bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Pain relief by supraspinal gabapentin requires descending noradrenergic inhibitory controls
Authors: Juarez-Salinas Dina L. , Braz Joao M. , Hamel Katherine A. , Basbaum Allan I.
Published: July 2018

Introduction:

Gabapentin regulates pain processing by direct action on primary afferent nociceptors and dorsal horn nociresponsive neurons. Through an action at supraspinal levels, gabapentin also engages descending noradrenergic inhibitory controls that indirectly regulate spinal cord pain processing. Although direct injection of gabapentin into the anterior cingulate cortex provides pain relief independent of descending inhibitory controls, it remains unclear whether that effect is representative of what occurs when gabapentin interacts at multiple brain loci, eg, after intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection.

Methods:

We administered gabapentin i.c.v. in a mouse model of chemotherapy (paclitaxel)-induced neuropathic pain. To distinguish spinal from supraspinally processed features of the pain experience, we examined mechanical hypersensitivity and assessed relief of pain aversiveness using an analgesia-induced conditioned place preference paradigm.

Results:

Paclitaxel-treated mice showed a preference for a 100-μg i.c.v. gabapentin-paired chamber that was accompanied by reduced mechanical allodynia, indicative of concurrent engagement of descending controls. As expected, the same dose in uninjured mice did not induce place preference, demonstrating that gabapentin, unlike morphine, is not inherently rewarding. Furthermore, a lower dose of supraspinal gabapentin (30 μg), which did not reverse mechanical allodynia, did not induce conditioned place preference. Finally, concurrent injections of i.c.v. gabapentin (100 μg) and intrathecal yohimbine, an α2-receptor antagonist, blocked preference for the gabapentin-paired chamber.

Conclusion:

We conclude that pain relief, namely a reduction of pain aversiveness, induced by supraspinal gabapentin administered by an i.c.v. route is secondary to its activation of descending noradrenergic inhibitory controls that block transmission of the “pain” message from the spinal cord to the brain.
Strategies to Evaluate Bilateral Cleft Lip Treatment
Authors: Ürményi Géza Lászlo , Felzemburgh Victor Araujo , Fernandes Elizabeth Castineira , Peixoto Ana Rita de Luna Freire
Published: July 2018

Objective:

Evaluate treatment of patients with bilateral cleft lip operated during the last 10 years, using the methodology of Mortier and Anastassov.

Methods:

A total of 84 patients were evaluated using a preoperative score assessing fissure severity and a postsurgical score assessing of uncorrected or secondary deformities. A pre- and postcorrelation analysis was performed to evaluate the gain and identify the main postoperative alterations, using Spearman's statistical test (P < 0.001).

Results:

About 89.3% underwent surgery between 4 and 7 months. Surgical techniques used Millard 65.5% and Mulliken 34.5%. Presurgical evaluation classified fissures as mild (0%), moderate (2.4%), severe (19.1%), or very severe (78.6%). Postoperative evaluation classified results as poor (24%), satisfactory (12%), good (15, 6%), very good (34.6%), or excellent (14.3%). The postoperative changes on the lip were the notch in the vermilion and the defect in the edge of the vermilion, and in the bow of the wide cupid; in the nose, the most frequent were deficiency in the upper nasal nostril, insufficient rotation of the alar base, broad tip, and short columella; in the scar and alveolar portion, the most frequent were alveolar cleft, premaxilla protrusion, and poor scar. Spearman correlation of preoperative and postoperative was positive of 0.43.

Conclusion:

The proposed measurement method is technically simple and can be performed without equipment allowing pre- and postoperative evaluation to identify the main alterations to be corrected.
Prevention of Vascular Anastomotic Stenosis With 2-Octylcyanoacrylate
Authors: Liang Xiangdang , Liu Shen , Fang Zhuoqun , Sun Geng , Guo Zhanshe
Published: July 2018

Although conventional microvascular anastomoses are well-studied, postoperative anastomotic stenoses remain a common surgical complication. The use of 2-octylcyanoacrylate to stabilize vascular anastomoses using a rabbit anastomosis model was investigated. A carotid artery anastomosis model was established in 20 New Zealand rabbits (2.5–3.0 kg): 10 underwent conventional anastomosis surgery with sutures only, while 10 underwent suture ligation, followed by the application of 2-octylcyanoacrylate. Vascular patency and pulse strength were observed after adhesive solidification. The artery diameter was measured preoperatively and at 5 minutes, 2 weeks, and 4 weeks postoperatively. An angiography was performed at 4 weeks postoperatively. Hyperplasia and the induced nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) content of the intima and media layers from the anastomotic stoma were assessed using immunohistochemistry. The artery inner diameter of experimental group decreased at each time point postoperatively (1.686 ± 0.066 cm; 1.656 ± 0.069 cm; 1.646 ± 0.074 cm) (P ≤ 0.01). At 4 weeks postoperatively, the intima and the media around the anastomosis was both significantly thinner in the experimental group (13.21 ± 0.84 μm; 234.86 ± 13.84 μm) than in the control group (17.06 ± 0.96 μm; 279.88 ± 34.22 μm) (P < 0.05). At 4 weeks postsurgery, intravascular iNOS expression was increased in both groups but was higher in the experimental group (82.5% versus 47.5%). The above results indicated that 2-octylcyanoacrylate adhesive can inhibit stenosis of vascular anastomoses.
Stylohyoid Muscle Transfer in Marginal Mandibular Nerve Palsy
Authors: Ozturk Muhammed Besir , Ertekin Cengiz , Uzuneyupoglu Orkun , Tezcan Mustafa
Published: July 2018

