bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Variation in Tree Species Ability to Capture and Retain Airborne Fine Particulate Matter (PM2.5)
Authors: Chen Lixin , Liu Chenming , Zhang Lu , Zou Rui , Zhang Zhiqiang 
Published: June 2017

AbstractHuman health risks caused by PM2.5 raise awareness to the role of trees as bio-filters of urban air pollution, but not all species are equally capable of filtering the air. The objectives of this current study were: (1) to determine the foliar traits for effective PM2.5-capture and (2) explore species-to-species differences in foliar PM2.5-recapture capacity following a rain event. The study concluded that overall, the acicular needle shape made conifers more efficient with PM2.5 accumulation and post-rainfall recapture than broadleaved species. The foliar shape and venation of broadleaved species did not appear to influence the PM2.5 accumulation. However, the number of the grooves and trichomes of broadleaved species were positively related to foliar PM2.5 accumulation, suggesting that they could be used as indicators for the effectiveness of tree PM2.5 capture. Furthermore, the amount of PM2.5 removal by rainfall was determined by the total foliar PM2.5. Not all PM2.5 remained on the foliage. In some species, PM2.5 was resuspended during the growing season, and thus reduced the net particular accumulation for that species. These findings contribute to a better understanding of tree species potential for reducing PM2.5 in urban environments.
FPR2 promotes invasion and metastasis of gastric cancer cells and predicts the prognosis of patients
Authors: Hou Xi-Lu , Ji Cheng-Dong , Tang Jun , Wang Yan-Xia , Xiang Dong-Fang , Li Hai-Qing , Liu Wei-Wei , Wang Jiao-Xue , Yan He-Zhong , Wang Yan , Zhang Peng , Cui You-Hong , Wang Ji-Ming , Bian Xiu-Wu , Liu Wei 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFormyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2), a classical chemoattractant receptor of G-protein-coupled receptors, is reported to be involved in invasion and metastasis of some cancers, but the role of FPR2 in gastric cancer (GC) has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we found that the levels of FPR2 expression in GC were positively correlated with invasion depth, lymph node metastasis and negatively correlated with the patients’ overall survival. Multivariate analysis indicated that FPR2 expression was an independent prognostic marker for GC patients. FPR2-knockdown significantly abrogated the migration and invasion stimulated by Hp(2–20) and Ac(2–26), two well-characterized ligands for FPR2 in GC cells. FPR2 deletion also reduced the tumorigenic and metastatic capabilities of GC cells in vivo. Mechanistically, stimulation with FPR2 ligands resulted in down-regulation of E-cadherin and up-regulation of vimentin, which were reversed by FPR2 knock-down, implying the involvement of epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Moreover, the activation of FPR2 was accompanied with ERK1/2 phosphorylation, which could be attenuated by FPR2 silencing or treatment with MEK inhibitor, PD98059. Altogether, our results demonstrate that FPR2 is functionally involved in invasion and metastasis, and potentially acts as a novel prognostic marker as well as a potential therapeutic target in human GC.
Reference value of left and right atrial size and phasic function by SSFP CMR at 3.0 T in healthy Chinese adults
Authors: Li Weihao , Wan Ke , Han Yuchi , Liu Hong , Cheng Wei , Sun Jiayu , Luo Yong , Yang Dan , Chung Yiu-Cho , Chen Yucheng 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe size and function of the left atrium (LA) and right atrium (RA) are related closely with the prognosis of cardiovascular diseases. However, their normal reference values, as measured by cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR), are not well established in Chinese populations. Healthy Chinese subjects (n = 135, 66 males, age 23–83 years) without cardiovascular risk factors were recruited. We imaged the LA and RA of all subjects using short axis and long axis slices by steady-state free precession (SSFP) sequences using a 3.0T scanner. The size and functional parameters were measured. Age and gender differences in LA were further explored. The normal reference values of atrial dimensions, volumes, and empty fractions (EFs) were provided by short axis (SAX) and area-length methods. Volumes and EFs derived by the area-length method showed correlated well with those derived by the by SAX method, but significantly underestimated the volumes (all P < 0.001) and overestimated the LA EFs (all P < 0.001). Atrial dimensions and volumes were generally larger in males. Conduit EFs and total EFs showed gender differences. Most atrial parameters correlated with age. In general, our results showed that gender and age have considerable impact on LA and RA size and function.
