bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Bi-directional plasticity: Rotifer prey adjust spine length to different predator regimes
Authors: Zhang Huan , Hollander Johan , Hansson Lars-Anders 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNumerous prey organisms, including many rotifers, exhibit inducible defensive plasticity, such as spines, in response to predators. Here, we test the hypothesis that prey modify their defence response to different predator sizes with a bi-directional adjustment in spine length. First, we show experimentally, that large-sized predators induce a reduction in prey spine length. Second, we conducted a complementary field monitoring study showing that the spine length of the prey rotifer Keratella cochlearis changed in opposite directions, in response to the shift in dominance between small-sized and large-sized predators. Third, in order to test the generality of our novel findings, we conducted a meta-analysis covering a wide array of rotifer prey taxa, strengthening the conclusions from our experimental and field studies. Hence, by combining evidence from experiments and studies in the field with a meta-analysis, we, for the first time, demonstrate that rotifer prey distinguish between predators and adjust their protective spine length accordingly, i.e. rapidly adjust spine length to escape either below or above the dominant predator’s gape size window. In a broader perspective, our conclusions advance our knowledge on observed spatial and temporal variations in protective morphologies among prey organisms.
CXCR3 plays a critical role for host protection against Salmonellosis
Authors: Chami Belal , Yeung Amanda , Buckland Michael , Liu Hongjun , M. Fong Genevieve , Tao Kun , Bao Shisan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCXCR3 and its ligands are heavily associated with inflammation and have been implicated in numerous inflammatory diseases. CXCR3 plays an important role in recruiting pro-inflammatory cells, specifically neutrophils, in a model of sterile colitis whereby CXCR3−/− mice showed an attenuated course of colitis with markedly reduced host-tissue damage in the inflamed caecum. The role of CXCR3 during infectious colitis, however, is unclear and therefore in this study, we investigated the role of CXCR3 in the regulation of the immune response during acute and chronic gastrointestinal infection, using a murine model of Salmonella enterica serovar Enteritidis. During acute infection with Salmonella, we observed significantly increased Salmonella loading in the caecum and dissemination to the spleen and liver in CXCR3−/− mice, but not in Wt counterparts. During chronic infection, increased pathological features of inflammation were noted in the spleen and liver, with significantly increased levels of apoptosis in the liver of CXCR3−/− mice, when compared to Wt counterparts. In addition, compromised intestinal IgA levels, CD4+ helper T cells and neutrophil recruitment were observed in CXCR3−/− challenged with Salmonella, when compared to Wt counterparts. Our data suggests that CXCR3 is a key molecule in host intestinal immunity against Salmonellosis via regulating neutrophils chemotaxis.
Epigenetic Regulation of PLIN
1 in Obese Women and its Relation to Lipolysis
Authors: Bialesova Lucia , Kulyté Agné , Petrus Paul , Sinha Indranil , Laurencikiene Jurga , Zhao Chunyan , Wright Karin Dahlman , Arner Peter , Dahlman Ingrid 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIncreased adipocyte lipolysis links obesity to insulin resistance. The lipid droplet coating-protein Perilipin participates in regulation of lipolysis and is implicated in obesity. In the present study we investigate epigenetic regulation of the PLIN1 gene by correlating PLIN1 CpG methylation to gene expression and lipolysis, and functionally evaluating PLIN1 promoter methylation. PLIN1 CpG methylation in adipocytes and gene expression in white adipose tissue (WAT) was quantified in two cohorts by array. Basal lipolysis in WAT explants and adipocytes was quantified by measuring glycerol release. CpG-methylation of the PLIN1 promoter in adipocytes from obese women was higher as compared to never-obese women. PLIN1 promoter methylation was inversely correlated with PLIN1 mRNA expression and the lipolytic activity. Human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) differentiated in vitro into adipocytes and harboring methylated PLIN1 promoter displayed decreased reporter gene activity as compared to hMSCs harboring unmethylated promoter. Treatment of hMSCs differentiated in vitro into adipocytes with a DNA methyltransferase inhibitor increased levels of PLIN1 mRNA and protein. In conclusion, the PLIN1 gene is epigenetically regulated and promoter methylation is inversely correlated with basal lipolysis in women suggesting that epigenetic regulation of PLIN1 is important for increased adipocyte lipolysis in insulin resistance states.
