bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Approaching soft X-ray wavelengths in nanomagnet-based microwave technology
Authors: Yu Haiming , d’ Allivy Kelly O. , Cros V. , Bernard R. , Bortolotti P. , Anane A. , Brandl F. , Heimbach F. , Grundler D. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractSeven decades after the discovery of collective spin excitations in microwave-irradiated ferromagnets, there has been a rebirth of magnonics. However, magnetic nanodevices will enable smart GHz-to-THz devices at low power consumption only, if such spin waves (magnons) are generated and manipulated on the sub-100 nm scale. Here we show how magnons with a wavelength of a few 10 nm are exploited by combining the functionality of insulating yttrium iron garnet and nanodisks from different ferromagnets. We demonstrate magnonic devices at wavelengths of 88 nm written/read by conventional coplanar waveguides. Our microwave-to-magnon transducers are reconfigurable and thereby provide additional functionalities. The results pave the way for a multi-functional GHz technology with unprecedented miniaturization exploiting nanoscale wavelengths that are otherwise relevant for soft X-rays. Nanomagnonics integrated with broadband microwave circuitry offer applications that are wide ranging, from nanoscale microwave components to nonlinear data processing, image reconstruction and wave-based logic.
Neural ablation of the PARK10 candidate Plpp3 leads to dopaminergic transmission deficits without neurodegeneration
Authors: Gómez-López Sandra , Martínez-Silva Ana Valeria , Montiel Teresa , Osorio-Gómez Daniel , Bermúdez-Rattoni Federico , Massieu Lourdes , Escalante-Alcalde Diana 
Published: April 2016

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a multifactorial neurodegenerative disorder, characterised by the progressive loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons and a variety of motor symptoms. The gene coding for the phospholipid phosphatase 3,PLPP3(formerlyPPAP2BorLPP3), maps within thePARK10locus, a region that has been linked with increased risk to late-onset PD. PLPP3 modulates the levels of a range of bioactive lipids controlling fundamental cellular processes within the central nervous system. Here we show that PLPP3 is enriched in astroglial cells of the adult murine ventral midbrain. Conditional inactivation ofPlpp3using aNestin::Credriver results in reduced mesencephalic levels of sphingosine-1-phosphate receptor 1 (S1P1), a well-known mediator of pro-survival responses. Yet, adult PLPP3-deficient mice exhibited no alterations in the number of dopaminergic neurons or in the basal levels of striatal extracellular dopamine (DA). Potassium-evoked DA overflow in the striatum, however, was significantly decreased in mutant mice. Locomotor evaluation revealed that, although PLPP3-deficient mice exhibit motor impairment, this is not progressive or responsive to acute L-DOPA therapy. These findings suggest that disruption ofPlpp3during early neural development leads to dopaminergic transmission deficits in the absence of nigrostriatal degeneration and without causing an age-related locomotor decline consistent with PD.
Microsaccades enable efficient synchrony-based coding in the retina: a simulation study
Authors: Masquelier Timothée , Portelli Geoffrey , Kornprobst Pierre 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIt is now reasonably well established that microsaccades (MS) enhance visual perception, although the underlying neuronal mechanisms are unclear. Here, using numerical simulations, we show that MSs enable efficient synchrony-based coding among the primate retinal ganglion cells (RGC). First, using a jerking contrast edge as stimulus, we demonstrate a qualitative change in the RGC responses: synchronous firing, with a precision in the 10 ms range, only occurs at high speed and high contrast. MSs appear to be sufficiently fast to be able reach the synchronous regime. Conversely, the other kinds of fixational eye movements known as tremor and drift both hardly synchronize RGCs because of a too weak amplitude and a too slow speed respectively. Then, under natural image stimulation, we find that each MS causes certain RGCs to fire synchronously, namely those whose receptive fields contain contrast edges after the MS. The emitted synchronous spike volley thus rapidly transmits the most salient edges of the stimulus, which often constitute the most crucial information. We demonstrate that the readout could be done rapidly by simple coincidence-detector neurons without knowledge of the MS landing time, and that the required connectivity could emerge spontaneously with spike timing-dependent plasticity.
