bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Control of Photoluminescence of Carbon Nanodots via Surface Functionalization using Para-substituted Anilines
Authors: Kwon Woosung , Do Sungan , Kim Ji-Hee , Seok Jeong Mun , Rhee Shi-Woo 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCarbon nanodots (C-dots) are a kind of fluorescent carbon nanomaterials, composed of polyaromatic carbon domains surrounded by amorphous carbon frames and have attracted a great deal of attention because of their interesting properties. There are still, however, challenges ahead such as blue-biased photoluminescence, spectral broadness, undefined energy gaps and etc. In this report, we chemically modify the surface of C-dots with a series of para-substituted anilines to control their photoluminescence. Our surface functionalization endows our C-dots with new energy levels, exhibiting long-wavelength (up to 650 nm) photoluminescence of very narrow spectral widths. The roles of para-substituted anilines and their substituents in developing such energy levels are thoroughly studied by using transient absorption spectroscopy. We finally demonstrate light-emitting devices exploiting our C-dots as a phosphor, converting UV light to a variety of colors with internal quantum yields of ca. 20%.
Comparison of Subjective Refraction under Binocular and Monocular Conditions in Myopic Subjects
Authors: Kobashi Hidenaga , Kamiya Kazutaka , Handa Tomoya , Ando Wakako , Kawamorita Takushi , Igarashi Akihito , Shimizu Kimiya 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTo compare subjective refraction under binocular and monocular conditions and to investigate the clinical factors affecting the difference in spherical refraction between the two conditions. We examined thirty eyes of 30 healthy subjects. Binocular and monocular refraction without cycloplegia was measured through circular polarizing lenses in both eyes, using the Landolt-C chart of the 3D visual function trainer-ORTe. Stepwise multiple regression analysis was used to assess the relations among several pairs of variables and the difference in spherical refraction in binocular and monocular conditions. Subjective spherical refraction in the monocular condition was significantly more myopic than that in the binocular condition (p < 0.001), whereas no significant differences were seen in subjective cylindrical refraction (p = 0.99). The explanatory variable relevant to the difference in spherical refraction between binocular and monocular conditions was the binocular spherical refraction (p = 0.032, partial regression coefficient B = 0.029) (adjusted R2 = 0.230). No significant correlation was seen with other clinical factors. Subjective spherical refraction in the monocular condition was significantly more myopic than that in the binocular condition. Eyes with higher degrees of myopia are more predisposed to show the large difference in spherical refraction between these two conditions.
One-step biosynthesis of α-ketoisocaproate from l-leucine by an Escherichia coli whole-cell biocatalyst expressing an l-amino acid deaminase from Proteus vulgaris
Authors: Song Yang , Li Jianghua , Shin Hyun-dong , Du Guocheng , Liu Long , Chen Jian 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThis work aimed to develop a whole-cell biotransformation process for the production of α-ketoisocaproate from L-leucine. A recombinant Escherichia coli strain was constructed by expressing an L-amino acid deaminase from Proteus vulgaris. To enhance α-ketoisocaproate production, the reaction conditions were optimized as follows: whole-cell biocatalyst 0.8 g/L, leucine concentration 13.1 g/L, temperature 35 °C, pH 7.5 and reaction time 20 h. Under the above conditions, the α-ketoisocaproate titer reached 12.7 g/L with a leucine conversion rate of 97.8%. In addition, different leucine feeding strategies were examined to increase the α-ketoisocaproate titer. When 13.1 g/L leucine was added at 2-h intervals (from 0 to 22 h, 12 addition times), the α-ketoisocaproate titer reached 69.1 g/L, while the leucine conversion rate decreased to 50.3%. We have developed an effective process for the biotechnological production of α-ketoisocaproate that is more environmentally friendly than the traditional petrochemical synthesis approach.
