bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Insights from engraftable immunodeficient mouse models of hyperinsulinaemia
Authors: Maugham Michelle L. , Thomas Patrick B. , Crisp Gabrielle J. , Philp Lisa K. , Shah Esha T. , Herington Adrian C. , Chen Chen , Gregory Laura S. , Nelson Colleen C. , Seim Inge , Jeffery Penny L. , Chopin Lisa K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHyperinsulinaemia, obesity and dyslipidaemia are independent and collective risk factors for many cancers. Here, the long-term effects of a 23% Western high-fat diet (HFD) in two immunodeficient mouse strains (NOD/SCID and Rag1−/−) suitable for engraftment with human-derived tissue xenografts, and the effect of diet-induced hyperinsulinaemia on human prostate cancer cell line xenograft growth, were investigated. Rag1−/−and NOD/SCID HFD-fed mice demonstrated diet-induced impairments in glucose tolerance at 16 and 23 weeks post weaning. Rag1−/− mice developed significantly higher fasting insulin levels (2.16 ± 1.01 ng/ml, P = 0.01) and increased insulin resistance (6.70 ± 1.68 HOMA-IR, P = 0.01) compared to low-fat chow-fed mice (0.71 ± 0.12 ng/ml and 2.91 ± 0.42 HOMA-IR). This was not observed in the NOD/SCID strain. Hepatic steatosis was more extensive in Rag1−/− HFD-fed mice compared to NOD/SCID mice. Intramyocellular lipid storage was increased in Rag1−/− HFD-fed mice, but not in NOD/SCID mice. In Rag1−/− HFD-fed mice, LNCaP xenograft tumours grew more rapidly compared to low-fat chow-fed mice. This is the first characterisation of the metabolic effects of long-term Western HFD in two mouse strains suitable for xenograft studies. We conclude that Rag1−/− mice are an appropriate and novel xenograft model for studying the relationship between cancer and hyperinsulinaemia.
Pepper CaREL1, a ubiquitin E3 ligase, regulates drought tolerance via the ABA-signalling pathway
Authors: Lim Chae Woo , Park Chanmi , Kim Jung-Hyun , Joo Hyunhee , Hong Eunji , Lee Sung Chul 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDrought stress conditions in soil or air hinder plant growth and development. Here, we report that the hot pepper (Capsicumannuum) RING type E3 Ligase 1 gene (CaREL1) is essential to the drought stress response. CaREL1 encodes a cytoplasmic- and nuclear-localized protein with E3 ligase activity. CaREL1 expression was induced by abscisic acid (ABA) and drought. CaREL1 contains a C3H2C3-type RING finger motif, which functions in ubiquitination of the target protein. We used CaREL1-silenced pepper plants and CaREL1-overexpressing (OX) transgenic Arabidopsis plants to evaluate the in vivo function of CaREL1 in response to drought stress and ABA treatment. CaREL1-silenced pepper plants displayed a drought-tolerant phenotype characterized by ABA hypersensitivity. In contrast, CaREL1-OX plants exhibited ABA hyposensitivity during the germination, seedling, and adult stages. In addition, plant growth was severely impaired under drought stress conditions, via a high level of transpirational water loss and decreased stomatal closure. Quantitative RT-PCR analyses revealed that ABA-related drought stress responsive genes were more weakly expressed in CaREL1-OX plants than in wild-type plants, indicating that CaREL1 functions in the drought stress response via the ABA-signalling pathway. Taken together, our results indicate that CaREL1 functions as a negative regulator of ABA-mediated drought stress tolerance.
A normative spatiotemporal MRI atlas of the fetal brain for automatic segmentation and analysis of early brain growth
Authors: Gholipour Ali , Rollins Caitlin K. , Velasco-Annis Clemente , Ouaalam Abdelhakim , Akhondi-Asl Alireza , Afacan Onur , Ortinau Cynthia M. , Clancy Sean , Limperopoulos Catherine , Yang Edward , Estroff Judy A. , Warfield Simon K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLongitudinal characterization of early brain growthin-uterohas been limited by a number of challenges in fetal imaging, the rapid change in size, shape and volume of the developing brain, and the consequent lack of suitable algorithms for fetal brain image analysis. There is a need for an improved digital brain atlas of the spatiotemporal maturation of the fetal brain extending over the key developmental periods. We have developed an algorithm for construction of an unbiased four-dimensional atlas of the developing fetal brain by integrating symmetric diffeomorphic deformable registration in space with kernel regression in age. We applied this new algorithm to construct a spatiotemporal atlas from MRI of 81 normal fetuses scanned between 19 and 39 weeks of gestation and labeled the structures of the developing brain. We evaluated the use of this atlas and additional individual fetal brain MRI atlases for completely automatic multi-atlas segmentation of fetal brain MRI. The atlas is available online as a reference for anatomy and for registration and segmentation, to aid in connectivity analysis, and for groupwise and longitudinal analysis of early brain growth.
