bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melatonin improves age-induced fertility decline and attenuates ovarian mitochondrial oxidative stress in mice
Authors: Song Chao , Peng Wei , Yin Songna , Zhao Jiamin , Fu Beibei , Zhang Jingcheng , Mao Tingchao , Wu Haibo , Zhang Yong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIncreasing evidence shows that melatonin protected against age-related mitochondrial oxidative damage. However, the protective effects of melatonin against ovarian aging has not been explored. Young Kunming females (aged 2–3 months) were fed with melatonin added to drinking water for 6 or 12 months (mo). We found that long-term (12 mo) melatonin treatment significantly reduced ovarian aging, as indicated by substantial increases in litter size, pool of follicles, and telomere length as well as oocyte quantity and quality. Melatonin treatment suppressed ovarian mitochondrial oxidative damage by decreasing mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (mROS) generation, inhibiting apoptosis, repressing collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and preserving respiratory chain complex activities. Female mice fed with melatonin had enhanced mitochondrial antioxidant activities, thus reducing the risk of mitochondrial oxidative damage cause by free radicals. Notably, melatonin treatment enhanced SIRT3 activity but not the protein expression level, and increased the binding affinity of FoxO3a to the promoters of both superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) and catalase (CAT). In conclusion, melatonin exerted protection against aging-induced fertility decline and maintenance of mitochondrial redox balance.
Exercise Training Alleviates Hypoxia-induced Mitochondrial Dysfunction in the Lymphocytes of Sedentary Males
Authors: Tsai Hsing-Hua , Chang Shao-Chiang , Chou Cheng-Hsien , Weng Tzu-Pin , Hsu Chih-Chin , Wang Jong-Shyan 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis study elucidates how interval and continuous exercise regimens affect the mitochondrial functionality of lymphocytes under hypoxic stress. Sixty healthy sedentary males were randomly assigned to engage in either high-intensity interval training (HIIT, 3 min intervals at 80% and 40% VO2max, n = 20) or moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT, sustained 60% VO2max, n = 20) for 30 min/day, 5 days/week for 6 weeks or were assigned to a control group that did not receive exercise intervention (n = 20). Lymphocyte phenotypes/mitochondrial functionality under hypoxic exercise (HE, 100 W under 12% O2) were determined before and after the various interventions. Before the intervention, HE (i) increased the mobilization of senescent (CD57+/CD28−) lymphocytes into the blood, (ii) decreased the ATP-linked O2 consumption rate (OCR), the reserve capacity of OCR, and the citrate synthase activity in the mitochondria, and (iii) lowered the mitochondrial membrane potential (MP) and elevated the matrix oxidant burden (MOB) of lymphocytes. However, both HIIT and MICT significantly (i) decreased blood senescent lymphocyte counts, (ii) enhanced the mitochondrial OCR with increased citrate synthase and succinate dehydrogenase activities, (iii) increased mitochondrial MP and decreased MOB and (iv) increased the ratio of mitofusin to DRP-1 in lymphocytes after HE. Thus, we concluded that either HIIT or MICT effectively improves lymphocyte mitochondrial functionality by enhancing oxidative phosphorylation and suppressing oxidative damage under hypoxic conditions.
Refractive Errors and Concomitant Strabismus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis
Authors: Tang Shu Min , Chan Rachel Y. T. , Bin Lin Shi , Rong Shi Song , Lau Henry H. W. , Lau Winnie W. Y. , Yip Wilson W. K. , Chen Li Jia , Ko Simon T. C. , Yam Jason C. S. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThis systematic review and meta-analysis is to evaluate the risk of development of concomitant strabismus due to refractive errors. Eligible studies published from 1946 to April 1, 2016 were identified from MEDLINE and EMBASE that evaluated any kinds of refractive errors (myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism and anisometropia) as an independent factor for concomitant exotropia and concomitant esotropia. Totally 5065 published records were retrieved for screening, 157 of them eligible for detailed evaluation. Finally 7 population-based studies involving 23,541 study subjects met our criteria for meta-analysis. The combined OR showed that myopia was a risk factor for exotropia (OR: 5.23, P = 0.0001). We found hyperopia had a dose-related effect for esotropia (OR for a spherical equivalent [SE] of 2–3 diopters [D]: 10.16, P = 0.01; OR for an SE of 3-4D: 17.83, P < 0.0001; OR for an SE of 4-5D: 41.01, P < 0.0001; OR for an SE of ≥5D: 162.68, P < 0.0001). Sensitivity analysis indicated our results were robust. Results of this study confirmed myopia as a risk for concomitant exotropia and identified a dose-related effect for hyperopia as a risk of concomitant esotropia.
