody plants, such asJatropha curcas, gibberellin (GA) also promotes shoot branching. The molecular mechanisms underlying GA and CK interaction in the regulation of bud outgrowth inJatropharemain unclear. To determine how young axillary buds respond to GA3and 6-benzyladenine (BA), we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis of the young axillary buds ofJatrophaseedlings treated with GA3or BA. Two hundred and fifty genes were identified to be co-regulated in response to GA3or BA. SevenNACfamily members were down-regulated after treatment with both GA3and BA, whereas these genes were up-regulated after treatment with the shoot branching inhibitor strigolactone. The expressions of the cell cycle genesCDC6,CDC45andGRF5were up-regulated after treatment with both GA3and BA, suggesting they may promote bud outgrowth via regulation of the cell cycle machinery. In the axillary buds, BA significantly increased the expression of GA biosynthesis genesJcGA20oxsandJcGA3ox1, and down-regulated the expression of GA degradation genesJcGA2oxs. Overall, the comprehensive transcriptome data set provides novel insight into the responses of young axillary buds to GA and CK.
Network attributes underlying intellectual giftedness in the developing brain
Authors: Ma Jiyoung , Kang Hee Jin , Kim Jung Yoon , Jeong Hyeonseok S. , Im Jooyeon Jamie , Namgung Eun , Kim Myeong Ju , Lee Suji , Kim Tammy D. , Oh Jin Kyoung , Chung Yong-An , Lyoo In Kyoon , Lim Soo Mee , Yoon Sujung
Published: September 2017

Brain network is organized to maximize the efficiency of both segregated and integrated information processing that may be related to human intelligence. However, there have been surprisingly few studies that focus on the topological characteristics of brain network underlying extremely high intelligence that is intellectual giftedness, particularly in adolescents. Here, we examined the network topology in 25 adolescents with superior intelligence (SI-Adol), 25 adolescents with average intelligence (AI-Adol), and 27 young adults with AI (AI-Adult). We found that SI-Adol had network topological properties of high global efficiency as well as high clustering with a low wiring cost, relative to AI-Adol. However, contrary to the suggested role that brain hub regions play in general intelligence, the network efficiency of rich club connection matrix, which represents connections among brain hubs, was low in SI-Adol in comparison to AI-Adol. Rather, a higher level of local connection density was observed in SI-Adol than in AI-Adol. The highly intelligent brain may not follow this efficient yet somewhat stereotypical process of information integration entirely. Taken together, our results suggest that a highly intelligent brain may communicate more extensively, while being less dependent on rich club communications during adolescence.
Dianxianning improved amyloid β-induced pathological characteristics partially through DAF-2/DAF-16 insulin like pathway in transgenic C. elegans
Authors: Zhi Dejuan , Wang Dong , Yang Wenqi , Duan Ziyun , Zhu Shuqian , Dong Juan , Wang Na , Wang Ningbo , Fei Dongqing , Zhang Zhanxin , Wang Xin , Wang Meizhu , Li Hongyu
Published: September 2017

Dianxianning (DXN) is a traditional Chinese formula, and has been approved in China for treating epilepsy since 1996. Here anti-Alzheimer’s disease activity of DXN has been reported. DXN improved AD-like symptoms of paralysis and 5-HT sensitivity of transgenic Aβ1-42C. elegans. In worms, DXN significantly increased Aβ monomers and decreased the toxic Aβ oligomers, thus reducing Aβ toxicity. DXN significantly suppressed the expression of hsp-16.2 induced by juglone, and up-regulated sod-3 expression. These results indicated that DXN increased stress resistance and protected C. elegans against oxidative stress. Furthermore, DXN could significantly promote DAF-16 nuclear translocation, but it did not activate SKN-1. The inhibitory effect of DXN on the Aβ toxicity was significantly reverted by daf-16 RNAi, rather than skn-1 RNAi or hsf-1 RNAi. These results indicated that DAF-16 is at least partially required for the anti-AD effect of DXN. In conclusion, DXN improved Aβ-induced pathological characteristics partially through DAF-2/DAF-16 insulin like pathway in transgenic worms. Together with our data obtained by Morris water maze test, the results showed that DXN markedly ameliorated cognitive performance impairment induced by scopolamine in mice. All the results support that DXN is a potential drug candidate to treat Alzheimer’s diseases.
Spatiotemporal brain dynamics of auditory temporal assimilation
Authors: Hironaga Naruhito , Mitsudo Takako , Hayamizu Mariko , Nakajima Yoshitaka , Takeichi Hiroshige , Tobimatsu Shozo
Published: September 2017

