bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of nitrogen fertilization on N2O emissions from a rubber plantation
Authors: Zhou Wen-Jun , Ji Hong-li , Zhu Jing , Zhang Yi-Ping , Sha Li-Qing , Liu Yun-Tong , Zhang Xiang , Zhao Wei , Dong Yu-xin , Bai Xiao-Long , Lin You-Xin , Zhang Jun-Hui , Zheng Xun-Hua 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTo gain the effects of N fertilizer applications on N2O emissions and local climate change in fertilized rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) plantations in the tropics, we measured N2O fluxes from fertilized (75 kg N ha−1 yr−1) and unfertilized rubber plantations at Xishuangbanna in southwest China over a 2-year period. The N2O emissions from the fertilized and unfertilized plots were 4.0 and 2.5 kg N ha−1 yr−1, respectively and the N2O emission factor was 1.96%. Soil moisture, soil temperature and the area weighted mean ammoniacal nitrogen (NH4+-N) content controlled the variations in N2O flux from the fertilized and unfertilized rubber plantations. NH4+-N did not influence temporal changes in N2O emissions from the trench, slope, or terrace plots, but controlled spatial variations in N2O emissions among the treatments. On a unit area basis, the 100-year carbon dioxide equivalence of the fertilized rubber plantation N2O offsets 5.8% and 31.5% of carbon sink of the rubber plantation and local tropical rainforest, respectively. When entire land area in Xishuangbanna is considered, N2O emissions from fertilized rubber plantations offset 17.1% of the tropical rainforest’s carbon sink. The results show that if tropical rainforests are converted to fertilized rubber plantations, regional N2O emissions may enhance local climate warming.
A novel visualization technique for measuring liquid diffusion coefficient based on asymmetric liquid-core cylindrical lens
Authors: Sun Licun , Pu Xiaoyun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA visualization and quantification optical method for measuring binary liquid diffusion coefficient (D) based on an asymmetric liquid-core cylindrical lens (ALCL) is introduced in this paper. Four groups of control experiments were performed to verify the influences of diffusing substance category, concentration and temperature on diffusion process and the measured D values were well consistent with data measured by Holographic interferometry and Taylor dispersion methods. The drifting of the diffusion image recorded by CCD reflects the diffusion rate visually in an easily understandable way. This optical method for measuring D values based on the ALCL is characterized by visual measurement, simplified device and easy operation, which provides a new way for measuring liquid D value visually.
Optimal pathological response indicated better long-term outcome among patients with stage IB2 to IIB cervical cancer submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy
Authors: Huang Kecheng , Sun Haiying , Chen Zhilan , Li Xiong , Wang ShaoShuai , Zhao Xiaolin , Tang Fangxu , Jia Yao , Hu Ting , Du Xiaofang , Wang Haoran , Lu Zhiyong , Huang Jia , Gui Juan , Wang Xiaoli , Zhou Shasha , Wang Lin , Zhang Jincheng , Guo Lili , Yang Ru , Shen Jian , Zhang Qinghua , Li Shuang , Wang Shixuan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe role of pathological response in long-term outcome is still unclear in cervical cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) in China. This study aimed to investigate the effect of optimal pathologic response (OPR) on survival in the patients treated with NACT and radical hysterectomy. First, 853 patients with stage IB2-IIB cervical cancer were included in a retrospective analysis; a Cox proportional hazards model was used to investigate the relationship between pathological response and disease-free survival (DFS). In the retrospective database, 64 (7.5%) patients were found to have achieved an OPR (residual disease <3 mm stromal invasion); in the multivariate Cox model, the risk of death was much greater in the non-OPR group than in the OPR group (HR, 2.61; 95%CI, 1.06 to 6.45; P = 0.037). Next, the role of OPR was also evaluated in a prospective cohort of 603 patients with cervical cancer. In the prospective cohort, 56 (9.3%) patients were found to have achieved an OPR; the log-rank tests showed that the risk of recurrence was higher in the non-OPR patients than in the OPR group (P = 0.05). After combined analysis, OPR in cervical cancer was found to be an independent prognostic factor for DFS.
