bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Radiocarbon Data, Bayesian Modeling, and Alternative Historical Frameworks
Authors: Lulewicz Jacob 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThis article employs comparative Bayesian chronology building to formally evaluate the quality of a legacy radiocarbon dataset from the southern Appalachian region of the southeastern United States and to interrogate the assumptions that form the basis of the extant chronological narrative for the region. By incorporating alternative assumptions into Bayesian models, a number of alternative chronological frameworks are developed and compared to one another to yield insights into the development of sociopolitical complexity across southern Appalachia between AD 600 and 1600. The treatment of alternative chronological models as working hypotheses concerning the timing, tempo, and nature of sociopolitical transformations makes use of legacy radiocarbon datasets in developing new research trajectories including the encouragement of renewed field- and lab-based investigations. As such, this article provides a case study to illustrate the value of Bayesian chronological modeling in assessing legacy radiocarbon datasets and reevaluating extant chronological frameworks. Beyond initial evaluation of extant datasets and narratives, the methods and procedures outlined below can be used to form baseline models against which newly acquired data can be formally incorporated and interpreted.
Water-supply infrastructure of Byzantine Constantinople
Authors: Ward Kate , Crow James , Crapper Martin 
Published: November 2017

Modern water-supply systems — hidden beneath the ground, constructed, expanded, adapted and repaired intermittently by multiple groups of people — are often messy and difficult to comprehend. The ancient water-supply system we consider here is no different — and perhaps even more complex as it was developed over 1200 years and then had a modern city built on top. Despite this, we are beginning to understand how one of the Roman world's most important cities provided its population with water.The remains of water infrastructure in Constantinople attest to a complex system of water-management and distribution, one that developed from the colony of Byzantium, through the growth and eventual decline of the new capital of the Roman empire, until conquest by the Ottomans. Aqueducts — the system of channels, bridges and tunnels designed to carry water through the landscape — were the focus of infrastructure investment in earlier periods, but cisterns for the storage and distribution of water were constructed throughout the time of Byzantine Constantinople.
Towards a typology of triangular bronze Hekate bases: contextualizing a new find from Sardis
Authors: Bruce William , Jackson Miller Kassandra 
Published: November 2017

Excavations in Field 49 at Sardis in the summer of 2015 recovered a bronze triangle inscribed with three images of the goddess Hekate, Greek epithets, and magical symbols (Gr. χαρακτῆρες). The Sardis triangle is the third example of this design known from Roman Anatolia, the other two having been recovered from Pergamon and Apamea. This article aims to situate the new find within its archaeological and historical contexts and, through comparisons with the Pergamon and Apamea finds, to refine our interpretations of the forms and functions of these objects.Field 49 at Sardis is a flat plateau just north of the acropolis. Supported by a series of monumental limestone terrace walls, this part of the city was inhabited almost continuously from the Lydian period through late antiquity.
L-leucine and SPNS1 coordinately ameliorate dysfunction of autophagy in mouse and human Niemann-Pick type C disease
Authors: Yanagisawa Hiroko , Ishii Tomohiro , Endo Kentaro , Kawakami Emiko , Nagao Kazuaki , Miyashita Toshiyuki , Akiyama Keiko , Watabe Kazuhiko , Komatsu Masaaki , Yamamoto Daisuke , Eto Yoshikatsu 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLysosomal storage disorders are characterized by progressive accumulation of undigested macromolecules within the cell due to lysosomal dysfunction. 573C10 is a Schwann cell line derived from a mouse model of Niemann-Pick type C disease-1, NPC (−/−). Under serum-starved conditions, NPC (−/−) cells manifested impaired autophagy accompanied by an increase in the amount of p62 and lysosome enlargement. Addition of L-leucine to serum-starved NPC (−/−) cells ameliorated the enlargement of lysosomes and the p62 accumulation. Similar autophagy defects were observed in NPC (−/−) cells even without serum starvation upon the knockdown of Spinster-like 1 (SPNS1), a putative transporter protein thought to function in lysosomal recycling. Conversely, SPNS1 overexpression impeded the enlargement of lysosomes, p62 accumulation and mislocalization of the phosphorylated form of the mechanistic Target of rapamycin in NPC (−/−) cells. In addition, we found a reduction in endogenous SPNS1 expression in fibroblasts derived from NPC-1 patients compared with normal fibroblasts. We propose that SPNS1-dependent L-leucine export across the lysosomal membrane is a key step for triggering autophagy, and that this mechanism is impaired in NPC-1.
