bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
TIMAP, the versatile protein phosphatase 1 regulator in endothelial cells
Authors: Boratkó Anita , Csortos Csilla 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTransforming growth factor (TGF)‐β inhibited membrane associated protein, TIMAP, is the member of the myosin phosphatase targeting protein (MYPT) family of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) regulatory subunits. The N‐terminal part of TIMAP has a typical MYPT family structure with a sequence element called MyPhone (myosin phosphatase N‐terminal element), a putative bipartite nuclear localization signal, a PP1 catalytic subunit binding motif, and five ankyrin repeats. The C‐terminal half of TIMAP is intrinsically disordered, but ends with a functional CAAX box for lipid modification which allows localization of TIMAP at the plasma membrane. TIMAP is prenylated by farnesyl transferase with the contribution of the anchoring protein, RACK1 in the cytoplasm. The controlling effect of TIMAP on PP1 is moderated by PKA/GSK3β and PKC mediated phosphorylation of TIMAP, the sites are located in the disordered region of the protein. TIMAP is abundant in endothelial cells. A growing body of evidence attained through characterization of newly identified protein partners calls attention to its critical role in normal and pathological activities of the endothelium via regulation of PP1. TIMAP binds the non‐integrin laminin receptor 1 and the endothelin converting enzyme 1, which may connect TIMAP to angiogenesis, tumor invasion and metastasis. Barrier protecting role of TIMAP was shown for pulmonary artery endothelial cells. ERM (ezrin‐radixin‐moesin) proteins, as potential in vivo PP1‐TIMAP substrates, are critical targets in the barrier maintenance. TIMAP affects phosphorylation level and subcellular localization of merlin and eukaryotic elongation factor‐1A1. Merlin is a key component of signaling pathways regulating cell proliferation, membrane domain formation and cell‐cell junction organization. Noncanonical functions of the elongation factor include a role in organization of cytoskeleton dynamics and in apoptosis. The interacting/binding partners identified so far demonstrate a rather complex role of TIMAP in key functions of the endothelium offering TIMAP as a plausible target in pathological issues. © 2017 IUBMB Life, 69(12):918–928, 2017
Study of the protective effect of ischemic and pharmacological preconditioning on hepatic ischemic reperfusion injury induced in rats
Authors: Osman Afaf S , Osman Ahmed H , Kamel Mahmoud M 
Published: November 2017

Background and AimHepatic ischemia reperfusion injury is the main cause of liver failure following liver surgery, so an effective method is needed to prevent or reduce this hepatic injury. The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential effect of ischemic preconditioning versus pharmacological preconditioning with lisinopril or verapamil for protection against hepatic ischemia reperfusion injury induced in rats.MethodsRats were divided into six groups. Group I served as control untreated. Rats of group II were subjected to laparotomy without induction of ischemia reperfusion. Ischemia reperfusion by ligation of the portal trait for 30 min, followed by reperfusion for 2 h, was performed in rats of groups III–VI. Ischemic preconditioning was performed for rats of group IV before induction of ischemia reperfusion. Lisinopril and verapamil was given daily for 3 days before induction of ischemia reperfusion in groups V and VI, respectively. Serum level of liver transaminases and liver malondialdehyde content were measured, and hepatic histopathological examination was assessed.ResultsInduction of ischemia reperfusion resulted in significant elevation of liver transaminases and liver malondialdehyde content associated with significant hepatic histopathological injury that were significantly improved by ischemic preconditioning, lisinopril, or verapamil treatment. Verapamil showed the most significant improvement compared with ischemic preconditioning or lisinopril treatment.ConclusionIschemic preconditioning and pharmacological preconditioning by lisinopril or verapamil can protect against hepatic ischemia reperfusion probably through inhibition of oxidative stress and neutrophil infiltration. The most potent protection is demonstrated by verapamil treatment.
