bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unusual magnetic field-dependence of a possible hidden order phase
Authors: Calegari Eleonir João , Magalhaes Sergio Garcia , Riseborough Peter S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractURu2Si2 exhibits a second-order phase transition at 17.5 K. Initially it was thought that the transition was to a spin density wave phase, however, subsequent measurements do not support this assignment. Despite the unknown nature of the order parameter, many experimental results can be described in terms of the formation of a generic density wave. Here, we report calculations on an unusual phase of the underscreened Anderson lattice model, the so called spin-dependent inter-orbital density wave that has been proposed as describing the “hidden order” phase of URu2Si2. We determine the effects of an applied magnetic field. Since the order parameter describes an ordering in the x–y plane, the electronic properties of the system are anisotropic below the critical temperature THO. We show that the magnetic susceptibility becomes anisotropic below THO. Furthermore, for fields applied along a spontaneously chosen hard axis, THO decreases towards zero and that the HO transition changes from second order to first order at a large value of the magnetic field. Also, we find that the system undergoes a cascade of field-induced Lifshitz transitions and also show how these properties originate from the dependence of the quasi-particle bands on the orientation of the applied field. The good qualitative agreement with experimental findings provides strong support for the proposed description of the HO phase as a spin-dependent inter-orbital density wave phase.
Epigenetic analysis confirms no accelerated brain aging in schizophrenia
Authors: Voisey Joanne , Lawford Bruce R. , Morris C. Phillip , Wockner Leesa F. , Noble Ernest P. , Young Ross McD , Mehta Divya 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEpigenetic aging is associated with several biological mechanisms and diseases. We assessed two brain data sets, one small (n = 48) and one large (n = 392), to test epigenetic aging in schizophrenia. DNA methylation age from frontal cortex was significantly correlated with chronological age but no significant differences in DNA methylation age acceleration between schizophrenia cases and controls were observed in both data sets. Our results were consistent with a previous study investigating schizophrenia and epigenetic aging in superior temporal gyrus. Future studies targeting different brain regions and defined cell types are warranted to further investigate accelerated brain aging in schizophrenia.
The method of educational assessment affects children’s neural processing and performance: behavioural and fMRI Evidence
Authors: Howard Steven J. , Burianová Hana , Calleia Alysha , Fynes-Clinton Samuel , Kervin Lisa , Bokosmaty Sahar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStandardised educational assessments are now widespread, yet their development has given comparatively more consideration to what to assess than how to optimally assess students’ competencies. Existing evidence from behavioural studies with children and neuroscience studies with adults suggest that the method of assessment may affect neural processing and performance, but current evidence remains limited. To investigate the impact of assessment methods on neural processing and performance in young children, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging to identify and quantify the neural correlates during performance across a range of current approaches to standardised spelling assessment. Results indicated that children’s test performance declined as the cognitive load of assessment method increased. Activation of neural nodes associated with working memory further suggests that this performance decline may be a consequence of a higher cognitive load, rather than the complexity of the content. These findings provide insights into principles of assessment (re)design, to ensure assessment results are an accurate reflection of students’ true levels of competency.
Taxonomic and functional shifts in the beech rhizosphere microbiome across a natural soil toposequence
Authors: Colin Y. , Nicolitch O. , Van Nostrand J. D. , Zhou J. Z. , Turpault M.-P. , Uroz S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIt has been rarely questioned as to whether the enrichment of specific bacterial taxa found in the rhizosphere of a given plant species changes with different soil types under field conditions and under similar climatic conditions. Understanding tree microbiome interactions is essential because, in contrast to annual plants, tree species require decades to grow and strongly depend on the nutritive resources of the soil. In this context, we tested using a natural toposequence the hypothesis that beech trees select specific taxa and functions in their rhizosphere based on the soil conditions and their nutritive requirements. Our 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing analyses revealed that the soil type determines the taxa colonizing the beech rhizosphere. A rhizosphere effect was observed in each soil type, but a stronger effect was observed in the nutrient-poor soils. Although the communities varied significantly across the toposequence, we identified a core beech rhizosphere microbiome. Functionally, GeoChip analyses showed a functional redundancy across the toposequence, with genes related to nutrient cycling and to the bacterial immune system being significantly enriched in the rhizosphere. Altogether, the data suggest that, regardless of the soil conditions, trees enrich variable bacterial communities to maintain the functions necessary for their nutrition.
