bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deep reefs of the Great Barrier Reef offer limited thermal refuge during mass coral bleaching
Authors: Frade Pedro R. , Bongaerts Pim , Englebert Norbert , Rogers Alice , Gonzalez-Rivero Manuel , Hoegh-Guldberg Ove 
Published: August 2018

AbstractOur rapidly warming climate is threatening coral reefs as thermal anomalies trigger mass coral bleaching events. Deep (or “mesophotic”) coral reefs are hypothesised to act as major ecological refuges from mass bleaching, but empirical assessments are limited. We evaluated the potential of mesophotic reefs within the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) and adjacent Coral Sea to act as thermal refuges by characterising long-term temperature conditions and assessing impacts during the 2016 mass bleaching event. We found that summer upwelling initially provided thermal relief at upper mesophotic depths (40 m), but then subsided resulting in anomalously warm temperatures even at depth. Bleaching impacts on the deep reefs were severe (40% bleached and 6% dead colonies at 40 m) but significantly lower than at shallower depths (60–69% bleached and 8–12% dead at 5-25 m). While we confirm that deep reefs can offer refuge from thermal stress, we highlight important caveats in terms of the transient nature of the protection and their limited ability to provide broad ecological refuge.
Selective conversion of CO2 and H2 into aromatics
Authors: Ni Youming , Chen Zhiyang , Fu Yi , Liu Yong , Zhu Wenliang , Liu Zhongmin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractTransformation of greenhouse gas CO2 and renewable H2 into fuels and commodity chemicals is recognized as a promising route to store fluctuating renewable energy. Although several C1 chemicals, olefins, and gasoline have been successfully synthesized by CO2 hydrogenation, selective conversion of CO2 and H2 into aromatics is still challenging due to the high unsaturation degree and complex structures of aromatics. Here we report a composite catalyst of ZnAlOx and H-ZSM-5 which yields high aromatics selectivity (73.9%) with extremely low CH4 selectivity (0.4%) among the carbon products without CO. Methanol and dimethyl ether, which are synthesized by hydrogenation of formate species formed on ZnAlOx surface, are transmitted to H-ZSM-5 and subsequently converted into olefins and finally aromatics. Furthermore, 58.1% p-xylene in xylenes is achieved over the composite catalyst containing Si-H-ZSM-5. ZnAlOx&H-ZSM-5 suggests a promising application in manufacturing aromatics from CO2 and H2.
Non-competitive resource exploitation within mosquito shapes within-host malaria infectivity and virulence
Authors: Costa G. , Gildenhard M. , Eldering M. , Lindquist R. L. , Hauser A. E. , Sauerwein R. , Goosmann C. , Brinkmann V. , Carrillo-Bustamante P. , Levashina E. A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractMalaria is a fatal human parasitic disease transmitted by a mosquito vector. Although the evolution of within-host malaria virulence has been the focus of many theoretical and empirical studies, the vector’s contribution to this process is not well understood. Here, we explore how within-vector resource exploitation would impact the evolution of within-host Plasmodium virulence. By combining within-vector dynamics and malaria epidemiology, we develop a mathematical model, which predicts that non-competitive parasitic resource exploitation within-vector restricts within-host parasite virulence. To validate our model, we experimentally manipulate mosquito lipid trafficking and gauge within-vector parasite development and within-host infectivity and virulence. We find that mosquito-derived lipids determine within-host parasite virulence by shaping development (quantity) and metabolic activity (quality) of transmissible sporozoites. Our findings uncover the potential impact of within-vector environment and vector control strategies on the evolution of malaria virulence.
The effect of maternal care on gene expression and DNA methylation in a subsocial bee
Authors: Arsenault Samuel V. , Hunt Brendan G. , Rehan Sandra M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractDevelopmental plasticity describes the influence of environmental factors on phenotypic variation. An important mediator of developmental plasticity in many animals is parental care. Here, we examine the consequences of maternal care on offspring after the initial mass provisioning of brood in the small carpenter bee,Ceratina calcarata. Removal of the mother during larval development leads to increased aggression and avoidance in adulthood. This corresponds with changes in expression of over one thousand genes, alternative splicing of hundreds of genes, and significant changes to DNA methylation. We identify genes related to metabolic and neuronal functions that may influence developmental plasticity and aggression. We observe no genome-wide association between differential DNA methylation and differential gene expression or splicing, though indirect relationships may exist between these factors. Our results provide insight into the gene regulatory context of DNA methylation in insects and the molecular avenues through which variation in maternal care influences developmental plasticity.
