bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrafast ultrasound imaging pattern analysis reveals distinctive dynamic brain states and potent sub-network alterations in arthritic animals
Authors: Rahal Line , Thibaut Miguel , Rivals Isabelle , Claron Julien , Lenkei Zsolt , Sitt Jacobo D. , Tanter Mickael , Pezet Sophie 
Published: June 2020

AbstractChronic pain pathologies, which are due to maladaptive changes in the peripheral and/or central nervous systems, are debilitating diseases that affect 20% of the European adult population. A better understanding of the mechanisms underlying this pathogenesis would facilitate the identification of novel therapeutic targets. Functional connectivity (FC) extracted from coherent low-frequency hemodynamic fluctuations among cerebral networks has recently brought light on a powerful approach to study large scale brain networks and their disruptions in neurological/psychiatric disorders. Analysis of FC is classically performed on averaged signals over time, but recently, the analysis of the dynamics of FC has also provided new promising information. Keeping in mind the limitations of animal models of persistent pain but also the powerful tool they represent to improve our understanding of the neurobiological basis of chronic pain pathogenicity, this study aimed at defining the alterations in functional connectivity, in a clinically relevant animal model of sustained inflammatory pain (Adjuvant-induced Arthritis) in rats by using functional ultrasound imaging, a neuroimaging technique with a unique spatiotemporal resolution (100 μm and 2 ms) and sensitivity. Our results show profound alterations of FC in arthritic animals, such as a subpart of the somatomotor (SM) network, occurring several weeks after the beginning of the disease. Also, we demonstrate for the first time that dynamic functional connectivity assessed by ultrasound can provide quantitative and robust information on the dynamic pattern that we define as brain states. While the main state consists of an overall synchrony of hemodynamic fluctuations in the SM network, arthritic animal spend statistically more time in two other states, where the fluctuations of the primary sensory cortex of the inflamed hind paws show asynchrony with the rest of the SM network. Finally, correlating FC changes with pain behavior in individual animals suggest links between FC alterations and either the cognitive or the emotional aspects of pain. Our study introduces fUS as a new translational tool for the enhanced understanding of the dynamic pain connectome and brain plasticity in a major preclinical model of chronic pain.
Perceived non-smoking norms and motivation to stop smoking, quit attempts, and cessation: a cross-sectional study in England
Authors: Jackson Sarah E. , Proudfoot Hannah , Brown Jamie , East Katherine , Hitchman Sara C. , Shahab Lion 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis study examined the prevalence of non-smoking norms in England and their associations with motivation to stop smoking, quit attempts, and cessation. Data were from a representative cross-sectional survey of 1,521 adults (301 combustible tobacco smokers). Descriptive non-smoking norms were endorsed, with just 16% of adults (12% of smokers) believing smoking was uncommon. Injunctive non-smoking norms were more prevalent, with 60–77% of adults (17–48% of smokers) viewing smoking as something of which others disapproved. Personal non-smoking norms were also prevalent among all adults (73% indicated they would prefer to live with a non-smoker) but not smokers (69% had no preference). Smokers who endorsed stronger descriptive non-smoking norms had increased odds of reporting high motivation to stop smoking (ORadj = 1.63, 95%CI 1.06–2.52). Female (but not male) past-year smokers who endorsed stronger injunctive (ORadj = 2.19, 95%CI 1.41–3.42) and personal (ORadj = 1.90, 95%CI 1.29–2.82) non-smoking norms had increased odds of having made a past-year quit attempt. In conclusion, perceived descriptive non-smoking norms are not held by the majority of adults in England. Injunctive and personal non-smoking norms are prevalent among all adults but lower among smokers. There is some evidence that smokers – in particular, women – who endorse stronger non-smoking norms are more likely to be motivated to stop smoking and to make a quit attempt.
A vibrating beam MEMS accelerometer for gravity and seismic measurements
Authors: Mustafazade Arif , Pandit Milind , Zhao Chun , Sobreviela Guillermo , Du Zhijun , Steinmann Philipp , Zou Xudong , Howe Roger T. , Seshia Ashwin A. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThis paper introduces a differential vibrating beam MEMS accelerometer demonstrating excellent long-term stability for applications in gravimetry and seismology. The MEMS gravimeter module demonstrates an output Allan deviation of 9 μGal for a 1000 s integration time, a noise floor of 100 μGal/√Hz, and measurement over the full ±1 g dynamic range (1 g = 9.81 ms−2). The sensitivity of the device is demonstrated through the tracking of Earth tides and recording of ground motion corresponding to a number of teleseismic events over several months. These results demonstrate that vibrating beam MEMS accelerometers can be employed for measurements requiring high levels of stability and resolution with wider implications for precision measurement employing other resonant-output MEMS devices such as gyroscopes and magnetometers.
RIPK3 blockade attenuates tubulointerstitial fibrosis in a mouse model of diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Shi Ying , Huang Chunling , Zhao Yongli , Cao Qinghua , Yi Hao , Chen Xinming , Pollock Carol 
Published: June 2020

