bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Temporally resolved measurements of heavy, rigid fibre translation and rotation in nearly homogeneous isotropic turbulence
Authors: Sabban L. , Cohen A. , van Hout R. 
Published: February 2017

A two orthogonal view, holographic cinematography system (volume of$17\times 17\times 17~\text{mm}^{3}$) was used to measure three-dimensional fibre translational velocities, orientations and rotation rates in near homogeneous isotropic air turbulence (HIT). Flow characteristics were determined from temporally resolved particle image velocimetry measurements. Two sets of rigid, nylon fibres having the same nominal length (0.5 mm) but different diameters (13.7 and$19.1~\unicode[STIX]{x03BC}\text{m}$), were released in near HIT at a Taylor microscale Reynolds number of$Re_{\unicode[STIX]{x1D706}}\approx 130$and tracked at more than five times the Kolmogorov frequency. The ratio of fibre length to the Kolmogorov length scale was 2.8 and the two sets were characterized by Stokes numbers of 1.35 and 2.44, respectively. As a result of increased inertia, the probability density functions (PDFs) of the fluctuating fibre translational velocities were narrower than the ones of the air and the fibre velocity autocorrelations decreased at a decreasing rate. While fibre orientations in the cameras’ frame of reference were random as a result of the strong turbulence, it was shown that fibres align with the flow to minimize drag. PDFs of the fibre rotation rates indicated the occurrence of extreme rotation rate events. Furthermore, increasing inertia lowered the normalized, mean squared fibre rotation rates in comparison to results obtained for neutrally buoyant fibres having the same aspect ratio and including the effect of preferential alignment. The present results compare well to direct numerical simulations including the effect of fibre inertia.
Cows and guns. Cattle-related conflict and armed violence in Fizi and Itombwe, eastern DR Congo
Authors: Verweijen Judith , Brabant Justine 
Published: February 2017

ABSTRACTThis paper analyses the role of cattle in the entwined dynamics of conflict and violence in the Fizi and Itombwe region of South Kivu province, in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. On the one hand, agropastoral conflict intensifies armed mobilisation, allowing armed groups to draw upon particular conflict narratives that generate popular and elite support. It also creates incentives for armed actors to engage in cattle-looting, or the defence against it, for both symbolic and material reasons. On the other hand, the presence of armed forces and the use of violence profoundly shape agropastoral conflicts. Importantly, they change the perceived stakes of these conflicts, and hamper their resolution. By showing that the relations between cattle-related conflict and armed activity are indirect, complex and mutual, the paper refines both theories on agropastoral conflict and those highlighting the role of local conflicts in fuelling violence in the eastern Congo.
A Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Boot Camp improves trainee confidence
Authors: Allan Catherine K. , Tannous Paul , DeWitt Elizabeth , Farias Michael , Mansfield Laura , Ronai Christina , Schidlow David , Sanders Stephen P. , Lock James E. , Newburger Jane W. , Brown David W. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIntroductionNew paediatric cardiology trainees are required to rapidly assimilate knowledge and gain clinical skills to which they have limited or no exposure during residency. The Pediatric Cardiology Fellowship Boot Camp (PCBC) at Boston Children’s Hospital was designed to provide incoming fellows with an intensive exposure to congenital cardiac pathology and a broad overview of major areas of paediatric cardiology practice.MethodsThe PCBC curriculum was designed by core faculty in cardiac pathology, echocardiography, electrophysiology, interventional cardiology, exercise physiology, and cardiac intensive care. Individual faculty contributed learning objectives, which were refined by fellowship directors and used to build a programme of didactics, hands-on/simulation-based activities, and self-guided learning opportunities.ResultsA total of 16 incoming fellows participated in the 4-week boot camp, with no concurrent clinical responsibilities, over 2 years. On the basis of pre- and post-PCBC surveys, 80% of trainees strongly agreed that they felt more prepared for clinical responsibilities, and a similar percentage felt that PCBC should be offered to future incoming fellows. Fellows showed significant increase in their confidence in all specific knowledge and skills related to the learning objectives. Fellows rated hands-on learning experiences and simulation-based exercises most highly.ConclusionsWe describe a novel 4-week-long boot camp designed to expose incoming paediatric cardiology fellows to the broad spectrum of knowledge and skills required for the practice of paediatric cardiology. The experience increased trainee confidence and sense of preparedness to begin fellowship-related responsibilities. Given that highly interactive activities were rated most highly, boot camps in paediatric cardiology should strongly emphasise these elements.
