bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Body odors (even when masked) make you more emotional: behavioral and neural insights
Authors: Cecchetto Cinzia , Lancini Elisa , Bueti Domenica , Rumiati Raffaella Ida , Parma Valentina 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMorality evolved within specific social contexts that are argued to shape moral choices. In turn, moral choices are hypothesized to be affected by body odors as they powerfully convey socially-relevant information. We thus investigated the neural underpinnings of the possible body odors effect on the participants’ decisions. In an fMRI study we presented to healthy individuals 64 moral dilemmas divided in incongruent (real) and congruent (fake) moral dilemmas, using different types of harm (intentional: instrumental dilemmas, or inadvertent: accidental dilemmas). Participants were required to choose deontological or utilitarian actions under the exposure to a neutral fragrance (masker) or body odors concealed by the same masker (masked body odor). Smelling the masked body odor while processing incongruent (not congruent) dilemmas activates the supramarginal gyrus, consistent with an increase in prosocial attitude. When processing accidental (not instrumental) dilemmas, smelling the masked body odor activates the angular gyrus, an area associated with the processing of people’s presence, supporting the hypothesis that body odors enhance the saliency of the social context in moral scenarios. These results suggest that masked body odors can influence moral choices by increasing the emotional experience during the decision process, and further explain how sensory unconscious biases affect human behavior.
Epizootics due to Yellow Fever Virus in São Paulo State, Brazil: viral dissemination to new areas (2016–2017)
Authors: Cunha Mariana Sequetin , da Costa Antonio Charlys , de Azevedo Fernandes Natália Coelho Couto , Guerra Juliana Mariotti , dos Santos Fabiana Cristina Pereira , Nogueira Juliana Silva , D’Agostino Leandro Guariglia , Komninakis Shirley Vasconcelos , Witkin Steven S. , Ressio Rodrigo Albergaria , Maeda Adriana Yurika , Vasami Fernanda Gisele Silva , Kaigawa Ursula Mitsue Abreu , de Azevedo Laís Sampaio , de Souza Facioli Paloma Alana , Macedo Fernando Luiz Lima , Sabino Ester Cerdeira , Leal Élcio , de Souza Renato Pereira 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBeginning in late 2016 Brazil faced the worst outbreak of Yellow Fever in recent decades, mainly located in southeastern rural regions of the country. In the present study we characterize the Yellow Fever Virus (YFV) associated with this outbreak in São Paulo State, Brazil. Blood or tissues collected from 430 dead monkeys and 1030 pools containing a total of 5,518 mosquitoes were tested for YFV by quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and indirect immunofluorescence. A total of 67 monkeys were YFV-positive and 3 pools yielded YFV following culture in a C6/36 cell line. Analysis of five nearly full length genomes of YFV from collected samples was consistent with evidence that the virus associated with the São Paulo outbreak originated in Minas Gerais. The phylogenetic analysis also showed that strains involved in the 2016–2017 outbreak in distinct Brazilian states (i.e., Minas Gerais, Rio de Janeiro, Espirito Santo) intermingled in maximum-likelihood and Bayesian trees. Conversely, the strains detected in São Paulo formed a monophyletic cluster, suggesting that they were local-adapted. The finding of YFV by RT-PCR in five Callithrix monkeys who were all YFV-negative by histopathology or immunohistochemistry suggests that this YFV lineage circulating in Sao Paulo is associated with different outcomes in Callithrix when compared to other monkeys.
Processing complexity increases in superficial layers of human primary auditory cortex
Authors: Moerel Michelle , De Martino Federico , Uğurbil Kâmil , Yacoub Essa , Formisano Elia 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe layers of the neocortex each have a unique anatomical connectivity and functional role. Their exploration in the human brain, however, has been severely restricted by the limited spatial resolution of non-invasive measurement techniques. Here, we exploit the sensitivity and specificity of ultra-high field fMRI at 7 Tesla to investigate responses to natural sounds at deep, middle, and superficial cortical depths of the human auditory cortex. Specifically, we compare the performance of computational models that represent different hypotheses on sound processing inside and outside the primary auditory cortex (PAC). We observe that while BOLD responses in deep and middle PAC layers are equally well represented by a simple frequency model and a more complex spectrotemporal modulation model, responses in superficial PAC are better represented by the more complex model. This indicates an increase in processing complexity in superficial PAC, which remains present throughout cortical depths in the non-primary auditory cortex. These results suggest that a relevant transformation in sound processing takes place between the thalamo-recipient middle PAC layers and superficial PAC. This transformation may be a first computational step towards sound abstraction and perception, serving to form an increasingly more complex representation of the physical input.
