bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Altered Norbin Expression in Patients with Epilepsy and a Rat Model
Authors: Xu Yali , Li Zengyou , Yao Li , Zhang Xingping , Gan Dan , Jiang Manchun , Wang Na , Chen Guojun , Wang Xuefeng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractNorbin is widely distributed in neuronal tissues, is a regulator of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) phosphorylation. Norbin is also an important endogenous modulator of metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling, and nervous system-specific homozygous gene disruptions, result in epileptic seizures. In this study, we aimed to investigate norbin expression patterns in epilepsy and to elucidate the relationships between norbin and mGluR5 and p-CaMKII in epilepsy. Double-immunolabeling, immunohistochemistry and immunoblotting studies showed that norbin was downregulated in the temporal neocortex of patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) compared with control subjects. Moreover, in a rat model of lithium chloride-pilocarpine-induced epilepsy, norbin expression began to decrease at 6 h after the onset of status epilepticus and remained at a low level until 60 days. In addition, p-CaMKII expression was significantly increased in both patients with TLE and in animal model. Norbin and mGluR5 were found to be co-expressed in neurons of epileptic tissues. Finally, norbin over-expression facilitated by injections of adeno-associated viral vector into the rat hippocampus increased latency and survival in the lithium chloride-pilocarpine model. Thus, our results indicate norbin participates in the pathogenesis of epilepsy, perhaps by modulating mGluR5 signaling, regulating CaMKII phosphorylation, and may exert antiepileptic effects.
A deterministic quantum dot micropillar single photon source with >65% extraction efficiency based on fluorescence imaging method
Authors: Liu Shunfa , Wei Yuming , Su Rongling , Su Rongbin , Ma Ben , Chen Zesheng , Ni Haiqiao , Niu Zhichuan , Yu Ying , Wei Yujia , Wang Xuehua , Yu Siyuan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe report optical positioning of single quantum dots (QDs) in planar distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) cavity with an average position uncertainty of ≈20 nm using an optimized photoluminescence imaging method. We create single-photon sources based on these QDs in determined micropillar cavities. The brightness of the QD fluorescence is greatly enhanced on resonance with the fundamental mode of the cavity, leading to an high extraction efficiency of 68% ± 6% into a lens with numerical aperture of 0.65, and simultaneously exhibiting low multi-photon probability (g(2)(0) = 0.144 ± 0.012) at this collection efficiency.
Identification of molecular alterations in leukocytes from gene expression profiles of peripheral whole blood of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Li Hongdong , Hong Guini , Lin Mengna , Shi Yidan , Wang Lili , Jiang Fengle , Zhang Fan , Wang Yuhang , Guo Zheng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBlood-based test has been considered as a promising way to diagnose and study Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, the changed proportions of the leukocytes under disease states could confound the aberrant expression signals observed in mixed-cell blood samples. We have previously proposed a method, Ref-REO, to detect the leukocyte specific expression alterations from mixed-cell blood samples. In this study, by applying Ref-REO, we detect 42 and 45 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between AD and normal peripheral whole blood (PWB) samples in two datasets, respectively. These DEGs are mainly associated with AD-associated functions such as Wnt signaling pathways and mitochondrion dysfunctions. They are also reproducible in AD brain tissue, and tend to interact with the reported AD-associated biomarkers and overlap with targets of AD-associated PWB miRNAs. Moreover, they are closely associated with aging and have severer expression alterations in the younger adults with AD. Finally, diagnostic signatures are constructed from these leukocyte specific alterations, whose area under the curve (AUC) for predicting AD is higher than 0.73 in the two AD PWB datasets. In conclusion, gene expression alterations in leukocytes could be extracted from AD PWB samples, which are closely associated with AD progression, and used as a diagnostic signature of AD.
