bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4 signalling in cardiac fibroblasts mediates cardiomyocyte hypertrophy
Authors: Mohamed Tamer M. A. , Abou-Leisa Riham , Stafford Nicholas , Maqsood Arfa , Zi Min , Prehar Sukhpal , Baudoin-Stanley Florence , Wang Xin , Neyses Ludwig , Cartwright Elizabeth J. , Oceandy Delvac 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe heart responds to pathological overload through myocyte hypertrophy. Here we show that this response is regulated by cardiac fibroblasts via a paracrine mechanism involving plasma membrane calcium ATPase 4 (PMCA4). Pmca4 deletion in mice, both systemically and specifically in fibroblasts, reduces the hypertrophic response to pressure overload; however, knocking out Pmca4 specifically in cardiomyocytes does not produce this effect. Mechanistically, cardiac fibroblasts lacking PMCA4 produce higher levels of secreted frizzled related protein 2 (sFRP2), which inhibits the hypertrophic response in neighbouring cardiomyocytes. Furthermore, we show that treatment with the PMCA4 inhibitor aurintricarboxylic acid (ATA) inhibits and reverses cardiac hypertrophy induced by pressure overload in mice. Our results reveal that PMCA4 regulates the development of cardiac hypertrophy and provide proof of principle for a therapeutic approach to treat this condition.
Fish mouths as engineering structures for vortical cross-step filtration
Authors: Sanderson S. Laurie , Roberts Erin , Lineburg Jillian , Brooks Hannah 
Published: March 2016

AbstractSuspension-feeding fishes such as goldfish and whale sharks retain prey without clogging their oral filters, whereas clogging is a major expense in industrial crossflow filtration of beer, dairy foods and biotechnology products. Fishes’ abilities to retain particles that are smaller than the pore size of the gill-raker filter, including extraction of particles despite large holes in the filter, also remain unexplained. Here we show that unexplored combinations of engineering structures (backward-facing steps forming d-type ribs on the porous surface of a cone) cause fluid dynamic phenomena distinct from current biological and industrial filter operations. This vortical cross-step filtration model prevents clogging and explains the transport of tiny concentrated particles to the oesophagus using a hydrodynamic tongue. Mass transfer caused by vortices along d-type ribs in crossflow is applicable to filter-feeding duck beak lamellae and whale baleen plates, as well as the fluid mechanics of ventilation at fish gill filaments.
Exosomal transfer of stroma-derived miR21 confers paclitaxel resistance in ovarian cancer cells through targeting APAF1
Authors: Au Yeung Chi Lam , Co Ngai-Na , Tsuruga Tetsushi , Yeung Tsz-Lun , Kwan Suet-Ying , Leung Cecilia S. , Li Yong , Lu Edward S. , Kwan Kenny , Wong Kwong-Kwok , Schmandt Rosemarie , Lu Karen H. , Mok Samuel C. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAdvanced ovarian cancer usually spreads to the visceral adipose tissue of the omentum. However, the omental stromal cell-derived molecular determinants that modulate ovarian cancer growth have not been characterized. Here, using next-generation sequencing technology, we identify significantly higher levels of microRNA-21 (miR21) isomiRNAs in exosomes and tissue lysates isolated from cancer-associated adipocytes (CAAs) and fibroblasts (CAFs) than in those from ovarian cancer cells. Functional studies reveal that miR21 is transferred from CAAs or CAFs to the cancer cells, where it suppresses ovarian cancer apoptosis and confers chemoresistance by binding to its direct novel target, APAF1. These data suggest that the malignant phenotype of metastatic ovarian cancer cells can be altered by miR21 delivered by exosomes derived from neighbouring stromal cells in the omental tumour microenvironment, and that inhibiting the transfer of stromal-derived miR21 is an alternative modality in the treatment of metastatic and recurrent ovarian cancer.
