bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CXCL4/Platelet Factor 4 is an agonist of CCR1 and drives human monocyte migration
Authors: Fox James M. , Kausar Fahima , Day Amy , Osborne Michael , Hussain Khansa , Mueller Anja , Lin Jessica , Tsuchiya Tomoko , Kanegasaki Shiro , Pease James E. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractActivated platelets release micromolar concentrations of the chemokine CXCL4/Platelet Factor-4. Deposition of CXCL4 onto the vascular endothelium is involved in atherosclerosis, facilitating monocyte arrest and recruitment by an as yet, unidentified receptor. Here, we demonstrate that CXCL4 drives chemotaxis of the monocytic cell line THP-1. Migration and intracellular calcium responses induced by CXCL4 werepertussistoxin-sensitive, implicating a GPCR in signal transduction. Cell treatment with chondroitinase ABC ablated migration, suggesting thatcispresentation of CXCL4 by cell surface glycosaminoglycans to a GPCR is required. Although CXCR3 has been previously described as a CXCL4 receptor, THP-1 cells were unresponsive to CXCR3 ligands and CXCL4-induced migration was insensitive to a CXCR3 antagonist, suggesting that an alternative receptor is involved. Interrogating CC-class chemokine receptor transfectants, we unexpectedly found that CXCL4 could induce the migration of CCR1-expressing cells and also induce CCR1 endocytosis. Extending our findings to primary human monocytes, we observed that CXCL4 induced CCR1 endocytosis and could induce monocyte chemotaxis in a CCR1 antagonist-sensitive manner. Collectively, our data identify CCR1 as a previously elusive monocyte CXCL4 receptor and suggest that CCR1 may play a role in inflammation where the release of CXCL4 is implicated.
Independent selection of eye and hand targets suggests effector-specific attentional mechanisms
Authors: Hanning Nina M. , Aagten-Murphy David , Deubel Heiner 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBoth eye and hand movements bind visual attention to their target locations during movement preparation. However, it remains contentious whether eye and hand targets are selected jointly by a single selection system, or individually by independent systems. To unravel the controversy, we investigated the deployment of visual attention – a proxy of motor target selection – in coordinated eye-hand movements. Results show that attention builds up in parallel both at the eye and the hand target. Importantly, the allocation of attention to one effector’s motor target was not affected by the concurrent preparation of the other effector’s movement at any time during movement preparation. This demonstrates that eye and hand targets are represented in separate, effector-specific maps of action-relevant locations. The eye-hand synchronisation that is frequently observed on the behavioral level must emerge from mutual influences of the two effector systems at later, post-attentional processing stages.
Deep-learned 3D black-blood imaging using automatic labelling technique and 3D convolutional neural networks for detecting metastatic brain tumors
Authors: Jun Yohan , Eo Taejoon , Kim Taeseong , Shin Hyungseob , Hwang Dosik , Bae So Hi , Park Yae Won , Lee Ho-Joon , Choi Byoung Wook , Ahn Sung Soo 
Published: June 2018

