bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Turbulence Over Chains of Hemispherical Ribs Under Waves in a Current
Authors: Barman Krishnendu , Debnath Koustuv , Mazumder B. S. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA series of flume experiments was conducted to investigate how unidirectional surface waves interact with a rough boundary. The roughness consisted of several arrays of ribs with varied pitch‐to‐height ratios (L/d = 2, 4, and 8; L = pitch distance and d = rib height). The mean flow and its key turbulence parameters associated with the contributions of burst‐sweep cycles of the Reynolds shear stress were analyzed to examine the interaction of combined wave‐current flow over ribs. The inner scaling of the mean velocity over the rib roughness resulted in a downward shift of the log‐law region. The probability distributions of the velocity fluctuations exhibited a unimodal form in the presence or absence of surface waves in the ambient flow. The streamwise spectral and cospectral energy distributions differed due to the rib spacing and superimposed surface wave. This study also reports the dominant turbulent bursting events (i.e., ejections and sweeps) that contribute to the total Reynolds shear stress for current flow‐ and wave‐induced cases. The effect of the chain of ribs on higher‐order moments subject to wave‐current interactions is also explored, because momentum transport is sensitive to symmetry breaking and intermittency.
Pannexin 1 inhibits rhabdomyosarcoma progression through a mechanism independent of its canonical channel function
Authors: Xiang Xiao , Langlois Stéphanie , St-Pierre Marie-Eve , Barré Jessica F. , Grynspan David , Purgina Bibianna , Cowan Kyle N. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is an aggressive soft tissue sarcoma of childhood thought to arise from impaired differentiation of skeletal muscle progenitors. We have recently identified Pannexin 1 (PANX1) channels as a novel regulator of skeletal myogenesis. In the present study, we determined that PANX1 transcript and protein levels are down-regulated in embryonal (eRMS) and alveolar RMS (aRMS) patient-derived cell lines and primary tumor specimens as compared to differentiated skeletal muscle myoblasts and tissue, respectively. While not sufficient to overcome the inability of RMS to reach terminal differentiation, ectopic expression of PANX1 in eRMS (Rh18) and aRMS (Rh30) cells significantly decreased their proliferative and migratory potential. Furthermore, ectopic PANX1 abolished 3D spheroid formation in eRMS and aRMS cells and induced regression of established spheroids through induction of apoptosis. Notably, PANX1 expression also significantly reduced the growth of human eRMS and aRMS tumor xenografts in vivo. Interestingly, PANX1 does not form active channels when expressed in eRMS (Rh18) and aRMS (Rh30) cells and the addition of PANX1 channel inhibitors did not alter or reverse the PANX1-mediated reduction of cell proliferation and migration. Moreover, expression of channel-defective PANX1 mutants not only disrupted eRMS and aRMS 3D spheroids, but also inhibited in vivo RMS tumor growth. Altogether our findings suggest that PANX1 alleviates RMS malignant properties in vitro and in vivo through a process that is independent of its canonical channel function.
RACK1 promotes tumorigenicity of colon cancer by inducing cell autophagy
Authors: Xiao Ta , Zhu Wei , Huang Wei , Lu Shan-Shan , Li Xin-Hui , Xiao Zhi-Qiang , Yi Hong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractRACK1 is upregulated in the various types of human cancers, and considered to play a role in the development and progression of human cancer. However, the role and mechanism of RACK in the colon cancer are poorly understood. In this study, we detected RACK1 expression in 63 normal colonic mucosa, 60 colonic inflammatory polyps, 60 colonic adenomas, 180 colon adenocarcinomas, and 40 lymph node metastases by immunohistochemistry, and observed that RACK1 expression was progressively elevated in the carcinogenic process of human colonic epithelium, and RACK1 expressional levels were positively correlated with the malignant degree and lymph node metastasis of colon cancers, and negatively correlated with the patient survival. With a combination of loss-of-function and gain-of-function approaches, we observed that RACK1 promoted colon cancer cell proliferation, inhibited colon cancer cell apoptosis, and enhanced the anchorage-independent and xenograft growth of colon cancer cells. Moreover, we found that RACK1-induced autophagy of colon cancer cells; RACK1-induced autophagy promoted colon cancer cell proliferation and inhibited colon cancer cell apoptosis. Our data suggest that RACK1 acts as an oncogene in colon cancer, and RACK1-induced autophagy promotes proliferation and survival of colon cancer, highlighting the therapeutic potential of autophagy inhibitor in the colon cancer with high RACK1 expression.