Whole Chromosome Instability induces senescence and promotes SASP
Authors: Andriani Grasiella Angelina , Almeida Vinnycius Pereira , Faggioli Francesca , Mauro Maurizio , Tsai Wanxia Li , Santambrogio Laura , Maslov Alexander , Gadina Massimo , Campisi Judith , Vijg Jan , Montagna Cristina 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAge-related accumulation of ploidy changes is associated with decreased expression of genes controlling chromosome segregation and cohesin functions. To determine the consequences of whole chromosome instability (W-CIN) we down-regulated the spindle assembly checkpoint component BUB1 and the mitotic cohesin SMC1A, and used four-color-interphase-FISH coupled with BrdU incorporation and analyses of senescence features to reveal the fate of W-CIN cells. We observed significant correlations between levels of not-diploid cells and senescence-associated features (SAFs). W-CIN induced DNA double strand breaks and elevated oxidative stress, but caused low apoptosis. SAFs of W-CIN cells were remarkably similar to those induced by replicative senescence but occurred in only 13 days versus 4 months. Cultures enriched with not-diploid cells acquired a senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) characterized by IL1B, CXCL8, CCL2, TNF, CCL27 and other pro-inflammatory factors including a novel SASP component CLEC11A. These findings suggest that W-CIN triggers premature senescence, presumably to prevent the propagation of cells with an abnormal DNA content. Cells deviating from diploidy have the ability to communicate with their microenvironment by secretion of an array of signaling factors. Our results suggest that aneuploid cells that accumulate during aging in some mammalian tissues potentially contribute to age-related pathologies and inflammation through SASP secretion.
Transcriptional regulation by normal epithelium of premalignant to malignant progression in Barrett’s esophagus
Authors: Zeng Jia , Kelbauskas Laimonas , Rezaie Aida , Lee Kristen , Ueberroth Benjamin , Gao Weimin , Derkach Dmitry , Tran Thai , Smith Dean , Bussey Kimberly J. , Meldrum Deirdre R. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn carcinogenesis, intercellular interactions within and between cell types are critical but remain poorly understood. We present a study on intercellular interactions between normal and premalignant epithelial cells and their functional relevance in the context of premalignant to malignant progression in Barrett’s esophagus. Using whole transcriptome profiling we found that in the presence of normal epithelial cells, dysplastic cells but not normal cells, exhibit marked down-regulation of a number of key signaling pathways, including the transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) and epithelial growth factor (EGF). Functional assays revealed both cell types showed repressed proliferation and significant changes in motility (speed, displacement and directionality) as a result of interactions between the two cell types. Cellular interactions appear to be mediated through both direct cell-cell contact and secreted ligands. The findings of this study are important in that they reveal, for the first time, the effects of cellular communication on gene expression and cellular function between premalignant (dysplastic) epithelial cells and their normal counterparts.
Variability in development of the striped rice borer, Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae), due to instar number and last instar duration
Authors: Luo Guang-Hua , Yao Jing , Yang Qiong , Zhang Zhi-Chun , Hoffmann Ary A. , Fang Ji-Chao 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe striped stem borer, Chilo suppressalis (Walker), is an important insect pest of rice which shows substantial variation in developmental duration among individuals. This variation is currently poorly characterized but it is important from a control perspective because pesticides can only target early sensitive instars. It is unclear whether there are key stages that determine the length of developmental duration of individuals and/or whether variation in instar number contributes to this variation. In this study, a laboratory population and a population recently established from the field were used to test variation in development time across instar stages. The duration of developmental time of C. suppressalis started to diverge from the 5th instar onward. Individuals pupated at the 5th, 6th, 7th or even 8th instar stage. In both populations, both the instar at which the larva pupated and the duration of the last larval instar stage determined total developmental time of an individual. There was little impact of the developmental time of early instars on total developmental duration or on instar number prior to pupation. Sex influenced the number of instars but not development time within this number. The biological and applied significance of uneven development in C. suppressalis are discussed.