Green Synthesis of Biologically Active Silver Nanoparticles through a Phyto‐Mediated Approach Using Areca catechu Leaf Extract
Authors: Shruthi Govindaraju , Prasad Kollur Shiva , Vinod T. P. , Balamurugan Vinayagamurthy , Shivamallu Chandan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIncreasing demand of highly potent non‐toxic drugs in medicine is opening up opportunities for studying the usage of nanoparticles in the treatment of various disease conditions. Proliferation of research works on silver nanoparticles pertinent to this area is driven by the useful electrochemical properties of silver embedded in various host lattices and their versatility in a broad range of applications in biosciences. In this work, we report a method for the green synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Areca catechu leaf extract. The nanoparticles prepared using this method were characterized using various spectroscopic and microscopic techniques. Spherical morphology and crystalline nature of the nanoparticles were evident from these analyses. Oxygen scavenging activity of the AgNPs and its application in the treatment of various multidrug resistant bacterial diseases caused by E. coli, P. aeruginosa, K. pneumoniae, S. typhi, P. vulgaris and fungal diseases of A. niger and F. oxysporium were studied in detail. The radical scavenging activity of AgNPs were found to be significantly high in 1,1‐Diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazylradical (DPPH), and 2,2’Azinobis‐3‐ethylbenzthiazoline‐6‐sulfonic acid (ABTS) assays, which were further validated by high reducing capacity observed in phosphomolybdenum and reducing power assays. Furthermore, the AgNPs exhibited significant bactericidal and fungicidal properties against multidrug resistant strains.
Timing of neuronal plasticity in development and aging
Authors: Ivakhnitskaia Evguenia , Lin Ryan Weihsiang , Hamada Kana , Chang Chieh 
Published: November 2017

Molecular oscillators are well known for their roles in temporal control of some biological processes like cell proliferation, but molecular mechanisms that provide temporal control of differentiation and postdifferentiation events in cells are less understood. In the nervous system, establishment of neuronal connectivity during development and decline in neuronal plasticity during aging are regulated with temporal precision, but the timing mechanisms are largely unknown. Caenorhabditis elegans has been a preferred model for aging research and recently emerges as a new model for the study of developmental and postdevelopmental plasticity in neurons. In this review we discuss the emerging mechanisms in timing of developmental lineage progression, axon growth and pathfinding, synapse formation, and reorganization, and neuronal plasticity in development and aging. We also provide a current view on the conserved core axon regeneration molecules with the intention to point out potential regulatory points of temporal controls. We highlight recent progress in understanding timing mechanisms that regulate decline in regenerative capacity, including progressive changes of intrinsic timers and co‐opting the aging pathway molecules. WIREs Dev Biol 2018, 7:e305. doi: 10.1002/wdev.305This article is categorized under:

Invertebrate Organogenesis > Worms
Establishment of Spatial and Temporal Patterns > Regulation of Size, Proportion, and Timing
Nervous System Development > Worms
Gene Expression and Transcriptional Hierarchies > Regulatory RNA
Surgical Treatment of Gastro‐Pulmonary Fistula Following Bariatric Surgery: Possible and Safe
Authors: Ben Nun Alon , Simansky David , Rokah Merav , Zeitlin Nona , Golan Nir , Abu Khalil Ramez , Soudack Michalle 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBackgroundLaparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy is a common surgical management of morbid obesity. Major complication rate is 3–8%. Staple line leak is one of the most serious complications. In a small group of patients, a gastro‐pulmonary fistula is formed. Endoscopic and minimally invasive measures are the first line of treatment with considerable success rate. There are very poor data in the literature what should be done in cases of failure. In this paper, we report our positive experience with definitive surgical repair.MethodsRetrospective evaluation of 13 consecutive patients referred to the general thoracic surgery department for gastro‐pulmonary fistula following sleeve gastrectomy.ResultsPrior to their referral, all patients underwent surgical or percutaneous drainage and multiple treatment attempts including stent insertion, pyloric dilatation, endo‐clip/ring closure, endoscopic argon ablation and glue injection. Two patients underwent emergency thoracotomy for sepsis and bile empyema. One died in the early postoperative period. Eleven patients underwent semi‐elective definitive surgery. Surgery included left lower lobectomy, partial diaphragmectomy and digestive system reconstruction. There was no mortality or major complications in this group. Complication rate was 45% mostly local wound infection and pneumonia.ConclusionsGastro‐pulmonary fistula is a rare devastating complication of sleeve gastrectomy. When minimally invasive measures fail, there is no place for nihilism. Surgical repair is possible and safe. The data presented herein support this treatment policy.
