bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Loss of Stemness, EMT, and Supernumerary Tooth Formation in Cebpb−/−Runx2+/− Murine Incisors
Authors: Saito Kazuyuki , Takahashi Katsu , Huang Boyen , Asahara Masakazu , Kiso Honoka , Togo Yumiko , Tsukamoto Hiroko , Mishima Sayaka , Nagata Masaki , Iida Machiko , Tokita Yoshihito , Asai Masato , Shimizu Akira , Komori Toshihisa , Harada Hidemitsu , MacDougall Mary , Sugai Manabu , Bessho Kazuhisa 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAdult Cebpb KO mice incisors present amelogenin-positive epithelium pearls, enamel and dentin allopathic hyperplasia, fewer Sox2-positive cells in labial cervical loop epitheliums, and reduced Sox2 expression in enamel epithelial stem cells. Thus, Cebpb acts upstream of Sox2 to regulate stemness. In this study, Cebpb KO mice demonstrated cementum-like hard tissue in dental pulp, loss of polarity by ameloblasts, enamel matrix in ameloblastic layer, and increased expression of epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) markers in a Cebpb knockdown mouse enamel epithelial stem cell line. Runx2 knockdown in the cell line presented a similar expression pattern. Therefore, the EMT enabled disengaged odontogenic epithelial stem cells to develop supernumerary teeth. Cebpb and Runx2 knockdown in the cell line revealed higher Biglycan and Decorin expression, and Decorin-positive staining in the periapical region, indicating their involvement in supernumerary tooth formation. Cebpb and Runx2 acted synergistically and played an important role in the formation of supernumerary teeth in adult incisors.
A unified framework for modelling sediment fate from source to sink and its interactions with reef systems over geological times
Authors: Salles Tristan , Ding Xuesong , Webster Jody M. , Vila-Concejo Ana , Brocard Gilles , Pall Jodie 
Published: March 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the effects of climatic variability on sediment dynamics is hindered by limited ability of current models to simulate long-term evolution of sediment transfer from source to sink and associated morphological changes. We present a new approach based on a reduced-complexity model which computes over geological time: sediment transport from landmasses to coasts, reworking of marine sediments by longshore currents, and development of coral reef systems. Our framework links together the main sedimentary processes driving mixed siliciclastic-carbonate system dynamics. It offers a methodology for objective and quantitative sediment fate estimations over regional and millennial time-scales. A simulation of the Holocene evolution of the Great Barrier Reef shows: (1) how high sediment loads from catchments erosion prevented coral growth during the early transgression phase and favoured sediment gravity-flows in the deepest parts of the northern region basin floor (prior to 8 ka before present (BP)); (2) how the fine balance between climate, sea-level, and margin physiography enabled coral reefs to thrive under limited shelf sedimentation rates after ~6 ka BP; and, (3) how since 3 ka BP, with the decrease of accommodation space, reduced of vertical growth led to the lateral extension of reefs consistent with available observational data.
Chitosan and cloxacillin combination improve antibiotic efficacy against different lifestyle of coagulase-negative Staphylococcus isolates from chronic bovine mastitis
Authors: Breser María L. , Felipe Verónica , Bohl Luciana P. , Orellano María S. , Isaac Paula , Conesa Agustín , Rivero Virginia E. , Correa Silvia G. , Bianco Ismael D. , Porporatto Carina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractBovine mastitis affects the health of dairy cows and the profitability of herds worldwide. Coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS) are the most frequently isolated pathogens in bovine intramammary infection. Based on the wide range of antimicrobial, mucoadhesive and immunostimulant properties demonstrated by chitosan, we have evaluated therapy efficiency of chitosan incorporation to cloxacillin antibiotic as well as its effect against different bacterial lifestyles of seven CNS isolates from chronic intramammary infections. The therapeutic effects of combinations were evaluated on planktonic cultures, bacterial biofilms and intracellular growth in mammary epithelial cells. We found that biofilms and intracellular growth forms offered a strong protection against antibiotic therapy. On the other hand, we found that chitosan addition to cloxacillin efficiently reduced the antibiotic concentration necessary for bacterial killing in different lifestyle. Remarkably, the combined treatment was not only able to inhibit bacterial biofilm establishment and increase preformed biofilm eradication, but it also reduced intracellular bacterial viability while it increased IL-6 secretion by infected epithelial cells. These findings provide a new approach to prophylactic drying therapy that could help to improve conventional antimicrobial treatment against different forms of bacterial growth in an efficient, safer and greener manner reducing multiresistant bacteria generation and spread.
