bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin promotes triacylglycerol accumulation via MT2 receptor during differentiation in bovine intramuscular preadipocytes
Authors: Yang Wucai , Tang Keqiong , Wang Yaning , Zhang Yingying , Zan Linsen 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMelatonin (N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is a derivative of tryptophan which is produced and secreted mainly by the pineal gland and regulates a variety of important central and peripheral actions. To examine the potential effects of melatonin on the proliferation and differentiation of bovine intramuscular preadipocytes (BIPs), BIPs were incubated with different concentrations of melatonin. Melatonin supplementation at 1 mM significantly increased peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein (C/EBP) β, and C/EBPα expression and promoted the differentiation of BIPs into adipocytes with large lipid droplets and high cellular triacylglycerol (TAG) levels. Melatonin also significantly enhanced lipolysis and up-regulated the expression of lipolytic genes and proteins, including hormone sensitive lipase (HSL), adipocyte triglyceride lipase (ATGL), and perilipin 1 (PLIN1). Moreover, melatonin reduced intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels by increasing the expression levels and activities of superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Finally, the positive effects of melatonin on adipogenesis, lipolysis, and redox status were reversed by treatment with luzindole, anantagonist of nonspecific melatonin receptors 1 (MT1) and 2 (MT2), and 4-phenyl-2-propionamidotetraline (4P-PDOT), a selective MT2 antagonist. These results reveal that melatonin promotes TAG accumulation via MT2 receptor during differentiation in BIPs.
Anaerobic digestion of pig manure supernatant at high ammonia concentrations characterized by high abundances of Methanosaeta and non-euryarchaeotal archaea
Authors: Nordgård Anna Synnøve Røstad , Bergland Wenche Hennie , Vadstein Olav , Mironov Vladimir , Bakke Rune , Østgaard Kjetill , Bakke Ingrid 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe examined the effect of ammonium and temperature on methane production in high rate upflow anaerobic sludge bed reactors treating pig manure supernatant. We operated four reactors at two ammonium concentrations (‘low’ at 1.9, ‘high’ at 3.7 g L−1, termed LA and HA reactors, respectively) and at variable temperatures over 358 days. Archaeal and bacterial communities were characterized by Illumina sequencing of 16S rRNA amplicons. Ammonium was a major selective factor for bacterial and archaeal community structure. After ~200 days of adaptation to high ammonium levels, acetate and propionate removal and methane production improved substantially in HA reactors. Aceticlastic Methanosaeta was abundant and positively correlated to methane yield in the HA reactors, whereas Methanosarcina was more abundant in LA reactors. Furthermore, a group of monophyletic OTUs that was related to Thaumarchaeota in phylogenetic analysis was highly abundant in the archaeal communities, particularly in the HA reactors. The most abundant bacterial OTU in LA reactors, representing Syntrophomonadaceae, was also positively correlated to methane yield in the HA reactors, indicating its importance in methane production under ammonia stress. In conclusion, efficient methane production, involving aceticlastic methanogenesis by Methanosaeta took place in the reactors at free ammonia concentrations as high as 1 g L−1.
Genome-wide Association Study of Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head
Authors: Sakamoto Yuma , Yamamoto Takuaki , Sugano Nobuhiko , Takahashi Daisuke , Watanabe Toshiyuki , Atsumi Takashi , Nakamura Junichi , Hasegawa Yukiharu , Akashi Koichi , Narita Ichiei , Miyamoto Takeshi , Takeuchi Tsutomu , Ikari Katsunori , Amano Koichi , Fujie Atsuhiro , Kubo Toshikazu , Tada Yoshifumi , Kaneuji Ayumi , Nakamura Hiroaki , Miyamura Tomoya , Kabata Tamon , Yamaji Ken , Okawa Takahiro , Sudo Akihiro , Ohzono Kenji , Tanaka Yoshiya , Yasunaga Yuji , Matsuda Shuichi , Imai Yuuki ,   Japanese Research Committee on Idiopathic Osteonecrosis of the Femoral Head, Nakashima Yasuharu , Motomura Goro , Ikemura Satoshi , Yamaguchi Ryosuke , Karasuyama Kazuyuki , Sonoda Kazuhiko , Nishii Takashi , Sakai Takashi , Takao Masaki , Irie Tohru , Asano Tsuyoshi , Iwasaki Norimasa , Atsumi Tatsuya , Tamaoki Satoshi , Nakanishi Ryosuke , Tanabe Satoe , Kishida Shunji , Hagiwara Shigeo , Seki Taisuke , Tsukamoto Hiroshi , Niiro Hiroaki , Arinobu