bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Tissue-engineered cornea constructed with compressed collagen and laser-perforated electrospun mat
Authors: Kong Bin , Sun Wei , Chen Guoshi , Tang Song , Li Ming , Shao Zengwu , Mi Shengli
Published: April 2017

While Plastic Compressed (PC) collagen technique is often used to fabricate bioengineered constructs, PC collagen gels are too weak to be sutured or conveniently handled for clinical applications. To overcome this limitation, electrospun poly (lactic-co-glycolide) (PLGA) mats, which have excellent biocompatibility and mechanical properties, were combined with PC collagen to fabricate sandwich-like hybrid constructs. By laser-perforating holes with different sizes and spacings in the electrospun mats to regulate the mechanical properties and light transmittance of the hybrid constructs, we produced hybrid constructs with properties very suitable to apply in corneal tissue engineering. The maximum tensile stress of the optimal hybrid construct was 3.42 ± 0.22 MPa. The light transmittance of the hybrid construct after perforation was approximately 15-fold higher than before, and light transmittance increased gradually with increasing time. After immersing into PBS for 7 days, the transmittance of the optimal construct changed from 63 ± 2.17% to 72 ± 1.8% under 500 nm wavelength. The live/dead staining, cell proliferation assay and immunohistochemistry study of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) and human keratocytes (HKs) cultured on the optimal hybrid construct both demonstrated that the cells adhered, proliferated, and maintained their phenotype well on the material. In addition, after culturing for 2 weeks, the HCECs could form stratified layers. Thus, our designed construct is suitable for the construction of engineered corneal tissue.
Highly gate-tuneable Rashba spin-orbit interaction in a gate-all-around InAs nanowire metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor
Authors: Takase K. , Ashikawa Y. , Zhang G. , Tateno K. , Sasaki S.
Published: April 2017

III-V semiconductors have been intensively studied with the goal of realizing metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) with high mobility, a high on-off ratio, and low power consumption as next-generation transistors designed to replace current Si technology. Of these semiconductors, a narrow band-gap semiconductor InAs has strong Rashba spin-orbit interaction, thus making it advantageous in terms of both high field-effect transistor (FET) performance and efficient spin control. Here we report a high-performance InAs nanowire MOSFET with a gate-all-around (GAA) structure, where we simultaneously control the spin precession using the Rashba interaction. Our FET has a high on-off ratio (104~106) and a high field-effect mobility (1200 cm2/Vs) and both values are comparable to those of previously reported nanowire FETs. Simultaneously, GAA geometry combined with high- κ dielectric enables the creation of a large and uniform coaxial electric field (>107 V/m), thereby achieving highly controllable Rashba coupling (1 × 10−11 eVm within a gate-voltage swing of 1 V), i.e. an operation voltage one order of magnitude smaller than those of back-gated nanowire MOSFETs. Our demonstration of high FET performance and spin controllability offers a new way of realizing low-power consumption nanoscale spin MOSFETs.
Magnetic moment of inertia within the torque-torque correlation model
Authors: Thonig Danny , Eriksson Olle , Pereiro Manuel
Published: April 2017

An essential property of magnetic devices is the relaxation rate in magnetic switching which strongly depends on the energy dissipation. This is described by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation and the well known damping parameter, which has been shown to be reproduced from quantum mechanical calculations. Recently the importance of inertia phenomena have been discussed for magnetisation dynamics. This magnetic counterpart to the well-known inertia of Newtonian mechanics, represents a research field that so far has received only limited attention. We present and elaborate here on a theoretical model for calculating the magnetic moment of inertia based on the torque-torque correlation model. Particularly, the method has been applied to bulk itinerant magnets and we show that numerical values are comparable with recent experimental measurements. The theoretical analysis shows that even though the moment of inertia and damping are produced by the spin-orbit coupling, and the expression for them have common features, they are caused by very different electronic structure mechanisms. We propose ways to utilise this in order to tune the inertia experimentally, and to find materials with significant inertia dynamics.
Stemness and differentiation potential-recovery effects of sinapic acid against ultraviolet-A-induced damage through the regulation of p38 MAPK and NF-κB
Authors: Hwang Young Sun , Park See-Hyoung , Kang Mingyeong , Oh Sae Woong , Jung Kwangseon , Park Yong Seek , Lee Jongsung
Published: April 2017

Ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation exerts negative effects on stemness and differentiation potential of stem cells. This study aimed to explore the effect of sinapic acid on UVA-irradiation-induced damages to stemness and differentiation potential of human-adipose-tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) and its UVA-antagonist mechanisms. Sinapic acid attenuated UVA-induced reduction in the proliferative potential and stemness by upregulating OCT4, SOX2, and NANOG. In addition, sinapic acid significantly recovered UVA-induced reduction in expression level of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α. The antagonist effect of sinapic acid against stemness damage was mediated by reduceing PGE2 production through inhibition of p38 MAPK and NF-κB. Moreover, sinapic acid attenuated UVA-induced reduction in differentiation potential by downregulating the expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and Kruppel-like factor (KLF) 2 gene while activating AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). UVA-induced inhibition of adipogenic differentiation was mediated by reducing MIF production through suppression of NF-κB. Taken together, these findings suggest that sinapic acid may ameliorate UVA-irradiation-induced reduced stemness and differentiation potential of hAMSCs. Therefore, sinapic acid might have potential as an antagonist agent to attenuate damages caused by UVA.
Ketogenic diet attenuates hepatopathy in mouse model of respiratory chain complex III deficiency caused by a Bcs1l mutation
Authors: Purhonen Janne , Rajendran Jayasimman , Mörgelin Matthias , Uusi-Rauva Kristiina , Katayama Shintaro , Krjutskov Kaarel , Einarsdottir Elisabet , Velagapudi Vidya , Kere Juha , Jauhiainen Matti , Fellman Vineta , Kallijärvi Jukka
Published: April 2017

