bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Context-Dependent Role of Vinculin in Neutrophil Adhesion, Motility and Trafficking
Authors: Wilson Zachary S. , Witt Hadley , Hazlett Lauren , Harman Michael , Neumann Brittany M. , Whitman Andrew , Patel Mohak , Ross Robert S. , Franck Christian , Reichner Jonathan S. , Lefort Craig T. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractNeutrophils are innate immune effector cells that traffic from the circulation to extravascular sites of inflammation. β2 integrins are important mediators of the processes involved in neutrophil recruitment. Although neutrophils express the cytoskeletal protein vinculin, they do not form mature focal adhesions. Here, we characterize the role of vinculin in β2 integrin-dependent neutrophil adhesion, migration, mechanosensing, and recruitment. We observe that knockout of vinculin attenuates, but does not completely abrogate, neutrophil adhesion, spreading, and crawling under static conditions. However, we also found that vinculin deficiency does not affect these behaviors in the presence of forces from fluid flow. In addition, we identify a role for vinculin in mechanosensing, as vinculin-deficient neutrophils exhibit attenuated spreading on stiff, but not soft, substrates. Consistent with these findings, we observe that in vivo neutrophil recruitment into the inflamed peritoneum of mice remains intact in the absence of vinculin. Together, these data suggest that while vinculin regulates some aspects of neutrophil adhesion and spreading, it may be dispensable for β2 integrin-dependent neutrophil recruitment in vivo.
Cerebellar Ataxia Caused by Type II Unipolar Brush Cell Dysfunction in the Asic5 Knockout Mouse
Authors: Kreko-Pierce Tabita , Boiko Nina , Harbidge Donald G. , Marcus Daniel C. , Stockand James D. , Pugh Jason R. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractUnipolar brush cells (UBCs) are excitatory granular layer interneurons in the vestibulocerebellum. Here we assessed motor coordination and balance to investigate if deletion of acid-sensing ion channel 5 (Asic5), which is richly expressed in type II UBCs, is sufficient to cause ataxia. The possible cellular mechanism underpinning ataxia in this global Asic5 knockout model was elaborated using brain slice electrophysiology. Asic5 deletion impaired motor performance and decreased intrinsic UBC excitability, reducing spontaneous action potential firing by slowing maximum depolarization rate. Reduced intrinsic excitability in UBCs was partially compensated by suppression of the magnitude and duration of delayed hyperpolarizing K+ currents triggered by glutamate. Glutamate typically stimulates burst firing subsequent to this hyperpolarization in normal type II UBCs. Burst firing frequency was elevated in knockout type II UBCs because it was initiated from a more depolarized potential compared to normal cells. Findings indicate that Asic5 is important for type II UBC activity and that loss of Asic5 contributes to impaired movement, likely, at least in part, due to altered temporal processing of vestibular input.
Inhaled milrinone in cardiac surgical patients: a pilot randomized controlled trial of jet vs. mesh nebulization
Authors: Nguyen Anne Quynh-Nhu , Denault André Y. , Théoret Yves , Perrault Louis P. , Varin France 
Published: February 2020