Yojiro , Akahoshi Mitsuteru , Mitoma Hiroshi , Ayano Masahiro , Kuroda Takeshi , Toyama Yoshiaki , Funayama Atsushi , Hanaoka Hironari , Yamaoka Kunihiro , Kawaguchi Yasushi , Yamanaka Hisashi , Hosozawa Tetsuji , Momohara Shigeki , Chino Kentaro , Fujioka Mikihiro , Ueshima Keichiro , Ishida Masashi , Saito Masazumi , Hayashi Shigeki , Ikegami Akira , Ichiseki Toru , Mizokawa Shigekazu , Ohta Yoichi , Kajino Yoshitomo , Sekiya Fumio , Higuchi Fujio , Hasegawa Masahiro , Miyamoto Noriki , Miyazaki Shinichi , Yamaguchi Toshio , Ando Wataru , Saito Kazuyoshi , Nakano Kazuhisa , Kuroda Yutaka , Yamasaki Takuma , Akiyama Masato , Kubo Michiaki , Kamatani Yoichiro , Iwamoto Yukihide , Ikegawa Shiro 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIdiopathic osteonecrosis of the femoral head (IONFH) is an ischemic disorder that causes bone necrosis of the femoral head, resulting in hip joint dysfunction. IONFH is a polygenic disease and steroid and alcohol have already known to increase its risk; however, the mechanism of IONFH remains to be elucidated. We performed a genome-wide association study using ~60,000 subjects and found two novel loci on chromosome 20q12 and 12q24. Big data analyses identified LINC01370 as a candidate susceptibility gene in the 20q12 locus. Stratified analysis by IONFH risk factors suggested that the 12q24 locus was associated with IONFH through drinking capacity. Our findings would shed new light on pathophysiology of IONFH.
Conduction-band effective mass and bandgap of ZnSnN2 earth-abundant solar absorber
Authors: Cao Xiang , Kawamura Fumio , Ninomiya Yoshihiko , Taniguchi Takashi , Yamada Naoomi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPseudo III-V nitride ZnSnN2 is an earth-abundant semiconductor with a high optical absorption coefficient in the solar spectrum. Its bandgap can be tuned by controlling the cation sublattice disorder. Thus, it is a potential candidate for photovoltaic absorber materials. However, its important basic properties such as the intrinsic bandgap and effective mass have not yet been quantitatively determined. This paper presents a detailed optical absorption analysis of disordered ZnSnN2 degenerately doped with oxygen (ZnSnN2−x
O
x
) in the ultraviolet to infrared region to determine the conduction-band effective mass (mc*) and intrinsic bandgap (Eg). ZnSnN2−x
O
x
epilayers are n-type degenerate semiconductors, which exhibit clear free-electron absorption in the infrared region. By analysing the free-electron absorption using the Drude model, mc* was determined to be (0.37 ± 0.05)m0 (m0 denotes the free electron mass). The fundamental absorption edge in the visible to ultraviolet region shows a blue shift with increasing electron density. The analysis of the blue shift in the framework of the Burstein-Moss effect gives the Eg value of 0.94 ± 0.02 eV. We believe that the findings of this study will provide important information to establish this material as a photovoltaic absorber.
Updating the Geologic Barcodes for South China: Discovery of Late Archean Banded Iron Formations in the Yangtze Craton
Authors: Ye Hui , Wu Chang-Zhi , Yang Tao , Santosh M. , Yao Xi-Zhu , Gao Bing-Fei , Wang Xiao-Lei , Li Weiqiang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBanded iron formations (BIFs) in Archean cratons provide important “geologic barcodes” for the global correlation of Precambrian sedimentary records. Here we report the first finding of late Archean BIFs from the Yangtze Craton, one of largest Precambrian blocks in East Asia with an evolutionary history of over 3.3 Ga. The Yingshan iron deposit at the northeastern margin of the Yangtze Craton, displays typical features of BIF, including: (i) alternating Si-rich and Fe-rich bands at sub-mm to meter scales; (ii) high SiO2 + Fe2O3total contents (average 90.6 wt.%) and Fe/Ti ratios (average 489); (iii) relative enrichment of heavy rare earth elements and positive Eu anomalies (average 1.42); (iv) and sedimentary Fe isotope compositions (δ56FeIRMM-014 as low as −0.36‰). The depositional age of the BIF is constrained at ~2464 ± 24 Ma based on U-Pb dating of zircon grains from a migmatite sample of a volcanic protolith that conformably overlied the Yingshan BIF. The BIF was intruded by Neoproterozoic (805.9 ± 4.7 Ma) granitoids that are unique in the Yangtze Craton but absent in the North China Craton to the north. The discovery of the Yingshan BIF provides new constraints for the tectonic evolution of the Yangtze Craton and has important implications in the reconstruction of Pre-Nuna/Columbia supercontinent configurations.
