bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Genome-Wide Transcriptome and Binding Sites Analyses Identify Early FOX Expressions for Enhancing Cardiomyogenesis Efficiency of hESC Cultures
Authors: Yeo Hock Chuan , Ting Sherwin , Brena Romulo Martin , Koh Geoffrey , Chen Allen , Toh Siew Qi , Lim Yu Ming , Oh Steve Kah Weng , Lee Dong-Yup 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe differentiation efficiency of human embryonic stem cells (hESCs) into heart muscle cells (cardiomyocytes) is highly sensitive to culture conditions. To elucidate the regulatory mechanisms involved, we investigated hESCs grown on three distinct culture platforms: feeder-free Matrigel, mouse embryonic fibroblast feeders, and Matrigel replated on feeders. At the outset, we profiled and quantified their differentiation efficiency, transcriptome, transcription factor binding sites and DNA-methylation. Subsequent genome-wide analyses allowed us to reconstruct the relevant interactome, thereby forming the regulatory basis for implicating the contrasting differentiation efficiency of the culture conditions. We hypothesized that the parental expressions of FOXC1, FOXD1 and FOXQ1 transcription factors (TFs) are correlative with eventual cardiomyogenic outcome. Through WNT induction of the FOX TFs, we observed the co-activation of WNT3 and EOMES which are potent inducers of mesoderm differentiation. The result strengthened our hypothesis on the regulatory role of the FOX TFs in enhancing mesoderm differentiation capacity of hESCs. Importantly, the final proportions of cells expressing cardiac markers were directly correlated to the strength of FOX inductions within 72 hours after initiation of differentiation across different cell lines and protocols. Thus, we affirmed the relationship between early FOX TF expressions and cardiomyogenesis efficiency.
Fabrication of Unique Magnetic Bionanocomposite for Highly Efficient Removal of Hexavalent Chromium from Water
Authors: Zhong Yunlei , Qiu Xun , Chen Dongyun , Li Najun , Xu Qingfeng , Li Hua , He Jinghui , Lu Jianmei 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBiotreatment of hexavalent chromium has attracted widespread interest due to its cost effective and environmental friendliness. However, the difficult separation of biomass from aqueous solution and the slow hexavalent chromium bioreduction rate are bottlenecks for biotechnology application. In this approach, a core-shell structured functional polymer coated magnetic nanocomposite was prepared for enriching the hexavalent chromium. Then the nanocomposite was connected to the bacteria via amines on bacterial (Bacillus subtilis ATCC-6633) surface. Under optimal conditions, a series of experiments were launched to degrade hexavalent chromium from the aqueous solution using the as-prepared bionanocomposite. Results showed that B. subtilis@Fe3O4@mSiO2@MANHE (BFSM) can degrade hexavalent chromium from the water more effectively (a respectable degradation efficiency of about 94%) when compared with pristine B. subtilis and Fe3O4@mSiO2@MANHE (FSM). Moreover, the BFSM could be separated from the wastewater by magnetic separation technology conveniently due to the Fe3O4 core of FSM. These results indicate that the application of BFSM is a promising strategy for effective treating wastewater containing hexavalent chromium.
Composite Membranes of Recombinant Silkworm Antimicrobial Peptide and Poly (L-lactic Acid) (PLLA) for biomedical application
Authors: Li Zhi , Liu Xuan , Li Yi , Lan Xiqian , Leung Polly Hangmei , Li Jiashen , Li Gang , Xie Maobin , Han Yanxia , Lin Xiaofen 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAntimicrobial peptides, produced by innate immune system of hosts in response to invading pathogens, are capable of fighting against a spectrum of bacteria, viruses, fungi, parasites and cancer cells. Here, a recombinant silkworm AMP Bmattacin2 from heterologous expression is studied, indicating a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity and showing selective killing ability towards skin and colon cancer cells over their normal cell counterparts. For the purpose of biomedical application, the electrospinning fabrication technique is employed to load Bmattacin2 into PLLA nanofibrous membrane. In addition to a good compatibility with the normal cells, Bmattacin2 loaded nanofibrous membranes demonstrate instant antibacterial effects and sustained anticancer effects. The cancer cell and bacteria targeting dynamics of recombinant Bmattacin2 are investigated. With these characteristics, PLLA/Bmattacin2 composite membranes have a great potential for developing novel biomedical applications such as cancer therapies and wound healing treatments.