Urinary interleukin-6 as a predictor of radiographic progression in rheumatoid arthritis: A 3-year evaluation
Authors: Park Yune-Jung , Yoo Seung-Ah , Kim Ga-Ram , Cho Chul-Soo , Kim Wan-Uk 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPreviously, we demonstrated that the urine proteome signature of patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) reflects inflammation-related cellular processes. Here, we measured interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, and chemokine ligand 2 (CCL2) concentrations in the urine of RA patients and prospectively investigated their role in predicting RA activity and prognosis. One hundred seventy-three RA patients and 62 non-RA controls were recruited. Urinary IL-6, CCL2, and IL-8 levels were elevated in RA patients and correlated well with disease activity. Urinary IL-6 level at presentation was an independent risk factor of radiographic progression at 1 and 3 years. High urinary IL-6 level increased the risk ratio of radiographic progression by 2.9-fold, which was comparable to high serum CRP. Moreover, combination of urinary IL-6 and serum CRP measures synergistically increased the predictability of radiographic progression. In a subgroup with normal ESR, patients with the highest tertile of urinary IL-6 were at 6.4-fold greater risk of radiographic progression. Conclusively, high urinary IL-6 level at presentation is an independent risk factor for radiographic progression of RA, reflecting disease activity. Urinary IL-6 in combination with serum CRP may be a useful parameter for estimating RA prognosis.
Toxicity of ZnO and TiO2 to Escherichia coli cells
Authors: Leung Yu Hang , Xu Xiaoying , Ma Angel P. Y. , Liu Fangzhou , Ng Alan M. C. , Shen Zhiyong , Gethings Lee A. , Guo Mu Yao , Djurišić Aleksandra B. , Lee Patrick K. H. , Lee Hung Kay , Chan Wai Kin , Leung Frederick C. C. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe performed a comprehensive investigation of the toxicity of ZnO and TiO2 nanoparticles using Escherichia coli as a model organism. Both materials are wide band gap n-type semiconductors and they can interact with lipopolysaccharide molecules present in the outer membrane of E. coli, as well as produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) under UV illumination. Despite the similarities in their properties, the response of the bacteria to the two nanomaterials was fundamentally different. When the ROS generation is observed, the toxicity of nanomaterial is commonly attributed to oxidative stress and cell membrane damage caused by lipid peroxidation. However, we found that significant toxicity does not necessarily correlate with up-regulation of ROS-related proteins. TiO2 exhibited significant antibacterial activity, but the protein expression profile of bacteria exposed to TiO2 was different compared to H2O2 and the ROS-related proteins were not strongly expressed. On the other hand, ZnO exhibited lower antibacterial activity compared to TiO2, and the bacterial response involved up-regulating ROS-related proteins similar to the bacterial response to the exposure to H2O2. Reasons for the observed differences in toxicity and bacterial response to the two metal oxides are discussed.
On the thermodynamic path enabling a room-temperature, laser-assisted graphite to nanodiamond transformation
Authors: Gorrini F. , Cazzanelli M. , Bazzanella N. , Edla R. , Gemmi M. , Cappello V. , David J. , Dorigoni C. , Bifone A. , Miotello A. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractNanodiamonds are the subject of active research for their potential applications in nano-magnetometry, quantum optics, bioimaging and water cleaning processes. Here, we present a novel thermodynamic model that describes a graphite-liquid-diamond route for the synthesis of nanodiamonds. Its robustness is proved via the production of nanodiamonds powders at room-temperature and standard atmospheric pressure by pulsed laser ablation of pyrolytic graphite in water. The aqueous environment provides a confinement mechanism that promotes diamond nucleation and growth, and a biologically compatible medium for suspension of nanodiamonds. Moreover, we introduce a facile physico-chemical method that does not require harsh chemical or temperature conditions to remove the graphitic byproducts of the laser ablation process. A full characterization of the nanodiamonds by electron and Raman spectroscopies is reported. Our model is also corroborated by comparison with experimental data from the literature.
