bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serotonin neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus encode reward signals
Authors: Li Yi , Zhong Weixin , Wang Daqing , Feng Qiru , Liu Zhixiang , Zhou Jingfeng , Jia Chunying , Hu Fei , Zeng Jiawei , Guo Qingchun , Fu Ling , Luo Minmin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN) is involved in organizing reward-related behaviours; however, it remains unclear how genetically defined neurons in the DRN of a freely behaving animal respond to various natural rewards. Here we addressed this question using fibre photometry and single-unit recording from serotonin (5-HT) neurons and GABA neurons in the DRN of behaving mice. Rewards including sucrose, food, sex and social interaction rapidly activate 5-HT neurons, but aversive stimuli including quinine and footshock do not. Both expected and unexpected rewards activate 5-HT neurons. After mice learn to wait for sucrose delivery, most 5-HT neurons fire tonically during waiting and then phasically on reward acquisition. Finally, GABA neurons are activated by aversive stimuli but inhibited when mice seek rewards. Thus, DRN 5-HT neurons positively encode a wide range of reward signals during anticipatory and consummatory phases of reward responses. Moreover, GABA neurons play a complementary role in reward processing.
ADAR-mediated RNA editing suppresses sleep by acting as a brake on glutamatergic synaptic plasticity
Authors: Robinson J. E. , Paluch J. , Dickman D. K. , Joiner W. J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIt has been postulated that synaptic potentiation during waking is offset by a homoeostatic reduction in net synaptic strength during sleep. However, molecular mechanisms to support such a process are lacking. Here we demonstrate that deficiencies in the RNA-editing gene Adar increase sleep due to synaptic dysfunction in glutamatergic neurons in Drosophila. Specifically, the vesicular glutamate transporter is upregulated, leading to over-activation of NMDA receptors, and the reserve pool of glutamatergic synaptic vesicles is selectively expanded in Adar mutants. Collectively these changes lead to sustained neurotransmitter release under conditions that would otherwise result in synaptic depression. We propose that a shift in the balance from synaptic depression towards synaptic potentiation in sleep-promoting neurons underlies the increased sleep pressure of Adar-deficient animals. Our findings provide a plausible molecular mechanism linking sleep and synaptic plasticity.
Microbial diversity drives multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems
Authors: Delgado-Baquerizo Manuel , Maestre Fernando T. , Reich Peter B. , Jeffries Thomas C. , Gaitan Juan J. , Encinar Daniel , Berdugo Miguel , Campbell Colin D. , Singh Brajesh K. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDespite the importance of microbial communities for ecosystem services and human welfare, the relationship between microbial diversity and multiple ecosystem functions and services (that is, multifunctionality) at the global scale has yet to be evaluated. Here we use two independent, large-scale databases with contrasting geographic coverage (from 78 global drylands and from 179 locations across Scotland, respectively), and report that soil microbial diversity positively relates to multifunctionality in terrestrial ecosystems. The direct positive effects of microbial diversity were maintained even when accounting simultaneously for multiple multifunctionality drivers (climate, soil abiotic factors and spatial predictors). Our findings provide empirical evidence that any loss in microbial diversity will likely reduce multifunctionality, negatively impacting the provision of services such as climate regulation, soil fertility and food and fibre production by terrestrial ecosystems.
Evidence and implications of direct charge excitation as the dominant mechanism in plasmon-mediated photocatalysis
Authors: Boerigter Calvin , Campana Robert , Morabito Matthew , Linic Suljo 
Published: January 2016

AbstractPlasmonic metal nanoparticles enhance chemical reactions on their surface when illuminated with light of particular frequencies. It has been shown that these processes are driven by excitation of localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR). The interaction of LSPR with adsorbate orbitals can lead to the injection of energized charge carriers into the adsorbate, which can result in chemical transformations. The mechanism of the charge injection process (and role of LSPR) is not well understood. Here we shed light on the specifics of this mechanism by coupling optical characterization methods, mainly wavelength-dependent Stokes and anti-Stokes SERS, with kinetic analysis of photocatalytic reactions in an Ag nanocube–methylene blue plasmonic system. We propose that localized LSPR-induced electric fields result in a direct charge transfer within the molecule–adsorbate system. These observations provide a foundation for the development of plasmonic catalysts that can selectively activate targeted chemical bonds, since the mechanism allows for tuning plasmonic nanomaterials in such a way that illumination can selectively enhance desired chemical pathways.