Computer simulation study of early bacterial biofilm development
Authors: Acemel Rafael D. , Govantes Fernando , Cuetos Alejandro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMost bacteria form organized sessile communities, known as biofilms. Their ubiquity and relevance have stimulated the development of efficient mathematical models able to predict biofilm evolution and characteristics at different conditions. Here we present a study of the early stages of bacterial biofilm formation modeled by means of individual cell-based computer simulation. Simulation showed that clusters with different degrees of internal and orientational order were formed as a function of the aspect ratio of the individual particles and the relation between the diffusion and growth rates. Analysis of microscope images of early biofilm formation by the Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas putida at varying diffusion rates revealed a good qualitative agreement with the simulation results. Our model is a good predictor of microcolony morphology during early biofilm development, showing that the competition between diffusion and growth rates is a key aspect in the formation of stable biofilm microcolonies.
Slab narrowing in the Central Mediterranean: the Calabro-Ionian subduction zone as imaged by high resolution seismic tomography
Authors: Scarfì L. , Barberi G. , Barreca G. , Cannavò F. , Koulakov I. , Patanè D. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA detailed 3D image of the Calabro-Ionian subduction system in the central Mediterranean was obtained by means of a seismic tomography, exploiting a large dataset of local earthquakes and computing algorithms able to build a dense grid of measure nodes. Results show that the slab is continuous below the southern sector of the Calabro-Peloritan Arc, but the deformation processes developing at its edges are leading to its progressive narrowing, influencing tectonics and magmatism at the surface, and with possible stress concentration in the tip zones. In the southwest, the deformation occurring at a free slab edge lead to propagation of a vertical lithospheric tear in the overriding plate, which extends along a NW-SE fault system (Aeolian-Tindari-Letojanni) up to about 30 km into the Ionian Sea; further southeast, the lithosphere appears only flexed and not broken yet. In the northeast, the slab seems to break progressively, parallel to the trench. Finally, northwest of Mt. Etna, the tomography highlights low VP that can be related to an upwelling of deep mantle material likely flowing laterally through a window opened by the complete slab detachment.
ARE-mediated decay controls gene expression and cellular metabolism upon oxygen variations
Authors: de Toeuf Bérengère , Soin Romuald , Nazih Abdelkarim , Dragojevic Marija , Jurėnas Dukas , Delacourt Nadège , Vo Ngoc Long , Garcia-Pino Abel , Kruys Véronique , Gueydan Cyril 
Published: March 2018

AbstractHypoxia triggers profound modifications of cellular transcriptional programs. Upon reoxygenation, cells return to a normoxic gene expression pattern and mRNA produced during the hypoxic phase are degraded. TIS11 proteins control deadenylation and decay of transcripts containing AU-rich elements (AREs). We observed that the level of dTIS11 is decreased in hypoxic S2 Drosophila cells and returns to normal level upon reoxygenation. Bioinformatic analyses using the ARE-assessing algorithm AREScore show that the hypoxic S2 transcriptome is enriched in ARE-containing transcripts and that this trend is conserved in human myeloid cells. Moreover, an efficient down-regulation of Drosophila ARE-containing transcripts during hypoxia/normoxia transition requires dtis11 expression. Several of these genes encode proteins with metabolic functions. Here, we show that ImpL3 coding for Lactate Dehydrogenase in Drosophila, is regulated by ARE-mediated decay (AMD) with dTIS11 contributing to ImpL3 rapid down-regulation upon return to normal oxygen levels after hypoxia. More generally, we observed that dtis11 expression contributes to cell metabolic and proliferative recovery upon reoxygenation. Altogether, our data demonstrate that AMD plays an important role in the control of gene expression upon variation in oxygen concentration and contributes to optimal metabolic adaptation to oxygen variations.
