bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Impacts of gastropods on epiphytic microalgae on the brown macroalga Himantothallus grandifolius
Authors: Amsler Charles D. , Amsler Margaret O. , Curtis Michelle D. , McClintock James B. , Baker Bill J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractChemically defended benthic macroalgae that dominate shallow, hard bottom communities along the western Antarctic Peninsula support very high densities of mesograzers, particularly amphipods but also small gastropods. Previous studies have demonstrated that the macroalgae and amphipods form a mutualistic relationship. The chemically defended macroalgae provide the amphipods with a refuge from predation while the macroalgae benefit from the amphipods greatly reducing surface fouling by smaller algae. One of the three most important macroalgae in terms of overstory cover, Himantothallus grandifolius, forms huge blades that can carpet the benthos. Field observations suggest that gastropods may be higher in relative abundance in proportion to amphipods on H. grandifolius than on other overstory macroalgae. The present study documents the finding that natural abundances of gastropods on H. grandifolius maintained in mesocosms reduce fouling by microscopic algae, primarily diatoms. However, amphipods are probably also important in keeping the macroalga clean of diatoms in nature. In a smaller scale experiment, three gastropod species were differentially effective at reducing diatom coverage on H. grandifolius. The hypothesis that gastropods benefit from associating with H. grandifolius in potentially gaining a refuge from sea-star predation was also tested but not supported by the experimental results.
In vitro culture systems as an alternative for female reproductive toxicology studies
Authors: Guerreiro Denise Damasceno , Mbemya Gildas Tetaping , Bruno Jamily Bezerra , Faustino Luciana Rocha , de Figueiredo José Ricardo , Rodrigues Ana Paula Ribeiro 
Published: March 2019

SummaryStudies have shown that daily exposure to different products, whether chemical or natural, can cause irreversible damage to women’s reproductive health. Therefore it is necessary to use tests that evaluate the safety and efficacy of these products. Most reproductive toxicology tests are performedin vivo. However, in recent years, various cell culture methods, including embryonic stem cells and tissues have been developed with the aim of reducing the use of animals in toxicological tests. This is a major advance in the area of toxicology, as these systems have the potential to become a widely used tool compared within vivotests routinely used in reproductive biology and toxicology. The present review describes and highlights data onin vitroculture processes used to evaluate reproductive toxicity as an alternative to traditional methods usingin vivotests.
Embryo sHLA-G secretion is related to pregnancy rate
Authors: Díaz R. Rodríguez , Zamora R. Blanes , Sánchez R. Vaca , Pérez J. González , Bethencourt J.C. Alberto 
Published: March 2019

SummaryHLA-G expression has been detected in early preimplantation embryos and it has been postulated that a relationship between embryonic expression of this factor and successful pregnancy may exist. Forty-six patients were prospectively selected from our centre ‘Unidad de Reproducción Humana, Hospital Universitario de Canarias’ for conducting this study. In all cases, metaphase II (MII) oocytes were fertilized using intracytoplasmic sperm injection 2–4 h after retrieval. Embryos were cultured individually in 20 µl droplets of G-1 medium (VitroLife) under oil at 37°C and a 6% CO2environment. Fertilization was assessed at 18 h postinsemination and all oocytes fertilized were passed into a new culture plaque individually in 300 µl culture medium until day 3 of culture. The culture medium was examined for the expression and secretion of sHLA-G with a sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit (BioVendor, Heidelberg, Germany) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. We found statistical significance between higher levels of sHLA-G secretion and pregnancy rate. When both groups were compared there was no difference in embryo quality of transferred embryos, but a significant difference in the number of oocytes and the embryo quality of the cohort existed that was greater in the pregnant group. A standardized sHLA-G assay with a specifically defined range and standard units provides a non-invasive method to identify the most competent embryos for transfer.
Assessment of successful pregnancy using granular oocytes in ICSI treatments
Authors: Tulay P. , Arslan H. , Buran A. , Koprulu Y. 
