bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Maternal Body Mass Index and Risk of Autism Spectrum Disorders in Offspring: A Meta-analysis
Authors: Wang Ying , Tang Shiming , Xu Shunsheng , Weng Shenhong , Liu Zhongchun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractControversial results of the association between maternal body mass index (BMI) and risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in offspring were reported among several studies. This meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the overall association between maternal BMI and risk of ASD in offspring. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched until January 2016. Cohort and case-control studies addressing the association between maternal BMI and risk of ASD in offspring were included. We used random-effect models to estimate the summary relative risks (RRs), we also performed a dose-response meta-analysis to estimate the trend from the correlated log RR estimates across levels of BMI quantitatively. Totally, 6 cohort studies and 1 case-control study involving 8,403 cases and 509,167 participants were included for analysis. The summary RR (95% confidence interval) for ASD in offspring in relation to maternal underweight, overweight, and obesity vs. normal weight during pre-pregnancy or pregnancy, was 1.07 (0.93, 1.23), 1.28 (1.19, 1.36) and 1.36 (1.03, 1.78), respectively. A linear dose-response relationship was found, with a pooled RR of 1.16 (1.01, 1.33) for each 5 kg/m2. increment in maternal BMI. The present study suggests that excessive maternal BMI is associated with increased ASD risk in offspring.
Potential role of gene-environment interactions in ion transport mechanisms in the etiology of renal cell cancer
Authors: Deckers Ivette A. G. , van den Brandt Piet A. , van Engeland Manon , van Schooten Frederik J. , Godschalk Roger W. L. , Keszei András P. , Hogervorst Janneke G. F. , Schouten Leo J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe investigated the ion transport mechanism (ITM) in renal cell cancer (RCC) etiology using gene-environment interactions between candidate single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and associated environmental factors, including dietary intakes of sodium, potassium and fluid, hypertension and diuretic medication. A literature-based selection of 13 SNPs in ten ITM genes were successfully genotyped in toenail DNA of 3,048 subcohort members and 419 RCC cases from the Netherlands Cohort Study. Diet and lifestyle were measured with baseline questionnaires. Cox regression analyses were conducted for main effects and gene-environment interactions. ADD1_rs4961 was significantly associated with RCC risk, showing a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 1.24 (95% confidence intervals (CI): 1.01–1.53) for the GT + TT (versus GG) genotype. Four of 65 tested gene-environment interactions were statistically significant. Three of these interactions clustered in SLC9A3_rs4957061, including the ones with fluid and potassium intake, and diuretic medication. For fluid intake, the RCC risk was significantly lower for high versus low intake in participants with the CC genotype (HR(95% CI): 0.47(0.26–0.86)), but not for the CT + TT genotype (P-interaction = 0.002). None of the main genetic effects and gene-environment interactions remained significant after adjustment for multiple testing. Data do not support the general hypothesis that the ITM is a disease mechanism in RCC etiology.
FAK deletion accelerates liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy
Authors: Shang Na , Arteaga Maribel , Chitsike Lennox , Wang Fang , Viswakarma Navin , Breslin Peter , Qiu Wei 
Published: September 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the molecular mechanisms of liver regeneration is essential to improve the survival rate of patients after surgical resection of large amounts of liver tissue. Focal adhesion kinase (FAK) regulates different cellular functions, including cell survival, proliferation and cell migration. The role of FAK in liver regeneration remains unknown. In this study, we found that Fak is activated and induced during liver regeneration after two-thirds partial hepatectomy (PHx). We used mice with liver-specific deletion of Fak and investigated the role of Fak in liver regeneration in 2/3 PHx model (removal of 2/3 of the liver). We found that specific deletion of Fak accelerates liver regeneration. Fak deletion enhances hepatocyte proliferation prior to day 3 post-PHx but attenuates hepatocyte proliferation 3 days after PHx. Moreover, we demonstrated that the deletion of Fak in liver transiently increases EGFR activation by regulating the TNFα/HB-EGF axis during liver regeneration. Furthermore, we found more apoptosis in Fak-deficient mouse livers compared to WT mouse livers after PHx. Conclusion: Our data suggest that Fak is involved in the process of liver regeneration, and inhibition of FAK may be a promising strategy to accelerate liver regeneration in recipients after liver transplantation.