Dopant size effects on novel functionalities: High-temperature interfacial superconductivity
Authors: Suyolcu Y. Eren , Wang Yi , Baiutti Federico , Al-Temimy Ameer , Gregori Giuliano , Cristiani Georg , Sigle Wilfried , Maier Joachim , van Aken Peter A. , Logvenov Gennady 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAmong the range of complex interactions, especially at the interfaces of epitaxial oxide systems, contributing to the occurrence of intriguing effects, a predominant role is played by the local structural parameters. In this study, oxide molecular beam epitaxy grown lanthanum cuprate-based bilayers (consisting of a metallic (M) and an insulating phase (I)), in which high-temperature superconductivity arises as a consequence of interface effects, are considered. With the aim of assessing the role of the dopant size on local crystal structure and chemistry, and on the interface functionalities, different dopants (Ca2+, Sr2+ and, Ba2+) are employed in the M-phase, and the M–I bilayers are investigated by complementary techniques, including spherical-aberration-corrected scanning transmission electron microscopy. A series of exciting outcomes are found: (i) the average out-of-plane lattice parameter of the bilayers is linearly dependent on the dopant ion size, (ii) each dopant redistributes at the interface with a characteristic diffusion length, and (iii) the superconductivity properties are highly dependent on the dopant of choice. Hence, this study highlights the profound impact of the dopant size and related interface chemistry on the functionalities of superconducting oxide systems.
Efficient ECG Compression and QRS Detection for E-Health Applications
Authors: Elgendi Mohamed , Mohamed Amr , Ward Rabab 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCurrent medical screening and diagnostic procedures have shifted toward recording longer electrocardiogram (ECG) signals, which have traditionally been processed on personal computers (PCs) with high-speed multi-core processors and efficient memory processing. Battery-driven devices are now more commonly used for the same purpose and thus exploring highly efficient, low-power alternatives for local ECG signal collection and processing is essential for efficient and convenient clinical use. Several ECG compression methods have been reported in the current literature with limited discussion on the performance of the compressed and the reconstructed ECG signals in terms of the QRS complex detection accuracy. This paper proposes and evaluates different compression methods based not only on the compression ratio (CR) and percentage root-mean-square difference (PRD), but also based on the accuracy of QRS detection. In this paper, we have developed a lossy method (Methods III) and compared them to the most current lossless and lossy ECG compression methods (Method I and Method II, respectively). The proposed lossy compression method (Method III) achieves CR of 4.5×, PRD of 0.53, as well as an overall sensitivity of 99.78% and positive predictivity of 99.92% are achieved (when coupled with an existing QRS detection algorithm) on the MIT-BIH Arrhythmia database and an overall sensitivity of 99.90% and positive predictivity of 99.84% on the QT database.
Bats pre-adapt sensory acquisition according to target distance prior to takeoff even in the presence of closer background objects
Authors: Amichai Eran , Yovel Yossi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAnimals execute sensorimotor sequences to optimize performance of complex actions series. However, the sensory aspects of these sequences and their dynamic control are often poorly understood. We trained bats to fly to targets at different distances, and analysed their sensory behavior before and during flight to test whether they assess target distance before flight and how they adapt sensory acquisition in different situations. We demonstrate that bats’ sensory acquisition during approach-flight is more flexible than previously described. We identified acoustic parameters that illustrate that bats assess target distance before takeoff. We show that bats adapt their echolocation approach-sequences to target distance - ignoring closer background objects. At shorter distances, bats initiated their echolocation approach-sequence with distance-appropriate parameters, thus entering the approach sensory sequence “in step”. Our results suggest that in order to perform fine flight-manoeuvres, bats must maintain their sensorimotor plan in phase. To do this, they adapt acquisition according to target distance before initiating a complex sensory sequence based on a sensorimotor feedback-loop, even in complex acoustic environments, which impose other sensory reactions and restrictions. Though studying this in non-echolocating animals may prove difficult, such mechanisms are probably widely used in nature whenever complex series of sensorimotor actions are required.
