bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Physical interactions between Gsx2 and Ascl1 regulate the balance between progenitor expansion and neurogenesis in the mouse lateral ganglionic eminence
Authors: Roychoudhury Kaushik , Salomone Joseph , Qin Shenyue , Nakafuku Masato , Gebelein Brian , Campbell Kenneth 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe Gsx2 homeodomain transcription factor is required to maintain neural progenitor identity in the lateral ganglionic eminence (LGE) within the developing ventral telencephalon, despite its role in upregulating the neurogenic factor Ascl1. How Gsx2 maintains cells as progenitors in the presence of a pro-differentiation factor is unclear. Here, we show that Gsx2 and Ascl1 are co-expressed in dividing subapical progenitors within the LGE ventricular zone (VZ). Moreover, we show that while Ascl1 misexpression promotes neurogenesis in dorsal telencephalic progenitors that do not express Gsx2, co-expression of Gsx2 with Ascl1 inhibits neurogenesis in these cells. To investigate the mechanisms underlying this inhibition, we used a cell-based luciferase assay to show that Gsx2 reduced the ability of Ascl1 to activate target gene expression in a dose-dependent and DNA binding-independent manner. Yeast 2-hybrid and co-immunoprecipitation assays revealed that Gsx2 physically interacts with the basic-Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) domain of Ascl1, and DNA binding assays demonstrated that this interaction interferes with the ability of Ascl1 to form homo- or heterodimers with E-proteins such as Tcf3 on DNA. To further assess forin vivomolecular interactions between these transcription factors within the telencephalon, we modified a proximity ligation assay for embryonic tissue sections and found that Ascl1:Gsx2 interactions are enriched within VZ progenitors, whereas Ascl1:Tcf3 interactions predominate in basal progenitors. Altogether, these findings suggest that physical interactions between Gsx2 and Ascl1 limit Ascl1:Ascl1 and Ascl1:Tcf3 interactions, and thereby inhibit Ascl1-dependennt neurogenesis and allow for progenitor expansion within the LGE.
Unveiling cryptic diversity among Müllerian co-mimics: insights from the Western PalaearcticSyntomismoths (Lepidoptera: Erebidae)
Authors: Chiocchio Andrea , Arduino Paola , Cianchi Rossella , Canestrelli Daniele , Zilli Alberto 
Published: October 2019

AbstractAccurate species delimitation is of primary importance in biodiversity assessments and in reconstructing patterns and processes in the diversification of life. However, the discovery of cryptic species in virtually all taxonomic groups unveiled major gaps in our knowledge of biodiversity. Mimicry complexes are good candidates to source for cryptic species. Indeed, members of mimicry complexes undergo selective pressures on their habitus, which results in strong resemblance between both distantly and closely related species. In this study, we used a multi-locus genetic approach to investigate the presence of cryptic diversity within a group of mimetic day-flying moths whose systematics has long been controversial, the Euro-AnatolianSyntomis. Results showed incongruence between species boundaries and currently accepted taxonomy of the group. Both mitochondrial and nuclear markers indicate presence of four, well-distinct genetic lineages. The genetic distance and time of divergence between the Balkan and Italian populations ofS. marjanaare the same as those found betweenS. phegeaandS. ragazzii, the last two being well-distinct, broadly sympatrically occurring species. The divergence between the two lineages ofS. marjanadates back to the Early Pleistocene, which coincided with substantial changes in climatic conditions and vegetation cover in Southern Europe that have likely induced geographic and ecological vicariance. Our results show that the species richness of mimicry complexes inhabiting temperate regions might still be severely underestimated.Syntomispopulations up to now designated as S.marjana albionica,S. m. querciiandS. marjana kruegeris. str. are here considered to represent a separate species from nominatemarjanaand are distinguished asSyntomis querciiVerity, 1914,bona sp.,stat. nov.
Active inference under visuo-proprioceptive conflict: Simulation and empirical results
Authors: Limanowski Jakub , Friston Karl 
Published: October 2019

AbstractIt has been suggested that the brain controls hand movements via internal models that rely on visual and proprioceptive cues about the state of the hand. In active inference formulations of such models, the relative influence of each modality on action and perception is determined by how precise (reliable) it is expected to be. The ‘top-down’ affordance of expected precision to a particular sensory modality is associated with attention. Here, we asked whether increasing attention to (i.e., the precision of) vision or proprioception would enhance performance in a hand-target phase matching task, in which visual and proprioceptive cues about hand posture were incongruent. We show that in a simple simulated agent—based on predictive coding formulations of active inference—increasing the expected precision of vision or proprioception improved task performance (target matching with the seen or felt hand, respectively) under visuo-proprioceptive conflict. Moreover, we show that this formulation captured the behaviour and self-reported attentional allocation of human participants performing the same task in a virtual reality environment. Together, our results show that selective attention can balance the impact of (conflicting) visual and proprioceptive cues on action—rendering attention a key mechanism for a flexible body representation for action.
Modelling in vitro mycelial growth, sporulation and spore germination of Pseudocercospora musae under different illuminance levels
Authors: Santana-Filho Djalma M. , da Silva Milene C. , Cordeiro Zilton J. M. , Rocha Hermínio S. , Laranjeira Francisco F. 
Published: October 2019

