bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exercise leads to unfavourable cardiac remodelling and enhanced metabolic homeostasis in obese mice with cardiac and skeletal muscle autophagy deficiency
Authors: Yan Zhen , Kronemberger Ana , Blomme Jay , Call Jarrod A. , Caster Hannah M. , Pereira Renata O. , Zhao Henan , de Melo Vitor U. , Laker Rhianna C. , Zhang Mei , Lira Vitor A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAutophagy is stimulated by exercise in several tissues; yet the role of skeletal and cardiac muscle-specific autophagy on the benefits of exercise training remains incompletely understood. Here, we determined the metabolic impact of exercise training in obese mice with cardiac and skeletal muscle disruption of the Autophagy related 7 gene (Atg7h&mKO). Muscle autophagy deficiency did not affect glucose clearance and exercise capacity in lean adult mice. High-fat diet in sedentary mice led to endoplasmic reticulum stress and aberrant mitochondrial protein expression in autophagy-deficient skeletal and cardiac muscles. Endurance exercise training partially reversed these abnormalities in skeletal muscle, but aggravated those in the heart also causing cardiac fibrosis, foetal gene reprogramming, and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis. Interestingly, exercise-trained Atg7h&mKO mice were better protected against obesity and insulin resistance with increased circulating fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21), elevated Fgf21 mRNA and protein solely in the heart, and upregulation of FGF21-target genes involved in thermogenesis and fatty acid oxidation in brown fat. These results indicate that autophagy is essential for the protective effects of exercise in the heart. However, the atypical remodelling elicited by exercise in the autophagy deficient cardiac muscle enhances whole-body metabolism, at least partially, via a heart-brown fat cross-talk involving FGF21.
Global assessment of flood and storm extremes with increased temperatures
Authors: Wasko Conrad , Sharma Ashish 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThere is overwhelming consensus that the intensity of heavy precipitation events is increasing in a warming world. It is generally expected such increases will translate to a corresponding increase in flooding. Here, using global data sets for non-urban catchments, we investigate the sensitivity of extreme daily precipitation and streamflow to changes in daily temperature. We find little evidence to suggest that increases in heavy rainfall events at higher temperatures result in similar increases in streamflow, with most regions throughout the world showing decreased streamflow with higher temperatures. To understand why this is the case, we assess the impact of the size of the catchment and the rarity of the event. As the precipitation event becomes more extreme and the catchment size becomes smaller, characteristics such as the initial moisture in the catchment become less relevant, leading to a more consistent response of precipitation and streamflow extremes to temperature increase. Our results indicate that only in the most extreme cases, for smaller catchments, do increases in precipitation at higher temperatures correspond to increases in streamflow.
Protein O-mannosylation deficiency increases LprG-associated lipoarabinomannan release by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and enhances the TLR2-associated inflammatory response
Authors: Alonso Henar , Parra Julien , Malaga Wladimir , Payros Delphine , Liu Chia-Fang , Berrone Céline , Robert Camille , Meunier Etienne , Burlet-Schiltz Odile , Rivière Michel , Guilhot Christophe 
Published: August 2017

AbstractProtein O-mannosylation is crucial for the biology of Mycobacterium tuberculosis but the key mannosylated protein(s) involved and its(their) underlying function(s) remain unknown. Here, we demonstrated that the M. tuberculosis mutant (Δpmt) deficient for protein O-mannosylation exhibits enhanced release of lipoarabinomannan (LAM) in a complex with LprG, a lipoprotein required for LAM translocation to the cell surface. We determined that LprG is O-mannosylated at a unique threonine position by mass spectrometry analyses of the purified protein. However, although replacement of this amino acid by an alanine residue completely abolished LprG O-mannosylation, the increased release of the LAM/LprG complex was preserved. We found that the increased secretion of this complex is due to enhanced LAM production in the Δpmt M. tuberculosis and M. smegmatis mutants relative to their wild-type counterparts. This abnormal release of LAM/LprG has functional consequences on the induction of inflammatory responses and provides a possible explanation for the reduced virulence of the M. tuberculosis Δpmt mutant.