Nitric oxide participates in plant flowering repression by ascorbate
Authors: Senthil Kumar Rajendran , Shen Chin-Hui , Wu Pei-Yin , Suresh Kumar Subbiah , Hua Moda Sang , Yeh Kai-Wun 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn Oncidium, redox homeostasis involved in flowering is mainly due to ascorbic acid (AsA). Here, we discovered that Oncidium floral repression is caused by an increase in AsA-mediated NO levels, which is directed by the enzymatic activities of nitrate reductase (NaR) and nitrite reducatase (NiR). Through Solexa transcriptomic analysis of two libraries, ‘pseudobulb with inflorescent bud’ (PIB) and ‘pseudobulb with axillary bud’ (PAB), we identified differentially expressed genes related to NO metabolism. Subsequently, we showed a significant reduction of NaR enzymatic activities and NO levels during bolting and blooming stage, suggesting that NO controlled the phase transition and flowering process. Applying AsA to Oncidium PLB (protocorm-like bodies) significantly elevated the NO content and enzyme activities. Application of sodium nitroprusside (-NO donor) on Arabidopsis vtc1 mutant caused late flowering and expression level of flowering-associated genes (CO, FT and LFY) were reduced, suggesting NO signaling is vital for flowering repression. Conversely, the flowering time of noa1, an Arabidopsis NO-deficient mutant, was not altered after treatment with L-galacturonate, a precursor of AsA, suggesting AsA is required for NO-biosynthesis involved in the NO-mediated flowering-repression pathway. Altogether, Oncidium bolting is tightly regulated by AsA-mediated NO level and downregulation of transcriptional levels of NO metabolism genes.
Purification and characterization of a novel phloretin-2′-O-glycosyltransferase favoring phloridzin biosynthesis
Authors: Zhang Tingjing , Liang Jianqiang , Wang Panxue , Xu Ying , Wang Yutang , Wei Xinyuan , Fan Mingtao 
Published: October 2016

AbstractPhloretin-2′-O-glycosyltransferase (P2′GT) catalyzes the last glycosylation step in the biosynthesis of phloridzin that contributes to the flavor, color and health benefits of apples and processed apple products. In this work, a novel P2′GT of Malus x domestica (MdP2′GT) with a specific activity of 46.82 μkat/Kg protein toward phloretin and uridine diphosphate glucose (UDPG) at an optimal temperature of 30 °C and pH 8.0 was purified from the engineered Pichia pastoris broth to homogeneity by anion exchange chromatography, His-Trap affinity chromatography and gel filtration. The purified MdP2′GT was low N-glycosylated and secreted as a stable dimer with a molecular mass of 70.7 kDa in its native form. Importantly, MdP2′GT also exhibited activity towards quercetin and adenosine diphosphate glucose (ADPG), kaempferol and UDPG, quercetin and UDP-galactose, isoliquiritigenin and UDPG, and luteolin and UDPG, producing only one isoquercitrin, astragalin, hyperoside, isoliquiritin, or cynaroside, respectively. This broad spectrum of activities make MdP2′GT a promising biocatalyst for the industrial preparation of the corresponding polyphenol glycosides, preferably for their subsequent isolation and purification. Besides, MdP2′GT displayed the lowest Km and the highest kcat/Km for phloretin and UDPG compared to all previously reported P2′GTs, making MdP2′GT favor phloridzin synthesis the most.
Sleep and mood disorders in women with dry eye disease
Authors: Ayaki Masahiko , Kawashima Motoko , Negishi Kazuno , Kishimoto Taishiro , Mimura Masaru , Tsubota Kazuo 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to evaluate sleep and mood disorders in women aged 30–69 with dry eye disease (DED). All subjects underwent corneal examinations, with 890 completing a questionnaire regarding symptoms of DED and 213 completing both the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaires. Subjects were then divided into three groups based on age (younger [30–45 years], perimenopausal [46–55 years], and older [56–69 years]), and comparisons were made among groups in subjects with and without DED. PSQI scores were significantly worse in subjects with (6.1 ± 2.9) than without (4.9 ± 2.7) DED (P = 0.003) and, in the younger group, HADS scores were worse in those with (13.2 ± 6.0) than without DED (9.7 ± 6.0) (P = 0.020). In contrast, there were no differences in mood indices between those with and without DED in the other groups. PSQI score was significantly correlated with HADS rather than ocular findings. In conclusion, sleep quality had deteriorated in women with DED. However, mood problems contributed more to sleep quality than ocular status, especially in those with DED in the younger group.