Published: March 2019

SummaryDifferent parameters affect the success of assisted reproduction technology (ART) treatments. One of the advantages of using intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is that it also enables the assessment of the oocyte morphology. To date there has not been a clear conclusion on aberrant oocyte morphology and its consequences on the success of ART treatments. Therefore, in this study, we aimed to investigate the fertilization, embryo development and pregnancy rates in patients who have oocytes with granular cytoplasm. Additionally, we investigated if there were more aneuploid embryos obtained from abnormal cytoplasmic morphology. In total, 5704 oocytes were collected and, of these, 4036 were metaphase II (MII) oocytes. The morphology of these oocytes was assessed following denudation and 970 oocytes were observed to have granular cytoplasm. There was no difference in the fertilization rates between the oocytes with normal cytoplasm (89%) and oocytes with granular cytoplasm (72%). Cleavage of embryos and the number of embryos that reached the blastocyst stage were also similar in these two groups. The aneuploidy rates between the two groups were also similar. However, clinical pregnancies were significantly lower in embryos obtained from oocytes with granular cytoplasm (37.5% vs 70%, P&lt;0.05). Therefore, the morphology of the oocyte is as important as morphology of the sperm. Even though normal fertilization and cleavage were achieved from oocytes with granular cytoplasm, their implantation potential was significantly compromised.
International Investment Law, Time, and Economics: Fixing the Length of Economic Crises as a Costs-Allocation Tool between Host States and Foreign Investors
Authors: Alvarez-Jimenez Alberto 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe case law on non-precluded measures clauses, when they are successful, and the customary rule of necessity, when it fails, transfers significant risks to foreign investors and host States, respectively, during severe economic crises. Some risk-sharing mechanisms should be explored to achieve a more balanced result. This article presents the policy reasons in support of this approach and its normative basis: the principle of acceptable compensation, and illustrates that one way to introduce such mechanisms is through the determination by investor/State tribunals of the length of the breakdown, which is marked by the dates for its beginning and end. The article discusses economic research on when crises conclude, which could be useful to tribunals, and explores the determination on the beginning of economic collapses as a risk-sharing tool and shows how decisions of the Argentinean saga have achieved this result.
Paul Dessau and the Hard Work of Socialist Music in the German Democratic Republic
Authors: BRADY MARTIN 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis article examines the labour of socialist music in the German Democratic Republic, focusing on composer Paul Dessau's use of political cryptography and quotation in a number of compositions from the operaThe Condemnation of Lukullus(1950) through to Choral Music No. 5 (1976). Most famous for his collaborations with Bertolt Brecht, Dessau was the leading avant-garde composer of the GDR and its chief practitioner of serialism. He believed that only difficult, progressive New Music could convey the struggle(s) of socialism. This brought him into conflict with the authorities, who accused him of formalism. Choral Music No. 5 is a setting of a poem by Heiner Müller based on a speech by Erich Honecker (Žižek refers to the text as an ‘obscenity’). Dessau's composition is complex and dialectical, abrasive in its rhythms and counterpoint, and pluralistic in style. It is the embodiment of Dessau's belief in socialist music as rewarding hard work.
The Effects of Religious Attendance and Evangelical Identification on Media Perception and Political Knowledge
Authors: Gaskins Ben 
Published: March 2019

AbstractScholars have shown that religious activity can prepare individuals for civic activity by endowing them with the skills and motivation to engage in politics. Others, however, assert that religious dogmatism may lead to disengagement with the secular world and politics more generally. These two perspectives have resulted in contradictory findings on a key aspect of civic ability: political knowledge. I argue that while religiosity may indeed increase individuals’ engagement in a wide array of political activities, including some aspects of political knowledge, religious commitment decreases the ability to acquire accurate information about certain types of political facts. This argument is tested with a number of national surveys, and I find that while religion has a mixed effect on knowledge of general political structures and actors, it increases the perception of media hostility, which leads to lower levels of political knowledge about policy-specific surveillance information.
