bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pleiotropic effects of acarbose on atherosclerosis development in rabbits are mediated via upregulating AMPK signals
Authors: Chan Kuei-Chuan , Yu Meng-Hsun , Lin Ming-Cheng , Huang Chien-Ning , Chung Dai-Jung , Lee Yi-Ju , Wu Cheng-Hsun , Wang Chau-Jong 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAcarbose, an α-glucosidase inhibitor, is reported to reduce the incidence of silent myocardial infarction and slow the progression of intima-media thickening in patients with glucose intolerance. Here we investigate other impacts of acarbose on atherosclerosis development and the underlying mechanisms of atherosclerosis initiation and progression in vivo and in vitro. Rabbits fed a high cholesterol diet (HCD) were treated with acarbose (2.5–5.0 mg kg−1). Immunohistochemistry was used to assess the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Ras, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), IL-6, β-galactosidase, and p-AMPK in atherosclerotic lesions. Treatment with acarbose in HCD-fed rabbits was found to significantly reduce the severity of aortic atheroma and neointimal expression of α-actin, PCNA, IL-6, TNF-α, Ras, and β-galactosidase; to significantly increase expression of iNOS and p-AMPK, but not to affect serum levels of glucose, total cholesterol, and LDL. Western blot analysis showed acarbose dose-dependently decreased β-galactosidase and Ras expression and increased p-AMPK expression in TNF-α-treated A7r5 cells. In addition, acarbose restored p-AMPK and iNOS levels in AMPK inhibitor- and iNOS inhibitor-treated A7r5 cells, respectively. In conclusion, acarbose can pleiotropically inhibit rabbit atherosclerosis by reducing inflammation, senescence, and VSMCs proliferation/migration via upregulating AMPK signals.
Molecular gated nanoporous anodic alumina for the detection of cocaine
Authors: Ribes Àngela , Xifré -Pérez Elisabet , Aznar Elena , Sancenón Félix , Pardo Teresa , Marsal Lluís F. , Martínez-Máñez Ramόn 
Published: December 2016

AbstractWe present herein the use of nanoporous anodic alumina (NAA) as a suitable support to implement “molecular gates” for sensing applications. In our design, a NAA support is loaded with a fluorescent reporter (rhodamine B) and functionalized with a short single-stranded DNA. Then pores are blocked by the subsequent hybridisation of a specific cocaine aptamer. The response of the gated material was studied in aqueous solution. In a typical experiment, the support was immersed in hybridisation buffer solution in the absence or presence of cocaine. At certain times, the release of rhodamine B from pore voids was measured by fluorescence spectroscopy. The capped NAA support showed poor cargo delivery, but presence of cocaine in the solution selectively induced rhodamine B release. By this simple procedure a limit of detection as low as 5 × 10−7 M was calculated for cocaine. The gated NAA was successfully applied to detect cocaine in saliva samples and the possible re-use of the nanostructures was assessed. Based on these results, we believe that NAA could be a suitable support to prepare optical gated probes with a synergic combination of the favourable features of selected gated sensing systems and NAA.
EEG functional network topology is associated with disability in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Fraschini Matteo , Demuru Matteo , Hillebrand Arjan , Cuccu Lorenza , Porcu Silvia , Di Stefano Francesca , Puligheddu Monica , Floris Gianluca , Borghero Giuseppe , Marrosu Francesco 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAmyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) is one of the most severe neurodegenerative diseases, which is known to affect upper and lower motor neurons. In contrast to the classical tenet that ALS represents the outcome of extensive and progressive impairment of a fixed set of motor connections, recent neuroimaging findings suggest that the disease spreads along vast non-motor connections. Here, we hypothesised that functional network topology is perturbed in ALS, and that this reorganization is associated with disability. We tested this hypothesis in 21 patients affected by ALS at several stages of impairment using resting-state electroencephalography (EEG) and compared the results to 16 age-matched healthy controls. We estimated functional connectivity using the Phase Lag Index (PLI), and characterized the network topology using the minimum spanning tree (MST). We found a significant difference between groups in terms of MST dissimilarity and MST leaf fraction in the beta band. Moreover, some MST parameters (leaf, hierarchy and kappa) significantly correlated with disability. These findings suggest that the topology of resting-state functional networks in ALS is affected by the disease in relation to disability. EEG network analysis may be of help in monitoring and evaluating the clinical status of ALS patients.
