bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP1): A novel mediator of cardiac extracellular matrix remodelling
Authors: van Nieuwenhoven Frans A. , Munts Chantal , op’t Veld Roel C. , González Arantxa , Díez Javier , Heymans Stephane , Schroen Blanche , van Bilsen Marc 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHeart failure is accompanied by extracellular matrix (ECM) remodelling, often leading to cardiac fibrosis. In the present study we explored the significance of cartilage intermediate layer protein 1 (CILP1) as a novel mediator of cardiac ECM remodelling. Whole genome transcriptional analysis of human cardiac tissue samples revealed a strong association of CILP1 with many structural (e.g. COL1A2 r2 = 0.83) and non-structural (e.g. TGFB3 r2 = 0.75) ECM proteins. Gene enrichment analysis further underscored the involvement of CILP1 in human cardiac ECM remodelling and TGFβ signalling. Myocardial CILP1 protein levels were significantly elevated in human infarct tissue and in aortic valve stenosis patients. CILP1 mRNA levels markedly increased in mouse heart after myocardial infarction, transverse aortic constriction, and angiotensin II treatment. Cardiac fibroblasts were found to be the primary source of cardiac CILP1 expression. Recombinant CILP1 inhibited TGFβ-induced αSMA gene and protein expression in cardiac fibroblasts. In addition, CILP1 overexpression in HEK293 cells strongly (5-fold p < 0.05) inhibited TGFβ signalling activity. In conclusion, our study identifies CILP1 as a new cardiac matricellular protein interfering with pro-fibrotic TGFβ signalling, and as a novel sensitive marker for cardiac fibrosis.
Anti-Psl Targeting of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilms for Neutrophil-Mediated Disruption
Authors: Ray Valerie A. , Hill Preston J. , Stover C. Kendall , Roy Sashwati , Sen Chandan K. , Yu Li , Wozniak Daniel J. , DiGiandomenico Antonio 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBacterial biofilms are recalcitrant to antibiotic therapy and a major cause of persistent and recurrent infections. New antibody-based therapies may offer potential to target biofilm specific components for host-cell mediated bacterial clearance. For Pseudomonas aeruginosa, human monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) targeting the Psl biofilm exopolysaccharide exhibit protective activity against planktonic bacteria in acute infection models. However, anti-Psl mAb activity against P. aeruginosa biofilms is unknown. Here, we demonstrate that anti-Psl mAbs targeting three distinct Psl epitopes exhibit stratified binding in mature in vitro biofilms and bind Psl within the context of a chronic biofilm infection. These mAbs also exhibit differential abilities to inhibit early biofilm events and reduce biomass from mature biofilms in the presence of neutrophils. Importantly, a mAb mixture with neutrophils exhibited the greatest biomass reduction, which was further enhanced when combined with meropenem, a common anti-Pseudomonal carbapenem antibiotic. Moreover, neutrophil-mediated killing of biofilm bacteria correlated with the evident mAb epitope stratification within the biofilm. Overall, our results suggest that anti-Psl mAbs might be promising candidates for adjunctive use with antibiotics to inhibit/disrupt P. aeruginosa biofilms as a result of chronic infection.
Reconstructing molar growth from enamel histology in extant and extinct Equus
Authors: Nacarino-Meneses Carmen , Jordana Xavier , Orlandi-Oliveras Guillem , Köhler Meike 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe way teeth grow is recorded in dental enamel as incremental marks. Detailed analysis of tooth growth is known to provide valuable insights into the growth and the pace of life of vertebrates. Here, we study the growth pattern of the first lower molar in several extant and extinct species ofEquusand explore its relationship with life history events. Our histological analysis shows that enamel extends beyond the molar’s cervix in these mammals. We identified three different crown developmental stages (CDS) in the first lower molars of equids characterised by different growth rates and likely to be related to structural and ontogenetic modifications of the tooth. Enamel extension rate, which ranges from ≈400 μm/d at the beginning of crown development to rates of ≈30 μm/d near the root, and daily secretion rate (≈17 μm/d) have been shown to be very conservative within the genus. From our results, we also inferred data of molar wear rate for these equids that suggest higher wear rates at early ontogenetic stages (13 mm/y) than commonly assumed. The results obtained here provide a basis for future studies of equid dentition in different scientific areas, involving isotope, demographic and dietary studies.
