bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
S100A4 promotes lung tumor development through β-catenin pathway-mediated autophagy inhibition
Authors: Hou Shasha , Tian Tian , Qi Dianwen , Sun Kaiji , Yuan Qi , Wang Ziling , Qin Zhihai , Wu Zhenlong , Chen Zhinan , Zhang Jinhua 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAutophagy has emerged as a critical pathway in tumor development. S100A4 plays important roles in tumor metastasis, but its role in regulating autophagy has not been well characterized. In this study, we found that S100A4 was significantly upregulated in lung adenocarcinoma tissues. Clinical investigation demonstrated that high expression level of S100A4 was associated with tumor size and advanced tumor grades of lung adenocarcinoma patients. Moreover, our results revealed that extracellular S100A4 or overexpression of S100A4 inhibited starvation-induced autophagy and promoted cell proliferation in lung cancer cells in vitro; whereas small interfering RNA (siRNA)-mediated suppression of S100A4 increased autophagy and reduced cell viability in both A549 and LLC cells. Additionally, S100A4 inhibited starvation-induced autophagy to promote tumor cell viability via the Wnt pathway. Increased expression of β-catenin consistently led to a decreased LC3-II protein abundance. Further, the inhibitory effect of S100A4 on autophagy and its promotion role in cell proliferation was abolished in A549 and LLC cells using the receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE)-specific inhibitor (FPS-ZM1). S100A4-deficient mice showed retarded tumor development. This effect was well correlated with increased expression of autophagy markers. Our findings demonstrate that S100A4 promotes lung tumor development through inhibiting autophagy in a β-catenin signaling and S100A4 receptor RAGE-dependent manner, which provides a novel mechanism of S100A4-associated promotion of tumor development.
Nuclear factor 90 promotes angiogenesis by regulating HIF-1α/VEGF-A expression through the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in human cervical cancer
Authors: Zhang Wenqian , Xiong Zhengai , Wei Tianqin , Li Qiumeng , Tan Ying , Ling Li , Feng Xiushan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractVascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A), a fundamental component of angiogenesis, provides nutrients and oxygen to solid tumors, and enhances tumor cell survival, invasion, and migration. Nuclear factor 90 (NF90), a double-stranded RNA-binding protein, is strongly expressed in several human cancers, promotes tumor growth by reducing apoptosis, and increasing cell cycle process. The mechanisms by which cervical cancer cells inducing VEGF-A expression and angiogenesis upon NF90 upregulation remain to be fully established. We demonstrated that NF90 is upregulated in human cervical cancer specimens and the expression of NF90 is paralleled with that of VEGF-A under hypoxia. The expressions of hypoxia inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) and VEGF-A are downregulated upon NF90 knockdown, which can be rescued by ectopic expression of NF90. Suppression of NF90 decreases the tube formation and cell migration of HUVECs. Moreover, the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway participates in the regulation. Knockdown of NF90 also reduces the tumor growth and angiogenesis of cervical cancer cell line in the mouse xenograft model. Taken together, suppression of NF90 in cervical cancer cell lines can decrease VEGF-A expression, inhibit angiogenesis, and reduce tumorigenic capacity in vivo.
Analysis of cardiomyocyte clonal expansion during mouse heart development and injury
Authors: Sereti Konstantina-Ioanna , Nguyen Ngoc B. , Kamran Paniz , Zhao Peng , Ranjbarvaziri Sara , Park Shuin , Sabri Shan , Engel James L. , Sung Kevin , Kulkarni Rajan P. , Ding Yichen , Hsiai Tzung K. , Plath Kathrin , Ernst Jason , Sahoo Debashis , Mikkola Hanna K.A. , Iruela-Arispe M. Luisa , Ardehali Reza 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe cellular mechanisms driving cardiac tissue formation remain poorly understood, largely due to the structural and functional complexity of the heart. It is unclear whether newly generated myocytes originate from cardiac stem/progenitor cells or from pre-existing cardiomyocytes that re-enter the cell cycle. Here, we identify the source of new cardiomyocytes during mouse development and after injury. Our findings suggest that cardiac progenitors maintain proliferative potential and are the main source of cardiomyocytes during development; however, the onset of αMHC expression leads to reduced cycling capacity. Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals a proliferative, “progenitor-like” population abundant in early embryonic stages that decreases to minimal levels postnatally. Furthermore, cardiac injury by ligation of the left anterior descending artery was found to activate cardiomyocyte proliferation in neonatal but not adult mice. Our data suggest that clonal dominance of differentiating progenitors mediates cardiac development, while a distinct subpopulation of cardiomyocytes may have the potential for limited proliferation during late embryonic development and shortly after birth.
