bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Social context affects tail displays by Phrynocephalus vlangalii lizards from China
Authors: Peters Richard A. , Ramos Jose A. , Hernandez Juan , Wu Yayong , Qi Yin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCompetition between animals for limited resources often involves signaling to establish ownership or dominance. In some species, the defended resource relates to suitable thermal conditions and refuge from predators. This is particularly true of burrow-dwelling lizards such as the Qinghai toad-headed agama (Phrynocephalus vlangalii), which are found on the Tibetan plateau of western China. Male and female lizards occupy separate burrows, which are vital for anti-predator behaviour during warmer months when lizards are active and, crucially, provide shelter from harsh winter conditions. These lizards are readily observed signaling by means of tail displays on the sand dunes they inhabit. Given the selective pressure to hold such a resource, both males and females should exhibit territorial behaviour and we considered this study system to examine in detail how social context influences motion based territorial signaling. We confirmed that territorial signaling was used by both sexes and by adopting a novel strategy that permitted 3D reconstruction of tail displays, we identified significant variation due to social context. However, signal structure was not related to lizard morphology. Clearly, the burrow is a highly valued resource and we suggest that additional variation in signaling behaviour might be mediated by resource quality.
Astrocytic Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1a Contributes to the Development of Chronic Epileptogenesis
Authors: Yang Feng , Sun Xiaolong , Ding Yinxiu , Ma Hui , Yang Tangpeng Ou , Ma Yue , Wei Dong , Li Wen , Xu Tianle , Jiang Wen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractUnraveling mechanisms underlying epileptogenesis after brain injury is an unmet medical challenge. Although histopathological studies have revealed that reactive astrogliosis and tissue acidosis are prominent features in epileptogenic foci, their roles in epileptogenesis remain unclear. Here, we explored whether astrocytic acid-sensing ion channel-1a (ASIC1a) contributes to the development of chronic epilepsy. High levels of ASIC1a were measured in reactive astrocytes in the hippocampi of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) and epileptic mice. Extracellular acidosis caused a significant Ca2+ influx in cultured astrocytes, and this influx was sensitive to inhibition by the ASIC1a-specific blocker psalmotoxin 1 (PcTX1). In addition, recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) vectors carrying a GFAP promoter in conjunction with ASIC1a shRNA or cDNA were generated to suppress or restore, respectively, ASIC1a expression in astrocytes. Injection of rAAV-ASIC1a-shRNA into the dentate gyrus of the wide type TLE mouse model resulted in the inhibition of astrocytic ASIC1a expression and a reduction in spontaneous seizures. By contrast, rAAV-ASIC1a-cDNA restored astrocytic ASIC1a expression in an ASIC1a knock-out TLE mouse model and increased the frequency of spontaneous seizures. Taken together, our results reveal that astrocytic ASIC1a may be an attractive new target for the treatment of epilepsy.
Inhibition of methane and natural gas hydrate formation by altering the structure of water with amino acids
Authors: Sa Jeong-Hoon , Kwak Gye-Hoon , Han Kunwoo , Ahn Docheon , Cho Seong Jun , Lee Ju Dong , Lee Kun-Hong 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNatural gas hydrates are solid hydrogen-bonded water crystals containing small molecular gases. The amount of natural gas stored as hydrates in permafrost and ocean sediments is twice that of all other fossil fuels combined. However, hydrate blockages also hinder oil/gas pipeline transportation, and, despite their huge potential as energy sources, our insufficient understanding of hydrates has limited their extraction. Here, we report how the presence of amino acids in water induces changes in its structure and thus interrupts the formation of methane and natural gas hydrates. The perturbation of the structure of water by amino acids and the resulting selective inhibition of hydrate cage formation were observed directly. A strong correlation was found between the inhibition efficiencies of amino acids and their physicochemical properties, which demonstrates the importance of their direct interactions with water and the resulting dissolution environment. The inhibition of methane and natural gas hydrate formation by amino acids has the potential to be highly beneficial in practical applications such as hydrate exploitation, oil/gas transportation, and flow assurance. Further, the interactions between amino acids and water are essential to the equilibria and dynamics of many physical, chemical, biological, and environmental processes.
