bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The evolution of animal Argonautes: evidence for the absence of antiviral AGO Argonautes in vertebrates
Authors: Wynant Niels , Santos Dulce , Vanden Broeck Jozef 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn addition to mediating regulation of endogenous gene expression, RNA interference (RNAi) in plants and invertebrates plays a crucial role in defense against viruses via virus-specific siRNAs. Different studies have demonstrated that the functional diversity of RNAi in animals is linked to the diversification of the Argonaute superfamily, central components of RISCs (RNA induced silencing complexes). The animal Argonaute superfamily is traditionally grouped into AGO and PIWI Argonautes. Yet, by performing phylogenetic analyses and determining the selective evolutionary pressure in the metazoan Argonaute superfamily, we provide evidence for the existence of three conserved Argonaute lineages between basal metazoans and protostomes, namely siRNA-class AGO, miRNA-class AGO and PIWI Argonautes. In addition, it shown that the siRNA-class AGO lineage is characterized by high rates of molecular evolution, suggesting a role in the arms race with viruses, while the miRNA-class AGOs display strong sequence conservation. Interestingly, we also demonstrate that vertebrates lack siRNA-class AGO proteins and that vertebrate AGOs display low rates of molecular evolution. In this way, we provide supportive evidence for the loss of the antiviral siRNA-class AGO group in vertebrates and discuss the consequence hereof on antiviral immunity and the use of RNAi as a loss of function tool in these animals.
Disparate subcellular location of putative sortase substrates in Clostridium difficile
Authors: Peltier Johann , Shaw Helen A. , Wren Brendan W. , Fairweather Neil F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClostridium difficile is a gastrointestinal pathogen but how the bacterium colonises this niche is still little understood. Sortase enzymes covalently attach specific bacterial proteins to the peptidoglycan cell wall and are often involved in colonisation by pathogens. Here we show C. difficile proteins CD2537 and CD3392 are functional substrates of sortase SrtB. Through manipulation of the C-terminal regions of these proteins we show the SPKTG motif is essential for covalent attachment to the cell wall. Two additional putative substrates, CD0183 which contains an SPSTG motif, and CD2768 which contains an SPQTG motif, are not cleaved or anchored to the cell wall by sortase. Finally, using an in vivo asymmetric cleavage assay, we show that despite containing a conserved SPKTG motif, in the absence of SrtB these proteins are localised to disparate cellular compartments.
Involvement of oxidative modification of proteins related to ATP synthesis in the left ventricles of hamsters with cardiomyopathy
Authors: Ichihara Sahoko , Suzuki Yuka , Chang Jie , Kuzuya Kentaro , Inoue Chisa , Kitamura Yuki , Oikawa Shinji 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInflammation enhanced by accumulation of reactive oxygen species plays an essential role in the progression of cardiovascular diseases. Using the 2D-oxyblot analysis and 2D-difference image gel electrophoresis (2D-DIGE), we compared the levels of ROS-induced carbonyl modification of myocardial proteins in the whole left ventricles between 6-week-old hamsters with dilated (TO-2) and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (Bio14.6) and control hamsters (F1B). Then, 2D electrophoresis combined with MALDI-TOF/TOF tandem mass spectrometry detected 18 proteins with increased carbonyl level in cardiomyopathy hamsters compared with control hamster. Carbonyl modification of proteins related to ATP synthesis, including citric acid cycle and electron transport system, was observed in the hearts of hamsters with both types of cardiomyopathy. Further analysis indicated that left ventricular carbonyl production correlated negatively with succinyl-CoA:3-ketoacid-coenzyme A transferase 1 activity (r2 = 0.60, P = 0.0007) and ATP concentration (r2 = 0.29, P = 0.037), suggesting that protein carbonylation has negative effects on the levels of these biomolecules. Furthermore, carbonyl production significantly correlated with plasma Troponin T level (r2 = 0.33, P = 0.026). Reduction of energy metabolism by oxidative damage may contribute to the development of left ventricular impairment in cardiomyopathy.