Enhancing Hi-C data resolution with deep convolutional neural network HiCPlus
Authors: Zhang Yan , An Lin , Xu Jie , Zhang Bo , Zheng W. Jim , Hu Ming , Tang Jijun , Yue Feng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAlthough Hi-C technology is one of the most popular tools for studying 3D genome organization, due to sequencing cost, the resolution of most Hi-C datasets are coarse and cannot be used to link distal regulatory elements to their target genes. Here we develop HiCPlus, a computational approach based on deep convolutional neural network, to infer high-resolution Hi-C interaction matrices from low-resolution Hi-C data. We demonstrate that HiCPlus can impute interaction matrices highly similar to the original ones, while only using 1/16 of the original sequencing reads. We show that the models learned from one cell type can be applied to make predictions in other cell or tissue types. Our work not only provides a computational framework to enhance Hi-C data resolution but also reveals features underlying the formation of 3D chromatin interactions.
Induction of long-lived room temperature phosphorescence of carbon dots by water in hydrogen-bonded matrices
Authors: Li Qijun , Zhou Ming , Yang Mingyang , Yang Qingfeng , Zhang Zhixun , Shi Jing 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPhosphorescence shows great potential for application in bioimaging and ion detection because of its long-lived luminescence and high signal-to-noise ratio, but establishing phosphorescence emission in aqueous environments remains a challenge. Herein, we present a general design strategy that effectively promotes phosphorescence by utilising water molecules to construct hydrogen-bonded networks between carbon dots (CDs) and cyanuric acid (CA). Interestingly, water molecules not only cause no phosphorescence quenching but also greatly enhance the phosphorescence emission. This enhancement behaviour can be explained by the fact that the highly ordered bound water on the CA particle surface can construct robust bridge-like hydrogen-bonded networks between the CDs and CA, which not only effectively rigidifies the C=O bonds of the CDs but also greatly enhances the rigidity of the entire system. In addition, the CD-CA suspension exhibits a high phosphorescence lifetime (687 ms) and is successfully applied in ion detection based on its visible phosphorescence.
Tailed giant Tupanvirus possesses the most complete translational apparatus of the known virosphere
Authors: Abrahão Jônatas , Silva Lorena , Silva Ludmila Santos , Khalil Jacques Yaacoub Bou , Rodrigues Rodrigo , Arantes Thalita , Assis Felipe , Boratto Paulo , Andrade Miguel , Kroon Erna Geessien , Ribeiro Bergmann , Bergier Ivan , Seligmann Herve , Ghigo Eric , Colson Philippe , Levasseur Anthony , Kroemer Guido , Raoult Didier , La Scola Bernard 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHere we report the discovery of two Tupanvirus strains, the longest tailed Mimiviridae members isolated in amoebae. Their genomes are 1.44–1.51 Mb linear double-strand DNA coding for 1276–1425 predicted proteins. Tupanviruses share the same ancestors with mimivirus lineages and these giant viruses present the largest translational apparatus within the known virosphere, with up to 70 tRNA, 20 aaRS, 11 factors for all translation steps, and factors related to tRNA/mRNA maturation and ribosome protein modification. Moreover, two sequences with significant similarity to intronic regions of 18 S rRNA genes are encoded by the tupanviruses and highly expressed. In this translation-associated gene set, only the ribosome is lacking. At high multiplicity of infections, tupanvirus is also cytotoxic and causes a severe shutdown of ribosomal RNA and a progressive degradation of the nucleus in host and non-host cells. The analysis of tupanviruses constitutes a new step toward understanding the evolution of giant viruses.
