bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
fam20C participates in the shell formation in the pearl oyster, Pinctada fucata
Authors: Du Jinzhe , Liu Chuang , Xu Guangrui , Xie Jun , Xie Liping , Zhang Rongqing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractKinase-family with sequence similarity 20, member C (Fam20C) is a protein kinase, which can phosphorylate biomineralization related proteins in vertebrate animals. However, the function of Fam20C in invertebrate animals especially the role in biomineralization is still unknown. Herein, we cloned the cDNA offam20C from the pearl oyster,Pinctada fucata. It is showed that the expression offam20C in the mantle edge was much higher than other tissues.In situhybridization showed thatfam20C was expressed mostly in the outer epithelial cells of the middle fold, indicating it may play important roles in the shell formation. Besides,fam20C expression increased greatly in the D-shape stage of pearl oyster development, when the shell was first formed. During the shell repair process, the expression level offam20C increased 1.5 times at 6 h after shell notching. Knockdown offam20Cin vivoby RNA interference resulted in abnormally stacking of calcium carbonate crystals at the edges of nacre tablets, showing direct evidence thatfam20C participates in the shell formation. This study provides an insight into the role of kinase protein in the shell formation in mollusk and broaden our understanding of biomineralization mechanism.
Sequential Membrane Rupture and Vesiculation during Plasmodium berghei Gametocyte Egress from the Red Blood Cell
Authors: Andreadaki Maria , Hanssen Eric , Deligianni Elena , Claudet Cyrille , Wengelnik Kai , Mollard Vanessa , McFadden Geoffrey I. , Abkarian Manouk , Braun-Breton Catherine , Siden-Kiamos Inga 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMalaria parasites alternate between intracellular and extracellular stages and successful egress from the host cell is crucial for continuation of the life cycle. We investigated egress of Plasmodium berghei gametocytes, an essential process taking place within a few minutes after uptake of a blood meal by the mosquito. Egress entails the rupture of two membranes surrounding the parasite: the parasitophorous vacuole membrane (PVM), and the red blood cell membrane (RBCM). High-speed video microscopy of 56 events revealed that egress in both genders comprises four well-defined phases, although each event is slightly different. The first phase is swelling of the host cell, followed by rupture and immediate vesiculation of the PVM. These vesicles are extruded through a single stabilized pore of the RBCM, and the latter is subsequently vesiculated releasing the free gametes. The time from PVM vesiculation to completion of egress varies between events. These observations were supported by immunofluorescence microscopy using antibodies against proteins of the RBCM and PVM. The combined results reveal dynamic re-organization of the membranes and the cortical cytoskeleton of the erythrocyte during egress.
Nanodelivery of a functional membrane receptor to manipulate cellular phenotype
Authors: Patriarchi Tommaso , Shen Ao , He Wei , Baikoghli Mo , Cheng R. Holland , Xiang Yang K. , Coleman Matthew A. , Tian Lin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractModification of membrane receptor makeup is one of the most efficient ways to control input-output signals but is usually achieved by expressing DNA or RNA-encoded proteins or by using other genome-editing methods, which can be technically challenging and produce unwanted side effects. Here we develop and validate a nanodelivery approach to transfer in vitro synthesized, functional membrane receptors into the plasma membrane of living cells. Using β2-adrenergic receptor (β2AR), a prototypical G-protein coupled receptor, as an example, we demonstrated efficient incorporation of a full-length β2AR into a variety of mammalian cells, which imparts pharmacologic control over cellular signaling and affects cellular phenotype in an ex-vivo wound-healing model. Our approach for nanodelivery of functional membrane receptors expands the current toolkit for DNA and RNA-free manipulation of cellular function. We expect this approach to be readily applicable to the synthesis and nanodelivery of other types of GPCRs and membrane receptors, opening new doors for therapeutic development at the intersection between synthetic biology and nanomedicine.
