bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Deficiencies in extrusion of the second polar body due to high calcium concentrations duringin vitrofertilization in inbred C3H/He mice
Authors: Ohta Yuki , Nagao Yoshikazu , Minami Naojiro , Tsukamoto Satoshi , Kito Seiji 
Published: October 2015

SummarySuccessfulin vitrofertilization (IVF) of all inbred strains of laboratory mice has not yet been accomplished. We have previously shown that a high calcium concentration improved IVF in various inbred mice. However, we also found that in cumulus-free ova of C3H/He mice such IVF conditions significantly increased the deficiency of extrusion of the second polar body (PBII) in a dose-dependent manner (2% at 1.71 mM and 29% at 6.84 mM,P< 0.05) and that PBII extrusion was affected by high calcium levels at 2–3 h post-insemination. While developmental competence of ova without PBII extrusion to blastocysts after 96 h culture was not affected, a significant reduction in the nuclear number of the inner cell mass was observed in blastocyst fertilized under high calcium condition. We also examined how high calcium concentration during IVF affects PBII extrusion in C3H/He mice. Cumulus cells cultured under high calcium conditions showed a significantly alleviated deficient PBII extrusion. This phenomenon is likely to be specific to C3H/He ova because deficient PBII extrusion in reciprocal fertilization between C3H and BDF1 gametes was observed only in C3H/He ova. Sperm factor(s) was still involved in deficient PBII extrusion due to high calcium concentrations, as this phenomenon was not observed in ova activated by ethanol. The cytoskeletal organization of ova without PBII extrusion showed disturbed spindle rotation, incomplete formation of contractile ring and disturbed localization of actin, suggesting that high calcium levels affect the anchoring machinery of the meiotic spindle. These results indicate that in C3H/He mice high calcium levels induce abnormal fertilization, i.e. deficient PBII extrusion by affecting the cytoskeletal organization, resulting in disturbed cytokinesis during the second meiotic division. Thus, use of high calcium media for IVF should be avoided for this strain.
Yet more on a stochastic economic model: part 2: initial conditions, select periods and neutralising parameters
Authors: Wilkie A. D. , Şahin Şule 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIn this paper, we consider a number of practical and theoretical aspects of the Wilkie asset model, many of which apply to any similar model used for simulation over time. We discuss the experience of the Wilkie model since 2009. We then discuss the variables that can form the working set, the input set and the output set, all of which may be different. There are different ways of simulating, either in a linear parallel structure or in a branching tree structure. We then discuss the initial conditions required, which may be market conditions at some date, or may be “neutral” initial conditions, which may be defined in different ways. One method of generating initial conditions would be to simulate them randomly, from their own long-term distribution, and we show how to calculate the means, variances and covariances of these. What we call “neutralising parameters” may have a role, and we discuss how these may be found. Finally, we suggest using additional information in the first periods of the simulation to adjust the formulae or parameters for a limited “select period”.
Service user and clinician perspectives on the use of outcome measures in psychological therapy
Authors: Thew Graham R. , Fountain Louise , Salkovskis Paul M. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWhile the benefits of routine outcome measurement have been extolled and to some degree researched, it is surprising that service user opinions on this common therapy practice have largely not been investigated. This study aimed to assess service users’ experiences of completing measures during psychological therapy, with a view to exploring how therapists can maximize how helpful measures are in therapy. Fifteen participants completed surveys about the use of measures in their current episode of care. Ten clinicians also completed a survey about their use of, and views about, measures. Results showed that despite mixed experiences in how measures were explained and used, service users showed generally favourable attitudes towards their use in therapy, with them being perceived as most helpful when well integrated into sessions by their therapists. Clinicians reported using a wide range of measures, and generally endorsed positive beliefs about measures more strongly than negative ones. Implications for clinical practice, service development, and further research are discussed.
