bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
How Do the Size, Charge and Shape of Nanoparticles Affect Amyloid β Aggregation on Brain Lipid Bilayer?
Authors: Kim Yuna , Park Ji-Hyun , Lee Hyojin , Nam Jwa-Min 
Published: January 2016

AbstractHere, we studied the effect of the size, shape and surface charge of Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) on amyloid beta (Aβ) aggregation on a total brain lipid-based supported lipid bilayer (brain SLB), a fluid platform that facilitates Aβ-AuNP aggregation process. We found that larger AuNPs induce large and amorphous aggregates on the brain SLB, whereas smaller AuNPs induce protofibrillar Aβ structures. Positively charged AuNPs were more strongly attracted to Aβ than negatively charged AuNPs and the stronger interactions between AuNPs and Aβ resulted in fewer β-sheets and more random coil structures. We also compared spherical AuNPs, gold nanorods (AuNRs) and gold nanocubes (AuNCs) to study the effect of nanoparticle shape on Aβ aggregation on the brain SLB. Aβ was preferentially bound to the long axis of AuNRs and fewer fibrils were formed whereas all the facets of AuNCs interacted with Aβ to produce the fibril networks. Finally, it was revealed that different nanostructures induce different cytotoxicity on neuroblastoma cells, and, overall, smaller Aβ aggregates induce higher cytotoxicity. The results offer insight into the roles of NPs and brain SLB in Aβ aggregation on the cell membrane and can facilitate the understanding of Aβ-nanostructure co-aggregation mechanism and tuning Aβ aggregate structures.
Immunization against an IL-6 peptide induces anti-IL-6 antibodies and modulates the Delayed-Type Hypersensitivity reaction in cynomolgus monkeys
Authors: Desallais Lucille , Bouchez Caroline , Mouhsine Hadley , Moreau Gabriel , Ratsimandresy Rojo , Montes Matthieu , Do Hervé , Quintin-Colonna Françoise , Zagury Jean-François 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInterleukin-6 (IL-6) overproduction has been involved in the pathogenesis of several chronic inflammatory diseases and the administration of an anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody has been proven clinically efficient to treat them. However, the drawbacks of monoclonal antibodies have led our group to develop an innovative anti-IL-6 strategy using a peptide-based active immunization. This approach has previously shown its efficacy in a mouse model of systemic sclerosis. Here the safety, immunogenicity and efficacy of this strategy was assessed in non human primates. No unscheduled death and clinical signs of toxicity was observed during the study. Furthermore, the cynomolgus monkeys immunized against the IL-6 peptide produced high levels of anti-IL-6 antibodies as well as neutralizing antibodies compared to control groups. They also showed an important decrease of the cumulative inflammatory score following a delayed-type hypersensitivity reaction induced by the Tetanus vaccine compared to control groups (minus 57,9%,P = 0.014). These findings are highly significant because the immunizing IL-6 peptide used in this study is identical in humans and in monkeys and this novel anti-IL-6 strategy could thus represent a promising alternative to monoclonal antibodies.
Optically induced mode splitting in self-assembled, high quality-factor conjugated polymer microcavities
Authors: Braam Daniel , Kushida Soh , Niemöller Robert , Prinz Günther M. , Saito Hitoshi , Kanbara Takaki , Kuwabara Junpei , Yamamoto Yohei , Lorke Axel 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe investigate the whispering gallery modes (WGMs) of self-assembled single microspheres. They consist of a recently developed highly fluorescent π-conjugated copolymer and exhibit excellent optical properties with Q-factors up to 104. Under continuous laser irradiation, we observe a splitting of the highly degenerate spherical WGMs into a multiplet of lines. Comparison with the calculated spectral response of a weakly distorted sphere shows that the optical excitation induces a change of the optical path length in the microcavity so that it resembles a prolate spheroid. The separation of the lines is given by the ellipticity and the azimuthal mode number. Measurements in various gaseous environments suggest that the distortion is caused by light induced oxidation of the polymer. Our findings show that photooxidation can be a beneficial mechanism for in-situ tuning of optically active polymer structures.