ABSTRACTBanana is one of the most produced fruits in the world. Many diseases infect the culture and yellow sigatoka is one of the most important. Light may interfere in the pre-penetration parameters of the fungus. The aim of this study was to evaluate the action of light on aspects of the life cycle of the causal agent. The action of light was tested in vitro on the mycelial growth, sporulation and germination of the fungus. For the mycelial growth 10 colonies were transferred to each Petri plate, by evaluating the green weight of a plate at each moment, in mg, at zero, 15, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days of cultivation according to different illuminance levels. Under the same conditions, the sporulation was also quantified at 5, 7, 11, 13 and 14 days. For germination, equal volumes of a spore suspension were placed in small glass containers, which then were set in mini-shades (different illuminances). Every 1h, lacto-phenol was added to a glass from each environment paralyzing the growth, at the same time, illuminance measurements were made with a light meter. The data obtained from sporulation (linear relation) and germination (positive exponential behavior) were significant for the illuminance levels tested.Significance and Impact of the StudyYellow Sigatoka disease, caused by Pseudocercospora musae, is still one of the most importante banana diseases in Brazil. Its control demands the use of fungicides. New environmental-friendly control methods should be developed. Therefore, the behaviour of both fungus and plant-fungus interaction should be known. We modelled the in vitro behaviour of P. musae in function of light intensity. Our results can help to develop shading strategies to control yellow Sigatoka.
Storage root yield of sweetpotato as influenced by sweetpotato leaf curl virus and its interaction with sweetpotato feathery mottle virus, and sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus in Kenya
Authors: Wanjala Bramwel W. , Ateka Elijah M. , Miano Douglas W. , Low Jan W. , Kreuze Jan F. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe effect of a Kenyan strain of sweetpotato leaf curl virus (SPLCV) and its interactions with sweetpotato feathery mottle virus (SPFMV), and sweetpotato chlorotic stunt virus (SPCSV) on root yield was determined. Trials were performed during two seasons using varieties contrasting in their resistance to sweetpotato virus disease, ‘Kakamega’ and ‘Ejumula’, in a randomized complete block design with sixteen treatments replicated three times. The treatments included plants graft inoculated with SPLCV, SPFMV and SPCSV alone and in possible dual or triple combinations. Yield and yield related parameters were evaluated at harvest. Results showed marked differences in the effect of SPLCV infection on the two varieties: ‘Ejumula’, which is susceptible to SPFMV and SPCSV, suffered no significant yield loss from SPLCV infection, whereas ‘Kakamega’, which is more resistant to SPFMV and SPCSV, suffered an average of 47% yield loss, despite only mild symptoms occurring in both varieties. These results highlight the variability in sensitivity to SPLCV between sweetpotato cultivars as well as a lack of correlation of SPLCV related symptoms with susceptibility to the virus. In addition, they underline the lack of correlation between resistance to the RNA viruses SPCSV and SPFMV and DNA virus SPLCV.
Reduced Influence of Perceptual Context in Schizophrenia: Behavioral and Neurophysiological Evidence
Authors: Pokorny Victor J. , Lano Timothy J. , Schallmo Michael-Paul , Olman Cheryl A. , Sponheim Scott R. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBackgroundAccurate perception of visual contours is essential for seeing and differentiating objects in the environment. Both the ability to detect visual contours and the influence of perceptual context created by surrounding stimuli are diminished in people with schizophrenia. The central aim of the present study was to better understand the biological underpinnings of impaired contour integration and weakened effects of perceptual context. Additionally, we sought to determine whether visual perceptual abnormalities reflect genetic factors in schizophrenia and are present in other severe mental disorders.MethodsWe examined behavioral data and event-related potentials (ERPs) collected during the perception of simple linear contours embedded in similar background stimuli in 27 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), 23 patients with bipolar disorder, 23 first-degree relatives of SCZ and 37 controls.ResultsSCZ exhibited impaired visual contour detection while patients with bipolar disorder exhibited intermediate performance. The orientation of neighboring stimuli (i.e., flankers) relative to the contour modulated perception across all groups, but SCZ exhibited weakened suppression by the perceptual context created by flankers. Late visual (occipital P2) and cognitive (centroparietal P3) neural responses showed group differences and flanker orientation effects, unlike earlier ERPs (occipital P1 and N1). Moreover, behavioral effects of flanker context on contour perception were correlated with modulation in P2/P3 amplitudes.ConclusionIn addition to replicating and extending findings of abnormal contour integration and visual context modulation in SCZ, we provide novel evidence that abnormal use of perceptual context is associated with higher-order sensory and cognitive processes.
Single-cell ATAC-seq Signal Extraction and Enhancement with SCATE
Authors: Ji Zhicheng , Zhou Weiqiang , Ji Hongkai 
Published: October 2019

