bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Urinary peptidomics analysis reveals proteases involved in diabetic nephropathy
Authors: Krochmal Magdalena , Kontostathi Georgia , Magalhães Pedro , Makridakis Manousos , Klein Julie , Husi Holger , Leierer Johannes , Mayer Gert , Bascands Jean-Loup , Denis Colette , Zoidakis Jerome , Zürbig Petra , Delles Christian , Schanstra Joost P. , Mischak Harald , Vlahou Antonia 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMechanisms underlying the onset and progression of nephropathy in diabetic patients are not fully elucidated. Deregulation of proteolytic systems is a known path leading to disease manifestation, therefore we hypothesized that proteases aberrantly expressed in diabetic nephropathy (DN) may be involved in the generation of DN-associated peptides in urine. We compared urinary peptide profiles of DN patients (macroalbuminuric, n = 121) to diabetic patients with no evidence of DN (normoalbuminuric, n = 118). 302 sequenced, differentially expressed peptides (adjusted p-value < 0.05) were analysed with the Proteasix tool predicting proteases potentially involved in their generation. Activity change was estimated based on the change in abundance of the investigated peptides. Predictions were correlated with transcriptomics (Nephroseq) and relevant protein expression data from the literature. This analysis yielded seventeen proteases, including multiple forms of MMPs, cathepsin D and K, kallikrein 4 and proprotein convertases. The activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9, predicted to be decreased in DN, was investigated using zymography in a DN mouse model confirming the predictions. Collectively, this proof-of-concept study links urine peptidomics to molecular changes at the tissue level, building hypotheses for further investigation in DN and providing a workflow with potential applications to other diseases.
Hybrid Interference Induced Flat Band Localization in Bipartite Optomechanical Lattices
Authors: Wan Liang-Liang , Lü Xin-You , Gao Jin-Hua , Wu Ying 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe flat band localization, as an important phenomenon in solid state physics, is fundamentally interesting in the exploration of exotic ground property of many-body system. Here we demonstrate the appearance of a flat band in a general bipartite optomechanical lattice, which could have one or two dimensional framework. Physically, it is induced by the hybrid interference between the photon and phonon modes in optomechanical lattice, which is quite different from the destructive interference resulted from the special geometry structure in the normal lattice (e.g., Lieb lattice). Moreover, this novel flat band is controllable and features a special local density of states (LDOS) pattern, which makes it is detectable in experiments. This work offers an alternative approach to control the flat band localization with optomechanical interaction, which may substantially advance the fields of cavity optomechanics and solid state physics.
Detection and quantification of offal content in ground beef meat using vibrational spectroscopic-based chemometric analysis
Authors: Hu Yaxi , Zou Liang , Huang Xiaolin , Lu Xiaonan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAs less consumed animal by-product, beef and pork offal have chances to sneak into the authentic ground beef meat products, and thus a rapid and accurate detection and quantification technique is highly required. In this study, Fourier transformed-infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy was investigated to develop an optimized protocol for analyzing ground beef meat potentially adulterated with six types of beef and pork offal. Various chemometric models for classification and quantification were constructed for the collected FT-IR spectra. Applying optimized chemometric models, FT-IR spectroscopy could differentiate authentic beef meat from adulterated samples with >99% accuracy, to identify the type of offal in the sample with >80% confidence, and to quantify five types of offal in an accurate manner (R2 > 0.81). An optimized protocol was developed to authenticate ground beef meat as well as identify and quantify the offal adulterants using FT-IR spectroscopy coupled with chemometric models. This protocol offers a limit of detection <10% w/w of offal in ground beef meat and can be applied by governmental laboratories and food industry to rapidly monitor the integrity of ground beef meat products.