Investigating the association between photosynthetic efficiency and generation of biophotoelectricity in autotrophic microbial fuel cells
Authors: Ciniciato Gustavo P. M. K. , Ng Fong-Lee , Phang Siew-Moi , Jaafar Muhammad Musoddiq , Fisher Adrian C. , Yunus Kamran , Periasamy Vengadesh 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMicrobial fuel cells operating with autotrophic microorganisms are known as biophotovoltaic devices. It represents a great opportunity for environmentally-friendly power generation using the energy of the sunlight. The efficiency of electricity generation in this novel system is however low. This is partially reflected by the poor understanding of the bioelectrochemical mechanisms behind the electron transfer from these microorganisms to the electrode surface. In this work, we propose a combination of electrochemical and fluorescence techniques, giving emphasis to the pulse amplitude modulation fluorescence. The combination of these two techniques allow us to obtain information that can assist in understanding the electrical response obtained from the generation of electricity through the intrinsic properties related to the photosynthetic efficiency that can be obtained from the fluorescence emitted. These were achieved quantitatively by means of observed changes in four photosynthetic parameters with the bioanode generating electricity. These are the maximum quantum yield (Fv/Fm), alpha (α), light saturation coefficient (Ek) and maximum rate of electron transfer (rETRm). The relationship between the increases in the current density collected by the bioanode to the decrease of the rETRm values in the photosynthetic pathway for the two microorganisms was also discussed.
Ribosomal protein L18aB is required for both male gametophyte function and embryo development in Arabidopsis
Authors: Yan Hailong , Chen Dan , Wang Yifan , Sun Yang , Zhao Jing , Sun Mengxiang , Peng Xiongbo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRibosomal proteins are involved in numerous essential cell activities in plants. However, the regulatory role in specific plant developmental processes has not yet been fully elucidated. Here we identified the new ribosomal protein L18aB, which is specifically involved in sexual reproduction and plays a critical role in male gametophyte development and embryo pattern formation. In rpl18aB mutant plants, the mature pollen grains can germinate normally, but their competitiveness for growing in the style is significantly reduced. More interestingly, RPL18aB is required in early embryogenesis. rpl18aB embryos displayed irregular cell division orientations in the early pro-embryo and arrested at the globular stage with possible, secondary pattern formation defects. Further investigations revealed that the polar transportation of auxin is disturbed in the rpl18aB mutant embryos, which may explain the observed failure in embryo pattern formation. The cell type-specific complementation of RPL18aB in rpl18aB was not able to recover the phenotype, indicating that RPL18aB may play an essential role in early cell fate determination. This work unravels a novel role in embryo development for a ribosomal protein and provides insight into regulatory mechanism of early embryogenesis.
Changes in total plasma and serum N-glycome composition and patient-controlled analgesia after major abdominal surgery
Authors: Gudelj Ivan , Baciarello Marco , Ugrina Ivo , De Gregori Manuela , Napolioni Valerio , Ingelmo Pablo M. , Bugada Dario , De Gregori Simona , Đerek Lovorka , Pučić-Baković Maja , Novokmet Mislav , Gornik Olga , Saccani Jotti Gloria , Meschi Tiziana , Lauc Gordan , Allegri Massimo 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSystemic inflammation participates to the complex healing process occurring after major surgery, thus directly affecting the surgical outcome and patient recovery. Total plasma N-glycome might be an indicator of inflammation after major surgery, as well as an anti-inflammatory therapy response marker, since protein glycosylation plays an essential role in the inflammatory cascade. Therefore, we assessed the effects of surgery on the total plasma N-glycome and the association with self-administration of postoperative morphine in two cohorts of patients that underwent major abdominal surgery. We found that plasma N-glycome undergoes significant changes one day after surgery and intensifies one day later, thus indicating a systemic physiological response. In particular, we observed the increase of bisialylated biantennary glycan, A2G2S[3,6]2, 12 hours after surgery, which progressively increased until 48 postoperative hours. Most changes occurred 24 hours after surgery with the decrease of most core-fucosylated biantennary structures, as well as the increase in sialylated tetraantennary and FA3G3S[3,3,3]3 structures. Moreover, we observed a progressive increase of sialylated triantennary and tetraantennary structures two days after surgery, with a concomitant decrease of the structures containing bisectingN-acetylglucosamine along with bi- and trisialylated triantennary glycans. We did not find any statistically significant association between morphine consumption and plasma N-glycome.
