bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for adenomyosis: efficacy of treatment and effect on ovarian function
Authors: Yu Yang , Jing Zhang , Zhi-yu Han , Xia Ma , Yan-li Hao , Chang-tao Xu , Rui-fang Xu , Bing-song Zhang 
Published: May 2015

AbstractA total of 142 premenopausal women with symptomatic adenomyosis underwent ultrasound (US)-guided percutaneous microwave ablation (PMWA) at the Chinese PLA General Hospital. This study aimed to evaluate changes in serum pituitary, gonadal hormone and cancer antigen 125 (CA125) levels after US-guided PMWA. Therefore, estradiol (E2), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), prolactin (PRL) and CA125 levels were evaluated before ablation and at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ablation. No significant differences were observed in the E2 and FSH levels pre-ablation and during follow-up (E2: p = 0.933, p = 0.987, p = 0.106, p = 0.936; FSH: p = 0.552, p = 0.295, p = 0.414, p = 0.760). The mean absolute values of serum CA125 and PRL were significantly decreased at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months after ablation (CA125: p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p = 0.003; PRL: p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001). A significant correlation between changes in CA125 levels and uterine volume was found (p < 0.001). No evidence of a decline in ovarian function was observed after US-guided PMWA.
Cytoplasmic dynein regulates its attachment to microtubules via nucleotide state-switched mechanosensing at multiple AAA domains
Authors: Nicholas Matthew P. , Berger Florian , Rao Lu , Brenner Sibylle , Cho Carol , Gennerich Arne 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Cytoplasmic dynein is the primary minus-end–directed microtubule (MT) motor. It is unclear how dynein coordinates ATP hydrolysis and MT attachment within and between its two motor domains, each containing four AAA+ ATPases (AAA: ATPase associated with various cellular activities), AAA1–4. We characterize how mechanical tension and nucleotide states of AAA1 and AAA3 regulate dynein–MT binding. Dynein binds MTs tighter when subjected to tension opposite its normal motility. ADP binding to AAA3 unexpectedly weakens MT-binding strength and reduces the bond strength anisotropy. Finally, AAA3 “gates” the activity of AAA1: ATP binding to AAA1 induces MT release only if AAA3 contains nucleotide. This work expands understanding of the role of force in dynein mechanochemistry and identifies regulatory functions of AAA3.
Organization and dynamics of the nonhomologous end-joining machinery during DNA double-strand break repair
Authors: Reid Dylan A. , Keegan Sarah , Leo-Macias Alejandra , Watanabe Go , Strande Natasha T. , Chang Howard H. , Oksuz Betul Akgol , Fenyo David , Lieber Michael R. , Ramsden Dale A. , Rothenberg Eli 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Nonhomologous end-joining (NHEJ) is the main pathway for repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs), the most cytotoxic form of DNA damage resulting from ionizing radiation, chemotherapeutics, and normal cellular processes. The mechanisms that control NHEJ play key roles in development, in immunity, and in response to cancer therapy; however, the current state of knowledge regarding the physical nature of the NHEJ repair process is limited. Here we used super-resolution microscopy to define the organization of NHEJ complexes in cells, showing that long filaments form at either side of the break. Single-molecule FRET revealed dynamic behavior in which breaks can pair in an adjacent, non–end-to-end configuration.
Evaluating a groundwater supply contamination incident attributed to Marcellus Shale gas development
Authors: Llewellyn Garth T. , Dorman Frank , Westland J. L. , Yoxtheimer D. , Grieve Paul , Sowers Todd , Humston-Fulmer E. , Brantley Susan L. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
New techniques of high-volume hydraulic fracturing (HVHF) are now used to unlock oil and gas from rocks with very low permeability. Some members of the public protest against HVHF due to fears that associated compounds could migrate into aquifers. We report a case where natural gas and other contaminants migrated laterally through kilometers of rock at shallow to intermediate depths, impacting an aquifer used as a potable water source. The incident was attributed to Marcellus Shale gas development. The organic contaminants—likely derived from drilling or HVHF fluids—were detected using instrumentation not available in most commercial laboratories. More such incidents must be analyzed and data released publicly so that similar problems can be avoided through use of better management practices.
Multisite interaction with Sufu regulates Ci/Gli activity through distinct mechanisms in Hh signal transduction
Authors: Han Yuhong , Shi Qing , Jiang Jin 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Hedgehog (Hh) signaling controls embryonic development and adult tissue homeostasis by regulating the Cubitus interruptus (Ci)/Glioma-associated oncogene homolog (Gli) family of transcription factors. Abnormal Hh pathway activity causes congenital disease and cancer. As a conserved negative regulator of the Hh signaling pathway, the tumor suppressor protein Suppressor of fused (Sufu) binds and inhibits Ci/Gli, but how Sufu contacts Ci/Gli and how Sufu–Ci/Gli interaction inhibits Hh signaling activity remain poorly understood. Here we identified a conserved Sufu-binding site in the C-terminal region of Ci/Gli. Further characterization of this Sufu-binding site provided insight into how Sufu blocks Ci/Gli activation in the nucleus. Understanding the mechanism by which Sufu regulates Ci/Gli activity is important for developing therapeutic treatment of cancers caused by abnormal Hh pathway activation.
Bats adjust their mouth gape to zoom their biosonar field of view
Authors: Kounitsky Pavel , Rydell Jens , Amichai Eran , Boonman Arjan , Eitan Ofri , Weiss Anthony J. , Yovel Yossi 
Published: May 2015

