bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerated diversifications in three diverse families of morphologically complex lichen-forming fungi link to major historical events
Authors: Huang Jen-Pan , Kraichak Ekaphan , Leavitt Steven D. , Nelsen Matthew P. , Lumbsch H. Thorsten 
Published: June 2019

AbstractHistorical mass extinction events had major impacts on biodiversity patterns. The most recent and intensively studied event is the Cretaceous – Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary (ca. 66 million years ago [MYA]). However, the factors that may have impacted diversification dynamics vary across lineages. We investigated the macroevolutionary dynamics with a specific focus on the impact of major historical events such as the K-Pg mass extinction event on two major subclasses – Lecanoromycetidae and Ostropomycetidae – of lichen-forming fungi and tested whether variation in the rate of diversification can be associated with the evolution of a specific trait state - macrolichen. Our results reveal accelerated diversification events in three families of morphologically complex lichen-forming fungi – Cladoniaceae, Parmeliaceae, and Peltigeraceae – which are from the subclass Lecanoromycetidae and mostly composed of macrolichens, those that form three dimensional structures. Our RTT plot result for the subclass Lecanoromycetidae also reveals accelerated diversification. Changes in diversification rates occurred around the transition between Mesozoic and Cenozoic eras and was likely related to the K-Pg mass extinction event. The phylogenetic positions for rate increases estimated based on marginal shift probability are, however, scattered from 100 to 40 MYA preventing us from making explicit inference. Although we reveal that the phenotypic state of macrolichens is associated with a higher diversification rate than microlichens, we also show that the evolution of macrolichens predated the K-Pg event. Furthermore, the association between macrolichens and increased diversification is not universal and can be explained, in part, by phylogenetic relatedness. By investigating the macroevolutionary dynamics of lichen-forming fungi our study provides a new empirical system suitable to test the effect of major historical event on shaping biodiversity patterns and to investigate why changes in biodiversity patterns are not in concordance across clades. Our results imply that multiple historical events during the transition from Mesozoic to Cenozoic eras, including the K-Pg mass extinction event, impacted the evolutionary dynamics in lichen-forming fungi. However, future studies focusing on individual lichen-forming fungal families are required to ascertain whether diversification rates are associated with growth form and certain geological events.
Hypergravity disrupts murine intestinal microbiota
Authors: Alauzet Corentine , Cunat Lisiane , Wack Maxime , Lozniewski Alain , Busby Hélène , Agrinier Nelly , Cailliez-Grimal Catherine , Frippiat Jean-Pol 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDuring spaceflight, organisms are subjected to various physical stressors including modification of gravity (G) that, associated with lifestyle, could lead to impaired immunity, intestinal dysbiosis and thus potentially predispose astronauts to illness. Whether space travel affects microbiota homeostasis has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate changes in intestinal microbiota and mucosa in a ground-based murine model consisting in a 21-days confinement of mice in a centrifuge running at 2 or 3G. Results revealed an increased α-diversity and a significant change in intracaecal β-diversity observed only at 3G, with profiles characterized by a decrease of theFirmicutes/Bacteroidetesratio. Compared to 1G microbiota, 12.1% of the taxa were significantly impacted in 3G microbiota, most of them (78%) being enriched. This study shows a G-level-dependent disruption of intracaecal microbiota, without alteration of mucosal integrity. These first data reinforce those recently obtained with in-flight experimentations or microgravity models, and emphasize the critical need for further studies exploring the impact of spaceflight on intestinal microbiota in order to optimize long-term space travel conditions.
