bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Morphological and functional changes in the rat retina associated with 2 months of intermittent moderate intraocular pressure elevation
Authors: Tan Bingyao , Gurdita Akshay , Choh Vivian , Joos Karen M. , Prasad Ratna , Bizheva Kostadinka 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMorphological and functional changes in the rat retina and optic nerve head (ONH), associated with 8 weeks of intermittent moderately elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured with a combined ultrahigh resolution optical coherence tomography (UHR-OCT) and electroretinography (ERG) system. The IOP of male Sprague-Dawley rats was raised in one eye to ~35 mmHg for 1 hour/day on 6 days each week using vascular loops. Single-flash ERG traces and volumetric UHR-OCT images of the ONH were acquired from both eyes before, during and after IOP elevations at weeks 1, 5 and 9 of the study. The UHR-OCT images showed depression of the posterior eye around the ONH during the IOP elevations, the magnitude of which increased significantly from week 1 to week 9 (p = 0.01). The ERG a-wave and b-wave amplitudes increased temporarily during IOP elevations and returned to normal ~30 minutes after loop removal. Recurrent intermittent IOP spikes caused > 30% decrease in the ERG a-wave and b-wave amplitudes measured during the IOP elevations over the course of 2 months. This study suggests that recurrent, relatively short-duration IOP spikes for extended period of time are associated with peri-ONH tissue hypercompliance and reduced retinal functional response to visual stimulation during acute IOP elevation.
A Drosophila Model of Essential Tremor
Authors: Smith Philip , Arias Ronald , Sonti Shilpa , Odgerel Zagaa , Santa-Maria Ismael , McCabe Brian D. , Tsaneva-Atanasova Krasimira , Louis Elan D. , Hodge James J. L. , Clark Lorraine N. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEssential Tremor (ET) is one of the most common neurological diseases, with an estimated 7 million affected individuals in the US; the pathophysiology of the disorder is poorly understood. Recently, we identified a mutation (KCNS2 (Kv9.2), c.1137 T > A, p.(D379E) in an electrically silent voltage-gated K+ channel α-subunit, Kv9.2, in a family with ET, that modulates the activity of Kv2 channels. We have produced transgenic Drosophila lines that express either the human wild type Kv9.2 (hKv9.2) or the ET causing mutant Kv9.2 (hKv9.2-D379E) subunit in all neurons. We show that the hKv9.2 subunit modulates activity of endogenous Drosophila K+ channel Shab. The mutant hKv9.2-D379E subunit showed significantly higher levels of Shab inactivation and a higher frequency of spontaneous firing rate consistent with neuronal hyperexcitibility. We also observed behavioral manifestations of nervous system dysfunction including effects on night time activity and sleep. This functional data further supports the pathogenicity of the KCNS2 (p.D379E) mutation, consistent with our prior observations including co-segregation with ET in a family, a likely pathogenic change in the channel pore domain and absence from population databases. The Drosophila hKv9.2 transgenic model recapitulates several features of ET and may be employed to advance our understanding of ET disease pathogenesis.
Long term extension of a randomised controlled trial of probiotics using electronic health records
Authors: Davies Gareth , Jordan Sue , Brooks Caroline J. , Thayer Daniel , Storey Melanie , Morgan Gareth , Allen Stephen , Garaiova Iveta , Plummer Sue , Gravenor Mike 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMost randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are relatively short term and, due to costs and available resources, have limited opportunity to be re-visited or extended. There is no guarantee that effects of treatments remain unchanged beyond the study. Here, we illustrate the feasibility, benefits and cost-effectiveness of enriching standard trial design with electronic follow up. We completed a 5-year electronic follow up of a RCT investigating the impact of probiotics on asthma and eczema in children born 2005–2007, with traditional fieldwork follow up to two years. Participants and trial outcomes were identified and analysed after five years using secure, routine, anonymised, person-based electronic health service databanks. At two years, we identified 93% of participants and compared fieldwork with electronic health records, highlighting areas of agreement and disagreement. Retention of children from lower socio-economic groups was improved, reducing volunteer bias. At 5 years we identified a reduced 82% of participants. These data allowed the trial’s first robust analysis of asthma endpoints. We found no indication that probiotic supplementation to pregnant mothers and infants protected against asthma or eczema at 5 years. Continued longer-term follow up is technically straightforward.
