bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Soil bacterial networks are less stable under drought than fungal networks
Authors: de Vries Franciska T. , Griffiths Rob I. , Bailey Mark , Craig Hayley , Girlanda Mariangela , Gweon Hyun Soon , Hallin Sara , Kaisermann Aurore , Keith Aidan M. , Kretzschmar Marina , Lemanceau Philippe , Lumini Erica , Mason Kelly E. , Oliver Anna , Ostle Nick , Prosser James I. , Thion Cecile , Thomson Bruce , Bardgett Richard D. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSoil microbial communities play a crucial role in ecosystem functioning, but it is unknown how co-occurrence networks within these communities respond to disturbances such as climate extremes. This represents an important knowledge gap because changes in microbial networks could have implications for their functioning and vulnerability to future disturbances. Here, we show in grassland mesocosms that drought promotes destabilising properties in soil bacterial, but not fungal, co-occurrence networks, and that changes in bacterial communities link more strongly to soil functioning during recovery than do changes in fungal communities. Moreover, we reveal that drought has a prolonged effect on bacterial communities and their co-occurrence networks via changes in vegetation composition and resultant reductions in soil moisture. Our results provide new insight in the mechanisms through which drought alters soil microbial communities with potential long-term consequences, including future plant community composition and the ability of aboveground and belowground communities to withstand future disturbances.
Unraveling the clinicopathological features driving the emergence of ESR1 mutations in metastatic breast cancer
Authors: Kuang Yanan , Siddiqui Bilal , Hu Jiani , Pun Matthew , Cornwell MacIntosh , Buchwalter Gilles , Hughes Melissa E. , Wagle Nikhil , Kirschmeier Paul , Jänne Pasi A. , Paweletz Cloud P. , Lin Nancy U. , Krop Ian E. , Barry William T. , Winer Eric P. , Brown Myles , Jeselsohn Rinath 
Published: July 2018

AbstractESR1 mutations were recently found to be an important mechanism of endocrine resistance in ER-positive (ER + ) metastatic breast cancer. To determine the clinicopathological features driving the emergence of the ESR1 mutations we studied plasma cfDNA and detailed clinical data collected from patients with metastatic breast cancer. Droplet Digital PCR was performed for the detection of the most common ESR1 mutations and PIK3CA mutations. Among the patients with ER + /HER2- disease, ESR1 mutations were detected in 30% of the patients. There were no associations between the pathological features of the primary disease or time to distant recurrence and the emergence of ESR1 mutations in metastatic disease. The prevalence of the ESR1 mutations was significantly associated with prior treatment with an aromatase inhibitor in the adjuvant or metastatic setting. The prevalence of the ESR1 mutations was also positively associated with prior fulvestrant treatment. Conversely, the prevalence of ESR1 mutations was lower after treatment with a CDK4/6 inhibitor. There were no significant associations between specific systemic treatments and the prevalence of PIK3CA mutations. These results support the evolution of the ESR1 mutations under the selective pressure of treatment with aromatase inhibitors in the adjuvant and metastatic settings and have important implications in the optimization of adjuvant and metastatic treatment in ER + breast cancer.
Subunit-specific NMDAR antagonism dissociates schizophrenia subtype-relevant oscillopathies associated with frontal hypofunction and hippocampal hyperfunction
Authors: Pittman-Polletta Benjamin , Hu Kun , Kocsis Bernat 
Published: July 2018

