bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CASK modulates the assembly and function of the Mint1/Munc18-1 complex to regulate insulin secretion
Authors: Zhang Zhe , Li Wei , Yang Guang , Lu Xuefeng , Qi Xin , Wang Shuting , Cao Can , Zhang Peng , Ren Jinqi , Zhao Jiaxu , Zhang Junyi , Hong Sheng , Tan Yan , Burchfield James , Yu Yang , Xu Tao , Yao Xuebiao , James David , Feng Wei , Chen Zhengjun 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCalcium/calmodulin-dependent protein serine kinase (CASK) is a key player in vesicle transport and release in neurons. However, its precise role, particularly in nonneuronal systems, is incompletely understood. We report that CASK functions as an important regulator of insulin secretion. CASK depletion in mouse islets/β cells substantially reduces insulin secretion and vesicle docking/fusion. CASK forms a ternary complex with Mint1 and Munc18-1, and this event is regulated by glucose stimulation in β cells. The crystal structure of the CASK/Mint1 complex demonstrates that Mint1 exhibits a unique “whip”-like structure that wraps tightly around the CASK-CaMK domain, which contains dual hydrophobic interaction sites. When triggered by CASK binding, Mint1 modulates the assembly of the complex. Further investigation revealed that CASK-Mint1 binding is critical for ternary complex formation, thereby controlling Munc18-1 membrane localization and insulin secretion. Our work illustrates the distinctive molecular basis underlying CASK/Mint1/Munc18-1 complex formation and reveals the importance of the CASK-Mint1-Munc18 signaling axis in insulin secretion.
Greater Greenland Ice Sheet contribution to global sea level rise in CMIP6
Authors: Hofer Stefan , Lang Charlotte , Amory Charles , Kittel Christoph , Delhasse Alison , Tedstone Andrew , Fettweis Xavier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFuture climate projections show a marked increase in Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS) runoff during the 21st century, a direct consequence of the Polar Amplification signal. Regional climate models (RCMs) are a widely used tool to downscale ensembles of projections from global climate models (GCMs) to assess the impact of global warming on GrIS melt and sea level rise contribution. Initial results of the CMIP6 GCM model intercomparison project have revealed a greater 21st century temperature rise than in CMIP5 models. However, so far very little is known about the subsequent impacts on the future GrIS surface melt and therefore sea level rise contribution. Here, we show that the total GrIS sea level rise contribution from surface mass loss in our high-resolution (15 km) regional climate projections is 17.8 ± 7.8 cm in SSP585, 7.9 cm more than in our RCP8.5 simulations using CMIP5 input. We identify a +1.3 °C greater Arctic Amplification and associated cloud and sea ice feedbacks in the CMIP6 SSP585 scenario as the main drivers. Additionally, an assessment of the GrIS sea level contribution across all emission scenarios highlights, that the GrIS mass loss in CMIP6 is equivalent to a CMIP5 scenario with twice the global radiative forcing.
Classical communication enhanced quantum state verification
Authors: Zhang Wen-Hao , Liu Xiao , Yin Peng , Peng Xing-Xiang , Li Gong-Chu , Xu Xiao-Ye , Yu Shang , Hou Zhi-Bo , Han Yong-Jian , Xu Jin-Shi , Zhou Zong-Quan , Chen Geng , Li Chuan-Feng , Guo Guang-Can 
Published: December 2020

AbstractQuantum state verification provides an efficient approach to characterize the reliability of quantum devices for generating certain target states. The figure of merit of a specific strategy is the estimated infidelity ϵ of the tested state to the target state, given a certain number of performed measurements n. Entangled measurements constitute the globally optimal strategy and achieve the scaling that ϵ is inversely proportional to n. Recent advances show that it is possible to achieve the same scaling simply with non-adaptive local measurements; however, the performance is still worse than the globally optimal bound up to a constant factor. In this work, by introducing classical communication, we experimentally implement an adaptive quantum state verification. The constant factor is minimized from ~2.5 to 1.5 in this experiment, which means that only 60% measurements are required to achieve a certain value of ϵ compared to optimal non-adaptive local strategy. Our results indicate that classical communication significantly enhances the performance of quantum state verification, and leads to an efficiency that further approaches the globally optimal bound.
