bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Accelerated apoptotic death and in vivo turnover of erythrocytes in mice lacking functional mitogen- and stress-activated kinase MSK1/2
Authors: Lang Elisabeth , Bissinger Rosi , Fajol Abul , Salker Madhuri S. , Singh Yogesh , Zelenak Christine , Ghashghaeinia Mehrdad , Gu Shuchen , Jilani Kashif , Lupescu Adrian , Reyskens Kathleen M. S. E. , Ackermann Teresa F. , Föller Michael , Schleicher Erwin , Sheffield William P. , Arthur J. Simon C. , Lang Florian , Qadri Syed M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe mitogen- and stress-activated kinase MSK1/2 plays a decisive role in apoptosis. In analogy to apoptosis of nucleated cells, suicidal erythrocyte death called eryptosis is characterized by cell shrinkage and cell membrane scrambling leading to phosphatidylserine (PS) externalization. Here, we explored whether MSK1/2 participates in the regulation of eryptosis. To this end, erythrocytes were isolated from mice lacking functional MSK1/2 (msk−/−) and corresponding wild-type mice (msk+/+). Blood count, hematocrit, hemoglobin concentration and mean erythrocyte volume were similar in both msk−/− and msk+/+ mice, but reticulocyte count was significantly increased in msk−/− mice. Cell membrane PS exposure was similar in untreated msk−/− and msk+/+ erythrocytes, but was enhanced by pathophysiological cell stressors ex vivo such as hyperosmotic shock or energy depletion to significantly higher levels in msk−/− erythrocytes than in msk+/+ erythrocytes. Cell shrinkage following hyperosmotic shock and energy depletion, as well as hemolysis following decrease of extracellular osmolarity was more pronounced in msk−/− erythrocytes. The in vivo clearance of autologously-infused CFSE-labeled erythrocytes from circulating blood was faster in msk−/− mice. The spleens from msk−/− mice contained a significantly greater number of PS-exposing erythrocytes than spleens from msk+/+ mice. The present observations point to accelerated eryptosis and subsequent clearance of erythrocytes leading to enhanced erythrocyte turnover in MSK1/2-deficient mice.
Formaldehyde scavengers function as novel antigen retrieval agents
Authors: Vollert Craig T. , Moree Wilna J. , Gregory Steven , Bark Steven J. , Eriksen Jason L. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractAntigen retrieval agents improve the detection of formaldehyde-fixed proteins, but how they work is not well understood. We demonstrate that formaldehyde scavenging represents a key characteristic associated with effective antigen retrieval; under controlled temperature and pH conditions, scavenging improves the typical antigen retrieval process through reversal of formaldehyde-protein adduct formation. This approach provides a rational framework for the identification and development of more effective antigen retrieval agents.
Genome-wide DNA methylation map of human neutrophils reveals widespread inter-individual epigenetic variation
Authors: Chatterjee Aniruddha , Stockwell Peter A. , Rodger Euan J. , Duncan Elizabeth J. , Parry Matthew F. , Weeks Robert J. , Morison Ian M. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe extent of variation in DNA methylation patterns in healthy individuals is not yet well documented. Identification of inter-individual epigenetic variation is important for understanding phenotypic variation and disease susceptibility. Using neutrophils from a cohort of healthy individuals, we generated base-resolution DNA methylation maps to document inter-individual epigenetic variation. We identified 12851 autosomal inter-individual variably methylated fragments (iVMFs). Gene promoters were the least variable, whereas gene body and upstream regions showed higher variation in DNA methylation. The iVMFs were relatively enriched in repetitive elements compared to non-iVMFs and were associated with genome regulation and chromatin function elements. Further, variably methylated genes were disproportionately associated with regulation of transcription, responsive function and signal transduction pathways. Transcriptome analysis indicates that iVMF methylation at differentially expressed exons has a positive correlation and local effect on the inclusion of that exon in the mRNA transcript.
