bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Axl-EGFR receptor tyrosine kinase hetero-interaction provides EGFR with access to pro-invasive signalling in cancer cells
Authors: Vouri M , Croucher D R , Kennedy S P , An Q , Pilkington G J , Hafizi S 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAcquired resistance to conventional and targeted therapies is becoming a major hindrance in cancer management. It is increasingly clear that cancer cells are able to evolve and rewire canonical signalling pathways to their advantage, thus evading cell death and promoting cell invasion. The Axl receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) has been shown to modulate acquired resistance to EGFR-targeted therapies in both breast and lung cancers. Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly infiltrative and invasive form of brain tumour with little response to therapy. Both Axl and EGFR have been identified as major players in gliomagenesis and invasiveness. However, the mechanisms underlying a potential signalling crosstalk between EGFR and Axl RTKs are unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate this novel and unconventional interaction among RTKs of different families in human GBM cells. With the use of western blotting, in vitro kinase activity, co-immunoprecipitation and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays, we show that EGF stimulates activation of Axl kinase and that there is a hetero-interaction between the two RTKs. Through small interfering RNA knockdown and quantitative PCR screening, we identified distinct gene expression patterns in GBM cells that were specifically regulated by signalling from EGFR-EGFR, Axl–Axl and EGFR-Axl RTK parings. These included genes that promote invasion, which were activated only via the EGFR-Axl axis (MMP9), while EGFR-EGFR distinctly regulated the cell cycle and Axl–Axl regulated invasion. Our findings provide critical insights into the role of EGFR-Axl hetero-dimerisation in cancer cells and reveal regulation of cell invasion via Axl as a novel function of EGFR signalling.
A database of human exposomes and phenomes from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Authors: Patel Chirag J. , Pho Nam , McDuffie Michael , Easton-Marks Jeremy , Kothari Cartik , Kohane Isaac S. , Avillach Paul 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a population survey implemented by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to monitor the health of the United States whose data is publicly available in hundreds of files. This Data Descriptor describes a single unified and universally accessible data file, merging across 255 separate files and stitching data across 4 surveys, encompassing 41,474 individuals and 1,191 variables. The variables consist of phenotype and environmental exposure information on each individual, specifically (1) demographic information, physical exam results (e.g., height, body mass index), laboratory results (e.g., cholesterol, glucose, and environmental exposures), and (4) questionnaire items. Second, the data descriptor describes a dictionary to enable analysts find variables by category and human-readable description. The datasets are available on DataDryad and a hands-on analytics tutorial is available on GitHub. Through a new big data platform, BD2K Patient Centered Information Commons (http://pic-sure.org), we provide a new way to browse the dataset via a web browser (https://nhanes.hms.harvard.edu) and provide application programming interface for programmatic access.
A German-language replication study analysing the role of figurative speech in reasoning
Authors: Christmann Ursula , Göhring Anne-Louise 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAccording to the metaphorical framing model, the use of metaphors in discussing an issue influences recipients’ understanding and assessment of that issue. In a recent study, participants read a text referring to a city’s crime problem either as a beast or a virus and then proposed counter-measures for that problem. Participants’ suggestions differed depending on the metaphor they had read. This replication matched the original procedure regarding the content of the rhetorical figures (beast vs virus), the topic under focus (crime) and the measurement of the dependent variable (open-end format to collect participants’ proposals). The procedure differed from the original with respect to language (German instead of English) and by including the formal type of rhetorical figure (metaphor or simile) as a factor. A systematic influence of the content of the figure on subjects’ proposals was observed. Presenting the rhetorical figure as a metaphor or a simile had no effect. Taken together, we were able to replicate the main effect of the original study. Metaphors do indeed frame reasoning.
