bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Arctic-Subarctic sea ice system is entering a seasonal regime: Implications for future Arctic amplification
Authors: Haine Thomas W. N. , Martin Torge 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe loss of Arctic sea ice is a conspicuous example of climate change. Climate models project ice-free conditions during summer this century under realistic emission scenarios, reflecting the increase in seasonality in ice cover. To quantify the increased seasonality in the Arctic-Subarctic sea ice system, we define a non-dimensional seasonality number for sea ice extent, area, and volume from satellite data and realistic coupled climate models. We show that the Arctic-Subarctic, i.e. the northern hemisphere, sea ice now exhibits similar levels of seasonality to the Antarctic, which is in a seasonal regime without significant change since satellite observations began in 1979. Realistic climate models suggest that this transition to the seasonal regime is being accompanied by a maximum in Arctic amplification, which is the faster warming of Arctic latitudes compared to the global mean, in the 2010s. The strong link points to a peak in sea-ice-related feedbacks that occurs long before the Arctic becomes ice-free in summer.
Interactions between LHX3- and ISL1-family LIM-homeodomain transcription factors are conserved in Caenorhabditis elegans
Authors: Bhati Mugdha , Llamosas Estelle , Jacques David A. , Jeffries Cy M. , Dastmalchi Siavoush , Ripin Nina , Nicholas Hannah R. , Matthews Jacqueline M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLIM-Homeodomain (LIM-HD) transcription factors are highly conserved in animals where they are thought to act in a transcriptional ‘LIM code’ that specifies cell types, particularly in the central nervous system. In chick and mammals the interaction between two LIM-HD proteins, LHX3 and Islet1 (ISL1), is essential for the development of motor neurons. Using yeast two-hybrid analysis we showed that the Caenorhabditis elegans orthologs of LHX3 and ISL1, CEH-14 and LIM-7 can physically interact. Structural characterisation of a complex comprising the LIM domains from CEH-14 and a LIM-interaction domain from LIM-7 showed that these nematode proteins assemble to form a structure that closely resembles that of their vertebrate counterparts. However, mutagenic analysis across the interface indicates some differences in the mechanisms of binding. We also demonstrate, using fluorescent reporter constructs, that the two C. elegans proteins are co-expressed in a small subset of neurons. These data show that the propensity for LHX3 and Islet proteins to interact is conserved from C. elegans to mammals, raising the possibility that orthologous cell specific LIM-HD-containing transcription factor complexes play similar roles in the development of neuronal cells across diverse species.
Polar metal phase stabilized in strained La-doped BaTiO3films
Authors: Takahashi K. S. , Matsubara Y. , Bahramy M. S. , Ogawa N. , Hashizume D. , Tokura Y. , Kawasaki M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFerroelectric polarization and metallic conduction are two seemingly irreconcilable properties that cannot normally coexist in a single system, as the latter tends to screen the former. Polar metals, however, defy this rule and have thus attracted considerable attention as a new class of ferroelectrics exhibiting novel properties. Here, we fabricate a new polar metal film based on the typical ferroelectric material BaTiO3by combining chemical doping and epitaxial strain induced by a substrate. The temperature dependences of the c-axis lattice constant and the second harmonic generation intensity of La-doped BaTiO3films indicate the existence of polar transitions. In addition, through La doping, films become metallic at the polar phase, and metallicity enhancement at the polar state occurs in low-La-doped films. This intriguing behaviour is effectively explained by our first-principles calculations. Our demonstration suggests that the carrier doping to ferroelectric material with epitaxial strain serves as a new way to explore polar metals.
Dual activation of neuronal G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels by cholesterol and alcohol
Authors: Glaaser Ian W. , Slesinger Paul A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractActivation of G protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) channels leads to a hyperpolarization of the neuron’s membrane potential, providing an important component of inhibition in the brain. In addition to the canonical G protein-activation pathway, GIRK channels are activated by small molecules but less is known about the underlying gating mechanisms. One drawback to previous studies has been the inability to control intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Here we used a reconstitution strategy with highly purified mammalian GIRK2 channels incorporated into liposomes and demonstrate that cholesterol or intoxicating concentrations of ethanol, i.e., >20 mM, each activate GIRK2 channels directly, in the absence of G proteins. Notably, both activators require the membrane phospholipid PIP2 but appear to interact independently with different regions of the channel. Elucidating the mechanisms underlying G protein-independent pathways of activating GIRK channels provides a unique strategy for developing new types of neuronal excitability modulators.