The impact of ageing reveals distinct roles for human dentate gyrus and CA3 in pattern separation and object recognition memory
Authors: Dillon Serena E. , Tsivos Demitra , Knight Michael , McCann Bryony , Pennington Catherine , Shiel Anna I. , Conway Myra E. , Newson Margaret A. , Kauppinen Risto A. , Coulthard Elizabeth J. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBoth recognition of familiar objects and pattern separation, a process that orthogonalises overlapping events, are critical for effective memory. Evidence is emerging that human pattern separation requires dentate gyrus. Dentate gyrus is intimately connected to CA3 where, in animals, an autoassociative network enables recall of complete memories to underpin object/event recognition. Despite huge motivation to treat age-related human memory disorders, interaction between human CA3 and dentate subfields is difficult to investigate due to small size and proximity. We tested the hypothesis that human dentate gyrus is critical for pattern separation, whereas, CA3 underpins identical object recognition. Using 3 T MR hippocampal subfield volumetry combined with a behavioural pattern separation task, we demonstrate that dentate gyrus volume predicts accuracy and response time during behavioural pattern separation whereas CA3 predicts performance in object recognition memory. Critically, human dentate gyrus volume decreases with age whereas CA3 volume is age-independent. Further, decreased dentate gyrus volume, and no other subfield volume, mediates adverse effects of aging on memory. Thus, we demonstrate distinct roles for CA3 and dentate gyrus in human memory and uncover the variegated effects of human ageing across hippocampal regions. Accurate pinpointing of focal memory-related deficits will allow future targeted treatment for memory loss.
Structure determination and activity manipulation of the turfgrass ABA receptor FePYR1
Authors: Ren Zhizhong , Wang Zhen , Zhou X. Edward , Shi Huazhong , Hong Yechun , Cao Minjie , Chan Zhulong , Liu Xue , Xu H. Eric , Zhu Jian-Kang 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTurfgrass are widely cultivated ornamental plants that have important ecological, societal and economical values. However, many turfgrass species are susceptible to drought and demand frequent irrigation thus consuming large amounts of water. With the ultimate goal of improving drought resistance in turfgrass, we identified several ABA receptors in turfgrass that are important to mediate ABA signaling and drought stress response. The ABA receptor FePYR1 from turfgrass Festuca elata was demonstrated to bind ABA as a monomer. Crystal structure analysis revealed that FePYR1 recognizes and binds ABA by the common gate-latch-lock mechanism resembling the Arabidopsis ABA receptors, but the ABA binding pocket in FePYR1 shows discrepant residues resulting in different binding affinity to ABA. Structure-guided alterations of amino acid residues in FePYR1 generated ABA receptor variants with significantly increased ABA binding affinity. Expression of FePYR1 in Arabidopsis conferred enhanced drought resistance in the transgenic plants. These findings provided detailed information about FePYR1 and demonstrated that structure-assisted engineering could create superior ABA receptors for improving plant drought resistance. The detailed structural information of FePYR1 would also assist future rational design of small molecules targeting specific ABA receptors in economically important plant species.
Association of leisure time physical activity and NMR-detected circulating amino acids in peripubertal girls: A 7.5-year longitudinal study
Authors: Zhang Xiaobo , Wiklund Petri , Wu Na , Yang Yifan , Zhuang Haihui , Cheng Sulin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the longitudinal associations of physical activity and circulating amino acids concentration in peripubertal girls. Three hundred ninety-six Finnish girls participated in the longitudinal study from childhood (mean age 11.2 years) to early adulthood (mean age 18.2 years). Circulating amino acids were assessed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. LTPA was assessed by self-administered questionnaire. We found that isoleucine, leucine and tyrosine levels were significantly higher in individuals with lower LTPA than their peers at age 11 (p < 0.05 for all), independent of BMI. In addition, isoleucine and leucine levels increased significantly (~15%) from childhood to early adulthood among the individuals with consistently low LTPA (p < 0.05 for both), while among the individuals with consistently high LTPA the level of these amino acids remained virtually unchanged. In conclusion, high level of physical activity is associated lower serum isoleucine and leucine in peripubertal girls, independent of BMI, which may serve as a mechanistic link between high level of physical activity in childhood and its health benefits later in life. Further studies in peripubertal boys are needed to assess whether associations between physical activity and circulating amino acids in children adolescents are sex-specific.