αβ T cell receptor germline CDR regions moderate contact with MHC ligands and regulate peptide cross-reactivity
Authors: Attaf Meriem , Holland Stephan J. , Bartok Istvan , Dyson Julian 
Published: October 2016

Abstractαβ T cells respond to peptide epitopes presented by major histocompatibility complex (MHC) molecules. The role of T cell receptor (TCR) germline complementarity determining regions (CDR1 and 2) in MHC restriction is not well understood. Here, we examine T cell development, MHC restriction and antigen recognition where germline CDR loop structure has been modified by multiple glycine/alanine substitutions. Surprisingly, loss of germline structure increases TCR engagement with MHC ligands leading to excessive loss of immature thymocytes. MHC restriction is, however, strictly maintained. The peripheral T cell repertoire is affected similarly, exhibiting elevated cross-reactivity to foreign peptides. Our findings are consistent with germline TCR structure optimising T cell cross-reactivity and immunity by moderating engagement with MHC ligands. This strategy may operate alongside co-receptor imposed MHC restriction, freeing germline TCR structure to adopt this novel role in the TCR-MHC interface.
New Insecticidal Agents from Halogenation/Acylation of the Furyl-Ring of Fraxinellone
Authors: Guo Yong , Yang Ruige , Xu Hui 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIntroduction of the halogen atom or the acyl group at the C-ring of fraxinellone was investigated. Some unexpected halogenation products were obtained with the different chlorination/bromination reagents, and their possible reaction mechanisms were also proposed. Seven key steric structures of 2a’, 2b, 2b’, 2c’, 3a, 3b, and one isomer (5’α-Cl) of 2a were further confirmed by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. Especially compounds 2a, 2a’, 3a and 3c exhibited more potent insecticidal activity than toosendanin. Some structure-activity relationships of tested compounds were also described.
One-step solvothermal deposition of ZnO nanorod arrays on a wood surface for robust superamphiphobic performance and superior ultraviolet resistance
Authors: Yao Qiufang , Wang Chao , Fan Bitao , Wang Hanwei , Sun Qingfeng , Jin Chunde , Zhang Hong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn the present paper, uniformly large-scale wurtzite-structured ZnO nanorod arrays (ZNAs) were deposited onto a wood surface through a one-step solvothermal method. The as-prepared samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), thermogravimetry (TG), and differential thermal analysis (DTA). ZNAs with a diameter of approximately 85 nm and a length of approximately 1.5 μm were chemically bonded onto the wood surface through hydrogen bonds. The superamphiphobic performance and ultraviolet resistance were measured and evaluated by water or oil contact angles (WCA or OCA) and roll-off angles, sand abrasion tests and an artificially accelerated ageing test. The results show that the ZNA-treated wood demonstrates a robust superamphiphobic performance under mechanical impact, corrosive liquids, intermittent and transpositional temperatures, and water spray. Additionally, the as-prepared wood sample shows superior ultraviolet resistance.
Two identified looming detectors in the locust: ubiquitous lateral connections among their inputs contribute to selective responses to looming objects
Authors: Rind F. Claire , Wernitznig Stefan , Pölt Peter , Zankel Armin , Gütl Daniel , Sztarker Julieta , Leitinger Gerd 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn locusts, two lobula giant movement detector neurons (LGMDs) act as looming object detectors. Their reproducible responses to looming and their ethological significance makes them models for single neuron computation. But there is no comprehensive picture of the neurons that connect directly to each LGMD. We used high-through-put serial block-face scanning-electron-microscopy to reconstruct the network of input-synapses onto the LGMDs over spatial scales ranging from single synapses and small circuits, up to dendritic branches and total excitatory input. Reconstructions reveal that many trans-medullary-afferents (TmAs) connect the eye with each LGMD, one TmA per facet per LGMD. But when a TmA synapses with an LGMD it also connects laterally with another TmA. These inter-TmA synapses are always reciprocal. Total excitatory input to the LGMD 1 and 2 comes from 131,000 and 186,000 synapses reaching densities of 3.1 and 2.6 synapses per μm2 respectively. We explored the computational consequences of reciprocal synapses between each TmA and 6 others from neighbouring columns. Since any lateral interactions between LGMD inputs have always been inhibitory we may assume these reciprocal lateral connections are most likely inhibitory. Such reciprocal inhibitory synapses increased the LGMD’s selectivity for looming over passing objects, particularly at the beginning of object approach.