Mitochondrial disorders are among the most prevalent inborn errors of metabolism but largely lack treatments and have poor outcomes. High-fat, low-carbohydrate ketogenic diets (KDs) have shown beneficial effects in mouse models of mitochondrial myopathies, with induction of mitochondrial biogenesis as the suggested main mechanism. We fed KD to mice with respiratory chain complex III (CIII) deficiency and progressive hepatopathy due to mutated BCS1L, a CIII assembly factor. The mutant mice became persistently ketotic and tolerated the KD for up to 11 weeks. Liver disease progression was attenuated by KD as shown by delayed fibrosis, reduced cell death, inhibition of hepatic progenitor cell response and stellate cell activation, and normalization of liver enzyme activities. Despite no clear signs of increased mitochondrial biogenesis in the liver, CIII assembly and activity were improved and mitochondrial morphology in hepatocytes normalized. Induction of hepatic glutathione transferase genes and elevated total glutathione level were normalized by KD. Histological findings and transcriptome changes indicated modulation of liver macrophage populations by the mutation and the diet. These results reveal a striking beneficial hepatic response to KD in mice with mitochondrial hepatopathy and warrant further investigations of dietary modification in the management of these conditions in patients.
Antiviral activities of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. against enterovirus 71 in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Chen Sin-Guang , Cheng Mei-Ling , Chen Kuan-Hsing , Horng Jim-Tong , Liu Ching-Chuan , Wang Shih-Min , Sakurai Hiroaki , Leu Yann-Lii , Wang Shulhn-Der , Ho Hung-Yao
Published: April 2017

No effective drug is currently available for treatment of enterovirus 71 (EV71) infection. Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq. (ST) has been used as a herbal constituent of traditional Chinese medicine. We studied whether the aqueous extract of Schizonepeta tenuifolia Briq (STE) has antiviral activity. STE inhibited replication of EV71, as evident by its ability to diminish plaque formation and cytopathic effect induced by EV71, and to inhibit the synthesis of viral RNA and protein. Moreover, daily single-dose STE treatment significantly improved the survival of EV71-infected mice, and ameliorated the symptoms. Mechanistically, STE exerts multiple effects on enteroviral infection. Treatment with STE reduced viral attachment and entry; the cleavage of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4 G (eIF4G) by EV71 protease, 2Apro; virus-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) formation; and relocation of heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm. It was accompanied by a decline in EV71-associated hyperphosphorylation of p38 kinase and EPS15. It is plausible that STE may inhibit ROS-induced p38 kinase activation, and subsequent hnRNP A1 relocation and EPS15-mediated membrane trafficking in infected cells. These findings suggest that STE possesses anti-EV71 activities, and may serve as health food or candidate antiviral drug for protection against EV71.
TestSTORM: Versatile simulator software for multimodal super-resolution localization fluorescence microscopy
Authors: Novák Tibor , Gajdos Tamás , Sinkó József , Szabó Gábor , Erdélyi Miklós
Published: April 2017

Optimization of sample, imaging and data processing parameters is an essential task in localization based super-resolution microscopy, where the final image quality strongly depends on the imaging of single isolated fluorescent molecules. A computational solution that uses a simulator software for the generation of test data stacks was proposed, developed and tested. The implemented advanced physical models such as scalar and vector based point spread functions, polarization sensitive detection, drift, spectral crosstalk, structured background etc., made the simulation results more realistic and helped us interpret the final super-resolved images and distinguish between real structures and imaging artefacts.
Endothelial cell malignancies: new insights from the laboratory and clinic
Authors: Wagner Michael J. , Ravi Vinod , Menter David G. , Sood Anil K.
Published: April 2017

Endothelial cell malignancies are rare in the Western world and range from intermediate grade hemangioendothelioma to Kaposi sarcoma to aggressive high-grade angiosarcoma that metastasize early and have a high rate of mortality. These malignancies are associated with dysregulation of normal endothelial cell signaling pathways, including the vascular endothelial growth factor, angiopoietin, and Notch pathways. Discoveries over the past two decades related to mechanisms of angiogenesis have led to the development of many drugs that intuitively would be promising therapeutic candidates for these endothelial-derived tumors. However, clinical efficacy of such drugs has been limited. New insights into the mechanisms that lead to dysregulated angiogenesis such as mutation or amplification in known angiogenesis related genes, viral infection, and chromosomal translocations have improved our understanding of the pathogenesis of endothelial malignancies and how they evade anti-angiogenesis drugs. In this review, we describe the major molecular alterations in endothelial cell malignancies and consider emerging opportunities for improving therapeutic efficacy against these rare but deadly tumors.
Erratum: A database of marine phytoplankton abundance, biomass and species composition in Australian waters
Authors: Davies Claire H. , Coughlan Alex , Hallegraeff Gustaaf , Ajani Penelope , Armbrecht Linda , Atkins Natalia , Bonham Prudence , Brett Steve , Brinkman Richard , Burford Michele , Clementson Lesley , Coad Peter , Coman Frank , Davies Diana , Dela-Cruz Jocelyn , Devlin Michelle , Edgar Steven , Eriksen Ruth , Furnas Miles , Hassler Christel , Hill David , Holmes Michael , Ingleton Tim , Jameson Ian , Leterme Sophie C. , Lønborg Christian , McLaughlin James , McEnnulty Felicity , McKinnon A. David , Miller Margaret , Murray Shauna , Nayar Sasi , Patten Renee , Pausina Sarah A. , Pritchard Tim , Proctor Roger , Purcell-Meyerink Diane , Raes Eric , Rissik David , Ruszczyk Jason , Slotwinski Anita , Swadling Kerrie M. , Tattersall Katherine , Thompson Peter , Thomson Paul , Tonks Mark , Trull Thomas W. , Uribe-Palomino Julian , Waite Anya M. , Yauwenas Rouna , Zammit Anthony , Richardson Anthony J.
Published: April 2017