A low cost and high performance polymer donor material for polymer solar cells
Authors: Sun Chenkai , Pan Fei , Bin Haijun , Zhang Jianqi , Xue Lingwei , Qiu Beibei , Wei Zhixiang , Zhang Zhi-Guo , Li Yongfang 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe application of polymer solar cells requires the realization of high efficiency, high stability, and low cost devices. Here we demonstrate a low-cost polymer donor poly[(thiophene)-alt-(6,7-difluoro-2-(2-hexyldecyloxy)quinoxaline)] (PTQ10), which is synthesized with high overall yield of 87.4% via only two-step reactions from cheap raw materials. More importantly, an impressive efficiency of 12.70% is obtained for the devices with PTQ10 as donor, and the efficiency of the inverted structured PTQ10-based device also reaches 12.13% (certificated to be 12.0%). Furthermore, the as-cast devices also demonstrate a high efficiency of 10.41% and the devices exhibit insensitivity of active layer thickness from 100 nm to 300 nm, which is conductive to the large area fabrication of the devices. In considering the advantages of low cost and high efficiency with thickness insensitivity, we believe that PTQ10 will be a promising polymer donor for commercial application of polymer solar cells.
A Genetic Screen for Investigating the Human Lysosomal CystineTransporter, Cystinosin
Authors: Deshpande Anup Arunrao , Shukla Anuj , Bachhawat Anand Kumar 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCystinosin, a lysosomal transporter is involved in the efflux of cystine from the lysosome to the cytosol. Mutations in the human cystinosin gene (CTNS) cause cystinosis, a recessive autosomal disorder. Studies on cystinosin have been limited by the absence of a robust genetic screen. In the present study we have developed a dual strategy for evaluating cystinosin function that is amenable to rapid genetic analysis. We show that human cystinosin expressed in this yeast confers growth on cystine when the protein is mistargeted to the plasma membrane by the deletion of the C-terminal targeting signal, GYQDL. We also screened a vacuolar protein sorting deletion library, and subsequently created multiple vps deletion mutants for kinetic studies. The double deletion, vps1Δvps17Δ, greatly enhanced uptake. This enabled validation by kinetic studies, including first studies on the WT CTNS protein (that contained the GYQDL motif). Using this screen we isolated several gain of function mutants, G131S/D, G309S/D, A137V, G197R, S270T, L274F and S312N showing enhanced growth on low concentrations of cystine. Kinetic analysis yielded insights into the role of the residues (including one of the patient mutations, G197R). The results indicate that the screen could be effectively used for interrogating and understanding the CTNS protein.
Genome-scale examination of NBS-encoding genes in blueberry
Authors: Die Jose V. , Román Belén , Qi Xinpeng , Rowland Lisa J. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractBlueberry is an important crop worldwide. It is, however, susceptible to a variety of diseases, which can lead to losses in yield and fruit quality. Although screening studies have identified resistant germplasm for some important diseases, still little is known about the molecular basis underlying that resistance. The most predominant type of resistance (R) genes contains nucleotide binding site and leucine rich repeat (NBS-LRR) domains. The identification and characterization of such a gene family in blueberry would enhance the foundation of knowledge needed for its genetic improvement. In this study, we searched for and found a total of 106 NBS-encoding genes (including 97 NBS-LRR) in the current blueberry genome. The NBS genes were grouped into eleven distinct classes based on their domain architecture. More than 22% of the NBS genes are present in clusters. Ten genes were mapped onto seven linkage groups. Phylogenetic analysis grouped these genes into two major clusters based on their structural variation, the first cluster having toll and interleukin-1 like receptor (TIR) domains and most of the second cluster containing a coiled-coil domain. Our study provides new insight into the NBS gene family in blueberry and is an important resource for the identification of functional R-genes.
