bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mutations in human AID differentially affect its ability to deaminate cytidine and 5-methylcytidine in ssDNA substrates in vitro
Authors: Budzko Lucyna , Jackowiak Paulina , Kamel Karol , Sarzynska Joanna , Bujnicki Janusz M. , Figlerowicz Marek 
Published: June 2017

AbstractActivation-induced cytidine deaminase (AID) is known for its established role in antibody production. AID induces the diversification of antibodies by deaminating deoxycytidine (C) within immunoglobulin genes. The capacity of AID to deaminate 5-methyldeoxycytidine (5 mC) and/or 5-hydroxymethyldeoxycytidine (5 hmC), and consequently AID involvement in active DNA demethylation, is not fully resolved. For instance, structural determinants of AID activity on different substrates remain to be identified. To better understand the latter issue, we tested how mutations in human AID (hAID) influence its ability to deaminate C, 5 mC, and 5 hmC in vitro. We showed that each of the selected mutations differentially affects hAID’s ability to deaminate C and 5 mC. At the same time, we did not observe hAID activity on 5 hmC. Surprisingly, we found that the N51A hAID mutant, with no detectable activity on C, efficiently deaminated 5 mC, which may suggest different requirements for C and 5 mC deamination. Homology modeling and molecular dynamics simulations revealed that the pattern of enzyme-substrate recognition is one of the important factors determining enzyme activity on C and 5 mC. Consequently, we have proposed mechanisms that explain why wild type hAID more efficiently deaminates C than 5 mC in vitro and why 5 hmC is not deaminated.
A subset of cerebrovascular pericytes originates from mature macrophages in the very early phase of vascular development in CNS
Authors: Yamamoto Seiji , Muramatsu Masashi , Azuma Erika , Ikutani Masashi , Nagai Yoshinori , Sagara Hiroshi , Koo Bon-Nyeo , Kita Satomi , O’Donnell Erin , Osawa Tsuyoshi , Takahashi Hiroyuki , Takano Ken-ichi , Dohmoto Mitsuko , Sugimori Michiya , Usui Isao , Watanabe Yasuhide , Hatakeyama Noboru , Iwamoto Takahiro , Komuro Issei , Takatsu Kiyoshi , Tobe Kazuyuki , Niida Shumpei , Matsuda Naoyuki , Shibuya Masabumi , Sasahara Masakiyo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPericytes are believed to originate from either mesenchymal or neural crest cells. It has recently been reported that pericytes play important roles in the central nervous system (CNS) by regulating blood-brain barrier homeostasis and blood flow at the capillary level. However, the origin of CNS microvascular pericytes and the mechanism of their recruitment remain unknown. Here, we show a new source of cerebrovascular pericytes during neurogenesis. In the CNS of embryonic day 10.5 mouse embryos, CD31+F4/80+hematopoietic lineage cells were observed in the avascular region around the dorsal midline of the developing midbrain. These cells expressed additional macrophage markers such as CD206 and CD11b. Moreover, the CD31+F4/80+cells phagocytosed apoptotic cells as functionally matured macrophages, adhered to the newly formed subventricular vascular plexus, and then divided into daughter cells. Eventually, these CD31+F4/80+cells transdifferentiated into NG2/PDGFRβ/desmin-expressing cerebrovascular pericytes, enwrapping and associating with vascular endothelial cells. These data indicate that a subset of cerebrovascular pericytes derive from mature macrophages in the very early phase of CNS vascular development, which in turn are recruited from sites of embryonic hematopoiesis such as the yolk sac by way of blood flow.
Uridine Ameliorates Dextran Sulfate Sodium (DSS)-Induced Colitis in Mice
Authors: Jeengar Manish Kumar , Thummuri Dinesh , Magnusson Mattias , Naidu V. G. M. , Uppugunduri Srinivas 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUridine, one of the four components that comprise RNA, has attracted attention as a novel therapeutic modulator of inflammation. However, very little is known about its effect on intestinal inflammation. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential protective effect of intracolonic administered uridine against DSS induced colitis in male C57BL/6 mice. Intracolonic instillation of 3 doses of uridine 1 mg/Kg (lower dose), 5 mg/Kg (medium dose), and 10 mg/Kg (higher dose) in saline was performed daily. Uridine at medium and high dose significantly reduced the severity of colitis (DAI score) and alleviated the macroscopic and microscopic signs of the disease. The levels of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6, IL-1β and TNF in serum as well as mRNA expression in colon were significantly reduced in the uridine treated groups. Moreover, colon tissue myloperoxidase activities, protein expression of IL-6, TNF- α, COX-2, P-NFkB and P-Ikk-βα in the colon tissues were significantly reduced in medium and high dose groups. These findings demonstrated that local administration of uridine alleviated experimental colitis in male C57BL/6 mice accompanied by the inhibition of neutrophil infiltration and NF-κB signaling. Thus, Uridine may be a promising candidate for future use in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease.
