bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reciprocal Changes of Circulating Long Non-Coding RNAs ZFAS1 and CDR1AS Predict Acute Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Zhang Ying , Sun Lihua , Xuan Lina , Pan Zhenwei , Li Kang , Liu Shuangshuang , Huang Yuechao , Zhao Xuyun , Huang Lihua , Wang Zhiguo , Hou Yan , Li Junnan , Tian Ye , Yu Jiahui , Han Hui , Liu Yanhong , Gao Fei , Zhang Yong , Wang Shu , Du Zhimin , Lu Yanjie , Yang Baofeng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThis study sought to evaluate the potential of circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) as biomarkers for acute myocardial infarction (AMI). We measured the circulating levels of 15 individual lncRNAs, known to be relevant to cardiovascular disease, using the whole blood samples collected from 103 AMI patients, 149 non-AMI subjects and 95 healthy volunteers. We found that only two of them, Zinc finger antisense 1 (ZFAS1) and Cdr1 antisense (CDR1AS), showed significant differential expression between AMI patients and control subjects. Circulating level of ZFAS1 was significantly lower in AMI (0.74 ± 0.07) than in non-AMI subjects (1.0 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001), whereas CDR1AS showed the opposite changes with its blood level markedly higher in AMI (2.18 ± 0.24) than in non-AMI subjects (1.0 ± 0.05, P < 0.0001). When comparison was made between AMI and non-AMI, the area under ROC curve was 0.664 for ZFAS1 alone or 0.671 for CDR1AS alone and 0.691 for ZFAS1 and CDR1AS combination. Univariate and multivariate analyses identified these two lncRNAs as independent predictors for AMI. Similar changes of circulating ZFAS1 and CDR1AS were consistently observed in an AMI mouse model. Reciprocal changes of circulating ZFAS1 and CDR1AS independently predict AMI and may be considered novel biomarkers of AMI.
Effects of ultrasonication on increased germination and improved seedling growth of aged grass seeds of tall fescue and Russian wildrye
Authors: Liu Juan , Wang Quanzhen , Karagić Đura , Liu Xv , Cui Jian , Gui Jing , Gu Muyu , Gao Wei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe effects of ultrasonic treatments on the germination and seedling growth of aged tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) and Russian wild rye (Psathyrostaehys juncea Nevski) seeds were determined using orthogonal matrix experimental design with four ultrasonic factors. The multivariate analysis of variance detected significant differences and coupling effects of the pair-wise factors. The activities of Superoxide Dismutase (SOD) and Peroxidase (POD) and the Malondialdehyde (MDA) content were affected. The ultrasonic treatments had positive effects on the germination percentage (GP) of the aged seeds and the growth of the seedlings (GS) and therefore we provided a basic evidence for the application of ultrasonic treatment to pretreat aged grass seeds. For the four ultrasonic factors, the optimal conditions were a sonication time of 36.7 min, a sonication temperature of 35 °C, an output power of 367 W and a seed soaking time 4.1 h after binary quadratic regressions analyses. The ultrasonic treatment has the potential to improve seedling growth. Moreover, the longevity of the tall fescue and the Russian wild rye seeds was approximately 9.5 and 11.5 years, respectively, under natural conditions of storage. The physiological mechanisms that might contribute to the improved GP and GS were discussed.
A triterpenoid from wild bitter gourd inhibits breast cancer cells
Authors: Bai Li-Yuan , Chiu Chang-Fang , Chu Po-Chen , Lin Wei-Yu , Chiu Shih-Jiuan , Weng Jing-Ru 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe antitumor activity of 3β,7β,25-trihydroxycucurbita-5,23(E)-dien-19-al (TCD), a triterpenoid isolated from wild bitter gourd, in breast cancer cells was investigated. TCD suppressed the proliferation of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells with IC50 values at 72 h of 19 and 23 μM, respectively, via a PPARγ−independent manner. TCD induced cell apoptosis accompanied with pleiotrophic biological modulations including down-regulation of Akt-NF-κB signaling, up-regulation of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase and p53, increased reactive oxygen species generation, inhibition of histone deacetylases protein expression and cytoprotective autophagy. Together, these findings provided the translational value of TCD and wild bitter gourd as an antitumor agent for patients with breast cancer.
