bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Matrilysin/MMP-7 Cleavage of Perlecan/HSPG2 Complexed with Semaphorin 3A Supports FAK-Mediated Stromal Invasion by Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Grindel Brian J. , Martinez Jerahme R. , Tellman Tristen V. , Harrington Daniel A. , Zafar Hamim , Nakhleh Luay , Chung Leland W. , Farach-Carson Mary C. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractInterrupting the interplay between cancer cells and extracellular matrix (ECM) is a strategy to halt tumor progression and stromal invasion. Perlecan/heparan sulfate proteoglycan 2 (HSPG2) is an extracellular proteoglycan that orchestrates tumor angiogenesis, proliferation, differentiation and invasion. Metastatic prostate cancer (PCa) cells degrade perlecan-rich tissue borders to reach bone, including the basement membrane, vasculature, reactive stromal matrix and bone marrow. Domain IV-3, perlecan’s last 7 immunoglobulin repeats, mimics native proteoglycan by promoting tumoroid formation. This is reversed by matrilysin/matrix metalloproteinase-7 (MMP-7) cleavage to favor cell dispersion and tumoroid dyscohesion. Both perlecan and Domain IV-3 induced a strong focal adhesion kinase (FAK) dephosphorylation/deactivation. MMP-7 cleavage of perlecan reversed this, with FAK in dispersed tumoroids becoming phosphorylated/activated with metastatic phenotype. We demonstrated Domain IV-3 interacts with the axon guidance protein semaphorin 3A (Sema3A) on PCa cells to deactivate pro-metastatic FAK. Sema3A antibody mimicked the Domain IV-3 clustering activity. Direct binding experiments showed Domain IV-3 binds Sema3A. Knockdown of Sema3A prevented Domain IV-3-induced tumoroid formation and Sema3A was sensitive to MMP-7 proteolysis. The perlecan-Sema3A complex abrogates FAK activity and stabilizes PCa cell interactions. MMP-7 expressing cells destroy the complex to initiate metastasis, destroy perlecan-rich borders, and favor invasion and progression to lethal bone disease.
Identification of target genes regulated by the Drosophila histone methyltransferase Eggless reveals a role of Decapentaplegic in apoptotic signaling
Authors: Kang Igojo , Choi Yourim , Jung Sueun , Lim Jae Yun , Lee Dooyoung , Gupta Sumeet , Moon Woongjoon , Shin Chanseok 
Published: May 2018

AbstractEpigenetic gene regulation is essential for developmental processes. Eggless (Egg), the Drosophila orthologue of the mammalian histone methyltransferase, SETDB1, is known to be involved in the survival and differentiation of germline stem cells and piRNA cluster transcription during Drosophila oogenesis; however the detailed mechanisms remain to be determined. Here, using high-throughput RNA sequencing, we investigated target genes regulated by Egg in an unbiased manner. We show that Egg plays diverse roles in particular piRNA pathway gene expression, some long non-coding RNA expression, apoptosis-related gene regulation, and Decapentaplegic (Dpp) signaling during Drosophila oogenesis. Furthermore, using genetic and cell biological approaches, we demonstrate that ectopic upregulation of dpp caused by loss of Egg in the germarium can trigger apoptotic cell death through activation of two pro-apoptotic genes, reaper and head involution defective. We propose a model in which Egg regulates germ cell differentiation and apoptosis through canonical and noncanonical Dpp pathways in Drosophila oogenesis.
Control of Love waves by resonant metasurfaces
Authors: Palermo Antonio , Marzani Alessandro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMetasurfaces of mechanical resonators have been successfully used to control in-plane polarized surface waves for filtering, waveguiding and lensing applications across different length scales. In this work, we extend the concept of metasurfaces to anti-plane surface waves existing in semi-infinite layered media, generally known as Love waves. By means of an effective medium approach, we derive an original closed-form dispersion relation for the metasurface. This relation reveals the possibility to control the Love waves dispersive properties by varying the resonators mechanical parameters. We exploit this capability to manipulate the metasurface refractive index and design two gradient index (GRIN) metalenses, i.e. a Luneburg lens and a Maxwell lens. We confirm the performance of the designed lenses using full 3D finite element simulations. Our work demonstrates the possibility of realizing wave control devices for anti-plane waves.
