bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Flavonoid intake is inversely associated with obesity and C-reactive protein, a marker for inflammation, in US adults
Authors: Vernarelli J A , Lambert J D 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecent studies have demonstrated the importance of flavonoid intake and disease risk, however the association between flavonoid intake and obesity has not been evaluated in a nationally representative sample of US adults. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between flavonoid consumption and established risk factors for obesity and obesity-related inflammation. Data from a nationally representative sample of 9551 adults who participated in the 2005–2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were analyzed. Flavonoid consumption was inversely associated with obesity in both men and women in multivariate models. Adults in the highest quartile of flavonoid intake had significantly lower body mass index and waist circumference than those in the lowest quartile of flavonoid intake (P<0.03 andP<0.04, respectively), and flavonoid intake was inversely related to C-reactive protein levels in women (p-trend, 0.01). These findings support a growing body of laboratory evidence that flavonoid consumption may be beneficial for disease prevention.
Mint3-mediated L1CAM expression in fibroblasts promotes cancer cell proliferation via integrin α5β1 and tumour growth
Authors: Nakaoka H J , Tanei Z , Hara T , Weng J S , Kanamori A , Hayashi T , Sato H , Orimo A , Otsuji K , Tada K , Morikawa T , Sasaki T , Fukayama M , Seiki M , Murakami Y , Sakamoto T 
Published: May 2017

AbstractFibroblasts are some of the major cells in tumour tissues that influence tumour progression and drug resistance. However, our understanding on fibroblast-mediated tumour malignancy remains incomplete. Munc18-1-interacting protein 3 (Mint3) is known as an activator of hypoxia-inducible factor-1 (HIF-1) even during normoxia in cancer cells, macrophages and fibroblasts. Although Mint3 promotes ATP production via glycolysis by activating HIF-1 in cancer cells and macrophages, the biological role of Mint3-mediated HIF-1 activation in fibroblasts remains unclear. To address this, we examined whether Mint3 in fibroblasts contributes to tumour growth. Mint3 depletion in mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) decreased tumour growth of co-injected human breast cancer cells, MDA-MB-231 and epidermoid carcinoma A431 cells in mice. In MEFs, Mint3 also promoted cancer cell proliferation in vitro in a cell–cell contact-dependent manner. Mint3-mediated cancer cell proliferation depended on HIF-1, and further gene expression analysis revealed that the cell adhesion molecule, L1 cell adhesion molecule (L1CAM), was induced by Mint3 and HIF-1 in fibroblasts. Mint3-mediated L1CAM expression in fibroblasts stimulated the ERK signalling pathway via integrin α5β1 in cancer cells, and promoted cancer cell proliferation in vitro and tumour growth. In cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), knockdown of MT1-MMP, which promotes Mint3-mediated HIF-1 activation, or Mint3 decreased L1CAM expression. As MEFs, CAFs also promoted cancer cell proliferation in vitro, and tumour growth via Mint3 and L1CAM. In human breast cancer specimens, the number of fibroblasts expressing L1CAM, Mint3 and MT1-MMP was higher in cancer regions than in adjacent benign regions. In addition, more phospho-ERK1/2-positive cancer cells existed in the peripheral region surrounded by the stroma than in the central region of solid breast cancer nest. Thus, Mint3 in fibroblasts might be a good target for cancer therapy by regulating cancer cell-stromal cell communication.
Potential of PEDOT:PSS as a hole selective front contact for silicon heterojunction solar cells
Authors: Jäckle Sara , Liebhaber Martin , Gersmann Clemens , Mews Mathias , Jäger Klaus , Christiansen Silke , Lips Klaus 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe show that the highly conductive polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) can successfully be applied as a hole selective front contact in silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells. In combination with a superior electron selective heterojunction back contact based on amorphous silicon (a-Si), mono-crystalline n-type silicon (c-Si) solar cells reach power conversion efficiencies up to 14.8% and high open-circuit voltages exceeding 660 mV. Since in the PEDOT:PSS/c-Si/a-Si solar cell the inferior hybrid junction is determining the electrical device performance we are capable of assessing the recombination velocity (v
I
) at the PEDOT:PSS/c-Si interface. An estimated v
I
of ~400 cm/s demonstrates, that while PEDOT:PSS shows an excellent selectivity on n-type c-Si, the passivation quality provided by the formation of a native oxide at the c-Si surface restricts the performance of the hybrid junction. Furthermore, by comparing the measured external quantum efficiency with optical simulations, we quantify the losses due to parasitic absorption of PEDOT:PSS and reflection of the device layer stack. By pointing out ways to better passivate the hybrid interface and to increase the photocurrent we discuss the full potential of PEDOT:PSS as a front contact in SHJ solar cells.