Classifying binge eating‐disordered adolescents based on severity levels
Authors: Dakanalis Antonios , Zanetti Maria Assunta , Colmegna Fabrizia , Riva Giuseppe , Clerici Massimo 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThe new severity criterion for binge‐eating disorder (BED), introduced by the most recent (fifth) edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM‐5) as a means of addressing within‐group variability in severity, was tested in 223 Italian (13‐18‐year‐old) adolescents (86.1% females) with (DSM‐5) BED presenting for treatment. Analyses revealed that participants classified with mild (35.9% of the sample), moderate (38.1%) severe (13.4%), and extreme (12.6%) severity of BED, based on their clinician‐rated weekly frequency of binge‐eating (BE) episodes, were statistically distinguishable in physical characteristics (body mass index) and a range of clinical variables regarding eating‐related psychopathology and putative maintenance factors, health‐related quality of life, and mood and anxiety disorder comorbidity (medium‐to‐large effect sizes). Between‐group differences in age‐at‐onset of BED or demographics were not detected. The findings provide support for the utility of BE frequency as a severity criterion for BED in adolescence. Implications for future studies are discussed.
Implementation and Validation of a Numerical Model for Lead-Rubber Seismic Isolation Bearings
Authors: Zhou T. , Wu Y. F. , Li A. Q. 
Published: November 2017

ABSTRACTThis paper presents a numerical model for accurately representing the behaviors of lead-rubber bearings during earthquakes. This model, which is implemented in OpenSees as a user-defined element, accounts for the mechanical characteristics of bearings as follows: firstly, the bi-lateral interaction effect of hysteretic behaviors, as well as the variation in horizontal stiffness due to vertical load, is considered; secondly, the reduced vertical stiffness under large lateral displacement is incorporated by the piecewise linear formulation, and the linear reduction method is employed to determine the stability limit of bearings in the deformed configuration; furthermore, the cavitation and permanent damage effects in bearings are mathematically included. To validate the numerical model, simulation analyses are performed for a series of static and dynamic loading tests, and the numerical results show reasonable agreement with experimental ones, which indicates that the proposed model provides an effective tool for the failure mode analyses of bearings and the dynamic analyses of seismic isolated structures.
Co-factor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase ofLeishmania donovanimodulates macrophage signalling and promotes T-cell repertoires bearing epitopes for both MHC-I and MHC-II
Authors: SINGH MANISH K. , JAMAL FAUZIA , DUBEY AMIT K. , SHIVAM PUSHKAR , KUMARI SARITA , PUSHPANJALI  , AHMED GHUFRAN , DIKHIT MANAS R. , NARAYAN S. , DAS V. N. R. , PANDEY KRISHNA , SINHA K. K. , DAS P. , SINGH SHUBHANKAR K. 
Published: November 2017

SUMMARYImmunoactivation depends upon the antigen potential to modulate T-cell repertoires. The present study has enumerated the effect of 61 kDa recombinantLeishmania donovanico-factor-independent phosphoglycerate mutase (rLd-iPGAM) on mononuclear cells of healthy and treated visceral leishmaniasis subjects as well as on THP-1 cell line. rLd-iPGAM stimulation induced higher expression of interleukin-1β(IL-1β) in the phagocytic cell, its receptor and CD69 on T-cell subsets. These cellular activations resulted in upregulation of host-protective cytokines IL-2, IL-12, IL-17, tumour necrosis factor-αand interferon-γ, and downregulation of IL-4, IL-10 and tumour growth factor-β. This immune polarization was also evidenced by upregulation of nuclear factor-κlight-chain enhancer of activated B cells p50 and regulated expression of suppressor of mother against decapentaplegic protein-4. rLd-iPGAM stimulation also promoted lymphocyte proliferation and boosted the leishmaniacidal activity of macrophages by upregulating reactive oxygen species. It also induced 1·8-fold higher release of nitric oxide (NO) by promoting the transcription of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene. Besides,in silicoanalysis suggested the presence of major histocompatibility complex class I and II restricted epitopes, which can proficiently trigger CD8+and CD4+cells, respectively. This study reports rLd-iPGAM as an effective immunoprophylactic agent, which can be used in future vaccine design.