AbstractInhaled milrinone administered before cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) reduces the severity of pulmonary hypertension during cardiac surgery. However, milrinone pharmacokinetics has not been determined for this route of administration. The objective of this study was to investigate inhaled milrinone dosing in vitro and early plasma concentrations in vivo after jet and mesh nebulization. Twelve pulmonary hypertensive patients scheduled for cardiac surgery were randomized to receive milrinone (5 mg) by inhalation before CPB using a jet or mesh nebulizer. In vitro experiments were conducted to determine the inhaled dose delivered with either jet or mesh nebulization. In vivo experiments involved hemodynamic monitoring and blood samples drawn from patients for the first 15 min after the end of inhalation to determine early plasma concentrations. After mesh nebulization, the mean in vitro inhaled dose was almost 3-fold higher compared to jet nebulization (46.4% vs 16.6% for mesh and jet, respectively; mean difference, 29.8%; 95% CI, 14.1 to 45.5; P = 0.006). Consistent with this, the early plasma concentrations in vivo were also 2–3 fold higher after mesh nebulization (P = 0.002–0.005). After inhalation (jet or mesh nebulization), milrinone early plasma concentrations remained within the therapeutic range. No systemic hypotension was reported in our patients.
Mint companion plants enhance the attraction of the generalist predator Nesidiocoris tenuis according to its experiences of conspecific mint volatiles
Authors: Rim Hojun , Hattori Sayaka , Arimura Gen-ichiro 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMint plants enable improvement of pest management by attracting herbivore enemies to constitutively released mint volatiles. The generalist predator Nesidiocoris tenuis is used worldwide to control agricultural pests, but little is known about whether mint can serve as a companion plant that attracts this predator. To examine this, olfactory responses of N. tenuis were assessed using apple mint, candy mint, and spearmint as odor sources. Of the volatiles released by these mint species, candy mint volatiles alone were more attractive than those from undamaged eggplant, and were as attractive as volatiles from eggplant damaged with Spodoptera litura larvae. However, no prominent preference for particular volatile(s) among the mint volatiles was shown by O. strigicollis. When N. tenuis had been previously exposed to candy mint, the predator showed a stronger preference for candy mint volatiles than damaged eggplant volatiles. It was, however, irrelevant whether the predator received benefit or not by predating animal prey during the mint-experience period. In contrast, spearmint-experience increased the preference for spearmint volatiles only when the predator acquired prey during the mint-experience period. These findings suggest that previous exposure of N. tenuis to some particular mint species can increase its preference for volatiles from the conspecific mints.
TNF-α and INF-γ primed canine stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles alleviate experimental murine colitis
Authors: An Ju-Hyun , Li Qiang , Bhang Dong-Ha , Song Woo-Jin , Youn Hwa-Young 
Published: February 2020

AbstractThe inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are characterized by relapsing inflammation and immune activation diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Extracellular vesicles, which elicit similar biological activity to the stem cell themselves, have been used experimentally to treat dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis in murine models though immunosuppressive potential. In this study, we investigated whether the Extracellular vesicles (EVs) obtained by stimulating inflammatory cytokine on canine adipose mesenchymal stem cells (cASC) improved anti-inflammatory and/or immunosuppressive potential of EVs, and/or their ability to alleviate inflammation in colitis. We also explored the correlation between immune cells and the inflammatory repressive effect of primed EVs. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as TNF-α and IFN-γ increased immunosuppressive protein such as HGF, TSG-6, PGE2 and TGF-β in EVs. Moreover, the anti-inflammatory effect of EVs was improved through pretreatment with inflammatory cytokines. Importantly, EVs obtained from primed stem cells effectively induced macrophage polarization toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype and suppressed activated immunity by enhancing regulatory T cells in inflamed colon in mice. Our results provide a new and effective therapy for the EVs obtained from ASC stimulated with TNF-α and IFN-γ against not only IBD, but also immune-mediated disease.
The Golgi Glycoprotein MGAT4D is an Intrinsic Protector of Testicular Germ Cells From Mild Heat Stress
Authors: Akintayo Ayodele , Liang Meng , Bartholdy Boris , Batista Frank , Aguilan Jennifer , Prendergast Jillian , Sabrin Afsana , Sundaram Subha , Stanley Pamela 
Published: February 2020