The emergence of altruism as a social norm
Authors: Pereda María , Brañas-Garza Pablo , Rodríguez-Lara Ismael , Sánchez Angel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractExpectations, exerting influence through social norms, are a very strong candidate to explain how complex societies function. In the Dictator game (DG), people expect generous behavior from others even if they cannot enforce any sharing of the pie. Here we assume that people donate following their expectations, and that they update their expectations after playing a DG by reinforcement learning to construct a model that explains the main experimental results in the DG. Full agreement with the experimental results is reached when some degree of mismatch between expectations and donations is added into the model. These results are robust against the presence of envious agents, but affected if we introduce selfish agents that do not update their expectations. Our results point to social norms being on the basis of the generous behavior observed in the DG and also to the wide applicability of reinforcement learning to explain many strategic interactions.
HuR-targeted small molecule inhibitor exhibits cytotoxicity towards human lung cancer cells
Authors: Muralidharan Ranganayaki , Mehta Meghna , Ahmed Rebaz , Roy Sudeshna , Xu Liang , Aubé Jeffrey , Chen Allshine , Zhao Yan Daniel , Herman Terence , Ramesh Rajagopal , Munshi Anupama 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHuman antigen (Hu) R is an RNA-binding protein whose overexpression in human cancer correlates with aggressive disease, drug resistance, and poor prognosis. HuR inhibition has profound anticancer activity. Pharmacologic inhibitors can overcome the limitations of genetic inhibition. In this study, we examined the antitumor activity of CMLD-2, a small-molecule inhibitor directed against HuR, using non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as a model. CMLD-2 efficacy was testedin vitrousing H1299, A549, HCC827, and H1975 NSCLC cells and MRC-9 and CCD-16 normal human fibroblasts. Treatment of NSCLC cells with CMLD-2 produced dose-dependent cytotoxicity, caused a G1 phase cell-cycle arrest and induced apoptosis. CMLD-2 decreased HuR mRNA and the mRNAs of HuR-regulated proteins (Bcl2 and p27) in tumor cells. Additionally, reduction in the expression of HuR, Bcl2, cyclin E, and Bcl-XL with increased expression of Bax and p27 in CMLD-2-treated NSCLC cells were observed. CMLD-2-treated normal cells, HuR-regulated mRNAs and proteins albeit showed some reduction were less compared to tumor cells. Finally, CMLD-2 treatment resulted in greater mitochondrial perturbation, activation of caspase-9 and -3 and cleavage of PARP in tumor cells compared to normal cells. Our proof-of concept study results demonstrate CMLD-2 represents a promising HuR-targeted therapeutic class that with further development could lead to advanced preclinical studied and ultimately for lung cancer treatment.
Human eyes with dilated pupils induce pupillary contagion in infants
Authors: Fawcett Christine , Arslan Melda , Falck-Ytter Terje , Roeyers Herbert , Gredebäck Gustaf 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBeing sensitive and responsive to others’ internal states is critical for social life. One reliable cue to what others might be feeling is pupil dilation because it is linked to increases in arousal. When adults view an individual with dilated pupils, their pupils dilate in response, suggesting not only sensitivity to pupil size, but a corresponding response as well. However, little is known about the origins or mechanism underlying this phenomenon of pupillary contagion. Here we show that 4- to 6-month-old infants show pupillary contagion when viewing photographs of eyes with varying pupil sizes: their pupils dilate in response to others’ large, but not small or medium pupils. The results suggest that pupillary contagion is likely driven by a transfer of arousal and that it is present very early in life in human infants, supporting the view that it could be an adaptation fundamental for social and emotional development.
