bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Data integration aids understanding of butterfly–host plant networks
Authors: Muto-Fujita Ai , Takemoto Kazuhiro , Kanaya Shigehiko , Nakazato Takeru , Tokimatsu Toshiaki , Matsumoto Natsushi , Kono Mayo , Chubachi Yuko , Ozaki Katsuhisa , Kotera Masaaki 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough host-plant selection is a central topic in ecology, its general underpinnings are poorly understood. Here, we performed a case study focusing on the publicly available data on Japanese butterflies. A combined statistical analysis of plant–herbivore relationships and taxonomy revealed that some butterfly subfamilies in different families feed on the same plant families, and the occurrence of this phenomenon more than just by chance, thus indicating the independent acquisition of adaptive phenotypes to the same hosts. We consequently integrated plant–herbivore and plant–compound relationship data and conducted a statistical analysis to identify compounds unique to host plants of specific butterfly families. Some of the identified plant compounds are known to attract certain butterfly groups while repelling others. The additional incorporation of insect–compound relationship data revealed potential metabolic processes that are related to host plant selection. Our results demonstrate that data integration enables the computational detection of compounds putatively involved in particular interspecies interactions and that further data enrichment and integration of genomic and transcriptomic data facilitates the unveiling of the molecular mechanisms involved in host plant selection.
Chiral magnetoresistance in the Weyl semimetal NbP
Authors: Niemann Anna Corinna , Gooth Johannes , Wu Shu-Chun , Bäßler Svenja , Sergelius Philip , Hühne Ruben , Rellinghaus Bernd , Shekhar Chandra , Süß Vicky , Schmidt Marcus , Felser Claudia , Yan Binghai , Nielsch Kornelius 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNbP is a recently realized Weyl semimetal (WSM), hosting Weyl points through which conduction and valence bands cross linearly in the bulk and exotic Fermi arcs appear. The most intriguing transport phenomenon of a WSM is the chiral anomaly-induced negative magnetoresistance (NMR) in parallel electric and magnetic fields. In intrinsic NbP the Weyl points lie far from the Fermi energy, making chiral magneto-transport elusive. Here, we use Ga-doping to relocate the Fermi energy in NbP sufficiently close to the W2 Weyl points, for which the different Fermi surfaces are verified by resultant quantum oscillations. Consequently, we observe a NMR for parallel electric and magnetic fields, which is considered as a signature of the chiral anomaly in condensed-matter physics. The NMR survives up to room temperature, making NbP a versatile material platform for the development of Weyltronic applications.
Phage-host interactions in Streptococcus thermophilus: Genome analysis of phages isolated in Uruguay and ectopic spacer acquisition in CRISPR array
Authors: Achigar Rodrigo , Magadán Alfonso H. , Tremblay Denise M. , Julia Pianzzola María , Moineau Sylvain 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThree cos-type virulent Streptococcus thermophilus phages were isolated from failed mozzarella production in Uruguay. Genome analyses showed that these phages are similar to those isolated elsewhere around the world. The CRISPR1 and CRISPR3 arrays of the three S. thermophilus host strains from Uruguay were also characterized and similarities were noted with previously described model strains SMQ-301, LMD-9 and DGCC7710. Spontaneous bacteriophage-insensitive S. thermophilus mutants (BIMs) were obtained after challenging the phage-sensitive wild-type strain Uy02 with the phage 128 and their CRISPR content was analyzed. Analysis of 23 BIMs indicated that all of them had acquired at least one new spacer in their CRISPR1 array. While 14 BIMs had acquired spacer at the 5′-end of the array, 9 other BIMs acquired a spacer within the array. Comparison of the leader sequence in strains Uy02 and DGCC7710 showed a nucleotide deletion at position -1 in Uy02, which may be responsible for the observed ectopic spacer acquisition. Analysis of the spacer sequences upstream the newly acquired ectopic spacer indicated presence of a conserved adenine residue at position -2. This study indicates that natural strains of S. thermophilus can also acquire spacers within a CRISPR array.