NCK-dependent pericyte migration promotes pathological neovascularization in ischemic retinopathy
Authors: Dubrac Alexandre , Künzel Steffen E. , Künzel Sandrine H. , Li Jinyu , Chandran Rachana Radhamani , Martin Kathleen , Greif Daniel M. , Adams Ralf H. , Eichmann Anne 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPericytes are mural cells that surround capillaries and control angiogenesis and capillary barrier function. During sprouting angiogenesis, endothelial cell-derived platelet-derived growth factor-B (PDGF-B) regulates pericyte proliferation and migration via the platelet-derived growth factor receptor-β (PDGFRβ). PDGF-B overexpression has been associated with proliferative retinopathy, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here we show that abnormal, α-SMA-expressing pericytes cover angiogenic sprouts and pathological neovascular tufts (NVTs) in a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy. Genetic lineage tracing demonstrates that pericytes acquire α-SMA expression during NVT formation. Pericyte depletion through inducible endothelial-specific knockout of Pdgf-b decreases NVT formation and impairs revascularization. Inactivation of the NCK1 and NCK2 adaptor proteins inhibits pericyte migration by preventing PDGF-B-induced phosphorylation of PDGFRβ at Y1009 and PAK activation. Loss of Nck1 and Nck2 in mural cells prevents NVT formation and vascular leakage and promotes revascularization, suggesting PDGFRβ-Y1009/NCK signaling as a potential target for the treatment of retinopathies.
Mechanical interactions among followers determine the emergence of leaders in migrating epithelial cell collectives
Authors: Vishwakarma Medhavi , Di Russo Jacopo , Probst Dimitri , Schwarz Ulrich S. , Das Tamal , Spatz Joachim P. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractRegulating the emergence of leaders is a central aspect of collective cell migration, but the underlying mechanisms remain ambiguous. Here we show that the selective emergence of leader cells at the epithelial wound-margin depends on the dynamics of the follower cells and is spatially limited by the length-scale of collective force transduction. Owing to the dynamic heterogeneity of the monolayer, cells behind the prospective leaders manifest locally increased traction and monolayer stresses much before these leaders display any phenotypic traits. Followers, in turn, pull on the future leaders to elect them to their fate. Once formed, the territory of a leader can extend only to the length up-to which forces are correlated, which is similar to the length up-to which leader cells can transmit forces. These findings provide mechanobiological insight into the hierarchy in cell collectives during epithelial wound healing.
LRRK2 kinase regulates α-synuclein propagation via RAB35 phosphorylation
Authors: Bae Eun-Jin , Kim Dong-Kyu , Kim Changyoun , Mante Michael , Adame Anthony , Rockenstein Edward , Ulusoy Ayse , Klinkenberg Michael , Jeong Ga Ram , Bae Jae Ryul , Lee Cheolsoon , Lee He-Jin , Lee Byung-Dae , Di Monte Donato A. , Masliah Eliezer , Lee Seung-Jae 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPropagation of α-synuclein aggregates has been suggested as a contributing factor in Parkinson’s disease (PD) progression. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying α-synuclein aggregation are not fully understood. Here, we demonstrate in cell culture, nematode, and rodent models of PD that leucine-rich repeat kinase 2 (LRRK2), a PD-linked kinase, modulates α-synuclein propagation in a kinase activity-dependent manner. The PD-linked G2019S mutation in LRRK2, which increases kinase activity, enhances propagation efficiency. Furthermore, we show that the role of LRRK2 in α-synuclein propagation is mediated by RAB35 phosphorylation. Constitutive activation of RAB35 overrides the reduced α-synuclein propagation phenotype inlrk-1mutantC. elegans. Finally, in a mouse model of synucleinopathy, administration of an LRRK2 kinase inhibitor reduced α-synuclein aggregation via enhanced interaction of α-synuclein with the lysosomal degradation pathway. These results suggest that LRRK2-mediated RAB35 phosphorylation is a potential therapeutic target for modifying disease progression.