Surgery Combined with Radiotherapy Improved Survival in Metastatic Esophageal Cancer in a Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results Population-based Study
Authors: Wu San-Gang , Xie Wei-Hao , Zhang Zhao-Qiang , Sun Jia-Yuan , Li Feng-Yan , Lin Huan-Xin , Yong Bao  , He Zhen-Yu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThis retrospective study used a population-based national registry to determine the impact of local treatment modalities on survival in patients with metastatic esophageal cancer (EC). The Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify patients with metastatic EC from 1988 to 2012. A total of 9,125 patients were identified. There were 426 patients underwent primary surgery, 4,786 patients were administered radiotherapy (RT) alone, 847 patients underwent surgery plus RT and 3,066 patients without any local treatment. Multivariate analysis results indicated that year of diagnosis, age, race, histologic subtype, grade and local treatment modalities were independent prognostic factors for overall survival (OS). The 5-year OS were 8.4%, 4.5%, 17.5% and 3.4% in primary surgery, RT only, surgery plus RT and no local treatment, respectively (P < 0.001). Subgroup analyses showed that the impact of RT was mainly reflected by preoperative radiotherapy, as patients received preoperative radiotherapy had significantly better OS than patients who underwent primary surgery alone and postoperative RT, the 5-year OS rates were 24.7%, 6.5% and 7.8%, respectively, respectively (P < 0.001). Surgery plus RT, especially preoperative RT, may improve long-term survival of patients with metastatic EC.
Extracellular vimentin is a novel axonal growth facilitator for functional recovery in spinal cord-injured mice
Authors: Shigyo Michiko , Tohda Chihiro 
Published: June 2016

AbstractVimentin, an intermediate filament protein, is an intracellular protein that is involved in various cellular processes. Several groups have recently reported that vimentin also appears in the extracellular space and shows novel protein activity. We previously reported that denosomin improved motor dysfunction in mice with a contusive spinal cord injury (SCI). At the injured area, astrocytes expressing and secreting vimentin were specifically increased and axonal growth occurred in a vimentin-dependent manner in denosomin-treated mice. However, the axonal growth that was induced by extracellular vimentin was only investigated in vitro in the previous study. Here, we sought to clarify whether increased extracellular vimentin can promote the axonal extension related to motor improvement after SCI in vivo. Extracellular vimentin treatment in SCI mice significantly ameliorated motor dysfunction. In vimentin-treated mice, 5-HT-positive axons increased significantly at the rostral and central areas of the lesion and the total axonal densities increased in the central and caudal parts of the lesioned area. This finding suggests that increased axonal density may contribute to motor improvement in vimentin-treated mice. Thus, our in vivo data indicate that extracellular vimentin may be a novel neurotrophic factor that enhances axonal growth activity and motor function recovery after SCI.
Zebrafish cyclin Dx is required for development of motor neuron progenitors and its expression is regulated by hypoxia-inducible factor 2α
Authors: Lien Huang-Wei , Yuan Rey-Yue , Chou Chih-Ming , Chen Yi-Chung , Hung Chin-Chun , Hu Chin-Hwa , Hwang Sheng-Ping L. , Hwang Pung-Pung , Shen Chia-Ning , Chen Chih-Lung , Cheng Chia-Hsiung , Huang Chang-Jen 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCyclins play a central role in cell-cycle regulation; in mammals, the D family of cyclins consists of cyclin D1, D2 and D3. In Xenopus, only homologs of cyclins D1 and D2 have been reported, while a novel cyclin, cyclin Dx (ccndx), was found to be required for the maintenance of motor neuron progenitors during embryogenesis. It remains unknown whether zebrafish possess cyclin D3 or cyclin Dx. In this study, we identified a zebrafish ccndx gene encoding a protein which can form a complex with Cdk4. Through whole-mount in situ hybridization, we observed that zccndx mRNA is expressed in the motor neurons of hindbrain and spinal cord during development. Analysis of a 4-kb promoter sequence of the zccndx gene revealed the presence of HRE sites, which can be regulated by HIF2α. Morpholino knockdown of zebrafish Hif2α and cyclin Dx resulted in the abolishment of isl1 and oligo2 expression in the precursors of motor neurons and also disrupted axon growth. Overexpression of cyclin Dx mRNA in Hif2α morphants partially rescued zccndx expression. Taken together, our data indicate that zebrafish cyclin Dx plays a role in maintaining the precursors of motor neurons.