Recurring Amplification at 11q22.1-q22.2 Locus Plays an Important Role in Lymph Node Metastasis and Radioresistance in OSCC
Authors: Bhosale Priyanka G. , Pandey Manishkumar , Cristea Simona , Shah Mickey , Patil Asawari , Beerenwinkel Niko , Schäffer Alejandro A. , Mahimkar Manoj B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA key feature in the pathogenesis of OSCC is genetic instability, which results in altered expression of genes located in amplified/deleted chromosomal regions. In a previous study we have shown that the amplification of the 11q22.1-q22.2 region, encoding cIAP1 and cIAP2, is associated with lymph node metastasis and poor clinical outcome in OSCC. Here, we validate the aCGH results by nuc ish and detect a weak amplification at the 11q22.1-q22.2 locus in 37% of the 182 samples tested. We find positive correlation of 11q22.1-q22.2 amplification with lymph node metastasis, reduced survival, and increased cancer recurrence, and we observe that patients with 11q22.1-q22.2 amplification fail to respond to radiotherapy. We confirm the concurrent overexpression of cIAP1 and cIAP2 and observe differential subcellular localization of the two proteins in OSCC. To ascertain the roles of cIAP1/cIAP2 in lymph node metastasis and radioresistance, we use an in vitro pre-clinical model and confirm the role of cIAP1 in invasion and the role of cIAP2 in invasion and migration. Studies of other tumor types in which cIAP1 is overexpressed suggest that multi-regimen treatments including SMAC mimetics may be effective. Thus, the evaluation of 11q22.1-q22.2 amplifications in OSCC patients may help choose the most effective treatment.
Copolymers enhance selective bacterial community colonization for potential root zone applications
Authors: Pham Vy T. H. , Murugaraj Pandiyan , Mathes Falko , Tan Boon K. , Truong Vi Khanh , Murphy Daniel V. , Mainwaring David E. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractManaging the impact of anthropogenic and climate induced stress on plant growth remains a challenge. Here we show that polymeric hydrogels, which maintain their hydrous state, can be designed to exploit functional interactions with soil microorganisms. This microbial enhancement may mitigate biotic and abiotic stresses limiting productivity. The presence of mannan chains within synthetic polyacrylic acid (PAA) enhanced the dynamics and selectivity of bacterial ingress in model microbial systems and soil microcosms. Pseudomonas fluorescens exhibiting high mannan binding adhesins showed higher ingress and localised microcolonies throughout the polymeric network. In contrast, ingress of Bacillus subtilis, lacking adhesins, was unaltered by mannan showing motility comparable to bulk liquids. Incubation within microcosms of an agricultural soil yielded hydrogel populations significantly increased from the corresponding soil. Bacterial diversity was markedly higher in mannan containing hydrogels compared to both control polymer and soil, indicating enhanced selectivity towards microbial families that contain plant beneficial species. Here we propose functional polymers applied to the potential root zone which can positively influence rhizobacteria colonization and potentially plant growth as a new approach to stress tolerance.
Equivalent model optimization with cyclic correction approximation method considering parasitic effect for thermoelectric coolers
Authors: Wang Ning , Chen Jiajun , Zhang Kun , Chen Mingming , Jia Hongzhi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAs thermoelectric coolers (TECs) have become highly integrated in high-heat-flux chips and high-power devices, the parasitic effect between component layers has become increasingly obvious. In this paper, a cyclic correction method for the TEC model is proposed using the equivalent parameters of the proposed simplified model, which were refined from the intrinsic parameters and parasitic thermal conductance. The results show that the simplified model agrees well with the data of a commercial TEC under different heat loads. Furthermore, the temperature difference of the simplified model is closer to the experimental data than the conventional model and the model containing parasitic thermal conductance at large heat loads. The average errors in the temperature difference between the proposed simplified model and the experimental data are no more than 1.6 K, and the error is only 0.13 K when the absorbed heat power Q
c
is equal to 80% of the maximum achievable absorbed heat power Q
max
. The proposed method and model provide a more accurate solution for integrated TECs that are small in size.