Random Feedback Makes Listeners Tone-Deaf
Authors: Vuvan Dominique T. , Zendel Benjamin Rich , Peretz Isabelle 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe mental representation of pitch structure (tonal knowledge) is a core component of musical experience and is learned implicitly through exposure to music. One theory of congenital amusia (tone deafness) posits that conscious access to tonal knowledge is disrupted, leading to a severe deficit of music cognition. We tested this idea by providing random performance feedback to neurotypical listeners while they listened to melodies for tonal incongruities and had their electrical brain activity monitored. The introduction of random feedback was associated with a reduction of accuracy and confidence, and a suppression of the late positive brain response usually elicited by conscious detection of a tonal violation. These effects mirror the behavioural and neurophysiological profile of amusia. In contrast, random feedback was associated with an increase in the amplitude of the early right anterior negativity, possibly due to heightened attention to the experimental task. This successful simulation of amusia in a normal brain highlights the key role of feedback in learning, and thereby provides a new avenue for the rehabilitation of learning disorders.
A Rout to Protect Quantum Gates constructed via quantum walks from Noises
Authors: Du Yi-Mu , Lu Li-Hua , Li You-Quan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe continuous-time quantum walk on a one-dimensional graph of odd number of sites with an on-site potential at the center is studied. We show that such a quantum-walk system can construct an X-gate of a single qubit as well as a control gate for two qubits, when the potential is much larger than the hopping strength. We investigate the decoherence effect and find that the coherence time can be enhanced by either increasing the number of sites on the graph or the ratio of the potential to the hopping strength, which is expected to motivate the design of the quantum gate with long coherence time. We also suggest several experimental proposals to realize such a system.
Evidence of CD4+ T cell-mediated immune pressure on the Hepatitis C virus genome
Authors: Lucas Michaela , Deshpande Pooja , James Ian , Rauch Andri , Pfafferott Katja , Gaylard Elouise , Merani Shahzma , Plauzolles Anne , Lucas Andrew , McDonnell Wyatt , Kalams Spyros , Pilkinton Mark , Chastain Cody , Barnett Louise , Prosser Amy , Mallal Simon , Fitzmaurice Karen , Drummer Heidi , Ansari M. Azim , Pedergnana Vincent , Barnes Ellie , John Mina , Kelleher Dermot , Klenerman Paul , Gaudieri Silvana 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV)-specific T cell responses are critical for immune control of infection. Viral adaptation to these responses, via mutations within regions of the virus targeted by CD8+T cells, is associated with viral persistence. However, identifying viral adaptation to HCV-specific CD4+T cell responses has been difficult although key to understanding anti-HCV immunity. In this context, HCV sequence and host genotype from a single source HCV genotype 1B cohort (n = 63) were analyzed to identify viral changes associated with specific human leucocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles, as these variable host molecules determine the set of viral peptides presented to CD4+T cells. Eight sites across the HCV genome were associated with HLA class II alleles implicated in infection outcome in this cohort (p ≤ 0.01; Fisher’s exact test). We extended this analysis to chronic HCV infection (n = 351) for the common genotypes 1A and 3A. Variation at 38 sites across the HCV genome were associated with specific HLA class II alleles with no overlap between genotypes, suggestive of genotype-specific T cell targets, which has important implications for vaccine design. Here we show evidence of HCV adaptation to HLA class II-restricted CD4+T cell pressure across the HCV genome in chronic HCV infection without a priori knowledge of CD4+T cell epitopes.
Novel bifunctional cap for simultaneous electroencephalography and transcranial electrical stimulation
Authors: Wunder Sophia , Hunold Alexander , Fiedler Patrique , Schlegelmilch Falk , Schellhorn Klaus , Haueisen Jens 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNeuromodulation induced by transcranial electric stimulation (TES) exhibited promising potential for clinical practice. However, the underlying mechanisms remain subject of research. The combination of TES and electroencephalography (EEG) offers great potential for investigating these mechanisms and brain function in general, especially when performed simultaneously. In conventional applications, the combination of EEG and TES suffers from limitations on the electrode level (gel for electrode-skin interface) and the usability level (preparation time, reproducibility of positioning). To overcome these limitations, we designed a bifunctional cap for simultaneous TES–EEG applications. We used novel electrode materials, namely textile stimulation electrodes and dry EEG electrodes integrated in a flexible textile cap. We verified the functionality of this cap by analysing the effect of TES on visual evoked potentials (VEPs). In accordance with previous reports using standard TES, the amplitude of the N75 component was significantly decreased post-stimulation, indicating the feasibility of using this novel flexible cap for simultaneous TES and EEG. Further, we found a significant reduction of the P100 component only during TES, indicating a different brain modulation effect during and after TES. In conclusion, the novel bifunctional cap offers a novel tool for simultaneous TES–EEG applications in clinical research, therapy monitoring and closed-loop stimulation.
