bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Quantitative 3D analysis of complex single border cell behaviors in coordinated collective cell migration
Authors: Cliffe Adam , Doupé David P. , Sung HsinHo , Lim Isaac Kok Hwee , Ong Kok Haur , Cheng Li , Yu Weimiao 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the mechanisms of collective cell migration is crucial for cancer metastasis, wound healing and many developmental processes. Imaging a migrating cluster in vivo is feasible, but the quantification of individual cell behaviours remains challenging. We have developed an image analysis toolkit, CCMToolKit, to quantify the Drosophila border cell system. In addition to chaotic motion, previous studies reported that the migrating cells are able to migrate in a highly coordinated pattern. We quantify the rotating and running migration modes in 3D while also observing a range of intermediate behaviours. Running mode is driven by cluster external protrusions. Rotating mode is associated with cluster internal cell extensions that could not be easily characterized. Although the cluster moves slower while rotating, individual cells retain their mobility and are in fact slightly more active than in running mode. We also show that individual cells may exchange positions during migration.
IL-33 contributes to sepsis-induced long-term immunosuppression by expanding the regulatory T cell population
Authors: Nascimento Daniele C. , Melo Paulo H. , Piñeros Annie R. , Ferreira Raphael G. , Colón David F. , Donate Paula B. , Castanheira Fernanda V. , Gozzi Aline , Czaikoski Paula G. , Niedbala Wanda , Borges Marcos C. , Zamboni Dario S. , Liew Foo Y. , Cunha Fernando Q. , Alves-Filho Jose C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPatients who survive sepsis can develop long-term immune dysfunction, with expansion of the regulatory T (Treg) cell population. However, how Treg cells proliferate in these patients is not clear. Here we show that IL-33 has a major function in the induction of this immunosuppression. Mice deficient in ST2 (IL-33R) develop attenuated immunosuppression in cases that survive sepsis, whereas treatment of naive wild-type mice with IL-33 induces immunosuppression. IL-33, released during tissue injury in sepsis, activates type 2 innate lymphoid cells, which promote polarization of M2 macrophages, thereby enhancing expansion of the Treg cell population via IL-10. Moreover, sepsis-surviving patients have more Treg cells, IL-33 and IL-10 in their peripheral blood. Our study suggests that targeting IL-33 may be an effective treatment for sepsis-induced immunosuppression.
Quinuclidinium salt ferroelectric thin-film with duodecuple-rotational polarization-directions
Authors: You Yu-Meng , Tang Yuan-Yuan , Li Peng-Fei , Zhang Han-Yue , Zhang Wan-Ying , Zhang Yi , Ye Heng-Yun , Nakamura Takayoshi , Xiong Ren-Gen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFerroelectric thin-films are highly desirable for their applications on energy conversion, data storage and so on. Molecular ferroelectrics had been expected to be a better candidate compared to conventional ferroelectric ceramics, due to its simple and low-cost film-processability. However, most molecular ferroelectrics are mono-polar-axial, and the polar axes of the entire thin-film must be well oriented to a specific direction to realize the macroscopic ferroelectricity. To align the polar axes, an orientation-controlled single-crystalline thin-film growth method must be employed, which is complicated, high-cost and is extremely substrate-dependent. In this work, we discover a new molecular ferroelectric of quinuclidinium periodate, which possesses six-fold rotational polar axes. The multi-axes nature allows the thin-film of quinuclidinium periodate to be simply prepared on various substrates including flexible polymer, transparent glasses and amorphous metal plates, without considering the crystallinity and crystal orientation. With those benefits and excellent ferroelectric properties, quinuclidinium periodate shows great potential in applications like wearable devices, flexible materials, bio-machines and so on.