Extracellular vesicles in onco-nephrology
Authors: Gai Chiara , Pomatto Margherita A. C. , Grange Cristina , Deregibus Maria Chiara , Camussi Giovanni 
Published: March 2019

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication in cancer and in normal tissues. EVs transfer biologically active molecules from the cell of origin to recipient cells. This review summarizes the studies on EVs derived from renal cell carcinoma and from a subpopulation of CD105-positive renal cancer stem cells. While EVs from renal cell carcinoma show mild biological activity, EVs from renal cancer stem cells enhance tumor angiogenesis and metastasis formation. The effect is probably due to the transfer of proangiogenic RNA cargo to endothelial cells, which acquire an activated angiogenic phenotype. In vivo, treatment with EVs favors the formation of a premetastatic niche in the lungs. Moreover, EVs derived from renal cancer stem cells modify gene expression in mesenchymal stromal cells, enhancing the expression of genes involved in matrix remodeling, cell migration, and tumor growth. Mesenchymal stromal cells preconditioned with tumor EVs and then coinjected in vivo with renal cancer cells support tumor growth and vessel formation. Finally, tumor EVs promote tumor immune escape by inhibiting the differentiation process of dendritic cells and the activation of T cells. Thus, tumor-derived EVs act on the microenvironment favoring tumor aggressiveness, may contribute to angiogenesis through both direct and indirect mechanisms and are involved in tumor immune escape.
Mass spectrometry-based proteome profiling of extracellular vesicles and their roles in cancer biology
Authors: Bandu Raju , Oh Jae Won , Kim Kwang Pyo 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOver the past three decades, extracellular vesicles (EVs) have arisen as important mediators of intercellular communication that are involved in the transmission of biological signals between cells to regulate various biological processes. EVs are largely responsible for intercellular communication through the delivery of bioactive molecules, such as proteins, messenger RNAs (mRNAs), microRNAs (miRNAs), DNAs, lipids, and metabolites. EVs released from cancer cells play a significant role in signal transduction between cancer cells and the surrounding cells, which contributes to the formation of tumors and metastasis in the tumor microenvironment. In addition, EVs released from cancer cells migrate to blood vessels and flow into various biological fluids, including blood and urine. EVs and EV-loaded functional cargoes, including proteins and miRNAs, found in these biological fluids are important biomarkers for cancer diagnosis. Therefore, EV proteomics greatly contributes to the understanding of carcinogenesis and tumor progression and is critical for the development of biomarkers for the early diagnosis of cancer. To explore the potential use of EVs as a gateway to understanding cancer biology and to develop cancer biomarkers, we discuss the mass spectrometric identification and characterization of EV proteins from different cancers. Information provided in this review may help in understanding recent progress regarding EV biology and the potential roles of EVs as new noninvasive biomarkers and therapeutic targets.
Insulin-stimulated mTOR activation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells associated with early treatment response to lithium augmentation in rodent model of antidepressant-resistance
Authors: Walker Adam J. , Price J. Blair , Borreggine Kristin , Sutor Shari L. , Gogos Andrea , McGillivray Jane A. , Frye Mark A. , Tye Susannah J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLithium has been shown to have some therapeutic efficacy as an adjunctive treatment for intractable forms of major depression. Activation of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) and inhibition of glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK3β) have been implicated in its putative mechanisms of action. These proteins are integral components of the insulin signaling pathway, which may serve as a critical co-regulator of drug action. Utilizing an animal model of tricyclic antidepressant resistance, we investigated the relationship between insulin signaling and antidepressant response to lithium augmentation. Pre-treatment with adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH 100 µg/day i.p.) for 14 days effectively blocked the immobility-reducing effects of an acute dose of imipramine (10 mg/kg i.p.) in the forced swim test (FST). Lithium augmentation (100 mg/kg i.p.) rescued the antidepressant-like effects of imipramine in this model. Total and phosphorylated (p) levels of protein kinase B (Akt), mTOR, and GSK3β protein were quantified in the infralimbic cortex (ILPFC) following FST stress via Western blot. Levels of mTOR and pmTOR were further quantified in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) following insulin stimulation (10 mg/mL for 5 min) via ELISA. Elevated levels of phosphorylated insulin signaling proteins were present in the ILPFC of ACTH-pretreated animals that received both imipramine and lithium, together with a concurrent increase in mTOR activation in PBMCs. Large correlations were observed between immobility time and insulin-stimulated mTOR levels in PBMCs. We propose that PBMC insulin challenge may be a useful probe for predicting antidepressant response to lithium administration, and potentially other therapies acting via similar mechanisms of action.
