bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The antibiotic resistome of swine manure is significantly altered by association with the Musca domestica larvae gut microbiome
Authors: Wang Hang , Sangwan Naseer , Li Hong-Yi , Su Jian-Qiang , Oyang Wei-Yin , Zhang Zhi-Jian , Gilbert Jack A , Zhu Yong-Guan , Ping Fan , Zhang Han-Luo 
Published: July 2016

Abstract
The overuse of antibiotics as veterinary feed additives is potentially contributing to a significant reservoir of antibiotic resistance in agricultural farmlands via the application of antibiotic-contaminated manure. Vermicomposting of swine manure using housefly larvae is a promising biotechnology for waste reduction and control of antibiotic pollution. To determine how vermicomposting influences antibiotic resistance traits in swine manure, we explored the resistome and associated bacterial community dynamics during larvae gut transit over 6 days of treatment. In total, 94 out of 158 antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) were significantly attenuated (by 85%), while 23 were significantly enriched (3.9-fold) following vermicomposting. The manure-borne bacterial community showed a decrease in the relative abundance of Bacteroidetes, and an increase in Proteobacteria, specifically Ignatzschineria, following gut transit. ARG attenuation was significantly correlated with changes in microbial community succession, especially reduction in Clostridiales and Bacteroidales. Six genomes were assembled from the manure, vermicompost (final product) and gut samples, including Pseudomonas, Providencia, Enterococcus, Bacteroides and Alcanivorax. Transposon-linked ARGs were more abundant in gut-associated bacteria compared with those from manure and vermicompost. Further, ARG-transposon gene cassettes had a high degree of synteny between metagenomic assemblies from gut and vermicompost samples, highlighting the significant contribution of gut microbiota through horizontal gene transfer to the resistome of vermicompost. In conclusion, the larvae gut microbiome significantly influences manure-borne community succession and the antibiotic resistome during animal manure processing.
Non-equilibrium processing leads to record high thermoelectric figure of merit in PbTe–SrTe
Authors: Tan Gangjian , Shi Fengyuan , Hao Shiqiang , Zhao Li-Dong , Chi Hang , Zhang Xiaomi , Uher Ctirad , Wolverton Chris , Dravid Vinayak P. , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe broad-based implementation of thermoelectric materials in converting heat to electricity hinges on the achievement of high conversion efficiency. Here we demonstrate a thermoelectric figure of merit ZT of 2.5 at 923 K by the cumulative integration of several performance-enhancing concepts in a single material system. Using non-equilibrium processing we show that hole-doped samples of PbTe can be heavily alloyed with SrTe well beyond its thermodynamic solubility limit of <1 mol%. The much higher levels of Sr alloyed into the PbTe matrix widen the bandgap and create convergence of the two valence bands of PbTe, greatly boosting the power factors with maximal values over 30 μW cm−1 K−2. Exceeding the 5 mol% solubility limit leads to endotaxial SrTe nanostructures which produce extremely low lattice thermal conductivity of 0.5 W m−1 K−1 but preserve high hole mobilities because of the matrix/precipitate valence band alignment. The best composition is hole-doped PbTe–8%SrTe.
Sea ice and millennial-scale climate variability in the Nordic seas 90 kyr ago to present
Authors: Hoff Ulrike , Rasmussen Tine L. , Stein Ruediger , Ezat Mohamed M. , Fahl Kirsten 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIn the light of rapidly diminishing sea ice cover in the Arctic during the present atmospheric warming, it is imperative to study the distribution of sea ice in the past in relation to rapid climate change. Here we focus on glacial millennial-scale climatic events (Dansgaard/Oeschger events) using the sea ice proxy IP25 in combination with phytoplankton proxy data and quantification of diatom species in a record from the southeast Norwegian Sea. We demonstrate that expansion and retreat of sea ice varies consistently in pace with the rapid climate changes 90 kyr ago to present. Sea ice retreats abruptly at the start of warm interstadials, but spreads rapidly during cooling phases of the interstadials and becomes near perennial and perennial during cold stadials and Heinrich events, respectively. Low-salinity surface water and the sea ice edge spreads to the Greenland–Scotland Ridge, and during the largest Heinrich events, probably far into the Atlantic Ocean.
