bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early skeletal colonization of the coral holobiont by the microboring Ulvophyceae Ostreobium sp.
Authors: Massé A. , Domart-Coulon I. , Golubic S. , Duché D. , Tribollet A. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractOstreobium sp. (Bryopsidales, Ulvophyceae) is a major microboring alga involved in tropical reef dissolution, with a proposed symbiotic lifestyle in living corals. However, its diversity and colonization dynamics in host’s early life stages remained unknown. Here, we mapped microborer distribution and abundance in skeletons of the branching coral Pocillopora damicornis from the onset of calcification in primary polyps (7 days) to budding juvenile colonies (1 and 3 months) growing on carbonate and non-carbonate substrates pre-colonized by natural biofilms, and compared them to adult colonies (in aquarium settings). Primary polyps were surprisingly already colonized by microboring filaments and their level of invasion depended on the nature of settlement substrate and the extent of its pre-colonization by microborers. Growth of early coral recruits was unaffected even when microborers were in close vicinity to the polyp tissue. In addition to morphotype observations, chloroplast-encoded rbcL gene sequence analyses revealed nine new Ostreobium clades (OTU99%) in Pocillopora coral. Recruits and adults shared one dominant rbcL clade, undetected in larvae, but also present in aquarium seawater, carbonate and non-carbonate settlement substrates, and in corals from reef settings. Our results show a substratum-dependent colonization by Ostreobium clades, and indicate horizontal transmission of Ostreobium-coral associations.
Hepatocellular carcinoma-targeting oncolytic adenovirus overcomes hypoxic tumor microenvironment and effectively disperses through both central and peripheral tumor regions
Authors: Yoon A-Rum , Hong JinWoo , Kim Minjung , Yun Chae-Ok 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCancer-specific promoter driven replication of oncolytic adenovirus (Ad) is cancer-specific, but shows low transcriptional activity. Thus, we generated several chimeric α-fetoprotein (AFP) promoter variants, containing reconstituted enhancer and silencer regions, to preferentially drive Ad replication in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Modified AFP promoter, containing 2 enhancer A regions and a single enhancer B region (a2bm), showed strong and HCC-specific transcription. In AFP-positive HCCs, gene expression was 43- to 456-fold higher than those of control AFP promoter lacking enhancers. a2bm promoter was further modified by inserting multiple hypoxia-responsive elements (HRE) to generate Ha2bm promoter, which showed stronger transcriptional activity than a2bm promoter under hypoxic conditions. Ha2bm promoter-regulated oncolytic Ad (Ha2bm-d19) showed a stronger antitumor and proapoptotic effect than did a2bm promoter-regulated oncolytic Ad (a2bm-d19) in HCC xenograft tumors. Systemically administered Ha2bm-d19 caused no observable hepatotoxicity, whereas control replication-competent Ad, lacking cancer specificity (d19), induced significant hepatic damage. Ha2bm-d19 caused significantly lower expression of interleukin-6 than d19, showing that HCC-targeted delivery of Ad attenuates induction of the innate immune response against Ad. This chimeric AFP promoter enabled Ad to overcome the hypoxic tumor microenvironment and target HCC with high specificity, rendering it a promising candidate for the treatment of aggressive HCCs.
Tiny timekeepers witnessing high-rate exhumation processes
Authors: Zhong Xin , Moulas Evangelos , Tajčmanová Lucie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTectonic forces and surface erosion lead to the exhumation of rocks from the Earth’s interior. Those rocks can be characterized by many variables including peak pressure and temperature, composition and exhumation duration. Among them, the duration of exhumation in different geological settings can vary by more than ten orders of magnitude (from hours to billion years). Constraining the duration is critical and often challenging in geological studies particularly for rapid magma ascent. Here, we show that the time information can be reconstructed using a simple combination of laser Raman spectroscopic data from mineral inclusions with mechanical solutions for viscous relaxation of the host. The application of our model to several representative geological settings yields best results for short events such as kimberlite magma ascent (less than ~4,500 hours) and a decompression lasting up to ~17 million years for high-pressure metamorphic rocks. This is the first precise time information obtained from direct microstructural observations applying a purely mechanical perspective. We show an unprecedented geological value of tiny mineral inclusions as timekeepers that contributes to a better understanding on the large-scale tectonic history and thus has significant implications for a new generation of geodynamic models.
