bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Adhesion G‐protein coupled receptor 56 is required for 3T3‐L1 adipogenesis
Authors: Al Hasan Mohammad , Roy Poornima , Dolan Sharron , Martin Patricia E. , Patterson Steven , Bartholomew Chris 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObesity‐associated conditions represent major global health and financial burdens and understanding processes regulating adipogenesis could lead to novel intervention strategies. This study shows that adhesion G‐protein coupled receptor 56 (GPR56) gene transcripts are reduced in abdominal visceral white adipose tissue derived from obese Zucker rats versus lean controls. Immunostaining in 3T3‐L1 preadipocytes reveals both mitotic cell restricted surface and low level general expression patterns of Gpr56. Gpr56 transcripts are differentially expressed in 3T3‐L1 cells during adipogenesis. Transient knockdown (KD) of Gpr56 in 3T3‐L1 cells dramatically inhibits differentiation through reducing the accumulation of both neutral cellular lipids (56%) and production of established adipogenesis Pparγ
2 (60–80%), C/ebpα (40–78%) mediator, and Ap2 (56–80%) marker proteins. Furthermore, genome editing of Gpr56 in 3T3‐L1 cells created CW2.2.4 and RM4.2.5.5 clones (Gpr56
−/− cells) with compound heterozygous deletion frameshift mutations which abolish adipogenesis. Genome edited cells have sustained levels of the adipogenesis inhibitor β‐catenin, reduced proliferation, reduced adhesion, altered profiles, and or abundance of extracellular matrix component gene transcripts for fibronectin, types I, III, and IV collagens and loss of actin stress fibers. β‐catenin KD alone is insufficient to restore adipogenesis in Gpr56
−/− cells. Together these data show that Gpr56 is required for adipogenesis in 3T3‐L1 cells. This report is the first demonstration that Gpr56 participates in regulation of the adipogenesis developmental program. Modulation of the levels of this protein and/or its biological activity may represent a novel target for development of therapeutic agents for the treatment of obesity.
Towards a comprehensive understanding of the contributions of mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Huntington's disease
Authors: Tobore Tobore Onojighofia 
Published: July 2019

AbstractHuntington's disease (HD) is a rare autosomal dominant disorder affecting the corticostriatal area of the brain. HD is driven by elongated cytosine–adenine–guanine (CAG) repeat (36 repeats or more) on the short arm of chromosome 4p16.3 in the Huntingtin gene (HTTg) which encode the huntingtin protein (HTT). Although the polyglutamine expansion within HTT is the causative factor in the pathogenesis of HD, the underlying mechanisms that provoke this expansion and the resulting neurodegeneration and clinical symptoms are not fully understood. In this paper, the critical role played by mitochondria dysfunction and oxidative stress in HTT expansion, HD progression, and clinical symptoms are elucidated. Their interactions with the key factors in the disease, as well as treatment strategies, are discussed.
Acute Changes in NADPH Oxidase 4 in Early Post‐Traumatic Osteoarthritis
Authors: Wegner Adam M. , Campos Nestor R. , Robbins Michael A. , Haddad Andrew F. , Cunningham Hailey C. , Yik Jasper H. N. , Christiansen Blaine A. , Haudenschild Dominik R. 