Electrochemical performance and interfacial properties of Li-metal in lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide based electrolytes
Authors: Younesi Reza , Bardé Fanny 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSuccessful usage of lithium metal as the negative electrode or anode in rechargeable batteries can be an important step to increase the energy density of lithium batteries. Performance of lithium metal in a relatively promising electrolyte solution composed of lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiN(SO2F)2; LiFSI) salt dissolved in 1,2-dimethoxyethane (DME) is here studied. The influence of the concentration of the electrolyte salt −1 M or 4 M LiFSI- is investigated by varying important electrochemical parameters such as applied current density and plating capacity. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis as a surface sensitive technique is here used to analyze that how the composition of the solid electrolyte interphase varies with the salt concentration and with the number of cycles.
Highly (001)-textured p-type WSe2 Thin Films as Efficient Large-Area Photocathodes for Solar Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Bozheyev Farabi , Harbauer Karsten , Zahn Clark , Friedrich Dennis , Ellmer Klaus 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHighly (001)-textured, photoactive WSe2 thin films have been prepared by an amorphous solid-liquid-crystalline solid process promoted by palladium. By increasing the thickness of the Pd promoter film (≥10 nm) the structure and texture of the WSe2 films can be improved significantly. However, these as-crystallized WSe2 films are only weakly photoactive in a 0.5 М H2SO4 electrolyte under AM 1.5 solar irradiation which we attribute to an inefficient photogenerated charge transfer across the WSe2/electrolyte interface via the prevailing van der Waals planes of the WSe2 crystallites. In this work photochemically deposited platinum on the p-type WSe2 photocathode is used for an efficient electron transfer thus inducing the hydrogen evolution reaction. Upon illuminating the WSe2 photocathodes in a Pt-ion containing electrolyte, the photogenerated electrons reduce Pt+ to Pt leading to the precipitation of Pt islands, preferentially at edge steps of the WSe2, i.e. at the grain boundaries of the WSe2 crystallites. The increasing amount of Pt islands at the grain boundaries linearly enhances the photocurrent density up to 2.5 mA cm−2 at 0 VRHE in sulfuric acid, the highest reported value up to now for WSe2 thin films.
Tunable plasmonic substrates with ultrahigh Q-factor resonances
Authors: Chorsi Hamid T. , Lee Youngkyu , Alù Andrea , Zhang John X. J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPrecisely tailored plasmonic substrates can provide a platform for a variety of enhanced plasmonic applications in sensing and imaging. Despite the significant advances made in plasmonics, most plasmonic devices suffer critically from intrinsic absorption losses at optical frequencies, fatally restricting their efficiency. Here, we describe and engineer plasmonic substrates based on metal-insulator-metal (MIM) plasmon resonances with ultra-sharp optical transmission responses. Due to their sharp transmission spectrum, the proposed substrates can be utilized for high quality (Q)-factor multi-functional plasmonic applications. Analytical and numerical methods are exploited to investigate the optical properties of the substrates. The optical response of the substrate can be tuned by adjusting the periodicity of the nanograting patterned on the substrate. Fabricated substrates present Q-factors as high as ∼40 and refractive index sensing of the surrounding medium as high as 1245 nm/RIU. Our results indicate that by engineering the substrate geometry, the dielectric thickness and incident angle, the radiation losses can be greatly diminished, thus enabling the design of plasmonic substrates with large Q factor and strong sensitivity to the environment.
Production of recombinant human procollagen type I C-terminal propeptide and establishment of a sandwich ELISA for quantification
Authors: Seo Woo-Young , Kim Jeong-Ho , Baek Du-San , Kim Su-Jung , Kang Sujin , Yang Won Suk , Song Ji-Ae , Lee Moo-Seung , Kim Sunghoon , Kim Yong-Sung 
Published: November 2017

AbstractProcollagen type I carboxy-terminal propeptide (PICP), derived from type I procollagen, has been identified as an indicator of type I collagen synthesis in bone matrix formation and skin recovery. PICP is a heterotrimeric glycoprotein consisting of two α1 chains (PICPα1) and one α2 chain (PICPα2). Here, we report the recombinant expression of human PICP using a mammalian expression system. Co-expression of PICPα1 and PICPα2 in HEK293F cells resulted in the production of functional PICP in the correctly assembled heterotrimeric form. Using the recombinant PICP as an antigen, we isolated PICP-specific human monoclonal antibodies from phage-displayed antibody libraries and raised rabbit polyclonal antibodies. Using those antibodies, we then developed a sandwich ELISA for PICP with a limit of detection of 1 ng/mL and a measurable range of 1–640 ng/mL. Both intra- and inter-assay imprecision values were <10%. For measuring PICP levels in human fibroblast cellular extracts and culture supernatants and a human serum, the developed ELISA kit displayed comparable performance to that of a commercialized kit. Our results provide an efficient production strategy for recombinant PICP, facilitating the generation of PICP-specific antibodies and development of PICP sandwich ELISA, with potential use in clinical diagnosis of serum samples and testing of cosmeceutical ingredients in fibroblast cell cultures.
