bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated miR-301a expression indicates a poor prognosis for breast cancer patients
Authors: Zheng Jin-Zhou , Huang Yan-Ni , Yao Ling , Liu Yi-Rong , Liu Sheng , Hu Xin , Liu Zhe-Bin , Shao Zhi-Min 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAlthough microRNA-301a (miR-301a) has been reported to function as an oncogene in many human cancers, there are limited data regarding miR-301a and breast tumours. In this study, we first detected the expression of miR-301a using an in situ hybridization (ISH) -based classification system in 380 samples of BC tissue, including both non-TNBC (triple-negative breast cancer) and TNBC specimens. Our results suggest that analysing miR-301a expression in breast tissue biopsy specimens at the time of diagnosis could have the potential to identify patients who might be candidates for active surveillance. We validated our results that higher expression of miR-301a is associated with a decreased OS in independent public breast cancer databases, such as TCGA and METABRIC, using the online webtool Kaplan-Meier Plotter, which provided additional powerful evidence to confirm the prognostic value of miR-301a. MiR-301a may serve as a potential therapeutic target for patients with breast cancer. According to our results, miR-301a should be considered, and novel therapeutic options are needed to target this aggressive miR-301a-positive type of breast cancer to reduce recurrence and the mortality rate.
Demonstration of ion channel synthesis by isolated squid giant axon provides functional evidence for localized axonal membrane protein translation
Authors: Mathur Chhavi , Johnson Kory R. , Tong Brian A. , Miranda Pablo , Srikumar Deepa , Basilio Daniel , Latorre Ramon , Bezanilla Francisco , Holmgren Miguel 
Published: January 2018

AbstractLocal translation of membrane proteins in neuronal subcellular domains like soma, dendrites and axon termini is well-documented. In this study, we isolated the electrical signaling unit of an axon by dissecting giant axons from mature squids (Dosidicus gigas). Axoplasm extracted from these axons was found to contain ribosomal RNAs, ~8000 messenger RNA species, many encoding the translation machinery, membrane proteins, translocon and signal recognition particle (SRP) subunits, endomembrane-associated proteins, and unprecedented proportions of SRP RNA (~68% identical to human homolog). While these components support endoplasmic reticulum-dependent protein synthesis, functional assessment of a newly synthesized membrane protein in axolemma of an isolated axon is technically challenging. Ion channels are ideal proteins for this purpose because their functional dynamics can be directly evaluated by applying voltage clamp across the axon membrane. We delivered in vitro transcribed RNA encoding native or Drosophila voltage-activated Shaker KV channel into excised squid giant axons. We found that total K+ currents increased in both cases; with added inactivation kinetics on those axons injected with RNA encoding the Shaker channel. These results provide unambiguous evidence that isolated axons can exhibit de novo synthesis, assembly and membrane incorporation of fully functional oligomeric membrane proteins.
Oscillatory interlayer coupling in spin Hall systems
Authors: Gonçalves A. M. , Garcia F. , Lee H. K. , Smith A. , Soledade P. R. , Passos C. A. C. , Costa M. , Souza-Neto N. M. , Krivorotov I. N. , Sampaio L. C. , Barsukov I. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMany spintronics applications consist of ultrathin magnetic and nonmagnetic multilayers and require an in-depth understanding of interfacial magnetism and spin transport. Here, we study permalloy/copper/platinum multilayer systems. We find that magnetic damping, perpendicular anisotropy, and proximity magnetization exhibit correlated oscillations as a function of the copper thickness. We ascribe these observations to an oscillatory interlayer coupling between permalloy and platinum. Such interlayer coupling may have a significant impact on the performance of spintronics applications.
