bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generation of structurally novel short carotenoids and study of their biological activity
Authors: Kim Se H. , Kim Moon S. , Lee Bun Y. , Lee Pyung C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractRecent research interest in phytochemicals has consistently driven the efforts in the metabolic engineering field toward microbial production of various carotenoids. In spite of systematic studies, the possibility of using C30 carotenoids as biologically functional compounds has not been explored thus far. Here, we generated 13 novel structures of C30 carotenoids and one C35 carotenoid, including acyclic, monocyclic and bicyclic structures, through directed evolution and combinatorial biosynthesis, in Escherichia coli. Measurement of radical scavenging activity of various C30 carotenoid structures revealed that acyclic C30 carotenoids showed higher radical scavenging activity than did DL-α-tocopherol. We could assume high potential biological activity of the novel structures of C30 carotenoids as well, based on the neuronal differentiation activity observed for the monocyclic C30 carotenoid 4,4′-diapotorulene on rat bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Our results demonstrate that a series of structurally novel carotenoids possessing biologically beneficial properties can be synthesized in E. coli.
Excitation of dark multipolar plasmonic resonances at terahertz frequencies
Authors: Chen Lin , Wei YuMing , Zang XiaoFei , Zhu YiMing , Zhuang SongLin 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe experimentally observe the excitation of dark multipolar spoof localized surface plasmon resonances in a hybrid structure consisting of a corrugated metallic disk coupled with a C-shaped dipole resonator. The uncoupled corrugated metallic disk only supports a dipolar resonance in the transmission spectrum due to perfect symmetry of the structure. However, the dark multipolar spoof localized surface plasmon resonances emerge when coupled with a bright C-shaped resonator which is placed in the vicinity of the corrugated metallic disk. These excited multipolar resonances show minimum influence on the coupling distance between the C-shaped resonator and corrugated metallic disk. The resonance frequencies of the radiative modes are controlled by varying the angle of the C-shaped resonator and the inner disk radius, both of which play dominant roles in the excitation of the spoof localized surface plasmons. Observation of such a transition from the dark to radiative nature of multipolar spoof localized plasmon resonances would find potential applications in terahertz based resonant plasmonic and metamaterial devices.
How can macromolecular crowding inhibit biological reactions? The enhanced formation of DNA nanoparticles
Authors: Hou Sen , Trochimczyk Piotr , Sun Lili , Wisniewska Agnieszka , Kalwarczyk Tomasz , Zhang Xuzhu , Wielgus-Kutrowska Beata , Bzowska Agnieszka , Holyst Robert 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn contrast to the already known effect that macromolecular crowding usually promotes biological reactions, solutions of PEG 6k at high concentrations stop the cleavage of DNA by HindIII enzyme, due to the formation of DNA nanoparticles. We characterized the DNA nanoparticles and probed the prerequisites for their formation using multiple techniques such as fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering, fluorescence analytical ultracentrifugation etc. In >25% PEG 6k solution, macromolecular crowding promotes the formation of DNA nanoparticles with dimensions of several hundreds of nanometers. The formation of DNA nanoparticles is a fast and reversible process. Both plasmid DNA (2686 bp) and double-stranded/single-stranded DNA fragment (66bp/nt) can form nanoparticles. We attribute the enhanced nanoparticle formation to the depletion effect of macromolecular crowding. This study presents our idea to enhance the formation of DNA nanoparticles by macromolecular crowding, providing the first step towards a final solution to efficient gene therapy.
BRCA1 inhibits AR–mediated proliferation of breast cancer cells through the activation of SIRT1
Authors: Zhang Wenwen , Luo Jiayan , Yang Fang , Wang Yucai , Yin Yongmei , Strom Anders , Gustafsson Jan Åke , Guan Xiaoxiang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBreast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) is a tumor suppressor protein that functions to maintain genomic stability through critical roles in DNA repair, cell-cycle arrest and transcriptional control. The androgen receptor (AR) is expressed in more than 70% of breast cancers and has been implicated in breast cancer pathogenesis. However, little is known about the role of BRCA1 in AR-mediated cell proliferation in human breast cancer. Here, we report that a high expression of AR in breast cancer patients was associated with shorter overall survival (OS) using a tissue microarray with 149 non-metastatic breast cancer patient samples. We reveal that overexpression of BRCA1 significantly inhibited expression of AR through activation of SIRT1 in breast cancer cells. Meanwhile, SIRT1 induction or treatment with a SIRT1 agonist, resveratrol, inhibits AR–stimulated proliferation. Importantly, this mechanism is manifested in breast cancer patient samples and TCGA database, which showed that low SIRT1 gene expression in tumor tissues compared with normal adjacent tissues predicts poor prognosis in patients with breast cancer. Taken together, our findings suggest that BRCA1 attenuates AR-stimulated proliferation of breast cancer cells via SIRT1 mediated pathway.
