bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
CREB-mediated synaptogenesis and neurogenesis is crucial for the role of 5-HT1a receptors in modulating anxiety behaviors
Authors: Zhang Jing , Cai Cheng-Yun , Wu Hai-Yin , Zhu Li-Juan , Luo Chun-Xia , Zhu Dong-Ya 
Published: July 2016

AbstractSerotonin 1a-receptor (5-HT1aR) has been specifically implicated in the pathogenesis of anxiety. However, the mechanism underlying the role of 5-HT1aR in anxiety remains poorly understood. Here we show in mice that the transcription factor cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) in the hippocampus functions as an effector of 5-HT1aR in modulating anxiety-related behaviors. We generated recombinant lentivirus LV-CREB133-GFP expressing a dominant negative CREB which could not be phosphorylated at Ser133 to specifically reduce CREB activity, and LV-VP16-CREB-GFP expressing a constitutively active fusion protein VP16-CREB which could be phosphorylated by itself to specifically enhance CREB activity. LV-CREB133-GFP neutralized 5-HT1aR agonist-induced up-regulation of synapse density, spine density, dendrite complexity, neurogenesis, and the expression of synapsin and spinophilin, two well-characterized synaptic proteins, and abolished the anxiolytic effect of 5-HT1aR agonist; whereas LV-VP16-CREB-GFP rescued the 5-HT1aR antagonist-induced down-regulation of synapse density, spine density, dendrite complexity, neurogenesis and synapsin and spinophilin expression, and reversed the anxiogenic effect of 5-HT1aR antagonist. The deletion of neurogenesis by irradiation or the diminution of synaptogenesis by knockdown of synapsin expression abolished the anxiolytic effects of both CREB and 5-HT1aR activation. These findings suggest that CREB-mediated hippoacampus structural plasticity is crucial for the role of 5-HT1aR in modulating anxiety-related behaviors.
Joint effects of folate intake and one-carbon-metabolizing genetic polymorphisms on breast cancer risk: a case-control study in China
Authors: Luo Wei-Ping , Li Bin , Lin Fang-Yu , Yan Bo , Du Yu-Feng , Mo Xiong-Fei , Wang Lian , Zhang Cai-Xia 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the joint effects of folate intake, polymorphisms of 5,10- methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR), methionine synthesis reductase (MTRR) and methionine synthase (MTR) genes and breast cancer risk. A case-control study of 570 consecutively recruited breast cancer cases and 576 controls was conducted in Guangzhou, China. Multifactor dimensionality reduction and logistic regression approach were used to evaluate gene-gene interaction. The covariates were chosen based on comparison of baseline characteristics of cases and controls. Folate intake was found to be inversely associated with breast cancer risk. The MTRRrs162036 GG genotype was associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 0.41, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.20–0.85]. Compared with the wild-type group (MTRRrs162036 AA with MTRrs1805087 AA) MTRRrs162036 AA with MTRrs1805087 GA + GG was associated with a decreased risk (OR 0.70, 95% CI 0.48–1.03). With the combined MTHFRrs1801131 TT and MTHFRrs1801133 GG genotypes as a reference, MTHFRrs1801131 TT with MTHFRrs1801133 GA + AA was associated with a decreased risk (OR 0.78, 95% CI 0.57 – 1.08) and MTHFRrs1801131 GT + GG with MTHFRrs1801133 GA + AA was associated with an increased risk (OR 1.35, 95% CI 0.88–2.05). The joint impact of MTRRrs162036 and MTRrs1805087, MTHFRrs1801131 and MTHFRrs1801133, folate and MTHFRrs1801133 may contribute to breast cancer risk.
Reproduction of the long-spined sea urchin Diadema setosum in the Gulf of Aqaba - implications for the use of gonad-indexes
Authors: Bronstein Omri , Kroh Andreas , Loya Yossi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAs global warming and climate-change proceeds ever more rapidly, organisms depending on seasonal cues to synchronize reproduction face an unclear future. Reproduction in Diadema setosum in the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea) is seasonal, with mature individuals occurring from July to October. Gonad indexes (GI), in contrast, indicate that spawning occurs from August through December and suggests two main spawning events. Histological analysis, however, indicate that the second peak of GI values cannot be related to spawning, but rather correspond to recovering individuals. In Diadema, examination of GI values alone may thus lead to erroneous conclusions. GI was moderately-strong positively correlated with sea-surface temperatures, but not with chlorophyll-a concentrations or photoperiod. Spawning coincides with the onset of the annual chlorophyll-a increase, however, which might be advantageous for nutrition of the developing larvae. First significant GI increase coincides with the shortening of day-length, which may act as a cue for D. setosum gametogenesis. Gametogenesis is highly synchronised between sexes, although the mature phase of females exceeds that of males. The non-complete overlap may represent sampling bias or represent an adaptive strategy for enhancing fertilisation success. Skewed sex ratios (♀:♂ 1:0.59, n = 360) in the Gulf of Aqaba may be related to pollution.
Otosclerosis Associated with a De Novo Mutation −832G > A in the TGFB1 Gene Promoter Causing a Decreased Expression Level
Authors: Priyadarshi Saurabh , Hansdah Kirtal , Ray Chinmay Sundar , Biswal Narayan Chandra , Ramchander Puppala Venkat 
Published: July 2016

