bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IgE-activated mast cells enhance TLR4-mediated antigen-specific CD4+ T cell responses
Authors: Phong Binh L. , D’Souza Shaina J. , Baudier Robin L. , Wu Eric , Immethun Victoria E. , Bauer David L. , McLachlan James B. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractMast cells are potent mediators of allergy and asthma, yet their role in regulating adaptive immunity remains ambiguous. On the surface of mast cells, the crosslinking of IgE bound to FcεRI by a specific antigen recognized by that IgE triggers the release of immune mediators such as histamine and cytokines capable of activating other immune cells; however, little is known about the mast cell contribution to the induction of endogenous, antigen-specific CD4+ T cells. Here we examined the effects of specific mast cell activation in vivo on the initiation of an antigen-specific CD4+ T cell response. While CD4+ T cells were not enhanced by FcεRI stimulation alone, their activation was synergistically enhanced when FcεRI activation was combined with TLR4 stimulation. This enhanced activation was dependent on global TLR4 stimulation but appeared to be less dependent on mast cell expressed TLR4. This study provides important new evidence to support the role of mast cells as mediators of the antigen-specific adaptive immune response.
Vibration mitigation of an MDoF system subjected to stochastic loading by means of hysteretic nonlinear locally resonant metamaterials
Authors: Basone Francesco , Bursi Oreste S. , Aloschi Fabrizio , Fischbach Günter 
Published: May 2021

AbstractIn this paper, we intend to mitigate absolute accelerations and displacements in the low-frequency regime of multiple-degrees-of-freedom fuel storage tanks subjected to stochastic seismic excitations. Therefore, we propose to optimize a finite locally resonant metafoundation equipped with massive resonators and fully nonlinear hysteretic devices. The optimization process takes into account the stochastic nature of seismic records in the stationary frequency domain; the records are modelled with the power spectral density S0 and modified with a Kanai–Tajimi filter. Moreover, the massive superstructure of a fuel storage tank is also considered in the optimization procedure. To optimize the nonlinear behaviour of dampers, we use a Bouc–Wen hysteretic model; the relevant nonlinear differential equations are reduced to a system of linear equations through the stochastic equivalent linearization technique. The optimized system is successively verified against natural seismic records by means of nonlinear transient time history analyses. Finally, we determine the dispersion relations for the relevant periodic metafoundation.
Cytochrome P450-epoxygenated fatty acids inhibit Müller glial inflammation
Authors: Ontko Cayla D. , Capozzi Megan E. , Kim Minjae J. , McCollum Gary W. , Penn John S. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFree fatty acid dysregulation in diabetics may elicit the release of inflammatory cytokines from Müller cells (MC), promoting the onset and progression of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Palmitic acid (PA) is elevated in the sera of diabetics and stimulates the production of the DR-relevant cytokines by MC, including IL-1β, which induces the production of itself and other inflammatory cytokines in the retina as well. In this study we propose that experimental elevation of cytochrome P450 epoxygenase (CYP)-derived epoxygenated fatty acids, epoxyeicosatrienoic acid (EET) and epoxydocosapentaenoic acid (EDP), will reduce PA- and IL-1β-induced MC inflammation. Broad-spectrum CYP inhibition by SKF-525a increased MC expression of inflammatory cytokines. Exogenous 11,12-EET and 19,20-EDP significantly decreased PA- and IL-1β-induced MC expression of IL-1β and IL-6. Both epoxygenated fatty acids significantly decreased IL-8 expression in IL-1β-induced MC and TNFα in PA-induced MC. Interestingly, 11,12-EET and 19,20-EDP significantly increased TNFα in IL-1β-treated MC. GSK2256294, a soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) inhibitor, significantly reduced PA- and IL-1β-stimulated MC cytokine expression. 11,12-EET and 19,20-EDP were also found to decrease PA- and IL-1β-induced NFκB-dependent transcriptional activity. These data suggest that experimental elevation of 11,12-EET and 19,20-EDP decreases MC inflammation in part by blocking NFκB-dependent transcription and may represent a viable therapeutic strategy for inhibition of early retinal inflammation in DR.
Elevational and seasonal patterns of butterflies and hawkmoths in plant-pollinator networks in tropical rainforests of Mount Cameroon
Authors: Mertens Jan E. J. , Brisson Lucas , Janeček Štěpán , Klomberg Yannick , Maicher Vincent , Sáfián Szabolcs , Delabye Sylvain , Potocký Pavel , Kobe Ishmeal N. , Pyrcz Tomasz , Tropek Robert 
Published: May 2021