Multiple Goals and Homework Involvement in Elementary School Students
Authors: Valle Antonio , Pan Irene , Núñez José C. , Rodríguez Susana , Rosário Pedro , Regueiro Bibiana 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis work arises from the need to investigate the role of motivational variables in homework involvement and academic achievement of elementary school students. The aims of this study are twofold: identifying the different combinations of student academic goals and analyzing the differences in homework involvement and academic achievement. The sample was composed of 535 fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade elementary school students, between the ages of 9 and 13 years old. Findings showed three groups with different motivational profiles: a group of students with high multiple goals, another group with a learning goal orientation and a third group defined by a low multiple goals profile. Focusing on the differences between groups, it was observed that the amount of time doing homework was not associated with any motivational profile. Nevertheless, the differences were statistically significant between the motivational groups in the amount of homework (F(2, 530) = 42.59;p< .001; ηp2= .138), in the management of time spent on homework (F(2, 530) = 33.08;p< .001; ηp2= .111), and in academic achievement (F(2, 530) = 33.99;p< .001; ηp2= .114). The effect size was large for the amount of homework performed and was also relatively large in the case of management of time and academic achievement.
Partisanship and Perceptions of Fairness: Ignoring the Facts
Authors: Allen Barbara , Lawrence Eric , Stevens Daniel , Sullivan John 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper employs survey experiments to examine how contextualizing the claims made in negative political advertising affects perceptions of their fairness. This has implications for the components of fairness judgments, e.g., if “truth” is a component of fairness, being informed that a claim is untrue should undermine perceptions of its fairness, as well as for the efficacy of “fact-checking.” Our experiments on a random national telephone sample show some effects of being informed that a claim is untrue but few if it is characterized as taken out of context or as irrelevant. These findings imply that: (a) while evaluations of the truth of claims appear to be a component of fairness, considerations such as whether claims are the “whole story” or “relevant” to the decision at hand do not, and (b) contextualizing of the claims of ads in fact-checks has very little impact on perceptions of their fairness.
Increased CD271 expression by the NF-kB pathway promotes melanoma cell survival and drives acquired resistance to BRAF inhibitor vemurafenib
Authors: Lehraiki Abdelali , Cerezo Michael , Rouaud Florian , Abbe Patricia , Allegra Marilyne , Kluza Jerome , Marchetti Philippe , Imbert Veronique , Cheli Yann , Bertolotto Corine , Ballotti Robert , Rocchi Stéphane 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSpecific BRAFV600E inhibitors (BRAFi) are highly effective in the treatment of melanoma. However, acquired drug resistances invariably develop after the initial response. Therefore, the identification of new mechanisms of acquired resistance gives important clues towards the development of therapies that could elicit long lasting responses. Here we report that CD271 confers resistance to BRAFi in melanoma cells. The expression of CD271 is increased by BRAFi through a stimulation of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNFα) secretion that leads to NF-κB signaling pathway activation. CD271 is upregulated in a subset of BRAFi-resistant melanoma cells. The inhibition of TNFα/NF-κB pathway and CD271 silencing restore the BRAFi sensitivity of resistant melanoma cells. Finally, increase of CD271 expression is validated in BRAFi-resistant xenografts tumors and also in tumors from the patients who relapsed under BRAFi. In summary, these results reveal a novel TNFα/NF-κB/CD271 axis whose activation contributes to the acquisition of resistance to BRAFi and therefore may represent a novel therapeutic target to improve the efficacy of therapy in melanoma.
In situ phenotypic heterogeneity among single cells of the filamentous bacterium Candidatus Microthrix parvicella
Authors: Sheik Abdul R , Muller Emilie E L , Audinot Jean-Nicolas , Lebrun Laura A , Grysan Patrick , Guignard Cedric , Wilmes Paul 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Microorganisms in biological wastewater treatment plants require adaptive strategies to deal with rapidly fluctuating environmental conditions. At the population level, the filamentous bacterium Candidatus Microthrix parvicella (Ca. M. parvicella) has been found to fine-tune its gene expression for optimized substrate assimilation. Here we investigated in situ substrate assimilation by single cells of Ca. M. parvicella using nano-scale secondary-ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS). NanoSIMS imaging highlighted phenotypic heterogeneity among Ca. M. parvicella cells of the same filament, whereby 13C-oleic acid and 13C-glycerol-3-phosphate assimilation occurred in ≈21–55% of cells, despite non-assimilating cells being intact and alive. In response to alternating aerobic–anoxic regimes, 13C-oleic acid assimilation occurred among subpopulations of Ca. M. parvicella cells (≈3–28% of cells). Furthermore, Ca. M. parvicella cells exhibited two temperature optima for 13C-oleic acid assimilation and associated growth rates. These results suggest that phenotypic heterogeneity among Ca. M. parvicella cells allows the population to adapt rapidly to fluctuating environmental conditions facilitating its widespread occurrence in biological wastewater treatment plants.