Transcriptional Regulation of Notch1 Expression by Nkx6.1 in Neural Stem/Progenitor Cells during Ventral Spinal Cord Development
Authors: Li Ying , Tzatzalos Evangeline , Kwan Kelvin Y. , Grumet Martin , Cai Li 
Published: December 2016

AbstractNotch1 signaling plays a critical role in maintaining and determining neural stem/progenitor cell (NSPC) fate, yet the transcriptional mechanism controlling Notch1 specific expression in NSPCs remains incomplete. Here, we show transcription factor Nkx6.1 interacts with a cis-element (CR2, an evolutionarily conserved non-coding fragment in the second intron of Notch1 locus) and regulates the expression of Notch1 in ventral NSPCs of the developing spinal cord. We show that the Notch1 expression is modulated by the interaction of Nkx6.1 with a 139 bp enhancer sequence within CR2. Knockdown or overexpression of Nkx6.1 leads to down- or up-regulated Notch1 expression, respectively. In CR2-GFP transgenic mouse, GFP expression was found prominent in the ventricular zone and neural progenitor cells from embryonic day 9.5 to postnatal day 7. GFP+ cells were mainly neural progenitors for interneurons and not for motoneurons or glial cells. Moreover, GFP expression persisted in a subset of ependymal cells in the adult spinal cord, suggesting that CR2 is active in both embryonic and adult NSPCs. Together our data reveal a novel mechanism of Notch1 transcriptional regulation in the ventral spinal cord by Nkx6.1 via its binding with Notch1 enhancer CR2 during embryonic development.
Nano-cones for broadband light coupling to high index substrates
Authors: Buencuerpo J. , Torné L. , Álvaro R. , Llorens J. M. , Dotor M. L. , Ripalda J. M. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe moth-eye structure has been proposed several times as an antireflective coating to replace the standard optical thin films. Here, we experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of a dielectric moth-eye structure as an antireflective coating for high-index substrates, like GaAs. The fabricated photonic crystal has Si3N4cones in a square lattice, sitting on top of a TiO2index matching layer. This structure attains 1.4% of reflectance power losses in the operation spectral range of GaAs solar cells (440–870 nm), a 12.5% relative reduction of reflection power losses in comparison with a standard bilayer. The work presented here considers a fabrication process based on laser interference lithography and dry etching, which are compatible with solar cell devices. The experimental results are consistent with scattering matrix simulations of the fabricated structures. In a broader spectral range (400–1800 nm), the simulation estimates that the nanostructure also significantly outperforms the standard bilayer coating (3.1% vs. 4.5% reflection losses), a result of interest for multijunction tandem solar cells.
Electrohydrodynamic-assisted Assembly of Hierarchically Structured, 3D Crumpled Nanostructures for Efficient Solar Conversions
Authors: Ishihara Hidetaka , Chen Yen-Chang , De Marco Nicholas , Lin Oliver , Huang Chih-Meng , Limsakoune Vipawee , Chou Yi-Chia , Yang Yang , Tung Vincent 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe tantalizing prospect of harnessing the unique properties of graphene crumpled nanostructures continues to fuel tremendous interest in energy storage and harvesting applications. However, the paper ball-like, hard texture, and closed-sphere morphology of current 3D graphitic nanostructure production not only constricts the conductive pathways but also limits the accessible surface area. Here, we report new insights into electrohydrodynamically-generated droplets as colloidal nanoreactors in that the stimuli-responsive nature of reduced graphene oxide can lead to the formation of crumpled nanostructures with a combination of open structures and doubly curved, saddle-shaped edges. In particular, the crumpled nanostructures dynamically adapt to non-spherical, polyhedral shapes under continuous deposition, ultimately assembling into foam-like microstructures with a highly accessible surface area and spatially interconnected transport pathways. The implementation of such crumpled nanostructures as three-dimensional rear contacts for solar conversion applications realize benefits of a high aspect ratio, electrically addressable and energetically favorable interfaces, and substantial enhancement of both short-circuit currents and fill-factors compared to those made of planar graphene counterparts. Further, the 3D crumpled nanostructures may shed lights onto the development of effective electrocatalytic electrodes due to their open structure that simultaneously allows for efficient water flow and hydrogen escape.
