bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Crim1 has cell-autonomous and paracrine roles during embryonic heart development
Authors: Iyer Swati , Chou Fang Yu , Wang Richard , Chiu Han Sheng , Raju Vinay K. Sundar , Little Melissa H. , Thomas Walter G. , Piper Michael , Pennisi David J. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe epicardium has a critical role during embryonic development, contributing epicardium-derived lineages to the heart, as well as providing regulatory and trophic signals necessary for myocardial development. Crim1 is a unique trans-membrane protein expressed by epicardial and epicardially-derived cells but its role in cardiogenesis is unknown. Using knockout mouse models, we observe that loss of Crim1 leads to congenital heart defects including epicardial defects and hypoplastic ventricular compact myocardium. Epicardium-restricted deletion of Crim1 results in increased epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition and invasion of the myocardium in vivo, and an increased migration of primary epicardial cells. Furthermore, Crim1 appears to be necessary for the proliferation of epicardium-derived cells (EPDCs) and for their subsequent differentiation into cardiac fibroblasts. It is also required for normal levels of cardiomyocyte proliferation and apoptosis, consistent with a role in regulating epicardium-derived trophic factors that act on the myocardium. Mechanistically, Crim1 may also modulate key developmentally expressed growth factors such as TGFβs, as changes in the downstream effectors phospho-SMAD2 and phospho-ERK1/2 are observed in the absence of Crim1. Collectively, our data demonstrates that Crim1 is essential for cell-autonomous and paracrine aspects of heart development.
Weyl Mott Insulator
Authors: Morimoto Takahiro , Nagaosa Naoto 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRelativistic Weyl fermion (WF) often appears in the band structure of three dimensional magnetic materials and acts as a source or sink of the Berry curvature, i.e., the (anti-)monopole. It has been believed that the WFs are stable due to their topological indices except when two Weyl fermions of opposite chiralities annihilate pairwise. Here, we theoretically show for a model including the electron-electron interaction that the Mott gap opens for each WF without violating the topological stability, leading to a topological Mott insulator dubbed Weyl Mott insulator (WMI). This WMI is characterized by several novel features such as (i) energy gaps in the angle-resolved photo-emission spectroscopy (ARPES) and the optical conductivity, (ii) the nonvanishing Hall conductance and (iii) the Fermi arc on the surface with the penetration depth diverging as approaching to the momentum at which the Weyl point is projected. Experimental detection of the WMI by distinguishing from conventional Mott insulators is discussed with possible relevance to pyrochlore iridates.
One-dimensional Growth of Zinc Crystals on a Liquid Surface
Authors: Lu Chenxi , Cheng Yi , Pan Qifa , Tao Xiangming , Yang Bo , Ye Gaoxiang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe catalyst-free growth of nanocrystals on various substrates at room temperature has been a long-standing goal in the development of material science. We report the growth of one-dimensional zinc nanocrystals on silicone oil surfaces by thermal evaporation method at room temperature (20 ± 2 °C). Uniform zinc nanorods with tunable size can be obtained. The typical length and width of the nanorods are 250–500 nm and 20–40 nm, respectively. The growth mechanism can be attributed to the effect of the liquid substrate and the preferential growth direction of the crystals. This result provides a novel and simple way to fabricate the precursors (zinc crystals) for preparation of Zn-based semiconductors and other metallic crystals on liquid substrates.
A profile of volatile organic compounds in exhaled air as a potential non-invasive biomarker for liver cirrhosis
Authors: Pijls Kirsten E. , Smolinska Agnieszka , Jonkers Daisy M. A. E. , Dallinga Jan W. , Masclee Ad A. M. , Koek Ger H. , van Schooten Frederik-Jan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEarly diagnosis of liver cirrhosis may prevent progression and development of complications. Liver biopsy is the current standard, but is invasive and associated with morbidity. We aimed to identify exhaled volatiles within a heterogeneous group of chronic liver disease (CLD) patients that discriminates those with compensated cirrhosis (CIR) from those without cirrhosis and compare this with serological markers. Breath samples were collected from 87 CLD and 34 CIR patients. Volatiles in exhaled air were measured by gas chromatography mass spectrometry. Discriminant Analysis was performed to identify the optimal panel of serological markers and VOCs for classifying our patients using a random training set of 27 CIR and 27 CLD patients. Two randomly selected independent internal validation sets and permutation test were used to validate the model. 5 serological markers were found to distinguish CIR and CLD patients with a sensitivity of 0.71 and specificity of 0.84. A set of 11 volatiles discriminated CIR from CLD patients with sensitivity of 0.83 and specificity of 0.87. Combining both did not further improve accuracy. A specific exhaled volatile profile can predict the presence of compensated cirrhosis among CLD patients with a higher accuracy than serological markers and can aid in reducing liver biopsies.