Scientific Data 3:160043 doi:10.1038/sdata.2016.43 (2016); Published 21 Jun 2016; Updated 11 April 2017 The authors regret that Sarah A. Pausina was omitted in error from the author list of the original version of this Data Descriptor. This omission has now been corrected in the HTML and PDF versions of this Data Descriptor, as well as the accompanying Corrigendum.
High-coverage methylation data of a gene model before and after DNA damage and homologous repair
Authors: Pezone Antonio , Russo Giusi , Tramontano Alfonso , Florio Ermanno , Scala Giovanni , Landi Rosaria , Zuchegna Candida , Romano Antonella , Chiariotti Lorenzo , Muller Mark T. , Gottesman Max E. , Porcellini Antonio , Avvedimento Enrico V.
Published: April 2017

Genome-wide methylation analysis is limited by its low coverage and the inability to detect single variants below 10%. Quantitative analysis provides accurate information on the extent of methylation of single CpG dinucleotide, but it does not measure the actual polymorphism of the methylation profiles of single molecules. To understand the polymorphism of DNA methylation and to decode the methylation signatures before and after DNA damage and repair, we have deep sequenced in bisulfite-treated DNA a reporter gene undergoing site-specific DNA damage and homologous repair. In this paper, we provide information on the data generation, the rationale for the experiments and the type of assays used, such as cytofluorimetry and immunoblot data derived during a previous work published in Scientific Reports, describing the methylation and expression changes of a model gene (GFP) before and after formation of a double-strand break and repair by homologous-recombination or non-homologous-end-joining. These data provide: 1) a reference for the analysis of methylation polymorphism at selected loci in complex cell populations; 2) a platform and the tools to compare transcription and methylation profiles.
Diffraction data of core-shell nanoparticles from an X-ray free electron laser
Authors: Li Xuanxuan , Chiu Chun-Ya , Wang Hsiang-Ju , Kassemeyer Stephan , Botha Sabine , Shoeman Robert L. , Lawrence Robert M. , Kupitz Christopher , Kirian Richard , James Daniel , Wang Dingjie , Nelson Garrett , Messerschmidt Marc , Boutet Sébastien , Williams Garth J. , Hartmann Elisabeth , Jafarpour Aliakbar , Foucar Lutz M. , Barty Anton , Chapman Henry , Liang Mengning , Menzel Andreas , Wang Fenglin , Basu Shibom , Fromme Raimund , Doak R. Bruce , Fromme Petra , Weierstall Uwe , Huang Michael H. , Spence John C. H. , Schlichting Ilme , Hogue Brenda G. , Liu Haiguang
Published: April 2017

X-ray free-electron lasers provide novel opportunities to conduct single particle analysis on nanoscale particles. Coherent diffractive imaging experiments were performed at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS), SLAC National Laboratory, exposing single inorganic core-shell nanoparticles to femtosecond hard-X-ray pulses. Each facetted nanoparticle consisted of a crystalline gold core and a differently shaped palladium shell. Scattered intensities were observed up to about 7 nm resolution. Analysis of the scattering patterns revealed the size distribution of the samples, which is consistent with that obtained from direct real-space imaging by electron microscopy. Scattering patterns resulting from single particles were selected and compiled into a dataset which can be valuable for algorithm developments in single particle scattering research.
A distribution and taxonomic reference dataset of Geranium in the New World
Authors: Aedo Carlos , Pando Francisco
Published: April 2017

Geranium L. is a genus of over 350 species distributed throughout most of the world, except in lowland tropical areas. It is the largest genus of the Geraniaceae and is represented in the New World by 137 species. This dataset includes 8,937 records that covers the genus Geranium the New World, providing an updated, taxonomically consistent and a sound geographical distribution of the 137 species of Geranium in America. Specimens from 128 herbaria were reviewed. These were supplemented by others collected during nine field trips, which allowed better knowledge of the variability of characters within populations, and refining species distribution ranges. Each record represents a specimen that has been reviewed and in some cases collected by C. Aedo. Accepted scientific name, locality details, distribution status (introduced, native, naturalized, uncertain), geographic coordinates are given for 8,538 (95%) records, and habitat information for 3,952 (44%). All data have been released under a CC-BY license in a standardized format, which enables easy integration with other data, for example through GBIF.org.
Catestatin-A Novel Predictor of Left Ventricular Remodeling After Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Zhu Dan , Xie Hong , Wang Xinyu , Liang Ying , Yu Haiyi , Gao Wei
Published: April 2017