High Efficient Photo-Fenton Catalyst of α-Fe2O3/MoS2 Hierarchical Nanoheterostructures: Reutilization for Supercapacitors
Authors: Yang Xijia , Sun Haiming , Zhang Lishu , Zhao Lijun , Lian Jianshe , Jiang Qing 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA novel three-dimensional (3D) α-Fe2O3/MoS2 hierarchical nanoheterostructure is effectively synthesized via a facile hydrothermal method. The zero-dimensional (0D) Fe2O3 nanoparticles guide the growth of two-dimensional (2D) MoS2 nanosheets and formed 3D flower-like structures, while MoS2 facilitates the good dispersion of porous Fe2O3 with abundant oxygen vacancies. This charming 3D-structure with perfect match of non-equal dimension exhibits high recyclable photo-Fenton catalytic activity for Methyl orange pollutant and nice specific capacity in reusing as supercapacitor after catalysis. The synergistic effect between Fe2O3 and MoS2, the intermediate nanointerfaces, the 3D porous structures, and the abundant oxygen vacancies both contribute to highly active catalysis, nice electrochemical performance and stable cycling. This strategy is simple, cheap, and feasible for maximizing the value of the materials, as well as eliminating the secondary pollution.
Transcriptomic analysis of heteromorphic stamens in Cassia biscapsularis L.
Authors: Luo Zhonglai , Hu Jin , Zhao Zhongtao , Zhang Dianxiang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHermaphroditic flowers have evolved primarily under the selection on male function. Evolutionary modification often leads to stamen differentiation within flowers, or “heteranthery”, a phenomenon intrigued scientists since the 18th century until recently. However, the genetic basis and molecular regulation mechanism has barely been touched. Here we conducted comparative transcriptome profiling in Cassia biscapsularis L., a heterantherous species with representative patterns of stamen differentiation. Numerous differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected between the staminodes (the degenerated stamens) and fertile stamens, while much fewer genes differentially expressed among the three sets of fertile stamens. GO term enrichment and KEGG pathway analysis characterized functional properties of DEGs in different stamen types. Transcripts showing close correlation between expression pattern and stamen types were identified. Transcription factors from the bHLH family were suggested to have taken crucial part in the formation of staminodes. This first global transcriptomic analysis focusing on stamen differentiation opens the door toward a more comprehensive understanding on the molecular regulation of floral organ evolution. Especially, the generated unigene resource would be valuable for developing male sterile lines in agronomy.
Structurally novel steroidal spirooxindole by241 potently inhibits tumor growth mainly through ROS-mediated mechanisms
Authors: Shi Xiao-Jing , Yu Bin , Wang Jun-Wei , Qi Ping-Ping , Tang Kai , Huang Xin , Liu Hong-Min 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCancer cells always have increased ROS levels, thus making them more vulnerable to persistent endogenous oxidative stress. The biochemical difference between cancer and normal cells could be exploited to achieve selective cancer cell killing by exogenous ROS-producing agents. Herein we described a structurally novel steroidal spirooxindole by241 and its anticancer efficacy. By241 exhibited potent inhibition against human cancer cells and less toxic to normal cells. By241 concentration-dependently induced apoptosis of MGC-803 and EC9706 cells, accompanied with the mitochondrial dysfunction and increased ROS levels. NAC can completely restore the decreased cell viability of MGC-803 cells caused by by241, suggesting ROS-mediated mechanisms. The expression levels of proteins involved in the mitochondrion-related pathways were detected, showing increased expression of proapoptotic proteins and decreased expression of anti-apoptotic proteins and activation of caspases-9/-3, but without activating caspase-8 expression. Pretreatment with Z-VAD-FMK partially rescued by241-induced apoptosis of MGC-803 cells. Additionally, by241 inhibited mTOR, activated p53 and its downstream proteins, cleaved MDM2 and PI3K/AKT as well as NF-κB signaling pathway. In vivo experiments showed that by241 did not have significant acute oral toxicity and exerted good anticancer efficacy against MGC-803 bearing mice models. Therefore, by241 may serve as a lead for further development for cancer therapy.