Macrophage migration inhibitory factor regulates TLR4 expression and modulates TCR/CD3-mediated activation in CD4+ T lymphocytes
Authors: Alibashe-Ahmed Mohamed , Roger Thierry , Serre-Beinier Veronique , Berishvili Ekaterine , Reith Walter , Bosco Domenico , Berney Thierry 
Published: June 2019

AbstractToll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) is involved in CD4+ T lymphocyte-mediated pathologies. Here, we demonstrate that CD4+ T lymphocytes express functional TLR4 that contributes to their activation, proliferation and cytokine secretion. In addition, we demonstrate that TLR4-induced responses are mediated by macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF), a pro-inflammatory cytokine. We also demonstrate that MIF regulates suboptimal TCR/CD3-mediated activation of T lymphocytes. On one hand, MIF prevents excessive TCR/CD3-mediated activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes under suboptimal stimulation conditions and, on the other hand, MIF enables activated CD4+ T lymphocytes to sense their microenvironment and adapt their effector response through TLR4. Therefore, MIF appears to be a major regulator of the activation of CD4+ T lymphocytes and the intensity of their effector response. TLR4-mediated activation is thus an important process for T cell-mediated immunity.
Effect of cold provocation on vessel density in eyes with primary open angle glaucoma: An optical coherence tomography angiography study
Authors: Chou Wei-Yi , Liu Catherine Jui-Ling , Chen Mei-Ju , Chiou Shih-Hwa , Chen Wei-Ta , Ko Yu-Chieh 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe cold pressor test (CPT) induces a cardiovascular response, which may affect ocular blood flow and neuronal function. This study assessed whether optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) can be used to evaluate CPT-induced changes in healthy eyes and in eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). Twenty-two healthy subjects and 23 subjects with POAG and retinal fibre layer defects in only one hemifield were included in this study. The CPT was performed by submerging a subject’s hand in cold water (0–4 °C) for 1 minute. The results showed that baseline peripapillary and macular vessel density (VD) measurements were significantly lower in subjects with POAG than in controls (all P < 0.05). Post-CPT VD measurements did not significantly differ from baseline in either healthy or glaucomatous eyes. Additionally, CPT-induced changes in VD did not differ among normal eyes, damaged and undamaged glaucomatous hemifields. Changes in VD were also not significantly influenced by self-reported history of cold extremities. In conclusion, the CPT does not induce significant VD changes, as measured by OCT-A, in the peripapillary or macular areas of either healthy eyes or eyes with POAG. The VD, an all-or-nothing flow measure, may not be sensitive enough for evaluating cold-induced ocular haemodynamic changes.
Modulation of viscoelastic fluid response to external body force
Authors: Zhang Meng , Zhang Wu , Wu Zhengwei , Shen Yinan , Wu Huayin , Cheng Jianping , Zhang Hongna , Li Fengchen , Cai Weihua 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTransient flow responses of viscoelastic fluids to different external body forces are studied. As a non-Newtonian fluid, the viscoelastic fluid exhibits significant elastic response which does not raise in Newtonian fluid. Here, we investigate the transient response of a viscoelastic Poiseuille flow in a two-dimensional channel driven by external body forces in different forms. The velocity response is derived using the Oldroyd-B constitutive model in OpenFOAM. Responses in various forms like damped harmonic oscillation and periodic oscillation are induced and modulated depending on the fluid intrinsic properties like the viscosity and the elasticity. The external body forces like constant force, step force and square wave force are applied at the inlet of the channel. Through both time domain and frequency domain analysis on the fluid velocity response, it is revealed that the oscillation damping originates from the fluid viscosity while the oscillation frequency is dependent on the fluid elasticity. The velocity response of the applied square waves with different periods shows more flexible modulation signal types than constant force and step force. An innovative way is also developed to characterize the relaxation time of the viscoelastic fluid by modulating the frequency of the square wave force.
Circulatory miR-223-3p Discriminates Between Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s Patients
Authors: Mancuso Roberta , Agostini Simone , Hernis Ambra , Zanzottera Milena , Bianchi Anna , Clerici Mario 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMiR-223-3p is involved in the regulation of a broad range of cellular processes and in many types of pathological processes as cancer, autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. MiR-223-3p has been indicated as negative regulator of NLRP3 protein, a key protein of inflammasome. The chronic inflammasome activation, an underlying feature of neurodegenerative disorders, is induced by misfolded protein aggregates, including amyloid-beta and alpha-synuclein, resulting in pro-inflammatory cytokines secretion and propagating of neuroinflammation. The aim of the study was to analyze whether circulatory miR-223-3p could be used as biomarker in neurodegeneration and to clarify its possible relationship with inflammasome activation. miR-223-3p concentration was evaluated in serum of Alzheimer’s (AD) and Parkinson’s disease (PD) or mild cognitive impairment (MCI) patients and healthy controls (HC). Compared to HC, miR-223-3p serum concentration was reduced in MCI and AD, but up-regulated in PD (p < 0.0001), and it decreased progressively from MCI to moderate (p < 0.0001) to severe AD (p = 0.0016). Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed that miR-223-3p concentration discriminates between AD, PD and MCI vs. HC, as well as between AD and PD. miR-223-3p serum concentration discriminates between AD/MCI and PD, suggesting that this molecule could be a potential non-invasive biomarker for differential diagnosis and prognosis of these neurodegenerative conditions.