Spatial Distribution of Carbon Stored in Forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo
Authors: Xu Liang , Saatchi Sassan S. , Shapiro Aurélie , Meyer Victoria , Ferraz Antonio , Yang Yan , Bastin Jean-Francois , Banks Norman , Boeckx Pascal , Verbeeck Hans , Lewis Simon L. , Muanza Elvis Tshibasu , Bongwele Eddy , Kayembe Francois , Mbenza Daudet , Kalau Laurent , Mukendi Franck , Ilunga Francis , Ebuta Daniel 
Published: November 2017

AbstractNational forest inventories in tropical regions are sparse and have large uncertainty in capturing the physiographical variations of forest carbon across landscapes. Here, we produce for the first time the spatial patterns of carbon stored in forests of Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) by using airborne LiDAR inventory of more than 432,000 ha of forests based on a designed probability sampling methodology. The LiDAR mean top canopy height measurements were trained to develop an unbiased carbon estimator by using 92 1-ha ground plots distributed across key forest types in DRC. LiDAR samples provided estimates of mean and uncertainty of aboveground carbon density at provincial scales and were combined with optical and radar satellite imagery in a machine learning algorithm to map forest height and carbon density over the entire country. By using the forest definition of DRC, we found a total of 23.3 ± 1.6 GtC carbon with a mean carbon density of 140 ± 9 MgC ha−1 in the aboveground and belowground live trees. The probability based LiDAR samples capture variations of structure and carbon across edaphic and climate conditions, and provide an alternative approach to national ground inventory for efficient and precise assessment of forest carbon resources for emission reduction (ER) programs.
Serology reflects a decline in the prevalence of trachoma in two regions of The Gambia
Authors: Migchelsen Stephanie J. , Sepúlveda Nuno , Martin Diana L. , Cooley Gretchen , Gwyn Sarah , Pickering Harry , Joof Hassan , Makalo Pateh , Bailey Robin , Burr Sarah E. , Mabey David C. W. , Solomon Anthony W. , Roberts Chrissy h. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTrachoma is caused by Chlamydia trachomatis (Ct). It is targeted for global elimination as a public health problem. In 2014, a population-based cross-sectional study was performed in two previously trachoma-endemic areas of The Gambia. Participants of all ages from Lower River Region (LRR) (N = 1028) and Upper River Region (URR) (N = 840) underwent examination for trachoma and had blood collected for detection of antibodies against the Ct antigen Pgp3, by ELISA. Overall, 30 (1.6%) individuals had active trachoma; the prevalence in children aged 1–9 years was 3.4% (25/742) with no statistically significant difference in prevalence between the regions. There was a significant difference in overall seroprevalence by region: 26.2% in LRR and 17.1% in URR (p < 0.0001). In children 1–9 years old, seroprevalence was 4.4% in LRR and 3.9% in URR. Reversible catalytic models using information on age-specific seroprevalence demonstrated a decrease in the transmission of Ct infection in both regions, possibly reflecting the impact of improved access to water, health and sanitation as well as mass drug administration campaigns. Serological testing for antibodies to Ct antigens is potentially useful for trachoma programmes, but consideration should be given to the co-endemicity of sexually transmitted Ct infections.
Visualization of lipid directed dynamics of perilipin 1 in human primary adipocytes
Authors: Hansen Jesper S. , de Maré Sofia , Jones Helena A. , Göransson Olga , Lindkvist-Petersson Karin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPerilipin 1 is a lipid droplet coating protein known to regulate lipid metabolism in adipocytes by serving as a physical barrier as well as a recruitment site for lipases to the lipid droplet. Phosphorylation of perilipin 1 by protein kinase A rapidly initiates lipolysis, but the detailed mechanism on how perilipin 1 controls lipolysis is unknown. Here, we identify specific lipid binding properties of perilipin 1 that regulate the dynamics of lipolysis in human primary adipocytes. Cellular imaging combined with biochemical and biophysical analyses demonstrate that perilipin 1 specifically binds to cholesteryl esters, and that their dynamic properties direct segregation of perilipin 1 into topologically distinct micro domains on the lipid droplet. Together, our data points to a simple unifying mechanism that lipid assembly and segregation control lipolysis in human primary adipocytes.