Formation and evolution of orientation-specific CO2 chains on nonpolar ZnO(10͞10) surfaces
Authors: Cao Yunjun , Yu Min , Qi Shandong , Wang Tingting , Huang Shiming , Hu Shujun , Xu Mingchun , Yan Shishen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractClarifying the fundamental adsorption and diffusion process of CO2 on single crystal ZnO surfaces is critical in understanding CO2 activation and transformation over ZnO-based catalysts. By using ultrahigh vacuum-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (UHV-FTIRS), we observed the fine structures of CO2 vibrational bands on ZnO(10"Equation missing"0) surfaces, which are the combinations of different vibrational frequencies, originated from CO2 monomer, dimer, trimer and longer polymer chains along [0001] direction according to the density functional theory calculations. Such novel chain adsorption mode results from the relatively large attractive interaction between CO2 and Zn3c atoms in [0001] direction. Further experiments indicate that the short chains at low coverage evolve into long chains through Ostwald ripening by annealing. At higher CO2 coverage (0.7 ML), the as-grown local (2 × 1) phase of chains first evolve into an unstable local (1 × 1) phase below 150 K, and then into a stable well-defined (2 × 1) phase above 150 K.
SWCNT Photocatalyst for Hydrogen Production from Water upon Photoexcitation of (8, 3) SWCNT at 680-nm Light
Authors: Murakami Noritake , Tango Yuto , Miyake Hideaki , Tajima Tomoyuki , Nishina Yuta , Kurashige Wataru , Negishi Yuichi , Takaguchi Yutaka 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSingle-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) are potentially strong optical absorbers with tunable absorption bands depending on their chiral indices (n, m). Their application for solar energy conversion is difficult because of the large binding energy (>100 meV) of electron-hole pairs, known as excitons, produced by optical absorption. Recent development of photovoltaic devices based on SWCNTs as light-absorbing components have shown that the creation of heterojunctions by pairing chirality-controlled SWCNTs with C60 is the key for high power conversion efficiency. In contrast to thin film devices, photocatalytic reactions in a dispersion/solution system triggered by the photoexcitation of SWCNTs have never been reported due to the difficulty of the construction of a well-ordered surface on SWCNTs. Here, we show a clear-cut example of a SWCNT photocatalyst producing H2 from water. Self-organization of a fullerodendron on the SWCNT core affords water-dispersible coaxial nanowires possessing SWCNT/C60 heterojunctions, of which a dendron shell can act as support of a co-catalyst for H2 evolution. Because the band offset between the LUMO levels of (8, 3)SWCNT and C60 satisfactorily exceeds the exciton binding energy to allow efficient exciton dissociation, the (8, 3)SWCNT/fullerodendron coaxial photocatalyst shows H2-evolving activity (QY = 0.015) upon 680-nm illumination, which is E22 absorption of (8, 3) SWCNT.
Graphene Visualizes the Ion Distribution on Air-Cleaved Mica
Authors: Bampoulis Pantelis , Sotthewes Kai , Siekman Martin H. , Zandvliet Harold J. W. , Poelsema Bene 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe distribution of potassium (K+) ions on air-cleaved mica is important in many interfacial phenomena such as crystal growth, self-assembly and charge transfer on mica. However, due to experimental limitations to nondestructively probe single ions and ionic domains, their exact lateral organization is yet unknown. We show, by the use of graphene as an ultra-thin protective coating and scanning probe microscopies, that single potassium ions form ordered structures that are covered by an ice layer. The K+ ions prefer to minimize the number of nearest neighbour K+ ions by forming row-like structures as well as small domains. This trend is a result of repulsive ionic forces between adjacent ions, weakened due to screening by the surrounding water molecules. Using high resolution conductive atomic force microscopy maps, the local conductance of the graphene is measured, revealing a direct correlation between the K+ distribution and the structure of the ice layer. Our results shed light on the local distribution of ions on the air-cleaved mica, solving a long-standing enigma. They also provide a detailed understanding of charge transfer from the ionic domains towards graphene.