Notch activation enhances mesenchymal stem cell sheet osteogenic potential by inhibition of cellular senescence
Authors: Tian Ye , Xu Ying , Xue Taiyang , Chen Longgang , Shi Bin , Shu Bing , Xie Chao , Max Morandi Massimo , Jaeblon Todd , Marymont John V , Dong Yufeng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractOur previous studies have confirmed the therapeutic effects of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) monolayer sheet transplantation on allograft repair. A limiting factor in their application is the loss of MSC multi-potency as a result of high density sheet culture-induced senescence. In the study reported in this article, we tested whether Notch activation could be used to prevent or delay sheet culture-induced cell aging. Our results showed that, during in vitro long-term (5-day) cell sheet culture, MSCs progressively lose their progenitor characteristics. In contrast, Notch activation by Jagged1 in MSC sheet culture showed reduced cellular senescence and cell cycle arrest compared with control MSCs without Notch activation. Importantly, knockdown of Notch target gene Hes1 totally blocked the inhibition effect of Jagged1 on cellular senescence. Finally, the in vivo allograft transplantation data showed a significant enhanced callus formation and biomechanical properties in Notch activation cultured long-term sheet groups when compared with long-term cultured sheet without Notch activation. Our results suggest that Notch activation by Jagged1 could be used to overcome the stem cell aging caused by high density sheet culture, thereby increasing the therapeutic potential of MSC sheets for tissue regeneration.
Adipocytes activate mitochondrial fatty acid oxidation and autophagy to promote tumor growth in colon cancer
Authors: Wen Yang-An , Xing Xiaopeng , Harris Jennifer W , Zaytseva Yekaterina Y , Mitov Mihail I , Napier Dana L , Weiss Heidi L , Mark Evers B , Gao Tianyan 
Published: February 2017

AbstractObesity has been associated with increased incidence and mortality of a wide variety of human cancers including colorectal cancer. However, the molecular mechanism by which adipocytes regulate the metabolism of colon cancer cells remains elusive. In this study, we showed that adipocytes isolated from adipose tissues of colon cancer patients have an important role in modulating cellular metabolism to support tumor growth and survival. Abundant adipocytes were found in close association with invasive tumor cells in colon cancer patients. Co-culture of adipocytes with colon cancer cells led to a transfer of free fatty acids that released from the adipocytes to the cancer cells. Uptake of fatty acids allowed the cancer cells to survive nutrient deprivation conditions by upregulating mitochondrial fatty acid β-oxidation. Mechanistically, co-culture of adipocytes or treating cells with fatty acids induced autophagy in colon cancer cells as a result of AMPK activation. Inhibition of autophagy attenuated the ability of cancer cells to utilize fatty acids and blocked the growth-promoting effect of adipocytes. In addition, we found that adipocytes stimulated the expression of genes associated with cancer stem cells and downregulated genes associated with intestinal epithelial cell differentiation in primary colon cancer cells and mouse tumor organoids. Importantly, the presence of adipocytes promoted the growth of xenograft tumors in vivo. Taken together, our results show that adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment serve as an energy provider and a metabolic regulator to promote the growth and survival of colon cancer cells.
Tissue transglutaminase (TG2) enables survival of human malignant pleural mesothelioma cells in hypoxia
Authors: Zonca Sara , Pinton Giulia , Wang Zhuo , Soluri Maria Felicia , Tavian Daniela , Griffin Martin , Sblattero Daniele , Moro Laura 
Published: February 2017

AbstractMalignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive tumor linked to environmental/occupational exposure to asbestos, characterized by the presence of significant areas of hypoxia. In this study, we firstly explored the expression and the role of transglutaminase 2 (TG2) in MPM cell adaptation to hypoxia. We demonstrated that cells derived from biphasic MPM express the full-length TG2 variant at higher levels than cells derived from epithelioid MPM and normal mesothelium. We observed a significant induction of TG2 expression and activity when cells from biphasic MPM were grown as a monolayer in chronic hypoxia or packed in spheroids, where the presence of a hypoxic core was demonstrated. We described that the hypoxic induction of TG2 was HIF-2 dependent. Importantly,TGM2-v1silencing caused a marked and significant reduction of MPM cell viability in hypoxic conditions when compared with normoxia. Notably, a TG2-selective irreversible inhibitor that reacts with the intracellular active form of TG2, but not a non-cell-permeable inhibitor, significantly compromised cell viability in MPM spheroids. Understanding the expression and function of TG2 in the adaptation to the hypoxic environment may provide useful information for novel promising therapeutic options for MPM treatment.