Isolated paralysis of the marginal mandibular nerve results in an asymmetrical lip appearance with aesthetic and functional losses. Until today treatment options include mainly muscle transfers, and botulinium toxin injections for temporary issues. Since it was first reported by Edgerton, the technique of anterior belly of digastric transfer has been one of the most preferred. Alternatives for this technique still remain limited. In this clinical report, a new alternative technique was defined, stylohyoid muscle transfer, for the situations that digastric muscle is absent. The technique was compared with other conventional treatment methods and the outcomes were discussed.
Endovascular variable aortic control (EVAC) versus resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) in a swine model of hemorrhage and ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Williams Timothy K. , Tibbits Emily M. , Hoareau Guillaume L. , Simon Meryl A. , Davidson Anders J. , DeSoucy Erik S. , Faulconer E. Robert , Grayson J. Kevin , Neff Lucas P. , Johnson Michael Austin
Published: July 2018

BACKGROUND

Resuscitative endovascular balloon occlusion of the aorta (REBOA) is effective at limiting hemorrhage from noncompressible sources and restoring but causes progressive distal ischemia, supraphysiologic pressures, and increased cardiac afterload. Endovascular variable aortic control (EVAC) addresses these limitations, while still controlling hemorrhage. Previous work demonstrated improved outcomes following a 90-minute intervention period in an uncontrolled hemorrhage model. The present study compares automated EVAC to REBOA over an occlusion period reflective of contemporary REBOA usage.

METHODS

Following instrumentation, 12 Yorkshire-cross swine underwent controlled 25% hemorrhage, a 45-minute intervention period of EVAC or REBOA, and subsequent resuscitation with whole blood and critical care for the remainder of a 6-hour experiment. Hemodynamics were acquired continuously, and laboratory parameters were assessed at routine intervals. Tissue was collected for histopathologic analysis.

RESULTS

No differences were seen in baseline parameters. During intervention, EVAC resulted in more physiologic proximal pressure augmentation compared with REBOA (101 vs. 129 mm Hg; 95% confidence interval [CI], 105–151 mm Hg; p = 0.04). During critical care, EVAC animals required less than half the amount of crystalloid (3,450 mL; 95% CI, 1,215–5,684 mL] vs. 7,400 mL [95% CI, 6,148–8,642 mL]; p < 0.01) and vasopressors (21.5 ng/kg [95% CI, 7.5–35.5 ng/kg] vs. 50.5 ng/kg [95% CI, 40.5–60.5 ng/kg]; p = 0.05) when compared with REBOA animals. Endovascular variable aortic control resulted in lower peak and final lactate levels. Endovascular variable aortic control animals had less aortic hyperemia from reperfusion with aortic flow rates closer to baseline (36 mL/kg per minute [95% CI, 30–44 mL/kg per minute] vs. 51 mL/kg per minute [95% CI, 41–61 mL/kg per minute]; p = 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

For short durations of therapy, EVAC produces superior hemodynamics and less ischemic insult than REBOA in this porcine-controlled hemorrhage model, with improved outcomes during critical care. This study suggests EVAC is a viable strategy for in-hospital management of patients with hemorrhagic shock from noncompressible sources. Survival studies are needed to determine if these early differences persist over time.
Trends in fluoroquinolone resistance in Campylobacter
Authors: Sproston Emma L. , Wimalarathna Helen M. L. , Sheppard Samuel K.
Published: July 2018

Members of the genus Campylobacter remain a leading cause of bacterial gastroenteritis worldwide. Infection is usually self-limiting but in severe cases may require antibiotic treatment. In a recent statement by the World Health Organization (WHO) Campylobacter was named as one of the 12 bacteria that pose the greatest threat to human health because they are resistant to antibiotics. In this mini review we describe recent trends in fluoroquinolone (FQ) (particularly ciprofloxacin) resistance in strains of members of the genus Campylobacter isolated from livestock and clinical samples from several countries. Using evidence from phenotyping surveys and putative resistance prediction from DNA sequence data, we discuss the acquisition and spread of FQ resistance and the role of horizontal gene transfer and describe trends in FQ-resistance in samples from livestock and clinical cases. This review emphasises that FQ resistance remains common among isolates of members of the genus Campylobacter from various sources.
Sensorimotor characteristics of sign translations modulate EEG when deaf signers read English
Authors: Quandt Lorna C. , Kubicek Emily
Published: July 2018

