bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Extrapolating microdomain Ca2+ dynamics using BK channels as a Ca2+ sensor
Authors: Hou Panpan , Xiao Feng , Liu Haowen , Yuchi Ming , Zhang Guohui , Wu Ying , Wang Wei , Zeng Wenping , Ding Mingyue , Cui Jianming , Wu Zhengxing , Wang Lu-Yang , Ding Jiuping 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCa2+ ions play crucial roles in mediating physiological and pathophysiological processes, yet Ca2+ dynamics local to the Ca2+ source, either from influx via calcium permeable ion channels on plasmic membrane or release from internal Ca2+ stores, is difficult to delineate. Large-conductance calcium-activated K+ (BK-type) channels, abundantly distribute in excitable cells and often localize to the proximity of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels (VGCCs), spatially enabling the coupling of the intracellular Ca2+ signal to the channel gating to regulate membrane excitability and spike firing patterns. Here we utilized the sensitivity and dynamic range of BK to explore non-uniform Ca2+ local transients in the microdomain of VGCCs. Accordingly, we applied flash photolysis of caged Ca2+ to activate BK channels and determine their intrinsic sensitivity to Ca2+. We found that uncaging Ca2+ activated biphasic BK currents with fast and slow components (time constants being τf ≈ 0.2 ms and τs ≈ 10 ms), which can be accounted for by biphasic Ca2+ transients following light photolysis. We estimated the Ca2+-binding rate constant kb (≈1.8 × 108 M−1s−1) for mSlo1 and further developed a model in which BK channels act as a calcium sensor capable of quantitatively predicting local microdomain Ca2+ transients in the vicinity of VGCCs during action potentials.
A gigantic new dinosaur from Argentina and the evolution of the sauropod hind foot
Authors: González Riga Bernardo J. , Lamanna Matthew C. , Ortiz David Leonardo D. , Calvo Jorge O. , Coria Juan P. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractTitanosauria is an exceptionally diverse, globally-distributed clade of sauropod dinosaurs that includes the largest known land animals. Knowledge of titanosaurian pedal structure is critical to understanding the stance and locomotion of these enormous herbivores and, by extension, gigantic terrestrial vertebrates as a whole. However, completely preserved pedes are extremely rare among Titanosauria, especially as regards the truly giant members of the group. Here we describeNotocolossus gonzalezparejasigen. et sp. nov. from the Upper Cretaceous of Mendoza Province, Argentina. With a powerfully-constructed humerus 1.76 m in length,Notocolossusis one of the largest known dinosaurs. Furthermore, the complete pes of the new taxon exhibits a strikingly compact, homogeneous metatarsus—seemingly adapted for bearing extraordinary weight—and truncated unguals, morphologies that are otherwise unknown in Sauropoda. The pes underwent a near-progressive reduction in the number of phalanges along the line to derived titanosaurs, eventually resulting in the reduced hind foot of these sauropods.
Global patterns of insect diversification: towards a reconciliation of fossil and molecular evidence?
Authors: Condamine Fabien L. , Clapham Matthew E. , Kergoat Gael J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMacroevolutionary studies of insects at diverse taxonomic scales often reveal dynamic evolutionary patterns, with multiple inferred diversification rate shifts. Responses to major past environmental changes, such as the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution, or the development of major key innovations, such as wings or complete metamorphosis are usually invoked as potential evolutionary triggers. However this view is partially contradicted by studies on the family-level fossil record showing that insect diversification was relatively constant through time. In an attempt to reconcile both views, we investigate large-scale insect diversification dynamics at family level using two distinct types of diversification analyses on a molecular timetree representing ca. 82% of the extant families and reassess the insect fossil diversity using up-to-date records. Analyses focusing on the fossil record recovered an early burst of diversification, declining to low and steady rates through time, interrupted by extinction events. Phylogenetic analyses showed that major shifts of diversification rates only occurred in the four richest holometabolous orders. Both suggest that neither the development of flight or complete metamorphosis nor the Cretaceous Terrestrial Revolution environmental changes induced immediate changes in diversification regimes; instead clade-specific innovations likely promoted the diversification of major insect orders.