Pre-sowing Seed Treatments in Direct-seeded Early Rice: Consequences for Emergence, Seedling Growth and Associated Metabolic Events under Chilling Stress
Authors: Wang Weiqin , Chen Qian , Hussain Saddam , Mei Junhao , Dong Huanglin , Peng Shaobing , Huang Jianliang , Cui Kehui , Nie Lixiao 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDouble direct-seeding for double rice cropping is a simplified, labor saving and efficient cropping system to improve multiple-crop index and total rice production in central China. However, poor crop establishment of direct-seeded early rice due to chilling stress is the main obstacle to wide spread of this system. A series of experiments were conducted to unravel the effects of pre-sowing seed treatments on emergence, seedling growth and associated metabolic events of direct-seeded early rice under chilling stress. Two seed priming treatments and two seed coating treatments were used in all the experiments. A non-treated control treatment was also maintained for comparison. In both the field and growth chamber studies, seed priming with selenium or salicylic acid significantly enhanced the emergence and seedling growth of rice compared with non-treated control. Nevertheless, such positive effects were not apparent for seed coating treatments. Better emergence and vigorous seedling growth of rice after seed priming was associated with enhanced α-amylase activity, higher soluble sugars contents and greater respiration rate in primed rice seedlings under chilling stress. Taking together, these findings may provide new avenues for understanding and advancing priming-induced chilling tolerance in direct-seeded early rice in double rice cropping system.
Effects of K-115 (Ripasudil), a novel ROCK inhibitor, on trabecular meshwork and Schlemm’s canal endothelial cells
Authors: Kaneko Yoshio , Ohta Masayuki , Inoue Toshihiro , Mizuno Ken , Isobe Tomoyuki , Tanabe Sohei , Tanihara Hidenobu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRipasudil hydrochloride hydrate (K-115), a specific Rho-associated coiled-coil containing protein kinase (ROCK) inhibitor, was the first ophthalmic solution developed for the treatment of glaucoma and ocular hypertension in Japan. Topical administration of K-115 decreased intraocular pressure (IOP) and increased outflow facility in rabbits. This study evaluated the effect of K-115 on monkey trabecular meshwork (TM) cells and Schlemm’s canal endothelial (SCE) cells. K-115 induced retraction and rounding of cell bodies as well as disruption of actin bundles in TM cells. In SCE-cell monolayer permeability studies, K-115 significantly decreased transendothelial electrical resistance (TEER) and increased the transendothelial flux of FITC-dextran. Further, K-115 disrupted cellular localization of ZO-1 expression in SCE-cell monolayers. These results indicate that K-115 decreases IOP by increasing outflow facility in association with the modulation of TM cell behavior and SCE cell permeability in association with disruption of tight junction.
Dual Ionic and Organic Nature of Ionic Liquids
Authors: Shi Rui , Wang Yanting 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInherited the advantages of inorganic salts and organic solvents, ionic liquids (ILs) exhibit many superior properties allowing them promising green solvents for the future. Although it has been widely acknowledged that the unique features of ILs originate from their dual ionic and organic nature, its microscopic physical origin still remains blurry. In this work, by comparing the ion/molecule cage structures obtained from molecular dynamics simulations for seven prototypic liquids—a molten inorganic salt, four ILs, a strongly polar organic solvent and a weakly polar organic solvent, we have revealed that the depth of the cage energy landscape characterizes the ionic nature of ILs, whereas the slope and curvature of its mimimum determine the organic nature of ILs. This finding advances our understanding of ILs and thus will help their efficient utilization as well as the systematic design of novel functionalized ILs.
Characterization of the promoter region of the bovine long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 gene: Roles of E2F1, Sp1, KLF15 and E2F4
Authors: Zhao Zhi-Dong , Zan Lin-Sen , Li An-Ning , Cheng Gong , Li Shi-Jun , Zhang Ya-Ran , Wang Xiao-Yu , Zhang Ying-Ying 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe nutritional value and eating qualities of beef are enhanced when the unsaturated fatty acid content of fat is increased. Long-chain acyl-CoA synthetase 1 (ACSL1) plays key roles in fatty acid transport and degradation, as well as lipid synthesis. It has been identified as a plausible functional and positional candidate gene for manipulations of fatty acid composition in bovine skeletal muscle. In the present study, we determined that bovine ACSL1was highly expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue and longissimus thoracis. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in bovine ACSL1 regulation, we cloned and characterized the promoter region of ACSL1. Applying 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA end analysis (RACE), we identified multiple transcriptional start sites (TSSs) in its promoter region. Using a series of 5′ deletion promoter plasmids in luciferase reporter assays, we found that the proximal minimal promoter of ACSL1 was located within the region −325/−141 relative to the TSS and it was also located in the predicted CpG island. Mutational analysis and electrophoretic mobility shift assays demonstrated that E2F1, Sp1, KLF15 and E2F4 binding to the promoter region drives ACSL1 transcription. Together these interactions integrate and frame a key functional role for ACSL1 in mediating the lipid composition of beef.
