bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mountain gorilla lymphocryptovirus has Epstein-Barr virus-like epidemiology and pathology in infants
Authors: Smiley Evans Tierra , Lowenstine Linda J. , Gilardi Kirsten V. , Barry Peter A. , Ssebide Benard J. , Kinani Jean Felix , Nizeyimana Fred , Noheri Jean Bosco , Cranfield Michael R. , Mudakikwa Antoine , Goldstein Tracey , Mazet Jonna A. K. , Johnson Christine Kreuder 
Published: July 2017

AbstractEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) infects greater than 90% of humans, is recognized as a significant comorbidity with HIV/AIDS, and is an etiologic agent for some human cancers. The critically endangered mountain gorilla population was suspected of infection with an EBV-like virus based on serology and infant histopathology similar to pulmonary reactive lymphoid hyperplasia (PRLH), a condition associated with EBV in HIV-infected children. To further examine the presence of EBV or an EBV-like virus in mountain gorillas, we conducted the first population-wide survey of oral samples for an EBV-like virus in a nonhuman great ape. We discovered that mountain gorillas are widely infected (n = 143/332) with a specific strain of lymphocryptovirus 1 (GbbLCV-1). Fifty-two percent of infant mountain gorillas were orally shedding GbbLCV-1, suggesting primary infection during this stage of life, similar to what is seen in humans in less developed countries. We then identified GbbLCV-1 in post-mortem infant lung tissues demonstrating histopathological lesions consistent with PRLH, suggesting primary infection with GbbLCV-1 is associated with PRLH in infants. Together, our findings demonstrate that mountain gorilla’s infection with GbbLCV-1 could provide valuable information for human disease in a natural great ape setting and have potential conservation implications in this critically endangered species.
Kanyawara Virus: A Novel Rhabdovirus Infecting Newly Discovered Nycteribiid Bat Flies Infesting Previously Unknown Pteropodid Bats in Uganda
Authors: Goldberg Tony L. , Bennett Andrew J. , Kityo Robert , Kuhn Jens H. , Chapman Colin A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBats are natural reservoir hosts of highly virulent pathogens such as Marburg virus, Nipah virus, and SARS coronavirus. However, little is known about the role of bat ectoparasites in transmitting and maintaining such viruses. The intricate relationship between bats and their ectoparasites suggests that ectoparasites might serve as viral vectors, but evidence to date is scant. Bat flies, in particular, are highly specialized obligate hematophagous ectoparasites that incidentally bite humans. Using next-generation sequencing, we discovered a novel ledantevirus (mononegaviral family Rhabdoviridae, genus Ledantevirus) in nycteribiid bat flies infesting pteropodid bats in western Uganda. Mitochondrial DNA analyses revealed that both the bat flies and their bat hosts belong to putative new species. The coding-complete genome of the new virus, named Kanyawara virus (KYAV), is only distantly related to that of its closest known relative, Mount Elgon bat virus, and was found at high titers in bat flies but not in blood or on mucosal surfaces of host bats. Viral genome analysis indicates unusually low CpG dinucleotide depletion in KYAV compared to other ledanteviruses and rhabdovirus groups, with KYAV displaying values similar to rhabdoviruses of arthropods. Our findings highlight the possibility of a yet-to-be-discovered diversity of potentially pathogenic viruses in bat ectoparasites.
Postglacial range expansion and the role of ecological factors in driving adaptive evolution of Musa basjoo var. formosana
Authors: Chen Jui-Hung , Huang Chun-Lin , Lai Yu-Long , Chang Chung-Te , Liao Pei-Chun , Hwang Shih-Ying , Sun Chih-Wen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractGenetic variation evolves during postglacial range expansion of a species and is important for adapting to varied environmental conditions. It is crucial for the future survival of a species. We investigate the nuclear DNA sequence variation to provide evidence of postglacial range expansion of Musa basjoo var. formosana, a wild banana species, and test for adaptive evolution of amplified fragment length polymorphic (AFLP) loci underlying local adaptation in association with environmental variables. Postglacial range expansion was suggested by phylogeographical analyses based on sequence variation of the second intron of copper zinc superoxide dismutase 2 gene. Two glacial refugia were inferred by the average FST parameter (mean FST of a population against the remaining populations). Using variation partitioning by redundancy analysis, we found a significant amount of explained AFLP variation attributed to environmental and spatially-structured environmental effects. By combining genome scan methods and multiple univariate logistic regression, four AFLP loci were found to be strongly associated with environmental variables, including temperature, precipitation, soil moisture, wet days, and surface coverage activity representing vegetation greenness. These environmental variables may have played various roles as ecological drivers for adaptive evolution of M. basjoo var. formosana during range expansion after the last glacial maximum.