Magnetic-field induced rotation of magnetosome chains in silicified magnetotactic bacteria
Authors: Blondeau Marine , Guyodo Yohan , Guyot François , Gatel Christophe , Menguy Nicolas , Chebbi Imène , Haye Bernard , Durand-Dubief Mickaël , Alphandery Edouard , Brayner Roberta , Coradin Thibaud 
Published: May 2018

AbstractUnderstanding the biological processes enabling magnetotactic bacteria to maintain oriented chains of magnetic iron-bearing nanoparticles called magnetosomes is a major challenge. The study aimed to constrain the role of an external applied magnetic field on the alignment of magnetosome chains inMagnetospirillum magneticumAMB-1 magnetotactic bacteria immobilized within a hydrated silica matrix. A deviation of the chain orientation was evidenced, without significant impact on cell viability, which was preserved after the field was turned-off. Transmission electron microscopy showed that the crystallographic orientation of the nanoparticles within the chains were preserved. Off-axis electron holography evidenced that the change in magnetosome orientation was accompanied by a shift from parallel to anti-parallel interactions between individual nanocrystals. The field-induced destructuration of the chain occurs according to two possible mechanisms: (i) each magnetosome responds individually and reorients in the magnetic field direction and/or (ii) short magnetosome chains deviate in the magnetic field direction. This work enlightens the strong dynamic character of the magnetosome assembly and widens the potentialities of magnetotactic bacteria in bionanotechnology.
A Simple Power Law Governs Many Sensory Amplifications and Multisensory Enhancements
Authors: Billock Vincent A. , Havig Paul R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWhen one sensory response occurs in the presence of a different sensory stimulation, the sensory response is often amplified. The variety of sensory enhancement data tends to obscure the underlying rules, but it has long been clear that weak signals are usually amplified more than strong ones (the Principle of Inverse Effectiveness). Here we show that for many kinds of sensory amplification, the underlying law is simple and elegant: the amplified response is a power law of the unamplified response, with a compressive exponent that amplifies weak signals more than strong. For both psychophysics and cortical electrophysiology, for both humans and animals, and for both sensory integration and enhancement within a sense, gated power law amplification (amplification of one sense triggered by the presence of a different sensory signal) is often sufficient to explain sensory enhancement.
Turbulence and Cavitation Suppression by Quaternary Ammonium Salt Additives
Authors: Naseri Homa , Trickett Kieran , Mitroglou Nicholas , Karathanassis Ioannis , Koukouvinis Phoevos , Gavaises Manolis , Barbour Robert , Diamond Dale , Rogers Sarah E. , Santini Maurizio , Wang Jin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe identify the physical mechanism through which newly developed quaternary ammonium salt (QAS) deposit control additives (DCAs) affect the rheological properties of cavitating turbulent flows, resulting in an increase in the volumetric efficiency of clean injectors fuelled with diesel or biodiesel fuels. Quaternary ammonium surfactants with appropriate counterions can be very effective in reducing the turbulent drag in aqueous solutions, however, less is known about the effect of such surfactants in oil-based solvents or in cavitating flow conditions. Small-angle neutron scattering (SANS) investigations show that in traditional DCA fuel compositions only reverse spherical micelles form, whereas reverse cylindrical micelles are detected by blending the fuel with the QAS additive. Moreover, experiments utilising X-ray micro computed tomography (micro-CT) in nozzle replicas, quantify that in cavitation regions the liquid fraction is increased in the presence of the QAS additive. Furthermore, high-flux X-ray phase contrast imaging (XPCI) measurements identify a flow stabilization effect in the region of vortex cavitation by the QAS additive. The effect of the formation of cylindrical micelles is reproduced with computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations by including viscoelastic characteristics for the flow. It is demonstrated that viscoelasticity can reduce turbulence and suppress cavitation, and subsequently increase the injector’s volumetric efficiency.