Efficient generation of conditional knockout mice via sequential introduction of lox sites
Authors: Horii Takuro , Morita Sumiyo , Kimura Mika , Terawaki Naomi , Shibutani Mihiro , Hatada Izuho 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConditional knockout using Cre/lox is essential for functional analysis of genes. CRISPR/Cas in combination with two sets of guide RNAs and a single-stranded oligonucleotide enables simultaneous insertion of two lox sequences. However, this method induces double-strand breaks at two sites on the same chromosome, which causes an undesirable chromosomal deletion and reduces the flanked lox (flox) rate. To solve this problem, we investigated a method that sequentially introduces each lox sequence at the 1-cell and 2-cell embryonic stages, respectively. The sequential method was applied to both microinjection and electroporation systems. Sequential electroporation improved the flox efficiency compared with ordinary simultaneous microinjection, leading to a high yield of offspring with floxed alleles. Finally, we directly produced Cre/lox mice containing both the Cre transgene and floxed allele via sequential electroporation using Cre zygotes, which accelerated the generation of conditional knockout mice compared with the ordinary method.
An effective combination of whole-exome sequencing and runs of homozygosity for the diagnosis of primary ciliary dyskinesia in consanguineous families
Authors: Guo Ting , Tan Zhi-Ping , Chen Hua-Mei , Zheng Dong-yuan , liu Lv , Huang Xin-Gang , Chen Ping , Luo Hong , Yang Yi-Feng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPrimary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is clinically characterized by neonatal respiratory distress, chronic sinusitis, bronchiectasis and infertility, and situs inversus in 50% of the patients. PCD is a result of mutations in genes encoding proteins involved in ciliary function, and is primarily inherited in an autosomal recessive fashion. Diagnosis of PCD is often a challenging task due to its high clinical and genetic heterogeneities. In the present study, we attempted to use whole-exome sequencing (WES) combined with runs of homozygosity (ROH) approaches to identify the genetic defects in four Chinese consanguineous families with clinical PCD. We successfully identified three recently acknowledged PCD genes: DYX1C1, CCNO and ARMC4, and one well-characterized PCD gene, DNAI1. Our study provides compelling evidence that WES in combination with ROH analysis is an efficient diagnostic tool for identifying genetic causes of PCD in consanguineous families. Furthermore, our work expands the genetic mutation spectrum in PCD, and provides the additional tools to better serve the counseling of the families with PCD.
A synthesis of soil carbon and nitrogen recovery after wetland restoration and creation in the United States
Authors: Yu Lingfei , Huang Yao , Sun Feifei , Sun Wenjuan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWetland restoration and creation efforts have been widely attempted as a way to compensate for wetland losses and to recover wetland functions; however, to date, there has been no comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy of soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content recovery at a regional scale. This meta-analysis synthesizes 48 articles to identify the general patterns of soil C and N change after wetland restoration and creation in the United States. Our results indicate that, after 11–20 years, soil C and N in restored and created wetlands are still significantly lower by 51.7% and 50.3%, respectively, than those in natural wetlands. The soil C and N in restored wetlands recovered faster than in created wetlands. Furthermore, the soil C in restored organic flat and created depressional wetlands recovered more rapidly than in restored and created hydrologically open wetlands (riverine and tidal), respectively. Mean annual temperature and soil texture were recognized as two crucial abiotic factors affecting soil C and N recovery. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive relationship between the restoration and creation effect sizes on soil C and N, indicating that wetlands may alleviate N limitations intrinsically during C recovery processes.
Basophils contribute to pristane-induced Lupus-like nephritis model
Authors: Dema Barbara , Lamri Yasmine , Pellefigues Christophe , Pacreau Emeline , Saidoune Fanny , Bidault Caroline , Karasuyama Hajime , Sacré Karim , Daugas Eric , Charles Nicolas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLupus nephritis (LN), one of the most severe outcomes of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), is initiated by glomerular deposition of immune-complexes leading to an inflammatory response and kidney failure. Autoantibodies to nuclear antigens and autoreactive B and T cells are central in SLE pathogenesis. Immune mechanisms amplifying this autoantibody production drive flares of the disease. We previously showed that basophils were contributing to LN development in a spontaneous lupus-like mouse model (constitutive Lyn−/− mice) and in SLE subjects through their activation and migration to secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) where they amplify autoantibody production. In order to study the basophil-specific mechanisms by which these cells contribute to LN development, we needed to validate their involvement in a genetically independent SLE-like mouse model. Pristane, when injected to non-lupus-prone mouse strains, induces a LN-like disease. In this inducible model, basophils were activated and accumulated in SLOs to promote autoantibody production. Basophil depletion by two distinct approaches dampened LN-like disease, demonstrating their contribution to the pristane-induced LN model. These results enable further studies to decipher molecular mechanisms by which basophils contribute to lupus progression.
