bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aberrant functional brain connectome in people with antisocial personality disorder
Authors: Tang Yan , Long Jun , Wang Wei , Liao Jian , Xie Hua , Zhao Guihu , Zhang Hao 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAntisocial personality disorder (ASPD) is characterised by a disregard for social obligations and callous unconcern for the feelings of others. Studies have demonstrated that ASPD is associated with abnormalities in brain regions and aberrant functional connectivity. In this paper, topological organisation was examined in resting-state fMRI data obtained from 32 ASPD patients and 32 non-ASPD controls. The frequency-dependent functional networks were constructed using wavelet-based correlations over 90 brain regions. The topology of the functional networks of ASPD subjects was analysed via graph theoretical analysis. Furthermore, the abnormal functional connectivity was determined with a network-based statistic (NBS) approach. Our results revealed that, compared with the controls, the ASPD patients exhibited altered topological configuration of the functional connectome in the frequency interval of 0.016–0.031 Hz, as indicated by the increased clustering coefficient and decreased betweenness centrality in the medial superior frontal gyrus, precentral gyrus, Rolandic operculum, superior parietal gyrus, angular gyrus, and middle temporal pole. In addition, the ASPD patients showed increased functional connectivity mainly located in the default-mode network. The present study reveals an aberrant topological organisation of the functional brain network in individuals with ASPD. Our findings provide novel insight into the neuropathological mechanisms of ASPD.
Nanomechanical probing of the layer/substrate interface of an exfoliated InSe sheet on sapphire
Authors: Beardsley Ryan , Akimov Andrey V. , Greener Jake D. G. , Mudd Garry W. , Sandeep Sathyan , Kudrynskyi Zakhar R. , Kovalyuk Zakhar D. , Patanè Amalia , Kent Anthony J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractVan der Waals (vdW) layered crystals and heterostructures have attracted substantial interest for potential applications in a wide range of emerging technologies. An important, but often overlooked, consideration in the development of implementable devices is phonon transport through the structure interfaces. Here we report on the interface properties of exfoliated InSe on a sapphire substrate. We use a picosecond acoustic technique to probe the phonon resonances in the InSe vdW layered crystal. Analysis of the nanomechanics indicates that the InSe is mechanically decoupled from the substrate and thus presents an elastically imperfect interface. A high degree of phonon isolation at the interface points toward applications in thermoelectric devices, or the inclusion of an acoustic transition layer in device design. These findings demonstrate basic properties of layered structures and so illustrate the usefulness of nanomechanical probing in nanolayer/nanolayer or nanolayer/substrate interface tuning in vdW heterostructures.
A screen for constituents of motor control and decision making in Drosophila reveals visual distance-estimation neurons
Authors: Triphan Tilman , Nern Aljoscha , Roberts Sonia F. , Korff Wyatt , Naiman Daniel Q. , Strauss Roland 
Published: June 2016

AbstractClimbing over chasms larger than step size is vital to fruit flies, since foraging and mating are achieved while walking. Flies avoid futile climbing attempts by processing parallax-motion vision to estimate gap width. To identify neuronal substrates of climbing control, we screened a large collection of fly lines with temporarily inactivated neuronal populations in a novel high-throughput assay described here. The observed climbing phenotypes were classified; lines in each group are reported. Selected lines were further analysed by high-resolution video cinematography. One striking class of flies attempts to climb chasms of unsurmountable width; expression analysis guided us to C2 optic-lobe interneurons. Inactivation of C2 or the closely related C3 neurons with highly specific intersectional driver lines consistently reproduced hyperactive climbing whereas strong or weak artificial depolarization of C2/C3 neurons strongly or mildly decreased climbing frequency. Contrast-manipulation experiments support our conclusion that C2/C3 neurons are part of the distance-evaluation system.