Evolutionary and network analysis of virus sequences from infants infected with an Australian recombinant strain of human parechovirus type 3
Authors: Alexandersen Soren , Nelson Tiffanie M. , Hodge Jason , Druce Julian 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe present the near complete virus genome sequences with phylogenetic and network analyses of potential transmission networks of a total of 18 Australian cases of human parechovirus type 3 (HPeV3) infection in infants in the period from 2012–2015. Overall the results support our previous finding that the Australian outbreak strain/lineage is a result of a major recombination event that took place between March 2012 and November 2013 followed by further virus evolution and possibly recombination. While the nonstructural coding region of unknown provenance appears to evolve significantly both at the nucleotide and amino acid level, the capsid encoding region derived from the Yamagata 2011 lineage of HPeV3 appears to be very stable, particularly at the amino acid level. The phylogenetic and network analyses performed support a temporal evolution from the first Australian recombinant virus sequence from November 2013 to March/April 2014, onto the 2015 outbreak. The 2015 outbreak samples fall into two separate clusters with a possible common ancestor between March/April 2014 and September 2015, with each cluster further evolving in the period from September to November/December 2015.
Monitoring and analysis of coastal reclamation from 1995–2015 in Tianjin Binhai New Area, China
Authors: Chen Wengang , Wang Dongchuan , Huang Yong , Chen Liding , Zhang Lihui , Wei Xiangwang , Sang Mengqin , Wang Feicui , Liu Jinya , Hu Bingxu 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIncreasing coastal reclamation activities have been undertaken to solve the conflict between people and land resources, creating significant challenges for coordinating coastal reclamation, economic development and environmental protection. This paper analyzes the effects of coast reclamation on Gross Domestic Product growth and the quality of inshore seawater in the Tianjin Binhai New Area. Remote sensing and a Geographic Information System were used to extract the information of coastal reclamation. The correlation between the area of coastal reclamation, GDP growth and the quality of inshore seawater was analyzed and a decoupling elasticity model was used to explore trends in the relationship between economic development and coastal reclamation. Results showed that coastal reclamation activities played an important role in promoting economic development, but greatly damaged the ecological environment. Although the relationship between coastal reclamation and economic development has weakened during the last three periods, the influence on the environment will continue because of the cumulative effects of pollution. To maintain a balance between coastal reclamation, economic development and environmental protection, (1) coastal reclamation planning must address both economic and environmental outcomes; (2) environmental deficiencies from existing coastal reclamation projects must be rectified; and (3) the legal system regulating coastal reclamation needs to be refined and strengthened.
Terrestrial water load and groundwater fluctuation in the Bengal Basin
Authors: Burgess W. G. , Shamsudduha M. , Taylor R. G. , Zahid A. , Ahmed K. M. , Mukherjee A. , Lapworth D. J. , Bense V. F. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGroundwater-level fluctuations represent hydraulic responses to changes in groundwater storage due to aquifer recharge and drainage as well as to changes in stress that include water mass loading and unloading above the aquifer surface. The latter ‘poroelastic’ response of confined aquifers is a well-established phenomenon which has been demonstrated in diverse hydrogeological environments but is frequently ignored in assessments of groundwater resources. Here we present high-frequency groundwater measurements over a twelve-month period from the tropical, fluvio-deltaic Bengal Aquifer System (BAS), the largest aquifer in south Asia. The groundwater level fluctuations are dominated by the aquifer poroelastic response to changes in terrestrial water loading by processes acting over periods ranging from hours to months; the effects of groundwater flow are subordinate. Our measurements represent the first direct, quantitative identification of loading effects on groundwater levels in the BAS. Our analysis highlights the potential limitations of hydrogeological analyses which ignore loading effects in this environment. We also demonstrate the potential for employing poroelastic responses in the BAS and across other tropical fluvio-deltaic regions as a direct, in-situ measure of changes in terrestrial water storage to complement analyses from the Gravity and Climate Experiment (GRACE) mission but at much higher resolution.