Optimizing the Intralayer and Interlayer Compatibility for High-Efficiency Blue Thermally Activated Delayed Fluorescence Diodes
Authors: Duan Chunbo , Fan Chaochao , Wei Ying , Han Fuquan , Huang Wei , Xu Hui 
Published: January 2016

AbstractA series of phosphine oxide hosts, 4,6-bis(diphenylphosphoryl) dibenzothiophene (DBTDPO) and 4- diphenylphosphoryldibenzothiophene (DBTSPO) and electron transporting materials (ETM), 2-(diphenylphosphoryl)dibenzothiophene sulfone (2DBSOSPO), 3-(diphenylphosphoryl)dibenzothiophene sulfone (3DBSOSPO) and 4-(diphenylphosphoryl)dibenzothiophene sulfone (4DBSOSPO) were developed to support blue thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) devices with high performance through optimizing intralayer and interlayer compatibility of emissive layers. On the basis of the triplet energy of ~3.0 eV for the hosts and ETMs, excitons can be effectively confined on DMAC-DPS. Compared to DBTSPO, DBTDPO can support the excellent distribution uniformity to blue TADF dye bis[4-(9,9-dimethyl–9,10-dihydroacridine) phenyl] sulfone (DMAC-DPS), owing to their configuration similarity; while 3DBSOSPO and 4DBSOSPO are superior in compatibility with the hosts due to the similar molecular polarity or configuration. Through adjusting the molecular configuration, the electrical performance of ETMs can be feasibly tuned, including the excellent electron mobility (μe) by the order of 10−3 cm2 V−1 s−1. As the result, DBTDPO and 4DBSOSPO endowed their four-layer blue TADF devices with the maximum current efficiency of 33.5 cd A−1 and the maximum external quantum efficiency more than 17%, which are impressive among the best blue TADF devices. It is showed that intralayer compatibility determines the maximum efficiencies, while interlayer compatibility influences efficiency stability.
E. coli metabolic protein aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase-E binds to the ribosome: a unique moonlighting action revealed
Authors: Shasmal Manidip , Dey Sandip , Shaikh Tanvir R. , Bhakta Sayan , Sengupta Jayati 
Published: January 2016

AbstractIt is becoming increasingly evident that a high degree of regulation is involved in the protein synthesis machinery entailing more interacting regulatory factors. A multitude of proteins have been identified recently which show regulatory function upon binding to the ribosome. Here, we identify tight association of a metabolic protein aldehyde-alcohol dehydrogenase E (AdhE) with the E. coli 70S ribosome isolated from cell extract under low salt wash conditions. Cryo-EM reconstruction of the ribosome sample allows us to localize its position on the head of the small subunit, near the mRNA entrance. Our study demonstrates substantial RNA unwinding activity of AdhE which can account for the ability of ribosome to translate through downstream of at least certain mRNA helices. Thus far, in E. coli, no ribosome-associated factor has been identified that shows downstream mRNA helicase activity. Additionally, the cryo-EM map reveals interaction of another extracellular protein, outer membrane protein C (OmpC), with the ribosome at the peripheral solvent side of the 50S subunit. Our result also provides important insight into plausible functional role of OmpC upon ribosome binding. Visualization of the ribosome purified directly from the cell lysate unveils for the first time interactions of additional regulatory proteins with the ribosome.
