bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Exploration of the dynamics between brain regions associated with the default‐mode network and frontostriatal pathway with regards to task familiarity
Authors: Provost Jean‐Sebastien , Monchi Oury 
Published: January 2015

AbstractSpecific brain regions have consistently been reported to be activated during resting state period, and they were described as being part of a particular network called the default‐mode network (DMN). It has been shown that the DMN would deactivate during goal‐directed tasks, but the actual relationship between them is still a matter of debate. In a previous study, we reported a specific pattern of activation of the frontostriatal regions during a set‐shifting task in which these regions were increasing their activity as set‐shifts were performed continuously and decreasing when the same rule was executed repeatedly. The present study aimed at assessing the relationship between the frontostriatal regions and the DMN. We hypothesized that the DMN would be anticorrelated with the frontostriatal regions so the DMN would be more deactivated as set‐shifts are executed for a long period, but would start increasing when the same rule is being executed for a long period. Here, 15 participants underwent functional magnetic resonance imaging while performing a card‐sorting task. We observed increased activity in the frontostriatal regions as more set‐shifts are being performed while the DMN gets more deactivated. Interestingly, as decreased activity was observed in the frontostriatal regions during the execution of the same rule for a long period, the DMN showed increasing activity. We argue that there is an anticorrelation between the frontostriatal regions and the DMN, but also that the DMN could show positive activation during performance of a familiar goal‐directed task.
Activation of the mouse odorant receptor 37 subsystem coincides with a reduction of novel environment‐induced activity within the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus
Authors: Klein Bettina , Bautze Verena , Maier Anna‐Maria , Deussing Jan , Breer Heinz , Strotmann Jörg 
Published: January 2015

AbstractWithin the main olfactory system of mammals, a unique subsystem exists that is comprised of sensory neurons expressing odorant receptors (ORs) of the OR37 subfamily. These receptors are exclusive for mammals and are highly conserved across species. The mouse OR37 receptor subtypes A, B and C were shown to be activated by the long‐chain aliphatic aldehydes pentadecanal, hexadecanal and heptadecanal, respectively. The search for biological sources of these compounds showed that bodily secretions from conspecifics activated the OR37A, B and C glomerulus. At the same time, the activity of cells in a target region of projection neurons from OR37 glomeruli, the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (PVN), was reduced compared with controls (clean test box). A large number of the activated cells in the PVN of mice that were placed into a clean test box were corticotropin‐releasing hormone cells, indicating an induction of the stress axis due to the novel environment. The much lower number of activated cells of mice in a box enriched with bodily secretions from conspecifics indicated a reduced stress response. As bodily secretions from conspecifics activated the OR37 system and simultaneously reduced stress‐induced activation of the PVN, it was tested whether the ligands for OR37 receptors could induce this effect. Indeed, a similarly reduced activity in the PVN was found in mice kept in a clean test box and exposed to a mixture of the OR37 ligands delivered via an air stream. These data indicate that the OR37 system may play a role in mediating a phenomenon called social buffering.
Overexpression of microRNA‐30a inhibits hepatitis B virus X protein‐induced autophagosome formation in hepatic cells
Authors: Kumar Satendra , Gupta Parul , Khanal Sweta , Shahi Aashirwad , Kumar Pushpendra , Sarin Shiv K. , Venugopal Senthil K. 
Published: January 2015

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) enters the host and survives by using several mechanisms. One of the ways that HBV survives and replicates in the host cells is by inducing autophagy. Previous reports have shown that microRNA (miRNA)‐30a inhibits autophagosome formation in cancer cells. Hence, we hypothesized that overexpression of miRNA‐30a could inhibit HBV‐induced autophagosome formation in hepatic cells. To study this, both HepG2 cells and HepG2.2.1.5 cells (HBV‐expressing stable cell line) were transfected with miRNA‐30a, and the cells were collected either for RNA isolation or protein isolation after 72 h of transfection. Beclin‐1 expression was significantly higher in untransfected HepG2.2.1.5 cells than in HepG2 cells. Western blots showed that miRNA‐30a overexpression resulted in a significant decrease in beclin‐1 expression (eight‐fold and four‐fold in HepG2 and HepG2.2.1.5 cells, respectively) and c‐myc expression, whereas the numbers of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)‐positive cells were increased. In contrast, overexpression of HBV X protein (HBx) in HepG2 cells resulted in the enhancement of beclin‐1 (six‐fold increase as compared with the empty vector‐transfected cells) and c‐myc expression, whereas the numbers of TUNEL‐positive cells were reduced. To confirm these findings, HBx and miRNA‐30a were coexpressed in HepG2 cells, and the results showed significant inhibition of autophagosome formation and beclin‐1 and c‐myc expression, whereas apoptosis increased. These data demonstrate that HBx induces autophagosome formation via beclin‐1 expression, whereas miRNA‐30a overexpression could successfully inhibit the beclin‐1 expression induced by HBx, thereby modulating autophagosome formation in hepatic cells.
How pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate differentially regulates human cytosolic and mitochondrial serine hydroxymethyltransferase oligomeric state
Authors: Giardina Giorgio , Brunotti Paolo , Fiascarelli Alessio , Cicalini Alessandra , Costa Mauricio G. S. , Buckle Ashley M. , di Salvo Martino L. , Giorgi Alessandra , Marani Marina , Paone Alessio , Rinaldo Serena , Paiardini Alessandro , Contestabile Roberto , Cutruzzolà Francesca 
Published: January 2015