A novel method for landslide displacement prediction by integrating advanced computational intelligence algorithms
Authors: Zhou Chao , Yin Kunlong , Cao Ying , Ahmed Bayes , Fu Xiaolin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractLandslide displacement prediction is considered as an essential component for developing early warning systems. The modelling of conventional forecast methods requires enormous monitoring data that limit its application. To conduct accurate displacement prediction with limited data, a novel method is proposed and applied by integrating three computational intelligence algorithms namely: the wavelet transform (WT), the artificial bees colony (ABC), and the kernel-based extreme learning machine (KELM). At first, the total displacement was decomposed into several sub-sequences with different frequencies using the WT. Next each sub-sequence was predicted separately by the KELM whose parameters were optimized by the ABC. Finally the predicted total displacement was obtained by adding all the predicted sub-sequences. The Shuping landslide in the Three Gorges Reservoir area in China was taken as a case study. The performance of the new method was compared with the WT-ELM, ABC-KELM, ELM, and the support vector machine (SVM) methods. Results show that the prediction accuracy can be improved by decomposing the total displacement into sub-sequences with various frequencies and by predicting them separately. The ABC-KELM algorithm shows the highest prediction capacity followed by the ELM and SVM. Overall, the proposed method achieved excellent performance both in terms of accuracy and stability.
Flood-conditioned place aversion as a novel non-pharmacological aversive learning procedure in mice
Authors: Goltseker Koral , Barak Segev 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe place conditioning paradigm is an efficient, widely-used method to study mechanisms that underlie appetitive or aversive learning and memory processes. However, pharmacological agents used to induce conditioned place preference (CPP) or aversion (CPA) can per se interfere with learning and memory processing, hence confounding the results. Therefore, non-pharmacological place conditioning procedures are of high importance. Here, we introduce a novel procedure for induction of CPA in mice, by water flooding. We found that pairing a context with immersion in moderately cold shallow water resulted in aversion and avoidance of that context during a place preference test. Importantly, place aversion emerged only when mice experienced the onset of flood during conditioning training, but not when mice were placed in a compartment pre-filled with water. We also found that warm water was not sufficiently aversive to induce CPA. Moreover, CPA was observed after two or three context-flood pairings but not after one or four pairings, suggesting that moderate conditioning intensity produces optimal CPA expression. Thus, flood-induced CPA is a simple, cheap, and efficient procedure to form and measure place aversion memories in mice, using an ethologically-relevant threat.
A targeted boost-and-sort immunization strategy using Escherichia coli BamA identifies rare growth inhibitory antibodies
Authors: Vij Rajesh , Lin Zhonghua , Chiang Nancy , Vernes Jean-Michel , Storek Kelly M. , Park Summer , Chan Joyce , Meng Y. Gloria , Comps-Agrar Laetitia , Luan Peng , Lee Sophia , Schneider Kellen , Bevers Jack , Zilberleyb Inna , Tam Christine , Koth Christopher M. , Xu Min , Gill Avinash , Auerbach Marcy R. , Smith Peter A. , Rutherford Steven T. , Nakamura Gerald , Seshasayee Dhaya , Payandeh Jian , Koerber James T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOuter membrane proteins (OMPs) in Gram-negative bacteria are essential for a number of cellular functions including nutrient transport and drug efflux. Escherichia coli BamA is an essential component of the OMP β-barrel assembly machinery and a potential novel antibacterial target that has been proposed to undergo large (~15 Å) conformational changes. Here, we explored methods to isolate anti-BamA monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that might alter the function of this OMP and ultimately lead to bacterial growth inhibition. We first optimized traditional immunization approaches but failed to identify mAbs that altered cell growth after screening >3000 hybridomas. We then developed a “targeted boost-and-sort” strategy that combines bacterial cell immunizations, purified BamA protein boosts, and single hybridoma cell sorting using amphipol-reconstituted BamA antigen. This unique workflow improves the discovery efficiency of FACS + mAbs by >600-fold and enabled the identification of rare anti-BamA mAbs with bacterial growth inhibitory activity in the presence of a truncated lipopolysaccharide layer. These mAbs represent novel tools for dissecting the BamA-mediated mechanism of β-barrel folding and our workflow establishes a new template for the efficient discovery of novel mAbs against other highly dynamic membrane proteins.
