bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mid Pleistocene foraminiferal mass extinction coupled with phytoplankton evolution
Authors: Kender Sev , McClymont Erin L. , Elmore Aurora C. , Emanuele Dario , Leng Melanie J. , Elderfield Henry 
Published: June 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the interaction between climate and biotic evolution is crucial for deciphering the sensitivity of life. An enigmatic mass extinction occurred in the deep oceans during the Mid Pleistocene, with a loss of over 100 species (20%) of sea floor calcareous foraminifera. An evolutionarily conservative group, benthic foraminifera often comprise >50% of eukaryote biomass on the deep-ocean floor. Here we test extinction hypotheses (temperature, corrosiveness and productivity) in the Tasman Sea, using geochemistry and micropalaeontology, and find evidence from several globally distributed sites that the extinction was caused by a change in phytoplankton food source. Coccolithophore evolution may have enhanced the seasonal ‘bloom’ nature of primary productivity and fundamentally shifted it towards a more intra-annually variable state at ∼0.8 Ma. Our results highlight intra-annual variability as a potential new consideration for Mid Pleistocene global biogeochemical climate models, and imply that deep-sea biota may be sensitive to future changes in productivity.
The polyglutamine-expanded androgen receptor responsible for spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy inhibits the APC/CCdh1 ubiquitin ligase complex
Authors: Bott Laura C. , Salomons Florian A. , Maric Dragan , Liu Yuhong , Merry Diane , Fischbeck Kenneth H. , Dantuma Nico P. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPolyglutamine expansion in the androgen receptor (AR) causes spinal and bulbar muscular atrophy (SBMA), an X-linked neuromuscular disease that is fully manifest only in males. It has been suggested that proteins with expanded polyglutamine tracts impair ubiquitin-dependent proteolysis due to their propensity to aggregate, but recent studies indicate that the overall activity of the ubiquitin-proteasome system is preserved in SBMA models. Here we report that AR selectively interferes with the function of the ubiquitin ligase anaphase-promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C), which, together with its substrate adaptor Cdh1, is critical for cell cycle arrest and neuronal architecture. We show that both wild-type and mutant AR physically interact with the APC/CCdh1 complex in a ligand-dependent fashion without being targeted for proteasomal degradation. Inhibition of APC/CCdh1 by mutant but not wild-type AR in PC12 cells results in enhanced neurite outgrowth which is typically followed by rapid neurite retraction and mitotic entry. Our data indicate a role of AR in neuronal differentiation through regulation of APC/CCdh1 and suggest abnormal cell cycle reactivation as a pathogenic mechanism in SBMA.
3d Transition Metal Adsorption Induced the valley-polarized Anomalous Hall Effect in Germanene
Authors: Zhou P. , Sun L. Z. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBased on DFT + U and Berry curvature calculations, we study the electronic structures and topological properties of 3d transition metal (TM) atom (from Ti to Co) adsorbed germanene (TM-germanene). We find that valley-polarized anomalous Hall effect (VAHE) can be realized in germanene by adsorbing Cr, Mn, or Co atoms on its surface. A finite valley Hall voltage can be easily detected in their nanoribbon, which is important for valleytronics devices. Moreover, different valley-polarized current and even reversible valley Hall voltage can be archived by shifting the Fermi energy of the systems. Such versatile features of the systems show potential in next generation electronics devices.
Microfluidic Assessment of Frying Oil Degradation
Authors: Liu Mei , Xie Shaorong , Ge Ji , Xu Zhensong , Wu Zhizheng , Ru Changhai , Luo Jun , Sun Yu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMonitoring the quality of frying oil is important for the health of consumers. This paper reports a microfluidic technique for rapidly quantifying the degradation of frying oil. The microfluidic device generates monodispersed water-in-oil droplets and exploits viscosity and interfacial tension changes of frying oil samples over their frying/degradation process. The measured parameters were correlated to the total polar material percentage that is widely used in the food industry. The results reveal that the steady-state length of droplets can be used for unambiguously assessing frying oil quality degradation.