Learning performance is linked to procedural memory consolidation across both sleep and wakefulness
Authors: Rångtell Frida H. , Karamchedu Swathy , Andersson Peter , van Egmond Lieve , Hultgren Tyra , Broman Jan-Erik , Cedernaes Jonathan , Benedict Christian 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe investigated whether learning performance in a procedural finger tapping task ﻿﻿before nocturnal sleep﻿﻿ would﻿ predict performance gains after sleep in 60 young adults. Gains were defined as change in correctly tapped digit sequences between learning (12 trials﻿ ad﻿minist﻿er﻿ed in the evening) and retesting (3 ﻿trials﻿ administere﻿d in the morning after sleep). The same task was also administered to a separate wake group (N = 54 young adults), which learned in the morning and was retested in the evening.﻿ Learning performance was determined by either using the average performance on the last three learning trials or the a﻿verage performance on the best three learning trials. Our results demonstrated an inverse association between learning performance and gains in procedural skill, i.e., good learners exhibited smaller performance gains﻿ across ﻿both wakefulness and sleep than poor learners. Regardless of learning performance, gains in finger tapping skills were greater after sleep than daytime wakefulness. Importantly, some of our findings were influenced by how learning performance was estimated. Collectively, these results suggest that learning performance and the method through which it is estimated may influence performance gains in finger tapping skills across both sleep and wakefulness.
A Two-Step Growth Pathway for High Sb Incorporation in GaAsSb Nanowires in the Telecommunication Wavelength Range
Authors: Ahmad Estiak , Karim Md Rezaul , Hafiz Shihab Bin , Reynolds C Lewis , Liu Yang , Iyer Shanthi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSelf-catalyzed growth of axial GaAs1−xSbx nanowire (NW) arrays with bandgap tuning corresponding to the telecommunication wavelength of 1.3 µm poses a challenge, as the growth mechanism for axial configuration is primarily thermodynamically driven by the vapor-liquid-solid growth process. A systematic study carried out on the effects of group V/III beam equivalent (BEP) ratios and substrate temperature (Tsub) on the chemical composition in NWs and NW density revealed the efficacy of a two-step growth temperature sequence (initiating the growth at relatively higher Tsub = 620 °C and then continuing the growth at lower Tsub) as a promising approach for obtaining high-density NWs at higher Sb compositions. The dependence of the Sb composition in the NWs on the growth parameters investigated has been explained by an analytical relationship between the effective vapor composition and NW composition using relevant kinetic parameters. A two-step growth approach along with a gradual variation in Ga-BEP for offsetting the consumption of the droplets has been explored to realize long NWs with homogeneous Sb composition up to 34 at.% and photoluminescence emission reaching 1.3 µm at room temperature.
Neuroblastoma patient-derived xenograft cells cultured in stem-cell promoting medium retain tumorigenic and metastatic capacities but differentiate in serum
Authors: Persson Camilla U. , von Stedingk Kristoffer , Bexell Daniel , Merselius My , Braekeveldt Noémie , Gisselsson David , Arsenian-Henriksson Marie , Påhlman Sven , Wigerup Caroline 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCultured cancer cells serve as important models for preclinical testing of anti-cancer compounds. However, the optimal conditions for retaining original tumor features during in vitro culturing of cancer cells have not been investigated in detail. Here we show that serum-free conditions are critical for maintaining an immature phenotype of neuroblastoma cells isolated from orthotopic patient-derived xenografts (PDXs). PDX cells could be grown either as spheres or adherent on laminin in serum-free conditions with retained patient-specific genomic aberrations as well as tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities. However, addition of serum led to morphological changes, neuronal differentiation and reduced cell proliferation. The epidermal growth factor (EGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) were central for PDX cell proliferation and MYCN expression, and also hindered the serum-induced differentiation. Although serum induced a robust expression of neurotrophin receptors, stimulation with their cognate ligands did not induce further sympathetic differentiation, which likely reflects a block in PDX cell differentiation capacity coupled to their tumor genotype. Finally, PDX cells cultured as spheres or adherent on laminin responded similarly to various cytotoxic drugs, suggesting that both conditions are suitable in vitro screening models for neuroblastoma-targeting compounds.