Efficiency of two nitrification inhibitors (dicyandiamide and 3, 4-dimethypyrazole phosphate) on soil nitrogen transformations and plant productivity: a meta-analysis
Authors: Yang Ming , Fang Yunting , Sun Di , Shi Yuanliang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractDicyandiamide (DCD) and 3, 4-dimethypyrazole phosphate (DMPP) are often claimed to be efficient in regulating soil N transformations and influencing plant productivity, but the difference of their performances across field sites is less clear. Here we applied a meta-analysis approach to compare effectiveness of DCD and DMPP across field trials. Our results showed that DCD and DMPP were equally effective in altering soil inorganic N content, dissolve inorganic N (DIN) leaching and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. DCD was more effective than DMPP on increasing plant productivity. An increase of crop yield by DMPP was generally only observed in alkaline soil. The cost and benefit analysis (CBA) showed that applying fertilizer N with DCD produced additional revenues of $109.49 ha−1 yr−1 for maize farms, equivalent to 6.02% increase in grain revenues. In comparisons, DMPP application produced less monetary benefit of $15.67 ha−1 yr−1. Our findings showed that DCD had an advantage of bringing more net monetary benefit over DMPP. But this may be weakened by the higher toxicity of DCD than DMPP especially after continuous DCD application. Alternatively, an option related to net monetary benefit may be achieved through applying DMPP in alkaline soil and reducing the cost of purchasing DMPP products.
Role of hippocampal p11 in the sustained antidepressant effect of ketamine in the chronic unpredictable mild stress model
Authors: Sun H-L , Zhou Z-Q , Zhang G-F , Yang C , Wang X-M , Shen J-C , Hashimoto K , Yang J-J 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAlthough ketamine shows a rapid and sustained antidepressant effect, the precise mechanisms underlying its effect are unknown. Recent studies indicate a key role of p11 (also known as S100A10) in depression-like behavior in rodents. The present study aimed to investigate the role of p11 in the antidepressant-like action of ketamine in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rat model. The open-field test, forced swimming test and sucrose preference test were performed after administration of ketamine (10 mg kg−1) or a combination of ketamine and ANA-12 (a tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) antagonist; 0.5 mg kg−1). The lentivirus vector for p11 was constructed to knock down the hippocampal expression of p11. In the CUMS rats, ketamine showed a rapid (0.5 h) and sustained (72 h) antidepressant effect, and its effect was significantly blocked by co-administration of ANA-12. Furthermore, ketamine significantly increased the reduced expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the hippocampus of CUMS rats, whereas ketamine did not affect the expression of p11 in CUMS rats 0.5 h after administration. In addition, ketamine significantly increased the reduced ratio of p-TrkB/TrkB in the hippocampus by CUMS rats, and its effect was also blocked by ANA-12. Moreover, the reduced expression of BDNF and p11 in the hippocampus of CUMS rats was significantly recovered to control levels 72 h after ketamine administration. Interestingly, knockdown of hippocampal p11 caused increased immobility time and decreased sucrose preference, which were not improved by ketamine administration. These results suggest that p11 in the hippocampus may have a key role in the sustained antidepressant effect of ketamine in the CUMS model of depression.