Observation of temperature-gradient-induced magnetization
Authors: Hou Dazhi , Qiu Zhiyong , Iguchi R. , Sato K. , Vehstedt E. K. , Uchida K. , Bauer G. E. W. , Saitoh E. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractApplying magnetic fields has been the method of choice to magnetize non-magnetic materials, but they are difficult to focus. The magneto-electric effect and voltage-induced magnetization generate magnetization by applied electric fields, but only in special compounds or heterostructures. Here we demonstrate that a simple metal such as gold can be magnetized by a temperature gradient or magnetic resonance when in contact with a magnetic insulator by observing an anomalous Hall-like effect, which directly proves the breakdown of time-reversal symmetry. Such Hall measurements give experimental access to the spectral spin Hall conductance of the host metal, which is closely related to other spin caloritronics phenomena such as the spin Nernst effect and serves as a reference for theoretical calculation.
Phase-modulating lasers toward on-chip integration
Authors: Kurosaka Yoshitaka , Hirose Kazuyoshi , Sugiyama Takahiro , Takiguchi Yu , Nomoto Yoshiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractControlling laser-beam patterns is indispensable in modern technology, where lasers are typically combined with phase-modulating elements such as diffractive optical elements or spatial light modulators. However, the combination of separate elements is not only a challenge for on-chip miniaturisation but also hinders their integration permitting the switchable control of individual modules. Here, we demonstrate the operation of phase-modulating lasers that emit arbitrarily configurable beam patterns without requiring any optical elements or scanning devices. We introduce a phase-modulating resonator in a semiconductor laser, which allows the concurrent realisation of lasing and phase modulation. The fabricated devices are on-chip-sized, making them suitable for integration. We believe this work will provide a breakthrough in various laser applications such as switchable illumination patterns for bio-medical applications, structured illuminations and even real three-dimensional or highly realistic displays, which cannot be realised with simple combinations of conventional devices or elements.
Glycerol Monolaurate (GML) inhibits human T cell signaling and function by disrupting lipid dynamics
Authors: Zhang Michael S. , Sandouk Aline , Houtman Jon C. D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractGlycerol Monolaurate (GML) is a naturally occurring fatty acid widely utilized in food, cosmetics, and homeopathic supplements. GML is a potent antimicrobial agent that targets a range of bacteria, fungi, and enveloped viruses but select findings suggest that GML also has immunomodulatory functions. In this study, we have mechanistically examined if GML affects the signaling and functional output of human primary T cells. We found that GML potently altered order and disorder dynamics in the plasma membrane that resulted in reduced formation of LAT, PLC-γ, and AKT microclusters. Altered membrane events induced selective inhibition of TCR-induced phosphorylation of regulatory P85 subunit of PI3K and AKT as well as abrogated calcium influx. Ultimately, GML treatment potently reduced TCR-induced production of IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and IL-10. Our data reveal that the widely used anti-microbial agent GML also alters the lipid dynamics of human T cells, leading to their defective signaling and function.
The right temporoparietal junction encodes efforts of others during action observation
Authors: Mizuguchi Nobuaki , Nakata Hiroki , Kanosue Kazuyuki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSmooth social interactions require a deep understanding of others’ intentions and feelings. In the present study, to investigate brain regions that respond to inference of others’ effort level, we recorded brain activity during action observation of different effort levels using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). We used a dumbbell curl movement to depict a movement requiring effort. To dissociate the factors of effort level of the actor and weight of the dumbbell, we used four combinations of dumbbell weight and actor physique: a thin actor or a built actor lifting a heavy or light dumbbell. During observation of dumbbell curls, the bilateral front-parietal action observation network (AON) was activated. This included the premotor cortices, parietal cortices, visual areas 5/superior temporal cortices (STS), amygdalae, hippocampi, right dorsolateral and ventrolateral frontal cortices. When we evaluated brain regions associated with the actor’s effort level, activity in the right temporoparietal junction (TPJ) and STS was observed. However, activity in the front-parietal AON was independent of the actor’s effort during action observation. This finding suggests that the right TPJ and STS play an important role in the inference of others’ effort levels during the observation of others’ movements.