Decreased gastrointestinal toxicity associated with a novel capecitabine schedule (7 days on and 7 days off): a systematic review
Authors: Cadoo Karen A , Gajria Devika , Suh Emily , Patil Sujata , Theodoulou Maria , Norton Larry , Hudis Clifford A , Traina Tiffany A 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCapecitabine is widely used in the management of metastatic breast cancer; however, drug delivery is limited by gastrointestinal and other toxicity. We employed mathematical modeling to rationally design an optimized dose and schedule for capecitabine of 2,000 mg twice daily, flat dosing, 7 days on, 7 days off. Preclinical data suggested increased efficacy and tolerability with this novel dosing, and three early-phase clinical trials have suggested a favorable toxicity profile. To further define the tolerability of this regimen, we conducted a systematic review of the gastrointestinal adverse events of patients on these studies. This review demonstrated a favorable gastrointestinal toxicity profile with capecitabine in this novel schedule when given as single agent or in combination therapy with either bevacizumab or lapatinib. No patients discontinued therapy for gastrointestinal toxicity, and there were no grade 4 or 5 gastrointestinal toxicities reported. Grade 3 or greater diarrhea occurred in two (2%); grade 2 or greater mucositis, constipation, and vomiting were reported in three (4%) patients. We conclude that capecitabine administered on a 7 days on, 7 days off schedule has limited gastrointestinal toxicity. Our methodology was based on an analysis of individual patient toxicity data from one phase I single-agent capecitabine and two phase II capecitabine combination studies (with bevacizumab and lapatinib, respectively), focusing specifically on gastrointestinal toxicity.
The impact of acute stress on hormones and cytokines and how their recovery is affected by music-evoked positive mood
Authors: Koelsch Stefan , Boehlig Albrecht , Hohenadel Maximilian , Nitsche Ines , Bauer Katrin , Sack Ulrich 
Published: March 2016

AbstractStress and recovery from stress significantly affect interactions between the central nervous system, endocrine pathways and the immune system. However, the influence of acute stress on circulating immune-endocrine mediators in humans is not well known. Using a double-blind, randomized study design, we administered a CO2 stress test to n = 143 participants to identify the effects of acute stress and recovery from stress, on serum levels of several mediators with immune function (IL-6, TNF-α, leptin and somatostatin), as well as on noradrenaline and two hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis hormones (ACTH and cortisol). Moreover, during a 1 h-recovery period, we repeatedly measured these serum parameters and administered an auditory mood-induction protocol with positive music and a neutral control stimulus. The acute stress elicited increases in noradrenaline, ACTH, cortisol, IL-6 and leptin levels. Noradrenaline and ACTH exhibited the fastest and strongest stress responses, followed by cortisol, IL-6 and leptin. The music intervention was associated with more positive mood and stronger cortisol responses to the acute stressor in the music group. Our data show that acute (CO2) stress affects endocrine, immune and metabolic functions in humans and they show that mood plays a causal role in the modulation of responses to acute stress.
All-solid-state high performance asymmetric supercapacitors based on novel MnS nanocrystal and activated carbon materials
Authors: Chen Teng , Tang Yongfu , Qiao Yuqing , Liu Zhangyu , Guo Wenfeng , Song Jianzheng , Mu Shichun , Yu Shengxue , Zhao Yufeng , Gao Faming 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAll-solid-state high-performance asymmetric supercapacitors (ASCs) are fabricated using γ-MnS as positive electrode and porous eggplant derived activated carbon (EDAC) as negative electrode with saturated potassium hydroxide agar gel as the solid electrolyte. The laminar wurtzite nanostructure of γ-MnS facilitates the insertion of hydroxyl ions into the interlayer space and the manganese sulfide nanowire offers electronic transportation channels. The size-uniform porous nanostructure of EDAC provides a continuous electron pathway as well as facilitates short ionic transportation pathways. Due to these special nanostructures of both the MnS and the EDAC, they exhibited a specific capacitance of 573.9 and 396 F g−1 at 0.5 A g−1, respectively. The optimized MnS//EDAC asymmetric supercapacitor shows a superior performance with specific capacitance of 110.4 F g−1 and 89.87% capacitance retention after 5000 cycles, a high energy density of 37.6 Wh kg−1 at a power density of 181.2 W kg−1 and remains 24.9 Wh kg−1 even at 5976 W kg−1. Impressively, such two assembled all-solid-state cells in series can light up a red LED indicator for 15 minutes after fully charged. These impressive results make these pollution-free materials promising for practical applications in solid aqueous electrolyte-based ASCs.