Multi-label Learning for Predicting the Activities of Antimicrobial Peptides
Authors: Wang Pu , Ge Ruiquan , Liu Liming , Xiao Xuan , Li Ye , Cai Yunpeng 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are peptide antibiotics with a broad spectrum of antimicrobial activities. Activity prediction of AMPs from their amino acid sequences is of great therapeutic importance but imposes challenges on prediction methods due to label interactions. In this paper we propose a novel multi-label learning model to address this problem. A weighted K-nearest neighbor classifier is adopted for efficient representation learning of the sequence data. A multiple linear regression model is then employed to learn a mapping from the classifier score vectors to the target labels, with label correlations considered. Several popular multi-label learning algorithms and feature extraction methods were tested on a comprehensive, up-to-date AMP dataset with twelve biological activities covered and its filtered version with five activities covered. The experimental results showed that our proposed method has competitive performance with previous works and could be used as a powerful engine for activity prediction of AMPs.
Increased stem cells delivered using a silk gel/scaffold complex for enhanced bone regeneration
Authors: Ding Xun , Yang Guangzheng , Zhang Wenjie , Li Guanglong , Lin Shuxian , Kaplan David L. , Jiang Xinquan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe low in vivo survival rate of scaffold-seeded cells is still a challenge in stem cell-based bone regeneration. This study seeks to use a silk hydrogel to deliver more stem cells into a bone defect area and prolong the viability of these cells after implantation. Rat bone marrow stem cells were mingled with silk hydrogels at the concentrations of 1.0 × 105/mL, 1.0 × 106/mL and 1.0 × 107/mL before gelation, added dropwise to a silk scaffold and applied to a rat calvarial defect. A cell tracing experiment was included to observe the preservation of cell viability and function. The results show that the hydrogel with 1.0 × 107/mL stem cells exhibited the best osteogenic effect both in vitro and in vivo. The cell-tracing experiment shows that cells in the 1.0 × 107 group still survive and actively participate in new bone formation 8 weeks after implantation. The strategy of pre-mingling stem cells with the hydrogel had the effect of delivering more stem cells for bone engineering while preserving the viability and functions of these cells in vivo.
Organic carbon prediction in soil cores using VNIR and MIR techniques in an alpine landscape
Authors: Jia Xiaolin , Chen Songchao , Yang Yuanyuan , Zhou Lianqing , Yu Wu , Shi Zhou 
Published: May 2017

AbstractDiffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS), including visible and near-infrared (VNIR) and mid-infrared (MIR) radiation, is a rapid, accurate and cost-effective technique for estimating soil organic carbon (SOC). We examined 24 soil cores (0–100 cm) from the Sygera Mountains on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau, considering field-moist intact VNIR, air-dried ground VNIR and air-dried ground MIR spectra at 5-cm intervals. Preprocessed spectra were used to predict the SOC in the soil cores using partial least squares regression (PLSR) and a support vector machine (SVM). The SVM models performed better with three predictors, with the ratio of performance to inter-quartile distance (RPIQ) and R2 values typically exceeding 1.74 and 0.73, respectively. The SVM using the DRS technique indicated accurate predictive results of SOC in each core. The RPIQ values of the shrub meadow, forest and total dataset prediction using air-dried ground VNIR were 1.97, 2.68 and 1.99, respectively; the values using field-moist intact VNIR were 1.95, 2.07 and 1.76 and those using air-dried ground MIR were 1.78, 1.96 and 1.74, respectively. We conclude that the DRS technique is an efficient and rapid method for SOC prediction and has the potential for dynamic monitoring of SOC stock density on the Qinghai–Tibet Plateau.