Significance
This study shows how an animal actively and functionally controls its sensory field of view by means of changing its emitter aperture. This would be similar to a human ability to zoom in on a visual scene. The study was performed in a natural situation with wild bats. To perform the study, we developed tools to record and analyze bats’ beams and faces simultaneously. We show that bats rapidly and dramatically alter their biosonar field of view to functionally adjust sensory acquisition. They do so by changing their mouth gape. Hence, we show that bats change the shape of their emitter for active sensing.
Antigenic cooperation among intrahost HCV variants organized into a complex network of cross-immunoreactivity
Authors: Skums Pavel , Bunimovich Leonid , Khudyakov Yury 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Immune escape by continuous genetic diversification is commonly described using a metaphor of “arms race” between virus and host. Here we show, however, that hepatitis C virus (HCV) genetic heterogeneity facilitates a stable state of immune adaptation rather than perpetuates an arms race. We developed a mathematical model that considers variation in breadth of immunoreactivity among antibodies and antigens and the contribution of immune memory to humoral response against HCV. The model applied to a complex network of cross-immunoreactivity suggests antigenic cooperation among variants as a mechanism of mitigating the immune pressure on certain HCV variants. Cooperative action of antigens results from their differential capability to bind or elicit highly polyspecific antibodies. Antigenic cooperation is a new target for therapeutic- and vaccine-development strategies.
Myocardial pressure overload induces systemic inflammation through endothelial cell IL-33
Authors: Chen Wei-Yu , Hong Jaewoo , Gannon Joseph , Kakkar Rahul , Lee Richard T. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
The association of hypertension and inflammation is clear, but mechanisms for this human finding remain elusive. The experiments in this article demonstrate that a highly local intramyocardial signaling pathway through ST2, the receptor for the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 33 (IL-33), regulates the heart’s response to pressure overload. By generating and using new conditional deletion mice, we identified endothelial cells as the major source of systemic circulating IL-33. Our study reveals that endothelial cell secretion of IL-33 is crucial for translating myocardial pressure overload into a selective systemic inflammatory state.
Interleukin-6/interleukin-21 signaling axis is critical in the pathogenesis of pulmonary arterial hypertension
Authors: Hashimoto-Kataoka Takahiro , Hosen Naoki , Sonobe Takashi , Arita Yoh , Yasui Taku , Masaki Takeshi , Minami Masato , Inagaki Tadakatsu , Miyagawa Shigeru , Sawa Yoshiki , Murakami Masaaki , Kumanogoh Atsushi , Yamauchi-Takihara Keiko , Okumura Meinoshin , Kishimoto Tadamitsu , Komuro Issei , Shirai Mikiyasu , Sakata Yasushi , Nakaoka Yoshikazu 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) is a serious disease characterized by vascular remodeling in pulmonary arteries. Although an elevated IL-6 serum level correlates with poor prognosis of PAH patients, it is unclear how IL-6 promotes PAH. Here we identified IL-21 as a downstream target of IL-6 signaling in PAH. In mice with hypoxia-induced pulmonary hypertension (HPH), Th17 cells and M2 macrophages accumulate in the lungs after hypoxia exposure. IL-21 primarily derived from Th17 cells promotes M2 macrophage polarization. Consistently, IL-21 receptor-deficient mice show resistance to HPH with no accumulation of M2 macrophages in the lungs. IL-21 and M2 macrophage markers were upregulated in the lungs of patients with end-stage idiopathic PAH. These findings suggest promising therapeutic strategies for PAH targeting IL-6/IL-21–signaling axis.
Obstruction of adaptation in diploids by recessive, strongly deleterious alleles
Authors: Assaf Zoe June , Petrov Dmitri A. , Blundell Jamie R. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
A deleterious mutation that is recessive is hidden in individuals containing only one copy (i.e., heterozygotes); however, individuals containing two copies (i.e., homozygotes) suffer negative effects. This class of mutation is responsible for a number of human genetic disorders, including cystic fibrosis and Tay-Sachs, in addition to causing the widespread phenomenon of inbreeding depression. Evidence suggests that recessive deleterious mutations may be abundant in nature, likely due to their ability to persist for long timescales at moderate frequencies. It is thus possible that when an adaptive mutation occurs, it lands on a chromosome containing a recessive deleterious mutation. We propose a model for this and find that recessive deleterious mutations can significantly slow adaptation and alter signatures of adaptation.
Mechanism of pyranopterin ring formation in molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis
Authors: Hover Bradley M. , Tonthat Nam K. , Schumacher Maria A. , Yokoyama Kenichi 
Published: May 2015