AbstractReceptor-interacting protein kinase-3 (RIPK3) is a multifunctional regulator of cell death and inflammation. RIPK3 controls cellular signalling through the formation of the domain-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome, which is recognised to mediate renal fibrogenesis. The role of RIPK3 in diabetic kidney disease (DKD) induced renal fibrosis has not been previously determined. To define the action of RIPK3 in the development of diabetic kidney disease, wild-type (WT), RIPK3 -/- and endothelium-derived nitric oxide synthase (eNOS)-/- mice were induced to develop diabetes mellitus using multiple low doses of streptozotocin and maintained for 24 weeks. RIPK3 activity and NLRP3 expression were upregulated and fibrotic responses were increased in the kidney cortex of WT mice with established diabetic nephropathy compared to control mice. Consistently, mRNA expression of inflammasome components, as well as transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGFβ1), α smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen deposition were increased in diabetic kidneys of WT mice compared to control mice. However, these markers were normalised or significantly reversed in kidneys of diabetic RIPK3 -/- mice. Renoprotection was also observed using the RIPK3 inhibitor dabrafenib in eNOS-/- diabetic mice as demonstrated by reduced collagen deposition and myofibroblast activation. These results suggest that RIPK3 is associated with the development of renal fibrosis in DKD due to the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome. Inhibition of RIPK3 results in renoprotection. Thus, RIPK3 may be a potential target for therapeutic intervention in patients with diabetic kidney disease.
Adipose tissue in health and disease through the lens of its building blocks
Authors: Lenz Michael , Arts Ilja C. W. , Peeters Ralf L. M. , de Kok Theo M. , Ertaylan Gökhan 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUnderstanding adipose tissue cellular heterogeneity and homeostasis is essential to comprehend the cell type dynamics in metabolic diseases. Cellular subpopulations in the adipose tissue have been related to disease development, but efforts towards characterizing the adipose tissue cell type composition are limited. Here, we identify the cell type composition of the adipose tissue by using gene expression deconvolution of large amounts of publicly available transcriptomics level data. The proposed approach allows to present a comprehensive study of adipose tissue cell type composition, determining the relative amounts of 21 different cell types in 1282 adipose tissue samples detailing differences across four adipose tissue depots, between genders, across ranges of BMI and in different stages of type-2 diabetes. We compare our results to previous marker-based studies by conducting a literature review of adipose tissue cell type composition and propose candidate cellular markers to distinguish different cell types within the adipose tissue. This analysis reveals gender-specific differences in CD4+and CD8+T cell subsets; identifies adipose tissue as rich source of multipotent stem/stromal cells; and highlights a strongly increased immune cell content in epicardial and pericardial adipose tissue compared to subcutaneous and omental depots. Overall, this systematic analysis provides comprehensive insights into adipose tissue cell-type heterogeneity in health and disease.
Laboratory culture of the California Sea Firefly Vargula tsujii (Ostracoda: Cypridinidae): Developing a model system for the evolution of marine bioluminescence