A missing link in the estuarine nitrogen cycle?: Coupled nitrification-denitrification mediated by suspended particulate matter
Authors: Zhu Weijing , Wang Cheng , Hill Jaclyn , He Yangyang , Tao Bangyi , Mao Zhihua , Wu Weixiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn estuarine and coastal ecosystems, the majority of previous studies have considered coupled nitrification-denitrification (CND) processes to be exclusively sediment based, with little focus on suspended particulate matter (SPM) in the water column. Here, we present evidence of CND processes in the water column of Hangzhou Bay, one of the largest macrotidal embayments in the world. Spearman’s correlation analysis showed that SPM was negatively correlated with nitrate (rho = −0.372,P = 0.018) and marker genes for nitrification and denitrification in the water column were detected by quantitative PCR analysis. The results showed thatamoAandnirgene abundances strongly correlated with SPM (allP < 0.01) and the ratio ofamoA/nirstrongly correlated with nitrate (rho = −0.454,P = 0.003). Furthermore, aggregates consisting of nitrifiers and denitrifiers on SPM were also detected by fluorescencein situhybridization. Illumina MiSeq sequencing further showed that ammonia oxidizers mainly belonged to the genusNitrosomonas, while the potential denitrifying generaBradyrhizobium,Comamonas,Thauera,Stenotrophomonas,Acinetobacter,Anaeromyxobacter,Sulfurimonas,PaenibacillusandSphingobacteriumshowed significant correlations with SPM (allP < 0.01). This study suggests that SPM may provide a niche for CND processes to occur, which has largely been missing from our understanding of nitrogen cycling in estuarine waters.
The rolB plant oncogene affects multiple signaling protein modules related to hormone signaling and plant defense
Authors: Bulgakov Victor P. , Vereshchagina Yulia V. , Bulgakov Dmitry V. , Veremeichik Galina N. , Shkryl Yuri N. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe rolB plant oncogene of Agrobacterium rhizogenes perturbs many biochemical processes in transformed plant cells, thereby causing their neoplastic reprogramming. The oncogene renders the cells more tolerant to environmental stresses and herbicides and inhibits ROS elevation and programmed cell death. In the present work, we performed a proteomic analysis of Arabidopsis thaliana rolB-expressing callus line AtB-2, which represents a line with moderate expression of the oncogene. Our results show that under these conditions rolB greatly perturbs the expression of some chaperone-type proteins such as heat-shock proteins and cyclophilins. Heat-shock proteins of the DnaK subfamily were overexpressed in rolB-transformed calli, whereas the abundance of cyclophilins, members of the closely related single-domain cyclophilin family was decreased. Real-time PCR analysis of corresponding genes confirmed the reliability of proteomics data because gene expression correlated well with the expression of proteins. Bioinformatics analysis indicates that rolB can potentially affect several levels of signaling protein modules, including effector-triggered immunity (via the RPM1-RPS2 signaling module), the miRNA processing machinery, auxin and cytokinin signaling, the calcium signaling system and secondary metabolism.
Atomistic evolution during the phase transition on a metastable single NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticle
Authors: Pin Min Wook , Park Eun Jin , Choi Suji , Kim Yong Il , Jeon Chang Hoon , Ha Tai Hwan , Kim Young Heon 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe phase evolution of as-prepared NaYF4:Yb,Er upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) with a metastable cubic structure is studied based on in situ heating experiments via transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The atomistic behavior on the single NaYF4:Yb,Er UCNP is observed during the phase transition. The formation and evolution of voids on the NaYF4:Yb,Er UCNP appear at a temperature below 420 °C. Small circular voids are transformed at the initial stage to a large, hexagonal-pillar shaped single void. Two different routes to reach the stable α-phase from the metastable cubic structure are identified on a single NaYF4:Yb,Er UCNP. The first is via a stable β-phase and the second is a direct change via a liquid-like phase. The specific orientation relationships, [110]cubic//[11$$\bar{2}$$

2
¯

0]hexagonal and {002}cubic//{2$$\bar{2}$$

2
¯

00}hexagonal, between the cubic and hexagonal structures are confirmed. Additionally, a few extra-half planes terminated in the cubic structures are also observed at the cubic/hexagonal interface.