Catestatin was discovered as a potent inhibitor of catecholamine secretion and plays important roles in the cardiovascular system. Our previous study demonstrates a close relationship between catestatin levels and prognosis of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). Using the same population, the goal of this study is to investigate the ability of catestatin to predict left ventricular (LV) remodeling in STEMI patients. 72 patients and 30 controls were included. Catestatin was sampled after admission to the emergency room (ER), at day3 (D3), and day7 (D7) after STEMI. Echocardiography was performed at D3 and after 65 months for evaluation of LVEDD, EF, IVS, LVPW, E, A, E’, E/A, and E/E’. The changes of these parameters from D3 to 65 months were used to reflect the changes of ventricular structure and function. We found that plasma catestatin levels at D3 were highly correlated with the changes of LVEDD, EF, E, A, E’, E/A, as well as E/E’. Patients with higher catestatin levels developed worse ventricular function during the follow-up period. Single-point catestatin was effective to predict LVEDD change. And concurrently increasing catestatin and NT-proBNP levels predicted the highest risk of LV remodeling. This study suggests an important prognostic information of catestatin on LV remodeling.
Correction: Corrigendum: Deficits in reinforcement learning but no link to apathy in patients with schizophrenia
Authors: Hartmann-Riemer Matthias N. , Aschenbrenner Steffen , Bossert Magdalena , Westermann Celina , Seifritz Erich , Tobler Philippe N. , Weisbrod Matthias , Kaiser Stefan
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 40352; published online: 10 January 2017; updated: 11 April 2017 In this Article, the affiliation for Matthias Weisbrod is incomplete. The correct affiliation is listed below: Psychiatric Hospital Karlsbad Langensteinbach, Karlsbad, Germany. Department of General Psychiatry, Center of Psychological Medicine, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany.
Erratum: A Genome-Wide Association Study Identifies Genetic Variants Associated with Mathematics Ability
Authors: Chen Huan , Gu Xiao-hong , Zhou Yuxi , Ge Zeng , Wang Bin , Siok Wai Ting , Wang Guoqing , Huen Michael , Jiang Yuyang , Tan Li-Hai , Sun Yimin
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 40365; published online: 03 February 2017; updated: 11 April 2017 This Article contains errors in Table 2. The correct Table 2 appears below:
Correction: Corrigendum: Photothermal therapeutic application of gold nanorods-porphyrin-trastuzumab complexes in HER2-positive breast cancer
Authors: Kang Xinmei , Guo Ximing , Niu Xingjian , An Weiwei , Li Suhan , Liu Zhaoliang , Yang Yue , Wang Na , Jiang Qicheng , Yan Caichuan , Wang Hui , Zhang Qingyuan
Published: April 2017

Scientific Reports 7: Article number: 42069; published online: 03 February 2017; updated: 11 April 2017 The original version of this Article contained an error in the order of the authors, where “Xinmei Kang, Ximing Guo, Xingjian Niu, Weiwei An, Suhan Li, Zhaoliang Liu, Yue Yang, Na Wang, Qicheng Jiang, Caichuan Yan, Hui Wang and Qingyuan Zhang” was incorrectly given as “Xinmei Kang, Ximing Guo, Weiwei An, Xingjian Niu, Suhan Li, Zhaoliang Liu, Yue Yang, Na Wang, Qicheng Jiang, Caichuan Yan, Hui Wang and Qingyuan Zhang”.
Cretaceous origin of the unique prey-capture apparatus in mega-diverse genus: stem lineage of Steninae rove beetles discovered in Burmese amber
Authors: Żyła Dagmara , Yamamoto Shûhei , Wolf-Schwenninger Karin , Solodovnikov Alexey
Published: April 2017

Stenusis the largest genus of rove beetles and the second largest among animals. Its evolutionary success was associated with the adhesive labial prey-capture apparatus, a unique apomorphy of that genus. DefiniteStenuswith prey-capture apparatus are known from the Cenozoic fossils, while the age and early evolution of Steninae was hardly ever hypothesized. Our study of several Cretaceous Burmese amber inclusions revealed a stem lineage of Steninae that possibly possesses theStenus-like prey-capture apparatus. Phylogenetic analysis of extinct and extant taxa of Steninae and putatively allied subfamilies of Staphylinidae with parsimony and Bayesian approaches resolved the Burmese amber lineage as a member of Steninae. It justified the description of a new extinct stenine genusFestenuswith two new species,F. robustusandF. gracilis. The Late Cretaceous age ofFestenussuggests an early origin of prey-capture apparatus in Steninae that, perhaps, drove the evolution towards the crownStenus. Our analysis confirmed the well-established sister relationships between Steninae and Euaesthetinae and resolved Scydmaeninae as their next closest relative, the latter having no stable position in recent phylogenetic studies of rove beetles. Close affiliation of Megalopsidiinae, a subfamily often considered as a sister group to Euaesthetinae + Steninae clade, is rejected.
Synthesis of Chrysogeside B from Halotolerant Fungus Penicillium and Its Antimicrobial Activities Evaluation
Authors: Liu Ruiquan , Wang Lei , Li Qibo , Liao Min , Yang Zhikun , Huang Yun , Lv Cong , Zheng Bing , Zhong Jiangchun , Bian Qinghua , Wang Min , Liu Shangzhong
Published: April 2017

Chrysogeside B, a natural cerebroside, was efficiently synthesized from commercial feedstocks. The bioassays showed that compounds 4, 5 and 6 exhibited enhanced biological activities compared Chrysogeside B. Further studies revealed that free hydroxyl groups and glycosidic bond have significant impact on the antimicrobial activities. The synthesis of Chrysogeside B and analogues designed to allow identification of the features of this glycolipid required for recognition by tested bacteria and Hela cells is described.
Unexpected increase in the oxidation capacity of the urban atmosphere of Madrid, Spain
Authors: Saiz-Lopez A. , Borge R. , Notario A. , Adame J. A. , Paz D. de la , Querol X. , Artíñano B. , Gómez-Moreno F. J. , Cuevas C. A.
Published: April 2017