AbstractButterflies and moths are conspicuous flower visitors but their role in plant-pollinator interactions has rarely been quantified, especially in tropical rainforests. Moreover, we have virtually no knowledge of environmental factors affecting the role of lepidopterans in pollination networks. We videorecorded flower-visiting butterflies and hawkmoths on 212 plant species (> 26,000 recorded hrs) along the complete elevational gradient of rainforests on Mount Cameroon in dry and wet seasons. Altogether, we recorded 734 flower visits by 80 butterfly and 27 hawkmoth species, representing only ~ 4% of all flower visits. Although lepidopterans visited flowers of only a third of the plant species, they appeared to be key visitors for several plants. Lepidopterans visited flowers most frequently at mid-elevations and dry season, mirroring their local elevational patterns of diversity. Characteristics of interaction networks showed no apparent elevational or seasonal patterns, probably because of the high specialisation of all networks. Significant non-linear changes of proboscis and forewing lengths were found along elevation. A positive relationship between the lengths of proboscis of hesperiid butterflies and tube of visited flowers was detected. Differences in floral preferences were found between sphingids and butterflies, revealing the importance of nectar production, floral size and shape for sphingids, and floral colour for butterflies. The revealed trait-matching and floral preferences confirmed their potential to drive floral evolution in tropical ecosystems.
Clay mineral composition of upland soils and its implication for pedogenesis and soil taxonomy in subtropical China
Authors: Ouyang Ningxiang , Zhang Yangzhu , Sheng Hao , Zhou Qing , Huang Yunxiang , Yu Zhan 
Published: May 2021

AbstractClay minerals are intermediate products generated during soil development, and their neoformation and transformation are closely related to pedogenesis. Here we aimed at identifying the difference in the clay mineral composition of upland soils derived from different parent materials and different soil-forming environments and exploring the importance of clay mineral composition in pedogenesis and soil taxonomy. We sampled 60 soil B horizons in Hunan Province of subtropical China by digging soils derived from granite (GR), slate and shale (SS), Quaternary red clay (QRC), limestone (LS), and sandstone (SDS). The clay mineral composition and its correlation with parent materials, elevation, micro-topography, and pedogenic processes were investigated using X-ray diffraction and Pearson’s correlation analysis. The clay mineral was dominated by kaolinite, followed by 2:1-type minerals (illite and vermiculite), and a small fraction of mixed-layer minerals. The composition of soil clay minerals varied with parent materials. Kaolinite was predominant in soils derived from GR and LS; mixed-layer minerals prevailed in QRC, whereas illite and vermiculite were prevalent in SDS. In addition, elevation and micro-climate could also explain the variations in clay mineral composition. Increase in elevation was associated with decreased 1:1 clay mineral content and increased 2:1 clay mineral content, especially in soils developed from LS. The composition and content of clay minerals indicated that Ferrosols, Ultisols, and Acrisols had undergone intense weathering; Primosols, Entisols, and Leptosols were characterised by weak weathering, and Plinthic Ali-Udic Cambosols, Plinthudults, and Plinthosols were characterised by strong redox status. This study suggests that clay mineral composition is related to the parent material, climate, and micro-topography, and that it can serve as an indicator of pedogenesis and soil type in subtropical China.
pH induced conformational alteration in human peroxiredoxin 6 might be responsible for its resistance against lysosomal pH or high temperature
Authors: Chowhan Rimpy Kaur , Hotumalani Sunaina , Rahaman Hamidur , Singh Laishram Rajendrakumar 
Published: May 2021