Copy number alteration of neuropeptides and receptors in multiple cancers
Authors: Zhao Min , Wang Tianfang , Liu Qi , Cummins Scott 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNeuropeptides are peptide hormones used as chemical signals by the neuroendocrine system to communicate between cells. Recently, neuropeptides have been recognized for their ability to act as potent cellular growth factors on many cell types, including cancer cells. However, the molecular mechanism for how this occurs is unknown. To clarify the relationship between neuropeptides and cancer, we manually curated a total of 127 human neuropeptide genes by integrating information from the literature, homologous sequences, and database searches. Using human ligand-receptor interaction data, we first identified an interactome of 226 interaction pairs between 93 neuropeptides and 133 G-protein coupled receptors. We further identified four neuropeptide-receptor functional modules with ten or more genes, all of which were highly mutated in multiple cancers. We have identified a number of neuropeptide signaling systems with both oncogenic and tumour-suppressing roles for cancer progression, such as the insulin-like growth factors. By focusing on the neuroendocrine prostate cancer mutational data, we found prevalent amplification of neuropeptide and receptors in about 72% of samples. In summary, we report the first observation of abundant copy number variations on neuropeptides and receptors, which will be valuable for the design of peptide-based cancer prognosis, diagnosis and treatment.
DRP3 and ELM1 are required for mitochondrial fission in the liverwort Marchantia polymorpha
Authors: Nagaoka Nagisa , Yamashita Akihiro , Kurisu Rina , Watari Yuta , Ishizuna Fumiko , Tsutsumi Nobuhissro , Ishizaki Kimitsune , Kohchi Takayuki , Arimura Shin-ichi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMitochondria increase in number by the fission of existing mitochondria. Mitochondrial fission is needed to provide mitochondria to daughter cells during cell division. In Arabidopsis thaliana, four kinds of genes have been reported to be involved in mitochondrial fission. Two of them, DRP3 (dynamin-related protein3) and FIS1 (FISSION1), are well conserved in eukaryotes. The other two are plant-specific ELM1 (elongated mitochondria1) and PMD (peroxisomal and mitochondrial division). To better understand the commonality and diversity of mitochondrial fission factors in land plants, we examined mitochondrial fission-related genes in a liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha. As a bryophyte, M. polymorpha has features distinct from those of the other land plant lineages. We found that M. polymorpha has single copies of homologues for DRP3, FIS1 and ELM1, but does not appear to have a homologue of PMD. Citrine-fusion proteins with MpDRP3, MpFIS1 and MpELM1 were localized to mitochondria in M. polymorpha. MpDRP3- and MpELM1-defective mutants grew slowly and had networked mitochondria, indicating that mitochondrial fission was blocked in the mutants, as expected. However, knockout of MpFIS1 did not affect growth or mitochondrial morphology. These results suggest that MpDRP3 and MpELM1 but neither MpFIS1 nor PMD are needed for mitochondrial fission in M. polymorpha.
MicroRNA profiling provides insights into post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in chickpea root apex under salinity and water deficiency
Authors: Khandal Hitaishi , Parween Sabiha , Roy Riti , Meena Mukesh Kumar , Chattopadhyay Debasis 
Published: June 2017

AbstractActivity of root apical meristem (RAM) at the root apex is critical for stress-mediated modulation of root-architecture. Chickpea, like other legumes, possesses a basic open root meristem. Deep sequencing was used to perform microRNA expression profiling in root apex of chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) in order to investigate post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression in this tissue in response to salinity and water deficit. Five small RNA libraries prepared from chickpea root apices at different stages of stress treatments were sequenced to obtain 284 unique miRNA sequences including 60 novel miRNAs belonging to total 255 families. Two hundred and fiftynine miRNAs were differentially expressed in stress. Six hundred and nine mRNA targets involved in diverse cellular processes were predicted for 244 miRNAs. Stress-responsive expression patterns of selected miRNAs, inverse expression patterns of their target genes and the target-cleavage sites were validated. Three candidate miRNA-target gene relationships were validated in transient expression system in chickpea. The miRNA expression profiling under salinity and water deficiency in a legume root apex and the reported function of their target genes suggested important roles of miRNA-mediated post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression involved in re-patterning of root hair cells, lateral root formation and high-affinity K+-uptake under these stresses.
A Light-Activated Explosive Micropropeller
Authors: Rao Qianlan , Si Tieyan , Wu Zhiguang , Xuan Mingjun , He Qiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSelf-propelled micro/nanomotors possess tremendous exciting promise in diverse fields. We describe an asymmetric, fuel-free and near-infrared light-powered torpedo micromotor, which is constructed by using a porous membrane-assisted layer-by-layer sol-gel method to form silica multilayer inside the pores, following by the deposition of gold nanoparticles on one end of the pores. In the absence of chemical fuels, the high propulsion of microtorpedoes under illumination of near-infrared light is owing to the photo-thermal effect of gold clusters, generating a thermal gradient inside the microtorpedoes. The speed of microtorpedoes is dependent on the laser powers and media. More interestingly, such fuel free-powered microtorpedoes could explode triggered by higher laser power at the predefined site and thus provide a new platform for future biomedical applications.