Atmospheric oxidants such as ozone (O3), hydroxyl and nitrate radicals (OH and NO3) determine the ability of the urban atmosphere to process organic and inorganic pollutants, which have an impact on air quality, environmental health and climate. Madrid city has experienced an increase of 30–40% in ambient air O3 levels, along with a decrease of 20–40% in NO2, from 2007 to 2014. Using air pollution observations and a high-resolution air quality model, we find a large concentration increase of up to 70% and 90% in OH and NO3, respectively, in downtown Madrid (domain-wide average increase of 10% and 32% for OH and NO3, respectively). The results also show an 11% reduction in the nitric acid concentrations, leading to a remarkable denoxification of this urban atmosphere with implications for lower PM2.5 levels and nitrogen input into ecosystems. This study suggests that projected worldwide NOx emission reductions, following air quality standards, will lead to important changes in the oxidizing capacity of the atmosphere in and around large cities.
Protein malnutrition promotes dysregulation of molecules involved in T cell migration in the thymus of mice infected with Leishmania infantum
Authors: Losada-Barragán Monica , Umaña-Pérez Adriana , Cuervo-Escobar Sergio , Berbert Luiz Ricardo , Porrozzi Renato , Morgado Fernanda N. , Mendes-da-Cruz Daniella Areas , Savino Wilson , Sánchez-Gómez Myriam , Cuervo Patricia
Published: April 2017

Protein malnutrition, the most deleterious cause of malnutrition in developing countries, has been considered a primary risk factor for the development of clinical visceral leishmaniasis (VL). Protein malnutrition and infection with Leishmania infantum leads to lymphoid tissue disorganization, including changes in cellularity and lymphocyte subpopulations in the thymus and spleen. Here we report that protein malnutrition modifies thymic chemotactic factors by diminishing the CCL5, CXCL12, IGF1, CXCL9 and CXCL10 protein levels in infected animals. Nevertheless, T cells preserve their migratory capability, as they were able to migrate ex vivo in response to chemotactic stimuli, indicating that malnutrition may compromise the thymic microenvironment and alter in vivo thymocyte migration. Decrease in chemotactic factors protein levels was accompanied by an early increase in the parasite load of the spleen. These results suggest that the precondition of malnutrition is affecting the cell-mediated immune response to L. infantum by altering T cell migration and interfering with the capacity of protein-deprived animals to control parasite spreading and proliferation. Our data provide evidence for a disturbance of T lymphocyte migration involving both central and peripheral T-cells, which likely contribute to the pathophysiology of VL that occurs in malnourished individuals.
Oxidative stress causes hypertension and activation of nuclear factor-κB after high-fructose and salt treatments
Authors: Dornas Waleska C. , Cardoso Leonardo M. , Silva Maísa , Machado Natália L. S. , Chianca- Deoclécio A. , Alzamora Andréia C. , Lima Wanderson G. , Lagente Vincent , Silva Marcelo E.
Published: April 2017

There is evidence that diets rich in salt or simple sugars as fructose are associated with abnormalities in blood pressure regulation. However, the mechanisms underlying pathogenesis of salt- and fructose-induced kidney damage and/or consequent hypertension yet remain largely unexplored. Here, we tested the role of oxidative state as an essential factor along with high salt and fructose treatment in causing hypertension. Fischer male rats were supplemented with a high-fructose diet (20% in water) for 20 weeks and maintained on high-salt diet (8%) associate in the last 10 weeks. Fructose-fed rats exhibited a salt-dependent hypertension accompanied by decrease in renal superoxide dismutase activity, which is the first footprint of antioxidant inactivation by reactive oxygen species (ROS). Metabolic changes and the hypertensive effect of the combined fructose-salt diet (20 weeks) were markedly reversed by a superoxide scavenger, Tempol (10 mg/kg, gavage); moreover, Tempol (50 mM) potentially reduced ROS production and abolished nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) activation in human embryonic kidney HEK293 cells incubated with L-fructose (30 mM) and NaCl (500 mosmol/kg added). Taken together, our data suggested a possible role of oxygen radicals and ROS-induced activation of NF-κB in the fructose- and salt-induced hypertension associated with the progression of the renal disease.
Preventing the return of fear using reconsolidation updating and methylene blue is differentially dependent on extinction learning
Authors: Auchter Allison M. , Shumake Jason , Gonzalez-Lima Francisco , Monfils Marie H.
Published: April 2017

Many factors account for how well individuals extinguish conditioned fears, such as genetic variability, learning capacity and conditions under which extinction training is administered. We predicted that memory-based interventions would be more effective to reduce the reinstatement of fear in subjects genetically predisposed to display more extinction learning. We tested this hypothesis in rats genetically selected for differences in fear extinction using two strategies: (1) attenuation of fear memory using post-retrieval extinction training, and (2) pharmacological enhancement of the extinction memory after extinction training by low-dose USP methylene blue (MB). Subjects selectively bred for divergent extinction phenotypes were fear conditioned to a tone stimulus and administered either standard extinction training or retrieval + extinction. Following extinction, subjects received injections of saline or MB. Both reconsolidation updating and MB administration showed beneficial effects in preventing fear reinstatement, but differed in the groups they targeted. Reconsolidation updating showed an overall effect in reducing fear reinstatement, whereas pharmacological memory enhancement using MB was an effective strategy, but only for individuals who were responsive to extinction.
Second harmonic generation imaging of corneal stroma after infection by Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Robertson Danielle M. , Rogers Nathan A. , Petroll W. Matthew , Zhu Meifang
Published: April 2017

