bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gastruloidsdevelop the three body axes in the absence of extraembryonic tissues and spatially localised signalling
Authors: Turner D.A. , Alonso-Crisostomo L. , Girgin M. , Baillie-Johnson P. , Glodowski C. R. , Hayward P. C. , Collignon J. , Gustavsen C. , Serup P. , Steventon B. , Lutolf M. , Martinez Arias A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEstablishment of the three body axes is a critical step during animal development. In mammals, genetic studies have shown that a combination of precisely deployed signals from extraembryonic tissues position the anteroposterior axis (AP) within the embryo and lead to the emergence of the dorsoventral (DV) and left-right (LR) axes. We have usedGastruloids, embryonic organoids, as a model system to understand this process and find that they are able to develop AP, DV and LR axes as well as to undergo axial elongation in a manner that mirror embryos. TheGastruloidscan be grown for 160 hours and form derivatives from ectoderm, mesoderm and endoderm. We focus on the AP axis and show that in theGastruloidsthis axis is registered in the expression of T/Bra at one pole that corresponds to the tip of the elongation. We find that localisation of T/Bra expression depends on the combined activities of Wnt/β-Catenin and Nodal/Smad2,3 signalling, and that BMP signalling is dispensable for this process. Furthermore, AP axis specification occurs in the absence of both extraembryonic tissues and of localised sources of signalling. Our experiments show that Nodal, together with Wnt/β-Catenin signalling, is essential for the expression of T/Bra but that Wnt signalling has a separable activity in the elongation of the axis. The results lead us to suggest that, in the embryo, the role of the extraembryonic tissues might not be to induce the axes but to bias an intrinsic ability of the embryo to break its initial symmetry and organise its axes.One sentence summaryCulture of aggregates of defined number of Embryonic Stem cells leads to self-organised embryo-like structures which, in the absence of localised signalling from extra embryonic tissues and under the autonomous influence of Wnt and Nodal signalling, develop the three main axes of the body.
NMDAR hypofunction increases top-down influence on sensory processing
Authors: Ranson Adam , Broom Eluned , Powell Anna , Hall Jeremy 
Published: February 2017

AbstractConverging evidence implicates NMDAR disruption in the pathogenesis of schizophrenia, a condition in which perceptual disturbances are prominent. To explore how NMDAR hypofunction causes perceptual symptoms we investigated activity in cortical sensory circuits in awake behaving mice during pharmacologically induced NMDAR hypofunction. We observed a reduction in sensory-driven activity in V1 while input from the anterior cingulate cortex simultaneously increased, suggesting NMDAR hypofunction may lead to altered perception by modifying the balance of top-down and bottom-up processing.
Engaging narratives evoke similar neural activity and lead to similar time perception
Authors: Cohen Samantha , Henin Simon , Parra Lucas C. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIt is said that we lose track of time - that “time flies” - when we are engrossed in a story. How does engagement with the story cause this distorted perception of time, and what are its neural correlates? People commit both time and attentional resources to an engaging stimulus. For narrative videos, attentional engagement can be represented as the level of similarity between the electroencephalographic responses of different viewers. Here we show that this measure of neural engagement predicted the duration of time that viewers were willing to commit to narrative videos. Contrary to popular wisdom, engagement did not distort the average perception of time duration. Rather, more similar brain responses resulted in a more uniform perception of time across viewers. These findings suggest that by capturing the attention of an audience, narrative videos bring both neural processing and the subjective perception of time into synchrony.
Measuring site fidelity and spatial segregation within animal societies
Authors: Richardson Thomas O. , Giuggioli Luca , Franks Nigel R. , Sendova‐Franks Ana B. 
Published: February 2017

