bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Climate threat on the Macaronesian endemic bryophyte flora
Authors: Patiño Jairo , Mateo Rubén G. , Zanatta Florian , Marquet Adrien , Aranda Silvia C. , Borges Paulo A. V. , Dirkse Gerard , Gabriel Rosalina , Gonzalez-Mancebo Juana M. , Guisan Antoine , Muñoz Jesús , Sim-Sim Manuela , Vanderpoorten Alain 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOceanic islands are of fundamental importance for the conservation of biodiversity because they exhibit high endemism rates coupled with fast extinction rates. Nowhere in Europe is this pattern more conspicuous than in the Macaronesian biogeographic region. A large network of protected areas within the region has been developed, but the question of whether these areas will still be climatically suitable for the globally threatened endemic element in the coming decades remains open. Here, we make predictions on the fate of the Macaronesian endemic bryophyte flora in the context of ongoing climate change. The potential distribution of 35 Macaronesian endemic bryophyte species was assessed under present and future climate conditions using an ensemble modelling approach. Projections of the models under different climate change scenarios predicted an average decrease of suitable areas of 62–87% per species and a significant elevational increase by 2070, so that even the commonest species were predicted to fit either the Vulnerable or Endangered IUCN categories. Complete extinctions were foreseen for six of the studied Macaronesian endemic species. Given the uncertainty regarding the capacity of endemic species to track areas of suitable climate within and outside the islands, active management associated to an effective monitoring program is suggested.
Bipolar switching in chalcogenide phase change memory
Authors: Ciocchini N. , Laudato M. , Boniardi M. , Varesi E. , Fantini P. , Lacaita A. L. , Ielmini D. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPhase change materials based on chalcogenides are key enabling technologies for optical storage, such as rewritable CD and DVD and recently also electrical nonvolatile memory, named phase change memory (PCM). In a PCM, the amorphous or crystalline phase affects the material band structure, hence the device resistance. Although phase transformation is extremely fast and repeatable, the amorphous phase suffers structural relaxation and crystallization at relatively low temperatures, which may affect the temperature stability of PCM state. To improve the time/temperature stability of the PCM, novel operation modes of the device should be identified. Here, we present bipolar switching operation of PCM, which is interpreted by ion migration in the solid state induced by elevated temperature and electric field similar to the bipolar switching in metal oxides. The temperature stability of the high resistance state is demonstrated and explained based on the local depletion of chemical species from the electrode region.
Pioneering In Situ Recrystallization during Bead Milling: A Top-down Approach to Prepare Zeolite A Nanocrystals
Authors: Anand Chokkalingam , Yamaguchi Yudai , Liu Zhendong , Ibe Sayoko , Elangovan Shanmugam P. , Ishii Toshihiro , Ishikawa Tsuyoshi , Endo Akira , Okubo Tatsuya , Wakihara Toru 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTop-down approach has been viewed as an efficient and straightforward method to prepare nanosized zeolites. Yet, the mechanical breaking of zeolite causes amorphization, which usually requires a post-milling recrystallization to obtain fully crystalline nanoparticles. Herein we present a facile methodology to prepare zeolite nanocrystals, where milling and recrystallization can be performed in situ. A milling apparatus specially designed to work under conditions of high alkalinity and temperature enables the in situ recrystallization during milling. Taking zeolite A as an example, we demonstrate its size reduction from ~3 μm to 66 nm in 30 min, which is quite faster than previous methods reported. Three functions, viz., miniaturization, amorphization and recrystallization were found to take effect concurrently during this one-pot process. The dynamic balance between these three functions was achieved by adjusting the milling period and temperature, which lead to the tuning of zeolite A particle size. Particle size and crystallinity of the zeolite A nanocrystals were confirmed by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and water adsorption-desorption. This work presents a pioneering advancement in this field of nanosized zeolites and will facilitate the mass production as well as boost the wide applications of nanosized zeolites.