Epigenomic profiling of preterm infants reveals DNA methylation differences at sites associated with neural function
Authors: Sparrow S , Manning J R , Cartier J , Anblagan D , Bastin M E , Piyasena C , Pataky R , Moore E J , Semple S I , Wilkinson A G , Evans M , Drake A J , Boardman J P 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDNA methylation (DNAm) plays a determining role in neural cell fate and provides a molecular link between early-life stress and neuropsychiatric disease. Preterm birth is a profound environmental stressor that is closely associated with alterations in connectivity of neural systems and long-term neuropsychiatric impairment. The aims of this study were to examine the relationship between preterm birth and DNAm, and to investigate factors that contribute to variance in DNAm. DNA was collected from preterm infants (birth<33 weeks gestation) and healthy controls (birth>37 weeks), and a genome-wide analysis of DNAm was performed; diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (dMRI) data were acquired from the preterm group. The major fasciculi were segmented, and fractional anisotropy, mean diffusivity and tract shape were calculated. Principal components (PC) analysis was used to investigate the contribution of MRI features and clinical variables to variance in DNAm. Differential methylation was found within 25 gene bodies and 58 promoters of protein-coding genes in preterm infants compared with controls; 10 of these have neural functions. Differences detected in the array were validated with pyrosequencing. Ninety-five percent of the variance in DNAm in preterm infants was explained by 23 PCs; corticospinal tract shape associated with 6th PC, and gender and early nutritional exposure associated with the 7th PC. Preterm birth is associated with alterations in the methylome at sites that influence neural development and function. Differential methylation analysis has identified several promising candidate genes for understanding the genetic/epigenetic basis of preterm brain injury.
Aberrant expression of microRNAs as biomarker for schizophrenia: from acute state to partial remission, and from peripheral blood to cortical tissue
Authors: Lai C-Y , Lee S-Y , Scarr E , Yu Y-H , Lin Y-T , Liu C-M , Hwang T-J , Hsieh M H , Liu C-C , Chien Y-L , Udawela M , Gibbons A S , Everall I P , Hwu H-G , Dean B , Chen W J 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBased on our previous finding of a seven-miRNA (hsa-miR-34a, miR-449a, miR-564, miR-432, miR-548d, miR-572 and miR-652) signature as a potential biomarker for schizophrenia, this study aimed to examine if hospitalization could affect expressions of these miRNAs. We compared their expression levels between acute state and partial remission state in people with schizophrenia (n=48) using quantitative PCR method. Further, to examine whether the blood and brain show similar expression patterns, the expressions of two miRNAs (hsa-miR-34a and hsa-miR-548d) were examined in the postmortem brain tissue of people with schizophrenia (n=25) and controls (n=27). The expression level of the seven miRNAs did not alter after ~2 months of hospitalization with significant improvement in clinical symptoms, suggesting the miRNAs could be traits rather than state-dependent markers. The aberrant expression seen in the blood of hsa-miR-34a and hsa-miR-548d were not present in the brain samples, but this does not discount the possibility that the peripheral miRNAs could be clinically useful biomarkers for schizophrenia. Unexpectedly, we found an age-dependent increase in hsa-miR-34a expressions in human cortical (Brodmann area 46 (BA46)) but not subcortical region (caudate putamen). The correlation between hsa-miR-34a expression level in BA46 and age was much stronger in the controls than in the cases, and the corresponding correlation in the blood was only seen in the cases. The association between the miRNA dysregulations, the disease predisposition and aging warrants further investigation. Taken together, this study provides further insight on the candidate peripheral miRNAs as stable biomarkers for the diagnostics of schizophrenia.