Nanoporous-Gold-Based Hybrid Cantilevered Actuator Dealloyed and Driven by A Modified Rotary Triboelectric Nanogenerator
Authors: Li Xuequan , Liu Mengmeng , Huang Baisheng , Liu Hong , Hu Weiguo , Shao Li-Hua , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe firstly designed an electrochemical system for dealloying to synthesize nanoporous gold (NPG) and also driving the novel NPG based actuator by utilizing a modified rotary triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG). Compared to the previous reported TENG whose outputs decline due to temperature rising resulting from electrodes friction, the modified TENG with a cooling system has stable output current and voltage increased by 14% and 20%, respectively. The novel cantilevered hybrid actuator characterised by light-weight (ca. 3 mg) and small volume (ca. 30 mm × 2 mm × 10 μm) is driven by a microcontroller modulated TENG with the displacement of 2.2 mm, which is about 106 times larger than that of traditional cantilever using planar surfaces. The energy conversion efficiencies defined as the energy consumed during dealloying and actuation compared with the output of TENG are 47% and 56.7%, respectively.
Prickle3 synergizes with Wtip to regulate basal body organization and cilia growth
Authors: Chu Chih-Wen , Ossipova Olga , Ioannou Andriani , Sokol Sergei Y. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPCP proteins maintain planar polarity in many epithelial tissues and have been implicated in cilia development in vertebrate embryos. In this study we examine Prickle3 (Pk3), a vertebrate homologue of Drosophila Prickle, in Xenopus gastrocoel roof plate (GRP). GRP is a tissue equivalent to the mouse node, in which cilia-generated flow promotes left-right patterning. We show that Pk3 is enriched at the basal body of GRP cells but is recruited by Vangl2 to anterior cell borders. Interference with Pk3 function disrupted the anterior polarization of endogenous Vangl2 and the posterior localization of cilia in GRP cells, demonstrating its role in PCP. Strikingly, in cells with reduced Pk3 activity, cilia growth was inhibited and γ-tubulin and Nedd1 no longer associated with the basal body, suggesting that Pk3 has a novel function in basal body organization. Mechanistically, this function of Pk3 may involve Wilms tumor protein 1-interacting protein (Wtip), which physically associates with and cooperates with Pk3 to regulate ciliogenesis. We propose that, in addition to cell polarity, PCP components control basal body organization and function.
The Brain Metabolome of Male Rats across the Lifespan
Authors: Zheng Xiaojiao , Chen Tianlu , Zhao Aihua , Wang Xiaoyan , Xie Guoxiang , Huang Fengjie , Liu Jiajian , Zhao Qing , Wang Shouli , Wang Chongchong , Zhou Mingmei , Panee Jun , He Zhigang , Jia Wei 
Published: April 2016

AbstractComprehensive and accurate characterization of brain metabolome is fundamental to brain science, but has been hindered by technical limitations. We profiled the brain metabolome in male Wistar rats at different ages (day 1 to week 111) using high-sensitivity and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Totally 380 metabolites were identified and 232 of them were quantitated. Compared with anatomical regions, age had a greater effect on variations in the brain metabolome. Lipids, fatty acids and amino acids accounted for the largest proportions of the brain metabolome and their concentrations varied across the lifespan. The levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids were higher in infancy (week 1 to week 3) compared with later ages and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 fatty acids increased in the aged brain (week 56 to week 111). Importantly, a panel of 20 bile acids were quantitatively measured, most of which have not previously been documented in the brain metabolome. This study extends the breadth of the mammalian brain metabolome as well as our knowledge of functional brain development, both of which are critically important to move the brain science forward.
Tailored CVD graphene coating as a transparent and flexible gas barrier
Authors: Seo Tae Hoon , Lee Seula , Cho Hyunjin , Chandramohan S. , Suh Eun-Kyung , Lee Heon Sang , Bae Su Kang , Kim Soo Min , Park Min , Lee Jae Kwan , Kim Myung Jong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method to obtain tailored graphene as a transparent and flexible gas barrier has been developed. By separating nucleation step from growth, we could reduce early graphene nucleation density and thus induce better stitching between domain boundaries in the second growth step. Furthermore, two step growth in conjunction with electrochemical polishing of Cu foils achieved large graphene domains and improved graphene quality with minimized defects. The performance of resulting graphene as a gas barrier was superior to the graphene obtained by one-step growth on polished or unpolished Cu foils. The CVD graphene reported here could open up the possibility for exploring graphene-based gas barrier due to the minimized density of defect area.
