bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The structural origin of metabolic quantitative diversity
Authors: Koshiba Seizo , Motoike Ikuko , Kojima Kaname , Hasegawa Takanori , Shirota Matsuyuki , Saito Tomo , Saigusa Daisuke , Danjoh Inaho , Katsuoka Fumiki , Ogishima Soichi , Kawai Yosuke , Yamaguchi-Kabata Yumi , Sakurai Miyuki , Hirano Sachiko , Nakata Junichi , Motohashi Hozumi , Hozawa Atsushi , Kuriyama Shinichi , Minegishi Naoko , Nagasaki Masao , Takai-Igarashi Takako , Fuse Nobuo , Kiyomoto Hideyasu , Sugawara Junichi , Suzuki Yoichi , Kure Shigeo , Yaegashi Nobuo , Tanabe Osamu , Kinoshita Kengo , Yasuda Jun , Yamamoto Masayuki 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRelationship between structural variants of enzymes and metabolic phenotypes in human population was investigated based on the association study of metabolite quantitative traits with whole genome sequence data for 512 individuals from a population cohort. We identified five significant associations between metabolites and non-synonymous variants. Four of these non-synonymous variants are located in enzymes involved in metabolic disorders, and structural analyses of these moderate non-synonymous variants demonstrate that they are located in peripheral regions of the catalytic sites or related regulatory domains. In contrast, two individuals with larger changes of metabolite levels were also identified, and these individuals retained rare variants, which caused non-synonymous variants located near the catalytic site. These results are the first demonstrations that variant frequency, structural location, and effect for phenotype correlate with each other in human population, and imply that metabolic individuality and susceptibility for diseases may be elicited from the moderate variants and much more deleterious but rare variants.
Effects of moso bamboo encroachment into native, broad-leaved forests on soil carbon and nitrogen pools
Authors: Bai Shangbin , Conant Richard T. , Zhou Guomo , Wang Yixiang , Wang Nan , Li Yanhua , Zhang Kaiqiang 
Published: August 2016

AbstractAcross southern China, Moso bamboo has been encroaching on most neighboring secondary broad-leaved forests and/or coniferous plantations, leading to the land cover changes that alter abiotic and biotic conditions. Little is known about how this conversion alters soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N). We selected three sites, each with three plots arrayed along the bamboo encroachment pathway: moso bamboo forest (BF); transition zone, mixed forest plots (MF); and broad-leaved forest (BLF), and examined how bamboo encroachment affects soil organic C (SOC), soil total N, microbial biomass C (MBC), microbial biomass N (MBN), water-soluble organic C (WSOC), and water-soluble organic N (WSON) in three forests. Over nine years, moso bamboo encroachment leads to a decrease in SOC and total soil N, an increase in MBC and WSOC, and a decrease in MBN and WSON. Changes in soil C and N occurred mainly in the topsoil. We conclude that moso bamboo encroachment on broadleaved forest not only substantially altered soil C and N pools, but also changed the distribution pattern of C and N in the studied forest soils. Continued bamboo encroachment into evergreen broadleaved forests seems likely to lead to net CO2 emissions to the atmosphere as ecosystem C stocks decline.
Disruption of c-Kit Signaling in KitW-sh/W-sh Growing Mice Increases Bone Turnover
Authors: Lotinun Sutada , Krishnamra Nateetip 
Published: August 2016

Abstractc-Kit tyrosine kinase receptor has been identified as a regulator of bone homeostasis. The c-Kit loss-of-function mutations in WBB6F1/J-KitW/W-v mice result in low bone mass. However, these mice are sterile and it is unclear whether the observed skeletal phenotype is secondary to a sex hormone deficiency. In contrast, C57BL/6J-KitW-sh/W-sh (Wsh/Wsh) mice, which carry an inversion mutation affecting the transcriptional regulatory elements of the c-Kit gene, are fertile. Here, we showed that Wsh/Wsh mice exhibited osteopenia with elevated bone resorption and bone formation at 6- and 9-week-old. The c-Kit Wsh mutation increased osteoclast differentiation, the number of committed osteoprogenitors, alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization. c-Kit was expressed in both osteoclasts and osteoblasts and c-Kit expression was decreased in Wsh/Wshosteoclasts, but not osteoblasts, suggesting an indirect effect of c-Kit on bone formation. Furthermore, the osteoclast-derived coupling factor Wnt10b mRNA was increased in Wsh/Wsh osteoclasts. Conditioned medium from Wsh/Wsh osteoclasts had elevated Wnt10b protein levels and induced increased alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization in osteoblast cultures. Antagonizing Wnt10b signaling with DKK1 or Wnt10b antibody inhibited these effects. Our data suggest that c-Kit negatively regulates bone turnover and disrupted c-Kit signaling couples increased bone resorption with bone formation through osteoclast-derived Wnt 10 b.
The ontogeny of Butyrophilin-like (Btnl) 1 and Btnl6 in murine small intestine
Authors: Lebrero-Fernández Cristina , Bas-Forsberg Anna 
Published: August 2016

