bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serendipitous Discovery of a Guanine-rich DNA Molecule with a Highly Stable Structure in Urea
Authors: Zhang Wenqing , Liu Meng , Lee Christine , Salena Bruno J. , Li Yingfu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe have made an accidental discovery of an unusual, single-stranded, guanine-rich DNA molecule that is capable of adopting a folded structure in 7 M urea (7MU) known to denature nucleic acid structures. The folding of this molecule requires Na+ and Mg2+ and the folded structure remains stable when subjected to denaturing (7MU) polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Results from sequence mutagenesis, DNA methylation, and circular dichroism spectroscopy studies suggest that this molecule adopts an intramolecular guanine-quadruplex structure with 5 layers of guanine tetrads. Our finding indicates that DNA has the ability to create extremely stable structural folds despite its limited chemical repertoire, making it possible to develop DNA-based systems for unconventional applications.
Distribution of glycated haemoglobin and its determinants in Korean youth and young adults: a nationwide population-based study
Authors: Seo Ji-Young , Hwang Seung-sik , Kim Jae Hyun , Lee Young Ah , Lee Seong Yong , Shin Choong Ho , Yang Sei Won 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe present study aimed to describe the distribution of and to investigate the factors associated with glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) values in Korean youth (10–19 years old) and young adults (20–29 years old). Data from the Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011–2015) were used. A total of 6,418 participants (male 3,140 [53.2%]) aged 10–29 years were included in the analysis. Percentiles of HbA1c were calculated and HbA1c values were compared according to age, sex, and associated factors. The mean HbA1c values (% [mmol/mol]) were 5.42 ± 0.01 (35.7 ± 0.1) for youths and 5.32 ± 0.01 (34.7 ± 0.1) for young adults (P < 0.001). Male participants showed significantly higher HbA1c level than females (P < 0.001). When age was grouped into 5-year intervals, HbA1c was the highest in those aged 10–14 years and the lowest in those aged 20–24 years. After controlling for confounding variables, the HbA1c values of youths and male participants were significantly higher than those of young adults and female participants. The present study provides nationally representative data on the distribution of HbA1c values in Korean youth and young adults. There were significant differences in the level of HbA1c according to age and sex.
Engraftment of Human Pluripotent Stem Cell-derived Progenitors in the Inner Ear of Prenatal Mice
Authors: Takeda Hiroki , Hosoya Makoto , Fujioka Masato , Saegusa Chika , Saeki Tsubasa , Miwa Toru , Okano Hideyuki , Minoda Ryosei 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThere is, at present, no curative treatment for genetic hearing loss. We have previously reported that transuterine gene transfer of wild type CONNEXIN30 (CX30) genes into otocysts in CX30-deleted mice could restore hearing. Cell transplantation therapy might be another therapeutic option, although it is still unknown whether stem cell-derived progenitor cells could migrate into mouse otocysts. Here, we show successful cell transplantation of progenitors of outer sulcus cell-like cells derived from human-derived induced pluripotent stem cells into mouse otocysts on embryonic day 11.5. The delivered cells engrafted more frequently in the non-sensory region in the inner ear of CX30-deleted mice than in wild type mice and survived for up to 1 week after transplantation. Some of the engrafted cells expressed CX30 proteins in the non-sensory region. This is the first report that demonstrates successful engraftment of exogenous cells in prenatal developing otocysts in mice. Future studies using this mouse otocystic injection model in vivo will provide further clues for developing treatment modalities for congenital hearing loss in humans.