AbstractSingle-cell sequencing assay for transposase-accessible chromatin (scATAC-seq) is the state-of-the-art technology for analyzing genome-wide regulatory landscape in single cells. Single-cell ATAC-seq data are sparse and noisy. Analyzing such data is challenging. Existing computational methods cannot accurately reconstruct activities of individual cis-regulatory elements (CREs) in individual cells or rare cell subpopulations. We present a new statistical framework, SCATE, that adaptively integrates information from co-activated CREs, similar cells, and publicly available regulome data to substantially increase the accuracy for estimating activities of individual CREs. We show that using SCATE, one can better reconstruct the regulatory landscape of a heterogeneous sample.
Reduction of insulin/IGF-1 receptor rejuvenates immunity via positive feedback circuit
Authors: Lee Yujin , Jeong Dae-Eun , Hwang Wooseon , Ham Seokjin , Park Hae-Eun H. , Kwon Sujeong , Jung Yoonji , Ashraf Jasmine M. , Murphy Coleen T. , Lee Seung-Jae V. 
Published: October 2019

SummaryImmunosenescence is considered an inevitable decline in immune function during aging. Here we show that genetic inhibition of the DAF-2/insulin/IGF-1 receptor drastically delays immunosenescence and rejuvenates immunity in C. elegans. We find that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase 1 (PMK-1), a key determinant of immunosenescence, is dispensable for this rejuvenated immunity. Instead, we demonstrate that longevity-promoting DAF-16/FOXO and heat-shock transcription factor 1 (HSF-1) increase immunocompetence in old daf-2(-) animals. The upregulation of DAF-16/FOXO and HSF-1 decreases the expression of the zip-10/bZIP transcription factor, which in turn downregulates INS-7, an agonistic insulin-like peptide, resulting in further reduction of insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS). Thus, reduced IIS bypasses immunosenescence and rejuvenates immunity via the upregulation of anti-aging transcription factors that modulate an endocrine insulin-like peptide through a positive feedback mechanism. Because many functions of IIS are conserved across phyla, our study may lead to the development of strategies for human immune rejuvenation.
Comparison of beamformer implementations for MEG source localization
Authors: Jaiswal Amit , Nenonen Jukka , Stenroos Matti , Gramfort Alexandre , Dalal Sarang S. , Westner Britta U. , Litvak Vladimir , Mosher John C. , Schoffelen Jan-Mathijs , Witton Caroline , Oostenveld Robert , Parkkonen Lauri 
Published: October 2019

AbstractBeamformers are applied for estimating spatiotemporal characteristics of neuronal sources underlying measured MEG/EEG signals. Several MEG analysis toolboxes include an implementation of a linearly constrained minimum-variance (LCMV) beamformer. However, differences in implementations and in their results complicate the selection and application of beamformers and may hinder their wider adoption in research and clinical use. Additionally, combinations of different MEG sensor types (such as magnetometers and planar gradiometers) and application of preprocessing methods for interference suppression, such as signal space separation (SSS), can affect the results in different ways for different implementations. So far, a systematic evaluation of the different implementations has not been performed. Here, we compared the localization performance of the LCMV beamformer pipelines in four widely used open-source toolboxes (FieldTrip, SPM12, Brainstorm, and MNE-Python) using datasets both with and without SSS interference suppression.We analyzed MEG data that were i) simulated, ii) recorded from a static and moving phantom, and iii) recorded from a healthy volunteer receiving auditory, visual, and somatosensory stimulation. We also investigated the effects of SSS and the combination of the magnetometer and gradiometer signals. We quantified how localization error and point-spread volume vary with SNR in all four toolboxes.When applied carefully to MEG data with a typical SNR (3–15 dB), all four toolboxes localized the sources reliably; however, they differed in their sensitivity to preprocessing parameters. As expected, localizations were highly unreliable at very low SNR, but we found high localization error also at very high SNRs. We also found that the SNR improvement offered by SSS led to more accurate localization.
Effects of Chinese herbal medicine residues on antibiotic resistance genes and the bacterial community in chicken manure composting
Authors: Wu Jinping , Li Junjian , Chen Jianwen , Li Dale , Zhang Hong , Li Zhenyu 
Published: October 2019