Ce3+-ion-induced visible-light photocatalytic degradation and electrochemical activity of ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposite
Authors: Rajendran Saravanan , Khan Mohammad Mansoob , Gracia F. , Qin Jiaqian , Gupta Vinod Kumar , Arumainathan Stephen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIn this study, pure ZnO, CeO2 and ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposites were synthesized using a thermal decomposition method and subsequently characterized using different standard techniques. High-resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements confirmed the oxidation states and presence of Zn2+, Ce4+, Ce3+ and different bonded oxygen species in the nanocomposites. The prepared pure ZnO and CeO2 as well as the ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposites with various proportions of ZnO and CeO2 were tested for photocatalytic degradation of methyl orange, methylene blue and phenol under visible-light irradiation. The optimized and highly efficient ZnO/CeO2 (90:10) nanocomposite exhibited enhanced photocatalytic degradation performance for the degradation of methyl orange, methylene blue and phenol as well as industrial textile effluent compared to ZnO, CeO2 and the other investigated nanocomposites. Moreover, the recycling results demonstrate that the ZnO/CeO2 (90:10) nanocomposite exhibited good stability and long-term durability. Furthermore, the prepared ZnO/CeO2 nanocomposites were used for the electrochemical detection of uric acid and ascorbic acid. The ZnO/CeO2 (90:10) nanocomposite also demonstrated the best detection, sensitivity and performance among the investigated materials in this application. These findings suggest that the synthesized ZnO/CeO2 (90:10) nanocomposite could be effectively used in various applications.
Laquinimod rescues striatal, cortical and white matter pathology and results in modest behavioural improvements in the YAC128 model of Huntington disease
Authors: Garcia-Miralles Marta , Hong Xin , Tan Liang Juin , Caron Nicholas S. , Huang Yihui , To Xuan Vinh , Lin Rachel Yanping , Franciosi Sonia , Papapetropoulos Spyros , Hayardeny Liat , Hayden Michael R. , Chuang Kai-Hsiang , Pouladi Mahmoud A. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractIncreasing evidence supports a role for abnormal immune activation and inflammatory responses in Huntington disease (HD). In this study, we evaluated the therapeutic potential of laquinimod (1 and 10 mg/kg), a novel immunomodulatory agent shown to be protective in a number of neuroinflammatory conditions, in the YAC128 mouse model of HD. Treatment with laquinimod for 6 months rescued atrophy in the striatum, in certain cortical regions, and in the corpus callosum of YAC128 HD mice. Diffusion tensor imaging showed that white matter microstructural abnormalities in the posterior corpus callosum were improved following treatment with low dose (1 mg/kg) laquinimod, and were paralleled by reduced levels of interleukin-6 in the periphery of YAC128 HD mice. Functionally, treatment with laquinimod (1 and 10 mg/kg) led to modest improvements in motor function and in depressive-like behaviour. Taken together, these results suggest that laquinimod may improve some features of pathology in HD, and provides support for the role of immune activation in the pathogenesis of HD.
Crystallization characteristics in supercooled liquid zinc during isothermal relaxation: A molecular dynamics simulation study
Authors: Zhou Li-li , Liu Rang-su , Tian Ze-an , Liu Hai-rong , Hou Zhao-yang , Peng Ping 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe crystallization characteristics in supercooled liquid Zn during isothermal relaxation were investigated using molecular dynamics simulations by adopting the cluster-type index method (CTIM) and the tracing method. Results showed that the crystallization process undergo three different stages. The size of the critical nucleus was found to be approximately 90–150 atoms in this system; the growth of nuclei proceeded via the successive formation of hcp and fcc structures with a layered distribution; and finally, the system evolved into a much larger crystal with a distinct layered distribution of hcp and fcc structures with an 8R stacking sequence of ABCBACAB by adjusting all of the atoms in the larger clusters according to a certain rule.
TLR4-Upregulated IL-1β and IL-1RI Promote Alveolar Macrophage Pyroptosis and Lung Inflammation through an Autocrine Mechanism
Authors: He Xingying , Qian Yongbing , Li Zhigang , Fan Erica K. , Li Yuehua , Wu Liang , Billiar Timothy R. , Wilson Mark A. , Shi Xueyin , Fan Jie 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAcute lung injury (ALI) is a major component of multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) following pulmonary infection. Alveolar macrophages (AM) are at the center of the pathogenesis of the development of ALI. Interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is one of the key pro-inflammatory mediators and its maturation is tightly controlled by the formation and activation of the inflammasome. The biological effects of IL-1β are mediated through IL-1 receptor (IL-1R). In this study, we investigated the influence of LPS-induced IL-1β release and IL-1RI upregulation on the development of lung inflammation. We demonstrated that in AM, LPS-TLR4 signaling not only activates Nlrp3 inflammasome activation and subsequent release of IL-1β, but also up-regulates IL-1RI expression on AM surface through MyD88 and NF-κB dependent signaling. The upregulated IL-1RI, therefore, sensitizes AM to IL-1β and results in pyroptosome formation, which in turn leads to AM pyroptosis, a type of caspase-1-dependent inflammatory cell death. We further showed that AM pyroptosis exaggerates lung inflammation. The present study demonstrates a novel mechanism underlying LPS-induced innate immunity; that is, a secondary upregulation of IL-1β-IL-1RI signaling is responsible for AM pyroptosis and augmented lung injury in response to LPS.
