bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Unravelling the hidden link of lithium halides and application in the synthesis of organocuprates
Authors: Yi Hong , Yang Dali , Xin Jie , Qi Xiaotian , Lan Yu , Deng Yi , Pao Chih-Wen , Lee Jyh-Fu , Lei Aiwen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAs a versatile metal, copper has demonstrated a wide application in acting as both organometallic reagent and catalyst. Organocuprates are among the most used organometallic reagents in the formation of new carbon–carbon bonds in organic synthesis. Therefore, revealing the real structures of organocuprates in solution is crucial to provide insights into the reactivity of organocuprates. Here we provide several important insights into organocuprate chemistry. The main finding contains the following aspects. The Cu(0) particles were detected via the reduction of CuX by nBuLi or PhLi. The Cu(II) precursors CuX2 (X=Cl, Br) could be used for the preparation of Gilman reagents. In addition, we provide direct evidence for the role and effect of LiX in organocuprate synthesis. Moreover, the EXAFS spectrum provides direct evidence for the exact structure of Li+ CuX2− ate complex in solution. This work not only sheds important light on the role of LiX in the formation of organocuprates but also reports two new routes for organocuprate synthesis.
H3 ubiquitination by NEDD4 regulates H3 acetylation and tumorigenesis
Authors: Zhang Xian , Li Binkui , Rezaeian Abdol Hossein , Xu Xiaohong , Chou Ping-Chieh , Jin Guoxiang , Han Fei , Pan Bo-Syong , Wang Chi-Yun , Long Jie , Zhang Anmei , Huang Chih-Yang , Tsai Fuu-Jen , Tsai Chang-Hai , Logothetis Christopher , Lin Hui-Kuan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDynamic changes in histone modifications under various physiological cues play important roles in gene transcription and cancer. Identification of new histone marks critical for cancer development is of particular importance. Here we show that, in a glucose-dependent manner, E3 ubiquitin ligase NEDD4 ubiquitinates histone H3 on lysine 23/36/37 residues, which specifically recruits histone acetyltransferase GCN5 for subsequent H3 acetylation. Genome-wide analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing reveals that NEDD4 regulates glucose-induced H3 K9 acetylation at transcription starting site and enhancer regions. Integrative analysis of ChIP-seq and microarray data sets also reveals a consistent role of NEDD4 in transcription activation and H3 K9 acetylation in response to glucose. Functionally, we show that NEDD4-mediated H3 ubiquitination, by transcriptionally activating IL1α, IL1β and GCLM, is important for tumour sphere formation. Together, our study reveals the mechanism for glucose-induced transcriptome reprograming and epigenetic regulation in cancer by inducing NEDD4-dependent H3 ubiquitination.
Mycophagous rove beetles highlight diverse mushrooms in the Cretaceous
Authors: Cai Chenyang , Leschen Richard A. B. , Hibbett David S , Xia Fangyuan , Huang Diying 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAgaricomycetes, or mushrooms, are familiar, conspicuous and morphologically diverse Fungi. Most Agaricomycete fruiting bodies are ephemeral, and their fossil record is limited. Here we report diverse gilled mushrooms (Agaricales) and mycophagous rove beetles (Staphylinidae) from mid-Cretaceous Burmese amber, the latter belonging to Oxyporinae, modern members of which exhibit an obligate association with soft-textured mushrooms. The discovery of four mushroom forms, most with a complete intact cap containing distinct gills and a stalk, suggests evolutionary stasis of body form for ∼99 Myr and highlights the palaeodiversity of Agaricomycetes. The mouthparts of early oxyporines, including enlarged mandibles and greatly enlarged apical labial palpomeres with dense specialized sensory organs, match those of modern taxa and suggest that they had a mushroom feeding biology. Diverse and morphologically specialized oxyporines from the Early Cretaceous suggests the existence of diverse Agaricomycetes and a specialized trophic interaction and ecological community structure by this early date.
