bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptide exerts higher antimicrobial properties than its L-form counterpart via an association with bacterial cell wall components
Authors: Manabe Takayuki , Kawasaki Kiyoshi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe antimicrobial peptide KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 was developed based on sapesin B, and synthesized using D-amino acids. Biochemical properties of the D-form and L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptides were compared. In order to limit the effects due to bacterial resistance to proteolysis, antimicrobial activities of the peptides were evaluated after short-term exposure to bacteria. D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 exhibited higher antimicrobial activities than L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 against bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli. In contrast, both the D-form and L-form of other antimicrobial peptides, including Mastoparan M and Temporin A, exhibited similar antimicrobial activities. Both the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 and L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptides preferentially disrupted S. aureus-mimetic liposomes over mammalian-mimetic liposomes. Furthermore, the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 increased the membrane permeability of S. aureus more than the L-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2. Thus suggesting that the enhanced antimicrobial activity of the D-form was likely due to its interaction with bacterial cell wall components. S. aureus peptidoglycan preferentially inhibited the antimicrobial activity of the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 relative to the L-form. Furthermore, the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 showed higher affinity for S. aureus peptidoglycan than the L-form. Taken together, these results indicate that the D-form KLKLLLLLKLK-NH2 peptide has higher antimicrobial activity than the L-form via a specific association with bacterial cell wall components, including peptidoglycan.
Brillouin Optomechanics in Coupled Silicon Microcavities
Authors: Espinel Y. A. V. , Santos F. G. S. , Luiz G. O. , Alegre T. P. Mayer , Wiederhecker G. S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe simultaneous control of optical and mechanical waves has enabled a range of fundamental and technological breakthroughs, from the demonstration of ultra-stable frequency reference devices, to the exploration of the quantum-classical boundaries in optomechanical laser-cooling experiments. More recently, such an optomechanical interaction has been observed in integrated nano-waveguides and microcavities in the Brillouin regime, where short-wavelength mechanical modes scatter light at several GHz. Here we engineer coupled optical microcavities to enable a low threshold excitation of mechanical travelling-wave modes through backward stimulated Brillouin scattering. Exploring the backward scattering we propose silicon microcavity designs based on laterally coupled single and double-layer cavities, the proposed structures enable optomechanical coupling with very high frequency modes (11 to 25 GHz) and large optomechanical coupling rates (g0/2π) from 50 kHz to 90 kHz.
Molecular Analysis of BRCA1 in Human Breast Cancer Cells Under Oxidative Stress
Authors: Gilmore Brian L. , Liang Yanping , Winton Carly E. , Patel Kaya , Karageorge Vasilea , Varano A. Cameron , Dearnaley William , Sheng Zhi , Kelly Deborah F. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe precise manner in which physical changes to the breast cancer susceptibility protein (BRCA1) affect its role in DNA repair events remain unclear. Indeed, cancer cells harboring mutations in BRCA1 suffer from genomic instability and increased DNA lesions. Here, we used a combination of molecular imaging and biochemical tools to study the properties of the BRCA1 in human cancer cells. Our results reveal new information for the manner in which full-length BRCA1 engages its binding partner, the BRCA1-associated Ring Domain protein (BARD1) under oxidative stress conditions. We also show how physical differences between wild type and mutated BRCA15382insC impact the cell’s response to oxidative damage. Overall, we demonstrate how clinically relevant changes to BRCA1 affect its structure-function relationship in hereditary breast cancer.
A Cobalt Supramolecular Triple-Stranded Helicate-based Discrete Molecular Cage
Authors: Mai Hien Duy , Kang Philjae , Kim Jin Kyung , Yoo Hyojong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe report a strategy to achieve a discrete cage molecule featuring a high level of structural hierarchy through a multiple-assembly process. A cobalt (Co) supramolecular triple-stranded helicate (Co-TSH)-based discrete molecular cage (1) is successfully synthesized and fully characterized. The solid-state structure of 1 shows that it is composed of six triple-stranded helicates interconnected by four linking cobalt species. This is an unusual example of a highly symmetric cage architecture resulting from the coordination-driven assembly of metallosupramolecular modules. The molecular cage 1 shows much higher CO2 uptake properties and selectivity compared with the separate supramolecular modules (Co-TSH, complex 2) and other molecular platforms.