Beef in Roman Italy
Authors: Ikeguchi Mamoru 
Published: November 2017

The purpose of this paper is to re-examine the production and consumption of meat from domesticated animals in Roman Italy using zooarchaeological and textual evidence. The focus is on the proportions of meat from the three main domesticates (cattle, pig, sheep/goat) and their chronological changes.The most important livestock meat eaten by Romans is traditionally considered to have been pork. Certainly there is much more literary evidence for pork than for beef or mutton/goat meat. Such apparent Roman preference for pork is typically seen in Apicius' De re coquinaria, where the preference for pork (11 references) over mutton (2), goat meat (1) and beef (2) is obvious; likewise, the number of references to meat from young animals is much larger for suckling pig meat (22 references) than for lamb (10), kid meat (7) or veal (4). K. D. White considered that “meat was not a prime article of diet … and beef was less important within this restricted range than pork …”. J. M. Frayn believed sheep were reared primarily for wool, not for meat or cheese, and that lamb was eaten only exceptionally. Beef and mutton/goat meat are thus considered to have been of much less importance than pork in the Roman diet.
Wealth and population growth under dynamic average utilitarianism
Authors: Yamaguchi Rintaro 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn wealth accounting and sustainability assessments, we characterize the non-declining wealth criterion under dynamic average utilitarianism (DAU) as defined by Dasgupta (2001). Under DAU, the objective function consists of total intergenerational well-being divided by the present discounted sum of population from the present to the future. It is shown that, in order for an economy to be on a sustainable path, inclusive wealth should grow at a rate higher than the difference between the discount rate and the share of current population of the discounted future population. Our application to the inclusive wealth index shows that, among other results, the DAU criterion changes sustainability assessments for some developing countries with future demographic change, implying that wealth does not accumulate sufficiently in light of DAU. We also show empirical estimates of the value of population change under total utilitarianism, average utilitarianism, and DAU.
Structural basis for the unique ganglioside and cell membrane recognition mechanism of botulinum neurotoxin DC
Authors: Zhang Sicai , Berntsson Ronnie P.-A. , Tepp William H. , Tao Liang , Johnson Eric A. , Stenmark Pål , Dong Min 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBotulinum neurotoxins (BoNTs), the most potent toxins known, are potential bioterrorism agents. It is well established that all seven serotypes of BoNTs (BoNT/A–G) require complex gangliosides as co-receptors. Here, we report that BoNT/DC, a presumed mosaic toxin between BoNT/D and BoNT/C1, binds and enters efficiently into neurons lacking complex gangliosides and shows no reduction in toxicity in mice deficient in complex gangliosides. The co-crystal structure of BoNT/DC with sialyl-Thomsen-Friedenreich antigen (Sialyl-T) suggests that BoNT/DC recognizes only the sialic acid, but not other moieties in gangliosides. Using liposome flotation assays, we demonstrate that an extended loop in BoNT/DC directly interacts with lipid membranes, and the co-occurring sialic acid binding and loop–membrane interactions mediate the recognition of gangliosides in membranes by BoNT/DC. These findings reveal a unique mechanism for cell membrane recognition and demonstrate that BoNT/DC can use a broad range of sialic acid-containing moieties as co-receptors.
Increased rise time of electron temperature during adiabatic plasmon focusing
Authors: Lozan Olga , Sundararaman Ravishankar , Ea-Kim Buntha , Rampnoux Jean-Michel , Narang Prineha , Dilhaire Stefan , Lalanne Philippe 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDecay of plasmons to hot carriers has recently attracted considerable interest for fundamental studies and applications in quantum plasmonics. Although plasmon-assisted hot carriers in metals have already enabled remarkable physical and chemical phenomena, much remains to be understood to engineer devices. Here, we present an analysis of the spatio-temporal dynamics of hot electrons in an emblematic plasmonic device, the adiabatic nanofocusing surface-plasmon taper. With femtosecond-resolution measurements, we confirm the extraordinary capability of plasmonic tapers to generate hot carriers by slowing down plasmons at the taper apex. The measurements also evidence a substantial increase of the “lifetime” of the electron gas temperature at the apex. This interesting effect is interpreted as resulting from an intricate heat flow at the apex. The ability to harness the “lifetime” of hot-carrier gases with nanoscale circuits may provide a multitude of applications, such as hot-spot management, nonequilibrium hot-carrier generation, sensing, and photovoltaics.