Species identification of Bombyx mori and Antheraea pernyi silk via immunology and proteomics
Authors: Gu Jincui , Li Qingqing , Chen Boyi , Xu Chengfeng , Zheng Hailing , Zhou Yang , Peng Zhiqin , Hu Zhiwen , Wang Bing 
Published: June 2019

AbstractIn recent years, increasing attention has been paid to the origin, transmission and communication of silk. However, this is still an unsolved mystery in archaeology. The identification of silk-producing species, especially silk produced by Bombyx mori (B. mori) and Antheraea pernyi (A. pernyi), is of key significance to address this challenge. In this study, two innovative methods, i.e. immunology and proteomics, were proposed and successfully established for the species identification of silks. ELISAs result demonstrated that the two prepared antibodies exhibited high sensitivity and specificity in distinguishing B. mori and A. pernyi silk. No cross-reactivity with each other was observed. Moreover, biomarkers were obtained for Bombyx and Antheraea through proteomic analysis. It was also confirmed that the biomarkers were suitable for identifying the species that produced a given silk sample. Compared with conventional methods for distinguishing silk species, immunological and proteomics techniques used in tandem can provide intact information and have the potential to provide accurate and reliable information for species identification.
Interleukin-18 as a drug repositioning opportunity for inflammatory bowel disease: A Mendelian randomization study
Authors: Mokry Lauren E. , Zhou Sirui , Guo Cong , Scott Robert A. , Devey Luke , Langenberg Claudia , Wareham Nick , Waterworth Dawn , Cardon Lon , Sanseau Philippe , Davey Smith George , Richards J. Brent 
Published: June 2019

AbstractSupport from human genetics increases the probability of success in drug development. However, few examples exist of successful genomically-driven drug repositioning. Given that a Mendelian form of severe enterocolitis is due to up-regulation of the interleukin-18 (IL18) signaling pathway, and pharmacologic inhibition of IL18 has been shown to reverse this enterocolitis, we undertook a Mendelian randomization study to test the causal effect of elevated IL18 levels on inflammatory bowel disease susceptibility (IBD) in 12,882 cases and 21,770 controls. Mendelian randomization is an established method to assess the role of biomarkers in disease etiology in a manner that minimizes confounding and prevents reverse causation. Using three SNPs that explained almost 7% of the variance in IL18 level, we found that each genetically predicted standard deviation increase in IL18 was associated with an increase in IBD susceptibility (odds ratio = 1.22, 95% CI = 1.11–1.34, P-value = 6 × 10−5). This association was further validated in 25,042 IBD cases and 34,915 controls (odds ratio = 1.13, 95% CI = 1.05–1.20). Recently, an anti-IL18 monoclonal antibody, which decreased free IL18 levels, was found to be safe, yet ineffective in a phase II trial for type 2 diabetes. Taken together, these genomic findings implicated IBD as an alternative indication for anti-IL18 therapy, which should be tested in randomized controlled trials.