Time is a fundamental dimension, but millisecond-level judgments sometimes lead to perceptual illusions. We previously introduced a “time-shrinking illusion” using a psychological paradigm that induces auditory temporal assimilation (ATA). In ATA, the duration of two successive intervals (T1and T2), marked by three auditory stimuli, can be perceived as equal when they are not. Here, we investigate the spatiotemporal profile of human temporal judgments using magnetoencephalography (MEG). Behavioural results showed typical ATA: participants judged T1and T2as equal when T2− T1 ≤ +80 ms. MEG source-localisation analysis demonstrated that regional activity differences between judgment and no-judgment conditions emerged in the temporoparietal junction (TPJ) during T2. This observation in the TPJ may indicate its involvement in the encoding process when T1 ≠ T2. Activation in the inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) was enhanced irrespective of the stimulus patterns when participants engaged in temporal judgment. Furthermore, just after the final marker, activity in the IFG was enhanced specifically for the time-shrinking pattern. This indicates that activity in the IFG is also related to the illusory perception of time-interval equality. Based on these observations, we propose neural signatures for judgments of temporal equality in the human brain.
Copine-7 binds to the cell surface receptor, nucleolin, and regulates ciliogenesis and Dspp expression during odontoblast differentiation
Authors: Seo You-Mi , Park Su-Jin , Lee Hye-Kyung , Park Joo-Cheol
Published: September 2017

Tooth development is a progressive process regulated by interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal tissues. Our previous studies showed that copine-7 (Cpne7), a dental epithelium-derived protein, is a signalling molecule that is secreted by preameloblasts and regulates the differentiation of preodontoblasts into odontoblasts. However, the mechanisms involved in the translocation of Cpne7 from preameloblasts to preodontoblasts and the functions of Cpne7 during odontogenesis are poorly understood. Here, we showed that the internalization of Cpne7 was mediated primarily by caveolae. This process was initiated by Cpne7 binding to the cell surface protein, nucleolin. Treatment with recombinant Cpne7 protein (rCpne7) in human dental pulp cells (hDPCs) caused an increase in the number of ciliated cells. The expression level of cilium components, Ift88 and Kif3a, and Dspp were increased by rCpne7. Treatment with Ift88 siRNA in hDPCs and MDPC-23 cells significantly down-regulated the expression of Dspp, an odontoblastic differentiation marker gene. Furthermore, the treatment with nucleolin siRNA in MDPC-23 cells decreased the expression of Dmp1, Dspp, and cilium components. Our findings suggested that the binding of Cpne7 with its receptor, nucleolin, has an important function involving Cpne7 internalization into preodontoblasts and regulation of Dspp expression through ciliogenesis during odontoblast differentiation.
Negative Differential Conductance & Hot-Carrier Avalanching in Monolayer WS2 FETs
Authors: He G. , Nathawat J. , Kwan C.-P. , Ramamoorthy H. , Somphonsane R. , Zhao M. , Ghosh K. , Singisetti U. , Perea-López N. , Zhou C. , Elías A. L. , Terrones M. , Gong Y. , Zhang X. , Vajtai R. , Ajayan P. M. , Ferry D. K. , Bird J. P.
Published: September 2017

The high field phenomena of inter-valley transfer and avalanching breakdown have long been exploited in devices based on conventional semiconductors. In this Article, we demonstrate the manifestation of these effects in atomically-thin WS2 field-effect transistors. The negative differential conductance exhibits all of the features familiar from discussions of this phenomenon in bulk semiconductors, including hysteresis in the transistor characteristics and increased noise that is indicative of travelling high-field domains. It is also found to be sensitive to thermal annealing, a result that we attribute to the influence of strain on the energy separation of the different valleys involved in hot-electron transfer. This idea is supported by the results of ensemble Monte Carlo simulations, which highlight the sensitivity of the negative differential conductance to the equilibrium populations of the different valleys. At high drain currents (>10 μA/μm) avalanching breakdown is also observed, and is attributed to trap-assisted inverse Auger scattering. This mechanism is not normally relevant in conventional semiconductors, but is possible in WS2 due to the narrow width of its energy bands. The various results presented here suggest that WS2 exhibits strong potential for use in hot-electron devices, including compact high-frequency sources and photonic detectors.
Comparison of soil analytical methods for estimating wheat potassium fertilizer requirements in response to contrasting plant K demand in the glasshouse
Authors: Zhang Yulin , Nachimuthu Gunasekhar , Mason Sean , McLaughlin Michael J. , McNeill Ann , Bell Michael J.
Published: September 2017