AbstractPeroxiredoxin 6 (Prdx6), the ubiquitously expressed enzyme belonging to the family of peroxidases, namely, peroxiredoxins, exhibits a unique feature of functional compartmentalization within cells. Whereas, the enzyme localized in cytosol shows glutathione peroxidase activity, its lysosomal counterpart performs calcium independent phospholipase A2 (aiPLA2) activity. Like any true moonlighting protein, these two activities of Prdx6 are mutually exclusive of each other as a function of the pH of the cellular compartments. Differential substrate preference at different pH (i.e. peroxidised phospholipids at neutral pH and reduced phospholipids at acidic pH) is considered to be the reason for this behavior. To gain insight into the pH-induced structural–functional interplay we have systematically evaluated conformational variations, thermodynamic stability of the protein and quaternary state of the conformers at both pH 7.0 and 4.0. Our findings suggest that change in pH allows alterations in native states of Prdx6 at pH 7.0 and 4.0 such that the changes make the protein resistant to thermal denaturation at low pH.
Deep learning methods allow fully automated segmentation of metacarpal bones to quantify volumetric bone mineral density
Authors: Folle Lukas , Meinderink Timo , Simon David , Liphardt Anna-Maria , Krönke Gerhard , Schett Georg , Kleyer Arnd , Maier Andreas 
Published: May 2021

AbstractArthritis patients develop hand bone loss, which leads to destruction and functional impairment of the affected joints. High resolution peripheral quantitative computed tomography (HR-pQCT) allows the quantification of volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) and bone microstructure in vivo with an isotropic voxel size of 82 micrometres. However, image-processing to obtain bone characteristics is a time-consuming process as it requires semi-automatic segmentation of the bone. In this work, a fully automatic vBMD measurement pipeline for the metacarpal (MC) bone using deep learning methods is introduced. Based on a dataset of HR-pQCT volumes with MC measurements for 541 patients with arthritis, a segmentation network is trained. The best network achieves an intersection over union as high as 0.94 and a Dice similarity coefficient of 0.97 while taking only 33 s to process a whole patient yielding a speedup between 2.5 and 4.0 for the whole workflow. Strong correlation between the vBMD measurements of the expert and of the automatic pipeline are achieved for the average bone density with 0.999 (Pearson) and 0.996 (Spearman’s rank) with $$p < 0.001$$

p
<
0.001

for all correlations. A qualitative assessment of the network predictions and the manual annotations yields a 65.9% probability that the expert favors the network predictions. Further, the steps to integrate the pipeline into the clinical workflow are shown. In order to make these workflow improvements available to others, we openly share the code of this work.
Nanoparticle-mediated tumor cell expression of mIL-12 via systemic gene delivery treats syngeneic models of murine lung cancers
Authors: Ahn Hye-Hyun , Carrington Christine , Hu Yizong , Liu Heng-wen , Ng Christy , Nam Hwanhee , Park Andrew , Stace Catherine , West Will , Mao Hai-Quan , Pomper Martin G. , Ullman Christopher G. , Minn Il 
Published: May 2021

AbstractTreatment of cancers in the lung remains a critical challenge in the clinic for which gene therapy could offer valuable options. We describe an effective approach through systemic injection of engineered polymer/DNA nanoparticles that mediate tumor-specific expression of a therapeutic gene, under the control of the cancer-selective progression elevated gene 3 (PEG-3) promoter, to treat tumors in the lungs of diseased mice. A clinically tested, untargeted, polyethylenimine carrier was selected to aid rapid transition to clinical studies, and a CpG-free plasmid backbone and coding sequences were used to reduce inflammation. Intravenous administration of nanoparticles expressing murine single-chain interleukin 12, under the control of PEG-3 promoter, significantly improved the survival of mice in both an orthotopic and a metastatic model of lung cancer with no marked symptoms of systemic toxicity. These outcomes achieved using clinically relevant nanoparticle components raises the promise of translation to human therapy.
Antioxidant capacity of honey from the urban apiary: a comparison with honey from the rural apiary
Authors: Nicewicz Agata W. , Nicewicz Łukasz , Pawłowska Patrycja 
Published: May 2021