Pro-arrhythmogenic effects of CACNA1C G1911R mutation in human ventricular tachycardia: insights from cardiac multi-scale models
Authors: Bai Jieyun , Wang Kuanquan , Li Qince , Yuan Yongfeng , Zhang Henggui 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMutations in the CACNA1C gene are associated with ventricular tachycardia (VT). Although the CACNA1C mutations were well identified in patients with cardiac arrhythmias, mechanisms by which cardiac arrhythmias are generated in such genetic mutation conditions remain unclear. In this study, we identified a novel mechanism of VT resulted from enhanced repolarization dispersion which is a key factor for arrhythmias in the CACNA1C G1911R mutation using multi-scale computational models of the human ventricle. The increased calcium influx in the mutation prolonged action potential duration (APD), produced steepened action potential duration restitution (APDR) curves as well as augmented membrane potential differences among different cell types during repolarization, increasing transmural dispersion of repolarization (DOR) and the spatial and temporal heterogeneity of cardiac electrical activities. Consequentially, the vulnerability to unidirectional conduction block in response to a premature stimulus increased at tissue level in the G1911R mutation. The increased functional repolarization dispersion anchored reentrant excitation waves in tissue and organ models, facilitating the initiation and maintenance of VT due to less meandering rotor tip. Thus, the increased repolarization dispersion caused by the G1911R mutation is a primary factor that may primarily contribute to the genesis of cardiac arrhythmias in Timothy Syndrome.
A dynamical framework to relate perceptual variability with multisensory information processing
Authors: Thakur Bhumika , Mukherjee Abhishek , Sen Abhijit , Banerjee Arpan 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMultisensory processing involves participation of individual sensory streams, e.g., vision, audition to facilitate perception of environmental stimuli. An experimental realization of the underlying complexity is captured by the “McGurk-effect”- incongruent auditory and visual vocalization stimuli eliciting perception of illusory speech sounds. Further studies have established that time-delay between onset of auditory and visual signals (AV lag) and perturbations in the unisensory streams are key variables that modulate perception. However, as of now only few quantitative theoretical frameworks have been proposed to understand the interplay among these psychophysical variables or the neural systems level interactions that govern perceptual variability. Here, we propose a dynamic systems model consisting of the basic ingredients of any multisensory processing, two unisensory and one multisensory sub-system (nodes) as reported by several researchers. The nodes are connected such that biophysically inspired coupling parameters and time delays become key parameters of this network. We observed that zero AV lag results in maximum synchronization of constituent nodes and the degree of synchronization decreases when we have non-zero lags. The attractor states of this network can thus be interpreted as the facilitator for stabilizing specific perceptual experience. Thereby, the dynamic model presents a quantitative framework for understanding multisensory information processing.
The mRNA capping enzyme of Saccharomyces cerevisiae has dual specificity to interact with CTD of RNA Polymerase II
Authors: Bharati Akhilendra Pratap , Singh Neha , Kumar Vikash , Kashif Md. , Singh Amit Kumar , Singh Priyanka , Singh Sudhir Kumar , Siddiqi Mohammad Imran , Tripathi Timir , Akhtar Md. Sohail 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRNA Polymerase II (RNAPII) uniquely possesses an extended carboxy terminal domain (CTD) on its largest subunit, Rpb1, comprising a repetitive Tyr1Ser2Pro3Thr4 Ser5Pro6Ser7 motif with potential phosphorylation sites. The phosphorylation of the CTD serves as a signal for the binding of various transcription regulators for mRNA biogenesis including the mRNA capping complex. In eukaryotes, the 5 prime capping of the nascent transcript is the first detectable mRNA processing event and is crucial for the productive transcript elongation. The binding of capping enzyme, RNA guanylyltransferases to the transcribing RNAPII is known to be primarily facilitated by the CTD, phosphorylated at Ser5 (Ser5P). Here we report that the Saccharomyces cerevesiae RNA guanylyltransferase (Ceg1) has dual specificity and interacts not only with Ser5P but also with Ser7P of the CTD. The Ser7 of CTD is essential for the unconditional growth and efficient priming of the mRNA capping complex. The Arg159 and Arg185 of Ceg1 are the key residues that interact with the Ser5P, while the Lys175 with Ser7P of CTD. These interactions appear to be in a specific pattern of Ser5PSer7PSer5P in a tri-heptad CTD (YSPTSPPS YSPTSPSPYSPTSPPS) and provide molecular insights into the Ceg1-CTD interaction for mRNA transcription.