Malnutrition-sarcopenia syndrome predicts mortality in hospitalized older patients
Authors: Hu Xiaoyi , Zhang Lei , Wang Haozhong , Hao Qiukui , Dong Birong , Yang Ming 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA new term, malnutrition-sarcopenia syndrome (MSS), was recently coined to describe the clinical presentation of both malnutrition and sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between MSS and long-term mortality in older inpatients. We conducted a prospective study in acute geriatric wards of two local hospitals in China. Muscle mass and malnutrition were estimated by anthropometric measures and the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA). Of the 453 participants, 14 (3.1%) had sarcopenia with normal nutrition, 139 (30.7%) had malnutrition risk without sarcopenia, 48 (10.6%) had malnutrition risk with sarcopenia, 25 (5.5%) had malnutrition without sarcopenia, and 22 (4.9%) had MSS at baseline. Compared with non-sarcopenic subjects with normal nutrition, subjects with MSS and subjects with malnutrition risk and sarcopenia were more than four times more likely to die (hazard ratio [HR], 4.78; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.09–10.97; and HR, 4.25; 95% CI, 2.22–8.12, respectively); non-sarcopenic subjects with malnutrition risk were more than two times more likely to die (HR, 2.41; 95% CI, 1.32–4.39). In conclusion, MSS may serve as a prognostic factor in the management of hospitalized older patients.
Application of sodium-ion-based solid electrolyte in electrostatic tuning of carrier density in graphene
Authors: Zhao Jialin , Wang Meng , Zhang Xuefu , Lv Yue , Wu Tianru , Qiao Shan , Song Shufeng , Gao Bo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractUsing a solid electrolyte to tune the carrier density in thin-film materials is an emerging technique that has potential applications in both basic and applied research. Until now, only materials containing small ions, such as protons and lithium ions, have been used to demonstrate the gating effect. Here, we report the study of a lab-synthesised sodium-ion-based solid electrolyte, which shows a much stronger capability to tune the carrier density in graphene than previously reported lithium-ion-based solid electrolyte. Our findings may stimulate the search for solid electrolytes better suited for gating applications, taking benefit of many existing materials developed for battery research.
Multivariate classification of echellograms: a new perspective in Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy analysis
Authors: Pořízka Pavel , Klus Jakub , Mašek Jan , Rajnoha Martin , Prochazka David , Modlitbová Pavlína , Novotný Jan , Burget Radim , Novotný Karel , Kaiser Jozef 
Published: June 2017

AbstractIn this work, we proposed a new data acquisition approach that significantly improves the repetition rates of Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) experiments, where high-end echelle spectrometers and intensified detectors are commonly used. The moderate repetition rates of recent LIBS systems are caused by the utilization of intensified detectors and their slow full frame (i.e. echellogram) readout speeds with consequent necessity for echellogram-to-1D spectrum conversion (intensityvs. wavelength). Therefore, we investigated a new methodology where only the most effective pixels of the echellogram were selected and directly used in the LIBS experiments. Such data processing resulted in significant variable down-selection (more than four orders of magnitude). Samples of 50 sedimentary ores samples (distributed in 13 ore types) were analyzed by LIBS system and then classified by linear and non-linear Multivariate Data Analysis algorithms. The utilization of selected pixels from an echellogram yielded increased classification accuracy compared to the utilization of common 1D spectra.