Published: July 2019

ABSTRACTKnee injuries cause structural damage and acute inflammation that initiates the development of post‐traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). NADPH oxidase 4 (Nox4), a member of a family of enzymes that generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), plays a pivotal role in normal development of the musculoskeletal system, but may increase ROS production to harmful levels after joint injury. The role of ROS in both normal joint homeostasis and injury is poorly understood, but inhibition of excessive ROS production by Nox4 after joint injury could be protective to the joint, decreasing oxidative stress, and initiation of PTOA. Knee injuries were simulated using inflammatory cytokines in cultured primary human chondrocytes and a non‐invasive mouse model of PTOA in C57BL/6N and Nox4 knockout mice. There is an acute decrease in Nox4 activity within 24 h after injury in both systems, followed by a subsequent sustained low‐level increase, a novel finding not seen in any other system. Inhibition of Nox4 activity by GKT137831 was protective against early structural changes after non‐invasive knee injury in a mouse model. Nox4 knockout mice had significant differences in structural and mechanical properties of bone, providing further evidence for the role of Nox4 in development of joint tissues and biochemical response after joint injury. Nox4 plays a significant role in the acute phase after joint injury, and targeted inhibition of inflammation caused by Nox4 may be protective against early joint changes in the pathogenesis of PTOA. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 37:2429–2436, 2019
Influence of dryingvs. freezing of archived soil samples on soil organic matter fractions
Authors: Kühnel Anna , Wiesmeier Martin , Spörlein Peter , Schilling Bernd , Kögel-Knabner Ingrid 
Published: July 2019

AbstractArchived soil samples are a valuable tool for any long‐term soil research. We analysed total carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) content and soil organic matter fractions in 38 archived soil samples that were stored for up to 21 years and compared air‐dried storage to frozen storage conditions. Samples include top‐ and upper subsoils, different soil texture and land use with C contents between 4.3 and 174 mg g−1.The results from this study reveal no changes in total C and N contents with storage time up to 21 years or type of storage (freezingvs. air drying). The analyses of soil physical fractions also revealed no significant differences between air‐dried stored and frozen stored samples for most samples. However, we found indications, that freezing of soil material might lead to changes in the mineral fractions for soils containing high amounts of water. Therefore, and as archiving soils in a frozen state is more expensive than storing air‐dried samples, we recommend the use of air‐dried samples for C quality analyses of archived soil samples.
Air pollution and tourism demand: A case study of Beijing, China
Authors: Zhou Xiaoge , Santana Jiménez Yolanda , Pérez Rodríguez Jorge V. , Hernández Juan María 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThis paper analyses the relationship between air pollution and tourism demand in Beijing. The study method is based on a gravity model, in which air quality variables are incorporated into the model of tourism demand. The results obtained show that air pollution has a negative influence on tourism flows and that this effect is more pronounced for inbound than for domestic tourism. The findings also show that a simple index such as the classification of good and bad air‐quality days is a good representation of the air pollution factors taken into account by tourists in their travel decision.
PWM‐Driven Thermally Tunable Silicon Microring Resonators: Design, Fabrication, and Characterization
Authors: Pintus Paolo , Hofbauer Michael , Manganelli Costanza L. , Fournier Maryse , Gundavarapu Sarat , Lemonnier Olivier , Gambini Fabrizio , Adelmini Laetitia , Meinhart Carl , Kopp Christophe , Testa Francesco , Zimmermann Horst , Oton Claudio J. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractRing resonators are one of the fundamental building blocks of advanced integrated optical circuits. They find applications as nonlinear optical elements, filters, sensors, and switches among others. Here, a comprehensive optimization framework and experimental results of thermally tunable microring resonators in silicon photonics is presented, with a focus on standard silicon photonic foundry processes. In order to minimize the total power consumption, the ring resonators are tuned by applying a pulse‐width‐modulated electrical signal to the heaters. The thermal performance of integrated silicon and metal heaters are investigated and compared using an effective model validated by the measurement results. The heater power consumption is minimized by optimizing heater cross section, resistance, and metal contact configurations. Using the multiproject wafer run developed at CEA‐LETI, it is demonstrated that a metal heater provides 30% lower power consumption compared to an integrated silicon one, reaching a power consumption of 27.53 mW per free spectral range. The measurements are in excellent agreement with the theoretically predicted thermal performance, with a deviation as low as 5%. The proposed framework, supported by the experimental results, will serve as a design guideline set that can be easily adapted for other thermo‐optic switches in future silicon photonic applications.