Organoruthenium(II) Complexes Ameliorates Oxidative Stress and Impedes the Age Associated Deterioration in Caenorhabditis elegans through JNK-1/DAF-16 Signalling
Authors: Devagi G. , Mohankumar A. , Shanmugam G. , Nivitha S. , Dallemer F. , Kalaivani P. , Sundararaj P. , Prabhakaran R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNew ruthenium(II) complexes were synthesised and characterized by various spectro analytical techniques. The structure of the complexes 3 and 4 has been confirmed by X-ray crystallography. The complexes were subjected to study their anti-oxidant profile and were exhibited significantly greater in vitro DPPH radical scavenging activity than vitamin C. We found that complexes 1–4 confered tolerance to oxidative stress and extend the mean lifespan of mev-1 mutant worms and wild-type Caenorhabditis elegans. Further, mechanistic study and reporter gene expression analysis revealed that Ru(ƞ6-p-cymene) complexes maintained the intracellular redox status and offers stress resistance through activating JNK-1/DAF-16 signaling axis and possibly by other antioxidant response pathway. Notably, complex 3 and 4 ameliorates the polyQ (a Huntington’s disease associated protein) mediated proteotoxicity and related behavioural deficits in Huntington’s disease models of C. elegans. From these observations, we hope that new Ru(ƞ6-p-cymene) complexes could be further considered as a potential drug to retard aging and age-related neurodegenerative diseases.
Increasing densities of an invasive polychaete enhance bioturbation with variable effects on solute fluxes
Authors: Kauppi L. , Bernard G. , Bastrop R. , Norkko A. , Norkko J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBioturbation is a key process affecting nutrient cycling in soft sediments. The invasive polychaete genus Marenzelleria spp. has established successfully throughout the Baltic Sea increasing species and functional diversity with possible density-dependent effects on bioturbation and associated solute fluxes. We tested the effects of increasing density of M. arctia, M. viridis and M. neglecta on bioturbation and solute fluxes in a laboratory experiment. Benthic communities in intact sediment cores were manipulated by adding increasing numbers of Marenzelleria spp. The results showed that Marenzelleria spp. in general enhanced all bioturbation metrics, but the effects on solute fluxes varied depending on the solute, on the density and species identity of Marenzelleria, and on the species and functional composition of the surrounding community. M. viridis and M. neglecta were more important in predicting variation in phosphate and silicate fluxes, whereas M. arctia had a larger effect on nitrogen cycling. The complex direct and indirect pathways indicate the importance of considering the whole community and not just species in isolation in the experimental studies. Including these interactions provides a way forward regarding our understanding of the complex ecosystem effects of invasive species.
Metabolomic profile of systemic sclerosis patients
Authors: Murgia Federica , Svegliati Silvia , Poddighe Simone , Lussu Milena , Manzin Aldo , Spadoni Tatiana , Fischetti Colomba , Gabrielli Armando , Atzori Luigi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSystemic sclerosis (SSc) is an autoimmune disease of unknown aetiology characterized by vascular lesions, immunological alterations and diffuse fibrosis of the skin and internal organs. Since recent evidence suggests that there is a link between metabolomics and immune mediated disease, serum metabolic profile of SSc patients and healthy controls was investigated by 1H-NMR and GC-MS techniques. The results indicated a lower level of aspartate, alanine, choline, glutamate, and glutarate in SSc patients compared with healthy controls. Moreover, comparing patients affected by limited SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse SSc (dcSSc), 6 discriminant metabolites were identified. The multivariate analysis performed using all the metabolites significantly different revealed glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, energetic pathways, glutamate metabolism, degradation of ketone bodies and pyruvate metabolism as the most important networks. Aspartate, alanine and citrate yielded a high area under receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC of 0.81; CI 0.726–0.93) for discriminating SSc patients from controls, whereas ROC curve generated with acetate, fructose, glutamate, glutamine, glycerol and glutarate (AUC of 0.84; CI 0.7–0.98) discriminated between lcSSc and dcSSc. These results indicated that serum NMR-based metabolomics profiling method is sensitive and specific enough to distinguish SSc from healthy controls and provided a feasible diagnostic tool for the diagnosis and classification of the disease.