Realization of large energy proportion in the central lobe by coherent beam combination based on conformal projection system
Authors: Zhi Dong , Zhang Zhixin , Ma Yanxing , Wang Xiaolin , Chen Zilun , Wu Wuming , Zhou Pu , Si Lei 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we experimentally validate a tiled-aperture conformal projection system with the largest array filling factor and element beam truncation factor to the best of our knowledge. The conformal projection system, which is made up of a hexagonal adaptive fiber-optics collimator (AFOC) array with the proximate ideal intensity distributions, is fabricated and the performance of output beam is tested and evaluated properly and carefully. Both of the active phase-locking control and precise tip-tilt control are implemented successfully in the CBC of the hexagonal seven-beam-array. Experimental results show a large energy proportion (47%, which increases by over 10% comparing with the previously demonstrated largest value) in the central lobe is achieved and the residual phase error is lower than λ/27. When the AFOC array performs, the precise tilt control makes the combining beams overlap well and the average normalized metric value is improved from 0.336 without control to 0.947 with both of active piston and tip-tilt phase controls while the fringe contrast increases from 19% to more than 91% correspondingly. This work presents a promising structure for the achievement of large energy proportion in the central lobe in high power fiber laser CBC systems.
Shedding of host autophagic proteins from the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane of Plasmodium berghei
Authors: Agop-Nersesian Carolina , De Niz Mariana , Niklaus Livia , Prado Monica , Eickel Nina , Heussler Volker T. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe hepatic stage of the malaria parasite Plasmodium is accompanied by an autophagy-mediated host response directly targeting the parasitophorous vacuolar membrane (PVM) harbouring the parasite. Removal of the PVM-associated autophagic proteins such as ubiquitin, p62, and LC3 correlates with parasite survival. Yet, it is unclear how Plasmodium avoids the deleterious effects of selective autophagy. Here we show that parasites trap host autophagic factors in the tubovesicular network (TVN), an expansion of the PVM into the host cytoplasm. In proliferating parasites, PVM-associated LC3 becomes immediately redirected into the TVN, where it accumulates distally from the parasite’s replicative centre. Finally, the host factors are shed as vesicles into the host cytoplasm. This strategy may enable the parasite to balance the benefits of the enhanced host catabolic activity with the risk of being eliminated by the cell’s cytosolic immune defence.
Role of S-Palmitoylation by ZDHHC13 in Mitochondrial function and Metabolism in Liver
Authors: Shen Li-Fen , Chen Yi-Ju , Liu Kai-Ming , Haddad Amir N. Saleem , Song I-Wen , Roan Hsiao-Yuh , Chen Li-Ying , Yen Jeffrey J. Y. , Chen Yu-Ju , Wu Jer-Yuarn , Chen Yuan-Tsong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPalmitoyltransferase (PAT) catalyses protein S-palmitoylation which adds 16-carbon palmitate to specific cysteines and contributes to various biological functions. We previously reported that in mice, deficiency of Zdhhc13, a member of the PAT family, causes severe phenotypes including amyloidosis, alopecia, and osteoporosis. Here, we show that Zdhhc13 deficiency results in abnormal liver function, lipid abnormalities, and hypermetabolism. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these disease phenotypes, we applied a site-specific quantitative approach integrating an alkylating resin-assisted capture and mass spectrometry-based label-free strategy for studying the liver S-palmitoylome. We identified 2,190 S-palmitoylated peptides corresponding to 883 S-palmitoylated proteins. After normalization using the membrane proteome with TMT10-plex labelling, 400 (31%) of S-palmitoylation sites on 254 proteins were down-regulated in Zdhhc13-deficient mice, representing potential ZDHHC13 substrates. Among these, lipid metabolism and mitochondrial dysfunction proteins were overrepresented. MCAT and CTNND1 were confirmed to be specific ZDHHC13 substrates. Furthermore, we found impaired mitochondrial function in hepatocytes of Zdhhc13-deficient mice and Zdhhc13-knockdown Hep1–6 cells. These results indicate that ZDHHC13 is an important regulator of mitochondrial activity. Collectively, our study allows for a systematic view of S-palmitoylation for identification of ZDHHC13 substrates and demonstrates the role of ZDHHC13 in mitochondrial function and metabolism in liver.