Polydextrose changes the gut microbiome and attenuates fasting triglyceride and cholesterol levels in Western diet fed mice
Authors: Raza Ghulam Shere , Putaala Heli , Hibberd Ashley A. , Alhoniemi Esa , Tiihonen Kirsti , Mäkelä Kari Antero , Herzig Karl-Heinz 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObesity and dyslipidemia are hallmarks of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Polydextrose (PDX), a soluble fiber has lipid lowering effects. We hypothesize that PDX reduces triglycerides and cholesterol by influencing gut microbiota, which in turn modulate intestinal gene expression. C57BL/6 male mice were fed a Western diet (WD) ±75 mg PDX twice daily by oral gavage for 14 days. Body weight and food intake were monitored daily. Fasting plasma lipids, caecal microbiota and gene expression in intestine and liver were measured after 14 days of feeding. PDX supplementation to WD significantly reduced food intake (p < 0.001), fasting plasma triglyceride (p < 0.001) and total cholesterol (p < 0.05). Microbiome analysis revealed that the relative abundance of Allobaculum, Bifidobacterium and Coriobacteriaceae taxa associated with lean phenotype, increased in WD + PDX mice. Gene expression analysis with linear mixed-effects model showed consistent downregulation of Dgat1, Cd36, Fiaf and upregulation of Fxr in duodenum, jejunum, ileum and colon in WD + PDX mice. Spearman correlations indicated that genera enriched in WD + PDX mice inversely correlated with fasting lipids and downregulated genes Dgat1, Cd36 and Fiaf while positively with upregulated gene Fxr. These results suggest that PDX in mice fed WD promoted systemic changes via regulation of the gut microbiota and gene expression in intestinal tract.
Marangoni effect induced macro porous surface films prepared through a facile sol-gel route
Authors: Khan Shahid , Wang Kangkai , Yuan Guangzhong , Haq Mahmood ul , Wu Zhizheng , Usman Muhammad , Song Chenlu , Han Gaorong , Liu Yong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBased on TiO2 as a model system, the sol-gel one step facile method is established to fabricate the macro-porous morphology films on the basis of Marangoni effect. In this proposed mechanism, the binary mixture of hydrophilic CuCl2 and lipophilic Ti-O network is used in sol to produce phase separation. A suitable evaporation rate in the gel film process leads to the macro-porous film due to Marangoni effect. It is observed that the macro-porous morphology of the film sustains during the annealing process, which suggests the creation of porous surface morphology in gel film stage rather than due to annealing. To analyze the preparation mechanism, the sol-gel process and microstructure of films are examined using TG-DTA, SEM, TEM, XRD, Raman, UV-Vis, XPS and FTIR. Furthermore, the optical-thermal properties are studied for the potential applications of such porous surface films as solar selective absorber.
Structure of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) synthase PhaC from Chromobacterium sp. USM2, producing biodegradable plastics
Authors: Chek Min Fey , Kim Sun-Yong , Mori Tomoyuki , Arsad Hasni , Samian Mohammed Razip , Sudesh Kumar , Hakoshima Toshio 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPolyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a promising candidate for use as an alternative bioplastic to replace petroleum-based plastics. Our understanding of PHA synthase PhaC is poor due to the paucity of available three-dimensional structural information. Here we present a high-resolution crystal structure of the catalytic domain of PhaC from Chromobacterium sp. USM2, PhaC
Cs
-CAT. The structure shows that PhaC
Cs
-CAT forms an α/β hydrolase fold comprising α/β core and CAP subdomains. The active site containing Cys291, Asp447 and His477 is located at the bottom of the cavity, which is filled with water molecules and is covered by the partly disordered CAP subdomain. We designated our structure as the closed form, which is distinct from the recently reported catalytic domain from Cupriavidus necator (PhaC
Cn
-CAT). Structural comparison showed PhaC
Cn
-CAT adopting a partially open form maintaining a narrow substrate access channel to the active site, but no product egress. PhaC
Cs
-CAT forms a face-to-face dimer mediated by the CAP subdomains. This arrangement of the dimer is also distinct from that of the PhaC
Cn
-CAT dimer. These findings suggest that the CAP subdomain should undergo a conformational change during catalytic activity that involves rearrangement of the dimer to facilitate substrate entry and product formation and egress from the active site.