Formation mechanisms of Fe3−xSnxO4 by a chemical vapor transport (CVT) process
Authors: Su Zijian , Zhang Yuanbo , Liu Bingbing , Chen Yingming , Li Guanghui , Jiang Tao 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOur former study reported that Fe-Sn spinel (Fe3−xSnxO4) was easily formed when SnO2 and Fe3O4 were roasted under CO-CO2 atmosphere at 900–1100 °C. However, the formation procedure is still unclear and there is a lack of theoretical research on the formation mechanism of the Fe-Sn spinel. In this work, the reaction mechanisms between SnO2 and Fe3O4 under CO-CO2 atmosphere were determined using XRD, VSM, SEM-EDS, XPS, etc. The results indicated that the formation of Fe3−xSnxO4 could be divided into four steps: reduction of SnO2 to solid phase SnO, volatilization of gaseous SnO, adsorption of gaseous SnO on the surface of Fe3O4, and redox reaction between SnO and Fe3O4. During the roasting process, part of Fe3+ in Fe3O4 was reduced to Fe2+ by gaseous SnO, and meanwhile Sn2+ was oxidized to Sn4+ and entered into Fe3−xSnxO4. The reaction between SnO2 and Fe3O4 could be summarized as Fe3O4 + xSnO(g) → Fe3−xSnxO4 (x = 0–1.0).
Network theory may explain the vulnerability of medieval human settlements to the Black Death pandemic
Authors: Gómez José M. , Verdú Miguel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractEpidemics can spread across large regions becoming pandemics by flowing along transportation and social networks. Two network attributes, transitivity (when a node is connected to two other nodes that are also directly connected between them) and centrality (the number and intensity of connections with the other nodes in the network), are widely associated with the dynamics of transmission of pathogens. Here we investigate how network centrality and transitivity influence vulnerability to diseases of human populations by examining one of the most devastating pandemic in human history, the fourteenth century plague pandemic called Black Death. We found that, after controlling for the city spatial location and the disease arrival time, cities with higher values of both centrality and transitivity were more severely affected by the plague. A simulation study indicates that this association was due to central cities with high transitivity undergo more exogenous re-infections. Our study provides an easy method to identify hotspots in epidemic networks. Focusing our effort in those vulnerable nodes may save time and resources by improving our ability of controlling deadly epidemics.
Ischemic injury leads to extracellular matrix alterations in retina and optic nerve
Authors: Reinhard Jacqueline , Renner Marina , Wiemann Susanne , Shakoor Daniel A. , Stute Gesa , Dick H. Burkhard , Faissner Andreas , Joachim Stephanie C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRetinal ischemia occurs in a variety of eye diseases. Restrained blood flow induces retinal damage, which leads to progressive optic nerve degeneration and vision loss. Previous studies indicate that extracellular matrix (ECM) constituents play an important role in complex tissues, such as retina and optic nerve. They have great impact on de- and regeneration processes and represent major candidates of central nervous system glial scar formation. Nevertheless, the importance of the ECM during ischemic retina and optic nerve neurodegeneration is not fully understood yet. In this study, we analyzed remodeling of the extracellular glycoproteins fibronectin, laminin, tenascin-C and tenascin-R and the chondroitin sulfate proteoglycans (CSPGs) aggrecan, brevican and phosphacan/RPTPβ/ζ in retinae and optic nerves of an ischemia/reperfusion rat model via quantitative real-time PCR, immunohistochemistry and Western blot. A variety of ECM constituents were dysregulated in the retina and optic nerve after ischemia. Regarding fibronectin, significantly elevated mRNA and protein levels were observed in the retina following ischemia, while laminin and tenascin-C showed enhanced immunoreactivity in the optic nerve after ischemia. Interestingly, CSPGs displayed significantly increased expression levels in the optic nerve. Our study demonstrates a dynamic expression of ECM molecules following retinal ischemia, which strengthens their regulatory role during neurodegeneration.
In Situ Activation of Pituitary-Infiltrating T Lymphocytes in Autoimmune Hypophysitis
Authors: Lin Han-Huei , Gutenberg Angelika , Chen Tzu-Yu , Tsai Nu-Man , Lee Chia-Jung , Cheng Yu-Che , Cheng Wen-Hui , Tzou Ywh-Min , Caturegli Patrizio , Tzou Shey-Cherng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAutoimmune hypophysitis (AH) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by infiltration of T and B lymphocytes in the pituitary gland. The mechanisms through which infiltrating lymphocytes cause disease remain unknown. Using a mouse model of AH we assessed whether T lymphocytes undergo activation in the pituitary gland. Infiltrating T cells co-localized with dendritic cells in the pituitary and produced increased levels of interferon-γ and interleukin-17 upon stimulation in vitro. Assessing proliferation of CD3- and B220-postive lymphocytes by double immunohistochemistry (PCNA-staining) and flow cytometry (BrdU incorporation) revealed that a discrete proportion of infiltrating T cells and B cells underwent proliferation within the pituitary parenchyma. This proliferation persisted into the late disease stage (day 56 post-immunization), indicating the presence of a continuous generation of autoreactive T and B cells within the pituitary gland. T cell proliferation in the pituitary was confirmed in patients affected by autoimmune hypophysitis. In conclusion, we show that pituitary-infiltrating lymphocytes proliferatein situduring AH, providing a previously unknown pathogenic mechanism and new avenues for treatment.