Feeding capability in the extinct giant Siamogale melilutra and comparative mandibular biomechanics of living Lutrinae
Authors: Tseng Z. Jack , Su Denise F. , Wang Xiaoming , White Stuart C. , Ji Xueping 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAt 50 kg in estimated weight, the extinct Siamogale melilutra is larger than all living otters, and ranks among the largest fossil otters. The biomechanical capability of S. melilutra jaws as related to their large size is unknown but crucial to reconstructing the species’ potentially unique ecological niche. Here we compare the mandibular biomechanics of S. melilutra using engineering-based performance measures against ten extant otter biomechanical models. Despite a wide range of feeding preferences from durophagy to piscivory, living otter species exhibit a linear relationship between mandible stiffness and volume, as expected in isometric model scaling. In contrast, S. melilutra models exhibit a six-fold increase in stiffness from expected stiffness-volume relationships calculated from extant species models. Unlike stiffness, mechanical efficiency of biting is conserved among living otters and in S. melilutra. These findings indicate that although similar to living bunodont otters in morphology and biting efficiency, jaw strength in S. melilutra far surpasses molluscivores such as sea otters and Cape clawless otters, even after accounting for size. Therefore, Siamogale represents a feeding ecomorphology with no living analog, and its giant size and high mandibular strength confer shell-crushing capability matched only by other extinct molluscivores such as the marine bear Kolponomos.
The NOD2 receptor is crucial for immune responses towards New World Leishmania species
Authors: dos Santos Jéssica Cristina , Damen Michelle S. M. A. , Oosting Marije , de Jong Dirk J. , Heinhuis Bas , Gomes Rodrigo Saar , Araújo Carla Santos , Netea Mihai G. , Ribeiro-Dias Fátima , Joosten Leo A. B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAmerican Tegumentary Leishmaniasis is a chronic infection caused by Leishmania protozoan. It is not known whether genetic variances in NOD-like receptor (NLR) family members influence the immune response towards Leishmania parasites and modulate intracellular killing. Using functional genomics, we investigated whether genetic variants in NOD1 or NOD2 influence the production of cytokines by human PBMCs exposed to Leishmania. In addition, we examined whether recognition of Leishmania by NOD2 contributes to intracellular killing. Polymorphisms in the NOD2 gene decreased monocyte- and lymphocyte-derived cytokine production after stimulation with L. amazonensis or L. braziliensis compared to individuals with a functional NOD2 receptor. The phagolysosome formation is important for Leishmania-induced cytokine production and upregulation of NOD2 mRNA expression. NOD2 is crucial to control intracellular infection caused by Leishmania spp. NOD2 receptor is important for Leishmania recognition, the control of intracellular killing, and the induction of innate and adaptive immune responses.
The Kunitz Domain I of Hepatocyte Growth Factor Activator Inhibitor-2 Inhibits Matriptase Activity and Invasive Ability of Human Prostate Cancer Cells
Authors: Wu Shang-Ru , Teng Chen-Hsin , Tu Ya-Ting , Ko Chun-Jung , Cheng Tai-Shan , Lan Shao-Wei , Lin Hsin-Ying , Lin Hsin-Hsien , Tu Hsin-Fang , Hsiao Pei-Wen , Huang Hsiang-Po , Chen Chung-Hsin , Lee Ming-Shyue 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDysregulation of pericellular proteolysis is often required for tumor invasion and cancer progression. It has been shown that down-regulation of hepatocyte growth factor activator inhibitor-2 (HAI-2) results in activation of matriptase (a membrane-anchored serine protease), human prostate cancer cell motility and tumor growth. In this study, we further characterized if HAI-2 was a cognate inhibitor for matriptase and identified which Kunitz domain of HAI-2 was required for inhibiting matriptase and human prostate cancer cell motility. Our results show that HAI-2 overexpression suppressed matriptase-induced prostate cancer cell motility. We demonstrate that HAI-2 interacts with matriptase on cell surface and inhibits matriptase proteolytic activity. Moreover, cellular HAI-2 harnesses its Kunitz domain 1 (KD1) to inhibit matriptase activation and prostate cancer cell motility although recombinant KD1 and KD2 of HAI-2 both show an inhibitory activity and interaction with matriptase protease domain. The results together indicate that HAI-2 is a cognate inhibitor of matriptase, and KD1 of HAI-2 plays a major role in the inhibition of cellular matritptase activation as well as human prostate cancer invasion.