Association of monoamine oxidase-A genetic variants and amygdala morphology in violent offenders with antisocial personality disorder and high psychopathic traits
Authors: Kolla Nathan J. , Patel Raihaan , Meyer Jeffrey H. , Chakravarty M. Mallar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractViolent offending is elevated among individuals with antisocial personality disorder (ASPD) and high psychopathic traits (PP). Morphological abnormalities of the amygdala and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) are present in violent offenders, which may relate to the violence enacted by ASPD + PP. Among healthy males, monoamine oxidase-A (MAO-A) genetic variants linked to low in vitro transcription (MAOA-L) are associated with structural abnormalities of the amygdala and OFC. However, it is currently unknown whether amygdala and OFC morphology in ASPD relate to MAO-A genetic polymorphisms. We studied 18 ASPD males with a history of violent offending and 20 healthy male controls. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral leukocytes to determine MAO-A genetic polymorphisms. Subjects underwent a T1-weighted MRI anatomical brain scan that provided vertex-wise measures of amygdala shape and surface area and OFC cortical thickness. We found that ASPD + PP subjects with MAOA-L exhibited decreased surface area in the right basolateral amygdala nucleus and increased surface area in the right anterior cortical amygdaloid nucleus versus healthy MAOA-L carriers. This study is the first to describe genotype-related morphological differences of the amygdala in a population marked by high aggression. Deficits in emotional regulation that contribute to the violence of ASPD + PP may relate to morphological changes of the amygdala under genetic control.
Atmospheric deposition, CO2, and change in the land carbon sink
Authors: Fernández-Martínez M. , Vicca S. , Janssens I. A. , Ciais P. , Obersteiner M. , Bartrons M. , Sardans J. , Verger A. , Canadell J. G. , Chevallier F. , Wang X. , Bernhofer C. , Curtis P. S. , Gianelle D. , Grünwald T. , Heinesch B. , Ibrom A. , Knohl A. , Laurila T. , Law B. E. , Limousin J. M. , Longdoz B. , Loustau D. , Mammarella I. , Matteucci G. , Monson R. K. , Montagnani L. , Moors E. J. , Munger J. W. , Papale D. , Piao S. L. , Peñuelas J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConcentrations of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) have continued to increase whereas atmospheric deposition of sulphur and nitrogen has declined in Europe and the USA during recent decades. Using time series of flux observations from 23 forests distributed throughout Europe and the USA, and generalised mixed models, we found that forest-level net ecosystem production and gross primary production have increased by 1% annually from 1995 to 2011. Statistical models indicated that increasing atmospheric CO2 was the most important factor driving the increasing strength of carbon sinks in these forests. We also found that the reduction of sulphur deposition in Europe and the USA lead to higher recovery in ecosystem respiration than in gross primary production, thus limiting the increase of carbon sequestration. By contrast, trends in climate and nitrogen deposition did not significantly contribute to changing carbon fluxes during the studied period. Our findings support the hypothesis of a general CO2-fertilization effect on vegetation growth and suggest that, so far unknown, sulphur deposition plays a significant role in the carbon balance of forests in industrialized regions. Our results show the need to include the effects of changing atmospheric composition, beyond CO2, to assess future dynamics of carbon-climate feedbacks not currently considered in earth system/climate modelling.
Honey-based hydrogel: In vitro and comparative In vivo evaluation for burn wound healing
Authors: El-Kased Reham F. , Amer Reham I. , Attia Dalia , Elmazar M. M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHoney was used to treat wounds since ancient times till nowadays. The present study aimed at preparing a honey-based hydrogel and assay its antimicrobial properties and wound healing activity; in-vitro and in-vivo. Topical honey hydrogel formulations were prepared using three honey concentrations with gelling agents; chitosan and carbopol 934. The prepared formulae were evaluated for pH, spreadability, swelling index, in-vitro release and antimicrobial activity. The pH and spreadability were in the range of 4.3–6.8 and 5.7–8.6 cm, respectively. Chitosan-based hydrogel showed higher in-vitro honey release with diffusional exponent ‘n ≤ 0.5 indicates Fickian diffusion mechanism. Hydrogel formulae were assessed for in-vitro antimicrobial activity using Disc Diffusion antibiotic sensitivity test against common burn infections bacteria; Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Klebsiella pneumonia and Streptococcus pyogenes. The 75% honey-chitosan hydrogel showed highest antimicrobial activity. This formula was tested for in-vivo burn healing using burn-induced wounds in mice. The formula was evaluated for burn healing and antibacterial activities compared to commercial product. 75% honey-chitosan hydrogel was found to possess highest healing rate of burns. The present study concludes that 75% honey-chitosan hydrogel possesses greater wound healing activity compared to commercial preparation and could be safely used as an effective natural topical wound healing treatment.
