bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monocytic and granulocytic myeloid derived suppressor cells differentially regulate spatiotemporal tumour plasticity during metastatic cascade
Authors: Ouzounova Maria , Lee Eunmi , Piranlioglu Raziye , El Andaloussi Abdeljabar , Kolhe Ravindra , Demirci Mehmet F. , Marasco Daniela , Asm Iskander , Chadli Ahmed , Hassan Khaled A. , Thangaraju Muthusamy , Zhou Gang , Arbab Ali S. , Cowell John K. , Korkaya Hasan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIt is widely accepted that dynamic and reversible tumour cell plasticity is required for metastasis, however, in vivo steps and molecular mechanisms are poorly elucidated. We demonstrate here that monocytic (mMDSC) and granulocytic (gMDSC) subsets of myeloid-derived suppressor cells infiltrate in the primary tumour and distant organs with different time kinetics and regulate spatiotemporal tumour plasticity. Using co-culture experiments and mouse transcriptome analyses in syngeneic mouse models, we provide evidence that tumour-infiltrated mMDSCs facilitate tumour cell dissemination from the primary site by inducing EMT/CSC phenotype. In contrast, pulmonary gMDSC infiltrates support the metastatic growth by reverting EMT/CSC phenotype and promoting tumour cell proliferation. Furthermore, lung-derived gMDSCs isolated from tumour-bearing animals enhance metastatic growth of already disseminated tumour cells. MDSC-induced ‘metastatic gene signature’ derived from murine syngeneic model predicts poor patient survival in the majority of human solid tumours. Thus spatiotemporal MDSC infiltration may have clinical implications in tumour progression.
Global analysis of glycoproteins identifies markers of endotoxin tolerant monocytes and GPR84 as a modulator of TNFα expression
Authors: Müller Mario M. , Lehmann Roland , Klassert Tilman E. , Reifenstein Stella , Conrad Theresia , Moore Christoph , Kuhn Anna , Behnert Andrea , Guthke Reinhard , Driesch Dominik , Slevogt Hortense 
Published: April 2017

AbstractExposure of human monocytes to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induces a temporary insensitivity to subsequent LPS challenges, a cellular state called endotoxin tolerance. In this study, we investigated the LPS-induced global glycoprotein expression changes of tolerant human monocytes and THP-1 cells to identify markers and glycoprotein targets capable to modulate the immunosuppressive state. Using hydrazide chemistry and LC-MS/MS analysis, we analyzed glycoprotein expression changes during a 48 h LPS time course. The cellular snapshots at different time points identified 1491 glycoproteins expressed by monocytes and THP-1 cells. Label-free quantitative analysis revealed transient or long-lasting LPS-induced expression changes of secreted or membrane-anchored glycoproteins derived from intracellular membrane coated organelles or from the plasma membrane. Monocytes and THP-1 cells demonstrated marked differences in glycoproteins differentially expressed in the tolerant state. Among the shared differentially expressed glycoproteins G protein-coupled receptor 84 (GPR84) was identified as being capable of modulating pro-inflammatory TNFα mRNA expression in the tolerant cell state when activated with its ligand Decanoic acid.
Surpassing light-induced cell damage in vitro with novel cell culture media
Authors: Stockley John H. , Evans Kimberley , Matthey Moritz , Volbracht Katrin , Agathou Sylvia , Mukanowa Jana , Burrone Juan , Káradóttir Ragnhildur T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLight is extensively used to study cells in real time (live cell imaging), separate cells using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) and control cellular functions with light sensitive proteins (Optogenetics). However, photo-sensitive molecules inside cells and in standard cell culture media generate toxic by-products that interfere with cellular functions and cell viability when exposed to light. Here we show that primary cells from the rat central nervous system respond differently to photo-toxicity, in that astrocytes and microglia undergo morphological changes, while in developing neurons and oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) it induces cellular death. To prevent photo-toxicity and to allow for long-term photo-stimulation without causing cellular damage, we formulated new photo-inert media called MEMO and NEUMO, and an antioxidant rich and serum free supplement called SOS. These new media reduced the detrimental effects caused by light and allowed cells to endure up to twenty times more light exposure without adverse effects, thus bypassing the optical constraints previously limiting experiments.