Pillared graphene as an ultra-high sensitivity mass sensor
Authors: Duan Ke , Li Li , Hu Yujin , Wang Xuelin 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHybrid structure of graphene sheets supported by carbon nanotubes (CNTs) sustains unique properties of both graphene and CNTs, which enables the utilization of advantages of the two novel materials. In this work, the capability of three-dimensional pillared graphene structure used as nanomechanical sensors is investigated by performing molecular dynamics simulations. The obtained results demonstrate that: (a) the mass sensitivity of the pillared graphene structure is ultrahigh and can reach at least 1 yg (10−24 g) with a mass responsivity 0.34 GHz · yg−1; (b) the sizes of pillared graphene structure, particularly the distance between carbon nanotube pillars, have a significant effect on the sensing performance; (c) an analytical expression can be derived to detect the deposited mass from the resonant frequency of the pillared graphene structure. The performed analyses might be significant to future design and application of pillared graphene based sensors with high sensitivity and large detecting area.
Radiosensitizing effect of ellagic acid on growth of Hepatocellular carcinoma cells: an in vitro study
Authors: Das Ujjal , Biswas Sushobhan , Chattopadhyay Sreya , Chakraborty Anindita , Dey Sharma Rakhi , Banerji Asoke , Dey Sanjit 
Published: October 2017

AbstractFailure of treatment for cancer in clinic by radio/chemotherapy is generally attributed to tumour resistance. Therefore, it is important to develop strategies to increase the cytotoxicity of tumour cells by radiation in combination with unique tumour selective cytotoxic agents. We evaluated the potential of ellagic acid (EA) as an enhancer of oxidative stress in cancer cells. HepG2 cells were treated with EA (10 µM) for 12 h prior to exposure of single 7.5 Gy dose of irradiation. Treatment of HepG2 cells with EA and gamma radiation showed increased reactive oxygen species generation, up regulation of p53 protein expression, decreased survival markers level like p-Akt, p-NF-kB and p-STAT3 which were significantly higher after radiation treatment alone. We also found that combination treatment increased G2/M phase cell population, decreased IL-6, COX–2 and TNF-α expression and caused a loss in mitochondrial membrane potential with decreased level of angiogenesis marker MMP-9. Over expression of Bax and activation of caspase 3 indicated the apoptosis of the cells. The results provided a strong unique strategy to kill cancer cells HepG2, using less radiation dose along with effective pro-oxidant dose of EA.
Cooling combined with hyperoxic CO2 anesthesia is effective in improving the air exposure duration of tilapia
Authors: Guan Wei-Liang , Zhao Mou-Ming , Liu Tian-Tian , Fan Xing , Chen De-Wei 
Published: October 2017

AbstractTilapia were subjected to cooling (CO, a stepwise reduction in temperature from 30 °C to 15 °C), anesthesia (AN, anesthetized by hyperoxic carbon dioxide), air exposure (AE, exposed to air) and cold tolerance (CT, in 15 °C water) treatments, and the physiological responses were determined after the treatments. CO followed by AN treatment for tilapia could meet the criteria of an ideal anesthetic. Fish were deeply sedated within 69 s, completely anesthetized within 276 s and recovered within 308 s without any mortality. The stress responses induced by the CO&AN treatment were mild, whereas they were consistently increased in the AE treatment. Furthermore, the AE treatment caused tissue damage. The AE duration was significantly improved by CO&AN treatment, and the survival time of the CO&AE, AN&AE and CO&AN&AE treatments were 313 min, 351 min and 561 min, respectively, in the laboratory experiments, whereas the survival rate of the CO&AN&AE treatment group after 240-min air exposure was 95.2% in the pilot test. It appeared that cooling followed by hyperoxic CO2anesthesia would be suitable for handling tilapia in a short-time air exposure procedure.
