bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size

Still

Matters, Although It Shouldn’t: The Debate on Small Cetaceans, IWC 65, and Monaco’s Resolution on Highly Migratory Cetaceans
Authors: Couzens Ed 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThis commentary is an update to an article in an earlier issue ofTransnational Environmental Law(E. Couzens, ‘Size Matters, Although It Shouldn’t: The IWC and Small Cetaceans. A Reply to Stephenson, Mooers and Attaran’ (2014) 3(2)Transnational Environmental Law, pp. 265–78) on the treatment of small cetaceans by the International Whaling Commission (IWC). That article discussed an unsuccessful proposal submitted by Monaco, at the 64thmeeting of the IWC in 2012, for a resolution on highly migratory cetaceans. Monaco renewed its proposal in 2014 and, on that occasion, did generate sufficient support for a resolution to give contracting parties to the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling a mandate to initiate debate over small cetaceans in other fora. Following this IWC Resolution, in December 2015, the United Nations General Assembly included a clause proposed by Monaco in its Resolution on Oceans and the Law of the Sea. The nature of international law is such that it is difficult to force change without upsetting a delicate equilibrium. Monaco’s initiative, however, may provide significant momentum towards a solution for what remains the real and under-acknowledged problem that there is virtually no international law applicable to small and/or highly migratory cetaceans.
Steroid binding to Autotaxin links bile salts and lysophosphatidic acid signalling
Authors: Keune Willem-Jan , Hausmann Jens , Bolier Ruth , Tolenaars Dagmar , Kremer Andreas , Heidebrecht Tatjana , Joosten Robbie P. , Sunkara Manjula , Morris Andrew J. , Matas-Rico Elisa , Moolenaar Wouter H. , Oude Elferink Ronald P. , Perrakis Anastassis 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAutotaxin (ATX) generates the lipid mediator lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). ATX-LPA signalling is involved in multiple biological and pathophysiological processes, including vasculogenesis, fibrosis, cholestatic pruritus and tumour progression. ATX has a tripartite active site, combining a hydrophilic groove, a hydrophobic lipid-binding pocket and a tunnel of unclear function. We present crystal structures of rat ATX bound to 7α-hydroxycholesterol and the bile salt tauroursodeoxycholate (TUDCA), showing how the tunnel selectively binds steroids. A structure of ATX simultaneously harbouring TUDCA in the tunnel and LPA in the pocket, together with kinetic analysis, reveals that bile salts act as partial non-competitive inhibitors of ATX, thereby attenuating LPA receptor activation. This unexpected interplay between ATX-LPA signalling and select steroids, notably natural bile salts, provides a molecular basis for the emerging association of ATX with disorders associated with increased circulating levels of bile salts. Furthermore, our findings suggest potential clinical implications in the use of steroid drugs.
Discovery of a specific inhibitor of human GLUT5 by virtual screening and in vitro transport evaluation
Authors: George Thompson Alayna M. , Ursu Oleg , Babkin Petr , Iancu Cristina V. , Whang Alex , Oprea Tudor I. , Choe Jun-yong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractGLUT5, a fructose-transporting member of the facilitative glucose transporter (GLUT, SLC2) family, is a therapeutic target for diabetes and cancer but has no potent inhibitors. We virtually screened a library of 6 million chemicals onto a GLUT5 model and identified N-[4-(methylsulfonyl)-2-nitrophenyl]-1,3-benzodioxol-5-amine (MSNBA) as an inhibitor of GLUT5 fructose transport in proteoliposomes. MSNBA inhibition was specific to GLUT5; this inhibitor did not affect the fructose transport of human GLUT2 or the glucose transport of human GLUT1-4 or bacterial GlcPSe. In MCF7 cells, a human breast cancer cell line, MSNBA competitively inhibited GLUT5 fructose uptake with a KI of 3.2 ± 0.4 μM. Ligand docking, mutagenesis and functional studies indicate that MSNBA binds near the active site and inhibitor discrimination involves H387 of GLUT5. Thus, MSNBA is a selective and potent inhibitor of fructose transport via GLUT5, and the first chemical probe for this transporter. Our data indicate that active site differences in GLUT members could be exploited to further enhance ligand specificity.