NMR studies on the interactions between yeast Vta1 and Did2 during the multivesicular bodies sorting pathway
Authors: Shen Jie , Yang Zhongzheng , Wang Jiaolong , Zhao Bin , Lan Wenxian , Wang Chunxi , Zhang Xu , Wild Cody J. , Liu Maili , Xu Zhaohui , Cao Chunyang 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAs an AAA-ATPase, Vps4 is important for function of multivesicular bodies (MVB) sorting pathway, which involves in cellular phenomena ranging from receptor down-regulation to viral budding to cytokinesis. The activity of Vps4 is stimulated by the interactions between Vta1 N-terminus (named as Vta1NTD) and Did2 fragment (176–204 aa) (termed as Did2176–204) or Vps60 (128–186 aa) (termed as Vps60128–186). The structural basis of how Vta1NTD binds to Did2176–204 is still unclear. To address this, in this report, the structure of Did2176–204 in complex with Vta1NTD was determined by NMR techniques, demonstrating that Did2176–204 interacts with Vta1NTD through its helix α6′ extending over the 2nd and the 3rd α-helices of Vta1NTD microtubule interacting and transport 1 (MIT1) domain. The residues within Did2176–204 helix α6′ in the interface make up of an amino acid sequence as E192′xxL195′xxR198′L199′xxL202′R203′, identical to type 1 MIT-interacting motif (MIM1) (D/E)xxLxxRLxxL(K/R) of CHMP1A180–196 observed in Vps4-CHMP1A complex structure, indicating that Did2 binds to Vta1NTD through canonical MIM1 interactions. Moreover, the Did2 binding does not result in Vta1NTD significant conformational changes, revealing that Did2, similar to Vps60, enhances Vta1 stimulation of Vps4 ATPase activity in an indirect manner.
The metabolic flux regulation of Klebsiella pneumoniae based on quorum sensing system
Authors: Sun Shujing , Zhang Haiyang , Lu Shuyi , Lai Chunfen , Liu Huijun , Zhu Hu 
Published: December 2016

AbstractQuorum-sensing (QS) systems exist universally in bacteria to regulate multiple biological functions. Klebsiella pneumoniae, an industrially important bacterium that produces bio-based chemicals such as 2,3-butanediol and acetoin, can secrete a furanosyl borate diester (AI-2) as the signalling molecule mediating a QS system, which plays a key regulatory role in the biosynthesis of secondary metabolites. In this study, the molecular regulation and metabolic functions of a QS system in K. pneumoniae were investigated. The results showed that after the disruption of AI-2-mediated QS by the knockout of luxS, the production of acetoin, ethanol and acetic acid were relatively lower in the K. pneumoniae mutant than in the wild type bacteria. However, 2,3-butanediol production was increased by 23.8% and reached 54.93 g/L. The observed enhancement may be attributed to the improvement of the catalytic activity of 2,3-butanediol dehydrogenase (BDH) in transforming acetoin to 2,3-butanediol. This possibility is consistent with the RT-PCR-verified increase in the transcriptional level of budC, which encodes BDH. These results also demonstrated that the physiological metabolism of K. pneumoniae was adversely affected by a QS system. This effect was reversed through the addition of synthetic AI-2. This study provides the basis for a QS-modulated metabolic engineering study of K. pneumoniae.