Evaluation of Weight Loss Indicators and Laparoscopic One-Anastomosis Gastric Bypass Outcomes
Authors: Carbajo Miguel A. , Jiménez Jose M. , Luque-de-León Enrique , Cao María-José , López María , García Sara , Castro María-José 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMini-gastric bypass/One-anastomosis gastric bypass (MGB-OAGB) is an effective bariatric technique for treating overweight and obesity, controlling and improving excess-weight-related comorbidities. Our study evaluated OAGB characteristics and resulting weight evolution, plus surgical success criteria based on various excess weight loss indicators. A prospective observational study of 100 patients undergoing OAGB performed by the same surgical team (two-year follow-up). Surgical characteristics were: surgery duration, associated complications, bowel loop length, hospital stay, and weight loss at 6 postoperative points. 100 patients were treated (71 women, 29 men); mean initial age was 42.61 years and mean BMI, 42.61 ± 6.66 kg/m2. Mean surgery duration was 97.84 ± 12.54 minutes; biliopancreatic loop length was 274.95 ± 23.69 cm. Average hospital stay was 24 hours in 98% of patients; no surgical complications arose. Weight decreased significantly during follow-up (P < 0.001). Greatest weight loss was observed at 12 months postsurgery (68.56 ± 13.10 kg). Relative weight loss showed significant positive correlation, with greatest weight loss at 12 months and %excess BMI loss > 50% achieved from the 3-month follow-up in 92.46% of patients. OAGB seems to be effective in treating obesity, with short hospital stays. Relative weight loss correlates optimally with absolute outcomes, but both measures should be used to evaluate surgical results.
RTF: a rapid and versatile tissue optical clearing method
Authors: Yu Tingting , Zhu Jingtan , Li Yusha , Ma Yilin , Wang Jianru , Cheng Xinran , Jin Sen , Sun Qingtao , Li Xiangning , Gong Hui , Luo Qingming , Xu Fuqiang , Zhao Shanting , Zhu Dan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTissue optical clearing enables imaging deeper in large volumes with high-resolution. Clear
T2
is a relatively rapid clearing method with no use of solvents or detergents, hence poses great advantage on preservation of diverse fluorescent labels. However, this method suffers from insufficient tissue transparency, especially for adult mouse brain blocks. In this work, we develop a rapid and versatile clearing method based on Clear
T2
, termed RTF (Rapid clearing method based on Triethanolamine and Formamide), aiming for better clearing capability. The results show that RTF can not only efficiently clear embryos, neonatal brains and adult brain blocks, but also preserve fluorescent signal of both endogenous fluorescent proteins and lipophilic dyes, and be compatible with virus labeling and immunostaining. With the good transparency and versatile compatibility, RTF allows visualization and tracing of fluorescent labeling cells and neuronal axons combined with different imaging techniques, showing potentials in facilitating observation of morphological architecture and visualization of neuronal networks.
A 5-year field study showed no apparent effect of the Bt transgenic 741 poplar on the arthropod community and soil bacterial diversity
Authors: Zuo Lihui , Yang Runlei , Zhen Zhixian , Liu Junxia , Huang Lisha , Yang Minsheng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractChina is currently the only country that has commercialized genetically engineered tree species, and this has attracted worldwide attention. As a perennial tree species, transgenic poplar has a long growth cycle and needs to be tested for long-term ecological risks. The main purpose of this study was to explore the ecological safety of perennial transgenic poplars in arthropod community, physical and chemical properties of soil, gene flow, and soil microbial diversity. The study found transgenic poplars could effectively inhibit the number of pests. Moreover, transgenic poplar 741 did not affect the stability of the arthropod community. Studies on the microbial diversity of poplar showed that transgenic poplars did not affect the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the soil microbial community structure. Furthermore, the microbial community structure was obviously affected by location and season. The results showed that a 5-year-old transgenic 741 poplar did not pose an ecological risk, and did not affect the microbial community structure or functional diversity. This study provides a reference for the ecological security evaluation of transgenic poplars, and provides a theoretical basis for promoting the commercialization of transgenic poplars.