Ligand-dependent responses of the silkworm prothoracicotropic hormone receptor, Torso, are maintained by unusual intermolecular disulfide bridges in the transmembrane region
Authors: Konogami Tadafumi , Yang Yiwen , Ogihara Mari H. , Hikiba Juri , Kataoka Hiroshi , Saito Kazuki 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe insect membrane-protein, Torso, is a member of the receptor-tyrosine-kinase family and is activated by its ligand, prothoracicotropic hormone (PTTH). Although PTTH is one of the most important regulators of insect development, the mechanism of Torso activation by the hormone has remained elusive. In this study, using heterologous expression in cultured Drosophila S2 cells, we detected ligand-independent dimerization of silkworm Torso and found that the receptor molecules in the dimer were linked by intermolecular disulfide bridges. By examining the oligomerization states of several truncation and substitution mutants of Torso, atypical cysteine residues in the transmembrane region were identified as being responsible for the intermolecular linkage in the dimer. The replacement of all of the cysteines in the region with phenylalanines abolished the disulfide-bond-mediated dimerization; however, non-covalent dimerization of the mutant was detected using a cross-linking reagent, both with and without ligand stimulation. This non-covalent dimerization caused apparent receptor autophosphorylation independently of the ligand stimulation, but did not promote the ERK phosphorylation in the downstream signaling pathway. The unique Torso structure with the intermolecular disulfide bridges in the transmembrane region is necessary to maintain the ligand-dependent receptor functions of autophosphorylation and downstream activation.
Deletion of AS87_03730 gene changed the bacterial virulence and gene expression of Riemerella anatipestifer
Authors: Wang Xiaolan , Yue Jiaping , Ding Chan , Wang Shaohui , Liu Beibei , Tian Mingxing , Yu Shengqing 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRiemerella anatipestifer is an important pathogen of waterfowl, which causes septicemia anserum exsudativa in ducks. In this study, an AS87_03730 gene deletion R. anatipestifer mutant Yb2ΔAS87_03730 was constructed to investigate the role of AS87_03730 on R. anatipestifer virulence and gene regulation. By deleting a 708-bp fragment from AS87_03730, the mutant Yb2ΔAS87_03730 showed a significant decreased growth rate in TSB and invasion capacity in Vero cells, compared to wild-type strain Yb2. Moreover, the median lethal dose (LD50) of Yb2ΔAS87_03730 was 1.24 × 107 colony forming units (CFU), which is about 80-fold attenuated than that of Yb2 (LD50 = 1.53 × 105 CFU). Furthermore, RNA-Seq analysis and Real-time PCR indicated 19 up-regulated and two down-regulated genes in Yb2ΔAS87_03730. Functional analysis revealed that 12 up-regulated genes were related to “Translation, ribosomal structure and biogenesis”, two were classified into “Cell envelope biogenesis, outer membrane”, one was involved in “Amino acid transport and metabolism”, and the other four had unknown functions. Polymerase chain reaction and sequence analysis indicated that the AS87_03730 gene is highly conserved among R. anatipestifer strains, as the percent sequence identity was over 93.5%. This study presents evidence that AS87_03730 gene is involved in bacterial virulence and gene regulation of R. anatipestifer.
A programmable nanoreplica molding for the fabrication of nanophotonic devices
Authors: Liu Longju , Zhang Jingxiang , Badshah Mohsin Ali , Dong Liang , Li Jingjing , Kim Seok-min , Lu Meng 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe ability to fabricate periodic structures with sub-wavelength features has a great potential for impact on integrated optics, optical sensors, and photovoltaic devices. Here, we report a programmable nanoreplica molding process to fabricate a variety of sub-micrometer periodic patterns using a single mold. The process utilizes a stretchable mold to produce the desired periodic structure in a photopolymer on glass or plastic substrates. During the replica molding process, a uniaxial force is applied to the mold and results in changes of the periodic structure, which resides on the surface of the mold. Direction and magnitude of the force determine the array geometry, including the lattice constant and arrangement. By stretching the mold, 2D arrays with square, rectangular, and triangular lattice structures can be fabricated. As one example, we present a plasmonic crystal device with surface plasmon resonances determined by the force applied during molding. In addition, photonic crystal slabs with different array patterns are fabricated and characterized. This unique process offers the capability of generating various periodic nanostructures rapidly and inexpensively.