Hepatoprotective and in vitro antioxidant effects of native depolymerised-exopolysaccharides derived from Termitomyces albuminosus
Authors: Zhao Huajie , Li Juan , Zhang Jianjun , Wang Xiuxiu , Liu Min , Zhang Chen , Jia Le 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this study, native depolymerised-exopolysaccharides (DEPS) were successfully derived from the exopolysaccharides (EPS) of Termitomyces albuminosus, and its hepatoprotective effects against a high-fat emulsion and in vitro antioxidant activities were investigated. Based on the results of in vitro assays, DEPS showed superior antioxidant activities compared with EPS dose-dependently. According to the in vivo assays both EPS and DEPS significantly decreased the lipid levels, improved the enzymatic activities, and reduced lipid peroxidation in both serum and hepatic homogenates. Furthermore, EPS and DEPS attenuated the high-fat emulsion-induced histopathological injury to the liver. Both EPS and DEPS might be used as natural drugs to treat and protect against hyperlipidaemia and liver injury induced by a high-fat emulsion. In addition, based on the results of GC and HPLC analyses, rhamnose and low molecular weight compounds may play an important role in contributing to the antioxidant activities of EPS and DEPS.
The effect of weak acid anions on the selective catalytic wet air oxidation of aqueous ammonia to nitrogen
Authors: Wang Zidan , Hameed Sohaib , Wen Yaoyao , Zhang Nuowei , Gai Hengjun , Zheng Jinbao , Chen Bing H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this work, the effect of weak acid anions on the ammonia removal has been extensively studied for the process of selective catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of ammonia to nitrogen. It is found that the presence of weak acid anions can effectively enhance the ammonia conversion and selectivity towards nitrogen. The combination between the weak acid anions and H+ to produce weak acid molecules is responsible for such enhancement. Firstly, the H+ consumption of weak acid anions can increase the NH3 concentration and thus the reactivity of ammonia oxidation, due to the shift to NH3 on the equilibrium of NH4+/NH3. Secondly, the competition combination with H+ between the weak acid anions and NO2− can increase the concentration of NO2− and thus boosts the disproportionation reaction between NH4+ and NO2− to produce nitrogen.
Quasiparticle and optical properties of strained stanene and stanane
Authors: Lu Pengfei , Wu Liyuan , Yang Chuanghua , Liang Dan , Quhe Ruge , Guan Pengfei , Wang Shumin 
Published: June 2017

AbstractQuasiparticle band structures and optical properties of two dimensional stanene and stanane (fully hydrogenated stanene) are studied by the GW and GW plus Bethe–Salpeter equation (GW-BSE) approaches, with inclusion of the spin-orbit coupling (SOC). The SOC effect is significant for the electronic and optical properties in both stanene and stanane, compared with their group IV-enes and IV-anes counterparts. Stanene is a semiconductor with a quasiparticle band gap of 0.10 eV. Stanane has a sizable band gap of 1.63 eV and strongly binding exciton with binding energy of 0.10 eV. Under strain, the quasiparticle band gap and optical spectrum of both stanene and stanane are tunable.
Synuclein impairs trafficking and signaling of BDNF in a mouse model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Fang Fang , Yang Wanlin , Florio Jazmin B. , Rockenstein Edward , Spencer Brian , Orain Xavier M. , Dong Stephanie X. , Li Huayan , Chen Xuqiao , Sung Kijung , Rissman Robert A. , Masliah Eliezer , Ding Jianqing , Wu Chengbiao 
Published: June 2017

AbstractRecent studies have demonstrated that hyperphosphorylation of tau protein plays a role in neuronal toxicities of α-synuclein (ASYN) in neurodegenerative disease such as familial Alzheimer’s disease (AD), dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) and Parkinson’s disease. Using a transgenic mouse model of Parkinson’s disease (PD) that expresses GFP-ASYN driven by the PDGF-β promoter, we investigated how accumulation of ASYN impacted axonal function. We found that retrograde axonal trafficking of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in DIV7 cultures of E18 cortical neurons was markedly impaired at the embryonic stage, even though hyperphosphorylation of tau was not detectable in these neurons at this stage. Interestingly, we found that overexpressed ASYN interacted with dynein and induced a significant increase in the activated levels of small Rab GTPases such as Rab5 and Rab7, both key regulators of endocytic processes. Furthermore, expression of ASYN resulted in neuronal atrophy in DIV7 cortical cultures of either from E18 transgenic mouse model or from rat E18 embryos that were transiently transfected with ASYN-GFP for 72 hrs. Our studies suggest that excessive ASYN likely alters endocytic pathways leading to axonal dysfunction in embryonic cortical neurons in PD mouse models.