Comparison of stimulus-evoked cerebral hemodynamics in the awake mouse and under a novel anesthetic regime
Authors: Sharp Paul S. , Shaw Kira , Boorman Luke , Harris Samuel , Kennerley Aneurin J. , Azzouz Mimoun , Berwick Jason 
Published: July 2015

AbstractNeural activity is closely followed by a localised change in cerebral blood flow, a process termed neurovascular coupling. These hemodynamic changes form the basis of contrast in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and are used as a correlate for neural activity. Anesthesia is widely employed in animal fMRI and neurovascular studies, however anesthetics are known to profoundly affect neural and vascular physiology, particularly in mice. Therefore, we investigated the efficacy of a novel ‘modular’ anesthesia that combined injectable (fentanyl-fluanisone/midazolam) and volatile (isoflurane) anesthetics in mice. To characterize sensory-evoked cortical hemodynamic responses, we used optical imaging spectroscopy to produce functional maps of changes in tissue oxygenation and blood volume in response to mechanical whisker stimulation. Following fine-tuning of the anesthetic regime, stimulation elicited large and robust hemodynamic responses in the somatosensory cortex, characterized by fast arterial activation, increases in total and oxygenated hemoglobin and decreases in deoxygenated hemoglobin. Overall, the magnitude and speed of evoked hemodynamic responses under anesthesia resembled those in the awake state, indicating that the novel anesthetic combination significantly minimizes the impact of anesthesia. Our findings have broad implications for both neurovascular research and longitudinal fMRI studies that increasingly require the use of genetically engineered mice.
Mechanisms of hypervirulent Clostridium difficile ribotype 027 displacement of endemic strains: an epidemiological model
Authors: Yakob Laith , Riley Thomas V. , Paterson David L. , Marquess John , Magalhaes Ricardo J. Soares , Furuya-Kanamori Luis , Clements Archie C.A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractFollowing rapid, global clonal dominance of hypervirulent ribotypes, Clostridium difficile now constitutes the primary infectious cause of nosocomial diarrhoea. Evidence indicates at least three possible mechanisms of hypervirulence that facilitates the successful invasion of these atypical strains: 1) increased infectiousness relative to endemic strains; 2) increased symptomatic disease rate relative to endemic strains; and 3) an ability to outcompete endemic strains in the host’s gut. Stochastic simulations of an infection transmission model demonstrate clear differences between the invasion potentials of C. difficile strains utilising the alternative hypervirulence mechanisms and provide new evidence that favours certain mechanisms (1 and 2) more than others (3). Additionally, simulations illustrate that direct competition between strains (inside the host’s gut) is not a prerequisite for the sudden switching that has been observed in prevailing ribotypes; previously dominant C. difficile strains can be excluded by hypervirulent ribotypes through indirect (exploitative) competition.
Single fluoxetine treatment before but not after stress prevents stress-induced hippocampal long-term depression and spatial memory retrieval impairment in rats
Authors: Han Huili , Dai Chunfang , Dong Zhifang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA growing body of evidence has shown that chronic treatment with fluoxetine, a widely prescribed medication for treatment of depression, can affect synaptic plasticity in the adult central nervous system. However, it is not well understood whether acute fluoxetine influences synaptic plasticity, especially on hippocampal CA1 long-term depression (LTD) and if so, whether it subsequently impacts hippocampal-dependent spatial memory. Here, we reported that LTD facilitated by elevated-platform stress in hippocampal slices was completely prevented by fluoxetine administration (10 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before stress. The LTD was not, however, significantly inhibited by fluoxetine administration immediately after stress. Similarly, fluoxetine incubation (10 μM) during electrophysiological recordings also displayed no influence on the stress-facilitated LTD. In addition, behavioral results showed that a single fluoxetine treatment 30 min before but not after acute stress fully reversed the impairment of spatial memory retrieval in the Morris water maze paradigm. Taken together, these results suggest that acute fluoxetine treatment only before, but not after stress, can prevent hippocampal CA1 LTD and spatial memory retrieval impairment caused by behavioral stress in adult animals.
Immune and neurotrophin stimulation by electroconvulsive therapy: is some inflammation needed after all?