Bilingual individuals automatically translate written words from one language to another. While this process is established in spoken-language bilinguals, there is less known about its occurrence in deaf bilinguals who know signed and spoken languages. Since sign language uses motion and space to convey linguistic content, it is possible that action simulation in the brain’s sensorimotor system plays a role in this process. We recorded EEG from deaf participants fluent in ASL as they read individual English words and found significant differences in alpha and beta EEG at central electrode sites during the reading of English words whose ASL translations use two hands, compared to English words whose ASL translations use one hand. Hearing non-signers did not show any differences between conditions. These results demonstrate the involvement of the sensorimotor system in cross-linguistic, cross-modal translation, and suggest that action simulation processes may be key to deaf signers’ language concepts.
Neutrality in the Metaorganism
Authors: Sieber Michael , Pita Lucía , Weiland-Bräuer Nancy , Dirksen Philipp , Wang Jun , Mortzfeld Benedikt , Franzenburg Sören , Schmitz Ruth A. , Baines John F. , Fraune Sebastian , Hentschel Ute , Schulenburg Hinrich , Bosch Thomas C. G. , Traulsen Arne
Published: July 2018

Almost all animals and plants are inhabited by diverse communities of microorganisms, the microbiota, thereby forming an integrated entity, the metaorganism. Natural selection should favor hosts that shape the community composition of these microbes to promote a beneficial host-microbe symbiosis. Indeed, animal hosts often pose selective environments, which only a subset of the environmentally available microbes are able to colonize. How these microbes assemble after colonization to form the complex microbiota is less clear. Neutral models are based on the assumption that the alternatives in microbiota community composition are selectively equivalent and thus entirely shaped by random population dynamics and dispersal. Here, we use the neutral model as a null hypothesis to assess microbiata composition in host organisms, which does not rely on invoking any adaptive processes underlying microbial community assembly. We show that the overall microbiota community structure from a wide range of host organisms, in particular including previously understudied invertebrates, is in many cases consistent with neutral expectations. Our approach allows to identify individual microbes that are deviating from the neutral expectation and which are therefore interesting candidates for further study. Moreover, using simulated communities we demonstrate that transient community states may play a role in the deviations from the neutral expectation. Our findings highlight that the consideration of neutral processes and temporal changes in community composition are critical for an in-depth understanding of microbiota-host interactions.
Live imaging of Aiptasia larvae, a model system for studying coral bleaching, using a simple microfluidic device
Authors: Treuren Will Van , Brower Kara K. , Labanieh Louai , Hunt Daniel , Lensch Sarah , Cruz Bianca , Cartwright Heather N. , Tran Cawa , Fordyce Polly M.
Published: July 2018

Coral reefs, and their associated diverse ecosystems, are of enormous ecological importance. In recent years, coral health has been severely impacted by environmental stressors brought on by human activity and climate change, threatening the extinction of several major reef ecosystems. Reef damage is mediated by a process called ‘coral bleaching’ where corals, sea anemones, and other cnidarians lose their photosynthetic algal symbionts (genus Symbiodinium) upon stress induction, resulting in drastically decreased host energy harvest and, ultimately, coral death. The mechanism by which this critical cnidarian-algal symbiosis is lost remains poorly understood. Here, we report ‘Traptasia’, a simple microfluidic device with multiple traps designed to isolate and image individual live larvae of Aiptasia, a sea anemone model organism, and their algal symbionts over extended time courses. Aiptasia larvae are ~100 μm in length, deformable, and highly motile, posing particular challenges for long-term imaging. Using a trap design optimized via fluid flow simulations and polymer bead loading tests, we trapped Aiptasia larvae containing algal symbionts and demonstrated stable imaging for >10 hours. We visualized algal migration within Aiptasia larvae and observed algal expulsion under an environmental stressor. To our knowledge, this device is the first to enable live imaging of cnidarian larvae and their algal symbionts and, in further implementation, could provide important insights into the cellular mechanisms of coral bleaching under different environmental stressors. The device is simple to use, requires minimal external equipment and no specialized training to operate, and can easily be adapted to study a variety of large, motile organisms.
Making headlines: An analysis of US government-funded cancer research mentioned in online media
Authors: Maggio Lauren A. , Ratcliff Chelsea L. , Krakow Melinda , Moorhead Laura , Enkhbayar Asura , Alperin Juan Pablo
Published: July 2018

Background

Considerable resources are devoted to producing knowledge about cancer, which in turn is disseminated to policymakers, practitioners, and the public. Online media are a key dissemination channel for cancer research. Yet which cancer research receives media attention is not well understood. Understanding the characteristics of journal articles that receive media attention is crucial to optimize research dissemination.

Methods

This cross-sectional study examines journal articles on cancer funded by the US government published in 2016, using data from PubMed and Altmetric to determine whether an article received online media attention. Frequencies and proportions were calculated to describe the cancer types and continuum stages covered in journal articles.

Results

16.8% of articles published on US government-funded research were covered in the media. Published journal articles addressed all common cancers. Roughly one-fourth to one-fifth of journal articles within each cancer category received online media attention. Media mentions were disproportionate to actual burden of each cancer type (ie, incidence and mortality), with breast cancer articles receiving the most media mentions. Cancer prevention and control articles received less online media attention than diagnosis or therapy articles.