High-efficiency broadband second harmonic generation in single hexagonal GaAs nanowire
Authors: Wang Jing , Yu Ying , Wei Yu-Ming , Liu Shun-Fa , Li Juntao , Zhou Zhang-Kai , Niu Zhi-Chuan , Yu Si-Yuan , Wang Xue-Hua 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this paper, we investigate second harmonic generation in a single hexagonal GaAs nanowire. An excellent frequency converter based on this nanowire excited using a femtosecond laser is demonstrated to operate over a range from 730 nm to 1960 nm, which is wider than previously reported ranges for nanowires in the literature. The converter always operates with a high conversion efficiency of ~10−5 W−1 which is ~103 times higher than that obtained from the surface of bulk GaAs. This nanoscale nolinear optical converter that simultaneously owns high efficiency and broad bandwidth may open a new way for application in imaging, bio-sensing and on-chip all-optical signal processing operations.
A heteromeric molecular complex regulates the migration of lung alveolar epithelial cells during wound healing
Authors: Ghosh Manik C. , Makena Patrudu S. , Kennedy Joseph , Teng Bin , Luellen Charlean , Sinclair Scott E. , Waters Christopher M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAlveolar type II epithelial cells (ATII) are instrumental in early wound healing in response to lung injury, restoring epithelial integrity through spreading and migration. We previously reported in separate studies that focal adhesion kinase-1 (FAK) and the chemokine receptor CXCR4 promote epithelial repair mechanisms. However, potential interactions between these two pathways were not previously considered. In the present study, we found that wounding of rat ATII cells promoted increased association between FAK and CXCR4. In addition, protein phosphatase-5 (PP5) increased its association with this heteromeric complex, while apoptosis signal regulating kinase-1 (ASK1) dissociated from the complex. Cell migration following wounding was decreased when PP5 expression was decreased using shRNA, but migration was increased in ATII cells isolated from ASK1 knockout mice. Interactions between FAK and CXCR4 were increased upon depletion of ASK1 using shRNA in MLE-12 cells, but unaffected when PP5 was depleted. Furthermore, we found that wounded rat ATII cells exhibited decreased ASK1 phosphorylation at Serine-966, decreased serine phosphorylation of FAK, and decreased association of phosphorylated ASK1 with FAK. These changes in phosphorylation were dependent upon expression of PP5. These results demonstrate a unique molecular complex comprising CXCR4, FAK, ASK1, and PP5 in ATII cells during wound healing.
Time-course responses of circulating microRNAs to three resistance training protocols in healthy young men
Authors: Cui Shufang , Sun Biao , Yin Xin , Guo Xia , Chao Dingming , Zhang Chunni , Zhang Chen-Yu , Chen Xi , Ma Jizheng 
Published: May 2017

AbstractCirculating microRNAs (c-miRNAs) in human plasma have been described as a potential marker of exercise. The present study investigated the effects of three acute resistance training (RT) protocols on the time-course changes of the c-miRNAs profiles in young males. The subjects (n = 45) were randomly divided into three groups: muscular strength endurance (SE), muscular hypertrophy (MH) and maximum strength (MS). Venous blood samples were obtained before exercise and immediately, 1 h and 24 h after each RT protocol to assess the following biological parameters: c-miRNAs, anabolic and catabolic hormones, inflammatory cytokines and muscle damage markers. The results revealed that the levels of two c-miRNAs (miR-208b and miR-532), six c-miRNAs (miR-133a, miR-133b, miR-206, miR-181a, miR-21 and miR-221) and two c-miRNAs (miR-133a and miR-133b) changed significantly in response to the SE, MH and MS protocols (p < 0.05), respectively. The nature and dynamic processes of the c-miRNAs response were likely influenced by the RT modality and intensity. Moreover, miR-532 was negatively correlated with insulin-like growth factor-1 and positively correlated with interleukin-10, whereas miR-133a was negatively correlated with cortisol and positively correlated with testosterone/cortisol. These findings suggest that these c-miRNAs may serve as markers for monitoring the RT responses.