Authors: van Buel E M , Patas K , Peters M , Bosker F J , Eisel U L M , Klein H C 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA low-grade inflammatory response is commonly seen in the peripheral blood of major depressive disorder (MDD) patients, especially those with refractory and chronic disease courses. However, electroconvulsive therapy (ECT), the most drastic intervention reserved for these patients, is closely associated with an enhanced haematogenous as well as neuroinflammatory immune response, as evidenced by both human and animal studies. A related line of experimental evidence further shows that inflammatory stimulation reinforces neurotrophin expression and may even mediate dramatic neurogenic and antidepressant-like effects following exposure to chronic stress. The current review therefore attempts a synthesis of our knowledge on the neurotrophic and immunological aspects of ECT and other electrically based treatments in psychiatry. Perhaps contrary to contemporary views, we conclude that targeted potentiation, rather than suppression, of inflammatory responses may be of therapeutic relevance to chronically depressed patients or a subgroup thereof.
Effects of cortisol administration on craving in heroin addicts
Authors: Walter M , Bentz D , Schicktanz N , Milnik A , Aerni A , Gerhards C , Schwegler K , Vogel M , Blum J , Schmid O , Roozendaal B , Lang U E , Borgwardt S , de Quervain D 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHeroin dependence is a severe and chronically relapsing substance use disorder with limited treatment options. Stress is known to increase craving and drug-taking behavior, but it is not known whether the stress hormone cortisol mediates these stress effects or whether cortisol may rather reduce craving, for example, by interfering with addiction memory. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of cortisol administration on craving in heroin-dependent patients and to determine whether the effects depend on the daily dose of heroin consumption. We used a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study in 29 heroin-dependent patients in a stable heroin-assisted treatment setting. A single oral dose of 20 mg of cortisol or placebo was administered 105 min before the daily heroin administration. The primary outcome measure was cortisol-induced change in craving. Secondary measures included anxiety, anger and withdrawal symptoms. For the visual analog scale for craving, we found a significant interaction (P=0.0027) between study medication and heroin-dose group (that is, daily low, medium or high dose of heroin). Cortisol administration reduced craving in patients receiving a low dose of heroin (before heroin administration:P=0.0019; after heroin administration:P=0.0074), but not in patients receiving a medium or high dose of heroin. In a picture-rating task with drug-related pictures, cortisol administration did not affect the ratings for the picture-characteristic craving in all the three heroin-dose groups. Cortisol also did not significantly affect secondary outcome measures. In conclusion, a single administration of cortisol leads to reduced craving in low-dose heroin addicts. The present findings might have important clinical implications with regard to understanding stress effects and regarding treatment of addiction.
Role of miRNA-146 in proliferation and differentiation of mouse neural stem cells
Authors: Xiao Wei-Zhong , Lu An-Qing , Liu Xin-Wei , Li Zhe , Zi Ying , Wang Zhi-Wei 
Published: July 2015

Neural stem cells (NSCs) have been defined as neural cells with the potential to self-renew and eventually generate all cell types of the nervous system. NSCs serve as an ideal cell type for nervous system repair. In the present study, miR-146 overexpression and predicted target (notch 1) were used to study proliferation and differentiation of mouse NSCs. shRNA were used to demonstrate the function of Notch 1 in proliferation of mouse NSCs and luciferase reporter assay was used to assess and confirm the binding sequence of 3′-UTR between Notch 1 and miR-146. Results showed that miR-146 overexpression and knockdown of notch 1 inhibited proliferation of mouse NSCs under serum-free cultural conditions and promoted spontaneous differentiation of mouse NSCs under contained serum cultural conditions respectively. Mouse NSCs spontaneously underwent differentiation into neurogenic cells with contained serum medium. However, when miR-146 was overexpressed, differentiation efficiency of glial cells from NSCs was increased, suggesting that Notch1 promoted NSC proliferation and repressed spontaneous differentiation of NSC in serum-free medium. In conclusion, our results demonstrate that miR-146 promoted spontaneous differentiation of NSCs, and this mechanism was influenced by miR-146, as well as its target (notch 1) and downstream gene.