Adaptive metabolic reprogramming gives cancer cells a proliferative advantage. Tumour cells extensively use glycolysis to sustain anabolism and produce serine, which not only refuels the one‐carbon units necessary for the synthesis of nucleotide precursors and for DNA methylation, but also affects the cellular redox homeostasis. Given its central role in serine metabolism, serine hydroxymethyltransferase (SHMT), a pyridoxal 5′‐phosphate (PLP)‐dependent enzyme, is an attractive target for tumour chemotherapy. In humans, the cytosolic isoform (SHMT1) and the mitochondrial isoform (SHMT2) have distinct cellular roles, but high sequence identity and comparable catalytic properties, which may complicate development of successful therapeutic strategies. Here, we investigated how binding of the cofactor PLP controls the oligomeric state of the human isoforms. The fact that eukaryotic SHMTs are tetrameric proteins while bacterial SHMTs function as dimers may suggest that the quaternary assembly in eukaryotes provides an advantage to fine‐tune SHMT function and differentially regulate intertwined metabolic fluxes, and may provide a tool to address the specificity problem. We determined the crystal structure of SHMT2, and compared it to the apo‐enzyme structure, showing that PLP binding triggers a disorder‐to‐order transition accompanied by a large rigid‐body movement of the two cofactor‐binding domains. Moreover, we demonstrated that SHMT1 exists in solution as a tetramer, both in the absence and presence of PLP, while SHMT2 undergoes a dimer‐to‐tetramer transition upon PLP binding. These findings indicate an unexpected structural difference between the two human SHMT isoforms, which opens new perspectives for understanding their differing behaviours, roles or regulation mechanisms in response to PLP availability in vivo.
A landscape ecology approach identifies important drivers of urban biodiversity
Authors: Turrini Tabea , Knop Eva 
Published: January 2015