Light-Triggered Soft Artificial Muscles: Molecular-Level Amplification of Actuation Control Signals
Authors: Dicker Michael P. M. , Baker Anna B. , Iredale Robert J. , Naficy Sina , Bond Ian P. , Faul Charl F. J. , Rossiter Jonathan M. , Spinks Geoffrey M. , Weaver Paul M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe principle of control signal amplification is found in all actuation systems, from engineered devices through to the operation of biological muscles. However, current engineering approaches require the use of hard and bulky external switches or valves, incompatible with both the properties of emerging soft artificial muscle technology and those of the bioinspired robotic systems they enable. To address this deficiency a biomimetic molecular-level approach is developed that employs light, with its excellent spatial and temporal control properties, to actuate soft, pH-responsive hydrogel artificial muscles. Although this actuation is triggered by light, it is largely powered by the resulting excitation and runaway chemical reaction of a light-sensitive acid autocatalytic solution in which the actuator is immersed. This process produces actuation strains of up to 45% and a three-fold chemical amplification of the controlling light-trigger, realising a new strategy for the creation of highly functional soft actuating systems.
Multimodal magnetic resonance imaging in relation to cognitive impairment in neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder
Authors: Kim Su-Hyun , Park Eun Young , Park Boram , Hyun Jae-Won , Park Na Young , Joung AeRan , Lee Sang Hyun , Kim Ho Jin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCognitive impairment (CI) is reported in 29–57% of patients with neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD). However, the pathophysiology underlying CI in NMOSD is poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the predictive values of various conventional and quantitative MRI parameters for cognitive performance in patients with NMOSD. Neurological assessment and conventional, diffusion tensor, and volumetric MRI sequences were collected form 73 patients with NMOSD and 44 healthy controls (HCs). Patients with ≥3 failed tests were considered to have CI. Brain lesion load, gray matter (GM) and white matter (WM) atrophy, deep GM (DGM) atrophy, cortical thickness, and diffuse microstructural WM damage were assessed. Twenty-three (32%) patients with NMOSD had CI. Compared to cognitively preserved (CP) individuals, patients with CI had atrophy in the WM, thalamus, and caudate, decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity in their WM. A multivariate model indicated that mean FA values in the WM and volume in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) were associated with overall cognition (p = 0.002 and p = 0.008, respectively). Diffuse microstructural damage in the WM and DGM atrophy in the NAc are the strongest predictors of cognitive impairment in patients with NMOSD.
Neuroprotective effects of a Coeloglossum viride var. Bracteatum extract in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Pan Rui-Yuan , Ma Jun , Wu Huan-Tong , Liu Qing-Shan , Qin Xiao-Yan , Cheng Yong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe excessive release and accumulation of glutamate in the brain is known to be associated with excitotoxicity. CE, an extract derived from the plant Coeloglossum viride var. Bracteatum, exerted neuroprotective effects against amyloid toxicity and oxidative stress in cortical neurons. The aims of this study are to examine whether CE also attenuates glutamate neurotoxicity in rat primary cultured cortical neurons and to determine the effect of CE in vivo. According to the results of MTT, LDH release, and TUNEL assays, the CE treatment significantly reduced glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the protective effects of CE were blocked by an Akt inhibitor, LY294002, suggesting that the PI3K/Akt signalling pathway is involved in the neuroprotective effects of CE. In addition, CE might regulate the PKC-GluA2 axis to prevent neuronal apoptosis. CE also protected against dopaminergic neuronal loss in a mouse model of MPTP-induced PD. Based on our results, CE exerted neuroprotective effects both in vitro and in vivo, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for the treatment or prevention of neurodegeneration.