Direct binding of hepatocyte growth factor and vascular endothelial growth factor to CD44v6
Authors: Volz Yvonne , Koschut David , Matzke-Ogi Alexandra , Dietz Marina S. , Karathanasis Christos , Richert Ludovic , Wagner Moritz G. , Mély Yves , Heilemann Mike , Niemann Hartmut H. , Orian-Rousseau Véronique 
Published: July 2015

CD44v6, a member of the CD44 family of transmembrane glycoproteins is a co-receptor for two receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs), Met and VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2). CD44v6 is not only required for the activation of these RTKs but also for signalling. In order to understand the role of CD44v6 in Met and VEGFR-2 activation and signalling we tested whether CD44v6 binds to their ligands, HGF (hepatocyte growth factor) and VEGF (vascular endothelial growth factor), respectively. FACS analysis and cellular ELISA showed binding of HGF and VEGF only to cells expressing CD44v6. Direct binding of CD44v6 to HGF and VEGF was demonstrated in pull-down assays and the binding affinities were determined using MicroScale Thermophoresis, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy and fluorescence anisotropy. The binding affinity of CD44v6 to HGF is in the micromolar range in contrast with the high-affinity binding measured in the case of VEGF and CD44v6, which is in the nanomolar range. These data reveal a heparan sulfate-independent direct binding of CD44v6 to the ligands of Met and VEGFR-2 and suggest different roles of CD44v6 for these RTKs.
Systematic review of current efforts to quantify the impacts of climate change on undernutrition
Authors: Phalkey Revati K. , Aranda-Jan Clara , Marx Sabrina , Höfle Bernhard , Sauerborn Rainer 
Published: July 2015

Significance
The World Health Organization and the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change propose undernutrition as the most significant impact of climate change on child health. The question then arises: Where does the empirical evidence to back this claim come from? Current evidence for the impacts of climate on childhood undernutrition draws on a limited number of heterogeneous studies with methodological limitations and is based predominantly on secondary data. Establishing and validating causal pathways among complex confounding factors remain the main challenge in quantifying the climate-attributable fraction of undernutrition. Systematically generating evidence from long-term, high-quality primary data on a range of factors (agricultural, environmental, socioeconomic, and health) at the household level is critical for designing adaptation strategies, particularly for subsistence farmers.
Relation between stability and resilience determines the performance of early warning signals under different environmental drivers
Authors: Dai Lei , Korolev Kirill S. , Gore Jeff 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Alternative stable states and critical transitions are widespread in nature and can have profound consequences for conservation, climate changes, and human health. Our current toolbox of early warning signals before critical transitions has seen both successes and failures. Understanding the limitations of these indicators is crucial for application in real-world scenarios. In this study, we explored the population dynamics of laboratory yeast under different forms of environmental deterioration. We found that the performance of early warning signals under different environmental drivers is determined by the underlying relation between stability and resilience. This work presents a framework to evaluate the utility of early warning signals, and it sets a foundation for further studies on how dynamical systems respond to environmental changes.
MALDI mass spectrometry imaging analysis of pituitary adenomas for near-real-time tumor delineation
Authors: Calligaris David , Feldman Daniel R. , Norton Isaiah , Olubiyi Olutayo , Changelian Armen N. , Machaidze Revaz , Vestal Matthew L. , Laws Edward R. , Dunn Ian F. , Santagata Sandro , Agar Nathalie Y. R. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
This study presents the use of matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) to detect and delineate pituitary tumors. Using MALDI MSI, it is possible to determine the peptide and protein hormone composition of pituitary tumor resection samples in fewer than 30 min. Surgeons could therefore have access to critical information for surgical decision-making in a near-real-time manner and be able to localize and discriminate pituitary tumor from nonpathological pituitary gland. This study supports the inclusion of MALDI MSI in the clinical workflow for the surgical resection of pituitary tumors, potentially allowing for improved surgical precision and patient outcomes.
Action potentials and amphetamine release antipsychotic drug from dopamine neuron synaptic VMAT vesicles
Authors: Tucker Kristal R. , Block Ethan R. , Levitan Edwin S. 
Published: July 2015

SignificanceAntipsychotic drugs (APDs) are dopamine (DA) receptor antagonists, whose action has been hypothesized to be affected by acidic trapping in and release by synaptic vesicles. However, acidic trapping of APDs has not been detected directly. Therefore, multiphoton microscopy was used to image an APD directly in living brain slices containing DA neurons. The APD accumulated by acidic trapping, and in the striatum, it was selectively depleted from DA synaptic vesicles by an amphetamine. Action potentials evoked Ca2+-dependent striatal APD depletion, suggesting release by vesicle exocytosis. Therefore, APDs concentrate by acidic trapping in DA synaptic vesicles so that these antagonists will be coreleased with the native transmitter when and where physiological and pharmacological stimuli evoke dopaminergic transmission.