A Mie resonant antenna with high sensitivity for force and strain measurement
Authors: Wu Lingling , Xi Xiaoqing , Li Bo , Zhou Ji 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe demonstrate the experimental and simulated performances of a Mie resonant antenna for force sensing with high sensitivity for compressive force and strain measurements inside soft materials. The proposed sensor is compatible with biological specimens and has small dimensions. It comprises a pair of dielectric cubes and an elastic layer of silicone rubber. The applied force is determined by measuring the redshift of the operating frequency when a mechanical load applied. Both simulated and experimental results demonstrate that the relationship between the frequency shift of the sensor and the applied compressive load could be fitted well using a quadratic equation with a maximum fitting error less than 17%, which enables highly sensitive telemetric force measurements to be performed inside structures by observing the operating frequency shift. The proposed design provides a simple and low-cost approach to realizing highly-efficient telemetric measurement inside soft materials such as biological tissues.
Inter-individual variability in the foraging behaviour of traplining bumblebees
Authors: Klein Simon , Pasquaretta Cristian , Barron Andrew B. , Devaud Jean-Marc , Lihoreau Mathieu 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWorkers of social insects, such as bees, ants and wasps, show some degree of inter-individual variability in decision-making, learning and memory. Whether these natural cognitive differences translate into distinct adaptive behavioural strategies is virtually unknown. Here we examined variability in the movement patterns of bumblebee foragers establishing routes between artificial flowers. We recorded all flower visitation sequences performed by 29 bees tested for 20 consecutive foraging bouts in three experimental arrays, each characterised by a unique spatial configuration of artificial flowers and three-dimensional landmarks. All bees started to develop efficient routes as they accumulated foraging experience in each array, and showed consistent inter-individual differences in their levels of route fidelity and foraging performance, as measured by travel speed and the frequency of revisits to flowers. While the tendency of bees to repeat the same route was influenced by their colony origin, foraging performance was correlated to body size. The largest foragers travelled faster and made less revisits to empty flowers. We discuss the possible adaptive value of such inter-individual variability within the forager caste for optimisation of colony-level foraging performances in social pollinators.
Normalized periprostatic fat MRI measurements can predict prostate cancer aggressiveness in men undergoing radical prostatectomy for clinically localised disease
Authors: Dahran Naief , Szewczyk-Bieda Magdalena , Wei Cheng , Vinnicombe Sarah , Nabi Ghulam 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPeriprostatic and pelvic fat have been shown to influence prostate cancer behaviour through the secretion of chemokines and growth factors, acting in a paracrine mode. We have measured periprostatic fat volume (PFV) with normalisation to prostate gland volume on pelvic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and have correlated this with grade (Gleason score; GS) and pathological staging (pT) of prostate cancer (PCa) following radical prostatectomy (RP). PFV was determined using a segmentation technique on contiguous T1-weighted axial MRI slices from the level of the prostate base to the apex. The abdominal fat area (AFA) and subcutaneous fat thickness (SFT) were measured using T1-weighted axial slices at the level of the umbilicus and the upper border of the symphysis pubis, respectively. PFV was normalised to prostate volume (PV) to account for variations in PV (NPFV = PFV/PV). Patients were stratified into three risk groups according to post-operative GS: ≤6, 7(3 + 4), and ≥7(4 + 3). NPFV was significantly different between the groups (p = 0.001) and positively correlated with post-operative GS (ρ = 0.294, p < 0.001). There was a difference in NPFV between those with upgrading of GS from 6 post prostatectomy (2.43 ± 0.98; n = 26) compared to those who continued to be low grade (1.99 ± 0.82; n = 17); however, this did not reach statistical significance (p = 0.11).
Species-specific antifungal activity of blue light
Authors: Trzaska Wioleta J. , Wrigley Helen E. , Thwaite Joanne E. , May Robin C. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFungal pathogens represent a significant threat to immunocompromised patients or individuals with traumatic injury. Strategies to efficiently remove fungal spores from hospital surfaces and, ideally, patient skin thus offer the prospect of dramatically reducing infections in at-risk patients. Photodynamic inactivation of microbial cells using light holds considerable potential as a non-invasive, minimally destructive disinfection strategy. Recent data indicate that high-intensity blue light effectively removes bacteria from surfaces, but its efficacy against fungi has not been fully tested. Here we test a wide range of fungi that are pathogenic to humans and demonstrate that blue light is effective against some, but not all, fungal species. We additionally note that secondary heating effects are a previously unrecognized confounding factor in establishing the antimicrobial activity of blue light. Thus blue light holds promise for the sterilization of clinical surfaces, but requires further optimization prior to widespread use.