Conclusion

Findings revealed a mismatch between prevalent cancers and cancers highlighted in the media. Further, journal articles on cancer control and prevention received less media attention than other cancer continuum stages. Media mentions were not proportional to actual public cancer burden nor volume of scientific publications in each cancer category. Results highlight a need for continued research on the role of media, especially online media, in research dissemination.
Methanomethylophilus alvus Mx1201 provides basis for mutual orthogonal pyrrolysyl tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pairs in mammalian cells
Authors: Meineke Birthe , Heimgärtner Johannes , Lafranchi Lorenzo , Elsässer Simon J
Published: July 2018

Genetic code expansion via stop codon suppression is a powerful technique for engineering proteins in mammalian cells with site-specifically encoded non-canonical amino acids (ncAAs). Current methods rely on very few available tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pairs orthogonal in mammalian cells, the pyrrolysyl tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pair from Methanosarcina mazei (Mma PylRS/PylT) being the most active and versatile to date. We found a previously uncharacterized pyrrolysyl tRNA/aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase pair from the human gut archaeon Methanomethylophilus alvus Mx1201 (Mx1201 PylRS/PylT) to be active and orthogonal in mammalian cells. We show that the new PylRS enzyme can be engineered to expand its ncAA substrate spectrum. We find that due to the large evolutionary distance of the two pairs, Mx1201 PylRS/PylT is partially orthogonal to Mma PylRS/PylT. Through rational mutation of Mx1201 PylT, we abolish its non-cognate interaction with Mma PylRS, creating two mutually orthogonal PylRS/PylT pairs. Combined in the same cell, we show that the two pairs can site-selectively introduce two different ncAAs in response to two distinct stop codons. Our work expands the repertoire of mutually orthogonal tools for genetic code expansion in mammalian cells and provides the basis for advanced in vivo protein engineering applications for cell biology and protein production.
ERNIE: A Data Platform for Research Assessment
Authors: Keserci Samet , Davey Avon , Pico Alexander R. , Korobskiy Dmitriy , Chacko George
Published: July 2018

Data mining coupled to network analysis has been successfully used to study relationships between basic discovery and translational applications such as drug development; and to document research collaborations and knowledge flows. Assembling relevant data for such studies in a form that supports analysis presents challenges. We have developed Enhanced Research Network Information Environment (ERNIE), an open source, scalable cloud-based platform that (i) integrates data drawn from public and commercial sources (ii) provides users with analytical workflows that incorporate expert input at critical stages. A modular design enables the addition, deletion, or substitution of data sources. To demonstrate the capabilities of ERNIE, we have conducted case studies that span drug development and pharmacogenetics. In these studies, we analyze data from regulatory documents, bibliographic and patent databases, research grant records, and clinical trials, to document collaborations and identify influential research accomplishments.
Neural dynamics of associative learning during human sleep
Authors: Canales-Johnson Andrés F. , Merlo Emiliano , Bekinschtein Tristan A. , Arzi Anat
Published: July 2018

Recent evidence indicate that humans can learn entirely new information during sleep. To elucidate the neural dynamics underlying sleep-learning we investigated brain activity during auditory-olfactory discriminatory associative learning in human sleep. We found that learning-related delta and sigma neural changes are involved in early acquisition stages, when new associations are being formed. In contrast, learning-related theta activity emerged in later stages of the learning process, after tone-odour associations were already established. These findings suggest that learning new associations during sleep is signalled by a dynamic interplay between slow-waves, sigma and theta activity.
Quantifying the contribution of four resistance mechanisms to ciprofloxacin minimum inhibitory concentration inEscherichia coli: a systematic review
Authors: van der Putten Boas C.L. , Remondini Daniel , Pasquini Giovanni , Janes Victoria A. , Matamoros Sébastien , Schultsz Constance
Published: July 2018

Synopsis

Introduction

Ciprofloxacin resistance inEscherichia coliis widespread and adds to the burden ofE. coliinfections. Reviews assessing the genetic basis of ciprofloxacin resistance have mostly been qualitative. However, to allow for the prediction of a resistance phenotype of clinical relevance based on genotypic characteristics, it is essential to quantify the contribution of prevalent genotypic determinants to resistance. We carried out a systematic review to assess the relative contribution of currently known genomic resistance determinants to the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of ciprofloxacin inE. coli.

Methods

PubMed and Web of Science were searched for English language studies that assessed both ciprofloxacin MIC and the presence or introduction of genetic determinants of ciprofloxacin resistance inE. coli. We included experimental and observational studies without time restrictions. Medians and ranges of MIC fold changes were calculated for each resistance determinant and for combinations of determinants.

Results

We included 66 studies, describing 604E. coliisolates that carried at least one genetic resistance determinant. Genes coding for targets of ciprofloxacin (gyrAandparC) are strongest contributors to ciprofloxacin resistance, with median MIC fold increases ranging from 24 (range 4-133) for single Ser83Leu (gyrA) mutants to 1533 (range 256-8533) for triple Ser83Leu, Asp87Asn/Gly (gyrA) and Ser80Ile/Arg (parC) mutants. Other resistance mechanisms, including efflux, physical blocking or enzymatic modification, conferred smaller increases in ciprofloxacin MIC (median MIC fold increases typically around 15, range 1-125). However, the (combined) presence of these other resistance mechanisms further increases resistance with median MIC fold increases of up to 4000, and even in the absence ofgyrAandparCmutations up to 250.