Delayed fractional dose regimen of the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine candidate enhances an IgG4 response that inhibits serum opsonophagocytosis
Authors: Chaudhury Sidhartha , Regules Jason A. , Darko Christian A. , Dutta Sheetij , Wallqvist Anders , Waters Norman C. , Jongert Erik , Lemiale Franck , Bergmann-Leitner Elke S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA recent study of the RTS,S malaria vaccine, which is based on the circumsporozoite protein (CSP), demonstrated an increase in efficacy from 50–60% to 80% when using a delayed fractional dose regimen, in which the standard 0–1–2 month immunization schedule was modified to a 0–1–7 month schedule and the third immunization was delivered at 20% of the full dose. Given the role that antibodies can play in RTS,S-induced protection, we sought to determine how the modified regimen alters IgG subclasses and serum opsonophagocytic activity (OPA). Previously, we showed that lower CSP-mediated OPA was associated with protection in an RTS,S study. Here we report that the delayed fractional dose regimen resulted in decreased CSP-mediated OPA and an enhanced CSP-specific IgG4 response. Linear regression modeling predicted that CSP-specific IgG1 promote OPA, and that CSP-specific IgG4 interferes with OPA, which we subsequently confirmed by IgG subclass depletion. Although the role of IgG4 antibodies and OPA in protection is still unclear, our findings, combined with previous results that the delayed fractional dose increases CSP-specific antibody avidity and somatic hypermutation frequency in CSP-specific B cells, demonstrate how changes in vaccine regimen alone can significantly alter the quality of antibody responses to improve vaccine efficacy.
Identification of mega-environments and rice genotypes for general and specific adaptation to saline and alkaline stresses in India
Authors: Krishnamurthy S. L. , Sharma P. C. , Sharma D. K. , Ravikiran K. T. , Singh Y. P. , Mishra V. K. , Burman D. , Maji B. , Mandal S. , Sarangi S. K. , Gautam R. K. , Singh P. K. , Manohara K. K. , Marandi B. C. , Padmavathi G. , Vanve P. B. , Patil K. D. , Thirumeni S. , Verma O. P. , Khan A. H. , Tiwari S. , Geetha S. , Shakila M. , Gill R , Yadav V. K. , Roy S. K. B. , Prakash M. , Bonifacio J. , Ismail Abdelbagi , Gregorio G. B. , Singh Rakesh Kumar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn the present study, a total of 53 promising salt-tolerant genotypes were tested across 18 salt-affected diverse locations for three years. An attempt was made to identify ideal test locations and mega-environments using GGE biplot analysis. The CSSRI sodic environment was the most discriminating location in individual years as well as over the years and could be used to screen out unstable and salt-sensitive genotypes. Genotypes CSR36, CSR-2K-219, and CSR-2K-262 were found ideal across years. Overall, Genotypes CSR-2K-219, CSR-2K-262, and CSR-2K-242 were found superior and stable among all genotypes with higher mean yields. Different sets of genotypes emerged as winners in saline soils but not in sodic soils; however, Genotype CSR-2K-262 was the only genotype that was best under both saline and alkaline environments over the years. The lack of repeatable associations among locations and repeatable mega-environment groupings indicated the complexity of soil salinity. Hence, a multi-location and multi-year evaluation is indispensable for evaluating the test sites as well as identifying genotypes with consistently specific and wider adaptation to particular agro-climatic zones. The genotypes identified in the present study could be used for commercial cultivation across edaphically challenged areas for sustainable production.