Authors: Goodheart Jessica A. , Minsky Geetanjali , Brynjegard-Bialik Mira N. , Drummond Michael S. , Munoz J. David , Fallon Timothy R. , Schultz Darrin T. , Weng Jing-Ke , Torres Elizabeth , Oakley Todd H. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBioluminescence, or the production of light by living organisms via chemical reaction, is widespread across Metazoa. Laboratory culture of bioluminescent organisms from diverse taxonomic groups is important for determining the biosynthetic pathways of bioluminescent substrates, which may lead to new tools for biotechnology and biomedicine. Some bioluminescent groups may be cultured, including some cnidarians, ctenophores, and brittle stars, but those use luminescent substrates (luciferins) obtained from their diets, and therefore are not informative for determination of the biosynthetic pathways of the luciferins. Other groups, including terrestrial fireflies, do synthesize their own luciferin, but culturing them is difficult and the biosynthetic pathway for firefly luciferin remains unclear. An additional independent origin of endogenous bioluminescence is found within ostracods from the family Cypridinidae, which use their luminescence for defense and, in Caribbean species, for courtship displays. Here, we report the first complete life cycle of a luminous ostracod (Vargula tsujii Kornicker & Baker, 1977, the California Sea Firefly) in the laboratory. We also describe the late-stage embryogenesis of Vargula tsujii and discuss the size classes of instar development. We find embryogenesis in V. tsujii ranges from 25–38 days, and this species appears to have five instar stages, consistent with ontogeny in other cypridinid lineages. We estimate a complete life cycle at 3–4 months. We also present the first complete mitochondrial genome for Vargula tsujii. Bringing a luminous ostracod into laboratory culture sets the stage for many potential avenues of study, including learning the biosynthetic pathway of cypridinid luciferin and genomic manipulation of an autogenic bioluminescent system.
The speed of FtsZ treadmilling is tightly regulated by membrane binding
Authors: García-Soriano Daniela A. , Heermann Tamara , Raso Ana , Rivas Germán , Schwille Petra 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAs one of the key elements in bacterial cell division, the cytoskeletal protein FtsZ appears to be highly involved in circumferential treadmilling along the inner membrane, yielding circular vortices when transferred to flat membranes. However, it remains unclear how a membrane-targeted protein can produce these dynamics. Here, we dissect the roles of membrane binding, GTPase activity, and the unstructured C-terminal linker on the treadmilling of a chimera FtsZ protein through in vitro reconstitution of different FtsZ-YFP-mts variants on supported membranes. In summary, our results suggest substantial robustness of dynamic vortex formation, where only significant mutations, resulting in abolished membrane binding or compromised lateral interactions, are detrimental for the generation of treadmilling rings. In addition to GTPase activity, which directly affects treadmilling dynamics, we found a striking correlation of membrane binding with treadmilling speed as a result of changing the MTS on our chimera proteins. This discovery leads to the hypothesis that the in vivo existence of two alternative tether proteins for FtsZ could be a mechanism for controlling FtsZ treadmilling.
Applications of chitosan (CHI)-reduced graphene oxide (rGO)-polyaniline (PAni) conducting composite electrode for energy generation in glucose biofuel cell
Authors: Haque Sufia ul , Nasar Abu , Inamuddin  , Rahman Mohammed Muzibur 
Published: June 2020