Additive manufacturing of magnetic shielding and ultra-high vacuum flange for cold atom sensors
Authors: Vovrosh Jamie , Voulazeris Georgios , Petrov Plamen G. , Zou Ji , Gaber Youssef , Benn Laura , Woolger David , Attallah Moataz M. , Boyer Vincent , Bongs Kai , Holynski Michael 
Published: January 2018

AbstractRecent advances in the understanding and control of quantum technologies, such as those based on cold atoms, have resulted in devices with extraordinary metrological performance. To realise this potential outside of a lab environment the size, weight and power consumption need to be reduced. Here we demonstrate the use of laser powder bed fusion, an additive manufacturing technique, as a production technique relevant to the manufacture of quantum sensors. As a demonstration we have constructed two key components using additive manufacturing, namely magnetic shielding and vacuum chambers. The initial prototypes for magnetic shields show shielding factors within a factor of 3 of conventional approaches. The vacuum demonstrator device shows that 3D-printed titanium structures are suitable for use as vacuum chambers, with the test system reaching base pressures of 5 ± 0.5 × 10−10 mbar. These demonstrations show considerable promise for the use of additive manufacturing for cold atom based quantum technologies, in future enabling improved integrated structures, allowing for the reduction in size, weight and assembly complexity.
Characterization of soil nematode communities in three cropping systems through morphological and DNA metabarcoding approaches
Authors: Treonis Amy M. , Unangst Samantha K. , Kepler Ryan M. , Buyer Jeffrey S. , Cavigelli Michel A. , Mirsky Steven B. , Maul Jude E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe used complementary morphological and DNA metabarcoding approaches to characterize soil nematode communities in three cropping systems, conventional till (CT), no-till (NT) and organic (ORG), from a long-term field experiment. We hypothesized that organic inputs to the ORG system would promote a more abundant nematode community, and that the NT system would show a more structured trophic system (higher Bongers MI) than CT due to decreased soil disturbance. The abundance of Tylenchidae and Cephalobidae both showed positive correlations to soil organic carbon and nitrogen, which were highest in the ORG system. The density of omnivore-predator and bacterial-feeding nematodes was reduced in NT soils compared to CT, while some plant-parasitic taxa increased. NT soils had similar Bongers MI values to CT, suggesting they contained nematode communities associated with soils experiencing comparable levels of disturbance. Metabarcoding revealed within-family differences in nematode diversity. Shannon and Simpson’s index values for the Tylenchidae and Rhabditidae were higher in the ORG system than CT. Compared to morphological analysis, metabarcoding over- or underestimated the prevalence of several nematode families and detected some families not observed based on morphology. Discrepancies between the techniques require further investigation to establish the accuracy of metabarcoding for characterization of soil nematode communities.
Identification of molecular pathways and candidate genes associated with cocks’ comb size trait by genome-wide transcriptome analysis
Authors: Liu Yifan , Tu Yunjie , Zhang Ming , Ji Gaige , Wang Kun , Shan Yanju , Ju Xiaojun , Zhang Di , Shu Jingting , Zou Jianmin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe comb of the male is an important secondary sexual characteristic. Although quantitative trait loci (QTLs) related to comb size have been identified, molecular mechanisms underlying this trait remain mostly unknown. In this study, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) was employed to compare whole transcriptomic differences between two groups of Partridge Shank chickens that are divergent in comb sizes. A total of 563 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified, including 277 up-regulated and 286 down-regulated DEGs. According to the animal QTL database, eight DEGs including BMP2 and CHADL matching the reported QTLs were associated with the comb size. Functional annotation analysis revealed that DEGs were involved in cell communication and calcium signaling. Protein-protein interaction network analysis showed that STK32A, PIK3R1, EDN1, HSPA5, and HSPA8 have an impact on comb growth. Moreover, potential alternative splicing events and single nucleotide polymorphisms were also identified. Our data provide a source for identifying genes and pathways with functions critical to comb size and accelerate studies involving molecular mechanisms of this sexual ornament.