Gain-of-function defects of astrocytic Kir4.1 channels in children with autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy
Authors: Sicca Federico , Ambrosini Elena , Marchese Maria , Sforna Luigi , Servettini Ilenio , Valvo Giulia , Brignone Maria Stefania , Lanciotti Angela , Moro Francesca , Grottesi Alessandro , Catacuzzeno Luigi , Baldini Sara , Hasan Sonia , D’Adamo Maria Cristina , Franciolini Fabio , Molinari Paola , Santorelli Filippo M. , Pessia Mauro 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDysfunction of the inwardly-rectifying potassium channels Kir4.1 (KCNJ10) represents a pathogenic mechanism contributing to Autism-Epilepsy comorbidity. To define the role of Kir4.1 variants in the disorder, we sequenced KCNJ10 in a sample of affected individuals and performed genotype-phenotype correlations. The effects of mutations on channel activity, protein trafficking and astrocyte function were investigated in Xenopus laevis oocytes and in human astrocytoma cell lines. An in vivo model of the disorder was also explored through generation of kcnj10a morphant zebrafish overexpressing the mutated human KCNJ10. We detected germline heterozygous KCNJ10 variants in 19/175 affected children. Epileptic spasms with dysregulated sensory processing represented the main disease phenotype. When investigated on astrocyte-like cells, the p.R18Q mutation exerted a gain-of-function effect by enhancing Kir4.1 membrane expression and current density. Similarly, the p.R348H variant led to gain of channel function through hindrance of pH-dependent current inhibition. The frequent polymorphism p.R271C seemed, instead, to have no obvious functional effects. Our results confirm that variants in KCNJ10 deserve attention in autism-epilepsy and provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of autism and seizures. Similar to neurons, astrocyte dysfunction may result in abnormal synaptic transmission and electrical discharge and should be regarded as a possible pharmacological target in autism-epilepsy.
Sharp transitions in low-number quantum dots Bayesian magnetometry
Authors: Mazurek Paweł , Horodecki Michał , Czekaj Łukasz , Horodecki Paweł 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe consider Bayesian estimate of static magnetic field, characterized by a prior Gaussian probability distribution, in systems of a few electron quantum dot spins interacting with infinite temperature spin environment via hyperfine interaction. Sudden transitions among optimal states and measurements are observed. Usefulness of measuring occupation levels is shown for all times of the evolution, together with the role of entanglement in the optimal scenario. For low values of magnetic field, memory effects stemming from the interaction with environment provide limited metrological advantage.
To Unveil the Molecular Mechanisms of Qi and Blood through Systems Biology-Based Investigation into Si-Jun-Zi-Tang and Si-Wu-Tang formulae
Authors: Sun Jing , Zhang Li , He Yujun , Zhang Kun , Wu Liping , Fan Yongsheng , Xie Zhijun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTraditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is increasingly getting clinical application worldwide. But its theory like QI-Blood is still abstract. Actually, Qi deficiency and blood deficiency, which were treated by Si-Jun-Zi-Tang (SJZT) and Si-Wu-Tang (SWT) respectively, have characteristic clinical manifestations. Here, we analyzed targets of the ingredients in SJZT and SWT to unveil potential biologic mechanisms between Qi deficiency and blood deficiency through biomedical approaches. First, ingredients in SWT and SJZT were retrieved from TCMID database. The genes targeted by these ingredients were chosen from STITCH. After enrichment analysis by Gene Ontology (GO) and DAVID, enriched GO terms with p-value less than 0.01 were collected and interpreted through DAVID and KEGG. Then a visualized network was constructed with ClueGO. Finally, a total of 243 genes targeted by 195 ingredients of SWT formula and 209 genes targeted by 61 ingredients of SJZT were obtained. Six metabolism pathways and two environmental information processing pathways enriched by targets were correlated with 2 or more herbs in SWT and SJZT formula, respectively.