Bone histology sheds new light on the ecology of the dodo (Raphus cucullatus, Aves, Columbiformes)
Authors: Angst D. , Chinsamy A. , Steel L. , Hume J. P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe dodo,Raphus cucullatus, a flightless pigeon endemic to Mauritius, became extinct during the 17thcentury due to anthropogenic activities. Although it was contemporaneous with humans for almost a century, little was recorded about its ecology. Here we present new aspects of the life history of the dodo based on our analysis of its bone histology. We propose that the dodo bred around August and that the rapid growth of the chicks enabled them to reach a robust size before the austral summer or cyclone season. Histological evidence of molting suggests that after summer had passed, molt began in the adults that had just bred; the timing of molt derived from bone histology is also corroborated by historical descriptions of the dodo by mariners. This research represents the only bone histology analysis of the dodo and provides an unprecedented insight into the life history of this iconic bird.
Optically Isotropic, Colorless, and Flexible PITEs/TiO2 and ZrO2 Hybrid Films with Tunable Refractive Index, Abbe Number, and Memory Properties
Authors: Huang Tzu-Tien , Cheng Shun-Wen , Tsai Chia-Liang , Liou Guey-Sheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA series of novel polyimidothioethers (PITEs) and the respective polymer hybrids of titania or zirconia with fantastic thermal stability and optical properties have been successfully prepared. These colorless PITEs with high transparency were synthesized by Michael polyaddition from commercially available dithiol and bismaleimides monomers. The PITE with sulfide and hydroxyl groups (S-OH) and the corresponding hybrid films declare ultra-lowest birefringence value of 0.002 and tunable refractive index (1.65–1.81 for S-OH/titania and 1.65–1.80 for S-OH/zirconia), implying large potential to the optical applications in the future. Moreover, the S-OH/zirconia hybrid films exhibit higher Abbe’s number and optical transparency than those of S-OH/titania system because larger energy band gap of ZrO2. Furthermore, by adding titania and zirconia as electron acceptor into S-OH system, the charge transfer complex can be facilitated and stabilized caused by the lower LUMO energy level of hybrid materials. Consequently, the devices of memory prepared from these polymer films of hybrid showed interesting and adjustable memory behavior from DRAM, SRAM, to WORM at various titania or zirconia contents with a large ON/OFF ratio (108), denoting that the memory devices derived from these highly transparent novel S-OH/TiO2 and S-OH/ZrO2 hybrid films are attractive for the electrical applications.
Fault reactivation and earthquakes with magnitudes of up to Mw4.7 induced by shale-gas hydraulic fracturing in Sichuan Basin, China
Authors: Lei Xinglin , Huang Dongjian , Su Jinrong , Jiang Guomao , Wang Xiaolong , Wang Hui , Guo Xin , Fu Hong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper presents a timely and detailed study of significant injection-induced seismicity recently observed in the Sichuan Basin, China, where shale-gas hydraulic fracturing has been initiated and the aggressive production of shale gas is planned for the coming years. Multiple lines of evidence, including an epidemic-type aftershock sequence model, relocated hypocenters, the mechanisms of 13 large events (M
W
> 3.5), and numerically calculated Coulomb failure stress results, convincingly suggest that a series of earthquakes with moment magnitudes up to M
W
4.7 has been induced by “short-term” (several months at a single well pad) injections for hydraulic fracturing at depths of 2.3 to 3 km. This, in turn, supports the hypothesis that they represent examples of injection-induced fault reactivation. The geologic reasons why earthquake magnitudes associated with hydraulic fracturing operations are so high in this area are discussed. Because hydraulic fracturing operations are on the rise in the Sichuan Basin, it would be beneficial for the geoscience, gas operator, regulator, and academic communities to work collectively to elucidate the local factors governing the high level of injection-induced seismicity, with the ultimate goal of ensuring that shale gas fracking can be carried out effectively and safely.
