bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages and type 2 diabetes incidence in Thai adults: results from an 8-year prospective study
Authors: Papier K , D'Este C , Bain C , Banwell C , Seubsman S , Sleigh A , Jordan S 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Background:
The global prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is high and is increasing in countries undergoing rapid socio-economic development, including Thailand. Sugar-sweetened beverage (SSB) intake may contribute to the risk of developing T2DM. However, few studies have assessed this association in Asian populations, and the results have been inconsistent. We aimed to assess that association in a prospective study of Thai adults.

Methods:
Data were from Thai Cohort Study participants surveyed in 2005, 2009 and 2013. The nation-wide sample included adult cohort members who were free of diabetes in 2005 and who were followed-up in 2013 (n=39 175). We used multivariable logistic regression to assess associations between SSB intake and eight-year T2DM incidence. We used a counterfactual mediation analysis to explore potential mediation of the SSB intake and T2DM-risk relationship.

Results:
In women (but not men) consuming SSBs once or more per day (versus rarely) was associated with increased T2DM incidence at the 8-year follow-up (odds ratio (OR)=2.4, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5–3.9). Obesity in 2009 was found to mediate ~23% of the total association between SSB intake in 2005 and T2DM risk in 2013 (natural indirect effect 1.15, 95% CI (1.02, 1.31).

Conclusions:
Frequent SSB consumption associated with higher T2DM incidence in women but not men. We found that a moderate proportion of the SSB-T2DM relationship was mediated through body mass index (BMI). Our findings suggest that targeting SSB consumption can help prevent a national rise in the incidence of T2DM.
Enhanced insulin sensitivity in successful, long-term weight loss maintainers compared with matched controls with no weight loss history
Authors: Clamp L D , Hume D J , Lambert E V , Kroff J 
Published: June 2017

Abstract
Background:
Weight gain is associated with deterioration in metabolic health, whereas weight loss improves insulin sensitivity. This study assesses the impact of long-term, successfully maintained weight loss and weight-loss relapse on measures of insulin sensitivity and identifies factors that explain variability in insulin sensitivity.

Methods:
Women (20–45 years) were recruited into four groups: reduced-overweight/obese (RED, n=15); body mass index (BMI)-matched controls (stable low-weight, n=19), BMI⩽27 kg m−2; relapsed-overweight/obese subjects (REL, n=11); and BMI-matched controls (obese stable weight, n=11), BMI⩾27 kg m−2. A 75 g oral glucose tolerance test determined fasting and 2 h plasma glucose and insulin. Homeostatic Model Assessment (HOMA-IR) and insulin sensitivity index (ISI(0,120)) assessed insulin sensitivity. Anthropometric measurements, fasting resting metabolic rate (RMR) and respiratory quotient (RQ) were measured. Questionnaires and dietary intake were recorded, and physical activity was measured using accelerometers.

Results:
RED were more insulin sensitive, characterised by lower fasting (P=0.001) and 2 h insulin (P=0.003) levels compared with all other groups. There were no significant differences in dietary intake, sedentary, light and moderate activity, RMR or RQ in the RED compared with the other three groups. % Body weight (BW) lost (P<0.001), % BW regained (P<0.05), body fat %, light activity (P<0.05, only log HOMA), vigorous activity (P<0.05) and RQ (P<0.01) predicted 61.4% and 59.7% of variability in log HOMA and log ISI(0,120), respectively, in multiple linear regression models.