MicroRNA let-7f-5p Inhibits Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome Virus by Targeting MYH9
Authors: Li Na , Du Taofeng , Yan Yunhuan , Zhang Angke , Gao Jiming , Hou Gaopeng , Xiao Shuqi , Zhou En-Min 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPorcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) is one of the most important viral pathogens in the swine industry. Current antiviral strategies do not effectively prevent and control PRRSV. Recent reports show that microRNAs (miRNAs) play vital roles in viral infections by post transcriptionally regulating the expression of viral or host genes. Our previous research showed that non-muscle myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) is an essential factor for PRRSV infection. Using bioinformatic prediction and experimental verification, we demonstrate that MYH9 expression is regulated by the miRNA let-7f-5p, which binds to the MYH9 mRNA 3′UTR and may play an important role during PRRSV infection. To understand how let-7f-5p regulates PRRSV infection, we analyzed the expression pattern of both let-7f-5p and MYH9 in porcine alveolar macrophages (PAMs) after infection with either highly pathogenic PRRSV (HP-PRRSV) or classical type PRRSV (N-PRRSV) using a deep sequencing approach with quantitative real-time PCR validation. Our results showed that both HP-PRRSV and N-PRRSV infection reduced let-7f-5p expression while also inducing MYH9 expression. Furthermore, let-7f-5p significantly inhibited PRRSV replication through suppression of MYH9 expression. These findings not only provide new insights into the pathogenesis of PRRSV, but also suggest potential new antiviral strategies against PRRSV infection.
Depletion of primary cilia from mature dentate granule cells impairs hippocampus-dependent contextual memory
Authors: Rhee Soyoung , Kirschen Gregory W. , Gu Yan , Ge Shaoyu 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe primary cilium, a sensory organelle, regulates cell proliferation and neuronal development of dentate granule cells in the hippocampus. However, its role in the function of mature dentate granule cells remains unknown. Here we specifically depleted and disrupted ciliary proteins IFT20 and Kif3A (respectively) in mature dentate granule cells and investigated hippocampus-dependent contextual memory and long-term plasticity at mossy fiber synapses. We found that depletion of IFT20 in these cells significantly impaired context-dependent fear-related memory. Furthermore, we tested synaptic plasticity of mossy fiber synapses in area CA3 and found increased long-term potentiation upon depletion of IFT20 or disruption of Kif3A. Our findings suggest a role of primary cilia in the memory function of mature dentate granule cells, which may result from abnormal mossy fiber synaptic plasticity. A direct link between the primary cilia of mature dentate granule cells and behavior will require further investigation using independent approaches to manipulate primary cilia.
Improving protein content and quality by over-expressing artificially synthetic fusion proteins with high lysine and threonine constituent in rice plants
Authors: Jiang Shu-Ye , Ma Ali , Xie Lifen , Ramachandran Srinivasan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractRice grains are rich in starch but low in protein with very low level of both lysine and threonine. Thus, it is important to further improve protein quality and quantity, especially to increase lysine and threonine content in rice grains. We artificially synthesized two new genes by fusing endogenous rice genes with lysine (K)/threonine (T) motif (TKTKK) coding sequences. They were designated asTKTKK1andTKTKK2and their encoded proteins consist of 73.1% and 83.5% of lysine/threonine, respectively. These two genes were under the control of 35S promoter and were independently introduced into the rice genome to generate transgenic plants. Our data showed that overexpression ofTKTKK1generated stable proteins with expected molecular weight and the transgenic rice seeds significantly increased lysine, threonine, total amino acids and crude protein content by 33.87%, 21.21%, 19.43% and 20.45%, respectively when compared with wild type control; significant improvement was also observed in transgenic rice seeds overexpressingTKTKK2. However, limited improvement in protein quality and quantity was observed in transgenic seeds carrying tandom array of these two new genes. Our data provide the basis and alternative strategy on further improving protein quality and quantity in other crops or vegetable plants by synthetic biology.