Novel mutations and phenotypic associations identified through APC, MUTYH, NTHL1, POLD1, POLE gene analysis in Indian Familial Adenomatous Polyposis cohort
Authors: Khan Nikhat , Lipsa Anuja , Arunachal Gautham , Ramadwar Mukta , Sarin Rajiv 
Published: May 2017

AbstractColo-Rectal Cancer is a common cancer worldwide with 5–10% cases being hereditary. Familial Adenomatous Polyposis (FAP) syndrome is due to germline mutations in the APC or rarely MUTYH gene. NTHL1, POLD1, POLE have been recently reported in previously unexplained FAP cases. Unlike the Caucasian population, FAP phenotype and its genotypic associations have not been widely studied in several geoethnic groups. We report the first FAP cohort from South Asia and the only non-Caucasian cohort with comprehensive analysis of APC, MUTYH, NTHL1, POLD1, POLE genes. In this cohort of 112 individuals from 53 FAP families, we detected germline APC mutations in 60 individuals (45 families) and biallelic MUTYH mutations in 4 individuals (2 families). No NTHL1, POLD1, POLE mutations were identified. Fifteen novel APC mutations and a new Indian APC mutational hotspot at codon 935 were identified. Eight very rare FAP phenotype or phenotypes rarely associated with mutations outside specific APC regions were observed. APC genotype-phenotype association studies in different geo-ethnic groups can enrich the existing knowledge about phenotypic consequences of distinct APC mutations and guide counseling and risk management in different populations. A stepwise cost-effective mutation screening approach is proposed for genetic testing of south Asian FAP patients.
CR-39 track detector for multi-MeV ion spectroscopy
Authors: Jeong T. W. , Singh P. K. , Scullion C. , Ahmed H. , Hadjisolomou P. , Jeon C. , Yun H. , Kakolee K. F. , Borghesi M. , Ter-Avetisyan S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractWe present the characteristics of track formation on the front and rear surfaces of CR-39 produced by laser-driven protons and carbon ions. A methodological approach, based on bulk etch length, is proposed to uniquely characterize the particle tracks in CR-39, enabling comparative description of the track characteristics in different experiments. The response of CR-39 to ions is studied based on the energy dependent growth rate of the track diameter to understand the intrinsic particle stopping process within the material. A large non-uniformity in the track diameter is observed for CR-39 with thickness matching with the stopping range of particles. Simulation and experimental results show the imprint of longitudinal range straggling for energetic protons. Moreover, by exploiting the energy dependence of the track diameter, the energy resolution (δE/E) of CR-39 for few MeV protons and Carbon ion is found to be about 3%.
Blocking of carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1 potently reduces stress-induced depression in rat highlighting a pivotal role of lipid metabolism
Authors: Mørkholt Anne Skøttrup , Wiborg Ove , Nieland Jette G. K. , Nielsen Søren , Nieland John Dirk 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMajor depressive disorder is a complex and common mental disease, for which the pathology has not been elucidated. The purpose of this study is to provide knowledge about the importance of mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulated lipid metabolism and inflammation. Mitochondrial carnitine palmitoyl transferase 1a (CPT1a) is a key molecule involved in lipid metabolism and mutations in CPT1a causing reduced function is hypothesized to have a protective role in the development of depression. Moreover, CPT1a is found to be upregulated in suicide patients with history of depression. Therefore, we hypothesized that inhibition of CPT1a activity can be developed as an innovative treatment strategy for depression. Stress exposure combined with different pharmacological treatment regimens; Etomoxir, CPT1 blocker, and Escitalopram, a favoured antidepressant drug, was applied in state-of-the-art chronic mild stress model. Etomoxir treatment induced statistical significant reduction of anhedonic behavior compared to vehicle treatment (p < 0.0001) and reversed depression-like phenotype in 90% of the rats (p = 0.0007), whereas Escitalopram only proved 57% efficacy. Moreover, Etomoxir revealed downregulation of interferon-γ, interleukin-17α and tumor necrosis factor-α. This indicate that alteration in metabolism is pivotal in the pathogenesis of depression, since CPT1 blockage is highly efficient in treating anhedonia and inflammation, thereby opening up for a novel class of antidepressant medication.
2-Hydroxypropyl-beta-cyclodextrin (HPβCD) reduces age-related lipofuscin accumulation through a cholesterol-associated pathway
Authors: Gaspar Jason , Mathieu Jacques , Alvarez Pedro 
Published: May 2017

AbstractOxidative stress causes significant increases in both cholesterol uptake and intracellular accumulation of the aging biomarker lipofuscin. Here we show that HPβCD addition mitigates these adverse effects in human fibroblasts by significantly reducing LDLr and SREBP1 gene expression. In the absence of oxidative stress, HPβCD addition induces a paradoxical response, increasing cholesterol accumulation (but not lipofuscin) via upregulation of cholesterol biosynthesis. These two distinct, but opposite effects highlight a previously overlooked therapeutic consideration: the cholesterol content of the treated cell determines which cholesterol pathways, either beneficial or harmful, are responsive to HPβCD.