AbstractOtosclerosis (OTSC) is defined by abnormal bone remodeling in the otic capsule of middle ear which leads to conductive hearing loss. In our previous study, we have identified a de novo heterozygous mutation −832G > A in the promoter of TGFB1 in an otosclerosis patient. In the present study, we progressively screened this mutation in a cohort of 254 cases and 262 controls. The family members of the patient positive for −832G > A variation were also screened and found inheritance of this variation only to her daughter. Interestingly, this variation is associated with a decreased level of the TGFB1 transcript in the patient compared to her parents and controls. In silico analysis of this mutation predicted the altered binding of two transcription factors v-Myb and MZF1 in the mutated promoter sequence. Further, functional analysis of this mutation using in vitro luciferase and electrophoretic mobility shift assays revealed that this variation is associated with decreased gene expression. In conclusion, this study established the fact that TGFB1 mutation −832G > A altered the TGFB1 promoter activity, which could affect the susceptibility to otosclerosis development. Further, systemic analysis of TGFB1 gene sequence and expression analysis of this gene might reveal its precise role in the pathogenesis of otosclerosis.
An essential role of SVZ progenitors in cortical folding in gyrencephalic mammals
Authors: Toda Tomohisa , Shinmyo Yohei , Dinh Duong Tung Anh , Masuda Kosuke , Kawasaki Hiroshi 
Published: July 2016

AbstractBecause folding of the cerebral cortex in the mammalian brain is believed to be crucial for higher brain functions, the mechanisms underlying its formation during development and evolution are of great interest. Although it has been proposed that increased neural progenitors in the subventricular zone (SVZ) are responsible for making cortical folds, their roles in cortical folding are still largely unclear, mainly because genetic methods for gyrencephalic mammals had been poorly available. Here, by taking an advantage of our newly developed in utero electroporation technique for the gyrencephalic brain of ferrets, we investigated the role of SVZ progenitors in cortical folding. We found regional differences in the abundance of SVZ progenitors in the developing ferret brain even before cortical folds began to be formed. When Tbr2 transcription factor was inhibited, intermediate progenitor cells were markedly reduced in the ferret cerebral cortex. Interestingly, outer radial glial cells were also reduced by inhibiting Tbr2. We uncovered that reduced numbers of SVZ progenitors resulted in impaired cortical folding. When Tbr2 was inhibited, upper cortical layers were preferentially reduced in gyri compared to those in sulci. Our findings indicate the biological importance of SVZ progenitors in cortical folding in the gyrencephalic brain.
The vicinity of hyper-honeycomb β-Li2IrO3 to a three-dimensional Kitaev spin liquid state
Authors: Katukuri Vamshi M. , Yadav Ravi , Hozoi Liviu , Nishimoto Satoshi , van den Brink Jeroen 
Published: July 2016