Nanolithography using Bessel Beams of Extreme Ultraviolet Wavelength
Authors: Fan Daniel , Wang Li , Ekinci Yasin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractBessel beams are nondiffracting light beams with large depth-of-focus and self-healing properties, making them suitable as a serial beam writing tool over surfaces with arbitrary topography. This property breaks the inherent resolution vs. depth-of-focus tradeoff of photolithography. One approach for their formation is to use circularly symmetric diffraction gratings. Such a ring grating was designed and fabricated for the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) wavelength of 13.5 nm, a candidate wavelength for future industrial lithography. Exposure of the aerial images showed that a Bessel beam with an approximately 1 mm long z-invariant central core of 223 nm diameter had been achieved, in good agreement with theory. Arbitrary patterns were written using the Bessel spot, demonstrating possible future application of Bessel beams for serial beam writing. Lithographic marks of ~30 nm size were also observed using a high resolution Bessel beam.
Environmental selection of planktonic methanogens in permafrost thaw ponds
Authors: Crevecoeur Sophie , Vincent Warwick F. , Lovejoy Connie 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe warming and thermal erosion of ice-containing permafrost results in thaw ponds that are strong emitters of methane to the atmosphere. Here we examined methanogens and other Archaea, in two types of thaw ponds that are formed by the collapse of either permafrost peat mounds (palsas) or mineral soil mounds (lithalsas) in subarctic Quebec, Canada. Using high-throughput sequencing of a hypervariable region of 16S rRNA, we determined the taxonomic structure and diversity of archaeal communities in near-bottom water samples, and analyzed the mcrA gene transcripts from two sites. The ponds at all sites were well stratified, with hypoxic or anoxic bottom waters. Their archaeal communities were dominated by Euryarchaeota, specifically taxa in the methanogenic orders Methanomicrobiales and Methanosarcinales, indicating a potentially active community of planktonic methanogens. The order Methanomicrobiales accounted for most of the mcrA transcripts in the two ponds. The Archaeal communities differed significantly between the lithalsa and palsa ponds, with higher alpha diversity in the organic-rich palsa ponds, and pronounced differences in community structure. These results indicate the widespread occurrence of planktonic, methane-producing Archaea in thaw ponds, with environmental selection of taxa according to permafrost landscape type.
p-Hydroxylcinnamaldehyde induces the differentiation of oesophageal carcinoma cells via the cAMP-RhoA-MAPK signalling pathway
Authors: Ma Ming , Zhao Lian-mei , Yang Xing-xiao , Shan Ya-nan , Cui Wen-xuan , Chen Liang , Shan Bao-en 
Published: August 2016

Abstractp-Hydroxylcinnamaldehyde (CMSP) has been identified as an inhibitor of the growth of various cancer cells. However, its function in oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to characterize the differentiation effects of CMSP, as well as its mechanism in the differentiation of ESCC Kyse30 and TE-13 cells. The function of CMSP in the viability, colony formation, migration and invasion of Kyse30 and TE-13 cells was determined by MTS, colony-formation, wound healing and transwell assays. Western blotting and pull-down assays were used to investigate the effect of CMSP on the expression level of malignant markers of ESCC, as well as the activity of MAPKs, RhoA and GTP-RhoA in Kyse30 and TE-13 cells. We found that CMSP could inhibit proliferation and migration and induce Kyse30 and TE-13 cell differentiation, characterized by dendrite-like outgrowth, decreased expression of tumour-associated antigens, as well as the decreased expression of malignant markers. Furthermore, increased cAMP, p-P38 and decreased activities of ERK, JNK and GTP-RhoA, were detected after treatment with CMSP. These results indicated that CMSP induced the differentiation of Kyse30 and TE-13 cells through mediating the cAMP-RhoA-MAPK axis, which might provide new potential strategies for ESCC treatment.