Implementations of two-photon four-qubit Toffoli and Fredkin gates assisted by nitrogen-vacancy centers
Authors: Wei Hai-Rui , Zhu Pei-Jin 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIt is desirable to implement an efficient quantum information process demanding fewer quantum resources. We designed two compact quantum circuits for determinately implementing four-qubit Toffoli and Fredkin gates on single-photon systems in both the polarization and spatial degrees of freedom (DoFs) via diamond nitrogen-vacancy (NV) centers in resonators. The gates are heralded by the electron spins associated with the diamond NV centers. In contrast to the ones with one DoF, our implementations reduce the quantum resource and are robust against the decoherence. Evaluations of fidelities and efficiencies of our gates show that our schemes may be implemented with current technology.
Retro-dimension-cue benefit in visual working memory
Authors: Ye Chaoxiong , Hu Zhonghua , Ristaniemi Tapani , Gendron Maria , Liu Qiang 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIn visual working memory (VWM) tasks, participants’ performance can be improved by a retro-object-cue. However, previous studies have not investigated whether participants’ performance can also be improved by a retro-dimension-cue. Three experiments investigated this issue. We used a recall task with a retro-dimension-cue in all experiments. In Experiment 1, we found benefits from retro-dimension-cues compared to neutral cues. This retro-dimension-cue benefit is reflected in an increased probability of reporting the target, but not in the probability of reporting the non-target, as well as increased precision with which this item is remembered. Experiment 2 replicated the retro-dimension-cue benefit and showed that the length of the blank interval after the cue disappeared did not influence recall performance. Experiment 3 replicated the results of Experiment 2 with a lower memory load. Our studies provide evidence that there is a robust retro-dimension-cue benefit in VWM. Participants can use internal attention to flexibly allocate cognitive resources to a particular dimension of memory representations. The results also support the feature-based storing hypothesis.
RNA sequencing analysis of human podocytes reveals glucocorticoid regulated gene networks targeting non-immune pathways
Authors: Jiang Lulu , Hindmarch Charles C. T. , Rogers Mark , Campbell Colin , Waterfall Christy , Coghill Jane , Mathieson Peter W. , Welsh Gavin I. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractGlucocorticoids are steroids that reduce inflammation and are used as immunosuppressive drugs for many diseases. They are also the mainstay for the treatment of minimal change nephropathy (MCN), which is characterised by an absence of inflammation. Their mechanisms of action remain elusive. Evidence suggests that immunomodulatory drugs can directly act on glomerular epithelial cells or ‘podocytes’, the cell type which is the main target of injury in MCN. To understand the nature of glucocorticoid effects on non-immune cell functions, we generated RNA sequencing data from human podocyte cell lines and identified the genes that are significantly regulated in dexamethasone-treated podocytes compared to vehicle-treated cells. The upregulated genes are of functional relevance to cytoskeleton-related processes, whereas the downregulated genes mostly encode pro-inflammatory cytokines and growth factors. We observed a tendency for dexamethasone-upregulated genes to be downregulated in MCN patients. Integrative analysis revealed gene networks composed of critical signaling pathways that are likely targeted by dexamethasone in podocytes.
Asymptotic theory of time-varying social networks with heterogeneous activity and tie allocation
Authors: Ubaldi Enrico , Perra Nicola , Karsai Márton , Vezzani Alessandro , Burioni Raffaella , Vespignani Alessandro 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe dynamic of social networks is driven by the interplay between diverse mechanisms that still challenge our theoretical and modelling efforts. Amongst them, two are known to play a central role in shaping the networks evolution, namely the heterogeneous propensity of individuals to i) be socially active and ii) establish a new social relationships with their alters. Here, we empirically characterise these two mechanisms in seven real networks describing temporal human interactions in three different settings: scientific collaborations, Twitter mentions, and mobile phone calls. We find that the individuals’ social activity and their strategy in choosing ties where to allocate their social interactions can be quantitatively described and encoded in a simple stochastic network modelling framework. The Master Equation of the model can be solved in the asymptotic limit. The analytical solutions provide an explicit description of both the system dynamic and the dynamical scaling laws characterising crucial aspects about the evolution of the networks. The analytical predictions match with accuracy the empirical observations, thus validating the theoretical approach. Our results provide a rigorous dynamical system framework that can be extended to include other processes shaping social dynamics and to generate data driven predictions for the asymptotic behaviour of social networks.