Whole genome sequences of three Clade 3 Clostridium difficile strains carrying binary toxin genes in China
Authors: Chen Rong , Feng Yu , Wang Xiaohui , Yang Jingyu , Zhang Xiaoxia , Lü Xiaoju , Zong Zhiyong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractClostridium difficile consists of six clades but studies on Clade 3 are limited. Here, we report genome sequences of three Clade 3 C. difficile strains carrying genes encoding toxin A and B and the binary toxin. Isolates 103 and 133 (both of ST5) and isolate 106 (ST285) were recovered from three ICU patients. Whole genome sequencing using HiSeq 2500 revealed 4.1-Mb genomes with 28–29% GC content. There were ≥1,104 SNP between the isolates, suggesting they were not of a single clone. The toxin A and B gene-carrying pathogenicity locus (PaLoc) of the three isolates were identical and had the insertion of the transposon Tn6218. The genetic components of PaLoc among Clade 3 strains were the same with only a few nucleotide mutations and deletions/insertions, suggesting that the Tn6218 insertion might have occurred before the divergence within Clade 3. The binary toxin-genes carrying CDT locus (CdtLoc) of the three isolates were identical and were highly similar to those of other Clade 3 strains, but were more divergent from those of other clades. In conclusion, Clade 3 has an unusual clade-specific PaLoc characteristic of a Tn6218 insertion which appears to be the main feature to distinguish Clade 3 from other C. difficile.
Facile approach to fabricate waterborne polyaniline nanocomposites with environmental benignity and high physical properties
Authors: Wang Haihua , Wen Huan , Hu Bin , Fei Guiqiang , Shen Yiding , Sun Liyu , Yang Dong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWaterborne polyaniline (PANI) dispersion has got extensive attention due to its environmental friendliness and good processability, whereas the storage stability and mechanical property have been the challenge for the waterborne PANI composites. Here we prepare for waterborne PANI dispersion through the chemical graft polymerisation of PANI into epichlorohydrin modified poly (vinyl alcohol) (EPVA). In comparison with waterborne PANI dispersion prepared through physical blend and in situ polymerisation, the storage stability of PANI-g-EPVA dispersion is greatly improved and the dispersion keeps stable for one year. In addition, the as-prepared PANI-g-EPVA film displays more uniform and smooth morphology, as well as enhanced phase compatibility. PANI is homogeneously distributed in the EPVA matrix on the nanoscale. PANI-g-EPVA displays different morphology at different aniline content. The electrical conductivity corresponds to 7.3 S/cm when only 30% PANI is incorporated into the composites, and then increases up to 20.83 S/cm with further increase in the aniline content. Simultaneously, the tensile strength increases from 35 MPa to 64 MPa. The as-prepared PANI-g-EPVA dispersion can be directly used as the conductive ink or coatings for cellulose fibre paper to prepare flexible conductive paper with high conductivity and mechanical property, which is also suitable for large scalable production.
Glucocorticoid resistance of migration and gene expression in a daughter MDA-MB-231 breast tumour cell line selected for high metastatic potential
Authors: Fietz Ebony R. , Keenan Christine R. , López-Campos Guillermo , Tu Yan , Johnstone Cameron N. , Harris Trudi , Stewart Alastair G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractGlucocorticoids are commonly used to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting despite a lack of understanding of their direct effect on cancer progression. Recent studies suggest that glucocorticoids inhibit cancer cell migration. However, this action has not been investigated in estrogen receptor (ER)-negative breast tumour cells, although activation of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) is associated with a worse prognosis in ER-negative breast cancers. In this study we have explored the effect of glucocorticoids on the migration of the ER-negative MDA-MB-231 human breast tumour cell line and the highly metastatic MDA-MB-231-HM.LNm5 cell line that was generated through in vivo cycling. We show for the first time that glucocorticoids inhibit 2- and 3-dimensional migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. Selection of cells for high metastatic potential resulted in a less migratory cell phenotype that was resistant to regulation by glucocorticoids and showed decreased GR receptor expression. The emergence of glucocorticoid resistance during metastatic selection may partly explain the apparent disparity between the clinical and in vitro evidence regarding the actions of glucocorticoids in cancer. These findings highlight the highly plastic nature of tumour cells, and underscore the need to more fully understand the direct effect of glucocorticoid treatment on different stages of metastatic progression.
