bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distributed slow-wave dynamics during sleep predict memory consolidation and its impairment in schizophrenia
Authors: Bartsch Ullrich , Simpkin Andrew J. , Demanuele Charmaine , Wamsley Erin , Marston Hugh M. , Jones Matthew W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe slow waves (SW) of non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep reflect neocortical components of network activity during sleep-dependent information processing; their disruption may therefore impair memory consolidation. Here, we quantify sleep-dependent consolidation of motor sequence memory, alongside sleep EEG-derived SW properties and synchronisation, and SW–spindle coupling in 21 patients suffering from schizophrenia and 19 healthy volunteers. Impaired memory consolidation in patients culminated in an overnight improvement in motor sequence task performance of only 1.6%, compared with 15% in controls. During sleep after learning, SW amplitudes and densities were comparable in healthy controls and patients. However, healthy controls showed a significant 45% increase in frontal-to-occipital SW coherence during sleep after motor learning in comparison with a baseline night (baseline: 0.22 ± 0.05, learning: 0.32 ± 0.05); patient EEG failed to show this increase (baseline: 0.22 ± 0.04, learning: 0.19 ± 0.04). The experience-dependent nesting of spindles in SW was similarly disrupted in patients: frontal-to-occipital SW–spindle phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) significantly increased after learning in healthy controls (modulation index baseline: 0.17 ± 0.02, learning: 0.22 ± 0.02) but not in patients (baseline: 0.13 ± 0.02, learning: 0.14 ± 0.02). Partial least-squares regression modelling of coherence and PAC data from all electrode pairs confirmed distributed SW coherence and SW–spindle coordination as superior predictors of overnight memory consolidation in healthy controls but not in patients. Quantifying the full repertoire of NREM EEG oscillations and their long-range covariance therefore presents learning-dependent changes in distributed SW and spindle coordination as fingerprints of impaired cognition in schizophrenia.
Cretaceous amber fossils highlight the evolutionary history and morphological conservatism of land snails
Authors: Hirano Takahiro , Asato Kaito , Yamamoto Shûhei , Takahashi Yui , Chiba Satoshi 
Published: November 2019

AbstractOther than hard bones and shells, it is rare for soft tissues to fossilize, but occasionally they are well-preserved in amber. Here, we focus on both modern and fossilized species of the land snail superfamily Cyclophoroidea. Phylogenetic relationships within the Cyclophoroidea were previously studied using extant species, but timing of divergence within the group remains unclear. In addition, it is difficult to observe morphological traits such as the chitinous operculum and periostracum of fossil snails due to their poor preservation potential. Here we describe nine species including a new genus and five new species of well-preserved fossil cyclophoroideans from the mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber. These fossils include not only the shell, but also the chitinous operculum and periostracum, soft body, and excrements. We present the first estimation of divergence time among cyclophoroidean families using fossil records and molecular data, suggesting extreme morphological conservatism of the Cyclophoroidea for nearly 100 million years.
Metabolic Activation of Flavin Monooxygenase-mediated Trimethylamine-N-Oxide Formation in Experimental Kidney Disease
Authors: Prokopienko Alexander J. , West Raymond E. , Schrum Daniel P. , Stubbs Jason R. , Leblond François A. , Pichette Vincent , Nolin Thomas D. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) remains the leading cause of death in chronic kidney disease (CKD) patients despite treatment of traditional risk factors, suggesting that non-traditional CVD risk factors are involved. Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) correlates with atherosclerosis burden in CKD patients and may be a non-traditional CVD risk factor. Serum TMAO concentrations are significantly increased in CKD patients, which may be due in part to increased hepatic flavin monooxygenase (FMO)-mediated TMAO formation. The objective of this work was to elucidate the mechanism of increased FMO activity in CKD. In this study, FMO enzyme activity experiments were conducted in vitro with liver microsomes isolated from experimental CKD and control rats. Trimethylamine was used as a probe substrate to assess FMO activity. The FMO activator octylamine and human uremic serum were evaluated. FMO gene and protein expression were also determined. FMO-mediated TMAO formation was increased in CKD versus control. Although gene and protein expression of FMO were not changed, metabolic activation elicited by octylamine and human uremic serum increased FMO-mediated TMAO formation. The findings suggest that metabolic activation of FMO-mediated TMAO formation is a novel mechanism that contributes to increased TMAO formation in CKD and represents a therapeutic target to reduce TMAO exposure and CVD.