DNA methylation in silkworm genome may provide insights into epigenetic regulation of response to Bombyx mori cypovirus infection
Authors: Wu Ping , Jie Wencai , Shang Qi , Annan Enoch , Jiang Xiaoxu , Hou Chenxiang , Chen Tao , Guo Xijie 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDNA methylation is an important epigenetic modification that regulates a wide range of biological processes including immune response. However, information on the epigenetics-mediated immune mechanisms in insects is limited. Therefore, in this study, we examined transcriptomes and DNA methylomes in the fat body and midgut tissues of silkworm, Bombyx mori with or without B. mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) infection. The transcriptional profile and the genomic DNA methylation patterns in the midgut and fat body were tissue-specific and dynamically altered after BmCPV challenge. KEGG pathway analysis revealed that differentially methylated genes (DMGs) could be involved in pathways of RNA transport, RNA degradation, nucleotide excision repair, DNA replication, etc. 27 genes were shown to have both differential expression and differential methylation in the midgut and fat body of infected larvae, respectively, indicating that the BmCPV infection-induced expression changes of these genes could be mediated by variations in DNA methylation. BS-PCR validated the hypomethylation of G2/M phase-specific E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase-like gene in the BmCPV infected midgut. These results demonstrated that epigenetic regulation may play roles in host-virus interaction in silkworm and would be potential value for further studies on mechanism of BmCPV epithelial-specific infection and epigenetic regulation in the silkworm.
High-density native-range species affects the invasive plant Chromolaena odorata more strongly than species from its invasive range
Authors: Zheng Yulong , Liao Zhiyong 
Published: November 2017

AbstractInvasive plant species often form dense mono-dominant stands in areas they have invaded, while having only sparse distribution in their native ranges, and the reasons behind this phenomenon are a key point of research in invasive species biology. Differences in species composition between native and invasive ranges may contribute to the difference in distribution status. In this study, we found that the high-density condition had a more negative effect onC. odoratathan the low-density condition when co-grown with neighbor plants from its native range in Mexico, while this pattern was not in evidence when it was grown with neighbors from its invasive range in China. Different competitive ability and coevolutionary history withC. odoratabetween native-range neighbors and invasive-range neighbors may lead to the inconsistent patterns.
Effect of post-cessation hyperglycemia on cardiovascular disease and mortality among middle-aged men: an eight-year longitudinal study
Authors: Choi Seulggie , Kim Kyuwoong , Chang Jooyoung , Kim Sung Min , Koo Hye-Yeon , Jun Ji-Hye , Cho Mi Hee , Lee Kiheon , Park Sang Min 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSmoking cessation reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), but also elevates fasting serum glucose (FSG) levels. The effect of post-cessation hyperglycemia on cardiovascular disease is unknown. The study population consisted of 127,066 men without type 2 diabetes from the Korean National Health Insurance System – Health Screening Cohort database. Change in smoking habits and FSG was determined by the difference in smoking status and FSG levels from the first (2002 and 2003) and second (2004 and 2005) health examinations. Continual smokers, quitters, ex-smokers, and never smokers were stratified according to FSG elevation. The study participants were followed-up for CVD and CVD-related death from 2006 to 2013. Compared to continual smokers, quitters had decreased risk of CVD among those without FSG elevation (hazard ratio, HR, 0.76, 95% confidence interval, CI, 0.66–0.86) and with FSG elevation (HR 0.83, 95% CI 0.72–0.96). Similarly, quitters had a tendency towards reduced risk of CVD-related death among those without FSG elevation (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.51–1.09) and with FSG elevation (HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.46–1.03). Post-cessation hyperglycemia did not attenuate the beneficiary risk-reducing effects of quitting on CVD and CVD-related death.