Summary

Animals often display a marked tendency to return to previously visited locations that contain important resources, such as water, food, or developing brood that must be provisioned. A considerable body of work has demonstrated that this tendency is strongly expressed in ants, which exhibit fidelity to particular sites both inside and outside the nest. However, thus far many studies of this phenomena have taken the approach of reducing an animal's trajectory to a summary statistic, such as the area it covers.
Using both simulations of biased random walks, and empirical trajectories from individual rock ants, Temnothorax albipennis, we demonstrate that this reductive approach suffers from an unacceptably high rate of false negatives.
To overcome this, we describe a site‐centric approach which, in combination with a spatially‐explicit null model, allows the identification of the important sites towards which individuals exhibit statistically significant biases.
Using the ant trajectories, we illustrate how the site‐centric approach can be combined with social network analysis tools to detect groups of individuals whose members display similar space‐use patterns.
We also address the mechanistic origin of individual site fidelity; by examining the sequence of visits to each site, we detect a statistical signature associated with a self‐attracting walk – a non‐Markovian movement model that has been suggested as a possible mechanism for generating individual site fidelity.
Whole transcriptome sequencing identifies increased CXCR2 expression in PNH granulocytes
Authors: Hosokawa Kohei , Kajigaya Sachiko , Keyvanfar Keyvan , Qiao Wangmin , Xie Yanling , Biancotto Angelique , Townsley Danielle M. , Feng Xingmin , Young Neal S. 
Published: February 2017

SummaryThe aetiology of paroxysmal nocturnal haemoglobinuria (PNH) is a somatic mutation in the X‐linked phosphatidylinositol glycan class A gene (PIGA), resulting in global deficiency of glycosyl phosphatidylinositol–anchored proteins (GPI‐APs). This study applied RNA‐sequencing to examine functional effects of the PIGA mutation in human granulocytes. CXCR2 expression was increased in GPI‐AP‐ compared to GPI‐AP+ granulocytes. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor, a CXCR2 agonist, was significantly higher in plasma of PNH patients. Nuclear factor‐κB phosphorylation was upregulated in GPI‐AP− compared with GPI‐AP+ granulocytes. Our data suggest novel mechanisms in PNH, not obviously predicted by decreased production of the GPI moiety.
Perennial warm‐season grasses for producing biofuel and enhancing soil properties: an alternative to corn residue removal
Authors: Blanco‐Canqui Humberto , Mitchell Robert B. , Jin Virginia L. , Schmer Marty R. , Eskridge Kent M. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractRemoval of corn (Zea mays L.) residues at high rates for biofuel and other off‐farm uses may negatively impact soil and the environment in the long term. Biomass removal from perennial warm‐season grasses (WSGs) grown in marginally productive lands could be an alternative to corn residue removal as biofuel feedstocks while controlling water and wind erosion, sequestering carbon (C), cycling water and nutrients, and enhancing other soil ecosystem services. We compared wind and water erosion potential, soil compaction, soil hydraulic properties, soil organic C (SOC), and soil fertility between biomass removal from WSGs and corn residue removal from rainfed no‐till continuous corn on a marginally productive site on a silty clay loam in eastern Nebraska after 2 and 3 years of management. The field‐scale treatments were as follows: (i) switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.), (ii) big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman), and (iii) low‐diversity grass mixture [big bluestem, indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans (L.) Nash), and sideoats grama (Bouteloua curtipendula (Michx.) Torr.)], and (iv) 50% corn residue removal with three replications. Across years, corn residue removal increased wind‐erodible fraction from 41% to 86% and reduced wet aggregate stability from 1.70 to 1.15 mm compared with WSGs in the upper 7.5 cm soil depth. Corn residue removal also reduced water retention by 15% between −33 and −300 kPa potentials and plant‐available water by 25% in the upper 7.5 cm soil depth. However, corn residue removal did not affect final water infiltration, SOC concentration, soil fertility, and other properties. Overall, corn residue removal increases erosion potential and reduces water retention shortly after removal, suggesting that biomass removal from perennial WSGs is a desirable alternative to corn residue removal for biofuel production and maintenance of soil ecosystem services.
Cytochrome 2B6 polymorphism and efavirenz‐induced central nervous system symptoms : a substudy of the ANRS ALIZE trial
Authors: Gallien S , Journot V , Loriot M‐A , Sauvageon H , Morlat P , Reynes J , Reliquet V , Chêne G , Molina J‐M ,   the ANRS 099 ALIZE trial study group
Published: February 2017

