bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estimation of dry-matter intake and digestibility in group-fed dairy cows using near infrared reflectance spectroscopy
Authors: Garnsworthy P. C. , Unal Y. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study was designed to obtain information on predicting intake and digestibility from near infrared reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) scans of faeces in dairy cows given different diets and levels of intake. Comparisons were made between using NIRS to predict alkanes in faeces and direct calibration of NIRS for intake and digestibility. Faecal samples were obtained from 91 cows in five experiments where dry-matter intake (DMI) had been measured for individual cows. All samples were scanned by NIRS and concentrations of alkanes C32, C33and C36were determined in 32 samples. DMI (mean 19-4, s.d. 5-06 kg/day) was estimated with standard errors of 0-36 and 0-44 kg/day from C32and C36alkanes determined by gas chromatography, and with standard errors of 1-17 and 1-42 kg/day when DMI was estimated from C32and C36alkanes predicted by NIRS. When DMI was predicted directly by NIRS, the standard error of prediction was 0-48 kg/day (R2= 0-97). Prediction of dry matter digestibility by NIRS was not accurate (standard error of cross validation = 0-032; R2= 0-68), probably because of the limited variation in digestibility values within the data set. It is concluded that using NIRS to predict alkane concentrations of faeces does not give accurate estimates of DMI but direct prediction of DMI by NIRS gives estimates with similar accuracy to estimates derived from the traditional alkane technique.
Contribution volatility and public pension reform
Authors: ST. CLAIR TRAVIS , MARTINEZ GUZMAN JUAN PABLO 
Published: April 2017

AbstractIn the wake of the economic downturn of 2008–2009, researchers and policymakers have focused considerable attention on the extent of unfunded liabilities in US public sector pension plans and the implications for the long term fiscal sustainability of state and local governments. In response to the growth in liabilities, many states have introduced legislation that cuts back on defined benefit (DB) plan commitments, in some cases even shifting the pension system from a DB to a defined contribution or hybrid plan. This paper explores the factors that have led states to engage in pension reform, focusing particular attention on one factor that has only recently gained attention in the research literature: contribution volatility. While unfunded liabilities have significant long-term solvency implications, in the short term fluctuations in the amount of required contributions pose substantial difficulties for the ability of plan sponsors to balance budgets and engage in strategic planning. We begin by quantifying the volatility in the required contributions US states were expected to make between 2001 and 2013 and comparing the volatility of pension spending to other relevant tax and spending measures. Next, we describe the various types of pension reforms that states have implemented and examine the fiscal pressures facing those states that have engaged in reform. States with greater fluctuations in their required payments have been more likely to reduce benefits and increase employee contributions; they have also been more likely to institute these reforms sooner.
SRT1720 promotes survival of aged human mesenchymal stem cells via FAIM: a pharmacological strategy to improve stem cell-based therapy for rat myocardial infarction
Authors: Liu Xianbao , Hu Dexing , Zeng Zhiru , Zhu Wei , Zhang Na , Yu Hong , Chen Han , Wang Kan , Wang Yingchao , Wang Lengmei , Zhao Jing , Zhang Ling , Wu Rongrong , Hu Xinyang , Wang Jian'an 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSIRT1 has been proved to rejuvenate and improve the therapeutic efficacy of aged rat mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Herein, we investigate the protective effect of pretreatment with SIRT1 activator SRT1720 on aged human MSCs (hMSCs). The optimized pretreatment condition for aged hMSCs was determined to be 0.5 μM SRT1720 for 24 h by monitoring the survival of aged hMSCs subjected to serum deprivation±hypoxia and±500 μM hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Pretreatment with these conditions increased the survival of aged hMSCs 1 day (2.7-fold) and 3 days (1.9-fold) after being transplanted into a rat myocardial infarction (MI) model created by ligation of the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery. Transplantation with SRT1720 pretreated aged hMSCs achieved increased left ventricular ejection fraction (58.9±3.6 versus 52.8±5%) and angiogenesis with reduced fibrosis of rat hearts as compared to DMSO pretreated group 28 days following MI. Unbiased transcriptome analysis conducted on aged hMSCs under oxidative stress indicated the Fas apoptosis inhibitory molecule (FAIM) was significantly upregulated following SRT1720 pretreatment (14.9±0.2-folds). Moreover, the anti-apoptotic effect of SRT1720 was mitigated by FAIM knockdown with a small interfering RNA-targeted FAIM. These results indicated that pretreatment with SRT1720 improves survival of aged hMSCs, and enhances their therapeutic efficacy for rat myocardial infarction (MI). Upregulation of FAIM possibly involves in the mechanisms of the protective effects.