One-pot synthesis and in-vitro anticancer evaluation of 5-(2′-indolyl)thiazoles
Authors: Vaddula Buchi Reddy , Tantak Mukund P. , Sadana Rachana , Gonzalez Michael A. , Kumar Dalip 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA series of 5-(2′-indolyl)thiazoles were synthesized and evaluated for their cytotoxicity against selected human cancer cell lines. The reaction of thioamides 3 with 3-tosyloxypentane-2,4-dione 4 led to in situ formation of 5-acetylthiazole 5 which upon treatment with arylhydrazines 6 in polyphosphoric acid resulted in the formation of 5-(2′-indolyl)thiazoles 2. Among the synthesized 5-(2′-indolyl)thiazoles, compounds 2d–f and 2h exhibited encouraging anticancer activity and also selectivity towards particular cell lines (IC50 = 10–30 μM). Further studies on the SAR of compound 2e may result in good anticancer activity.
Synchronous slowing down in coupled logistic maps via random network topology
Authors: Wang Sheng-Jun , Du Ru-Hai , Jin Tao , Wu Xing-Sen , Qu Shi-Xian 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe speed and paths of synchronization play a key role in the function of a system, which has not received enough attention up to now. In this work, we study the synchronization process of coupled logistic maps that reveals the common features of low-dimensional dissipative systems. A slowing down of synchronization process is observed, which is a novel phenomenon. The result shows that there are two typical kinds of transient process before the system reaches complete synchronization, which is demonstrated by both the coupled multiple-period maps and the coupled multiple-band chaotic maps. When the coupling is weak, the evolution of the system is governed mainly by the local dynamic, i.e., the node states are attracted by the stable orbits or chaotic attractors of the single map and evolve toward the synchronized orbit in a less coherent way. When the coupling is strong, the node states evolve in a high coherent way toward the stable orbit on the synchronized manifold, where the collective dynamics dominates the evolution. In a mediate coupling strength, the interplay between the two paths is responsible for the slowing down. The existence of different synchronization paths is also proven by the finite-time Lyapunov exponent and its distribution.
Microbial oil-degradation under mild hydrostatic pressure (10 MPa): which pathways are impacted in piezosensitive hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria?
Authors: Scoma Alberto , Barbato Marta , Hernandez-Sanabria Emma , Mapelli Francesca , Daffonchio Daniele , Borin Sara , Boon Nico 
Published: March 2016

AbstractOil spills represent an overwhelming carbon input to the marine environment that immediately impacts the sea surface ecosystem. Microbial communities degrading the oil fraction that eventually sinks to the seafloor must also deal with hydrostatic pressure, which linearly increases with depth. Piezosensitive hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria are ideal candidates to elucidate impaired pathways following oil spills at low depth. In the present paper, we tested two strains of the ubiquitous Alcanivorax genus, namely A. jadensis KS_339 and A. dieselolei KS_293, which is known to rapidly grow after oil spills. Strains were subjected to atmospheric and mild pressure (0.1, 5 and 10 MPa, corresponding to a depth of 0, 500 and 1000 m, respectively) providing n-dodecane as sole carbon source. Pressures equal to 5 and 10 MPa significantly lowered growth yields of both strains. However, in strain KS_293 grown at 10 MPa CO2 production per cell was not affected, cell integrity was preserved and PO43− uptake increased. Analysis of its transcriptome revealed that 95% of its genes were downregulated. Increased transcription involved protein synthesis, energy generation and respiration pathways. Interplay between these factors may play a key role in shaping the structure of microbial communities developed after oil spills at low depth and limit their bioremediation potential.