Conclusion:
This study showed sustained enhanced insulin sensitivity in successful weight loss maintainers compared with BMI-matched controls with no weight loss history. Weight-loss-relapsed individuals were indistinguishable from controls. Weight loss itself was the strongest predictor of improved insulin sensitivity, whereas weight regain significantly predicted reduced insulin sensitivity. Weight-loss maintenance programs are essential to retaining metabolic benefits acquired through weight loss. Being physically active, reducing sedentary behaviour and, in particular, including small amounts of vigorous physical activity significantly predicted improved insulin sensitivity.
Dendritic mitoflash as a putative signal for stabilizing long-term synaptic plasticity
Authors: Fu Zhong-Xiao , Tan Xiao , Fang Huaqiang , Lau Pak-Ming , Wang Xianhua , Cheng Heping , Bi Guo-Qiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractMitochondrial flashes (mitoflashes) are recently discovered excitable mitochondrial events in many cell types. Here we investigate their occurrence in the context of structural long-term potentiation (sLTP) at hippocampal synapses. At dendritic spines stimulated by electric pulses, glycine, or targeted glutamate uncaging, induction of sLTP is associated with a phasic occurrence of local, quantized mitochondrial activity in the form of one or a few mitoflashes, over a 30-min window. Low-dose nigericin or photoactivation that elicits mitoflashes stabilizes otherwise short-term spine enlargement into sLTP. Meanwhile, scavengers of reactive oxygen species suppress mitoflashes while blocking sLTP. With targeted photoactivation of mitoflashes, we further show that the stabilization of sLTP is effective within the critical 30-min time-window and a spatial extent of ~2 μm, similar to that of local diffusive reactive oxygen species. These findings indicate a potential signaling role of dendritic mitochondria in synaptic plasticity, and provide new insights into the cellular function of mitoflashes.
Cascaded exciton energy transfer in a monolayer semiconductor lateral heterostructure assisted by surface plasmon polariton
Authors: Shi Jinwei , Lin Meng-Hsien , Chen I-Tung , Mohammadi Estakhri Nasim , Zhang Xin-Quan , Wang Yanrong , Chen Hung-Ying , Chen Chun-An , Shih Chih-Kang , Alù Andrea , Li Xiaoqin , Lee Yi-Hsien , Gwo Shangjr 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAtomically thin lateral heterostructures based on transition metal dichalcogenides have recently been demonstrated. In monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides, exciton energy transfer is typically limited to a short range (~1 μm), and additional losses may be incurred at the interfacial regions of a lateral heterostructure. To overcome these challenges, here we experimentally implement a planar metal-oxide-semiconductor structure by placing a WS2/MoS2 monolayer heterostructure on top of an Al2O3-capped Ag single-crystalline plate. We find that the exciton energy transfer range can be extended to tens of microns in the hybrid structure mediated by an exciton-surface plasmon polariton–exciton conversion mechanism, allowing cascaded exciton energy transfer from one transition metal dichalcogenides region supporting high-energy exciton resonance to a different transition metal dichalcogenides region in the lateral heterostructure with low-energy exciton resonance. The realized planar hybrid structure combines two-dimensional light-emitting materials with planar plasmonic waveguides and offers great potential for developing integrated photonic and plasmonic devices.
Tomographic imaging of the photonic environment of plasmonic nanoparticles
Authors: Hörl Anton , Haberfehlner Georg , Trügler Andreas , Schmidt Franz-Philipp , Hohenester Ulrich , Kothleitner Gerald 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe photonic local density of states (LDOS) governs the enhancement of light–matter interaction at the nanoscale, but despite its importance for nanophotonics and plasmonics experimental local density of states imaging remains extremely challenging. Here we introduce a tomography scheme based on electron microscopy that allows retrieval of the three-dimensional local density of states of plasmonic nanoparticles with nanometre spatial and sub-eV energy resolution. From conventional electron tomography experiments we obtain the three-dimensional morphology of the nanostructure, and use this information to compute an expansion basis for the photonic environment. The expansion coefficients are obtained through solution of an inverse problem using as input electron-energy loss spectroscopy images. We demonstrate the applicability of our scheme for silver nanocuboids and coupled nanodisks, and resolve local density of states enhancements with extreme sub-wavelength dimensions in hot spots located at roughness features or in gaps of coupled nanoparticles.