Dominant control of agriculture and irrigation on urban heat island in India
Authors: Kumar Rahul , Mishra Vimal , Buzan Jonathan , Kumar Rohini , Shindell Drew , Huber Matthew 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAs is true in many regions, India experiences surface Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect that is well understood, but the causes of the more recently discovered Urban Cool Island (UCI) effect remain poorly constrained. This raises questions about our fundamental understanding of the drivers of rural-urban environmental gradients and hinders development of effective strategies for mitigation and adaptation to projected heat stress increases in rapidly urbanizing India. Here we show that more than 60% of Indian urban areas are observed to experience a day-time UCI. We use satellite observations and the Community Land Model (CLM) to identify the impact of irrigation and prove for the first time that UCI is caused by lack of vegetation and moisture in non-urban areas relative to cities. In contrast, urban areas in extensively irrigated landscapes generally experience the expected positive UHI effect. At night, UHI warming intensifies, occurring across a majority (90%) of India’s urban areas. The magnitude of rural-urban temperature contrasts is largely controlled by agriculture and moisture availability from irrigation, but further analysis of model results indicate an important role for atmospheric aerosols. Thus both land-use decisions and aerosols are important factors governing, modulating, and even reversing the expected urban-rural temperature gradients.
RNAi-mediated treatment of two vertically transmitted rhabdovirus infecting the salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis)
Authors: Øvergård Aina-Cathrine , Hamre Lars Are , Kongshaug Heidi , Nilsen Frank 
Published: October 2017

AbstractRhabdoviruses are a family of enveloped negative-sense single-stranded RNA viruses infecting a variety of hosts. Recently, two vertically transmitted salmon louse (Lepeophtheirus salmonis) rhabdoviruses (LsRV) have been identified. The prevalence of these viruses was measured along the Norwegian coast and found to be close to 100%, and with the present lack of suitable cell lines to propagate these viruses, it is challenging to obtain material to study their host impact and infection routes. Thus, virus free lice strains were established from virus infected lice carrying one or both LsRVs by treating them with N protein dsRNA twice during development. The viral replication of the N protein was specifically down-regulated following introduction of virus-specific dsRNA, and virus-free lice strains were maintained for several generations. A preliminary study on infection routes suggested that the LsRV-No9 is maternally transmitted, and that the virus transmits from males to females horizontally. The ability to produce virus free strains allows for further studies on transmission modes and how these viruses influences on the L.salmonis interaction with its salmonid host. Moreover, this study provides a general fundament for future studies on how vertically transmitted rhabdoviruses influence the biology of their arthropod hosts.
Prediction of Cross-resistance and Collateral Sensitivity by Gene Expression profiles and Genomic Mutations
Authors: Horinouchi Takaaki , Suzuki Shingo , Kotani Hazuki , Tanabe Kumi , Sakata Natsue , Shimizu Hiroshi , Furusawa Chikara 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn adaptive evolution, an increase in fitness to an environment is frequently accompanied by changes in fitness to other environmental conditions, called cross-resistance and sensitivity. Although the networks between fitness changes affect the course of evolution substantially, the mechanisms underlying such fitness changes are yet to be fully elucidated. Herein, we performed high-throughput laboratory evolution of Escherichia coli under various stress conditions using an automated culture system, and quantified how the acquisition of resistance to one stressor alters the resistance to other stressors. We demonstrated that resistance changes could be quantitatively predicted based on changes in the transcriptome of the resistant strains. We also identified several genes and gene functions, for which mutations were commonly fixed in the strains resistant to the same stress, which could partially explain the observed cross-resistance and collateral sensitivity. The integration of transcriptome and genome data enabled us to clarify the bacterial stress resistance mechanisms.