Natural killer cell activation contributes to hepatitis B viral control in a mouse model
Authors: Tong Shiwen , Liu Guangze , Li Minghong , Li Xiumei , Liu Qian , Peng Hong , Li Shiying , Ren Hong , Yin Wenwei 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe roles of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection have been well documented. However, the role of innate immunity in HBV infection remains obscure. Here we examined the effect of activation of innate immunity by polyinosinic: polycytidylic acid (PolyI:C) on HBV infection. A chronic HBV replication mouse model was established by hydrodynamical injection of pAAV/HBV1.2 plasmid into C57BL/6 mice. We found that HBV did not seem to induce an active NK-cell response in the mouse model. Early PolyI:C treatment markedly decreased serum HBV levels and led to HBV clearance. Following PolyI:C injection, NK cells were activated and accumulated in the liver. Depletion of NK cells markedly attenuated the anti-HBV activity of PolyI:C. Moreover, we found that IFN-γ production from NK cells was essential for the antiviral effect of PolyI:C in the model. Importantly, activation of NK cells by PolyI:C could also lead to HBV suppression in HBV-tolerant mice and HBV-transgenic mice. These results suggest that activated NK cells might suppress HBV and contribute to HBV clearance during natural HBV infection. In addition, therapeutic activation of NK cells may represent a new strategy for the treatment of chronic HBV infection.
Hyperosmolarity impedes the cross-priming competence of dendritic cells in a TRIF-dependent manner
Authors: Popovic Zoran V. , Embgenbroich Maria , Chessa Federica , Nordström Viola , Bonrouhi Mahnaz , Hielscher Thomas , Gretz Norbert , Wang Shijun , Mathow Daniel , Quast Thomas , Schloetel Jan-Gero , Kolanus Waldemar , Burgdorf Sven , Gröne Hermann-Josef 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTissue osmolarity varies among different organs and can be considerably increased under pathologic conditions. Hyperosmolarity has been associated with altered stimulatory properties of immune cells, especially macrophages and dendritic cells. We have recently reported that dendritic cells upon exposure to hypertonic stimuli shift their profile towards a macrophage-M2-like phenotype, resulting in attenuated local alloreactivity during acute kidney graft rejection. Here, we examined how hyperosmotic microenvironment affects the cross-priming capacity of dendritic cells. Using ovalbumin as model antigen, we showed that exposure of dendritic cells to hyperosmolarity strongly inhibits activation of antigen-specific T cells despite enhancement of antigen uptake, processing and presentation. We identified TRIF as key mediator of this phenomenon. Moreover, we detected a hyperosmolarity-triggered, TRIF-dependent clustering of MHCI loaded with the ovalbumin-derived epitope, but not of overall MHCI molecules, providing a possible explanation for a reduced T cell activation. Our findings identify dendritic cells as important players in hyperosmolarity-mediated immune imbalance and provide evidence for a novel pathway of inhibition of antigen specific CD8+ T cell response in a hypertonic micromilieu.
Post-treatment with Ma-Huang-Tang ameliorates cold-warm-cycles induced rat lung injury
Authors: Xiao Meng-Meng , Pan Chun-Shui , Liu Yu-Ying , Ma Li-Qian , Yan Li , Fan Jing-Yu , Wang Chuan-She , Huang Rong , Han Jing-Yan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFrequent and drastic ambient temperature variation may cause respiratory diseases such as common cold and pneumonia, the mechanism for which is not fully understood, however, due to lack of appropriate animal models. Ma-Huang-Tang (MHT) is widely used in China for treatment of respiratory diseases. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of MHT on temperature alternation induced rat lung injury and explore underlying mechanisms. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to a cold environment for 1 h and then shifted to a warm environment for 30 min. This cold and warm alteration cycled 4 times. Rats were administrated with MHT (1.87 g/kg) by gavage 6 h after cold-warm-cycles. Cold-warm-cycles induced pulmonary microcirculatory disorders, lung edema and injury, decrease in the expression of tight junction proteins, increase in VE-cadherin activation, increase in the expression and activation of Caveolin-1, Src and NF-κB, and NADPH oxidase subunits p47phox, p40phox and p67phox membrane translocation and inflammatory cytokines production. All alterations were significantly ameliorated by post-treatment with MHT. This study showed that rats subjected to cold-warm-cycles may be used as an animal model to investigate ambient temperature variation-induced lung injury, and suggested MHT as a potential strategy to combat lung injury induced by temperature variation.