Sex-specific differences in resting-state functional connectivity of large-scale networks in postconcussion syndrome
Authors: Shafi Reema , Crawley Adrian P. , Tartaglia Maria Carmela , Tator Charles H. , Green Robin E. , Mikulis David J. , Colantonio Angela 
Published: December 2020

AbstractConcussions are associated with a range of cognitive, neuropsychological and behavioral sequelae that, at times, persist beyond typical recovery times and are referred to as postconcussion syndrome (PCS). There is growing support that concussion can disrupt network-based connectivity post-injury. To date, a significant knowledge gap remains regarding the sex-specific impact of concussion on resting state functional connectivity (rs-FC). The aims of this study were to (1) investigate the injury-based rs-FC differences across three large-scale neural networks and (2) explore the sex-specific impact of injury on network-based connectivity. MRI data was collected from a sample of 80 concussed participants who fulfilled the criteria for postconcussion syndrome and 31 control participants who did not have any history of concussion. Connectivity maps between network nodes and brain regions were used to assess connectivity using the Functional Connectivity (CONN) toolbox. Network based statistics showed that concussed participants were significantly different from healthy controls across both salience and fronto-parietal network nodes. More specifically, distinct subnetwork components were identified in the concussed sample, with hyperconnected frontal nodes and hypoconnected posterior nodes across both the salience and fronto-parietal networks, when compared to the healthy controls. Node-to-region analyses showed sex-specific differences across association cortices, however, driven by distinct networks. Sex-specific network-based alterations in rs-FC post concussion need to be examined to better understand the underlying mechanisms and associations to clinical outcomes.
Integrative analysis of multi-platform reverse-phase protein array data for the pharmacodynamic assessment of response to targeted therapies
Authors: Byron Adam , Bernhardt Stephan , Ouine Bérèngere , Cartier Aurélie , Macleod Kenneth G. , Carragher Neil O. , Sibut Vonick , Korf Ulrike , Serrels Bryan , de Koning Leanne 
Published: December 2020

AbstractReverse-phase protein array (RPPA) technology uses panels of high-specificity antibodies to measure proteins and protein post-translational modifications in cells and tissues. The approach offers sensitive and precise quantification of large numbers of samples and has thus found applications in the analysis of clinical and pre-clinical samples. For effective integration into drug development and clinical practice, robust assays with consistent results are essential. Leveraging a collaborative RPPA model, we set out to assess the variability between three different RPPA platforms using distinct instrument set-ups and workflows. Employing multiple RPPA-based approaches operated across distinct laboratories, we characterised a range of human breast cancer cells and their protein-level responses to two clinically relevant cancer drugs. We integrated multi-platform RPPA data and used unsupervised learning to identify protein expression and phosphorylation signatures that were not dependent on RPPA platform and analysis workflow. Our findings indicate that proteomic analyses of cancer cell lines using different RPPA platforms can identify concordant profiles of response to pharmacological inhibition, including when using different antibodies to measure the same target antigens. These results highlight the robustness and the reproducibility of RPPA technology and its capacity to identify protein markers of disease or response to therapy.
Optimization and computational studies evaluating molecular dynamics of EDA cored polymeric dendrimer
Authors: Chawla Malvika , Kaushik R. D. , Singh Jaspal , Manila  
Published: December 2020

AbstractIn this work we report the results acquired from molecular dynamics simulations as well as the optimization of different generations of polyamidoamine dendrimer. The analysis data revealed synthesized dendrimer as a suitable nanostructured candidate suitable for neutral as well as charged molecule delivery due to the presence of both electrostatic potential and van der Waals forces. The methyl ester terminating groups of half-generation dendrimers with characteristic IR peaks for carbonyl at 1670.41 cm−1 tends to shift to 1514.17 cm−1 on conversion to amide group of full-generation dendrimer. The study includes the usage of detailed analysis, demonstrating how molecular dynamics affect the dendrimer complexation. The present investigations provide an unprecedented insight into the computational and experimental system that may be of general significance for the clinical application of dendrimers.