Penguins reduced olfactory receptor genes common to other waterbirds
Authors: Lu Qin , Wang Kai , Lei Fumin , Yu Dan , Zhao Huabin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe sense of smell, or olfaction, is fundamental in the life of animals. However, penguins (Aves: Sphenisciformes) possess relatively small olfactory bulbs compared with most other waterbirds such as Procellariiformes and Gaviiformes. To test whether penguins have a reduced reliance on olfaction, we analyzed the draft genome sequences of the two penguins, which diverged at the origin of the order Sphenisciformes; we also examined six closely related species with available genomes and identified 29 one-to-one orthologous olfactory receptor genes (i.e. ORs) that are putatively functionally conserved and important across the eight birds. To survey the 29 one-to-one orthologous ORs in penguins and their relatives, we newly generated 34 sequences that are missing from the draft genomes. Through the analysis of totaling 378 OR sequences, we found that, of these functionally important ORs common to other waterbirds, penguins have a significantly greater percentage of OR pseudogenes than other waterbirds, suggesting a reduction of olfactory capability. The penguin-specific reduction of olfactory capability arose in the common ancestor of penguins between 23 and 60 Ma, which may have resulted from the aquatic specializations for underwater vision. Our study provides genetic evidence for a possible reduction of reliance on olfaction in penguins.
Proteomics tools reveal startlingly high amounts of oxytocin in plasma and serum
Authors: Brandtzaeg Ole Kristian , Johnsen Elin , Roberg-Larsen Hanne , Seip Knut Fredrik , MacLean Evan L. , Gesquiere Laurence R. , Leknes Siri , Lundanes Elsa , Wilson Steven Ray 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe neuropeptide oxytocin (OT) is associated with a plethora of social behaviors and is a key topic at the intersection of psychology and biology. However, tools for measuring OT are still not fully developed. We describe a robust nano liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (nanoLC-MS) platform for measuring the total amount of OT in human plasma/serum. OT binds strongly to plasma proteins, but a reduction/alkylation (R/A) procedure breaks this bond, enabling ample detection of total OT. The method (R/A + robust nanoLC-MS) was used to determine total OT plasma/serum levels to startlingly high concentrations (high pg/mL-ng/mL). Similar results were obtained when combining R/A and ELISA. Compared to measuring free OT, measuring total OT can have advantages in e.g. biomarker studies.
New insights into the mode of action of the lantibiotic salivaricin B
Authors: Barbour Abdelahhad , Tagg John , Abou-Zied Osama K. , Philip Koshy 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSalivaricin B is a 25 amino acid polycyclic peptide belonging to the type AII lantibiotics and first shown to be produced by Streptococcus salivarius. In this study we describe the bactericidal mode of action of salivaricin B against susceptible Gram-positive bacteria. The killing action of salivaricin B required micro-molar concentrations of lantibiotic whereas the prototype lantibiotic nisin A was shown to be potent at nano-molar levels. Unlike nisin A, salivaricin B did not induce pore formation or dissipate the membrane potential in susceptible cells. This was established by measuring the fluorescence of the tryptophan residue at position 17 when salivaricin B interacted with bacterial membrane vesicles. The absence of a fluorescence blue shift indicates a failure of salivaricin B to penetrate the membranes. On the other hand, salivaricin B interfered with cell wall biosynthesis, as shown by the accumulation of the final soluble cell wall precursor UDP-MurNAc-pentapeptide which is the backbone of the bacterial peptidoglycan. Transmission electron microscopy of salivaricin B-treated cells showed a reduction in cell wall thickness together with signs of aberrant septum formation in the absence of visible changes to cytoplasmic membrane integrity.