Impacts of a Rapidly Declining Mountain Snowpack on Streamflow Timing in Canada’s Fraser River Basin
Authors: Kang Do Hyuk , Gao Huilin , Shi Xiaogang , Islam Siraj ul , Déry Stephen J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWith its headwaters in the water towers of the western Cordillera of North America, the Fraser River is one of the continent’s mightiest rivers by annual flows, supplies vital freshwater resources to populous downstream locations and sustains the world’s largest stocks of sockeye salmon along with four other salmon species. Here we show the Variable Infiltration Capacity (VIC) model’s ability to reproduce accurately observed trends in daily streamflow for the Fraser River’s main stem and six of its major tributaries over 1949-2006 when air temperatures rose by 1.4 °C while annual precipitation amounts remained stable. Rapidly declining mountain snowpacks and earlier melt onsets result in a 10-day advance of the Fraser River’s spring freshet with subsequent reductions in summer flows when up-river salmon migrations occur. Identification of the sub-basins driving the Fraser River’s most significant changes provides a measure of seasonal predictability of future floods or droughts in a changing climate.
A Biocompatible and Biodegradable Protein Hydrogel with Green and Red Autofluorescence: Preparation, Characterization and In Vivo Biodegradation Tracking and Modeling
Authors: Ma Xiaoyu , Sun Xiangcheng , Hargrove Derek , Chen Jun , Song Donghui , Dong Qiuchen , Lu Xiuling , Fan Tai-Hsi , Fu Youjun , Lei Yu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBecause of its good biocompatibility and biodegradability, albumins such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and human serum albumin (HSA) have found a wide range of biomedical applications. Herein, we report that glutaraldehyde cross-linked BSA (or HSA) forms a novel fluorescent biological hydrogel, exhibiting new green and red autofluorescence in vitro and in vivo without the use of any additional fluorescent labels. UV-vis spectra studies, in conjunction with the fluorescence spectra studies including emission, excitation and synchronous scans, indicated that three classes of fluorescent compounds are presumably formed during the gelation process. SEM, FTIR and mechanical tests were further employed to investigate the morphology, the specific chemical structures and the mechanical strength of the as-prepared autofluorescent hydrogel, respectively. Its biocompatibility and biodegradability were also demonstrated through extensive in vitro and in vivo studies. More interestingly, the strong red autofluorescence of the as-prepared hydrogel allows for conveniently and non-invasively tracking and modeling its in vivo degradation based on the time-dependent fluorescent images of mice. A mathematical model was proposed and was in good agreement with the experimental results. The developed facile strategy to prepare novel biocompatible and biodegradable autofluorescent protein hydrogels could significantly expand the scope of protein hydrogels in biomedical applications.
Hyperuricemia and the risk for coronary heart disease morbidity and mortality a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis
Authors: Li Min , Hu Xiaolan , Fan Yingli , Li Kun , Zhang Xiaowei , Hou Wenshang , Tang Zhenyu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractConsiderable controversy exists regarding the association between hyperuricemia and coronary heart disease (CHD). Therefore, we performed a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of prospective studies to examine the controversy. Prospective cohort studies with relative risks (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for CHD according to serum uric acid levels in adults were eligible. A random-effects model was used to compute the pooled risk estimate. The search yielded 29 prospective cohort studies (n = 958410 participants). Hyperuricemia was associated with increased risk of CHD morbidity (adjusted RR 1.13; 95% CI 1.05 to 1.21) and mortality (adjusted RR 1.27; 95% CI 1.16 to 1.39). For each increase of 1 mg/dl in uric acid level, the pooled multivariate RR of CHD mortality was 1.13 (95% CI 1.06 to 1.20). Dose-response analysis indicated that the combined RR of CHD mortality for an increase of 1 mg uric acid level per dl was 1.02 (95% CI 0.84 to 1.24) without heterogeneity among males (P = 0.879,I2 = 0%) and 2.44 (95% CI 1.69 to 3.54) without heterogeneity among females (P = 0.526,I2 = 0%). The increased risk of CHD associated with hyperuricemia was consistent across most subgroups. Hyperuricemia may increase the risk of CHD events, particularly CHD mortality in females.