Linking morphological and molecular sources to disentangle the case of Xylodon australis
Authors: Fernández-López Javier , Telleria M. Teresa , Dueñas Margarita , Laguna-Castro Mara , Schliep Klaus , Martín María P. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe use of different sources of evidence has been recommended in order to conduct species delimitation analyses to solve taxonomic issues. In this study, we use a maximum likelihood framework to combine morphological and molecular traits to study the case of Xylodon australis (Hymenochaetales, Basidiomycota) using the locate.yeti function from the phytools R package. Xylodon australis has been considered a single species distributed across Australia, New Zealand and Patagonia. Multi-locus phylogenetic analyses were conducted to unmask the actual diversity under X. australis as well as the kinship relations respect their relatives. To assess the taxonomic position of each clade, locate.yeti function was used to locate in a molecular phylogeny the X. australis type material for which no molecular data was available using morphological continuous traits. Two different species were distinguished under the X. australis name, one from Australia–New Zealand and other from Patagonia. In addition, a close relationship with Xylodon lenis, a species from the South East of Asia, was confirmed for the Patagonian clade. We discuss the implications of our results for the biogeographical history of this genus and we evaluate the potential of this method to be used with historical collections for which molecular data is not available.
Influence of an aluminium concentrator corrosion on the output characteristic of a photovoltaic system
Authors: Mota Frederico , Neto Torres João Paulo , Ferreira Fernandes Carlos A. , Marques Lameirinhas Ricardo A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe climate changes observed over the last decades have been promoting a massive transformation on the energy sector, that is still, in truth highly dependent on fossil fuels. Renewable energies are a plausible alternative, because they have lower emissions of toxic gases in comparison with non-renewable ones. In the group of renewable energies, solar technology has the biggest overall potential, mainly because it is cheap and easy to set. Several solar technologies allow to equip their photovoltaic panels with concentrators, mostly to increase the output power and possibly their efficiency. However, some problems related to the use of concentrators have to be dealt in order to improve the entire photovoltaic system performance. One of these issues is the corrosion of the concentrators, leading to a premature ageing and, consequently an increase in maintenance costs. This problem is going to be analysed in this paper, presenting some simulation from a ray traicing software and also some experimental results, from our own laboratory experiences. The used software allows to trace the solar rays of the concentrator, in order to assess the effect of the defects caused by corrosion due to the ambient circumstances. After it, experimental results will help to analyse this effect and to prove simulation ones.
Nutrient removal by rice–wheat cropping system as influenced by crop establishment techniques and fertilization options in conjunction with microbial inoculation
Authors: Shahane Amit Anil , Shivay Yashbir Singh , Prasanna Radha , Kumar Dinesh 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNutrient uptake by the rice–wheat cropping system (RWCS) is an important indicator of soil fertility and plant nutrient status. The hypothesis of this investigation was that the rate and sources of nutrient application can differentially influence nutrient removal and soil nutrient status in different crop establishment techniques (CETs). Cropping system yield was on par in all the CETs evaluated, however, there were significant changes in soil nutrient availability and microbiological aspects. The system nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and zinc (Zn) uptake in aerobic rice system followed by zero tillage wheat (ARS-ZTW) was 15.7–17.6 kg ha−1, 0.7–0.9 kg ha−1, 7–9.8 kg ha−1and 13.5–23.1 g ha−1and higher than other CETs. The formulations ofAnabaenasp. (CR1) + Providenciasp. (PR3) consortium (MC1) andAnabaena–Pseudomonasbiofilm (MC2) recorded significantly higher values of soil chlorophyll and microbial biomass carbon and positively affected cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient balance, illustrating the beneficial effect of microbial inoculation through increased supply of biologically fixed N and solubilised P. Zinc fertilization (5 kg Zn ha−1through ZnSO4·7H2O as soil application) increased soil DTPA-extractable Zn by 4.025–4.836 g ha–1, with enhancement to the tune of 20–24% after two cropping cycles of RWCS. Our investigation recommends the need for change in the present CETs to ARS–ZTW, along with the use of microbial inoculation as a means of significantly enhancing cropping system nutrient uptake and soil nutrient status improvement.