AbstractHoney is a source of natural antioxidant compounds exerting several health-beneficial effects. Since urban beekeeping is quite common, the fear among potential consumers about the quality and the safety of honey produced exclusively in the cities is observed. However, the antioxidant properties of urban honey have not yet been tested. We described the antioxidant properties of linden honey from urban and rural areas. We analyzed the total phenolic content, DPPH•radical scavenging activity, Trolox equivalent antioxidant activity assay, the protein content, and catalase activity. The analysis showed that all tested parameters were significantly higher in honey from rural areas than in urban samples. The differences in the obtained results are certainly not the effect of the floral composition of honey, but rather due to the location of the honeybee colonies. It seems that the consumption of honey from urban areas for health purposes should be considered.
Unraveling the binding characteristics of small ligands to telomeric DNA by pressure modulation
Authors: Oliva Rosario , Mukherjee Sanjib , Winter Roland 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecently, non-canonical DNA structures, such as G-quadruplexes (GQs), were found to be highly pressure sensitive, suggesting that pressure modulation studies can provide additional mechanistic details of such biomolecular systems. Using FRET and CD spectroscopy as well as binding equilibrium measurements, we investigated the effect of pressure on the binding reaction of the ligand ThT to the quadruplex 22AG in solutions containing different ionic species and a crowding agent mimicking the intracellular milieu. Pressure modulation helped us to identify the different conformational substates adopted by the quadruplex at the different solution conditions and to determine the volumetric changes during complex formation and the conformational transitions involved. The magnitudes of the binding volumes are a hallmark of packing defects and hydrational changes upon ligand binding. The conformational substates of the GQ as well as the binding strength and the stoichiometry of complex formation depend strongly on the solution conditions as well as on pressure. High hydrostatic pressure can also impact GQs inside living cells and thus affect expression of genetic information in deep sea organisms. We show that sub-kbar pressures do not only affect the conformational dynamics and structures of GQs, but also their ligand binding reactions.
Extensive long-term verbal memory training is associated with brain plasticity
Authors: Kumar Uttam , Singh Anshita , Paddakanya Prakash 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe human brain has a remarkable capacity to store a lifetime of information through visual or auditory routes. It excels and exceeds any artificial memory system in mixing and integrating multiple pieces of information encoded. In this study, a group of verbal memory experts was evaluated by multiple structural brain analysis methods to record the changes in the brain structure. The participants were professional Hindu pandits (priests/scholars) trained in reciting Vedas and other forms of Hindu scriptures. These professional Vedic priests are experts in memorization and recitation of oral texts with precise diction. Vedas are a collection of hymns. It is estimated that there are more than 20,000 mantras and shlokas in the four Vedas. The analysis included the measurement of the grey and white matter density, gyrification, and cortical thickness in a group of Vedic pandits and comparing these measures with a matched control group. The results revealed an increased grey matter (GM) and white matter (WM) in the midbrain, pons, thalamus, parahippocampus, and orbitofrontal regions in pandits. The whole-brain corelation analysis using length of post-training teaching duration showed significant correlation with the left angular gyrus. We also found increased gyrification in the insula, supplementary motor area, medial frontal areas, and increased cortical thickness (CT) in the right temporal pole and caudate regions of the brain. These findings, collectively, provide unique information regarding the association between crucial memory regions in the brain and long-term practice of oral recitation of scriptures from memory with the proper diction that also involved controlled breathing.
Effect of plane of nutrition in early life on the transcriptome of visceral adipose tissue in Angus heifer calves
Authors: Keogh Kate , Kelly Alan K. , Kenny David A. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractAdipose tissue represents not only an important energy storage tissue but also a major endocrine organ within the body, influencing many biochemical systems including metabolic status, immune function and energy homeostasis. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of an enhanced dietary intake during the early calfhood period on the transcriptome of visceral adipose tissue. Artificially reared Angus × Holstein–Friesian heifer calves were offered either a high (HI, n = 15) or moderate (MOD, n = 15) plane of nutrition from 3 to 21 weeks of life. At 21 weeks of age all calves were euthanized, visceral adipose harvested and samples subsequently subjected to mRNA sequencing. Plane of nutrition resulted in the differential expression of 1214 genes within visceral adipose tissue (adj. p < 0.05; fold change > 1.5). Differentially expressed genes were involved in processes related to metabolism and energy production. Biochemical pathways including Sirtuin signalling (adj. p < 0.0001) and the adipogenesis pathways (adj. p = 0.009) were also significantly enriched, indicating greater metabolic processing and adipogenesis in the calves on the high plane of nutrition. Results from this study identify novel genes regulating the molecular response of visceral adipose tissue to an improved plane of nutrition during early calfhood.
Transition behaviors of γ–β0/β in V-, Cr-, Mn-doped TiAl alloys
Authors: Zhu Lin , Xue Hui-Chun , Yao Shu-Xin , Li Lin 
Published: May 2021