Minimizing resource overheads for fault-tolerant preparation of encoded states of the Steane code
Authors: Goto Hayato 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe seven-qubit quantum error-correcting code originally proposed by Steane is one of the best known quantum codes. The Steane code has a desirable property that most basic operations can be performed easily in a fault-tolerant manner. A major obstacle to fault-tolerant quantum computation with the Steane code is fault-tolerant preparation of encoded states, which requires large computational resources. Here we propose efficient state preparation methods for zero and magic states encoded with the Steane code, where the zero state is one of the computational basis states and the magic state allows us to achieve universality in fault-tolerant quantum computation. The methods minimize resource overheads for the fault-tolerant state preparation and therefore reduce necessary resources for quantum computation with the Steane code. Thus, the present results will open a new possibility for efficient fault-tolerant quantum computation.
Bulk Crystallization in a SiO2/Al2O3/Y2O3/AlF3/B2O3/Na2O Glass: Fivefold Pseudo Symmetry due to Monoclinic Growth in a Glassy Matrix Containing Growth Barriers
Authors: Wisniewski Wolfgang , Seyring Martin , Patzig Christian , Höche Thomas , Keshavarzi Ashkan , Rüssel Christian 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA glass with the mol% composition 17 Y2O3·33 Al2O3·40 SiO2·2 AlF3·3 Na2O·2 CeF3·3 B2O3 is heat treated at 1000 °C for 6–24 h. This results in the surface nucleation and growth of YAG. Nucleation and growth of star-shaped alumina and later of monoclinic β-Y2Si2O7 and orthorhombic δ-Y2Si2O7 are additionally observed in the bulk. Phase identification and localization are performed by electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD) as well as TEM analysis. The monoclinic β-Y2Si2O7 observed in the bulk occurs in the form of large, crystal agglomerates which range from 50 to 120 μm in size. The individual crystals are aligned along the c-axis which is the fastest growing axis. Ten probability maxima are observed in the pole-figures illustrating the rotation of orientations around the c-axes indicating a fivefold symmetry. This symmetry is caused by multiple twinning which results in a high probability of specific orientation relationships with rotation angles of ~36°, ~108° (also referred to as the pentagon angle) and ~144° around the c-axis. All these rotation angles are close to the multiples of 36° which are required for an ideal fivefold symmetry. This is the first report of a fivefold symmetry triggered by the presence of barriers hindering crystal growth.
Sequence features associated with the cleavage efficiency of CRISPR/Cas9 system
Authors: Liu Xiaoxi , Homma Ayaka , Sayadi Jamasb , Yang Shu , Ohashi Jun , Takumi Toru 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe CRISPR-Cas9 system has recently emerged as a versatile tool for biological and medical research. In this system, a single guide RNA (sgRNA) directs the endonuclease Cas9 to a targeted DNA sequence for site-specific manipulation. In addition to this targeting function, the sgRNA has also been shown to play a role in activating the endonuclease activity of Cas9. This dual function of the sgRNA likely underlies observations that different sgRNAs have varying on-target activities. Currently, our understanding of the relationship between sequence features of sgRNAs and their on-target cleavage efficiencies remains limited, largely due to difficulties in assessing the cleavage capacity of a large number of sgRNAs. In this study, we evaluated the cleavage activities of 218 sgRNAs using in vitro Surveyor assays. We found that nucleotides at both PAM-distal and PAM-proximal regions of the sgRNA are significantly correlated with on-target efficiency. Furthermore, we also demonstrated that the genomic context of the targeted DNA, the GC percentage and the secondary structure of sgRNA are critical factors contributing to cleavage efficiency. In summary, our study reveals important parameters for the design of sgRNAs with high on-target efficiencies, especially in the context of high throughput applications.