Adrenergic hormones induce extrapituitary prolactin gene expression in leukocytes-potential implications in obesity
Authors: Barrett Richard , Narasimhulu Chandrakala Aluganti , Parthasarathy Sampath 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe pituitary hormone prolactin (PRL), originally described for its role in lactation, has been implemented in over 300 functions and is produced by multiple cell types outside of the pituitary. Monocyte/macrophages in particular show robust expression of extra-pituitary prolactin (ePRL). While ePRL protein is identical to pituitary PRL and translated from the same gene, tissues outside the pituitary engage an alternative promoter to regulate expression. Many of the factors regulating this expression, however, remain unknown. Here we show that the adrenergic hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine induce PRL expression in the human monocytic cell line THP-1 at physiological concentrations. Furthermore, our experiments show the polarization state of differentiated macrophages can influence their response in vitro, with inflammatory M1 macrophages—common in obese adipose—showing the highest levels of PRL expression compared to other macrophage types. Adrenergic hormones have a clearly defined role in adipocyte lipid metabolism, stimulating lipolysis through hormone sensitive lipase (HSL) induction. Meanwhile, PRL has been shown to stimulate lipogenesis. This highlights ePRL production as a possible factor in obesity. The overall balance of these two signals could play a critical role in determining overall lipid turnover/accumulation in adipose depots where large numbers of adipose tissue macrophages (ATMs) reside.
Circadian coordination of ATP release in the urothelium via connexin43 hemichannels
Authors: Sengiku Atsushi , Ueda Masakatsu , Kono Jin , Sano Takeshi , Nishikawa Nobuyuki , Kunisue Sumihiro , Tsujihana Kojiro , Liou Louis S. , Kanematsu Akihiro , Shimba Shigeki , Doi Masao , Okamura Hitoshi , Ogawa Osamu , Negoro Hiromitsu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDay-night changes in the storage capacity of the urinary bladder are indispensable for sound sleep. Connexin 43 (Cx43), a major gap junction protein, forms hemichannels as a pathway of ATP in other cell types, and the urinary bladder utilizes ATP as a mechanotransduction signals to modulate its capacity. Here, we demonstrate that the circadian clock of the urothelium regulates diurnal ATP release through Cx43 hemichannels. Cx43 was expressed in human and mouse urothelium, and clock genes oscillated in the mouse urothelium accompanied by daily cycles in the expression of Cx43 and extracellular ATP release into the bladder lumen. Equivalent chronological changes in Cx43 and ATP were observed in immortalized human urothelial cells, but these diurnal changes were lost in both arrhythmic Bmal1-knockout mice and in BMAL1-knockdown urothelial cells. ATP release was increased by Cx43 overexpression and was decreased in Cx43 knockdown or in the presence of a selective Cx43 hemichannel blocker, which indicated that Cx43 hemichannels are considered part of the components regulating ATP release in the urothelium. Thus, a functional circadian rhythm exists in the urothelium, and coordinates Cx43 expression and function as hemichannels that provide a direct pathway of ATP release for mechanotransduction and signalling in the urothelium.
Endogenous emotion generation ability is associated with the capacity to form multimodal internal representations
Authors: Engen Haakon , Kanske Philipp , Singer Tania 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTraining the capacity to self-generate emotions can be a potent “vaccine” against negative stressors and be an effective intervention for affective psychopathology. However, due to a lack of knowledge about sources of individual differences in generation abilities, it is unclear how to optimally design such interventions. We investigated one potential source of variation, namely preference for using different information modalities (Visual Imagery, Auditory Imagery, Bodily Interoception, and Semantic Analysis). A representative sample of 293 participants self-induced positive and negative emotional states, freely choosing to use these modalities singly or in combination. No evidence was found for modality usage being associated with differential efficacy at generating of positive or negative emotion. Rather, usage of all modalities (except Auditory Imagery) predicted success at generation of both positive and negative emotional states. Increasing age predicted capacity to generate, especially negative, emotions. While no specific combinations of modalities were superior, the overall degree to which participants adopted multimodal implementations did predict generation efficacy. These findings inform interventions aimed at improving emotional self-generation, suggesting these must be mindful of individual differences in generation abilities and implementation tendencies, and that they should focus on enhancing the capacity to use multiple modalities.