ObjectivesSingle nucleotide polymorphisms in the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2B6 gene have been associated with high interindividual variation in efavirenz pharmacokinetics. However, clinical data on the relationship of CYP2B6 polymorphisms with the occurrence of efavirenz‐induced central nervous system (CNS) symptoms are limited.MethodsWe analysed four polymorphisms in the CYP2B6 (516 G>T), CYP3A5 (6986 A>G) and ATP‐binding cassette, sub‐family B, member 1 (ABCB1) (2677 G>T/A and 3435 C>T) genes in HIV‐infected adults virologically suppressed on a protease inhibitor‐based regimen who switched to a regimen containing emtricitabine, didanosine and efavirenz in the setting of the ANRS ALIZE trial. Kaplan−Meier methods and Cox regression analysis were used to investigate their association with efavirenz plasma levels and CNS events up to 48 months after switching.ResultsIn total, 191 patients with a median age of 41 years, who were 87% male and 85% Caucasian, were enrolled in the study. Variant allelic frequencies were 0.49, 0.93, 0.59 and 0.63 for CYP2B6 516, CYP3A5 392, ABCB1 2677 and ABCB1 3435, respectively. The median efavirenz plasma concentration (MEPC) was 2.2 mg/L [interquartile range (IQR) 1.7–2.8 mg/L] and was significantly higher in patients with the deficient CYP2B6 516T. Overall, 242 CNS events were reported in 104 individuals (54%). No correlation was found between MEPC and CNS events. The occurrence of a first CNS event was lower in patients with the CYP2B6 516 G/G genotype vs. CYP2B6 516 T genotypes [50% (IQR: 40–60%) vs. 66% (IQR: 56–75%), respectively; P = 0.02]. In an adjusted Cox regression model, there was a tendency towards a higher risk of a first CNS event among carriers of the variant CYP2B6 516 T allele (relative risk 1.4 [95% CI, 0.99–2.1]; P?=?.06), compared with noncarriers.ConclusionsThe deficient CYP2B6 516 T allele is associated with higher efavirenz plasma drug levels and more frequent CNS‐related symptoms.
Spontaneous mediastinal myeloid sarcoma in a common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) and review of the veterinary literature
Authors: Morosco Danielle T. , Cline Curtis R. , Owston Michael A. , Kumar Shyamesh , Dick Edward J. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBackgroundMyeloid sarcoma is a rare manifestation of myeloproliferative disorder defined as an extramedullary mass composed of myeloid precursor cells. A 9‐month old, female, common marmoset (Callithrix jacchus) had increased respiratory effort.MethodsA complete necropsy with histology and immunohistochemistry was performed.ResultsThe thymus was replaced by a firm, gray‐tan mass with a faint green tint, filling over 50% of the thoracic cavity. Sheets of granulocytes, lymphoid cells, nucleated erythrocytes, megakaryocytes, and hematopoietic precursors of indeterminate cell lineage replaced the thymus, perithymic connective tissue, mediastinal adipose tissues, epicardium, and much of the myocardium. The cells demonstrated diffuse strong cytoplasmic immunoreactivity for lysozyme, and strong, multifocal membranous immunoreactivity for CD117.ConclusionWe report the first case of a myeloid sarcoma in a common marmoset (C. jacchus), similar to reported human cases of mediastinal myeloid sarcoma, and present a review of myeloproliferative diseases from the veterinary literature.
Neuroprotection and endocytosis: erythropoietin receptors in insect nervous systems
Authors: Miljus Natasa , Massih Bita , Weis Marissa A. , Rison Jan Vincent , Bonnas Christel B. , Sillaber Inge , Ehrenreich Hannelore , Geurten Bart R. H. , Heinrich Ralf 
Published: February 2017

