bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Affinity to cellulose is a shared property among coiled-coil domains of intermediate filaments and prokaryotic intermediate filament-like proteins
Authors: Söderholm Niklas , Javadi Ala , Flores Isabel Sierra , Flärdh Klas , Sandblad Linda 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCoiled-coil domains of intermediate filaments (IF) and prokaryotic IF-like proteins enable oligomerisation and filamentation, and no additional function is ascribed to these coiled-coil domains. However, an IF-like protein from Streptomyces reticuli was reported to display cellulose affinity. We demonstrate that cellulose affinity is an intrinsic property of the IF-like proteins FilP and Scy and the coiled-coil protein DivIVA from the genus Streptomyces. Furthermore, IF-like proteins and DivIVA from other prokaryotic species and metazoan IF display cellulose affinity despite having little sequence homology. Cellulose affinity-based purification is utilised to isolate native FilP protein from the whole cell lysate of S. coelicolor. Moreover, cellulose affinity allowed for the isolation of IF and IF-like protein from the whole cell lysate of C. crescentus and a mouse macrophage cell line. The binding to cellulose is mediated by certain combinations of coiled-coil domains, as demornstrated for FilP and lamin. Fusions of target proteins to cellulose-binding coiled-coil domains allowed for cellulose-based protein purification. The data presented show that cellulose affinity is a novel function of certain coiled-coil domains of IF and IF-like proteins from evolutionary diverse species.
Serum Amyloid A3 is required for normal lung development and survival following influenza infection
Authors: Ather Jennifer L. , Dienz Oliver , Boyson Jonathan E. , Anathy Vikas , Amiel Eyal , Poynter Matthew E. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSerum amyloid A (SAA) proteins are a family of acute phase apolipoproteins implicated to directly modulate innate and adaptive immune responses. However, new studies comparing endogenous SAAs and recombinant forms of these proteins have questioned the function of SAA in inflammation and immunity. We generated SAA3 knockout mice to evaluate the contribution of SAA3 to lung development and immune-mediated lung disease. While SAA3 deficiency does not affect the generation of house dust mite-induced allergic asthma, mice lacking SAA3 develop adult-onset obesity, intrinsic airway hyperresponsiveness, increased inflammatory and fibrotic gene expression in the lung, and elevated levels of lung citrullinated proteins. Polyclonally stimulated CD4+T cells from SAA3−/− mice exhibit impaired glycolytic activity, decreased TH2 and TH1 cytokine secretion, and elevated IL-17A production compared to wild type cells. Polyclonally stimulated CD8+T cells from SAA3−/− mice also exhibit impaired glycolytic activity as well as a diminished capacity to produce IL-2 and IFNγ. Finally, SAA3−/− mice demonstrate increased mortality in response to H1N1 influenza infection, along with higher copy number of viral RNAs in the lung, a lack of CD8+T cell IFNγ secretion, and decreased flu-specific antibodies. Our findings indicate that endogenous SAA3 regulates lung development and homeostasis, and is required for protection against H1N1 influenza infection.
Hierarchical Flowerlike 3D nanostructure of Co3O4@MnO2/N-doped Graphene oxide (NGO) hybrid composite for a high-performance supercapacitor
Authors: Ramesh Sivalingam , Karuppasamy K. , Kim Hyun-Seok , Kim Heung Soo , Kim Joo-Hyung 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe present study investigates the fabrication of hierarchical 3D nanostructures with multi-component metal oxides in the presence of highly-porous graphene and characterized for its applications in high-performance supercapacitors. A hierarchical flowers like 3D nanostructure of Co3O4 @MnO2 on nitrogen-doped graphene oxide (NGO) hybrid composite was synthesized by thermal reduction process at 650 °C in the presence of ammonia and urea. The synthesized Co3O4@MnO2/NGO hybrid composites were studied via Raman, XRD, X-ray XPS, FE-SEM, FE-SEM with EDX, FE-TEM and BET analyses. The electrochemical analysis of Co3O4@MnO2/NGO hybrid composite electrode was investigated using cyclic voltammetry, chronopotentiometry and electrochemical impedance measurements. The hybrid composite electrode showed significant specific capacitance results of up to 347 F/g at 0.5 A/g and a corresponding energy density of 34.83 Wh kg−1 with better rate performance and excellent long-term cycling stability were achieved for 10,000 cycles. The obtained electrochemical results paved a way to utilize Co3O4@MnO2/NGO composite electrode as a promising electrode material in high performance supercapacitors.