Molecular insights into Vibrio cholerae’s intra-amoebal host-pathogen interactions
Authors: Van der Henst Charles , Vanhove Audrey Sophie , Drebes Dörr Natália Carolina , Stutzmann Sandrine , Stoudmann Candice , Clerc Stéphanie , Scrignari Tiziana , Maclachlan Catherine , Knott Graham , Blokesch Melanie 
Published: August 2018

AbstractVibrio cholerae, which causes the diarrheal disease cholera, is a species of bacteria commonly found in aquatic habitats. Within such environments, the bacterium must defend itself against predatory protozoan grazers. Amoebae are prominent grazers, with Acanthamoeba castellanii being one of the best-studied aquatic amoebae. We previously showed that V. cholerae resists digestion by A. castellanii and establishes a replication niche within the host’s osmoregulatory organelle. In this study, we decipher the molecular mechanisms involved in the maintenance of V. cholerae’s intra-amoebal replication niche and its ultimate escape from the succumbed host. We demonstrate that minor virulence features important for disease in mammals, such as extracellular enzymes and flagellum-based motility, have a key role in the replication and transmission of V. cholerae in its aqueous environment. This work, therefore, describes new mechanisms that provide the pathogen with a fitness advantage in its primary habitat, which may have contributed to the emergence of these minor virulence factors in the species V. cholerae.
Controlling electric potential to inhibit solid-electrolyte interphase formation on nanowire anodes for ultrafast lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Chang Won Jun , Kim Su Han , Hwang Jiseon , Chang Jinho , Yang Dong won , Kwon Sun Sang , Kim Jin Tae , Lee Won Woo , Lee Jae Hyung , Park Hyunjung , Song Taeseup , Lee In-Hwan , Whang Dongmok , Il Park Won 
Published: August 2018

AbstractWith increasing demand for high-capacity and rapidly rechargeable anodes, problems associated with unstable evolution of a solid-electrolyte interphase on the active anode surface become more detrimental. Here, we report the near fatigue-free, ultrafast, and high-power operations of lithium-ion battery anodes employing silicide nanowires anchored selectively to the inner surface of graphene-based micro-tubular conducting electrodes. This design electrically shields the electrolyte inside the electrode from an external potential load, eliminating the driving force that generates the solid-electrolyte interphase on the nanowire surface. Owing to this electric control, a solid-electrolyte interphase develops firmly on the outer surface of the graphene, while solid-electrolyte interphase-free nanowires enable fast electronic and ionic transport, as well as strain relaxation over 2000 cycles, with 84% capacity retention even at ultrafast cycling (>20C). Moreover, these anodes exhibit unprecedentedly high rate capabilities with capacity retention higher than 88% at 80C (vs. the capacity at 1C).
Angiopep-2/IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv modified nanoparticles and CTL synergistically inhibit malignant glioblastoma
Authors: Wang Xuan , Xiong Zhiyong , Liu Zhen , Huang Xing , Jiang Xiaobing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPreparation of agents that can successfully traverse the blood-brain-barrier (BBB) is a key challenge in brain cancer therapeutics. In this study, angiopep-2 was used as a brain-targeting peptide for preparing multifunctional Angiopep-2-modified poly nanoparticles, angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles. In vitro experiments showed a greater uptake of Angiopep-2 modified nanoparticles, also angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles by bEnd.3 cells versus nanoparticles and nanoparticles modified by IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv. Angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles accumulated in brain tissue after intravenous injection and recruited activated CD8+ T lymphocytes to location of glioblastoma cells. In vivo experiments to assess anti-glioblastoma effect of angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles showed significantly reduced tumor volume in angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes group versus in NPs modified by IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, Angiopep-2 modified nanoparticles+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes, angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles and PBS groups. Leukocytes infiltrated in brain tissues showed strong anti-glioblastoma activity in angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles+ CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes treated mice. Thus, angiopep-2 and IP10-EGFRvIIIscFv fusion protein modified nanoparticles may be useful for brain-targeted delivery and recruitment of activated CD8+ T lymphocytes to glioblastoma cells.