Sample entropy reveals an age-related reduction in the complexity of dynamic brain
Authors: Jia Yanbing , Gu Huaguang , Luo Qiang 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDynamic reconfiguration of the human brain is characterized by the nature of complexity. The purpose of this study was to measure such complexity and also analyze its association with age. We modeled the dynamic reconfiguration process by dynamic functional connectivity, which was established by resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data, and we measured complexity within the dynamic functional connectivity by sample entropy (SampEn). A brainwide map of SampEn in healthy subjects shows larger values in the caudate, the olfactory gyrus, the amygdala, and the hippocampus, and lower values in primary sensorimotor and visual areas. Association analysis in healthy subjects indicated that SampEn of the amygdala-cortical connectivity decreases with advancing age. Such age-related loss of SampEn, however, disappears in patients with schizophrenia. These findings suggest that SampEn of the dynamic functional connectivity is a promising indicator of normal aging.
In-situ, time resolved monitoring of uranium in BFS:OPC grout. Part 1: Corrosion in water vapour
Authors: Stitt C. A. , Paraskevoulakos C. , Banos A. , Harker N. J. , Hallam K. R. , Davenport A. , Street S. , Scott T. B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUranium encapsulated in grout was exposed to water vapour for extended periods of time. Through synchrotron x-ray powder diffraction and tomography measurements, uranium dioxide was determined the dominant corrosion product over a 50-week time period. The oxide growth rate initiated rapidly, with rates comparable to the U + H2O reaction. Over time, the reaction rate decreased and eventually plateaued to a rate similar to the U + H2O + O2 reaction. This behaviour was not attributed to oxygen ingress, but instead the decreasing permeability of the grout, limiting oxidising species access to the metal surface.
Thermally-assisted Magma Emplacement Explains Restless Calderas
Authors: Amoruso Antonella , Crescentini Luca , D’Antonio Massimo , Acocella Valerio 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMany calderas show repeated unrest over centuries. Though probably induced by magma, this unique behaviour is not understood and its dynamics remains elusive. To better understand these restless calderas, we interpret deformation data and build thermal models of Campi Flegrei caldera, Italy. Campi Flegrei experienced at least 4 major unrest episodes in the last decades. Our results indicate that the inflation and deflation of magmatic sources at the same location explain most deformation, at least since the build-up of the last 1538 AD eruption. However, such a repeated magma emplacement requires a persistently hot crust. Our thermal models show that this repeated emplacement was assisted by the thermal anomaly created by magma that was intruded at shallow depth ~3 ka before the last eruption. This may explain the persistence of the magmatic sources promoting the restless behaviour of the Campi Flegrei caldera; moreover, it explains the crystallization, re-melting and mixing among compositionally distinct magmas recorded in young volcanic rocks. Our model of thermally-assisted unrest may have a wider applicability, possibly explaining also the dynamics of other restless calderas.
CRP-level-associated polymorphism rs1205 within the CRP gene is associated with 2-hour glucose level: The SAPPHIRe study
Authors: Sheu Wayne Huey-Herng , Wang Wen-Chang , Wu Kwan-Dun , He Chih-Tsueng , Hwu Chii-Min , Quertermous Thomas , Hsieh Wan-Shan , Lee Wen-Jane , Ting Chih-Tai , Chen Yii-Der I. , Hsiung Chao A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractC-reactive protein (CRP) encoded by CRP gene is a reflection of systemic inflammation. Many studies associated CRP level with diabetes and glucose levels, but the association of CRP gene with these traits is unclear. We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 945 siblings from 330 families collected by the Stanford Asian Pacific Program in Hypertension and Insulin Resistance (SAPPHIRe) to investigate associations between CRP polymorphisms, circulating CRP, diabetes, and glucose levels. Five single-nucleotide polymorphisms were analyzed: rs3093059, rs2794521, rs1417938, rs1800947, and rs1205. The generalized estimating equation approach was used to deal with correlated data within families. CRP level was positively correlated with diabetes prevalence and levels of fasting and 2-hour glucose (each P < 0.008). Alleles C at rs3093059 and G at rs1205 were associated with elevated CRP level (each P < 1.2 × 10−6). Allele C at rs3093059 was associated with fasting glucose (β = 0.20, P = 0.045) and G at rs1205 was associated with 2-hour glucose (β = 0.46, P = 0.00090) post oral glucose tolerance test, but only the latter passed Bonferroni correction. No polymorphism was associated with diabetes. Since 2-hour glucose is an indicator of glucose tolerance, this study indicated CRP gene is associated with glucose intolerance.