Novel, primate-specific PDE10A isoform highlights gene expression complexity in human striatum with implications on the molecular pathology of bipolar disorder
Authors: MacMullen C M , Vick K , Pacifico R , Fallahi-Sichani M , Davis R L 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBipolar disorder is a highly heritable neuropsychiatric disorder affecting nearly 2.5% of the population. Prior genetic studies identified a panel of common and rare single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with the disease that map to the first intron of the PDE10A gene. RNA sequencing of striatal brain tissue from bipolar and healthy control subjects identified a novel transcript of PDE10A, named PDE10A19, that codes for a PDE10A isoform with a unique N terminus. Genomic sequences that can encode the novel N terminus were conserved in other primates but not rodents. The RNA transcript was expressed at equal or greater levels in the human striatum compared with the two annotated transcripts, PDE10A1 and PDE10A2. The PDE10A19 transcript was detected in polysomal fractions; western blotting experiments confirmed that the RNA transcript is translated into protein. Immunocytochemistry studies using transfected mouse striatal and cortical neurons demonstrated that the PDE10A19 protein distributes to the cytosol, like PDE10A1, and unlike PDE10A2, which is associated with plasma membranes. Immunoprecipitation and immunocytochemical experiments revealed that the PDE10A19 isoform interacts physically with PDE10A2 and, when expressed at elevated levels, interferes with the plasma membrane localization of PDE10A2. These studies illustrate the complexity of PDE10A gene expression in the human brain and highlight the need to unravel the gene’s complex and complete coding capabilities along with its transcriptional and translational regulation to guide the development of therapeutic agents that target the protein for the treatment of neuropsychiatric illness.
Convergent evidence from alcohol-dependent humans and rats for a hyperdopaminergic state in protracted abstinence
Authors: Hirth Natalie , Meinhardt Marcus W. , Noori Hamid R. , Salgado Humberto , Torres-Ramirez Oswaldo , Uhrig Stefanie , Broccoli Laura , Vengeliene Valentina , Roßmanith Martin , Perreau-Lenz Stéphanie , Köhr Georg , Sommer Wolfgang H. , Spanagel Rainer , Hansson Anita C. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
A major hypothesis in the addiction field suggests there are deficits in dopamine signaling during abstinence. This hypodopaminergic state is considered a driving mechanism for the relapsing course of the disorder. Experimental support for this view comes mostly from human PET studies that found reduced striatal D2-like receptors in alcoholics. Here we report on surprising findings from postmortem brains of deceased alcoholics and alcohol-dependent rats that show no differences in D2-like receptor binding during withdrawal and prolonged abstinence. Instead we observe a dynamic regulation of D1 receptors, dopamine transporter, dopamine release properties, and phenotypic characteristics that all are in line with a hyperdopaminergic state during protracted abstinence. We propose that both hypo- and hyperdopaminergia are states of vulnerability to relapse.
Dietary options and behavior suggested by plant biomarker evidence in an early human habitat
Authors: Magill Clayton R. , Ashley Gail M. , Domínguez-Rodrigo Manuel , Freeman Katherine H. 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceHumans evolved in response to the availability of plant and water resources over space and through time. Their influence on our species’ evolution is debated, though, because archives of their spatial distribution are scarce at early human (hominin) localities. Meter-scale vegetation patterns are revealed from sedimentary plant biomarkers across an archaeological horizon at Olduvai Gorge (FLKZinj). Biomarkers evince a varied local landscape with a woodland patch near a small freshwater wetland, surrounded by an open grassland landscape. Biomarkers from the wetland indicate diverse edible plants near potable water. The coexistence of butchered large animal bones and hominin remains, including juveniles, within an isolated biomarker-delineated wooded microhabitat at FLKZinjprovide support for early provisioning behaviors by our ancestors.
Sterol and genomic analyses validate the sponge biomarker hypothesis
Authors: Gold David A. , Grabenstatter Jonathan , de Mendoza Alex , Riesgo Ana , Ruiz-Trillo Iñaki , Summons Roger E. 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceAn unusual molecule is found in rocks ∼650–540 million y old, and its likely precursor, 24-isopropylcholesterol (24-ipc), is produced by some modern sea sponges. The sterane hydrocarbon analog of 24-ipc offers a potential “molecular fossil” for early animals, but certain algae also produce traces of this molecule, so it is unclear when and how frequently the ability to synthesize 24-ipc evolved. In this study, we connect 24-ipc production to a gene and conclude that algae and sponges independently evolved 24-ipc synthesis through unique gene duplication events. Although the timing of the sponge gene duplication overlaps with the geological record of the molecular fossil, the algal gene duplication occurs significantly later, supporting the connection of 24-ipc to sponges and providing the oldest evidence for animal life.