Cholesterol attenuates cytoprotective effects of phosphatidylcholine against bile salts
Authors: Ikeda Yoshito , Morita Shin-ya , Terada Tomohiro 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBile salts have potent detergent properties and damaging effects on cell membranes, leading to liver injury. However, the molecular mechanisms for the protection of hepatocytes against bile salts are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrated that the cytotoxicity of nine human major bile salts to HepG2 cells and primary human hepatocytes was prevented by phosphatidylcholine (PC). In contrast, cholesterol had no direct cytotoxic effects but suppressed the cytoprotective effects of PC. PC reduced the cell-association of bile salt, which was reversed by cholesterol. Light scattering measurements and gel filtration chromatography revealed that cholesterol within bile salt/PC dispersions decreased mixed micelles but increased vesicles, bile salt simple micelles and monomers. These results suggest that cholesterol attenuates the cytoprotective effects of PC against bile salts by facilitating the formation of bile salt simple micelles and monomers. Therefore, biliary PC and cholesterol may play different roles in the pathogenesis of bile salt-induced liver injury.
Imbalance between TNFα and progranulin contributes to memory impairment and anxiety in sleep-deprived mice
Authors: Zhang Kun , Li Yu-jiao , Feng Dan , Zhang Peng , Wang Ya-tao , Li Xiang , Liu Shui-bing , Wu Yu-mei , Zhao Ming-gao 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSleep disorder is becoming a widespread problem in current society, and is associated with impaired cognition and emotional disorders. Progranulin (PGRN), also known as granulin epithelin precursor, promotes neurite outgrowth and cell survival, and is encoded by the GRN gene. It is a tumor necrosis factor α receptor (TNFR) ligand which is implicated in many central nervous system diseases. However, the role PGRN in sleep disorder remains unclear. In the present study, we found that sleep deprivation (S-DEP) impaired the memory and produced thigmotaxis/anxiety-like behaviors in mice. S-DEP increased the levels of TNFα but decreased PGRN levels in the hippocampus. The intracerebroventricular (ICV) injection of PGRN or intraperitoneal injection of TNFα synthesis blocker thalidomide (25 mg/kg), prevented the memory impairment and anxiety behaviors induced by S-DEP. PGRN treatment also restored dendritic spine density in the hippocampus CA1 region and neurogenesis in hippocampus dentate gyrus (DG). These results indicate that an imbalance between TNFα and PGRN contributes to memory impairment and thigmotaxis/anxiety caused by sleep deprivation.
Universality and critical behavior of the dynamical Mott transition in a system with long-range interactions
Authors: Rademaker Louk , Vinokur Valerii M. , Galda Alexey 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe study numerically the voltage-induced breakdown of a Mott insulating phase in a system of charged classical particles with long-range interactions. At half-filling on a square lattice this system exhibits Mott localization in the form of a checkerboard pattern. We find universal scaling behavior of the current at the dynamic Mott insulator-metal transition and calculate scaling exponents corresponding to the transition. Our results are in agreement, up to a difference in universality class, with recent experimental evidence of a dynamic Mott transition in a system of interacting superconducting vortices.
Extracellular α-synuclein induces sphingosine 1-phosphate receptor subtype 1 uncoupled from inhibitory G-protein leaving β-arrestin signal intact
Authors: Zhang Lifang , Okada Taro , Badawy Shaymaa Mohamed Mohamed , Hirai Chihoko , Kajimoto Taketoshi , Nakamura Shun-ichi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder. The presence of α-synuclein (α-Syn)-positive intracytoplasmic inclusions, known as Lewy bodies, is the cytopathological hallmark of PD. Increasing bodies of evidence suggest that cell-to-cell transmission of α-Syn plays a role in the progression of PD. Although extracellular α-Syn is known to cause abnormal cell motility, the precise mechanism remains elusive. Here we show that impairment of platelet-derived growth factor-induced cell motility caused by extracellular α-Syn is mainly attributed to selective inhibition of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) signalling. Treatment of human neuroblastoma cells with recombinant α-Syn caused S1P type 1 (S1P1) receptor-selective uncoupling from inhibitory G-protein (Gi) as determined by both functional and fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET)-based structural analyses. By contrast, α-Syn caused little or no effect on S1P2receptor-mediated signalling. Both wild-type and α-Syn(A53T), a mutant found in familiar PD, caused uncoupling of S1P1receptor, although α-Syn(A53T) showed stronger potency in uncoupling. Moreover, S1P1receptor-mediated β-arrestin signal was unaltered by α-Syn(A53T). These results suggest that exogenous α-Syn modulates S1P1receptor-mediated signalling from both Gi and β-arrestin signals into β-arrestin-biased signal. These findings uncovered a novel function of exogenous α-Syn in the cells.