AbstractNMDAR antagonism alters mesolimbic, hippocampal, and cortical function, acutely reproducing the positive, cognitive, and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. These physiological and behavioral effects may depend differentially on NMDAR subtype- and region-specific effects. The dramatic electrophysiological signatures of NMDAR blockade in rodents include potentiated high frequency oscillations (HFOs, ∼140 Hz), likely generated in mesolimbic structures, and increased HFO phase-amplitude coupling (PAC), a phenomenon related to goal-directed behavior and dopaminergic tone. This study examined the impact of subtype-specific NMDAR antagonism on HFOs and PAC. We found that positive-symptom-associated NR2A-preferring antagonism (NVP-AAM077), but not NR2B-specific antagonism (Ro25-6985) or saline control, replicated increases in HFO power seen with nonspecific antagonism (MK-801). However, PAC following NR2A-preferring antagonism was distinct from all other conditions. While θ-HFO PAC was prominent or potentiated in other conditions, NVP-AAM077 increased δ-HFO PAC and decreased θ-HFO PAC. Furthermore, active wake epochs exhibiting narrowband frontal δ oscillations, and not broadband sleep-associated δ, selectively exhibited δ-HFO coupling, while paradoxical sleep epochs having a high CA1 θ to frontal δ ratio selectively exhibited θ-HFO coupling. Our results suggest: (1) NR2A-preferring antagonism induces oscillopathies reflecting frontal hyperfunction and hippocampal hypofunction; and (2) HFO PAC indexes cortical vs. hippocampal control of mesolimbic circuits.
Developing dual herbicide tolerant transgenic rice plants for sustainable weed management
Authors: Fartyal Dhirendra , Agarwal Aakrati , James Donald , Borphukan Bhabesh , Ram Babu , Sheri Vijay , Agrawal Pawan K. , Achary V. Mohan Murali , Reddy M. K. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractHerbicides are important constituents of modern integrated weed management system. However, the continuous use of a single herbicide leads to the frequent evolution of resistant weeds which further challenges their management. To overcome this situation, alternating use of multiple herbicides along with conventional weed-management practices is suitable and recommended. The development of multiple herbicide-tolerant crops is still in its infancy, and only a few crops with herbicide tolerance traits have been reported and commercialized. In this study, we developed transgenic rice plants that were tolerant to both bensulfuron methyl (BM) and glufosinate herbicides. The herbicide tolerant mutant variant of riceAHAS(Acetohydroxyacid synthase) was overexpressed along with codon optimized bacterialbargene. The developed transgenic lines showed significant tolerance to both herbicides at various stages of plant development. The selected transgenic lines displayed an increased tolerance against 100 μM BM and 30 mg/L phosphinothricin during seed germination stage. Foliar applications further confirmed the dual tolerance to 300 μM BM and 2% basta herbicides without any significant growth and yield penalties. The development of dual-herbicide-tolerant transgenic plants adds further information to the knowledge of crop herbicide tolerance for sustainable weed management in modern agricultural system.
RNA markers enable phenotypic test of antibiotic susceptibility in Neisseria gonorrhoeae after 10 minutes of ciprofloxacin exposure
Authors: Khazaei Tahmineh , Barlow Jacob T. , Schoepp Nathan G. , Ismagilov Rustem F. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAntimicrobial-resistant Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an urgent public-health threat, with continued worldwide incidents of infection and rising resistance to antimicrobials. Traditional culture-based methods for antibiotic susceptibility testing are unacceptably slow (1–2 days), resulting in the use of broad-spectrum antibiotics and the further development and spread of resistance. Critically needed is a rapid antibiotic susceptibility test (AST) that can guide treatment at the point-of-care. Rapid phenotypic approaches using quantification of DNA have been demonstrated for fast-growing organisms (e.g. E. coli) but are challenging for slower-growing pathogens such as N. gonorrhoeae. Here, we investigate the potential of RNA signatures to provide phenotypic responses to antibiotics in N. gonorrhoeae that are faster and greater in magnitude compared with DNA. Using RNA sequencing, we identified antibiotic-responsive transcripts. Significant shifts (>4-fold change) in transcript levels occurred within 5 min of antibiotic exposure. We designed assays for responsive transcripts with the highest abundances and fold changes, and validated gene expression using digital PCR. Using the top two markers (porB and rpmB) we correctly determined the antibiotic susceptibility and resistance of 49 clinical isolates after 10 min exposure to ciprofloxacin. RNA signatures are therefore promising as an approach on which to build rapid AST devices for N. gonorrhoeae at the point-of-care, which is critical for disease management, surveillance, and antibiotic stewardship efforts.
MYC-type transcription factors, MYC67 and MYC70, interact with ICE1 and negatively regulate cold tolerance in Arabidopsis
Authors: Ohta Masaru , Sato Aiko , Renhu Na , Yamamoto Tsuyoshi , Oka Nodoka , Zhu Jian-Kang , Tada Yasuomi , Suzaki Takuya , Miura Kenji 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe expression of hundreds of genes is induced by low temperatures via a cold signaling pathway. ICE1, a MYC-type transcription factor, plays an important role in the induction of CBF3/DREB1A to control cold-responsive genes and cold tolerance. To elucidate other molecular factors, a yeast 2-hybrid screening was performed. Two MYC-type transcription factors, MYC67 and MYC70, were identified as ICE1-interacting proteins. The myc mutants were more tolerant to freezing temperatures than wild type. CBF3/DREB1A and other cold-responsive genes were up-regulated in the myc mutants. Overexpression of the MYC genes increased the cold sensitivity and down-regulated the expression of cold-responsive genes. The MYC proteins interacted with the cis-elements in the CBF3/DREB1A promoter, probably to interfere interaction between ICE1 and the cis-elements. Taken together, these results demonstrate that MYC67 and MYC70, ICE1 interactors, negatively regulate cold-responsive genes and cold tolerance.
Alternatively spliced variants in Atlantic cod (Gadus morhua) support response to variable salinity environment
Authors: Kijewska Agnieszka , Malachowicz Magdalena , Wenne Roman 
Published: July 2018