Novel contactless approach for assessment of venous occlusion plethysmography by video recordings at the green illumination
Authors: Kamshilin Alexei A. , Zaytsev Valeriy V. , Mamontov Oleg V. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOcclusion plethysmography is an important method for assessment of the status of the cardiovascular system, which provides valuable information concerning arterial and venous blood flow, including mechanisms of their regulation. All up-to-date systems estimate change of the limb’s volume during occlusion by contact-type sensors. The objective of the research is demonstration of feasibility of the novel approach to measuring the blood flow during venous occlusion by using imaging photoplethysmography (PPG). Twenty healthy individuals participated in the experiment. We used four synchronized video cameras to record all-around view of the forearm illuminated by the green light. After the recording, the PPG waveform was calculated in more than 4000 non-overlapping Regions of Interest (ROI). In the most of the ROIs, the waveform shape was typical for classical plethysmography with the distinctive linear growth of the signal. Speed of the signal change was the same along the forearm but it varied along the forearm’s circumference. These findings allows us to hypothesize that the PPG waveform is the direct consequence of the forearm blood flow. Therefore, the novel technique could be applied to the same medical examinations as the classical plethysmography, but it is more advantageous because of non-contact nature and easiness in implementation.
PKCα diffusion and translocation are independent of an intact cytoskeleton
Authors: Hui Xin , Sauer Benjamin , Kaestner Lars , Kruse Karsten , Lipp Peter 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTranslocation of cytosolic cPKC to the plasma membrane is a key event in their activation process but its exact nature is still unclear with particular dispute whether sole diffusion or additional active transport along the cell’s cytoskeleton contributes to cPKC’s dynamics. This was addressed by analyzing the recruitment behavior of PKCα while manipulating the cytoskeleton. Photolytic Ca2+ uncaging allowed us to quantify the kinetics of PKCα redistribution to the plasma membrane when fused to monomeric, dimeric and tetrameric fluorescence proteins. Results indicated that translocation kinetics were modulated by the state of oligomerization as expected for varying Stokes’ radii of the participating proteins. Following depolymerization of the microtubules and the actin filaments we found that Ca2+ induced membrane accumulation of PKCα was independent of the filamentous state of the cytoskeleton. Fusion of PKCα to the photo-convertible fluorescent protein Dendra2 enabled the investigation of PKCα-cytoskeleton interactions under resting conditions. Redistribution following spatially restricted photoconversion showed that the mobility of the fusion protein was independent of the state of the cytoskeleton. Our data demonstrated that in living cells neither actin filaments nor microtubules contribute to PKCα’s cytosolic mobility or Ca2+-induced translocation to the plasma membrane. Instead translocation is a solely diffusion-driven process.
Periaqueductal Grey differential modulation of Nucleus Accumbens and Basolateral Amygdala plasticity under controllable and uncontrollable stress
Authors: Horovitz Omer , Richter-Levin Alon , Xu Lin , Jing Liang , Richter-Levin Gal 
Published: March 2017

AbstractResilience has been conceptualized in part as a dynamic process that includes the ability to adapt to stressful conditions. As such it encompasses the extent to which neural plasticity may be promoted. The current study examined metaplasticity by referring to the “plasticity of synaptic plasticity” in a neural circuit composed of the basolateral amygdala (BLA) and the nucleus accumbens (NAcc), using behavioural stress controllability with or without preceding stimulation of the dorsal periaqueductal gray (i.e. dPAG priming). A tendency for increased plasticity in the controllable versus the uncontrollable group was found in both the BLA and NAcc. dPAG priming suppressed NAcc LTP in all groups, but it suppressed BLA LTP only in the uncontrollable group, demonstrating dissociation between either controllable and uncontrollable groups or the NAcc and BLA. Thus, metaplasticity in the dPAG-BLA-NAcc circuit regulated differentially by controllable or uncontrollable stress may underlie stress coping, and thus contribute to stress-related psychopathologies.