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic gram-negative organism that has the ability to cause blinding corneal infections following trauma and during contact lens wear. In this study, we investigated the directional movement and orientation of an invasive corneal isolate of P. aeruginosa in the corneal stroma during infection of ex vivo and in vivo rabbit corneas using multiphoton fluorescence and second harmonic generation (SHG) imaging. Ex vivo, rabbit corneas were subject to three partial thickness wounds prior to inoculation. In vivo, New Zealand white rabbits were fit with P. aeruginosa laden contact lenses in the absence of a penetrating wound. At all time points tested, infiltration of the corneal stroma by P. aeruginosa revealed a high degree of alignment between the bacteria and collagen lamellae ex vivo (p < 0.001). In vivo, P. aeruginosa traveled throughout the stroma in discrete regions or bands. Within each region, the bacteria showed good alignment with collagen lamellae (P = 0.002). Interestingly, in both the in vitro and in vivo models, P. aeruginosa did not appear to cross the corneal limbus. Taken together, our findings suggest that P. aeruginosa exploits the precise spacing of collagen lamellae in the central cornea to facilitate spread throughout the stroma.
Cardiac kinematic parameters computed from video of in situ beating heart
Authors: Fassina Lorenzo , Rozzi Giacomo , Rossi Stefano , Scacchi Simone , Galetti Maricla , Lo Muzio Francesco Paolo , Del Bianco Fabrizio , Colli Franzone Piero , Petrilli Giuseppe , Faggian Giuseppe , Miragoli Michele
Published: April 2017

Mechanical function of the heart during open-chest cardiac surgery is exclusively monitored by echocardiographic techniques. However, little is known about local kinematics, particularly for the reperfused regions after ischemic events. We report a novel imaging modality, which extracts local and global kinematic parameters from videos of in situ beating hearts, displaying live video cardiograms of the contraction events. A custom algorithm tracked the movement of a video marker positioned ad hoc onto a selected area and analyzed, during the entire recording, the contraction trajectory, displacement, velocity, acceleration, kinetic energy and force. Moreover, global epicardial velocity and vorticity were analyzed by means of Particle Image Velocimetry tool. We validated our new technique by i) computational modeling of cardiac ischemia, ii) video recordings of ischemic/reperfused rat hearts, iii) videos of beating human hearts before and after coronary artery bypass graft, and iv) local Frank-Starling effect. In rats, we observed a decrement of kinematic parameters during acute ischemia and a significant increment in the same region after reperfusion. We detected similar behavior in operated patients. This modality adds important functional values on cardiac outcomes and supports the intervention in a contact-free and non-invasive mode. Moreover, it does not require particular operator-dependent skills.
Whole-Exome Sequencing of Congenital Glaucoma Patients Reveals Hypermorphic Variants in GPATCH3, a New Gene Involved in Ocular and Craniofacial Development
Authors: Ferre-Fernández Jesús-José , Aroca-Aguilar José-Daniel , Medina-Trillo Cristina , Bonet-Fernández Juan-Manuel , Méndez-Hernández Carmen-Dora , Morales-Fernández Laura , Corton Marta , Cabañero-Valera María-José , Gut Marta , Tonda Raul , Ayuso Carmen , Coca-Prados Miguel , García-Feijoo Julián , Escribano Julio
Published: April 2017

Congenital glaucoma (CG) is a heterogeneous, inherited and severe optical neuropathy that originates from maldevelopment of the anterior segment of the eye. To identify new disease genes, we performed whole-exome sequencing of 26 unrelated CG patients. In one patient we identified two rare, recessive and hypermorphic coding variants in GPATCH3, a gene of unidentified function, and 5% of a second group of 170 unrelated CG patients carried rare variants in this gene. The recombinant GPATCH3 protein activated in vitro the proximal promoter of CXCR4, a gene involved in embryo neural crest cell migration. The GPATCH3 protein was detected in human tissues relevant to glaucoma (e.g., ciliary body). This gene was expressed in the dermis, skeletal muscles, periocular mesenchymal-like cells and corneal endothelium of early zebrafish embryos. Morpholino-mediated knockdown and transient overexpression of gpatch3 led to varying degrees of goniodysgenesis and ocular and craniofacial abnormalities, recapitulating some of the features of zebrafish embryos deficient in the glaucoma-related genes pitx2 and foxc1. In conclusion, our data suggest the existence of high genetic heterogeneity in CG and provide evidence for the role of GPATCH3 in this disease. We also show that GPATCH3 is a new gene involved in ocular and craniofacial development.
Full deflection profile calculation and Young’s modulus optimisation for engineered high performance materials
Authors: Farsi A. , Pullen A. D. , Latham J. P. , Bowen J. , Carlsson M. , Stitt E. H. , Marigo M.
Published: April 2017

New engineered materials have critical applications in different fields in medicine, engineering and technology but their enhanced mechanical performances are significantly affected by the microstructural design and the sintering process used in their manufacture. This work introduces (i) a methodology for the calculation of the full deflection profile from video recordings of bending tests, (ii) an optimisation algorithm for the characterisation of Young’s modulus, (iii) a quantification of the effects of optical distortions and (iv) a comparison with other standard tests. The results presented in this paper show the capabilities of this procedure to evaluate the Young’s modulus of highly stiff materials with greater accuracy than previously possible with bending tests, by employing all the available information from the video recording of the tests. This methodology extends to this class of materials the possibility to evaluate both the elastic modulus and the tensile strength with a single mechanical test, without the need for other experimental tools.
A novel action of follicle-stimulating hormone in the ovary promotes estradiol production without inducing excessive follicular growth before puberty
Authors: François Charlotte M. , Petit Florence , Giton Frank , Gougeon Alain , Ravel Célia , Magre Solange , Cohen-Tannoudji Joëlle , Guigon Céline J.
Published: April 2017