Seafloor doming driven by degassing processes unveils sprouting volcanism in coastal areas
Authors: Passaro Salvatore , Tamburrino Stella , Vallefuoco Mattia , Tassi Franco , Vaselli Orlando , Giannini Luciano , Chiodini Giovanni , Caliro Stefano , Sacchi Marco , Rizzo Andrea Luca , Ventura Guido 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe report evidences of active seabed doming and gas discharge few kilometers offshore from the Naples harbor (Italy). Pockmarks, mounds and craters characterize the seabed. These morphologies represent the top of shallow crustal structures including pagodas, faults and folds affecting the present-day seabed. They record upraise, pressurization and release of He and CO2 from mantle melts and decarbonation reactions of crustal rocks. These gases are likely similar to those that feed the hydrothermal systems of the Ischia, Campi Flegrei and Somma-Vesuvius active volcanoes, suggesting the occurrence of a mantle source variously mixed to crustal fluids beneath the Gulf of Naples. The seafloor swelling and breaching by gas upraising and pressurization processes require overpressures in the order of 2–3 MPa. Seabed doming, faulting and gas discharge are manifestations of non-volcanic unrests potentially preluding submarine eruptions and/or hydrothermal explosions.
Interaction with Pyruvate Kinase M2 Destabilizes Tristetraprolin by Proteasome Degradation and Regulates Cell Proliferation in Breast Cancer
Authors: Huang Liangqian , Yu Zhenhai , Zhang Zhenchao , Ma Wenjing , Song Shaoli , Huang Gang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2), which is predominantly expressed in most cancers, plays a key role in the Warburg effect. However, how PKM2 functions as a tumor supportive protein has not been fully elucidated. Here, we identified tristetraprolin (TTP), an AU-rich, element-binding protein that regulates mRNA stability, as a new binding partner of PKM2. Our data reveal that PKM2 suppresses TTP protein levels by promoting its phosphorylation, ubiquitination and proteasome degradation, reducing its mRNA turnover ability and ultimately impairing cell viability in breast cancer cells. The p38/mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway might be involved in PKM2-mediated TTP degradation, while treatment with the p38 inhibitor or siRNA abolished PKM2-induced TTP protein degradation. These findings demonstrate that PKM2–TTP association is crucial for regulating breast cancer cell proliferation and is therefore a potential therapeutic target in cancer.
Mathematical Modeling of Therapy-induced Cancer Drug Resistance: Connecting Cancer Mechanisms to Population Survival Rates
Authors: Sun Xiaoqiang , Bao Jiguang , Shao Yongzhao 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDrug resistance significantly limits the long-term effectiveness of targeted therapeutics for cancer patients. Recent experimental studies have demonstrated that cancer cell heterogeneity and microenvironment adaptations to targeted therapy play important roles in promoting the rapid acquisition of drug resistance and in increasing cancer metastasis. The systematic development of effective therapeutics to overcome drug resistance mechanisms poses a major challenge. In this study, we used a modeling approach to connect cellular mechanisms underlying cancer drug resistance to population-level patient survival. To predict progression-free survival in cancer patients with metastatic melanoma, we developed a set of stochastic differential equations to describe the dynamics of heterogeneous cell populations while taking into account micro-environment adaptations. Clinical data on survival and circulating tumor cell DNA (ctDNA) concentrations were used to confirm the effectiveness of our model. Moreover, our model predicted distinct patterns of dose-dependent synergy when evaluating a combination of BRAF and MEK inhibitors versus a combination of BRAF and PI3K inhibitors. These predictions were consistent with the findings in previously reported studies. The impact of the drug metabolism rate on patient survival was also discussed. The proposed model might facilitate the quantitative evaluation and optimization of combination therapeutics and cancer clinical trial design.