Amphiregulin contained in NSCLC-exosomes induces osteoclast differentiation through the activation of EGFR pathway
Authors: Taverna Simona , Pucci Marzia , Giallombardo Marco , Di Bella Maria Antonietta , Santarpia Mariacarmela , Reclusa Pablo , Gil-Bazo Ignacio , Rolfo Christian , Alessandro Riccardo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractNon-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. The majority of patients are diagnosed in advanced disease stage. Bone metastasis is the most frequent complication in NSCLC resulting in osteolytic lesions. The perfect balance between bone-resorbing osteoclasts and bone-forming osteoblasts activity is lost in bone metastasis, inducing osteoclastogenesis. In NSCLC, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway is constitutively activated. EGFR binds Amphiregulin (AREG) that is overexpressed in several cancers such as colon, breast and lung. Its levels in plasma of NSCLC patients correlate with poor prognosis and AREG was recently found as a signaling molecule in exosomes derived from cancer cell lines. Exosomes have a key role in the cell-cell communication and they were recently indicated as important actors in metastatic niche preparation. In the present work, we hypothesize a role of AREG carried by exosomes derived from NSCLC in bone metastasis induction. We observed that NSCLC-exosomes, containing AREG, induce EGFR pathway activation in pre-osteoclasts that in turn causes an increased expression of RANKL. RANKL is able to induce the expression of proteolytic enzymes, well-known markers of osteoclastogenesis, triggering a vicious cycle in osteolytic bone metastasis.
On the nature of photoluminescence in Bismuth-doped silica glass
Authors: Laguta Oleksii V. , Hamzaoui Hicham El , Bouazaoui Mohamed , Arion Vladimir B. , Razdobreev Igor M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractWe report on the investigation of Bismuth-doped pure silica glass without other co-dopant by the tech- nique of magnetic circular dichroism (MCD), which allows the direct probing of the ground state of optical centres. Taking into account the results of conventional optical spectroscopy, we show that the observed MCD bands belong to the centre responsible for the red photoluminescence in this material. Measurements of the temperature and field dependences indicate that the MCD effect is caused by the even-electron system. This, however, opposes the widespread opinion that Bi2+ ions are the origin of red photoluminescence in Bismuth-doped silica glasses. On the other hand, the lasing centre responsi- ble for the near infrared photoluminescence does not exhibit any magnetic optical activity connected to its ground state. As a consequence, we conclude that the ground state of lasing centre is a magnetic singlet with the effective spin S = 0.
Impact of Carboxyl Groups in Graphene Oxide on Chemoselective Alcohol Oxidation with Ultra-Low Carbocatalyst Loading
Authors: Cui Yan , Lee Young Hee , Yang Jung Woon 
Published: June 2017

AbstractA highly efficient and simple chemoselective aerobic oxidation of primary alcohols to either aldehydes or carboxylic acids in the presence of nitric acid was developed, utilising 5 wt% graphene oxide as a carbocatalyst under ambient reaction conditions. Carboxylic acid functional groups on graphene oxides played a vital role in carbocatalyst activity, greatly influencing both the reactivity and selectivity. We also applied this protocol to a variant of the Knoevenagel condensation for primary alcohols and malonates with a secondary amine co-catalyst via cooperative catalysis.
Dysregulation of nuclear receptor COUP-TFII impairs skeletal muscle development
Authors: Lee Hui-Ju , Kao Chung-Yang , Lin Shih-Chieh , Xu Mafei , Xie Xin , Tsai Sophia Y. , Tsai Ming-Jer 
Published: June 2017

AbstractChicken ovalbumin upstream promoter-transcription factor II (COUP-TFII) has been shown to inhibit myogenesis and skeletal muscle metabolism in vitro. However, its precise role and in vivo function in muscle development has yet to be clearly defined. COUP-TFII protein expression level is high in undifferentiated progenitors and gradually declines during differentiation, raising an important question of whether downregulation of COUP-TFII expression is required for proper muscle cell differentiation. In this study, we generated a mouse model ectopically expressing COUP-TFII in myogenic precursors to maintain COUP-TFII activity during myogenesis and found that elevated COUP-TFII activity resulted in inefficient skeletal muscle development. Using in vitro cell culture and in vivo mouse models, we showed that COUP-TFII hinders myogenic development by repressing myoblast fusion. Mechanistically, the inefficient muscle cell fusion correlates well with the transcriptional repression of Npnt, Itgb1D and Cav3, genes important for cell-cell fusion. We further demonstrated that COUP-TFII also reduces the activation of focal adhesion kinase (FAK), an integrin downstream regulator which is essential for fusion process. Collectively, our studies highlight the importance of down-regulation of COUP-TFII signaling to allow for the induction of factors crucial for myoblast fusion.