AbstractMurine Butyrophilin-like (Btnl) 1 and Btnl6 are primarily restricted to intestinal epithelium where they regulate the function of intraepithelial T lymphocytes. We recently demonstrated that Btnl1 and Btnl6 can form an intra-family heterocomplex and that the Btnl1-Btnl6 complex selectively expands Vγ7Vδ4 TCR IELs. To define the regulation of Btnl expression in the small intestine during ontogeny we examined the presence of Btnl1 and Btnl6 in the small bowel of newborn to 4-week-old mice. Although RNA expression of Btnl1 and Btnl6 was detected in the small intestine at day 0, Btnl1 and Btnl6 protein expression was substantially delayed and was not detectable in the intestinal epithelium until the mice reached 2–3 weeks of age. The markedly elevated Btnl protein level at week 3 coincided with a significant increase of γδ TCR IELs, particularly those bearing the Vγ7Vδ4 receptor. This was not dependent on gut microbial colonization as mice housed in germ-free conditions had normal Btnl protein levels. Taken together, our data show that the expression of Btnl1 and Btnl6 is delayed in the murine neonatal gut and that the appearance of the Btnl1 and Btnl6 proteins in the intestinal mucosa associates with the expansion of Vγ7Vδ4 TCR IELs.
Bioinformatic Analysis of Plasma Apolipoproteins A-I and A-II Revealed Unique Features of A-I/A-II HDL Particles in Human Plasma
Authors: Kido Toshimi , Kurata Hideaki , Kondo Kazuo , Itakura Hiroshige , Okazaki Mitsuyo , Urata Takeyoshi , Yokoyama Shinji 
Published: August 2016