All‐Dielectric Layered Photonic Topological Insulators
Authors: Chen Xiao‐Dong , He Xin‐Tao , Dong Jian‐Wen 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe recent realization of photonic topological insulators has brought the discovery of fundamentally new states of light and revolutionary applications such as nonreciprocal devices for photonic diodes and robust waveguides for light routing. The spatially distinguished layer pseudospin has attracted attention in two‐dimensional electronic materials but it is yet to be discovered in topological photonic structures. Here, all‐dielectric layered photonic topological insulators based on bilayer photonic crystal slabs are reported. The introduction of layer pseudospin offers more dispersion engineering capability, leading to the layer‐polarized and layer‐mixed photonic topological insulators. Their phase transition is demonstrated with a model Hamiltonian by considering the nonzero interlayer coupling. Layer‐direction locking behavior of layer‐polarized photonic topological insulators results in the selective light refraction. High transmission is observed in the bilayer domain wall between two layer‐mixed photonic topological insulators, even when a large defect is introduced. Layered photonic topological insulators not only offer a route toward the observation of richer nontrivial phases, but also open a way for device applications in integrated photonics and information processing by using the additional layer pseudospin.
Chain Engineering of Benzodifuran‐Based Wide‐Bandgap Polymers for Efficient Non‐Fullerene Polymer Solar Cells
Authors: Zhu Ruoxi , Wang Zhen , Gao Yueyue , Zheng Zhi , Guo Fengyun , Gao Shiyong , Lu Kun , Zhao Liancheng , Zhang Yong 
Published: July 2019

AbstractTwo novel benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′ ]difuran (BDF)‐based wide‐bandgap polymers, PBDFT‐FBz and PBDFF‐FBz, featuring a difluorobenzotriazole (FBz) acceptor unit, are designed and synthesized. The first attempt through main‐chain engineering to alter thiophene units to furan units in the main chain of PBDFT‐FBz, and further side‐chain engineering eliminate the 2‐ethylthiophenyl side chains of PBDFT‐FBz by 2‐ethylfuryl side chains to generate the “all‐furan” polymer PBDFF‐FBz. By taking the benefit of the oxygen atom in furan, both PBDFT‐FBz and PBDFF‐FBz exhibit lower HOMO energy levels and enhanced polymer chain interactions compared to their benzo[1,2‐b:4,5‐b′ ]dithiophene (BDT)‐based counterparts. As a result, while applying both polymers in non‐fullerene polymer solar cells with non‐fullerene acceptor m‐ITIC, both devices exhibit highly promising photovoltaic performance. The power conversion efficiency (PCE) in the PBDFT‐FBz device reaches 7.57% with increased open circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) compared to the PCE of 5.98% in its BDT counterpart (J52). A further increased PCE is obtained (8.79%) in the PBDFF‐FBz:m‐ITIC device, which shows ≈47% enhancement in device performance compared to that of J52. The large increase in photovoltaic performance is attributed to the lower‐lying HOMO energy levels and better chain interactions in these BDF‐based polymers.
Identification and analysis of genes associated with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma by integrated bioinformatics methods
Authors: Jin Yu , Yang Ya 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundHead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, exhibiting high morbidity and mortality. The prognosis of HNSCC patients has remained poor, though considerable efforts have been made to improve the treatment of this cancer. Therefore, identifying significant differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in HNSCC progression and exploiting them as novel biomarkers or potential therapeutic targets for HNSCC is highly valuable.MethodsOverlapping differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened out from three independent gene expression omnibus (GEO) datasets and subjected to GO and kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes pathway enrichment analyses. The protein–protein interactions network of DEGs was constructed in the STRING database, and the top ten hub genes were selected using cytoHubba. The relative expression of hub genes was detected in GEPIA, Oncomine, and human protein atlas (HPA) databases. Furthermore, the relationship of hub genes with the overall survival and disease‐free survival in HNSCC patients was investigated using the cancer genome atlas data.ResultsThe top ten hub genes (SPP1, POSTN, COL1A2, FN1, IGFBP3, APP, MMP3, MMP13, CXCL8, and CXCL12) could be utilized as potential diagnostic indicators for HNSCC. The relative levels of FN1, APP, SPP1, and POSTN could be associated with the prognosis of HNSCC patients. The mRNA expression of APP and COL1A2 was validated in HNSCC samples.ConclusionThis study identified effective and reliable molecular biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis by integrated bioinformatics analysis, suggesting novel and essential therapeutic targets for HNSCC.