Clinically Meaningful Improvements in LUTS/BPH Severity in Men Treated with Silodosin Plus Hexanic Extract of Serenoa Repens or Silodosin Alone
Authors: Boeri Luca , Capogrosso Paolo , Ventimiglia Eugenio , Cazzaniga Walter , Pederzoli Filippo , Moretti Donatella , Dehò Federico , Montanari Emanuele , Montorsi Francesco , Salonia Andrea 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTo assess the rate and predictors of clinically meaningful improvements (CMI) in patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) treated with either silodosin (SIL) alone or with a combination of SIL+ serenoa repens (Ser) hexanic lipidosterolic extract for ≥12 months. Data from 186 patients were collected. Patients completed the International Prostatic Symptoms Score (IPSS) at baseline and at follow-up assessment. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression models tested rates and predictors of CMI. Two CMI were assessed: 1) >3 points improvement in total IPSS from baseline to end (CMI#1); 2) >25% IPSS improvement from baseline to end (CMI#2). Overall, 93 (50%) patients were treated with SIL and SIL+ Ser, respectively. At a mean 13.5-mos follow-up [range: 12–20], mean IPSS scores were significantly lower in patients treated with SIL + Ser compared to those after SIL (p = 0.002). SIL + Ser patients more frequently achieved CMI#1 (69.9% vs. 30.1%, p = 0.001) and CMI#2 (68.8% vs. 31.2%, p < 0.001) compared SIL men. At multivariable analyses, younger age, IPSS severity and SIL + Ser (all p < 0.03) were independent predictors of CMI#1 and CMI#2. In conclusion, SIL + Ser therapy was more effective than SIL alone in improving IPSS scores in men with LUTS. SIL + Ser treatment led to CMIs in up to seven out of ten men.
Spatio-temporal trends in crop damage inform recent climate-mediated expansion of a large boreal herbivore into an agro-ecosystem
Authors: Laforge Michel P. , Michel Nicole L. , Brook Ryan K. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLarge-scale climatic fluctuations have caused species range shifts. Moose (Alces alces) have expanded their range southward into agricultural areas previously not considered moose habitat. We found that moose expansion into agro-ecosystems is mediated by broad-scale climatic factors and access to high-quality forage (i.e., crops). We used crop damage records to quantify moose presence across the Canadian Prairies. We regressed latitude of crop damage against North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and crop area to test the hypotheses that NAO-mediated wetland recharge and occurrence of more nutritious crop types would result in more frequent occurrences of crop damage by moose at southerly latitudes. We examined local-scale land use by generating a habitat selection model to test our hypothesis that moose selected for areas of high crop cover in agro-ecosystems. We found that crop damage by moose occurred farther south during dry winters and in years with greater coverage of oilseeds. The results of our analyses support our hypothesis that moose movement into cropland is mediated by high-protein crops, but not by thermoregulatory habitat at the scale examined. We conclude that broad-scale climate combined with changing land-use regimes are causal factors in species’ range shifts and are important considerations when studying changing animal distributions.
Imidacloprid and chlorpyrifos insecticides impair migratory ability in a seed-eating songbird
Authors: Eng Margaret L. , Stutchbury Bridget J. M. , Morrissey Christy A. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBirds that travel long distances between their wintering and breeding grounds may be particularly susceptible to neurotoxic insecticides, but the influence of insecticides on migration ability is poorly understood. Following acute exposure to two widely used agricultural insecticides, imidacloprid (neonicotinoid) and chlorpyrifos (organophosphate), we compared effects on body mass, migratory activity and orientation in a seed-eating bird, the white-crowned sparrow (Zonotrichia leucophrys). During spring migration, sparrows were captured, held and dosed by gavage daily for 3 days with either the vehicle control, low (10% LD50) or high (25% LD50) doses of imidacloprid or chlorpyrifos and tested in migratory orientation trials pre-exposure, post-exposure and during recovery. Control birds maintained body mass and a seasonally appropriate northward orientation throughout the experiment. Imidacloprid dosed birds exhibited significant declines in fat stores and body mass (mean loss: −17% low, −25% high dose) and failed to orient correctly. Chlorpyrifos had no overt effects on mass but significantly impaired orientation. These results suggest that wild songbirds consuming the equivalent of just four imidacloprid-treated canola seeds or eight chlorpyrifos granules per day over 3 days could suffer impaired condition, migration delays and improper migratory direction, which could lead to increased risk of mortality or lost breeding opportunity.