Nonmuscle Myosin IIA Regulates Intestinal Epithelial Barrier in vivo and Plays a Protective Role During Experimental Colitis
Authors: Naydenov Nayden G. , Feygin Alex , Wang Dongdong , Kuemmerle John F. , Harris Gianni , Conti Mary Anne , Adelstein Robert S. , Ivanov Andrei I. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe actin cytoskeleton is a critical regulator of intestinal mucosal barrier permeability, and the integrity of epithelial adherens junctions (AJ) and tight junctions (TJ). Non muscle myosin II (NM II) is a key cytoskeletal motor that controls actin filament architecture and dynamics. While NM II has been implicated in the regulation of epithelial junctions in vitro, little is known about its roles in the intestinal mucosa in vivo. In this study, we generated a mouse model with an intestinal epithelial-specific knockout of NM IIA heavy chain (NM IIA cKO) and examined the structure and function of normal gut barrier, and the development of experimental colitis in these animals. Unchallenged NM IIA cKO mice showed increased intestinal permeability and altered expression/localization of several AJ/TJ proteins. They did not develop spontaneous colitis, but demonstrated signs of a low-scale mucosal inflammation manifested by prolapses, lymphoid aggregates, increased cytokine expression, and neutrophil infiltration in the gut. NM IIA cKO animals were characterized by a more severe disruption of the gut barrier and exaggerated mucosal injury during experimentally-induced colitis. Our study provides the first evidence that NM IIA plays important roles in establishing normal intestinal barrier, and protection from mucosal inflammation in vivo.
Architectural plasticity of AMPK revealed by electron microscopy and X-ray crystallography
Authors: Ouyang Yan , Zhu Li , Li Yifang , Guo Miaomiao , Liu Yang , Cheng Jin , Zhao Jing , Wu Yi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMammalian AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) acts as an important sensor of cellular energy homeostasis related with AMP/ADP to ATP ratio. The overall architecture of AMPK has been determined in either homotrimer or monomer form by electron microscopy (EM) and X-ray crystallography successively. Accordingly proposed models have consistently revealed a key role of the α subunit linker in sensing adenosine nucleoside binding on the γ subunit and mediating allosteric regulation of kinase domain (KD) activity, whereas there are vital differences in orienting N-terminus of α subunit and locating carbohydrate-binding module (CBM) of β subunit. Given that Mg2+, an indispensable cofactor of AMPK was present in the EM sample preparation buffer however absent when forming crystals, here we carried out further reconstructions without Mg2+ to expectably inspect if this ion may contribute to this difference. However, no essential alteration has been found in this study compared to our early work. Further analyses indicate that the intra-molecular movement of the KD and CBM are most likely due to the flexible linkage of the disordered linkers with the rest portion as well as a contribution from the plasticity in the inter-molecular assembly mode, which might ulteriorly reveal an architectural complication of AMPK.
Neddylation inhibitor MLN4924 suppresses growth and migration of human gastric cancer cells
Authors: Lan Huiyin , Tang Zaiming , Jin Hongchuan , Sun Yi 
Published: April 2016

AbstractMLN4924 is a recently discovered small molecule inhibitor of NEDD8-Activating Enzyme (NAE). Because cullin RING ligase (CRL), the largest family of E3 ubiquitin ligase, requires cullin neddylation for its activity, MLN4924, therefore, acts as an indirect inhibitor of CRL by blocking cullin neddylation. Given that CRLs components are up-regulated, whereas neddylation modification is over-activated in a number of human cancers, MLN4924 was found to be effective in growth suppression of cancer cells. Whether MLN4924 is effective against gastric cancer cells, however, remains elusive. Here we showed that in gastric cancer cells, MLN4924 rapidly inhibited cullin 1 neddylation and remarkably suppressed growth and survival as well as migration in a dose-and time-dependent manner. Mechanistic studies in combination with siRNA knockdown-based rescue experiments revealed that MLN4924 induced the accumulation of a number of CRL substrates, including CDT1/ORC1, p21/p27 and PHLPP1 to trigger DNA damage response and induce growth arrest at the G2/M phase, to induce senescence, as well as autophagy, respectively. MLN4924 also significantly suppressed migration by transcriptionally activating E-cadherin and repressing MMP-9. Taken together, our study suggest that neddylation modification and CRL E3 ligase are attractive gastric cancer targets and MLN4924 might be further developed as a potent therapeutic agent for the treatment of gastric cancer.