Social cognition in neuropsychiatric populations: a comparison of theory of mind in schizophrenia and mesial temporal lobe epilepsy
Authors: Okruszek Łukasz , Bala Aleksandra , Wordecha Małgorzata , Jarkiewicz Michał , Wysokiński Adam , Szczepocka Ewa , Piejka Aleksandra , Zaborowska Oliwia , Szantroch Marta , Rysz Andrzej , Marchel Andrzej 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSocial cognition deficits are observed both in patients with schizophrenia (SCZ) and in patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE). This may be due to dysfunction of the amygdala network, which is a common feature of both diseases. In this study, SCZ (n = 48) or MTLE (n = 31) and healthy controls (HC, n = 47) completed assessments of mentalising (Reading Mind in the Eyes Test, RMET) and basic cognitive processing, e.g., working memory, executive functions and psychomotor speed (Trail-Making Test B and Digit Symbol). SCZ were also assessed with the Positive And Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS). We found that the RMET scores of the two clinical groups were similar (p > 0.05) and lower than in the HCs (SCZ: p < 0.05; MTLE: p < 0.001). In the next step, SCZ were split into two groups with respect to the level of symptoms. Analysis of the RMET scores revealed no differences between the HC (M = 25.7 ± 4.1) and POS-LO (M = 25.3 ± 4.8); both groups outperformed the POS-HI group (M = 21.3 ± 5.2) and the MTLE group (M = 20.8 ± 4.6). No differences were found for the median-split with regard to negative symptoms. In SCZ, the mind-reading deficit appears to be associated with the level of positive symptoms. Both POS-HI and MTLE patients present significant mentalising deficits compared to healthy controls.
Rapid generation of a transgene-free powdery mildew resistant tomato by genome deletion
Authors: Nekrasov Vladimir , Wang Congmao , Win Joe , Lanz Christa , Weigel Detlef , Kamoun Sophien 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGenome editing has emerged as a technology with a potential to revolutionize plant breeding. In this study, we report on generating, in less than ten months, Tomelo, a non-transgenic tomato variety resistant to the powdery mildew fungal pathogen using the CRISPR/Cas9 technology. We used whole-genome sequencing to show that Tomelo does not carry any foreign DNA sequences but only carries a deletion that is indistinguishable from naturally occurring mutations. We also present evidence for CRISPR/Cas9 being a highly precise tool, as we did not detect off-target mutations in Tomelo. Using our pipeline, mutations can be readily introduced into elite or locally adapted tomato varieties in less than a year with relatively minimal effort and investment.
A peculiar lens-shaped structure observed in the South China Sea
Authors: Lin Hongyang , Hu Jianyu , Liu Zhiyu , Belkin Igor M. , Sun Zhenyu , Zhu Jia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLens-shaped structures within thermocline potentially play a significant role in subsurface transport of mass, heat, and salt in the global ocean. Whilst such structures have been documented in many oceanic regions, none has been observed in the China Seas. This study reports on observations of a lens-shaped structure within thermocline in the southwestern South China Sea in September 2007. This structure had a maximum thickness of approximately 60 m and a horizontal extent exceeding 220 km. This lens was peculiar in that its size is larger than most similar structures documented in the literature. The lens core was characterized by well-mixed water with higher temperature (~28.8 °C), lower salinity (~33.3) and lower potential vorticity (PV) compared to the surrounding waters. Based on an ocean reanalysis, possible generation mechanism of the lens is explored by examining the evolution of surface and subsurface thermohaline properties, and an analysis of vertical PV flux. The lens was likely generated by a mixture of the local mixed-layer water and the water from the coastal jet separation site.
Genetic polymorphisms of 54 mitochondrial DNA SNP loci in Chinese Xibe ethnic minority group
Authors: Shen Chun-Mei , Hu Li , Yang Chun-Hua , Yin Cai-Yong , Li Zhi-Dan , Meng Hao-Tian , Guo Yu-Xin , Mei Ting , Chen Feng , Zhu Bo-Feng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe analyzed the genetic polymorphisms of 54 mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variants in Chinese Xibe ethnic minority group. A total of 137 unrelated healthy volunteers from Chinese Xibe group were the objects of our study. Among the selected loci, there were 51 variable positions including transitions and transversions, and single nucleotide transitions were common (83.93%) versus transversions. These variations defined 64 different mtDNA haplotypes exclusive of (CA)n and 9 bp deletion variation. The haplotype diversity and discrimination power in Xibe population were 0.9800 ± 0.004 and 0.9699, respectively. Besides, we compared Xibe group with 18 other populations and reconstructed a phylogenetic tree using Neighbor-Joining method. The result revealed that Xibe group was a close to Xinjiang Han and Yanbian Korean groups. Our data also indicated that Xibe group has a close relationship with Daur and Ewenki groups, which is reflected by the history that Xibe was influenced by Daur and Ewenki groups during the development of these groups. In conclusion, the variants we studied are polymorphic and could be used as informative genetic markers for forensic and population genetic application.