The fastest animals and vehicles are neither the biggest nor the fastest over lifetime
Authors: Bejan A. , Gunes U. , Charles J. D. , Sahin B. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractHere we show how the size of a body affects its maximum average speed of movement through its environment. The theoretical challenge was to predict that ‘outliers’ must exist, such as the cheetah for terrestrial animals and the jet fighter for airplanes. We show that during a travel that starts from rest and continues at cruising speed, the body size for minimum travel time, or maximum average speed, is not the biggest. The results are compared with extensive data for military aircraft for chase, attack and reconnaissance, in addition to data for commercial aircraft. The paper also explains why in earlier studies of flying (animals, airplanes) the airplane data deviated upward (toward greater speeds) relative to the theoretical trend followed by flying animals, and why the fastest animal flyers are one thousand times smaller than the fastest swimmers. Unlike the biggest animals and airplanes (elephant, whale, commercial jet), which move constantly, the fastest animals and airplanes spend most of their lives at rest. When judged for speed averaged over lifetime, the fastest ‘sprinters’ are in fact the slowest movers (as in Aesop’s fable ‘The Tortoise and the Hare’).
Using Two-dimensional Principal Component Analysis and Rotation Forest for Prediction of Protein-Protein Interactions
Authors: Wang Lei , You Zhu-Hong , Yan Xin , Xia Shi-Xiong , Liu Feng , Li Li-Ping , Zhang Wei , Zhou Yong 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe interaction among proteins is essential in all life activities, and it is the basis of all the metabolic activities of the cells. By studying the protein-protein interactions (PPIs), people can better interpret the function of protein, decoding the phenomenon of life, especially in the design of new drugs with great practical value. Although many high-throughput techniques have been devised for large-scale detection of PPIs, these methods are still expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, there is a much-needed to develop computational methods for predicting PPIs at the entire proteome scale. In this article, we propose a new approach to predict PPIs using Rotation Forest (RF) classifier combine with matrix-based protein sequence. We apply the Position-Specific Scoring Matrix (PSSM), which contains biological evolution information, to represent protein sequences and extract the features through the two-dimensional Principal Component Analysis (2DPCA) algorithm. The descriptors are then sending to the rotation forest classifier for classification. We obtained 97.43% prediction accuracy with 94.92% sensitivity at the precision of 99.93% when the proposed method was applied to the PPIs data of yeast. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, we compared it with other methods in the same dataset, and validate it on an independent datasets. The results obtained show that the proposed method is an appropriate and promising method for predicting PPIs.
Efficient production of a mature and functional gamma secretase protease
Authors: Khan Imran , Krishnaswamy Sudarsan , Sabale Miheer , Groth David , Wijaya Linda , Morici Michael , Berger Imre , Schaffitzel Christiane , Fraser Paul E. , Martins Ralph N. , Verdile Giuseppe 
Published: August 2018

AbstractBaculoviral protein expression in insect cells has been previously used to generate large quantities of a protein of interest for subsequent use in biochemical and structural analyses. The MultiBac baculovirus protein expression system has enabled, the use of a single baculovirus to reconstitute a protein complex of interest, resulting in a larger protein yield. Using this system, we aimed to reconstruct the gamma (γ)-secretase complex, a multiprotein enzyme complex essential for the production of amyloid-β (Aβ) protein. A MultiBac vector containing all components of the γ-secretase complex was generated and expression was observed for all components. The complex was active in processing APP and Notch derived γ-secretase substrates and proteolysis could be inhibited with γ-secretase inhibitors, confirming specificity of the recombinant γ-secretase enzyme. Finally, affinity purification was used to purify an active recombinant γ-secretase complex. In this study we demonstrated that the MultiBac protein expression system can be used to generate an active γ-secretase complex and provides a new tool to study γ-secretase enzyme and its variants.