Experimental study of the influence of mode excitation on mode instability in high power fiber amplifier
Authors: Chu Qiuhui , Tao Rumao , Li Chengyu , Lin Honghuan , Wang Yuying , Guo Chao , Wang Jianjun , Jing Feng , Tang Chuanxiang 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMode instability with different mode excitation has been investigated by off-splicing the fusion point in a 4 kW-level monolithic fiber laser system, which reveals that the fiber systems exciting more high order mode content exhibits lower beam quality but higher mode instability threshold. The static-to-dynamic mode degradation and dynamic-only mode degradation have also been observed in the same high power fiber amplifier by varying the mode excitation, which implicates that the mode excitation plays an important role in mode characteristics in high power fiber lasers. By employing a seed with near fundamental mode beam quality, only dynamic mode degradation-mode instability sets in with negligible static beam quality degradation. Then the fusion point in the seed laser is offset spliced to excite high order mode. As the output power of the main amplifier scales, the beam quality degrades with the beam profile being static, and then the dynamic mode instability sets in, the power threshold of which is higher than that with good beam quality seed. We consider that the static mode degradation is caused by the presence of incoherent supposition of fundamental and high order mode, which leads to that the measured dynamic mode instability threshold is higher.
Complex general stress response regulation in Sphingomonas melonis Fr1 revealed by transcriptional analyses
Authors: Gottschlich Lisa , Geiser Petra , Bortfeld-Miller Miriam , Field Christopher M. , Vorholt Julia A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe general stress response (GSR) represents an important trait to survive in the environment by leading to multiple stress resistance. In alphaproteobacteria, the GSR is under the transcriptional control of the alternative sigma factor EcfG. Here we performed transcriptome analyses to investigate the genes controlled by EcfG of Sphingomonas melonis Fr1 and the plasticity of this regulation under stress conditions. We found that EcfG regulates genes for proteins that are typically associated with stress responses. Moreover, EcfG controls regulatory proteins, which likely fine-tune the GSR. Among these, we identified a novel negative GSR feedback regulator, termed NepR2, on the basis of gene reporter assays, phenotypic analyses, and biochemical assays. Transcriptional profiling of signaling components upstream of EcfG under complex stress conditions showed an overall congruence with EcfG-regulated genes. Interestingly however, we found that the GSR is transcriptionally linked to the regulation of motility and biofilm formation via the single domain response regulator SdrG and GSR-activating histidine kinases. Altogether, our findings indicate that the GSR in S. melonis Fr1 underlies a complex regulation to optimize resource allocation and resilience in stressful and changing environments.
High-throughput sequencing and analysis of microbial communities in the mangrove swamps along the coast of Beibu Gulf in Guangxi, China
Authors: Gong Bin , Cao Hongming , Peng Chunyan , Perčulija Vanja , Tong Guixiang , Fang Huaiyi , Wei Xinxian , Ouyang Songying 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMangrove swamp is one of the world’s richest and most productive marine ecosystems. This ecosystem also has a great ecological importance, but is highly susceptible to anthropogenic disturbances. The balance of mangrove ecosystem depends largely on the microbial communities in mangrove sediments. Thus, understanding how the mangrove microbial communities respond to spatial differences is essential for more accurate assessment of mangrove ecosystem health. To this end, we performed the first medium-distance (150 km) research on the biogeographic distribution of mangrove microbial communities. The hypervariable regions of 16S rRNA gene was sequenced by Illumina to compare the microbial communities in mangrove sediments collected from six locations (i.e. Zhenzhu harbor, Yuzhouping, Maowei Sea, Qinzhou harbor, Beihai city and Shankou) along the coastline of Beibu Gulf in Guangxi province, China. Collectively, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Actinobacteria, Parvarchaeota, Acidobacteria and Cyanobacteria were the predominant phyla in the mangrove sediments of this area. At genus level, the heat map of microbial communities reflected similarities between study sites and was in agreement with their biogeographic characteristics. Interestingly, the genera Desulfococcus, Arcobacter, Nitrosopumilus and Sulfurimonas showed differences in abundance between study sites. Furthermore, the principal component analysis (PCA) and unweighted UniFrac cluster tree of beta diversity were used to study the biogeographic diversity of the microbial communities. Relatively broader variation of microbial communities was found in Beihai city and Qinzhou harbour, suggesting that environmental condition and historical events may play an important role in shaping the bacterial communities as well. This is the first report on medium-distance range distribution of bacteria in the mangrove swamp ecosystem. Our data is valuable for monitoring and evaluation of the impact of human activity on mangrove habitats from the perspective of microbiome.