Allosteric Pathways in the PPARγ-RXRα nuclear receptor complex
Authors: Ricci Clarisse G. , Silveira Rodrigo L. , Rivalta Ivan , Batista Victor S. , Skaf Munir S. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the nature of allostery in DNA-nuclear receptor (NR) complexes is of fundamental importance for drug development since NRs regulate the transcription of a myriad of genes in humans and other metazoans. Here, we investigate allostery in the peroxisome proliferator-activated/retinoid X receptor heterodimer. This important NR complex is a target for antidiabetic drugs since it binds to DNA and functions as a transcription factor essential for insulin sensitization and lipid metabolism. We find evidence of interdependent motions of Ω-loops and PPARγ-DNA binding domain with contacts susceptible to conformational changes and mutations, critical for regulating transcriptional functions in response to sequence-dependent DNA dynamics. Statistical network analysis of the correlated motions, observed in molecular dynamics simulations, shows preferential allosteric pathways with convergence centers comprised of polar amino acid residues. These findings are particularly relevant for the design of allosteric modulators of ligand-dependent transcription factors.
Intrinsic and Extrinsic Charge Transport in CH3NH3PbI3 Perovskites Predicted from First-Principles
Authors: Zhao Tianqi , Shi Wen , Xi Jinyang , Wang Dong , Shuai Zhigang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBoth intrinsic and extrinsic charge transport properties of methylammonium lead triiodide perovskites are investigated from first-principles. The weak electron-phonon couplings are revealed, with the largest deformation potential (~ 5 eV) comparable to that of single layer graphene. The intrinsic mobility limited by the acoustic phonon scattering is as high as a few thousands cm2 V−1 s−1 with the hole mobility larger than the electron mobility. At the impurity density of 1018 cm−3, the charged impurity scattering starts to dominate and lowers the electron mobility to 101 cm2 V−1 s−1 and the hole mobility to 72.2 cm2 V−1 s−1. The high intrinsic mobility warrants the long and balanced diffusion length of charge carriers. With the control of impurities or defects as well as charge traps in these perovskites, enhanced efficiencies of solar cells with simplified device structures are promised.
A Facile and Low-Cost Method to Enhance the Internal Quantum Yield and External Light-Extraction Efficiency for Flexible Light-Emitting Carbon-Dot Films
Authors: Jiang Z. C. , Lin T. N. , Lin H. T. , Talite M. J. , Tzeng T. T. , Hsu C. L. , Chiu K. P. , Lin C. A. J. , Shen J. L. , Yuan C. T. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractSolution-processed, non-toxic carbon dots (CDs) have attracted much attention due to their unique photoluminescence (PL) properties. They are promising emissive layers for flexible light-emitting devices. To this end, the CDs in pristine aqueous solutions need to be transferred to form solid-state thin films without sacrificing their original PL characteristics. Unfortunately, solid-state PL quenching induced by extra non-radiative (NR) energy transfer among CDs would significantly hinder their practical applications in optoelectronics. Here, a facile, low-cost and effective method has been utilized to fabricate high-performance CD/polymer light-emitting flexible films with submicron-structured patterns. The patterned polymers can serve as a solid matrix to disperse and passivate CDs, thus achieving high internal quantum yields of 61%. In addition, they can act as an out-coupler to mitigate the waveguide-mode losses, approximately doubling the external light-extraction efficiency. Such CD/polymer composites also exhibit good photo-stability and thus can be used as eco-friendly, low-cost phosphors for solid-state lighting.
A novel NF-κB/YY1/microRNA-10a regulatory circuit in fibroblast-like synoviocytes regulates inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Mu Nan , Gu Jintao , Huang Tonglie , Zhang Cun , Shu Zhen , Li Meng , Hao Qiang , Li Weina , Zhang Wangqian , Zhao Jinkang , Zhang Yong , Huang Luyu , Wang Shuning , Jin Xiaohang , Xue Xiaochang , Zhang Wei , Zhang Yingqi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe main etiopathogenesis of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is overexpressed inflammatory cytokines and tissue injury mediated by persistent NF-κB activation. MicroRNAs widely participate in the regulation of target gene expression and play important roles in various diseases. Here, we explored the mechanisms of microRNAs in RA. We found that microRNA (miR)-10a was downregulated in the fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLSs) of RA patients compared with osteoarthritis (OA) controls and this downregulation could be triggered by TNF-α and IL-1β in an NF-κB-dependent manner through promoting the expression of the YingYang 1 (YY1) transcription factor. Downregulated miR-10a could accelerate IκB degradation and NF-κB activation by targeting IRAK4, TAK1 and BTRC. This miR-10a-mediated NF-κB activation then significantly promoted the production of various inflammatory cytokines, including TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8 and MCP-1 and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1 and MMP-13. In addition, transfection of a miR-10a inhibitor accelerated the proliferation and migration of FLSs. Collectively, our data demonstrates the existence of a novel NF-κB/YY1/miR-10a/NF-κB regulatory circuit that promotes the excessive secretion of NF-κB-mediated inflammatory cytokines and the proliferation and migration of RA FLSs. Thus, miR-10a acts as a switch to control this regulatory circuit and may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic target for RA treatment.