Serum Gamma-Glutamyltransferase Levels are Associated with Cardiovascular Risk Factors in China: A Nationwide Population-Based Study
Authors: Li Dan-Dan , Xu Tao , Cheng Xin-Qi , Wu Wei , Ye Yi-Cong , Guo Xiu-Zhi , Cheng Qian , Liu Qian , Liu Li , Zhu Guang-Jin , Wu Jie , Qiu Ling 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSerum gamma-glutamyltransferase (GGT), which is mainly derived from the liver, is a sensitive marker of liver cell damage and oxidative stress. More recently, it has been found that increased GGT plasma activity is also associated with cardiovascular disease (CVD). However, data on the relationship between GGT and cardiovascular risk factors (CRFs) are lacking in nationally representative samples of the Chinese population. Here, we aim to investigate both the association between GGT and CRFs and CRF clustering. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a representative sample of 22897 adults aged 18 years and older from 2007 to 2011 nationally, which included a plurality of ethnic minorities. The participants were then divided into quartiles of sex-specific serum GGT. From the low to high GGT quartiles, the incidence of each CRF and clustered risk factors increased after adjusting for age, uric acid (UA), ethnicity, drinking, and all other risk factors. Individuals in the upper stratum (>75th percentile) had higher prevalence rates of CRFs than did those in the lower stratum (all P < 0.05). Furthermore, the subjects with clustering of 1, 2, or ≥3 CRFs were still more likely to belong to the upper GGT quartiles (75th percentiles) than were those without risk factors (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, our data highlight that there is an association between higher serum GGT levels and prevalence of CRFs, which tend to cluster with the increase in GGT activity in Chinese adults.
Localising functionalised gold-nanoparticles in murine spinal cords by X-ray fluorescence imaging and background-reduction through spatial filtering for human-sized objects
Authors: Grüner Florian , Blumendorf Florian , Schmutzler Oliver , Staufer Theresa , Bradbury Michelle , Wiesner Ulrich , Rosentreter Tanja , Loers Gabriele , Lutz David , Richter Bernadette , Fischer Markus , Schulz Florian , Steiner Swantje , Warmer Martin , Burkhardt Anja , Meents Alke , Kupinski Matthew , Hoeschen Christoph 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAccuratein vivolocalisation of minimal amounts of functionalised gold-nanoparticles, enablinge.g. early-tumour diagnostics and pharmacokinetic tracking studies, requires a precision imaging system offering very high sensitivity, temporal and spatial resolution, large depth penetration, and arbitrarily long serial measurements. X-ray fluorescence imaging could offer such capabilities; however, its utilisation forhuman-sized scales is hampered by a high intrinsic background level. Here we measure and model this anisotropic background and present a spatial filtering scheme for background reduction enabling the localisation of nanoparticle-amounts as reported fromsmall-animal tumour models. As a basic application study towards precision pharmacokinetics, we demonstrate specific localisation to sites of disease by adapting gold-nanoparticles with small targeting ligands in murine spinal cord injury models, at record sensitivity levels using sub-mm resolution. Both studies contribute to the future use of molecularly-targeted gold-nanoparticles as next-generation clinical diagnostic and pharmacokinetic tools.
Distinct patterns of variation in the distribution of knee pain
Authors: Boudreau Shellie A. , Royo Albert Cid , Matthews Mark , Graven-Nielsen Thomas , Kamavuako Ernest N. , Slabaugh Greg , Thorborg Kristian , Vicenzino Bill , Rathleff Michael Skovdal 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe patient’s expression of pain using digital-body maps expands analytic opportunities for exploring the spatial variation of bodily pain. A common knee pain condition in adolescents and adults is patellofemoral pain (PFP) and recently PFP was shown to be characterized by a heterogeneous distribution of pain. Whether there are important patterns in these distributions remains unclear. This pioneering study assesses the spatial variation of pain using principal component analysis and a clustering approach. Detailed digital-body maps of knee pain were drawn by 299 PFP patients of mixed sex, age, and pain severity. Three pain distribution patterns emerged resembling an Anchor, Hook, and an Ovate shape on and around the patella. The variations in pain distribution were independent of sex, age, and pain intensity. Bilateral pain associated with a longer duration of pain and the majority characterized by the Hook and Ovate pain distributions. Bilateral and/or symmetrical pain between the left and right knees may represent symptoms associated with longstanding PFP. The distinct patterns of pain location and area suggest specific underlying structures cannot be ruled out as important drivers, although central neuronal mechanisms possibly exemplified by the symmetrical representation of pain may play a role in individuals with longstanding symptoms.