AbstractBlack-blood (BB) imaging is used to complement contrast-enhanced 3D gradient-echo (CE 3D-GRE) imaging for detecting brain metastases, requiring additional scan time. In this study, we proposed deep-learned 3D BB imaging with an auto-labelling technique and 3D convolutional neural networks for brain metastases detection without additional BB scan. Patients were randomly selected for training (29 sets) and testing (36 sets). Two neuroradiologists independently evaluated deep-learned and original BB images, assessing the degree of blood vessel suppression and lesion conspicuity. Vessel signals were effectively suppressed in all patients. The figure of merits, which indicate the diagnostic performance of radiologists, were 0.9708 with deep-learned BB and 0.9437 with original BB imaging, suggesting that the deep-learned BB imaging is highly comparable to the original BB imaging (difference was not significant; p = 0.2142). In per patient analysis, sensitivities were 100% for both deep-learned and original BB imaging; however, the original BB imaging indicated false positive results for two patients. In per lesion analysis, sensitivities were 90.3% for deep-learned and 100% for original BB images. There were eight false positive lesions on the original BB imaging but only one on the deep-learned BB imaging. Deep-learned 3D BB imaging can be effective for brain metastases detection.
Engineering of Hybrid Nanoporous Anodic Alumina Photonic Crystals by Heterogeneous Pulse Anodization
Authors: Lim Siew Yee , Law Cheryl Suwen , Marsal Lluís F. , Santos Abel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn this study, we present an advanced nanofabrication approach, so-called ‘heterogeneous pulse anodization’ (HPA), in which galvanostatic stepwise and apodized sinusoidal pulse anodizations are combined in a single process. This novel anodization method enables the precise optical engineering of the characteristic photonic stopbands (PSBs) of nanoporous anodic alumina photonic crystals (NAA-PCs). The resulting structures are hybrid PCs (Hy-NAA-PCs) composed of distributed Bragg reflectors (DBRs) and apodized gradient-index filters (APO-GIFs) embedded within the same PC structure. The modification of various anodization parameters such as anodization period, relative and total anodization time, structural arrangement of PCs within Hy-NAA-PCs, and pore widening time allows the fine-tuning of the PSBs’ features (i.e. number, position and bandwidth of central wavelength) across the spectral regions. The effects of these fabrication parameters are systematically assessed, revealing that the positions of the characteristic transmission bands of Hy-NAA-PCs are highly controllable. Our study provides a comprehensive rationale towards the development of unique Hy-NAA-PCs with controllable optical properties, which could open new opportunities for a plethora of applications.
Improved crop yield and reduced nitrate nitrogen leaching with straw return in a rice-wheat rotation of Ningxia irrigation district
Authors: Yang Shiqi , Wang Yongsheng , Liu Ruliang , Xing Lei , Yang Zhengli 
Published: June 2018

AbstractField experiments were conducted in rice-wheat rotation under conventional management to determine the effects of straw return ((half straw return, HS) and (total straw return, TS)) on crop yield, N uptake, soil properties and soil NO3−–N leaching. We found that straw return significantly increased crop yield and N uptake. TS significantly increased soil SOM at depths of 20 cm and 30 cm. Straw return had significantly increased soil NO3−–N leaching at a depth of 10 cm, whereas significantly decreased soil NO3−–N leaching at depths of 30 cm and 90 cm in the rice season. In wheat season, HS and TS performed better than conventional fertilization management without straw return in reducing soil NO3−–N leaching at depth of 90 cm. Soil NO3−–N leaching was significantly decreased through enhancing total N uptake, improving soil aggregation and decreasing soil NO3−–N concentration. Our results indicated that total straw return has the potential to increase crop yield, improve soil aggregation and decrease soil NO3−–N concentration, thus increasing total N uptake and reducing soil NO3−–N leaching in the rice-wheat rotation system of Ningxia Yellow river irrigation district. In the future, the long-term observation of crop yield and nitrate nitrogen leaching are necessary to identify the environmentally friendly straw return practices for rice-wheat rotation.
A conditional silencing suppression system for transient expression
Authors: Reis Rodrigo Siqueira , Litholdo Celso G. , Bally Julia , Roberts Thomas H. , Waterhouse Peter M. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractRNA silencing is a powerful tool deployed by plants against viral infection and abnormal gene expression. Plant viruses have evolved a suite of silencing suppressors for counter-defense, which are also widely used to boost transcript and protein accumulation in transient assays. However, only wild type silencing suppressor proteins have been reported to date. Here we demonstrate that P0 of Potato leafroll virus (PLRV), PLP0, can be split into two proteins that only show silencing suppression activity upon co-expression. We cloned each of these proteins in two different constructs and transiently co-infiltrated them in N. benthamiana leaves. We expressed a fluorescent protein from one of the vectors and observed that cells expressing both halves of PLP0 suppressed gene silencing. Further, we showed that Q system of Neurospora crassa, based on co-expression of a transcription activator and inhibitor, is functional in agroinfiltrated leaves of N. benthamiana. Q system combined with the split PLP0 system showed very tight co-expression of Q system’s transcriptional activator and inhibitor. Altogether, our experiments demonstrate a functioning conditional silencing suppressor system and its potential as a powerful tool for transient expression in N. benthamiana leaves, as well as the application of the Q system in plants.
Highly sensitive chemiluminescent aptasensor for detecting HBV infection based on rapid magnetic separation and double-functionalized gold nanoparticles
Authors: Xi Zhijiang , Gong Quan , Wang Chao , Zheng Bing 
Published: June 2018

AbstractHepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global public health problem and one of the leading causes of chronic liver disease. HBsAg is the first serological marker to appear in the blood and is the most important marker of HBV infection. Detection of HBsAg in serum samples is commonly carried out using an immunoassay such as an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), which is complex to perform, time-consuming, and unsatisfactory for testing sensitivity. Therefore, new methods for highly sensitive detection of HBV infection are urgently needed. Aptamers are specific recognition molecules with high affinity and specificity toward their targets. Biosensors that employ aptamers as biorecognition elements are known as aptasensors. In this study, we select an HBsAg-specific aptamer and use it to develop a new chemiluminescent aptasensor based on rapid magnetic separation and double-functionalized gold nanoparticles. This sensor enables rapid magnetic separation and highly sensitive detection of HBsAg in HBV-positive serum. The detection limit of this HBsAg-detecting chemiluminescent aptasensor is as low as 0.05 ng/mL, which is much lower than the 0.5 ng/mL limit of a typical ELISA used in hospitals. Furthermore, this aptasensor works well and is highly specific to HBV infection.
A New biological proxy for deep-sea paleo-oxygen: Pores of epifaunal benthic foraminifera
Authors: Rathburn Anthony E. , Willingham Jake , Ziebis Wiebke , Burkett Ashley M. , Corliss Bruce H. 
Published: June 2018

AbstractThe negative consequences of fossil fuel burning for the oceans will likely include warming, acidification and deoxygenation, yet predicting future deoxygenation is difficult. Sensitive proxies for oxygen concentrations in ancient deep-ocean bottom-waters are needed to learn from patterns of marine deoxygenation during global warming conditions in the geological past. Understanding of past oxygenation effects related to climate change will better inform us about future patterns of deoxygenation. Here we describe a new, quantitative biological proxy for determining ocean paleo-oxygen concentrations: the surface area of pores (used for gas exchange) in the tests of deep-sea benthic foraminifera collected alive from 22 locations (water depths: 400 to 4100 m) at oxygen levels ranging from ~ 2 to ~ 277 μmol/l. This new proxy is based on species that are widely distributed geographically, bathymetrically and chronologically, and therefore should have broad applications. Our calibration demonstrates a strong, negative logarithmic correlation between bottom-water oxygen concentrations and pore surface area, indicating that pore surface area of fossil epifaunal benthic foraminifera can be used to reconstruct past changes in deep ocean oxygen and redox levels.
Honeybee rebel workers invest less in risky foraging than normal workers
Authors: Kuszewska Karolina , Miler Krzysztof , Woyciechowski Michal 
Published: June 2018

AbstractIn eusocial insect colonies, workers have individual preferences for performing particular tasks. Previous research suggests that these preferences might be associated with worker reproductive potential; however, different studies have yielded inconsistent results. This study constitutes the first comparison of foraging preferences between genetically similar normal and rebel honeybee workers, which present different reproductive potential. We found that rebels, which have a higher reproductive potential than normal workers, displayed a delayed onset of foraging and a stronger tendency to collect nectar compared with normal workers. These results support the hypothesis that workers with high reproductive potential invest more in their own egg laying and avoid risky tasks such as foraging. In contrast, the results do not support the hypothesis that reproductive workers initiate foraging earlier in life than normal workers and specialize in pollen foraging.
Geometric metasurface enabling polarization independent beam splitting
Authors: Yoon Gwanho , Lee Dasol , Nam Ki Tae , Rho Junsuk 
Published: June 2018