Conclusion

This report provides a comprehensive and quantitative overview of the contribution of different genomic determinants to ciprofloxacin resistance inE. coli. Additionally, the data demonstrate the complexity of resistance phenotype prediction from genomic data and could serve as a reference point for studies aiming to address ciprofloxacin resistance prediction using genomics, inE. coli.
Translation Attenuation by Minocycline Increases Lifespan and Improves Proteostasis in Old Post-Stress-Responsive Organisms
Authors: Solis Gregory M. , Kardakaris Rozina , Valentine Elizabeth R. , Bar-Peled Liron , Chen Alice L. , Blewett Megan M. , McCormick Mark A. , Williamson James R. , Kennedy Brian K. , Cravatt Benjamin F. , Petrascheck Michael
Published: July 2018

Aging impairs the activation of Stress Signaling Pathways (SSPs), preventing the induction of longevity mechanisms late in life. Here we show that the antibiotic minocycline increases lifespan and reduces protein aggregation even in old, SSP-deficient C. elegans by targeting cytoplasmic ribosomes, preferentially attenuating translation of highly translated mRNAs. In contrast to most other longevity paradigms, minocycline inhibits rather than activates all major SSPs and extends lifespan in mutants deficient in the activation of SSPs, lysosomal or autophagic pathways. We propose that minocycline lowers the concentration of newly synthesized aggregation-prone proteins, resulting in a relative increase in protein-folding capacity without the necessity to induce protein-folding pathways. Our study suggests that in old individuals with incapacitated SSPs or autophagic pathways, pharmacological attenuation of cytoplasmic translation is a promising strategy to reduce protein aggregation. Altogether, it provides a geroprotecive mechanism for the many beneficial effects of tetracyclines in models of neurodegenerative disease.
TGFam-Finder: An optimal solution for target-gene family annotation in eukaryotic genomes
Authors: Kim Seungill , Cheong Kyeongchae , Park Jieun , Kim Myung-Shin , Kim Ji-Hyun , Seo Min-Ki , Kwon Sun-Ho , Kim Yong-Min , Koo Namjin , Kim Kwang-Soo , Oh Nuri , Kim Ki-Tae , Jeon Jongbum , Kim Hyunbin , Lee Yoon-Young , Sohn Kee Hoon , McCann Honour C , Ye Sang-Kyu , Park Kyung-Soon , Lee Yong-Hwan , Choi Doil
Published: July 2018

Whole genome annotation errors that omit essential protein-coding genes hinder further research. We developed Target Gene Family Finder (TGFam-Finder), an optimal tool for structural annotation of protein-coding genes containing target domain(s) of interest in eukaryotic genomes. Large-scale re-annotation of 100 publicly available eukaryotic genomes led to the discovery of essential genes that were missed in previous annotations. An average of 117 (346%) and 148 (45%) additional FAR1 and NLR genes were newly identified in 50 plant genomes. Furthermore, 117 (47%) additional C2H2 zinc finger genes were detected in 50 animal genomes including human and mouse. Accuracy of the newly annotated genes was validated by RT-PCR and cDNA sequencing in human, mouse and rice. In the human genome, 26 newly annotated genes were identical with known functional genes. TGFam-Finder along with the new gene models provide an optimized platform for unbiased functional and comparative genomics and comprehensive evolutionary study in eukaryotes.
Spatial frequency tuning of perceptual learning and transfer in global motion
Authors: Asher Jordi M , Romei Vincenzo , Hibbard Paul B
Published: July 2018

Perceptual learning is typically highly specific to the stimuli and task used during training. However, recently it has been shown that training on global motion can transfer to untrained tasks, reflecting the generalising properties of mechanisms at this level of processing. We investigated a) if feedback was required for learning when using an equivalent noise global motion coherence task, and b) the transfer across spatial frequency of training on a global motion coherence task, and the transfer of this training to a measure of contrast sensitivity. For our first experiment two groups, with and without feedback, trained for ten days on a broadband global motion coherence task. Results indicated that feedback was a requirement for learning. For the second experiment training consisted of five days of direction discrimination on one of three global motion tasks (broadband, low or high frequency random-dot Gabors), with trial-by-trial auditory feedback. A pre- and post-training assessment was also conducted, consisting of all three types of global motion stimuli (without feedback) and high and low spatial frequency contrast sensitivity. We predicted that if learning and transfer is cortically localised, then transfer would show specificity to the area processing the task (global motion). In this case, we would predict a broad transfer between spatial frequency conditions of global motion only. However, if transfer occurred as a result of backward generalisation, a more selective transfer would occur matching the low-pass broadband tuning of the area processing global motion. Our training paradigm was successful at eliciting improvement in the trained tasks over the five days. However, post-training transfer to trained or untrained tasks was only reported for the low spatial frequency trained group. This group exhibited increased sensitivity to low spatial frequency contrast, and an improvement for the broadband global motion condition. Our findings suggest that the feedback projections from global to local stages of processing play a role in transfer.
Challenges in assessing the roles of nepotism and reciprocity in cooperation networks
Authors: Carter Gerald G. , Schino Gabriele , Farine Damien
Published: July 2018