Expression of B4GALNT1, an essential glycosyltransferase for the synthesis of complex gangliosides, suppresses BACE1 degradation and modulates APP processing
Authors: Yamaguchi Tokiaki , Yamauchi Yoshio , Furukawa Keiko , Ohmi Yuhsuke , Ohkawa Yuki , Zhang Qing , Okajima Tetsuya , Furukawa Koichi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most prevalent form of dementia characterized by the extracellular accumulation of amyloid β (Aβ) peptides, which are produced by proteolytic cleavages of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Gangliosides are involved in AD pathophysiology including Aβ deposition and APP processing, yet the detailed mechanisms are not fully understood. Here we examined how changes in the carbohydrate moiety of gangliosides alter APP processing in human melanoma cells, neuroectoderm-derived cells. We showed that forced expression of GD2, GM2 or GM1 (by introducing B4GALNT1 cDNA into cells not expressing this glycosyltransferase) results in increases of α- and β-site cleavages of APP with a prominent increase in β-cleavage. We also showed that β-site APP cleaving enzyme 1 (BACE1) protein is highly protected from the degradation in cells expressing these gangliosides, thereby increasing the expression of this protein. Unexpectedly, adding gangliosides exogenously altered neither BACE1 levels nor β-site cleavage. The stabilisation of BACE1 protein led to the increase of this protein in lipid rafts, where BACE1 processes APP. Based on the current results, we propose a hitherto undisclosed link between ganglioside expression and AD; the expression of B4GALNT1 positively regulates the β-site cleavage by mainly inhibiting the lysosomal degradation of BACE1 protein.
Plant virus infections control stomatal development
Authors: Murray Rose R. , Emblow Mark S. M. , Hetherington Alistair M. , Foster Gary D. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractStomata are important regulators of carbon dioxide uptake and transpirational water loss. They also represent points of vulnerability as bacterial and fungal pathogens utilise this natural opening as an entry portal and thus have an increasingly complex relationship. Unlike the situation with bacterial and fungal pathogens, we know very little about the role of stomata in viral infection. Here we report findings showing that viral infection influences stomatal development in two susceptible host systems (Nicotiana tabacum with TMV (Tobacco mosaic virus) and Arabidopsis thaliana with TVCV (Turnip vein-clearing virus)), but not in resistant host systems (Nicotiana glutinosa and Chenopodium quinoa with TMV). Virus infected plants had significantly lower stomatal indices in systemic leaves of susceptible systems; N. tabacum 9.8% reduction and A. thaliana 12.3% reduction, but not in the resistant hosts. Stomatal density in systemic leaves was also significantly reduced in virus infected A. thaliana by 19.6% but not in N. tabacum or the resistant systems. In addition, transpiration rate was significantly reduced in TMV infected N. tabacum.
Various nanoparticle morphologies and surface properties of waterborne polyurethane controlled by water
Authors: Zhou Xing , Fang Changqing , Lei Wanqing , Du Jie , Huang Tingyi , Li Yan , Cheng Youliang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWater plays important roles in organic reactions such as polyurethane synthesis, and the aqueous solution environment affects polymer morphology and other properties. This paper focuses on the morphology and surface properties of waterborne polyurethane resulting from the organic reaction in water involving different forms (solid and liquid), temperatures and aqueous solutions. We provide evidence from TEM observations that the appearance of polyurethane nanoparticles in aqueous solutions presents diverse forms, including imperfect spheres, perfect spheres, perfect and homogenous spheres and tubes. Based on the results on FTIR, GPC, AFM and XRD experiments, we suggest that the shape of the nanoparticles may be decided by the crimp degree (i.e., the degree of polyurethane chains intertangling in the water environment) and order degree, which are determined by the molecular weight (Mn) and hydrogen bonds. Meanwhile, solid water and high-temperature water can both reduce hard segments that gather on the polyurethane film surface to reduce hydrophilic groups and produce a soft surface. Our findings show that water may play key roles in aqueous polymer formation and bring order to molecular chains.