The paradox of highly effective sofosbuvir-based combination therapy despite slow viral decline: can we still rely on viral kinetics?
Authors: Nguyen Thi Huyen Tram , Guedj Jérémie , Uprichard Susan L. , Kohli Anita , Kottilil Shyam , Perelson Alan S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHigh sustained virologic response (SVR) rates have been observed after 6 weeks of anti-HCV treatment using sofosbuvir, ledipasvir and a non-nucleoside polymerase-inhibitor (GS-9669) or a protease-inhibitor (GS-9451) and after 12 weeks with sofosbuvir + ledipasvir. Here we analyze the viral kinetics observed during these treatments to decipher the origin of the rapid cure and to evaluate the possibility of further reducing treatment duration. We found that viral kinetics were surprisingly slow in all treatment groups and could not reproduce the high SVR rates observed. Based on experimental results suggesting that NS5A- or protease-inhibitors can generate non-infectious virus, we incorporated this effect into a mathematical model. We found that to predict observed SVR rates it was necessary to assume that ledipasvir, GS-9669 and GS-9451 rapidly reduce virus infectivity. We predicted with this model that 4 weeks of triple therapy could be sufficient to achieve SVR in patients with undetectable viremia at week 1, but would be suboptimal in general. In conclusion, the rapid cure rate achieved with these combinations is largely disconnected from viral loads measured during treatment. A model assuming that rapid cure is due to a drug effect of generating non-infectious virus could be a basis for future response guided therapy.
Intracellular Chloride Regulation in AVP+ and VIP+ Neurons of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus
Authors: Klett Nathan J. , Allen Charles N. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSeveral reports have described excitatory GABA transmission in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the master pacemaker of circadian physiology. However, there is disagreement regarding the prevalence, timing, and neuronal location of excitatory GABA transmission in the SCN. Whether GABA is inhibitory or excitatory depends, in part, on the intracellular concentration of chloride ([Cl−]i). Here, using ratiometric Cl− imaging, we have investigated intracellular chloride regulation in AVP and VIP-expressing SCN neurons and found evidence suggesting that [Cl−]i is higher during the day than during the night in both AVP+ and VIP+ neurons. We then investigated the contribution of the cation chloride cotransporters to setting [Cl−]i in these SCN neurons and found that the chloride uptake transporter NKCC1 contributes to [Cl−]i regulation in SCN neurons, but that the KCCs are the primary regulators of [Cl−]i in SCN neurons. Interestingly, we observed that [Cl−]i is differentially regulated between AVP+ and VIP+ neurons-a low concentration of the loop diuretic bumetanide had differential effects on AVP+ and VIP+ neurons, while blocking the KCCs with VU0240551 had a larger effect on VIP+ neurons compared to AVP+ neurons.
The First Call Note Plays a Crucial Role in Frog Vocal Communication
Authors: Yue Xizi , Fan Yanzhu , Xue Fei , Brauth Steven E. , Tang Yezhong , Fang Guangzhan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVocal Communication plays a crucial role in survival and reproductive success in most amphibian species. Although amphibian communication sounds are often complex consisting of many temporal features, we know little about the biological significance of each temporal component. The present study examined the biological significance of notes of the male advertisement calls of the Emei music frog (Babina daunchina) using the optimized electroencephalogram (EEG) paradigm of mismatch negativity (MMN). Music frog calls generally contain four to six notes separated approximately by 150 millisecond intervals. A standard stimulus (white noise) and five deviant stimuli (five notes from one advertisement call) were played back to each subject while simultaneously recording multi-channel EEG signals. The results showed that the MMN amplitude for the first call note was significantly larger than for that of the others. Moreover, the MMN amplitudes evoked from the left forebrain and midbrain were typically larger than those from the right counterpart. These results are consistent with the ideas that the first call note conveys more information than the others for auditory recognition and that there is left-hemisphere dominance for processing information derived from conspecific calls in frogs.