Significance
The molybdenum cofactor (Moco) is an enzyme cofactor critical for the survival of almost all organisms from all kingdoms of life, and its biosynthesis is associated with various medical conditions such as inheritable human diseases and bacterial pathogenesis. The characteristic pyranopterin backbone of Moco is formed by the action of two enzymes, MoaA and MoaC (molybdenum cofactor biosynthesis protein A and C, respectively). Conventionally, MoaA was considered responsible for the majority of the transformation. In contrast to this view, the combined studies reported here revealed that it is MoaC that is responsible for the majority of the rearrangement reaction required for Moco pyranopterin backbone formation. Based on the conservation of MoaC and its catalytic residues, the mechanism of pyranopterin ring formation is likely conserved among all organisms.
Supplementary feeding restructures urban bird communities
Authors: Galbraith Josie A. , Beggs Jacqueline R. , Jones Darryl N. , Stanley Margaret C. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Bird feeding is essentially a massive global supplementary feeding experiment, yet few studies have attempted to explore its ecological effects. In this study we use an in situ experimental approach to investigate the impacts of bird feeding on the structure of local bird assemblages. We present vital evidence that bird feeding contributes to the bird community patterns we observe in urban areas. In particular, the study demonstrates that common feeding practices can encourage higher densities of introduced birds, with potential negative consequences for native birds.
Cahokia’s emergence and decline coincided with shifts of flood frequency on the Mississippi River
Authors: Munoz Samuel E. , Gruley Kristine E. , Massie Ashtin , Fike David A. , Schroeder Sissel , Williams John W. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Our paper evaluates the role that flooding played in the emergence and decline of Cahokia—the largest prehistoric settlement in the Americas north of Mexico that emerged in the floodplain of the Mississippi River around A.D. 1050. We use sediment cores to examine the timing of major Mississippi River floods over the last 1,800 y. These data show that Cahokia emerged during a period of reduced megaflood frequency associated with heightened aridity across midcontinental North America, and that its decline and abandonment followed the return of large floods. We conclude that shifts in flood frequency and magnitude facilitated both the formation and the breakdown of Cahokia and may be important factors in the declines of other early agricultural societies.
Electric-field–induced assembly and propulsion of chiral colloidal clusters
Authors: Ma Fuduo , Wang Sijia , Wu David T. , Wu Ning 
Published: May 2015