AbstractThe behavior of γ–β/β0 phase transition in TiAl alloy doped with β stabilizers (V, Cr, Mn) are studied by using the first principles method. It is found that alloying addition as well as anharmonic lattice vibration and disordered atomic occupation contributes to enhance the stability of cubic structure and accordingly introduce the disordered β phase into the high-temperature microstructure. The formation of low-temperature β0 phase originates from not only the stabilization of cubic structure but also the destabilization of tetragonal structure. In particular, the latter is the main reason for the premature precipitation of the hard-brittle β0 phase in the room-temperature microstructure at low nominal doping concentrations. We also find a special doping region in which the γ and the β phases are stable, while the β0 phase is unstable. The existence of this region provides an opportunity for the regulation of the contents of β and β0 phases.
Brain size and neuron numbers drive differences in yawn duration across mammals and birds
Authors: Massen Jorg J. M. , Hartlieb Margarita , Martin Jordan S. , Leitgeb Elisabeth B. , Hockl Jasmin , Kocourek Martin , Olkowicz Seweryn , Zhang Yicheng , Osadnik Christin , Verkleij Jorrit W. , Bugnyar Thomas , Němec Pavel , Gallup Andrew C. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractRecent studies indicate that yawning evolved as a brain cooling mechanism. Given that larger brains have greater thermolytic needs and brain temperature is determined in part by heat production from neuronal activity, it was hypothesized that animals with larger brains and more neurons would yawn longer to produce comparable cooling effects. To test this, we performed the largest study on yawning ever conducted, analyzing 1291 yawns from 101 species (55 mammals; 46 birds). Phylogenetically controlled analyses revealed robust positive correlations between yawn duration and (1) brain mass, (2) total neuron number, and (3) cortical/pallial neuron number in both mammals and birds, which cannot be attributed solely to allometric scaling rules. These relationships were similar across clades, though mammals exhibited considerably longer yawns than birds of comparable brain and body mass. These findings provide further evidence suggesting that yawning is a thermoregulatory adaptation that has been conserved across amniote evolution.
Survival of the first rather than the fittest in a Shewanella electrode biofilm
Authors: Kees Eric D. , Levar Caleb E. , Miller Stephen P. , Bond Daniel R. , Gralnick Jeffrey A. , Dean Antony M. 
Published: May 2021

AbstractFor natural selection to operate there must exist heritable variation among individuals that affects their survival and reproduction. Among free-living microbes, where differences in growth rates largely define selection intensities, competitive exclusion is common. However, among surface attached communities, these dynamics become less predictable. If extreme circumstances were to dictate that a surface population is immortal and all offspring must emigrate, the offspring would be unable to contribute to the composition of the population. Meanwhile, the immortals, regardless of reproductive capacity, would remain unchanged in relative abundance. The normal cycle of birth, death, and competitive exclusion would be broken. We tested whether conditions required to set up this idealized scenario can be approximated in a microbial biofilm. Using two differentially-reproducing strains of Shewanella oneidensis grown on an anode as the sole terminal electron acceptor – a system in which metabolism is obligately tied to surface attachment – we found that selection against a slow-growing competitor is drastically reduced. This work furthers understanding of natural selection dynamics in sessile microbial communities, and provides a framework for designing stable microbial communities for industrial and experimental applications.