Cytotoxic polyfunctionality maturation of cytomegalovirus-pp65-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T-cell responses in older adults positively correlates with response size
Authors: Chiu Yen-Ling , Lin Chung-Hao , Sung Bo-Yi , Chuang Yi-Fang , Schneck Jonathan P. , Kern Florian , Pawelec Graham , Wang George C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is one of the most common persistent viral infections in humans worldwide and is epidemiologically associated with many adverse health consequences during aging. Previous studies yielded conflicting results regarding whether large, CMV-specific T-cell expansions maintain their function during human aging. In the current study, we examined the in vitro CMV-pp65-reactive T-cell response by comprehensively studying five effector functions (i.e., interleukin-2, tumor necrosis factor-α, interferon-γ, perforin and CD107a expression) in 76 seropositive individuals aged 70 years or older. Two data-driven, polyfunctionality panels (IL-2-associated and cytotoxicity-associated) derived from effector function co-expression patterns were used to analyze the results. We found that, CMV-pp65-reactive CD8 + and CD4 + T cells contained similar polyfunctional subsets and the level of polyfunctionality was related to the size of antigen-specific response. In both CD8 + and CD4 + cells, polyfunctional cells with high cytotoxic potential accounted for a larger proportion of the total response as the total response size increased. Notably, a higher serum CMV-IgG level was positively associated with a larger T-cell response size and a higher level of cytotoxic polyfunctionality. These findings indicate that CMV-pp65-specific CD4 + and CD8 + T cell undergo simultaneous cytotoxic polyfunctionality maturation during aging.
Lipoprotein hydrophobic core lipids are partially extruded to surface in smaller HDL: “Herniated” HDL, a common feature in diabetes
Authors: Amigó Núria , Mallol Roger , Heras Mercedes , Martínez-Hervás Sergio , Blanco-Vaca Francisco , Escolà-Gil Joan Carles , Plana Núria , Yanes Óscar , Masana Lluís , Correig Xavier 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRecent studies have shown that pharmacological increases in HDL cholesterol concentrations do not necessarily translate into clinical benefits for patients, raising concerns about its predictive value for cardiovascular events. Here we hypothesize that the size-modulated lipid distribution within HDL particles is compromised in metabolic disorders that have abnormal HDL particle sizes, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2). By using NMR spectroscopy combined with a biochemical volumetric model we determined the size and spatial lipid distribution of HDL subclasses in a cohort of 26 controls and 29 DM2 patients before and after two drug treatments, one with niacin plus laropiprant and another with fenofibrate as an add-on to simvastatin. We further characterized the HDL surface properties using atomic force microscopy and fluorescent probes to show an abnormal lipid distribution within smaller HDL particles, a subclass particularly enriched in the DM2 patients. The reduction in the size, force cholesterol esters and triglycerides to emerge from the HDL core to the surface, making the outer surface of HDL more hydrophobic. Interestingly, pharmacological interventions had no effect on this undesired configuration, which may explain the lack of clinical benefits in DM2 subjects.
Fosfomycin enhances phagocyte-mediated killing of Staphylococcus aureus by extracellular traps and reactive oxygen species
Authors: Shen Fengge , Tang Xudong , Cheng Wei , Wang Yang , Wang Chao , Shi Xiaochen , An Yanan , Zhang Qiaoli , Liu Mingyuan , Liu Bo , Yu Lu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe successful treatment of bacterial infections is the achievement of a synergy between the host’s immune defences and antibiotics. Here, we examined whether fosfomycin (FOM) could improve the bactericidal effect of phagocytes and investigated the potential mechanisms. FOM enhanced the phagocytosis and extra- or intracellular killing of S. aureus by phagocytes. And FOM enhanced the extracellular killing of S. aureus in macrophage (MФ) and in neutrophils mediated by extracellular traps (ETs). ET production was related to NADPH oxidase-dependent reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, FOM increased the intracellular killing of S. aureus in phagocytes, which was mediated by ROS through the oxidative burst process. Our results also showed that FOM alone induced S. aureus producing hydroxyl radicals in order to kill the bacterial cells in vitro. In a mouse peritonitis model, FOM treatment increased the bactericidal extra- and intracellular activity in vivo and FOM strengthened ROS and ET production from peritoneal lavage fluid ex vivo. An IVIS imaging system assay further verified the observed in vivo bactericidal effect of the FOM treatment. This work may provide a deeper understanding of the role of the host’s immune defences and antibiotic interactions in microbial infections.