AbstractPlasma concentration of apoA-I, apoA-II and apoA-II-unassociated apoA-I was analyzed in 314 Japanese subjects (177 males and 137 females), including one (male) homozygote and 37 (20 males and 17 females) heterozygotes of genetic CETP deficiency. ApoA-I unassociated with apoA-II markedly and linearly increased with HDL-cholesterol, while apoA-II increased only very slightly and the ratio of apoA-II-associated apoA-I to apoA-II stayed constant at 2 in molar ratio throughout the increase of HDL-cholesterol, among the wild type and heterozygous CETP deficiency. Thus, overall HDL concentration almost exclusively depends on HDL with apoA-I without apoA-II (LpAI) while concentration of HDL containing apoA-I and apoA-II (LpAI:AII) is constant having a fixed molar ratio of 2 : 1 regardless of total HDL and apoA-I concentration. Distribution of apoA-I between LpAI and LpAI:AII is consistent with a model of statistical partitioning regardless of sex and CETP genotype. The analysis also indicated that LpA-I accommodates on average 4 apoA-I molecules and has a clearance rate indistinguishable from LpAI:AII. Independent evidence indicated LpAI:A-II has a diameter 20% smaller than LpAI, consistent with a model having two apoA-I and one apoA-II. The functional contribution of these particles is to be investigated.
Independent Manipulation of Topological Charges and Polarization Patterns of Optical Vortices
Authors: Yang Ching-Han , Chen Yuan-Di , Wu Shing-Trong , Fuh Andy Ying-Guey 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWe present a simple and flexible method to generate various vectorial vortex beams (VVBs) with a Pancharatnam phase based on the scheme of double reflections from a single liquid crystal spatial light modulator (SLM). In this configuration, VVBs are constructed by the superposition of two orthogonally polarized orbital angular momentum (OAM) eigenstates. To verify the optical properties of the generated beams, Stokes polarimetry is developed to measure the states of polarization (SOP) over the transverse plane, while a Shack–Hartmann wavefront sensor is used to measure the OAM charge of beams. It is shown that both the simulated and the experimental results are in good qualitative agreement. In addition, polarization patterns and OAM charges of generated beams can be controlled independently using the proposed method.
Bio- chemical and physical characterizations of mesenchymal stromal cells along the time course of directed differentiation
Authors: Chen Yin-Quan , Liu Yi-Shiuan , Liu Yu-An , Wu Yi-Chang , del Álamo Juan C. , Chiou Arthur , Lee Oscar K. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractCellular biophysical properties are novel biomarkers of cell phenotypes which may reflect the status of differentiating stem cells. Accurate characterizations of cellular biophysical properties, in conjunction with the corresponding biochemical properties could help to distinguish stem cells from primary cells, cancer cells and differentiated cells. However, the correlated evolution of these properties in the course of directed stem cells differentiation has not been well characterized. In this study, we applied video particle tracking microrheology (VPTM) to measure intracellular viscoelasticity of differentiating human mesenchymal stromal/stem cells (hMSCs). Our results showed that osteogenesis not only increased both elastic and viscous moduli, but also converted the intracellular viscoelasticity of differentiating hMSCs from viscous-like to elastic-like. In contrast, adipogenesis decreased both elastic and viscous moduli while hMSCs remained viscous-like during the differentiation. In conjunction with bio- chemical and physical parameters, such as gene expression profiles, cell morphology and cytoskeleton arrangement, we demonstrated that VPTM is a unique approach to quantify, with high data throughput, the maturation level of differentiating hMSCs and to anticipate their fate decisions. This approach is well suited for time-lapsed study of the mechanobiology of differentiating stem cells especially in three dimensional physico-chemical biomimetic environments including porous scaffolds.
Adipose- and muscle-derived Wnts trigger pancreatic β-cell adaptation to systemic insulin resistance
Authors: Kozinski Kamil , Jazurek Magdalena , Dobrzyn Pawel , Janikiewicz Justyna , Kolczynska Katarzyna , Gajda Anna , Dobrzyn Agnieszka 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWnt signaling molecules are associated with obesity, hyperlipidemia and type 2 diabetes (T2D). Here, we show that two Wnt proteins, WNT3a and WNT4, are specifically secreted by skeletal muscle and adipose tissue during the development of insulin resistance and play an important role in cross-talk between insulin-resistant tissues and pancreatic beta cells. The activation of Frizzled receptor and Wnt signaling in pancreatic islets via circulating WNT3a in blood resulted in higher insulin secretion and an increase in beta cell proliferation, thus leading to islet adaptation in a pre-diabetic state. Interestingly, in fully developed T2D, the expression profiles of Wnt3a and Wnt4 in adipose tissue and muscle cells and blood plasma levels of these proteins were opposite to the pre-diabetic state, thus favoring the downregulation of Wnt signaling in beta cells and resulting in dysfunctional pancreatic islets. These results demonstrate that alterations in the secretion profile of a canonical Wnt activator (WNT3a) and inhibitor (WNT4) from insulin-resistant tissues during the development of T2D are responsible for triggering progression from a pre-diabetic to a diabetic state. We also show here that WNT3a and WNT4 are potent myokines and their expression and secretion are regulated in response to nutritional and metabolic changes.
Ultra-dense SNP genetic map construction and identification of SiDt gene controlling the determinate growth habit in Sesamum indicum L.
Authors: Zhang Haiyang , Miao Hongmei , Li Chun , Wei Libin , Duan Yinghui , Ma Qin , Kong Jingjing , Xu Fangfang , Chang Shuxian 
Published: August 2016

AbstractSesame (Sesamum indicumL.) is an important oilseed crop and has an indeterminate growth habit. Here we resequenced the genomes of the parents and 120 progeny of an F2population derived from crossing Yuzhi 11 (indeterminate,Dt) and Yuzhi DS899 (determinate,dt1) and constructed an ultra-dense SNP map for sesame comprised of 3,041 bins including 30,193 SNPs in 13 linkage groups (LGs) with an average marker density of 0.10 cM. Results indicated that the same recessive gene controls the determinacy trait indt1and a second determinate line,dt2(08TP092). The QDt1 locus for the determinacy trait was located in the 18.0 cM–19.2 cM interval of LG8. The target SNP,SiDt27-1 and the determinacy gene, DS899s00170.023 (named here asSiDt), were identified in Scaffold 00170 of the Yuzhi 11 reference genome, based on genetic mapping and genomic association analysis. Unlike the G397A SNP change in thedt1genotype, theSiDtallele indt2line was lost from the genome. This example of map-based gene cloning in sesame provides proof-of-concept of the utility of ultra-dense SNP maps for accurate genome research in sesame.
Short-term intratracheal use of PEG-modified IL-2 and glucocorticoid persistently alleviates asthma in a mouse model
Authors: Wu Kefei , Ma Jiexian , Bai Weiya , Cui Xiaoxian , Han Tao , Wang Shiyuan , Xie Youhua , Xie Yanhui 
Published: August 2016