AbstractCities are growing rapidly worldwide, yet a mechanistic understanding of the impact of urbanization on biodiversity is lacking. We assessed the impact of urbanization on arthropod diversity (species richness and evenness) and abundance in a study of six cities and nearby intensively managed agricultural areas. Within the urban ecosystem, we disentangled the relative importance of two key landscape factors affecting biodiversity, namely the amount of vegetated area and patch isolation. To do so, we a priori selected sites that independently varied in the amount of vegetated area in the surrounding landscape at the 500‐m scale and patch isolation at the 100‐m scale, and we hold local patch characteristics constant. As indicator groups, we used bugs, beetles, leafhoppers, and spiders. Compared to intensively managed agricultural ecosystems, urban ecosystems supported a higher abundance of most indicator groups, a higher number of bug species, and a lower evenness of bug and beetle species. Within cities, a high amount of vegetated area increased species richness and abundance of most arthropod groups, whereas evenness showed no clear pattern. Patch isolation played only a limited role in urban ecosystems, which contrasts findings from agro‐ecological studies. Our results show that urban areas can harbor a similar arthropod diversity and abundance compared to intensively managed agricultural ecosystems. Further, negative consequences of urbanization on arthropod diversity can be mitigated by providing sufficient vegetated space in the urban area, while patch connectivity is less important in an urban context. This highlights the need for applying a landscape ecological approach to understand the mechanisms shaping urban biodiversity and underlines the potential of appropriate urban planning for mitigating biodiversity loss.
A pan‐Arctic synthesis of CH4 and CO2 production from anoxic soil incubations
Authors: Treat Claire C. , Natali Susan M. , Ernakovich Jessica , Iversen Colleen M. , Lupascu Massimo , McGuire Anthony David , Norby Richard J. , Roy Chowdhury Taniya , Richter Andreas , Šantrůčková Hana , Schädel Christina , Schuur Edward A. G. , Sloan Victoria L. , Turetsky Merritt R. , Waldrop Mark P. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractPermafrost thaw can alter the soil environment through changes in soil moisture, frequently resulting in soil saturation, a shift to anaerobic decomposition, and changes in the plant community. These changes, along with thawing of previously frozen organic material, can alter the form and magnitude of greenhouse gas production from permafrost ecosystems. We synthesized existing methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2) production measurements from anaerobic incubations of boreal and tundra soils from the geographic permafrost region to evaluate large‐scale controls of anaerobic CO2 and CH4 production and compare the relative importance of landscape‐level factors (e.g., vegetation type and landscape position), soil properties (e.g., pH, depth, and soil type), and soil environmental conditions (e.g., temperature and relative water table position). We found fivefold higher maximum CH4 production per gram soil carbon from organic soils than mineral soils. Maximum CH4 production from soils in the active layer (ground that thaws and refreezes annually) was nearly four times that of permafrost per gram soil carbon, and CH4 production per gram soil carbon was two times greater from sites without permafrost than sites with permafrost. Maximum CH4 and median anaerobic CO2 production decreased with depth, while CO2:CH4 production increased with depth. Maximum CH4 production was highest in soils with herbaceous vegetation and soils that were either consistently or periodically inundated. This synthesis identifies the need to consider biome, landscape position, and vascular/moss vegetation types when modeling CH4 production in permafrost ecosystems and suggests the need for longer‐term anaerobic incubations to fully capture CH4 dynamics. Our results demonstrate that as climate warms in arctic and boreal regions, rates of anaerobic CO2 and CH4 production will increase, not only as a result of increased temperature, but also from shifts in vegetation and increased ground saturation that will accompany permafrost thaw.
Aeromonas biofilm on stainless steel: efficiency of commonly used disinfectants
Authors: Craveiro Sara , Alves‐Barroco Cynthia , Barreto Crespo Maria Teresa , Salvador Barreto António , Semedo‐Lemsaddek Teresa 
Published: January 2015

SummaryAeromonas spp. are ubiquitous bacteria widely distributed among aquatic environments that have the ability to form biofilms. This aptitude allows them to persist in water distribution systems, contaminating drinking water, food processing surfaces and ultimately food. For this study, the biofilm‐forming ability of aeromonads was evaluated after 48‐h incubation on stainless steel discs at both 4 and 20 °C. Subsequently, disinfectants based on amphoteric surfactants and chlorine compounds were evaluated regarding the capacity to eradicate preformed biofilm and inhibit biofilm formation. Results obtained demonstrated that all strains under analysis were able to form biofilm at both room and refrigeration temperatures. The chlorine‐based disinfectant demonstrated to be efficient in removing preformed biofilm, but both were unsuccessful in preventing biofilm formation, highlighting the importance of adequate cleaning and disinfection procedures, with emphasis on food processing surfaces.
Purification and enzymatic characteristics of a novel polyphenol oxidase from lotus seed (Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn.)
Authors: Cai Xi‐Xi , Hong Yong‐Xiang , Wang Shao‐Yun , Zhao Li‐Na , Rao Ping‐Fan 
Published: January 2015

SummaryA polyphenol oxidase (PPO) from lotus seed was purified by the procedures including ammonium sulphate precipitation and affinity chromatography. The apparent molecular mass was 38.6 kDa by SDS‐PAGE. Kinetic studies showed that the Km and Vmax values for catechol were 6.04 mm and 416.67 U, respectively. The PPO performed optimal activity in 20 °C and pH 7.0. The enzymatic activity could be mainly maintained up to 50 °C and pH 4.0–7.0. The activity could be inhibited by various inhibitors including thiourea, urea, sodium hydrogen sulphite, EDTA·2Na, SDS, citric acid, guanidine hydrochloride, ascorbic acid, sodium sulphite and sodium thiosulphate. The metal ions Ba2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, Mn2+, Co2+ and Zn2+ could inhibit the activity of PPO, while Cu2+ performed obvious enhancement. The enzymatic properties of PPO could probably provide practical application in inhibiting the PPO activity and preventing enzymatic browning in the process of picking, transportation, processing and storage of fresh lotus seeds.
Evolución de la reglamentación laboral y de las condiciones de trabajo en China. Visión retrospectiva y retos
Authors: CHAN Chris King‐Chi , NADVI Khalid 
Published: January 2015