Histamine N-methyltransferase regulates aggression and the sleep-wake cycle
Authors: Naganuma Fumito , Nakamura Tadaho , Yoshikawa Takeo , Iida Tomomitsu , Miura Yamato , Kárpáti Anikó , Matsuzawa Takuro , Yanai Atushi , Mogi Asuka , Mochizuki Takatoshi , Okamura Nobuyuki , Yanai Kazuhiko 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHistamine is a neurotransmitter that regulates diverse physiological functions including the sleep-wake cycle. Recent studies have reported that histaminergic dysfunction in the brain is associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Histamine N-methyltransferase (HNMT) is an enzyme expressed in the central nervous system that specifically metabolises histamine; yet, the exact physiological roles of HNMT are unknown. Accordingly, we phenotyped Hnmt knockout mice (KO) to determine the relevance of HNMT to various brain functions. First, we showed that HNMT deficiency enhanced brain histamine concentrations, confirming a role for HNMT in histamine inactivation. Next, we performed comprehensive behavioural testing and determined that KO mice exhibited high aggressive behaviours in the resident-intruder and aggressive biting behaviour tests. High aggression in KO mice was suppressed by treatment with zolantidine, a histamine H2 receptor (H2R) antagonist, indicating that abnormal H2R activation promoted aggression in KO mice. A sleep analysis revealed that KO mice exhibited prolonged bouts of awakening during the light (inactive) period and compensatory sleep during the dark (active) period. Abnormal sleep behaviour was suppressed by treatment with pyrilamine, a H1R antagonist, prior to light period, suggesting that excessive H1R activation led to the dysregulation of sleep-wake cycles in KO mice. These observations inform the physiological roles of HNMT.
Comparative analysis of cytokine/chemokine regulatory networks in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD)
Authors: Srivastava Arpna , Dixit Aparna Banerjee , Paul Debasmita , Tripathi Manjari , Sarkar Chitra , Chandra P. Sarat , Banerjee Jyotirmoy 
Published: November 2017

AbstractExperimental and clinical evidence have demonstrated aberrant expression of cytokines/chemokines and their receptors in patients with hippocampal sclerosis (HS) and focal cortical dysplasia (FCD). However, there is limited information regarding the modulation of cytokine/chemokine-regulatory networks, suggesting contribution of miRNAs and downstream transcription factors/receptors in these pathologies. Hence, we studied the levels of multiple inflammatory mediators (IL1β, IL1Ra, IL6, IL10, CCL3, CCL4, TNFα and VEGF) along with transcriptional changes of nine related miRNAs and mRNA levels of downstream effectors of significantly altered cytokines/chemokines in brain tissues obtained from patients with HS (n = 26) and FCD (n = 26). Up regulation of IL1β, IL6, CCL3, CCL4, STAT-3, C-JUN and CCR5, and down regulation of IL 10 were observed in both HS and FCD cases (p < 0.05). CCR5 was significantly up regulated in FCD as compared to HS (p < 0.001). Both, HS and FCD presented decreased miR-223-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-204-5p and let-7a-5p and increased miR-155-5p expression (p < 0.05). As compared to HS, miR-204-5p (upstream to CCR5 and IL1β) and miR-195-5p (upstream to CCL4) were significantly decreased in FCD patients (p < 0.01). Our results suggest differential alteration of cytokine/chemokine regulatory networks in HS and FCD and provide a rationale for developing pathology specific therapy.