Superinfection exclusion and the long-term survival of honey bees in Varroa-infested colonies
Authors: Mordecai Gideon J , Brettell Laura E , Martin Stephen J , Dixon David , Jones Ian M , Schroeder Declan C 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Over the past 50 years, many millions of European honey bee (Apis mellifera) colonies have died as the ectoparasitic mite, Varroa destructor, has spread around the world. Subsequent studies have indicated that the mite’s association with a group of RNA viral pathogens (Deformed Wing Virus, DWV) correlates with colony death. Here, we propose a phenomenon known as superinfection exclusion that provides an explanation of how certain A. mellifera populations have survived, despite Varroa infestation and high DWV loads. Next-generation sequencing has shown that a non-lethal DWV variant ‘type B’ has become established in these colonies and that the lethal ‘type A’ DWV variant fails to persist in the bee population. We propose that this novel stable host-pathogen relationship prevents the accumulation of lethal variants, suggesting that this interaction could be exploited for the development of an effective treatment that minimises colony losses in the future.
Insulin enhances striatal dopamine release by activating cholinergic interneurons and thereby signals reward
Authors: Stouffer Melissa A. , Woods Catherine A. , Patel Jyoti C. , Lee Christian R. , Witkovsky Paul , Bao Li , Machold Robert P. , Jones Kymry T. , de Vaca Soledad Cabeza , Reith Maarten E. A. , Carr Kenneth D. , Rice Margaret E. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInsulin activates insulin receptors (InsRs) in the hypothalamus to signal satiety after a meal. However, the rising incidence of obesity, which results in chronically elevated insulin levels, implies that insulin may also act in brain centres that regulate motivation and reward. We report here that insulin can amplify action potential-dependent dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and caudate–putamen through an indirect mechanism that involves striatal cholinergic interneurons that express InsRs. Furthermore, two different chronic diet manipulations in rats, food restriction (FR) and an obesogenic (OB) diet, oppositely alter the sensitivity of striatal DA release to insulin, with enhanced responsiveness in FR, but loss of responsiveness in OB. Behavioural studies show that intact insulin levels in the NAc shell are necessary for acquisition of preference for the flavour of a paired glucose solution. Together, these data imply that striatal insulin signalling enhances DA release to influence food choices.
S-nitrosylation-dependent proteasomal degradation restrains Cdk5 activity to regulate hippocampal synaptic strength
Authors: Zhang Peng , Fu Wing-Yu , Fu Amy K. Y. , Ip Nancy Y. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractPrecise regulation of synaptic strength requires coordinated activity and functions of synaptic proteins, which is controlled by a variety of post-translational modification. Here we report that S-nitrosylation of p35, the activator of cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5), by nitric oxide (NO) is important for the regulation of excitatory synaptic strength. While blockade of NO signalling results in structural and functional synaptic deficits as indicated by reduced mature dendritic spine density and surface expression of glutamate receptor subunits, phosphorylation of numerous synaptic substrates of Cdk5 and its activity are aberrantly upregulated following reduced NO production. The results show that the NO-induced reduction in Cdk5 activity is mediated by S-nitrosylation of p35, resulting in its ubiquitination and degradation by the E3 ligase PJA2. Silencing p35 protein in hippocampal neurons partially rescues the NO blockade-induced synaptic deficits. These findings collectively demonstrate that p35 S-nitrosylation by NO signalling is critical for regulating hippocampal synaptic strength.