Association between acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and risk of stroke in patients with dementia
Authors: Lin Yi-Ting , Wu Ping-Hsun , Chen Cheng-Sheng , Yang Yi-Hsin , Yang Yuan-Han 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPatients with dementia are at increased risk of stroke. Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEIs) have endothelial function protection effects and anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the ischemic stroke risk in AChEIs use in dementia patients without stroke history. Using Taiwan National Health Insurance Database from 1999 to 2008, 37,352 dementia patients over 50 years old without stroke history were eligible. The results were analyzed by propensity score–matched Cox proportional hazard models with competing risk adjustment. AChEIs users had lower incidence of ischemic stroke (160.3/10,000 person-years), compared to the propensity score–matched reference (240.8/10,000 person-years). The adjusted hazard ratio for ischemic stroke based on propensity score–matched Cox proportional hazard model was 0.508 (95% confidence interval, 0.434–0.594; P < 0.001). There was no significant difference in all-cause mortality between AChEIs users and nonusers. In conclusion, among dementia patients without previous ischemic stroke history, AChEIs treatment was associated with a decreased risk of ischemic stroke but not greater survival.
Nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 prompts potent inflammatory stimuli during Neospora caninum infection
Authors: Davoli-Ferreira Marcela , Fonseca Denise M. , Mota Caroline M. , Dias Murilo S. , Lima-Junior Djalma S. , da Silva Murilo V. , Quirino Gustavo F. S. , Zamboni Dario S. , Silva João S. , Mineo Tiago W. P. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractNeospora caninum is an apicomplexan parasite responsible for major economic losses due to abortions in cattle. Innate immune responses are crucial for host resistance against the infection, however the molecules involved in parasite recognition are still poorly understood. Nod2 is a cytosolic receptor that recognizes several pathogens and its role during N. caninum infection has not yet been described. In that sense, we evaluated the role of Nod2 in host response against this parasite. We found that infection of macrophages induced increased expression of Nod2, which colocalized with the parasites’ vacuoles. Nod2-deficient macrophages showed an impaired induction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, increased production of modulatory molecules and failure to restrict parasite replication. In vivo, Nod2-knockout mice showed a reduction of MAPK phosphorylation and proinflammatory cytokines, followed by decreased inflammation in target organs and increment in parasite burden. Surprisingly, these mice were partially resistant to lethal doses of tachyzoites. In addition, these phenomena were not observed in Rip2−/− mice. In conclusion, our study indicates that Nod2-dependent responses account for N. caninum elimination. On the other hand, the inflammatory milieu induced by this innate receptor provoked pathogenesis and death in severe experimental neosporosis.
No attentional capture from invisible flicker
Authors: Alais David , Locke Shannon M. , Leung Johahn , Van der Burg Erik 
Published: July 2016

AbstractWe tested whether fast flicker can capture attention using eight flicker frequencies from 20–96 Hz, including several too high to be perceived (>50 Hz). Using a 480 Hz visual display rate, we presented smoothly sampled sinusoidal temporal modulations at: 20, 30, 40, 48, 60, 69, 80 and 96 Hz. We first established flicker detection rates for each frequency. Performance was at or near ceiling until 48 Hz and dropped sharply to chance level at 60 Hz and above. We then presented the same flickering stimuli as pre-cues in a visual search task containing five elements. Flicker location varied randomly and was therefore congruent with target location on 20% of trials. Comparing congruent and incongruent trials revealed a very strong congruency effect (faster search for cued targets) for all detectable frequencies (20–48 Hz) but no effect for faster flicker rates that were detected at chance. This pattern of results (obtained with brief flicker cues: 58 ms) was replicated for long flicker cues (1000 ms) intended to allow for entrainment to the flicker frequency. These results indicate that only visible flicker serves as an exogenous attentional cue and that flicker rates too high to be perceived are completely ineffective.
From facultative to obligatory parental care: Interspecific variation in offspring dependency on post-hatching care in burying beetles
Authors: Capodeanu-Nägler Alexandra , Keppner Eva M. , Vogel Heiko , Ayasse Manfred , Eggert Anne-Katrin , Sakaluk Scott K. , Steiger Sandra 
Published: July 2016

AbstractStudies on the evolution of parental care have focused primarily on the costs and benefits of parental care and the life-history attributes that favour it. However, once care evolves, offspring in some taxa appear to become increasingly dependent on their parents. Although offspring dependency is a central theme in family life, the evolutionary dynamics leading to it are not fully understood. Beetles of the genus Nicrophorus are well known for their elaborate biparental care, including provisioning of their young. By manipulating the occurrence of pre- or post-hatching care, we show that the offspring of three burying beetle species, N. orbicollis, N. pustulatus, and N. vespilloides, show striking variation in their reliance on parental care. Our results demonstrate that this variation within one genus arises through a differential dependency of larvae on parental feeding, but not on pre-hatching care. In N. pustulatus, larvae appear to be nutritionally independent of their parents, but in N. orbicollis, larvae do not survive in the absence of parental feeding. We consider evolutionary scenarios by which nutritional dependency may have evolved, highlighting the role of brood size regulation via infanticide in this genus.