Decadal acidification in the water masses of the Atlantic Ocean
Authors: Ríos Aida F. , Resplandy Laure , García-Ibáñez Maribel I. , Fajar Noelia M. , Velo Anton , Padin Xose A. , Wanninkhof Rik , Steinfeldt Reiner , Rosón Gabriel , Pérez Fiz F. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
We provide the first (to our knowledge) observation-based acidification trends in the water masses of the Atlantic basin over the past two decades and compare them with climate model results. Observations and model output confirm that pH changes in surface layers are dominated by the anthropogenic component. In mode and intermediate waters, the anthropogenic and natural components are of the same order of magnitude and sign. Large changes in the natural component of newly formed mode and intermediate waters are associated with latitudinal shifts of these water masses caused by the Southern Annular Mode in the South Atlantic and by changes in the rates of water mass formation in the North Atlantic.
Orthologs of the archaeal isopentenyl phosphate kinase regulate terpenoid production in plants
Authors: Henry Laura K. , Gutensohn Michael , Thomas Suzanne T. , Noel Joseph P. , Dudareva Natalia 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Terpenoids, one of the largest and most diverse classes of natural products, are found in all living organisms, where they play essential roles in growth and development, respiration and photosynthesis, and interactions with the environment. We discovered that a functional homolog of isopentenyl phosphate kinase (IPK), originally identified in archaebacteria, is unexpectedly present in plants and functions in their terpenoid metabolic network. Cytosolically localized, IPK phosphorylates isopentenyl phosphate (IP) and its isomer dimethylallyl phosphate (DMAP) to their corresponding diphosphates, IPP and DMAPP, the universal C5 building blocks of all natural terpenoids. IPK enhances terpenoid formation by returning IP/DMAP to the terpenoid biosynthetic network. This metabolite reactivation process offers a new approach for metabolic engineering of economically important terpenoids.
Amber fossils demonstrate deep-time stability of Caribbean lizard communities
Authors: Sherratt Emma , del Rosario Castañeda María , Garwood Russell J. , Mahler D. Luke , Sanger Thomas J. , Herrel Anthony , de Queiroz Kevin , Losos Jonathan B. 
Published: July 2015

Significance
An unresolved question in ecology is whether the structure of ecological communities can be stable over very long timescales. Here we describe a wealth of new amber fossils for an ancient radiation of Hispaniolan lizards that, until now, has had a very poor fossil record. These fossils provide an important and previously unavailable perspective on an ecologically well-studied group and indicate that anole lizard communities occurring on Hispaniola 20 Mya were made up of the same types of habitat specialists present in this group today. These data indicate that the ecological processes important in extant anole communities have been operative over long periods of time.
Highly permeable artificial water channels that can self-assemble into two-dimensional arrays
Authors: Shen Yue-xiao , Si Wen , Erbakan Mustafa , Decker Karl , De Zorzi Rita , Saboe Patrick O. , Kang You Jung , Majd Sheereen , Butler Peter J. , Walz Thomas , Aksimentiev Aleksei , Hou Jun-li , Kumar Manish 
Published: July 2015

Significance
This study focuses on the design of highly permeable artificial water channels for the use in membrane-based separation materials. A platform was developed for the systematic characterization of the single-channel water conduction of artificial channels, which is based on permeability measurement by stopped-flow light-scattering experiments and single-molecule counting by fluorescence correlation spectroscopy. With this platform the water conduction of the redesigned peptide-appended pillar[5]arene channels was found to be similar to that of aquaporins, natural water channel proteins, and their synthetic analogs, carbon nanotubes, which is an order of magnitude higher than that of first-generation artificial water channels. The channel can also self-assemble into arrays in membranes, opening the possibility for materials that can be used in engineering applications such as liquid and gas separations.