Relativistic finite-difference time-domain analysis of high-speed moving metamaterials
Authors: Zhao Yan , Chaimool Sarawuth 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we apply a relativistic finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) method by using the Lorentz transformation to analyze metamaterials moving at a high speed. As an example, we consider a slab of left-handed metmaterial (LHM) with both relative permittivity and permeability equal to −1. Simulation results show that when the LHM slab moves at a high speed, its electromagnetic responses are drastically different from the static case. Specifically, when the LHM slab moves toward the source, for the case of normal incidence, there exists a special velocity at which fields experience a zero spatial phase delay through the LHM slab; while for the oblique incidence, above a certain velocity fields inside the LHM become evanescent. On the other hand, when the LHM slab moves away from the source, for the case of normal incidence, at the same special velocity the magnitudes of both electric and magnetic fields inside the LHM slab reach their minimum values; for the oblique incidence, the slab functions as a field converter. Besides, the transmitted waves through the LHM slab experience a red-shift (to a lower frequency) and the shift is proportional to the velocity of the LHM slab regardless of the moving direction.
FACS-Seq analysis of Pax3-derived cells identifies non-myogenic lineages in the embryonic forelimb
Authors: Singh Arun J. , Chang Chih-Ning , Ma Hsiao-Yen , Ramsey Stephen A. , Filtz Theresa M. , Kioussi Chrissa 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSkeletal muscle in the forelimb develops during embryonic and fetal development and perinatally. While much is known regarding the molecules involved in forelimb myogenesis, little is known about the specific mechanisms and interactions. Migrating skeletal muscle precursor cells express Pax3 as they migrate into the forelimb from the dermomyotome. To compare gene expression profiles of the same cell population over time, we isolated lineage-tracedPax3+cells (Pax3EGFP) from forelimbs at different embryonic days. We performed whole transcriptome profiling via RNA-Seq ofPax3+cells to construct gene networks involved in different stages of embryonic and fetal development. With this, we identified genes involved in the skeletal, muscular, vascular, nervous and immune systems. Expression of genes related to the immune, skeletal and vascular systems showed prominent increases over time, suggesting a non-skeletal myogenic context ofPax3-derived cells. Using co-expression analysis, we observed an immune-related gene subnetwork active during fetal myogenesis, further implying thatPax3-derived cells are not a strictly myogenic lineage, and are involved in patterning and three-dimensional formation of the forelimb through multiple systems.
Novel internal regulators and candidate miRNAs within miR-379/miR-656 miRNA cluster can alter cellular phenotype of human glioblastoma
Authors: Nayak Subhashree , Aich Meghali , Kumar Anupam , Sengupta Suman , Bajad Prajakta , Dhapola Parashar , Paul Deepanjan , Narta Kiran , Purkrait Suvendu , Mehani Bharati , Suri Ashish , Chakraborty Debojyoti , Mukhopadhyay Arijit , Sarkar Chitra 
Published: May 2018

AbstractClustered miRNAs can affect functioning of downstream pathways due to possible coordinated function. We observed 78–88% of the miR-379/miR-656 cluster (C14MC) miRNAs were downregulated in three sub-types of diffuse gliomas, which was also corroborated with analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) datasets. The miRNA expression levels decreased with increasing tumor grade, indicating this downregulation as an early event in gliomagenesis. Higher expression of the C14MC miRNAs significantly improved glioblastioma prognosis (Pearson’s r = 0.62; p < 3.08e-22). ENCODE meta-data analysis, followed by reporter assays validated existence of two novel internal regulators within C14MC. CRISPR activation of the most efficient internal regulator specifically induced members of the downstream miRNA sub-cluster and apoptosis in glioblastoma cells. Luciferase assays validated novel targets for miR-134 and miR-485-5p, two miRNAs from C14MC with the most number of target genes relevant for glioma. Overexpression of miR-134 and miR-485-5p in human glioblastoma cells suppressed invasion and proliferation, respectively. Furthermore, apoptosis was induced by both miRs, individually and in combination. The results emphasize the tumor suppressive role of C14MC in diffuse gliomas, and identifies two specific miRNAs with potential therapeutic value and towards better disease management and therapy.