Kolumbo submarine volcano (Greece): An active window into the Aegean subduction system
Authors: Rizzo Andrea Luca , Caracausi Antonio , Chavagnac Valèrie , Nomikou Paraskevi , Polymenakou Paraskevi N. , Mandalakis Manolis , Kotoulas Georgios , Magoulas Antonios , Castillo Alain , Lampridou Danai 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSubmarine volcanism represents ~80% of the volcanic activity on Earth and is an important source of mantle-derived gases. These gases are of basic importance for the comprehension of mantle characteristics in areas where subaerial volcanism is missing or strongly modified by the presence of crustal/atmospheric components. Though, the study of submarine volcanism remains a challenge due to their hazardousness and sea-depth. Here, we report3He/4He measurements in CO2–dominated gases discharged at 500 m below sea level from the high-temperature (~220 °C) hydrothermal system of the Kolumbo submarine volcano (Greece), located 7 km northeast off Santorini Island in the central part of the Hellenic Volcanic Arc (HVA). We highlight that the mantle below Kolumbo and Santorini has a3He/4He signature of at least 7.0 Ra (being Ra the3He/4He ratio of atmospheric He equal to 1.39×10−6), 3 Ra units higher than actually known for gases-rocks from Santorini. This ratio is also the highest measured across the HVA and is indicative of the direct degassing of a Mid-Ocean-Ridge-Basalts (MORB)-like mantle through lithospheric faults. We finally highlight that the degassing of high-temperature fluids with a MORB-like3He/4He ratio corroborates a vigorous outgassing of mantle-derived volatiles with potential hazard at the Kolumbo submarine volcano.
A Quasi-Solid State DSSC with 10.1% Efficiency through Molecular Design of the Charge-Separation and -Transport
Authors: Suzuka Michio , Hayashi Naoki , Sekiguchi Takashi , Sumioka Kouichi , Takata Masakazu , Hayo Noriko , Ikeda Hiroki , Oyaizu Kenichi , Nishide Hiroyuki 
Published: June 2016

AbstractOrganic-based solar cells potentially offer a photovoltaic module with low production costs and low hazard risk of the components. We report organic dye-sensitized solar cells, fabricated with molecular designed indoline dyes in conjunction with highly reactive but robust nitroxide radical molecules as redox mediator in a quasi-solid gel form of the electrolyte. The cells achieve conversion efficiencies of 10.1% at 1 sun and maintain the output performance even under interior lighting. The indoline dyes, customized by introducing long alkyl chains, specifically interact with the radical mediator to suppress a charge-recombination process at the dye interface. The radical mediator also facilitates the charge-transport with remarkably high electron self-exchange rate even in the quasi-solid state electrolyte to lead to a high fill factor.
FEV manoeuvre induced changes in breath VOC compositions: an unconventional view on lung function tests
Authors: Sukul Pritam , Schubert Jochen K. , Oertel Peter , Kamysek Svend , Taunk Khushman , Trefz Phillip , Miekisch Wolfram 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBreath volatile organic compound (VOC) analysis can open a non-invasive window onto pathological and metabolic processes in the body. Decades of clinical breath-gas analysis have revealed that changes in exhaled VOC concentrations are important rather than disease specific biomarkers. As physiological parameters, such as respiratory rate or cardiac output, have profound effects on exhaled VOCs, here we investigated VOC exhalation under respiratory manoeuvres. Breath VOCs were monitored by means of real-time mass-spectrometry during conventional FEV manoeuvres in 50 healthy humans. Simultaneously, we measured respiratory and hemodynamic parameters noninvasively. Tidal volume and minute ventilation increased by 292 and 171% during the manoeuvre. FEV manoeuvre induced substance specific changes in VOC concentrations. pET-CO2and alveolar isoprene increased by 6 and 21% during maximum exhalation. Then they decreased by 18 and 37% at forced expiration mirroring cardiac output. Acetone concentrations rose by 4.5% despite increasing minute ventilation. Blood-borne furan and dimethyl-sulphide mimicked isoprene profile. Exogenous acetonitrile, sulphides, and most aliphatic and aromatic VOCs changed minimally. Reliable breath tests must avoid forced breathing. As isoprene exhalations mirrored FEV performances, endogenous VOCs might assure quality of lung function tests. Analysis of exhaled VOC concentrations can provide additional information on physiology of respiration and gas exchange.