Refinement of a chronic cranial window implant in the rat for longitudinal in vivo two–photon fluorescence microscopy of neurovascular function
Authors: Koletar Margaret M. , Dorr Adrienne , Brown Mary E. , McLaurin JoAnne , Stefanovic Bojana 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLongitudinal studies using two–photon fluorescence microscopy (TPFM) are critical for facilitating cellular scale imaging of brain morphology and function. Studies have been conducted in the mouse due to their relatively higher transparency and long term patency of a chronic cranial window. Increasing availability of transgenic rat models, and the range of established behavioural paradigms, necessitates development of a chronic preparation for the rat. However, surgical craniotomies in the rat present challenges due to craniotomy closure by wound healing and diminished image quality due to inflammation, restricting most rat TPFM experiments to acute preparations. Long-term patency is enabled by employing sterile surgical technique, minimization of trauma with precise tissue handling during surgery, judicious selection of the size and placement of the craniotomy, diligent monitoring of animal physiology and support throughout the surgery, and modification of the home cage for long-term preservation of cranial implants. Immunohistochemical analysis employing the glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and ionized calcium-binding adaptor molecule-1 (Iba-1) showed activation and recruitment of astrocytes and microglia/macrophages directly inferior to the cranial window at one week after surgery, with more diffuse response in deeper cortical layers at two weeks, and amelioration around four weeks post craniotomy. TPFM was conducted up to 14 weeks post craniotomy, reaching cortical depths of 400 µm to 600 µm at most time-points. The rate of signal decay with increasing depth and maximum cortical depth attained had greater variation between individual rats at a single time-point than within a rat across time.
Urinary K+ promotes irritative voiding symptoms and pain in the face of urothelial barrier dysfunction
Authors: Montalbetti Nicolas , Stocker Sean D. , Apodaca Gerard , Bastacky Sheldon I. , Carattino Marcelo D. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe internal surface of the bladder is lined by the urothelium, a stratified epithelium that forms an impermeable barrier to water and urine constituents. Abnormalities in the urothelial barrier have been described in certain forms of cystitis and were hypothesized to contribute to irritative voiding symptoms and pain by allowing the permeation of urinary K+ into suburothelial tissues, which then alters afferent signaling and smooth muscle function. Here, we examined the mechanisms underlying organ hyperactivity and pain in a model of cystitis caused by adenoviral-mediated expression of claudin-2 (Cldn2), a tight junction protein that forms paracellular pores and increases urothelial permeability. We found that in the presence of a leaky urothelium, intravesical K+ sensitizes bladder afferents and enhances their response to distension. Notably, dietary K+ restriction, a maneuver that reduces urinary K+, prevented the development of pelvic allodynia and inflammation seen in rats expressing Cldn2. Most importantly, intravesical K+ causes and is required to maintain bladder hyperactivity in rats with increased urothelial permeability. Our study demonstrates that in the face of a leaky urothelium, urinary K+ is the main determinant of afferent hyperexcitability, organ hyperactivity and pain. These findings support the notion that voiding symptoms and pain seen in forms of cystitis that coexist with urothelial barrier dysfunction could be alleviated by cutting urinary K+ levels.
Molecular Dynamics Simulations of the Allosteric Modulation of the Adenosine A2a Receptor by a Mini-G Protein
Authors: Renault Pedro , Louet Maxime , Marie Jacky , Labesse Gilles , Floquet Nicolas 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThrough their coupling to G proteins, G Protein-Coupled Receptors (GPCRs) trigger cellular responses to various signals. Some recent experiments have interestingly demonstrated that the G protein can also act on the receptor by favoring a closed conformation of its orthosteric site, even in the absence of a bound agonist. In this work, we explored such an allosteric modulation by performing extensive molecular dynamics simulations on the adenosine A2 receptor (A2aR) coupled to the Mini-Gs protein. In the presence of the Mini-Gs, we confirmed a restriction of the receptor’s agonist binding site that can be explained by a modulation of the intrinsic network of contacts of the receptor. Of interest, we observed similar effects with the C-terminal helix of the Mini-Gs, showing that the observed effect on the binding pocket results from direct local contacts with the bound protein partner that cause a rewiring of the whole receptor’s interaction network.