Dynamics of cancerous tissue correlates with invasiveness
Authors: West Ann-Katrine Vransø , Wullkopf Lena , Christensen Amalie , Leijnse Natascha , Tarp Jens Magelund , Mathiesen Joachim , Erler Janine Terra , Oddershede Lene Broeng 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTwo of the classical hallmarks of cancer are uncontrolled cell division and tissue invasion, which turn the disease into a systemic, life-threatening condition. Although both processes are studied, a clear correlation between cell division and motility of cancer cells has not been described previously. Here, we experimentally characterize the dynamics of invasive and non-invasive breast cancer tissues using human and murine model systems. The intrinsic tissue velocities, as well as the divergence and vorticity around a dividing cell correlate strongly with the invasive potential of the tissue, thus showing a distinct correlation between tissue dynamics and aggressiveness. We formulate a model which treats the tissue as a visco-elastic continuum. This model provides a valid reproduction of the cancerous tissue dynamics, thus, biological signaling is not needed to explain the observed tissue dynamics. The model returns the characteristic force exerted by an invading cell and reveals a strong correlation between force and invasiveness of breast cancer cells, thus pinpointing the importance of mechanics for cancer invasion.
Downregulation of MMP1 in MDS-derived mesenchymal stromal cells reduces the capacity to restrict MDS cell proliferation
Authors: Zhao Sida , Zhao Youshan , Guo Juan , Fei Chengming , Zheng Qingqing , Li Xiao , Chang Chunkang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe role of mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in the pathogenesis of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) has been increasingly addressed, but has yet to be clearly elucidated. In this investigation, we found that MDS cells proliferated to a greater extent on MDS-derived MSCs compared to normal MSCs. Matrix metalloproteinase 1(MMP1), which was downregulated in MDS-MSCs, was identified as an inhibitory factor of MDS cell proliferation, given that treatment with an MMP1 inhibitor or knock-down of MMP1 in normal MSCs resulted in increased MDS cell proliferation. Further investigations indicated that MMP1 induced apoptosis of MDS cells by interacting with PAR1 and further activating the p38 MAPK pathway. Inhibition of either PAR1 or p38 MAPK can reverse the apoptosis-inducing effect of MMP1. Taken together, these data indicate that downregulation of MMP1 in MSCs of MDS patients may contribute to the reduced capacity of MSCs to restrict MDS cell proliferation, which may account for the malignant proliferation of MDS cells.
Clinical characteristics and prognosis of cerebral venous thrombosis in Chinese women during pregnancy and puerperium
Authors: Liang Zhu-Wei , Gao Wan-Li , Feng Li-Min 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDue to the specific physiology associated with pregnancy and puerperium, cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVT) may manifest different characteristics. This study aimed to identify the clinical manifestations and prognosis of pregnancy-associated CVT. A total of 43 pregnancy-associated CVT patients were enrolled. We analysed the clinical presentations of the disease and performed a multivariate logistic regression analysis to determine which variables were associated with prognosis. Our descriptive results showed the following: 1) the incidence was 202 per 100,000 deliveries, and the mortality rate was 11.63%; 2) the most frequent symptom was headache; 3) the most frequent abnormal laboratory findings were increased levels of fibrinogen and several serum lipoproteins (including triglyceride, cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein, low-density lipoprotein, apolipoprotein A1, and apolipoprotein B); and 4) the superior sagittal sinus and transverse sinus were the most frequently affected locations. Moreover, an increased modified Rankin Scale score was positively associated with infection, seizure, intracerebral haemorrhage (ICH) and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). Comparably, the occurrence of death was positively and significantly associated with infection, seizure and ICH. Consequently, timely diagnosis and treatment of pregnancy-associated CVT patients with infection, seizure, ICH or HDP are needed. Patients with infection, seizure or ICH have a greater risk of death.