Chronic alcohol consumption decreases brown adipose tissue mass and disrupts thermoregulation: a possible role for altered retinoid signaling
Authors: Blaner William S. , Gao Madeleine A. , Jiang Hongfeng , Dalmer Timothy R. A. , Hu Xueyuan J. , Ginsberg Henry N. , Clugston Robin D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRetinoic acid, an active metabolite of dietary vitamin A, acts as a ligand for nuclear receptor transcription factors with more than 500 known target genes. It is becoming increasingly clear that alcohol has a significant impact on cellular retinoic acid metabolism, with resultant effects on its function. Here, we test the hypothesis that chronic alcohol consumption impairs retinoic acid signaling in brown adipose tissue (BAT), leading to impaired BAT function and thermoregulation. All studies were conducted in age-matched, male mice consuming alcohol-containing liquid diets. Alcohol’s effect on BAT was assessed by histology, qPCR, HPLC, LC/MS and measures of core body temperature. Our data show that chronic alcohol consumption decreases BAT mass, with a resultant effect on thermoregulation. Follow-up mechanistic studies reveal a decreased triglyceride content in BAT, as well as impaired retinoic acid homeostasis, associated with decreased BAT levels of retinoic acid in alcohol-consuming mice. Our work highlights a hitherto uncharacterized effect of alcohol on BAT function, with possible implications for thermoregulation and energy metabolism in drinkers. Our data indicate that alcohol’s effects on brown adipose tissue may be mediated through altered retinoic acid signaling.
Visualization of neuritic plaques in Alzheimer’s disease by polarization-sensitive optical coherence microscopy
Authors: Baumann Bernhard , Woehrer Adelheid , Ricken Gerda , Augustin Marco , Mitter Christian , Pircher Michael , Kovacs Gabor G. , Hitzenberger Christoph K. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOne major hallmark of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) is the deposition of extracellular senile plaques and vessel wall deposits composed of amyloid-beta (Aβ). In AD, degeneration of neurons is preceded by the formation of Aβ plaques, which show different morphological forms. Most of them are birefringent owing to the parallel arrangement of amyloid fibrils. Here, we present polarization sensitive optical coherence microscopy (PS-OCM) for imaging mature neuritic Aβ plaques based on their birefringent properties. Formalin-fixed, post-mortem brain samples of advanced stage AD patients were investigated. In several cortical brain regions, neuritic Aβ plaques were successfully visualized in tomographic and three-dimensional (3D) images. Cortical grey matter appeared polarization preserving, whereas neuritic plaques caused increased phase retardation. Consistent with the results from PS-OCM imaging, the 3D structure of senile Aβ plaques was computationally modelled for different illumination settings and plaque sizes. Furthermore, the birefringent properties of cortical and meningeal vessel walls in CAA were investigated in selected samples. Significantly increased birefringence was found in smaller vessels. Overall, these results provide evidence that PS-OCM is able to assess amyloidosis based on intrinsic birefringent properties.
WEE1 inhibition targets cell cycle checkpoints for triple negative breast cancers to overcome cisplatin resistance
Authors: Zheng Hongping , Shao Fangyuan , Martin Scots , Xu Xiaoling , Deng Chu-Xia 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCisplatin is one of the most commonly used therapeutic drugs for cancer therapy, yet prolonged cisplatin treatment frequently results in drug resistance. To enhance therapeutic effect of cisplatin, we conducted a high throughput screening using a kinase library containing 704 kinases against triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) cells. We demonstrated that cisplatin activates ATR, CHK1 and WEE1, which shut down DNA replication and attenuate cisplatin induced-lethality. WEE1 inhibition sensitizes TNBCs and cisplatin resistant cancer cells to cisplatin-induced lethality, because it not only impairs DNA replication checkpoint more profoundly than inhibition of ATR or CHK1, but also defects G2-M cell cycle checkpoint. Finally, we demonstrated that combined cisplatin treatment and WEE1 inhibition synergistically inhibits xenograft cancer growth accompanied by markedly reduced expression of TNBC signature genes. Thus targeting DNA replication and G2-M cell cycle checkpoint simultaneously by cisplatin and WEE1 inhibition is promising for TNBCs treatment, and for overcoming their cisplatin resistance.