Recombinant human N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS) produced in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris
Authors: Rodríguez-López Alexander , Alméciga-Díaz Carlos J. , Sánchez Jhonnathan , Moreno Jefferson , Beltran Laura , Díaz Dennis , Pardo Andrea , Ramírez Aura María , Espejo-Mojica Angela J. , Pimentel Luisa , Barrera Luis A. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMucopolysaccharidosis IV A (MPS IV A, Morquio A disease) is a lysosomal storage disease (LSD) produced by mutations on N-acetylgalactosamine-6-sulfate sulfatase (GALNS). Recently an enzyme replacement therapy (ERT) for this disease was approved using a recombinant enzyme produced in CHO cells. Previously, we reported the production of an active GALNS enzyme inEscherichia colithat showed similar stability properties to that of a recombinant mammalian enzyme though it was not taken-up by culture cells. In this study, we showed the production of the human recombinant GALNS in the methylotrophic yeastPichia pastorisGS115 (prGALNS). We observed that removal of native signal peptide and co-expression with human formylglycine-generating enzyme (SUMF1) allowed an improvement of 4.5-fold in the specific GALNS activity. prGALNS enzyme showed a high stability at 4 °C, while the activity was markedly reduced at 37 and 45 °C. It was noteworthy that prGALNS was taken-up by HEK293 cells and human skin fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner through a process potentially mediated by an endocytic pathway, without any additional protein or host modification. The results show the potential ofP. pastorisin the production of a human recombinant GALNS for the development of an ERT for Morquio A.
Optimizing rice plant photosynthate allocation reduces N2O emissions from paddy fields
Authors: Jiang Yu , Huang Xiaomin , Zhang Xin , Zhang Xingyue , Zhang Yi , Zheng Chengyan , Deng Aixing , Zhang Jun , Wu Lianhai , Hu Shuijin , Zhang Weijian 
Published: July 2016

AbstractRice paddies are a major source of anthropogenic nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions, especially under alternate wetting-drying irrigation and high N input. Increasing photosynthate allocation to the grain in rice (Oryza sativa L.) has been identified as an effective strategy of genetic and agronomic innovation for yield enhancement; however, its impacts on N2O emissions are still unknown. We conducted three independent but complementary experiments (variety, mutant study and spikelet clipping) to examine the impacts of rice plant photosynthate allocation on paddy N2O emissions. The three experiments showed that N2O fluxes were significantly and negatively correlated with the ratio of grain yield to total aboveground biomass, known as the harvest index (HI) in agronomy (P < 0.01). Biomass accumulation and N uptake after anthesis were significantly and positively correlated with HI (P < 0.05). Reducing photosynthate allocation to the grain by spikelet clipping significantly increased white root biomass and soil dissolved organic C and reduced plant N uptake, resulting in high soil denitrification potential (P < 0.05). Our findings demonstrate that optimizing photosynthate allocation to the grain can reduce paddy N2O emissions through decreasing belowground C input and increasing plant N uptake, suggesting the potential for genetic and agronomic efforts to produce more rice with less N2O emissions.