Using nanoBRET and CRISPR/Cas9 to monitor proximity to a genome-edited protein in real-time
Authors: White Carl W. , Vanyai Hannah K. , See Heng B. , Johnstone Elizabeth K. M. , Pfleger Kevin D. G. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractBioluminescence resonance energy transfer (BRET) has been a vital tool for understanding G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) function. It has been used to investigate GPCR-protein and/or -ligand interactions as well as GPCR oligomerisation. However the utility of BRET is limited by the requirement that the fusion proteins, and in particular the donor, need to be exogenously expressed. To address this, we have used CRISPR/Cas9-mediated homology-directed repair to generate protein-Nanoluciferase (Nluc) fusions under endogenous promotion, thus allowing investigation of proximity between the genome-edited protein and an exogenously expressed protein by BRET. Here we report BRET monitoring of GPCR-mediated β-arrestin2 recruitment and internalisation where the donor luciferase was under endogenous promotion, in live cells and in real time. We have investigated the utility of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing to create genome-edited fusion proteins that can be used as BRET donors and propose that this strategy can be used to overcome the need for exogenous donor expression.
Enhancing formation rate of highly-oriented silicon nanowire arrays with the assistance of back substrates
Authors: Chen Chia-Yun , Wei Ta-Cheng , Lin Cheng-Ting , Li Jheng-Yi 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFacile, effective and reliable etching technique for the formation of uniform silicon (Si) nanowire arrays were realized through the incorporation of back substrates with metal-assisted chemical etching (MaCE). In comparison with conventional MaCE process, a dramatic increase of etching rates upon MaCE process could be found by employing the conductive back substrates on p-type Si, while additionally prevented the creation of nanopores from catalytic etching reaction. Examinations on the involving etching kinetics, morphologies, wetting behaviors and surface structures were performed that validated the role of back substrates upon MaCE process. It was found that the involved two pathways for the extraction of electrons within Si favored the localized oxidation of Si at Si/Ag interfaces, thereby increasing the etching rate of MaCE process. This back-substrate involved MaCE could potentially meet the practical needs for the high-yield formation of Si nanowire arrays.
Regulatory Functions of Cellular Energy Sensor SNF1-Related Kinase1 for Leaf Senescence Delay through ETHYLENE- INSENSITIVE3 Repression
Authors: Kim Geun-Don , Cho Young-Hee , Yoo Sang-Dong 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAging of living organisms is governed by intrinsic developmental programs, of which progression is often under the regulation of their cellular energy status. For example, calorie restriction is known to slow down aging of heterotrophic organisms from yeasts to mammals. In autotrophic plants cellular energy deprivation by perturbation of photosynthesis or sugar metabolism is also shown to induce senescence delay. However, the underlying molecular and biochemical mechanisms remain elusive. Our plant cell-based functional and biochemical assays have demonstrated that SNF1-RELATED KINASE1 (SnRK1) directly interacts, phosphorylates, and destabilizes the key transcription factor ETHYLENE INSENSITIVE3 (EIN3) in senescence-promoting hormone ethylene signaling. Combining chemical manipulation and genetic validation using extended loss-of-function mutants and gain-of-function transgenic lines, we further revealed that a SnRK1 elicitor, 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea enables to slow down senescence-associated leaf degreening through the regulation of EIN3 inArabidopsis. Our findings enlighten that an evolutionary conserved cellular energy sensor SnRK1 plays a role in fine-tuning of organ senescence progression to avoid sudden death during the last step of leaf growth and development.