Changes in the folding landscape of the WW domain provide a molecular mechanism for an inherited genetic syndrome
Authors: Pucheta-Martinez Encarna , D’Amelio Nicola , Lelli Moreno , Martinez-Torrecuadrada Jorge L. , Sudol Marius , Saladino Giorgio , Gervasio Francesco Luigi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWW domains are small domains present in many human proteins with a wide array of functions and acting through the recognition of proline-rich sequences. The WW domain belonging to polyglutamine tract-binding protein 1 (PQBP1) is of particular interest due to its direct involvement in several X chromosome-linked intellectual disabilities, including Golabi-Ito-Hall (GIH) syndrome, where a single point mutation (Y65C) correlates with the development of the disease. The mutant cannot bind to its natural ligand WBP11, which regulates mRNA processing. In this work we use high-field high-resolution NMR and enhanced sampling molecular dynamics simulations to gain insight into the molecular causes the disease. We find that the wild type protein is partially unfolded exchanging among multiple beta-strand-like conformations in solution. The Y65C mutation further destabilizes the residual fold and primes the protein for the formation of a disulphide bridge, which could be at the origin of the loss of function.
Aberrant DNA methylation reprogramming in bovine SCNT preimplantation embryos
Authors: Zhang Sheng , Chen Xin , Wang Fang , An Xinglan , Tang Bo , Zhang Xueming , Sun Liguang , Li Ziyi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDNA methylation reprogramming plays important roles in mammalian embryogenesis. Mammalian somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos with reprogramming defects fail to develop. Thus, we compared DNA methylation reprogramming in preimplantation embryos from bovine SCNT and in vitro fertilization (IVF) and analyzed the influence of vitamin C (VC) on the reprogramming of DNA methylation. The results showed that global DNA methylation followed a typical pattern of demethylation and remethylation in IVF preimplantation embryos; however, the global genome remained hypermethylated in SCNT preimplantation embryos. Compared with the IVF group, locus DNA methylation reprogramming showed three patterns in the SCNT group. First, some pluripotency genes (POU5F1 and NANOG) and repeated elements (satellite I and α-satellite) showed insufficient demethylation and hypermethylation in the SCNT group. Second, a differentially methylated region (DMR) of an imprint control region (ICR) in H19 exhibited excessive demethylation and hypomethylation. Third, some pluripotency genes (CDX2 and SOX2) were hypomethylated in both the IVF and SCNT groups. Additionally, VC improved the DNA methylation reprogramming of satellite I, α-satellite and H19 but not that of POU5F1 and NANOG in SCNT preimplantation embryos. These results indicate that DNA methylation reprogramming was aberrant and that VC influenced DNA methylation reprogramming in SCNT embryos in a locus-specific manner.
Post-Mortem Corneal Thickness Measurements with a Portable Optical Coherence Tomography System: a Reliability Study
Authors: Napoli Pietro Emanuele , Nioi Matteo , d’Aloja Ernesto , Fossarello Maurizio 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to determine the repeatability and reproducibility of post-mortem central corneal thickness (CCT) measurements by using a real-time, portable optical coherence tomography (OCT) system on an animal model and to prospectively evaluate the time-course of post-mortem changes in CCT. Forty-six ocular globes of sheep (Ovis aries) were analyzed with a portable spectral-domain OCT device by two operators at different postmortem intervals (PMIs) as follows: immediately (i.e. within 10 minutes), at the 30th minute, at the 1st, 6th, 12th, 24th and 48th hour and later (up to the 96th hour). The coefficient of repeatability ranged from 0.3% to 3.5% and coefficients of reproducibility ranged from 0.2% to 3.7% in the central region of the cornea. The intraclass correlation coefficients were particularly high at different PMIs, thus confirming good measurement reliability with the portable OCT. The average CCT decreased immediately and then increased thereafter, with two peaks at 6 and 24 hours after death. Our results suggest that portable OCT is a reliable tool for monitoring CCT variations after death and may be useful in characterizing corneas before explantation, detecting quantitative variations during post-mortem corneal degeneration or assessing changes in CCT for forensic implications.