Unravelling Linkages between Plant Community Composition and the Pathogen-Suppressive Potential of Soils
Authors: Latz Ellen , Eisenhauer Nico , Rall Björn Christian , Scheu Stefan , Jousset Alexandre 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPlant diseases cause dramatic yield losses worldwide. Current disease control practices can be deleterious for the environment and human health, calling for alternative and sustainable management regimes. Soils harbour microorganisms that can efficiently suppress pathogens. Uncovering mediators driving their functioning in the field still remains challenging, but represents an essential step in order to develop strategies for increased soil health. We set up plant communities of varying richness to experimentally test the potential of soils differing in plant community history to suppress the pathogen Rhizoctonia solani. The results indicate that plant communities shape soil-disease suppression via changes in abiotic soil properties and the abundance of bacterial groups including species of the genera Actinomyces, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. Further, the results suggest that pairwise interactions between specific plant species strongly affect soil suppressiveness. Using structural equation modelling, we provide a pathway orientated framework showing how the complex interactions between plants, soil and microorganisms jointly shape soil suppressiveness. Our results stress the importance of plant community composition as a determinant of soil functioning, such as the disease suppressive potential of soils.
Observation of momentum-resolved charge fluctuations proximate to the charge-order phase using resonant inelastic x-ray scattering
Authors: Yoshida M. , Ishii K. , Naka M. , Ishihara S. , Jarrige I. , Ikeuchi K. , Murakami Y. , Kudo K. , Koike Y. , Nagata T. , Fukada Y. , Ikeda N. , Mizuki J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn strongly correlated electron systems, enhanced fluctuations in the proximity of the ordered states of electronic degrees of freedom often induce anomalous electronic properties such as unconventional superconductivity. While spin fluctuations in the energy-momentum space have been studied widely using inelastic neutron scattering, other degrees of freedom, i.e., charge and orbital, have hardly been explored thus far. Here, we use resonant inelastic x-ray scattering to observe charge fluctuations proximate to the charge-order phase in transition metal oxides. In the two-leg ladder of Sr14−xCaxCu24O41, charge fluctuations are enhanced at the propagation vector of the charge order ( qCO) when the order is melted by raising temperature or by doping holes. In contrast, charge fluctuations are observed not only at qCO but also at other momenta in a geometrically frustrated triangular bilayer lattice of LuFe2O4. The observed charge fluctuations have a high energy (~1 eV), suggesting that the Coulomb repulsion between electrons plays an important role in the formation of the charge order.
Small molecule ice recrystallization inhibitors mitigate red blood cell lysis during freezing, transient warming and thawing
Authors: Briard Jennie G. , Poisson Jessica S. , Turner Tracey R. , Capicciotti Chantelle J. , Acker Jason P. , Ben Robert N. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDuring cryopreservation, ice recrystallization is a major cause of cellular damage. Conventional cryoprotectants such as dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) and glycerol function by a number of different mechanisms but do not mitigate or control ice recrystallization at concentrations utilized in cryopreservation procedures. In North America, cryopreservation of human red blood cells (RBCs) utilizes high concentrations of glycerol. RBC units frozen under these conditions must be subjected to a time-consuming deglycerolization process after thawing in order to remove the glycerol to <1% prior to transfusion thus limiting the use of frozen RBC units in emergency situations. We have identified several low molecular mass ice recrystallization inhibitors (IRIs) that are effective cryoprotectants for human RBCs, resulting in 70–80% intact RBCs using only 15% glycerol and slow freezing rates. These compounds are capable of reducing the average ice crystal size of extracellular ice relative to a 15% glycerol control validating the positive correlation between a reduction in ice crystal size and increased post-thaw recovery of RBCs. The most potent IRI from this study is also capable of protecting frozen RBCs against the large temperature fluctuations associated with transient warming.
Control strategies of 3-cell Central Pattern Generator via global stimuli
Authors: Lozano Álvaro , Rodríguez Marcos , Barrio Roberto 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe study of the synchronization patterns of small neuron networks that control several biological processes has become an interesting growing discipline. Some of these synchronization patterns of individual neurons are related to some undesirable neurological diseases and they are believed to play a crucial role in the emergence of pathological rhythmic brain activity in different diseases, like Parkinson’s disease. We show how, with a suitable combination of short and weak global inhibitory and excitatory stimuli over the whole network, we can switch between different stable bursting patterns in small neuron networks (in our case a 3-neuron network). We develop a systematic study showing and explaining the effects of applying the pulses at different moments. Moreover, we compare the technique on a completely symmetric network and on a slightly perturbed one (a much more realistic situation). The present approach of using global stimuli may allow to avoid undesirable synchronization patterns with nonaggressive stimuli.