Laser Frequency Noise in Coherent Optical Systems: Spectral Regimes and Impairments
Authors: Kakkar Aditya , Rodrigo Navarro Jaime , Schatz Richard , Pang Xiaodan , Ozolins Oskars , Udalcovs Aleksejs , Louchet Hadrien , Popov Sergei , Jacobsen Gunnar 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCoherent communication networks are based on the ability to use multiple dimensions of the lightwave together with electrical domain compensation of transmission impairments. Electrical-domain dispersion compensation (EDC) provides many advantages such as network flexibility and enhanced fiber nonlinearity tolerance, but makes the system more susceptible to laser frequency noise (FN), e.g. to the local oscillator FN in systems with post-reception EDC. Although this problem has been extensively studied, statistically, for links assuming lasers with white-FN, many questions remain unanswered. Particularly, the influence of a realistic non-white FN-spectrum due to e.g., the presence of 1/f-flicker and carrier induced noise remains elusive and a statistical analysis becomes insufficient. Here we provide an experimentally validated theory for coherent optical links with lasers having general non-white FN-spectrum and EDC. The fundamental reason of the increased susceptibility is shown to be FN-induced symbol displacement that causes timing jitter and/or inter/intra symbol interference. We establish that different regimes of the laser FN-spectrum cause a different set of impairments. The influence of the impairments due to some regimes can be reduced by optimizing the corresponding mitigation algorithms, while other regimes cause irretrievable impairments. Theoretical boundaries of these regimes and corresponding criteria applicable to system/laser design are provided.
Engineered P450 biocatalysts show improved activity and regio-promiscuity in aromatic nitration
Authors: Zuo Ran , Zhang Yi , Jiang Chao , Hackett John C. , Loria Rosemary , Bruner Steven D. , Ding Yousong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractNitroaromatics are among the most important and commonly used chemicals but their production often suffers from multiple unsolved challenges. We have previously described the development of biocatalytic nitration processes driven by an engineered P450 TxtE fusion construct. Herein we report the creation of improved nitration biocatalysts through constructing and characterizing fusion proteins of TxtE with the reductase domain of CYP102A1 (P450BM3, BM3R). The majority of constructs contained variable linker length while one was rationally designed for optimizing protein-protein interactions. Detailed biochemical characterization identified multiple active chimeras that showed improved nitration activity, increased coupling efficiency and higher total turnover numbers compared with TxtE. Substrate promiscuity of the most active chimera was further assessed with a substrate library. Finally, a biocatalytic nitration process was developed to nitrate 4-Me-dl-Trp. The production of both 4-Me-5-NO2-l-Trp and 4-Me-7-NO2-l-Trp uncovered remarkable regio-promiscuity of nitration biocatalysts.
Gyrator Based on Magneto-elastic Coupling at a Ferromagnetic/Piezoelectric Interface
Authors: Bhuktare Swapnil , Bose Arnab , Singh Hanuman , Tulapurkar Ashwin A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA gyrator is a non-reciprocal two port device with 180° phase shift in the transmissions between two ports. Though electromagnetic realizations of gyrators have been well studied, devices based on other forms of interaction are relatively unexplored. Here we demonstrate a device in which signal is transmitted via magneto-elastic coupling, can function as a gyrator. The device is built on a piezoelectric substrate: one port of this device has interdigital transducers (IDTs) and the other port has a periodic array of nickel/gold lines. When the magnetizations of Ni lines are excited into precession by magnetic field generated by passing oscillating current through the gold lines, they emit phonons in the form of surface acoustic waves (SAW) due to the magneto-elastic coupling between Ni and substrate. The emitted SAW can be detected at the other end by the IDTs. Conversely, when SAW is incident on Ni lines from IDTs, the magnetization undergoes precession and can be inductively detected by Au lines. The broken time reversal symmetry of the system due to the presence of ferromagnet gives rise to the non-reciprocal transmission between the two ports. These devices could function as novel building blocks for phonon based information processing.