p45 NF-E2 regulates syncytiotrophoblast differentiation by post-translational GCM1 modifications in human intrauterine growth restriction
Authors: Kohli Shrey , Hoffmann Juliane , Lochmann Franziska , Markmeyer Paulina , Huebner Hanna , Fahlbusch Fabian B , Al-Dabet Moh'd Mohanad , Gadi Ihsan , Manoharan Jayakumar , Löttge Michael , Zenclussen Ana C , Aharon Anat , Brenner Benjamin , Shahzad Khurrum , Ruebner Matthias , Isermann Berend 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPlacental insufficiency jeopardizes prenatal development, potentially leading to intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and stillbirth. Surviving fetuses are at an increased risk for chronic diseases later in life. IUGR is closely linked with altered trophoblast and placental differentiation. However, due to a paucity of mechanistic insights, suitable biomarkers and specific therapies for IUGR are lacking. The transcription factor p45 NF-E2 (nuclear factor erythroid derived 2) has been recently found to regulate trophoblast differentiation in mice. The absence of p45 NF-E2 in trophoblast cells causes IUGR and placental insufficiency in mice, but mechanistic insights are incomplete and the relevance of p45 NF-E2 for human syncytiotrophoblast differentiation remains unknown. Here we show that p45 NF-E2 negatively regulates human syncytiotrophoblast differentiation and is associated with IUGR in humans. Expression of p45 NF-E2 is reduced in human placentae complicated with IUGR compared with healthy controls. Reduced p45 NF-E2 expression is associated with increased syncytiotrophoblast differentiation, enhanced glial cells missing-1 (GCM1) acetylation and GCM1 desumoylation in IUGR placentae. Induction of syncytiotrophoblast differentiation in BeWo and primary villous trophoblast cells with 8-bromo-adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (8-Br-cAMP) reduces p45 NF-E2 expression. Of note, p45 NF-E2 knockdown is sufficient to increase syncytiotrophoblast differentiation and GCM1 expression. Loss of p45 NF-E2 using either approach resulted in CBP-mediated GCM1 acetylation and SENP-mediated GCM1 desumoylation, demonstrating that p45 NF-E2 regulates post-translational modifications of GCM1. Functionally, reduced p45 NF-E2 expression is associated with increased cell death and caspase-3 activation in vitro and in placental tissues samples. Overexpression of p45 NF-E2 is sufficient to repress GCM1 expression, acetylation and desumoylation, even in 8-Br-cAMP exposed BeWo cells. These results suggest that p45 NF-E2 negatively regulates differentiation and apoptosis activation of human syncytiotrophoblast by modulating GCM1 acetylation and sumoylation. These studies identify a new pathomechanism related to IUGR in humans and thus provide new impetus for future studies aiming to identify new biomarkers and/or therapies of IUGR.
Synovial cell death is regulated by TNF-α-induced expression of B-cell activating factor through an ERK-dependent increase in hypoxia-inducible factor-1α
Authors: Lee Jae-Wook , Lee Jiyoung , Um Sung Hee , Moon Eun-Yi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractB-cell activating factor (BAFF) has a role in the maturation and maintenance of B cells and is associated with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we investigated whether tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α-induced BAFF expression controls the survival of fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and whether their survival can be regulated by TNF-α-mediated upregulation of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1αusing MH7A synovial cells transfected with the SV40 T antigen. More TNF-α-treated cells died compared with the control. Survival was increased by incubation with Z-VAD but inhibited after transfection with BAFF-siRNA. Both BAFF and HIF-1αexpression were enhanced when MH7A cells were treated with TNF-α. TNF-α-induced BAFF expression decreased in response to HIF-1α-siRNA, whereas it increased under hypoxia or by overexpressing HIF-1α. The HIF-1αbinding site on the BAFF promoter (−693 to −688 bp) was confirmed by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay to detect the −750 to −501 bp and −800 to −601 bp regions. The BAFF promoter increased in response to TNF-αtreatment or overexpression of HIF-1α. However, TNF-α-induced BAFF expression and promoter activity decreased after treatment with the ERK inhibitor PD98059. Cell death was enhanced by PD98059 but was inhibited by overexpression of HIF-1α. Taken together, our results demonstrate that BAFF expression to control synovial cell survival was regulated by HIF-1αbinding to the BAFF promoter, and suggest for the first time that HIF-1αmight be involved in the production of inflammatory cytokines to regulate the physiological function of rheumatic FLS.