AbstractLivestock manure is an important way that antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) can enter the environment, and composting is an effective method for removing ARGs from livestock manure. In this study, different volume ratios of Chinese medicinal herbal residues (CMHRs) were added to laboratory-scale chicken manure composting to evaluate their effects on the behavior of ARGs, mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and the bacterial community. At the end of the composting period, the structure of the microbial community changed. Firmicutes decreased and Bacteroidetes increased. The relative abundance of the 21 ARGs and 5 MGEs detected decreased by varying degrees in the different treatments (except for sulI and intI1). The removal rate of the ARGs increased with the increased addition of CMHRs. The correlations between transferase genes (tnpA and tnpA-02) and ARGs were significant (p < 0.05); therefore, transposon plays an important role in the horizontal gene transfer of ARGs in chicken manure. The results imply that CMHRs would be an effective bulking agent for the removal of ARGs from chicken manure composting.
Herpes Simplex Virus type 1 Inflammasome Activation in Human Macrophages is Dependent on NLRP3, ASC, and Caspase-1
Authors: Karaba Andrew H. , Figueroa Alexis , Massaccesi Guido , Botto Sara , DeFilippis Victor R. , Cox Andrea L. 
Published: October 2019

AbstractThe pro-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 are products of activation of the inflammasome, an innate sensing system, and important in the pathogenesis of herpes simplex type 1 (HSV-1). The release of IL-18 and IL-1β from monocytes/macrophages is critical for protection from HSV-1 based on animal models of encephalitis and genital infection, yet if and how HSV-1 activates inflammasomes in human macrophages is unknown. To investigate this, we utilized both primary human monocyte derived macrophages and human monocytic cell lines (THP-1 cells) with various inflammasome components knocked-out. We found that HSV-1 activates inflammasome signaling in pro-inflammatory primary human macrophages. Additionally, HSV-1 inflammasome activation is dependent on nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeat-containing receptor 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like molecule containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC), and caspase-1, but not on absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), or gamma interferon-inducible protein 16 (IFI16). Ultraviolet irradiation of HSV-1 enhanced inflammasome activation, demonstrating that viral replication suppresses inflammasome activation. These results confirm that HSV-1 is capable of activating the inflammasome in human macrophages through an NLRP3 dependent process and that the virus has an NLRP3 specific mechanism to inhibit inflammasome activation in monocytes and macrophages.Author SummaryThe inflammasome is a multi-protein complex that forms in response to pathogens and cellular damage. Active inflammasomes recruit pro-caspase-1 via ASC and cleave the cytokine precursors pro-IL-1β and pro-IL-18 into mature IL-1β and IL-18. These cytokines serve to activate other immune cells that either repair the damage or attempt to clear the invading pathogen. Upon activation, the inflammasome also promotes an inflammatory form of cell death called pyroptosis. Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a common human pathogen that can cause cold sores, genital ulcers, encephalitis, and blindness. HSV-1 infection leads to induction of IL-1β and IL-18, but whether it is capable of activating inflammasomes in macrophages, which play a role in severe forms of HSV-1 infection, was unclear. Here, we infected both primary human macrophages and a macrophage/monocytic cell line, THP-1 cells, with HSV-1. We found that HSV-1 does activate inflammasome signaling in macrophages in a process dependent on NLRP3, ASC, and caspase-1. This is important because it illustrates the mechanism by which HSV-1 infection leads to inflammasome activation in macrophages, known to be crucial for protection from severe disease in mouse models.
Asian students’ brain circulation and Japanese companies
Authors: Yuriko Sato 
Published: October 2019

Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore the relationship between the brain circulation of Asian graduates of Japanese universities and Japanese companies by picking up China, Thailand, Indonesia and Vietnam, which are among the top countries which send students to Japan and host Japan-affiliated companies.

Design/methodology/approach
Questionnaire responses of Japanese university graduates from four countries are compared, especially between those who work for Japanese companies in Japan and in their countries of origin (COO), coupled with existent data analysis, interviews of these graduates and human resources (HR) managers/executives of Japanese companies.

Findings
A mobility of Japanese university graduates from Japan to their COO has been promoted by an increase in Japan-affiliated companies in their COO, which tend to offer better working environment than Japanese companies in Japan.

Practical implications
Japanese companies need to provide better working conditions to able local staff in overseas subsidiaries in order to recruit and retain the returned graduates of Japanese universities and to realize mutually beneficial brain circulation.

Originality/value
The role and constraints of study destination companies in relation with international students’ brain circulation were explored based on empirical study.