Combined immunotherapy with anti-PDL-1/PD-1 and anti-CD4 antibodies cures syngeneic disseminated neuroblastoma
Authors: Rigo Valentina , Emionite Laura , Daga Antonio , Astigiano Simonetta , Corrias Maria Valeria , Quintarelli Concetta , Locatelli Franco , Ferrini Silvano , Croce Michela 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAnti-PD-1 or anti-PD-L1 blocking monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have shown potent anti-tumor effects in adult cancer patients and clinical studies have recently been started in pediatric cancers, including high-risk/relapsing neuroblastoma (NB). Therefore, we studied the effects of anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAbs in two syngeneic models of disseminated NB generated by the injection of either Neuro2a or NXS2 cells, which express PD-L1. In addition, we tested the combination of these agents with the immune-enhancing cytokine IL-21, the Ecto-NTPDase inhibitor POM-1, an anti-CD25 mAb targeting Treg cells, or an anti-CD4 mAb. We previously showed that CD4-transient depletion removes CD4+CD25+ Treg cells and other CD4+CD25− regulatory subsets. Here we show that mono-therapy with anti-PD-1/PD-L1 mAbs had no effect on systemic NB progression in vivo, and also their combination with IL-21, POM-1 or anti-CD25 mAb was ineffective. The combined use of anti-PD-1 with an anti-CD4 mAb mediated a very potent, CD8-dependent, synergistic effect leading to significant elongation of tumor-free survival of mice, complete tumor regression and durable anti-NB immunity. Similar results were obtained by combining the anti-PD-L1 and anti-CD4 mAbs. These findings indicate that both PD-1/PD-L1 and CD4+ T cell-related immune-regulatory mechanisms must be simultaneously blocked to mediate therapeutic effects in these models.
A new low-cost, compact, auto-phoropter for refractive assessment in developing countries
Authors: Amirsolaimani Babak , Peyman Gholam , Schwiegerling Jim , Bablumyan Arkady , Peyghambarian N. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUsing a phoropter to measure the refractive error is one of the most commonly used methods by ophthalmologists and optometrists. Here, we demonstrate design and fabrication of a portable automatic phoropter with no need for patient’s feedback. The system is based on three tunable-focus fluidic lenses and thin-film holographic optical elements to perform automatic refractive error measurement and provide a diagnostic prescription without supervision. Three separate lenses are deployed to correct the defocus and astigmatism. The refractive error is measured using a Shack-Hartmann wavefront sensor that calculates the Zernike values of an infrared wavefront emerging from the eye. Holographic optical elements steer the emerging wavefront into the wavefront sensor, while simultaneously providing an unobstructed view for the subject. The power of each lens is controlled by pumping a liquid in and out of the lens chamber using servo motor actuated diaphragm pumps. Spherical and cylindrical correction range of −10 to +10 diopters with 0.1 diopter increments is achieved in less than 15 seconds using wavefront sensor feedback to the pumps. This system can be used in rapid screening of large patient populations especially in the developing countries that lack sufficient facilities and specialist doctors.
Impaired BKCa channel function in native vascular smooth muscle from humans with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Nieves-Cintrón Madeline , Syed Arsalan U. , Buonarati Olivia R. , Rigor Robert R. , Nystoriak Matthew A. , Ghosh Debapriya , Sasse Kent C. , Ward Sean M. , Santana Luis F. , Hell Johannes W. , Navedo Manuel F. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLarge-conductance Ca2+-activated potassium (BKCa) channels are key determinants of vascular smooth muscle excitability. Impaired BKCa channel function through remodeling of BKCa β1 expression and function contributes to vascular complications in animal models of diabetes. Yet, whether similar alterations occur in native vascular smooth muscle from humans with type 2 diabetes is unclear. In this study, we evaluated BKCa function in vascular smooth muscle from small resistance adipose arteries of non-diabetic and clinically diagnosed type 2 diabetic patients. We found that BKCa channel activity opposes pressure-induced constriction in human small resistance adipose arteries, and this is compromised in arteries from diabetic patients. Consistent with impairment of BKCa channel function, the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous BKCa currents, but not Ca2+ sparks were lower in cells from diabetic patients. BKCa channels in diabetic cells exhibited reduced Ca2+ sensitivity, single-channel open probability and tamoxifen sensitivity. These effects were associated with decreased functional coupling between BKCa α and β1 subunits, but no change in total protein abundance. Overall, results suggest impairment in BKCa channel function in vascular smooth muscle from diabetic patients through unique mechanisms, which may contribute to vascular complications in humans with type 2 diabetes.