Yeast Gdt1 is a Golgi-localized calcium transporter required for stress-induced calcium signaling and protein glycosylation
Authors: Colinet Anne-Sophie , Sengottaiyan Palanivelu , Deschamps Antoine , Colsoul Marie-Lise , Thines Louise , Demaegd Didier , Duchêne Marie-Clémence , Foulquier François , Hols Pascal , Morsomme Pierre 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCalcium signaling depends on a tightly regulated set of pumps, exchangers and channels that are responsible for controlling calcium fluxes between the different subcellular compartments of the eukaryotic cell. We have recently reported that two members of the highly-conserved UPF0016 family, human TMEM165 and budding yeast Gdt1p, are functionally related and might form a new group of Golgi-localized cation/Ca2+ exchangers. Defects in the human protein TMEM165 are known to cause a subtype of Congenital Disorders of Glycosylation. Using an assay based on the heterologous expression of GDT1 in the bacterium Lactococcus lactis, we demonstrated the calcium transport activity of Gdt1p. We observed a Ca2+ uptake activity in cells expressing GDT1, which was dependent on the external pH, indicating that Gdt1p may act as a Ca2+/H+ antiporter. In yeast, we found that Gdt1p controls cellular calcium stores and plays a major role in the calcium response induced by osmotic shock when the Golgi calcium pump, Pmr1p, is absent. Importantly, we also discovered that, in the presence of a high concentration of external calcium, Gdt1p is required for glycosylation of carboxypeptidase Y and the glucanosyltransferase Gas1p. Finally we showed that glycosylation process is restored by providing more Mn2+ to the cells.
Ultra-Porous Nanoparticle Networks: A Biomimetic Coating Morphology for Enhanced Cellular Response and Infiltration
Authors: Nasiri Noushin , Ceramidas Anthony , Mukherjee Shayanti , Panneerselvan Anitha , Nisbet David R. , Tricoli Antonio 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOrthopedic treatments are amongst the most common cause of surgery and are responsible for a large share of global healthcare expenditures. Engineering materials that can hasten bone integration will improve the quality of life of millions of patients per year and reduce associated medical costs. Here, we present a novel hierarchical biomimetic coating that mimics the inorganic constituent of mammalian bones with the aim of improving osseointegration of metallic implants. We exploit the thermally-driven self-organization of metastable core-shell nanoparticles during their aerosol self-assembly to rapidly fabricate robust, ultra-porous nanoparticle networks (UNN) of crystalline hydroxyapatite (HAp). Comparative analysis of the response of osteoblast cells to the ultra-porous nanostructured HAp surfaces and to the spin coated HAp surfaces revealed superior osseointegrative properties of the UNN coatings with significant cell and filopodia infiltration. This flexible synthesis approach for the engineering of UNN HAp coatings on titanium implants provides a platform technology to study the bone-implant interface for improved osseointegration and osteoconduction.
Characterization of Environmental Dust in the Dammam Area and Mud After-Effects on Bisphenol-A Polycarbonate Sheets
Authors: Yilbas Bekir Sami. , Ali Haider , Al-Aqeeli Naseer , Khaled Mazen M. , Said Syed , Abu-Dheir Numan , Merah Necar , Youcef-Toumi Kamal , Varanasi Kripa K. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractOwing to recent climate changes, dust storms are increasingly common, particularly in the Middle East region. Dust accumulation and subsequent mud formation on solid surfaces in humid environments typically have adverse effects on surface properties such as optical transmittance, surface texture and microhardness. This is usually because the mud, which contains alkaline and ionic species, adheres strongly to the surface, often through chemical bonds and is therefore difficult to remove. In this study, environmental dust and the after-effects of mud formed on a polycarbonate sheet, which is commonly used as a protective glass in photovoltaic cells. Ionic compounds (OH−) are shown to significantly affect the optical, mechanical and textural characteristics of the polycarbonate surface and to increase the adhesion work required to remove the dry mud from the polycarbonate surface upon drying. Such ability to modify characteristics of the polycarbonate surface could address the dust/mud-related limitations of superhydrophobic surfaces.