Leveraging electronic health records to study pleiotropic effects on bipolar disorder and medical comorbidities
Authors: Prieto M L , Ryu E , Jenkins G D , Batzler A , Nassan M M , Cuellar-Barboza A B , Pathak J , McElroy S L , Frye M A , Biernacka J M 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPatients with bipolar disorder (BD) have a high prevalence of comorbid medical illness. However, the mechanisms underlying these comorbidities with BD are not well known. Certain genetic variants may have pleiotropic effects, increasing the risk of BD and other medical illnesses simultaneously. In this study, we evaluated the association of BD-susceptibility genetic variants with various medical conditions that tend to co-exist with BD, using electronic health records (EHR) data linked to genome-wide single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) data. Data from 7316 Caucasian subjects were used to test the association of 19 EHR-derived phenotypes with 34 SNPs that were previously reported to be associated with BD. After Bonferroni multiple testing correction, P<7.7 × 10−5 was considered statistically significant. The top association findings suggested that the BD risk alleles at SNP rs4765913 in CACNA1C gene and rs7042161 in SVEP1 may be associated with increased risk of ‘cardiac dysrhythmias’ (odds ratio (OR)=1.1, P=3.4 × 10−3) and ‘essential hypertension’ (OR=1.1, P=3.5 × 10−3), respectively. Although these associations are not statistically significant after multiple testing correction, both genes have been previously implicated with cardiovascular phenotypes. Moreover, we present additional evidence supporting these associations, particularly the association of the SVEP1 SNP with hypertension. This study shows the potential for EHR-based analyses of large cohorts to discover pleiotropic effects contributing to complex psychiatric traits and commonly co-occurring medical conditions.
Non-neuronal cardiac cholinergic system influences CNS via the vagus nerve to acquire a stress-refractory propensity
Authors: Oikawa Shino , Kai Yuko , Tsuda Masayuki , Ohata Hisayuki , Mano Asuka , Mizoguchi Naoko , Sugama Shuei , Nemoto Takahiro , Suzuki Kenji , Kurabayashi Atsushi , Muramoto Kazuyo , Kaneda Makoto , Kakinuma Yoshihiko 
Published: August 2016

We previously developed cardiac ventricle-specific choline acetyltransferase (ChAT) gene-overexpressing transgenic mice (ChAT tgm), i.e. an in vivo model of the cardiac non-neuronal acetylcholine (NNA) system or non-neuronal cardiac cholinergic system (NNCCS). By using this murine model, we determined that this system was responsible for characteristics of resistance to ischaemia, or hypoxia, via the modulation of cellular energy metabolism and angiogenesis. In line with our previous study, neuronal ChAT-immunoreactivity in the ChAT tgm brains was not altered from that in the wild-type (WT) mice brains; in contrast, the ChAT tgm hearts were the organs with the highest expression of the ChAT transgene. ChAT tgm showed specific traits in a central nervous system (CNS) phenotype, including decreased response to restraint stress, less depressive-like and anxiety-like behaviours and anti-convulsive effects, all of which may benefit the heart. These phenotypes, induced by the activation of cardiac NNCCS, were dependent on the vagus nerve, because vagus nerve stimulation (VS) in WT mice also evoked phenotypes similar to those of ChAT tgm, which display higher vagus nerve discharge frequency; in contrast, lateral vagotomy attenuated these traits in ChAT tgm to levels observed in WT mice. Furthermore, ChAT tgm induced several biomarkers of VS responsible for anti-convulsive and anti-depressive-like effects. These results suggest that the augmentation of the NNCCS transduces an effective and beneficial signal to the afferent pathway, which mimics VS. Therefore, the present study supports our hypothesis that activation of the NNCCS modifies CNS to a more stress-resistant state through vagus nerve activity.
Broadband transition between microstrip line and spoof SP waveguide
Authors: Xu Jie , Cui Yinjie , Guo Jian , Xu Zhengbin , Qian Cheng , Li Wenyuan 
Published: August 2016

A broadband transition from microstrip line to spoof surface plasmon (SP) waveguide is proposed. The transition transforms the guided wave into a spoof SP polariton in a broad microwave frequency band. A back‐to‐back transition sample is fabricated using the proposed method. Good agreement between the measurement and simulation is obtained. The measured results show an insertion loss <2 dB and a return loss below −11 dB from 2.2 to 10 GHz. The proposed broadband transition may pave a way for advanced conventional plasmonic integrated microwave devices and circuits.