AbstractA glassy carbon electrode (GC) immobilized with chitosan (CHI)@reduced graphene (rGO)-polyaniline (PAni)/ferritin (Frt)/glucose oxidase (GOx) bioelectrode was prepared. The prepared electrode was characterized by using cyclic voltammetry (CV), linear sweep voltammetry (LSV) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) techniques. The morphological characterization was made by scanning electron microsopy (SEM) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. This bioelectrode provided a stable current response of 3.5 ± 0.02 mAcm−2 in 20 mM glucose. The coverage of enzyme on 0.07 cm2 area of electrode modified with CHI@rGO-PAni/Frt was calculated to be 3.80 × 10−8 mol cm−2.
Early social and ecological experience triggers divergent reproductive investment strategies in a cooperative breeder
Authors: Antunes Diogo F. , Taborsky Barbara 
Published: June 2020

AbstractUnlike eusocial systems, which are characterized by reproductive division of labour, cooperative breeders were predicted not to exhibit any reproductive specialization early in life. Nevertheless, also cooperative breeders face a major life-history decision between dispersal and independent breeding vs staying as helper on the natal territory, which might affect their reproductive strategies. In the cooperatively-breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher early-life social and predator experiences induce two behavioural types differing in later-life social and dispersal behaviour. We performed a long-term breeding experiment to test whether the two early-life behavioural types differ in their reproductive investment. We found that the early-dispersing type laid fewer and smaller eggs, and thus invested overall less in reproduction, compared to the philopatric type. Thus N. pulcher had specialised already shortly after birth for a dispersal and reproductive strategy, which is in sharp contrast to the proposition that reproductively totipotent cooperative breeders should avoid reproductive specialization before adulthood.
An alternative interpretation of the slow KaiB-KaiC binding of the cyanobacterial clock proteins
Authors: Koda Shin-ichi , Saito Shinji 
Published: June 2020

AbstractThe biological clock of cyanobacteria is composed of three proteins, KaiA, KaiB, and KaiC. The KaiB-KaiC binding brings the slowness into the system, which is essential for the long period of the circadian rhythm. However, there is no consensus as to the origin of the slowness due to the pre-binding conformational transition of either KaiB or KaiC. In this study, we propose a simple KaiB-KaiC binding scheme in a hexameric form with an attractive interaction between adjacent bound KaiB monomers, which is independent of KaiB’s conformational change. We then show that the present scheme can explain several important experimental results on the binding, including that used as evidence for the slow conformational transition of KaiB. The present result thus indicates that the slowness arises from KaiC rather than KaiB.
Classification of Early-Onset and Late-Onset Idiopathic Chronic Pancreatitis Needs Reconsideration
Authors: Liu Yu , Wang Dan , Cai Yi-Li , Zhang Tao , Chen Hua-Liang , Hao Lu , Wang Teng , Zhang Di , Yang Huai-Yu , Ma Jia-Yi , Li Juan , Zhang Ling-Ling , Chen Cui , Guo Hong-Lei , Bi Ya-Wei , Xin Lei , Zeng Xiang-Peng , Chen Hui , Xie Ting , Liao Zhuan , Cong Zhi-Jie , Li Zhao-Shen , Hu Liang-Hao 
Published: June 2020

AbstractBimodal classification of idiopathic chronic pancreatitis (ICP) into early-onset (<35 years) and late-onset (>35 years) ICP was proposed in 1994 based on a study of 66 patients. However, bimodal distribution wasn’t sufficiently demonstrated. Our objective was to examine the validity and relevance of the age-based bimodal classification of ICP. We analyzed the distribution of age at onset of ICP in our cohort of 1633 patients admitted to our center from January 2000 to December 2013. Classify ICP patients into early-onset ICP(a) and late-onset ICP(a) according to different cut-off values (cut-off value, a = 15, 25, 35, 45, 55, 65 years old) for age at onset. Compare clinical characteristics of early-onset ICP(a) and late-onset ICP(a). We found slightly right skewed distribution of age at onset for ICP in our cohort. There were differences between early-onset and late-onset ICP with respect to basic clinical characteristics and development of key clinical events regardless of the cut off age at onset i.e. 15, 25, 35, 45 or even higher. The validity of the bimodal classification of early-onset and late-onset ICP could not be established in our large patient cohort and therefore such a classification needs to be reconsidered.
Correlation analysis of land surface temperature and topographic elements in Hangzhou, China
Authors: Peng Xiaoxue , Wu Wenyuan , Zheng Yaoyao , Sun Jingyi , Hu Tangao , Wang Pin 
Published: June 2020