Emergence of functional subnetworks in layer 2/3 cortex induced by sequential spikes in vivo
Authors: Kim Taekeun , Oh Won Chan , Choi Joon Ho , Kwon Hyung-Bae 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Somatosensory information is transmitted and processed in the superficial layer (layer 2/3) of the cortex, giving rise to proper sensory perception. These processes ought to be dependent on the patterns of neuronal connectivity among layer 2/3 neurons, but underlying cellular mechanisms that govern how one neuron makes specific connections with other neurons and eventually builds functional microcircuits are not fully understood. We found that spikes generated in multiple neurons in vivo induced the formation of a functional group of neurons. Further data demonstrated that functional connectivity was determined by the order of the spike sequence and the number of neurons but not by the physical distance among neurons. These results imply that time-sensitive neuronal activity determines the pattern of circuit connectivity.
Delay discounting, genetic sensitivity, and leukocyte telomere length
Authors: Yim Onn-Siong , Zhang Xing , Shalev Idan , Monakhov Mikhail , Zhong Songfa , Hsu Ming , Chew Soo Hong , Lai Poh San , Ebstein Richard P. 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceThis paper makes a singular contribution to understanding the association between biological aging indexed by leukocyte telomeres length (LTL) and delay discounting measured in an incentivized behavioral economic task. In a large group of young, healthy undergraduates, steeper delay discounting is significantly associated with shorter LTL, while controlling for risk attitude and health-related behaviors. Notably, we found that delay discounting and risk attitude—two fundamental determinants of economic preferences—are independently associated with LTL. Moreover, for the first time to our knowledge, the effects of well-studied oxytocin and estrogen receptor polymorphisms are shown to specifically moderate the impact of impatience on LTL. Our work suggests a path to integrate behavioral economic methodology to supposed biological mechanisms associated with health outcomes.
Rehabilitation drives enhancement of neuronal structure in functionally relevant neuronal subsets
Authors: Wang Ling , Conner James M. , Nagahara Alan H. , Tuszynski Mark H. 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Rehabilitation is often prescribed after brain injury, but the basis for how training can influence brain plasticity and recovery is unclear. In this study, we show that intense rehabilitation training after focal brain injury drives significant structural changes in brain cells located adjacent to the injury. Importantly, a key brain modulatory system, the basal forebrain cholinergic system, is required for enabling rehabilitation to impact brain structure. Damage to the cholinergic system, which can occur naturally during aging, completely blocks brain plasticity mediated by rehabilitation and significantly attenuates functional recovery. These results provide new insights into how rehabilitation may promote recovery and suggest that brain cholinergic systems may be a possible therapeutic target for influencing recovery.
Myxoma virus M156 is a specific inhibitor of rabbit PKR but contains a loss-of-function mutation in Australian virus isolates
Authors: Peng Chen , Haller Sherry L. , Rahman Masmudur M. , McFadden Grant , Rothenburg Stefan 
Published: February 2016

Significance
The virulence and host range of viruses is controlled by the interaction of the host innate immune system with viral molecules. This interaction is an important driver for the evolution of both the host and the virus. The attenuation of myxoma virus, a rabbit-specific poxvirus, after its deliberate release to control European rabbit populations, and the increased resistance of the rabbits, is one of the best-known examples for host–virus coevolution on the population level. We show that the myxoma virus protein M156 specifically inhibited the antiviral protein kinase R (PKR) from rabbits but not PKR from other mammals, that PKR inhibition correlated with virus replication during infection, and that M156 contains a loss-of-function mutation in Australian field isolates.
Cortical cholinergic signaling controls the detection of cues
Authors: Gritton Howard J. , Howe William M. , Mallory Caitlin S. , Hetrick Vaughn L. , Berke Joshua D. , Sarter Martin 
Published: February 2016

Significance
Virtually the entire cortex is innervated by cholinergic projections from the basal forebrain. Traditionally, this neuronal system has been described as a neuromodulator system that supports global states such as cortical arousal. The presence of fast and regionally specific bursts in cholinergic neurotransmission suggests a more specialized role in cortical processing. Here we used optogenetic methods to investigate the capacity of phasic cholinergic signaling to control behavior. Our findings indicate a causal role of phasic cholinergic signaling in using external cues to guide behavioral choice. These findings indicate the significance of phasic cholinergic activity and also illustrate the potential impact of abnormal, phasic cholinergic neurotransmission on fundamental cognitive functions that involve cue-based behavioral decisions.