Impacts of Bisphenol A and Ethinyl Estradiol on Male and Female CD-1 Mouse Spleen
Authors: Gear Robin B. , Belcher Scott M. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) and the pharmaceutical 17α-ethinyl estradiol (EE) are synthetic chemicals with estrogen-like activities. Despite ubiquitous human exposure to BPA, and the wide-spread clinical use of EE as oral contraceptive adjuvant, the impact of these estrogenic endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) on the immune system is unclear. Here we report results of in vivo dose response studies that analyzed the histology and microstructural changes in the spleen of adult male and female CD-1 mice exposed to 4 to 40,000 μg/kg/day BPA or 0.02 to 2 μg/kg/day EE from conception until 12–14 weeks of age. Results of that analysis indicate that both BPA and EE have dose- and sex-specific impacts on the cellular and microanatomical structures of the spleens that reveal minor alterations in immunomodulatory and hematopoietic functions. These findings support previous studies demonstrating the murine immune system as a sensitive target for estrogens, and that oral exposures to BPA and EE can have estrogen-like immunomodulatory affects in both sexes.
Assessing the calorific significance of episodes of human cannibalism in the Palaeolithic
Authors: Cole James 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEpisodes of Palaeolithic cannibalism have frequently been defined as ‘nutritional’ in nature, but with little empirical evidence to assess their dietary significance. This paper presents a nutritional template that offers a proxy calorie value for the human body. When applied to the Palaeolithic record, the template provides a framework for assessing the dietary value of prehistoric cannibalistic episodes compared to the faunal record. Results show that humans have a comparable nutritional value to those faunal species that match our typical body weight, but significantly lower than a range of fauna often found in association with anthropogenically modified hominin remains. This could suggest that the motivations behind homininanthropophagymay not have been purely nutritionally motivated. It is proposed here that the comparatively low nutritional value of hominin cannibalism episodes support more socially or culturally driven narratives in the interpretation of Palaeolithic cannibalism.
Badger macrophages fail to produce nitric oxide, a key anti-mycobacterial effector molecule
Authors: Bilham Kirstin , Boyd Amy C. , Preston Stephen G. , Buesching Christina D. , Newman Chris , Macdonald David W. , Smith Adrian L. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe European badger is recognised as a wildlife reservoir for bovine tuberculosis (bTB); the control of which is complex, costly and controversial. Despite the importance of badgers in bTB and the well-documented role for macrophages as anti-mycobacterial effector cells, badger macrophage (bdMφ) responses remain uncharacterised. Here, we demonstrate that bdMφ fail to produce nitric oxide (NO) or upregulate inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA following Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonist treatment. BdMφ also failed to make NO after stimulation with recombinant badger interferon gamma (bdIFNγ) or a combination of bdIFNγ and lipopolysaccharide. Exposure of bdMφ to TLR agonists and/or bdIFNγ resulted in upregulated cytokine (IL1β, IL6, IL12 and TNFα) mRNA levels indicating that these critical pathways were otherwise intact. Although stimulation with most TLR agonists resulted in strong cytokine mRNA responses, weaker responses were evident after exposure to TLR9 agonists, potentially due to very low expression of TLR9 in bdMφ. Both NO and TLR9 are important elements of innate immunity to mycobacteria, and these features of bdMφ biology would impair their capacity to resist bTB infection. These findings have significant implications for the development of bTB management strategies, and support the use of vaccination to reduce bTB infection in badgers.
Electronic and optical properties of topological semimetal Cd3As2
Authors: Mosca Conte Adriano , Pulci Olivia , Bechstedt Friedhelm 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUsing ab initio density functional theory the band structure and the dielectric function of a bct Cd3As2 crystal are calculated. We find a Dirac semimetal with two Dirac nodes k± near the Γ point on the tetragonal axis. The bands near the Fermi level exhibit a linear behavior. The resulting Dirac cones are anisotropic and the electron-hole symmetry is destroyed along the tetragonal axis. Along this axis the symmetry-protected band linearity only exists in a small energy interval. The Dirac cones seemingly found by ARPES in a wider energy range are interpreted in terms of pseudo-linear bands. The behavior as 3D graphene-like material is traced back to As p orbital pointing to Cd vacancies, in directions which vary throughout the unit cell. Because of the Dirac nodes the dielectric functions (imaginary part) show a plateau for vanishing frequencies whose finite value is proportional to the Sommerfeld fine structure constant but varies with the light polarization. The consequences of the anisotropy of the Dirac cones are highlighted for the polarization dependence of the infrared optical conductivity.
