bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cenozoic Sediment Provenance in the Northern Great Plains Corresponds to Four Episodes of Tectonic and Magmatic Events in the Central North American Cordillera
Authors: Li Lin , Fan Majie 
Published: October 2018

AbstractDetrital zircon U‐Pb provenance in the northern Great Plains reveals histories of drainage reorganization of the paleo‐Missouri River in response to Cenozoic tectonic and magmatic processes in the central North American Cordillera. During the latest Cretaceous, sediment provenance was confined to the Cordilleran hinterland in central Idaho and southwestern Montana, probably due to the existence of a subtle paleohydraulic divide in northwestern Montana. During the early to middle Paleocene, the paleodrainage was expanded to cover the Belt Supergroup in northwestern Montana in response to the eastward propagation of the Cordilleran thrust belt. During the late Paleocene to early Eocene, the final movement of the thrust belt and the initial extension of the Cordilleran hinterland shifted the drainage divide to the orogenic front and caused focused erosion of the upper Lower to Upper Cretaceous rocks to the east. During the middle Eocene to early Oligocene, a significant increase of Archean grains suggests renewed exhumation of the Laramide province and sediment delivery by the paleo‐Yellowstone River originated in the central Rocky Mountains. The presence of middle Eocene to early Oligocene zircons during this stage also suggests headwater erosion of the paleo‐Upper Missouri River into the Dillion volcanic field in southwestern Montana. These interpretations indicate that a drainage pattern similar to that of the modern Missouri River was established during middle Eocene to early Oligocene time. The detrital zircon maximum depositional ages also improve the chronostratigraphic framework of the Paleogene strata. Our study demonstrates that orogenic processes can be well archived in sedimentary records far away from orogenic systems.
Pol μ dGTP mismatch insertion opposite T coupled with ligation reveals promutagenic DNA repair intermediate
Authors: Çağlayan Melike , Wilson Samuel H. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractIncorporation of mismatched nucleotides during DNA replication or repair leads to transition or transversion mutations and is considered as a predominant source of base substitution mutagenesis in cancer cells. Watson-Crick like dG:dT base pairing is considered to be an important source of genome instability. Here we show that DNA polymerase (pol) μ insertion of 7,8-dihydro-8′-oxo-dGTP (8-oxodGTP) or deoxyguanosine triphosphate (dGTP) into a model double-strand break DNA repair substrate with template base T results in efficient ligation by DNA ligase. These results indicate that pol μ-mediated dGTP mismatch insertion opposite template base T coupled with ligation could be a feature of mutation prone nonhomologous end joining during double-strand break repair.
A molecular-genetic and imaging-genetic approach to specific comprehension difficulties in children
Authors: Li Miao , Malins Jeffrey G. , DeMille Mellissa M. C. , Lovett Maureen W. , Truong Dongnhu T. , Epstein Katherine , Lacadie Cheryl , Mehta Chintan , Bosson-Heenan Joan , Gruen Jeffrey R. , Frijters Jan C. ,   the GRaD Study Consortium, Boada Richard , Gottwald Stephanie , Hill Dina , Jacobson Lisa A. , Mahone E. Mark , Willcutt Erik G. , Wolf Maryanne 
Published: October 2018

AbstractChildren with poor reading comprehension despite typical word reading skills were examined using neuropsychological, genetic, and neuroimaging data collected from the Genes, Reading and Dyslexia Study of 1432 Hispanic American and African American children. This unexpected poor comprehension was associated with profound deficits in vocabulary, when compared to children with comprehension skills consistent with their word reading. Those with specific comprehension difficulties were also more likely to have RU2Short alleles of READ1 regulatory variants of DCDC2, strongly associated with reading and language difficulties. Subjects with RU2Short alleles showed stronger resting state functional connectivity between the right insula/inferior frontal gyrus and the right supramarginal gyrus, even after controlling for potentially confounding variables including genetic ancestry and socioeconomic status. This multi-disciplinary approach advances the current understanding of specific reading comprehension difficulties, and suggests the need for interventions that are more appropriately tailored to the specific comprehension deficits of this group of children.