VK210 and VK247 genotypes of Plasmodium vivax in anopheline mosquitoes from Brazilian Amazon
Authors: Santos Erian de Almeida , Sucupira Izis Mônica Carvalho , de Oliveira Martins Bruno Matheus , de Paula Souza e Guimarães Ricardo José , Catete Clístenes Pamplona , de Souza Raimundo Tadeu Lessa , Santos Ana Cecília Feio dos , Póvoa Marinete Marins 
Published: June 2019

AbstractPlasmodium vivax sporozoites are differenced by circumsporozoite protein. Studies on the circulation of P. vivax VK210 and P. vivax VK247 in anopheline mosquitoes are important to verify the adaptability of these parasites on mosquitoes in different locations and periods. This study aimed to describe and compare the distribution of these genotypes in anopheline mosquitoes from four states of the Brazilian Amazon. Epidemiological databases about CSP infections on mosquitoes from Pará (2000–2015), Amapá (2000–2010), Roraima (2000–2003 and 2009–2011) and Acre States (2012–2015) were used for analysis. A total of 895 specimens were found infected mainly by P. vivax VK210. We showed that the distribution of P. vivax VK247 changed over time in the main malaria vectors on the Brazilian Amazon. We note that A. darlingi was abundant in certain localities while A. albitarsis s.l. in anothers, which highlights the importance of entomological studies for the control of human malaria.
Skeletal muscle in MuRF1 null mice is not spared in low-gravity conditions, indicating atrophy proceeds by unique mechanisms in space
Authors: Cadena Samuel M. , Zhang Yunyu , Fang Jian , Brachat Sophie , Kuss Pia , Giorgetti Elisa , Stodieck Louis S. , Kneissel Michaela , Glass David J. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMicrogravity exposure is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength. The E3 ubiquitin ligase MuRF1 plays an integral role in degrading the contractile apparatus of skeletal muscle; MuRF1 null (KO) mice have shown protection in ground-based models of muscle atrophy. In contrast, MuRF1 KO mice subjected to 21 days of microgravity on the International Space Station (ISS) were not protected from muscle atrophy. In a time course experiment microgravity-induced muscle loss on the ISS showed MuRF1 gene expression was not upregulated. A comparison of the soleus transcriptome profiles between spaceflight and a publicly available data set for hindlimb suspension, a claimed surrogate model of microgravity, showed only marginal commonalities between the models. These findings demonstrate spaceflight induced atrophy is unique, and that understanding of effects of space requires study situated beyond the Earth’s mesosphere.
Probing spatial inhomogeneity of cholinergic changes in cortical state in rat
Authors: Nur Tazima , Gautam Shree Hari , Stenken Julie A. , Shew Woodrow L. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractAcetylcholine (ACh) plays an essential role in cortical information processing. Cholinergic changes in cortical state can fundamentally change how the neurons encode sensory input and motor output. Traditionally, ACh distribution in cortex and associated changes in cortical state have been assumed to be spatially diffuse. However, recent studies demonstrate a more spatially inhomogeneous structure of cholinergic projections to cortex. Moreover, many experimental manipulations of ACh have been done at a single spatial location, which inevitably results in spatially non-uniform ACh distribution. Such non-uniform application of ACh across the spatial extent of a cortical microcircuit could have important impacts on how the firing of groups of neurons is coordinated, but this remains largely unknown. Here we describe a method for applying ACh at different spatial locations within a single cortical circuit and measuring the resulting differences in population neural activity. We use two microdialysis probes implanted at opposite ends of a microelectrode array in barrel cortex of anesthetized rats. As a demonstration of the method, we applied ACh or neostigmine in different spatial locations via the microdialysis probes while we concomitantly recorded neural activity at 32 locations with the microelectrode array. First, we show that cholinergic changes in cortical state can vary dramatically depending on where the ACh was applied. Second, we show that cholinergic changes in cortical state can vary dramatically depending on where the state-change is measured. These results suggests that previous work with single-site recordings or single-site ACh application should be interpreted with some caution, since the results could change for different spatial locations.