Research on oral microbiota of monozygotic twins with discordant caries experience - in vitro and in vivo study
Authors: Wu Hongle , Zeng Benhua , Li Bolei , Ren Biao , Zhao Jianhua , Li Mingyun , Peng Xian , Feng Mingye , Li Jiyao , Wei Hong , Cheng Lei , Zhou Xuedong 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOral microbiome is potentially correlated with many diseases, such as dental caries, periodontitis, oral cancer and some systemic diseases. Twin model, as an effective method for studying human microbiota, is widely used in research of relationship between oral microbiota and dental caries. However, there were few researches focusing on caries discordant twins. In this study,in vitroassays were conducted combined with 16S rRNA sequencing analysis on oral microbiota sampled from twins who presented discordant caries experience and mice model was developed as well. Results showed that oral microbiota from caries-active twin possessed higher metabolic activity and produced more lactic production. 16S rRNA sequencing analysis showed that more than 80% of family taxa could be transferred into gnotobiotic-mice. Key caries-associated genera were significantly different between twins and the same difference in genus level could be found in mice as well (p < 0.05). This study suggested that oral microbiota of twins could be distinguished from each other despite the similarities in genetic make-up, living environment, and lifestyle. The difference in microbiota was applied to develop a mice model which may facilitate the investigation of core microbiota of dental caries.
Effect of mixed partial occupation of metal sites on the phase stability of γ-Cr23−xFe
x
C6 (x = 0–3) carbides
Authors: Souissi Maaouia , Sluiter Marcel H. F. , Matsunaga Tetsuya , Tabuchi Masaaki , Mills Michael J. , Sahara Ryoji 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe effect of mixed partial occupation of metal sites on the phase stability of the γ-Cr23−xFe
x
C6 (x = 0–3) carbides is explored as function of composition and temperature. Ab initio calculations combined with statistical thermodynamics approaches reveal that the site occupation of the carbides may be incorrectly predicted when only the commonly used approach of full sublattice occupation is considered. We found that the γ-M23C6 structure can be understood as a familiar sodium chloride structure with positively charged rhombic dodecahedron (M(4a) M12(48h)) and negatively charged cubo-octahedron (M8(32f) C6(24e)) super-ion clusters, together with interstitial metal atoms at the 8c sites. The stability of the partially occupied phase can be easily rationalized on the basis of a super-ion analysis of the carbide phase. This new understanding of γ-M23C6 carbides may facilitate further development of high-chromium heat-resistant steels.
Approach to high quality GaN lateral nanowires and planar cavities fabricated by focused ion beam and metal-organic vapor phase epitaxy
Authors: Pozina Galia , Gubaydullin Azat R. , Mitrofanov Maxim I. , Kaliteevski Mikhail A. , Levitskii Iaroslav V. , Voznyuk Gleb V. , Tatarinov Evgeniy E. , Evtikhiev Vadim P. , Rodin Sergey N. , Kaliteevskiy Vasily N. , Chechurin Leonid S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe have developed a method to fabricate GaN planar nanowires and cavities by combination of Focused Ion Beam (FIB) patterning of the substrate followed by Metal Organic Vapor Phase Epitaxy (MOVPE). The method includes depositing a silicon nitride mask on a sapphire substrate, etching of the trenches in the mask by FIB with a diameter of 40 nm with subsequent MOVPE growth of GaN within trenches. It was observed that the growth rate of GaN is substantially increased due to enhanced bulk diffusion of the growth precursor therefore the model for analysis of the growth rate was developed. The GaN strips fabricated by this method demonstrate effective luminescence properties. The structures demonstrate enhancement of spontaneous emission via formation of Fabry-Perot modes.