In-vivo absorption of pinocembrin-7-O-β-D-glucoside in rats and its in-vitro biotransformation
Authors: Guo Wei-Wei , Qiu Feng , Chen Xiao-Qing , Ba Yin-Ying , Wang Xing , Wu Xia 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPinocembrin-7-O-β-D-glucoside (PCBG), a flavonoid isolated from Penthorum chinense Pursh., has significant liver-protecting effects. The pharmacokinetics of PCBG and its major metabolite pinocembrin (PCB) in rats were investigated in this study. A sensitive and accurate UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and validated for the simultaneous quantitative determination of PCBG and PCB in rat plasma after oral and intravenous administration of PCBG. After intravenous administration, PCBG was the main form in plasma. In contrast, after oral administration, the concentration of PCB was about 4-fold higher than that of PCBG, indicating that PCBG was metabolized to PCB. We also investigated the biotransformation of PCBG in vitro in order to understand whether the pH and the intestinal flora of gastrointestinal tract could affect the metabolism of PCBG. PCBG was incubated in rat plasma, liver homogenization, gastrointestial contents, liver microsomes (RLM) and hepatocytes in vitro. The data showed that PCB was quickly formed in the gastrointestinal incubation but PCBG was converted to PCB gradually in other incubations. The results indicated that the majority of PCBG was converted to its aglycone PCB in digestive system after oral administration, and PCB could be the active ingredient in the body.
Clinical and neuroimaging differences between posterior cortical atrophy and typical amnestic Alzheimer’s disease patients at an early disease stage
Authors: Peng Guoping , Wang Jianqin , Feng Zhan , Liu Ping , Zhang Yafei , He Fangping , Chen Zhongqin , Zhao Kui , Luo Benyan 
Published: July 2016

AbstractTo identify clinical and neuroimaging characteristics between posterior cortical atrophy (PCA) and typical amnestic Alzheimer’s disease (tAD) patients at an early disease stage, 16 PCA and 13 age-matched tAD patients were enrolled. Compared with tAD patients, PCA patients showed higher mean recognition and recall test scores and lower mean calculation, spatial attention, shape discrimination and writing test scores. Mean right hippocampal volume was larger in PCA patients compared with tAD patients, while cortical gray matter (GM) volume of bilateral parietal and occipital lobes was smaller in PCA patients. Further, when compared with tAD patients, significant hypometabolism was observed in bilateral parietal and occipital lobes, particularly the right occipitotemporal junction in PCA patients. Additionally, there were significant positive correlations in recognition and recall scores with hippocampal volumes. In PCA patients, calculation and visuospatial ability scores are positively associated with GM volume of parietal and occipital lobes. And only spatial attention and shape discrimination scores are positively associated with regional glucose metabolism of parietal and occipital lobes. Therefore, PCA patients display better recognition and recall scores, which are associated with larger hippocampal volumes and poorer performance in visual spatial tasks because of marked GM atrophy and hypometabolism of parietal and occipital lobes.
Knockdown of Pentraxin 3 suppresses tumorigenicity and metastasis of human cervical cancer cells
Authors: Ying Tsung-Ho , Lee Chien-Hsing , Chiou Hui-Ling , Yang Shun-Fa , Lin Chu-Liang , Hung Chia-Hung , Tsai Jen-Pi , Hsieh Yi-Hsien 
Published: July 2016

AbstractPentraxin 3 (PTX3) as an inflammatory molecule has been shown to be involved in immune response, inflammation, and cancer. However, the effects of PTX3 on the biological features of cervical cancer cells in vitro and in vivo have not been delineated. Immunohistochemical staining showed that increased PTX3 expression was significantly associated with tumor grade (P < 0.011) and differentiation (P < 0.019). Knocking down PTX3 with lentivirus-mediated small hairpin RNA (shRNA) in cervical cancer cell lines resulted in inhibited cell viability, diminished colony-forming ability, and induced cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase of the cell cycle, along with downregulated expression of cyclin B1, cdc2, and cdc25c, and upregulated expression of p-cdc2, p-cdc25c, p21, and p27. Furthermore, knockdown of PTX3 significantly decreased the potential of migration and invasion of cervical cancer cells by inhibiting matrix metalloproteidase-2 (MMP-2), MMP-9, and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA). Moreover, in vivo functional studies showed PTX3-knockdown in mice suppressed tumorigenicity and lung metastatic potential. Conversely, overexpression of PTX3 enhanced proliferation and invasion both in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrated that PTX3 contributes to tumorigenesis and metastasis of human cervical cancer cells. Further studies are warranted to demonstrate PTX3 as a novel therapeutic biomarker for human cervical cancer.