Kinetic ways of tailoring phases in high entropy alloys
Authors: He Feng , Wang Zhijun , Li Yiyan , Wu Qingfeng , Li Junjie , Wang Jincheng , Liu C. T. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe comprehensive performance of high entropy alloys (HEAs) depends on the phase selection significantly. However, up to now, investigations of the phase selection in HEAs mainly focused on the thermodynamic equilibrium phase, while kinetic ways of tailoring the phases in HEAs are seldom considered. In HEAs, the kinetics of sluggish diffusion and the numerous possible phases make the kinetics of phase transformation more complex and intriguing. Here, the kinetic effect in CoCrFeNiTi0.4 HEAs was investigated to reveal the possibility of controlling phase selection via kinetic ways for HEAs. The σ, γ′ and R phases in the CoCrFeNiTi0.4 HEA can be controlled under different cooling rate both in solidification and solid transformation. The theoretical analyses revealed the kinetic effect on phase selection. The method proposed here, tailoring the phases with different kinetic ways, could be used to prepare promising HEAs with very rich composition design.
Blue protein with red fluorescence
Authors: Ghosh Swagatha , Yu Chi-Li , Ferraro Daniel J. , Sudha Sai , Pal Samir Kumar , Schaefer Wayne F. , Gibson David T. , Ramaswamy S. 
Published: September 2016

Significance
Recently it has been observed that the North American walleye is turning blue. The increased blue color is an adaptation to increased exposure to UV radiation. We identified that the blue pigment (Sandercyanin) is a complex of a protein and biliverdin—a breakdown product of heme. We report here that the blue pigment shows bright red fluorescence when excited with UV light. Elucidation of crystal structures and spectral properties of Sandercyanin lead us to hypothesize that the protection to damaging UV radiation happens by absorption of the UV light and its emission in the lower energy red wavelength. Interestingly, one can think of a number of applications where ligand-induced red fluorescent proteins can be useful.
Transparent antifouling material for improved operative field visibility in endoscopy
Authors: Sunny Steffi , Cheng George , Daniel Daniel , Lo Peter , Ochoa Sebastian , Howell Caitlin , Vogel Nicolas , Majid Adnan , Aizenberg Joanna 
Published: September 2016

Significance
Inspection devices are frequently occluded by highly contaminating fluids that disrupt the visual field and their effective operation. These issues are particularly striking in endoscopes, where the diagnosis and treatment of diseases are compromised by the obscuring of the operative field by body fluids. Here we demonstrate that the application of a liquid-infused surface coating strongly repels sticky biological secretions and enables an uninterrupted field of view. Extensive bronchoscopy procedures performed in vivo on a porcine model shows significantly reduced fouling, resulting in either unnecessary or ∼10–15 times shorter and less intensive lens clearing procedures compared with an untreated endoscope.
Dissection of molecular assembly dynamics by tracking orientation and position of single molecules in live cells
Authors: Mehta Shalin B. , McQuilken Molly , La Riviere Patrick J. , Occhipinti Patricia , Verma Amitabh , Oldenbourg Rudolf , Gladfelter Amy S. , Tani Tomomi 
Published: September 2016

Significance
In living cells, the 3D architecture of molecular assemblies, such as chromosomes, lipid bilayers, and the cytoskeleton, is regulated through the interaction among their component molecules. Monitoring the position and orientation of constituent molecules is important for understanding the mechanisms that govern the structure and function of these assemblies. We have developed an instantaneous fluorescence polarization microscope to track the position and orientation of fluorescently labeled particles, including single molecules, which form micrometer-scale macromolecular assemblies in living cells. Our imaging approach is broadly applicable to the study of dynamic molecular interactions that underpin the function of micrometer-scale assemblies in living cells.
Miro phosphorylation sites regulate Parkin recruitment and mitochondrial motility
Authors: Shlevkov Evgeny , Kramer Tal , Schapansky Jason , LaVoie Matthew J. , Schwarz Thomas L. 
Published: September 2016

Significance
In mitophagy, damaged mitochondria stabilize PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 (PINK1) and recruit Parkin, an E3-ligase that ubiquitinates proteins on the outer membrane and targets mitochondria for degradation. The crucial roles of PINK1 phosphorylation of Parkin and ubiquitin in mitophagy are well-established. Other substrates of PINK1, however, have also been reported but the significance of those phosphorylations is less clear. We now show that Miro phosphorylations can regulate Parkin recruitment to Miro and trigger Miro degradation. The consequence of this branch of the PINK1/Parkin pathway is the disruption of mitochondrial motility, an event that may spatially restrict the deleterious effects of mitochondrial damage prior to the mitophagic removal of the organelle.