Ferroquine, the next generation antimalarial drug, has antitumor activity
Authors: Kondratskyi Artem , Kondratska Kateryna , Vanden Abeele Fabien , Gordienko Dmitri , Dubois Charlotte , Toillon Robert-Allain , Slomianny Christian , Lemière Sébastien , Delcourt Philippe , Dewailly Etienne , Skryma Roman , Biot Christophe , Prevarskaya Natalia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDespite the tremendous progress in medicine, cancer remains one of the most serious global health problems awaiting new effective therapies. Here we present ferroquine (FQ), the next generation antimalarial drug, as a promising candidate for repositioning as cancer therapeutics. We report that FQ potently inhibits autophagy, perturbs lysosomal function and impairs prostate tumor growth in vivo. We demonstrate that FQ negatively regulates Akt kinase and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and is particularly effective in starved and hypoxic conditions frequently observed in advanced solid cancers. FQ enhances the anticancer activity of several chemotherapeutics suggesting its potential application as an adjuvant to existing anticancer therapy. Alike its parent compound chloroquine (CQ), FQ accumulates within and deacidifies lysosomes. Further, FQ induces lysosomal membrane permeabilization, mitochondrial depolarization and caspase-independent cancer cell death. Overall, our work identifies ferroquine as a promising new drug with a potent anticancer activity.
Remapping high-capacity, pre-attentive, fragile sensory memory
Authors: Zerr Paul , Gayet Surya , Mulder Kees , Pinto Yaïr , Sligte Ilja , Van der Stigchel Stefan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHumans typically make several saccades per second. This provides a challenge for the visual system as locations are largely coded in retinotopic (eye-centered) coordinates. Spatial remapping, the updating of retinotopic location coordinates of items in visuospatial memory, is typically assumed to be limited to robust, capacity-limited and attention-demanding working memory (WM). Are pre-attentive, maskable, sensory memory representations (e.g. fragile memory, FM) also remapped? We directly compared trans-saccadic WM (tWM) and trans-saccadic FM (tFM) in a retro-cue change-detection paradigm. Participants memorized oriented rectangles, made a saccade and reported whether they saw a change in a subsequent display. On some trials a retro-cue indicated the to-be-tested item prior to probe onset. This allowed sensory memory items to be included in the memory capacity estimate. The observed retro-cue benefit demonstrates a tFM capacity considerably above tWM. This provides evidence that some, if not all sensory memory was remapped to spatiotopic (world-centered, task-relevant) coordinates. In a second experiment, we show backward masks to be effective in retinotopic as well as spatiotopic coordinates, demonstrating that FM was indeed remapped to world-centered coordinates. Together this provides conclusive evidence that trans-saccadic spatial remapping is not limited to higher-level WM processes but also occurs for sensory memory representations.
microRNA-449a modulates medullary thymic epithelial cell differentiation
Authors: Chen Pengfei , Zhang Haohao , Sun Xiaohua , Hu Yiming , Jiang Wenxia , Liu Zhanjie , Liu Sanhong , Zhang Xiaoren 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMedullary thymic epithelial cells (mTECs) ectopically express a diversity of peripheral tissue-restricted antigens (PTAs) and provide unique cues for the expansion, maturation and selection of a repertoire of functionally diverse T lymphocytes. Genetic deletion of all mature microRNAs in thymic epithelial cells (TECs) results in premature thymic involution, progressive disorganisation of the thymic epithelium, and alteration in thymic T cell lineage commitment, consequently eliciting autoimmune disorders. In the present study, we identified that microRNA-449a (miR-449a), a member of miR-449 cluster, regulated mTEC differentiation. Expression of miR-449a was induced by RANK ligand in mouse fetal thymus. Inin vitrostudies, overexpression of miR-449a induced thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPCs) differentiation into mature mTECs. Despite abundant expression of miR-449a in developing thymus, miR-449a-mutant mice exhibited normal thymic development. This might be partially due to in miR-449a-mutant thymus the up-regulation of miR-34a which shared similar seed sequence with miR-449a. However, thymic expression of miR-449/34 sponge which was able to neutralize the function of miR-449/34 family members significantly reduced the number of mature Ly51-MHCIIhimTECs. Taken together, our data suggested that miR-449a modulated mTEC differentiation, and members of miR-34 cluster functioned redundantly to rescue miR-449a deficiency in thymus development.