Berbamine postconditioning protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion injury through modulation of autophagy
Authors: Zheng Yanjun , Gu Shanshan , Li Xuxia , Tan Jiliang , Liu Shenyan , Jiang Yukun , Zhang Caimei , Gao Ling , Yang Huang-Tian 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPretreatment of berbamine protects the heart from ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. However it is unknown whether it has cardioprotection when given at the onset of reperfusion (postconditioning (PoC)), a protocol with more clinical impact. Autophagy is upregulated in I/R myocardium and exacerbates cardiomyocyte death during reperfusion. However, it is unknown whether the autophagy during reperfusion is regulated by berbamine. Here we investigated whether berbamine PoC (BMPoC) protects the heart through regulation of autophagy by analyzing the effects of BMPoC on infarct size and/or cell death, functional recovery and autophagy in perfused rat hearts and isolated cardiomyocytes subjected to I/R. Berbamine from 10 to 100 nM given during the first 5 min of reperfusion concentration-dependently improved post-ischemic myocardial function and attenuated cell death. Similar protections were observed in cardiomyocytes subjected to simulated I/R. Meanwhile, BMPoC prevented I/R-induced impairment of autophagosome processing in cardiomyocytes, characterized by increased LC3-II level and GFP-LC3 puncta, and decreased p62 degradation. Besides, lysosomal inhibitor chloroquine did not induce additional increase of LC3-II and P62 abundance after I/R but it reversed the effects of BMPoC in those parameters in cardiomyocytes, suggesting that I/R-impaired autophagic flux is restored by BMPoC. Moreover, I/R injury was accompanied by enhanced expression of Beclin 1, which was significantly inhibited by BMPoC. In vitro and in vivo adenovirus-mediated knockdown of Beclin 1 in myocardium and cardiomyocytes restored I/R-impaired autophagosome processing, associated with an improvement of post-ischemic recovery of myocardial contractile function and a reduction of cell death, but it did not have additive effects to BMPoC. Conversely, overexpression of Beclin 1 abolished the cardioprotection of BMPoC as did by overexpression of an essential autophagy gene Atg5. Furthermore, BMPoC-mediated cardioprotection was abolished by a specific Akt1/2 inhibitor A6730. Our results demonstrate that BMPoC confers cardioprotection by modulating autophagy during reperfusion through the activation of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.
De novo hybrid assembly of the rubber tree genome reveals evidence of paleotetraploidy in Hevea species
Authors: Pootakham Wirulda , Sonthirod Chutima , Naktang Chaiwat , Ruang-Areerate Panthita , Yoocha Thippawan , Sangsrakru Duangjai , Theerawattanasuk Kanikar , Rattanawong Ratchanee , Lekawipat Napawan , Tangphatsornruang Sithichoke 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPara rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is an important economic species as it is the sole commercial producer of high-quality natural rubber. Here, we report a de novo hybrid assembly of BPM24 accession, which exhibits resistance to major fungal pathogens in Southeast Asia. Deep-coverage 454/Illumina short-read and Pacific Biosciences (PacBio) long-read sequence data were acquired to generate a preliminary draft, which was subsequently scaffolded using a long-range “Chicago” technique to obtain a final assembly of 1.26 Gb (N50 = 96.8 kb). The assembled genome contains 69.2% repetitive sequences and has a GC content of 34.31%. Using a high-density SNP-based genetic map, we were able to anchor 28.9% of the genome assembly (363 Mb) associated with over two thirds of the predicted protein-coding genes into rubber tree’s 18 linkage groups. These genetically anchored sequences allowed comparative analyses of the intragenomic homeologous synteny, providing the first concrete evidence to demonstrate the presence of paleotetraploidy in Hevea species. Additionally, the degree of macrosynteny conservation observed between rubber tree and cassava strongly supports the hypothesis that the paleotetraploidization event took place prior to the divergence of the Hevea and Manihot species.