Defect-induced local variation of crystal phase transition temperature in metal-halide perovskites
Authors: Dobrovolsky Alexander , Merdasa Aboma , Unger Eva L. , Yartsev Arkady , Scheblykin Ivan G. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSolution-processed organometal halide perovskites are hybrid crystalline semiconductors highly interesting for low-cost and efficient optoelectronics. Their properties are dependent on the crystal structure. Literature shows a variety of crystal phase transition temperatures and often a spread of the transition over tens of degrees Kelvin. We explain this inconsistency by demonstrating that the temperature of the tetragonal-to-orthorhombic phase transition in methylammonium lead triiodide depends on the concentration and nature of local defects. Phase transition in individual nanowires was studied by photoluminescence microspectroscopy and super-resolution imaging. We propose that upon cooling from 160 to 140 K, domains of the crystal containing fewer defects stay in the tetragonal phase longer than highly defected domains that readily transform to the high bandgap orthorhombic phase at higher temperatures. The existence of relatively pure tetragonal domains during the phase transition leads to drastic photoluminescence enhancement, which is inhomogeneously distributed across perovskite microcrystals.
Role of new Immunophenotypic Markers on Prognostic and Overall Survival of Acute Myeloid Leukemia: a Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Costa A. F. O. , Menezes D. L. , Pinheiro L. H. S. , Sandes A. F. , Nunes M. A. P. , Lyra Junior D. P. , Schimieguel D. M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractDespite technological advances, the prognosis and survival of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) adult patients remain low, compared with other hematologic malignancies. Some antigens detected by immunophenotyping may soon play a significant role in the pathophysiologic, prognostic, and overall survival (OS) rate of AML patients. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library (using PRISMA guidelines). We analyzed 11 studies and 13 antigens, detected through the immunophenotyping of 639 patients. From them, twelve exhibited a negative impact with AML prognosis. The meta-analysis demonstrated a high expression of AML markers, which have been associated with a decrease in survival over 10 months (RR 2.55; IC 95%; 1.49–4.37) and over 20 months (RR 2.46; IC 95%; 1.75–3.45). Knowing that the expression of immunophenotypic markers, which are not used on a routine basis, might be able to influence disease behavior, looks promising. However, they have been associated with a poor prognosis as well as a decrease in survival. This may allow for different chemotherapeutical protocols, including future studies for new therapeutic targets.
Orthogonal quasi-phase-matched superlattice for generation of hyperentangled photons
Authors: Hegazy Salem F. , Obayya Salah S. A. , Saleh Bahaa E. A. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA crystal superlattice structure featuring nonlinear layers with alternating orthogonal optic axes interleaved with orthogonal poling directions, is shown to generate high-quality hyperentangled photon pairs via orthogonal quasi-phase-matched spontaneous parametric downconversion. We demonstrate that orthogonal quasi-phase matching (QPM) processes in a single nonlinear domain structure correct phase and group-velocity mismatches concurrently. Compared with the conventional two-orthogonal-crystals source and the double-nonlinearity single-crystal source, the orthogonal QPM superlattice is shown to suppress the spatial and temporal distinguishability of the generated photon pairs by several orders of magnitude, depending on the number of layers. This enhanced all-over-the-cone indistinguishability enables the generation of higher fluxes of photon-pairs by means of the combined use of (a) long nonlinear crystal in noncollinear geometry, (b) low coherence-time pumping and ultra-wide-band spectral detection, and (c) focused pumping and over-the-cone detection. While each of these three features is challenging by itself, it is remarkable that the orthogonal QPM superlattice meets all of these challenges without the need for separate spatial or temporal compensation.
The calmodulin fused kinase novel gene family is the major system in plants converting Ca2+ signals to protein phosphorylation responses
Authors: Chen Fei , Zhang Liangsheng , Cheng Zong-Ming 
Published: June 2017