European catfish (Silurus glanis) as a freshwater apex predator drives ecosystem via its diet adaptability
Authors: Vejřík Lukáš , Vejříková Ivana , Blabolil Petr , Eloranta Antti P. , Kočvara Luboš , Peterka Jiří , Sajdlová Zuzana , Chung Son Hoang The , Šmejkal Marek , Kiljunen Mikko , Čech Martin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractApex predators play a key role in ecosystem stability across environments but their numbers in general are decreasing. By contrast, European catfish (Silurus glanis), the European freshwater apex predator, is on the increase. However, studies concerning apex predators in freshwaters are scarce in comparison to those in terrestrial and marine ecosystems. The present study combines stomach content and stable isotope analyses with diet preferences of catfish to reveal its impact on the ecosystem since stocking. Catfish niche width is extremely wide in comparison to the typical model predator, Northern pike (Esox lucius). Catfish and pike have different individual dietary specialization that results in different functional roles in coupling or compartmentalizing distinct food webs. The role of both species in the ecosystem is irreplaceable due to multiple predator effects. The impact of catfish is apparent across the entire aquatic ecosystem, but herbivores are the most affected ecological group. The key feature of catfish, and probably a common feature of apex predators in general, is utilization of several dietary strategies by individuals within a population: long-term generalism or specialization and also short-term specialization. Catfish, similar to other large-bodied apex predators, have two typical features: enormous generalism and adaptability to new prey sources.
Spontaneous body contractions are modulated by the microbiome of Hydra
Authors: Murillo-Rincon Andrea P. , Klimovich Alexander , Pemöller Eileen , Taubenheim Jan , Mortzfeld Benedikt , Augustin René , Bosch Thomas C. G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSpontaneous contractile activity, such as gut peristalsis, is ubiquitous in animals and is driven by pacemaker cells. In humans, disruption of the contraction pattern leads to gastrointestinal conditions, which are also associated with gut microbiota dysbiosis. Spontaneous contractile activity is also present in animals lacking gastrointestinal tract. Here we show that spontaneous body contractions in Hydra are modulated by symbiotic bacteria. Germ-free animals display strongly reduced and less regular contraction frequencies. These effects are partially restored by reconstituting the natural microbiota. Moreover, soluble molecule(s) produced by symbiotic bacteria may be involved in contraction frequency modulation. As the absence of bacteria does not impair the contractile ability itself, a microbial effect on the pacemakers seems plausible. Our findings indicate that the influence of bacteria on spontaneous contractile activity is present in the early-branching cnidarian hydra as well as in Bilateria, and thus suggest an evolutionary ancient origin of interaction between bacteria and metazoans, opening a window into investigating the roots of human motility disorders.
Dislocation Multiplications in Extremely Small Hexagonal-structured Titanium Nanopillars Without Dislocation Starvation
Authors: Huang Peng , Yu Qian 
Published: November 2017

Abstract“Smaller is stronger” has been commonly observed in cubic structured and hexagonal close-packed (HCP) structured materials. Dislocation starvation phenomenon is highly responsible for the increase of strength at smaller scale in cubic materials. However, by using quantitative in situ transmission electron microscope (TEM) nano-mechanical testing on cylindrical titanium nano-pillars with diameters of ~150 nm but varied orientations and three dimensional dislocation tomography, we found that dislocation nucleation and multiplication dominate the plastic deformation of the nano-pillars with no sign of dislocation starvation, resulting in much better ability of dislocation storage and plastic stability of HCP structured materials at extremely small scale.
Characterisation of the semi-volatile component of Dissolved Organic Matter by Thermal Desorption – Proton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Materić Dušan , Peacock Mike , Kent Matthew , Cook Sarah , Gauci Vincent , Röckmann Thomas , Holzinger Rupert 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProton Transfer Reaction – Mass Spectrometry (PTR-MS) is a sensitive, soft ionisation method suitable for qualitative and quantitative analysis of volatile and semi-volatile organic vapours. PTR-MS is used for various environmental applications including monitoring of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from natural and anthropogenic sources, chemical composition measurements of aerosols, etc. Here we apply thermal desorption PTR-MS for the first time to characterise the chemical composition of dissolved organic matter (DOM). We developed a clean, low-pressure evaporation/sublimation system to remove water from samples and coupled it to a custom-made thermal desorption unit to introduce the samples to the PTR-MS. Using this system, we analysed waters from intact and degraded peat swamp forest of Kalimantan, Indonesian Borneo, and an oil palm plantation and natural forest in Sarawak, Malaysian Borneo. We detected more than 200 organic ions from these samples and principal component analysis allowed clear separation of the different sample origins based on the composition of organic compounds. The method is sensitive, reproducible, and provides a new and comparatively cheap tool for a rapid characterisation of water and soil DOM.