Plasma Modification of Poly Lactic Acid Solutions to Generate High Quality Electrospun PLA Nanofibers
Authors: Rezaei Fatemeh , Nikiforov Anton , Morent Rino , De Geyter Nathalie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPhysical properties of pre-electrospinning polymer solutions play a key role in electrospinning as they strongly determine the morphology of the obtained electrospun nanofibers. In this work, an atmospheric-pressure argon plasma directly submerged in the liquid-phase was used to modify the physical properties of poly lactic acid (PLA) spinning solutions in an effort to improve their electrospinnability. The electrical characteristics of the plasma were investigated by two methods; V-I waveforms and Q-V Lissajous plots while the optical emission characteristics of the plasma were also determined using optical emission spectroscopy (OES). To perform a complete physical characterization of the plasma-modified polymer solutions, measurements of viscosity, surface tension, and electrical conductivity were performed for various PLA concentrations, plasma exposure times, gas flow rates, and applied voltages. Moreover, a fast intensified charge-couple device (ICCD) camera was used to image the bubble dynamics during the plasma treatments. In addition, morphological changes of PLA nanofibers generated from plasma-treated PLA solutions were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The performed plasma treatments were found to induce significant changes to the main physical properties of the PLA solutions, leading to an enhancement of electrospinnability and an improvement of PLA nanofiber formation.
Co-administration of iRGD with peptide HPRP-A1 to improve anticancer activity and membrane penetrability
Authors: Hu Cuihua , Chen Xiaolong , Huang Yibing , Chen Yuxin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTo improve the specificity and penetration of anticancer peptides against tumors, in this study, we examined the effects of co-administration of the membrane-active peptide HPRP-A1 and the tumor homing/penetrating peptide iRGD. iRGD peptide is widely recognized as an efficient cell membrane penetration peptide targeting to αvβ3 integrins and neuropilin-1 (NRP-1) receptors, which show high expression in many tumor cells. The anticancer activity, cancer specificity and penetration activity in vitro and in vivo of the co-administered peptides were examined on 2D monolayer cells, 3D multi-cellular spheroids (MCS) and xenograft nude mice. Co-administration of iRGD and HPRP-A1 exhibited stronger anticancer activity and tumor specificity against A549 non-small cell lung cancer cells with NRP-1 receptor overexpression compared with HPRP-A1 alone. A549 cells showed uptake of the peptide combination and destruction of the integrity of the cell membrane, as well as adherence to the mitochondrial net, resulting in induction of apoptosis by a caspase-dependent pathway. The iRGD peptide dramatically increased the penetration depth of HPRP-A1 on A549 MCS and anticancer efficacy in an A549 xenograft mouse model. Our results suggest that the co-administration strategy of anticancer and penetrating peptides could be a potential therapeutic approach for cancer treatment in clinical practice.
Molecular and Functional Characterization of pheromone binding protein 1 from the Oriental Fruit Moth, Grapholita molesta (Busck)
Authors: Zhang Guohui , Chen Jian , Yu Haili , Tian Xiaoli , Wu Junxiang 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPheromone binding protein (PBP) is thought primarily to bind and transport the sex pheromone in moths. The accumulated studies suggest that three PBPs were identified in moth species. InGrapholita molesta, the functions of GmolPBP2 and GmolPBP3 have been previously studied. However, the function of GmolPBP1 is still unclear. Furthermore, theCydia pomonellasex pheromone Codlemone can act as a sex pheromone synergist ofG. molesta. InC. pomonella, CpomPBP1 specifically bind the Codlemone. CpomPBP1 displays high identity with GmolPBP1 (70%), indicating that the two PBPs may share a similar 3D structure thus can bind the similar or same ligands. In this study, we explored the molecular and functional characterization of GmolPBP1. GmolPBP1, bearing the typical characteristics of Lepidopteran odorant binding proteins, was closest phylogenetically to CpomPBP1. Binding studies demonstrated that GmolPBP1 exhibited strong binding affinities with (Z)-8-dodecenyl alcohol, 1-dodecanol and Codlemone. Molecular docking showed that GmolPBP1 has different ligand recognition mechanism for the three ligands. Our results suggest that GmolPBP1 functions as recognizer of (Z)-8-dodecenyl alcohol and 1-dodecanol of the female sex pheromone blend, and may be the potential transporter of Codlemone, which contributes to the synergism of the pheromone response ofG. molestaby Codlemone.