A Simple Add-and-Display Method for Immobilisation of Cancer Drug on His-tagged Virus-like Nanoparticles for Controlled Drug Delivery
Authors: Biabanikhankahdani Roya , Bayat Saadi , Ho Kok Lian , Alitheen Noorjahan Banu Mohamed , Tan Wen Siang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractpH-responsive virus-like nanoparticles (VLNPs) hold promising potential as drug delivery systems for cancer therapy. In the present study, hepatitis B virus (HBV) VLNPs harbouring His-tags were used to display doxorubicin (DOX) via nitrilotriacetic acid (NTA) conjugation. The His-tags served as pH-responsive nanojoints which released DOX from VLNPs in a controlled manner. The His-tagged VLNPs conjugated non-covalently with NTA-DOX, and cross-linked with folic acid (FA) were able to specifically target and deliver the DOX into ovarian cancer cells via folate receptor (FR)-mediated endocytosis. The cytotoxicity and cellular uptake results revealed that the His-tagged VLNPs significantly increased the accumulation of DOX in the ovarian cancer cells and enhanced the uptake of DOX, which improved anti-tumour effects. This study demonstrated that NTA-DOX can be easily displayed on His-tagged VLNPs by a simple Add-and-Display step with high coupling efficiency and the drug was only released at low pH in a controlled manner. This approach facilitates specific attachment of any drug molecule on His-tagged VLNPs at the very mild conditions without changing the biological structure and native conformation of the VLNPs.
MiR-30a targets IL-1α and regulates islet functions as an inflammation buffer and response factor
Authors: Jiang Xin , Xu Chenke , Lei Fan , Liao Meijian , Wang Wei , Xu Naihan , Zhang Yaou , Xie Weidong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractDiabetes is an inflammatory disease. Inflammation plays an important role in islet functions. However, the exact mechanisms by which inflammation affects islet functions remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the regulatory effects of miR-30a on inflammation and islet functions. The results indicate that miR-30a serves as an inflammation-resolving buffer factor by targeting interleukin 1a (IL-1α) in immune cells and in islet cells, which might play an important role in inflammation homeostasis. miR-30a ameliorates islet functions in an inflammatory micro-environment by targeting the IL-1α/nuclear factor kappa B (NFKB) p65 subunit (p65)/p62 (SQSTM1)/insulin axis, which can be developed into a novel antidiabetic approach. miR-30a serves as a promising inflammation-response biomarker in inflammatory diseases and is possibly activated by the toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)/IL-1α/NFKB pathways. However, the exact molecular mechanisms by which miR-30a regulates inflammation and islet functions as well as the potential applications in transitional medicine require further elucidation.
Retinal degeneration in progressive supranuclear palsy measured by optical coherence tomography and scanning laser polarimetry
Authors: Stemplewitz Birthe , Kromer Robert , Vettorazzi Eik , Hidding Ute , Frings Andreas , Buhmann Carsten 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThis cross-sectional study compared the retinal morphology between patients with progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) and healthy controls. (The retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) around the optic disc and the retina in the macular area of 22 PSP patients and 151 controls were investigated by spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). Additionally, the RNFL and the nerve fiber index (NFI) were measured by scanning laser polarimetry (SLP). Results of RNFL measurements with SD-OCT and SLP were compared to assess diagnostic discriminatory power. Applying OCT, PSP patients showed a smaller RNFL thickness in the inferior nasal and inferior temporal areas. The macular volume and the thickness of the majority of macular sectors were reduced compared to controls. SLP data showed a thinner RNFL thickness and an increase in the NFI in PSP patients. Sensitivity and specificity to discriminate PSP patients from controls were higher applying SLP than SD-OCT. Retinal changes did not correlate with disease duration or severity in any OCT or SLP measurement. PSP seems to be associated with reduced thickness and volume of the macula and reduction of the RNFL, independent of disease duration or severity. Retinal imaging with SD-OCT and SLP might become an additional tool in PSP diagnosis.