Brucella spp. of amphibians comprise genomically diverse motile strains competent for replication in macrophages and survival in mammalian hosts
Authors: Al Dahouk Sascha , Köhler Stephan , Occhialini Alessandra , Jiménez de Bagüés María Pilar , Hammerl Jens Andre , Eisenberg Tobias , Vergnaud Gilles , Cloeckaert Axel , Zygmunt Michel S. , Whatmore Adrian M. , Melzer Falk , Drees Kevin P. , Foster Jeffrey T. , Wattam Alice R. , Scholz Holger C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTwenty-one small Gram-negative motile coccobacilli were isolated from 15 systemically diseased African bullfrogs (Pyxicephalus edulis), and were initially identified as Ochrobactrum anthropi by standard microbiological identification systems. Phylogenetic reconstructions using combined molecular analyses and comparative whole genome analysis of the most diverse of the bullfrog strains verified affiliation with the genus Brucella and placed the isolates in a cluster containing B. inopinata and the other non-classical Brucella species but also revealed significant genetic differences within the group. Four representative but molecularly and phenotypically diverse strains were used for in vitro and in vivo infection experiments. All readily multiplied in macrophage-like murine J774-cells, and their overall intramacrophagic growth rate was comparable to that of B. inopinata BO1 and slightly higher than that of B. microti CCM 4915. In the BALB/c murine model of infection these strains replicated in both spleen and liver, but were less efficient than B. suis 1330. Some strains survived in the mammalian host for up to 12 weeks. The heterogeneity of these novel strains hampers a single species description but their phenotypic and genetic features suggest that they represent an evolutionary link between a soil-associated ancestor and the mammalian host-adapted pathogenic Brucella species.
Biogenic silver nanoparticles based on trichoderma harzianum: synthesis, characterization, toxicity evaluation and biological activity
Authors: Guilger Mariana , Pasquoto-Stigliani Tatiane , Bilesky-Jose Natália , Grillo Renato , Abhilash P. C. , Fraceto Leonardo Fernandes , Lima Renata de 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWhite mold is an agricultural disease caused by the fungusSclerotinia sclerotiorum, which affects important crops. There are different ways of controlling this organism, but none provides inhibition of its resistance structures (sclerotia). Nanotechnology offers promising applications in agricultural area. Here, silver nanoparticles were biogenically synthesized using the fungusTrichoderma harzianumand characterized. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity were evaluated, and the nanoparticles were initially tested against white mold sclerotia. Their effects on soybean were also investigated with no effects observed. The nanoparticles showed potential againstS. sclerotiorum, inhibiting sclerotia germination and mycelial growth. Nanoparticle characterization data indicated spherical morphology, satisfactory polydispersity and size distribution. Cytotoxicity and genotoxicity assays showed that the nanoparticles caused both the effects, although, the most toxic concentrations were above those applied for white mold control. Given the potential of the nanoparticles againstS. sclerotiorum, we conclude that this study presents a first step for a new alternative in white mold control.
ThermoAlign: a genome-aware primer design tool for tiled amplicon resequencing
Authors: Francis Felix , Dumas Michael D. , Wisser Randall J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIsolating and sequencing specific regions in a genome is a cornerstone of molecular biology. This has been facilitated by computationally encoding the thermodynamics of DNA hybridization for automated design of hybridization and priming oligonucleotides. However, the repetitive composition of genomes challenges the identification of target-specific oligonucleotides, which limits genetics and genomics research on many species. Here, a tool called ThermoAlign was developed that ensures the design of target-specific primer pairs for DNA amplification. This is achieved by evaluating the thermodynamics of hybridization for full-length oligonucleotide-template alignments — thermoalignments — across the genome to identify primers predicted to bind specifically to the target site. For amplification-based resequencing of regions that cannot be amplified by a single primer pair, a directed graph analysis method is used to identify minimum amplicon tiling paths. Laboratory validation by standard and long-range polymerase chain reaction and amplicon resequencing with maize, one of the most repetitive genomes sequenced to date (≈85% repeat content), demonstrated the specificity-by-design functionality of ThermoAlign. ThermoAlign is released under an open source license and bundled in a dependency-free container for wide distribution. It is anticipated that this tool will facilitate multiple applications in genetics and genomics and be useful in the workflow of high-throughput targeted resequencing studies.