Overexpression of the brassinosteroid biosynthetic gene DWF4 in Brassica napus simultaneously increases seed yield and stress tolerance
Authors: Sahni Sangita , Prasad Bishun D. , Liu Qing , Grbic Vojislava , Sharpe Andrew , Singh Surinder P. , Krishna Priti 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAs a resource allocation strategy, plant growth and defense responses are generally mutually antagonistic. Brassinosteroid (BR) regulates many aspects of plant development and stress responses, however, genetic evidence of its integrated effects on plant growth and stress tolerance is lacking. We overexpressed the Arabidopsis BR biosynthetic gene AtDWF4 in the oilseed plant Brassica napus and scored growth and stress response phenotypes. The transgenic B. napus plants, in comparison to wild type, displayed increased seed yield leading to increased overall oil content per plant, higher root biomass and root length, significantly better tolerance to dehydration and heat stress and enhanced resistance to necrotrophic fungal pathogens Leptosphaeria maculans and Sclerotinia sclerotiorum. Transcriptome analysis supported the integrated effects of BR on growth and stress responses; in addition to BR responses associated with growth, a predominant plant defense signature, likely mediated by BES1/BZR1, was evident in the transgenic plants. These results establish that BR can interactively and simultaneously enhance abiotic and biotic stress tolerance and plant productivity. The ability to confer pleiotropic beneficial effects that are associated with different agronomic traits suggests that BR–related genes may be important targets for simultaneously increasing plant productivity and performance under stress conditions.
Metal-free carbon nanotubes: synthesis, and enhanced intrinsic microwave absorption properties
Authors: Qi Xiaosi , Xu Jianle , Hu Qi , Deng Yu , Xie Ren , Jiang Yang , Zhong Wei , Du Youwei 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn order to clearly understand the intrinsic microwave absorption properties of carbon nanomaterials, we proposed an efficient strategy to synthesize high purity metal-free carbon nanotubes (CNTs) over water-soluble K2CO3 particles through chemical vapor decomposition and water-washing process. The comparison results indicated the leftover catalyst caused negative effects in intrinsic microwave absorption properties of CNTs, while an enhanced microwave absorption performance could be observed over the metal-free CNT sample. Moreover, the results indicated that the microwave absorption properties could be tuned by the CNT content. Therefore, we provided a simple route to investigate the intrinsic properties of CNTs and a possible enhanced microwave absorbing mechanism.
Josephson effects in the junction formed by DIII-class topological and s-wave superconductors with an embedded quantum dot
Authors: Gao Zhen , Wang Xiao-Qi , Shan Wan-Fei , Wu Hai-Na , Gong Wei-Jiang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe investigate the Josephson effects in the junction formed by the indirect coupling between DIII-class topological and s-wave superconductors via an embedded quantum dot. Due to the presence of two kinds of superconductors, three dot-superconductor coupling manners are considered, respectively. As a result, the Josephson current is found to oscillate in period 2π. More importantly, the presence of Majorana doublet in the DIII-class superconductor renders the current finite at the case of zero phase difference, with its sign determined by the fermion parity of such a junction. In addition, the dot-superconductor coupling plays a nontrivial role in adjusting the Josephson current. When the s-wave superconductor couples to the dot in the weak limit, the current direction will have an opportunity to reverse. It is believed that these results will be helpful for understanding the transport properties of the DIII-class superconductor.
Multiple specialised goose-type lysozymes potentially compensate for an exceptional lack of chicken-type lysozymes in Atlantic cod
Authors: Seppola Marit , Bakkemo Kathrine Ryvold , Mikkelsen Helene , Myrnes Bjørnar , Helland Ronny , Irwin David M. , Nilsen Inge W. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPrevious analyses of the Atlantic cod genome showed unique combinations of lacking and expanded number of genes for the immune system. The present study examined lysozyme activity, lysozyme gene distribution and expression in cod. Enzymatic assays employing specific bacterial lysozyme inhibitors provided evidence for presence of g-type, but unexpectedly not for c-type lysozyme activity. Database homology searches failed to identify any c-type lysozyme gene in the cod genome or in expressed sequence tags from cod. In contrast, we identified four g-type lysozyme genes (LygF1a-d) constitutively expressed, although differentially, in all cod organs examined. The active site glutamate residue is replaced by alanine in LygF1a, thus making it enzymatic inactive, while LygF1d was found in two active site variants carrying alanine or glutamate, respectively.In vitroandin vivoinfection by the intracellular bacteriumFrancisella noatunensisgave a significantly reduced LygF1a and b expression but increased expression of the LygF1c and d genes as did also the interferon gamma (IFNγ) cytokine. These results demonstrate a lack of c-type lysozyme that is unprecedented among vertebrates. Our results further indicate that serial gene duplications have produced multiple differentially regulated cod g-type lysozymes with specialised functions potentially compensating for the lack of c-type lysozymes.