The Effect of Early Rounds of ex vivo Expansion and Cryopreservation on the Adipogenic Differentiation Capacity of Adipose-Derived Stromal/Stem Cells
Authors: Durandt C. , Dessels C. , da Silva C. , Murdoch C. , Pepper M. S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMultipotent adipose-derived stromal/stem cells (ASCs) are candidates for use in cellular therapies for the treatment of a variety of conditions/diseases. Ex vivo expansion of freshly isolated ASCs may be necessary prior to clinical application to ensure that clinically relevant cell numbers are administered during treatment. In addition, cryopreserving cells at early passages allows for storage of freshly isolated cells for extended periods of time before expanding these cells for clinical usage. There are however several concerns that these laboratory-based procedures may alter the characteristics of the cells and in so doing decrease their regenerative potential. In this study we report on the impact of early rounds of cryopreservation (P0) and ex vivo expansion (P0 to P5) on the phenotypic characteristics and adipogenic differentiation potential of ASCs. Our results show that ASCs that upregulate CD36 expression during adipogenic differentiation gradually decrease with increasing expansion rounds. The consequent decrease in adipogenic differentiation capacity was evident in both gene expression and flow cytometry-based phenotypic studies. Successive rounds of expansion did not however alter cell surface marker expression of the cells. We also show that early cryopreservation of ASCs (at P0) does not affect the adipogenic differentiation potential of the cells.
Dominance relationships and coalitionary aggression against conspecifics in female carrion crows
Authors: Holtmann Benedikt , Buskas Julia , Steele Matthew , Sokolovskis Kristaps , Wolf Jochen B. W. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCooperation is a prevailing feature of many animal systems. Coalitionary aggression, where a group of individuals engages in coordinated behaviour to the detriment of conspecific targets, is a form of cooperation involving complex social interactions. To date, evidence has been dominated by studies in humans and other primates with a clear bias towards studies of male-male coalitions. We here characterize coalitionary aggression behaviour in a group of female carrion crows consisting of recruitment, coordinated chase, and attack. The individual of highest social rank liaised with the second most dominant individual to engage in coordinated chase and attack of a lower ranked crow on several occasions. Despite active intervention by the third most highly ranked individual opposing the offenders, the attack finally resulted in the death of the victim. All individuals were unrelated, of the same sex, and naïve to the behaviour excluding kinship, reproduction, and social learning as possible drivers. Instead, the coalition may reflect a strategy of the dominant individual to secure long-term social benefits. Overall, the study provides evidence that members of the crow family engage in coordinated alliances directed against conspecifics as a possible means to manipulate their social environment.
Anisotropy of the sea surface height wavenumber spectrum from altimeter observations
Authors: Wang Shihong , Qiao Fangli , Dai Dejun , Zhou Xiaohui 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this paper, the zonal and meridional sea surface height (SSH) wavenumber spectra are systematically calculated using along-track and gridded altimeter products, and the slopes of the SSH wavenumber spectra over the mesoscale band, which is defined by the characteristic length scale of mesoscale signals, are estimated. The results show that the homogeneous spectral slopes calculated from the along-track and gridded altimeter datasets have a similar spatial pattern, but the spectral slopes from gridded altimeter data are generally steeper than that from the along-track data with an averaged difference of 1.5. Significant differences are found between the zonal and meridional spectra, which suggest that SSH wavenumber spectra are indeed anisotropic. Furthermore, the anisotropy exhibits strong regional contrast: in the equatorial region, the zonal spectrum is steeper than its corresponding meridional spectrum, while in the eastward-flowing high EKE regions the meridional spectrum is steeper than its zonal counterpart. The anisotropy of SSH wavenumber spectral slopes implies that EKE distributes anisotropically in different directions, and this distribution is closely associated with the generation and nonlinear evolution of mesoscale movements.