AbstractDue to the combination of a substantial spin-orbit coupling and correlation effects, iridium oxides hold a prominent place in the search for novel quantum states of matter, including, e.g., Kitaev spin liquids and topological Weyl states. We establish the promise of the very recently synthesized hyper-honeycomb iridate β-Li2IrO3 in this regard. A detailed theoretical analysis reveals the presence of large ferromagnetic first-neighbor Kitaev interactions, while a second-neighbor antiferromagnetic Heisenberg exchange drives the ground state from ferro to zigzag order via a three-dimensional Kitaev spin liquid and an incommensurate phase. Experiment puts the system in the latter regime but the Kitaev spin liquid is very close and reachable by a slight modification of the ratio between the second- and first-neighbor couplings, for instance via strain.
Onionin A inhibits ovarian cancer progression by suppressing cancer cell proliferation and the protumour function of macrophages
Authors: Tsuboki Junko , Fujiwara Yukio , Horlad Hasita , Shiraishi Daisuke , Nohara Toshihiro , Tayama Shingo , Motohara Takeshi , Saito Yoichi , Ikeda Tsuyoshi , Takaishi Kiyomi , Tashiro Hironori , Yonemoto Yukihiro , Katabuchi Hidetaka , Takeya Motohiro , Komohara Yoshihiro 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt is well known that tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) play an important role in tumour development by modulating the tumour microenvironment, and targeting of protumour activation or the M2 polarization of TAMs is expected to be an effective therapy for cancer patients. We previously demonstrated that onionin A (ONA), a natural low molecular weight compound isolated from onions, has an inhibitory effect on M2 macrophage polarization. In the present study, we investigated whether ONA had a therapeutic anti-ovarian cancer effect using in vitro and in vivo studies. We found that ONA reduced the extent of ovarian cancer cell proliferation induced by co-culture with human macrophages. In addition, we also found that ONA directly suppressed cancer cell proliferation. A combinatorial effect with ONA and anti-cancer drugs was also observed. The activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which is involved in cell proliferation and chemo-resistance, was significantly abrogated by ONA in ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, the administration of ONA suppressed cancer progression and prolonged the survival time in a murine ovarian cancer model under single and combined treatment conditions. Thus, ONA is considered useful for the additional treatment of patients with ovarian cancer owing to its suppression of the protumour activation of TAMs and direct cytotoxicity against cancer cells.
In Situ Spectral Kinetics of Cr(VI) Reduction by c-Type Cytochromes in A Suspension of Living Shewanella putrefaciens 200
Authors: Liu Tongxu , Li Xiaomin , Li Fangbai , Han Rui , Wu Yundang , Yuan Xiu , Wang Ying 
Published: July 2016

AbstractAlthough c-type cytochromes (c-Cyts) mediating metal reduction have been mainly investigated with in vitro purified proteins of dissimilatory metal reducing bacteria, the in vivo behavior of c-Cyts is still unclear given the difficulty in measuring the proteins of intact cells. Here, c-Cyts in living Shewanella putrefaciens 200 (SP200) was successfully quantified using diffuse-transmission UV/Vis spectroscopy due to the strong absorbance of hemes, and the in situ spectral kinetics of Cr(VI) reduction by c-Cyts were examined over time. The reduced product Cr(III) observed on the cell surface may play a role in inhibiting the Cr(VI) reduction and reducing the cell numbers with high concentrations (>200 μM) of Cr(VI) evidenced by the 16S rRNA analysis. A brief kinetic model was established with two predominant reactions, redox transformation of c-Cyts and Cr(VI) reduction by reduced c-Cyts, but the fitting curves were not well-matched with c-Cyts data. The Cr(III)-induced inhibitory effect to the cellular function of redox transformation of c-Cyts was then added to the model, resulting in substantially improved the model fitting. This study provides a case of directly examining the reaction properties of outer-membrane enzyme during microbial metal reduction processes under physiological conditions.
Continuous leaky-wave scanning using periodically modulated spoof plasmonic waveguide
Authors: Kong Gu Sheng , Ma Hui Feng , Cai Ben Geng , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe plasmonic waveguide made of uniform corrugated metallic strip can support and guide spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SSPPs) with high confinements. Here, we propose periodically-modulated plasmonic waveguide composed of non-uniform corrugated metallic strip to convert SSPPs to radiating waves, in which the main beam of radiations can steer continuously as the frequency changes. To increase the radiation efficiency of the periodically-modulated plasmonic waveguide at the broadside, an asymmetrical plasmonic waveguide is further presented to reduce the reflections and realize continuous leaky-wave scanning. Both numerical simulations and experimental results show that the radiation efficiency can be improved greatly and the main beam of leaky-wave radiations can steer from the backward quadrant to the forward quadrant, passing through the broadside direction, which generally is difficult to be realized by the common leaky-wave antennas.
Nanoparticle-Mediated Delivery of Irbesartan Induces Cardioprotection from Myocardial Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury by Antagonizing Monocyte-Mediated Inflammation
Authors: Nakano Yasuhiro , Matoba Tetsuya , Tokutome Masaki , Funamoto Daiki , Katsuki Shunsuke , Ikeda Gentaro , Nagaoka Kazuhiro , Ishikita Ayako , Nakano Kaku , Koga Jun-ichiro , Sunagawa Kenji , Egashira Kensuke 
Published: July 2016