SignificanceAlthough colloids have been used as molecular analogues for understanding how simple building blocks can assemble into functional materials, they are mostly spherical with isotropic properties. We are still far from truly accessing the diversity of structures desired for either fundamental understanding or technological application. Here, we report the electric-field–directed assembly of asymmetric colloids into clusters that exhibit a ubiquitous type of symmetry in nature: the chirality. We further demonstrate that the chirality induces unbalanced hydrodynamic flow, which causes rotational propulsion of chiral clusters that are fully dictated by their handedness. Both the assembly and propulsion mechanisms discovered can be universal and applied to other types of asymmetric particles. They are also useful in modeling active matter and making microengines.
Drosophila
Ncd reveals an evolutionarily conserved powerstroke mechanism for homodimeric and heterodimeric kinesin-14s
Authors: Zhang Pengwei , Dai Wei , Hahn Juergen , Gilbert Susan P. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Kinesin molecular motors couple ATP turnover to force production to generate microtubule-based movement and microtubule dynamics. Kinesin-14s are unique in that they are nonprocessive, bind to adjacent microtubule protofilaments rather than step along a single protofilament as observed for processive kinesins, and use a powerstroke mechanism to slide microtubules. Earlier studies proposed that only one head of the Ncd dimer interacts with the microtubule to drive the ATP-promoted powerstroke and therefore only one ATP turnover was required. The results presented here challenge the one head/one ATP turnover hypothesis and define a common pathway for Kar3Vik1, Kar3Cik1, and Ncd. These findings are significant because they reveal that the key principles for force generation by kinesin-14s are conserved from yeast to higher eukaryotes.
Modeling malaria genomics reveals transmission decline and rebound in Senegal
Authors: Daniels Rachel F. , Schaffner Stephen F. , Wenger Edward A. , Proctor Joshua L. , Chang Hsiao-Han , Wong Wesley , Baro Nicholas , Ndiaye Daouda , Fall Fatou Ba , Ndiop Medoune , Ba Mady , Milner Danny A. , Taylor Terrie E. , Neafsey Daniel E. , Volkman Sarah K. , Eckhoff Philip A. , Hartl Daniel L. , Wirth Dyann F. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Traditional methods for estimating malaria transmission based on mosquito sampling are not standardized and are unavailable in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Such studies are especially difficult to implement when transmission is low, and low transmission is the goal of malaria elimination. Malaria-control efforts in Senegal have resulted in changes in population genomics evidenced by increased allele sharing among parasite genomes, often including genomic identity between independently sampled parasites. Fitting an epidemiological model to the observed data indicates falling transmission from 2006–2010 with a significant rebound in 2012–2013, an inference confirmed by incidence data. These results demonstrate that genomic approaches may help monitor transmission to assess initial and ongoing effectiveness of interventions to control malaria.
Sample and population exponents of generalized Taylor’s law
Authors: Giometto Andrea , Formentin Marco , Rinaldo Andrea , Cohen Joel E. , Maritan Amos 
Published: May 2015

SignificanceTaylor’s law (TL) has been verified very widely in the natural sciences, information technology, and finance. The widespread observation of TL suggests that a context-independent mechanism may be at work and stimulated the search for processes affecting the scaling of population fluctuations with population abundance. We show that limited sampling may explain why TL is often observed to have exponentb=2. Abrupt transitions in the TL exponent associated with smooth changes in the environment were recently discovered theoretically and comparable real-world transitions could harm fish populations, forests, and public health. Our study shows that limited sampling hinders the anticipation of such transitions and provides estimates for the number of samples required to reveal early warning signals of abrupt biotic change.
CD4 mimetics sensitize HIV-1-infected cells to ADCC
Authors: Richard Jonathan , Veillette Maxime , Brassard Nathalie , Iyer Shilpa S. , Roger Michel , Martin Loïc , Pazgier Marzena , Schön Arne , Freire Ernesto , Routy Jean-Pierre , Smith Amos B. , Park Jongwoo , Jones David M. , Courter Joel R. , Melillo Bruno N. , Kaufmann Daniel E. , Hahn Beatrice H. , Permar Sallie R. , Haynes Barton F. , Madani Navid , Sodroski Joseph G. , Finzi Andrés 
Published: May 2015