Autophagy suppresses the pathogenic immune response to dietary antigens in cystic fibrosis
Authors: Villella Valeria R. , Esposito Speranza , Ferrari Eleonora , Monzani Romina , Tosco Antonella , Rossin Federica , Castaldo Alice , Silano Marco , Marseglia Gian Luigi , Romani Luigina , Barlev Nikolai A. , Piacentini Mauro , Raia Valeria , Kroemer Guido , Maiuri Luigi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractUnder physiological conditions, a finely tuned system of cellular adaptation allows the intestinal mucosa to maintain the gut barrier function while avoiding excessive immune responses to non-self-antigens from dietary origin or from commensal microbes. This homeostatic function is compromised in cystic fibrosis (CF) due to loss-of-function mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Recently, we reported that mice bearing defective CFTR are abnormally susceptible to a celiac disease-like enteropathy, in thus far that oral challenge with the gluten derivative gliadin elicits an inflammatory response. However, the mechanisms through which CFTR malfunction drives such an exaggerated response to dietary protein remains elusive. Here we demonstrate that the proteostasis regulator/transglutaminase 2 (TGM2) inhibitor cysteamine restores reduced Beclin 1 (BECN1) protein levels in mice bearing cysteamine-rescuable F508del-CFTR mutant, either in homozygosis or in compound heterozygosis with a null allele, but not in knock-out CFTR mice. When cysteamine restored BECN1 expression, autophagy was increased and gliadin-induced inflammation was reduced. The beneficial effects of cysteamine on F508del-CFTR mice were lost when these mice were backcrossed into a Becn1 haploinsufficient/autophagy-deficient background. Conversely, the transfection-enforced expression of BECN1 in human intestinal epithelial Caco-2 cells mitigated the pro-inflammatory cellular stress response elicited by the gliadin-derived P31–43 peptide. In conclusion, our data provide the proof-of-concept that autophagy stimulation may mitigate the intestinal malfunction of CF patients.
Plant diversity alters the representation of motifs in food webs
Authors: Giling Darren P. , Ebeling Anne , Eisenhauer Nico , Meyer Sebastian T. , Roscher Christiane , Rzanny Michael , Voigt Winfried , Weisser Wolfgang W. , Hines Jes 
Published: March 2019

AbstractChanges in the diversity of plant communities may undermine the economically and environmentally important consumer species they support. The structure of trophic interactions determines the sensitivity of food webs to perturbations, but rigorous assessments of plant diversity effects on network topology are lacking. Here, we use highly resolved networks from a grassland biodiversity experiment to test how plant diversity affects the prevalence of different food web motifs, the smaller recurrent sub-networks that form the building blocks of complex networks. We find that the representation of tri-trophic chain, apparent competition and exploitative competition motifs increases with plant species richness, while the representation of omnivory motifs decreases. Moreover, plant species richness is associated with altered patterns of local interactions among arthropod consumers in which plants are not directly involved. These findings reveal novel structuring forces that plant diversity exerts on food webs with potential implications for the persistence and functioning of multitrophic communities.
KCC2 overexpression prevents the paradoxical seizure-promoting action of somatic inhibition
Authors: Magloire Vincent , Cornford Jonathan , Lieb Andreas , Kullmann Dimitri M. , Pavlov Ivan 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough cortical interneurons are apparently well-placed to suppress seizures, several recent reports have highlighted a paradoxical role of perisomatic-targeting parvalbumin-positive (PV+) interneurons in ictogenesis. Here, we use an acute in vivo model of focal cortical seizures in awake behaving mice, together with closed-loop optogenetic manipulation of PV+ interneurons, to investigate their function during seizures. We show that photo-depolarization of PV+ interneurons rapidly switches from an anti-ictal to a pro-ictal effect within a few seconds of seizure initiation. The pro-ictal effect of delayed photostimulation of PV+ interneurons was not shared with dendrite-targeting somatostatin-positive (SOM+) interneurons. We also show that this switch can be prevented by overexpression of the neuronal potassium-chloride co-transporter KCC2 in principal cortical neurons. These results suggest that strategies aimed at improving the ability of principal neurons to maintain a trans-membrane chloride gradient in the face of excessive network activity can prevent interneurons from contributing to seizure perpetuation.