IL-22 dampens the T cell response in experimental malaria
Authors: Sellau Julie , Alvarado Catherine Fuentes , Hoenow Stefan , Mackroth Maria Sophie , Kleinschmidt Dörte , Huber Samuel , Jacobs Thomas 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA tight regulation between the pro– and anti–inflammatory immune responses during plasmodial infection is of crucial importance, since a disruption leads to severe malaria pathology. IL-22 is a member of the IL-10 cytokine family, which is known to be highly important in immune regulation. We could detect high plasma levels of IL-22 in Plasmodium falciparum malaria as well as in Plasmodium berghei ANKA (PbA)-infected C57BL/6J mice. The deficiency of IL-22 in mice during PbA infection led to an earlier occurrence of cerebral malaria but is associated with a lower parasitemia compared to wt mice. Furthermore, at an early time point of infection T cells from PbA-infected Il22−/− mice showed an enhanced IFNγ but a diminished IL-17 production. Moreover, dendritic cells from Il22−/− mice expressed a higher amount of the costimulatory ligand CD86 upon infection. This finding can be corroborated in vitro since bone marrow-derived dendritic cells from Il22−/− mice are better inducers of an antigen-specific IFNγ response by CD8+ T cells. Even though there is no IL-22 receptor complex known on hematopoietic cells, our data suggest a link between IL-22 and the adaptive immune system which is currently not identified.
Comparison of six commercial kits to extract bacterial chromosome and plasmid DNA for MiSeq sequencing
Authors: Becker Laura , Steglich Matthias , Fuchs Stephan , Werner Guido , Nübel Ulrich 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe compared commercial kits for extraction of genomic DNA from the Gram-negative bacterium Klebsiella pneumoniae for subsequent Miseq sequencing. Purification of DNA was based on matrix binding (silica or anion exchange resin) or differential precipitation (salting out), respectively. The choice of extraction kit had little effect on sequencing quality and coverage across drastically different replicons, except for an apparent depletion of small plasmids (<5 kb) during precipitation-based extractions. Sequencing coverage provided copy-number estimates for small plasmids that were consistently higher than those from quantitative real-time PCR.
Prevention and Control of Zika as a Mosquito-Borne and Sexually Transmitted Disease: A Mathematical Modeling Analysis
Authors: Gao Daozhou , Lou Yijun , He Daihai , Porco Travis C. , Kuang Yang , Chowell Gerardo , Ruan Shigui 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe ongoing Zika virus (ZIKV) epidemic in the Americas poses a major global public health emergency. While ZIKV is transmitted from human to human by bites ofAedesmosquitoes, recent evidence indicates that ZIKV can also be transmitted via sexual contact with cases of sexually transmitted ZIKV reported in Argentina, Canada, Chile, France, Italy, New Zealand, Peru, Portugal, and the USA. Yet, the role of sexual transmission on the spread and control of ZIKV infection is not well-understood. We introduce a mathematical model to investigate the impact of mosquito-borne and sexual transmission on the spread and control of ZIKV and calibrate the model to ZIKV epidemic data from Brazil, Colombia, and El Salvador. Parameter estimates yielded a basic reproduction number "Equation missing"0 = 2.055 (95% CI: 0.523–6.300), in which the percentage contribution of sexual transmission is 3.044% (95% CI: 0.123–45.73). Our sensitivity analyses indicate that "Equation missing"0is most sensitive to the biting rate and mortality rate of mosquitoes while sexual transmission increases the risk of infection and epidemic size and prolongs the outbreak. Prevention and control efforts against ZIKV should target both the mosquito-borne and sexual transmission routes.
Organic bioelectronics probing conformational changes in surface confined proteins
Authors: Macchia Eleonora , Alberga Domenico , Manoli Kyriaki , Mangiatordi Giuseppe F. , Magliulo Maria , Palazzo Gerardo , Giordano Francesco , Lattanzi Gianluca , Torsi Luisa 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe study of proteins confined on a surface has attracted a great deal of attention due to its relevance in the development of bio-systems for laboratory and clinical settings. In this respect, organic bio-electronic platforms can be used as tools to achieve a deeper understanding of the processes involving protein interfaces. In this work, biotin-binding proteins have been integrated in two different organic thin-film transistor (TFT) configurations to separately address the changes occurring in the protein-ligand complex morphology and dipole moment. This has been achieved by decoupling the output current change upon binding, taken as the transducing signal, into its component figures of merit. In particular, the threshold voltage is related to the protein dipole moment, while the field-effect mobility is associated with conformational changes occurring in the proteins of the layer when ligand binding occurs. Molecular Dynamics simulations on the whole avidin tetramer in presence and absence of ligands were carried out, to evaluate how the tight interactions with the ligand affect the protein dipole moment and the conformation of the loops surrounding the binding pocket. These simulations allow assembling a rather complete picture of the studied interaction processes and support the interpretation of the experimental results.