AbstractRegulatory T (Treg) cells play an important role in allergic airway diseases and upregulation of Treg cells is a potential therapeutic strategy for asthma. In this study, we show that short-term intratracheal use of IL-2 combined with glucocorticoid alleviates antigen-induced airway inflammation and reduces airway hyperresponsiveness by expanding antigen-nonspecific Treg cells, with a decrease in T helper 2 (Th2) cells and Th2-associated cytokines. We also designed a long-acting polyethylene glycol (PEG)-modified IL-2 and demonstrated that the optimal dosage form is IL-2(PEG) plus budesonide, which can upregulate Treg cells and ameliorate asthma at a lower dose. The therapeutic effect was faster than treatment with dexamethasone and was effective at a low dose suitable for humans that could last for at least 6 weeks. This study unveils a new therapeutic regimen and suggests that such endogenous Treg therapy could be a useful tool to persistently alleviate asthma.
Pressure-induced Transformations of Dense Carbonyl Sulfide to Singly Bonded Amorphous Metallic Solid
Authors: Kim Minseob , Dias Ranga , Ohishi Yasuo , Matsuoka Takehiro , Chen Jing-Yin , Yoo Choong-Shik 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThe application of pressure, internal or external, transforms molecular solids into non-molecular extended network solids with diverse crystal structures and electronic properties. These transformations can be understood in terms of pressure-induced electron delocalization; however, the governing mechanisms are complex because of strong lattice strains, phase metastability and path dependent phase behaviors. Here, we present the pressure-induced transformations of linear OCS (R3m, Phase I) to bent OCS (Cm, Phase II) at 9 GPa; an amorphous, one-dimensional (1D) polymer at 20 GPa (Phase III); and an extended 3D network above ~35 GPa (Phase IV) that metallizes at ~105 GPa. These results underscore the significance of long-range dipole interactions in dense OCS, leading to an extended molecular alloy that can be considered a chemical intermediate of its two end members, CO2 and CS2.
Visible to near-infrared supercontinuum generation in yttrium orthosilicate bulk crystal and ion implanted planar waveguide
Authors: Xiang Bingxi , Ren Xikui , Ruan Shuangchen , Wang Lei , Yan Peiguang , Han Huangpu , Wang Meng , Yin Jinde 
Published: August 2016

AbstractThis paper reports on the supercontinuum generation in yttrium orthosilicate bulk crystal and 6-mm-long ion implanted planar waveguide. The waveguide is fabricated by 6 MeV oxygen ions implantation with fluence of 5 × 1014 ions/cm2 at room temperature. The yttrium orthosilicate bulk crystal and waveguide are pumped using a mode-locked Ti:Sapphire laser with a center wavelength of 800 nm. The generated broadest supercontinuum spans 720 nm (at −30 dB points) from 380 to 1100 nm in bulk crystal and 510 nm (at −30 dB points) from 490 to 1000 nm in ion implanted waveguide, respectively. Compared to the bulk crystal, the ion implanted waveguide requires almost three orders of magnitude lower pump power to achieve a similar level of broadening. The supercontinuum is generated in the normal dispersion regime and exhibits a relatively smooth spectral shape. Our research findings indicate that ion implantation is an efficient method to produce waveguide in yttrium orthosilicate crystal for low-threshold supercontinuum generation.
Self-organized Sr leads to solid state twinning in nano-scaled eutectic Si phase
Authors: Albu M. , Pal A. , Gspan C. , Picu R. C. , Hofer F. , Kothleitner G. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractA new mechanism for twin nucleation in the eutectic Al-Si alloy with trace Sr impurities is proposed. Observations made by sub-angstrom resolution scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray probing proved the presence of <110> Sr columns located preferentially at twin boundaries. Density functional theory simulations indicate that Sr atoms bind in the Si lattice only along the <110> direction, with preferential positions at first and second nearest neighbors for interstitial and substitutional Sr, respectively. Density functional theory total energy calculations confirm that twin nucleation at Sr columns is energetically favorable. Hence, twins may nucleate in Si precipitates after solidification, which provides a different perspective to the currently accepted mechanism which suggests twin formation during precipitate growth.
MPT0G066, a novel anti-mitotic drug, induces JNK-independent mitotic arrest, JNK-mediated apoptosis and potentiates antineoplastic effect of cisplatin in ovarian cancer
Authors: Huang Han-Li , Chao Min-Wu , Li Ya-Chi , Chang Li-Hsun , Chen Chun-Han , Chen Mei-Chuan , Cheng Chun-Chun , Liou Jing-Ping , Teng Che-Ming , Pan Shiow-Lin 
Published: August 2016