DNA Barcode Authentication and Library Development for the Wood of Six Commercial Pterocarpus Species: the Critical Role of Xylarium Specimens
Authors: Jiao Lichao , Yu Min , Wiedenhoeft Alex C. , He Tuo , Li Jianing , Liu Bo , Jiang Xiaomei , Yin Yafang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDNA barcoding has been proposed as a useful tool for forensic wood identification and development of a reliable DNA reference library is an essential first step. Xylaria (wood collections) are potentially enormous data repositories if DNA information could be extracted from wood specimens. In this study, 31 xylarium wood specimens and 8 leaf specimens of six important commercial species ofPterocarpuswere selected to investigate the reliability of DNA barcodes for authentication at the species level and to determine the feasibility of building wood DNA barcode reference libraries from xylarium specimens. Four DNA barcodes (ITS2,matK,ndhF-rpl32andrbcL) and their combination were tested to evaluate their discrimination ability forPterocarpusspecies with both TaxonDNA and tree-based analytical methods. The results indicated that the combination barcode ofmatK + ndhF-rpl32 + ITS2 yielded the best discrimination for thePterocarpusspecies studied. The mini-barcodendhF-rpl32(167–173 bps) performed well distinguishingP. santalinusfrom its wood anatomically inseparable speciesP. tinctorius. Results from this study verified not only the feasibility of building DNA barcode libraries using xylarium wood specimens, but the importance of using wood rather than leaves as the source tissue, when wood is the botanical material to be identified.
Yellow coloured mats from lava tubes of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain) are dominated by metabolically active Actinobacteria
Authors: Gonzalez-Pimentel Jose L. , Miller Ana Z. , Jurado Valme , Laiz Leonila , Pereira Manuel F. C. , Saiz-Jimenez Cesareo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMicrobial diversity in lava tubes from Canary Islands (Spain) has never been explored thus far offering a unique opportunity to study subsurface microbiology. Abundant yellow coloured mats developing on coralloid speleothems in a lava tube from La Palma Islands were studied by next-generation sequencing and DNA/RNA clone library analyses for investigating both total and metabolically active bacteria. In addition, morphological and mineralogical characterization was performed by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), micro-computed tomography, X-ray diffraction and infrared spectroscopy to contextualize sequence data. This approach showed that the coralloid speleothems consist of banded siliceous stalactites composed of opal-A and hydrated halloysite. Analytical pyrolysis was also conducted to infer the possible origin of cave wall pigmentation, revealing that lignin degradation compounds can contribute to speleothem colour. Our RNA-based study showed for the first time that members of the phylum Actinobacteria, with 55% of the clones belonging to Euzebyales order, were metabolically active components of yellow mats. In contrast, the DNA clone library revealed that around 45% of clones were affiliated to Proteobacteria. Composition of microbial phyla obtained by NGS reinforced the DNA clone library data at the phylum level, in which Proteobacteria was the most abundant phylum followed by Actinobacteria.
Tracking natural and anthropogenic Pb exposure to its geological source
Authors: Evans Jane , Pashley Vanessa , Madgwick Richard , Neil Samantha , Chenery Carolyn 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHuman Pb exposure comes from two sources: (i) natural uptake through ingestion of soils and typified by populations that predate mining activity and (ii) anthropogenic exposure caused by the exposure to Pb derived from ore deposits. Currently, the measured concentration of Pb within a sample is used to discriminate between these two exposure routes, with the upper limit for natural exposure in skeletal studies given as 0.5 or 0.7 mg/kg in enamel and 0.5/0.7 μg/dL in blood. This threshold approach to categorising Pb exposure does not distinguish between the geological origins of the exposure types. However, Pb isotopes potentially provide a more definitive means of discriminating between sources. Whereas Pb from soil displays a crustal average 238U/204Pb (μ) value of c 9.7, Pb from ore displays a much wider range of evolution pathways. These characteristics are transferred into tooth enamel, making it possible to characterize human Pb exposure in terms of the primary source of ingested Pb and to relate mining activity to geotectonic domains. We surmise that this ability to discriminate between silicate and sulphide Pb exposure will lead to a better understanding of the evolution of early human mining activity and development of exposure models through the Anthropocene.