Sulforhodamine 101, a widely used astrocyte marker, can induce cortical seizure-like activity at concentrations commonly used
Authors: Rasmussen Rune , Nedergaard Maiken , Petersen Nicolas Caesar 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSulforhodamine 101 (SR101) is a preferential astrocyte marker widely used in 2-photon microscopy experiments. Here we show, that topical loading of two commonly used SR101 concentrations, 100 μM and 250 μM when incubated for 10 min, can induce seizure-like local field potential (LFP) activity in both anaesthetized and awake mouse sensori-motor cortex. This cortical seizure-like activity develops in less than ten minutes following topical loading and when applied longer, these neuronal discharges reliably evoke contra-lateral hindlimb muscle contractions. Short duration (<1 min) incubation of 100 μM and 250 μM SR101 or application of lower concentrations 25 μM and 50 μM of SR101, incubated for 30 and 20 min, respectively, did not induce abnormal LFP activity in sensori-motor cortex, but did label astrocytes and may thus be considered more appropriate concentrations for in vivo astrocyte labeling. In addition to label astrocytes SR101 may, at 100 μM and 250 μM, induce abnormal neuronal activity and interfere with cortical circuit activity. SR101 concentration of 50 μM or lower did not induce abnormal neuronal activity. We advocate that, to label astrocytes with SR101, concentrations no higher than 50 μM should be used for in vivo experiments.
Hypoxia induced the differentiation of Tbx18-positive epicardial cells to CoSMCs
Authors: Jing Xiaodong , Gao Yulin , Xiao Songlin , Qin Qin , Wei Xiaoming , Yan Yuling , Wu Ling , Deng Songbai , Du Jianlin , Liu Yajie , She Qiang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the origin and differentiation mechanism of coronary vascular smooth muscle cells (CoSMCs) is very important to cardiovascular biology. The early cardiovascular system is formed in a hypoxic microenvironment and Tbx18-positive epicardial cells are a source of CoSMCs. However, the effects of hypoxia on the differentiation of Tbx18-positive epicardial cells to CoSMCs and the primary regulatory mechanism are insufficiently understood. Using Tbx18:Cre/R26REYFP/LacZ fate-tracing mice, we cultured highly purified Tbx18-positive epicardial cells. We further showed that hypoxia induced Tbx18-positive epicardial cells to differentiate into CoSMCs and promoted the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process of the cells in vitro. The induction of differentiation was primarily achieved via the hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)-mediated effects exerted on Snail. Using a cell migration assay, we showed that hypoxia enhanced the motility of Tbx18-positive epicardial cells. By constructing a hypoxic model of the embryonic epicardium in vivo, we showed that hypoxia led to premature in situ differentiation of Tbx18-positive epicardial cells to CoSMCs. Furthermore, hypoxia was sufficient to induce Snail expression in Tbx18-positive epicardial cells in vivo. Our study suggests that hypoxia intervention was sufficient to induce the differentiation of Tbx18-positive epicardial cells to CoSMCs. Furthermore, this differentiation was achieved primarily via HIF-1α-mediated regulation of Snail.
SOX9 is a novel cancer stem cell marker surrogated by osteopontin in human hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Kawai Takayuki , Yasuchika Kentaro , Ishii Takamichi , Miyauchi Yuya , Kojima Hidenobu , Yamaoka Ryoya , Katayama Hokahiro , Yoshitoshi Elena Yukie , Ogiso Satoshi , Kita Sadahiko , Yasuda Katsutaro , Fukumitsu Ken , Komori Junji , Hatano Etsuro , Kawaguchi Yoshiya , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe current lack of cancer stem cell (CSC) markers that are easily evaluated by blood samples prevents the establishment of new therapeutic strategies in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, we examined whether sex determining region Y-box 9 (SOX9) represents a new CSC marker and whether osteopontin (OPN) can be used as a surrogate marker of SOX9 in HCC. In HCC cell lines transfected with a SOX9 promoter-driven enhanced green fluorescence protein gene, FACS-isolated SOX9+ cells were capable of self-renewal and differentiation into SOX9− cells and displayed high proliferation capacity in vitro. Xenotransplantation experiments revealed that SOX9+ cells reproduced, differentiated into SOX9− cells and generated tumors at a high frequency in vivo. Moreover, SOX9+ cells were found to be involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and activation of TGFb/Smad signaling. Gain/loss of function experiments showed that SOX9 regulates Wnt/beta-catenin signaling, including cyclin D1 and OPN. Immunohistochemistry of 166 HCC surgical specimens and serum OPN measurements showed that compared to SOX9− patients, SOX9+ patients had significantly poorer recurrence-free survival, stronger venous invasion and higher serum OPN levels. In conclusion, SOX9 is a novel HCC-CSC marker regulating the Wnt/beta-catenin pathway and its downstream target, OPN. OPN is a useful surrogate marker of SOX9 in HCC.