A facile hydrothermal approach for the density tunable growth of ZnO nanowires and their electrical characterizations
Authors: Boubenia S. , Dahiya A. S. , Poulin-Vittrant G. , Morini F. , Nadaud K. , Alquier D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractControlling properties of one-dimensional (1D) semiconducting nanostructures is essential for the advancement of electronic devices. In this work, we present a low-temperature hydrothermal growth process enabling density control of aligned high aspect ratio ZnO nanowires (NWs) on seedless Au surface. A two order of magnitude change in ZnO NW density is demonstrated via careful control of the ammonium hydroxide concentration (NH4OH) in the solution. Based on the experimental observations, we further, hypothesized the growth mechanism leading to the density controlled growth of ZnO NWs. Moreover, the effect of NH4OH on the electrical properties of ZnO NWs, such as doping and field-effect mobility, is thoroughly investigated by fabricating single nanowire field-effect transistors. The electrical study shows the increase of free charge density while decrease of mobility in ZnO NWs with the increase of NH4OH concentration in the growth solution. These findings show that NH4OH can be used for simultaneous tuning of the NW density and electrical properties of the ZnO NWs grown by hydrothermal approach. The present work will guide the engineers and researchers to produce low-temperature density controlled aligned 1D ZnO NWs over wide range of substrates, including plastics, with tunable electrical properties.
Significance of dopamine D1 receptor signalling for steroidogenic differentiation of human induced pluripotent stem cells
Authors: Matsuo Koji , Sone Masakatsu , Honda-Kohmo Kyoko , Toyohara Takafumi , Sonoyama Takuhiro , Taura Daisuke , Kojima Katsutoshi , Fukuda Yorihide , Ohno Youichi , Inoue Mayumi , Ohta Akira , Osafune Kenji , Nakao Kazuwa , Inagaki Nobuya 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) are expected to be both a revolutionary cell source for regenerative medicine and a powerful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying human cell development in vitro. In the present study, we tried to elucidate the steroidogenic differentiation processes using hiPSC-derived intermediate mesoderm (IM) that is known to be the origin of the human adrenal cortex and gonads. We first performed chemical screening to identify small molecules that induce steroidogenic differentiation of IM cells expressing Odd-skipped related 1 (OSR1), an early IM marker. We identified cabergoline as an inducer of 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, an essential enzyme for adrenogonadal steroidogenesis. Although cabergoline is a potent dopamine D2 receptor agonist, additional experiments showed that cabergoline exerted effects as a low-affinity agonist of D1 receptors by increasing intracellular cyclic AMP. Further analysis of OSR1+ cells transfected with steroidogenic factor-1/adrenal 4 binding protein revealed that D1 receptor agonist upregulated expression of various steroidogenic enzymes and increased secretion of steroid hormones synergistically with adrenocorticotropic hormone. These results suggest the importance of dopamine D1 receptor signalling in steroidogenic differentiation, which contributes to effective induction of steroidogenic cells from hiPSCs.
Acoustic Mapping of Thermohaline Staircases in the Arctic Ocean
Authors: Stranne Christian , Mayer Larry , Weber Thomas C. , Ruddick Barry R. , Jakobsson Martin , Jerram Kevin , Weidner Elizabeth , Nilsson Johan , Gårdfeldt Katarina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough there is enough heat contained in inflowing warm Atlantic Ocean water to melt all Arctic sea ice within a few years, a cold halocline limits upward heat transport from the Atlantic water. The amount of heat that penetrates the halocline to reach the sea ice is not well known, but vertical heat transport through the halocline layer can significantly increase in the presence of double diffusive convection. Such convection can occur when salinity and temperature gradients share the same sign, often resulting in the formation of thermohaline staircases. Staircase structures in the Arctic Ocean have been previously identified and the associated double diffusive convection has been suggested to influence the Arctic Ocean in general and the fate of the Arctic sea ice cover in particular. A central challenge to understanding the role of double diffusive convection in vertical heat transport is one of observation. Here, we use broadband echo sounders to characterize Arctic thermohaline staircases at their full vertical and horizontal resolution over large spatial areas (100 s of kms). In doing so, we offer new insight into the mechanism of thermohaline staircase evolution and scale, and hence fluxes, with implications for understanding ocean mixing processes and ocean-sea ice interactions.