ResumenLa fuerza económica mundial de China reside en su capacidad manufacturera, gracias a una mano de obra disciplinada y calificada, cuya remuneración es, sin embargo, relativamente baja. Esto explica tanto los crecientes conflictos laborales como las iniciativas normativas estatales en respuesta. En la presente introducción, los coordinadores de este número monográfico contextualizan los demás artículos respecto de los debates generales sobre reglamentación laboral de la producción mundial –concretamente sobre la regulación vinculante y no vinculante–, y de la evolución del mercado de trabajo, la reglamentación laboral, las condiciones de trabajo y las relaciones laborales en China en el último decenio. Concluyen con propuestas para futuras investigaciones.
Escasez de mano de obra y déficit de seguridad social para los migrantes nacionales en China
Authors: WANG Zhikai 
Published: January 2015

ResumenEn 2004 se paralizó la migración interna masiva de trabajadores rurales excedentarios en China, y la región costera oriental experimenta ahora una escasez de trabajadores. Este fenómeno con repercusiones en el desarrollo económico y social del país se debe al déficit de seguridad social para los trabajadores migrantes nacionales. Todavía hay un excedente enorme de trabajadores rurales. Si se mejora el régimen que rige los derechos laborales y sociales de los migrantes, se aliviaría la aparente escasez de mano de obra, se incrementaría la productividad y se impulsaría el crecimiento económico del país a largo plazo.
Relative adrenal insufficiency in severe acute variceal and non‐variceal bleeding: influence on outcomes
Authors: Graupera Isabel , Pavel Oana , Hernandez‐Gea Virginia , Ardevol Alba , Webb Susan , Urgell Eulalia , Colomo Alan , Llaó Jordina , Concepción Mar , Villanueva Càndid 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackground & AimsRelative adrenal insufficiency (RAI) is common in critical illness and in cirrhosis, and is related with worse outcomes. The prevalence of RAI may be different in variceal and non‐variceal bleeding and whether it may influence outcomes in these settings is unclear. This study assesses RAI and its prognostic implications in cirrhosis with variceal bleeding and in peptic ulcer bleeding.MethodsPatients with severe bleeding (systolic pressure <100 mmHg and/or haemoglobin <8 g/L) from oesophageal varices or from a peptic ulcer were included. Adrenal function was evaluated within the first 24 h and RAI was diagnosed as delta cortisol <250 nmol/L after 250 μg of i.v. corticotropin.ResultsSixty‐two patients were included, 36 had cirrhosis and variceal bleeding and 26 without cirrhosis had ulcer bleeding. Overall, 15 patients (24%) had RAI, 8 (22%) with variceal and 7 (24%) with ulcer bleeding. Patients with RAI had higher rate of bacterial infections. Baseline serum and salivary cortisol were higher in patients with RAI (P < 0.001) while delta cortisol was lower (P < 0.001). There was a good correlation between plasma and salivary cortisol (P < 0.001). The probability of 45‐days survival without further bleeding was lower in cirrhotic patients with variceal bleeding and RAI than in those without RAI (25% vs 68%, P = 0.02), but not in non‐cirrhotic patients with peptic ulcer bleeding with or without RAI (P = 0.75).ConclusionThe prevalence of RAI is similar in ulcer bleeding and in cirrhosis with variceal bleeding. Cirrhotic patients with RAI, but not those with bleeding ulcers, have worse prognosis.
Predictors of interleukin‐33 and thymic stromal lymphopoietin levels in cord blood
Authors: Ashley‐Martin Jillian , Dodds Linda , Arbuckle Tye E. , Levy Adrian R. , Platt Robert W. , Marshall Jean S. 
Published: January 2015