Higher primate-like direct corticomotoneuronal connections are transiently formed in a juvenile subprimate mammal
Authors: Murabe Naoyuki , Mori Takuma , Fukuda Satoshi , Isoo Noriko , Ohno Takae , Mizukami Hiroaki , Ozawa Keiya , Yoshimura Yumiko , Sakurai Masaki 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe corticospinal (CS) tract emerged and evolved in mammals, and is essentially involved in voluntary movement. Over its phylogenesis, CS innervation gradually invaded to the ventral spinal cord, eventually making direct connections with spinal motoneurons (MNs) in higher primates. Despite its importance, our knowledge of the origin of the direct CS-MN connections is limited; in fact, there is controversy as to whether these connections occur in subprimate mammals, such as rodents. Here we studied the retrograde transsynaptic connection between cortical neurons and MNs in mice by labeling the cells with recombinant rabies virus. On postnatal day 14 (P14), we found that CS neurons make direct connections with cervical MNs innervating the forearm muscles. Direct connections were also detected electrophysiologically in whole cell recordings from identified MNs retrogradely-labeled from their target muscles and optogenetic CS stimulation. In contrast, few, if any, lumbar MNs innervating hindlimbs showed direct connections on P18. Moreover, the direct CS-MN connections observed on P14 were later eliminated. The transient CS-MN cells were distributed predominantly in the M1 and S1 areas. These findings provide insight into the ontogeny and phylogeny of the CS projection and appear to settle the controversy about direct CS-MN connections in subprimate mammals.
Amino acid modified [70] fullerene derivatives with high radical scavenging activity as promising bodyguards for chemotherapy protection
Authors: Zhou Yue , Zhen Mingming , Guan Mirong , Yu Tong , Ma Liang , Li Wei , Zheng Jiasheng , Shu Chunying , Wang Chunru 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDespite the great efforts for tumor therapy in the last decades, currently chemotherapy induced toxicity remains a formidable problem for cancer patients, and it usually prohibits the cancer therapy from successful completion due to severe side effects. In general, the main side effects of chemotherapeutic agents are from the as-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS) that not only harm the tumor cells but also damage the patients’ organs. Here we report the application of amino acid derivatives of fullerene (AADF) in the chemotherapy which strongly scavenge the excess ROS to protect the tested mice against the chemotherapy-induced hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. Two amino acids, i.e., L-lysine and β-alanine were separately employed to chemically modify C70 fullerene, and L-lysine derivative of fullerene (C70-Lys) exhibits superior radical scavenging activity to β-alanine derivative of C70 (C70-Ala). As expected, C70-Lys show much better protective effect than C70-Ala against the chemotherapy injuries in vivo, which is verified by various histopathological, haematological examinations and antioxidative enzyme studies. Moreover, the L-glutathione level is increased and the cytochrome P-450 2E1 expression is inhibited. They are potentially developed as promising bodyguards for chemotherapy protection.