Transplantation of hUC-MSCs seeded collagen scaffolds reduces scar formation and promotes functional recovery in canines with chronic spinal cord injury
Authors: Li Xing , Tan Jun , Xiao Zhifeng , Zhao Yannan , Han Sufang , Liu Dingyang , Yin Wen , Li Jing , Li Juan , Wanggou Siyi , Chen Bing , Ren Caiping , Jiang Xingjun , Dai Jianwu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSpinal cord injury (SCI) can lead to locomotor deficits, and the repair of chronic SCI is considered one of the most challenging clinical problems. Although extensive studies have evaluated treatments for acute SCI in small animals, comparatively fewer studies have been conducted on large-animal SCI in the chronic phase, which is more clinically relevant. Here, we used a collagen-based biomaterial, named the NeuroRegen scaffold, loaded with human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) in a canine chronic SCI model. To generate chronic SCI, the T8 spinal cord segment was removed by complete transection of the spinal cord. Two months later, glial scar tissue was removed and a NeuroRegen scaffold was transplanted into the lesion area. Functionalized NeuroRegen scaffold implantation promoted both locomotor recovery and endogenous neurogenesis in the lesion area. Moreover, some newly generated neurons successfully matured into 5-HT-positive neurons at 1 year post-injury. In addition, many regenerated axon fibers in the lesion area exhibited remyelination and synapse formation at 1 year post-injury in the functionalized NeuroRegen scaffold group. In conclusion, the NeuroRegen scaffold functionalized with hUC-MSCs is a promising potential therapeutic approach to chronic SCI that promotes neuronal regeneration, reduces glial scar formation, and ultimately improves locomotor recovery.
The rhythms of predictive coding? Pre-stimulus phase modulates the influence of shape perception on luminance judgments
Authors: Han Biao , VanRullen Rufin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPredictive coding is an influential model emphasizing interactions between feedforward and feedback signals. Here, we investigated the temporal dynamics of these interactions. Two gray disks with different versions of the same stimulus, one enabling predictive feedback (a 3D-shape) and one impeding it (random-lines), were simultaneously presented on the left and right of fixation. Human subjects judged the luminance of the two disks while EEG was recorded. The choice of 3D-shape or random-lines as the brighter disk was used to assess the influence of feedback signals on sensory processing in each trial (i.e., as a measure of post-stimulus predictive coding efficiency). Independently of the spatial response (left/right), we found that this choice fluctuated along with the pre-stimulus phase of two spontaneous oscillations: a ~5 Hz oscillation in contralateral frontal electrodes and a ~16 Hz oscillation in contralateral occipital electrodes. This pattern of results demonstrates that predictive coding is a rhythmic process, and suggests that it could take advantage of faster oscillations in low-level areas and slower oscillations in high-level areas.
Exosomes function in antigen presentation during an in vivo Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection
Authors: Smith Victoria L. , Cheng Yong , Bryant Barry R. , Schorey Jeffrey S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMycobacterium tuberculosis-infected macrophages and dendritic cells are limited in their ability to present antigen to CD4+ T cells suggesting that other mechanism of antigen presentation are driving the robust T cell response observed during an M. tuberculosis infection. These mechanisms could include antigens present in apoptotic bodies, necrotic debris, exosomes or even release of non-vesicular antigen from infected cells. However, there is limited data to support any of these mechanisms as important in driving T cell activation in vivo. In the present study we use Rab27a-deficient mice which show diminished trafficking of mycobacterial components to exosomes as well as M. tuberculosis strains that express recombinant proteins which traffic or fail to traffic to exosomes. We observed that exosomes released during a mouse M. tuberculosis infection contribute significantly to its T cell response. These finding imply that exosomes function to promote T cell immunity during a bacterial infection and are an important source of extracellular antigen.