Ecological and functional adaptations to water management in a semiarid agroecosystem: a soil metaproteomics approach
Authors: Starke Robert , Bastida Felipe , Abadía Joaquín , García Carlos , Nicolás Emilio , Jehmlich Nico 
Published: August 2017

AbstractClimate change models point to a decrease in water availability in semiarid areas that would compromise the maintenance of sustainable agriculture. Here, we used a grapefruit agroecosystem model to evaluate the responses of the active soil microbial community – as a microbial subset directly involved in soil functionality- undergoing strategies to cope with the low water availability in south-east Spain. For this purpose, we tested the impacts of: (i) water quality: transfer-water from a river (TW) or reclaimed-water from a wastewater-treatment plant (RW); and (ii) water quantity: continuous optimal amount of water or reduced irrigation (RDI) in the temporal frame when the crop is less sensitive; and their interactions. Metaproteomics revealed that the phylogenetic diversity of the active community and its functional diversity were lowered in soils with RW. RDI lowered soil respiration and functional diversity while the phylogenetic diversity remained constant. The reestablishment of full irrigation after RDI led to a recovery of soil respiration that was accompanied by an enhanced abundance of resilient bacterial populations. Bacterial populations displayed molecular mechanisms against water stress that have been conserved evolutionarily in plants. Protein-based studies shed light on ecological and functional mechanisms that govern the adaptive responses of soil microbial communities to climate-change friendly water management.
Rapid Fabrication of Graphene Field-Effect Transistors with Liquid-metal Interconnects and Electrolytic Gate Dielectric Made of Honey
Authors: Ordonez Richard C. , Hayashi Cody K. , Torres Carlos M. , Melcher Jordan L. , Kamin Nackieb , Severa Godwin , Garmire David 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHistorically, graphene-based transistor fabrication has been time-consuming due to the high demand for carefully controlled Raman spectroscopy, physical vapor deposition, and lift-off processes. For the first time in a three-terminal graphene field-effect transistor embodiment, we introduce a rapid fabrication technique that implements non-toxic eutectic liquid-metal Galinstan interconnects and an electrolytic gate dielectric comprised of honey. The goal is to minimize cost and turnaround time between fabrication runs; thereby, allowing researchers to focus on the characterization of graphene phenomena that drives innovation rather than a lengthy device fabrication process that hinders it. We demonstrate characteristic Dirac peaks for a single-gate graphene field-effect transistor embodiment that exhibits hole and electron mobilities of 213 ± 15 and 166 ± 5 cm2/V·s respectively. We discuss how our methods can be used for the rapid determination of graphene quality and can complement Raman Spectroscopy techniques. Lastly, we explore a PN junction embodiment which further validates that our fabrication techniques can rapidly adapt to alternative device architectures and greatly broaden the research applicability.
Ultra-broad Mid-IR Supercontinuum Generation in Single, Bi and Tri Layer Graphene Nano-Plasmonic waveguides pumping at Low Input Peak Powers
Authors: Bobba Swetha S. , Agrawal Arti 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis article presents four different plasmonic structures using Graphene which yielded an efficient plasmonic mode with low loss for Supercontinuum(SC) generation. At an operating wavelength of 1550 nm in these structures, we generated a multi-octave broadband SC spectrum ranging from 1.5 um–25 um at a low input peak power of 1 W. Due to pumping in the anomalous dispersion region with two Zero Dispersion Wavelengths (ZDWs) and the process of cross phase modulation with soliton fission, red-shifted dispersive waves were generated which led to large broadening from 1.5 um–25 um. Two other Supercontinua ranging from 1–10 um and 0.85–2.2 um also at low input peak powers of 2 W and 0.1 W respectively were generated. These three supercontinua are useful for applications in the fields of biomedical sensors, spectroscopy, fluorescence lifetime imaging and in the design of many other new optical devices. Furthermore, we have also discussed our results on behaviour of Graphene as a metal, even without the negative real value of dielectric constant.