The Bacillus BioBrick Box 2.0: expanding the genetic toolbox for the standardized work with Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Popp Philipp F. , Dotzler Mona , Radeck Jara , Bartels Julia , Mascher Thorsten 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStandardized and well-characterized genetic building blocks allow the convenient assembly of novel genetic modules and devices, ensuring reusability of parts and reproducibility of experiments. In the first Bacillus subtilis-specific toolbox using the BioBrick standard, we presented integrative vectors, promoters, reporter genes and epitope tags for this Gram-positive model bacterium. With the Bacillus BioBrick Box 2.0, we significantly expand the range of our toolbox by providing new integrative vectors, introducing novel tools for fine-tuning protein expression, and carefully evaluating codon-adapted fluorescence proteins in B. subtilis, which cover the whole spectrum of visible light. Moreover, we developed new reporter systems to allow evaluating the strength of promoters and ribosome binding sites. This well-evaluated extension of our BioBrick-based toolbox increases the accessibility of B. subtilis and will therefore promote the use of this model bacterium and biotechnological workhorse as a host for fundamental and applied Synthetic Biology projects.
Reconstruction of Complex Network based on the Noise via QR Decomposition and Compressed Sensing
Authors: Li Lixiang , Xu Dafei , Peng Haipeng , Kurths Jürgen , Yang Yixian 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIt is generally known that the states of network nodes are stable and have strong correlations in a linear network system. We find that without the control input, the method of compressed sensing can not succeed in reconstructing complex networks in which the states of nodes are generated through the linear network system. However, noise can drive the dynamics between nodes to break the stability of the system state. Therefore, a new method integrating QR decomposition and compressed sensing is proposed to solve the reconstruction problem of complex networks under the assistance of the input noise. The state matrix of the system is decomposed by QR decomposition. We construct the measurement matrix with the aid of Gaussian noise so that the sparse input matrix can be reconstructed by compressed sensing. We also discover that noise can build a bridge between the dynamics and the topological structure. Experiments are presented to show that the proposed method is more accurate and more efficient to reconstruct four model networks and six real networks by the comparisons between the proposed method and only compressed sensing. In addition, the proposed method can reconstruct not only the sparse complex networks, but also the dense complex networks.
The genomic landscape of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors: diverse drivers of Ras pathway activation
Authors: Brohl Andrew S. , Kahen Elliot , Yoder Sean J. , Teer Jamie K. , Reed Damon R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMalignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor (MPNST) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma. To more fully characterize the genomic landscape of this tumor type, we performed next generation sequencing studies for mutational and copy number analysis. We analyzed whole exome sequencing data from 12 MPNST and SNP arrays for a subset of these. We additionally conducted a literature review of prior next generation sequencing studies in this disease and compared to the current study. We report recurrent mutations in NF1, SUZ12, EED, TP53 and CDKN2A in our study cohort. Combined with prior studies, we calculate the disease specific incidence of mutation in these genes to be: NF1 (56/64 = 87.5%). SUZ12 (69/123 = 56.1%), EED (40/123 = 32.5%), TP53 (29/72 = 40.3%), and CDKN2A (54/72 = 75.0%). Notably, we also identified frequent Ras pathway activating somatic mutations outside of these previously reported recurrently mutated genes. Five of the 12 MPNST in our cohort (42%) contained such a mutation. In conclusion, our study adds to the growing understanding of the genomic complexity of MPNST. We report a previously underappreciated frequency and variety of secondary or tertiary Ras pathway activating mutations, though not highly recurrent in a single gene.