Atomic and electronic structure of Lomer dislocations at CdTe bicrystal interface
Authors: Sun Ce , Paulauskas Tadas , Sen Fatih G. , Lian Guoda , Wang Jinguo , Buurma Christopher , Chan Maria K. Y. , Klie Robert F. , Kim Moon J. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractExtended defects are of considerable importance in determining the electronic properties of semiconductors, especially in photovoltaics (PVs), due to their effects on electron-hole recombination. We employ model systems to study the effects of dislocations in CdTe by constructing grain boundaries using wafer bonding. Atomic-resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) of a [1–10]/(110) 4.8° tilt grain boundary reveals that the interface is composed of three distinct types of Lomer dislocations. Geometrical phase analysis is used to map strain fields, while STEM and density functional theory (DFT) modeling determine the atomic structure at the interface. The electronic structure of the dislocation cores calculated using DFT shows significant mid-gap states and different charge-channeling tendencies. Cl-doping is shown to reduce the midgap states, while maintaining the charge separation effects. This report offers novel avenues for exploring grain boundary effects in CdTe-based solar cells by fabricating controlled bicrystal interfaces and systematic atomic-scale analysis.
IGF1R as a Key Target in High Risk, Metastatic Medulloblastoma
Authors: Svalina Matthew N. , Kikuchi Ken , Abraham Jinu , Lal Sangeet , Davare Monika A. , Settelmeyer Teagan P. , Young Michael C. , Peckham Jennifer L. , Cho Yoon-Jae , Michalek Joel E. , Hernandez Brian S. , Berlow Noah E. , Jackson Melanie , Guillaume Daniel J. , Selden Nathan R. , Bigner Darell D. , Nazemi Kellie J. , Green Sarah C. , Corless Christopher L. , Gultekin Sakir , Mansoor Atiya , Rubin Brian P. , Woltjer Randall , Keller Charles 
Published: June 2016

AbstractRisk or presence of metastasis in medulloblastoma causes substantial treatment-related morbidity and overall mortality. Through the comparison of cytokines and growth factors in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of metastatic medulloblastoma patients with factors also in conditioned media of metastatic MYC amplified medulloblastoma or leptomeningeal cells, we were led to explore the bioactivity of IGF1 in medulloblastoma by elevated CSF levels of IGF1, IGF-sequestering IGFBP3, IGFBP3-cleaving proteases (MMP and tPA) and protease modulators (TIMP1 and PAI-1). IGF1 led not only to receptor phosphorylation but also accelerated migration/adhesion in MYC amplified medulloblastoma cells in the context of appropriate matrix or meningothelial cells. Clinical correlation suggests a peri-/sub-meningothelial source of IGF-liberating proteases that could facilitate leptomeningeal metastasis. In parallel, studies of key factors responsible for cell autonomous growth in MYC amplified medulloblastoma prioritized IGF1R inhibitors. Together, our studies identify IGF1R as a high value target for clinical trials in high risk medulloblastoma.
A 3D in vitro model to explore the inter-conversion between epithelial and mesenchymal states during EMT and its reversion
Authors: Bidarra S. J. , Oliveira P. , Rocha S. , Saraiva D. P. , Oliveira C. , Barrias C. C. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractEpithelial-to-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) are strongly implicated in cancer dissemination. Intermediate states, arising from inter-conversion between epithelial (E) and mesenchymal (M) states, are characterized by phenotypic heterogeneity combining E and M features and increased plasticity. Hybrid EMT states are highly relevant in metastatic contexts, but have been largely neglected, partially due to the lack of physiologically-relevant 3D platforms to study them. Here we propose a new in vitro model, combining mammary E cells with a bioengineered 3D matrix, to explore phenotypic and functional properties of cells in transition between E and M states. Optimized alginate-based 3D matrices provided adequate 3D microenvironments, where normal epithelial morphogenesis was recapitulated, with formation of acini-like structures, similar to those found in native mammary tissue. TGFβ1-driven EMT in 3D could be successfully promoted, generating M-like cells. TGFβ1 removal resulted in phenotypic switching to an intermediate state (RE cells), a hybrid cell population expressing both E and M markers at gene/protein levels. RE cells exhibited increased proliferative/clonogenic activity, as compared to M cells, being able to form large colonies containing cells with front-back polarity, suggesting a more aggressive phenotype. Our 3D model provides a powerful tool to investigate the role of the microenvironment on metastable EMT stages.