DNA damage in leukocytes after internal ex-vivo irradiation of blood with the α-emitter Ra-223
Authors: Schumann Sarah , Eberlein Uta , Muhtadi Razan , Lassmann Michael , Scherthan Harry 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIrradiation with high linear energy transfer α-emitters, like the clinically used Ra-223 dichloride, severely damages cells and induces complex DNA damage including closely spaced double-strand breaks (DSBs). As the hematopoietic system is an organ-at-risk for the treatment, knowledge about Ra-223-induced DNA damage in blood leukocytes is highly desirable. Therefore, 36 blood samples from six healthy volunteers were exposed ex-vivo (in solution) to different concentrations of Ra-223. Absorbed doses to the blood were calculated assuming local energy deposition of all α- and β-particles of the decay, ranging from 0 to 142 mGy. γ-H2AX + 53BP1 co-staining and analysis was performed in leukocytes isolated from the irradiated blood samples. For DNA damage quantification, leukocyte samples were screened for occurrence of α-induced DNA damage tracks and small γ-H2AX + 53BP1 DSB foci. This revealed a linear relationship between the frequency of α-induced γ-H2AX damage tracks and the absorbed dose to the blood, while the frequency of small γ-H2AX + 53BP1 DSB foci indicative of β-irradiation was similar to baseline values, being in agreement with a negligible β-contribution (3.7%) to the total absorbed dose to the blood. Our calibration curve will contribute to the biodosimetry of Ra-223-treated patients and early after incorporation of α-emitters.
Associations between serum polybrominated diphenyl ethers and thyroid hormones in a cross sectional study of a remote Alaska Native population
Authors: Byrne Samuel C. , Miller Pamela , Seguinot-Medina Samarys , Waghiyi Vi , Buck C. Loren , von Hippel Frank A. , Carpenter David O. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPolybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) are ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Arctic indigenous peoples are exposed to PBDEs through a traditional diet high in marine mammals. PBDEs disrupt thyroid homeostasis. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between serum PBDEs and thyroid function in a remote population of St. Lawrence Island Yupik. Serum samples were collected from 85 individuals from St. Lawrence Island, Alaska and measured for concentrations of PBDEs, free and total thyroxine (T4), free and total triiodothyronine (T3), and thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH). The relationships between PBDEs and thyroid hormones were assessed using multiple linear regression fit with generalized estimating equations. Serum concentrations of several Penta-BDE congeners (BDE-28/33, 47, and 100) were positively associated with concentrations of TSH and free T3, while serum concentration of BDE-153 was negatively associated with total T3 concentrations. Both BDE-47 and 153 remained significantly associated with thyroid hormones when BDE-47, BDE-153, and BDE-209 were covariates in the same model. There were no significant relationships between serum concentrations of PBDEs and either free or total T4. Individual PBDEs are associated with thyroid hormones in serum from a remote population of Alaska Natives, and directions of effect differ by congener.
The ciliopathy protein TALPID3/KIAA0586 acts upstream of Rab8 activation in zebrafish photoreceptor outer segment formation and maintenance
Authors: Ojeda Naharros Irene , Cristian Flavia B. , Zang Jingjing , Gesemann Matthias , Ingham Philip W. , Neuhauss Stephan C. F. , Bachmann-Gagescu Ruxandra 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCiliopathies are human disorders caused by dysfunction of primary cilia, ubiquitous microtubule-based organelles involved in signal transduction. Cilia are anchored inside the cell through basal bodies (BBs), modified centrioles also acting as microtubule-organization centers. Photoreceptors (PRs) are sensory neurons, whose primary cilium forms a highly specialized compartment called the outer segment (OS) responsible for sensing incoming light. Thus, ciliopathies often present with retinal degeneration. Mutations in KIAA0586/TALPID3 (TA3) cause Joubert syndrome, in which 30% of affected individuals develop retinal involvement. To elucidate the function of TALPID3 in PRs, we studied talpid3 zebrafish mutants and identified a progressive retinal degeneration phenotype. The majority of PRs lack OS development due to defects in BB positioning and docking at the apical cell surface. Intracellular accumulation of the photopigment opsin leads to PR cell death of moderate severity. Electroretinograms demonstrate severe visual impairement. A small subset of PRs display normally docked BBs and extended OSs through rescue by maternally-deposited Talpid3. While localization of the small GTPase Rab8a, which plays an important role in BB docking, appears unaffected in talpid3−/− PRs, overexpression of constitutively active Rab8a rescues OS formation, indicating that the role of Ta3 in early ciliogenesis lies upstream of Rab8a activation in PRs.