Autogenic succession and deterministic recovery following disturbance in soil bacterial communities
Authors: Jurburg Stephanie D. , Nunes Inês , Stegen James C. , Le Roux Xavier , Priemé Anders , Sørensen Søren J. , Salles Joana Falcão 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe response of bacterial communities to environmental change may affect local to global nutrient cycles. However the dynamics of these communities following disturbance are poorly understood, given that they are often evaluated over macro-ecological time scales and end-point measurements. In order to understand the successional trajectory of soil bacterial communities following disturbances and the mechanisms controlling these dynamics at a scale relevant for these organisms, we subjected soil microcosms to a heat disturbance and followed the community composition of active bacteria over 50 days. The disturbance imposed a strong selective pressure that persisted for up to 10 days, after which the importance of stochastic processes increased. Three successional stages were detected: a primary response in which surviving taxa increased in abundance; a secondary response phase during which community dynamics slowed down, and a stability phase (after 29 days), during which the community tended towards its original composition. Phylogenetic turnover patterns indicated that the community experienced stronger deterministic selection during recovery. Thus, soil bacterial communities, despite their extreme diversity and functional redundancy, respond to disturbances like many macro-ecological systems and exhibit path-dependent, autogenic dynamics during secondary succession. These results highlight the role of autogenic factors and successional dynamics in microbial recovery.
Linear filtering reveals false negatives in species interaction data
Authors: Stock Michiel , Poisot Timothée , Waegeman Willem , De Baets Bernard 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSpecies interaction datasets, often represented as sparse matrices, are usually collected through observation studies targeted at identifying species interactions. Due to the extensive required sampling effort, species interaction datasets usually contain many false negatives, often leading to bias in derived descriptors. We show that a simple linear filter can be used to detect false negatives by scoring interactions based on the structure of the interaction matrices. On 180 different datasets of various sizes, sparsities and ecological interaction types, we found that on average in about 75% of the cases, a false negative interaction got a higher score than a true negative interaction. Furthermore, we show that this filter is very robust, even when the interaction matrix contains a very large number of false negatives. Our results demonstrate that unobserved interactions can be detected in species interaction datasets, even without resorting to information about the species involved.
Interactions of the periplasmic binding protein CeuE with Fe(III) n-LICAM4− siderophore analogues of varied linker length
Authors: Wilde Ellis J. , Hughes Adam , Blagova Elena V. , Moroz Olga V. , Thomas Ross P. , Turkenburg Johan P. , Raines Daniel J. , Duhme-Klair Anne-Kathrin , Wilson Keith S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBacteria use siderophores to mediate the transport of essential Fe(III) into the cell. In Campylobacter jejuni the periplasmic binding protein CeuE, an integral part of the Fe(III) transport system, has adapted to bind tetradentate siderophores using a His and a Tyr side chain to complete the Fe(III) coordination. A series of tetradentate siderophore mimics was synthesized in which the length of the linker between the two iron-binding catecholamide units was increased from four carbon atoms (4-LICAM4−) to five, six and eight (5-, 6-, 8-LICAM4−, respectively). Co-crystal structures with CeuE showed that the inter-planar angles between the iron-binding catecholamide units in the 5-, 6- and 8-LICAM4− structures are very similar (111°, 110° and 110°) and allow for an optimum fit into the binding pocket of CeuE, the inter-planar angle in the structure of 4-LICAM4− is significantly smaller (97°) due to restrictions imposed by the shorter linker. Accordingly, the protein-binding affinity was found to be slightly higher for 5- compared to 4-LICAM4− but decreases for 6- and 8-LICAM4−. The optimum linker length of five matches that present in natural siderophores such as enterobactin and azotochelin. Site-directed mutagenesis was used to investigate the relative importance of the Fe(III)-coordinating residues H227 and Y288.