Experimental atopic dermatitis depends on IL-33R signaling via MyD88 in dendritic cells
Authors: Li Changwei , Maillet Isabelle , Mackowiak Claire , Viala Camille , Di Padova Franco , Li Mei , Togbe Dieudonnée , Quesniaux Valérie , Lai Yuping , Ryffel Bernhard 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAtopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic Th2 type inflammatory skin disorder. Here we report that MyD88 signaling is crucial in the pathogenesis of experimental AD induced by vitamin D3 analog MC903. The clinical signs and inflammation caused by MC903 are drastically reduced in MyD88−/−mice with diminished eosinophil, neutrophil infiltration and Th2 cytokine expression. The biological effect of interleukin-1 (IL-1) family members relies on MyD88 signaling. We observed a strong upregulation of IL-1 family cytokine expression, including IL-1α, IL-1β, IL-33, IL-18, IL-36α, IL-36β, IL-36γand IL-36Ra. Therefore, we asked which cytokine of the IL-1 family would be essential for MC903-induced AD syndrome. We find a significant reduction of AD in IL-33−/−and IL-33R/ST2−/−mice, only a minor reduction in double IL-1αβ−/−mice and no difference in IL-36R−/−and IL-36Ra−/−mice. IL-33 is expressed in keratinocytes, and MyD88 signaling in dendritic cells (DCs) is crucial for AD development as inflammation was drastically reduced in DC-specific MyD88−/−mice (CD11c-cre × MyD88-floxed). Taken together, the data demonstrate a critical role of MyD88 in DCs and of IL-33 signaling via ST2 in MC903-induced AD. These data suggest that IL-33/IL-33R may be a therapeutic target of AD.
An analytic approximation of the feasible space of metabolic networks
Authors: Braunstein Alfredo , Muntoni Anna Paola , Pagnani Andrea 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAssuming a steady-state condition within a cell, metabolic fluxes satisfy an underdetermined linear system of stoichiometric equations. Characterizing the space of fluxes that satisfy such equations along with given bounds (and possibly additional relevant constraints) is considered of utmost importance for the understanding of cellular metabolism. Extreme values for each individual flux can be computed with linear programming (as flux balance analysis), and their marginal distributions can be approximately computed with Monte Carlo sampling. Here we present an approximate analytic method for the latter task based on expectation propagation equations that does not involve sampling and can achieve much better predictions than other existing analytic methods. The method is iterative, and its computation time is dominated by one matrix inversion per iteration. With respect to sampling, we show through extensive simulation that it has some advantages including computation time, and the ability to efficiently fix empirically estimated distributions of fluxes.
Intestinal PPARδ protects against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia
Authors: Doktorova Marcela , Zwarts Irene , Zutphen Tim van , Dijk Theo H. van , Bloks Vincent W. , Harkema Liesbeth , Bruin Alain de , Downes Michael , Evans Ronald M. , Verkade Henkjan J. , Jonker Johan W. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPeroxisome proliferator-activated receptor δ (PPARδ) is a ligand-activated transcription factor that has an important role in lipid metabolism. Activation of PPARδ stimulates fatty acid oxidation in adipose tissue and skeletal muscle and improves dyslipidemia in mice and humans. PPARδ is highly expressed in the intestinal tract but its physiological function in this organ is not known. Using mice with an intestinal epithelial cell-specific deletion of PPARδ, we show that intestinal PPARδ protects against diet-induced obesity, insulin resistance and dyslipidemia. Furthermore, absence of intestinal PPARδ abolished the ability of PPARδ agonist GW501516 to increase plasma levels of HDL-cholesterol. Together, our findings show that intestinal PPARδ is important in maintaining metabolic homeostasis and suggest that intestinal-specific activation of PPARδ could be a therapeutic approach for treatment of the metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia, while avoiding systemic toxicity.