Effects of Thymoquinone on radiation enteritis in mice
Authors: Hou Qinlian , Liu Linlin , Dong Yinping , Wu Jing , Du Liqing , Dong Hui , Li Deguan 
Published: October 2018

AbstractRadiation enteritis is an old but emerging question induced by the application of radiation. However, no effective drugs for radiation enteritis in clinic. In this study, we found that thymoquinone (TQ) could mitigate intestinal damages induced by irradiation. After exposure to irradiation, TQ-treated improved the irradiated mice survival rate, ameliorated intestinal injury and increased the numbers of intestinal crypts. Furthermore, Lgr5+ ISCs and their daughter cells, including Vil1+ enterocytes, Ki67+ cells and lysozyme+ Paneth cells, were all significantly increased with TQ treatment. In addition, P53, γH2AX, caspase8, caspase9 and caspase3 expression were all reduced by TQ. Our data showed that TQ modulated DNA damages and decreased the apoptosis in the small intestine. TQ might be used for radiation enteritis treatment.
Characterizing the protective effects of SHLP2, a mitochondrial-derived peptide, in macular degeneration
Authors: Nashine Sonali , Cohen Pinchas , Nesburn Anthony B. , Kuppermann Baruch D. , Kenney M. Cristina 
Published: October 2018

AbstractMitochondrial-derived peptides (MDPs) are rapidly emerging therapeutic targets to combat development of neurodegenerative diseases. SHLP2 (small humanin-like peptide 2) is a newly discovered MDP that is coded from the MT-RNR2 (Mitochondrially encoded 16S rRNA) gene in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). In the current study, we examined the biological consequences of treatment with exogenously-added SHLP2 in an in vitro human transmitochondrial age-related macular degeneration (AMD) ARPE-19 cell model. In AMD cells, we observed significant down-regulation of the MDP-coding MT-RNR2 gene, and remarkably reduced levels of all five oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) complex I-V protein subunits that are involved in the electron transport chain; these results suggested mitochondrial toxicity and abnormal OXPHOS complex protein subunits’ levels in AMD cells. However, treatment of AMD cells with SHLP2: (1) restored the normal levels of OXPHOS complex protein subunits, (2) prevented loss of viable cells and mitochondria, (3) increased the number of mtDNA copies, (4) induced anti-apoptotic effects, and (5) attenuated amyloid-β-induced cellular and mitochondrial toxicity. Cumulatively, our findings established the protective role of SHLP2 in AMD cells in vitro. In conclusion, this novel study supports the merit of SHLP2 in the treatment of AMD, a primary retinal disease that is a leading cause of blindness among the elderly population in the United States as well as worldwide.
Spotlight on islands: on the origin and diversification of an ancient lineage of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus in the western Pontine Islands
Authors: Senczuk Gabriele , Havenstein Katja , Milana Valentina , Ripa Chiara , De Simone Emanuela , Tiedemann Ralph , Castiglia Riccardo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractGroups of proximate continental islands may conceal more tangled phylogeographic patterns than oceanic archipelagos as a consequence of repeated sea level changes, which allow populations to experience gene flow during periods of low sea level stands and isolation by vicariant mechanisms during periods of high sea level stands. Here, we describe for the first time an ancient and diverging lineage of the Italian wall lizard Podarcis siculus from the western Pontine Islands. We used nuclear and mitochondrial DNA sequences of 156 individuals with the aim of unraveling their phylogenetic position, while microsatellite loci were used to test several a priori insular biogeographic models of migration with empirical data. Our results suggest that the western Pontine populations colonized the islands early during their Pliocene volcanic formation, while populations from the eastern Pontine Islands seem to have been introduced recently. The inter-island genetic makeup indicates an important role of historical migration, probably due to glacial land bridges connecting islands followed by a recent vicariant mechanism of isolation. Moreover, the most supported migration model predicted higher gene flow among islands which are geographically arranged in parallel. Considering the threatened status of small insular endemic populations, we suggest this new evolutionarily independent unit be given priority in conservation efforts.