Japanese secular trends in birthweight and the prevalence of low birthweight infants during the last three decades: A population-based study
Authors: Takemoto Yo , Ota Erika , Yoneoka Daisuke , Mori Rintaro , Takeda Satoru 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSince low birthweight has been correlated with both neonatal and long-term health, we performed this epidemiological study to evaluate the Japanese secular trends in mean birthweight and the prevalence of preterm/term low birthweight infants during the last three decades. We used population-based birth certificate data from January 1979 to December 2010. Time trends were analysed using a linear regression model. During the study period, we observed a significant decrease in the mean birthweight for singleton live births (3,152 ± 436 g in 1979 and 3,018 ± 421 g in 2010 p < 0.001) and an increase in the prevalence of preterm/term low birthweight infants. A 96.3% increase in the proportion of term low birthweight infants was observed during the study period (2.7% in 1979 and 5.3% in 2010). In addition, an increased proportion of preterm/low birthweight infants born to younger women was observed (<35 years vs. ≥35 years). These trends may be related to changing patterns in Japanese women’s nutritional status and the relatively strict recommended limit on weight gain during pregnancy. Understanding the long-term trends for singleton births may allow us to identify the associated risk factors and reduce the future socioeconomic burden that is associated with low birthweight infants.
A hole inversion layer at the BiVO4/Bi4V2O11 interface produces a high tunable photovoltage for water splitting
Authors: dos Santos Wayler S. , Rodriguez Mariandry , Afonso André S. , Mesquita João P. , Nascimento Lucas L. , Patrocínio Antônio O. T. , Silva Adilson C. , Oliveira Luiz C. A. , Fabris José D. , Pereira Márcio C. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe conversion of solar energy into hydrogen fuel by splitting water into photoelectrochemical cells (PEC) is an appealing strategy to store energy and minimize the extensive use of fossil fuels. The key requirement for efficient water splitting is producing a large band bending (photovoltage) at the semiconductor to improve the separation of the photogenerated charge carriers. Therefore, an attractive method consists in creating internal electrical fields inside the PEC to render more favorable band bending for water splitting. Coupling ferroelectric materials exhibiting spontaneous polarization with visible light photoactive semiconductors can be a likely approach to getting higher photovoltage outputs. The spontaneous electric polarization tends to promote the desirable separation of photogenerated electron- hole pairs and can produce photovoltages higher than that obtained from a conventional p-n heterojunction. Herein, we demonstrate that a hole inversion layer induced by a ferroelectric Bi4V2O11 perovskite at the n-type BiVO4 interface creates a virtual p-n junction with high photovoltage, which is suitable for water splitting. The photovoltage output can be boosted by changing the polarization by doping the ferroelectric material with tungsten in order to produce the relatively large photovoltage of 1.39 V, decreasing the surface recombination and enhancing the photocurrent as much as 180%.
Quantitative trait gene Slit2 positively regulates murine hematopoietic stem cell numbers
Authors: Waterstrat Amanda , Rector Kyle , Geiger Hartmut , Liang Ying 
Published: August 2016

AbstractHematopoietic stem cells (HSC) demonstrate natural variation in number and function. The genetic factors responsible for the variations (or quantitative traits) are largely unknown. We previously identified a gene whose differential expression underlies the natural variation of HSC numbers in C57BL/6 (B6) and DBA/2 (D2) mice. We now report the finding of another gene, Slit2, on chromosome 5 that also accounts for variation in HSC number. In reciprocal chromosome 5 congenic mice, introgressed D2 alleles increased HSC numbers, whereas B6 alleles had the opposite effect. Using gene array and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we identified Slit2 as a quantitative trait gene whose expression was positively correlated with the number of HSCs. Ectopic expression of Slit2 not only increased the number of the long-term colony forming HSCs, but also enhanced their repopulation capacity upon transplantation. Therefore, Slit2 is a novel quantitative trait gene and a positive regulator of the number and function of murine HSCs. This finding suggests that Slit2 may be a potential therapeutic target for the effective in vitro and in vivo expansion of HSCs without compromising normal hematopoiesis.