Identification of Liver Epithelial Cell-derived Ig Expression in μ chain-deficient mice
Authors: Shao Wenwei , Zhang Chi , Liu Enyang , Zhang Long , Ma Junfan , Zhu Zhu , Gong Xiaoting , Qin Zhihai , Qiu Xiaoyan 
Published: March 2016

AbstractGrowing evidence indicates that B cells are not the only source of immunoglobulin (Ig). To investigate this discovery further, we used μMT mice, which have a disruption of the first transmembrane exon of the μ heavy chain and do not express the membrane form of IgM. These mice lack mature B cells and thus serve as a good model to explore Ig expression by liver epithelial cells. We found that Ig heavy chains (μ, δ, γ and α) and light chains (κ and λ) were expressed in sorted liver epithelial cells of μMT mice. Surprisingly, each heavy chain class showed its respective variable region sequence characteristics in their variable region, instead of sharing the same VDJ usage, which suggests that class switching does not occur in liver epithelial cells. Moreover, the γ and α chains, but not the μ and δ chains, showed mutations in the variable region, thus indicating that different classes of Ig have different activities. Our findings support the concept that non-B cells, liver epithelial cells here, can produce different classes of Ig.
Plant and soil fungal but not soil bacterial communities are linked in long-term fertilized grassland
Authors: Cassman Noriko A. , Leite Marcio F. A. , Pan Yao , de Hollander Mattias , van Veen Johannes A. , Kuramae Eiko E. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractInorganic fertilization and mowing alter soil factors with subsequent effects–direct and indirect - on above- and below-ground communities. We explored direct and indirect effects of long-term fertilization (N, P, NPK, Liming) and twice yearly mowing on the plant, bacterial and fungal communities and soil factors. We analyzed co-variation using 16S and 18S rRNA genes surveys, and plant frequency and edaphic factors across treatments. The plant and fungal communities were distinct in the NPK and L treatments, while the bacterial communities and soil factors were distinct in the N and L treatments. Plant community diversity and evenness had low diversity in the NPK and high diversity in the liming treatment, while the diversity and evenness of the bacterial and fungal communities did not differ across treatments, except of higher diversity and evenness in the liming treatment for the bacteria. We found significant co-structures between communities based on plant and fungal comparisons but not between plant and bacterial nor bacterial and fungal comparisons. Our results suggested that the plant and fungal communities are more tightly linked than either community with the bacterial community in fertilized soils. We found co-varying plant, bacterial and fungal taxa in different treatments that may indicate ecological interactions.
Paeonol and danshensu combination attenuates apoptosis in myocardial infarcted rats by inhibiting oxidative stress: Roles of Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt pathway
Authors: Li Hua , Song Fan , Duan Lin-Rui , Sheng Juan-Juan , Xie Yan-Hua , Yang Qian , Chen Ying , Dong Qian-Qian , Zhang Bang-Le , Wang Si-Wang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPaeonol and danshensu is the representative active ingredient of traditional Chinese medicinal herbs Cortex Moutan and Radix Salviae Milthiorrhizae, respectively. Paeonol and danshensu combination (PDSS) has putative cardioprotective effects in treating ischemic heart disease (IHD). However, the evidence for the protective effect is scarce and the pharmacological mechanisms of the combination remain unclear. The present study was designed to investigate the protective effect of PDSS on isoproterenol (ISO)-induced myocardial infarction in rats and to elucidate the potential mechanism. Assays of creatine kinase-MB, cardiac troponin I and T and histopathological analysis revealed PDSS significantly prevented myocardial injury induced by ISO. The ISO-induced profound elevation of oxidative stress was also suppressed by PDSS. TUNEL and caspase-3 activity assay showed that PDSS significantly inhibited apoptosis in myocardia. In exploring the underlying mechanisms of PDSS, we found PDSS enhanced the nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in myocardial injured rats. Furthermore, PDSS increased phosphorylated PI3K and Akt, which may in turn activate antioxidative and antiapoptotic signaling events in rat. These present findings demonstrated that PDSS exerts significant cardioprotective effects against ISO-induced myocardial infarction in rats. The protective effect is, at least partly, via activation of Nrf2/HO-1 signaling and involvement of the PI3K/Akt cell survival signaling pathway.