Single Droplet on Micro Square-Post Patterned Surfaces – Theoretical Model and Numerical Simulation
Authors: Zu Y. Q. , Yan Y. Y. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn this study, the wetting behaviors of single droplet on a micro square-post patterned surface with different geometrical parameters are investigated theoretically and numerically. A theoretical model is proposed for the prediction of wetting transition from the Cassie to Wenzel regimes. In addition, due to the limitation of theoretical method, a numerical simulation is performed, which helps get a view of dynamic contact lines, detailed velocity fields, etc., even if the droplet size is comparable with the scale of the surface micro-structures. It is found that the numerical results of the liquid drop behaviours on the square-post patterned surface are in good agreement with the predicted values by the theoretical model.
Locating influential nodes in complex networks
Authors: Malliaros Fragkiskos D. , Rossi Maria-Evgenia G. , Vazirgiannis Michalis 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding and controlling spreading processes in networks is an important topic with many diverse applications, including information dissemination, disease propagation and viral marketing. It is of crucial importance to identify which entities act as influential spreaders that can propagate information to a large portion of the network, in order to ensure efficient information diffusion, optimize available resources or even control the spreading. In this work, we capitalize on the properties of theK-truss decomposition, a triangle-based extension of the core decomposition of graphs, to locate individual influential nodes. Our analysis on real networks indicates that the nodes belonging to the maximalK-truss subgraph show better spreading behavior compared to previously used importance criteria, including node degree andk-core index, leading to faster and wider epidemic spreading. We further show that nodes belonging to such dense subgraphs, dominate the small set of nodes that achieve the optimal spreading in the network.
Disorder and defects are not intrinsic to boron carbide
Authors: Mondal Swastik , Bykova Elena , Dey Somnath , Ali Sk Imran , Dubrovinskaia Natalia , Dubrovinsky Leonid , Parakhonskiy Gleb , van Smaalen Sander 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA unique combination of useful properties in boron-carbide, such as extreme hardness, excellent fracture toughness, a low density, a high melting point, thermoelectricity, semi-conducting behavior, catalytic activity and a remarkably good chemical stability, makes it an ideal material for a wide range of technological applications. Explaining these properties in terms of chemical bonding has remained a major challenge in boron chemistry. Here we report the synthesis of fully ordered, stoichiometric boron-carbide B13C2by high-pressure–high-temperature techniques. Our experimental electron-density study using high-resolution single-crystal synchrotron X-ray diffraction data conclusively demonstrates that disorder and defects are not intrinsic to boron carbide, contrary to what was hitherto supposed. A detailed analysis of the electron density distribution reveals charge transfer between structural units in B13C2and a new type of electron-deficient bond with formally unpaired electrons on the C–B–C group in B13C2. Unprecedented bonding features contribute to the fundamental chemistry and materials science of boron compounds that is of great interest for understanding structure-property relationships and development of novel functional materials.
Fabrication of Wide–Range–Visible Photocatalyst Bi2WO6−x nanoplates via Surface Oxygen Vacancies
Authors: Lv Yanhui , Yao Wenqing , Zong Ruilong , Zhu Yongfa 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBi2WO6 as a high visible-light-driven catalyst has been aroused broad interest. However, it can only be excitated by the light with λ < 450 nm and the solar energy utilization need to be improved. Here, the wide–range–visible photoresponse Bi2WO6−x nanoplates were fabricated by introducing surface oxygen vacancies through the controllable hydrogen reduction method. The visible photoresponse wavelength range is extended from 450 nm to more than 600 nm. In addition, the photocatalytic activity of Bi2WO6−x is also increased and is 2.1 times as high as that of pristine Bi2WO6. The extending of the photoresponse range and the enhancement of the photoactivity both can be attributed to the surface-oxygen-vacancy states. This is because surface-oxygen–vacancy states generated above and partly overlapping of with the valence band (VB) will result in the rising of valence band maximum (VBM), thus broadening the VB width. This approach is proposed to develop many types of wide–range–visible optical materials and to be applicable to many narrow and wide bandgap materials.