Contribution of p62/SQSTM1 to PDGF-BB-induced myofibroblast-like phenotypic transition in vascular smooth muscle cells lacking Smpd1 gene
Authors: Zhang Peng , Guan Yinglu , Chen Jiajie , Li Xiang , McConnell Bradley K. , Zhou Wei , Boini Krishna M. , Zhang Yang 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAccumulating evidence indicates a critical role of autophagy in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC) homeostasis in atherogenesis. However, little is known about the modulatory role of autophagy in PDGF-BB-induced SMC transition towards the synthetic phenotype and extracellular matrix remodeling. We recently demonstrated that acid sphingomyelinase (ASM, encoded by Smpd1 gene) controls autophagy maturation in coronary arterial SMCs. Here, we demonstrate that PDGF-BB stimulation causes a myofibroblast-like non-canonical synthetic phenotype transition in Smpd1−/− SMCs. These non-canonical phenotypic changes induced by PDGF-BB in Smpd1−/− SMCs were characterized by increased expression of fibroblast-specific protein (FSP-1), massive deposition of collagen type I, decreased cell size, elevated inflammatory status with enhanced cytokine release and adhesion molecule expression. Mechanistically, PDGF-BB induces prolonged Akt activation that causes decreased autophagosome biogenesis and thereby exaggerates p62/SQSTM1 accumulation in Smpd1−/− SMCs. More importantly, Akt inhibition or p62/SQSTM1 gene silencing attenuates PDGF-BB-induced phenotypic changes in Smpd1−/− SMCs. This first demonstration of a p62/SQSTM1-dependent myofibroblast-like phenotypic transition in Smpd1−/− SMCs suggests that ASM-mediated autophagy pathway contributes to maintaining the arterial smooth muscle homeostasis in situation of vascular remodeling during atherosclerosis.
Inflammasome activation negatively regulates MyD88-IRF7 type I IFN signaling and anti-malaria immunity
Authors: Yu Xiao , Du Yang , Cai Chunmei , Cai Baowei , Zhu Motao , Xing Changsheng , Tan Peng , Lin Meng , Wu Jian , Li Jian , Wang Mingjun , Wang Helen Y. , Su Xin-zhuan , Wang Rong-Fu 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe inflammasome plays a critical role in inflammation and immune responses against pathogens. However, whether or how inflammasome activation regulates type I interferon (IFN-I) signaling in the context of malaria infection remain unknown. Here we show mice deficient in inflammasome sensors AIM2, NLRP3 or adaptor Caspase-1 produce high levels of IFN-I cytokines and are resistant to lethal Plasmodium yoelii YM infection. Inactivation of inflammasome signaling reduces interleukin (IL)-1β production, but increases IFN-I production. Mechanistically, we show inflammsome activation enhances IL-1β-mediated MyD88-TRAF3-IRF3 signaling and SOCS1 upregulation. However, SOCS1 inhibits MyD88-IRF7-mediated-IFN-I signaling and cytokine production in plasmacytoid dendritic cells. By contrast, ablation of inflammsome components reduces SOCS1 induction, and relieves its inhibition on MyD88-IRF7-dependent-IFN-I signaling, leading to high levels of IFN-α/β production and host survival. Our study identifies a previously unrecognized role of inflammasome activation in the negative regulation of IFN-I signaling pathways and provides potential targets for developing effective malaria vaccines.