The Microtubule Severing Protein Katanin Regulates Proliferation of Neuronal Progenitors in Embryonic and Adult Neurogenesis
Authors: Lombino Franco L. , Muhia Mary , Lopez-Rojas Jeffrey , Brill Monika S. , Thies Edda , Ruschkies Laura , Lutz David , Richter Melanie , Hausrat Torben J. , Lopes André T. , McNally Francis J. , Hermans-Borgmeyer Irm , Dunleavy Jessica E. M. , Hoffmeister-Ullerich Sabine , Frotscher Michael , Misgeld Thomas , Kreutz Michael R. , de Anda Froylan Calderon , Kneussel Matthias 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMicrotubule severing regulates cytoskeletal rearrangement underlying various cellular functions. Katanin, a heterodimer, consisting of catalytic (p60) and regulatory (p80) subunits severs dynamic microtubules to modulate several stages of cell division. The role of p60 katanin in the mammalian brain with respect to embryonic and adult neurogenesis is poorly understood. Here, we generated a Katna1 knockout mouse and found that consistent with a critical role of katanin in mitosis, constitutive homozygous Katna1 depletion is lethal. Katanin p60 haploinsufficiency induced an accumulation of neuronal progenitors in the subventricular zone during corticogenesis, and impaired their proliferation in the adult hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG) subgranular zone. This did not compromise DG plasticity or spatial and contextual learning and memory tasks employed in our study, consistent with the interpretation that adult neurogenesis may be associated with selective forms of hippocampal-dependent cognitive processes. Our data identify a critical role for the microtubule-severing protein katanin p60 in regulating neuronal progenitor proliferation in vivo during embryonic development and adult neurogenesis.
Quantifying Concentration Polarization – Raman Microspectroscopy for In-Situ Measurement in a Flat Sheet Cross-flow Nanofiltration Membrane Unit
Authors: Jung Oliver , Saravia Florencia , Wagner Michael , Heißler Stefan , Horn Harald 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn this work, the concentration polarization layer (CPL) of sulphate in a cross-flow membrane system was measured in-situ using Raman microspectroscopy (RM). The focus of this work is to introduce RM as a new tool for the study of mass transfer inside membrane channels in reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) generally. Specifically, this work demonstrates how to use RM for locally resolved measurement of sulphate concentration in a cross-flow flat-sheet NF membrane flow cell with channel dimensions similar to commonly applied RO/NF spiral wound modules (channel height about 0.7 mm). Concentration polarization profiles of an aqueous magnesium sulphate solution of 10 gsulphate·L−1 were obtained at operating pressure of 10 bar and cross-flow velocities of 0.04 and 0.2 m·s−1. The ability of RM to provide accurate concentration profiles is discussed thoroughly. Optical effects due to refraction present one of the main challenges of the method by substantially affecting signal intensity and depth resolution. The concentration profiles obtained in this concept study are consistent with theory and show reduced CPL thickness and membrane wall concentration with increasing cross-flow velocity. The severity of CP was quantified to reach almost double the bulk concentration at the lower velocity.
Direct Production of Difructose Anhydride IV from Sucrose by Co-fermentation of Recombinant Yeasts
Authors: Ko Hyunjun , Bae Jung-Hoon , Sung Bong Hyun , Kim Mi-Jin , Park Soon-Ho , Sohn Jung-Hoon 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA functional sweetener, difructose anhydride IV (DFA IV), is enzymatically produced from sucrose via levan by levansucrase (LSRase) followed by levan fructotransferase (LFTase). Here, we have demonstrated a consolidated production system for the direct conversion of DFA IV from sucrose using the co-culture of two recombinant yeast strains secreting LSRase from Bacillus subtilis and LFTase from Arthrobacter ureafaciens, respectively. To ensure secretory production of the enzymes, target protein-specific translational fusion partners (TFP) were employed, and the selected strains produced 3.8 U/mL of LSRase and 16.0 U/mL LFTase activity into the fermentation broth. To optimise the direct production, sucrose concentration and cell ratios were investigated. In the optimised conditions, 64.3 g/L crude DFA IV was directly produced from 244.7 g/L sucrose using co-fermentation of recombinant yeasts. These results promise an efficient production titre, yield, and DFA IV productivity in an industrially applicable method.