Comparative transcriptome analysis highlights the crucial roles of photosynthetic system in drought stress adaptation in upland rice
Authors: Zhang Zheng-Feng , Li Yuan-Yuan , Xiao Ben-Ze 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDrought stress is one of the major adverse environmental factors reducing plant growth. With the aim to elucidate the underlying molecular basis of rice response to drought stress, comparative transcriptome analysis was conducted between drought susceptible rice cultivar Zhenshan97 and tolerant cultivar IRAT109 at the seedling stage. 436 genes showed differential expression and mainly enriched in the Gene Ontology (GO) terms of stress defence. A large number of variations exist between these two genotypes including 2564 high-quality insertion and deletions (INDELs) and 70,264 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs). 1041 orthologous gene pairs show the ratio of nonsynonymous nucleotide substitution rate to synonymous nucleotide substitutions rate (Ka/Ks) larger than 1.5, indicating the rapid adaptation to different environments during domestication. GO and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis of positive selection genes suggested that photosynthesis represents the most significant category. The collocation of positively selected genes with the QTLs of photosynthesis and the different photosynthesis performance of these two cultivars further illuminate the crucial function of photosynthesis in rice adaptation to drought stress. Our results also provide fruitful functional markers and candidate genes for future genetic research and improvement of drought tolerance in rice.
Global nitrogen budgets in cereals: A 50-year assessment for maize, rice and wheat production systems
Authors: Ladha J. K. , Tirol-Padre A. , Reddy C. K. , Cassman K. G. , Verma Sudhir , Powlson D. S. , van Kessel C. , de B. Richter Daniel , Chakraborty Debashis , Pathak Himanshu 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIndustrially produced N-fertilizer is essential to the production of cereals that supports current and projected human populations. We constructed a top-down global N budget for maize, rice and wheat for a 50-year period (1961 to 2010). Cereals harvested a total of 1551 Tg of N, of which 48% was supplied through fertilizer-N and 4% came from net soil depletion. An estimated 48% (737 Tg) of crop N, equal to 29, 38 and 25 kg ha−1 yr−1for maize, rice and wheat, respectively, is contributed by sources other than fertilizer- or soil-N. Non-symbiotic N2fixation appears to be the major source of this N, which is 370 Tg or 24% of total N in the crop, corresponding to 13, 22 and 13 kg ha−1 yr−1for maize, rice and wheat, respectively. Manure (217 Tg or 14%) and atmospheric deposition (96 Tg or 6%) are the other sources of N. Crop residues and seed contribute marginally. Our scaling-down approach to estimate the contribution of non-symbiotic N2fixation is robust because it focuses on global quantities of N in sources and sinks that are easier to estimate, in contrast to estimating N losses per se, because losses are highly soil-, climate- and crop-specific.
Food supply confers calcifiers resistance to ocean acidification
Authors: Ramajo Laura , Pérez-León Elia , Hendriks Iris E. , Marbà Núria , Krause-Jensen Dorte , Sejr Mikael K. , Blicher Martin E. , Lagos Nelson A. , Olsen Ylva S. , Duarte Carlos M. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInvasion of ocean surface waters by anthropogenic CO2 emitted to the atmosphere is expected to reduce surface seawater pH to 7.8 by the end of this century compromising marine calcifiers. A broad range of biological and mineralogical mechanisms allow marine calcifiers to cope with ocean acidification, however these mechanisms are energetically demanding which affect other biological processes (trade-offs) with important implications for the resilience of the organisms against stressful conditions. Hence, food availability may play a critical role in determining the resistance of calcifiers to OA. Here we show, based on a meta-analysis of existing experimental results assessing the role of food supply in the response of organisms to OA, that food supply consistently confers calcifiers resistance to ocean acidification.