AbstractMale germ cells are sensitive to heat stress and testes must be maintained outside the body for optimal fertility. However, no germ cell intrinsic mechanism that protects from heat has been reported. Here, we identify the germ cell specific Golgi glycoprotein MGAT4D as a protector of male germ cells from heat stress. Mgat4d is highly expressed in spermatocytes and spermatids. Unexpectedly, when the Mgat4d gene was inactivated globally or conditionally in spermatogonia, or mis-expressed in spermatogonia, spermatocytes or spermatids, neither spermatogenesis nor fertility were affected. On the other hand, when males were subjected to mild heat stress of the testis (43 °C for 25 min), germ cells with inactivated Mgat4d were markedly more sensitive to the effects of heat stress, and transgenic mice expressing Mgat4d were partially protected from heat stress. Germ cells lacking Mgat4d generally mounted a similar heat shock response to control germ cells, but could not maintain that response. Several pathways activated by heat stress in wild type were induced to a lesser extent in Mgat4d[−/−] heat-stressed germ cells (NFκB response, TNF and TGFβ signaling, Hif1α and Myc genes). Thus, the Golgi glycoprotein MGAT4D is a novel, intrinsic protector of male germ cells from heat stress.
Verification of Type-A and Type-B-HC Blinking Mechanisms of Organic–Inorganic Formamidinium Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots by FLID Measurements
Authors: Trinh Cong Tai , Minh Duong Nguyen , Ahn Kwang Jun , Kang Youngjong , Lee Kwang-Geol 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOrganic–inorganic halide perovskite nanocrystals or quantum dots (PQDs) are excellent candidates for optoelectronic applications, such as lasers, solar cells, light emitting diodes, and single photon sources. However, the potential applications of PQDs can expand once the photoluminescence, and in particular, the blinking behaviors of single PQDs are understood. Although the blinking of PQDs has been studied extensively recently, the underlying mechanism of the blinking behaviors is still under debate. In this study, we confirmed that type-A and type-B-HC (hot carrier) blinking, contributed to PQD blinking using their fluorescence lifetime intensity distribution (FLID). Type-B-HC blinking was experimentally confirmed for the first time for formamidinium based PQDs, and the simultaneous contributions of type-A and type-B blinking were clearly specified. Further, we related different FLID data to the ON/OFF time distribution as distinct features of different blinking types. We also emphasized that detection capability was crucial for correctly elucidating the blinking mechanism.
Patterns of Oral Microbiota Diversity in Adults and Children: A Crowdsourced Population Study
Authors: Burcham Zachary M. , Garneau Nicole L. , Comstock Sarah S. , Tucker Robin M. , Knight Rob , Metcalf Jessica L. ,   Genetics of Taste Lab Citizen Scientists, Miranda Anjelica , Reinhart Brian , Meyers Dani , Woltkamp Diane , Boxer Emma , Hutchens Joyce , Kim Kelly , Archer Mike , McAteer Mike , Huss Phil , Defonseka Ravin , Stahle Sean , Babu Sunanda , Nuessle Tiffany , Schowinsky Valerie , Covert Wendy , Truman Weston , Reusser Willy 
Published: February 2020

AbstractOral microbiome dysbiosis has been associated with various local and systemic human diseases such as dental caries, periodontal disease, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. Bacterial composition may be affected by age, oral health, diet, and geography, although information about the natural variation found in the general public is still lacking. In this study, citizen-scientists used a crowdsourcing model to obtain oral bacterial composition data from guests at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science to determine if previously suspected oral microbiome associations with an individual’s demographics, lifestyle, and/or genetics are robust and generalizable enough to be detected within a general population. Consistent with past research, we found bacterial composition to be more diverse in youth microbiomes when compared to adults. Adult oral microbiomes were predominantly impacted by oral health habits, while youth microbiomes were impacted by biological sex and weight status. The oral pathogen Treponema was detected more commonly in adults without recent dentist visits and in obese youth. Additionally, oral microbiomes from participants of the same family were more similar to each other than to oral microbiomes from non-related individuals. These results suggest that previously reported oral microbiome associations are observable in a human population containing the natural variation commonly found in the general public. Furthermore, these results support the use of crowdsourced data as a valid methodology to obtain community-based microbiome data.
Alterations in brain white matter microstructural properties in patients with Crohn’s disease in remission
Authors: Hou Jiancheng , Dodd Keith , Nair Veena A. , Rajan Shruti , Beniwal-Patel Poonam , Saha Sumona , Prabhakaran Vivek 
Published: February 2020