Magnesium enhances the chondrogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells by inhibiting activated macrophage-induced inflammation
Authors: Hu Tu , Xu Haitao , Wang Chongyang , Qin Hui , An Zhiquan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMagnesium deficiency increases the generation of pro-inflammatory cytokines, which is consistently accompanied by the sensitization of cells such as neutrophils, macrophages and endothelial cells. We investigated the potential of magnesium to regulate macrophage polarization and macrophage-induced inflammation with or without lipopolysaccharide (LPS) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) activation and further elucidated whether these effects impact the inhibitory functions of activated macrophage-induced inflammation on cartilage regeneration. The results showed that magnesium inhibited the activation of macrophages, as indicated by a significant reduction in the percentage of CCR7-positive cells, while the percentage of CD206-positive cells decreased to a lesser degree. After activation, both pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines were down-regulated at the mRNA level and certain cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6 and IL-10) were decreased in the cell supernatant with the addition of magnesium. Moreover, magnesium decreased the nuclear translocation and phosphorylation of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) to impede its activation. A modified micromass culture system was applied to assess the effects of activated macrophage-conditioned medium with or without magnesium treatment on the chondrogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Magnesium enhanced the chondrogenic differentiation of hBMSCs by reversing the adverse effects of activated macrophage-induced inflammation.
The influence of riverine barriers, climate, and topography on the biogeographic regionalization of Amazonian anurans
Authors: Godinho Marcela Brasil de Castro , da Silva Fernando Rodrigues 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe evaluated five non-mutually exclusive hypotheses driving the biogeographic regions of anuran species in the Amazonia. We overlaid extent-of-occurrence maps for anurans 50 × 50 km cells to generate a presence–absence matrix. This matrix was subjected to a cluster analysis to identify the pattern and number of biogeographic regions for the dataset. Then, we used multinomial logistic regression models and deviance partitioning to explore the relative importance of contemporary and historical climate variables, topographic complexity, riverine barriers and vegetation structure in explaining the biogeographic regions identified. We found seven biogeographic regions for anurans in the Amazonia. The major rivers in the Amazonia made the largest contribution to explaining the variability in anuran biogeographic regions, followed by climate variables and topography. The barrier effect seems to be strong for some rivers, such as the Amazon and Madeira, but other Amazonia rivers appear to not be effective barriers. Furthermore, climate and topographical variables provide an environmental gradient driving the species richness and anuran range-size distributions. Therefore, our results provide a spatially explicit framework that could be used to address conservation and management issues of anuran diversity for the largest tropical forests in the world.
Study of the Influence of an Air-Entraining Agent on the Rheology of Motars
Authors: Tebbal Nadia , Abidine Rahmouni Zine El , Rabiaa Chadi Lamis 
Published: February 2018

The objective of this study is to analyze the effect of the air entrainment on the fresh rheological properties as well as on the compressive mechanical resistances of the mortars. The hardened concrete contains a certain amount of randomly spread air, coming either from a drive during kneading or from the evaporation of the mixing water. The air quantity is in the order of 20 l / m3, ie 2% of the volume. However, the presence of a large volume of air bubbles causes the mechanical resistances to fall in compression. On the other hand, the use of air entrainment could improve the rheological properties of fresh concrete.
Experimental studies have been carried out to study the effect of air entrainment on compressive strength, density and ingredients of fresh concrete mix. During all the study, water cement ratio (w/c) was maintained constant at 0.5. The results have shown substantial decreasing in water and mortar density followed with decreasing in compressive strength of mortar. The results of this study has given more promising to use it as a guide for mortar mix design to choose the most appropriate concrete mix design economically.
Influence of cement content on the thermal properties of compressed earth blocks (CEB) in the dry state
Authors: Zakham N. , El Rhaffari Y. , Ammari A. , Cherraj M. , Bouabid H. , Gueraoui K. , Samaouali A. , Mzerd A. 