Intra-articular collagenase in the spinal facet joint induces pain, DRG neuron dysregulation and increased MMP-1 absent evidence of joint destruction
Authors: Ita Meagan E. , Ghimire Prabesh , Welch Rachel L. , Troche Harrison R. , Winkelstein Beth A. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDegeneration is a hallmark of painful joint disease and is mediated by many proteases that degrade joint tissues, including collagenases. We hypothesized that purified bacterial collagenase would initiate nociceptive cascades in the joint by degrading the capsular ligament’s matrix and activating innervating pain fibers. Intra-articular collagenase in the rat facet joint was investigated for its effects on behavioral sensitivity, joint degeneration, and nociceptive pathways in the peripheral and central nervous systems. In parallel, a co-culture collagen gel model of the ligament was used to evaluate effects of collagenase on microscale changes to the collagen fibers and embedded neurons. Collagenase induced sensitivity within one day, lasting for 3 weeks (p < 0.001) but did not alter ligament structure, cartilage health, or chondrocyte homeostasis. Yet, nociceptive mediators were increased in the periphery (substance P, pERK, and MMP-1; p ≤ 0.039) and spinal cord (substance P and MMP-1; p ≤ 0.041). The collagen loss (p = 0.008) induced by exposing co-cultures to collagenase was accompanied by altered neuronal activity (p = 0.002) and elevated neuronal MMP-1 (p < 0.001), suggesting microscale collagen degradation mediates sensitivity in vivo. The induction of sustained sensitivity and nociception without joint damage may explain the clinical disconnect in which symptomatic joint pain patients present without radiographic evidence of joint destruction.
Fresh water skin disease in dolphins: a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors in Australia
Authors: Duignan Pádraig J. , Stephens Nahiid S. , Robb Kate 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA distinct ulcerative dermatitis known as “freshwater skin disease” is an emerging clinical and pathological presentation in coastal cetaceans worldwide. In Australia, two remarkably similar mortality events enabled the creation of a case definition based on pathology and environmental factors. The first affected a community of endemicTursiops australisin the Gippsland Lakes, Victoria, while the second occurred amongT. aduncusresident in the Swan-Canning River system, Western Australia. The common features of both events were (1) an abrupt and marked decrease in salinity (from > 30ppt to < 5ppt) due to rainfall in the catchments, with hypo-salinity persisting weeks to months, and (2) dermatitis characterized grossly by patchy skin pallor that progressed to variable circular or targetoid, often raised, and centrally ulcerated lesions covering up to 70% of the body surface. The affected skin was often colonized by a variety of fungal, bacterial and algal species that imparted variable yellow, green or orange discoloration. Histologic lesions consisted of epidermal hydropic change leading to vesiculation and erosion; alternately, or in addition, the formation of intra-epithelial pustules resulting in ulceration and hypodermal necrosis. Thus, the environmental factors and characteristic pathologic lesions, are necessary components of the case definition for freshwater skin disease.