Glass eel recruitment and exploitation in a South European estuary (Oria, Bay of Biscay)
Authors: Aranburu Aizkorri , Díaz Estibaliz , Briand Cédric 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
The size of the European eel population is below safe biological limits. To assess the status of the stock properly, it is necessary to increase the number of recruitment series based on scientific monitoring. In this study, the spatio-temporal variation in glass eel density in a South European Atlantic estuary, the Oria, has been examined using experimental fisheries and fishery data. Glass eel density was predicted using a mixed generalized additive model. Current and depth were selected as covariates and date as a random variable then extrapolated to the whole sampling point volume to obtain the daily recruitment (mean, 12.76 kg; range, 0–72.8 kg). The average seasonal daily recruitment and fishery data were combined to obtain the seasonal recruitment (mean, 1144 kg; range, 682–1593 kg) and exploitation rate (mean, 31.1%; range, 6.2–48.7%). The information of spatio-temporal dynamics in glass eel density gathered in this study will help to improve the design of a recruitment-monitoring scheme at the European level. The integration of glass eel fishery data and scientific estimates is crucial to obtain a recruitment index in the Bay of Biscay, the area with the largest glass eel recruitment in Europe.
The impacts of deep-sea fisheries on benthic communities: a review
Authors: Clark Malcolm R. , Althaus Franziska , Schlacher Thomas A. , Williams Alan , Bowden David A. , Rowden Ashley A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDeep-sea fisheries operate globally throughout the world's oceans, chiefly targeting stocks on the upper and mid-continental slope and offshore seamounts. Major commercial fisheries occur, or have occurred, for species such as orange roughy, oreos, cardinalfish, grenadiers and alfonsino. Few deep fisheries have, however, been sustainable, with most deep-sea stocks having undergone rapid and substantial declines. Fishing in the deep sea not only harvests target species but can also cause unintended environmental harm, mostly from operating heavy bottom trawls and, to a lesser extent, bottom longlines. Bottom trawling over hard seabed (common on seamounts) routinely removes most of the benthic fauna, resulting in declines in faunal biodiversity, cover and abundance. Functionally, these impacts translate into loss of biogenic habitat from potentially large areas. Recent studies on longline fisheries show that their impact is much less than from trawl gear, but can still be significant. Benthic taxa, especially the dominant mega-faunal components of deep-sea systems such as corals and sponges, can be highly vulnerable to fishing impacts. Some taxa have natural resilience due to their size, shape, and structure, and some can survive in natural refuges inaccessible to trawls. However, many deep-sea invertebrates are exceptionally long-lived and grow extremely slowly: these biological attributes mean that the recovery capacity of the benthos is highly limited and prolonged, predicted to take decades to centuries after fishing has ceased. The low tolerance and protracted recovery of many deep-sea benthic communities has implications for managing environmental performance of deep-sea fisheries, including that (i) expectations for recovery and restoration of impacted areas may be unrealistic in acceptable time frames, (ii) the high vulnerability of deep-sea fauna makes spatial management—that includes strong and consistent conservation closures—an important priority, and (iii) biodiversity conservation should be &gt; balanced with options for open areas that support sustainable fisheries.
Exploring the role of the physical marine environment in silver eel migrations using a biophysical particle tracking model
Authors: Béguer-Pon Mélanie , Shan Shiliang , Thompson Keith R. , Castonguay Martin , Sheng Jinyu , Dodson Julian J. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Both the American eel (Anguilla rostrata) and European eel (Anguilla anguilla) undertake long-distance migrations from continental waters to their spawning sites in the Sargasso Sea. Their migration routes and orientation mechanisms remain a mystery. A biophysical particle tracking model was used in this study to simulate their oceanic migration from two release areas: off the Scotian Shelf (Canada) and off the Irish continental shelf. Two plausible swimming-directed behaviours were considered for simulating two different migratory paths: true navigation to specific spawning sites and innate compass orientation towards the vast spawning area. Several combinations of swimming speeds and depths were tested to assess the effect of ocean circulation on resulting migratory pathways of virtual eels (v-eels), environmental conditions experienced along their oceanic migration, and energy consumption. Simulations show that the spawning area can be reached in time by constantly swimming and following a readjusted heading (true navigation) or a constant heading (compass orientation) even at the lowest swimming speed tested (0.2 m s−1) for most v-eels. True navigation might not be necessary to reach the spawning area. The ocean currents affect mainly the migration of American v-eels, particularly for swimming speeds lower than 0.8 m s−1. The ocean circulation increases the variability in the oceanic migration and generally reduces the efficiency of the v-eels, although positive effects can be possible for certain individuals. The depth range of diel vertical migration (DVM) significantly affects the total energy expenditure due to the water temperature experienced at the various depths. Model results also suggest that energy would not be a limiting factor as v-eels constantly swimming at 0.8 BL s−1 spent &lt;25 and 42% of energy available for migration for American and European v-eels, respectively.