Spatiotemporal dynamics and risk factors for human Leptospirosis in Brazil
Authors: Baquero Oswaldo Santos , Machado Gustavo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractLeptospirosis is an emerging neglected tropical disease with a worldwide significant global health burden. Between 2000 and 2016, there were 63,302 cases of human leptospirosis and 6,064 deaths reported in Brazil. We modeled the spatiotemporal risk dynamics of human leptospirosis morbidity and lethality, and attributed an easily interpretable risk-based priority index (PI) for all Brazilian federative units to suggest improvements to the national surveillance system. We also developed a conceptual framework of causality and estimated the effects of environmental and socioeconomic determinants of morbidity and lethality. Spatiotemporal risk patterns of morbidity and lethality differed. For morbidity, the pattern was mainly spatial, whereas lethality was mainly explained by the spatiotemporal interaction. The hypothesized causal model explained a relevant fraction of the heterogeneity in the spatial and spatiotemporal interaction patterns. The increase in soil moisture, precipitation, poverty, and the decrease in the proportion of urban households, acted as risk factors. The increase in the proportion of households in which waste is directly collected and in temperature were preventive factors. The structured temporal trend was increasing for morbidity and decreasing for lethality. In terms of morbidity, it was clear that the prioritization should be focused in a couple of states, mainly Acre. In terms of lethality, the allocation of resources need not be as asymmetric, but there was nonetheless a prioritization order. The proposed approach can be used to characterize spatiotemporal dynamics of other diseases and to inform decision makers.
Stressful conditions reveal decrease in size, modification of shape but relatively stable asymmetry in bumblebee wings
Authors: Gerard Maxence , Michez Denis , Debat Vincent , Fullgrabe Lovina , Meeus Ivan , Piot Niels , Sculfort Ombeline , Vastrade Martin , Smagghe Guy , Vanderplanck Maryse 
Published: October 2018

AbstractHuman activities can generate a wide variety of direct and indirect effects on animals, which can manifest as environmental and genetic stressors. Several phenotypic markers have been proposed as indicators of these stressful conditions but have displayed contrasting results, depending, among others, on the phenotypic trait measured. Knowing the worldwide decline of multiple bumblebee species, it is important to understand these stressors and link them with the drivers of decline. We assessed the impact of several stressors (i.e. natural toxin-, parasite-, thermic- and inbreeding- stress) on both wing shape and size and their variability as well as their directional and fluctuating asymmetries. The total data set includes 650 individuals ofBombus terrestris(Hymenoptera: Apidae). Overall wing size and shape were affected by all the tested stressors. Except for the sinigrin (e.g. glucosinolate) stress, each stress implies a decrease of wing size. Size variance was affected by several stressors, contrary to shape variance that was affected by none of them. Although wing size directional and fluctuating asymmetries were significantly affected by sinigrin, parasites and high temperatures, neither directional nor fluctuating shape asymmetry was significantly affected by any tested stressor. Parasites and high temperatures led to the strongest phenotype modifications. Overall size and shape were the most sensitive morphological traits, which contrasts with the common view that fluctuating asymmetry is the major phenotypic marker of stress.
Integrated and efficient diffusion-relaxometry using ZEBRA
Authors: Hutter Jana , Slator Paddy J. , Christiaens Daan , Teixeira Rui Pedro A. G. , Roberts Thomas , Jackson Laurence , Price Anthony N. , Malik Shaihan , Hajnal Joseph V. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe emergence of multiparametric diffusion models combining diffusion and relaxometry measurements provides powerful new ways to explore tissue microstructure, with the potential to provide new insights into tissue structure and function. However, their ability to provide rich analyses and the potential for clinical translation critically depends on the availability of efficient, integrated, multi-dimensional acquisitions. We propose a fully integrated sequence simultaneously sampling the acquisition parameter spaces required for T1 and T2* relaxometry and diffusion MRI. Slice-level interleaved diffusion encoding, multiple spin/gradient echoes and slice-shuffling are combined for higher efficiency, sampling flexibility and enhanced internal consistency. In-vivo data was successfully acquired on healthy adult brains. Obtained parametric maps as well as clustering results demonstrate the potential of the technique to provide eloquent data with an acceleration of roughly 20 compared to conventionally used approaches. The proposed integrated acquisition, which we call ZEBRA, offers significant acceleration and flexibility compared to existing diffusion-relaxometry studies, and thus facilitates wider use of these techniques both for research-driven and clinical applications.