Prognostic impact of mutation profiling in patients with stage II and III colon cancer
Authors: Shen Yinchen , Han Xiaohong , Wang Jianfei , Wang Shuai , Yang Hongying , Lu Shih-Hsin , Shi Yuankai 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDevelopment of colorectal cancer (CRC) associates with accumulation of genetic mutations include the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) signaling pathway. However, whether mutations in KRAS together with downstream factors BRAF, PIK3CA and NRAS impact prognosis is still unclear for stage II-III colon cancer. In the present study a total of 228 stage II-III colon cancer samples were retrospectively collected, KRAS (codons 12, 13 and 61), BRAF (exon 11 and exon 15), PIK3CA (exon 9 and exon 20) and NRAS (codons 12, 13 and 61) status was detected by Sanger sequencing, 37.89% (86/227) tumors harbored a KRAS mutation, 7.02% (16/228) harbored a BRAF mutation, 13.18% (29/220) harbored a PIK3CA mutation and 0.89% (2/224) harbored a NRAS mutation. NRAS mutations existed only in stage II colon cancer. Older groups harbored a higher KRAS and BRAF mutation (P < 0.05), PIK3CA (exon9) mutations appeared more common in worse differentiation tumors (P = 0.032). Moreover, PIK3CA (E545K) mutation was significantly associated with tumor recurrence (P = 0.031) and acted independently prognostic for poor OS (P = 0.044), while only in stage III colon cancer. KRAS, BRAF and NRAS mutations do not have major prognostic value in stage II and III colon cancer, subtypes of gene mutations should be further investigated for a better understanding in CRC.
Electrocatalytic performances of g-C3N4-LaNiO3 composite as bi-functional catalysts for lithium-oxygen batteries
Authors: Wu Yixin , Wang Taohuan , Zhang Yidie , Xin Sen , He Xiaojun , Zhang Dawei , Shui Jianglan 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA low cost and non-precious metal composite material g-C3N4-LaNiO3 (CNL) was synthesized as a bifunctional electrocatalyst for the air electrode of lithium-oxygen (Li-O2) batteries. The composition strategy changed the electron structure of LaNiO3 and g-C3N4, ensures high Ni3+/Ni2+ ratio and more absorbed hydroxyl on the surface of CNL that can promote the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER). The composite catalyst presents higher activities than the individual components g-C3N4 and LaNiO3 for both ORR and OER. In non-aqueous Li-O2 batteries, CNL shows higher capacity, lower overpotentials and better cycling stability than XC-72 carbon and LaNiO3 catalysts. Our results suggest that CNL composite is a promising cathode catalyst for Li-O2 batteries.
Swift thermal steering of domain walls in ferromagnetic MnBi stripes
Authors: Sukhov Alexander , Chotorlishvili Levan , Ernst Arthur , Zubizarreta Xabier , Ostanin Sergey , Mertig Ingrid , Gross Eberhard K. U. , Berakdar Jamal 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe predict a fast domain wall (DW) motion induced by a thermal gradient across a nanoscopic ferromagnetic stripe of MnBi. The driving mechanism is an exchange torque fueled by magnon accumulation at the DWs. Depending on the thickness of the sample, both hot-to-cold and cold-to-hot DW motion directions are possible. The finding unveils an energy efficient way to manipulate DWs as an essential element in magnetic information processing such as racetrack memory.
Generation of heterozygous fibrillin-1 mutant cloned pigs from genome-edited foetal fibroblasts
Authors: Umeyama Kazuhiro , Watanabe Kota , Watanabe Masahito , Horiuchi Keisuke , Nakano Kazuaki , Kitashiro Masateru , Matsunari Hitomi , Kimura Tokuhiro , Arima Yoshimi , Sampetrean Oltea , Nagaya Masaki , Saito Masahiro , Saya Hideyuki , Kosaki Kenjiro , Nagashima Hiroshi , Matsumoto Morio 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMarfan syndrome (MFS) is an autosomal dominant genetic disease caused by abnormal formation of the extracellular matrix with an incidence of 1 in 3, 000 to 5, 000. Patients with Marfan syndrome experience poor quality of life caused by skeletal disorders such as scoliosis, and they are at high risk of sudden death from cardiovascular impairment. Suitable animal models of MFS are essential for conquering this intractable disease. In particular, studies employing pig models will likely provide valuable information that can be extrapolated to humans because of the physiological and anatomical similarities between the two species. Here we describe the generation of heterozygous fibrillin-1 (FBN1) mutant cloned pigs (+/Glu433AsnfsX98) using genome editing and somatic cell nuclear transfer technologies. The FBN1 mutant pigs exhibited phenotypes resembling those of humans with MFS, such as scoliosis, pectus excavatum, delayed mineralization of the epiphysis and disrupted structure of elastic fibres of the aortic medial tissue. These findings indicate the value of FBN1 mutant pigs as a model for understanding the pathogenesis of MFS and for developing treatments.