AbstractEukaryotes utilize Ca2+ as a universal second messenger to convert and multiply environmental and developmental signals to downstream protein phosphorylation responses. However, the phylogenetic relationships of the genes that convert Ca2+ signal (CS) to protein phosphorylation responses (PPRs) remain highly controversial, and their origin and evolutionary trajectory are unclear, which greatly hinders functional studies. Here we examined the deep phylogeny of eukaryotic CS converter gene families and identified a phylogenetically and structurally distinctive monophyly in Archaeplastida. This monophyly can be divided into four subfamilies, and each can be traced to ancestral members that contain a kinase domain and a calmodulin-like domain. This strongly indicates that the ancestor of this monophyly originated by a de novo fusion of a kinase gene and a calmodulin gene. This gene family, with a proposed new name, Calmodulin Fused Kinase (CFK), had expanded and diverged significantly both in sizes and in structures for efficient and accurate Ca2+ signalling, and was shown to play pivotal roles in all the six major plant adaptation events in evolution. Our findings elucidated the common origin of all CS-PPR converter genes except CBL-CIPK converter genes, and revealed that CFKs act as the main CS conversion system in plants.
Three-Dimensional Multi-Doped Porous Carbon/Graphene Derived from Sewage Sludge with Template-Assisted Fe-pillared Montmorillonite for Enhanced Oxygen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Chen Meiqing , Wu Pingxiao , Chen Liya , Yang Shanshan , Yu Langfeng , Ding Yuefei , Zhu Nengwu , Shi Zhenqing , Liu Zehua 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThree-dimensional multi-doped porous carbon/graphene (Fe-Mt-SS-C) was prepared by carbonization of sewage sludge with template-assisted Fe-pillared montmorillonite. The material consisted of nanosheet- and particle- carbon had a high specific surface area (784.46 m2·g−1) and hierarchical porous structure of micro-, meso- and macropores. The prepared Fe-Mt-SS-C had a high degree of graphitization and large amount of defect atoms. The pyrolysis process made full use of the C, N, Fe, and S by turning them into the carbon framework of the as-obtained material in situ. Template-assisted Fe-pillared montmorillonite contributed to more characteristics of morphology and composition on Fe-Mt-SS-C than other three materials (SS-C, Mt-SS-C and Fe-SS-C), and enhanced the electrocatalytic ORR activity by providing more adsorption sites and the electronic structure, resulting in the increase of conductivity and electrochemical activity. The ORR activity performance of Fe-Mt-SS-C, including the value of onset potential (0.03 V) and E1/2 (−0.09 V), was better than that of commercial 20 wt% Pt/C (−0.02 V and −0.18 V, respectively). Moreover, the Fe-Mt-SS-C possessed excellent durability and outstanding immunity toward methanol crossover effects. Therefore, the resultant Fe-Mt-SS-C has great potential to applied as a high-efficiency ORR electrocatalyst, more importantly, it realizes the utilization of the sludge at the same time.
Triphenyltin recognition by primary structures of effector proteins and the protein network of Bacillus thuringiensis during the triphenyltin degradation process
Authors: Wang Linlin , Ye Jinshao , Ou Huase , Qin Huaming , Long Yan , Ke Jing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHerein, triphenyltin (TPT) biodegradation efficiency and its transformation pathway have been elucidated. To better understand the molecular mechanism of TPT degradation, the interactions between amino acids, primary structures, and quaternary conformations of effector proteins and TPT were studied. The results verified that TPT recognition and binding depended on amino acid sequences but not on secondary, tertiary or quaternary protein structure. During this process, TPT could change the molecular weight and isoelectric point of effector proteins, induce their methylation or demethylation, and alter their conformation. The effector proteins, alkyl hydroperoxide reductase and acetyl-CoA acetyltransferase, recognizing TPT were crucial to TPT degradation. Electron transfer flavoprotein subunit alpha, phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase, aconitate hydratase, branched-chain alpha-keto acid dehydrogenase E1 component, biotin carboxylase and superoxide dismutase were related to energy and carbon metabolism, which was consistent with the results in vivo. The current findings develop a new approach for investigating the interactions between proteins and target compounds.
Using Fractional Intensities of Time-resolved Fluorescence to Sensitively Quantify NADH/NAD+ with Genetically Encoded Fluorescent Biosensors
Authors: Chang Mengfang , Li Lei , Hu Hanyang , Hu Qingxun , Wang Aoxue , Cao Xiaodan , Yu Xiantong , Zhang Sanjun , Zhao Yuzheng , Chen Jinquan , Yang Yi , Xu Jianhua 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a novel and sensitive ratiometric analysis method that uses the fractional intensities of time-resolved fluorescence of genetically encoded fluorescent NADH/NAD+ biosensors, Peredox, SoNar, and Frex. When the conformations of the biosensors change upon NADH/NAD+ binding, the fractional intensities (α