Nepotism and reciprocity are not mutually exclusive explanations for cooperation, because helping decisions can depend on both kinship cues and past reciprocal help. The importance of these two factors can therefore be difficult to disentangle using observational data. We developed a resampling procedure for inferring the statistical power to detect observational evidence of nepotism and reciprocity. We first applied this procedure to simulated datasets resulting from perfect reciprocity, where the probability and duration of helping events from individual A to B equaled that from B to A. We then assessed how the probability of detecting correlational evidence of reciprocity was influenced by (1) the number of helping observations and (2) varying degrees of simultaneous nepotism. Last, we applied the same analysis to empirical data on food sharing in vampire bats and allogrooming in mandrills and Japanese macaques. We show that at smaller sample sizes, the effect of kinship was easier to detect and the relative role of kinship was overestimated compared to the effect of reciprocal help in both simulated and empirical data, even with data simulating perfect reciprocity and imperfect nepotism. We explain the causes and consequences of this difference in power for detecting the roles of kinship versus reciprocal help. To compare the relative importance of genetic and social relationships, we therefore suggest that researchers measure the relative reliability of both coefficients in the model by plotting these coefficients and their detection probability as a function of sampling effort. We provide R scripts to allow others to do this power analysis with their own datasets.
YB-1 IS REQUIRED FOR THE GENESIS AND METASTATIC CAPACITY OF HUMAN BREAST CANCER
Authors: Lefort Sylvain , El-Naggar Amal , Tan Susanna , Colborne Shane , Negri Gian Luca , Pellacani Davide , Hirst Martin , Gusterson Barry , Morin Gregg B. , Sorensen Poul H. , Eaves Connie J.
Published: July 2018

Breast cancer heterogeneity has made it challenging to elucidate shared mechanisms that underpin properties that are critical to their growthin vivo. Here, we interrogate the role of YB-1 protein in thein vivotumorigenic activity ofde novowell as cell line models of human breast cancer. Short-hairpin RNA-mediated knockdown of YB-1 in MDA-MB-231 cells blocked both their local tumour-forming and lung-colonizing activity in transplanted immunodeficient mice. YB-1 knockdown also revealed its important role at early stages of human mammary cell transformation in the generation of invasive ductal carcinoma and ductal carcinomain situproduced in mice transplanted with freshly isolated human mammary cells transduced, respectively, withKRASG12D, or myristoylated-AKT1. Conversely, upregulated expression of YB-1 in the poorly tumorigenic T47D cells enhanced this activity. Mechanistically, reducing YB-1 levels in MDA-MB-231 cells impaired their induction of HIF1α, and G3BP1, known YB-1 translational targets and key elements of a stress-adaptive program.
The distribution of large floating seagrass (Zostera marina) clumps in northern temperate zones of Bohai Bay in the Bohai Sea, China
Authors: Min Xu , Yi Zhou , Tao Zhang , Yun-Ling Zhang
Published: July 2018

Seagrass meadows (Zostera marina) are important coastal ecosystems with high levels of productivity and biodiversity. They are subject to considerable natural and anthropogenic threats in China, such as oyster and snail aquaculture, wastewater discharge, electro-fishing, shellfish collection, typhoons and floods. When seagrass communities are disturbed, they can become removed from the sediment and converted into floating clumps, which then serve as marine hot spots attracting a variety of marine organisms that then inhabit them. They are important nursery habitats for many economic fish such as red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus), Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua), queen conch (Strombus gigas), and blue crab (Callinectes sapidus). Thus, it is necessary to study the distribution and biological characteristics of these floating seagrass clumps. In September 2016 we observed large scale floating Z. marina clumps in the northernmost area of Bohai Bay (38°57’1.14”−39° 0’41.28” N, 118°45’23.22”−118°47’6.96” E), in the Bohai Sea, China. We observed characteristics that precluded their origination from the nearby Caofeidian seagrass meadows. Two research cruises were undertaken, during which we did not observe other marine organisms accompanying these floating Z. marina clumps. The dominant frond lengths were 40–50 cm, with less than 5% of the total number of fronds found in larger size categories (80–90 and 90–100 cm). We aim to pursue future research into the breakdown and dislodgement characteristics of Z. marina clumps and the processes whereby they sink and integrate with the sediment.
Simulated trawling: Exhaustive swimming followed by extreme crowding as contributing reasons to variable fillet quality in trawl-caught Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua)
Authors: Svalheim Ragnhild Aven , Aas-Hansen Øyvind , Heia Karsten , Karlsson-Drangsholt Anders , Olsen Stein Harris , Johnsen Helge Kreutzer
Published: July 2018