Reduced DNA methylation and psychopathology following endogenous hypercortisolism – a genome-wide study
Authors: Glad Camilla A. M. , Andersson-Assarsson Johanna C. , Berglund Peter , Bergthorsdottir Ragnhildur , Ragnarsson Oskar , Johannsson Gudmundur 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPatients with Cushing’s Syndrome (CS) in remission were used as a model to test the hypothesis that long-standing excessive cortisol exposure induces changes in DNA methylation that are associated with persisting neuropsychological consequences. Genome-wide DNA methylation was assessed in 48 women with CS in long-term remission (cases) and 16 controls matched for age, gender and education. The Fatigue impact scale and the comprehensive psychopathological rating scale were used to evaluate fatigue, depression and anxiety. Cases had lower average global DNA methylation than controls (81.2% vs 82.7%; p = 0.002). Four hundred and sixty-one differentially methylated regions, containing 3,246 probes mapping to 337 genes were identified. After adjustment for age and smoking, 731 probes in 236 genes were associated with psychopathology (fatigue, depression and/or anxiety). Twenty-four gene ontology terms were associated with psychopathology; terms related to retinoic acid receptor signalling were the most common (adjusted p = 0.0007). One gene in particular, COL11A2, was associated with fatigue following a false discovery rate correction. Our findings indicate that hypomethylation of FKBP5 and retinoic acid receptor related genes serve a potential mechanistic explanation for long-lasting GC-induced psychopathology.
A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red
Authors: Maes Thomas , Jessop Rebecca , Wellner Nikolaus , Haupt Karsten , Mayes Andrew G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA new approach is presented for analysis of microplastics in environmental samples, based on selective fluorescent staining using Nile Red (NR), followed by density-based extraction and filtration. The dye adsorbs onto plastic surfaces and renders them fluorescent when irradiated with blue light. Fluorescence emission is detected using simple photography through an orange filter. Image-analysis allows fluorescent particles to be identified and counted. Magnified images can be recorded and tiled to cover the whole filter area, allowing particles down to a few micrometres to be detected. The solvatochromic nature of Nile Red also offers the possibility of plastic categorisation based on surface polarity characteristics of identified particles. This article details the development of this staining method and its initial cross-validation by comparison with infrared (IR) microscopy. Microplastics of different sizes could be detected and counted in marine sediment samples. The fluorescence staining identified the same particles as those found by scanning a filter area with IR-microscopy.
Insights into early pig domestication provided by ancient DNA analysis
Authors: Caliebe Amke , Nebel Almut , Makarewicz Cheryl , Krawczak Michael , Krause-Kyora Ben 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPigs (Sus scrofa) were first domesticated between 8,500 and 8,000 cal BC in the Near East, from where they were subsequently brought into Europe by agriculturalists. Soon after the arrival of the first domestic pigs in northern Europe (~4500 BC), farmers are thought to have started to incorporate local wild boars into their swine herds. This husbandry strategy ultimately resulted in the domestication of European wild boars. Here, we set out to provide a more precise geographic and temporal framework of the early management of suid populations in northern Europe, drawing upon mitochondrial DNA haplotype data from 116 Neolithic Sus specimens. We developed a quantitative mathematical model tracing the haplotypes of the domestic pigs back to their most likely geographic origin. Our modelling results suggest that, between 5000 and 4000 BC, almost all matrilines in the north originated from domesticated animals from the south of central Europe. In the following period (4000–3000 BC), an estimated 78–100% of domesticates in the north were of northern matrilineal origin, largely from local wild boars. These findings point towards a dramatic change in suid management strategies taking place throughout south-central and northern Europe after 4000 BC.