Micro-scale heterogeneity of soil phosphorus depends on soil substrate and depth
Authors: Werner Florian , Mueller Carsten W. , Thieme Jürgen , Gianoncelli Alessandra , Rivard Camille , Höschen Carmen , Prietzel Jörg 
Published: June 2017

AbstractSoils comprise various heterogeneously distributed pools of lithogenic, free organic, occluded, adsorbed, and precipitated phosphorus (P) forms, which differ depending on soil forming factors. Small-scale heterogeneity of element distributions recently has received increased attention in soil science due to its influence on soil functions and soil fertility. We investigated the micro-scale distribution of total P and different specific P binding forms in aggregates taken from a high-P clay-rich soil and a low-P sandy soil by combining advanced spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques to introduce new insights on P accessibility and availability in soils. Here we show that soil substrate and soil depth determine micro-scale P heterogeneity in soil aggregates. In P-rich areas of all investigated soil aggregates, P was predominantly co-located with aluminium and iron oxides and hydroxides, which are known to strongly adsorb P. Clay minerals were co-located with P only to a lesser extent. In the low-P topsoil aggregate, the majority of the P was bound organically. Aluminium and iron phosphate predominated in the quartz-rich low-P subsoil aggregate. Sorbed and mineral P phases determined P speciation in the high-P top- and subsoil, and apatite was only detected in the high-P subsoil aggregate. Our results indicate that micro-scale spatial and chemical heterogeneity of P influences P accessibility and bioavailability.
Circulating angiopoietin-like 8 (ANGPTL8) is a marker of liver steatosis and is negatively regulated by Prader-Willi Syndrome
Authors: Mele Chiara , Grugni Graziano , Mai Stefania , Vietti Roberta , Aimaretti Gianluca , Scacchi Massimo , Marzullo Paolo 
Published: June 2017

AbstractANGPTL8 is a liver-derived protein related to insulin-sensitivity. Its relationship with obesity and liver function in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is unknown. The present study investigated circulating ANGPTL8 in PWS and controls with common obesity, assessing its association to liver steatosis. For this purpose, 20 obese PWS and 20 controls matched for body mass index (BMI), sex and age underwent analysis of ANGPTL8 levels, glucose and lipid metabolism. Liver function tests and degree of liver steatosis by ultrasonography (US), fat-free mass (FFM) and fat mass (FM) by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) were also assessed. In comparison to controls, obese PWS showed lower values of FFM (p < 0.0001) and higher FM (p = 0.01), while harbouring higher HDL cholesterol, lower triglycerides and OGTT-derived insulin levels, as well as a lower prevalence and severity of liver steatosis. With respect to obese controls, ANGPTL8 levels were significantly lower in PWS (p = 0.007) and overall correlated with transaminase levels and the severity of liver steatosis, as well as FFM (p < 0.05 for all). By a stepwise multivariable regression analysis, ANGPTL8 levels were independently predicted by PWS status (p = 0.01) and liver steatosis (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ANGPTL8 levels are lower in PWS than obese controls and are inversely associated with the severity of liver steatosis. Further studies should investigate the potential genetic basis for this observation.
Cross-Polarized Surface-Enhanced Infrared Spectroscopy by Fano-Resonant Asymmetric Metamaterials
Authors: Ishikawa Atsushi , Hara Shuhei , Tanaka Takuo , Hayashi Yasuhiko , Tsuruta Kenji 
Published: June 2017

AbstractPlasmonic metamaterials have overcome fundamental limitations in conventional optics by their capability to engineer material resonances and dispersions at will, holding great promise for sensing applications. Recent demonstrations of metamaterial sensors, however, have mainly relied on their resonant nature for strong optical interactions with molecules, but few examples fully exploit their functionality to manipulate the polarization of light. Here, we present cross-polarized surface-enhanced infrared absorption (SEIRA) by the Fano-resonant asymmetric metamaterial allowing for strong background suppression as well as significant field enhancement. The metamaterial is designed to exhibit the controlled Fano resonance with the cross-polarization conversion property at 1730 cm−1, which spectrally overlaps with the C=O vibrational mode. In the cross-polarized SEIRA measurement, the C=O mode of poly(methyl methacrylate) molecules is clearly observed as a distinct dip within a Fano-resonant transmission peak of the metamaterial. The vibrational signal contrast is then improved based on the cross-polarized detection scheme where only the light interacting with the metamaterial-molecular coupled system is detected by totally eliminating the unwanted background light. Our metamaterial approach achieves the zeptomole sensitivity with a large signal-to-noise ratio in the far-field measurement, paving the way toward the realization of ultrasensitive IR inspection technologies.