Transformed MDCK cells secrete elevated MMP1 that generates LAMA5 fragments promoting endothelial cell angiogenesis
Authors: Gopal Shashi K. , Greening David W. , Zhu Hong-Jian , Simpson Richard J. , Mathias Rommel A. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractEpithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) enhances the migration and invasion of cancer cells and is regulated by various molecular mechanisms including extracellular matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity. Previously, we reported transformation of epithelial Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells with oncogenic H-Ras (21D1 cells) induces EMT and significantly elevates MMP1 expression. To explore the biological significance, in this study we characterized 21D1 cells with knocked-down MMP1 expression (21D1−MMP1). MMP1 silencing diminished 21D1 cell migration, invasion and anchorage-independent growth in vitro. Additionally, 21D1−MMP1 cells displayed reduced tumour volume when grown as in vivo subcutaneous xenografts in mice. Depletion of MMP1 lowered the ability of the cellular secretome (extracellular culture medium) to influence recipient cell behaviour. For example, supplementation with 21D1 secretome elevated cell migration of recipient fibroblasts and enhanced endothelial cell angiogenesis (vessel length and branching). By contrast, 21D1−MMP1 secretome was less potent in both functional assays. We reveal laminin subunit alpha-5 (LAMA5) as a novel biological substrate of MMP1, that generates internal and C-terminal proteolytic fragments in 21D1 secretome. Furthermore, antibody-based inhibition of integrin αvβ3 on endothelial cells nullified the angiogenic capability of 21D1 secretome. Therefore, we report this as a new VEGF-independent mechanism that oncogenic cells may employ to promote tumour angiogenesis.
Multifunctional Fe3O4 @ Au core/shell nanostars: a unique platform for multimode imaging and photothermal therapy of tumors
Authors: Hu Yong , Wang Ruizhi , Wang Shige , Ding Ling , Li Jingchao , Luo Yu , Wang Xiaolin , Shen Mingwu , Shi Xiangyang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWe herein report the development of multifunctional folic acid (FA)-targeted Fe3O4 @ Au nanostars (NSs) for targeted multi-mode magnetic resonance (MR)/computed tomography (CT)/photoacoustic (PA) imaging and photothermal therapy (PTT) of tumors. In this present work, citric acid-stabilized Fe3O4/Ag composite nanoparticles prepared by a mild reduction route were utilized as seeds and exposed to the Au growth solution to induce the formation of Fe3O4 @ Au core/shell NSs. Followed by successive decoration of thiolated polyethyleneimine (PEI-SH), FA via a polyethylene glycol spacer and acetylation of the residual PEI amines, multifunctional Fe3O4 @ Au NSs were formed. The designed multifunctional NSs possess excellent colloidal stability, good cytocompatibility in a given concentration range and specific recognition to cancer cells overexpressing FA receptors. Due to co-existence of Fe3O4 core and star-shaped Au shell, the NSs can be used for MR and CT imaging of tumors, respectively. Likewise, the near infrared plasmonic absorption feature also enables the NSs to be used for PA imaging and PTT of tumors. Our study clearly demonstrates a unique theranostic nanoplatform that can be used for high performance multi-mode imaging-guided PTT of tumors, which may be extendable for theranostics of different diseases in translational medicine.