Investigation of the Oxidation Behaviour of Ti and Al in Inconel 718 Superalloy During Electroslag Remelting
Authors: Duan Shengchao , Shi Xiao , Mao Mingtao , Yang Wensheng , Han Shaowei , Guo Hanjie , Guo Jing 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the current study, the thermodynamics of the slag-metal equilibrium reaction between Inconel 718 Ni-based alloy and CaF2-CaO-Al2O3-MgO-TiO2 electroslag remelting (ESR)-type slags were systematically investigated in the temperature range from 1773 to 1973 K (1500 to 1700 °C). The equilibrium Al content increased with increasing temperature, whereas the equilibrium Ti content decreased with increasing temperature at a fixed slag composition. The important factors for controlling the oxidation of Al and Ti in the Inconel 718 superalloy were TiO2 > Al2O3 > CaO > CaF2 > MgO in ESR-type slag and Al > Ti in a consumable electrode. The conventional method of sampling by means of a quartz tube could result in contamination of the molten metal and changes in the size of the “special reaction interface”. Therefore, a novel method was used in the present study to investigate the slag-metal reaction kinetics to accurately obtain the kinetic parameters. The mass transfer coefficient was determined by coupling with the kinetic model derived from the assumption that the reaction rate ([Al] + (TiO2) = [Ti] + (Al2O3)) was controlled by the mass transfer of [Ti], [Al], (TiO2) and (Al2O3) in the boundary layer, respectively.
Caffeine Augments Anesthesia Neurotoxicity in the Fetal Macaque Brain
Authors: Noguchi Kevin K. , Johnson Stephen A. , Manzella Francesca M. , Masuoka Kobe L. , Williams Sasha L. , Martin Lauren D. , Dissen Gregory A. , Ikonomidou Chrysanthy , Schenning Katie J. , Olney John W. , Brambrink Ansgar M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCaffeine is the most frequently used medication in premature infants. It is the respiratory stimulant of choice for apnea associated with prematurity and has been called the silver bullet in neonatology because of many proven benefits and few known risks. Research has revealed that sedative/anesthetic drugs trigger apoptotic death of neurons and oligodendrocytes in developing mammalian brains. Here we evaluated the influence of caffeine on the neurotoxicity of anesthesia in developing nonhuman primate brains. Fetal macaques (n = 7–8/group), at a neurodevelopmental age comparable to premature human infants, were exposed in utero for 5 hours to no drug (control), isoflurane, or isoflurane + caffeine and examined for evidence of apoptosis. Isoflurane exposure increased apoptosis 3.3 fold for neurons and 3.4 fold for oligodendrocytes compared to control brains. Isoflurane + caffeine caused neuronal apoptosis to increase 8.0 fold compared to control levels but did not augment oligoapoptosis. Neuronal death was particularly pronounced in the basal ganglia and cerebellum. Higher blood levels of caffeine within the range considered therapeutic and safe for human infants correlated with increased neuroapoptosis. Caffeine markedly augments neurotoxicity of isoflurane in the fetal macaque brain and challenges the assumption that caffeine is safe for premature infants.
Extensive molecular tinkering in the evolution of the membrane attachment mode of the Rheb GTPase
Authors: Záhonová Kristína , Petrželková Romana , Valach Matus , Yazaki Euki , Tikhonenkov Denis V. , Butenko Anzhelika , Janouškovec Jan , Hrdá Štěpánka , Klimeš Vladimír , Burger Gertraud , Inagaki Yuji , Keeling Patrick J. , Hampl Vladimír , Flegontov Pavel , Yurchenko Vyacheslav , Eliáš Marek 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRheb is a conserved and widespread Ras-like GTPase involved in cell growth regulation mediated by the (m)TORC1 kinase complex and implicated in tumourigenesis in humans. Rheb function depends on its association with membranes via prenylated C-terminus, a mechanism shared with many other eukaryotic GTPases. Strikingly, our analysis of a phylogenetically rich sample of Rheb sequences revealed that in multiple lineages this canonical and ancestral membrane attachment mode has been variously altered. The modifications include: (1) accretion to the N-terminus of two different phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate-binding domains, PX in Cryptista (the fusion being the first proposed synapomorphy of this clade), and FYVE in Euglenozoa and the related undescribed flagellate SRT308; (2) acquisition of lipidic modifications of the N-terminal region, namely myristoylation and/or S-palmitoylation in seven different protist lineages; (3) acquisition of S-palmitoylation in the hypervariable C-terminal region of Rheb in apusomonads, convergently to some other Ras family proteins; (4) replacement of the C-terminal prenylation motif with four transmembrane segments in a novel Rheb paralog in the SAR clade; (5) loss of an evident C-terminal membrane attachment mechanism in Tremellomycetes and some Rheb paralogs of Euglenozoa. Rheb evolution is thus surprisingly dynamic and presents a spectacular example of molecular tinkering.