AbstractPatients with inflammatory bowel disease have been shown to have abnormal brain morphometry or function, which are associated with psychological symptoms such as stress, depression or anxiety. The present work recruited 20 Crohn’s disease patients in remission (CDs) and 20 age-gender-handedness-education matched healthy controls (HCs) and compared their brain white matter microstructural properties using Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI). Additionally, we examined the correlations between the microstructural properties and cognition (verbal fluency language task, VF) and affect (anxiety) in both groups as well as disease duration in CDs. Results showed that CDs exhibited significant alterations in microstructural properties compared to HCs in various white matter tracts relevant to language function despite no significant difference in VF scores. Furthermore, CDs’ microstructural changes exhibited correlations with anxiety level and disease duration. These findings suggest that CD patients may experience changes in white matter microstructural properties which may be a biomarker of neuropsychiatric comorbidities of CD.
Changes of oxygen isotope values of soil P pools associated with changes in soil pH
Authors: Pfahler Verena , Macdonald Andy , Mead Andrew , Smith Andrew C. , Tamburini Federica , Blackwell Martin S. A. , Granger Steven J. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractField data about the effect of soil pH on phosphorus (P) cycling is limited. A promising tool to study P cycling under field conditions is the 18O:16O ratio of phosphate (δ18OP). In this study we investigate whether the δ18OP can be used to elucidate the effect of soil pH on P cycling in grasslands. Soils and plants were sampled from different fertilisation and lime treatments of the Park Grass long term experiment at Rothamsted Research, UK. The soils were sequentially extracted to isolate different soil P pools, including available P and corresponding δ18OP values were determined. We did not observe changes in plant δ18OP value, but soil P δ18OP values changed, and lower δ18OP values were associated with higher soil pH values. At sites where P was not limiting, available P δ18OP increased by up to 3‰ when lime was applied. We show that the δ18OP method is a useful tool to investigate the effect of pH on soil P cycling under field conditions as it highlights that different soil processes must govern P availability as pH shifts. The next challenge is now to identify these underlying processes, enabling better management of soil P at different pH.
Clinicopathological significance of endoplasmic reticulum stress proteins in ovarian carcinoma
Authors: Samanta Soma , Tamura Shuzo , Dubeau Louis , Mhawech-Fauceglia Paulette , Miyagi Yohei , Kato Hisamori , Lieberman Rich , Buckanovich Ronald J. , Lin Yvonne G. , Neamati Nouri 
Published: February 2020

AbstractEpithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States due to the late-stage disease at diagnosis. Overexpression of GRP78 and PDI following endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and activation of the unfolded protein response (UPR) promote growth and invasion in cancer. To identify novel prognostic biomarkers in EOC, here we determined the expression of ER stress-associated proteins (GRP78, ATF6 and PERK) and correlated with clinical outcome in EOC. Tissue microarray (TMA) samples from 415 tissues collected from three cancer centers (UM, USC, and KCCRI) were used to assess the expression levels of ER-associated proteins using immunohistochemistry (IHC). We observed that the expression levels of GRP78 (p < 0.0001), ATF6 (p < 0.0001), and PERK (p < 0.0001) were significantly increased in specimens of EOC compared to normal tissues, including in the serous subtype (p < 0.0001). Previously we reported that high expression of PDI correlated with poor patient survival in EOC. Here we showed that overexpression of GRP78 and PDI protein expression correlated with poor patient survival (p = 0.03), while low expression of combined GRP78 and PDI correlated with better survival (p = 0.01) in high-grade serous. The increased expression of ER stress-associated proteins in EOC suggests a role for ER stress and the UPR in EOC. More importantly, our results demonstrate that GRP78 and PDI are potential biomarkers for EOC and could be used as dual prognostic markers.
Quantifying Hematopoietic Stem Cell Clonal Diversity by Selecting Informative Amplicon Barcodes
Authors: Teets Emily M. , Gregory Charles , Shaffer Jami , Blachly James S. , Blaser Bradley W. 
Published: February 2020