The traditional soil potassium (K) testing methods fail to accurately predict K requirement by plants. The Diffusive Gradients in Thin-films (DGT) method is promising, but the relationship between the DGT-measured K pool and plant available K is not clear. Wheat (Triticum aestivum L., cv. Frame) was grown in 9 Australian broad acre agricultural soils in a glasshouse trial until the end of tillering growth stage (GS30) with different plant K demands generated by varying plant numbers and pot sizes. Different K concentrations in soils were varied by 4 rates of K fertilizer application. The relative dry matter and K uptake were plotted against the soil K test value (CaCl2, Colwell and NH4OAc and DGT K measurements). To obtain 90% of maximum relative dry matter at low root density (closest to field conditions), the critical value of the NH4OAc K method was 91 (R2 = 0.56) mg kg−1. The DGT K method was not able to accurately predict relative dry matter or K uptake due to a weak extraction force for K from soils with high CEC values. Further endeavor on increasing K extraction force of the DGT method is warranted to obtain accurate plant available K results.
India plate angular velocity and contemporary deformation rates from continuous GPS measurements from 1996 to 2015
Authors: Jade Sridevi , Shrungeshwara T. S. , Kumar Kireet , Choudhury Pallabee , Dumka Rakesh K. , Bhu Harsh
Published: September 2017

We estimate a new angular velocity for the India plate and contemporary deformation rates in the plate interior and along its seismically active margins from Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements from 1996 to 2015 at 70 continuous and 3 episodic stations. A new India-ITRF2008 angular velocity is estimated from 30 GPS sites, which include stations from western and eastern regions of the plate interior that were unrepresented or only sparsely sampled in previous studies. Our newly estimated India-ITRF2008 Euler pole is located significantly closer to the plate with ~3% higher angular velocity than all previous estimates and thus predicts more rapid variations in rates and directions along the plate boundaries. The 30 India plate GPS site velocities are well fit by the new angular velocity, with north and east RMS misfits of only 0.8 and 0.9 mm/yr, respectively. India fixed velocities suggest an approximate of 1–2 mm/yr intra-plate deformation that might be concentrated along regional dislocations, faults in Peninsular India, Kachchh and Indo-Gangetic plain. Relative to our newly-defined India plate frame of reference, the newly estimated velocities for 43 other GPS sites along the plate margins give insights into active deformation along India’s seismically active northern and eastern boundaries.
Highly variable lifespan in an annual reptile, Labord’s chameleon (Furcifer labordi)
Authors: Eckhardt Falk , Kappeler Peter M. , Kraus Cornelia
Published: September 2017

Among tetrapods, the current record holder for shortest lifespan is Labord’s chameleon, Furcifer labordi. These reptiles from the arid southwest of Madagascar have a reported lifespan of 4–5 months during the annual rainy season and spend the majority of their life (8–9 months) as a developing embryo. This semelparous, annual life history is unique among tetrapods, but only one population (Ranobe) in the southernmost distribution range has been studied. We therefore investigated the potential for environmentally-dependent variability in lifespan in a population in Kirindy Forest, which has a much longer warm rainy season. While no adults were found after March in Ranobe, the disappearance of adults was delayed by several months in Kirindy. Our data also revealed sex-biased mortality, suggesting that females have a longevity advantage. Furthermore, we found that, after an unusually long previous rainy season, one female was capable of surviving until a second breeding season. Keeping F. labordi in cages under ambient conditions demonstrated that also males can also survive until the next season of activity under these conditions. Our study therefore revealed considerable variability in the extreme life history of this tetrapod that is linked to variation in ecological factors.
Accurate Design of Low Backscattering Metasurface Using Iterative Fourier Transform Algorithm
Authors: Wang Dan , Liu Zhen Guo , Zhao Jie , Cheng Qiang , Cui Tie Jun
Published: September 2017