AbstractBackgroundThe fetal immune system is a critical window of development. The epithelial cell‐derived cytokines, thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP), and interleukin‐33 (IL‐33) have received attention for their role in allergic responses but not been studied during this critical window. The objectives were to assess correlations among IL‐33, TSLP, and IgE in umbilical cord blood samples and identify prenatal predictors of these biomarkers.MethodsThis study utilized data and banked cord blood collected in the Maternal‐Infant Research on Environmental Chemicals (MIREC) Study, a trans‐Canada cohort study of 2001 pregnant women. Our analytic sample comprised the 1254 women with a singleton, term birth with a cord blood sample. Spearman correlation coefficients (SCC) and logistic regression models were used to examine associations between biomarkers and identify potential predictors of elevated biomarker levels.ResultsThymic stromal lymphopoietin and IL‐33 were more strongly correlated with each other (SCC = 0.75, p < 0.0001) than with IgE (IL‐33 SCC = 0.14, TSLP SCC = 0.21). Maternal allergy, heavy street traffic, and elevated birth weight were significantly associated with jointly elevated TSLP and IL‐33 levels, whereas maternal age and female infant sex were inversely associated with elevated IgE.ConclusionsIn this population of Canadian women and infants, TSLP and IL‐33 were detectable in cord blood, more strongly correlated with each other than with IgE, and associated with maternal characteristics indicative of inflammatory responses. This study motivates investigation into the value of cord blood IL‐33 and TSLP levels as childhood allergy predictors and raises interesting questions regarding in utero coordinated regulation of these cytokines.
Large-Scale
13
C Flux Profiling Reveals Conservation of the Entner-Doudoroff Pathway as a Glycolytic Strategy among Marine Bacteria That Use Glucose
Authors: Klingner Arne , Bartsch Annekathrin , Dogs Marco , Wagner-Döbler Irene , Jahn Dieter , Simon Meinhard , Brinkhoff Thorsten , Becker Judith , Wittmann Christoph 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACT

Marine bacteria form one of the largest living surfaces on Earth, and their metabolic activity is of fundamental importance for global nutrient cycling. Here, we explored the largely unknown intracellular pathways in 25 microbes representing different classes of marine bacteria that use glucose:
Alphaproteobacteria
,
Gammaproteobacteria
, and
Flavobacteriia
of the
Bacteriodetes
phylum. We used
13
C isotope experiments to infer metabolic fluxes through their carbon core pathways. Notably, 90% of all strains studied use the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway for glucose catabolism, whereas only 10% rely on the Embden-Meyerhof-Parnas (EMP) pathway. This result differed dramatically from the terrestrial model strains studied, which preferentially used the EMP pathway yielding high levels of ATP. Strains using the ED pathway exhibited a more robust resistance against the oxidative stress typically found in this environment. An important feature contributing to the preferential use of the ED pathway in the oceans could therefore be enhanced supply of NADPH through this pathway. The marine bacteria studied did not specifically rely on a distinct anaplerotic route, but the carboxylation of phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) or pyruvate for fueling of the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle was evenly distributed. The marine isolates studied belong to clades that dominate the uptake of glucose, a major carbon source for bacteria in seawater. Therefore, the ED pathway may play a significant role in the cycling of mono- and polysaccharides by bacterial communities in marine ecosystems.
Elucidation of Echovirus 30's Origin and Transmission during the 2012 Aseptic Meningitis Outbreak in Guangdong, China, through Continuing Environmental Surveillance
Authors: Lu Jing , Zheng Huanying , Guo Xue , Zhang Yong , Li Hui , Liu Leng , Zeng Hanri , Fang Ling , Mo Yanling , Yoshida Hiromu , Yi Lina , Liu Tao , Rutherford Shannon , Xu Wenbo , Ke Changwen 
Published: January 2015

ABSTRACTAn aseptic meningitis outbreak occurred in Luoding City of Guangdong, China, in 2012, and echovirus type 30 (ECHO30) was identified as the major causative pathogen. Environmental surveillance indicated that ECHO30 was detected in the sewage of a neighboring city, Guangzhou, from 2010 to 2012 and also in Luoding City sewage samples (6/43, 14%) collected after the outbreak. In order to track the potential origin of the outbreak viral strains, we sequenced the VP1 genes of 29 viral strains from clinical patients and environmental samples. Sequence alignments and phylogenetic analyses based on VP1 gene sequences revealed that virus strains isolated from the sewage of Guangzhou and Luoding cities matched well the clinical strains from the outbreak, with high nucleotide sequence similarity (98.5% to 100%) and similar cluster distribution. Five ECHO30 clinical strains were clustered with the Guangdong environmental strains but diverged from strains from other regions, suggesting that this subcluster of viruses most likely originated from the circulating virus in Guangdong rather than having been more recently imported from other regions. These findings underscore the importance of long-term, continuous environmental surveillance and genetic analysis to monitor circulating enteroviruses.