Identification of four new susceptibility loci for testicular germ cell tumour
Authors: Litchfield Kevin , Holroyd Amy , Lloyd Amy , Broderick Peter , Nsengimana Jérémie , Eeles Rosalind , Easton Douglas F , Dudakia Darshna , Bishop D. Timothy , Reid Alison , Huddart Robert A. , Grotmol Tom , Wiklund Fredrik , Shipley Janet , Houlston Richard S. , Turnbull Clare 
Published: October 2015

AbstractGenome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple risk loci for testicular germ cell tumour (TGCT), revealing a polygenic model of disease susceptibility strongly influenced by common variation. To identify additional single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with TGCT, we conducted a multistage GWAS with a combined data set of >25,000 individuals (6,059 cases and 19,094 controls). We identified new risk loci for TGCT at 3q23 (rs11705932, TFDP2, P=1.5 × 10−9), 11q14.1 (rs7107174, GAB2, P=9.7 × 10−11), 16p13.13 (rs4561483, GSPT1, P=1.6 × 10−8) and 16q24.2 (rs55637647, ZFPM1, P=3.4 × 10−9). We additionally present detailed functional analysis of these loci, identifying a statistically significant relationship between rs4561483 risk genotype and increased GSPT1 expression in TGCT patient samples. These findings provide additional support for a polygenic model of TGCT risk and further insight into the biological basis of disease development.
The γ-tubulin-specific inhibitor gatastatin reveals temporal requirements of microtubule nucleation during the cell cycle
Authors: Chinen Takumi , Liu Peng , Shioda Shuya , Pagel Judith , Cerikan Berati , Lin Tien-chen , Gruss Oliver , Hayashi Yoshiki , Takeno Haruka , Shima Tomohiro , Okada Yasushi , Hayakawa Ichiro , Hayashi Yoshio , Kigoshi Hideo , Usui Takeo , Schiebel Elmar 
Published: October 2015

AbstractInhibitors of microtubule (MT) assembly or dynamics that target α/β-tubulin are widely exploited in cancer therapy and biological research. However, specific inhibitors of the MT nucleator γ-tubulin that would allow testing temporal functions of γ-tubulin during the cell cycle are yet to be identified. By evolving β-tubulin-binding drugs we now find that the glaziovianin A derivative gatastatin is a γ-tubulin-specific inhibitor. Gatastatin decreased interphase MT dynamics of human cells without affecting MT number. Gatastatin inhibited assembly of the mitotic spindle in prometaphase. Addition of gatastatin to preformed metaphase spindles altered MT dynamics, reduced the number of growing MTs and shortened spindle length. Furthermore, gatastatin prolonged anaphase duration by affecting anaphase spindle structure, indicating the continuous requirement of MT nucleation during mitosis. Thus, gatastatin facilitates the dissection of the role of γ-tubulin during the cell cycle and reveals the sustained role of γ-tubulin.
Sub-phonon-period compression of electron pulses for atomic diffraction
Authors: Gliserin A. , Walbran M. , Krausz F. , Baum P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractVisualizing the rearrangement of atoms in a wide range of molecular and condensed-matter systems requires resolving picometre displacements on a 10-fs timescale, which is achievable using pump–probe diffraction, given short enough pulses. Here we demonstrate the compression of single-electron pulses with a de Broglie wavelength of 0.08 ångström to a full-width at half-maximum duration of 28 fs or equivalently 12-fs root-mean square, substantially shorter than most phonon periods and molecular normal modes. Atomic resolution diffraction from a complex organic molecule is obtained with good signal-to-noise ratio within a data acquisition period of minutes. The electron-laser timing is found to be stable within 5 fs (s.d.) over several hours, allowing pump–probe diffraction at repetitive excitation. These measurements show the feasibility of laser-pump/electron-probe scans that can resolve the fastest atomic motions relevant in reversible condensed-matter transformations and organic chemistry.
Biosynthesis of the mycotoxin tenuazonic acid by a fungal NRPS–PKS hybrid enzyme
Authors: Yun Choong-Soo , Motoyama Takayuki , Osada Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTenuazonic acid (TeA) is a well-known mycotoxin produced by various plant pathogenic fungi. However, its biosynthetic gene has been unknown to date. Here we identify the TeA biosynthetic gene fromMagnaporthe oryzaeby finding two TeA-inducing conditions of a low-producing strain. We demonstrate that TeA is synthesized from isoleucine and acetoacetyl-coenzyme A by TeA synthetase 1 (TAS1). TAS1 is a unique non-ribosomal peptide synthetase and polyketide synthase (NRPS–PKS) hybrid enzyme that begins with an NRPS module. In contrast to other NRPS/PKS hybrid enzymes, the PKS portion of TAS1 has only a ketosynthase (KS) domain and this domain is indispensable for TAS1 activity. Phylogenetic analysis classifies this KS domain as an independent clade close to type I PKS KS domain. We demonstrate that the TAS1 KS domain conducts the final cyclization step for TeA release. These results indicate that TAS1 is a unique type of NRPS–PKS hybrid enzyme.