High Power Q-Switched Thulium Doped Fibre Laser using Carbon Nanotube Polymer Composite Saturable Absorber
Authors: Chernysheva Maria , Mou Chengbo , Arif Raz , AlAraimi Mohammed , Rümmeli Mark , Turitsyn Sergei , Rozhin Aleksey 
Published: April 2016

AbstractWe have proposed and demonstrated a Q-switched Thulium doped fibre laser (TDFL) with a ‘Yin-Yang’ all-fibre cavity scheme based on a combination of nonlinear optical loop mirror (NOLM) and nonlinear amplified loop mirror (NALM). Unidirectional lasing operation has been achieved without any intracavity isolator. By using a carbon nanotube polymer composite based saturable absorber (SA), we demonstrated the laser output power of ~197 mW and pulse energy of 1.7 μJ. To the best of our knowledge, this is the highest output power from a nanotube polymer composite SA based Q-switched Thulium doped fibre laser.
ALX/FPR2 Modulates Anti-Inflammatory Responses in Mouse Submandibular Gland
Authors: Wang Ching-Shuen , Wee Yinshen , Yang Chieh-Hsiang , Melvin James E. , Baker Olga J. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractActivation of the G-protein coupled formyl peptide receptor 2 (ALX/FPR2) by the lipid mediators lipoxin A4 and resolvin D1 (RvD1) promotes resolution of inflammation. Our previous in vitro studies indicate that RvD1 activation of ALX/FPR2 resolves cytokine-mediated inflammatory responses in mammalian cells. However, the impact of ALX/FPR2 activation on salivary gland function in vivo is unknown. The objective of this study was to determine whether submandibular glands (SMG) from ALX/FPR2−/− mice display enhanced inflammatory responses to lipopolysaccharides (LPS) stimulation. For these studies, C57BL/6 and ALX/FPR2−/− mice at age 8-12-week-old were treated with LPS by i.p for 24 h. Salivary gland structure and function were analyzed by histopathological assessment, saliva flow rate, quantitative PCR, Western blot analyses and immunofluorescence. Our results showed the following events in the ALX/FPR2−/− mice treated with LPS: a) upregulated inflammatory cytokines and decreased M3R (Muscarinic Acetylcholine receptor M3) and AQP5 (Aquaporin 5) protein expression, b) decreased saliva secretion, c) increased apoptosis, d) alteration of tight junction and neuronal damage. Overall, our data suggest that the loss of ALX/FPR2 results in unresolved acute inflammation and SMG dysfunction (xerostomia) in response to LPS that is similar to human salivary gland dysfunction induced by bacterial infection.
Bidens pilosa and its active compound inhibit adipogenesis and lipid accumulation via down-modulation of the C/EBP and PPARγ pathways
Authors: Liang Yu-Chuan , Yang Meng-Ting , Lin Chuan-Ju , Chang Cicero Lee-Tian , Yang Wen-Chin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractObesity and its complications are a major global health problem. In this study, we investigated the anti-obesity effect and mechanism of an edible plant, Bidens pilosa and its active constituent. We first assessed the long-term effect of B. pilosa on body composition, body weight, blood parameters in ICR mice. We observed that it significantly decreased fat content and increased protein content in ICR mice. Next, we verified the anti-obesity effect of B. pilosa in ob/ob mice. It effectively and dose-dependently reduced fat content, adipocyte size and/or body weight in mice. Moreover, mechanistic studies showed that B. pilosa inhibited the expression of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor γ (PPARγ), CCAAT/enhancer binding proteins (C/EBPs) and Egr2 in adipose tissue. Finally, we examined the effect of 2-β-D-glucopyranosyloxy-1-hydroxytrideca-5,7,9,11-tetrayne (GHT) on adipogenesis in adipocytes. We found that B. pilosa significantly decreased the adipogenesis and lipid accumulation. This decrease was associated with the down-regulation of expression of Egr2, C/EBPs, PPARγ, adipocyte Protein 2 (aP2) and adiponectin. In summary, this work demonstrated that B. pilosa and GHT suppressed adipogenesis and lipid content in adipocytes and/or animals via the down-regulation of the Egr2, C/EBPs and PPARγ pathways, suggesting a novel application of B. pilosa and GHT against obesity.