The diagnostic and prognostic value of interleukin-6 in patients with soft tissue sarcomas
Authors: Hagi Tomohito , Nakamura Tomoki , Iino Takahiro , Matsubara Takao , Asanuma Kunihiro , Matsumine Akihiko , Sudo Akihiro 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe presence of systemic inflammation has been reported to be associated with poor prognosis in patients with soft tissue sarcoma (STS). The cytokine interleukin-6 (IL-6) has pleiotropic effects on various cell types in the tumor microenvironment. The aim of the present study was to determine whether serum IL-6 levels could be useful to assume the differentiation of benign soft tissue tumors from STS and to investigate the possible value of IL-6 for survival and oncological events in patients with STS. The medical records of 99 patients who underwent surgical resection were retrospectively reviewed. Serum IL-6 levels (median: 9.04 pg/ml) in patients with STS were statistically higher than those (3.31 pg/ml) in patients with benign soft tissue tumors. Our analyses confirmed that tumor size and IL-6 level were significant predictors of STS diagnosis. Next, we examined the relationship between IL-6 levels and survival in the 59 patients with STS. C-reactive protein levels, hemoglobin levels, and tumor grade were strongly correlated with IL-6 levels. Tumor grade and IL-6 level remained significant factors for survival and event-free survival. We suggest that measurement of IL-6 levels may be a useful method for identifying patients who are at a high risk of STS and tumor-related death.
Surface PD-L1, E-cadherin, CD24, and VEGFR2 as markers of epithelial cancer stem cells associated with rapid tumorigenesis
Authors: Jinesh Goodwin G. , Manyam Ganiraju C. , Mmeje Chinedu O. , Baggerly Keith A. , Kamat Ashish M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCancer cells require both migratory and tumorigenic property to establish metastatic tumors outside the primary microenvironment. Identifying the characteristic features of migratory cancer stem cells with tumorigenic property is important to predict patient prognosis and combat metastasis. Here we established one epithelial and two mesenchymal cell lines from ascites of a bladder cancer patient (i.e. cells already migrated outside primary tumor). Analyses of these cell lines demonstrated that the epithelial cells with surface expression of PD-L1, E-cadherin, CD24, and VEGFR2 rapidly formed tumors outside the primary tumor microenvironment in nude mice, exhibited signatures of immune evasion, increased stemness, increased calcium signaling, transformation, and novel E-cadherin–RalBP1 interaction. The mesenchymal cells on the other hand, exhibited constitutive TGF-β signaling and were less tumorigenic. Hence, targeting epithelial cancer stem cells with rapid tumorigenesis signatures in future might help to combat metastasis.
Prion protein facilitates retinal iron uptake and is cleaved at the β-site: Implications for retinal iron homeostasis in prion disorders
Authors: Asthana Abhishek , Baksi Shounak , Ashok Ajay , Karmakar Shilpita , Mammadova Najiba , Kokemuller Robyn , Greenlee Mary Heather , Kong Qingzhong , Singh Neena 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPrion disease-associated retinal degeneration is attributed to PrP-scrapie (PrPSc), a misfolded isoform of prion protein (PrPC) that accumulates in the neuroretina. However, a lack of temporal and spatial correlation between PrPScand cytotoxicity suggests the contribution of host factors. We report retinal iron dyshomeostasis as one such factor. PrPCis expressed on the basolateral membrane of retinal-pigment-epithelial (RPE) cells, where it mediates uptake of iron by the neuroretina. Accordingly, the neuroretina of PrP-knock-out mice is iron-deficient. In RPE19 cells, silencing of PrPCdecreases ferritin while over-expression upregulates ferritin and divalent-metal-transporter-1 (DMT-1), indicating PrPC-mediated iron uptake through DMT-1. Polarization of RPE19 cells results in upregulation of ferritin by ~10-fold and β-cleavage of PrPC, the latter likely to block further uptake of iron due to cleavage of the ferrireductase domain. A similar β-cleavage of PrPCis observed in mouse retinal lysates. Scrapie infection causes PrPScaccumulation and microglial activation, and surprisingly, upregulation of transferrin despite increased levels of ferritin. Notably, detergent-insoluble ferritin accumulates in RPE cells and correlates temporally with microglial activation, not PrPScaccumulation, suggesting that impaired uptake of iron by PrPSccombined with inflammation results in retinal iron-dyshomeostasis, a potentially toxic host response contributing to prion disease-associated pathology.