AbstractDeveloping new anticancer agents against ovarian cancer is an urgent medical need. MPT0G066, a novel synthetic arylsulfonamide compound, was shown to inhibit cell growth and decrease viability in human ovarian cancer cells. MPT0G066 induced arrest of the cell cycle at the multipolyploidy (MP) phase in SKOV3 and at the G2/M phase in A2780 cells, while increasing the proportion of cells in the subG1. Additionally, MPT0G066 induced c-Jun-NH2 terminal kinase (JNK) activation, influenced cell cycle regulatory and Bcl-2 family proteins, which triggered intrinsic apoptotic pathways through cleavage of caspase-3, -7, -9 and poly-(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP). Flow cytometry analysis of p-glycoprotein (p-gp) function showed that MPT0G066 was not a substrate of p-gp. Additionally, it was shown that MPT0G066 could decrease cell viability in multiple-drug-resistant human ovarian cancer cells. Furthermore, the combination of MPT0G066 and cisplatin presented a synergistic cytotoxic effect against ovarian cancer cell lines in vitro. MPT0G066 also significantly suppressed the growth of ovarian carcinoma and potentiated the antineoplastic effects of cisplatin in vivo. In conclusion, these findings indicate that MPT0G066 can be a potential anticancer agent against ovarian cancer that worthy of further development.
Association of neuropeptide Y promoter polymorphism (rs16147) with perceived stress and cardiac vagal outflow in humans
Authors: Chang Hsin-An , Fang Wen-Hui , Chang Tieh-Ching , Huang San-Yuan , Chang Chuan-Chia 
Published: August 2016

AbstractNeuropeptide Y (NPY) is involved in resilience to stress and higher vagal (parasympathetic) activity has been associated with greater stress resilience. Thus, we examined whetherrs16147, a functional promoter polymorphism (C>T) of theNPYgene, could influence vagal tone during chronic high stress levels.NPYgenotyping, chronic psychological stress level measurement (using the Perceived Stress Scale [PSS]), cardiac autonomic function assessment (using short-term heart rate variability [HRV]) were performed in 1123 healthy, drug-free Han Chinese participants who were divided into low- and high-PSS groups. In the high-PSS group (n = 522), the root mean square of successive heartbeat interval differences and high frequency power (both HRV indices of parasympathetic activity) were significantly increased in T/T homozygotes compared to C/C homozygotes. However, no significant between-genotype difference was found in any HRV variable in the low-PSS group (n = 601). Our results are the first to demonstrate that functionalNPYvariation alters chronic stress-related vagal control, suggesting a potential parasympathetic role forNPYgene in stress regulation.
Epigenetic silencing of the NR4A3 tumor suppressor, by aberrant JAK/STAT signaling, predicts prognosis in gastric cancer
Authors: Yeh Chung-Min , Chang Liang-Yu , Lin Shu-Hui , Chou Jian-Liang , Hsieh Hsiao-Yen , Zeng Li-Han , Chuang Sheng-Yu , Wang Hsiao-Wen , Dittner Claudia , Lin Cheng-Yu , Lin Jora M. J. , Huang Yao-Ting , Ng Enders K. W. , Cheng Alfred S. L. , Wu Shu-Fen , Lin Jiayuh , Yeh Kun-Tu , Chan Michael W. Y. 
Published: August 2016

AbstractWhile aberrant JAK/STAT signaling is crucial to the development of gastric cancer (GC), its effects on epigenetic alterations of its transcriptional targets remains unclear. In this study, by expression microarrays coupled with bioinformatic analyses, we identified a putative STAT3 target gene, NR4A3 that was downregulated in MKN28 GC daughter cells overexpressing a constitutively activated STAT3 mutant (S16), as compared to an empty vector control (C9). Bisulphite pyrosequencing and demethylation treatment showed that NR4A3 was epigenetically silenced by promoter DNA methylation in S16 and other GC cell lines including AGS cells, showing constitutive activation of STAT3. Subsequent experiments revealed that NR4A3 promoter binding by STAT3 might repress its transcription. Long-term depletion of STAT3 derepressed NR4A3 expression, by promoter demethylation, in AGS GC cells. NR4A3 re-expression in GC cell lines sensitized the cells to cisplatin and inhibited tumor growth in vitro and in vivo, in an animal model. Clinically, GC patients with high NR4A3 methylation, or lower NR4A3 protein expression, had significantly shorter overall survival. Intriguingly, STAT3 activation significantly associated only with NR4A3 methylation in low-stage patient samples. Taken together, aberrant JAK/STAT3 signaling epigenetically silences a potential tumor suppressor, NR4A3, in gastric cancer, plausibly representing a reliable biomarker for gastric cancer prognosis.