Cuffless blood pressure estimation using only a smartphone
Authors: Matsumura Kenta , Rolfe Peter , Toda Sogo , Yamakoshi Takehiro 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCuffless blood pressure (BP) measurement is an all-inclusive term for a method that aims to measure BP without using a cuff. Recent cuffless technology has made it possible to estimate BP with reasonable accuracy. However, mainstream methods require an electrocardiogram and photoplethysmogram measurements, and frequent calibration procedures using a cuff sphygmomanometer. We therefore developed a far simpler cuffless method, using only heart rate (HR) and modified normalized pulse volume (mNPV) that can be measured using a smartphone, based on the knowledge that ln BP = ln cardiac output (CO) + ln total peripheral resistance (TPR), where CO and TPR are correlated with HR and mNPV, respectively. Here, we show that mean arterial pressure (MAP), systolic BP (SBP), and diastolic BP (DBP) could be estimated using the exponential transformation of linear polynomial equation, (a × ln HR) + (b × ln mNPV) + constant, using only a smartphone, with an accuracy of R > 0.70. This implies that our cuffless method could convert a large number of smartphones or smart watches into simplified sphygmomanometers.
Ethanol Extract of Crataegus Oxyacantha L. Ameliorate Dietary Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Rat
Authors: Saeedi Golbahar , Jeivad Fereshteh , Goharbari Mohammadhadi , Gheshlaghi Gholamreza , Sabzevari Omid 
Published: May 2018

Abstract
Background Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) is one the most prevalent disease worldwide which characterized by fat accumulation in liver with no established efficient therapy. We designed this study to investigate protective and therapeutic effect of Crataegus oxyacantha L. (C. oxyacantha) on NAFLD induced by high fat diet in rat models.
Methods NAFLD was induced by High Fat Diet+fructose (HFD), 45 Wistar rats were divided to 8 groups including control, HFD, HFD+diet change, HFD+diet change+C. oxyacantha 20 mg/kg, co treatment of HFD+C. oxyacantha 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg, and normal diet+C. oxyacantha 40 mg. C. oxyacantha was administered orally. Effectiveness of the C. oxyacantha was assessed through measuring the biochemical factors, and oxidative stress marker (FRAP, GSH, and MDA). Histopathological study was performed using H & E staining.
Results The diet change from high fat to low fat ameliorated liver damage. However, consumption of C. oxyacantha (10 & 20 mg/kg) caused significant reduction in the level of all examined liver biomarkers specially LDH, that showed C. oxyacantha can restore the hepatocyte damage due to HFD. The C. oxyacantha showed a protective effect which was more prominent in the animals treated with the 20 mg/kg C. oxyacantha. The administration of C. oxyacantha caused increased antioxidant status (GSH and FRAP levels) and decreased lipid peroxidation in treated animals.
Major Conclusion Accordingly, C. oxyacantha have both therapeutic and protective effect for NAFLD and may be a potential candidate for further assessments in clinical studies.
ICU Readmission after Cardiac Surgery—Still a Matter of Concern?
Authors: Kolat Philipp , Guttenberger Patricia , Ried Michael , Kapahnke Julia , Haneya Assad , Schmid Christof , Diez Claudius 
Published: May 2018

Background Despite improvements in diagnostics and perioperative care, readmission to intensive care unit (ICU) after cardiac surgery is still a severe drawback for patients with considerable morbidity, mortality, and costs. Aim of this retrospective analysis was to disentangle independent risk factors for ICU readmission.
Material and Methods Between 01/2004 and 12/2012, 336 out of 9,555 (3.5%) patients undergoing cardiac surgery at the Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery in Regensburg (Germany) were readmitted to ICU. A matched-pair analysis (readmission vs control group) was conducted, matching for gender, age, and surgical procedure. Operations included coronary artery bypass grafting, valve reconstruction/replacement, aortic surgery, combined procedures, and others. Mean follow-up was 6.2 ± 2.3 years.
Results Median age of the readmitted patients was 71 years (65; 76), and the majority was male (67.9%). Median logistic Euroscore as a parameter for perioperative risk was significantly higher as compared with the control group (5.8 vs 5.2, p = 0.045) as was the prevalence of comorbidities including hypertension, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, prior myocardial infarction, stroke, and PAOD. Most common reasons for readmission were cardiopulmonary instability (27.4%), respiratory failure (20.8%), and surgery for deep sternal infection (8.6%). Twenty-one percent required more than one readmission. Overall mortality was significantly higher in readmitted patients (21.1 vs 12.5%).
Conclusions In conclusion, readmission to the ICU after cardiac surgery is a rare complication that is still associated with excessive mortality. Establishment of an intermediate care unit proved to be an excellent means to reduce ICU stay without endangering post-surgery patients and significantly reduced the ICU readmission rate.