Exotic vortex lattices in a rotating binary dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate
Authors: Zhang Xiao-Fei , Wen Lin , Dai Cai-Qing , Dong Rui-Fang , Jiang Hai-Feng , Chang Hong , Zhang Shou-Gang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIn the last decade, considerable advances have been made in the investigation of dipolar quantum gases. Previous theoretical investigations of a rotating binary dipolar Bose-Einstein condensate, where only one component possesses dipole moment, were mainly focused on two special orientations of the dipoles: perpendicular or parallel to the plane of motion. Here we study the ground-state and rotational properties of such a system for an arbitrary orientation of the dipoles. We demonstrate the ground-state vortex structures depend strongly on the relative strength between dipolar and contact interactions and the rotation frequency, as well as on the orientation of the dipoles. In the absence of rotation, the tunable dipolar interaction can be used to induce the squeezing or expansion of the cloud and to derive the phase transition between phase coexistence and separation. Under finite rotation, the system is found to exhibit exotic ground-state vortex configurations, such as kernel-shell, vortex necklace and compensating stripe vortex structures. We also check the validity of the Feynman relation and find no significant deviations from it. The obtained results open up alternate ways for the quantum control of dipolar quantum gases.
Bi deficiency-tuned functionality in multiferroic Bi1-δFe0.95Mn0.05O3 films
Authors: Chen Jingyi , Wang Yao , Wang Hui , Zhang Shuangmei , Deng Yuan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractStructural evolution and ferroelectric (FE)-to-antiferroelectric (AFE) transition behaviors were observed in Bi1-δFe0.95Mn0.05O3 (100)-textured films with a carefully controlled Bi deficiency concentration δ. Raman spectra revealed an orthorhombic structural transition induced by Mn substitution. The polarization-electric field hysteresis loops and capacitance-voltage loops of Bi1-δFe0.95Mn0.05O3 films clearly demonstrated antiferroelectric behavior with increasing δ. The responses of the domain structure of the Bi1-δFe0.95Mn0.05O3 film under positive and negative applied voltages directly suggested the coexistence of FE and AFE phases. The existence of (100) superstructure reflections and antiparallel displacements of the Bi atoms along the [100] direction observed by transmission electron microscopy unambiguously reveal the AFE phase. The chemical substitution-induced orthorhombic structural transition in BiFe0.95Mn0.05O3 film implies that as the δ concentration increases, the changes in Bi-O bonding and the stereochemical activity of Bi 6s lone pair affect both the ferroelectric distortion and the antiferrodistortive rotation and therefore drive the Bi1-δFe0.95Mn0.05O3 crystal lattice to form a PbZrO3-type orthorhombic phase with an AFE order. A continuing increase in Bi deficiency creates defect dipole complexes which produce an internal field leading to a preferred direction of the ferroelectric domain. The Bi deficiency in multiferroic BiFeO3 provides a new route by which to tune functionality.
Anti-nociceptive effect of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in non-inflammatory IBS-like models
Authors: Miquel S. , Martín R. , Lashermes A. , Gillet M. , Meleine M. , Gelot A. , Eschalier A. , Ardid D. , Bermúdez-Humarán L. G. , Sokol H. , Thomas M. , Theodorou V. , Langella P. , Carvalho F. A. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractVisceral pain and intestinal dysbiosis are associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), a common functional gastrointestinal disorder without available efficient therapies. In this study, a decrease of Faecalibacterium prausnitzii presence has been observed in an IBS-like rodent model induced by a neonatal maternal separation (NMS) stress. Moreover, it was investigated whether F. prausnitzii may have an impact on colonic sensitivity. The A2-165 reference strain, but not its supernatant, significantly decreased colonic hypersensitivity induced by either NMS in mice or partial restraint stress in rats. This effect was associated with a reinforcement of intestinal epithelial barrier. Thus, F. prausnitzii exhibits anti-nociceptive properties, indicating its potential to treat abdominal pain in IBS patients.