Molecular analyses of circadian gene variants reveal sex-dependent links between depression and clocks
Authors: Shi S-q , White M J , Borsetti H M , Pendergast J S , Hida A , Ciarleglio C M , de Verteuil P A , Cadar A G , Cala C , McMahon D G , Shelton R C , Williams S M , Johnson C H 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAn extensive literature links circadian irregularities and/or sleep abnormalities to mood disorders. Despite the strong genetic component underlying many mood disorders, however, previous genetic associations between circadian clock gene variants and major depressive disorder (MDD) have been weak. We applied a combined molecular/functional and genetic association approach to circadian gene polymorphisms in sex-stratified populations of control subjects and case subjects suffering from MDD. This approach identified significant sex-dependent associations of common variants of the circadian clock geneshClock,hPer3andhNpas2with major depression and demonstrated functional effects of these polymorphisms on the expression or activity of the hCLOCK and hPER3 proteins, respectively. In addition, hCLOCK expression is affected by glucocorticoids, consistent with the sex-dependency of the genetic associations and the modulation of glucocorticoid-mediated stress response, providing a mechanism by which the circadian clock controls outputs that may affect psychiatric disorders. We conclude that genetic polymorphisms in circadian genes (especially hClock and hPer3, where functional assays could be tested) influence risk of developing depression in a sex- and stress-dependent manner. These studies support a genetic connection between circadian disruption and mood disorders, and confirm a key connection between circadian gene variation and major depression.
Structural plasticity and in vivo activity of Cas1 from the type I-F CRISPR–Cas system
Authors: Wilkinson Max E. , Nakatani Yoshio , Staals Raymond H.J. , Kieper Sebastian N. , Opel-Reading Helen K. , McKenzie Rebecca E. , Fineran Peter C. , Krause Kurt L. 
Published: March 2016

CRISPR–Cas systems are adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes that provide protection against viruses and other foreign DNA. In the adaptation stage, foreign DNA is integrated into CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat) arrays as new spacers. These spacers are used in the interference stage to guide effector CRISPR associated (Cas) protein(s) to target complementary foreign invading DNA. Cas1 is the integrase enzyme that is central to the catalysis of spacer integration. There are many diverse types of CRISPR–Cas systems, including type I-F systems, which are typified by a unique Cas1–Cas2–3 adaptation complex. In the present study we characterize the Cas1 protein of the potato phytopathogen Pectobacterium atrosepticum, an important model organism for understanding spacer acquisition in type I-F CRISPR–Cas systems. We demonstrate by mutagenesis that Cas1 is essential for adaptation in vivo and requires a conserved aspartic acid residue. By X-ray crystallography, we show that although P. atrosepticum Cas1 adopts a fold conserved among other Cas1 proteins, it possesses remarkable asymmetry as a result of structural plasticity. In particular, we resolve for the first time a flexible, asymmetric loop that may be unique to type I-F Cas1 proteins, and we discuss the implications of these structural features for DNA binding and enzymatic activity.
Human 3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3: structural clues of 5α-DHT reverse binding and enzyme down-regulation decreasing MCF7 cell growth
Authors: Zhang Bo , Hu Xiao-Jian , Wang Xiao-Qiang , Thériault Jean-François , Zhu Dao-Wei , Shang Peng , Labrie Fernand , Lin Sheng-Xiang 
Published: March 2016

Human 3α-HSD3 (3α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3) plays an essential role in the inactivation of the most potent androgen 5α-DHT (5α-dihydrotestosterone). The present study attempts to obtain the important structure of 3α-HSD3 in complex with 5α-DHT and to investigate the role of 3α-HSD3 in breast cancer cells. We report the crystal structure of human 3α-HSD3·NADP+·A-dione (5α-androstane-3,17-dione)/epi-ADT (epiandrosterone) complex, which was obtained by co-crystallization with 5α-DHT in the presence of NADP+. Although 5α-DHT was introduced during the crystallization, oxidoreduction of 5α-DHT occurred. The locations of A-dione and epi-ADT were identified in the steroid-binding sites of two 3α-HSD3 molecules per crystal asymmetric unit. An overlay showed that A-dione and epi-ADT were oriented upside-down and flipped relative to each other, providing structural clues for 5α-DHT reverse binding in the enzyme with the generation of different products. Moreover, we report the crystal structure of the 3α-HSD3·NADP+·4-dione (4-androstene-3,17-dione) complex. When a specific siRNA (100 nM) was used to suppress 3α-HSD3 expression without interfering with 3α-HSD4, which shares a highly homologous active site, the 5α-DHT concentration increased, whereas MCF7 cell growth was suppressed. The present study provides structural clues for 5α-DHT reverse binding within 3α-HSD3, and demonstrates for the first time that down-regulation of 3α-HSD3 decreases MCF7 breast cancer cell growth.