Polymerization-Induced Phase Separation Formation of Structured Hydrogel Particles via Microfluidics for Scar Therapeutics
Authors: Guo S. , Kang G. , Phan D. T. , Hsu M. N. , Por Y. C. , Chen C. H. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractExcessive scar formation can form disabling contractures that result in a debilitating psychological outcome. Sustainable hydrophobic corticosteroid release in vivo is essential to regulate the wound healing process. Functional hydrogel particles are widely applied for sustainable release. However, due to the limited aqueous solubility of hydrophobic compounds, most of the corticosteroid is released from the hydrogels within seconds, causing undesirable scar formation and recurrence. In this study, a novel polymerization-induced phase separation is investigated to form well-defined polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA) core/alginate shell structured hydrogel particles using microfluidics without toxic organic solvents. Based on their wettability preference, hydrophobic corticosteroid-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles are compartmentalized in the PEGDA core during polymerization to control the corticosteroid release. The distribution of the PLGA nanoparticles is precisely regulated by the phase separation boundary and characterized using a fluorescent dye. The thickness of the shell and partition coefficients are determined using the UV intensity and irradiation period. Upon encapsulation of the PLGA nanoparticles within the poly(PEGDA) core, a long-term corticosteroid treatment is developed and effective scar therapeutic outcomes are evaluated using both in vitro and in vivo models.
TRPA1-dependent reversible opening of tight junction by natural compounds with an α,β-unsaturated moiety and capsaicin
Authors: Kanda Yusuke , Yamasaki Youhei , Sasaki-Yamaguchi Yoshie , Ida-Koga Noriko , Kamisuki Shinji , Sugawara Fumio , Nagumo Yoko , Usui Takeo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules runs into difficulties such as penetration of the cell membrane lipid bilayer. Our prior experiment demonstrated that capsaicin induces the reversible opening of tight junctions (TJs) and enhances the delivery of hydrophilic macromolecules through a paracellular route. Herein, we screened paracellular permeability enhancers other than capsaicin. As TJ opening by capsaicin is associated with Ca2+ influx, we first screened the compounds that induce Ca2+ influx in layered MDCK II cells, and then we determined the compounds’ abilities to open TJs. Our results identified several natural compounds with α,β-unsaturated moiety. A structure-activity relationship (SAR) analysis and the results of pretreatment with reducing reagent DTT suggested the importance of α,β-unsaturated moiety. We also examined the underlying mechanisms, and our findings suggest that the actin reorganization seen in capsaicin treatment is important for the reversibility of TJ opening. Furthermore, our analyses revealed that TRPA1 is involved in the Ca2+ influx and TJ permeability increase not only by an α,β-unsaturated compound but also by capsaicin. Our results indicate that the α,β-unsaturated moiety can be a potent pharmacophore for TJ opening.
Nanodiamonds-induced effects on neuronal firing of mouse hippocampal microcircuits
Authors: Guarina L. , Calorio C. , Gavello D. , Moreva E. , Traina P. , Battiato A. , Ditalia Tchernij S. , Forneris J. , Gai M. , Picollo F. , Olivero P. , Genovese M. , Carbone E. , Marcantoni A. , Carabelli V. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractFluorescent nanodiamonds (FND) are carbon-based nanomaterials that can efficiently incorporate optically active photoluminescent centers such as the nitrogen-vacancy complex, thus making them promising candidates as optical biolabels and drug-delivery agents. FNDs exhibit bright fluorescence without photobleaching combined with high uptake rate and low cytotoxicity. Focusing on FNDs interference with neuronal function, here we examined their effect on cultured hippocampal neurons, monitoring the whole network development as well as the electrophysiological properties of single neurons. We observed that FNDs drastically decreased the frequency of inhibitory (from 1.81 Hz to 0.86 Hz) and excitatory (from 1.61 to 0.68 Hz) miniature postsynaptic currents, and consistently reduced action potential (AP) firing frequency (by 36%), as measured by microelectrode arrays. On the contrary, bursts synchronization was preserved, as well as the amplitude of spontaneous inhibitory and excitatory events. Current-clamp recordings revealed that the ratio of neurons responding with AP trains of high-frequency (fast-spiking) versus neurons responding with trains of low-frequency (slow-spiking) was unaltered, suggesting that FNDs exerted a comparable action on neuronal subpopulations. At the single cell level, rapid onset of the somatic AP (“kink”) was drastically reduced in FND-treated neurons, suggesting a reduced contribution of axonal and dendritic components while preserving neuronal excitability.