Group size effects and critical mass in public goods games
Authors: Pereda María , Capraro Valerio , Sánchez Angel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractUnderstanding whether the size of the interacting group has an effect on cooperative behavior has been a major topic of debate since the seminal works on cooperation in the 1960s. Half a century later, scholars have yet to reach a consensus, with some arguing that cooperation is harder in larger groups, while others that cooperation is easier in larger groups, and yet others that cooperation attains its maximum in intermediate size groups. Here we add to this field of work by reporting a two-treatment empirical study where subjects play a Public Goods Game with a Critical Mass, such that the return for full cooperation increases linearly for early contributions and then stabilizes after a critical mass is reached (the two treatments differ only on the critical mass). We choose this game for two reasons: it has been argued that it approximates real-life social dilemmas; previous work suggests that, in this case, group size might have an inverted-U effect on cooperation, where the pick of cooperation is reached around the critical mass. Our main innovation with respect to previous experiments is that we implement a within-subject design, such that the same subject plays in groups of different size (from 5 to 40 subjects). Groups are formed at random at every round and there is no feedback. This allows us to explore if and how subjects change their choice as a function of the size of the group. We report three main results, which partially contrast what has been suggested by previous work: in our setting (i) the critical mass has no effect on cooperation; (ii) group size has a positive effect on cooperation; (iii) the most chosen option (played by about 50% of the subjects) is All Defection, followed by All Cooperation (about 10% of the subjects), whereas the rest have a slight trend to switch preferentially from defection to cooperation as the group size increases.
Aggregate-driven reconfigurations of carbon nanotubes in thin networks under strain: in-situ characterization
Authors: Bodelot Laurence , Pavić Luka , Hallais Simon , Charliac Jérôme , Lebental Bérengère 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis work focuses on the in-situ characterization of multi-walled carbon nanotube (CNT) motions in thin random networks under strain. Many fine-grain models have been devised to account for CNT motions in carbon nanotube networks (CNN). However, the validation of these models relies on mesoscopic or macroscopic data with very little experimental validation of the physical mechanisms actually arising at the CNT scale. In the present paper, we use in-situ scanning electron microscopy imaging and high-resolution digital image correlation to uncover prominent mechanisms of CNT motions in CNNs under strain. Results show that thin and sparse CNNs feature stronger strain heterogeneities than thicker and denser ones. It is attributed to the complex motions of individual CNTs connected to aggregates within thin and sparse CNNs. While the aggregates exhibit a collective homogeneous deformation, individual CNTs connecting them are observed to fold, unwind or buckle, seemingly to accommodate the motion of these aggregates. In addition, looser aggregates feature internal reconfigurations via cell closing, similar to foam materials. Overall, this suggests that models describing thin and sparse CNN deformation should integrate multiphase behaviour (with various densities of aggregates in addition to individual CNTs), heterogeneity across surface, as well as imperfect substrate adhesion.
Gestation age-associated dynamics of mitochondrial calcium uniporter subunits expression in feto-maternal complex at term and preterm delivery
Authors: Vishnyakova Polina A. , Tarasova Nadezhda V. , Volodina Maria A. , Tsvirkun Daria V. , Sukhanova Iuliia A. , Kurchakova Tatiana A. , Kan Nataliya E. , Medzidova Marzanat K. , Sukhikh Gennadiy T. , Vysokikh Mikhail Yu. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCalcium plays a role of universal cellular regulator in the living cell and one of the crucial regulators of proper fetal development during gestation. Mitochondria are important for intracellular calcium handling and signaling. Mitochondrial calcium uniporter (mtCU) is a multiprotein complex of the mitochondrial inner membrane responsible for the transport of calcium to the mitochondrial matrix. In the present study, we analyzed the expression level of mtCU components in two parts of the feto-maternal system – placenta and myometrium at full-term delivery and at preterm birth (PTB) on different stages: 22–27, 28–32, 33–36 weeks of gestation (n = 50). A gradual increase of mRNA expression and changes in protein content of MCU and MICU1 subunits were revealed in the placenta during gestation. We also observed slower depolarization rate of isolated placental mitochondria induced by Ca2+ titration at PTB. In myometrium at PTB relative gene expression level of MCU, MCUb and SMDT1 increased as compared to full-term pregnancy, but the tendency to gradual increase of MCU protein simultaneous with MCUb increase and MICU1 decline was shown in gestational dynamics. Changes observed in the present study might be considered both natural dynamics as well as possible pathological mechanisms underlying preterm birth.