Disentangling thermal stress responses in a reef-calcifier and its photosymbionts by shotgun proteomics
Authors: Stuhr Marleen , Blank-Landeshammer Bernhard , Reymond Claire E. , Kollipara Laxmikanth , Sickmann Albert , Kucera Michal , Westphal Hildegard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe proliferation of key marine ecological engineers and carbonate producers often relies on their association with photosymbiotic algae. Evaluating stress responses of these organisms is important to predict their fate under future climate projections. Physiological approaches are limited in their ability to resolve the involved molecular mechanisms and attribute stress effects to the host or symbiont, while probing and partitioning of proteins cannot be applied in organisms where the host and symbiont are small and cannot be physically separated. Here we apply a label-free quantitative proteomics approach to detect changes of proteome composition in the diatom-bearing benthic foraminifera Amphistegina gibbosa experimentally exposed to three thermal-stress scenarios. We developed a workflow for protein extraction from less than ten specimens and simultaneously analysed host and symbiont proteomes. Despite little genomic data for the host, 1,618 proteins could be partially assembled and assigned. The proteomes revealed identical pattern of stress response among stress scenarios as that indicated by physiological measurements, but allowed identification of compartment-specific stress reactions. In the symbiont, stress-response and proteolysis-related proteins were up regulated while photosynthesis-related proteins declined. In contrast, host homeostasis was maintained through chaperone up-regulation associated with elevated proteosynthesis and proteolysis, and the host metabolism shifted to heterotrophy.
Trans-generational inheritance of herbivory-induced phenotypic changes in Brassica rapa
Authors: Kellenberger Roman T. , Desurmont Gaylord A. , Schlüter Philipp M. , Schiestl Florian P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBiotic stress can induce plastic changes in fitness-relevant plant traits. Recently, it has been shown that such changes can be transmitted to subsequent generations. However, the occurrence and extent of transmission across different types of traits is still unexplored. Here, we assessed the emergence and transmission of herbivory-induced changes inBrassica rapaand their impact on interactions with insects. We analysed changes in morphology and reproductive traits as well as in flower and leaf volatile emission during two generations with leaf herbivory byMamestra brassicaeandPieris brassicaeand two subsequent generations without herbivory. Herbivory induced changes in all trait types, increasing attractiveness of the plants to the parasitoid waspCotesia glomerataand decreasing visitation by the pollinatorBombus terrestris, a potential trade-off. While changes in floral and leaf volatiles disappeared in the first generation after herbivory, some changes in morphology and reproductive traits were still measurable two generations after herbivory. However, neither parasitoids nor pollinators further discriminated between groups with different past treatments. Our results suggest that transmission of herbivore-induced changes occurs preferentially in resource-limited traits connected to plant growth and reproduction. The lack of alterations in plant-insect interactions was likely due to the transient nature of volatile changes.
Directed evolution of SIRT6 for improved deacylation and glucose homeostasis maintenance
Authors: Gertman Or , Omer Dotan , Hendler Adi , Stein Daniel , Onn Lior , Khukhin Yana , Portillo Miguel , Zarivach Raz , Cohen Haim Y. , Toiber Debra , Aharoni Amir 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMammalian SIRT6 is a well-studied histone deacetylase that was recently shown to exhibit high protein deacylation activity enabling the removal of long chain fatty acyl groups from proteins. SIRT6 was shown to play key roles in cellular homeostasis by regulating a variety of cellular processes including DNA repair and glucose metabolism. However, the link between SIRT6 enzymatic activities and its cellular functions is not clear. Here, we utilized a directed enzyme evolution approach to generate SIRT6 mutants with improved deacylation activity. We found that while two mutants show increased deacylation activity at high substrate concentration and improved glucose metabolism they exhibit no improvement and even abolished deacetylation activity on H3K9Ac and H3K56Ac in cells. Our results demonstrate the separation of function between SIRT6 catalytic activities and suggest that SIRT6 deacylation activity in cells is important for glucose metabolism and can be mediated by still unknown acylated cellular proteins.