In Silico before In Vivo: how to Predict the Heating Efficiency of Magnetic Nanoparticles within the Intracellular Space
Authors: Sanz Beatriz , Calatayud M. Pilar , De Biasi Emilio , Lima Enio , Mansilla Marcelo Vasquez , Zysler Roberto D. , Ibarra M. Ricardo , Goya Gerardo F. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThis work aims to demonstrate the need for in silico design via numerical simulation to produce optimal Fe3O4-based magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for magnetic hyperthermia by minimizing the impact of intracellular environments on heating efficiency. By including the relevant magnetic parameters, such as magnetic anisotropy and dipolar interactions, into a numerical model, the heating efficiency of as prepared colloids was preserved in the intracellular environment, providing the largest in vitro specific power absorption (SPA) values yet reported. Dipolar interactions due to intracellular agglomeration, which are included in the simulated SPA, were found to be the main cause of changes in the magnetic relaxation dynamics of MNPs under in vitro conditions. These results pave the way for the magnetism-based design of MNPs that can retain their heating efficiency in vivo, thereby improving the outcome of clinical hyperthermia experiments.
The secretome of periodontal ligament stem cells from MS patients protects against EAE
Authors: Rajan Thangavelu Soundara , Giacoppo Sabrina , Diomede Francesca , Ballerini Patrizia , Paolantonio Michele , Marchisio Marco , Piattelli Adriano , Bramanti Placido , Mazzon Emanuela , Trubiani Oriana 
Published: December 2016

AbstractManipulation of stem cells or stem cells-derived secretome has emerged as a novel alternative therapeutic option for multiple sclerosis (MS). Here we show that human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs)-derived conditioned medium (hPDLSCs-CM) and purified exosomes/microvesicles (hPDLSCs-EMVs) obtained from Relapsing Remitting (RR)-MS patients and healthy donors block experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), a mouse model of MS, by inducing anti-inflammatory and immunosuppressive effects in spinal cord and spleen, and reverse disease progression by restoring tissue integrity via remyelination in the spinal cord. We show that hPDLSCs-CM and hPDLSCs-EMVs reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-17, IFN-γ, IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and induce anti-inflammatory IL-10. In addition, apoptosis related STAT1, p53, Caspase 3, and Bax expressions were attenuated. Our findings unravel the immunosuppressive effects of hPDLSCs-CM and hPDLSCs-EMVs in EAE mice, and suggest simple alternative autologous source for patient-customized cell-free targeting treatment in MS patients.
Subwavelength InSb-based Slot wavguides for THz transport: concept and practical implementations
Authors: Ma Youqiao , Zhou Jun , Pištora Jaromír , Eldlio Mohamed , Nguyen-Huu Nghia , Maeda Hiroshi , Wu Qiang , Cada Michael 
Published: December 2016

AbstractSeeking better surface plasmon polariton (SPP) waveguides is of critical importance to construct the frequency-agile terahertz (THz) front-end circuits. We propose and investigate here a new class of semiconductor-based slot plasmonic waveguides for subwavelength THz transport. Optimizations of the key geometrical parameters demonstrate its better guiding properties for simultaneous realization of long propagation lengths (up to several millimeters) and ultra-tight mode confinement (~λ2/530) in the THz spectral range. The feasibility of the waveguide for compact THz components is also studied to lay the foundations for its practical implementations. Importantly, the waveguide is compatible with the current complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) fabrication technique. We believe the proposed waveguide configuration could offer a potential for developing a CMOS plasmonic platform and can be designed into various components for future integrated THz circuits (ITCs).
Multiplicity and clustering in Taurus star-forming region
Authors: Joncour Isabelle , Duchêne Gaspard , Moraux Estelle 
Published: December 2016

Aims. This work analyses the spatial distribution of stars in Taurus with a specific focus on multiple stars and wide pairs in order to derive new constraints on star formation and early dynamical evolution scenarios.