Excessive Activation of TGFβ by Spinal Instability Causes Vertebral Endplate Sclerosis
Authors: Bian Qin , Jain Amit , Xu Xin , Kebaish Khaled , Crane Janet L. , Zhang Zhendong , Wan Mei , Ma Lei , Riley Lee H. , Sponseller Paul D. , Guo X. Edward , Lu Willian Weijia , Wang Yongjun , Cao Xu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractNarrowed intervertebral disc (IVD) space is a characteristic of IVD degeneration. EP sclerosis is associated with IVD, however the pathogenesis of EP hypertrophy is poorly understood. Here, we employed two spine instability mouse models to investigate temporal and spatial EP changes associated with IVD volume, considering them as a functional unit. We found that aberrant mechanical loading leads to accelerated ossification and hypertrophy of EP, decreased IVD volume and increased activation of TGFβ. Overexpression of active TGFβ in CED mice showed a similar phenotype of spine instability model. Administration of TGFβ Receptor I inhibitor attenuates pathologic changes of EP and prevents IVD narrowing. The aberrant activation of TGFβ resulting in EPs hypertrophy-induced IVD space narrowing provides a pharmacologic target that could have therapeutic potential to delay DDD.
TIGAR contributes to ischemic tolerance induced by cerebral preconditioning through scavenging of reactive oxygen species and inhibition of apoptosis
Authors: Zhou Jun-Hao , Zhang Tong-Tong , Song Dan-Dan , Xia Yun-Fei , Qin Zheng-Hong , Sheng Rui 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPrevious study showed that TIGAR (TP53-induced glycolysis and apoptosis regulator) protected ischemic brain injury via enhancing pentose phosphate pathway (PPP) flux and preserving mitochondria function. This study was aimed to study the role of TIGAR in cerebral preconditioning. The ischemic preconditioning (IPC) and isoflurane preconditioning (ISO) models were established in primary cultured cortical neurons and in mice. Both IPC and ISO increased TIGAR expression in cortical neurons. Preconditioning might upregulate TIGAR through SP1 transcription factor. Lentivirus mediated knockdown of TIGAR significantly abolished the ischemic tolerance induced by IPC and ISO. ISO also increased TIGAR in mouse cortex and hippocampus and alleviated subsequent brain ischemia-reperfusion injury, while the ischemic tolerance induced by ISO was eliminated with TIGAR knockdown in mouse brain. ISO increased the production of NADPH and glutathione (GSH) and scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS), while TIGAR knockdown decreased GSH and NADPH production and increased the level of ROS. Supplementation of ROS scavenger NAC and PPP product NADPH effectively rescue the neuronal injury caused by TIGAR deficiency. Notably, TIGAR knockdown inhibited ISO-induced anti-apoptotic effects in cortical neurons. These results suggest that TIGAR participates in the cerebral preconditioning through reduction of ROS and subsequent cell apoptosis.
Casimir switch: steering optical transparency with vacuum forces
Authors: Liu Xi-fang , Li Yong , Jing H. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe Casimir force, originating from vacuum zero-point energy, is one of the most intriguing purely quantum effects. It has attracted renewed interests in current field of nanomechanics, due to the rapid size decrease of on-chip devices. Here we study the optomechanically-induced transparency (OMIT) with a tunable Casimir force. We find that the optical output rate can be significantly altered by the vacuum force, even terminated and then restored, indicating a highly-controlled optical switch. Our result addresses the possibility of designing exotic optical nano-devices by harnessing the power of vacuum.
Deletion of Brg1 causes abnormal hair cell planer polarity, hair cell anchorage, and scar formation in mouse cochlea
Authors: Jin Yecheng , Ren Naixia , Li Shiwei , Fu Xiaolong , Sun Xiaoyang , Men Yuqin , Xu Zhigang , Zhang Jian , Xie Yue , Xia Ming , Gao Jiangang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHair cells (HCs) are mechanosensors that play crucial roles in perceiving sound, acceleration, and fluid motion. The precise architecture of the auditory epithelium and its repair after HC loss is indispensable to the function of organ of Corti (OC). In this study, we showed that Brg1 was highly expressed in auditory HCs. Specific deletion of Brg1 in postnatal HCs resulted in rapid HC degeneration and profound deafness in mice. Further experiments showed that cell-intrinsic polarity of HCs was abolished, docking of outer hair cells (OHCs) by Deiter’s cells (DCs) failed, and scar formation in the reticular lamina was deficient. We demonstrated that Brg1 ablation disrupted the Gαi/Insc/LGN and aPKC asymmetric distributions, without overt effects on the core planer cell polarity (PCP) pathway. We also demonstrated that Brg1-deficient HCs underwent apoptosis, and that leakage in the reticular lamina caused by deficient scar formation shifted the mode of OHC death from apoptosis to necrosis. Together, these data demonstrated a requirement for Brg1 activity in HC development and suggested a role for Brg1 in the proper cellular structure formation of HCs.