Lateral heterogeneity of soil physicochemical properties in riparian zones after agricultural abandonment
Authors: Xia Huijuan , Kong Weijing , Li Xuesen , Fan Juntao , Guo Fen , Sun Osbert Jianxin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe study aimed to identify the lateral heterogeneity of soil physicochemical properties in riparian zones, and its underlying drivers during natural restoration after agricultural abandonment. Abandoned farmlands, after 5-year natural restoration, within 500 m from the edges on both sides of Liaohe River were selected as the study area. Soil physicochemical properties of four lateral buffers (<10 m, 10~100 m, 100~300 m, and >300 m from river edge, respectively) along riparian zones were measured. The results showed that riparian soils were characterized by high sand content (78.88%~96.52%) and poor soil nutrients. Soil silt content, organic carbon (OC), cation exchange capacity (CEC), total nitrogen (TN), and available nitrogen (AN) increased laterally with increasing distance from river edge, while soil sand content decreased. Total phosphorus (TP) and available phosphorus (AP) are not spatially autocorrelated. Soil OC, TN, AN, and CEC along upstream and midstream reaches showed negative spatial autocorrelation along the lateral gradients, and positive along downstream reach. Altitude, distance from river edge and distance from nearest farmland were the pronounced factors affecting soil physicochemical properties in this study.
Controlled Information Transfer Through An In Vivo Nervous System
Authors: Abbasi Naveed A. , Lafci Dilan , Akan Ozgur B. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe nervous system holds a central position among the major in-body networks. It comprises of cells known as neurons that are responsible to carry messages between different parts of the body and make decisions based on those messages. In this work, further to the extensive theoretical studies, we demonstrate the first controlled information transfer through anin vivonervous system by modulating digital data from macro-scale devices onto the nervous system of common earthworms and conducting successful transmissions. The results and analysis of our experiments provide a method to model networks of neurons, calculate the channel propagation delay, create their simulation models, indicate optimum parameters such as frequency, amplitude and modulation schemes for such networks, and identify average nerve spikes per input pulse as the nervous information coding scheme. Future studies on neuron characterization and artificial neurons may benefit from the results of our work.
Multiplex model of mental lexicon reveals explosive learning in humans
Authors: Stella Massimo , Beckage Nicole M. , Brede Markus , De Domenico Manlio 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWord similarities affect language acquisition and use in a multi-relational way barely accounted for in the literature. We propose a multiplex network representation of this mental lexicon of word similarities as a natural framework for investigating large-scale cognitive patterns. Our representation accounts for semantic, taxonomic, and phonological interactions and it identifies a cluster of words which are used with greater frequency, are identified, memorised, and learned more easily, and have more meanings than expected at random. This cluster emerges around age 7 through an explosive transition not reproduced by null models. We relate this explosive emergence to polysemy – redundancy in word meanings. Results indicate that the word cluster acts as a core for the lexicon, increasing both lexical navigability and robustness to linguistic degradation. Our findings provide quantitative confirmation of existing conjectures about core structure in the mental lexicon and the importance of integrating multi-relational word-word interactions in psycholinguistic frameworks.
Identifying musical pieces from fMRI data using encoding and decoding models
Authors: Hoefle Sebastian , Engel Annerose , Basilio Rodrigo , Alluri Vinoo , Toiviainen Petri , Cagy Maurício , Moll Jorge 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEncoding models can reveal and decode neural representations in the visual and semantic domains. However, a thorough understanding of how distributed information in auditory cortices and temporal evolution of music contribute to model performance is still lacking in the musical domain. We measured fMRI responses during naturalistic music listening and constructed a two-stage approach that first mapped musical features in auditory cortices and then decoded novel musical pieces. We then probed the influence of stimuli duration (number of time points) and spatial extent (number of voxels) on decoding accuracy. Our approach revealed a linear increase in accuracy with duration and a point of optimal model performance for the spatial extent. We further showed that Shannon entropy is a driving factor, boosting accuracy up to 95% for music with highest information content. These findings provide key insights for future decoding and reconstruction algorithms and open new venues for possible clinical applications.