Trawl-caught Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) often yield highly variable fillet quality that may be related to capture stress. To investigate mechanisms involved in causing variable quality, commercial-sized (3.5±0.9 kg) Atlantic cod were swum to exhaustion in a large swim tunnel and subsequently exposed to extreme crowding (736±50 kg m-3) for 0, 1 or 3 hours in an experimental cod-end. The fish were then recuperated for 0, 3 or 6 hours in a net pen prior to slaughter to assess the possibility to reverse the reduced fillet quality. We found that exhaustive swimming and crowding were associated with increased metabolic stress, as indicated by increased plasma cortisol, blood lactate and blood haematocrit levels, accompanied by reduced quality of the fillets due to increased visual redness and lower initial muscle pH. The observed negative effects of exhaustive swimming and crowding were only to a small degree reversed within 6 hours of recuperation. The results from this study suggest that exhaustive swimming followed by extreme crowding can reduce fillet quality and contribute to the variable fillet quality seen in trawl-caught Atlantic cod. Recuperation for more than six hours may be required to reverse these effects.
Increased H-Bond Stability Relates to Altered ε-Cleavage Efficiency and Aβ Levels in the I45T Familial Alzheimer’s Disease Mutant of APP
Authors: Götz Alexander , Högel Philipp , Silber Mara , Chaitoglou Iro , Luy Burkhard , Muhle-Goll Claudia , Scharnagl Christina , Langosch Dieter
Published: July 2018

Cleavage of the amyloid precursor protein’s (APP) transmembrane domain (TMD) by γ-secretase is a crucial step in the aetiology of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Mutations in the APP TMD alter cleavage and lead to familial forms of AD (FAD). The majority of FAD mutations shift the preference of initial cleavage from ε49 to ε48, thus raising the AD-related Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio. The I45T mutation is among the few FAD mutations that do not alter ε-site preference, while it dramatically reduces the efficiency of ε-cleavage. Here, we investigate the impact of the I45T mutation on the backbone dynamics of the substrate TMD. Amide exchange experiments and molecular dynamics simulations in solvent and a lipid bilayer reveal an increased stability of amide hydrogen bonds at the ζ-and γ-cleavage sites. Stiffening of the H-bond network is caused by an additional H-bond between the T45 side chain and the TMD backbone, which alters dynamics within the cleavage domain. In particular, the increased H-bond stability inhibits an upward movement of the ε-sites in the I45T mutant. Thus, an altered presentation of ε-sites to the active site of γ-secretase as a consequence of restricted local flexibility provides a rationale for reduced ε-cleavage efficiency of the I45T mutant.
Subunit exchange enhances information retention by CaMKII in dendritic spines
Authors: Singh Dilawar , Bhalla Upinder Singh
Published: July 2018

Molecular bistables are strong candidates for long-term information storage, for example, in synaptic plasticity. CaMKII is a highly expressed synaptic protein which has been proposed to form a molecular bistable switch capable of maintaining its state for years despite protein turnover and stochastic noise. It has recently been shown that CaMKII holoenzymes exchange subunits among themselves. Here we used computational methods to analyze the effect of subunit exchange on the CaMKII pathway in the presence of diffusion in two different microenvironments, the Post Synaptic Density (PSD) and spine cytosol. We show that in the PSD, subunit exchange leads to coordinated switching and prolongs state stability of the fraction of CaMKII that is present in clusters; and underlies spreading of activation among the remaining CaMKII that is uniformly distributed. Subunit exchange increases the robustness of the CaMKII switch measured as range of bistability both with respect to protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) levels and protein turnover rates. In the phosphatase-rich spine cytosol, subunit exchange leads to slower decay of activity following calcium stimuli. We find that subunit exchange can explain two time-courses of CaMKII activity decay observed in recent experiments monitoring endogenous activity of CaMKII in the spine. Overall, CaMKII exhibits multiple timescales of activity in the synapse and subunit exchange enhances the information retention ability of CaMKII by improving the stability of its switching in the PSD, and by slowing the decay of its activity in the spine cytosol. The existence of diverse timescales in the synapse has important theoretical implications for memory storage in networks.

Significance Statement

Despite everyday forgetfulness, we can recall some memories years after they were formed. How are we able to protect some memories for so long? Previous work has shown that the abundant brain protein Calcium/calmodulin dependent protein Kinase II (CaMKII) can form a very stable binary switch which can store information for years. Building on this work, we analyzed the implications of a recently discovered phenomenon of subunit exchange on the state switching properties of CaMKII. In subunit exchange fragments of one CaMKII molecule detatch and exchange with another. We discovered that this improves the information retention ability of CaMKII both in the context where it stores information for long times, and also where it integrates information over the timescale of minutes.
A Reconsideration of the Effect of Procyanidin on the Assembly of Collagen Type I
Authors: Wang Y. , Jin L.
Published: July 2018

In order to elucidating the exact effect mechanism of polyphenols on the assembly of collagen, the assembled architectures of collagen treated with different amounts of procyanidin (PA) were investigated in details. The assembled morphologies of collagen were greatly influenced by the content of PA according to atomic force microcopy (AFM) images. When the content of PA was more than 20% (w/w), the fibrillar morphologies were substituted by globular aggregates, which were driven by the intense hydrogen bonding action originating from PA. While the formation of the non-fibrous aggregates was due to the coiling and entangling of flexible collagen molecules rather than their gelatinization based on the appearance of typical adsorption peaks at 222nm and 197nm on circular dichroism (CD) spectra. After being crosslinked by glutaraldehyde (GA), not only the diameters but also the lengths of fibrils increased. Unfortunately, the fibrillogenesis was still inhibited when the collagen suffered from 20% PA firstly and then 4% GA. Conversely, the fibrous morphologies of the fibrils stabilized by 4% GA and then underwent 20% PA maintained well, in spite of accompanying with grievous intertwining. This difference was derived from the change of flexibilities of collagen before and after being crosslinked by GA. Additionally, the differential scanning calorimeter (DSC) analysis confirmed the PA had no positive effect on the improvement of thermal stability of hydrous collagen, whereas the denaturation temperature of hydrated collagen stabilized by 4% GA increased from 40 °C to 80 °C.
Maternal effects influence temperature-dependent offspring survival inDrosophila melanogaster
Authors: Mohan Snigdha , Groothuis Ton G.G. , Vinke Chris , Billeter Jean-Christophe
Published: July 2018