Noninvasive fractional flow reserve derived from coronary computed tomography angiography for identification of ischemic lesions: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Wu Wen , Pan Dao-Rong , Foin Nicolas , Pang Si , Ye Peng , Holm Niels , Ren Xiao-Min , Luo Jie , Nanjundappa Aravinda , Chen Shao-Liang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDetection of coronary ischemic lesions by fractional flow reserve (FFR) has been established as the gold standard. In recent years, novel computer based methods have emerged and they can provide simulation of FFR using coronary artery images acquired from coronary computed tomography angiography (FFRCT). This meta-analysis aimed to evaluate diagnostic performance of FFRCT using FFR as the reference standard. Databases of PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Medion and Web of Science were searched. Seven studies met the inclusion criteria, including 833 stable patients (1377 vessels or lesions) with suspected or known coronary artery disease (CAD). The patient-based analysis showed pooled estimates of sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) for detection of ischemic lesions were 0.89 [95%confidence interval (CI), 0.85–0.93], 0.76 (95%CI, 0.64–0.84) and 26.21 (95%CI, 13.14–52.28). At a per-vessel or per-lesion level, the pooled estimates were as follows: sensitivity 0.84 (95%CI, 0.80–0.87), specificity 0.76 (95%CI, 0.67–0.83) and DOR 16.87 (95%CI, 9.41–30.25). Area under summary receiver operating curves was 0.90 (95%CI, 0.87–0.92) and 0.86 (95%CI, 0.83–0.89) at the two analysis levels, respectively. In conclusion, FFRCT technology achieves a moderate diagnostic performance for noninvasive identification of ischemic lesions in stable patients with suspected or known CAD in comparison to invasive FFR measurement.
Hyper-resting brain entropy within chronic smokers and its moderation by Sex
Authors: Li Zhengjun , Fang Zhuo , Hager Nathan , Rao Hengyi , Wang Ze 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCigarette smoking is a chronic relapsing brain disorder, and remains a premier cause of morbidity and mortality. Functional neuroimaging has been used to assess differences in the mean strength of brain activity in smokers’ brains, however less is known about the temporal dynamics within smokers’ brains. Temporal dynamics is a key feature of a dynamic system such as the brain, and may carry information critical to understanding the brain mechanisms underlying cigarette smoking. We measured the temporal dynamics of brain activity using brain entropy (BEN) mapping and compared BEN between chronic non-deprived smokers and non-smoking controls. Because of the known sex differences in neural and behavioral smoking characteristics, comparisons were also made between males and females. Associations between BEN and smoking related clinical measures were assessed in smokers. Our data showed globally higher BEN in chronic smokers compared to controls. The escalated BEN was associated with more years of smoking in the right limbic area and frontal region. Female nonsmokers showed higher BEN than male nonsmokers in prefrontal cortex, insula, and precuneus, but the BEN sex difference in smokers was less pronounced. These findings suggest that BEN mapping may provide a useful tool for probing brain mechanisms related to smoking.
COL4A6 is dispensable for autosomal recessive Alport syndrome
Authors: Murata Tomohiro , Katayama Kan , Oohashi Toshitaka , Jahnukainen Timo , Yonezawa Tomoko , Sado Yoshikazu , Ishikawa Eiji , Nomura Shinsuke , Tryggvason Karl , Ito Masaaki 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAlport syndrome is caused by mutations in the genes encoding α3, α4, or α5 (IV) chains. Unlike X-linked Alport mice, α5 and α6 (IV) chains are detected in the glomerular basement membrane of autosomal recessive Alport mice, however, the significance of this finding remains to be investigated. We therefore generated mice lacking both α3 and α6 (IV) chains and compared their renal function and survival with Col4a3 knockout mice of 129 × 1/Sv background. No significant difference was observed in the renal function or survival of the two groups, or when the mice were backcrossed once to C57BL/6 background. However, the survival of backcrossed double knockout mice was significantly longer than that of the mice of 129 × 1/Sv background, which suggests that other modifier genes were involved in this phenomenon. In further studies we identified two Alport patients who had a homozygous mutation in intron 46 of COL4A4. The α5 and α6 (IV) chains were focally detected in the glomerular basement membrane of these patients. These findings indicate that although α5 and α6 (IV) chains are induced in the glomerular basement membrane in autosomal recessive Alport syndrome, their induction does not seem to play a major compensatory role.