SignificanceThe prevention of HIV-1 transmission and progression likely requires approaches that can specifically eliminate HIV-1-infected cells. Rationally designed CD4-mimetic compounds (CD4mc) have been shown to efficiently inhibit viral entry and sensitize HIV-1 particles to neutralization by otherwise nonneutralizing CD4-induced antibodies. Here we found that CD4mc can also sensitize HIV-1-infected cells to antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC). Indeed, CD4mc induced the CD4-bound conformation of HIV-1 envelope glycoproteins, exposing CD4-induced epitopes recognized by easy-to-elicit antibodies present in sera, cervicovaginal lavages, and breast milk from HIV-1-infected individuals. Importantly, we provide evidence that CD4mc can efficiently sensitize primary CD4 T cells from HIV-1-infected individuals to ADCC mediated by autologous sera and effector cells. Therefore, CD4mc might represent an attractive approach to prevent and control HIV-1 infection.
Neuronal thresholds and choice-related activity of otolith afferent fibers during heading perception
Authors: Yu Xiong-jie , Dickman J. David , DeAngelis Gregory C. , Angelaki Dora E. 
Published: May 2015

Significance
One major goal of systems neuroscience over the past decades has been to understand how the activity of sensory neurons mediates perception in simple decision-making tasks. It has remained fundamentally unclear whether and how the activity of primary sensory afferents limits behavior and contributes to decisions. We have tackled these issues by recording, for the first time to our knowledge, from otolith afferents during a heading discrimination task. We show otolith afferents have sensitivity comparable to central neurons, with some approaching behavior. However, they do not exhibit significant choice-related activity, indicating that downstream transformations of vestibular signals are necessary for vestibular activity to become predictive of the animal’s choices. These findings have important implications for understanding how choice-related activity arises in sensory pathways.
Strategies for alleviating abiotic stress in livestock.
Authors: Sejian V. , Iqbal Hyder Iqbal Hyder , Malik P. K. , Soren N. M. , Mech A. , Mishra A. , Ravindra J. P. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

The livestock sector accounts for 40% of the world's agriculture gross domestic product (GDP). It employs 1.3 billion people and creates livelihoods for 1 billion of the population living in poverty. Climate change is seen as a major threat to the survival of many species and ecosystems, and the sustainability of livestock production systems in many parts of the world. On the one hand, the current trend for the demand of livestock products is increasing, which offers market opportunities for small, marginal and landless farmers, while on the other hand, livestock production is facing the negative implications of environmental change, where abiotic stress is noteworthy. For animals, heat stress is the most stressful among all the abiotic stressors. Reducing the impact of abiotic stress on livestock requires a multidisciplinary approach with emphasis on nutrition, housing and health. Some biotechnological options may also be used to reduce abiotic stress. It is important to understand the livestock responses to environment and to analyse them carefully in order to alter nutritional and environment-related management practices. Future research needs for ameliorating abiotic stress in livestock are to identify strategies for developing and monitoring appropriate measures of heat stress; to assess the genetic components, including the genomics and proteomics of heat stress in livestock; and to develop alternative management practices for reducing abiotic stress and improving animal well-being and performance.
Nutritional strategies for minimizing phosphorus pollution from the livestock industry.
Authors: Ray P. P. , Knowlton K. F. 
Published: May 2015

Abstract

Livestock manure traditionally has been considered and used as a valuable resource by farmers to improve crop production. Livestock manure is rich in nutrients (nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P)) and thus has been land applied to enrich soils. But land application of manure nutrients in excess of crop requirements can lead to saturated soil and loss of nutrients to surface water via runoff. Environmental concerns with P from animal agriculture are significant because livestock manure has always been land applied to meet crops' N requirement, resulting in P application in excess of crops' P requirement. The problem is aggravated with the intensification of livestock production, and now animal agriculture has been identified as a primary source of water quality impairment in many regions. But intensification and continuous advancement of livestock production is required to meet the increasing demand of food supply to feed a growing global population. Therefore, management strategies are needed that will improve livestock production while supporting the environmental and social pillars of sustainability. Nutritional strategies are economically and environ mentally efficient tools to reduce P excretion by livestock. This chapter discusses nutritional strategies including precision feeding, phase feeding and approaches to improve feed P availability.