AbstractA polarization independent holographic beam splitter that generates equal-intensity beams based on geometric metasurface is demonstrated. Although conventional geometric metasurfaces have the advantages of working over a broad frequency range and having intuitive design principles, geometric metasurfaces have the limitation that they only work for circular polarization. In this work, Fourier holography is used to overcome this limitation. A perfect overlap resulting from the origin-symmetry of the encoded image enables polarization independent operation of geometric metasurfaces. The designed metasurface beam splitter is experimentally demonstrated by using hydrogenated amorphous silicon, and the device performs consistent beam splitting regardless of incident polarizations as well as wavelengths. Our device can be applied to generate equal-intensity beams for entangled photon light sources in quantum optics, and the design approach provides a way to develop ultra-thin broadband polarization independent components for modern optics.
Fibrin Glue-aided, Instant Epicardial Placement Enhances the Efficacy of Mesenchymal Stromal Cell-Based Therapy for Heart Failure
Authors: Kobayashi Kazuya , Ichihara Yuki , Tano Nobuko , Fields Laura , Murugesu Nilaani , Ito Tomoya , Ikebe Chiho , Lewis Fiona , Yashiro Kenta , Shintani Yasunori , Uppal Rakesh , Suzuki Ken 
Published: June 2018

AbstractTransplantation of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) is a promising new therapy for heart failure. However, the current cell delivery routes result in poor donor cell engraftment. We therefore explored the role of fibrin glue (FG)-aided, instant epicardial placement to enhance the efficacy of MSC-based therapy in a rat ischemic cardiomyopathy model. We identified a feasible and reproducible method to instantly produce a FG-MSC complex directly on the heart surface. This complex exhibited prompt, firm adhesion to the heart, markedly improving initial retention of donor MSCs compared to intramyocardial injection. In addition, maintenance of retained MSCs was enhanced using this method, together contributing the increased donor cell presence. Such increased donor cell quantity using the FG-aided technique led to further improved cardiac function in association with augmented histological myocardial repair, which correlated with upregulation of tissue repair-related genes. We identified that the epicardial layer was eliminated shortly after FG-aided epicardial placement of MSCs, facilitating permeation of the donor MSC’s secretome into the myocardium enabling myocardial repair. These data indicate that FG-aided, on-site, instant epicardial placement enhances MSC engraftment, promoting the efficacy of MSC-based therapy for heart failure. Further development of this accessible, advanced MSC-therapy is justified.
Arabidopsis response to the spider mite Tetranychus urticae depends on the regulation of reactive oxygen species homeostasis
Authors: Santamaría M. Estrella , Arnaiz Ana , Velasco-Arroyo Blanca , Grbic Vojislava , Diaz Isabel , Martinez Manuel 
Published: June 2018

AbstractReactive oxygen species (ROS) are molecules that play a prominent role in plant response to numerous stresses, including plant interactions with herbivores. Previous findings indicate that Arabidopsis plants showed an increase in H2O2 accumulation after Tetranychus urticae infestation. Despite its importance, no information has been reported on the relationships between ROS-metabolizing systems and the spider mite-triggered plant-induced responses. In this work, four ROS-related genes that were differentially expressed between the resistant Bla-2 and the susceptible Kon Arabidopsis accessions were selected for the analysis. These genes encode proteins putatively involved in the generation (BBE22) and degradation (GPX7 and GSTU4) of H2O2, and in the degradation of ascorbate (AO). Overexpressing BBE22 and silencing GPX7, GSTU4 and AO resulted in higher leaf damage and better mite performance relative to the wild-type plants. Minor effects on H2O2 accumulation obscure major effects on the expression of genes related to ROS-metabolism and JA and SA signaling pathways, and on ROS-related enzymatic activities. In conclusion, the integration of ROS and ROS-related compounds and enzymes in the response of Arabidopsis to the spider mite T. urticae was confirmed. However, the complex network involved in ROS signaling makes difficult to predict the impact of a specific genetic manipulation.
Evaluating cognitive ability in the domestic dog, a review of learning, memory and attention.
Authors: Provoost L. R. , Casal M. , Siracusa C. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract
Behavioural changes can be caused by pathology within any body system, while cognitive changes stem from alterations within the brain. A variety of cognition tests have been used to assess cognitive abilities in canines, with most research focusing on ageing processes. Learning and memory can be evaluated using such cognitive tasks that include, delayed non-match to position, sensory discrimination tasks, attention tasks and reversal learning tasks. The way in which an individual learns, stores and recalls information depends on their capacity of perception and memory. Ageing and disease can alter memory capabilities by affecting brain structures and neuronal pathways. The impact of various disease states upon cognition in dogs is unknown. The ability to understand the cognitive deficits associated with ageing and disease processes deepens our understanding of patient needs and provides new directions to evaluate treatments.
The theory and applications of CRISPR in plant and tree improvement.
Authors: Parsons J. D. , MacKay J. 
Published: June 2018