Low-dose penicillin in early life induces long-term changes in murine gut microbiota, brain cytokines and behavior
Authors: Leclercq Sophie , Mian Firoz M. , Stanisz Andrew M. , Bindels Laure B. , Cambier Emmanuel , Ben-Amram Hila , Koren Omry , Forsythe Paul , Bienenstock John 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThere is increasing concern about potential long-term effects of antibiotics on children’s health. Epidemiological studies have revealed that early-life antibiotic exposure can increase the risk of developing immune and metabolic diseases, and rodent studies have shown that administration of high doses of antibiotics has long-term effects on brain neurochemistry and behaviour. Here we investigate whether low-dose penicillin in late pregnancy and early postnatal life induces long-term effects in the offspring of mice. We find that penicillin has lasting effects in both sexes on gut microbiota, increases cytokine expression in frontal cortex, modifies blood–brain barrier integrity and alters behaviour. The antibiotic-treated mice exhibit impaired anxiety-like and social behaviours, and display aggression. Concurrent supplementation with Lactobacillus rhamnosus JB-1 prevents some of these alterations. These results warrant further studies on the potential role of early-life antibiotic use in the development of neuropsychiatric disorders, and the possible attenuation of these by beneficial bacteria.
A phase field model for snow crystal growth in three dimensions
Authors: Demange Gilles , Zapolsky Helena , Patte Renaud , Brunel Marc 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSnowflake growth provides a fascinating example of spontaneous pattern formation in nature. Attempts to understand this phenomenon have led to important insights in non-equilibrium dynamics observed in various active scientific fields, ranging from pattern formation in physical and chemical systems, to self-assembly problems in biology. Yet, very few models currently succeed in reproducing the diversity of snowflake forms in three dimensions, and the link between model parameters and thermodynamic quantities is not established. Here, we report a modified phase field model that describes the subtlety of the ice vapour phase transition, through anisotropic water molecules attachment and condensation, surface diffusion, and strong anisotropic surface tension, that guarantee the anisotropy, faceting and dendritic growth of snowflakes. We demonstrate that this model reproduces the growth dynamics of the most challenging morphologies of snowflakes from the Nakaya diagram. We find that the growth dynamics of snow crystals matches the selection theory, consistently with previous experimental observations.
Quantum parameter estimation with general dynamics
Authors: Yuan Haidong , Fung Chi-Hang Fred 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOne of the main quests in quantum metrology, and quantum parameter estimation in general, is to find out the highest achievable precision with given resources and design schemes to attain it. In this article we present a general framework for quantum parameter estimation and provide systematic methods for computing the ultimate precision limit, which is more general and efficient than conventional methods.
TSLP is a direct trigger for T cell migration in filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents
Authors: Wallmeyer Leonie , Dietert Kristina , Sochorová Michaela , Gruber Achim D. , Kleuser Burkhard , Vávrová Kateřina , Hedtrich Sarah 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMutations in the gene encoding for filaggrin (FLG) are major predisposing factors for atopic dermatitis (AD). Besides genetic predisposition, immunological dysregulations considerably contribute to its pathophysiology. For example, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) is highly expressed in lesional atopic skin and significantly contributes to the pathogenesis of AD by activating dendritic cells that then initiate downstream effects on, for example, T cells. However, little is known about the direct interplay between TSLP, filaggrin-deficient skin and other immune cells such as T lymphocytes. In the present study, FLG knockdown skin equivalents, characterised by intrinsically high TSLP levels, were exposed to activated CD4+ T cells. T cell exposure resulted in an inflammatory phenotype of the skin equivalents. Furthermore, a distinct shift from a Th1/Th17 to a Th2/Th22 profile was observed following exposure of T cells to filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents. Interestingly, TSLP directly stimulated T cell migration exclusively in filaggrin-deficient skin equivalents even in the absence of dendritic cells, indicating a hitherto unknown role of TSLP in the pathogenesis of AD.
3D field-shaping lens using all-dielectric gradient refractive index materials
Authors: Ding Tongyu , Yi Jianjia , Li Haoyu , Zhang Hailin , Burokur Shah Nawaz 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA novel three-dimensional (3D) optical lens structure for electromagnetic field shaping based on spatial light transformation method is proposed at microwave frequencies. The lens is capable of transforming cylindrical wavefronts into planar ones, and generating a directive emission. Such manipulation is simulated and analysed by solving Laplace’s equation, and the deformation of the medium during the transformation is theoretically described in detail. The two-dimensional (2D) design method producing quasi-isotropic parameters is further extended to a potential 3D realization with all-dielectric gradient refractive index metamaterials. Numerical full-wave simulations are performed on both 2D and 3D models to verify the functionality and broadband characteristics of the calculated lens. Far-field radiation patterns and near-field distributions demonstrate a highly radiated directive beam when the lens is applied to a conical horn antenna.