Architecture for Directed Transport of Superparamagnetic Microbeads in a Magnetic Domain Wall Routing Network
Authors: Rapoport Elizabeth , Beach Geoffrey S. D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDirected transport of biological species across the surface of a substrate is essential for realizing lab-on-chip technologies. Approaches that utilize localized magnetic fields to manipulate magnetic particles carrying biological entities are attractive owing to their sensitivity, selectivity, and minimally disruptive impact on biomaterials. Magnetic domain walls in magnetic tracks produce strong localized fields and can be used to capture, transport, and detect individual superparamagnetic microbeads. The dynamics of magnetic microbead transport by domain walls has been well studied. However, demonstration of more complex functions such as selective motion and sorting using continuously driven domain walls in contiguous magnetic tracks is lacking. Here, a junction architecture is introduced that allows for branching networks in which superparamagnetic microbeads can be routed along dynamically-selected paths by a combination of rotating in-plane field for translation, and a pulsed out-of-plane field for path selection. Moreover, experiments and modeling show that the select-field amplitude is bead-size dependent, which allows for digital sorting of multiple bead populations using automated field sequences. This work provides a simple means to implement complex routing networks and selective transport functionalities in chip-based devices using magnetic domain wall conduits.
Predicting the Ionic Product of Water
Authors: Perlt Eva , von Domaros Michael , Kirchner Barbara , Ludwig Ralf , Weinhold Frank 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present a first-principles calculation and mechanistic characterization of the ion product of liquid water (K
W
), based on Quantum Cluster Equilibrium (QCE) theory with a variety of ab initio and density functional methods. The QCE method is based on T-dependent Boltzmann weighting of different-sized clusters and consequently enables the observation of thermodynamically less favored and therefore low populated species such as hydronium and hydroxide ions in water. We find that common quantum chemical methods achieve semi-quantitative accuracy in predicting K
W
and its T-dependence. Dominant ion-pair water clusters of the QCE equilibrium distribution are found to exhibit stable 2-coordinate buttress-type motifs, all with maximally Grotthus-ordered H-bond patterns that successfully prevent recombination of hydronium and hydroxide ions at 3-coordinate bridgehead sites. We employ standard quantum chemistry techniques to describe kinetic and mechanistic aspects of ion-pair formation, and we obtain NBO-based bonding indices to characterize other electronic, structural, spectroscopic, and reactive properties of cluster-mediated ionic dissociation.
Gene expression analysis of whole blood RNA from pigs infected with low and high pathogenic African swine fever viruses
Authors: Jaing Crystal , Rowland Raymond R. R. , Allen Jonathan E. , Certoma Andrea , Thissen James B. , Bingham John , Rowe Brenton , White John R. , Wynne James W. , Johnson Dayna , Gaudreault Natasha N. , Williams David T. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAfrican swine fever virus (ASFV) is a macrophage-tropic virus responsible for ASF, a transboundary disease that threatens swine production world-wide. Since there are no vaccines available to control ASF after an outbreak, obtaining an understanding of the virus-host interaction is important for developing new intervention strategies. In this study, a whole transcriptomic RNA-Seq method was used to characterize differentially expressed genes in pigs infected with a low pathogenic ASFV isolate, OUR T88/3 (OURT), or the highly pathogenic Georgia 2007/1 (GRG). After infection, pigs infected with OURT showed no or few clinical signs; whereas, GRG produced clinical signs consistent with acute ASF. RNA-Seq detected the expression of ASFV genes from the whole blood of the GRG, but not the OURT pigs, consistent with the pathotypes of these strains and the replication of GRG in circulating monocytes. Even though GRG and OURT possess different pathogenic properties, there was significant overlap in the most upregulated host genes. A small number of differentially expressed microRNAs were also detected in GRG and OURT pigs. These data confirm previous studies describing the response of macrophages and lymphocytes to ASFV infection, as well as reveal unique gene pathways upregulated in response to infection with GRG.