Does environmental confounding mask pleiotropic effects of a multiple sclerosis susceptibility variant on vitamin D in psychosis?
Authors: Iyegbe Conrad O , Acharya Anita , Lally John , Gardner-Sood Poonam , Smith Louise S , Smith Shubulade , Murray Robin , Howes Oliver , Gaughran Fiona 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Background:
This work addresses the existing and emerging evidence of overlap within the environmental and genetic profiles of multiple sclerosis (MS) and schizophrenia.

Aims:
To investigate whether a genetic risk factor for MS (rs703842), whose variation is indicative of vitamin D status in the disorder, could also be a determinant of vitamin D status in chronic psychosis patients.

Methods:
A cohort of 224 chronic psychosis cases was phenotyped and biologically profiled. The relationship between rs703842 and physiological vitamin D status in the blood plasma was assessed by logistic regression. Deficiency was defined as a blood plasma concentration below 10 ng/µl. Potential environmental confounders of the vitamin D status were considered as part of the analysis.

Results:
We report suggestive evidence of an association with vitamin D status in established psychosis (ßstandardized=0.51, P=0.04). The logistic model fit significantly benefited from controlling for body mass index, depression and ethnicity (χ2=91.7; 2 degrees of freedom (df); P=1.2×1020).

Conclusions:
The results suggest that, in addition to lifestyle changes that accompany the onset of illness, vitamin D dysregulation in psychosis has a genetic component that links into MS. Further, comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate this prospect.
Whole Exome Sequencing Identifies Frequent Somatic Mutations in Cell-Cell Adhesion Genes in Chinese Patients with Lung Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Authors: Li Chenguang , Gao Zhibo , Li Fei , Li Xiangchun , Sun Yihua , Wang Mengyun , Li Dan , Wang Rui , Li Fuming , Fang Rong , Pan Yunjian , Luo Xiaoyang , He Jing , Zheng Liangtao , Xia Jufeng , Qiu Lixin , He Jun , Ye Ting , Zhang Ruoxin , He Minghui , Zhu Meiling , Hu Haichuan , Shi Tingyan , Zhou Xiaoyan , Sun Menghong , Tian Shilin , Zhou Yong , Wang Qiaoxiu , Chen Longyun , Yin Guangliang , Lu Jingya , Wu Renhua , Guo Guangwu , Li Yingrui , Hu Xueda , Li Lin , Asan  , Wang Qin , Yin Ye , Feng Qiang , Wang Bin , Wang Hang , Wang Mingbang , Yang Xiaonan , Zhang Xiuqing , Yang Huanming , Jin Li , Wang Cun-Yu , Ji Hongbin , Chen Haiquan , Wang Jun , Wei Qingyi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractLung squamous cell carcinoma (SQCC) accounts for about 30% of all lung cancer cases. Understanding of mutational landscape for this subtype of lung cancer in Chinese patients is currently limited. We performed whole exome sequencing in samples from 100 patients with lung SQCCs to search for somatic mutations and the subsequent target capture sequencing in another 98 samples for validation. We identified 20 significantly mutated genes, including TP53, CDH10, NFE2L2 and PTEN. Pathways with frequently mutated genes included those of cell-cell adhesion/Wnt/Hippo in 76%, oxidative stress response in 21% and phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase in 36% of the tested tumor samples. Mutations of Chromatin regulatory factor genes were identified at a lower frequency. In functional assays, we observed that knockdown of CDH10 promoted cell proliferation, soft-agar colony formation, cell migration and cell invasion and overexpression of CDH10 inhibited cell proliferation. This mutational landscape of lung SQCC in Chinese patients improves our current understanding of lung carcinogenesis, early diagnosis and personalized therapy.