An accurate method is proposed to design low-backscattering metasurfaces efficiently using an iterative Fourier transform algorithm, which avoids the large amount of time-consuming numerical simulations of complicated electromagnetic problems and provides satisfactory performance to reduce the backward scattering. As an example of the application, a broadband low-backscattering metasurface is designed, fabricated, and characterized. Both full-wave simulation and measured results reveal that the proposed method offers a rapid and efficient tool to manipulate the scattering behaviors of the metasurface, and thus realizes significant scattering reductions.
A nano-mechanical instability as primary contribution to rolling resistance
Authors: Meyer Jan , Hentschke Reinhard , Hager Jonathan , Hojdis Nils W. , Karimi-Varzaneh Hossein Ali
Published: September 2017

Rolling resistance ranks among the top ten automobile megatrends, because it is directly linked to fuel efficiency and emissions reduction. The mechanisms controlling this phenomenon are hidden deeply inside the complexity of tire tread materials and do elude direct experimental observation. Here we use atomistic molecular modelling to identify a novel nano-mechanical mechanism for dissipative loss in silica filled elastomers when the latter are subjected to dynamic strain. The force-vs-particle separation curve of a single silica particle-to-silica particle contact, embedded inside a polyisoprene rubber matrix, is obtained, while the contact is opened and closed by a cyclic force. We confirm the occurrence of spontaneous relative displacements (‘jolts’) of the filler particles. These jolts give rise to energy dissipation in addition to the usual viscous loss in the polymer matrix. As the temperature is increased the new loss mechanism becomes dominant. This has important technical implications for the control and reduction of tire rolling resistance as well as for many other elastomer composite applications involving dynamic loading.
A Phytochemical Approach to Promotion of Self-renewal in Murine Spermatogonial Stem Cell by Using Sedum Sarmentosum Extract
Authors: Jung Sang-Eun , Kim Yong-Hee , Cho Sunghun , Kim Bang-Jin , Lee Hee-Seok , Hwang Seongsoo , Kim Geun-Bae , Kim Young-Hyun , Pang Myung-Geol , Lee Sanghyun , Ryu Buom-Yong
Published: September 2017

Spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) are the basis of spermatogenesis, which is dependent on the ability to self-renew and differentiation. Controlling self-renewal and differentiation of SSCs could apply to treatment of disease such as male infertility. Recently, in the field of stem cell research, it was demonstrated that effective increase in stem cell activity can be achieved by using growth factors derived from plant extracts. In this study, our aim is to investigate components from natural plant to improve the self-renewal of SSCs. To find the components, germ cells were cultured with comprehensive natural plant extracts, and then the more pure fraction, and finally single compound at different concentrations. As a result, we found 5H-purin-6-amine at 1 µg/mL, originated from Sedum sarmentosum, was a very effective compound induced SSCs proliferation. Our data showed that germ cells cultured with 5H-purin-6-amine could maintain their stable characteristics. Furthermore, transplantation results demonstrated that 5H-purin-6-amine at 1 µg/mL increased the activity of SSCs, indicating the compound could increase true SSC concentration within germ cells to 1.96-fold. These findings would be contributed to improve further reproductive research and treat male infertility by using natural plant extracts.
An autocrine purinergic signaling controls astrocyte-induced neuronal excitation
Authors: Shen Weida , Nikolic Ljiljana , Meunier Claire , Pfrieger Frank , Audinat Etienne
Published: September 2017

Astrocyte-derived gliotransmitters glutamate and ATP modulate neuronal activity. It remains unclear, however, how astrocytes control the release and coordinate the actions of these gliotransmitters. Using transgenic expression of the light-sensitive channelrhodopsin 2 (ChR2) in astrocytes, we observed that photostimulation reliably increases action potential firing of hippocampal pyramidal neurons. This excitation relies primarily on a calcium-dependent glutamate release by astrocytes that activates neuronal extra-synaptic NMDA receptors. Remarkably, our results show that ChR2-induced Ca2+ increase and subsequent glutamate release are amplified by ATP/ADP-mediated autocrine activation of P2Y1 receptors on astrocytes. Thus, neuronal excitation is promoted by a synergistic action of glutamatergic and autocrine purinergic signaling in astrocytes. This new mechanism may be particularly relevant for pathological conditions in which ATP extracellular concentration is increased and acts as a major danger signal.