AbstractAnalysis of gill transcriptome of the Atlantic cod from the Baltic Sea demonstrated that alternatively spliced (AS) variants may be actively involved in the process of adaptation to altered salinity. Some AS variants of different genes, like phospholipase A2 group IVC (PLA2G4C), appeared only in fish exposed to altered salinity, while other isoforms of the same genes were present in all experimental groups. Novel sequence arrangements represent 89% of all AS in the Baltic cod compared to the Atlantic population. Profiles of modified pathways suggest that regulation by AS can afford specific changes of genes expressed in response to the environment. The AS variants appear to be involved in the response to stress by modifications of signalling in apoptosis pathways, an innate immunological response and pro-inflammatory process. Present results support the hypothesis that developing new AS variants could support genome complexity and reinforce the ability to fast adapt to local environments.
Holocene evolution of Portus Pisanus, the lost harbour of Pisa
Authors: Kaniewski D. , Marriner N. , Morhange C. , Vacchi M. , Sarti G. , Rossi V. , Bini M. , Pasquinucci M. , Allinne C. , Otto T. , Luce F. , Van Campo E. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe ancient harbour of Pisa, Portus Pisanus, was one of Italy’s most influential seaports for many centuries. Nonetheless, very little is known about its oldest harbour and the relationships between environmental evolution and the main stages of harbour history. The port complex that ensured Pisa’s position as an economic and maritime power progressively shifted westwards by coastal progradation, before the maritime port of Livorno was built in the late 16th century AD. The lost port is, however, described in the early 5th century AD as being “a large, naturally sheltered embayment” that hosted merchant vessels, suggesting an important maritime structure with significant artificial infrastructure to reach the city. Despite its importance, the geographical location of the harbour complex remains controversial and its environmental evolution is unclear. To fill this knowledge gap and furnish accurate palaeoenvironmental information on Portus Pisanus, we used bio- and geosciences. Based on stratigraphic data, the area’s relative sea-level history, and long-term environmental dynamics, we established that at ~200 BC, a naturally protected lagoon developed and hosted Portus Pisanus until the 5th century AD. The decline of the protected lagoon started at ~1350 AD and culminated ~1500 AD, after which time the basin was a coastal lake.
Dietary supplementation with Essential-oils-cobalt for improving growth performance, meat quality and skin cell capacity of goats
Authors: Lei Zhaomin , Zhang Ke , Li Chao , Wu Jianping , Davis Delmer , Casper David , Jiang Hui , Jiao Ting , Wang Xiaolong , Wang Jianfu 
Published: July 2018