Procalcitonin as diagnostic marker of infection in solid tumors patients with fever
Authors: Vincenzi B. , Fioroni I. , Pantano F. , Angeletti S. , Dicuonzo G. , Zoccoli A. , Santini D. , Tonini G. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn oncologic patients fever is a non-specific clinical marker of different clinical settings. Procalcitonin (PCT) seems to be the most promising infection marker. We aimed to define the potential role of PCT as an earlier diagnostic marker in patients with fever and solid tumor. This retrospective study enrolled 431 patients. All of them performed hemoculture (HE) and basal PCT assessment (reference laboratory cut-off: ≤0.5 or >0.5 ng/dL) before starting antibiotic therapy. Gram positive (G+), negative (G−) or Fungi infection were detected. A statistically significant difference in PCT levels between patients with positive and negative HE was observed (P < 0.0001). Moreover comparing PCT values in patients with positive and negative HE, we obtain in the positive HE subpopulation an AUC of 0.7 and a cut-off of 1.52 ng/dL reached high sensitivity (61.6%) and specificity (70.1%). Using this last cut-off, instead of the normal reference value, we achieve a risk reduction to overestimate an infection status of 23.4%. We support the clinic usefulness of serum PCT dosage in febrile advanced solid tumor patients. A PCT cut-off of 1.52 ng/dL could be helpful in the management of the antibiotic therapy preventing delays of oncologic treatments.
The method of purifying bioengineered spider silk determines the silk sphere properties
Authors: Jastrzebska Katarzyna , Felcyn Edyta , Kozak Maciej , Szybowicz Miroslaw , Buchwald Tomasz , Pietralik Zuzanna , Jesionowski Teofil , Mackiewicz Andrzej , Dams-Kozlowska Hanna 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBioengineered spider silks are a biomaterial with great potential for applications in biomedicine. They are biocompatible,biodegradable and can self-assemble into films, hydrogels, scaffolds, fibers, capsules and spheres. A novel, tag-free, bioengineered spider silk named MS2(9x) was constructed. It is a 9-mer of the consensus motif derived from MaSp2–the spidroin of Nephila clavipes dragline silk. Thermal and acidic extraction methods were used to purify MS2(9x). Both purification protocols gave a similar quantity and quality of soluble silk; however, they differed in the secondary structure and zeta potential value. Spheres made of these purified variants differed with regard to critical features such as particle size, morphology, zeta potential and drug loading. Independent of the purification method, neither variant of the MS2(9x) spheres was cytotoxic, which confirmed that both methods can be used for biomedical applications. However, this study highlights the impact that the applied purification method has on the further biomaterial properties.
Material insights of HfO2-based integrated 1-transistor-1-resistor resistive random access memory devices processed by batch atomic layer deposition
Authors: Niu Gang , Kim Hee-Dong , Roelofs Robin , Perez Eduardo , Schubert Markus Andreas , Zaumseil Peter , Costina Ioan , Wenger Christian 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWith the continuous scaling of resistive random access memory (RRAM) devices, in-depth understanding of the physical mechanism and the material issues, particularly by directly studying integrated cells, become more and more important to further improve the device performances. In this work, HfO2-based integrated 1-transistor-1-resistor (1T1R) RRAM devices were processed in a standard 0.25 μm complementary-metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) process line, using a batch atomic layer deposition (ALD) tool, which is particularly designed for mass production. We demonstrate a systematic study on TiN/Ti/HfO2/TiN/Si RRAM devices to correlate key material factors (nano-crystallites and carbon impurities) with the filament type resistive switching (RS) behaviours. The augmentation of the nano-crystallites density in the film increases the forming voltage of devices and its variation. Carbon residues in HfO2 films turn out to be an even more significant factor strongly impacting the RS behaviour. A relatively higher deposition temperature of 300 °C dramatically reduces the residual carbon concentration, thus leading to enhanced RS performances of devices, including lower power consumption, better endurance and higher reliability. Such thorough understanding on physical mechanism of RS and the correlation between material and device performances will facilitate the realization of high density and reliable embedded RRAM devices with low power consumption.