Extensive coronavirus-induced membrane rearrangements are not a determinant of pathogenicity
Authors: Maier Helena J. , Neuman Benjamin W. , Bickerton Erica , Keep Sarah M. , Alrashedi Hasan , Hall Ross , Britton Paul 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPositive-strand RNA (+RNA) viruses rearrange cellular membranes during replication, possibly in order to concentrate and arrange viral replication machinery for efficient viral RNA synthesis. Our previous work showed that in addition to the conserved coronavirus double membrane vesicles (DMVs), Beau-R, an apathogenic strain of avian Gammacoronavirus infectious bronchitis virus (IBV), induces regions of ER that are zippered together and tethered open-necked double membrane spherules that resemble replication organelles induced by other +RNA viruses. Here we compared structures induced by Beau-R with the pathogenic lab strain M41 to determine whether membrane rearrangements are strain dependent. Interestingly, M41 was found to have a low spherule phenotype. We then compared a panel of pathogenic, mild and attenuated IBV strains in ex vivo tracheal organ culture (TOC). Although the low spherule phenotype of M41 was conserved in TOCs, each of the other tested IBV strains produced DMVs, zippered ER and spherules. Furthermore, there was a significant correlation for the presence of DMVs with spherules, suggesting that these structures are spatially and temporally linked. Our data indicate that virus induced membrane rearrangements are fundamentally linked to the viral replicative machinery. However, coronavirus replicative apparatus clearly has the plasticity to function in different structural contexts.
T cells expressing CD19-specific Engager Molecules for the Immunotherapy of CD19-positive Malignancies
Authors: Velasquez Mireya Paulina , Torres David , Iwahori Kota , Kakarla Sunitha , Arber Caroline , Rodriguez-Cruz Tania , Szoor Arpad , Bonifant Challice L. , Gerken Claudia , Cooper Laurence J. N. , Song Xiao-Tong , Gottschalk Stephen 
Published: June 2016

AbstractT cells expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) or the infusion of bispecific T-cell engagers (BITEs) have shown antitumor activity in humans for CD19-positive malignancies. While BITEs redirect the large reservoir of resident T cells to tumors, CAR T cells rely on significant in vivo expansion to exert antitumor activity. We have shown that it is feasible to modify T cells to secrete solid tumor antigen-specific BITEs, enabling T cells to redirect resident T cells to tumor cells. To adapt this approach to CD19-positive malignancies we now generated T cells expressing secretable, CD19-specific BITEs (CD19-ENG T cells). CD19-ENG T cells recognized tumor cells in an antigen-dependent manner as judged by cytokine production and tumor killing and redirected bystander T cells to tumor cells. Infusion of CD19-ENG T cells resulted in regression of leukemia or lymphoma in xenograft models and a survival advantage in comparison to control mice. Genetically modified T cells expressing engager molecules may present a promising addition to current CD19-targeted immunotherapies.
Distinct mechanisms regulate Cdx2 expression in the blastocyst and in trophoblast stem cells
Authors: Rayon Teresa , Menchero Sergio , Rollán Isabel , Ors Inmaculada , Helness Anne , Crespo Miguel , Nieto Andres , Azuara Véronique , Rossant Janet , Manzanares Miguel 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe first intercellular differences during mammalian embryogenesis arise in the blastocyst, producing the inner cell mass and the trophectoderm. The trophectoderm is the first extraembryonic tissue and does not contribute to the embryo proper, its differentiation instead forming tissues that sustain embryonic development. Crucial roles in extraembryonic differentiation have been identified for certain transcription factors, but a comprehensive picture of the regulation of this early specification is still lacking. Here, we investigated whether the regulatory mechanisms involved in Cdx2 expression in the blastocyst are also utilized in the postimplantation embryo. We analyzed an enhancer that is regulated through Hippo and Notch in the blastocyst trophectoderm, unexpectedly finding that it is inactive in the extraembryonic structures at postimplantation stages. Further analysis identified other Cdx2 regulatory elements including a stem-cell specific regulatory sequence and an element that drives reporter expression in the trophectoderm, a subset of cells in the extraembryonic region of the postimplantation embryo and in trophoblast stem cells. The cross-comparison in this study of cis-regulatory elements employed in the blastocyst, stem cell populations and the postimplantation embryo provides new insights into early mammalian development and suggests a two-step mechanism in Cdx2 regulation.