Group A Streptococcus exploits human plasminogen for bacterial translocation across epithelial barrier via tricellular tight junctions
Authors: Sumitomo Tomoko , Nakata Masanobu , Higashino Miharu , Yamaguchi Masaya , Kawabata Shigetada 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGroup A Streptococcus (GAS) is a human-specific pathogen responsible for local suppurative and life-threatening invasive systemic diseases. Interaction of GAS with human plasminogen (PLG) is a salient characteristic for promoting their systemic dissemination. In the present study, a serotype M28 strain was found predominantly localized in tricellular tight junctions of epithelial cells cultured in the presence of PLG. Several lines of evidence indicated that interaction of PLG with tricellulin, a major component of tricellular tight junctions, is crucial for bacterial localization. A site-directed mutagenesis approach revealed that lysine residues at positions 217 and 252 within the extracellular loop of tricellulin play important roles in PLG-binding activity. Additionally, we demonstrated that PLG functions as a molecular bridge between tricellulin and streptococcal surface enolase (SEN). The wild type strain efficiently translocated across the epithelial monolayer, accompanied by cleavage of transmembrane junctional proteins. In contrast, amino acid substitutions in the PLG-binding motif of SEN markedly compromised those activities. Notably, the interaction of PLG with SEN was dependent on PLG species specificity, which influenced the efficiency of bacterial penetration. Our findings provide insight into the mechanism by which GAS exploits host PLG for acceleration of bacterial invasion into deeper tissues via tricellular tight junctions.
Analyses of Long Non-Coding RNA and mRNA profiling using RNA sequencing during the pre-implantation phases in pig endometrium
Authors: Wang Yueying , Xue Songyi , Liu Xiaoran , Liu Huan , Hu Tao , Qiu Xiaotian , Zhang Jinlong , Lei Minggang 
Published: January 2016

AbstractEstablishment of implantation in pig is accompanied by a coordinated interaction between the maternal uterine endometrium and conceptus development. We investigated the expression profiles of endometrial tissue on Days 9, 12 and 15 of pregnancy and on Day 12 of non-pregnancy in Yorkshire and performed a comprehensive analysis of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in endometrial tissue samples by using RNA sequencing. As a result, 2805 novel lncRNAs, 2,376 (301 lncRNA and 2075 mRNA) differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and 2149 novel transcripts were obtained by pairwise comparison. In agreement with previous reports, lncRNAs shared similar characteristics, such as shorter in length, lower in exon number, lower at expression level and less conserved than protein coding transcripts. Bioinformatics analysis showed that DEGs were involved in protein binding, cellular process, immune system process and enriched in focal adhesion, Jak-STAT, FoxO and MAPK signaling pathway. We also found that lncRNAs TCONS_01729386 and TCONS_01325501 may play a vital role in embryo pre-implantation. Furthermore, the expression of FGF7, NMB, COL5A3, S100A8 and PPP1R3D genes were significantly up-regulated at the time of maternal recognition of pregnancy (Day 12 of pregnancy). Our results first identified the characterization and expression profile of lncRNAs in pig endometrium during pre-implantation phases.
Six3 regulates optic nerve development via multiple mechanisms
Authors: Samuel Anat , Rubinstein Ariel M. , Azar Tehila T. , Ben-Moshe Livne Zohar , Kim Seok-Hyung , Inbal Adi 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMalformations of the optic nerve lead to reduced vision or even blindness. During optic nerve development, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axons navigate across the retina, exit the eye to the optic stalk (OS) and cross the diencephalon midline at the optic chiasm en route to their brain targets. Many signalling molecules have been implicated in guiding various steps of optic nerve pathfinding, however much less is known about transcription factors regulating this process. Here we show that in zebrafish, reduced function of transcription factor Six3 results in optic nerve hypoplasia and a wide repertoire of RGC axon pathfinding errors. These abnormalities are caused by multiple mechanisms, including abnormal eye and OS patterning and morphogenesis, abnormal expression of signalling molecules both in RGCs and in their environment and anatomical deficiency in the diencephalic preoptic area, where the optic chiasm normally forms. Our findings reveal new roles for Six3 in eye development and are consistent with known phenotypes of reduced SIX3 function in humans. Hence, the new zebrafish model for Six3 loss of function furthers our understanding of the mechanisms governing optic nerve development and Six3-mediated eye and forebrain malformations.