Accessing Methyl Groups in Proteins via 1H-detected MAS Solid-state NMR Spectroscopy Employing Random Protonation
Authors: Asami Sam , Reif Bernd 
Published: November 2019

AbstractWe recently introduced RAP (reduced adjoining protonation) labelling as an easy to implement and cost-effective strategy to yield selectively methyl protonated protein samples. We show here that even though the amount of H2O employed in the bacterial growth medium is rather low, the intensities obtained in MAS solid-state NMR 1H,13C correlation spectra are comparable to spectra obtained for samples in which α-ketoisovalerate was employed as precursor. In addition to correlations for Leu and Val residues, RAP labelled samples yield also resonances for all methyl containing side chains. The labelling scheme has been employed to quantify order parameters, together with the respective asymmetry parameters. We obtain a very good correlation between the order parameters measured using a GlcRAP (glucose carbon source) and a α-ketoisovalerate labelled sample. The labelling scheme holds the potential to be very useful for the collection of long-range distance restraints among side chain atoms. Experiments are demonstrated using RAP and α-ketoisovalerate labelled samples of the α-spectrin SH3 domain, and are applied to fibrils formed from the Alzheimer’s disease Aβ1-40 peptide.
MicroRNAs in Daphnia magna identified and characterized by deep sequencing, genome mapping and manual curation
Authors: Coucheron Dag H. , Wojewodzic Marcin W. , Bøhn Thomas 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that function in RNA silencing and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in most organisms. The water flea, Daphnia magna is a key model to study phenotypic, physiological and genomic responses to environmental cues and miRNAs can potentially mediate these responses. By using deep sequencing, genome mapping and manual curations, we have characterised the miRNAome of D. magna. We identified 66 conserved miRNAs and 13 novel miRNAs; all of these were found in the three studied life stages of D. magna (juveniles, subadults, adults), but with variation in expression levels between stages. Forty-one of the miRNAs were clustered into 13 genome clusters also present in the D. pulex genome. Most miRNAs contained sequence variants (isomiRs). The highest expressed isomiRs were 3′ template variants with one nucleotide deletion or 3′ non-template variants with addition of A or U at the 3′ end. We also identified offset RNAs (moRs) and loop RNAs (loRs). Our work extends the base for further work on all species (miRNA, isomiRs, moRNAs, loRNAs) of the miRNAome of Daphnia as biomarkers in response to chemical substances and environment cues, and underline age dependency.
Boosting the activity of Prussian-blue analogue as efficient electrocatalyst for water and urea oxidation
Authors: Feng Yongqiang , Wang Xiao , Dong Peipei , Li Jie , Feng Li , Huang Jianfeng , Cao Liyun , Feng Liangliang , Kajiyoshi Koji , Wang Chunru 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe design and fabrication of intricate hollow architectures as cost-effective and dual-function electrocatalyst for water and urea electrolysis is of vital importance to the energy and environment issues. Herein, a facile solvothermal strategy for construction of Prussian-blue analogue (PBA) hollow cages with an open framework was developed. The as-obtained CoFe and NiFe hollow cages (CFHC and NFHC) can be directly utilized as electrocatalysts towards oxygen evolution reaction (OER) and urea oxidation reaction (UOR) with superior catalytic performance (lower electrolysis potential, faster reaction kinetics and long-term durability) compared to their parent solid precursors (CFC and NFC) and even the commercial noble metal-based catalyst. Impressively, to drive a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline solution, the CFHC catalyst required an overpotential of merely 330 mV, 21.99% lower than that of the solid CFC precursor (423 mV) at the same condition. Meanwhile, the NFHC catalyst could deliver a current density as high as 100 mA cm−2 for the urea oxidation electrolysis at a potential of only 1.40 V, 24.32% lower than that of the solid NFC precursor (1.85 V). This work provides a new platform to construct intricate hollow structures as promising nano-materials for the application in energy conversion and storage.