Understanding structure-activity relationships in linear polymer photocatalysts for hydrogen evolution
Authors: Sachs Michael , Sprick Reiner Sebastian , Pearce Drew , Hillman Sam A. J. , Monti Adriano , Guilbert Anne A. Y. , Brownbill Nick J. , Dimitrov Stoichko , Shi Xingyuan , Blanc Frédéric , Zwijnenburg Martijn A. , Nelson Jenny , Durrant James R. , Cooper Andrew I. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractConjugated polymers have sparked much interest as photocatalysts for hydrogen production. However, beyond basic considerations such as spectral absorption, the factors that dictate their photocatalytic activity are poorly understood. Here we investigate a series of linear conjugated polymers with external quantum efficiencies for hydrogen production between 0.4 and 11.6%. We monitor the generation of the photoactive species from femtoseconds to seconds after light absorption using transient spectroscopy and correlate their yield with the measured photocatalytic activity. Experiments coupled with modeling suggest that the localization of water around the polymer chain due to the incorporation of sulfone groups into an otherwise hydrophobic backbone is crucial for charge generation. Calculations of solution redox potentials and charge transfer free energies demonstrate that electron transfer from the sacrificial donor becomes thermodynamically favored as a result of the more polar local environment, leading to the production of long-lived electrons in these amphiphilic polymers.
Quantum-enhanced sensing using non-classical spin states of a highly magnetic atom
Authors: Chalopin Thomas , Bouazza Chayma , Evrard Alexandre , Makhalov Vasiliy , Dreon Davide , Dalibard Jean , Sidorenkov Leonid A. , Nascimbene Sylvain 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCoherent superposition states of a mesoscopic quantum object play a major role in our understanding of the quantum to classical boundary, as well as in quantum-enhanced metrology and computing. However, their practical realization and manipulation remains challenging, requiring a high degree of control of the system and its coupling to the environment. Here, we use dysprosium atoms—the most magnetic element in its ground state—to realize coherent superpositions between electronic spin states of opposite orientation, with a mesoscopic spin size J = 8. We drive coherent spin states to quantum superpositions using non-linear light-spin interactions, observing a series of collapses and revivals of quantum coherence. These states feature highly non-classical behavior, with a sensitivity to magnetic fields enhanced by a factor 13.9(1.1) compared to coherent spin states—close to the Heisenberg limit 2J = 16—and an intrinsic fragility to environmental noise.
Comparative expression profiling reveals widespread coordinated evolution of gene expression across eukaryotes
Authors: Martin Trevor , Fraser Hunter B. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractComparative studies of gene expression across species have revealed many important insights, but have also been limited by the number of species represented. Here we develop an approach to identify orthologs between highly diverged transcriptome assemblies, and apply this to 657 RNA-seq gene expression profiles from 309 diverse unicellular eukaryotes. We analyzed the resulting data for coevolutionary patterns, and identify several hundred protein complexes and pathways whose expression levels have evolved in a coordinated fashion across the trillions of generations separating these species, including many gene sets with little or no within-species co-expression across environmental or genetic perturbations. We also detect examples of adaptive evolution, for example of tRNA ligase levels to match genome-wide codon usage. In sum, we find that comparative studies from extremely diverse organisms can reveal new insights into the evolution of gene expression, including coordinated evolution of some of the most conserved protein complexes in eukaryotes.
Systematic review of the effectiveness of community-based self-management interventions among primary care COPD patients
Authors: Jolly K. , Sidhu M. S. , Bates E. , Majothi S. , Sitch A. , Bayliss S. , Kim H. J. Samuel , Jordan R. E. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCOPD self-management reduces hospital admissions and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL). However, whilst most patients are managed in primary care, the majority of self-management trials have recruited participants with more severe disease from secondary care. We report the findings of a systematic review of the effectiveness of community-based self-management interventions in primary care patients with COPD. We systematically searched eleven electronic databases and identified 12 eligible randomised controlled trials with seven included in meta-analyses for HRQoL, anxiety and depression. We report no difference in HRQoL at final follow-up (St George’s Respiratory Questionnaire total score −0.29; 95%CI −2.09, 1.51; I2 0%), nor any difference in anxiety or depression. In conclusion, supported self-management interventions delivered in the community to patients from primary care do not appear to be effective. Further research is recommended to identify effective self-management interventions suitable for primary care populations, particularly those with milder disease.