K2P2.1 (TREK-1) potassium channel activation protects against hyperoxia-induced lung injury
Authors: Zyrianova Tatiana , Lopez Benjamin , Olcese Riccardo , Belperio John , Waters Christopher M. , Wong Leanne , Nguyen Victoria , Talapaneni Sriharsha , Schwingshackl Andreas 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNo targeted therapies exist to counteract Hyperoxia (HO)-induced Acute Lung Injury (HALI). We previously found that HO downregulates alveolar K2P2.1 (TREK-1) K+channels, which results in worsening lung injury. This decrease in TREK-1 levels leaves a subset of channels amendable to pharmacological intervention. Therefore, we hypothesized that TREK-1 activation protects against HALI. We treated HO-exposed mice and primary alveolar epithelial cells (AECs) with the novel TREK-1 activators ML335 and BL1249, and quantified physiological, histological, and biochemical lung injury markers. We determined the effects of these drugs on epithelial TREK-1 currents, plasma membrane potential (Em), and intracellular Ca2+(iCa) concentrations using fluorometric assays, and blocked voltage-gated Ca2+channels (CaV) as a downstream mechanism of cytokine secretion. Once-daily, intra-tracheal injections of HO-exposed mice with ML335 or BL1249 improved lung compliance, histological lung injury scores, broncho-alveolar lavage protein levels and cell counts, and IL-6 and IP-10 concentrations. TREK-1 activation also decreased IL-6, IP-10, and CCL-2 secretion from primary AECs. Mechanistically, ML335 and BL1249 induced TREK-1 currents in AECs, counteracted HO-induced cell depolarization, and lowered iCa2+concentrations. In addition, CCL-2 secretion was decreased after L-type CaVinhibition. Therefore, Em stabilization with TREK-1 activators may represent a novel approach to counteract HALI.
Genome-wide association studies in tropical maize germplasm reveal novel and known genomic regions for resistance to Northern corn leaf blight
Authors: Rashid Zerka , Sofi Mehrajuddin , Harlapur Sharanappa I. , Kachapur Rajashekhar M. , Dar Zahoor Ahmed , Singh Pradeep Kumar , Zaidi Pervez Haider , Vivek Bindiganavile Sampath , Nair Sudha Krishnan 
Published: December 2020

AbstractNorthern Corn Leaf Blight (NCLB) caused bySetosphaeria turcica, is one of the most important diseases of maize world-wide, and one of the major reasons behind yield losses in maize crop in Asia. In the present investigation, a high-resolution genome wide association study (GWAS) was conducted for NCLB resistance in three association mapping panels, predominantly consisting of tropical lines adapted to different agro-ecologies. These panels were phenotyped for disease severity across three locations with high disease prevalence in India. High density SNPs from Genotyping-by-sequencing were used in GWAS, after controlling for population structure and kinship matrices, based on single locus mixed linear model (MLM). Twenty-two SNPs were identified, that revealed a significant association with NCLB in the three mapping panels. Haplotype regression analysis revealed association of 17 significant haplotypes at FDR ≤ 0.05, with two common haplotypes across three maize panels. Several of the significantly associated SNPs/haplotypes were found to be co-located in chromosomal bins previously reported for major genes likeHt2,Ht3andHtn1and QTL for NCLB resistance and multiple foliar disease resistance. Phenotypic variance explained by these significant SNPs/haplotypes ranged from low to moderate, suggesting a breeding strategy of combining multiple resistance alleles towards resistance for NCLB.
Characterization of Enterococcus faecalis in different culture conditions
Authors: Kim Mi-Ah , Rosa Vinicius , Min Kyung-San 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate how carbohydrates (glucose or sucrose) affect the characteristics of Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis) planktonic and biofilm in vitro. For this study, E. faecalis was cultured in tryptone-yeast extract broth with 0% glucose + 0% sucrose, 0.5% glucose, 1% glucose, 0.5% sucrose, or 1% sucrose. Viability of E. faecalis was examined by colony forming unit counting assays. Biofilm formation was assessed by measuring extracellular DNA (eDNA), a component of the biofilm matrix. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was performed to investigate the expression of virulence-associated genes. Field emission scanning electron microscopy analysis, confocal laser scanning microscopy analysis, and crystal violet colorimetric assay were conducted to study E. faecalis biofilms. E. faecalis showed the highest viability and eDNA levels in 1% sucrose medium in biofilms. The result of qRT-PCR showed that the virulence-associated genes expressed highest in 1% sucrose-grown biofilms and in 1% glucose-grown planktonic cultures. E. faecalis showed highly aggregated biofilms and higher bacteria and exopolysaccharide (EPS) bio-volume in sucrose than in 0% glucose + 0% sucrose or glucose. The results indicate that the production of eDNA and EPS and expression of virulence-associated genes in E. faecalis are affected by the concentration of carbohydrates in biofilm or planktonic culture.