Blockade of microglial adenosine A2A receptor impacts inflammatory mechanisms, reduces ARPE-19 cell dysfunction and prevents photoreceptor loss in vitro
Authors: Madeira M. H. , Rashid K. , Ambrósio A. F. , Santiago A. R. , Langmann T. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is characterized by pathological changes in the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and loss of photoreceptors. Growing evidence has demonstrated that reactive microglial cells trigger RPE dysfunction and loss of photoreceptors, and inflammasome pathways and complement activation contribute to AMD pathogenesis. We and others have previously shown that adenosine A2A receptor (A2AR) blockade prevents microglia-mediated neuroinflammatory processes and mediates protection to the retina. However, it is still unknown whether blocking A2AR in microglia protects against the pathological features of AMD. Herein, we show that an A2AR antagonist, SCH58261, prevents the upregulation of the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators and the alterations in the complement system triggered by an inflammatory challenge in human microglial cells. Furthermore, blockade of A2AR in microglia decreases the inflammatory response, as well as complement and inflammasome activation, in ARPE-19 cells exposed to conditioned medium of activated microglia. Finally, we also show that blocking A2AR in human microglia increases the clearance of apoptotic photoreceptors. This study opens the possibility of using selective A2AR antagonists in therapy for AMD, by modulating the interplay between microglia, RPE and photoreceptors.
Lactobacillus plantarum Restores Intestinal Permeability Disrupted by Salmonella Infection in Newly-hatched Chicks
Authors: Wang Lihong , Li Long , Lv Yan , Chen Qiaoling , Feng Junchang , Zhao Xin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractSalmonella infections in newly hatched chicks result in enteric and systemic diseases with a high mortality. Probiotics can improve the health of a host. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the effect of Lactobacillus plantarum LTC-113 on the gut permeability in the presence or absence of Salmonella (Salmonella Typhimurium) infection. Newly hatched chicks were randomly allocated to 4 treatments (i) NC (negative control); (ii) LAC (the L. plantarum LTC-113-treated group); (iii) SAL (the Salmonella-infected group), and (iv) LAC + SAL (the L. plantarum LTC-113-treated and Salmonella-infected group). Compared with the NC group, the intestinal permeability and claudin-2 (CLDN-2) were significantly increased, while mRNA levels of zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and claudin-5 (CLDN-5) were significantly decreased in the SAL group. However, these changes were eliminated in the LAC + SAL group. Additionally, numbers of Salmonella in liver, spleen and ceca were significantly reduced in the LAC + SAL group compared with the SAL group. Moreover, L. plantarum LTC-113 prevented the increase of inflammatory meditators myeloperoxidase (MPO), LITAF, IL-1β, IL-6 and inflammation scores induced by Salmonella. These findings indicate that L. plantarum LTC-113 can protect hosts from Salmonella induced intestinal barrier disruption by regulating expression of tight junction genes and inflammatory meditators and decreasing Salmonella colonization.
Structural characterisation of high-mobility Cd3As2 films crystallised on SrTiO3
Authors: Nakazawa Yusuke , Uchida Masaki , Nishihaya Shinichi , Kriener Markus , Kozuka Yusuke , Taguchi Yasujiro , Kawasaki Masashi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCd3As2 has long been known as a high-mobility semiconductor. The recent finding of a topological semimetal state in this compound has demanded growth of epitaxial films with high crystallinity and controlled thickness. Here we report the structural characterisation of Cd3As2 films grown on SrTiO3 substrates by solid-phase epitaxy at high temperatures up to 600 °C by employing optimised capping layers and substrates. The As triangular lattice is epitaxially stacked on the Ti square lattice of the (001) SrTiO3 substrate, producing (112)-oriented Cd3As2 films exhibiting high crystallinity with a rocking-curve width of 0.02° and a high electron mobility exceeding 30,000 cm2/Vs. The systematic characterisation of films annealed at various temperatures allowed us to identify two-step crystallisation processes in which out-of-plane and subsequently in-plane directions occur with increasing annealing temperature. Our findings on the high-temperature crystallisation process of Cd3As2 enable a unique approach for fabricating high-quality Cd3As2 films and elucidating quantum transport by back gating through the SrTiO3 substrate.