Optimal Universal Uncertainty Relations
Authors: Li Tao , Xiao Yunlong , Ma Teng , Fei Shao-Ming , Jing Naihuan , Li-Jost Xianqing , Wang Zhi-Xi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWe study universal uncertainty relations and present a method called joint probability distribution diagram to improve the majorization bounds constructed independently in [Phys. Rev. Lett. 111, 230401 (2013)] and [J. Phys. A. 46, 272002 (2013)]. The results give rise to state independent uncertainty relations satisfied by any nonnegative Schur-concave functions. On the other hand, a remarkable recent result of entropic uncertainty relation is the direct-sum majorization relation. In this paper, we illustrate our bounds by showing how they provide a complement to that in [Phys. Rev. A. 89, 052115 (2014)].
Immune Responses to an Oral Cholera Vaccine in Internally Displaced Persons in South Sudan
Authors: Iyer Anita S. , Bouhenia Malika , Rumunu John , Abubakar Abdinasir , Gruninger Randon J. , Pita Jane , Lino Richard Lako , Deng Lul L. , Wamala Joseph F. , Ryan Edward T. , Martin Stephen , Legros Dominique , Lessler Justin , Sack David A. , Luquero Francisco J. , Leung Daniel T. , Azman Andrew S. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractDespite recent large-scale cholera outbreaks, little is known about the immunogenicity of oral cholera vaccines (OCV) in African populations, particularly among those at highest cholera risk. During a 2015 preemptive OCV campaign among internally displaced persons in South Sudan, a year after a large cholera outbreak, we enrolled 37 young children (1–5 years old), 67 older children (6–17 years old) and 101 adults (≥18 years old), who received two doses of OCV (Shanchol) spaced approximately 3 weeks apart. Cholera-specific antibody responses were determined at days 0, 21 and 35 post-immunization. High baseline vibriocidal titers (>80) were observed in 21% of the participants, suggesting recent cholera exposure or vaccination. Among those with titers ≤80, 90% young children, 73% older children and 72% adults seroconverted (≥4 fold titer rise) after the 1st OCV dose; with no additional seroconversion after the 2nd dose. Post-vaccination immunological endpoints did not differ across age groups. Our results indicate Shanchol was immunogenic in this vulnerable population and that a single dose alone may be sufficient to achieve similar short-term immunological responses to the currently licensed two-dose regimen. While we found no evidence of differential response by age, further immunologic and epidemiologic studies are needed.
Supernova: A Versatile Vector System for Single-Cell Labeling and Gene Function Studies in vivo
Authors: Luo Wenshu , Mizuno Hidenobu , Iwata Ryohei , Nakazawa Shingo , Yasuda Kosuke , Itohara Shigeyoshi , Iwasato Takuji 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHere we describe “Supernova” series of vector systems that enable single-cell labeling and labeled cell-specific gene manipulation, when introduced by in utero electroporation (IUE) or adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene delivery. In Supernova, sparse labeling relies on low TRE leakage. In a small population of cells with over-threshold leakage, initial tTA-independent weak expression is enhanced by tTA/TRE-positive feedback along with a site-specific recombination system (e.g., Cre/loxP, Flpe/FRT). Sparse and bright labeling by Supernova with little background enables the visualization of the morphological details of individual neurons in densely packed brain areas such as the cortex and hippocampus, both during development and in adulthood. Sparseness levels are adjustable. Labeled cell-specific gene knockout was accomplished by introducing Cre/loxP-based Supernova vectors into floxed mice. Furthermore, by combining with RNAi, TALEN, and CRISPR/Cas9 technologies, IUE-based Supernova achieved labeled cell-specific gene knockdown and editing/knockout without requiring genetically altered mice. Thus, Supernova system is highly extensible and widely applicable for single-cell analyses in complex organs, such as the mammalian brain.