Construction of a guide-RNA for site-directed RNA mutagenesis utilising intracellular A-to-I RNA editing
Authors: Fukuda Masatora , Umeno Hiromitsu , Nose Kanako , Nishitarumizu Azusa , Noguchi Ryoma , Nakagawa Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAs an alternative to DNA mutagenesis, RNA mutagenesis can potentially become a powerful gene-regulation method for fundamental research and applied life sciences. Adenosine-to-inosine (A-to-I) RNA editing alters genetic information at the transcript level and is an important biological process that is commonly conserved in metazoans. Therefore, a versatile RNA-mutagenesis method can be achieved by utilising the intracellular RNA-editing mechanism. Here, we report novel guide RNAs capable of inducing A-to-I mutations by guiding the editing enzyme, human adenosine deaminase acting on RNA (ADAR). These guide RNAs successfully introduced A-to-I mutations into the target-site, which was determined by the reprogrammable antisense region. In ADAR2-over expressing cells, site-directed RNA editing could also be performed by simply introducing the guide RNA. Our guide RNA framework provides basic insights into establishing a generally applicable RNA-mutagenesis method.
Quercetin Inhibits Inflammasome Activation by Interfering with ASC Oligomerization and Prevents Interleukin-1 Mediated Mouse Vasculitis
Authors: Domiciano Talita P. , Wakita Daiko , Jones Heather D. , Crother Timothy R. , Verri Waldiceu A. , Arditi Moshe , Shimada Kenichi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractInterleukin-1β (IL-1β) is a highly inflammatory cytokine that significantly contributes to both acute and chronic inflammatory diseases. The secretion of IL-1β requires a unique protease, caspase-1, which is activated by various protein platforms called inflammasomes. Data suggests a key role for mitochondrial reactive oxygen species for inflammasome activation. Flavonoids constitute a group of naturally occurring polyphenolic molecules with many biological activities, including antioxidant effects. In this study, we investigated the effect of three flavonoids, quercetin (QUC), naringenin, and silymarim on inflammasome activation. We found that QUC inhibits IL-1β secretion by both the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome in a dose dependent manner, but not the NLRC4 inflammasome. QUC inhibition of the inflammasome was still observed in Atg16l1 knockout macrophages, indicating that QUC’s effect was autophagy independent. Since QUC inhibited both NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasomes but not NLRC4, we assessed ASC speck formation. QUC reduced ASC speck formation and ASC oligomerization compared with controls. Additionally, QUC inhibited IL-1β in Cryopyrin-Associated Periodic Syndromes (CAPS) macrophages, where NLRP3 inflammasome is constitutively activated. In conclusion, QUC inhibits both the NLRP3 and AIM2 inflammasome by preventing ASC oligomerization and may be a potential therapeutic candidate for Kawasaki disease vasculitis and other IL-1 mediated inflammatory diseases.
Structural Connectivity Variances Underlie Functional and Behavioral Changes During Pain Relief Induced by Neuromodulation
Authors: Lin Richard L. , Douaud Gwenaëlle , Filippini Nicola , Okell Thomas W. , Stagg Charlotte J. , Tracey Irene 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAn increased understanding of the relationship between structural connections and functional and behavioral outcomes is an essential but under-explored topic in neuroscience. During transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS)–induced analgesia, neuromodulation occurs through a top-down process that depends on inter-regional connections. To investigate whether variation in anatomical connectivity explains functional and behavorial outcomes during neuromodulation, we first combined tDCS and a tonic pain model with concurrent arterial spin labelling that measures cerebral perfusion related to ongoing neural activity. Left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (L-DLPFC) tDCS induced an analgesic effect, which was explained by reduced perfusion to posterior insula and thalamus. Second, we used diffusion imaging to assess white matter structural integrity between L-DLPFC and thalamus, two key components of the neuromodulatory network. Fractional anisotropy of this tract correlated positively with functional and behavioral modulations. This suggests structural dependence by the neuromodulatory process to induce analgesia with potential relevance for patient stratification.