Abstract

Increasing global population combined with a changing climate is placing pressure on global plant production systems, and rapid leafy and woody plant improvement is required to meet the demands of the future. Conventional breeding is time-consuming, especially in woody plants, and potential new plant traits are limited by the pre-existing genetic diversity. CRISPR/Cas genome editing (GE) technology allows rapid, simple and targeted modifications of plant genomes, as well as the introduction of novel genes into the germplasm. Both agrobacterium and ribonucleoprotein (RNP)-mediated delivery of CRISPR/Cas components to plant cells can produce transgene-free edited plants, with F
1
segregation required for the former. RNP-mediated editing in protoplasts can be directly used for gene editing without transgenes, and for pyramiding of desired genes into germplasm. However, plant regeneration from protoplasts remains to be established for many woody species. In addition, high rates of SNP occurrence in outcrossing species, as well as a shortage of functional genomics knowledge, increases the complexity of designing CRISPR/Cas editing pipelines. However, despite some challenges, CRISPR/Cas GE has seen widespread application in the generation of disease-resistant plants (providing resistance to fungal, bacterial and viral pathogens), as well as improving responses to abiotic stresses and increasing yields, amongst others. With the rapid development of new computational tools for designing and targeting CRISPR/Cas systems, increasing functional genomics knowledge, progress in protoplast-RNP-based editing and favourable regulatory outlook, CRISPR/Cas GE is close to providing a new generation of future-proofed woody and leafy plants.
Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus nonstructural protein 2B interacts with cyclophilin A, modulating virus replication
Authors: Liu Huisheng , Xue Qiao , Cao Weijun , Yang Fan , Ma Linna , Liu Wenjie , Zhang Keshan , Liu Xiangtao , Zhu Zixiang , Zheng Haixue 
Published: June 2018

ABSTRACTFoot‐and‐mouth disease (FMD) is a highly contagious virus that affects cloven‐hoofed animals. To understand better the role of nonstructural protein 2B of the causative agent FMD virus (FMDV) in the process of virus replication, we identified a porcine host protein, cyclophilin A (CypA), which interacts with FMDV 2B. The 2B‐CypA interaction was confirmed by coimmunoprecipitation and GST pull‐down assays. CypA showed antiviral functions during FMDV infection. Overexpression of CypA decreased FMDV leader protein (Lpro) and 3A at protein levels. CypA‐induced reduction of Lpro enhanced the synthesis of host proteins and increased the integrality of host eukaryotic translation initiation factor (eIF)‐4γ (eIF4G). The reduction of Lpro and 3A was dependent on the proteasome pathway. No interaction was identified between CypA and Lpro or 3A. However, CypA‐induced reduction of Lpro and 3A was suppressed by 2B, and disruption of 2B‐CypA interaction impaired this inhibitive effect induced by 2B. In summary, our findings identify the antiviral role of CypA against FMDV and provide key insights into how FMDV antagonizes host antiviral response by 2B protein.—Liu, H., Xue, Q., Cao, W., Yang, F., Ma, L., Liu, W., Zhang, K., Liu, X., Zhu, Z., Zheng, H. Foot‐and‐mouth disease virus nonstructural protein 2B interacts with cyclophilin A, modulating virus replication. FASEB J. 32, 6706–6723 (2018). www.fasebj.org