Nondestructive Measurement of Hemoglobin in Blood Bags Based on Multi-Pathlength VIS-NIR Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhang Shengzhao , Li Gang , Wang Jiexi , Wang Donggen , Han Ying , Cao Hui , Lin Ling 
Published: January 2018

AbstractHemoglobin concentration is an indicator for assessing blood product quality. To measure hemoglobin concentration in blood products without damaging blood bags, we proposed a method based on visible-near infrared transmission spectroscopy. Complex optical properties of blood bag walls result in measurement irregularities. Analyses showed that the slope of the light intensity-pathlength curve was more robust to the influence of the blood bag wall. In this study, the transmission spectra of red blood cell suspensions at multiple optical pathlengths were obtained, and the slopes of logarithmic light intensity-pathlength curves were calculated through curve fitting. A nondestructive measurement of hemoglobin content was achieved by using a regression model correlating slope spectra and hemoglobin concentration. Sixty samples with hemoglobin concentrations ranging from 72 to 161 g/L were prepared. Among them, 40 samples were used as a calibration set, and the remaining 20 samples were used as a prediction set. The determination coefficient of the prediction set was 0.97, with a mean square error of 2.78 g/L. This result demonstrates that a non-destructive measurement of hemoglobin levels in blood bags can be achieved by multiple-pathlength transmission spectroscopy.
Ventromedial prefrontal cortex mediates sex differences in persistent cognitive drive for food
Authors: Anderson Lauren C. , Petrovich Gorica D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractContemporary environments are saturated with food cues that stimulate appetites in the absence of hunger, which leads to maladaptive eating. These settings can induce persistent drive to eat, as learned behaviors can reappear after extinction. Behavioral paradigms of responding renewal provide a valuable framework to study how food cues contribute to the inability to resist palatable foods and change maladaptive eating habits. Using a rat model for this persistent food motivation, we determined sex differences in the causal function for the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) during context-mediated renewal of responding to food cues. Previously, we found behavioral sex differences (only males exhibited renewal) and differential recruitment within the vmPFC (increased Fos induction in males but decreased in females). Here, we used DREADDs (Designer Receptors Exclusively Activated by Designer Drugs) to silence vmPFC neurons in males and to stimulate vmPFC neurons in females specifically during renewal. Silencing vmPFC neurons in males disrupted renewal of responding to a food cue, while stimulating vmPFC neurons in females induced this behavior. These findings demonstrate sex differences in the vmPFC function in a model of food seeking relevant to environmentally driven appetites contributing to obesity and eating disorders.
Impacts of warming on phytoplankton abundance and phenology in a typical tropical marine ecosystem
Authors: Gittings John A. , Raitsos Dionysios E. , Krokos George , Hoteit Ibrahim 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the tropics, thermal stratification (during warm conditions) may contribute to a shallowing of the mixed layer above the nutricline and a reduction in the transfer of nutrients to the surface lit-layer, ultimately limiting phytoplankton growth. Using remotely sensed observations and modelled datasets, we study such linkages in the northern Red Sea (NRS) - a typical tropical marine ecosystem. We assess the interannual variability (1998–2015) of both phytoplankton biomass and phenological indices (timing of bloom initiation, duration and termination) in relation to regional warming. We demonstrate that warmer conditions in the NRS are associated with substantially weaker winter phytoplankton blooms, which initiate later, terminate earlier and are shorter in their overall duration (~ 4 weeks). These alterations are directly linked with the strength of atmospheric forcing (air-sea heat fluxes) and vertical stratification (mixed layer depth [MLD]). The interannual variability of sea surface temperature (SST) is found to be a good indicator of phytoplankton abundance, but appears to be less important for predicting bloom timing. These findings suggest that future climate warming scenarios may have a two-fold impact on phytoplankton growth in tropical marine ecosystems: 1) a reduction in phytoplankton abundance and 2) alterations in the timing of seasonal phytoplankton blooms.