Association of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency and malaria: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mbanefo Evaristus Chibunna , Ahmed Ali Mahmoud , Titouna Afaf , Elmaraezy Ahmed , Trang Nguyen Thi Huyen , Phuoc Long Nguyen , Hoang Anh Nguyen , Diem Nghi Tran , The Hung Bui , Van Hieu Mai , Ky Anh Nguyen , Huy Nguyen Tien , Hirayama Kenji 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGlucose-6-Phosphate Dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency overlaps with malaria endemicity although it predisposes carriers to hemolysis. This fact supports the protection hypothesis against malaria. The aim of this systematic review is to assess the presence and the extent of protective association between G6PD deficiency and malaria. Thirteen databases were searched for papers reporting any G6PD alteration in malaria patients. Twenty-eight of the included 30 studies were eligible for the meta-analysis. Results showed absence of negative association between G6PD deficiency and uncomplicated falciparum malaria (odds ratio (OR), 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.59–1.02; p = 0.07). However, this negative association happened in Africa (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.40–0.86; p = 0.007) but not in Asia (OR, 1.24; 95% CI, 0.96–1.61; p = 0.10), and in the heterozygotes (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.57–0.87; p = 0.001) but not the homo/hemizygous (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.46–1.07; p = 0.10). There was no association between G6PD deficiency and total severe malaria (OR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.61–1.11; p = 0.20). Similarly, there was no association with other malaria species. G6PD deficiency can potentially protect against uncomplicated malaria in African countries, but not severe malaria. Interestingly, this protection was mainly in heterozygous, being x-linked thus related to gender.
Involvement of Epithelial Na+ Channel in the Elevated Myogenic Response in Posterior Cerebral Arteries from Spontaneously Hypertensive Rats
Authors: Choi Soo-Kyoung , Yeon Soo-In , Kwon Youngin , Byeon Seonhee , Lee Young-Ho 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHypertension is characterized by increased peripheral vascular resistance which is related with elevated myogenic response. Recent findings have indicated that epithelial sodium channel (ENaC) is involved in mechanotransduction of the myogenic response. The purpose of this study was to investigate the involvement of ENaC in the elevated myogenic response of posterior cerebral arteries (PCAs) from spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs). Sixteen to eighteen weeks old male wistar kyoto rats (WKYs) and SHRs were used in this study. We found that wall to lumen (W/L) ratio was increased in the PCAs from SHRs compared with WKYs at the resting state. Interestingly, amiloride significantly inhibited myogenic response in the PCAs from SHRs and WKYs, however, the magnitude of the blockade was greater in SHRs. The transfection of γENaC-siRNA significantly reduced the expression of γENaC protein and inhibited myogenic response in the PCAs from SHRs. Furthermore, these data were supported by the findings that serum/glucocorticoid-induced kinase (Sgk1) and neural precursor cell-expressed developmentally downregulated gene 4-2 (Nedd4-2) were increased in SHRs compared with WKYs. Our results suggest that γENaC may play an important role in the elevated myogenic response in PCAs from SHRs.
In search of tail-anchored protein machinery in plants: reevaluating the role of arsenite transporters
Authors: Maestre-Reyna Manuel , Wu Shu-Mei , Chang Yu-Ching , Chen Chi-Chih , Maestre-Reyna Alvaro , Wang Andrew H.-J. , Chang Hsin-Yang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlthough the mechanisms underlying selective targeting of tail-anchored (TA) membrane proteins are well established in mammalian and yeast cells, little is known about their role in mediating intracellular membrane trafficking in plant cells. However, a recent study suggested that, in green algae, arsenite transporters located in the cytosol (ArsA1 and ArsA2) control the insertion of TA proteins into the membrane-bound organelles. In the present work, we overproduced and purified these hydrophilic proteins to near homogeneity. The analysis of their catalytic properties clearly demonstrates that C. reinhardtii ArsA proteins exhibit oxyanion-independent ATPase activity, as neither arsenite nor antimonite showed strong effects. Co-expression of ArsA proteins with TA-transmembrane regions showed not only that the former interact with the latter, but that ArsA1 does not share the same ligand specificity as ArsA2. Together with a structural model and molecular dynamics simulations, we propose that C. reinhadtii ArsA proteins are not arsenite transporters, but a TA-protein targeting factor. Further, we propose that ArsA targeting specificity is achieved at the ligand level, with ArsA1 mainly carrying TA-proteins to the chloroplast, while ArsA2 to the endoplasmic reticulum.