Functionalized magnetic nanowires for chemical and magneto-mechanical induction of cancer cell death
Authors: Martínez-Banderas Aldo Isaac , Aires Antonio , Teran Francisco J. , Perez Jose Efrain , Cadenas Jael F. , Alsharif Nouf , Ravasi Timothy , Cortajarena Aitziber L. , Kosel Jürgen 
Published: October 2016

AbstractExploiting and combining different properties of nanomaterials is considered a potential route for next generation cancer therapies. Magnetic nanowires (NWs) have shown good biocompatibility and a high level of cellular internalization. We induced cancer cell death by combining the chemotherapeutic effect of doxorubicin (DOX)-functionalized iron NWs with the mechanical disturbance under a low frequency alternating magnetic field. (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were separately used for coating NWs allowing further functionalization with DOX. Internalization was assessed for both formulations by confocal reflection microscopy and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry. From confocal analysis, BSA formulations demonstrated higher internalization and less agglomeration. The functionalized NWs generated a comparable cytotoxic effect in breast cancer cells in a DOX concentration-dependent manner, (~60% at the highest concentration tested) that was significantly different from the effect produced by free DOX and non-functionalized NWs formulations. A synergistic cytotoxic effect is obtained when a magnetic field (1 mT, 10 Hz) is applied to cells treated with DOX-functionalized BSA or APTES-coated NWs, (~70% at the highest concentration). In summary, a bimodal method for cancer cell destruction was developed by the conjugation of the magneto-mechanical properties of iron NWs with the effect of DOX producing better results than the individual effects.
Conditions Optimizing and Application of Laccase-mediator System (LMS) for the Laccase-catalyzed Pesticide Degradation
Authors: Jin Xiaoting , Yu Xiangyang , Zhu Guangyan , Zheng Zuntao , Feng Fayun , Zhang Zhiyong 
Published: October 2016

AbstractA high capacity of laccase from Trametes versicolor capable of degrading pesticides has been revealed. The conditions for degrading of five selected pesticides including chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil, pyrimethanil, atrazine and isoproturon with the purified laccases from Trametes versicolor were optimized. The results showed that the optimum conditions for the highest activity were pH at 5.0 and temperature at 25 °C. The best mediators were violuric acid for pyrimethanil and isoproturon, vanillin for chlorpyrifos, and acetosyringone and HBT for chlorothalonil and atrazine, respectively. The laccase was found to be stable at a pH range from 5.0 to 7.0 and temperature from 25 to 30 °C. It was observed that each pesticide required a different laccase mediator concentration typically between 4.0–6.0 mmol/L. In the experiment, the degradation rates of pyrimethanil and isoproturon were significantly faster than those of chlorpyrifos, chlorothalonil and atrazine. For example, it was observed that pyrimethanil and isoproturon degraded up to nearly 100% after 24 hours while the other three pesticides just reached up 90% of degradation after 8 days of incubation.
Genetic analysis of innate immunity in Behcet’s disease identifies an association with IL-37 and IL-18RAP
Authors: Tan Handan , Deng Bolin , Yu Hongsong , Yang Yi , Ding Lin , Zhang Qi , Qin Jieying , Kijlstra Aize , Chen Rui , Yang Peizeng 
Published: October 2016

AbstractInterleukin-1 (IL-1) and the IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) family play an important role in the pathogenesis of inflammatory diseases. This study aimed to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) of IL-1 and IL-1R family genes with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) and Behcet’s disease (BD) in Han Chinese. The case-control study was divided into two stages and included 419 VKH cases, 1063 BD cases and 1872 healthy controls. The MassARRAY platform (Sequenom), iPLEX Gold Assay and TaqMan SNP assays were used to score genotypes of 24 SNPs. The expression of IL-37 and IL-18Rap was measured by ELISA and real-time PCR in genotyped healthy individuals. A significantly lower frequency of the AG genotype, and a higher frequency of the GG genotype and G allele of IL-37/rs3811047 were observed in BD as compared to controls. AA genotype and A allele frequency of IL-18RAP/rs2058660 was significantly decreased in BD as compared to controls. Functional studies performed in healthy controls showed that rs3811047 AG genotype carriers had a higher IL-37 gene expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) than GG carriers. GG carriers showed a higher cytokine expression as compared to AG carriers. No association was detected between the tested SNPs and VKH.