A self‐supervised strategy for fully automatic segmentation of renal dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance images
Authors: Huang Wenjian , Li Hao , Wang Rui , Zhang Xiaodong , Wang Xiaoying , Zhang Jue 
Published: July 2019

PurposeAn automated accurate segmentation for dynamic contrast‐enhanced magnetic resonance (DCE‐MR) image sequences is essential for quantification of renal function. A self‐supervised strategy is proposed for fully automatic segmentation of the renal DCE‐MR images without using manually labeled data.MethodsThe proposed strategy employed both temporal and spatial information of the DCE‐MR image sequences. First, the kidney area, the seed regions of the cortex, the medulla, and the pelvis were automatically detected in the spatial domain. Subsequently, all the pixels in the kidney were automatically labeled as the cortex, the medulla, or the pelvis based on their time–intensity signal and spatial position using a supervised classifier. The feasibility of the proposed strategy was verified on a dataset of renal DCE‐MR images of 14 subjects without history of kidney diseases. Furthermore, the self‐supervised strategy and the commonly used traditional unsupervised method were quantitatively compared with a reference manual segmentation by an experienced radiologist, using similarity indexes.ResultsThe average Dice coefficient (ADC) for the segmentations of the proposed self‐supervised method is 0.92 using a ransom walker model as the classifier or 0.86 using a K‐nearest neighbor model as the classifier. The ADC of the Kmeans‐based unsupervised methods with three and six clusters were 0.65 and 0.79, respectively. The Dice coefficients of the self‐supervised method were remarkably higher than that of the unsupervised method (one‐tailed paired‐sample t‐test, P‐values <10−3).ConclusionsThe results indicate that the proposed self‐supervised approach yields a satisfactory similarity with the reference manual segmentation. Compared with the traditional unsupervised clustering method, the new strategy does not require manual intervention during the segmentation process and achieves better results for the segmentation of renal DCE‐MR images.
NEK5 regulates cell cycle progression during mouse oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryonic development
Authors: Li Yuan‐Yuan , Guo Lei , Li Hui , Li Jian , Dong Feng , Yi Zi‐Yun , Ouyang Ying‐Chun , Hou Yi , Wang Zhen‐Bo , Sun Qing‐Yuan , Lu Sheng‐Sheng , Han Zhiming 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNEK5, a member of never in mitosis‐gene A‐related protein kinase, is involved in the regulation of centrosome integrity and centrosome cohesion at mitosis in somatic cells. In this study, we investigated the expression and function of NEK5 during mouse oocyte maturation and preimplantation embryonic development. The results showed that NEK5 was expressed from germinal vesicle (GV) to metaphase II (MII) stages during oocyte maturation with the highest level of expression at the GV stage. It was shown that NEK5 localized in the cytoplasm of oocytes at GV stage, concentrated around chromosomes at germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) stage, and localized to the entire spindle at prometaphase I, MI and MII stages. The small interfering RNA‐mediated depletion of Nek5 significantly increased the phosphorylation level of cyclin‐dependent kinase 1 in oocytes, resulting in a decrease of maturation‐promoting factor activity, and severely impaired GVBD. The failure of meiotic resumption caused by Nek5 depletion could be rescued by the depletion of Wee1B. We found that Nek5 depletion did not affect CDC25B translocation into the GV. We also found that NEK5 was expressed from 1‐cell to blastocyst stages with the highest expression at the blastocyst stage, and Nek5 depletion severely impaired preimplantation embryonic development. This study demonstrated for the first time that NEK5 plays important roles during meiotic G2/M transition and preimplantation embryonic development.
Use of Natural and Added Cover Types by Game and Nongame Fishes in a Great Plains River
Authors: Dugan Jessica A. , Rahel Frank J. 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The rivers in the western Great Plains of the United States are characterized by low gradients, sandy substrates, and a relative scarcity of structural habitat. Habitat improvement projects in these systems often involve the addition of large wood and rock riprap to increase habitat for nonnative game fishes, such as piscivorous Brown Trout Salmo trutta. However, little is known about the use of added habitats by the small-bodied nongame fishes that historically dominated the fish assemblages in these systems. We evaluated habitat availability and fish habitat use in the Laramie River (Wyoming, USA) at four sites that contained natural and added habitats. We calculated habitat selection for three natural cover types (natural wood, macrophytes, and undercut bank), two added cover types (added wood and rock riprap), and open water. Open-water habitat dominated all sites (87–94% of the stream area), but all species except Johnny Darter Etheostoma nigrum showed negative selection for this cover type. Most species showed positive selection for both natural and added cover types but showed greater selectivity for natural wood compared to added wood. Native, small-bodied fishes in the Laramie River used added cover types intended to benefit populations of Brown Trout. Thus, features that enhance habitat for Brown Trout also should benefit native species in Great Plains rivers that have limited natural structural habitat.