A rapid and non-invasive method for measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields by ﻿a﻿ laser beam
Authors: Wang Hua , Zeng Deping , Chen Ziguang , Yang Zengtao 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBased on the acousto-optic interaction, we propose a laser deflection method for rapidly, non-invasively and quantitatively measuring the peak positive pressure of HIFU fields. In the characterization of HIFU fields, the effect of nonlinear propagation is considered. The relation between the laser deflection length and the peak positive pressure is derived. Then the laser deflection method is assessed by comparing it with the hydrophone method. The experimental results show that the peak positive pressure measured by laser deflection method is little higher than that obtained by the hydrophone, confirming that they are in reasonable agreement. Considering that the peak pressure measured by hydrophones is always underestimated, the laser deflection method is assumed to be more accurate than the hydrophone method due to the absence of the errors in hydrophone spatial-averaging measurement and the influence of waveform distortion on hydrophone corrections. Moreover, noting that the Lorentz formula still remains applicable to high-pressure environments, the laser deflection method exhibits a great potential for measuring HIFU field under high-pressure amplitude. Additionally, the laser deflection method provides a rapid way for measuring the peak positive pressure, without the scan time, which is required by the hydrophones.
Toll-like receptor 7 deficiency protects apolipoprotein E-deficient mice from diet-induced atherosclerosis
Authors: Liu Cong-Lin , Santos Marcela M. , Fernandes Cleverson , Liao Mengyang , Iamarene Karine , Zhang Jin-Ying , Sukhova Galina K. , Shi Guo-Ping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractToll-like receptor 7 (TLR7) mediates autoantigen and viral RNA-induced cytokine production. Increased TLR7 expression in human atherosclerotic lesions suggests its involvement in atherogenesis. Here we demonstrated TLR7 expression in macrophages, smooth muscle cells (SMCs), and endothelial cells from mouse atherosclerotic lesions. To test a direct participation of TLR7 in atherosclerosis, we crossbred TLR7-deficient (Tlr7−/−) mice with apolipoprotein E-deficient (Apoe−/−) mice and produced Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− and Apoe−/−Tlr7+/+ littermates, followed by feeding them an atherogenic diet to produce atherosclerosis. Compared to Apoe−/−Tlr7+/+ mice, Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− mice showed reduced aortic arch and sinus lesion areas. Reduced atherosclerosis in Apoe−/−Tlr7−/− mice did not affect lesion macrophage-positive area and CD4+ T-cell number per lesion area, but reduced lesion expression of inflammatory markers major histocompatibility complex-class II and IL6, lesion matrix-degrading proteases cathepsin S and matrix metalloproteinase-9, and systemic serum amyloid A levels. TLR7 deficiency also reduced aortic arch SMC loss and lesion intima and media cell apoptosis. However, TLR7 deficiency did not affect aortic wall elastin fragmentation and collagen contents, or plasma lipoproteins. Therefore, TLR7 contributes to atherogenesis in Apoe−/− mice by regulating lesion and systemic inflammation. A TLR7 antagonist may mitigate atherosclerosis.
Development of New Carbon Resources: Production of Important Chemicals from Algal Residue
Authors: Yamaguchi Sho , Kawada Yuuki , Yuge Hidetaka , Tanaka Kan , Imamura Sousuke 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAlgal biomass has received attention as an alternative carbon resource owing not only to its high oil production efficiency but also, unlike corn starch, to its lack of demand in foods. However, algal residue is commonly discarded after the abstraction of oil. The utilization of the residue to produce chemicals will therefore increase the value of using algal biomass instead of fossil fuels. Here, we report the use of algal residue as a new carbon resource to produce important chemicals. The application of different homogeneous catalysts leads to the selective production of methyl levulinate or methyl lactate. These results demonstrate the successful development of new carbon resources as a solution for the depletion of fossil fuels.