Electron work function – a probe for interfacial diagnosis
Authors: Li D. Y. , Guo Liqiu , Li Lei , Lu Hao 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA poor interface or defected interfacial segment may trigger interfacial cracking, loss of physical and mechanical functions, and eventual failure of entire material system. Here we show a novel method to diagnose local interphase boundary based on interfacial electron work function (EWF) and its gradient across the interface, which can be analyzed using a nano-Kelvin probe with atomic force microscope. It is demonstrated that a strong interface has its electron work function gradually changed across the interface, while a weaker one shows a steeper change in EWF across the interface. Both experimental and theoretical analyses show that the interfacial work function gradient is a measure of the interaction between two sides of the interface. The effectiveness of this method is demonstrated by analyzing sample metal-metal and metal-ceramic interfaces.
Excessive spinal glutamate transmission is involved in oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia: a possibility for riluzole as a prophylactic drug
Authors: Yamamoto Shota , Ushio Soichiro , Egashira Nobuaki , Kawashiri Takehiro , Mitsuyasu Shohei , Higuchi Hitomi , Ozawa Nana , Masuguchi Ken , Ono Yuko , Masuda Satohiro 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOxaliplatin, a chemotherapy medication, causes severe peripheral neuropathy. Although oxaliplatin-induced peripheral neuropathy is a dose-limiting toxicity, a therapeutic strategy against its effects has not been established. We previously reported the involvement of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors and their intracellular signalling pathway in oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia in rats. The aim of this study was to clarify the involvement of spinal glutamate transmission in oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia. In vivo spinal microdialysis revealed that the baseline glutamate concentration was elevated in oxaliplatin-treated rats, and that mechanical stimulation of the hind paw markedly increased extracellular glutamate concentration in the same rats. In these rats, the expression of glutamate transporter 1 (GLT-1), which plays a major role in glutamate uptake, was decreased in the spinal cord. Moreover, we explored the potential of pharmacological therapy targeting maintenance of extracellular glutamate homeostasis. The administration of riluzole, an approved drug for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, suppressed the increase of glutamate concentration, the decrease of GLT-1 expression and the development of mechanical allodynia. These results suggest that oxaliplatin disrupts the extracellular glutamate homeostasis in the spinal cord, which may result in neuropathic symptoms, and support the use of riluzole for prophylaxis of oxaliplatin-induced mechanical allodynia.
The Multi Domain Caldicellulosiruptor bescii CelA Cellulase Excels at the Hydrolysis of Crystalline Cellulose
Authors: Brunecky Roman , Donohoe Bryon S. , Yarbrough John M. , Mittal Ashutosh , Scott Brian R. , Ding Hanshu , Taylor II Larry E. , Russell Jordan F. , Chung Daehwan , Westpheling Janet , Teter Sarah A. , Himmel Michael E. , Bomble Yannick J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe crystalline nature of cellulose microfibrils is one of the key factors influencing biomass recalcitrance which is a key technical and economic barrier to overcome to make cellulosic biofuels a commercial reality. To date, all known fungal enzymes tested have great difficulty degrading highly crystalline cellulosic substrates. We have demonstrated that the CelA cellulase from Caldicellulosiruptor bescii degrades highly crystalline cellulose as well as low crystallinity substrates making it the only known cellulase to function well on highly crystalline cellulose. Unlike the secretomes of cellulolytic fungi, which typically comprise multiple, single catalytic domain enzymes for biomass degradation, some bacterial systems employ an alternative strategy that utilizes multi-catalytic domain cellulases. Additionally, CelA is extremely thermostable and highly active at elevated temperatures, unlike commercial fungal cellulases. Furthermore we have determined that the factors negatively affecting digestion of lignocellulosic materials by C. bescii enzyme cocktails containing CelA appear to be significantly different from the performance barriers affecting fungal cellulases. Here, we explore the activity and degradation mechanism of CelA on a variety of pretreated substrates to better understand how the different bulk components of biomass, such as xylan and lignin, impact its performance.