Mothers may modulate the phenotype of their offspring by affecting their development based on her own environment. In changing environments, these maternal effects are thought to adjust offspring physiology and development and thus produce offspring better prepared to the environment experienced by the mother. However, evidence for this is scarce. Here we test the consequences of a match or mismatch between mother and offspring temperature conditions on growth, adult morphology and reproduction into the grandchildren generation in the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. This experimental design tests the relative contribution of maternal effects and offspring intrinsic plasticity to the phenotypic response to temperature conditions. We manipulated maternal temperature conditions by exposing mothers to either 18°C or 29°C conditions. Their eggs developed at a temperature that was either matched or mismatched with the maternal one. Survival from egg to adult was higher when the maternal and offspring environments matched, showing maternal effects affecting a trait that is a close proxy for fitness. However developmental speed, adult size and fecundity responded to temperature mostly through offspring phenotypic plasticity and maternal effects only had a small contribution. The results provide experimental evidence for maternal effects in influencing a potentially adaptive offspring response to temperature in the model organismDrosophila melanogaster.These effects appear to modulate early embryonic phenotypes such as survival, more than the adult phenotypes of the offspring.
A first Mn member in the struvite morphotropic series, CsMn(H2O)6(PO4): hydrothermal synthesis, crystal structure and interconnections within the family of related phosphates
Authors: Kiriukhina Galina V. , Yakubovich Olga V. , Kochetkova Ekaterina M. , Dimitrova Olga V. , Volkov Anatoliy S.
Published: July 2018

Caesium manganese hexahydrate phosphate, CsMn(H2O)6(PO4), was synthesized under hydrothermal conditions. Its crystal structure was determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. The novel phase crystallizes in the hexagonal space groupP63mcand represents the first manganese member in the struvite morphotropic series,AM(H2O)6(TO4). Its crystal structure is built from Mn(H2O)6octahedra and PO4tetrahedra linked into a frameworkviahydrogen bonding. The large Cs atoms are encapsulated in the framework cuboctahedral cavities. It is shown that the size of theA+ionic radius within the morphotropic seriesAM(H2O)6(XO4) results is certain types of crystal structures and affects the values of the unit-cell parameters. Structural relationships with Na(H2O)Mg(H2O)6(PO4) and the mineral hazenite, KNa(H2O)2Mg2(H2O)12(PO4)2, are discussed.
Structural, electrochemical and mechanical studies of ultrasonic irradiation enhanced electroplating Ni coating
Authors: Ban Chaolei , Zhu Shuqin , Ma Jie , Wang Fangreng , Jia Zhengfeng , Wang Jie
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Ni coating was electroplated on carbon steel substrate to protect carbon steel.

Design/methodology/approach

During electroplating, the ultrasonic irradiation (UI) (1 kHz) action was in situ used with different frequency. The influence of UI on the microstructure, mechanical and electrochemical performance of the coating was studied with scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, microhardness measurement, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy.

Findings

The results show that comparing that without UI imposition, UI during electroplating can refine the coating grain and decrease the micro-pores in the coating, resulting in improvement of the coating corrosion and hardness.

Originality/value

The imposition of UI action during electroplating Ni coating can remove intrinsic pores in the coating and compact the coating. The potential bimetallic cell between substrate and plating layer can be insulated to enhance the corrosion resistance of Ni coating. The imposition of UI action during electroplating Ni coating can refine Ni coating grain size and improve the coating haredness.
A one dimensional heat transfer model for wolverine (gulo-gulo) hair
Authors: Liu HongYan , Bahi Addie , Ko Frank K.
Published: July 2018

Purpose

Wolverine hairs with superior heat transfer properties have been used as fur ruffs for extreme cold-weather clothing. In order to understand the exclusive mechanism of wolverine surviving in the cold areas of circumpolar, the purpose of this paper is to establish a one-dimensional fractional heat transfer equation to reveal the hidden mechanism for the hairs, and also calculate the fractal dimension of the wolverine hair using the box counting method to verify the proposed theory. The observed results (from the proposed model) found to be in good agreement with the box counting method. This model can explain the phenomenon which offers the theoretical foundation for the design of extreme cold weather clothing.

Design/methodology/approach

The authors calculated the fractal dimension of the wolverine hair using the box counting method to verify the proposed theory. The observed results (from the proposed model) found to be in good agreement with the box counting method.

Findings

The box counting method proves that the theoretical model is applicable.

Originality/value

The authors propose the first heat transfer model for the wolverine hair.