Controlling the phase locking of stochastic magnetic bits for ultra-low power computation
Authors: Mizrahi Alice , Locatelli Nicolas , Lebrun Romain , Cros Vincent , Fukushima Akio , Kubota Hitoshi , Yuasa Shinji , Querlioz Damien , Grollier Julie 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWhen fabricating magnetic memories, one of the main challenges is to maintain the bit stability while downscaling. Indeed, for magnetic volumes of a few thousand nm3, the energy barrier between magnetic configurations becomes comparable to the thermal energy at room temperature. Then, switches of the magnetization spontaneously occur. These volatile, superparamagnetic nanomagnets are generally considered useless. But what if we could use them as low power computational building blocks? Remarkably, they can oscillate without the need of any external dc drive and despite their stochastic nature, they can beat in unison with an external periodic signal. Here we show that the phase locking of superparamagnetic tunnel junctions can be induced and suppressed by electrical noise injection. We develop a comprehensive model giving the conditions for synchronization and predict that it can be achieved with a total energy cost lower than 10−13 J. Our results open the path to ultra-low power computation based on the controlled synchronization of oscillators.
Impaired fornix–hippocampus integrity is linked to peripheral glutathione peroxidase in early psychosis
Authors: Baumann P S , Griffa A , Fournier M , Golay P , Ferrari C , Alameda L , Cuenod M , Thiran J-P , Hagmann P , Do K Q , Conus P 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSeveral lines of evidence implicate the fornix–hippocampus circuit in schizophrenia. In early-phase psychosis, this circuit has not been extensively investigated and the underlying mechanisms affecting the circuit are unknown. The hippocampus and fornix are vulnerable to oxidative stress at peripuberty in a glutathione (GSH)-deficient animal model. The purposes of the current study were to assess the integrity of the fornix–hippocampus circuit in early-psychosis patients (EP), and to study its relationship with peripheral redox markers. Diffusion spectrum imaging and T1-weighted magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were used to assess the fornix and hippocampus in 42 EP patients compared with 42 gender- and age-matched healthy controls. Generalized fractional anisotropy (gFA) and volumetric properties were used to measure fornix and hippocampal integrity, respectively. Correlation analysis was used to quantify the relationship of gFA in the fornix and hippocampal volume, with blood GSH levels and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity. Patients compared with controls exhibited lower gFA in the fornix as well as smaller volume in the hippocampus. In EP, but not in controls, smaller hippocampal volume was associated with high GPx activity. Disruption of the fornix–hippocampus circuit is already present in the early stages of psychosis. Higher blood GPx activity is associated with smaller hippocampal volume, which may support a role of oxidative stress in disease mechanisms.
TRPV6 modulates proliferation of human pancreatic neuroendocrine BON-1 tumour cells
Authors: Skrzypski Marek , Kołodziejski Paweł A. , Mergler Stefan , Khajavi Noushafarin , Nowak Krzysztof W. , Strowski Mathias Z. 
Published: July 2016

Highly Ca2+ permeable receptor potential channel vanilloid type 6 (TRPV6) modulates a variety of biological functions including calcium-dependent cell growth and apoptosis. So far, the role of TRPV6 in controlling growth of pancreatic neuroendocrine tumour (NET) cells is unknown. In the present study, we characterize the expression of TRPV6 in pancreatic BON-1 and QGP-1 NET cells. Furthermore, we evaluate the impact of TRPV6 on intracellular calcium, the activity of nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) and proliferation of BON-1 cells. TRPV6 expression was assessed by real-time PCR and Western blot. TRPV6 mRNA expression and protein production were down-regulated by siRNA. Changes in intracellular calcium levels were detected by fluorescence calcium imaging (fura-2/AM). NFAT activity was studied by NFAT reporter assay; cell proliferation by bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU), MTT and propidium iodine staining. TRPV6 mRNA and protein are present in BON-1 and QGP-1 NET-cells. Down-regulation of TRPV6 attenuates BON-1 cell proliferation. TRPV6 down-regulation is associated with decreased Ca2+ response pattern and reduced NFAT activity. In conclusion, TRPV6 is expressed in pancreatic NETs and modulates cell proliferation via Ca2+-dependent mechanism, which is accompanied by NFAT activation.