A novel 3D-printed head phantom with anatomically realistic geometry and continuously varying skull resistivity distribution for electrical impedance tomography
Authors: Zhang Jie , Yang Bin , Li Haoting , Fu Feng , Shi Xuetao , Dong Xiuzhen , Dai Meng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPhantom experiments are an important step for testing during the development of new hardware or imaging algorithms for head electrical impedance tomography (EIT) studies. However, due to the sophisticated anatomical geometry and complex resistivity distribution of the human head, constructing an accurate phantom for EIT research remains challenging, especially for skull modelling. In this paper, we designed and fabricated a novel head phantom with anatomically realistic geometry and continuously varying skull resistivity distribution based on 3D printing techniques. The skull model was constructed by simultaneously printing the distinct layers inside the skull with resistivity-controllable printing materials. The entire phantom was composed of saline skin, a 3D-printed skull, saline cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and 3D-printed brain parenchyma. The validation results demonstrated that the resistivity of the phantom was in good agreement with that of human tissue and was stable over time, and the new phantom performed well in EIT imaging. This paper provides a standardized, efficient and reproducible method for the construction of a head phantom for EIT that could be easily adapted to other conditions for manufacturing head phantoms for brain function research, such as transcranial direct current stimulation (TDCS) and electroencephalography (EEG).
Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome: Long-Term Health Consequences
Authors: Zore Temeka , Joshi Nikhil , Lizneva Daria , Azziz Ricardo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPolycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) is the most common endocrinopathy in women and can be associated with significant adverse sequelae that can affect overall long-term health and well-being. This review provides a succinct but comprehensive overview of our current understanding concerning the known morbidities of PCOS, beginning with a review of the importance of the different phenotypes of PCOS in determining long-term morbidity, the confounding impact of obesity on health outcomes in PCOS, and the immediate short-term consequences of the disorder (including dermatologic, reproductive, and mood disturbances). The longer-term morbidities of PCOS are then reviewed including metabolic consequences (impaired glucose tolerance and type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease), dyslipidemia and vascular dysfunction (including hypertension and increased incidences of cerebrovascular accidents and thromboembolisms on oral contraceptives), neoplastic (primarily endometrial adenocarcinoma), and mental health disorders (including greater incidences of depressive and anxiety disturbances and psychosexual dysfunction). In conclusion, strategies for the prevention and amelioration of long-term morbidities in PCOS are presented.
A Canary in the Coal Mine: Reproductive Health and Cardiovascular Disease in Women
Authors: Quinn Molly , Cedars Marcelle 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCardiovascular disease (CVD) is the leading cause of mortality in women in the United States. Compared with age-matched men, premenopausal women are protected against CVD, yet this difference dissipates after menopause. Hypogonadism underlies the shared increased CVD risk seen in menopause, primary ovarian insufficiency (POI), and hypogonadotropic hypogonadism. Early menarche and PCOS have also been associated with CVD risk factors, highlighting the importance of mediators other than deficient estrogen in the underlying etiology of this female-specific increased risk. Pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia, gestational diabetes, and preterm delivery are also associated with subsequent CV disease and offer early opportunities for the identification of risk. Preliminary evidence suggests a common underlying vascular pathology for ovarian aging and pregnancy complications such as preeclampsia. Research is needed to understand the shared pathophysiology of these female-specific risk factors for CVD and target interventions to change outcomes.
Abnormal Placentation Associated with Infertility as a Marker of Overall Health
Authors: Sundheimer Lauren , Pisarska Margareta 
Published: June 2017

AbstractInfertility and fertility treatments utilized are associated with abnormal placentation leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes related to placentation, including preterm birth, low birth weight, placenta accrete, and placenta previa. This may be due to the underlying genetics predisposing to infertility or the epigenetic changes associated with the fertility treatments utilized, as specific disease states leading to infertility are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, including placental abruption, fetal loss, gestational diabetes mellitus, and outcomes related to placentation, as well as the treatments utilized including in vitro fertilization (IVF) and non-IVF fertility treatment. Placentation defects, leading to adverse maternal and fetal outcomes, which are more pronounced in the infertile population, occur due to changes in trophoblast invasion, vascular defects, changes in the environmental milieu, chronic inflammation, and oxidative stress. These similar processes are recognized as major contributors to lifelong risk of cardiovascular and metabolic disease for both the mother and her offspring. Thus, abnormal placentation, found to be more prevalent in the infertile population, may be the key to better understand how infertility affects overall and long-term health.