Novel Plasmodium antigens identified via genome-based antibody screen induce protection associated with polyfunctional T cell responses
Authors: Schussek Sophie , Trieu Angela , Apte Simon H. , Sidney John , Sette Alessandro , Doolan Denise L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe development of vaccines against complex intracellular pathogens, such as Plasmodium spp., where protection is likely mediated by cellular immune responses, has proven elusive. The availability of whole genome, proteome and transcriptome data has the potential to advance rational vaccine development but yet there are no licensed vaccines against malaria based on antigens identified from genomic data. Here, we show that the Plasmodium yoelii orthologs of four Plasmodium falciparum proteins identified by an antibody-based genome-wide screening strategy induce a high degree of sterile infection-blocking protection against sporozoite challenge in a stringent rodent malaria model. Protection increased in multi-antigen formulations. Importantly, protection was highly correlated with the induction of multifunctional triple-positive T cells expressing high amounts of IFN-γ, IL-2 and TNF. These data demonstrate that antigens identified by serological screening are targets of multifunctional cellular immune responses that correlate with protection. Our results provide experimental validation for the concept of rational vaccine design from genomic sequence data.
Protein nutrition governs within-host race of honey bee pathogens
Authors: Tritschler Manuel , Vollmann Jutta J. , Yañez Orlando , Chejanovsky Nor , Crailsheim Karl , Neumann Peter 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMultiple infections are common in honey bees, Apis mellifera, but the possible role of nutrition in this regard is poorly understood. Microsporidian infections, which are promoted by protein-fed, can negatively correlate with virus infections, but the role of protein nutrition for the microsporidian-virus interface is unknown. Here, we challenged naturally deformed wing virus - B (DWV-B) infected adult honey bee workers fed with or without pollen ( = protein) in hoarding cages, with the microsporidian Nosema ceranae. Bee mortality was recorded for 14 days and N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers were quantified. Amongst the groups inoculated with N. ceranae, more spores were counted in protein-fed bees. However, N. ceranae infected bees without protein-diet had reduced longevity compared to all other groups. N. ceranae infection had no effect on protein-fed bee’s longevity, whereas bees supplied only with sugar-water showed reduced survival. Our data also support that protein-feeding can have a significant negative impact on virus infections in insects. The negative correlation between N. ceranae spore loads and DWV-B titers was stronger expressed in protein-fed hosts. Proteins not only enhance survival of infected hosts, but also significantly shape the microsporidian-virus interface, probably due to increased spore production and enhanced host immunity.
Establishing zebrafish as a model to study the anxiolytic effects of scopolamine
Authors: Hamilton Trevor J. , Morrill Adam , Lucas Kayla , Gallup Joshua , Harris Megan , Healey Meghan , Pitman Taylor , Schalomon Melike , Digweed Shannon , Tresguerres Martin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractScopolamine (hyoscine) is a muscarinic acetylcholine receptor antagonist that has traditionally been used to treat motion sickness in humans. However, studies investigating depressed and bipolar populations have found that scopolamine is also effective at reducing depression and anxiety symptoms. The potential anxiety-reducing (anxiolytic) effects of scopolamine could have great clinical implications for humans; however, rats and mice administered scopolamine showed increased anxiety in standard behavioural tests. This is in direct contrast to findings in humans, and complicates studies to elucidate the specific mechanisms of scopolamine action. The aim of this study was to assess the suitability of zebrafish as a model system to test anxiety-like compounds using scopolamine. Similar to humans, scopolamine acted as an anxiolytic in individual behavioural tests (novel approach test and novel tank diving test). The anxiolytic effect of scopolamine was dose dependent and biphasic, reaching maximum effect at 800 µM. Scopolamine (800 µM) also had an anxiolytic effect in a group behavioural test, as it significantly decreased their tendency to shoal. These results establish zebrafish as a model organism for studying the anxiolytic effects of scopolamine, its mechanisms of action and side effects.
Decreased absolute numbers of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells during aging in herpes zoster patients
Authors: Wei Li , Zhao Jianguang , Wu Wei , Zhang Yu , Fu Xuyan , Chen Lifeng , Wang Xiaoting 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHerpes zoster (HZ) is an infectious dermatosis with high incidence worldwide. Age is a key risk factor for HZ, and postherpetic neuralgia (PHN) is the main sequelae. Until now, no index has been available to predict the pathogenesis of PHN, and rare reports have focused on the immune response during aging and PHN. In this study, we selected immunoglobulin and complement proteins as markers for humoral immunity, while T lymphocyte subsets and natural killer (NK) cells were selected as markers for cell immunity, to systematically study the characteristics of immune responses in the peripheral blood of HZ patients. Our data showed that the absolute number of CD3+ T cells and CD8+ T cells decreased during aging and PHN. This implies that more attention should be paid to prevent the occurrence of PHN, especially in the aged population.