AbstractMyocardial ischemia-reperfusion (IR) injury limits the therapeutic effect of early reperfusion therapy for acute myocardial infarction (AMI), in which the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes plays a causative role. Here we develop bioabsorbable poly-lactic/glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles incorporating irbesartan, an angiotensin II type 1 receptor blocker with a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)γ agonistic effect (irbesartan-NP). In a mouse model of IR injury, intravenous PLGA nanoparticles distribute to the IR myocardium and monocytes in the blood and in the IR heart. Single intravenous treatment at the time of reperfusion with irbesartan-NP (3.0 mg kg−1 irbesartan), but not with control nanoparticles or irbesartan solution (3.0 mg kg−1), inhibits the recruitment of inflammatory monocytes to the IR heart and reduces the infarct size via PPARγ-dependent anti-inflammatory mechanisms and ameliorates left ventricular remodeling 21 days after IR. Irbesartan-NP is a novel approach to treat myocardial IR injury in patients with AMI.
Decreased expression of Calpain-9 predicts unfavorable prognosis in patients with gastric cancer
Authors: Peng Peike , Wu Weicheng , Zhao Junjie , Song Shushu , Wang Xuefei , Jia Dongwei , Shao Miaomiao , Zhang Mingming , Li Lili , Wang Lan , Duan Fangfang , Zhao Ran , Yang Caiting , Wu Hao , Zhang Jie , Shen Zhenbin , Ruan Yuanyuan , Gu Jianxin 
Published: July 2016

AbstractCalpain-8 and calpain-9 belong to the family of calcium-dependent cysteine proteases, which are highly expressed in the stomach. However, the roles of calpain-8 and calpain-9 in gastric tumorigenesis remain little understood. Herein, we demonstrated that calpain-9 was generally decreased in gastric cancer cell lines and primary tumor tissues, while calpain-8 expression was not significantly altered. Calpain-9, but not calpain-8, induced cell cycle arrest in the G1 phase and cellular apoptosis in vitro, and it attenuated the growth of subcutaneous tumor xenografts in vivo. Low expression of calpain-9 was positively associated with male sex, late T stage, lymph node metastasis, and advanced TNM stage. Further analysis identified calpain-9 as an independent prognostic factor for poor prognosis, and combining calpain-9 with TNM stage generated a better predictive model for patient outcomes. In conclusion, calpain-9 is a tumor suppressor that can be regarded as a potential prognosis indicator for clinical outcomes in gastric cancer.
Vegetation change impacts on soil organic carbon chemical composition in subtropical forests
Authors: Guo Xiaoping , Meng Miaojing , Zhang Jinchi , Chen Han Y. H. 
Published: July 2016

AbstractChanges in the chemical composition of soil organic carbon (SOC) might strongly affect the global carbon cycle as it controls the SOC decomposition rate. Vegetation change associated with long-term land use changes is known to strongly impact the chemical composition of SOC; however, data on the impacts of vegetation change following disturbance events of short durations and succession that occur frequently in forest ecosystems via diverse management objectives on SOC chemical composition are negligible. Here we examined the impacts of vegetation changes on the chemical composition of SOC by sampling soils of native broad-leaved forests, planted mixed broad-leaved and coniferous forests and tea gardens in eastern China. We used nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy to quantify SOC chemical composition. We found that among all components of SOC chemical composition, alkyl carbon (C) and aryl C were more liable to change with vegetation than other SOC components. Soil pH was negatively correlated to the relative abundances of alkyl C and N-alkyl C and Shannon’s index of overstory plant species was positively correlated to the relative abundances of phenolic C and aromaticity. Our results suggest that vegetation changes following short disturbance events and succession may strongly alter SOC chemical composition in forest ecosystems.
Strong and Anomalous Thermal Expansion Precedes the Thermosalient Effect in Dynamic Molecular Crystals
Authors: Panda Manas K. , Centore Roberto , Causà Mauro , Tuzi Angela , Borbone Fabio , Naumov Panče 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe ability of thermosalient solids, organic analogues of inorganic martensites, to move by rapid mechanical reconfiguration or ballistic event remains visually appealing and potentially useful, yet mechanistically elusive phenomenon. Here, with a material that undergoes both thermosalient and non-thermosalient phase transitions, we demonstrate that the thermosalient effect is preceded by anomalous thermal expansion of the unit cell. The crystal explosion occurs as sudden release of the latent strain accumulated during the anisotropic, exceedingly strong expansion of the unit cell with αa = 225.9 × 10−6 K−1, αb = 238.8 × 10−6 K−1 and αc = −290.0 × 10−6 K−1, the latter being the largest negative thermal expansivity observed for an organic compound thus far. The results point out to the occurence of the thermosalient effect in phase transitions as means to identify new molecular materials with strong positive and/or negative thermal expansion which prior to this work could only be discovered serendipitously.
Non-responsiveness to intravitreal aflibercept treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration: implications of serous pigment epithelial detachment
Authors: Nagai Norihiro , Suzuki Misa , Uchida Atsuro , Kurihara Toshihide , Kamoshita Mamoru , Minami Sakiko , Shinoda Hajime , Tsubota Kazuo , Ozawa Yoko 
Published: July 2016