Gender difference in plasma fatty-acid-binding protein 4 levels in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
Authors: Zhang Xue , Li Diandian , Wang Hao , Pang Caishuang , Wu Yanqiu , Wen Fuqiang 
Published: January 2016

COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is characterized by airway inflammation and increases the likelihood of the development of atherosclerosis. Recent studies have indicated that FABP4 (fatty-acid-binding protein 4), an intracellular lipid chaperone of low molecular mass, plays an important role in the regulation of inflammation and atherosclerosis. We carried out a preliminary clinical study aiming at investigating the relationships between circulating FABP4 levels in patients with COPD and inflammation and lung function. We enrolled 50 COPD patients and 39 healthy controls in the study. Lung function tests were performed in all subjects. Plasma levels of FABP4 and adiponectin, TNFα (tumour necrosis factor α) and CRP (C-reactive protein) were measured. The correlations between FABP4 and lung function, adipokine (adiponectin), inflammatory factors and BMI (body mass index) were analysed. Compared with both males with COPD and healthy females, plasma FABP4 levels in females with COPD were significantly increased. Adiponectin and CRP levels were significantly higher in patients with COPD. Furthermore, we found that FABP4 levels were inversely correlated with FEV1% predicted (FEV1 is forced expiratory volume in 1 s) and positively correlated with adiponectin and TNFα in COPD patients. In addition, a positive correlation between plasma FABP4 and CRP was found in females with COPD. However, FABP4 levels were not correlated with BMI. Our results underline a gender difference in FABP4 secretion in stable COPD patients. Further studies are warranted to clarify the exact role of FABP4 in the pathogenesis of COPD.
Effect of Vitamin D Treatment on Serum Sclerostin Level
Authors: Acıbucu F. , Dokmetas H. , Acıbucu D. , Kılıclı F. , Aydemir M. , Cakmak E. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
Objective Sclerostin is an osteocyte-secreted endogenous inhibitor of Wnt signaling. Several systemic and local factors have been suggested as possible regulators of sclerostin expression by osteocytes. In this study, we examined the effect of vitamin D treatment on sclerostin levels.
Subject and Methods 44 patients with diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D≤20 ng/ml) were involved in the study. Patients had monthly intramuscular injection of 300.000 IU cholecalciferol for 3 consecutive months. Sclerostin, 25(OH)D, parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels were measured during the diagnosis and after the replacement of vitamin D.
Results 8 male and 36 female patients were enrolled in the study. Minimum age, maximum age and average age were 21, 55 and 32.02±9.26 years, respectively. A statistically significant difference was observed between the pre-treatment and post-treatment values in 25(OH)D levels (p:0.001, 10.27±4.62 ng/ml and 51.40±14.62 ng/ml, respectively), PTH levels (p:0.001, 50.32±19.05 pg/ml and 33.97±13.12 pg/ml, respectively) and sclerostin levels (p:0.002, 858.98±351.63 pg/ml and 689.52±197.92 pg/ml, respectively). No statistically significant difference, however, was found between the pre-treatment and post-treatment calcium, phosphorus and ALP levels. Correlation analysis made on pre-treatment and post-treatment sclerostin levels and 25(OH)D, PTH, calcium, phosphorus and ALP levels revealed no statistically significant correlation.
Conclusion Our findings show that the sclerostin level of patients with vitamin D deficiency decreases considerably through treatment.
Kommentar zur TIDieR Checkliste
Authors: Voigt-Radloff S. , Blümle A. , Meerpohl J. 
Published: January 2016

ZusammenfassungDer Kommentar erläutert mit kurzen Beispielen die Notwendigkeit und Möglichkeiten der TIDieR-Leitlinie zur Forschungsberichterstattung.