The interaction between farming/rural environment and TLR2, TLR4, TLR6 and CD14 genetic polymorphisms in relation to early- and late-onset asthma
Authors: Lau Melisa Y. Z. , Dharmage Shyamali C. , Burgess John A. , Win Aung K. , Lowe Adrian J. , Lodge Caroline , Perret Jennifer , Hui Jennie , Thomas Paul S. , Morrison Stephen , Giles Graham G. , Hopper John , Abramson Michael J. , Walters E. Haydn , Matheson Melanie C. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAsthma phenotypes based on age-of-onset may be differently influenced by the interaction between variation in toll-like receptor (TLR)/CD14 genes and environmental microbes. We examined the associations between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in the TLR/CD14 genes and asthma, and their interaction with proxies of microbial exposure (childhood farm exposure and childhood rural environment). Ten SNPs in four genes (TLR2, TLR4, TLR6, CD14) were genotyped for 1,116 participants from the Tasmanian Longitudinal Health Study (TAHS). Using prospectively collected information, asthma was classified as never, early- (before 13 years) or late-onset (after 13 years). Information on childhood farm exposure/childhood rural environment was collected at baseline. Those with early-onset asthma were more likely to be males, had a family history of allergy and a personal history of childhood atopy. We found significant interaction between TLR6 SNPs and childhood farm exposure. For those with childhood farm exposure, carriers of the TLR6-rs1039559 T-allele (p-interaction = 0.009) and TLR6-rs5743810 C-allele (p-interaction = 0.02) were associated with lower risk of early-onset asthma. We suggest the findings to be interpreted as hypothesis-generating as the interaction effect did not withstand correction for multiple testing. In this large, population-based longitudinal study, we found that the risk of early- and late-onset asthma is differently influenced by the interaction between childhood farming exposure and genetic variations.
Quantifying Fenton reaction pathways driven by self-generated H2O2 on pyrite surfaces
Authors: Gil-Lozano C. , Davila A. F. , Losa-Adams E. , Fairén A. G. , Gago-Duport L. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractOxidation of pyrite (FeS2) plays a significant role in the redox cycling of iron and sulfur on Earth and is the primary cause of acid mine drainage (AMD). It has been established that this process involves multi-step electron-transfer reactions between surface defects and adsorbed O2 and H2O, releasing sulfoxy species (e.g., S2O32−, SO42−) and ferrous iron (Fe2+) to the solution and also producing intermediate by-products, such as hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and other reactive oxygen species (ROS), however, our understanding of the kinetics of these transient species is still limited. We investigated the kinetics of H2O2 formation in aqueous suspensions of FeS2 microparticles by monitoring, in real time, the H2O2 and dissolved O2 concentration under oxic and anoxic conditions using amperometric microsensors. Additional spectroscopic and structural analyses were done to track the dependencies between the process of FeS2 dissolution and the degradation of H2O2 through the Fenton reaction. Based on our experimental results, we built a kinetic model which explains the observed trend of H2O2, showing that FeS2 dissolution can act as a natural Fenton reagent, influencing the oxidation of third-party species during the long term evolution of geochemical systems, even in oxygen-limited environments.
Fecal Bacterial Communities in treated HIV infected individuals on two antiretroviral regimens
Authors: Pinto-Cardoso Sandra , Lozupone Catherine , Briceño Olivia , Alva-Hernández Selma , Téllez Norma , Adriana Aguilar , Murakami-Ogasawara Akio , Reyes-Terán Gustavo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntestinal microbiome changes that occur in HIV positive individuals on different antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimens are important to understand, as they are potentially linked with chronic inflammation and microbiome-linked comorbidities that occur at increased incidence in this population. We conducted a cross-sectional study comparing the fecal microbiomes of HIV-uninfected (HIV SN) to HIV-infected individuals on long-term ART (HIV+ LTART) from Mexico using 16S ribosomal RNA (16sRNA) targeted sequencing. These individuals were on two ART regimens based on either Non-Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors (EFV) or ritonavir-boosted Protease Inhibitors (PI) with the same backbone of Nucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors. Microbiome diversity was reduced in treated HIV infection compared to HIV SN (p < 0.05). Several operational taxonomic units (OTUs) related to the Ruminococcaceae family including Faecalibacterium prausnitzii were depleted in EFV and PI compared to HIV SN and negatively correlated with intestinal gut dysfunction as measured by the intestinal fatty binding protein (p < 0.05). This is the first report to address the fecal bacterial communities in HIV-infected individuals on two ARV regimens from Mexico.