AbstractIn addition to human activities, this study found that topography is also an important factor affecting land surface temperature (LST). In this paper, based on Landsat 8 OLI/TIRS remote sensing images, a radiative transfer model was adopted to retrieve the LST, and a maximum likelihood method was used to remove artificial environmental interference factors, such as water bodies and built-up lands. This paper aims to analyze the influence of topographic factors, such as elevation, slope, aspect and shaded relief, on the LST of Hangzhou. By means of a statistical analysis, we obtained the quantitative relationship between these factors and constructed a multiple linear regression model of terrain factors and LST. The research revealed the following findings: (1) in the study area, elevation and slope are negatively correlated with LST, and all the factors have linear relationships with LST. (2) The relationship between aspect and LST is not significant, and high values of LST are found on the southern, southeastern and southwestern slopes; the lowest values are found on the northern slopes. (3) There is a significant linear relationship between the values of the shaded relief map and LST, and the more shadows there are, the lower the LST value will be. (4) After comprehensive analysis of the influence of the abovementioned topographic factors on the LST, it is found that shaded relief has the greatest contribution and is positively correlated with LST. The influence of shaded relief on surface thermal environment should be paid more attention in the process of surface thermal environment work. The assessment of the influence degree of shaded relief and surface thermal environment should be the premise and basis for many other studies.
Neural substrates of anticipatory motor adaptation for object lifting
Authors: Marneweck Michelle , Grafton Scott T. 
Published: June 2020

AbstractAnticipatory force control is a fundamental means by which humans stave off slipping, spilling, and tilting disasters while manipulating objects. This control must often be adapted due to changes in an object’s dynamics (e.g. a lighter than expected mug of coffee) or its relation with involved effectors or digits (e.g. lift a mug with three vs. five digits). The neural processes guiding such anticipatory and adaptive control is understudied but presumably operates along multiple time scales, analogous to what has been identified with adaptation in other motor tasks, such as perturbations during reaching. Learning of anticipatory forces must be ultrafast to minimize tilting a visually symmetric object towards its concealed asymmetric center of mass (CoM), but slower when the CoM is explicitly and systematically switched from side to side. Studying the neural substrates of this latter slower learning process with rapid multiband brain imaging, in-scanner kinematics and Bayesian pattern component modelling, we show that CoM-specific pattern distances increase with repeated CoM switching exposures and improved learning. The cerebellum showed the most prominent effects, fitting with the idea that it forms a stored internal model that is used to build and update anticipatory control. CoM-specific pattern distances were present 24 h later, in line with the presence of consolidation effects.
Use of longer sized screws is a salvage method for broken pedicles in osteoporotic vertebrae
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Kai , Liu Mu-Yi , Chen Jin-Kai , Tsai Tsung-Ting , Lai Po-Liang , Niu Chi-Chien , Tai Ching-Lung 
Published: June 2020

AbstractScrew loosening due to broken pedicles is a common complication resulting from the insertion of screws either with inadequate diameters or into an osteoporotic pedicle. In this novel in vitro study, we tried to clarify the contribution of the pedicle to screw fixation and subsequent salvage strategies using longer or larger-diameter screws in broken pedicles. Sixty L4 fresh-frozen lumbar vertebrae harvested from mature pigs were designed as the normal-density group (n = 30) and decalcified as the osteoporosis group (n = 30). Three modalities were randomly assigned as intact pedicle (n = 30), semi-pedicle (n = 15), and non-pedicle (n = 15) in each group. Three sizes of polyaxial screws (diameter × length of 6.0 mm × 45 mm, 6.0 mm × 50 mm, and 6.5 mm × 45 mm) over five trials were used in each modality. The associations between bone density, pedicle modality and screw pullout strength were analyzed. After decalcification for 4 weeks, the area bone mineral density decreased to approximately 56% (p < 0.05) of the normal-density group, which was assigned as the osteoporosis group. An appropriate screw trajectory and insertional depth were confirmed using X-ray imaging prior to pullout testing in both groups. The pullout forces of larger-diameter screws (6.5 mm × 45 mm) and longer screws (6.0 mm × 50 mm) were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the semi- and non-pedicle modalities in the normal-density group, whereas only longer screws (6.0 mm × 50 mm) had a significantly higher (p < 0.05) pullout force in the non-pedicle modalities in the osteoporosis group. The pedicle plays an important role in both the normal bone density group and the osteoporosis group, as revealed by analyzing the pullout force percentage contributed by the pedicle. Use of a longer screw would be a way to salvage a broken pedicle of osteoporotic vertebra.