Clean Power Generation from the Intractable Natural Coalfield Fires: Turn Harm into Benefit
Authors: Shi Bobo , Su Hetao , Li Jinshi , Qi Haining , Zhou Fubao , Torero José L. , Chen Zhongwei 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe coal fires, a global catastrophe for hundreds of years, have been proved extremely difficult to control, and hit almost every coal-bearing area globally. Meanwhile, underground coal fires contain tremendous reservoir of geothermal energy. Approximately one billion tons of coal burns underground annually in the world, which could generate ~1000 GW per annum. A game-changing approach, environmentally sound thermal energy extraction from the intractable natural coalfield fires, is being developed by utilizing the waste energy and reducing the temperature of coalfield fires at the same time. Based on the Seebeck effect of thermoelectric materials, the temperature difference between the heat medium and cooling medium was employed to directly convert thermal energy into clean electrical energy. By the time of December 2016, the power generation from a single borehole at Daquan Lake fire district in Xinjiang has been exceeded 174.6 W. The field trial demonstrates that it is possible to exploit and utilize the waste heat resources in the treated coal fire areas. It promises a significant impact on the structure of global energy generation and can also promote progress in thermoelectric conversion materials, geothermal exploration, underground coal fires control and other energy related areas.
Affinity purification of erythropoietin from cell culture supernatant combined with MALDI-TOF-MS analysis of erythropoietin N-glycosylation
Authors: Falck David , Haberger Markus , Plomp Rosina , Hook Michaela , Bulau Patrick , Wuhrer Manfred , Reusch Dietmar 
Published: July 2017

AbstractErythropoietin (EPO) is a heavily glycosylated hormone whose recombinant forms are used for treatment of anaemia. EPO glycosylation is important for its pharmacological properties. An analytical workflow, which can determine EPO glycosylation in an accurate and high-throughput fashion from cell culture supernatant (CCS) in approximately 24 h, offers the possibility to follow changes during production. To address this challenge, we present a complete workflow consisting of protein purification, glycan release, sialic acid derivatization, solid phase extraction, matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization - mass spectrometry (MALDI-MS) analysis and MassyTools data processing. EPO purification from CCS by anti-EPO antibody coupled Sepharose beads yielded excellent purity with acceptable recovery and was free of glycoform bias. Glycosylation profiles obtained by MALDI-MS were highly comparable to those obtained with an established capillary gel electrophoresis–laser induced fluorescence method. Our method delivers accurate results for the analysis of changes of important glycosylation parameters, such as sialylation and number of N-acetyllactosamine units, for the time course of a fermentation. We could resolve differences in glycosylation between several CCS samples.
Potential Mediating Biomarkers underlying the Association of Body Mass Index or Waist Circumference with Blood Pressure: Results from Three Population-based Studies
Authors: Wu Xiaoyan , Yang Xue , Shan Ruiqi , Li Tianjiao , Zi Tianqi , Li Ying , Na Lixin , Sun Changhao 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe conducted a comprehensive and in-depth assessment of body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) related to blood pressure (BP) and determined whether the association is mediated by the possible potential mediators in the cross-sectional survey of the Harbin Cohort Study on Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Non-communicable Diseases of 7094 participants aged 20–74 years, and validated the significant findings in the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey four cross-sectional cohorts (2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, and 2011–2012) and the cohort data of the Harbin People’s Health Study (a median of 4.2 follow-up years). We observed that BMI or WC was positively associated with BP (all P-values < 0.0001). Mediation analyses consistently indicated that these associations were mediated mainly by insulin resistance (IR) as measured by the homeostasis model (HOMA-IR), followed by triglyceride (TG) and total cholesterol (TC), and fasting glucose (FG) in the three studies. The proportions via the mediation of insulin/HOMA-IR were 25~40%, TG and TC were 15~20%, and FG was 2~8%, respectively. These findings suggest that the mediators, insulin/insulin resistance, TG, TC, and FG, could be targeted for preventing hypertension among populations who were overweight or obesity.