Observer’s anxiety facilitates magnocellular processing of clear facial threat cues, but impairs parvocellular processing of ambiguous facial threat cues
Authors: Im Hee Yeon , Adams Reginald B. , Boshyan Jasmine , Ward Noreen , Cushing Cody A. , Kveraga Kestutis 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFacial expression and eye gaze provide a shared signal about threats. While a fear expression with averted gaze clearly points to the source of threat, direct-gaze fear renders the source of threat ambiguous. Separable routes have been proposed to mediate these processes, with preferential attunement of the magnocellular (M) pathway to clear threat, and of the parvocellular (P) pathway to threat ambiguity. Here we investigated how observers’ trait anxiety modulates M- and P-pathway processing of clear and ambiguous threat cues. We scanned subjects (N = 108) widely ranging in trait anxiety while they viewed fearful or neutral faces with averted or directed gaze, with the luminance and color of face stimuli calibrated to selectively engage M- or P-pathways. Higher anxiety facilitated processing of clear threat projected to M-pathway, but impaired perception of ambiguous threat projected to P-pathway. Increased right amygdala reactivity was associated with higher anxiety for M-biased averted-gaze fear, while increased left amygdala reactivity was associated with higher anxiety for P-biased, direct-gaze fear. This lateralization was more pronounced with higher anxiety. Our findings suggest that trait anxiety differentially affects perception of clear (averted-gaze fear) and ambiguous (direct-gaze fear) facial threat cues via selective engagement of M and P pathways and lateralized amygdala reactivity.
Characterization of mammary-specific disruptions for Tph1 and Lrp5 during murine lactation
Authors: Weaver Samantha R. , Jury Nicholas J. , Gregerson Karen A. , Horseman Nelson D. , Hernandez Laura L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSerotonin is a homeostatic regulator of the mammary gland during lactation. The contribution of mammary-derived serotonin to circulating serum serotonin concentrations was previously unknown. We have developed mice with mammary-specific disruptions of tryptophan hydroxylase 1 (Tph1) or low-density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 5 (Lrp5) that are induced during late pregnancy and lactation via use of the whey acidic protein (WAP)-Crecre-lox system. Our objective was to characterize dams with a lactation- and mammary-specific disruption ofLrp5(WAP-Cre × Lrp5FL/FL) orTph1(WAP-Cre × Tph1FL/FL). Milk yield and pup weights were recorded throughout lactation. Dams were euthanized on d10 postpartum and mammary glands and duodenal tissue were harvested.WAP-Cre × Lrp5FL/FLdams had elevated serotonin concentrations in both the mammary gland and circulation compared to controls. In contrast,WAP-Cre × Tph1FL/FLdams had decreased mammary gland and serum serotonin concentrations compared to controls. Alveolar morphology, milk yield, and pup weights were similar. Mammary-derived serotonin makes a significant contribution to circulating serotonin concentrations during lactation, with no effect on milk yield or alveolar morphology. These transgenic models can and should be confidently used in future lactation studies to further elucidate the contribution of serotonin to the maintenance of lactation.
The liver protection of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate preconditioning against ischemia reperfusion injury: focusing MAPK pathway activity
Authors: Xu Shizan , Niu Peiqin , Chen Kan , Xia Yujing , Yu Qiang , Liu Ning , Li Jingjing , Li Sainan , Wu Liwei , Feng Jiao , Wang Wenwen , Lu Xiya , Liu Tong , Wang Fan , Dai Weiqi , Fan Xiaoming , Mo Wenhui , Xu Ling , Guo Chuanyong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHepatic ischemia reperfusion (IR) injury contributes to the morbidity and mortality associated with liver surgery. This study investigated the protective function and mechanism of propylene glycol alginate sodium sulfate (PSS), a sulfated polysaccharide, in a mouse hepatic IR injury model. PSS (25 or 50 mg/kg) or saline were injected intraperitoneally to male Balb/c mice 1 h before 45 min of 70% warm hepatic ischemia and 2, 8, and 24 h of reperfusion. Serum and liver tissue samples were collected for evaluation of hepatocellular damage, liver histology, and assay of inflammatory cytokines, apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins, and proteins in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs). Histological injury and release of transaminases, and inflammatory cytokine production were significantly reduced by PSS pretreatment. The expression of apoptosis- and autophagy-related proteins, and the activation of MAPK signal, including jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), and P38 were all affected by PSS treatment compared with IR model controls. PSS protected the liver from IR injury by suppressing the MAPK signaling and down-regulating inflammation, apoptosis, and autophagy.