Differential responses of heterotrophic and autotrophic respiration to nitrogen addition and precipitation changes in a Tibetan alpine steppe
Authors: Li Changbin , Peng Yunfeng , Nie Xiuqing , Yang Yuanhe , Yang Lucun , Li Fei , Fang Kai , Xiao Yuanming , Zhou Guoying 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSoil respiration (Rs) is an important source of atmospheric CO2flux and is sensitive to changes in soil nutrient and water contents. Despite extensive studies on the effects of enhanced atmospheric nitrogen (N) deposition and changes in precipitation (P) on Rs, few studies have taken into account the effects of interactions between these factors on Rs of alpine grasslands. To address these questions, we investigated the effects of N addition (10 g N m−2yr−1), changes in precipitation (±50% precipitation), and their interaction on soil respiration and its components, including heterotrophic respiration (Rh) and autotrophic respiration (Ra),in a Tibetan alpine steppe during three consecutive growing seasons. We found that Rs differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Specifically, decreased precipitation led to a significant reduction in Rs during the last two years, whereas N addition minimally impacted Rs. Another important finding was that soil respiration components differed in their response to N addition and precipitation regimes. Nitrogen addition significantly enhanced Ra, whereas Rh was not altered in response to N addition. By contrast, the precipitation regime led to marked changes in Rh, but exhibited marginally significant effects on Ra. Therefore, our findings highlighted that soil respiration differed in its response to N addition and precipitation regimes mainly due to the different responses of soil respiration components to these factors. Therefore, carbon dynamics should take soil respiration components into account under global change scenarios.
The prebiotic inulin modulates gut microbiota but does not ameliorate atherosclerosis in hypercholesterolemic APOE*3-Leiden.CETP mice
Authors: Hoving Lisa R. , Katiraei Saeed , Pronk Amanda , Heijink Marieke , Vonk Kelly K. D. , Amghar-el Bouazzaoui Fatiha , Vermeulen Rosalie , Drinkwaard Lizette , Giera Martin , van Harmelen Vanessa , Willems van Dijk Ko 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGut microbiota have been implicated in the development of atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease. Since the prebiotic inulin is thought to beneficially affect gut microbiota, we aimed to determine the effect of inulin supplementation on atherosclerosis development in APOE*3-Leiden.CETP (E3L.CETP) mice. Female E3L.CETP mice were fed a western-type diet containing 0.1% or 0.5% cholesterol with or without 10% inulin. The effects of inulin were determined on: microbiota composition, cecal short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) levels, plasma lipid levels, atherosclerosis development, hepatic morphology and hepatic inflammation. Inulin with 0.5% dietary cholesterol increased specific bacterial genera and elevated levels of cecal SCFAs, but did not affect plasma cholesterol levels or atherosclerosis development. Surprisingly, inulin resulted in mild hepatic inflammation as shown by increased expression of inflammation markers. However, these effects were not accompanied by increased hepatic macrophage number. Analogously, inulin induced mild steatosis and increased hepatocyte size, but did not affect hepatic triglyceride content. Inulin with 0.1% dietary cholesterol did not affect hepatic morphology, nor hepatic expression of inflammation markers. Overall, inulin did not reduce hypercholesterolemia or atherosclerosis development in E3L.CETP mice despite showing clear prebiotic activity, but resulted in manifestations of hepatic inflammation when combined with a high percentage of dietary cholesterol.
Variation of mechanical and thermal properties in sustainable graphene oxide/epoxy composites
Authors: Zhao Hongran , Ding Jiheng , Yu Haibin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this work, the functional graphene oxide (bGO) was facilely synthesized through a grafted reaction between graphene oxide (GO) and bio-based bis-furan di-epoxide (BFDE). The structure of bGO was confirmed by FTIR spectra and Raman spectra. The properties of polymer composite materials depend on the distribution of the nanofiller in the matrix and due to the presence of polymer chains our bGO sheets exhibit a better dispersibility in solvents and polymer matrix, which provides a potential opportunity for the preparation of BFDE composites with excellent performance. Bio-based BFDE composites containing 0.05–0.5 wt.% of bGO exhibit superior mechanical and thermal properties. The addition of just 0.5 wt% such bGO to an BFDE causes 80%, 49%, 21%, 69% and 97% enhancement in tensile strength, flexural strength, flexural modulus, critical stress intensity factor and critical strain energy release rate, respectively. The thermal decomposition temperature Td of bGO/BFDE composites was increased about ~17 °C compared to blank BFDE sample. In addition, we found that introducing unmodified GO to epoxy matrix lead to an insignificant increase of the thermal property of the resulting GO/BFDE composites. The enhanced mechanical properties and thermal properties of bGO/BFDE composites could be attributed to strong interfacial interactions and high affinity between bGO and epoxy matrix.