Heterologous production of the widely used natural food colorant carminic acid in Aspergillus nidulans
Authors: Frandsen Rasmus J. N. , Khorsand-Jamal Paiman , Kongstad Kenneth T. , Nafisi Majse , Kannangara Rubini M. , Staerk Dan , Okkels Finn T. , Binderup Kim , Madsen Bjørn , Møller Birger Lindberg , Thrane Ulf , Mortensen Uffe H. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThe natural red food colorants carmine (E120) and carminic acid are currently produced from scale insects. The access to raw material is limited and current production is sensitive to fluctuation in weather conditions. A cheaper and more stable supply is therefore desirable. Here we present the first proof-of-concept of heterologous microbial production of carminic acid in Aspergillus nidulans by developing a semi-natural biosynthetic pathway. Formation of the tricyclic core of carminic acid is achieved via a two-step process wherein a plant type III polyketide synthase (PKS) forms a non-reduced linear octaketide, which subsequently is folded into the desired flavokermesic acid anthrone (FKA) structure by a cyclase and a aromatase from a bacterial type II PKS system. The formed FKA is oxidized to flavokermesic acid and kermesic acid, catalyzed by endogenous A. nidulans monooxygenases, and further converted to dcII and carminic acid by the Dactylopius coccus C-glucosyltransferase DcUGT2. The establishment of a functional biosynthetic carminic acid pathway in A. nidulans serves as an important step towards industrial-scale production of carminic acid via liquid-state fermentation using a microbial cell factory.
Molecular and physiological responses in roots of two full-sib poplars uncover mechanisms that contribute to differences in partial submergence tolerance
Authors: Peng YanJie , Zhou ZhiXiang , Zhang Zhe , Yu XiaoLi , Zhang XinYe , Du KeBing 
Published: August 2018

AbstractPoplar is a major afforestation tree species in flood-prone areas. Here, we compared molecular and physiological responses in the roots of two full-sib poplar clones, LS1 (flood-tolerant) and LS2 (flood-susceptive), subjected to stagnant flooding using transcript and metabolite profiling. LS1 displayed less phenotypic damage and superior leaf gas exchange and plant growth compared with those of LS2. We concluded that three characteristics might contribute to the differences in flood tolerance between LS1 and LS2. First, fermentation was initiated through lactic dehydrogenation in LS1 roots under flooding and subsequently dominated by alcohol fermentation. However, lactic dehydrogenase was persistently active in flooded LS2. Second, 13 differentially expressed genes associated with energy and O2consumption processes under soil flooding had lower transcript levels in LS1 than those in LS2, which might contribute to better energy-/O2-saving abilities and behaviours in flood-tolerant LS1 than those in flood-susceptible LS2 under hypoxic stress. Third, LS1 possessed increased reactive oxygen species scavenging abilities compared with those of LS2 under edaphic flooding. Our data are a valuable contribution to understanding the mechanisms involved in the flood tolerance of poplar.
Sensing and Impedance Characteristics of YbTaO4 Sensing Membranes
Authors: Pan Tung-Ming , Huang Yu-Shu , Her Jim-Long 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this study we developed ytterbium tantalum oxide (YbTaO4) sensing membranes for use in electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor (EIS) pH sensors. The influence of rapid thermal annealing (RTA) treatment on the sensing and impedance properties of the YbTaO4 sensing membranes deposited through reactive co-sputtering onto Si substrates was explored. X-ray diffraction, atomic force microscopy, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed the structural, morphological, and chemical features, respectively, of these YbTaO4 films annealed at 700, 800 and 900 °C. The YbTaO4 EIS device annealed at the 800 °C exhibited a super-Nernstian response of 71.17 mV/pH within the pH range of 2–12. It also showed the lowest hysteresis voltage ( < 1 mV) and the lowest drift rate (0.22 mV/h) among the tested systems. Presumably, the optimal annealing temperature improved the stoichiometry of YbTaO4 film and increased its (−131)-oriented nanograin size. Moreover, the impedance properties of YbTaO4 EIS sensors were investigated by using the capacitance–voltage method. The resistance and capacitance of YbTaO4 sensing films annealed at three various temperatures were evaluated by using different frequency ranges in accumulation, depletion, and inversion regions. The semicircle diameter of the YbTaO4 EIS sensor became smaller, due to a gradual decrease in the bulk resistance of the EIS device, as the RTA temperature was increased.