Stationary gaze entropy predicts lane departure events in sleep-deprived drivers
Authors: Shiferaw Brook A. , Downey Luke A. , Westlake Justine , Stevens Bronwyn , Rajaratnam Shantha M. W. , Berlowitz David J. , Swann Phillip , Howard Mark E. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPerformance decrement associated with sleep deprivation is a leading contributor to traffic accidents and fatalities. While current research has focused on eye blink parameters as physiological indicators of driver drowsiness, little is understood of how gaze behaviour alters as a result of sleep deprivation. In particular, the effect of sleep deprivation on gaze entropy has not been previously examined. In this randomised, repeated measures study, 9 (4 male, 5 female) healthy participants completed two driving sessions in a fully instrumented vehicle (1 after a night of sleep deprivation and 1 after normal sleep) on a closed track, during which eye movement activity and lane departure events were recorded. Following sleep deprivation, the rate of fixations reduced while blink rate and duration as well as saccade amplitude increased. In addition, stationary and transition entropy of gaze also increased following sleep deprivation as well as with amount of time driven. An increase in stationary gaze entropy in particular was associated with higher odds of a lane departure event occurrence. These results highlight how fatigue induced by sleep deprivation and time-on-task effects can impair drivers’ visual awareness through disruption of gaze distribution and scanning patterns.
Characterization of avian influenza H9N2 viruses isolated from ostriches (Struthio camelus)
Authors: Wang Dongdong , Wang Jingjing , Bi Yuhai , Fan Dandan , Liu Hong , Luo Ning , Yang Zongtong , Wang Shouchun , Chen Wenya , Wang Jianlin , Xu Shouzhen , Chen Jiming , Zhang Yi , Yin Yanbo 
Published: January 2018

AbstractH9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses (AIVs) have been isolated from various species of wild birds and domestic poultry in the world, and occasionally transmitted to humans. Although H9N2 AIVs are seldom isolated from ostriches, seven such strains were isolated from sick ostriches in China between 2013 and 2014. Sequence analysis showed several amino acid changes relating to viral adaptation in mammals were identified. The phylogenetic analyses indicated that these isolates were quadruple reassortant viruses, which are different from the early ostrich isolates from South Africa or Israel. Most of the ostrich virus carried a human-type receptor-binding property. The chicken experiments showed the ostrich strains displayed low pathogenicity, while they could cause mild to severe symptoms in chicken. Theses strains could efficiently transmit among chickens, and one strain showed higher transmissibility. The virus could not kill mice, and merely replicated in the lung of mice. The ostrich strains could not efficiently transmit between guinea pigs in the direct contact model. These results suggested we should pay attention to the interface between ostrich and other domestic fowl, and keep an eye on this population when monitoring of influenza virus.
Effect of nanograin–boundary networks generation on corrosion of carburized martensitic stainless steel
Authors: Boonruang Chatdanai , Thong–on Atcharawadi , Kidkhunthod Pinit 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMartensitic stainless steel parts used in carbonaceous atmosphere at high temperature are subject to corrosion which results in a large amount of lost energy and high repair and maintenance costs. This work therefore proposes a model for surface development and corrosion mechanism as a solution to reduce corrosion costs. The morphology, phase, and corrosion behavior of steel are investigated using GIXRD, XANES, and EIS. The results show formation of nanograin–boundary networks in the protective layer of martensitic stainless steel. This Cr2O3–Cr7C3 nanograin mixture on the FeCr2O4 layer causes ion transport which is the main reason for the corrosion reaction during carburizing of the steel. The results reveal the rate determining steps in the corrosion mechanism during carburizing of steel. These steps are the diffusion of uncharged active gases in the stagnant–gas layer over the steel surface followed by the conversion of C into C4− and O into O2− at the gas–oxide interface simultaneously with the migration of Cr3+ from the metal-oxide interface to the gas-oxide interface. It is proposed that previous research on Al2O3 coatings may be the solution to producing effective coatings that overcome the corrosion challenges discussed in this work.