The scaffold protein Ajuba suppresses CdGAP activity in epithelia to maintain stable cell-cell contacts
Authors: McCormack J. J. , Bruche S. , Ouadda A. B. D. , Ishii H. , Lu H. , Garcia-Cattaneo A. , Chávez-Olórtegui C. , Lamarche-Vane N. , Braga V. M. M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLevels of active Rac1 at epithelial junctions are partially modulated via interaction with Ajuba, an actin binding and scaffolding protein. Here we demonstrate that Ajuba interacts with the Cdc42 GTPase activating protein CdGAP, a GAP for Rac1 and Cdc42, at cell-cell contacts. CdGAP recruitment to junctions does not require Ajuba; rather Ajuba seems to control CdGAP residence at sites of cell-cell adhesion. CdGAP expression potently perturbs junctions and Ajuba binding inhibits CdGAP activity. Ajuba interacts with Rac1 and CdGAP via distinct domains and can potentially bring them in close proximity at junctions to facilitate activity regulation. Functionally, CdGAP-Ajuba interaction maintains junctional integrity in homeostasis and diseases: (i) gain-of-function CdGAP mutants found in Adams-Oliver Syndrome patients strongly destabilize cell-cell contacts and (ii) CdGAP mRNA levels are inversely correlated with E-cadherin protein expression in different cancers. We present conceptual insights on how Ajuba can integrate CdGAP binding and inactivation with the spatio-temporal regulation of Rac1 activity at junctions. Ajuba provides a novel mechanism due to its ability to bind to CdGAP and Rac1 via distinct domains and influence the activation status of both proteins. This functional interplay may contribute towards conserving the epithelial tissue architecture at steady-state and in different pathologies.
The relative contribution of target-site mutations in complex acaricide resistant phenotypes as assessed by marker assisted backcrossing in Tetranychus urticae
Authors: Riga Maria , Bajda Sabina , Themistokleous Christos , Papadaki Stavrini , Palzewicz Maria , Dermauw Wannes , Vontas John , Leeuwen Thomas Van 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe mechanisms underlying insecticide and acaricide resistance in insects and mites are often complex, including additive effects of target-site insensitivity, increased metabolism and transport. The extent to which target-site resistance mutations contribute to the resistance phenotype is, however, not well studied. Here, we used marker-assisted backcrossing to create 30 congenic lines carrying nine mutations (alone, or in combination in a few cases) associated with resistance to avermectins, pyrethroids, mite growth inhibitors and mitochondrial complex III inhibitors (QoI) in a polyphagous arthropod pest, the spider mite Tetranychus urticae. Toxicity tests revealed that mutations in the voltage-gated sodium channel, chitin synthase 1 and cytochrome b confer high levels of resistance and, when fixed in a population, these mutations alone can result in field failure of acaricide treatment. In contrast, although we confirmed the implication of mutations in glutamate-gated chloride channels in abamectin and milbemectin insensitivity, these mutations do not lead to the high resistance levels that are often reported in abamectin resistant strains of T. urticae. Overall, this study functionally validates reported target-site resistance mutations in T. urticae, by uncoupling them from additional mechanisms, allowing to finally investigate the strength of the conferred phenotype in vivo.
Altitude control in honeybees: joint vision-based learning and guidance
Authors: Portelli Geoffrey , Serres Julien R. , Ruffier Franck 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStudies on insects’ visual guidance systems have shed little light on how learning contributes to insects’ altitude control system. In this study, honeybees were trained to fly along a double-roofed tunnel after entering it near either the ceiling or the floor of the tunnel. The honeybees trained to hug the ceiling therefore encountered a sudden change in the tunnel configuration midways: i.e. a "dorsal ditch". Thus, the trained honeybees met a sudden increase in the distance to the ceiling, corresponding to a sudden strong change in the visual cues available in their dorsal field of view. Honeybees reacted by rising quickly and hugging the new, higher ceiling, keeping a similar forward speed, distance to the ceiling and dorsal optic flow to those observed during the training step; whereas bees trained to follow the floor kept on following the floor regardless of the change in the ceiling height. When trained honeybees entered the tunnel via the other entry (the lower or upper entry) to that used during the training step, they quickly changed their altitude and hugged the surface they had previously learned to follow. These findings clearly show that trained honeybees control their altitude based on visual cues memorized during training. The memorized visual cues generated by the surfaces followed form a complex optic flow pattern: trained honeybees may attempt to match the visual cues they perceive with this memorized optic flow pattern by controlling their altitude.