On/off-switchable LSPR nano-immunoassay for troponin-T
Authors: Ashaduzzaman Md. , Deshpande Swapneel R. , Murugan N. Arul , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Turner Anthony P. F. , Tiwari Ashutosh 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRegeneration of immunosensors is a longstanding challenge. We have developed a re-usable troponin-T (TnT) immunoassay based on localised surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) at gold nanorods (GNR). Thermosensitive poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAM) was functionalised with anti-TnT to control the affinity interaction with TnT. The LSPR was extremely sensitive to the dielectric constant of the surrounding medium as modulated by antigen binding after 20 min incubation at 37 °C. Computational modelling incorporating molecular docking, molecular dynamics and free energy calculations was used to elucidate the interactions between the various subsystems namely, IgG-antibody (c.f., anti-TnT), PNIPAAM and/or TnT. This study demonstrates a remarkable temperature dependent immuno-interaction due to changes in the PNIPAAM secondary structures, i.e., globular and coil, at above or below the lower critical solution temperature (LCST). A series of concentrations of TnT were measured by correlating the λLSPR shift with relative changes in extinction intensity at the distinct plasmonic maximum (i.e., 832 nm). The magnitude of the red shift in λLSPR was nearly linear with increasing concentration of TnT, over the range 7.6 × 10−15 to 9.1 × 10−4 g/mL. The LSPR based nano-immunoassay could be simply regenerated by switching the polymer conformation and creating a gradient of microenvironments between the two states with a modest change in temperature.
Molecular Basis of Olfactory Chemoreception in the Common Bed Bug, Cimex lectularius
Authors: Liu Feng , Chen Zhou , Liu Nannan 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAs one of the most notorious ectoparasites, bed bugs rely heavily on human or animal blood sources for survival, mating and reproduction. Chemoreception, mediated by the odorant receptors on the membrane of olfactory sensory neurons, plays a vital role in their host seeking and risk aversion processes. We investigated the responses of odorant receptors to a large spectrum of semiochemicals, including human odorants and plant-released volatiles and found that strong responses were sparse; aldehydes/ketones were the most efficient stimuli, while carboxylic acids and aliphatics/aromatics were comparatively less effective in eliciting responses from bed bug odorant receptors. In bed bugs, both the odorant identity and concentrations play important roles in determining the strength of these responses. The odor space constructed based on the responses from all the odorant receptors tested revealed that odorants within the same chemical group are widely dispersed while odorants from different groups are intermingled, suggesting the complexity of odorant encoding in the bed bug odorant receptors. This study provides a comprehensive picture of the olfactory coding mechanisms of bed bugs that will ultimately contribute to the design and development of novel olfactory-based strategies to reduce both the biting nuisance and disease transmission from bed bugs.
Ecological connectivity in the three-dimensional urban green volume using waveform airborne lidar
Authors: Casalegno Stefano , Anderson Karen , Cox Daniel T. C. , Hancock Steven , Gaston Kevin J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe movements of organisms and the resultant flows of ecosystem services are strongly shaped by landscape connectivity. Studies of urban ecosystems have relied on two-dimensional (2D) measures of greenspace structure to calculate connectivity. It is now possible to explore three-dimensional (3D) connectivity in urban vegetation using waveform lidar technology that measures the full 3D structure of the canopy. Making use of this technology, here we evaluate urban greenspace 3D connectivity, taking into account the full vertical stratification of the vegetation. Using three towns in southern England, UK, all with varying greenspace structures, we describe and compare the structural and functional connectivity using both traditional 2D greenspace models and waveform lidar-generated vegetation strata (namely, grass, shrubs and trees). Measures of connectivity derived from 3D greenspace are lower than those derived from 2D models, as the latter assumes that all vertical vegetation strata are connected, which is rarely true. Fragmented landscapes that have more complex 3D vegetation showed greater functional connectivity and we found highest 2D to 3D functional connectivity biases for short dispersal capacities of organisms (6 m to 16 m). These findings are particularly pertinent in urban systems where the distribution of greenspace is critical for delivery of ecosystem services.
Microbial community response to hydration-desiccation cycles in desert soil
Authors: Šťovíček Adam , Kim Minsu , Or Dani , Gillor Osnat 
Published: April 2017

AbstractLife in desert soil is marked by episodic pulses of water and nutrients followed by long periods of drought. While the desert flora and fauna flourish after rainfall the response of soil microorganisms remains unclear and understudied. We provide the first systematic study of the role of soil aqueous habitat dynamics in shaping microbial community composition and diversity. Detailed monitoring of natural microbial communities after a rainfall event revealed a remarkable decrease in diversity and a significant transition in community composition that were gradually restored to pre-rainfall values during soil desiccation. Modelling results suggest a critical role for the fragmented aqueous habitat in maintaining microbial diversity under dry soil conditions and diversity loss with wetting events that increase connectivity among habitats. This interdisciplinary study provides new insights into wetting and drying processes that promote and restore the unparalleled microbial diversity found in soil.