DGKδ triggers endoplasmic reticulum release of IFT88-containing vesicles destined for the assembly of primary cilia
Authors: Ding Jie , Shao Lei , Yao Yixing , Tong Xin , Liu Huaize , Yue Shen , Xie Lu , Cheng Steven Y. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe morphogenic factor Sonic hedgehog (Shh) signals through the primary cilium, which relies on intraflagellar transport to maintain its structural integrity and function. However, the process by which protein and lipid cargos are delivered to the primary cilium from their sites of synthesis still remains poorly characterized. Here, we report that diacylglycerol kinase δ (DGKδ), a residential lipid kinase in the endoplasmic reticulum, triggers the release of IFT88-containing vesicles from the ER exit sites (ERES), thereby setting forth their movement to the primary cilium. Encoded by the gene whose mutations originally implicated the primary cilium as the venue of Shh signaling, IFT88 is known to be part of the complex B that drives the anterograde transport within cilia. We show that IFT88 interacts with DGKδ, and is associated with COPII-coated vesicles at the ERES. Using a combination of RNAi silencing and gene knockout strategies, we further show that DGKδ is required for supporting Shh signaling both in vitro and in vivo, demonstrating the physiological significance of this regulation.
Abnormal Paraventricular Nucleus of Hypothalamus and Growth Retardation Associated with Loss of Nuclear Receptor Gene COUP-TFII
Authors: Feng Su , Xing Can , Shen Tingyu , Qiao Yunbo , Wang Ran , Chen Jun , Liao Jiaoyang , Lu Zhuo , Yang Xiong , Abd-Allah Saber Mohamed , Li Jinsong , Jing Naihe , Tang Ke 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus plays important roles in the regulation of energy balance and fetal growth. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying its formation and function have not been clearly elucidated. Various mutations in the human COUP-TFII gene, which encodes a nuclear receptor, result in growth retardation, congenital diaphragmatic hernia and congenital heart defects. Here, we show that COUP-TFII gene is expressed in the developing hypothalamus in mouse. The ventral forebrain-specific RXCre/+; COUP-TFIIF/F mutant mice display growth retardation. The development of the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus is compromised in the COUP-TFII mutant mainly because of increased apoptosis and mis-migration of the Brn2+ neurons. Moreover, hypoplastic anterior pituitary with blood cell clusters and shrunken posterior pituitary lacking AVP/OT neuron innervations are observed in the mutant, indicating the failure of formation of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis. Mechanistic studies show that the expression of Bdnf and Nrp1 genes is reduced in the mutant embryo, and that Bdnf is a direct downstream target of the COUP-TFII protein. Thus, our findings provide a novel functional validation that COUP-TFII gene promotes the expression of Bdnf and Nrp1 genes to ensure the appropriate morphogenesis of the hypothalamic-pituitary axis, especially the paraventricular nucleus of hypothalamus, and to prevent growth retardation.
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide replenishment rescues colon degeneration in aged mice
Authors: Zhu Xudong , Shen Weiyan , Wang Ying , Jaiswal Amit , Ju Zhenyu , Sheng Qinsong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSusceptibility of gastrointestinal dysmotility increases with age-associated colonic degeneration. A paucity of remedies reversing colonic degeneration per se hinders the fundamental relief of symptoms. Here we discovered the correlation between colon degeneration and altered nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) level in aged mice. Compared to 3-month-old young controls, 2-year-old mice showed a spectrum of degenerative colonic phenotypes and exhibited a significant elongated transit time and slowed stool frequency in the context of Lomotil-induced slow-transit constipation. Despite upregulated colonic tryptophan hydroxylases expression, serotonin release and expression of colon-predominant type IV serotonin receptor, reduced viability of interstitial cells of Cajal while enhanced aquaporins (Aqp1, 3 and 11) led to a less colonic motility and increased luminal dehydration in aged mice. Notably, this colonic degeneration was accompanied with reduced key NAD+-generating enzyme expression and lowered NAD+/NADH ratio in aged colon. Three-month continuous administration of beta nicotinamide mononucleotide, a NAD+ precursor, elevated colonic NAD+ level and improved defecation in aged mice. In contrast, pharmacological inhibition of nicotinamide phosphoribosyltransferase, the rate-limiting enzyme for NAD+ biosynthesis, induced a reduction in colonic NAD content and impaired gastrointestinal function in young mice. Taken together, these findings suggest the beneficial effect of NAD+ in maintaining colonic homoeostasis and reactivating NAD+ biosynthesis may represent a promising strategy to counteract age-related gastrointestinal degeneration.