Antibacterial Activity of combinatorial treatments composed of transition-metal/antibiotics against Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Montelongo-Peralta L. Z. , León-Buitimea A. , Palma-Nicolás J. P. , Gonzalez-Christen J. , Morones-Ramírez J. R. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractNotwithstanding evidence that tuberculosis (TB) is declining, one of the greatest concerns to public health is the emergence and spread of multi-drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MDR-TB). MDR-TB are defined as strains which are resistant to at least isoniazid (INH) and rifampicin, the two most potent TB drugs, and their increasing incidence is a serious concern. Recently, notable efforts have been spent on research to pursue novel treatments against MDR-TB, especially on synergistic drug combinations as they have the potential to improve TB treatment. Our research group has previously reported promising synergistic antimicrobial effects between transition-metal compounds and antibiotics in Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria. In this work, we evaluated antimycobacterial activity of transition-metals/antibiotics combinatorial treatments against first-line drug resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Our data showed that INH/AgNO3 combinatorial treatment had an additive effect (bactericidal activity) in an isoniazid-resistant clinical strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Moreover, in vitro evaluation of cytotoxicity induced by both, the individual tratments of AgNO3 and INH and the combinatorial treatment of INH/AgNO3 in murine RAW 264.7 macrophages and human A549 lung cells; showed no toxic effects. Together, this data suggests that the INH/AgNO3 combinatorial treatment could be used in the development of new strategies to treat resistant strains of Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Fetal lung C4BPA induces p100 processing in human placenta
Authors: Ithier Mayra Cruz , Parobchak Nataliya , Yadava Stacy , Cheng Jerry , Wang Bingbing , Rosen Todd 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe non-canonical NF-κB signaling may be a central integrator of a placental clock that governs the length of human pregnancy. We sought to identify fetal signals that could activate this NF-κB pathway in the placenta, and in turn, contribute to the onset of labor. Proteomics analysis of exosomes purified from fetal cord arterial blood revealed a total of 328 proteins, among which 48 were more significantly abundant (p < 0.01) in samples from women who delivered following elective Cesarean-section at term (39 to 40 weeks of estimated gestational age, EGA) compared to those who had elective Cesarean deliveries near term (35 to 36 weeks of EGA). Computational, crystal structural, and gene functional analyses showed that one of these 48 proteins, C4BPA, binds to CD40 of placental villous trophoblast to activate p100 processing to p52, and in turn, pro-labor genes. These results suggest that fetal C4BPA-induced activation of non-canonical NF-κB in human placenta may play a critical role in processes of term or preterm labor.