Methods. We collected the multiplicity data of stars in Taurus to build an up-to-date stellar/multiplicity catalog. We first present a general study of nearest-neighbor statistics on spatial random distribution, comparing its analytical distribution and moments to those obtained from Monte Carlo samplings. We introduce the one-point correlation Ψ function to complement the pair correlation function and define the spatial regimes departing from randomness in Taurus. We then perform a set of statistical studies to characterize the binary regime that prevails in Taurus.
Results. The Ψ function in Taurus has a scale-free trend with a similar exponent as the correlation function at small scale. It extends almost 3 decades up to ~60 kAU showing a potential extended wide binary regime. This was hidden in the correlation function due to the clustering pattern blending. Distinguishing two stellar populations, single stars versus multiple systems (separation ≤1 kAU), within Class II/III stars observed at high angular resolution, we highlight a major spatial neighborhood difference between the two populations using nearest-neighbor statistics. The multiple systems are three times more likely to have a distant companion within 10 kAU when compared to single stars. We show that this is due to the presence of most probable physical ultra-wide pairs (UWPs, defined as such from their mutual nearest neighbor property), that are themselves generally composed of multiple systems containing up to five stars altogether. More generally, our work highlights; 1) a new large population of candidate UWPs in Taurus within the range 1–60 kAU in Taurus and 2) the major local structural role they play up to 60 kAU. There are three different types of UWPs; either composed of two tight and comparatively massive stars (MM), by one single and one multiple (SM), or by two distant low-mass singles (SS) stars. These UWPs are biased towards high multiplicity and higher-stellar-mass components at shorter separations. The multiplicity fraction per ultra-wide pair with separation less than 10 kAU may be as high as 83.5 ± 19.6%.
Conclusions. We suggest that these young pre-main sequence UWPs may be pristine imprints of their spatial configuration at birth resulting from a cascade fragmentation scenario of the natal molecular core. They could be the older counterparts, at least for those separated by less than 10 kAU, to the ≤0.5 Myr prestellar cores/Class 0 multiple objects observed at radio/millimeter wavelengths.
Spiral-driven accretion in protoplanetary discs
Authors: Hennebelle Patrick , Lesur Geoffroy , Fromang Sébastien 
Published: December 2016

Context. Understanding how accretion proceeds in proto-planetary discs, and more generally, understanding their dynamics, is a crucial questions that needs to be answered to explain the conditions in which planets form.
Aims. The role that accretion of gas from the surrounding molecular cloud onto the disc may have on its structure needs to be quantified.
Methods. We performed tridimensional simulations using the Cartesian AMR code RAMSES of an accretion disc that is subject to infalling material.
Results. For the aspect ratio of H/R ≃ 0.15 and disc mass Md ≃ 10-2M⊙ used in our study, we find that for typical accretion rates of the order of a few 10-7M⊙ yr-1, values of the α parameter as high as a few 10-3 are inferred. The mass that is accreted in the inner part of the disc is typically at least 50% of the total mass that has been accreted onto the disc.
Conclusions. Our results suggest that external accretion of gas at moderate values onto circumstellar discs may trigger prominent spiral arms that are reminiscent of recent observations made with various instruments, and may lead to significant transport through the disc. If confirmed from observational studies, such accretion may therefore influence disc evolution.
Unified framework for information integration based on information geometry
Authors: Oizumi Masafumi , Tsuchiya Naotsugu , Amari Shun-ichi 
Published: December 2016

Significance
Measuring the degree of causal influences among multiple elements of a system is a fundamental problem in physics and biology. We propose a unified framework for quantifying any combination of causal relationships between elements in a hierarchical manner based on information geometry. Our measure of integration, called geometrical integrated information, quantifies the strength of multiple causal influences among elements by projecting the probability distribution of a system onto a constrained manifold. This measure overcomes mathematical problems of existing measures and enables an intuitive understanding of the relationships between integrated information and other measures of causal influence such as transfer entropy. Inspired by the integration of neural activity in consciousness studies, our measure should have general utility in analyzing complex systems.