The evolutionary and phylogeographic history of woolly mammoths: a comprehensive mitogenomic analysis
Authors: Chang Dan , Knapp Michael , Enk Jacob , Lippold Sebastian , Kircher Martin , Lister Adrian , MacPhee Ross D. E. , Widga Christopher , Czechowski Paul , Sommer Robert , Hodges Emily , Stümpel Nikolaus , Barnes Ian , Dalén Love , Derevianko Anatoly , Germonpré Mietje , Hillebrand-Voiculescu Alexandra , Constantin Silviu , Kuznetsova Tatyana , Mol Dick , Rathgeber Thomas , Rosendahl Wilfried , Tikhonov Alexey N. , Willerslev Eske , Hannon Greg , Lalueza-Fox Carles , Joger Ulrich , Poinar Hendrik , Hofreiter Michael , Shapiro Beth 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNear the end of the Pleistocene epoch, populations of the woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) were distributed across parts of three continents, from western Europe and northern Asia through Beringia to the Atlantic seaboard of North America. Nonetheless, questions about the connectivity and temporal continuity of mammoth populations and species remain unanswered. We use a combination of targeted enrichment and high-throughput sequencing to assemble and interpret a data set of 143 mammoth mitochondrial genomes, sampled from fossils recovered from across their Holarctic range. Our dataset includes 54 previously unpublished mitochondrial genomes and significantly increases the coverage of the Eurasian range of the species. The resulting global phylogeny confirms that the Late Pleistocene mammoth population comprised three distinct mitochondrial lineages that began to diverge ~1.0–2.0 million years ago (Ma). We also find that mammoth mitochondrial lineages were strongly geographically partitioned throughout the Pleistocene. In combination, our genetic results and the pattern of morphological variation in time and space suggest that male-mediated gene flow, rather than large-scale dispersals, was important in the Pleistocene evolutionary history of mammoths.
Magnetic frustration of graphite oxide
Authors: Lee Dongwook , Seo Jiwon 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDelocalized π electrons in aromatic ring structures generally induce diamagnetism. In graphite oxide, however, π electrons develop ferromagnetism due to the unique structure of the material. The π electrons are only mobile in the graphitic regions of graphite oxide, which are dispersed and surrounded by sp3-hybridized carbon atoms. The spin-glass behavior of graphite oxide is corroborated by the frequency dependence of its AC susceptibility. The magnetic susceptibility data exhibit a negative Curie temperature, field irreversibility, and slow relaxation. The overall results indicate that magnetic moments in graphite oxide slowly interact and develop magnetic frustration.
Bioactive silicon nitride: A new therapeutic material for osteoarthropathy
Authors: Pezzotti Giuseppe , Marin Elia , Adachi Tetsuya , Rondinella Alfredo , Boschetto Francesco , Zhu Wenliang , Sugano Nobuhiko , Bock Ryan M. , McEntire Bryan , Bal Sonny B. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWhile the reciprocity between bioceramics and living cells is complex, it is principally governed by the implant’s surface chemistry. Consequently, a deeper understanding of the chemical interactions of bioceramics with living tissue could ultimately lead to new therapeutic strategies. However, the physical and chemical principles that govern these interactions remain unclear. The intricacies of this biological synergy are explored within this paper by examining the peculiar surface chemistry of a relatively new bioceramic, silicon nitride (Si3N4). Building upon prior research, this paper aims at obtaining new insights into the biological interactions between Si3N4 and living cells, as a consequence of the off-stoichiometric chemical nature of its surface at the nanometer scale. We show here yet unveiled details of surface chemistry and, based on these new data, formulate a model on how, ultimately, Si3N4 influences cellular signal transduction functions and differentiation mechanisms. In other words, we interpret its reciprocity with living cells in chemical terms. These new findings suggest that Si3N4 might provide unique new medicinal therapies and effective remedies for various bone or joint maladies and diseases.