AbstractEssential oils (EO) are secondary metabolites usually made up of terpenoids and phenylpropanoids and have antimicrobial properties. However, the feeding effects of EO-Cobalt (EOC) on the performance of goats are largely unknown. Herein we investigated and reported the effects of dietary EOC (0, 52, and 91 mg daily) on fiber producing cashmere goats. We determined the resulting phenotypes including live growth, carcass weight, meat quality, and cashmere fiber traits. We show that dietary supplement of EOC significantly promoted average daily gain (P < 0.05), and significantly improved carcass weight, and meat and hair fiber quality (P < 0.05). We further conducted RNA-seq using skin and liver tissues from each group to assess the molecular mechanism conferring these phenotypic changes. A total of 191 differentially expressed genes were found in the skin tissues (0 vs 91 mg), while 1,127 DEGs were found in livers. Analyses of liver samples for differential gene action and functional prediction found that EOC stimulated physiological changes in the body’s immune system at both blood and cell levels. Our results demonstrated the potential of using EO-based feed ingredient to improve animal growth performance, meat quality and fiber quality, and further illustrated the molecular basis that contribute to phenotypes at physiological levels.
Enhancing quantum phase transitions in the critical point of Extended TC-Dicke model via Stark effect
Authors: Salah Ahmed , Abdel-Rady A. S. , Osman Abdel-Nasser A. , Hassan Samia. S. A. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractA system of N two-level atoms, Tavis-Cummings Dicke (TC-Dicke) model, interacting with a one-mode electromagnetic radiation field in the presence of the Stark shifts is studied, which is expected to predict new phenomena that are not explored in the original TC-Dicke model. We obtained the potential energy surface of the system using a trial state the direct product of coherent states in each subspace. In the frame of mean-field approaches, the variational energy is evaluated as the expectation value of the Hamiltonian for this state. The order of the quantum phase transitions is determined explicitly and numerically. We estimate the ground-state energy and the macroscopic excitations in the superradiant phase. Moreover, we investigated the critical properties of the TC-Dicke model in the classical spin limit and coherent state. We observed that in the thermodynamic limit, the energy surface takes a simple form a direct description of the phase transition. Moreover, it is found that when the microwave amplitude changes the new phase transition occurs with the Stark shift. The analytical solutions and numerical results, which appear in this paper are agreement with our paper which published recently in Int. J. Mod. Phys. B when we studied the same model using a different coherent state.
Magnetic hardening of Nd-Ce-Fe-B films with high Ce concentration
Authors: Ren Hanyang , Abbas Nadeem , Liu Yang , Tang Hong , Gui Wanglin , Ding Jianzhong , Liu J. Ping , Xia Weixing , Du Juan , Zhang Jian 
Published: July 2018

AbstractPartial substitution of Ce in Nd-Fe-B magnets is a feasible way to cope with the crisis of Nd and Dy in Nd-Fe-B production and reduce the cost of Nd-Fe-B magnets. In the present paper, the Nd-Ce-Fe-B films with high performance have been successfully fabricated by using an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) magnetron sputtering system. High magnetic performance with a ceorcivity of 13.3 kOe, a remanence of 11.4 kGs and a maximum energy product of 29.4 GMOe is obtained with the Ce substitution for more than 50 wt.% Nd without Dy addition. The high coercivity and (BH)max achieved in this work are much larger than those of previously reported Nd-Ce-Fe-B magnets with the same Ce concentration. The phase structure, microstructure and coercivity mechanism are analyzed. The coercivity mechanism is determined to be mainly dominated by nucleation. Based on the microstructure observation and coercivity mechanism analysis, the fine and well separated grains, smooth grain surface, small and less inhomogeneities should be responsible for the high coercivity. Our results encourage the further improvement of magnetic properties in Ce magnets including the bulk material with high Ce concentration.
MicroRNA in diagnosis and therapy monitoring of early-stage triple-negative breast cancer
Authors: Kahraman Mustafa , Röske Anne , Laufer Thomas , Fehlmann Tobias , Backes Christina , Kern Fabian , Kohlhaas Jochen , Schrörs Hannah , Saiz Anna , Zabler Cassandra , Ludwig Nicole , Fasching Peter A. , Strick Reiner , Rübner Matthias , Beckmann Matthias W. , Meese Eckart , Keller Andreas , Schrauder Michael G. 
Published: July 2018

AbstractBreast cancer is a heterogeneous disease with distinct molecular subtypes including the aggressive subtype triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). We compared blood-borne miRNA signatures of early-stage basal-like (cytokeratin-CK5-positive) TNBC patients to age-matched controls. The miRNAs of TNBC patients were assessed prior to and following platinum-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NCT). After an exploratory genome-wide study on 21 cases and 21 controls using microarrays, the identified signatures were verified independently in two laboratories on the same and a new cohort by RT-qPCR. We differentiated the blood of TNBC patients before NCT from controls with 84% sensitivity. The most significant miRNA for this diagnostic classification was miR-126-5p (two tailed t-test p-value of 1.4 × 10−5). Validation confirmed the microarray results for all tested miRNAs. Comparing cancer patients prior to and post NCT highlighted 321 significant miRNAs (among them miR-34a, p-value of 1.2 × 10−23). Our results also suggest that changes in miRNA expression during NCT may have predictive potential to predict pathological complete response (pCR). In conclusion we report that miRNA expression measured from blood facilitates early and minimally-invasive diagnosis of basal-like TNBC. We also demonstrate that NCT has a significant influence on miRNA expression. Finally, we show that blood-borne miRNA profiles monitored over time have potential to predict pCR.
Increased moral condemnation of accidental harm in institutionalized adolescents
Authors: Baez Sandra , Herrera Eduar , García Adolfo M. , Huepe David , Santamaría-García Hernando , Ibáñez Agustín 
Published: July 2018