High-fat diet increases O-GlcNAc levels in cerebral arteries: a link to vascular dysfunction associated with hyperlipidaemia/obesity?
Authors: Lima Victor V. , Giachini Fernanda R. , Matsumoto Takayuki , Li Weiguo , Bressan Alecsander F.M. , Chawla Dhruv , Webb R. Clinton , Ergul Adviye , Tostes Rita C. 
Published: March 2016

Obesity and high fat intake induce alterations in vascular function and structure. Aberrant O-GlcNAcylation (O-GlcNAc) of vascular proteins has been implicated in vascular dysfunction associated with cardiovascular and metabolic diseases. In the present study, we tested the hypothesis that high-fat diet (HFD)-mediated increases in O-GlcNAc-modified proteins contribute to cerebrovascular dysfunction. O-GlcNAc-protein content was increased in arteries from male Wistar rats treated with a HFD (45% fat) for 12 weeks compared with arteries from rats on control diet (CD). HFD augmented body weight [(g) 550±10 compared with 502±10 CD], increased plasma triacylglycerols [(mg/dl) 160±20 compared with 95±15 CD] and increased contractile responses of basilar arteries to serotonin [5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)] [(pD2) 7.0±0.1 compared with 6.7±0.09 CD] and the thromboxane analogue 9,11-dideoxy-9α,11α-methanoepoxy prostaglandin F2α (U-46619) [(pD2) 7.2±0.1 compared with 6.8±0.09 CD]. Of importance, increased levels of O-GlcNAc [induced by 24 h-incubation of vessels with a potent inhibitor of O-GlcNAcase (OGA), O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-D-glucopyranosylidene)amino-N-phenylcarbamate (PugNAc)] increased basilar artery contractions in response to U-46619 [(pD2) 7.4±0.07 compared with 6.8±0.08 CD] and 5-HT [(pD2) 7.5±0.06 compared with 7.1±0.1 CD]. Vessels from rats on the HFD for 12 weeks and vessels treated with PugNAc displayed increased phosphorylation of p38 (Thr180/182) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (Erk1/2) (Ser180/221). Increased 5HT-induced contractions in arteries from rats on the HFD or in arteries incubated with PugNAc were abrogated by mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitors. Our data show that HFD augments cerebrovascular O-GlcNAc and this modification contributes to increased contractile responses and to the activation of the MAPK pathway in the rat basilar artery.
Dual‐band bandpass Wilkinson power divider of controllable bandwidths
Authors: Pang Yi‐Hsin , Li Zhong‐He 
Published: March 2016

In this reported work, quarter‐wavelength stepped‐impedance resonators with K inverters have been employed to realise a dual‐band bandpass Wilkinson power divider (WPD). The individual bandwidth of each passband can be controlled with the dualband resonators and K inverters. A systematic design approach of the power divider is provided with the aid of the even–odd mode analysis and verified by circuit simulation. A 2.45/5.8 GHz WPD with a Chebyshev response has also been implemented for validation. The measured fractional bandwidth of 20 dB return loss (1/|S11|) is 7.0%/4.1% which is consistent with the theoretical design. In addition to the 3 dB power division, an insertion loss of 0.8/1.2 dB is obtained. Isolation of 20.1/19 dB at the centre frequency is also achieved. Full‐wave simulated data are also presented and show good agreement with measured results. Compared with other dual‐band bandpass power dividers, the proposed circuit exhibits better impedance matching and bandwidth.
184 μW ultrasonic on–off keying/amplitude‐shift keying demodulator for downlink communication in deep implanted medical devices
Authors: Mazzilli F. , Dehollain C. 
Published: March 2016

An ultrasonic on–off keying/amplitude‐shift keying demodulator using standard 0.18 μm CMOS technology is proposed, intended for recovering the identification number of an implanted medical device transmitted from an external base station. The CMOS integrated ultrasonic demodulator consists of a low‐noise amplifier, variable‐gain‐amplifiers, an offset cancellation circuit, an envelope detector circuit and a hysteresis comparator. Downlink data transmission of 50 kb/s data signals in the 1 MHz band is successfully demonstrated, the power consumption is about 184 μW from a 1.5 V supply. The architecture is described, and the measurements performed confirm the theoretical result.