Bactericidal activity of green tea extracts: the importance of catechin containing nano particles
Authors: Gopal Judy , Muthu Manikandan , Paul Diby , Kim Doo-Hwan , Chun Sechul 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWhen we drink green tea infusion, we believe we are drinking the extract of the green tea leaves. While practically each tea bag infused in 300 mL water contains about 50 mg of suspended green tea leaf particles. What is the role of these particles in the green tea effect is the objective of this study. These particles (three different size ranges) were isolated via varying speed centrifugation and their respective inputs evaluated. Live oral bacterial samples from human volunteers have been screened against green tea extracts and macro, micro and nano sized green tea particles. The results showed that the presence/absence of the macro and mico sized tea particles in the green tea extract did not contribute much. However, the nano sized particles were characterized to be nature’s nano stores of the bioactive catechins. Eradication of these nano tea particles resulted in decrease in the bactericidal property of the green tea extracts. This is a curtain raiser investigation, busting the nano as well as green tea leaf particle contribution in green tea extracts.
ExoMeg1: a new exonuclease from metagenomic library
Authors: Silva-Portela Rita C. B. , Carvalho Fabíola M. , Pereira Carolina P. M. , de Souza-Pinto Nadja C. , Modesti Mauro , Fuchs Robert P. , Agnez-Lima Lucymara F. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDNA repair mechanisms are responsible for maintaining the integrity of DNA and are essential to life. However, our knowledge of DNA repair mechanisms is based on model organisms such as Escherichia coli, and little is known about free living and uncultured microorganisms. In this study, a functional screening was applied in a metagenomic library with the goal of discovering new genes involved in the maintenance of genomic integrity. One clone was identified and the sequence analysis showed an open reading frame homolog to a hypothetical protein annotated as a member of the Exo_Endo_Phos superfamily. This novel enzyme shows 3′-5′ exonuclease activity on single and double strand DNA substrates and it is divalent metal-dependent, EDTA-sensitive and salt resistant. The clone carrying the hypothetical ORF was able to complement strains deficient in recombination or base excision repair, suggesting that the new enzyme may be acting on the repair of single strand breaks with 3′ blockers, which are substrates for these repair pathways. Because this is the first report of an enzyme obtained from a metagenomic approach showing exonuclease activity, it was named ExoMeg1. The metagenomic approach has proved to be a useful tool for identifying new genes of uncultured microorganisms.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Non-thermal plasma inhibits human cervical cancer HeLa cells invasiveness by suppressing the MAPK pathway and decreasing matrix metalloproteinase-9 expression
Authors: Li Wei , Yu K. N. , Bao Lingzhi , Shen Jie , Cheng Cheng , Han Wei 
Published: January 2016

AbstractNon-thermal plasma (NTP) has been proposed as a novel therapeutic method for anticancer treatment. However, the mechanism underlying its biological effects remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the inhibitory effect of NTP on the invasion of HeLa cells and explored the possible mechanism. Our results showed that NTP exposure for 20 or 40 s significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of HeLa cells on the basis of matrigel invasion assay and wound healing assay, respectively. Moreover, NTP reduced the activity and protein expression of the matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9 enzyme. Western blot analysis indicated that NTP exposure effectively decreased phosphorylation level of both ERK1/2 and JNK, but not p38 MAPK. Furthermore, treatment with MAPK signal pathway inhibitors or NTP all exhibited significant depression of HeLa cells migration and MMP-9 expression. The result showed that NTP synergistically suppressed migration and MMP-9 expression in the presence of ERK1/2 inhibitor and JNK inhibitor, but not p38 MAPK inhibitor. Taken together, these findings suggested that NTP exposure inhibited the migration and invasion of HeLa cells via down-regulating MMP-9 expression in ERK1/2 and JNK signaling pathways dependent manner. These findings provide hints to the potential clinical research and therapy of NTP on cervical cancer metastasis.