Discovery of a very Lyman-α-luminous quasar at z = 6.62
Authors: Koptelova Ekaterina , Hwang Chorng-Yuan , Yu Po-Chieh , Chen Wen-Ping , Guo Jhen-Kuei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractDistant luminous quasars provide important information on the growth of the first supermassive black holes, their host galaxies and the epoch of reionization. The identification of quasars is usually performed through detection of their Lyman-αline redshifted to "Equation missing"0.9 microns at z > 6.5. Here, we report the discovery of a very Lyman-αluminous quasar, PSO J006.1240 + 39.2219 at redshift z = 6.618, selected based on its red colour and multi-epoch detection of the Lyman-αemission in a single near-infrared band. The Lyman-αline luminosity of PSO J006.1240 + 39.2219 is unusually high and estimated to be 0.8 × 1012Solar luminosities (about 3% of the total quasar luminosity). The Lyman-αemission of PSO J006.1240 + 39.2219 shows fast variability on timescales of days in the quasar rest frame, which has never been detected in any of the known high-redshift quasars. The high luminosity of the Lyman-αline, its narrow width and fast variability resemble properties of local Narrow-Line Seyfert 1 galaxies which suggests that the quasar is likely at the active phase of the black hole growth accreting close or even beyond the Eddington limit.
Creation of Pd/Al2O3 Catalyst by a Spray Process for Fixed Bed Reactors and Its Effective Removal of Aqueous Bromate
Authors: Gao Yu , Sun Wuzhu , Yang Weiyi , Li Qi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractPalladium nanoparticles were grown on sub-millimeter activated Al2O3 particle support by spraying H2PdCl4 solution evenly onto the support, followed with a thermal reduction under H2 atmosphere. Compared with its counterpart created by the conventional impregnation method, the Pd/Al2O3 catalyst created by the spray process could enrich the existence of active Pd nanoparticles on the surface of the catalyst support and increase their degree of dispersion, resulting in a much higher activity in the catalytic reduction of bromate in water. The effect of Al2O3 support particle size on the bromate removal rate was also investigated, which demonstrated that smaller support particle size could have higher activity in the catalytic reduction of bromate in water because of its larger exposed surface. This Pd/Al2O3 catalyst could be easily used in the fixed bed reactor due to its large support size and demonstrated excellent stability in the catalytic reduction of bromate in mineral water. This Pd/Al2O3 catalyst also exhibited a good catalytic reduction performance on azo dyes as demonstrated by its effective catalytic hydrogenation of methyl orange. Thus, catalysts prepared by the spray method developed in this work could have the potential to be used in fixed bed reactors for various water treatment practices.
Generation of a bile salt export pump deficiency model using patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cell-derived hepatocyte-like cells
Authors: Imagawa Kazuo , Takayama Kazuo , Isoyama Shigemi , Tanikawa Ken , Shinkai Masato , Harada Kazuo , Tachibana Masashi , Sakurai Fuminori , Noguchi Emiko , Hirata Kazumasa , Kage Masayoshi , Kawabata Kenji , Sumazaki Ryo , Mizuguchi Hiroyuki 
Published: February 2017

AbstractBile salt export pump (BSEP) plays an important role in hepatic secretion of bile acids and its deficiency results in severe cholestasis and liver failure. Mutation of the ABCB11 gene encoding BSEP induces BSEP deficiency and progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis type 2 (PFIC2). Because liver transplantation remains standard treatment for PFIC2, the development of a novel therapeutic option is desired. However, a well reproducible model, which is essential for the new drug development for PFIC2, has not been established. Therefore, we attempted to establish a PFIC2 model by using iPSC technology. Human iPSCs were generated from patients with BSEP-deficiency (BD-iPSC), and were differentiated into hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs). In the BD-iPSC derived HLCs (BD-HLCs), BSEP was not expressed on the cell surface and the biliary excretion capacity was significantly impaired. We also identified a novel mutation in the 5′-untranslated region of the ABCB11 gene that led to aberrant RNA splicing in BD-HLCs. Furthermore, to evaluate the drug efficacy, BD-HLCs were treated with 4-phenylbutyrate (4PBA). The membrane BSEP expression level and the biliary excretion capacity in BD-HLCs were rescued by 4PBA treatment. In summary, we succeeded in establishing a PFIC2 model, which may be useful for its pathophysiological analysis and drug development.