Single ingestion of soy β-conglycinin induces increased postprandial circulating FGF21 levels exerting beneficial health effects
Authors: Hashidume Tsutomu , Kato Asuka , Tanaka Tomohiro , Miyoshi Shoko , Itoh Nobuyuki , Nakata Rieko , Inoue Hiroyasu , Oikawa Akira , Nakai Yuji , Shimizu Makoto , Inoue Jun , Sato Ryuichiro 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSoy protein β-conglycinin has serum lipid-lowering and anti-obesity effects. We showed that single ingestion of β-conglycinin after fasting alters gene expression in mouse liver. A sharp increase in fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21) gene expression, which is depressed by normal feeding, resulted in increased postprandial circulating FGF21 levels along with a significant decrease in adipose tissue weights. Most increases in gene expressions, including FGF21, were targets for the activating transcription factor 4 (ATF4), but not for peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α. Overexpression of a dominant-negative form of ATF4 significantly reduced β-conglycinin-induced increases in hepatic FGF21 gene expression. In FGF21-deficient mice, β-conglycinin effects were partially abolished. Methionine supplementation to the diet or primary hepatocyte culture medium demonstrated its importance for activating liver or hepatocyte ATF4-FGF21 signaling. Thus, dietary β-conglycinin intake can impact hepatic and systemic metabolism by increasing the postprandial circulating FGF21 levels.
TLR signaling adaptor protein MyD88 in primary sensory neurons contributes to persistent inflammatory and neuropathic pain and neuroinflammation
Authors: Liu Xing-Jun , Liu Tong , Chen Gang , Wang Bing , Yu Xiao-Lu , Yin Cui , Ji Ru-Rong 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIncreasing evidence suggests that neuro-immune and neuro-glial interactions are critically involved in chronic pain sensitization. It is well studied how immune/glial mediators sensitize pain, but how sensory neurons control neuroinflammation remains unclear. We employed Myd88 conditional knockout (CKO) mice, in which Myd88 was deleted in sodium channel subunit Nav1.8-expressing primary sensory neurons, to examine the unique role of neuronal MyD88 in regulating acute and chronic pain and possible underlying mechanisms. We found that baseline pain and the formalin induced acute inflammatory pain were intact in CKO mice. However, the late phase inflammatory pain following complete Freund’s adjuvant injection and the late phase neuropathic pain following chronic constriction injury (CCI), were reduced in CKO mice. CCI induced up-regulation of MyD88 and chemokine C-C motif ligand 2 expression in DRG neurons and macrophage infiltration into DRGs and microglia activation in spinal dorsal horns in wild-type mice, but all these changes were compromised in CKO mice. Finally, the pain hypersensitivity induced by intraplantar IL-1β was reduced in CKO mice. Our findings suggest that MyD88 in primary sensory neurons plays an active role in regulating IL-1β signaling and neuroinflammation in the peripheral and the central nervous systems and contributes to the maintenance of persistent pain.
Light-sheet microscopy imaging of a whole cleared rat brain with Thy1-GFP transgene
Authors: Stefaniuk Marzena , Gualda Emilio J. , Pawlowska Monika , Legutko Diana , Matryba Paweł , Koza Paulina , Konopka Witold , Owczarek Dorota , Wawrzyniak Marcin , Loza-Alvarez Pablo , Kaczmarek Leszek 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWhole-brain imaging with light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and optically cleared tissue is a new, rapidly developing research field. Whereas successful attempts to clear and image mouse brain have been reported, a similar result for rats has proven difficult to achieve. Herein, we report on creating novel transgenic rat harboring fluorescent reporter GFP under control of neuronal gene promoter. We then present data on clearing the rat brain, showing that FluoClearBABB was found superior over passive CLARITY and CUBIC methods. Finally, we demonstrate efficient imaging of the rat brain using light-sheet fluorescence microscopy.