Reconstructing the phylogeny of Blattodea: robust support for interfamilial relationships and major clades
Authors: Wang Zongqing , Shi Yan , Qiu Zhiwei , Che Yanli , Lo Nathan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCockroaches are among the most recognizable of all insects. In addition to their role as pests, they play a key ecological role as decomposers. Despite numerous studies of cockroach phylogeny in recent decades, relationships among most major lineages are yet to be resolved. Here we examine phylogenetic relationships among cockroaches based on five genes (mitochondrial 12S rRNA, 16S rRNA, COII; nuclear 28S rRNA and histone H3), and infer divergence times on the basis of 8 fossils. We included in our analyses sequences from 52 new species collected in China, representing 7 families. These were combined with data from a recent study that examined these same genes from 49 species, resulting in a significant increase in taxa analysed. Three major lineages, Corydioidea, Blaberoidea, and Blattoidea were recovered, the latter comprising Blattidae, Tryonicidae, Lamproblattidae, Anaplectidae, Cryptocercidae and Isoptera. The estimated age of the split between Mantodea and Blattodea ranged from 204.3 Ma to 289.1 Ma. Corydioidea was estimated to have diverged 209.7 Ma (180.5–244.3 Ma 95% confidence interval [CI]) from the remaining Blattodea. The clade Blattoidea diverged from their sister group, Blaberoidea, around 198.3 Ma (173.1–229.1 Ma). The addition of the extra taxa in this study has resulted in significantly higher levels of support for a number of previously recognized groupings.
Epigenetic silencing of downstream genes mediated by tandem orientation in lung cancer
Authors: Kiehl Steffen , Zimmermann Tobias , Savai Rajkumar , Pullamsetti Soni S. , Seeger Werner , Bartkuhn Marek , Dammann Reinhard H. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEpigenetic deregulation is of importance in tumorigenesis. In particular CpG islands (CGI), are frequently hypermethylated. Here, genome-wide DNA-methylation profiles of 480,000 CpGs in lung cancer cells were generated. It was observed that intra- and intergenic CGI exhibited higher methylation compared to normal cells. The functional annotation of hypermethylated CGI revealed that the hypermethylation was associated with homeobox domain genes and targets marked by repressive histone modifications. The strongest methylation variation was observed in transitional areas of CGI, termed shores. 5′-shores of promoter-associated CGI in lung cancer cell lines were higher methylated than 3′-shores. Within two tandem-oriented genes, a significant hypermethylation of the downstream-located CGI promoters was revealed. Hypermethylation correlates with the length of the intergenic region between such tandem genes. As the RASSF1A tumor suppressor gene represents such a downstream tandem gene, its silencing was analyzed using an inducible system. It was determined that the induction of an upstream gene led to a repression of RASSF1A through a process involving histone deacetylases and CPSF1. A tumor-specific increase in expression of histone deacetylases and CPSF1 was detected in lung cancer. Our results suggest that the downstream gene could be susceptible to epigenetic silencing when organized in a tandem orientation.
Fine Particulate Air Pollution and First Hospital Admissions for Ischemic Stroke in Beijing, China
Authors: Tian Yaohua , Xiang Xiao , Wu Yiqun , Cao Yaying , Song Jing , Sun Kexin , Liu Hui , Hu Yonghua 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe primary objective of this study was to assess the association between short-term changes in ambient fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and first hospital admissions for ischemic stroke. We identified 63,956 first hospital admissions for ischemic stroke from the Beijing Medical Claim Data for Employees from January 1, 2010, through June 30, 2012. A generalized additive Poisson model was applied to explore the association between PM2.5 and admissions for ischemic stroke. We also explore the effect modification of risk by age and gender. The exposure–response relationship between PM2.5 and admissions for ischemic stroke was approximately linear, with a relatively stable response at lower concentrations (<100 μg/m3) and a steeper response at higher concentrations. A 10 μg/m3 increase in the same-day PM2.5 concentration was associated with 0.31% (95% CI, 0.17–0.45%, P < 1.57 × 10−5) increase in the daily admissions for ischemic stroke. The association was also statistically significant at lag 1, 2, 3, 0–2 and 0–4 days. Subgroup analyses showed that the association was not different between patients ≥65 years and <65 years old or between males and females. In conclusion, short-term exposure to PM2.5 was positively associated with first hospital admissions for ischemic stroke in Beijing, China.
Discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition in adults with major depressive disorder
Authors: Srisurapanont Manit , Suttajit Sirijit , Eurviriyanukul Kanokkwan , Varnado Prirada 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to determine: i) the correlation between objective and subjective cognition, ii) the correlates of objective and subjective cognition and iii) the predictors of discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition. Participants were non-elderly patients with major depressive disorder (MDD). We assessed subjective cognition using the Perceived Deficit Questionnaire for Depression (PDQ-D) and objective cognition using Face I and Face II tests of the Wechsler Memory Scale, 3rd edition and Digit Span and Matrix Reasoning tests of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Adults, 3rd edition. The discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition was estimated. Participants were 57 outpatients with MDD. PDQ-D scores were not correlated with composite neurocognitive test (NCT) z scores. Years of education significantly predicted composite NCT z scores, as did age. The 9-item Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) scores significantly predicted PDQ-D scores, as did antidepressant treatment. Age significantly predicted discrepancy scores, as did PHQ-9 scores. In conclusion, objective and subjective cognition in patients with MDD are not correlated. Age and education predict objective cognition. Depression. severity and antidepressant treatment predict subjective cognition. Age and depression severity may predict the discrepancy between objective and subjective cognition.
Characterization of the 3D structure of a cultivated land surface and its influence on wheat seedlings growth using Kinect
Authors: Liu Tao , Chen Wen , Li Fujian , Wu Wei , Sun Chengming , Ding Jinfeng , Zhu Xinkai , Guo Wenshan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe quality of wheat emergence has a significant impact on the subsequent growth and development of seedlings. The structure of cultivated land surfaces is an important factor influencing wheat seedlings growth. However, few studies have investigated this. In this study, three-dimensional structural parameters of cultivated land surfaces were collected using 3D imaging equipment, and the effects of different grades of lands on the emergence and growth of wheat were evaluated. The evaluation criteria for the soil blocks was designed according to the ISO-25178-2 standard, and the wheat emergence rate, speed, tillering capacity per plant, dry weight per plant, and final yields of different grades of cultivated land were investigated. The results indicated that the three-dimensional information obtained through the Kinect sensors was reliable. The deviation of measured values from the factual values was trivial. The value of R2was greater than 0.99**. The value of RMSE was less than 2 mm. These results describe a method for obtaining three-dimensional structures of land surfaces using 3D cameras and the evaluation of wheat emergence capacity. It can be used as a reference for obtaining three-dimensional cultivated land structures or other similar objects.
Novel indolyl-chalcone derivatives inhibit A549 lung cancer cell growth through activating Nrf-2/HO-1 and inducing apoptosis in vitro and in vivo
Authors: Zhao Xuan , Dong WenLiang , Gao YuanDi , Shin Dong-Shoo , Ye Qing , Su Le , Jiang Fan , Zhao BaoXiang , Miao JunYing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIncreasing evidence indicates that Nrf-2, named the nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor, may perform anticancer function. In this study, a series of novel substituted phenyl- (3-methyl-1H-indol-2-yl)-prop-2-en-1-one (indolyl-chalcone) derivatives were synthesized and their effects on Nrf-2 activity were observed. We found that compounds 3a-3d and 6c elevated Nrf-2 activity. Then we evaluated their anticancer activities in vitro and in vivo by utilizing human lung cancer cell line A549. The in vitro results showed that among the compounds, 3d performed effectively anti-growth activity by inducing A549 lung cancer cell apoptosis and activating Nrf-2/HO-1 (heme oxygenase-1) pathway. In vivo, we proved that compound 3d inhibited the tumor growth effectively through inducing cell apoptosis without affecting CAM normal angiogenesis. These data suggest that our discovery of a novel Nrf-2 activator compound 3d would provide a new point of human lung cancer treatment.