Physiological changes for drought resistance in different species of Phyllanthus
Authors: Filho Elenilson G. Alves , Braga Luiza N. , Silva Lorena Mara A. , Miranda Fábio R. , Silva Ebenézer O. , Canuto Kirley M. , Miranda Maria Raquel , de Brito Edy S. , Zocolo Guilherme J. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe Phyllanthus genus is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of the world and present several pharmacological applications. Drought is a restrictive factor for crop development and production, and is becoming a severe problem in many regions of the world. The species Phyllanthus amarus and Phyllanthus niruri were subjected to drought stress for varying periods of time (0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 days), and afterwards, leaves were collected and evaluated for physiological and biochemical responses, such as oxidative stress markers and drought-associated defense mechanisms. Results show that P. amarus has an endogenously higher level of variables of the oxidative/antioxidant metabolism, and P. niruri presents the most significant changes in those variables when compared to control and stressed plants. For both Phyllanthus species, drought stress induces higher levels of organic acids such as malic, succinic, and citric acids, and amino acids such as proline, GABA, alanine, and valine. Moreover, P. niruri plants respond with greater glucose and corilagin contents. Therefore, considering the evaluated metabolic changes, P. amarus is better adapted to drought-stress, while P. niruri presents an acclimation strategy that increases the corilagin levels induced by short-term drought stress.
Novel Classification of Early-stage Systemic Hypertensive Changes in Human Retina Based on OCTA Measurement of Choriocapillaris
Authors: Takayama Kei , Kaneko Hiroki , Ito Yasuki , Kataoka Keiko , Iwase Takeshi , Yasuma Tetsuhiro , Matsuura Toshiyuki , Tsunekawa Taichi , Shimizu Hideyuki , Suzumura Ayana , Ra Eimei , Akahori Tomohiko , Terasaki Hiroko 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe traditional classification of hypertensive retinopathy was based on the Keith–Wagener–Barker (KWB) grading, which is a subjective scaling system, and it is difficult to distinguish between the first and second grades. Retinal and choroidal vasculatures are affected by systemic hypertension, although retinal vasculature changes with age, axial length, intraocular pressure, and retinal diseases. It is necessary to establish a new objective method to assess hypertensive vascular changes. In the present study, we have examined the vasculature of the macular choriocapillaris in order to establish a new objective method to assess hypertensive vascular changes using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Choriocapillaris vessel density (VD), vessel length, and vessel diameter index in a 3 × 3 mm macular area were measured by OTCA in a total of 567 volunteers (361 healthy subjects and 206 subjects with systemic hypertension) who attended a basic health check-up. Ocular factors, systemic factors, and medications were evaluated. We detected significant differences in normative choriocapillaris vasculature between the left and right eyes in 53 healthy subjects and revealed correlations between age, intraocular pressure, axial length, and choriocapillaris vasculature in 308 healthy subjects. Normative foveal VD was correlated with age only and the efficiency was weak. The analysis of 206 right eyes (KWB grade 0, 159 eyes; grade 1, 35 eyes; and grade 2, 12 eyes) revealed that foveal VD was strongly correlated with KWB grade only (P < 0.001). This is the first report suggesting that OCTA for foveal choriocapillaris measurement by OCTA would might provide the advantage of evaluating be objective method for evaluating the progression of systemic hypertension.