Variants of the hyoid-larynx complex, with implications for forensic science and consequence for the diagnosis of Eagle’s syndrome
Authors: de Bakker Bernadette S. , de Bakker Henri M. , Soerdjbalie-Maikoe Vidija , Dikkers Frederik G. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThorough anatomic knowledge of the hyoid-larynx complex is necessary for forensic radiologists and ear-nose-throat surgeons, given the many anatomic variations that originate in embryology. In forensics the anomalies must be distinguished from fractures because the latter are indicative of violence on the neck. In this manuscript we describe the anatomical variations that can be found in the hyoid-larynx complex and explain their etiology. 284 radiological scans of excised hyoid-larynx complexes were examined with X-ray and CT. Some rare cases from literature and historical collections were added. Two third of the examined hyoid-larynx complexes deviated from the anatomical standard and showed uni- or bilateral ankylosis in the hyoid bone and/or so-called triticeal cartilages. In one fifth of the cases we found striking anatomical variants, mostly derived from the cartilage of the second pharyngeal arch. Anatomical variations of the hyoid-larynx complex can be explained by embryological development. The aberrant hyoid apparatus and the elongated styloid processes (Eagle syndrome) should be considered as one clinical entity with two different expressions as both anomalies are derived from the cartilage of the second pharyngeal arch. Several variants can mimic fractures in this region, so our study is important for radiologists and forensic experts assessing cases of possible violence on the neck.
A Study Comparing the Effects of Targeted Intra-Arterial and Systemic Chemotherapy in an Orthotopic Mouse Model of Pancreatic Cancer
Authors: Rezaee Melika , Wang Jing , Razavi Mehdi , Ren Gang , Zheng Fengyan , Hussein Ahmed , Ullah Mujib , Thakor Avnesh S. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractSystemic chemotherapy is the first line treatment for patients with unresectable pancreatic cancer, however, insufficient drug delivery to the pancreas is a major problem resulting in poor outcomes. We evaluated the therapeutic effects of targeted intra-arterial (IA) delivery of gemcitabine directly into the pancreas in an orthotopic mouse model of pancreatic cancer. Nude mice with orthotopic pancreatic tumors were randomly assigned into 3 groups receiving gemcitabine: systemic intravenous (IV) injection (low: 0.3 mg/kg and high: 100 mg/kg) and direct IA injection (0.3 mg/kg). Treatments were administered weekly for 2 weeks. IA treatment resulted in a significantly greater reduction in tumor growth compared to low IV treatment. To achieve a comparable reduction in tumor growth as seen with IA treatment, gemcitabine had to be given IV at over 300x the dose (high IV treatment) which was associated with some toxicity. After 2 weeks, tumor samples from animals treated with IA gemcitabine had significantly lower residual cancer cells, higher cellular necrosis and evidence of increased apoptosis when compared to animals treated with low IV gemcitabine. Our study shows targeted IA injection of gemcitabine directly into the pancreas, via its arterial blood supply, has a superior therapeutic effect in reducing tumor growth compared to the same concentration administered by conventional systemic injection.
Quantitative evaluation of digital-image enhancement during heads-up surgery
Authors: Akiyama Kunihiko , Watanabe Ken , Fukui Masaki , Higuchi Hiroshi , Noda Toru 
Published: November 2019

AbstractImage-processing is an advantage of heads-up surgery and expected to facilitate ophthalmic surgeries. To evaluate image-processing quantitatively, we analyzed the surgical images of twenty eyes that underwent vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling assisted by Brilliant Blue G (BBG). Still images of the peeling procedure were obtained from the surgical video, and the color difference was calculated between two adjacent spots inside and outside the ILM-peeling contour, i.e., without and with BBG staining, respectively. The color differences were compared between the two settings with and without image-processing, delivered by an algorithm to enhance the color and contrast. Color differences were calculated using two methods: the Euclidean distance based on RGB values (RGB distance) and the Delta-E00 formula provided by the International Commission on Illumination. In five cases, minimum light intensities required to recognize the contour of ILM-peeling were compared during surgeries between the two settings with and without enhancement. Image-processing increased the mean color difference significantly (P < 0.001) from 15.47 and 4.49 to 34.03 and 8.00, respectively, for the RGB distance and Delta-E00. The minimum light intensity was reduced from 15 to 5 on average by image-enhancement. These results showed image-processing enhances color differences and reduces light intensities during vitrectomy.