Construction of recombinant baculoviruses expressing hemagglutinin of H5N1 avian influenza and research on the immunogenicity
Authors: Ge Jingping , An Qi , Gao Dongni , Liu Ying , Ping Wenxiang 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRecombinant baculoviruses with different promoter and regulatory elements were constructed to enhance the expression of target protein and boost the efficacies of avian influenza vaccine. Hemagglutinin gene was cloned into the baculovirus transfer vectors driven by cytomegaloviru (CMV) and White spot syndrome virus immediate-early promoter one (WSSV ie1) promoter respectively, with different regulatory elements. The recombinant baculoviruses were directly used as vaccines to immunize specific pathogen-free chickens. The protein expression levels of recombinant baculoviruses BV-S-HA and BV-S-ITRs-HA were respectively 2.43 and 2.67 times than that of BV-S-con-HA, while the protein expression levels of BV-A-HA and BV-A-ITRs-HA were respectively 2.44 and 2.69 times than that of BV-S-con-HA. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibody levels induced by BV-A and BV-S series recombinant baculovirus were significantly higher than the commercialized vaccine group (P < 0.05). Among the groups with same promoter, the IgG antibody levels induced by the baculovirus containing regulatory elements were significantly higher than control group. Additionally, the immune effects induced by BV-A series recombinant baculoviruses with WSSV ie1 promoter were significantly stronger than the BV-S series recombinant baculoviruses with CMV promoter. The avian influenza vaccine prepared based on baculovirus vector can simultaneously stimulate the humoral and cellular immune responses.
Engineering formation of multiple recombinant Eut protein nanocompartments in E. coli
Authors: Held Mark , Kolb Alexander , Perdue Sarah , Hsu Szu-Yi , Bloch Sarah E. , Quin Maureen B. , Schmidt-Dannert Claudia 
Published: April 2016

AbstractCompartmentalization of designed metabolic pathways within protein based nanocompartments has the potential to increase reaction efficiency in multi-step biosynthetic reactions. We previously demonstrated proof-of-concept of this aim by targeting a functional enzyme to single cellular protein nanocompartments, which were formed upon recombinant expression of theSalmonella entericaLT2 ethanolamine utilization bacterial microcompartment shell proteins EutS or EutSMNLK inEscherichia coli. To optimize this system, increasing overall encapsulated enzyme reaction efficiency, factor(s) required for the production of more than one nanocompartment per cell must be identified. In this work we report that the cupin domain protein EutQ is required for assembly of more than one nanocompartment per cell. Overexpression of EutQ results in multiple nanocompartment assembly in our recombinant system. EutQ specifically interacts with the shell protein EutMin vitrovia electrostatic interactions with the putative cytosolic face of EutM. These findings lead to the theory that EutQ could facilitate multiple nanocompartment biogenesis by serving as an assembly hub for shell proteins. This work offers insights into the biogenesis of Eut bacterial microcompartments and also provides an improved platform for the production of protein based nanocompartments for targeted encapsulation of enzyme pathways.
When cholesterol meets histamine, it gives rise to dendrogenin A: a tumour suppressor metabolite1
Authors: Poirot Marc , Silvente-Poirot Sandrine 
Published: April 2016

Dendrogenin A (DDA) is the first steroidal alkaloid (SA) to be identified in human tissues to date and arises from the stereoselective enzymatic conjugation of 5,6α-epoxycholesterol (5,6α-EC) with histamine (HA). DDA induces the re-differentiation of cancer cells in vitro and in vivo and prevents breast cancer (BC) and melanoma development in mice, evidencing its protective role against oncogenesis. In addition, DDA production is lower in BCs compared with normal tissues, suggesting a deregulation of its biosynthesis during carcinogenesis. The discovery of DDA reveals the existence of a new metabolic pathway in mammals which lies at the crossroads of cholesterol and HA metabolism and which leads to the production of this metabolic tumour suppressor.
ER–endosome contact sites in endosome positioning and protrusion outgrowth
Authors: Raiborg Camilla , Wenzel Eva M. , Pedersen Nina M. , Stenmark Harald 
Published: April 2016

The endoplasmic reticulum (ER) makes abundant contacts with endosomes, and the numbers of contact sites increase as endosomes mature. It is already clear that such contact sites have diverse compositions and functions, but in this mini-review we will focus on two particular types of ER–endosome contact sites that regulate endosome positioning. Formation of ER–endosome contact sites that contain the cholesterol-binding protein oxysterol-binding protein-related protein 1L (ORP1L) is coordinated with loss of the minus-end-directed microtubule motor Dynein from endosomes. Conversely, formation of ER–endosome contact sites that contain the Kinesin-1-binding protein Protrudin results in transfer of the plus-end-directed microtubule motor Kinesin-1 from ER to endosomes. We discuss the possibility that formation of these two types of contact sites is coordinated as a ‘gear-shift’ mechanism for endosome motility, and we review evidence that Kinesin-1-mediated motility of late endosomes (LEs) to the cell periphery promotes outgrowth of neurites and other protrusions.