Selective interactions between diverse STEs organize the ANT-C Hox cluster
Authors: Li Mo , Ma Zhibo , Roy Sharmila , Patel Sapna K. , Lane Derrick C. , Duffy Carly R. , Cai Haini N. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe three-dimensional organization of the eukaryotic genome is important for its structure and function. Recent studies indicate that hierarchies of chromatin loops underlie important aspects of both genomic organization and gene regulation. Looping between insulator or boundary elements interferes with enhancer-promoter communications and limits the spread active or repressive organized chromatin. We have used the SF1 insulator in the Drosophila Antennapedia homeotic gene complex (ANT-C) as a model to study the mechanism and regulation of chromatin looping events. We reported previously that SF1 tethers a transient chromatin loop in the early embryo that insulates the Hox gene Sex comb reduce from the neighbor non-Hox gene fushi tarazu for their independent regulation. To further probe the functional range and connectivity of SF1, we used high-resolution chromosomal conformation capture (3C) to search for SF1 looping partners across ANT-C. We report here the identification of three distal SF1 Tether Elements (STEs) located in the labial, Deformed and Antennapedia Hox gene regions, extending the range of SF1 looping network to the entire complex. These novel STEs are bound by four different combinations of insulator proteins and exhibit distinct behaviors in enhancer block, enhancer-bypass and boundary functions. Significantly, the six STEs we identified so far map to all but one of the major boundaries between repressive and active histone domains, underlining the functional relevance of these long-range chromatin loops in organizing the Hox complex. Importantly, SF1 selectively captured with only 5 STEs out of ~20 sites that display similar insulator binding profiles, indicating that presence of insulator proteins alone is not sufficient to determine looping events. These findings suggest that selective interaction among diverse STE insulators organize the Drosophila Hox genes in the 3D nuclear space.
Associations Between Manual Dexterity and Language Ability in School-Age Children
Authors: Obeid Rita , Brooks Patricia J. 
Published: October 2018

PurposeWe aimed to determine whether individual differences in manual dexterity are associated with specific language skills (nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, and receptive grammar) after controlling for nonverbal abilities (visual–spatial working memory and intelligence).MethodWe assessed manual dexterity using the pegboard task and examined relationships with verbal and nonverbal abilities in a diverse community sample of children (N= 63, mean age = 8;2 [year;months], range: 6;0–10;8) varying in language ability (Comprehensive Evaluation of Language Fundamentals–Fourth Edition core language scoreM= 105, range: 62–126; Semel, Wiig, & Secord, 2003).ResultsCorrelational analyses indicated significant relationships between manual dexterity and performance on tests of nonword repetition, receptive vocabulary, receptive grammar, and nonverbal intelligence, after controlling for multiple comparisons. In regression analyses, manual dexterity remained a significant predictor of nonword repetition after controlling for nonverbal abilities and age. In contrast, manual dexterity was no longer significant in predicting receptive vocabulary or grammar when nonverbal intelligence was included as a factor in the model.ConclusionsThese findings build on prior work implicating poor fine motor control in child language disorders by identifying a robust relationship between manual dexterity and nonword repetition. Relationships between manual dexterity and receptive language abilities appear to be indirect and mediated by nonword repetition. For clinicians, the results underscore the importance of screening children with poor fine motor control for concomitant language impairments.
Fabrication of hybrid nanostructured surface for reduction of surface reflectance
Authors: Arjyajyoti Goswami , Aravindan Sivanandam , Rao Paruchuri Venkatewara 
Published: October 2018

A combination of nanohole array and gold nanoparticles (Au NPs) was fabricated on the c‐Si substrate. The substrate is then optically characterised through reflectance spectra. Reduction in reflectance around 68.91% was observed in the wavelength range of 300–1100 nm for the hybrid nanostructured surface. The reduction in reflectance is attributed to a gradual change in refractive index owing to the nanohole array and the localised surface plasmon resonance of the Au NPs.
An alternative stable solution for the Kepler-419 system, obtained with the use of a genetic algorithm
Authors: Carpintero D. D. , Melita M. 
Published: October 2018

Context. The mid-transit times of an exoplanet may be nonperiodic. The variations in the timing of the transits with respect to a single period, that is, the transit timing variations (TTVs), can sometimes be attributed to perturbations by other exoplanets present in the system, which may or may not transit the star.
Aims. Our aim is to compute the mass and the six orbital elements of an nontransiting exoplanet, given only the central times of transit of the transiting body. We also aim to recover the mass of the star and the mass and orbital elements of the transiting exoplanet, suitably modified in order to decrease the deviation between the observed and the computed transit times by as much as possible.
Methods. We have applied our method, based on a genetic algorithm, to the Kepler-419 system.
Results. We were able to compute all 14 free parameters of the system, which, when integrated in time, give transits within the observational errors. We also studied the dynamics and the long-term orbital evolution of the Kepler-419 planetary system as defined by the orbital elements computed by us, in order to determine its stability.