AbstractErythropoietin (Epo) plays a dual role as an erythropoiesis‐stimulating hormone and a locally produced cytoprotectant in various vertebrate tissues. Splice variants and engineered derivatives of Epo that mediate neuroprotection but do not stimulate erythropoiesis suggest that alternative receptors, different from the ‘classical’ homodimeric receptor involved in haematopoiesis, mediate neuroprotective Epo functions. Previous studies on grasshoppers demonstrated neuroprotective and neuroregenerative effects of Epo that involved similar transduction pathways as in mammals. To advance the characterization of yet unidentified neuroprotective Epo receptors, we studied the neuroprotective potency of the human non‐erythropoietic Epo splice variant EV‐3 in primary cultured locust brain neurons. We demonstrate that EV‐3, like Epo, protects locust neurons from hypoxia‐induced apoptotic death through activation of the Janus kinase/signal transducer and activator of transcription transduction pathway. Using the fluorescent dye FM1–43 to quantify endocytotic activity we show that both Epo and EV‐3 increase the number of fluorescently labelled endocytotic vesicles. This reveals that binding of Epo to its neuroprotective receptor induces endocytosis, as it has been described for the mammalian homodimeric Epo‐receptor expressed by erythroid progenitors. Reduction in Epo‐stimulated endocytotic activity following pre‐exposure to EV‐3 indicated that both Epo and its splice variant bind to the same receptor on locust neurons. The shared neuroprotective potency of Epo and EV‐3 in insect and mammalian neurons, in the absence of erythropoietic effects of EV‐3 in mammals, suggests a greater similarity of the unidentified nervous Epo receptors (or receptor complexes) across phyla than between mammalian haematopoietic and neuroprotective receptors. Insects may serve as suitable models to evaluate the specific protective mechanisms mediated by Epo and its variants in non‐erythropoietic mammalian tissues.
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Emotional and sensory profiling by children and teenagers: A case study of the check‐all‐that‐apply method on biscuits
Authors: Schouteten Joachim J. , De Steur Hans , Lagast Sofie , De Pelsmaeker Sara , Gellynck Xavier 
Published: February 2017

AbstractSensory and emotional profiling by consumers is gathering interest among scientists and companies as it could help to better understand the motives for food choice. Although children and teenagers are important food consumer groups, they are underrepresented in sensory research and little is known on how children and teenagers perform on these tasks. Therefore, this study investigates the emotional and sensory profiling of a traditional biscuit product among 122 children and teenagers (10–14 years old). The check‐all‐that‐apply (CATA) approach has been applied for conducting the emotional and sensory profiling task using an age‐appropriate protocol. Children and teenagers evaluated four different samples (market leader, store brand, small producer, and local bakery) and assessed their overall liking under three conditions: blind, expected (brand logo) and informed. Overall liking differed significantly among the samples and brand information influenced the informed liking scores. Samples were associated with different emotional profiles and sensory attributes by the children and teenagers.Practical applicationsThis study illustrates the potential of using CATA questions for obtaining emotional connotations and sensory attributes of food products with children and teenagers. Together with the insights regarding their attitudes toward traditional food products and store brands, this could help producers when developing promotion initiatives to bring their traditional food products to a potential market of young consumers. Including both sensory and emotional measurements yield interesting insights for the product development if companies want to produce products in alignment with the brand message. Further, this study shows that branding influences not only the overall liking but also the sensory perception of the food products. Therefore, this study adds to the discussion on the need and importance of a more realistic product presentation during sensory testing.
Effects of distance from models on the fitness of floral mimics
Authors: Duffy K. J. , Johnson S. D. 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Rewardless plants can attract pollinators by mimicking floral traits of rewarding heterospecific plants. This should result in the pollination success of floral mimics being dependent on the relative abundance of their models, as pollinator abundance and conditioning on model signals should be higher in the vicinity of the models. However, the attraction of pollinators to signals of the models may be partially innate, such that spatial isolation of mimics from model species may not strongly affect pollination success of mimics.