Carbonate-rich dendrolitic cones: insights into a modern analog for incipient microbialite formation, Little Hot Creek, Long Valley Caldera, California
Authors: Bradley James A. , Daille Leslie K. , Trivedi Christopher B. , Bojanowski Caitlin L. , Stamps Blake W. , Stevenson Bradley S. , Nunn Heather S. , Johnson Hope A. , Loyd Sean J. , Berelson William M. , Corsetti Frank A. , Spear John R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAncient putative microbial structures that appear in the rock record commonly serve as evidence of early life on Earth, but the details of their formation remain unclear. The study of modern microbial mat structures can help inform the properties of their ancient counterparts, but modern mineralizing mat systems with morphological similarity to ancient structures are rare. Here, we characterize partially lithified microbial mats containing cm-scale dendrolitic coniform structures from a geothermal pool (“Cone Pool”) at Little Hot Creek, California, that if fully lithified, would resemble ancient dendrolitic structures known from the rock record. Light and electron microscopy revealed that the cm-scale ‘dendrolitic cones’ were comprised of intertwined microbial filaments and grains of calcium carbonate. The degree of mineralization (carbonate content) increased with depth in the dendrolitic cones. Sequencing of 16S rRNA gene libraries revealed that the dendrolitic cone tips were enriched in OTUs most closely related to the genera Phormidium, Leptolyngbya, and Leptospira, whereas mats at the base and adjacent to the dendrolitic cones were enriched in Synechococcus. We hypothesize that the consumption of nutrients during autotrophic and heterotrophic growth may promote movement of microbes along diffusive nutrient gradients, and thus microbialite growth. Hour-glass shaped filamentous structures present in the dendrolitic cones may have formed around photosynthetically-produced oxygen bubbles—suggesting that mineralization occurs rapidly and on timescales of the lifetime of a bubble. The dendrolitic-conical structures in Cone Pool constitute a modern analog of incipient microbialite formation by filamentous microbiota that are morphologically distinct from any structure described previously. Thus, we provide a new model system to address how microbial mats may be preserved over geological timescales.
Behavioral responses of honey bees (Apis mellifera) to natural and synthetic xenobiotics in food
Authors: Liao Ling-Hsiu , Wu Wen-Yen , Berenbaum May R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhile the natural foods of the western honey bee (Apis mellifera) contain diverse phytochemicals, in contemporary agroecosystems honey bees also encounter pesticides as floral tissue contaminants. Whereas some ubiquitous phytochemicals in bee foods up-regulate detoxification and immunity genes, thereby benefiting nestmates, many agrochemical pesticides adversely affect bee health even at sublethal levels. How honey bees assess xenobiotic risk to nestmates as they forage is poorly understood. Accordingly, we tested nine phytochemicals ubiquitous in nectar, pollen, or propolis, as well as five synthetic xenobiotics that frequently contaminate hives—two herbicides (atrazine and glyphosate) and three fungicides (boscalid, chlorothalonil, and prochloraz). In semi-field free-flight experiments, bees were offered a choice between paired sugar water feeders amended with either a xenobiotic or solvent only (control). Among the phytochemicals, foragers consistently preferred quercetin at all five concentrations tested, as evidenced by both visitation frequency and consumption rates. This preference may reflect the long evolutionary association between honey bees and floral tissues. Of pesticides eliciting a response, bees displayed a preference at specific concentrations for glyphosate and chlorothalonil. This paradoxical preference may account for the frequency with which these pesticides occur as hive contaminants and suggests that they present a greater risk factor for honey bee health than previously suspected.