LncRNA UCA1 acts as a sponge of miR-204 to up-regulate CXCR4 expression and promote prostate cancer progression
Authors: He Chang , Lu Xuwei , Yang Fan , Qin Liang , Guo Zhuifeng , Sun Yang , Wu Jiawen 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Prostate cancer (PCa) is a devastating malignant disease with a poor prognosis. The aim of current study is to investigate the role of lncRNA-urothelial carcinoma associated 1 (UCA1) in the progression of PCa. We evaluated the expression levels of UCA1 in a total of 16 benign prostatic hyperplasia tissues (BPH) and 40 PCa tissues, as well as PCa cells. The functional regulatory effects of UCA1 were investigated using a series of cell function approaches. Our data showed that UCA1 is frequently overexpressed in PCa tissues compared with BPH tissues (P&lt;0.01). Moreover, the higher expression of UCA1 was observed in patients with Gleason score ≥8 (P&lt;0.05). In consistent, we found the expression levels of UCA1 was higher in the PCa cell lines PC-3, LnCaP, and DU-145 than in the normal prostate epithelial cell line RWPE-1 (P&lt;0.01). Functionally, we found knockdown of UCA1 in PC-3 significantly suppressed cell growth and invasion of PC-3, while overexpression of UCA1 in DU-145 cells promote cell growth and invasion. Mechanistically, UCA1 overexpression permitted activation of CXCR4 oncogenes through inhibition of miR-204 activity, as evidenced by the positive association of these two genes with UCA1 levels and inverse correlation with miR-204 expression in PCa tissues. Luciferase activity assay further confirmed the targetting relationship between UCA1 and miR-204, CXCR4, and miR-204. The up-regulation of UCA1 in PC-3 cells significantly impaired the inhibitory effect of miR-204 on CXCR4 expression. Taken together, our research revealed that UCA1 works as an oncogene by targetting miR-204. The UCA1-miR-204-CXCR4 regulatory network regulated the growth and metastasis of PCa, providing new insight in the management of patients with such malignancy.
Ribophorin II promotes cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Li Yongshun , Huang Changrong , Bai Qizhou , Yu Jun 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Esophageal cancer is a common digestive tract cancer, which is a serious threat to human health. Ribophorin II (RPN2) is a part of an N-oligosaccharyltransferase complex, which is excessively expressed in many kinds of cancers. In the present study, we explore the biological role of RNP2 in esophageal cancer. First, we found that the expression of RPN2 was higher in esophageal cancer tissues than in adjacent non-tumor tissues, and negatively correlated with E-cadherin expression. RPN2 expression levels in esophageal cancer tissues were positively associated with differentiation and tumor node metastasis (TNM) stage. Furthermore, the expression of RPN2 was increased significantly in esophageal cancer cell lines compared with normal cells. The effect of RPN2 down-regulation on cell proliferation, cell migration, and cell invasion was examined by cell counting kit-8 (CCK8), wound healing assay, and Transwell assay, respectively. Silencing RPN2 effectively inhibited cell proliferation of esophageal cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Cell migration and invasion were also weakened dramatically by siRPN2 treatment of esophageal cancer cells. In addition, protein expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-2), and E-cadherin in esophageal cancer cells was determined by Western blot analysis. PCNA, MMP-2, E-cadherin, Snail and phosphorylation-Smad2/3 expression was also regulated notably by siRPN2 treatment. These findings indicate that RPN2 exhibits oncogenetic capabilities in esophageal cancer, which could provide novel insights into esophageal cancer prevention and treatment.
Screening of disorders associated with osteosarcoma by integrated network analysis
Authors: Dou Yongfeng , Zhu Kai , Sun Zhaozhong , Geng Xiaopeng , Fang Qingmin 
Published: April 2019

Abstract
Osteosarcoma is a common malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents under the age of 20. However, research on the pathogenesis and treatment of osteosarcoma is still insufficient. In the present study, based on gene-phenotype correlation network, an analysis was performed to screen disorders related to osteosarcoma. First, we analyzed the differential expression of osteosarcoma in two groups according to different types of osteosarcoma and screened the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) related to osteosarcoma. Further, these DEG coexpression modules were obtained. Finally, we identified a series of regulatory factors, such as endogenous genes, transcription factors (TFs), and ncRNAs, which have potential regulatory effects on osteosarcoma, based on the prediction analysis of related network of gene phenotypes. A total of 3767 DEGs of osteosarcoma were identified and clustered them into 20 osteosarcoma-related dysfunction modules. And there were 38 endogenous genes (including ARF1, HSP90AB1, and TUBA1B), 53 TFs (including E2F1, NFKB1, and EGR1), and 858 ncRNAs (including MALAT1, miR-590-3p, and TUG1) were considered as key regulators of osteosarcoma through a series of function enrichment analysis and network analysis. Based on the results of the present study, we can show a new way for biologists and pharmacists to reveal the potential molecular mechanism of osteosarcoma typing, and provide valuable reference for different follow-up treatment options.