i
τ
i
) have opposite changing trends. Their ratios could be exploited to quantify NADH/NAD+ levels with a larger dynamic range and higher resolution versus commonly used fluorescence intensity and lifetime methods. Moreover, only one excitation and one emission wavelength are required for this ratiometric measurement. This eliminates problems of traditional excitation-ratiometric and emission-ratiometric methods. This method could be used to simplify the design and achieve highly sensitive analyte quantification of genetically encoded fluorescent biosensors. Wide potential applications could be developed for imaging live cell metabolism based on this new method.
A GPU-accelerated algorithm for biclustering analysis and detection of condition-dependent coexpression network modules
Authors: Bhattacharya Anindya , Cui Yan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn the analysis of large-scale gene expression data, it is important to identify groups of genes with common expression patterns under certain conditions. Many biclustering algorithms have been developed to address this problem. However, comprehensive discovery of functionally coherent biclusters from large datasets remains a challenging problem. Here we propose a GPU-accelerated biclustering algorithm, based on searching for the largest Condition-dependent Correlation Subgroups (CCS) for each gene in the gene expression dataset. We compared CCS with thirteen widely used biclustering algorithms. CCS consistently outperformed all the thirteen biclustering algorithms on both synthetic and real gene expression datasets. As a correlation-based biclustering method, CCS can also be used to find condition-dependent coexpression network modules. We implemented the CCS algorithm using C and implemented the parallelized CCS algorithm using CUDA C for GPU computing. The source code of CCS is available from https://github.com/abhatta3/Condition-dependent-Correlation-Subgroups-CCS.
Upregulation of circulating microRNA-134 in adult-onset Still’s disease and its use as potential biomarker
Authors: Liao Tsai-Ling , Chen Yi-Ming , Hsieh Chia-Wei , Chen Hsin-Hua , Lee Hsiu-Chin , Hung Wei-Ting , Tang Kuo-Tung , Chen Der-Yuan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAdult-onset Still’s disease (AOSD) is a multi-systemic inflammatory disorder of unknown etiology. To date, no single diagnostic test is available for AOSD. Herein, we investigated the pathogenic role of microRNAs in AOSD. MicroRNA profiles in plasma from AOSD patients and healthy controls were analyzed by microarray analysis, followed by quantitative reverse transcription PCR validation. The biological functions of microRNAs were evaluated usingin vitrocell-based assay. Among the differentially expressed microRNAs, microRNA-134 (miR-134) expression was positively correlated with AOSD activity scores and significantly decreased after effective treatment. An increased miR-134 level is significantly associated with the activation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3). The reporter assay identified IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) as the target of miR-134. A negative correlation between miR-134 expression and IL-18BP mRNA levels were detected in peripheral blood cells following TLR3 ligand treatment. Lower plasma IL-18BP levels and higher IL-18 levels were also observed in active AOSD patients who had higher miR-134 expression than inactive patients. Upregulation of circulating miR-134 was associated with elevated IL-18 levels by targeting IL-18BP in AOSD patients and was positively correlated with disease activity, suggesting its involvement in AOSD pathogenesis. MiR-134 may be a novel activity indicator or potential prognostic biomarker in AOSD.
Inter-annual variability of transparent exopolymer particles in the Arctic Ocean reveals high sensitivity to ecosystem changes
Authors: Engel Anja , Piontek Judith , Metfies Katja , Endres Sonja , Sprong Pim , Peeken Ilka , Gäbler-Schwarz Steffi , Nöthig Eva-Maria 
Published: June 2017

AbstractTransparent exopolymer particles (TEP) are a class of marine gel particles and important links between surface ocean biology and atmospheric processes. Derived from marine microorganisms, these particles can facilitate the biological pumping of carbon dioxide to the deep sea, or act as cloud condensation and ice nucleation particles in the atmosphere. Yet, environmental controls on TEP abundance in the ocean are poorly known. Here, we investigated some of these controls during the first multiyear time-series on TEP abundance for the Fram Strait, the Atlantic gateway to the Central Arctic Ocean. Data collected at the Long-Term Ecological Research observatory HAUSGARTEN during 2009 to 2014 indicate a strong biological control with highest abundance co-occurring with the prymnesiophyte Phaeocystis pouchetii. Higher occurrence of P. pouchetii in the Arctic Ocean has previously been related to northward advection of warmer Atlantic waters, which is expected to increase in the future. Our study highlights the role of plankton key species in driving climate relevant processes; thus, changes in plankton distribution need to be accounted for when estimating the ocean’s biogeochemical response to global change.