Elite long jumpers with below the knee prostheses approach the board slower, but take-off more effectively than non-amputee athletes
Authors: Willwacher Steffen , Funken Johannes , Heinrich Kai , Müller Ralf , Hobara Hiroaki , Grabowski Alena M. , Brüggemann Gert-Peter , Potthast Wolfgang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe use of technological aids to improve sport performance (‘techno doping’) and inclusion of Paralympic athletes in Olympic events are matters of ongoing debate. Recently, a long jumper with a below the knee amputation (BKA) achieved jump distances similar to world-class athletes without amputations, using a carbon fibre running-specific prosthesis (RSP). We show that athletes with BKA utilize a different, more effective take-off technique in the long jump, which provided the best athlete with BKA a performance advantage of at least 0.13 m compared to non-amputee athletes. A maximum speed constraint imposed by the use of RSPs would indicate a performance disadvantage for the long jump. We found slower maximum sprinting speeds in athletes with BKA, but did not find a difference in the overall vertical force from both legs of athletes with BKA compared to non-amputees. Slower speeds might originate from intrinsically lower sprinting abilities of athletes with BKA or from more complex adaptions in sprinting mechanics due to the biomechanical and morphological differences induced by RSPs. Our results suggest that due to different movement strategies, athletes with and without BKA should likely compete in separate categories for the long jump.
Structural basis of cholesterol binding by a novel clade of dendritic cell modulators from ticks
Authors: Roversi Pietro , Johnson Steven , Preston Stephen G. , Nunn Miles A. , Paesen Guido C. , Austyn Jonathan M. , Nuttall Patricia A. , Lea Susan M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTwo crystal structures of Japanin, an 18 kDa immune-modulatory lipocalin from the Brown Ear Tick (Rhipicephalus appendiculatus), have been determined at 2.2 and 2.4 Å resolution. In both crystal forms the protein is in complex with cholesterol, which sits in a closed pocket at the centre of the lipocalin barrel. Both crystal forms are dimers, which are also observed in solution. Molecular modelling suggests that previously-described members of a tick protein family bearing high sequence homology to Japanin are also likely to bind cholesterol or cholesterol derivatives.
Implementierung des Q13 Palliativmedizin – Sicht der Lehrbeauftragten
Authors: Isermeyer Leonie , Ilse Benjamin , Marx Gabriella , Seidemann Stephanie , Jünger Jana , Nauck Friedemann , Alt-Epping Bernd 
Published: November 2017

Zusammenfassung
Einleitung 2009 wurde Palliativmedizin als Pflichtlehr- und Prüfungsfach in die Approbationsordnung für Ärzte aufgenommen. Trotz zahlreicher Impulse, das Fach flächendeckend und mit einem Mindestmaß an Qualität und Quantität in das Medizinstudium zu integrieren, legen Längsschnittuntersuchungen nahe, dass zwischen den Fakultäten noch immer deutliche Unterschiede in der palliativmedizinischen Ausbildung bestehen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es strukturelle, personelle und inhaltliche Rahmenbedingungen für gelungene palliativmedizinische Lehre zu identifizieren und Realisierungswege in Anbetracht förderlicher und hinderlicher Faktoren aufzuzeigen.
Methoden Leitfadengestützte Experteninterviews zu inhaltlicher Ausgestaltung und Stand der Implementierung wurden mit 15 der 36 Lehrbeauftragten für Palliativmedizin geführt. Diese wurden transkribiert und inhaltsanalytisch nach Meuser und Nagel ausgewertet.
Ergebnisse Hinderlich für die Implementierung seien die mangelnde Anerkennung des Fachbereichs, die starre Struktur eines ohnehin ausgelasteten Medizinstudiums, mangelnde Erfahrungen sowie mangelnde personelle, finanzielle und zeitliche Ressourcen. Angesichts der Herausforderungen seien Anerkennung und Unterstützung, inner- und interfakultäre Zusammenarbeit, extracurriculares Engagement, Drittmittel und grundlegende Umstrukturierungsprozesse förderlich für den Implementierungsprozess.
Diskussion Um die Implementierung voranzutreiben, sollte der Wert von Teamarbeit deutlicher erkannt und ausgebaut werden. So könnte insbesondere die Ausarbeitung kompetenzbasierter und ressourcensparender Lehr- und Prüfungsformate effizient vorangetrieben werden. Grundsätzlich bräuchte es zudem eine Verbesserung der institutionellen Verankerung und Ausstattung. Um Mängel zu objektivieren, sollte eine Bedarfserhebung (Anzahl an Lehrstunden und Unterrichtseinheiten) erstellt werden, die entsprechende Forderungen unterstützen kann.