AbstractSocial deprivation, as faced by children in institutional rearing, involves socio-cognitive deficits that may persist into adolescence. In particular, two relevant domains which prove sensitive to pre-adult neurodevelopment are theory of mind (ToM) and moral judgment (a complex skill which partially depend upon ToM). However, no study has assessed moral evaluation in adolescents with a history of institutional care, let alone its relationship with ToM skills. The present study aims to bridge this gap, focusing on moral evaluation of harmful actions in institutionalized adolescents (IAs). Relative to adolescents raised with their biological families, IAs exhibited less willingness to exculpate protagonists for accidental harms, suggesting an under-reliance on information about a person’s (innocent) intentions. Moreover, such abnormalities in IAs were associated with ToM impairments. Taken together, our findings extend previous findings of delayed ToM under social deprivation, further showing that the development of moral cognition is also vulnerable to the impact of institutionalization. These results could pave the way for novel research on the role of institutional rearing in ToM and moral development during adolescence.
oxLDL inhibits differentiation and functional activity of osteoclasts via scavenger receptor-A mediated autophagy and cathepsin K secretion
Authors: Dawodu Damilola , Patecki Margret , Hegermann Jan , Dumler Inna , Haller Hermann , Kiyan Yulia 
Published: July 2018

AbstractResorptive activity of osteoclasts is important for maintaining bone homeostasis. Endogenous compounds such as oxidized low density lipoprotein (oxLDL) have been shown to disturb this activity. While some studies have investigated the effects of oxLDL on the process of osteoclastogenesis, the underlying mechanism are not fully understood. We show here that oxLDL concentrations of ~10–25 µg protein (0.43–1.0 µM MDA/mg protein) completely blocked the formation of functional osteoclasts. The underlying mechanism implies an inhibition of autophagy that in turn leads to a decreased fusion of cathepsin K (CatK)-loaded lysosomal vesicles with the ruffled border membrane. As result, a lower secretion of CatK and impaired protonation of the resorption lacunae by vacuolar-ATPase (v-ATPase) is observed in the presence of oxLDL. We demonstrate that scavenger receptor A (SR-A) mediates oxLDL effects on osteoclastogenesis and repressing this receptor partially rescued oxLDL effects. Collectively, our data provides an insight into the possible mechanism of oxLDL on osteoclastogenesis suggesting that it does not perturb the packaging of CatK and v-ATPase (V-a3) in the secretory lysosome, but inhibits the fusion of these lysosomes to the ruffled border. The relevance of our findings suggests a distinct link between oxLDL, autophagy and osteoclastogenesis.
MRGPRX2-mediated mast cell response to drugs used in
perioperative procedures and anaesthesia
Authors: Navinés-Ferrer Arnau , Serrano-Candelas Eva , Lafuente Alberto , Muñoz-Cano Rosa , Martín Margarita , Gastaminza Gabriel 
Published: July 2018

AbstractThe study of anaphylactoid reactions during perioperative procedures
and anaesthesia represents a diagnostic challenge for allergists, as many drugs are
administered simultaneously, and approximately half of them trigger allergic
reactions without a verifiable IgE-mediated mechanism. Recently, mast cell receptor
MRGPRX2 has been identified as a cause of pseudo-allergic drug reactions. In this
study, we analyse the ability of certain drugs used during perioperative procedures
and anaesthesia to induce MRGPRX2-dependent degranulation in human mast cells and
sera from patients who experienced an anaphylactoid reaction during the
perioperative procedure. Using a β-hexosaminidase release assay, several drugs were
seen to cause mast cell degranulation in vitro in
comparison with unstimulated cells, but only morphine, vancomycin and cisatracurium
specifically triggered this receptor, as assessed by the release of β-hexosaminidase
in the control versus the MRGPRX2-silenced cells. The same outcome was seen when
measuring degranulation based on the percentage of CD63 expression at identical
doses. Unlike that of the healthy controls, the sera of patients who had experienced
an anaphylactoid reaction induced mast-cell degranulation. The degranulation ability
of these sera decreased when MRGPRX2 was silenced. In conclusion, MRGPRX2 is a
candidate for consideration in non-IgE-mediated allergic reactions to some
perioperative drugs, reinforcing its role in mast cell responses and their
pathophysiology.