Rapid parallel evolution overcomes global honey bee parasite
Authors: Oddie Melissa , Büchler Ralph , Dahle Bjørn , Kovacic Marin , Le Conte Yves , Locke Barbara , de Miranda Joachim R. , Mondet Fanny , Neumann Peter 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn eusocial insect colonies nestmates cooperate to combat parasites, a trait called social immunity. However, social immunity failed for Western honey bees (Apis mellifera) when the ectoparasitic mite Varroa destructor switched hosts from Eastern honey bees (Apis cerana). This mite has since become the most severe threat to A. mellifera world-wide. Despite this, some isolated A. mellifera populations are known to survive infestations by means of natural selection, largely by supressing mite reproduction, but the underlying mechanisms of this are poorly understood. Here, we show that a cost-effective social immunity mechanism has evolved rapidly and independently in four naturally V. destructor-surviving A. mellifera populations. Worker bees of all four ‘surviving’ populations uncapped/recapped worker brood cells more frequently and targeted mite-infested cells more effectively than workers in local susceptible colonies. Direct experiments confirmed the ability of uncapping/recapping to reduce mite reproductive success without sacrificing nestmates. Our results provide striking evidence that honey bees can overcome exotic parasites with simple qualitative and quantitative adaptive shifts in behaviour. Due to rapid, parallel evolution in four host populations this appears to be a key mechanism explaining survival of mite infested colonies.
A Pulse-Biasing Small-Signal Measurement Technique Enabling 40 MHz Operation of Vertical Organic Transistors
Authors: Kheradmand-Boroujeni Bahman , Klinger Markus P. , Fischer Axel , Kleemann Hans , Leo Karl , Ellinger Frank 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOrganic/polymer transistors can enable the fabrication of large-area flexible circuits. However, these devices are inherently temperature sensitive due to the strong temperature dependence of charge carrier mobility, suffer from low thermal conductivity of plastic substrates, and are slow due to the low mobility and long channel length (L). Here we report a new, advanced characterization circuit that within around ten microseconds simultaneously applies an accurate large-signal pulse bias and a small-signal sinusoidal excitation to the transistor and measures many high-frequency parameters. This significantly reduces the self-heating and therefore provides data at a known junction temperature more accurate for fitting model parameters to the results, enables small-signal characterization over >10 times wider bias I–V range, with ~105 times less bias-stress effects. Fully thermally-evaporated vertical permeable-base transistors with physical L = 200 nm fabricated using C60 fullerene semiconductor are characterized. Intrinsic gain up to 35 dB, and record transit frequency (unity current-gain cutoff frequency, fT) of 40 MHz at 8.6 V are achieved. Interestingly, no saturation in fT − I and transconductance (gm − I) is observed at high currents. This paves the way for the integration of high-frequency functionalities into organic circuits, such as long-distance wireless communication and switching power converters.
Urinary polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon metabolites and adult asthma: a case-control study
Authors: Huang Xiji , Zhou Yun , Cui Xiuqing , Wu Xiaojie , Yuan Jing , Xie Jungang , Chen Weihong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPolycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) exposure was reported to be associated with childhood asthma. However, the quantitative relationship between PAHs exposure and adult asthma and possible inflammatory pathways are less clear. We aimed to investigate potential associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and adult asthma. We enrolled 507 adult asthma cases and 536 matched controls. The concentrations of 12 urinary PAHs metabolites and plasma cytokines of interleukin (IL)-9 and eotaxin were measured. Potential associations between urinary PAHs metabolites and adult asthma were analyzed by logistic regression. The relationships between urinary PAHs metabolites and plasma cytokines were determined by generalized linear regression. After adjusted for covariates, each 1-unit-increase in natural log-transformed concentrations of 2-hydroxyfluorene (2-OHFLU), 4- hydroxyphenanthrene (4-OHPHE), 1-OHPHE, 2-OHPHE, 1-Hydroxypyrene (1-OHPYR) and ∑OH-PAHs were significantly associated with elevated risk of adult asthma with odds ratios of 2.04, 2.38, 2.04, 1.26, 2.35 and 1.34, respectively. And the associations were more pronounced in the subjects who were female, younger than 45 years, smoker and had history of occupational dust exposure. No associations were observed between urinary PAHs metabolites levels and expressions of IL-9 and eotaxin. Our results demonstrated that elevated urinary PAHs metabolites levels were associated with increased risk of asthma in adults.