Non-invasive detection of severe neutropenia in chemotherapy patients by optical imaging of nailfold microcirculation
Authors: Bourquard Aurélien , Pablo-Trinidad Alberto , Butterworth Ian , Sánchez-Ferro Álvaro , Cerrato Carolina , Humala Karem , Fabra Urdiola Marta , Del Rio Candice , Valles Betsy , Tucker-Schwartz Jason M. , Lee Elizabeth S. , Vakoc Benjamin J. , Padera Timothy P. , Ledesma-Carbayo María J. , Chen Yi-Bin , Hochberg Ephraim P. , Gray Martha L. , Castro-González Carlos 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWhite-blood-cell (WBC) assessment is employed for innumerable clinical procedures as one indicator of immune status. Currently, WBC determinations are obtained by clinical laboratory analysis of whole blood samples. Both the extraction of blood and its analysis limit the accessibility and frequency of the measurement. In this study, we demonstrate the feasibility of a non-invasive device to perform point-of-care WBC analysis without the need for blood draws, focusing on a chemotherapy setting where patients’ neutrophils—the most common type of WBC—become very low. In particular, we built a portable optical prototype, and used it to collect 22 microcirculatory-video datasets from 11 chemotherapy patients. Based on these videos, we identified moving optical absorption gaps in the flow of red cells, using them as proxies to WBC movement through nailfold capillaries. We then showed that counting these gaps allows discriminating cases of severe neutropenia (<500 neutrophils per µL), associated with increased risks of life-threatening infections, from non-neutropenic cases (>1,500 neutrophils per µL). This result suggests that the integration of optical imaging, consumer electronics, and data analysis can make non-invasive screening for severe neutropenia accessible to patients. More generally, this work provides a first step towards a long-term objective of non-invasive WBC counting.
Constitutive modeling of high temperature flow behavior in a Ti-45Al-8Nb-2Cr-2Mn-0.2Y alloy
Authors: Ge Gengwu , Zhang Laiqi , Xin Jingjing , Lin Junpin , Aindow Mark , Zhang Lichun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractA constitutive equation based on the hyperbolic sinusoidal Arrhenius-type model has been developed to describe the hot deformation behavior of a β-γ Ti-Al alloy containing 8 at.% of Nb. Experimental true stress-true strain data were acquired from isothermal hot compression tests conducted across a wide range of temperatures (1273 K~1473 K) and strain rates (0.001 s−1~1 s−1), and the changes in the experimental conditions were reflected in the values of the Zener-Hollomon parameter. The impact of true strain was expressed through material constants (A, α, n and Q), and it was found that a 7th order polynomial is appropriate to express the relations between the true strain and these material constants. The average absolute relative error (AARE) and correlation coefficient (R) were used to evaluate the accuracy of the constitutive equation, and the values obtained were 6.009% and 0.9961, respectively. These results indicate that the type of constitutive equation developed here can predict the flow stress for this alloy with good accuracy over a wide range of experimental conditions. Thus, equations of this form could be applied more widely to analyses of hot deformation mechanism and microstructure evolution.
Synthesis of NiMn-LDH Nanosheet@Ni3S2 Nanorod Hybrid Structures for Supercapacitor Electrode Materials with Ultrahigh Specific Capacitance
Authors: Yu Shuai , Zhang Yingxi , Lou Gaobo , Wu Yatao , Zhu Xinqiang , Chen Hao , Shen Zhehong , Fu Shenyuan , Bao Binfu , Wu Limin 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOne of the key challenges for pseudocapacitive electrode materials with highly effective capacitance output and future practical applications is how to rationally construct hierarchical and ordered hybrid nanoarchitecture through the simple process. Herein, we design and synthesize a novel NiMn-layered double hydroxide nanosheet@Ni3S2 nanorod hybrid array supported on porous nickel foam via a one-pot hydrothermal method. Benefited from the ultrathin and rough nature, the well-defined porous structure of the hybrid array, as well as the synergetic effect between NiMn-layered double hydroxide nanosheets and Ni3S2 nanorods, the as-fabricated hybrid array-based electrode exhibits an ultrahigh specific capacitance of 2703 F g−1 at 3 A g−1. Moreover, the asymmetric supercapacitor with this hybrid array as a positive electrode and wood-derived activated carbon as a negative electrode demonstrates high energy density (57 Wh Kg−1 at 738 W Kg−1) and very good electrochemical cycling stability.