Origin and age of the causative mutations in KLC2, IMPA1, MED25 and WNT7A unravelled through Brazilian admixed populations
Authors: de Farias Allysson Allan , Nunes Kelly , Lemes Renan Barbosa , Moura Ronald , Fernandes Gustavo Ribeiro , Melo Uirá Souto , Zatz Mayana , Kok Fernando , Santos Silvana 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe mutation age and local ancestry of chromosomal segments harbouring mutations associated with autosomal recessive (AR) disorders in Brazilian admixed populations remain unknown; additionally, inbreeding levels for these affected individuals continue to be estimated based on genealogical information. Here, we calculated inbreeding levels using a runs of homozygosity approach, mutation age and local ancestry to infer the origin of each chromosomal segments containing disorder-causing mutations in KLC2, IMPA1, MED25 and WNT7A. Genotyped data were generated from 18 patients affected by AR diseases and combined to the 1000 genome project (1KGP) and Simons genome diversity project (SGDP) databases to infer local ancestry. We found a major European contribution for mutated haplotypes with recent mutation age and inbreeding values found only in Native American and Middle East individuals. These results contribute to identifying the origin of and to understanding how these diseases are maintained and spread in Brazilian and world populations.
Relationship between aqueous humor cytokine level changes and retinal vascular changes after intravitreal aflibercept for diabetic macular edema
Authors: Mastropasqua Rodolfo , D’Aloisio Rossella , Di Nicola Marta , Di Martino Giuseppe , Lamolinara Alessia , Di Antonio Luca , Tognetto Daniele , Toto Lisa 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe aim of this work was to investigate the changes in aqueous humor cytokine levels after intravitreal injection of aflibercept in diabetic macular edema (DME) and to evaluate the relationship between cytokines modifications and central macular thickness (CMT) and retinal/choroidal vascular changes using structural and functional optical coherence tomography (OCT). Aqueous concentrations of 38 cytokines were measured via multiplex bead assay. In addition, spectral domain OCT and OCT angiography with SSADA software (XR Avanti® AngioVue) were performed at baseline and after intravitreal injections. VEGF, IL-6, IL-5, IL-1β, Eotaxin, GRO, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-1RA, Flt-3L and IP-10 showed a statistically significant decrease through the follow-up (p < 0.05; p < 0.001), while Fraktalkine and GM-CSF significantly increased (p < 0.05). Best corrected visual acuity significantly increased and CMT significantly decreased during follow-up (p < 0.001 and p = 0.013). Superficial capillary plexus and deep capillary plexus density significantly increased (p < 0.001 and p = 0.014). A positive relation was found between GRO, VEGF, Fraktalkine, IP-10, IL-12p70 aqueous humor levels and CMT (p < 0.05; p < 0.001). Aflibercept is a primary anti-VEGF treatment producing a decrease of DME due to the reduction of vascular permeability, nevertheless other inflammatory cytokines showed modification after aflibercept intravitreal injections probably related to edema modification or to an interaction of aflibercept with other inflammatory cytokines.
Reflecting health: smart mirrors for personalized medicine
Authors: Miotto Riccardo , Danieletto Matteo , Scelza Jerome R. , Kidd Brian A. , Dudley Joel T. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractInexpensive embedded computing and the related Internet of Things technologies enable the recent development of smart products that can respond to human needs and improve everyday tasks in an attempt to make traditional environments more “intelligent”. Several projects have augmented mirrors for a range of smarter applications in automobiles and homes. The opportunity to apply smart mirror technology to healthcare to predict and to monitor aspects of health and disease is a natural but mostly underdeveloped idea. We envision that smart mirrors comprising a combination of intelligent hardware and software could identify subtle, yet clinically relevant changes in physique and appearance. Similarly, a smart mirror could record and evaluate body position and motion to identify posture and movement issues, as well as offer feedback for corrective actions. Successful development and implementation of smart mirrors for healthcare applications will require overcoming new challenges in engineering, machine learning, computer vision, and biomedical research. This paper examines the potential uses of smart mirrors in healthcare and explores how this technology might benefit users in various medical environments. We also provide a brief description of the state-of-the-art, including a functional prototype concept developed by our group, and highlight the directions to make this device more mainstream in health-related applications.