A small molecule screen to identify regulators of let-7 targets
Authors: Cinkornpumin J. , Roos M. , Nguyen L. , Liu Xiaoguang , Gaeta X. , Lin S. , Chan D. N. , Liu A. , Gregory R. I. , Jung M. , Chute J. , Zhu H. , Lowry W. E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe let-7 family of miRNAs has been shown to be crucial in many aspects of biology, from the regulation of developmental timing to cancer. The available methods to regulate this family of miRNAs have so far been mostly genetic and therefore not easily performed experimentally. Here, we describe a small molecule screen designed to identify regulators of let-7 targets in human cells. In particular, we focused our efforts on the identification of small molecules that could suppress let-7 targets, as these could serve to potentially intercede in tumors driven by loss of let-7 activity. After screening through roughly 36,000 compounds, we identified a class of phosphodiesterase inhibitors that suppress let-7 targets. These compounds stimulate cAMP levels and raise mature let-7 levels to suppress let-7 target genes in multiple cancer cell lines such as HMGA2 and MYC. As a result, these compounds also show growth inhibitory activity on cancer cells.
Toxicological and biochemical responses of the earthworm Eisenia fetida to cyanobacteria toxins
Authors: Cao Qing , Steinman Alan D. , Yao Lei , Xie Liqiang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIrrigation with eutrophic water containing cyanobacteria toxins poses a potential risk to soil animals. To evaluate ecotoxicological effect of microcystins (MCs) on earthworms, filter paper acute toxicity test, avoidance test and a 14-d artificial soil test were carried out. No acute toxicity was found in the filter paper test, and earthworms showed no avoidance response to MCs exposure. In the artificial soil test, Eisenia fetida were allowed to grow in presence or absence of MCs (0, 1, 10, 100, 1000 μg kg−1 of soil) for 1, 7, and 14 d. Results showed that MCs could bioaccumulated in earthworm. A stimulatory effect on catalase and glutathione oxidase activities induced by MCs was found on day 1, and both of them were significantly inhibited at 100 and 1000 μg kg−1 on days 14. The superoxide dismutase activity was relatively insensitive. Significant increase of malondialdehyde content and decrease of neutral red retention time were observed at 100 and 1000 μg kg−1 on days 7 and 14. Our results suggest that MCs induces oxidative stress on earthworms, which leads to disruption of the antioxidant system and lipid peroxidation, as well as alterations in lysosomal membrane stability.
Comparison of clinical outcomes with InterTan vs Gamma nail or PFNA in the treatment of intertrochanteric fractures: A meta-analysis
Authors: Ma Jian-xiong , Kuang Ming-jie , Fan Zheng-rui , Xing Fei , Zhao Yun-long , Zhang Lu-kai , Chen Heng-ting , Han Chao , Ma Xin-long 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIntertrochanteric fractures are common injuries in the elderly. Conventional intramedullary nails including Gamma 3 locking nail and proximal femoral nail antirotation (PFNA) were designed for unstable intertrochanteric fractures. The InterTan (IT) nail system, introduced in 2005, has been reported superior biomechanical and clinical outcomes compared with 1-screw nailing system. However, some recent studies have reported that IT did not improve functional recovery in patients with intertrochanteric fractures. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or prospective cohort studies were included in our meta-analysis. We used the PRISMA guidelines and Cochrane Handbook to evaluate the quality of included studies to ensure that the pooled data of our meta-analysis were reliable and veritable. Our pooled data analysis demonstrated that IT was as effective as the control group in terms of Harris Hip Score (HHS), blood loss, total complications, union time, length of hospital stay, revision rate, and fluoroscopy time. IT shows less implant cut-out rate and femoral fractures when compared with control groups.