We tested whether pollination rates and fruit set of the rewardless orchid Disa pulchra were influenced by proximity and abundance of its rewarding model species, Watsonia lepida.

Pollination success of the orchid increased with proximity to the model species, while fruit set of the orchid increased with local abundance of the model species. Orchids that were experimentally translocated outside the model population experienced reduced pollinaria removal and increased pollinator‐mediated self‐pollination.

These results confirm predictions that the pollination success of floral mimics should be dependent on the proximity and abundance of model taxa, and thus highlight the importance of ecological facilitation among species involved in mimicry systems.
Use of locking compression plates in ulnar fractures of 18 horses*
Authors: Jacobs Carrie C. , Levine David G. , Richardson Dean W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the outcome, clinical findings, and complications associated with the use of the locking compression plate (LCP) for various types of ulnar fractures in horses.Study DesignRetrospective case series.Sample PopulationClient owned horses (n = 18).MethodsMedical records, radiographs, and follow‐up for horses having an ulnar fracture repaired using at least 1 LCP were reviewed. Fifteen of 18 horses had fractures of the ulna only, and 3 horses had fractures of the ulna and proximal radius.ResultsAll 18 horses were discharged from the hospital. Complications occurred in 5 horses; incisional infection (n = 4, 22%), implant‐associated infection (n = 2, 11%), and colic (n = 1, 6%). Follow‐up was available for all horses at a range of 13‐120 months and 15 horses (83%) were sound for their intended purpose and 3 horses (17%) were euthanatized. One horse was euthanatized for complications associated with original injury and surgery.ConclusionsThe LCP is a viable method of internal fixation for various types of ulnar fractures, with most horses in this series returning to soundness.
Trojan Horse Transit Contributes to Blood-Brain Barrier Crossing of a Eukaryotic Pathogen
Authors: Santiago-Tirado Felipe H. , Onken Michael D. , Cooper John A. , Klein Robyn S. , Doering Tamara L. 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACT

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) protects the central nervous system (CNS) by restricting the passage of molecules and microorganisms. Despite this barrier, however, the fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
invades the brain, causing a meningoencephalitis that is estimated to kill over 600,000 people annually. Cryptococcal infection begins in the lung, and experimental evidence suggests that host phagocytes play a role in subsequent dissemination, although this role remains ill defined. Additionally, the disparate experimental approaches that have been used to probe various potential routes of BBB transit make it impossible to assess their relative contributions, confounding any integrated understanding of cryptococcal brain entry. Here we used an
in vitro
model BBB to show that a “Trojan horse” mechanism contributes significantly to fungal barrier crossing and that host factors regulate this process independently of free fungal transit. We also, for the first time, directly imaged
C. neoformans
-containing phagocytes crossing the BBB, showing that they do so via transendothelial pores. Finally, we found that Trojan horse crossing enables CNS entry of fungal mutants that cannot otherwise traverse the BBB, and we demonstrate additional intercellular interactions that may contribute to brain entry. Our work elucidates the mechanism of cryptococcal brain invasion and offers approaches to study other neuropathogens.

IMPORTANCE
The fungal pathogen
Cryptococcus neoformans
invades the brain, causing a meningoencephalitis that kills hundreds of thousands of people each year. One route that has been proposed for this brain entry is a Trojan horse mechanism, whereby the fungus crosses the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as a passenger inside host phagocytes. Although indirect experimental evidence supports this intriguing mechanism, it has never been directly visualized. Here we directly image Trojan horse transit and show that it is regulated independently of free fungal entry, contributes to cryptococcal BBB crossing, and allows mutant fungi that cannot enter alone to invade the brain.