Vertical Transmission of the Zika Virus Causes Neurological Disorders in Mouse Offspring
Authors: Shi Yingchao , Li Shihua , Wu Qian , Sun Le , Zhang Junjing , Pan Na , Wang Qihui , Bi Yuhai , An Jing , Lu Xuancheng , Gao George Fu , Wang Xiaoqun 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe association between Zika virus (ZIKV) infection and congenital malformations such as microcephaly in infants is a public health emergency. Although various in vivo and in vitro models are used for ZIKV research, few animal models are available for resolving the effects of maternal ZIKV infection on neonatal development. Here, we established an immunocompetent mouse model via intrauterine inoculation. Our results confirmed that ZIKV, but not dengue virus, infection caused spontaneous abortions, brain malformations, ocular abnormalities, spinal cord defects and paralysis in mouse offspring. Aside from microcephaly and hippocampal dysplasia, eye abnormalities, including microphthalmia, thinner optic nerves, damaged retinae, and deficient visual projection, were also observed following ZIKV infection. Moreover, ZIKV-infected offspring showed a loss of alpha motor neurons in the spinal cord and cerebellar malformation, which may cause paralysis. ZIKV also impaired adult neurogenesis in neonatal mice. Due to its intact immunity, our rodent model can be used to systematically evaluate the impact of ZIKV on embryonic and neonatal development and to explore potential therapies.
Protective effects of Chinese Fenggang zinc selenium tea on metabolic syndrome in high-sucrose-high-fat diet-induced obese rats
Authors: Yu Jie , Yang Jing , Li Mizhuan , Yang Xuesong , Wang Pan , Xu Jie 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe protective effect of zinc selenium tea against metabolic syndrome (MetS) was tested by using a high-sucrose-high-fat diet (HSHFD)-induced MetS model. Fifty Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into five groups: normal diet (C-group), HSHFD (CH-group), HSHFD + green tea (0.24 g/kg/day) (TH-group), HSHFD + low-dose zinc selenium organic tea (0.24 g/kg/day) (ZTHL-group), and HSHFD + high-dose zinc selenium organic tea (1.20 g/kg/day) (ZTHH-group). After 8 weeks, compared to both the C-group and CH-group, the hepatosomatic index (HI) was significantly reduced in the ZTHL-group (p < 0.05). Fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels were highest in the TH-group, followed by the CH-group, then the ZTHL-group, then the ZTHH-group, and finally the C-group. Compared with the CH-group, the serum total cholesterol (TC) and low density lipid-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentrations were significantly lower in the ZTHH-group (p < 0.05). Significant decreases in serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total bile acids (TBA), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and direct bilirubin (DBIL) levels were observed in ZTHL-group versus the CH-group (p < 0.05). Serum alpha-L-fucosidase (AFU) levels in the ZTHH-group were lower than in the CH-group (P < 0.01). Histopathological examination of the liver and fat biopsies illustrates that the liver cells showed a decrease in the extent of necrosis and dropsy in the ZTHL-group and ZTHH-group versus the CH-group. Zinc selenium tea showed a protection effect against hepatic damage.
Horizontal transfer of code fragments between protocells can explain the origins of the genetic code without vertical descent
Authors: Froese Tom , Campos Jorge I. , Fujishima Kosuke , Kiga Daisuke , Virgo Nathaniel 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTheories of the origin of the genetic code typically appeal to natural selection and/or mutation of hereditable traits to explain its regularities and error robustness, yet the present translation system presupposes high-fidelity replication. Woese’s solution to this bootstrapping problem was to assume that code optimization had played a key role in reducing the effect of errors caused by the early translation system. He further conjectured that initially evolution was dominated by horizontal exchange of cellular components among loosely organized protocells (“progenotes”), rather than by vertical transmission of genes. Here we simulated such communal evolution based on horizontal transfer of code fragments, possibly involving pairs of tRNAs and their cognate aminoacyl tRNA synthetases or a precursor tRNA ribozyme capable of catalysing its own aminoacylation, by using an iterated learning model. This is the first model to confirm Woese’s conjecture that regularity, optimality, and (near) universality could have emerged via horizontal interactions alone.