Incident Angle- and Polarization-Insensitive Metamaterial Absorber using Circular Sectors
Authors: Lee Dongju , Hwang Jung Gyu , Lim Daecheon , Hara Tadayoshi , Lim Sungjoon 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn this paper, an incident angle- and polarization-insensitive metamaterial absorber is proposed for X-band applications. A unit cell of the proposed absorber has a square patch at the centre and four circular sectors are rotated around the square patch. The vertically and horizontally symmetric structure of the unit cell enables polarization-insensitivity. The circular sector of the unit cell enables an angle-insensitivity. The performances of the proposed absorber are demonstrated with a full-wave simulation and measurements. The angular sensitivity is studied at different inner angles of the circular sector. When the inner angle of the circular sector is 90°, the simulated absorptivity is higher than 90%, and the frequency variation is less than 0.96% for incident angles up to 70°. The measured absorptivity at 10.44 GHz is close to 100% for all the polarization angles under normal incidence. When the incident angles are varied from 0°– 60°, the measured absorptivity is maintained above 90% for both the transverse electric (TE) and the transverse magnetic (TM) modes.
Flow cytometry may allow microscope-independent detection of holocentric chromosomes in plants
Authors: Zedek František , Veselý Pavel , Horová Lucie , Bureš Petr 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTwo chromosomal structures, known as monocentric and holocentric chromosomes, have evolved in eukaryotes. Acentric fragments of monocentric chromosomes are unequally distributed to daughter cells and/or lost, while holocentric fragments are inherited normally. In monocentric species, unequal distribution should generate chimeras of cells with different nuclear DNA content. We investigated whether such differences in monocentric species are detectable by flow cytometry (FCM) as (i) a decreased nuclear DNA content and (ii) an increased coefficient of variance (CV) of the G1 peak after gamma radiation-induced fragmentation. We compared 13 monocentric and 9 holocentric plant species. Unexpectedly, monocentrics and holocentrics did not differ with respect to parameters (i) and (ii) in their response to gamma irradiation. However, we found that the proportion of G2 nuclei was highly elevated in monocentrics after irradiation, while holocentrics were negligibly affected. Therefore, we hypothesize that DNA-damaging agents induce cell cycle arrest leading to endopolyploidy only in monocentric and not (or to much lesser extent) in holocentric plants. While current microscope-dependent methods for holocentrism detection are unreliable for small and numerous chromosomes, which are common in holocentrics, FCM can use somatic nuclei. Thus, FCM may be a rapid and reliable method of high-throughput screening for holocentric candidates across plant phylogeny.
Whole-genome resequencing of honeybee drones to detect genomic selection in a population managed for royal jelly
Authors: Wragg David , Marti-Marimon Maria , Basso Benjamin , Bidanel Jean-Pierre , Labarthe Emmanuelle , Bouchez Olivier , Le Conte Yves , Vignal Alain 
Published: June 2016

AbstractFour main evolutionary lineages of A. mellifera have been described including eastern Europe (C) and western and northern Europe (M). Many apiculturists prefer bees from the C lineage due to their docility and high productivity. In France, the routine importation of bees from the C lineage has resulted in the widespread admixture of bees from the M lineage. The haplodiploid nature of the honeybee Apis mellifera and its small genome size, permits affordable and extensive genomics studies. As a pilot study of a larger project to characterise French honeybee populations, we sequenced 60 drones sampled from two commercial populations managed for the production of honey and royal jelly. Results indicate a C lineage origin, whilst mitochondrial analysis suggests two drones originated from the O lineage. Analysis of heterozygous SNPs identified potential copy number variants near to genes encoding odorant binding proteins and several cytochrome P450 genes. Signatures of selection were detected using the hapFLK haplotype-based method, revealing several regions under putative selection for royal jelly production. The framework developed during this study will be applied to a broader sampling regime, allowing the genetic diversity of French honeybees to be characterised in detail.