Expression of carcinoma, apoptosis, and cell‐death–related genes are determinants for sensitivity of pediatric cancer cell lines to lysis by natural killer cells
Authors: Ray Anish K. , Somanchi Srinivas S. , Dastgheyb Neda , Aquino‐Lopez Arianexys , Cobanoglu Zehra E. , Geier Brian , Lee Dean A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNatural killer (NK) cells have potential utility in pediatric cancer immunotherapy for their ability to lyse diverse tumor targets, lack of dependence on mutation‐associated tumor antigens, and for their relative safety demonstrated so far in clinical trials. Here, we evaluate the cytotoxic potential of expanded NK cells against a well‐characterized panel of pediatric cancer cell lines representing Ewing sarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma, neuroblastoma, lymphoma, leukemia, and brain tumors. We correlate their sensitivity NK cell lysis with tumor phenotypic, transcriptomic, and genetic determinants, and correlate known immunogenetic determinants with donor NK cell potency. Although ligand expression on cell lines stratified according to hematologic versus nonhematologic cancer types, the sensitivity to NK cell lysis varied widely and did not correlate with cancer type, expression of individual activating or inhibitory ligands, gene‐expression clusters of NK cell ligands, disease status (newly diagnosed or relapsed), or MYCN amplification. Rather, sensitivity to NK cell–mediated lysis was associated with a novel 96‐gene cluster of predominantly carcinoma‐, apoptosis‐, and cell death–related pathways, and with functional p53 status. NK cell potency was strongly associated with activating KIR gene content, but not with KIR/KIR‐ligand mismatch. This study suggests that adoptive immunotherapy with expanded NK cells has the potential for a wide range of pediatric cancers, identifies potential biomarkers of efficacy and response, and establishes a foundation for using this cell line panel for the preclinical evaluation of immunotherapies.
New technological approaches for recovering bioactive food constituents from sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) stems
Authors: Nastić Nataša , Lozano‐Sánchez Jesús , Borrás‐Linares Isabel , Švarc‐Gajić Jaroslava , Segura‐Carretero Antonio 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionIn recent years, an increasing interest in biological properties of sweet cherry (Prunus avium L.) stems has resulted in increased attention for advanced extraction techniques and their optimisation.ObjectivesIn the present study chemical profiles of P. avium stems extracts obtained by selected emerging technologies, such as pressurised liquid extraction (PLE) and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE), under different experimental conditions were compared.Material and MethodsAll SFEs were carried out at 40°C in a dynamic mode with different solvent combinations (CO2 plus ethanol at 7 and 15%) and pressures (150 and 300 bar). The PLE experiments were performed in a static mode for all tested combinations of extraction solvent (ethanol–water from 0% to 100%) at temperatures ranging from 40 to 200°C. A complete analytical characterisation of cherry stem extracts was performed by high‐performance liquid chromatography coupled to electrospray ionisation quadrupole time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS).ResultsPLE showed to be more efficient than SFE removing a wide variety of compounds with different polarities being phenols the most abundant, whereas SFE resulted in a higher amount of fatty acids and derivatives. Chemical characterisation of the extracts was carried out by HPLC‐ESI‐QTOF‐MS yielding in total 42 identified compounds, among which 22 compounds were identified in P. avium stems for the first time.ConclusionThese results point out the possibility of sweet cherry stem extracts to be incorporated in formulations manufactured by food and pharmaceutical industry. Also, these new thermal and high‐pressure industrial technologies proved to be promising candidates in the valorisation of sweet cherry by‐product.