Identification and functional analysis of the ICK gene family in maize
Authors: Xiao Qianlin , Zhang Chunxia , Li Hui , Wei Bin , Wang Yongbin , Huang Huanhuan , Li Yangping , Yu Guowu , Liu Hanmei , Zhang Junjie , Liu Yinghong , Hu Yufeng , Huang Yubi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractInhibitors of cyclin-dependent kinases (ICKs) are key regulators of cyclin-dependent kinase activities and cell division. Herein, we identified eight ICKs in maize, which we named Zeama;ICKs (ZmICKs). Primary sequencing and phylogenetic analyses were used to divide the ZmICK family into two classes: group B and group C. Subcellular localization analysis of ZmICK:enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) fusion constructs in tobacco leaf cells indicated that ZmICKs are principally nuclear. Co-localization analysis of the ZmICKs and maize A-type cyclin-dependent kinase (ZmCDKA) was also performed using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP) and red fluorescent protein (RFP) fusion constructs. The ZmICKs and ZmCDKA co-localized in the nucleus. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis of the ZmICKs showed that they were expressed at different levels in all tissues examined and shared similar expression patterns with cell cycle-related genes. Yeast two-hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that ZmICK1, ZmICK2, ZmICK3, and ZmICK4 interact with ZmCDKA1 and ZmCDKA3. Interestingly, ZmICK7 interacts with D-type cyclins. Transformed and expressed ZmCDKA1 and ZmICKs together in fission yeast revealed that ZmICK1, ZmICK3, and ZmICK4 can affect ZmCDKA1 function. Moreover, the C-group of ZmICKs could interact with ZmCDKA1 directly and affect ZmCDKA1 function, suggesting that C-group ZmICKs are important for cell division regulation.
Inhibiting histone deacetylases suppresses glucose metabolism and hepatocellular carcinoma growth by restoring FBP1 expression
Authors: Yang Jing , Jin Xin , Yan Yuqian , Shao Yingjie , Pan Yunqian , Roberts Lewis R. , Zhang Jun , Huang Haojie , Jiang Jingting 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in the world. Elevated glucose metabolism in the availability of oxygen, a phenomenon called the Warburg effect, is important for cancer cell growth. Fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (FBP1) is a rate-limiting enzyme in gluconeogenesis and is frequently lost in various types of cancer. Here, we demonstrated that expression of FBP1 was downregulated in HCC patient specimens and decreased expression of FBP1 associated with poor prognosis. Low expression of FBP1 correlated with high levels of histone deacetylase 1 (HDAC1) and HDAC2 proteins in HCC patient tissues. Treatment of HCC cells with HDAC inhibitors or knockdown of HDAC1 and/or HDAC2 restored FBP1 expression and inhibited HCC cell growth. HDAC-mediated suppression of FBP1 expression correlated with decreased histone H3 lysine 27 acetylation (H3K27Ac) in the FBP1 enhancer. Restored expression of FBP1 decreased glucose reduction and lactate secretion and inhibited HCC cell growth in vitro and tumor growth in mice. Our data reveal that loss of FBP1 due to histone deacetylation associates with poor prognosis of HCC and restored FBP1 expression by HDAC inhibitors suppresses HCC growth. Our findings suggest that repression of FBP1 by HDACs has important implications for HCC prognosis and treatment.
Citizen science shows systematic changes in the temperature difference between air and inland waters with global warming
Authors: Weyhenmeyer Gesa A. , Mackay Murray , Stockwell Jason D. , Thiery Wim , Grossart Hans-Peter , Augusto-Silva Pétala B. , Baulch Helen M. , de Eyto Elvira , Hejzlar Josef , Kangur Külli , Kirillin Georgiy , Pierson Don C. , Rusak James A. , Sadro Steven , Woolway R. Iestyn 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCitizen science projects have a long history in ecological studies. The research usefulness of such projects is dependent on applying simple and standardized methods. Here, we conducted a citizen science project that involved more than 3500 Swedish high school students to examine the temperature difference between surface water and the overlying air (Tw-Ta) as a proxy for sensible heat flux (QH). If QH is directed upward, corresponding to positive Tw-Ta, it can enhance CO2 and CH4 emissions from inland waters, thereby contributing to increased greenhouse gas concentrations in the atmosphere. The students found mostly negative Tw-Ta across small ponds, lakes, streams/rivers and the sea shore (i.e. downward QH), with Tw-Ta becoming increasingly negative with increasing Ta. Further examination of Tw-Ta using high-frequency temperature data from inland waters across the globe confirmed that Tw-Ta is linearly related to Ta. Using the longest available high-frequency temperature time series from Lake Erken, Sweden, we found a rapid increase in the occasions of negative Tw-Ta with increasing annual mean Ta since 1989. From these results, we can expect that ongoing and projected global warming will result in increasingly negative Tw-Ta, thereby reducing CO2 and CH4 transfer velocities from inland waters into the atmosphere.