Phase heterogeneity in carbonate production by marine fish influences their roles in sediment generation and the inorganic carbon cycle
Authors: Salter Michael A. , Harborne Alastair R. , Perry Chris T. , Wilson Rod W. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMarine teleost fish are important carbonate producers in neritic and oceanic settings. However, the fates of the diverse carbonate phases (i.e., mineral and amorphous forms of CaCO3) they produce, and their roles in sediment production and marine inorganic carbon cycling, remain poorly understood. Here we quantify the carbonate phases produced by 22 Bahamian fish species and integrate these data with regional fish biomass data from The Bahamas to generate a novel platform-scale production model that resolves these phases. Overall carbonate phase proportions, ordered by decreasing phase stability, are: ~20% calcite, ~6% aragonite, ~60% high-Mg calcite, and ~14% amorphous carbonate. We predict that these phases undergo differing fates, with at least ~14% (amorphous carbonate) likely dissolving rapidly. Results further indicate that fisheries exploitation in The Bahamas has potentially reduced fish carbonate production by up to 58% in certain habitats, whilst also driving a deviation from natural phase proportions. These findings have evident implications for understanding sedimentary processes in shallow warm-water carbonate provinces. We further speculate that marked phase heterogeneity may be a hitherto unrecognised feature of fish carbonates across a wide range of neritic and oceanic settings, with potentially major implications for understanding their role in global marine inorganic carbon cycling.
Social media reveal that charismatic species are not the main attractor of ecotourists to sub-Saharan protected areas
Authors: Hausmann Anna , Toivonen Tuuli , Heikinheimo Vuokko , Tenkanen Henrikki , Slotow Rob , Di Minin Enrico 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCharismatic megafauna are arguably considered the primary attractor of ecotourists to sub-Saharan African protected areas. However, the lack of visitation data across the whole continent has thus far prevented the investigation of whether charismatic species are indeed a key attractor of ecotourists to protected areas. Social media data can now be used for this purpose. We mined data from Instagram, and used generalized linear models with site- and country-level deviations to explore which socio-economic, geographical and biological factors explain social media use in sub-Saharan African protected areas. We found that charismatic species richness did not explain social media usage. On the other hand, protected areas that were more accessible, had sparser vegetation, where human population density was higher, and that were located in wealthier countries, had higher social media use. Interestingly, protected areas with lower richness in non-charismatic species had more users. Overall, our results suggest that more factors than simply charismatic species might explain attractiveness of protected areas, and call for more in-depth content analysis of the posts. With African countries projected to develop further in the near-future, more social media data will become available, and could be used to inform protected area management and marketing.
Association between education and the risk of incident coronary heart disease among middle-aged and older Chinese: the Dongfeng-Tongji Cohort
Authors: Wang Hao , Yuan Yu , Song Lulu , Qiu Gaokun , Lai Xuefeng , Yang Liangle , Xiao Yang , Zhou Lue , Yang Handong , Li Xiulou , Xu Chengwei , Zhang Xiaomin , He Mei-an , Wu Tangchun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEducational achievement was related to cardiovascular disease in some western populations, but prospective evidence on the relationship between education and the risk of incident coronary heart disease (CHD) in Asians is scarce. We aimed to explore this association and the potential modifying effect of major CHD risk factors related to education in middle-aged and older Chinese adults. We included 18,551 participants with mean age 62.8 years at baseline between September 2008 and June 2010, and followed the population until October 2013. Cox proportional hazard models and log-binomial regression models were used for multivariate analyses. Compared with participants with low education, the adjusted hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) for incident CHD in those with high education was 0.89 (95% CI: 0.80, 0.98). In addition, such inverse association between education and the risk of incident CHD was more evident among individuals who were more than 60 years, physically active, overweight, and hypertension. Besides, decreases in the relative index of inequality with high education versus low education were from 0.83 to 0.76 for hypertension, from 0.85 to 0.82 for diabetes. In conclusion, education was inversely associated with the risk of incident CHD among middle-aged and older Chinese adults.