Spin–orbit coupling in silicon for electrons bound to donors
Authors: Weber Bent , Hsueh Yu-Ling , Watson Thomas F. , Li Ruoyu , Hamilton Alexander R. , Hollenberg Lloyd C. L. , Rahman Rajib , Simmons Michelle Y. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSpin–orbit coupling (SOC) is fundamental to a wide range of phenomena in condensed matter, spanning from a renormalisation of the free-electron g-factor, to the formation of topological insulators, and Majorana Fermions. SOC has also profound implications in spin-based quantum information, where it is known to limit spin lifetimes (T1) in the inversion asymmetric semiconductors such as GaAs. However, for electrons in silicon—and in particular those bound to phosphorus donor qubits—SOC is usually regarded weak, allowing for spin lifetimes of minutes in the bulk. Surprisingly, however, in a nanoelectronic device donor spin lifetimes have only reached values of seconds. Here, we reconcile this difference by demonstrating that electric field induced SOC can dominate spin relaxation of donor-bound electrons. Eliminating this lifetime-limiting effect by careful alignment of an external vector magnetic field in an atomically engineered device, allows us to reach the bulk-limit of spin-relaxation times. Given the unexpected strength of SOC in the technologically relevant silicon platform, we anticipate that our results will stimulate future theoretical and experimental investigation of phenomena that rely on strong magnetoelectric coupling of atomically confined spins.
Differences in plasma fibrin clot composition in patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome compared with venous thromboembolism
Authors: Stachowicz Aneta , Zabczyk Michal , Natorska Joanna , Suski Maciej , Olszanecki Rafał , Korbut Ryszard , Wiśniewski Jacek R. , Undas Anetta 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe prothrombotic fibrin clot phenotype has been reported in patients with thrombotic antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). Protein composition of plasma fibrin clots in APS has not been studied. We evaluated 23 patients with thrombotic APS, 19 with VTE alone, and 20 well-matched controls. A proteomic analysis of fibrin clots generated from citrated plasma was based on liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Plasma levels of thrombospondin-1 (TSP1), apolipoprotein(a), A-I, and B-100, complement components (C)3a, C5b-C9, histidine-rich glycoprotein (HRG), and prothrombin were evaluated using immunoenzymatic tests. In plasma fibrin clots of APS patients, compared with VTE subjects and controls, we identified decreased amounts of (pro)thrombin, antithrombin-III, apolipoprotein A-I, and HRG with no differences in plasma levels of antithrombin, prothrombin, along with lower plasma HRG and apolipoprotein A-I. In APS patients, plasma HRG positively correlated with amounts of clot-bound HRG, while apolipoprotein A-I was inversely associated with clot-bound levels of this protein. The most predominant proteins within the clots of APS patients were bone marrow proteoglycan, C5-C9, immunoglobulins, apolipoprotein B-100, platelet-derived proteins, and TSP1. Our study is the first to demonstrate differences in the protein composition of fibrin clots generated from plasma of thrombotic APS patients versus those with VTE alone.
Effect of a Repeated Sprint Ability test on the muscle contractile properties in elite futsal players
Authors: Sánchez-Sánchez Javier , Bishop David , García-Unanue Jorge , Ubago-Guisado Esther , Hernando Enrique , López-Fernández Jorge , Colino Enrique , Gallardo Leonor 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test on the contractile properties of the muscles in elite futsal players. A total of 20 elite players completed the RSA test (7 × 30 m), and the contractile response from the rectus femoris (RF) and biceps femoris (BF) of both legs were analysed pre and post through tensiomyography. There was a significant increment in 30-m times from the third sprint onwards (p < 0.05). The percent decrement in sprint ability (RSADEC) with respect to the first sprint was significantly higher in the last sprint. The players did not show evidence of lateral asymmetry in any of the muscle groups analysed after the RSA test (p > 0.05). Following the RSA test there was a significant reduction in the delay time (Td) in RF, a significant decrement in half-relaxation time (Tr) in the RF, and a significant reduction in sustain time (Ts) in the RF and BF of both legs. The maximum radial displacement of the muscle belly (Dm) increased (1.6 mm; effect size = 0.75; p < 0.05) in the RF after the RSA test, indicating reduced muscle stiffness and the ability to generate strength rapidly. The decrement in performance during the RSA test was significantly correlated with changes in contraction time (Tc) in RF and BF, Td in BF, and Dm in RF (p < 0.05). The RSA test generated alterations in the contractile properties of the RF and BF in elite players. However, futsal players did not present asymmetries in any muscular parameters. The baseline contractile muscle parameters could be an important factor related to performance of players during repeated high-intensity actions.