Approaching Defect-free Amorphous Silicon Nitride by Plasma-assisted Atomic Beam Deposition for High Performance Gate Dielectric
Authors: Tsai Shu-Ju , Wang Chiang-Lun , Lee Hung-Chun , Lin Chun-Yeh , Chen Jhih-Wei , Shiu Hong-Wei , Chang Lo-Yueh , Hsueh Han-Ting , Chen Hung-Ying , Tsai Jyun-Yu , Lu Ying-Hsin , Chang Ting-Chang , Tu Li-Wei , Teng Hsisheng , Chen Yi-Chun , Chen Chia-Hao , Wu Chung-Lin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn the past few decades, gate insulators with a high dielectric constant (high-k dielectric) enabling a physically thick but dielectrically thin insulating layer, have been used to replace traditional SiOx insulator and to ensure continuous downscaling of Si-based transistor technology. However, due to the non-silicon derivative natures of the high-k metal oxides, transport properties in these dielectrics are still limited by various structural defects on the hetero-interfaces and inside the dielectrics. Here, we show that another insulating silicon compound, amorphous silicon nitride (a-Si3N4), is a promising candidate of effective electrical insulator for use as a high-k dielectric. We have examined a-Si3N4 deposited using the plasma-assisted atomic beam deposition (PA-ABD) technique in an ultra-high vacuum (UHV) environment and demonstrated the absence of defect-related luminescence; it was also found that the electronic structure across the a-Si3N4/Si heterojunction approaches the intrinsic limit, which exhibits large band gap energy and valence band offset. We demonstrate that charge transport properties in the metal/a-Si3N4/Si (MNS) structures approach defect-free limits with a large breakdown field and a low leakage current. Using PA-ABD, our results suggest a general strategy to markedly improve the performance of gate dielectric using a nearly defect-free insulator.
EMMPRIN Down-regulating miR-106a/b Modifies Breast Cancer Stem-like Cell Properties via Interaction with Fibroblasts Through STAT3 and HIF-1α
Authors: Liu Yonglei , Zhang Jingling , Sun Xiangjun , Li Meilin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractExtracellular matrix metalloproteinase inducer (EMMPRIN) is a heavily glycosylated protein and expresses in cancer cells widely, which plays important roles in tumor progression. However, the role of EMMPRIN in breast cancer stem-like cell properties by interaction with fibroblasts is not known. In the present study, we investigated the effects of fibroblasts on breast cancer stem-like cells. We found that fibroblasts activated by co-cultured breast cancer cells produced higher levels of EMMPRIN, which stimulated the stem-like cell specific, self-renewal and sphere-forming phenotype in breast cancer cells. Increased EMMPRIN expression in activated fibroblasts increased the expression of STAT3 and HIF-1α and showed cancer stem-like cell features in breast cancer cells. We also found that EMMPRIN could down-regulate miR-106a and miR-106b expression in breast cancer cells, which led to activating STAT3 and enhancing HIF-1α expression. Our results illustrated that EMMPRIN has an important role in breast cancer stem-like cells by activation STAT3/HIF-1α through interaction with cancer cells and fibroblasts. The study for the first time indicated that cancer cells and fibroblasts interaction promotes breast cancer cells showing stem-like cells through up-regulation EMMPRIN and led to inhibiting miR-106a/b expression which targets both STAT3 and HIF-1α expression.
Tunable electronic properties of graphene through controlling bonding configurations of doped nitrogen atoms
Authors: Zhang Jia , Zhao Chao , Liu Na , Zhang Huanxi , Liu Jingjing , Fu Yong Qing , Guo Bin , Wang Zhenlong , Lei Shengbin , Hu PingAn 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSingle–layer and mono–component doped graphene is a crucial platform for a better understanding of the relationship between its intrinsic electronic properties and atomic bonding configurations. Large–scale doped graphene films dominated with graphitic nitrogen (GG) or pyrrolic nitrogen (PG) were synthesized on Cu foils via a free radical reaction at growth temperatures of 230–300 °C and 400–600 °C, respectively. The bonding configurations of N atoms in the graphene lattices were controlled through reaction temperature and characterized using Raman spectroscopy, X–ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscope. The GG exhibited a strong n–type doping behavior, whereas the PG showed a weak n–type doping behavior. Electron mobilities of the GG and PG were in the range of 80.1–340 cm2 V−1·s−1 and 59.3–160.6 cm2 V−1·s−1, respectively. The enhanced doping effect caused by graphitic nitrogen in the GG produced an asymmetry electron–hole transport characteristic, indicating that the long–range scattering (ionized impurities) plays an important role in determining the carrier transport behavior. Analysis of temperature dependent conductance showed that the carrier transport mechanism in the GG was thermal excitation, whereas that in the PG, was a combination of thermal excitation and variable range hopping.