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are functionally and genetically diverse and this diversity decreases with age and disease. Numerous systems have been developed to quantify HSC diversity by genetic barcoding, but no framework has been established to empirically validate barcode sequences. Here we have developed an analytical framework, Selection of informative Amplicon Barcodes from Experimental Replicates (SABER), that identifies barcodes that are unique among a large set of experimental replicates. Amplicon barcodes were sequenced from the blood of 56 adult zebrafish divided into training and validation sets. Informative barcodes were identified and samples with a high fraction of informative barcodes were chosen by bootstrapping. There were 4.2 ± 1.8 barcoded HSC clones per sample in the training set and 3.5 ± 2.1 in the validation set (p = 0.3). SABER reproducibly quantifies functional HSCs and can accommodate a wide range of experimental group sizes. Future large-scale studies aiming to understand the mechanisms of HSC clonal evolution will benefit from this new approach to identifying informative amplicon barcodes.
The meta-conventionalisation and moral order of e-practices
Authors: Kádár Dániel Z. , Fukushima Saeko 
Published: February 2020

This study overviews the phenomenon of the meta-conventionalisation of interpersonal practices in the context of computer-mediated communication. The term ‘meta-conventionalisation’ refers to the coding of the conventional interpersonal practices of a particular group, or various groups, in the form of entertainment as films and novels. The word ‘meta’ refers to the fact that such pieces of artwork narrate a set of conventional practices from a quasi-observer point of view, without involving their audience in these practices as language users – in this sense they are different from good practice guides (typically described as ‘netiquette, in the context of e-pragmatics), which assume that readers will internalise the practices they describe. Meta-conventionalisation has been an understudied phenomenon, in spite of representing an important aspect of our daily lives. We illustrate how this phenomenon operates by examining a Japanese case study: a popular novel which features the online interactions of a group of otaku, that is, asocial young people who lock themselves up and interact in highly specific ways.
Relation between the convective field and the stationary probability distribution of chemical reaction networks
Authors: Becker Lara , Mendler Marc , Drossel Barbara 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
We investigate the relation between the stationary probability distribution of chemical reaction systems and the convective field derived from the chemical Fokker–Planck equation (CFPE) by comparing predictions of the convective field to the results of stochastic simulations based on Gillespie’s algorithm. The convective field takes into account the drift term of the CFPE and the reaction bias introduced by the diffusion term. For one-dimensional systems, fixed points and bifurcations of the convective field correspond to extrema and phenomenological bifurcations of the stationary probability distribution whenever the CFPE is a good approximation to the stochastic dynamics. This provides an efficient way to calculate the effect of system size on the number and location of probability maxima and their phenomenological bifurcations in parameter space. For two-dimensional systems, we study models that have saddle-node and Hopf bifurcations in the macroscopic limit. Here, the existence of two stable fixed points of the convective field correlates either with two peaks of the stationary probability distribution, or with a peak and a shoulder. In contrast, a Hopf bifurcation that occurs in the convective field for decreasing system size is not accompanied by the onset of a crater-shaped probability distribution; decreasing system size rather destroys craters and replaces them by local maxima.
Low carbon society blueprints and primitive attempts of green buildings of existing buildings
Authors: Hamdan Ahmad Mohd 
Published: February 2020

Abstract
Rapid development of cities around the world has been the pulling factor for the increased in the rural migration to the cities. It is expected that urban population will increase to more than 60% by 2050 and the biggest growth is expected in the developing countries in Asia. The urban challenges and stresses are contributing to the main issue of climatic changes. One movement to combat and mitigate climate change in the cities is to culture a low carbon urban society. This paper shares the experience of preparing the Low Carbon Society (LCS) Blueprints specifically in matters involving Green Buildings for Iskandar Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The focus is on the existing buildings that make up more than 80% of building stocks in the cities. Furthermore, it is easier to manage and regulate new buildings through building submissions whereby the new building has to be designed as green building that will be vetted by respective local authority failing which the building plan will be rejected! Thus, clearly in order to make LCS successfully implemented and achieving target of green building, the most important is the caring for the existing buildings. The paper shares the strategies outlined in the LCS Blueprints and possible approaches to rejuvenate existing buildings into targeted green buildings using low lying fruit strategies before embarking into more expensive active technologies. The layman strategies adopted by house owner in a typical terrace house is used as an interesting case study that is simple and easy to follow with reference to the low-lying fruit principles. The paper discusses on incentives and rewards systems to drive green buildings awareness and implementations of LCS Blueprints for Iskandar Malaysia and Kuala Lumpur. It concluded by showing the illustration of Low Carbon City of the future.