Rapid Prototyping of Polymeric Nanopillars by 3D Direct Laser Writing for Controlling Cell Behavior
Authors: Buch-Månson Nina , Spangenberg Arnaud , Gomez Laura Piedad Chia , Malval Jean-Pierre , Soppera Olivier , Martinez Karen L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMammalian cells have been widely shown to respond to nano- and microtopography that mimics the extracellular matrix. Synthetic nano- and micron-sized structures are therefore of great interest in the field of tissue engineering, where polymers are particularly attractive due to excellent biocompatibility and versatile fabrication methods. Ordered arrays of polymeric pillars provide a controlled topographical environment to study and manipulate cells, but processing methods are typically either optimized for the nano- or microscale. Here, we demonstrate polymeric nanopillar (NP) fabrication using 3D direct laser writing (3D DLW), which offers a rapid prototyping across both size regimes. The NPs are interfaced with NIH3T3 cells and the effect of tuning geometrical parameters of the NP array is investigated. Cells are found to adhere on a wide range of geometries, but the interface depends on NP density and length. The Cell Interface with Nanostructure Arrays (CINA) model is successfully extended to predict the type of interface formed on different NP geometries, which is found to correlate with the efficiency of cell alignment along the NPs. The combination of the CINA model with the highly versatile 3D DLW fabrication thus holds the promise of improved design of polymeric NP arrays for controlling cell growth.
The homology and function of the lung plates in extant and fossil coelacanths
Authors: Cupello Camila , Meunier François J. , Herbin Marc , Janvier Philippe , Clément Gaël , Brito Paulo M. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe presence of a pulmonary organ that is entirely covered by true bone tissue and fills most of the abdominal cavity is hitherto unique to fossil actinistians. Although small hard plates have been recently reported in the lung of the extant coelacanthLatimeria chalumnae, the homology between these hard structures in fossil and extant forms remained to be demonstrated. Here, we resolve this question by reporting the presence of a similar histological pattern–true cellular bone with star-shaped osteocytes, and a globular mineralisation with radiating arrangement–in the lung plates of two fossil coelacanths (Swenzia latimeraeandAxelrodichthys araripensis) and the plates that surround the lung of the most extensively studied extant coelacanth species,L. chalumnae. The point-for-point structural similarity of the plates in extant and fossil coelacanths supports their probable homology and, consequently, that of the organ they surround. Thus, this evidence questions the previous interpretations of the fatty organ as a component of the pulmonary complex ofLatimeria.
Leukocytic Toll-Like Receptor 2 Deficiency Preserves Cardiac Function And Reduces Fibrosis In Sustained Pressure Overload
Authors: Wang Jiong-Wei , Fontes Magda S. C. , Wang Xiaoyuan , Chong Suet Yen , Kessler Elise L. , Zhang Ya-Nan , de Haan Judith J. , Arslan Fatih , de Jager Saskia C. A. , Timmers Leo , van Veen Toon A. B. , Lam Carolyn S. P. , Kleijn Dominique P. V. de 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAn involement of Toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2) has been established in cardiac dysfunction after acute myocardial infarction; however, its role in chronic pressure overload is unclear. We sought to evaluate the role of TLR2 in cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis and dysfunction in sustained pressure overload. We induced pressure overload via transverse aortic constriction (TAC) in TLR2−/−and wild type (WT) mice, and followed temporal changes over 8 weeks. Despite similar increases in heart weight, left ventricular (LV) ejection fraction (EF) and diastolic function (mitral E/A ratio) were preserved in TLR2−/−mice but impaired in WT mice following TAC. TAC produced less LV fibrosis in TLR2−/−mice associated with lower mRNA levels of collagen genes (Col1a1 and Col3a1) and lower protein level of TGFbeta1, compared to WT mice. Following TAC, the influx of macrophages and CD3 T cells into LV was similar between TLR2−/−and WT mice, whereas levels of cyto/chemokines were lower in the heart and plasma in TLR2−/−mice. TLR2−/−bone marrow-derived cells protected against LVEF decline and fibrosis following TAC. Our findings show that leukocytic TLR2 deficiency protects against LV dysfunction and fibrosis probably via a reduction in inflammatory signaling in sustained pressure overload.
Nanoscale spectrum analyzer based on spin-wave interference
Authors: Papp Ádám , Porod Wolfgang , Csurgay Árpád I. , Csaba György 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present the design of a spin-wave-based microwave signal processing device. The microwave signal is first converted into spin-wave excitations, which propagate in a patterned magnetic thin-film. An interference pattern is formed in the film and its intensity distribution at appropriate read-out locations gives the spectral decomposition of the signal. We use analytic calculations and micromagnetic simulations to verify and to analyze the operation of the device. The results suggest that all performance figures of this magnetoelectric device at room temperature (speed, area, power consumption) may be significantly better than what is achievable in a purely electrical system. We envision that a new class of low-power, high-speed, special-purpose signal processors can be realized by spin-waves.