Modulation of glucose metabolism by a natural compound from Chloranthus japonicus via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase
Authors: Hu Rongkuan , Yan Huan , Fei Xiaoyan , Liu Haiyang , Wu Jiarui 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a key sensor and regulator of glucose metabolism. Here, we demonstrated that shizukaol F, a natural compound isolated from Chloranthus japonicus, can activate AMPK and modulate glucose metabolism both in vitro and in vivo. Shizukaol F increased glucose uptake in differentiated C2C12 myotubes by stimulating glucose transporter-4 (GLUT-4) membraned translocation. Treatment of primary mouse hepatocytes with shizukaol F decreased the expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase 2 (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G6Pase) and suppressed hepatic gluconeogenesis. Meanwhile, a single oral dose of shizukaol F reduced gluconeogenesis in C57BL/6 J mice. Further studies indicated that shizukaol F modulates glucose metabolism mainly by AMPKa phosphorylation activity. In addition, we also found that shizukaol F depolarizes the mitochondrial membrane and inhibits respiratory complex I, which may result in AMPK activation. Our results highlight the potential value of shizukaol F as a possible treatment of metabolic syndrome.
Impacts of the removal of shrubs on the physiological and biochemical characteristics of Syntrichia caninervis Mitt: in a temperate desert
Authors: Yin Ben-feng , Zhang Yuan-ming , Lou An-ru 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMoss crusts play important roles in biological soil crusts biomass and soil surface stabilization. However, because of increasingly intensive human activities, especially grazing, the growth and survival of shrubs are seriously threatened. This study aimed to test whether the presence of shrubs affects the physiological state of the bryophyte Syntrichia caninervis Mitt. in this desert ecosystem. We simulated animal-grazed shrubs at three levels in the Gurbantunggut Desert and compared these simulations to exposed areas, measuring the indicators of growth and stress tolerance exhibited by bryophytes. The results showed that the removal of shrubs significantly decreased chlorophyll fluorescence activity and soluble protein content in S. caninervis, especially under the total shrub removal treatment. The ratio between the total removal of shrubs and other treatments in antioxidative enzymes and in osmotic adjustment substances of S. caninervis exhibited two types of responses. With the exception of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), the variables examined fitted as downward parabolic then upward parabolic temporal dynamics. The removal of shrubs is harmful to the survival of S.caninervis. In resource-constrained conditions, SOD is an important antioxidant enzyme that of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT) and osmotic adjustment substances, for S. caninervis survival.
Weakly-coupled quasi-1D helical modes in disordered 3D topological insulator quantum wires
Authors: Dufouleur J. , Veyrat L. , Dassonneville B. , Xypakis E. , Bardarson J. H. , Nowka C. , Hampel S. , Schumann J. , Eichler B. , Schmidt O. G. , Büchner B. , Giraud R. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractDisorder remains a key limitation in the search for robust signatures of topological superconductivity in condensed matter. Whereas clean semiconducting quantum wires gave promising results discussed in terms of Majorana bound states, disorder makes the interpretation more complex. Quantum wires of 3D topological insulators offer a serious alternative due to their perfectly-transmitted mode. An important aspect to consider is the mixing of quasi-1D surface modes due to the strong degree of disorder typical for such materials. Here, we reveal that the energy broadening γ of such modes is much smaller than their energy spacing Δ, an unusual result for highly-disordered mesoscopic nanostructures. This is evidenced by non-universal conductance fluctuations in highly-doped and disordered Bi2Se3 and Bi2Te3 nanowires. Theory shows that such a unique behavior is specific to spin-helical Dirac fermions with strong quantum confinement, which retain ballistic properties over an unusually large energy scale due to their spin texture. Our result confirms their potential to investigate topological superconductivity without ambiguity despite strong disorder.