Alternative promoters of Peg3 with maternal specificity
Authors: Perera Bambarendage P. U. , Kim Joomyeong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPeg3 (paternally expressed gene 3) is an imprinted gene localized within an evolutionarily conserved 500-kb domain in human chromosome 19q13.4 and mouse proximal chromosome 7. In the current study, we have identified three alternative promoters for mouse Peg3 and one alternative promoter for human PEG3. These alternative promoters are localized within the 200-kb upstream region of human and mouse PEG3, which is well conserved and thus predicted to harbor several cis-regulatory elements for the PEG3 domain. In the mouse, two of these alternative promoters drive maternal-specific expression of Peg3 specifically in the hypothalamus of the adult brain, while the remaining third promoter drives bi-allelic expression of Peg3 with a paternal bias only in the neonatal-stage brain. In human, an alternative transcript is also detected at relatively very low levels in adult brain and placenta. Overall, the identification of alternative promoters in both mouse and human models suggests that these alternative promoters may be functionally selected features for the PEG3 imprinted domain during mammalian evolution.
Integrative transcriptome, proteome, phosphoproteome and genetic mapping reveals new aspects in a fiberless mutant of cotton
Authors: Ma Qi-Feng , Wu Chun-Hui , Wu Man , Pei Wen-Feng , Li Xing-Li , Wang Wen-Kui , Zhang Jinfa , Yu Ji-Wen , Yu Shu-Xun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractTo investigate the molecular mechanisms of fiber initiation in cotton (Gossypium spp.), an integrated approach combining transcriptome, iTRAQ-based proteome and genetic mapping was taken to compare the ovules of the Xuzhou 142 wild type (WT) with its fuzzless-lintless (fl) mutant at −3 and 0 day post-anthesis. A total of 1,953 mRNAs, 187 proteins and 131 phosphoproteins were differentially expressed (DE) between WT and fl and the levels of transcripts and their encoded proteins and phosphoproteins were highly congruent. A functional analysis suggested that the abundance of proteins were mainly involved in amino sugar, nucleotide sugar and fatty acid metabolism, one carbon pool for folate metabolism and flavonoid biosynthesis. qRT-PCR, Western blotting and enzymatic assays were performed to confirm the regulation of these transcripts and proteins. A molecular mapping located the lintless gene li3 in the fl mutant on chromosome 26 for the first time. A further in-silico physical mapping of DE genes with sequence variations between fl and WT identified one and four candidate genes in the li3 and n2 regions, respectively. Taken together, the transcript abundance, phosphorylation status of proteins at the fiber initiation stage and candidate genes have provided insights into regulatory processes underlying cotton fiber initiation.
Liprin-α1 is a regulator of vimentin intermediate filament network in the cancer cell adhesion machinery
Authors: Pehkonen Henna , von Nandelstadh Pernilla , Karhemo Piia-Riitta , Lepikhova Tatiana , Grenman Reidar , Lehti Kaisa , Monni Outi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPPFIA1 is located at the 11q13 region, which is one of the most commonly amplified regions in several epithelial cancers including head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and breast carcinoma. Considering the location of PPFIA1 in this amplicon, we examined whether protein encoded by PPFIA1, liprin-α1, possesses oncogenic properties in relevant carcinoma cell lines. Our results indicate that liprin-α1 localizes to different adhesion and cytoskeletal structures to regulate vimentin intermediate filament network, thereby altering the invasion and growth properties of the cancer cells. In non-invasive cells liprin-α1 promotes expansive growth behavior with limited invasive capacity, whereas in invasive cells liprin-α1 has significant impact on mesenchymal cancer cell invasion in three-dimensional collagen. Current results identify liprin-α1 as a novel regulator of the tumor cell intermediate filaments with differential oncogenic properties in actively proliferating or motile cells.
Hollow Li20B60 Cage: Stability and Hydrogen Storage
Authors: Wang Jing , Wei Zhi-Jing , Zhao Hui-Yan , Liu Ying 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA stable hollow Li20B60 cage with D2 symmetry has been identified using first-principles density functional theory studies. The results of vibrational frequency analysis and molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that this Li20B60 cage is exceptionally stable. The feasibility of functionalizing Li20B60 cage for hydrogen storage was explored theoretically. Our calculated results show that the Li20B60 molecule can adsorb a maximum of 28 hydrogen molecules. With a hydrogen uptake of 8.190 wt% and an average binding energy of 0.336 eV/H2, Li20B60 is a remarkable high-capacity storage medium.