Investigation of the prevalence of Cognitive Impairment and its risk factors within the elderly population in Shanghai, China
Authors: Ren Longbing , Zheng Yongtao , Wu Lezhou , Gu Yijun , He Yusheng , Jiang Bo , Zhang Jie , Zhang Lijuan , Li Jue 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTo investigate the prevalence of cognitive impairment and its risk factors among Chinese elders aged over 80 years, a community-based, cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2016 in Shanghai, China. Cognitive function was measured by using Mini-Mental Status Examination. Multiple logistic regression assessed associations between risk factors and cognitive impairment. Of 480 participants, 30% were diagnosed with cognitive impairment. Women [adjusted odds ratio (AOR): 1.71, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03–2.83], solitary life (AOR: 3.15, 1.89–5.26), monthly income less than 2000 Chinese yuan (AOR: 3.47, 1.18–10.23) were significantly associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, compared with men, non-solitary life, and monthly income greater than 4000 Chinese yuan, respectively. Overweight (AOR: 0.59, 0.36–0.97), being physically active at least 60 minutes per day (AOR: 0.59, 0.35–0.95), antihypertensive drugs users (AOR: 0.45, 0.28–0.72), and lipid lowering drugs users (AOR: 0.21, 0.06–0.76) significantly lowered the risk of cognitive impairment, compared with normal weight, inadequate outdoor activity, and non-medication users, respectively. Accordingly, this study found that women, solitary life, lower income was associated with increased risk of cognitive impairment, while overweight, being physically active, and antihypertensive and lipid lowering drugs usage might lower the risk.
Semi-quantitative Analysis of EBUS Elastography as a Feasible Approach in Diagnosing Mediastinal and Hilar Lymph Nodes of Lung Cancer Patients
Authors: Ma Honghai , An Zhou , Xia Pinghui , Cao Jinlin , Gao Qiqi , Ren Guoping , Xue Xing , Wang Xianhua , He Zhehao , Hu Jian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to semi-quantitatively evaluate the elastographic imaging color distribution of mediastinal and hilar lymph nodes (LNs), and explored its utility in helping define malignant and benign LNs for lung cancer patients. We prospectively collected patients who underwent preoperative mediastinal staging of suspected lung cancer by EBUS-TBNA. We analyzed the elastography color distribution of each LN and calculated the blue color proportion (BCP). The LN elastographic patterns were compared with the final EBUS-TBNA pathological results. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was constructed to evaluate the diagnostic value of BCP. We sampled and analyzed 79 LNs from 60 patients. The average BCP in malignant LNs was remarkably higher than that in benign LNs (57.1% versus 30.8%, P < 0.001). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) for the BCP was 0.86 (95% CI: 0.78–0.94). The best cutoff BCP for differentiating between benign and malignant LNs was determined as 36.7%. All the 16 LNs (20.3%) with a BCP lower than 27.9% were diagnosed as benign tissues. Our study suggests that elastography is a feasible technique that may safely help to predict LN metastasis during EBUS-TBNA. We found a clear BCP cutoff value to help define positive and negative LNs.
ATLANTIS - Attractor Landscape Analysis Toolbox for Cell Fate Discovery and Reprogramming
Authors: Shah Osama Shiraz , Chaudhary Muhammad Faizyab Ali , Awan Hira Anees , Fatima Fizza , Arshad Zainab , Amina Bibi , Ahmed Maria , Hameed Hadia , Furqan Muhammad , Khalid Shareef , Faisal Amir , Chaudhary Safee Ullah 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBoolean modelling of biological networks is a well-established technique for abstracting dynamical biomolecular regulation in cells. Specifically, decoding linkages between salient regulatory network states and corresponding cell fate outcomes can help uncover pathological foundations of diseases such as cancer. Attractor landscape analysis is one such methodology which converts complex network behavior into a landscape of network states wherein each state is represented by propensity of its occurrence. Towards undertaking attractor landscape analysis of Boolean networks, we propose an Attractor Landscape Analysis Toolbox (ATLANTIS) for cell fate discovery, from biomolecular networks, and reprogramming upon network perturbation. ATLANTIS can be employed to perform both deterministic and probabilistic analyses. It has been validated by successfully reconstructing attractor landscapes from several published case studies followed by reprogramming of cell fates upon therapeutic treatment of network. Additionally, the biomolecular network of HCT-116 colorectal cancer cell line has been screened for therapeutic evaluation of drug-targets. Our results show agreement between therapeutic efficacies reported by ATLANTIS and the published literature. These case studies sufficiently highlight thein silicocell fate prediction and therapeutic screening potential of the toolbox. Lastly, ATLANTIS can also help guide single or combinatorial therapy responses towards reprogramming biomolecular networks to recover cell fates.