A series of magnon crystals appearing under ultrahigh magnetic fields in a kagomé antiferromagnet
Authors: Okuma R. , Nakamura D. , Okubo T. , Miyake A. , Matsuo A. , Kindo K. , Tokunaga M. , Kawashima N. , Takeyama S. , Hiroi Z. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractGeometrical frustration and a high magnetic field are two key factors for realizing unconventional quantum states in magnetic materials. Specifically, conventional magnetic order can potentially be destroyed by competing interactions and may be replaced by an exotic state that is characterized in terms of quasiparticles called magnons, the density and chemical potential of which are controlled by the magnetic field. Here we show that a synthetic copper mineral, Cd-kapellasite, which comprises a kagomé lattice consisting of corner-sharing triangles of spin-1/2 Cu2+ ions, exhibits an unprecedented series of fractional magnetization plateaus in ultrahigh magnetic fields of up to 160 T. We propose that these quantum states can be interpreted as crystallizations of emergent magnons localized on the hexagon of the kagomé lattice.
Lineage tracing using a Cas9-deaminase barcoding system targeting endogenous L1 elements
Authors: Hwang Byungjin , Lee Wookjae , Yum Soo-Young , Jeon Yujin , Cho Namjin , Jang Goo , Bang Duhee 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDetermining cell lineage and function is critical to understanding human physiology and pathology. Although advances in lineage tracing methods provide new insight into cell fate, defining cellular diversity at the mammalian level remains a challenge. Here, we develop a genome editing strategy using a cytidine deaminase fused with nickase Cas9 (nCas9) to specifically target endogenous interspersed repeat regions in mammalian cells. The resulting mutation patterns serve as a genetic barcode, which is induced by targeted mutagenesis with single-guide RNA (sgRNA), leveraging substitution events, and subsequent read out by a single primer pair. By analyzing interspersed mutation signatures, we show the accurate reconstruction of cell lineage using both bulk cell and single-cell data. We envision that our genetic barcode system will enable fine-resolution mapping of organismal development in healthy and diseased mammalian states.
LipidII interaction with specific residues of Mycobacterium tuberculosis PknB extracytoplasmic domain governs its optimal activation
Authors: Kaur Prabhjot , Rausch Marvin , Malakar Basanti , Watson Uchenna , Damle Nikhil P. , Chawla Yogesh , Srinivasan Sandhya , Sharma Kanika , Schneider Tanja , Jhingan Gagan Deep , Saini Deepak , Mohanty Debasisa , Grein Fabian , Nandicoori Vinay Kumar 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe Mycobacterium tuberculosis kinase PknB is essential for growth and survival of the pathogen in vitro and in vivo. Here we report the results of our efforts to elucidate the mechanism of regulation of PknB activity. The specific residues in the PknB extracytoplasmic domain that are essential for ligand interaction and survival of the bacterium are identified. The extracytoplasmic domain interacts with mDAP-containing LipidII, and this is abolished upon mutation of the ligand-interacting residues. Abrogation of ligand-binding or sequestration of the ligand leads to aberrant localization of PknB. Contrary to the prevailing hypothesis, abrogation of ligand-binding is linked to activation loop hyperphosphorylation, and indiscriminate hyperphosphorylation of PknB substrates as well as other proteins, ultimately causing loss of homeostasis and cell death. We propose that the ligand-kinase interaction directs the appropriate localization of the kinase, coupled to stringently controlled activation of PknB, and consequently the downstream processes thereof.