In cyclic females, FSH stimulates ovarian estradiol (E2) production and follicular growth up to the terminal stage. A transient elevation in circulating FSH and E2 levels occurs shortly after birth. But what could be the action of FSH on the ovary during this period, and in particular how it stimulates ovarian steroidogenesis without supporting terminal follicular maturation is intriguing. By experimentally manipulating FSH levels, we demonstrate in mice that the mid-infantile elevation in FSH is mandatory for E2 production by the immature ovary, but that it does not stimulate follicle growth. Importantly, FSH increases aromatase expression to stimulate E2 synthesis, however it becomes unable to induce cyclin D2, a major driver of granulosa cell proliferation. Besides, although FSH prematurely induces luteinizing hormone (LH) receptor expression in granulosa cells, LH pathway is not functional in these cells to induce their terminal differentiation. In line with these results, supplying infantile mice with a superovulation regimen exacerbates E2 production, but it does not stimulate the growth of follicles and it does not induce ovulation. Overall, our findings unveil a regulation whereby high postnatal FSH concentrations ensure the supply of E2 required for programming adult reproductive function without inducing follicular maturation before puberty.
Fast adiabatic quantum state transfer and entanglement generation between two atoms via dressed states
Authors: Wu Jin-Lei , Ji Xin , Zhang Shou
Published: April 2017

We propose a dressed-state scheme to achieve shortcuts to adiabaticity in atom-cavity quantum electrodynamics for speeding up adiabatic two-atom quantum state transfer and maximum entanglement generation. Compared with stimulated Raman adiabatic passage, the dressed-state scheme greatly shortens the operation time in a non-adiabatic way. By means of some numerical simulations, we determine the parameters which can guarantee the feasibility and efficiency both in theory and experiment. Besides, numerical simulations also show the scheme is robust against the variations in the parameters, atomic spontaneous emissions and the photon leakages from the cavity.
The structure of Lactococcus lactis thioredoxin reductase reveals molecular features of photo-oxidative damage
Authors: Skjoldager Nicklas , Blanner Bang Maria , Rykær Martin , Björnberg Olof , Davies Michael J. , Svensson Birte , Harris Pernille , Hägglund Per
Published: April 2017

The NADPH-dependent homodimeric flavoenzyme thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) provides reducing equivalents to thioredoxin, a key regulator of various cellular redox processes. Crystal structures of photo-inactivated thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) from the Gram-positive bacterium Lactococcus lactis have been determined. These structures reveal novel molecular features that provide further insight into the mechanisms behind the sensitivity of this enzyme toward visible light. We propose that a pocket on the si-face of the isoalloxazine ring accommodates oxygen that reacts with photo-excited FAD generating superoxide and a flavin radical that oxidize the isoalloxazine ring C7α methyl group and a nearby tyrosine residue. This tyrosine and key residues surrounding the oxygen pocket are conserved in enzymes from related bacteria, including pathogens such as Staphylococcus aureus. Photo-sensitivity may thus be a widespread feature among bacterial TrxR with the described characteristics, which affords applications in clinical photo-therapy of drug-resistant bacteria.
General characteristics of relative dispersion in the ocean
Authors: Corrado Raffaele , Lacorata Guglielmo , Palatella Luigi , Santoleri Rosalia , Zambianchi Enrico
Published: April 2017

The multi-scale and nonlinear nature of the ocean dynamics dramatically affects the spreading of matter, like pollutants, marine litter, etc., of physical and chemical seawater properties, and the biological connectivity inside and among different basins. Based on the Finite-Scale Lyapunov Exponent analysis of the largest available near-surface Lagrangian data set from the Global Drifter Program, our results show that, despite the large variety of flow features, relative dispersion can ultimately be described by a few parameters common to all ocean sub-basins, at least in terms of order of magnitude. This provides valuable information to undertake Lagrangian dispersion studies by means of models and/or of observational data. Moreover, our results show that the relative dispersion rates measured at submesoscale are significantly higher than for large-scale dynamics. Auxiliary analysis of high resolution GPS-tracked drifter hourly data as well as of the drogued/undrogued status of the buoys is provided in support of our conclusions. A possible application of our study, concerning reverse drifter motion and error growth analysis, is proposed relatively to the case of the missing Malaysia Airlines MH370 aircraft.
1.5–2 cm tumor size was not associated with distant metastasis and mortality in small thyroid cancer: A population-based study
Authors: Han Kyunghwa , Kim Eun-Kyung , Kwak Jin Young
Published: April 2017