Published: February 2018

The Compressed Earth Block (CEBs) is one of the kinds of building materials which stabilized by cement. Soil is a basic component, a renewable, non-toxic and natural resource. Samples must be stabilized with a limited percentage of cement so that samples do not lose their natural properties including thermal comfort and on other hand offer high mechanical resistance. The objective of this work is to study the effect of cement content on thermal behavior of the building material of CEBs in the dry state, by studying variation of temperature with time, and measuring thermal conductivity and the specific heat, with respect to the various cement ratios added to the samples. This study is mainly an experimental and numerical, to determine how the thermal behavior evolves with the cement content in the samples CEBs. The soil was extracted from the famous city Fez in Morocco, Fez is known for its several historical monuments and buildings. After determining its granulometry and other specific characteristics, the CEBs are made by mixing soil with cement. The samples are put in plastic bags for two weeks, then removed the plastic bags from the samples and let them to dry again for an additional two weeks away from direct sun. The samples CEBs are taken cylindrical form (8 cm diameter with an average height of 12 cm).The experimental method consists of a hot ring for which a numerical modelization was developed to fit the mathematical equations of heat diffusion and the boundary conditions. For the numerical model Bouabid and Cherraj have developed numerical model which allow, with a good accuracy, to quantify the evolution of the thermal behavior of the earth material in function of cement content.Indeed, the study provides information on the influence of the cement percentage on the thermal behavior of the samples CEBs, the thermal behavior of samples increase with increase cement content.
Influence of Fluorine on Clinker burnability and mechanical properties of CPA Moroccan cement
Authors: Bouregba A. , Diouri A. , Elghattas B. , Boukhari A. , Guedira T. 
Published: February 2018

It has been found that the addition of certain components, despite their low concentration in raw mix, may accelerate and enhance the reactivity of the cement raw mix. The utilization of mineralizers to facilitate and quicken the process of clinkerization backpedals numerous years, the concept of using such mineralizers to burn normal raw mixes at a much lower temperature with the end goal of decreasing the fuel necessities of the furnace and to enhance the cement proprieties has become to be seriously considered over the most recent couple of years.The subject of this paper is to investigate the impact of calcium fluoride as mineralizer on addition during the clinkerization process of industrial raw mixtures and its effect on chemical, mineralogical, and mechanical properties of CPA Moroccan cement. Five different raw meals were utilized and were burned with 2% of calcium fluoride. The resulting clinker was analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and fluorescence spectroscopy to determine the chemical phases of the obtained clinker, and the mechanical properties of resulting CPA cement were determined. The results show that the addition of 2% of CaF2to the clinker raw meal induced a decrease in the burning temperature and free lime, while improving the clinker phase formation and the mechanical properties of obtained cement.
Analysis of some key aspects of soil/foundation interaction-Finite elements modelling
Authors: Ahmed Hamidi , Ali Bouafia 
Published: February 2018

This paper is aimed to contribute to the analysis of three important aspects of soil-foundation interaction, which are not clearly investigated, by means of a detailed parametric study based on a finite elements modelling.
The first aspect focuses on the effect of the bedrock proximity on the load-settlement behaviour of a continuous or circular shallow foundation. It was found there exists a threshold distance between the foundation base and the top of the bedrock layer beyond which the foundation behaves as in an infinitely deep medium.
The second one deals with the behaviour of shallow foundation on a bi-layered soil where the effect of the underlying layer on the bearing capacity as well as on the settlements depends on the distance between the foundation base and the top of the underlying layer, and beyond a threshold value this effect vanishes.
The third aspect studied was the interference between two strip footings installed on saturated clay. It was shown within a threshold distance between these foundations, an important modification of the foundation behaviour may occur. Finally, the numerical results were fitted and interpreted which allowed suggesting simple practical formulae for shallow foundations design.
Qualitative and quantitative evaluation of the ground movement risk on an urban cartographic scale Example of QUEMADO (Eastern Rif, Morocco)
Authors: Mohamed Rfifi , Lahsen Ait Brahim 
Published: February 2018

The morphostructural examination of QUEMADO slope, contributes to distinguish the vulnerability indications that refer to the ground movements. They are supported by the combination of geological, geo morphological, hydro geological parameters. In addition, the seismic activity that is known in this area increases the vulnerability of the coastal areas. Thus, many cracks and locatable indices in the studied area constitute a witnesses of movement risk that threat directly the projects, the installations and the urban constructions of Al Hoceima city, in proximity of the studied cliff.
The present study is consecrated to achieve a comparative study of the evaluated risk “ground movement” by two methodological approaches. The qualitative approach which is most usually employed, and the quantitative approach that requires a scientific effort of adaptation and reproducibility. The risk evaluation is based on using four data components; mainly the topographical slope, the lithology, the geomorphology and the ground occupation. The results were interpreted by a discrete analysis of the unstable areas through the land reconnaissance