Convergent Substitutions in a Sodium Channel Suggest Multiple Origins of Toxin Resistance in Poison Frogs
Authors: Tarvin Rebecca D , Santos Juan C , O'Connell Lauren A , Zakon Harold H , Cannatella David C 
Published: January 2016

AbstractComplex phenotypes typically have a correspondingly multifaceted genetic component. However, the genotype–phenotype association between chemical defense and resistance is often simple: genetic changes in the binding site of a toxin alter how it affects its target. Some toxic organisms, such as poison frogs (Anura: Dendrobatidae), have defensive alkaloids that disrupt the function of ion channels, proteins that are crucial for nerve and muscle activity. Using protein-docking models, we predict that three major classes of poison frog alkaloids (histrionicotoxins, pumiliotoxins, and batrachotoxins) bind to similar sites in the highly conserved inner pore of the muscle voltage-gated sodium channel, Nav1.4. We predict that poison frogs are somewhat resistant to these compounds because they have six types of amino acid replacements in the Nav1.4 inner pore that are absent in all other frogs except for a distantly related alkaloid-defended frog from Madagascar, Mantella aurantiaca. Protein-docking models and comparative phylogenetics support the role of these replacements in alkaloid resistance. Taking into account the four independent origins of chemical defense in Dendrobatidae, phylogenetic patterns of the amino acid replacements suggest that 1) alkaloid resistance in Nav1.4 evolved independently at least five times in these frogs, 2) variation in resistance-conferring replacements is likely a result of differences in alkaloid exposure across species, and 3) functional constraint shapes the evolution of the Nav1.4 inner pore. Our study is the first to demonstrate the genetic basis of autoresistance in frogs with alkaloid defenses.
Masked Speech Perception Thresholds in Infants, Children, and Adults
Authors: Leibold Lori J. , Yarnell Bonino Angela , Buss Emily 
Published: January 2016

Objective:
The primary goal of this study was to compare infants’ susceptibility to making produced by a two-talker speech and a speech-shaped noise masker. It is well documented that school-age children experience more difficulty recognizing speech embedded in two-talker speech than spectrally matched noise, a result attributed to immaturity in the ability to segregate target from masker speech, and/or to selectively attend to the target while disregarding the perceptually similar speech masker. However, findings from infant psychophysical studies suggest that infants are susceptible to auditory masking even when target and competing sounds are acoustically distinct.

Design:
Listeners were infants (8 to10 months), children (8 to 10 years), and adults (18 to 33 years). The task was an observer-based, single-interval disyllabic word detection, in the presence of either a speech-shaped noise or a two-talker masker. The masker played continuously at 55 dB SPL, and the target level was adapted to estimate threshold.

Results:
As observed previously for closed-set consonant and word identification as well as open-set word and sentence recognition, school-age children experienced relatively more masking than adults in the two-talker than the speech-shaped noise masker. The novel result of this study was that infants’ speech detection thresholds were about 24 dB higher than those of adults in both maskers. While response bias differed between listener groups, it did not differ reliably between maskers.

Conclusions:
It is often assumed that speech perception in a speech masker places greater demands on a listener’s ability to segregate and selectively attend to the target than a noise masker. This assumption is based on results showing larger child/adult differences for speech perception in a speech masker composed of a small number of talkers than in spectrally matched noise. The observation that infants experience equal masking for speech and noise maskers suggests that infants experience informational masking in both maskers and raises the possibility that the cues which make the steady noise a relatively ineffective masker for children are learned.