Most guidelines for the diagnosis and management of thyroid nodules have suggested fine-needle aspiration as a diagnostic tool, with some of these previously published guidelines suggesting a cutoff size of 1.5 cm. In thyroid cancers (1–2 cm), we hypothesized that tumors 1.5 cm or larger had more unfavorable clinical outcomes than ones smaller than 1.5 cm nodules. Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we identified 14,117 patients diagnosed with only primary thyroid cancer between 1988 and 2007. After multivariable adjustment, we found that having a tumor 1.5 cm or larger in size was not associated with distant metastasis [adjusted odds ratio, 1.18; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.95 to 1.48; P = 0.14] or the two causes of death (adjusted subdistributional hazard ratio (SDHR), 1.40; 95% CI, 0.96 to 2.04; P = 0.08 for thyroid cancer mortality; adjusted SDHR, 1.06; 95% CI, 0.88 to 1.27; P = 0.55 for noncancer mortality). Using a population-based cohort, in patients with primary thyroid cancer with a tumor size of 1.5–2 cm, there was no increased association with distant metastasis or probability of death, when compared with patients with primary thyroid cancer with a tumor size of 1.0–1.5 cm.
Corylin protects LPS-induced sepsis and attenuates LPS-induced inflammatory response
Authors: Hung Yung-Li , Fang Shih-Hua , Wang Shu-Chi , Cheng Wei-Chung , Liu Po-Len , Su Chia-Cheng , Chen Chi-Shuo , Huang Ming-Yii , Hua Kuo-Feng , Shen Kun-Hung , Wang Yu-Ting , Suzuki Katsuhiko , Li Chia-Yang
Published: April 2017

Corylin is a main compound isolated from Psoralea corylifolia L. (Fabaceae). A variety of pharmacological effects such as antioxidant, anti-proliferation, and anti-inflammatory properties of corylin have been reported. Nevertheless, the effect of corylin in microbial infection and sepsis remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the anti-inflammatory effects of corylin. Our experimental results demonstrated that corylin inhibited the production of TNF-α, IL-6 and NO by both LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells and LPS-activated murine peritoneal macrophages. Moreover, corylin suppressed the expression levels of iNOS and COX-2, reduced the production of PGE2 and HMGB1, blocked the translocation of HMGB1 from the nucleus to cytosol, and decreased the phosphorylation of MAPKs in LPS-activated RAW 264.7 cells as well as suppressed the activity of NF-κB in LPS-activated J-Blue cells. In addition, the administration of corylin reduced the production of NO and TNF-α, decreased LPS-induced liver damage markers (AST and ALT) and kidney damage markers (BUN and CRE), attenuated infiltration of inflammatory cells and tissue damage of lung, liver and kidney, and enhanced the survival rate of LPS-challenged mice. Taken together, these results show the anti-inflammatory properties of corylin on LPS-induced inflammation and sepsis. Corylin could potentially be a novel anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive drug candidate in the treatment of sepsis and septic shock.
Upregulation of sestrins protect atriums against oxidative damage and fibrosis in human and experimental atrial fibrillation
Authors: Dong Zengxiang , Lin Chaolan , Liu Yujiao , Jin Hongbo , Wu Hong , Li Zhenjun , Sun Liping , Zhang Lu , Hu Xi , Wei Yingying , Wang Chengcheng , Han Wei
Published: April 2017

Atrial Fibrillation (AF) is common in the elderly and Sestrins (Sesns) have been suggested to prevent age-related pathologies. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of Sesns in AF. Clinical data were collected and a small sample of atrial appendage and atrium was obtained from patients undergoing valve repairment. The expression of Sesn1, Sesn2, and Sesn3 was significantly higher in patients with permanent atrial fibrillation (PmAF) than that in sinus rhythm (SR), and further greater in the left atrium than the right in PmAF patients. Superoxide anion and malondialdehyde were enhanced and positively correlated to the protein expression of Sesn1/2/3. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and Ca2+ overload were significantly decreased and cell survival was enhanced by overexpression of Sesns 1/2/3 in cultured HL-1 cells. Conversely, knockdown of Sesn1/2/3 resulted in significantly increased ROS and Ca2+ overload. In addition, the overexpression of Sesn1/2 significantly reduced the proliferation of fibroblasts, as well as decreased the protein expression of collagen and fibronectin1 in angiotensin II-stimulated cardiac fibroblasts. Our study demonstrated for the first time that Sesns expression is significantly up-regulated in AF, which therefore may protect hearts against oxidative damage and atrial fibrosis.
Organochloride pesticides impaired mitochondrial function in hepatocytes and aggravated disorders of fatty acid metabolism
Authors: Liu Qian , Wang Qihan , Xu Cheng , Shao Wentao , Zhang Chunlan , Liu Hui , Jiang Zhaoyan , Gu Aihua
Published: April 2017

p,p’-dichlorodiphenyldichloroethylene (p, p’-DDE) and β-hexachlorocyclohexane (β-HCH) were two predominant organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) metabolites in human body associated with disorders of fatty acid metabolism. However, the underlying mechanisms have not been fully clarified. In this study, adult male C57BL/6 mice were exposed to low dose of p, p’-DDE and β-HCH for 8 wk. OCPs accumulation in organs, hepatic fatty acid composition, tricarboxylic acid cycle (TCA) metabolites and other metabolite profiles were analyzed. Expression levels of genes involved in hepatic lipogenesis and β-oxidation were measured. Mitochondrial function was evaluated in HepG2 cells exposed to OCPs. High accumulation of p, p’-DDE and β-HCH was found in liver and damaged mitochondria was observed under electron microscopy. Expression of genes in fatty acid synthesis increased and that in mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation decreased in OCPs treatment groups. OCPs changed metabolite profiles in liver tissues, varied hepatic fatty acid compositions and levels of several TCA cycle metabolites. Furthermore, MitoTracker Green fluorescence, ATP levels, mitochondrial membrane potential and OCR decreased in HepG2 cells exposed to OCPs. In conclusion, chronic exposure to OCPs at doses equivalent to internal exposures in humans impaired mitochondrial function, decreased fatty acid β-oxidation and aggravated disorders of fatty acid metabolism.