Evolution of opto-electronic properties during film formation of complex semiconductors
Authors: Heinemann M. D. , Mainz R. , Österle F. , Rodriguez-Alvarez H. , Greiner D. , Kaufmann C. A. , Unold T. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOptical and electrical properties of complex semiconducting alloys like Cu(In,Ga)Se2 (CIGS) are strongly influenced by the reaction pathways occurring during their deposition process. This makes it desirable to observe and control these properties in real-time during the deposition. Here we show for the first time the evolution of the band gap and the sub-band-gap defect absorption of CIGS thin film as well as surface roughness during a three-stage co-evaporation process by means of an optical analysis technique, based on white light reflectometry (WLR). By simultaneously recording structural information with in-situ energy dispersive X-ray diffraction and X-ray fluorescence we can directly correlate the evolution of opto-electronic material parameters with the structural properties of the film during growth. We find that the surface roughness and the sub-gap light absorption can be correlated with the phase evolution during the transformation from (In,Ga)2Se3 to Cu(In,Ga)Se2 by the incorporation of Cu into the film. Sub-bandgap light absorption is found to be influenced by the Cu-saturated growth phase and is lowered close to the points of stoichiometry, allowing for an advanced process design.
Dynamic metabolic profiling together with transcription analysis reveals salinity-induced starch-to-lipid biosynthesis in alga Chlamydomonas sp. JSC4
Authors: Ho Shih-Hsin , Nakanishi Akihito , Kato Yuichi , Yamasaki Hiroaki , Chang Jo-Shu , Misawa Naomi , Hirose Yuu , Minagawa Jun , Hasunuma Tomohisa , Kondo Akihiko 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBiodiesel production using microalgae would play a pivotal role in satisfying future global energy demands. Understanding of lipid metabolism in microalgae is important to isolate oleaginous strain capable of overproducing lipids. It has been reported that reducing starch biosynthesis can enhance lipid accumulation. However, the metabolic mechanism controlling carbon partitioning from starch to lipids in microalgae remains unclear, thus complicating the genetic engineering of algal strains. We here used “dynamic” metabolic profiling and essential transcription analysis of the oleaginous green alga Chlamydomonas sp. JSC4 for the first time to demonstrate the switching mechanisms from starch to lipid synthesis using salinity as a regulator, and identified the metabolic rate-limiting step for enhancing lipid accumulation (e.g., pyruvate-to-acetyl-CoA). These results, showing salinity-induced starch-to-lipid biosynthesis, will help increase our understanding of dynamic carbon partitioning in oleaginous microalgae. Moreover, we successfully determined the changes of several key lipid-synthesis-related genes (e.g., acetyl-CoA carboxylase, pyruvate decarboxylase, acetaldehyde dehydrogenase, acetyl-CoA synthetase and pyruvate ferredoxin oxidoreductase) and starch-degradation related genes (e.g., starch phosphorylases), which could provide a breakthrough in the marine microalgal production of biodiesel.
Claudin expression in the rat endolymphatic duct and sac - first insights into regulation of the paracellular barrier by vasopressin
Authors: Runggaldier Daniel , Pradas Lidia Garcia , Neckel Peter H. , Mack Andreas F. , Hirt Bernhard , Gleiser Corinna 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHearing and balance functions of the inner ear rely on the homeostasis of the endolymphatic fluid. When disturbed, pathologic endolymphatic hydrops evolves as observed in Menière’s disease. The molecular basis of inner ear fluid regulation across the endolymphatic epithelium is largely unknown. In this study we identified the specific expression of the tight junction (TJ) molecules Claudin 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 16 in epithelial preparations of the rat inner ear endolymphatic duct (ED) and endolymphatic sac (ES) by high-throughput qPCR and immunofluorescence confocal microscopy. Further we showed that Claudin 4 in the ES is a target of arginine-vasopressin (AVP), a hormone elevated in Menière’s disease. Moreover, our transmission-electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the TJs of the ED were shallow and shorter compared to the TJ of the ES indicating facilitation of a paracellular fluid transport across the ED epithelium. The significant differences in the subcellular localization of the barrier-forming protein Claudin 3 between the ED and ES epithelium further support the TEM observations. Our results indicate a high relevance of Claudin 3 and Claudin 4 as important paracellular barrier molecules in the ED and ES epithelium with potential involvement in the pathophysiology of Menière’s disease.