Autologous skeletal muscle derived cells expressing a novel functional dystrophin provide a potential therapy for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
Authors: Meng Jinhong , Counsell John R. , Reza Mojgan , Laval Steven H. , Danos Olivier , Thrasher Adrian , Lochmüller Hanns , Muntoni Francesco , Morgan Jennifer E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAutologous stem cells that have been genetically modified to express dystrophin are a possible means of treating Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD). To maximize the therapeutic effect, dystrophin construct needs to contain as many functional motifs as possible, within the packaging capacity of the viral vector. Existing dystrophin constructs used for transduction of muscle stem cells do not contain the nNOS binding site, an important functional motif within the dystrophin gene. In this proof-of-concept study, using stem cells derived from skeletal muscle of a DMD patient (mdcs) transplanted into an immunodeficient mouse model of DMD, we report that two novel dystrophin constructs, C1 (ΔR3-R13) and C2 (ΔH2-R23), can be lentivirally transduced into mdcs and produce dystrophin. These dystrophin proteins were functional in vivo, as members of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex were restored in muscle fibres containing donor-derived dystrophin. In muscle fibres derived from cells that had been transduced with construct C1, the largest dystrophin construct packaged into a lentiviral system, nNOS was restored. The combination of autologous stem cells and a lentivirus expressing a novel dystrophin construct which optimally restores proteins of the dystrophin glycoprotein complex may have therapeutic application for all DMD patients, regardless of their dystrophin mutation.
Global inorganic nitrogen dry deposition inferred from ground- and space-based measurements
Authors: Jia Yanlong , Yu Guirui , Gao Yanni , He Nianpeng , Wang Qiufeng , Jiao Cuicui , Zuo Yao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAtmospheric nitrogen (N) dry deposition is an important component in total N deposition. However, uncertainty exists in the assessment of global dry deposition. Here, we develop empirical models for estimating ground N concentrations using NO2 satellite measurements from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI) and ground measurements from 555 monitoring sites. Global patterns and trends in the fluxes of NO2, HNO3, NH4+ and NO3− were assessed for 2005–2014. Moreover, we estimated global NH3 dry deposition directly using data from 267 monitoring sites. Our results showed that East Asia, the United States and Europe were important regions of N deposition and the total annual amount of global inorganic N deposition was 34.26 Tg N. The dry deposition fluxes were low in Africa and South America, but because of their large area, the total amounts in these regions were comparable to those in Europe and North America. In the past decade, the western United States and Eurasia, particularly eastern China, experienced the largest increases in dry deposition, whereas the eastern United States, Western Europe and Japan experienced clear decreases through control of NOx and NH3 emissions. These findings provide a scientific background for policy-makers and future research into global changes.
Quantum random walks on congested lattices and the effect of dephasing
Authors: Motes Keith R. , Gilchrist Alexei , Rohde Peter P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe consider quantum random walks on congested lattices and contrast them to classical random walks. Congestion is modelled on lattices that contain static defects which reverse the walker’s direction. We implement a dephasing process after each step which allows us to smoothly interpolate between classical and quantum random walks as well as study the effect of dephasing on the quantum walk. Our key results show that a quantum walker escapes a finite boundary dramatically faster than a classical walker and that this advantage remains in the presence of heavily congested lattices.
Large scale patterns in vertical distribution and behaviour of mesopelagic scattering layers
Authors: Klevjer T. A. , Irigoien X. , Røstad A. , Fraile-Nuez E. , Benítez-Barrios V. M. , Kaartvedt. S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRecent studies suggest that previous estimates of mesopelagic biomasses are severely biased, with the new, higher estimates underlining the need to unveil behaviourally mediated coupling between shallow and deep ocean habitats. We analysed vertical distribution and diel vertical migration (DVM) of mesopelagic acoustic scattering layers (SLs) recorded at 38 kHz across oceanographic regimes encountered during the circumglobal Malaspina expedition. Mesopelagic SLs were observed in all areas covered, but vertical distributions and DVM patterns varied markedly. The distribution of mesopelagic backscatter was deepest in the southern Indian Ocean (weighted mean daytime depth: WMD 590 m) and shallowest at the oxygen minimum zone in the eastern Pacific (WMD 350 m). DVM was evident in all areas covered, on average ~50% of mesopelagic backscatter made daily excursions from mesopelagic depths to shallow waters. There were marked differences in migrating proportions between the regions, ranging from ~20% in the Indian Ocean to ~90% in the Eastern Pacific. Overall the data suggest strong spatial gradients in mesopelagic DVM patterns, with implied ecological and biogeochemical consequences. Our results suggest that parts of this spatial variability can be explained by horizontal patterns in physical-chemical properties of water masses, such as oxygen, temperature and turbidity.