Cutaneous pigmentation modulates skin sensitivity via tyrosinase-dependent dopaminergic signalling
Authors: Ono Kentaro , Viet Chi T. , Ye Yi , Dang Dongmin , Hitomi Suzuro , Toyono Takashi , Inenaga Kiyotoshi , Dolan John C. , Schmidt Brian L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe propose a new mechanism of sensory modulation through cutaneous dopaminergic signalling. We hypothesize that dopaminergic signalling contributes to differential cutaneous sensitivity in darker versus lighter pigmented humans and mouse strains. We show that thermal and mechanical cutaneous sensitivity is pigmentation dependent. Meta-analyses in humans and mice, along with our own mouse behavioural studies, reveal higher thermal sensitivity in pigmented skin relative to less-pigmented or albino skin. We show that dopamine from melanocytes activates the D1-like dopamine receptor on primary sensory neurons. Dopaminergic activation increases expression of the heat-sensitive TRPV1 ion channel and reduces expression of the mechanically-sensitive Piezo2 channel; thermal threshold is lower and mechanical threshold is higher in pigmented skin.
Optical Control of Tumor Induction in the Zebrafish
Authors: Feng Zhiping , Nam Suzy , Hamouri Fatima , Aujard Isabelle , Ducos Bertrand , Vriz Sophie , Volovitch Michel , Jullien Ludovic , Lin Shuo , Weiss Shimon , Bensimon David 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe zebrafish has become an increasingly popular and valuable cancer model over the past few decades. While most zebrafish cancer models are generated by expressing mammalian oncogenes under tissue-specific promoters, here we describe a method that allows for the precise optical control of oncogene expression in live zebrafish. We utilize this technique to transiently or constitutively activate a typical human oncogene, kRASG12V, in zebrafish embryos and investigate the developmental and tumorigenic phenotypes. We demonstrate the spatiotemporal control of oncogene expression in live zebrafish, and characterize the different tumorigenic probabilities when kRASG12V is expressed transiently or constitutively at different developmental stages. Moreover, we show that light can be used to activate oncogene expression in selected tissues and single cells without tissue-specific promoters. Our work presents a novel approach to initiate and study cancer in zebrafish, and the high spatiotemporal resolution of this method makes it a valuable tool for studying cancer initiation from single cells.
Thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) improved survival in both oligo- and polymetastatic extensive stage small cell lung cancer
Authors: Xu Li-Ming , Cheng Chingyun , Kang Minglei , Luo Jing , Gong Lin-Lin , Pang Qing-Song , Wang Jun , Yuan Zhi-Yong , Zhao Lu-Jun , Wang Ping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThere has been no previous study on the efficacy of the thoracic radiotherapy (TRT) in oligometastatic or polymetastatic extensive stage small-cell lung cancer (ES-SCLC) to the overall survival (OS). In a group of 270 ES-SCLC cases retrospective study, 78 patients (28.9%) had oligometastases and 192 (71.1%) had polymetastases, among which 51 oligometastatic patients (65.4%) and 93 polymetastatic patients (51.6%) received TRT. Propensity score matching (PSM) was utilized. The 2-year OS, progression free survival (PFS) and local control (LC) in oligometastatic and polymetastatic patients were 22.8% and 4.5% (p < 0.001), 12.0% and 3.8% (p < 0.001), and 36.7% and 6.1% (p < 0.001), respectively. The 2-year OS in oligometastatic patients with the chemotherapy + radiotherapy and chemotherapy alone were 25.2% and 12.7% (p = 0.002), in contrast to 10.0% and 6.8% (p = 0.030) in polymetastatic patients. The estimated hazard ratios for survival were 2.9 and 1.7 for both oligometastatic and polymetastatic patients with radiotherapy. The polymetastatic group has a lower LC (6.1% v.s. 36.7%, (p < 0.001)), due to polymetastases patients receiving involved-sites radiotherapy with low dose schemas. TRT improved OS of patients with oligometastases and polymetastases. Our study demonstrated that aggressive TRT might be a suitable addition of chemotherapy when treating ES-SCLC patients with oligometastases and polymetastases.