AbstractThe prognosis of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has been improved by anti-vascular endothelial growth factor treatments, including intravitreal aflibercept (IVA) treatment. However, many patients remain incurable. In this study, we retrospectively evaluated non-responsiveness to IVA monotherapy at 12 months in 133 eyes of 133 AMD patients. Sixty-two patients were initially treatment-naive, and 71 had received other treatments before IVA (the treatment-switched group). Mean best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved in the treatment-naive group but not in the treatment-switched group, although mean central retinal thickness (CRT) decreased in both groups. The respective percentages of non-responders as determined by worsened BCVA in the treatment-naive and treatment-switched groups were 8.1% and 15.5%, and via fundus findings, they were 12.9% and 8.5%. Multivariate analyses adjusted for age, gender, CRT, and greatest linear dimension showed that serous pigment epithelial detachment (PED) at baseline was associated with non-responsiveness in both groups as determined by BCVA and by fundus findings, and fibrovascular PED measurements indicated no response as determined by fundus findings in the treatment-switched group. The results reported herein may assist the formulation of appropriate treatment protocols for AMD patients.
Electronic Conduction in Ti/Poly-TiO2/Ti Structures
Authors: Hossein-Babaei Faramarz , Alaei-Sheini Navid 
Published: July 2016

AbstractRecent intensive investigations on metal/metal oxide/metal structures have targeted nanometric single grain oxides at high electric fields. Similar research on thicker polycrystalline oxide layers can bridge the results to the prior literature on varistors and may uncover novel ionic/electronic features originating from the conduction mechanisms involving grain boundaries. Here, we investigate electronic conduction in Ti/poly-TiO2−x/Ti structures with different oxygen vacancy distributions and describe the observed features based on the motion and rearrangement of the ionized oxygen vacancies (IOVs) on the grain facets rather than the grain interiors. Containing no interface energy barrier, Ti/poly-TiO2/Ti devices demonstrate high resistance ohmic conduction at biasing fields below 5 × 106 V.m−1; higher fields drive the samples to a distinctly nonlinear and hysteretic low resistance status. The observed threshold is two orders of magnitude smaller than the typical resistance switching fields reported for the nanosized single grain memristors. This is consistent with the smaller activation energies reported for the IOV motion on the rutile facets than its interior. The presented model describes the observed dependence of the threshold field on the relative humidity of the surrounding air based on the lower activation energies reported for the hydroxyl-assisted IOV motion on the rutile facets.
Novel Self-shrinking Mask for Sub-3 nm Pattern Fabrication
Authors: Yang Po-Shuan , Cheng Po-Hsien , Kao C. Robert , Chen Miin-Jang 
Published: July 2016

AbstractIt is very difficult to realize sub-3 nm patterns using conventional lithography for next-generation high-performance nanosensing, photonic and computing devices. Here we propose a completely original and novel concept, termed self-shrinking dielectric mask (SDM), to fabricate sub-3 nm patterns. Instead of focusing the electron and ion beams or light to an extreme scale, the SDM method relies on a hard dielectric mask which shrinks the critical dimension of nanopatterns during the ion irradiation. Based on the SDM method, a linewidth as low as 2.1 nm was achieved along with a high aspect ratio in the sub-10 nm scale. In addition, numerous patterns with assorted shapes can be fabricated simultaneously using the SDM technique, exhibiting a much higher throughput than conventional ion beam lithography. Therefore, the SDM method can be widely applied in the fields which need extreme nanoscale fabrication.