Dominating role of crystal structure over defect chemistry in black and white zirconia on visible light photocatalytic activity
Authors: Teeparthi Sri Ramya , Awin Eranezhuth Wasan , Kumar Ravi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractNanometric powder particles of white zirconia were synthesized through precursor route by the pyrolysis of zirconium (IV) butoxide at varied temperatures in air ranging from 900–1400 °C and were predominantly monoclinic in nature. To control the defect chemistry, the precursor was also pyrolyzed in a reduced atmosphere at 900 °C, eventually resulting in black zirconia. The stabilization of tetragonal phase and observed color change from white to black in samples pyrolyzed under reduced atmosphere was attributed to the creation of oxygen vacancies and disorder. The black and white zirconia produced delineated the influence of crystal structure and oxygen vacancies on the photocatalytic performance. Furthermore, zirconia synthesized at lower temperatures (600 and 800 °C) in air confirmed the detrimental role of tetragonal phase on the degradation behavior of methylene blue dye. High photocatalytic degradation rate for white zirconia was attributed to the presence of increased density of nano-sized pores and low recombination rate of electron-hole pairs as confirmed by PL measurements. Interestingly, black zirconia exemplified relatively limited activity albeit presence of oxygen vacancies. This negative effect was attributed to the presence of tetragonal phase and possibly, the insufficient creation of new energy states near valence and conduction band towards Fermi energy level.
High fat diet alters Drosophila melanogaster sexual behavior and traits: decreased attractiveness and changes in pheromone profiles
Authors: Schultzhaus Janna N. , Bennett Chloe J. , Iftikhar Hina , Yew Joanne Y. , Mallett Jason , Carney Ginger E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractSexual traits convey information about individual quality to potential mates. Environmental and genetic factors affect sexual trait expression and perception via effects on animal condition and health. High fat diet (HFD) is one environmental factor that adversely affects Drosophila melanogaster health, and its effects on animal health are mediated through conserved metabolic signaling pathways. HFD decreases female attractiveness, resulting in reduced male mating behaviors toward HFD females. HFD also affects the ability of males to judge mate attractiveness and likely alters fly condition and sexual traits to impact mating behavior. Here we show that HFD affects both visual (body size) and non-visual (pheromone profiles) sexual traits, which likely contribute to decreased fly attractiveness. We also demonstrate that adult-specific HFD effects on male mate preference can be rescued by changing metabolic signaling. These results demonstrate that HFD alters Drosophila sexual cues to reflect concurrent effects on condition and that less severe behavioral defects can be reversed by genetic manipulations that rescue fly health. This work expands on current knowledge of the role that metabolic signaling pathways play in linking animal health, sexual traits, and mating behavior, and provides a robust assay in a genetically tractable system to continue examining these processes.
Dexras1 is a homeostatic regulator of exercise-dependent proliferation and cell survival in the hippocampal neurogenic niche
Authors: Bouchard-Cannon Pascale , Lowden Christopher , Trinh Dennison , Cheng Hai-Ying M. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAdult hippocampal neurogenesis is highly responsive to exercise, which promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor cells and the integration of newborn granule neurons in the dentate gyrus. Here we show that genetic ablation of the small GTPase, Dexras1, suppresses exercise-induced proliferation of neural progenitors, alters survival of mitotic and post-mitotic cells in a stage-specific manner, and increases the number of mature newborn granule neurons. Dexras1 is required for exercise-triggered recruitment of quiescent neural progenitors into the cell cycle. Pharmacological inhibition of NMDA receptors enhances SGZ cell proliferation in wild-type but not dexras1-deficient mice, suggesting that NMDA receptor-mediated signaling is dependent on Dexras1. At the molecular level, the absence of Dexras1 abolishes exercise-dependent activation of ERK/MAPK and CREB, and inhibits the upregulation of NMDA receptor subunit NR2A, bdnf, trkB and vegf-a expression in the dentate gyrus. Our study reveals Dexras1 as an important stage-specific regulator of exercise-induced neurogenesis in the adult hippocampus by enhancing pro-mitogenic signaling to neural progenitor cells and modulating cell survival.