Characterisation and use of a functional Gadd45g bacterial artificial chromosome
Authors: Warr Nick , May Joel , Teboul Lydia , Suzuki Toru , Asami Maki , Perry Anthony C. F. , Wells Sara , Greenfield Andy 
Published: November 2018

AbstractBacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) offer a means of manipulating gene expression and tagging gene products in the mammalian genome without the need to alter endogenous gene structure and risk deleterious phenotypic consequences. However, for a BAC clone to be useful for such purposes it must be shown to contain all the regulatory elements required for normal gene expression and allow phenotypic rescue in the absence of an endogenous gene. Here, we report identification of a functional BAC containing Gadd45g, a gene implicated in DNA repair, DNA demethylation and testis determination in mice and exhibiting a broad pattern of embryonic expression. Mouse fetuses lacking the endogenous Gadd45g gene undergo normal testis development in the presence of the Gadd45g BAC transgene. Moreover, a survey of embryonic Gadd45g expression from the BAC reveals that all reported sites of expression are maintained. This functional BAC can now be used for subsequent manipulation of the Gadd45g gene with the confidence that regulatory elements required for embryonic expression, including testis determination, are present. We describe the generation and characterisation of a Gadd45g-mCherry fluorescent reporter exhibiting strong expression in developing gonads and neural tissue, recapitulating endogenous gene expression, as evidence of this.
Antimicrobial Compounds Effective against Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus Discovered via Graft-based Assay in Citrus
Authors: Yang Chuanyu , Zhong Yun , Powell Charles A. , Doud Melissa S. , Duan Yongping , Huang Youzong , Zhang Muqing 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHuanglongbing (HLB), the most destructive citrus disease, is caused by three species of phloem-limited Candidatus Liberibacter. Chemical control is a critical short-term strategy against Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (Las). Currently, application of antibiotics in agricultural practices is limited due to public concerns regarding emergence of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and potential side effects in humans. The present study screened 39 antimicrobials (non-antibiotics) for effectiveness against Las using an optimized graft-based screening system. Results of principal component, hierarchical clustering and membership function analyses demonstrated that 39 antimicrobials were clustered into three groups: “effective” (Group I), “partly effective” (Group II), and “ineffective” (Group III). Despite different modes of action, 8 antimicrobials (aluminum hydroxide, D,L-buthionine sulfoximine, nicotine, surfactin from Bacillus subtilis, SilverDYNE, colloidal silver, EBI-601, and EBI-602), were all as highly effective at eliminating or suppressing Las, showing both the lowest Las infection rates and titers in treated scions and inoculated rootstock. The ineffective group, which included 21 antimicrobials, did not eliminate or suppress Las, resulting in plants with increased titers of Candidatus Liberibacter. The other 10 antimicrobials partly eliminated/suppressed Las in treated and graft-inoculated plants. These effective antimicrobials are potential candidates for HLB control either via rescuing infected citrus germplasms or restricted field application.
Ectopic pregnancy incidence in the Republic of Korea in 2009–2015: A population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Park Ji Eun , Yuk Jin-Sung , Cho In Ae , Baek Jong Chul , Lee Jung-hun , Park Ji Kwon 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe estimated the incidence of ectopic pregnancy (EP) and the success rate of expectant management of EP in South Korea. We analyzed data from 2009 to 2015 using the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service National Inpatient Sample (HIRA-NIS) database. EP was identified by diagnostic codes, and strict EP was identified by both diagnostic codes and treatment codes. From 2009 to 2015, 369,701 cases of EP, abortion, or delivery were extracted from a total of 4,476,495 women. Of the total pregnancies, 8,556 cases were EPs. The incidence of EP was 34.1 ± 0.7 per 1,000 pregnancies and the incidence of strict EP was 17.3 ± 0.3 per 1,000 pregnancies. Among women aged 25–44 years, age was associated with a higher incidence of EP (odds ratio [OR]: 1.13; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.06, 1.19; P < 0.01). The incidence rates of EP (OR: 0.99; 95% CI: 0.97, 1.01; P = 0.51) did not significantly differ by year. The incidence of EP in Korea was 17.3 ± 0.3 per 1,000 pregnancies, and almost did not change over 7 years. About 50% of EPs were treated without surgery or methotrexate. This study provides an important reference for the treatment of EP.