Temperature-driven global sea-level variability in the Common Era
Authors: Kopp Robert E. , Kemp Andrew C. , Bittermann Klaus , Horton Benjamin P. , Donnelly Jeffrey P. , Gehrels W. Roland , Hay Carling C. , Mitrovica Jerry X. , Morrow Eric D. , Rahmstorf Stefan 
Published: February 2016

Significance
We present the first, to our knowledge, estimate of global sea-level (GSL) change over the last ∼3,000 years that is based upon statistical synthesis of a global database of regional sea-level reconstructions. GSL varied by ∼±8 cm over the pre-Industrial Common Era, with a notable decline over 1000–1400 CE coinciding with ∼0.2 °C of global cooling. The 20th century rise was extremely likely faster than during any of the 27 previous centuries. Semiempirical modeling indicates that, without global warming, GSL in the 20th century very likely would have risen by between −3 cm and +7 cm, rather than the ∼14 cm observed. Semiempirical 21st century projections largely reconcile differences between Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change projections and semiempirical models.
Contraction of the type I IFN locus and unusual constitutive expression ofIFN-αin bats
Authors: Zhou Peng , Tachedjian Mary , Wynne James W. , Boyd Victoria , Cui Jie , Smith Ina , Cowled Christopher , Ng Justin H. J. , Mok Lawrence , Michalski Wojtek P. , Mendenhall Ian H. , Tachedjian Gilda , Wang Lin-Fa , Baker Michelle L. 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceHere we provide what is, to our knowledge, the first gene map of the type I IFN region of any bat species with the sequence of the type I IFN locus of the Australian black flying fox,Pteropus alecto.The bat IFN locus contains fewer IFN genes compared with any other mammal sequenced to date, including only threeIFN-αgenes. We also demonstrate that batIFN-αgenes are constitutively expressed in unstimulated bat tissues and cells and that their expression is unaffected by viral infection. This unusual pattern ofIFN-αexpression has not been described in any other species to our knowledge and has important implications for the role of innate immunity in the ability of bats to coexist with viruses in the absence of disease.
Brown adipose tissue transplantation ameliorates polycystic ovary syndrome
Authors: Yuan Xiaoxue , Hu Tao , Zhao Han , Huang Yuanyuan , Ye Rongcai , Lin Jun , Zhang Chuanhai , Zhang Hanlin , Wei Gang , Zhou Huiqiao , Dong Meng , Zhao Jun , Wang Haibin , Liu Qingsong , Lee Hyuek Jong , Jin Wanzhu , Chen Zi-Jiang 
Published: February 2016

Significance
In the current study, we show that brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity is dramatically reduced in a dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA)-induced polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) rat when compared with a normal control rat. Importantly, the key features of PCOS (such as insulin resistance and irregular estrous cycle) are alleviated after BAT transplantation. Mechanistically, transplanted BAT enhances endogenous BAT activity and thereby increases the circulating adiponectin level, which was lower in both the PCOS patient and PCOS rat model. Furthermore, exogenous adiponectin protein administration recapitulates beneficial effects from BAT transplantation in a PCOS rat. Taken together, these data highlight the important role of BAT in the development of PCOS and that BAT-induced adiponectin might open up a new way in the treatment of PCOS.
Identification and quantitation of lipid C=C location isomers: A shotgun lipidomics approach enabled by photochemical reaction
Authors: Ma Xiaoxiao , Chong Leelyn , Tian Ran , Shi Riyi , Hu Tony Y. , Ouyang Zheng , Xia Yu 
Published: February 2016

SignificanceUnsaturated lipids constitute a significant portion of total lipids in mammalian cells. They fulfill different biological roles and often exist in isomeric structures that differ only in the locations of carbon-carbon double (C=C) bonds. A long-standing challenge in lipidomics is the identification and quantitation of lipid C=C location isomers at adequate sensitivity. In this study, we have developed a solution to this challenge by implementing online photochemical derivatization (Paternò–Büchi reaction) with tandem mass spectrometry into a shotgun lipidomics workflow. The method is widely applicable for different classes of lipids and is sensitive, fast, and compatible with different MS platforms. It shall serve as an enabling tool for advancing studies in lipid biology and biomarker discovery.