Recovery of infrastructure networks after localised attacks
Authors: Hu Fuyu , Yeung Chi Ho , Yang Saini , Wang Weiping , Zeng An 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe stability of infrastructure network is always a critical issue studied by researchers in different fields. A lot of works have been devoted to reveal the robustness of the infrastructure networks against random and malicious attacks. However, real attack scenarios such as earthquakes and typhoons are instead localised attacks which are investigated only recently. Unlike previous studies, we examine in this paper the resilience of infrastructure networks by focusing on the recovery process from localised attacks. We introduce various preferential repair strategies and found that they facilitate and improve network recovery compared to that of random repairs, especially when population size is uneven at different locations. Moreover, our strategic repair methods show similar effectiveness as the greedy repair. The validations are conducted on simulated networks, and on real networks with real disasters. Our method is meaningful in practice as it can largely enhance network resilience and contribute to network risk reduction.
Structural and functional properties of prefibrillar α-synuclein oligomers
Authors: Pieri Laura , Madiona Karine , Melki Ronald 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe deposition of fibrillar alpha-synuclein (α-syn) within inclusions (Lewy bodies and Lewy neurites) in neurons and glial cells is a hallmark of synucleinopathies. α-syn populates a variety of assemblies ranging from prefibrillar oligomeric species to fibrils whose specific contribution to neurodegeneration is still unclear. Here, we compare the specific structural and biological properties of distinct soluble prefibrillar α-syn oligomers formed either spontaneously or in the presence of dopamine and glutaraldehyde. We show that both on-fibrillar assembly pathway and distinct dopamine-mediated and glutaraldehyde-cross-linked α-syn oligomers are only slightly effective in perturbing cell membrane integrity and inducing cytotoxicity, while mature fibrils exhibit the highest toxicity. In contrast to low-molecular weight and unstable oligomers, large stable α-syn oligomers seed the aggregation of soluble α-syn within reporter cells although to a lesser extent than mature α-syn fibrils. These oligomers appear elongated in shape. Our findings suggest that α-syn oligomers represent a continuum of species ranging from unstable low molecular weight particles to mature fibrils via stable elongated oligomers composed of more than 15 α-syn monomers that possess seeding capacity.
Thrombospondin-4 reduces binding affinity of [3H]-gabapentin to calcium-channel α2δ-1-subunit but does not interact with α2δ-1 on the cell-surface when co-expressed
Authors: Lana Beatrice , Page Karen M. , Kadurin Ivan , Ho Shuxian , Nieto-Rostro Manuela , Dolphin Annette C. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe α2δ proteins are auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and influence their trafficking and biophysical properties. The α2δ ligand gabapentin interacts with α2δ-1 and inhibits calcium channel trafficking. However, α2-1 has also been proposed to play a synaptogenic role, independent of calcium channel function. In this regard, α2δ-1 was identified as a ligand of thrombospondins, with the interaction involving the thrombospondin synaptogenic domain and the α2δ-1 von-Willebrand-factor domain. Co-immunoprecipitation between α2δ-1 and the synaptogenic domain of thrombospondin-2 was prevented by gabapentin. We therefore examined whether interaction of thrombospondin with α2δ-1 might reciprocally influence 3H-gabapentin binding. We concentrated on thrombospondin-4, because, like α2δ-1, it is upregulated in neuropathic pain models. We found that in membranes from cells co-transfected with α2δ-1 and thrombospondin-4, there was a Mg2+ -dependent reduction in affinity of 3H-gabapentin binding to α2δ-1. This effect was lost for α2δ-1 with mutations in the von-Willebrand-factor-A domain. However, the effect on 3H-gabapentin binding was not reproduced by the synaptogenic EGF-domain of thrombospondin-4. Partial co-immunoprecipitation could be demonstrated between thrombospondin-4 and α2δ-1 when co-transfected, but there was no co-immunoprecipitation with thrombospondin-4-EGF domain. Furthermore, we could not detect any association between these two proteins on the cell-surface, indicating the demonstrated interaction occurs intracellularly.