Large spin-orbit coupling and helical spin textures in 2D heterostructure [Pb2BiS3][AuTe2]
Authors: Fang L. , Im J. , DeGottardi W. , Jia Y. , Glatz A. , Matveev K. A. , Kwok W.-K. , Crabtree G. W. , Kanatzidis M. G. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractTwo-dimensional heterostructures with strong spin-orbit coupling have direct relevance to topological quantum materials and potential applications in spin-orbitronics. In this work, we report on novel quantum phenomena in [Pb2BiS3][AuTe2], a new 2D strong spin-orbit coupling heterostructure system. Transport measurements reveal the spin-related carrier scattering is at odds with the Abrikosov-Gorkov model due to strong spin-orbit coupling. This is consistent with our band structure calculations which reveal a large spin-orbit coupling gap of εso = 0.21 eV. The band structure is also characterized by helical-like spin textures which are mainly induced by strong spin-orbit coupling and the inversion symmetry breaking in the heterostructure system.
Hydroxysafflor yellow A alleviates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion in hyperlipidemic animals through the suppression of TLR4 signaling
Authors: Han Dan , Wei Jie , Zhang Rui , Ma Wenhuan , Shen Chen , Feng Yidong , Xia Nian , Xu Dan , Cai Dongcheng , Li Yunman , Fang Weirong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHyperlipidemia aggravates myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (MI/R) injury through stimulating excessive inflammatory response. Therefore, blockade of inflammatory signal is a potential therapeutic management for MI/R complicated with hyperlipidemia. Hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA, a monomer extracted from Carthamus tinctorius L.), was studied in this article to address that the regulation of inflammatory signal would alleviate MI/R combined with hyperlipidemia injury. High-fat diet induced hyperlipidemia worsened MI/R mediated heart injury (elevation of infarct size, CK-MB and LDH activity), activated TLR4 over-expression in hearts, released inflammatory cytokines (LPS, TNF-α and IL-1β) excessively. HSYA administration suppressed the over-expression of TLR4 and alleviated heart damage caused by MI/R complicated with hyperlipidemia. Furthermore, HSYA had little influence on MI/R injury in TLR4-knockout mice, which indicated that HSYA protected MI/R through TLR4 inhibition. In vitro, hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) coexisting with LPS model in neonatal rat ventricular myocytes (NRVMs) induced serious damage compared with H/R injury to NRVMs. HSYA decreased excessive secretion of inflammatory cytokines, down-regulated over-expression of TLR4 and NF-κB in H/R + LPS injured NRVMs. In conclusion, HSYA alleviated myocardial inflammatory injury through suppressing TLR4, offering an alternative medication for MI/R associated with hyperlipidemia.
In vivo optical imaging of physiological responses to photostimulation in human photoreceptors
Authors: Hillmann Dierck , Spahr Hendrik , Pfäffle Clara , Sudkamp Helge , Franke Gesa , Hüttmann Gereon 
Published: October 2016

Significance
Using a full-field optical coherence tomography system, we measured changes in the time that light requires to pass through photoreceptor outer segments, when the retina is stimulated by a light pulse. This effect can be used to monitor the activity of single cones in the living human eye. Objective monitoring of photoreceptor activity using such intrinsic optical signals could have important diagnostic applications in ophthalmology and neurology and might provide insight to facilitate basic research.
Simultaneous identification of specifically interacting paralogs and interprotein contacts by direct coupling analysis
Authors: Gueudré Thomas , Baldassi Carlo , Zamparo Marco , Weigt Martin , Pagnani Andrea 
Published: October 2016

Significance
Most biological processes rely on specific interactions between proteins, but the experimental characterization of protein−protein interactions is a labor-intensive task of frequently uncertain outcome. Computational methods based on exponentially growing genomic databases are urgently needed. It has recently been shown that coevolutionary methods are able to detect correlated mutations between residues in different proteins, which are in contact across the interaction interface, thus enabling the structure prediction of protein complexes. Here we show that the applicability of coevolutionary methods is much broader, connecting multiple scales relevant in protein−protein interaction: the residue scale of interprotein contacts, the protein scale of specific interactions between paralogous proteins, and the evolutionary scale of conserved interactions between homologous protein families.