THz characterization and demonstration of visible-transparent/terahertz-functional electromagnetic structures in ultra-conductive La-doped BaSnO3 Films
Authors: Arezoomandan Sara , Prakash Abhinav , Chanana Ashish , Yue Jin , Mao Jieying , Blair Steve , Nahata Ajay , Jalan Bharat , Sensale-Rodriguez Berardi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe report on terahertz characterization of La-doped BaSnO3 (BSO) thin-films. BSO is a transparent complex oxide material, which has attracted substantial interest due to its large electrical conductivity and wide bandgap. The complex refractive index of these films is extracted in the 0.3 to 1.5 THz frequency range, which shows a metal-like response across this broad frequency window. The large optical conductivity found in these films at terahertz wavelengths makes this material an interesting platform for developing electromagnetic structures having a strong response at terahertz wavelengths, i.e. terahertz-functional, while being transparent at visible and near-IR wavelengths. As an example of such application, we demonstrate a visible-transparent terahertz polarizer.
Role of nonresolving inflammation in hepatocellular carcinoma development and progression
Authors: Yu Le-Xing , Ling Yan , Wang Hong-Yang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) has become a leading cause of cancer-related death, making the elucidation of its underlying mechanisms an urgent priority. Inflammation is an adaptive response to infection and tissue injury under strict regulations. When the host regulatory machine runs out of control, nonresolving inflammation occurs. Nonresolving inflammation is a recognized hallmark of cancer that substantially contributes to the development and progression of HCC. The HCC-associated inflammation can be initiated and propagated by extrinsic pathways through activation of pattern-recognition receptors (PRRs) by pathogen-associated molecule patterns (PAMPs) derived from gut microflora or damage-associated molecule patterns (DAMPs) released from dying liver cells. The inflammation can also be orchestrated by the tumor itself through secreting factors that recruit inflammatory cells to the tumor favoring the buildup of a microenvironment. Accumulating datas from human and mouse models showed that inflammation promotes HCC development by promoting proliferative and survival signaling, inducing angiogenesis, evading immune surveillance, supporting cancer stem cells, activating invasion and metastasis as well as inducing genomic instability. Targeting inflammation may represent a promising avenue for the HCC treatment. Some inhibitors targeting inflammatory pathways have been developed and under different stages of clinical trials, and one (sorafenib) have been approved by FDA. However, as most of the data were obtained from animal models, and there is a big difference between human HCC and mouse HCC models, it is challenging on successful translation from bench to bedside.
Perioperative Complications of Congenital Diaphragmatic Hernia Repair
Authors: Correia-Pinto Jorge , Barroso Catarina 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlthough improvements have been made, the management of congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) remains a major challenge for perinatologists and neonatal surgeons. Many aspects of the disease remain unknown and, being a rare entity, evidence-based data are hard to find. Surgical morbidity is considerable and affects long-term quality of life. Perioperative complications have been reviewed focusing on thoracoscopic repair. Intraoperative acidosis was more severe during thoracoscopy when compared with open surgery (OS), though it is possible that later neurodevelopment was not affected. Even so, strategies have been outlined to reduce acidosis, such as decreasing carbon dioxide (CO2) insufflation after reduction of the herniated viscera into the abdomen is complete. The risk of pleural complications decreased after introduction of gentle ventilation techniques and minimally invasive surgery (MIS); thus, the use of a prophylactic intraoperative thoracic tube is not routinely required. Recurrence rate was higher in large CDH and following MIS repair. Technical demands play an important role, therefore, in avoiding complications; every step of the OS technique must be strictly accomplished. In large defects, the use of prosthetic patch might reduce recurrence rate, even by MIS repair, once again only if technical demands are overcome with meticulous rules of suturing. Thoracoscopy significantly reduced the incidence of bowel obstruction and recovery time and improved cosmesis. The best approach of CDH is yet to be found, and it goes far beyond the management of perioperative complications. Meanwhile randomized controlled studies, namely on the outcome of thoracoscopic repair, are required to inform further practice.