Effect of proximal versus distal 50% enterectomy on nutritional parameters in rats preconditioned with a high-fat diet or regular chow
Authors: Yanala Ujwal R. , Reidelberger Roger D. , Thompson Jon S. , Shostrom Valerie K. , Carlson Mark A. 
Published: November 2015

AbstractObesity may protect against the nutritional consequences of short bowel syndrome. We hypothesized that rats preconditioned with an obesogenic diet would have better outcomes after surgical induction of short bowel syndrome compared to rats on regular chow. Rats were fed a high-fat diet or regular rat chow for six months and then underwent 50% proximal, 50% distal, or sham enterectomy. Food intake, weight and body composition were monitored before and for 4 weeks after surgery. The high-fat diet consistently produced obesity (>25% body fat). All procedures induced weight loss, but there was no discernable difference between resection vs. sham resection. Rats on the high-fat diet had a greater post-resection loss of body fat compared to rats on chow (36 vs. 26 g, respectively). There was a nonsignificant trend of less lean mass loss in the former compared to the latter rats (16 vs. 33 g, respectively). Enterectomy moderated serum ghrelin, GIP, PPY, insulin and leptin. Intestinal adaptation was not different between obese vs. non-obese rats. Rats preconditioned with the high-fat diet may have had better retention of lean body mass after a surgical procedure compared to rats on chow. The effect of 50% enterectomy was less than expected.
Real-Time Mass Spectrometry Monitoring of Oak Wood Toasting: Elucidating Aroma Development Relevant to Oak-aged Wine Quality
Authors: Farrell Ross R. , Wellinger Marco , Gloess Alexia N. , Nichols David S. , Breadmore Michael C. , Shellie Robert A. , Yeretzian Chahan 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe introduce a real-time method to monitor the evolution of oak aromas during the oak toasting process. French and American oak wood boards were toasted in an oven at three different temperatures, while the process-gas was continuously transferred to the inlet of a proton-transfer-reaction time-of-flight mass spectrometer for online monitoring. Oak wood aroma compounds important for their sensory contribution to oak-aged wine were tentatively identified based on soft ionization and molecular mass. The time-intensity profiles revealed toasting process dynamics illustrating in real-time how different compounds evolve from the oak wood during toasting. Sufficient sensitivity was achieved to observe spikes in volatile concentrations related to cracking phenomena on the oak wood surface. The polysaccharide-derived compounds exhibited similar profiles; whilst for lignin-derived compounds eugenol formation differed from that of vanillin and guaiacol at lower toasting temperatures. Significant generation of oak lactone from precursors was evident at 225 oC. Statistical processing of the real-time aroma data showed similarities and differences between individual oak boards and oak wood sourced from the different origins. This study enriches our understanding of the oak toasting process and demonstrates a new analytical approach for research on wood volatiles.
CACNA1C risk variant affects facial emotion recognition in healthy individuals
Authors: Nieratschker Vanessa , Brückmann Christof , Plewnia Christian 
Published: November 2015

AbstractRecognition and correct interpretation of facial emotion is essential for social interaction and communication. Previous studies have shown that impairments in this cognitive domain are common features of several psychiatric disorders. Recent association studies identified CACNA1C as one of the most promising genetic risk factors for psychiatric disorders and previous evidence suggests that the most replicated risk variant in CACNA1C (rs1006737) is affecting emotion recognition and processing. However, studies investigating the influence of rs1006737 on this intermediate phenotype in healthy subjects at the behavioral level are largely missing to date. Here, we applied the “Reading the Mind in the Eyes” test, a facial emotion recognition paradigm in a cohort of 92 healthy individuals to address this question. Whereas accuracy was not affected by genotype, CACNA1C rs1006737 risk-allele carries (AA/AG) showed significantly slower mean response times compared to individuals homozygous for the G-allele, indicating that healthy risk-allele carriers require more information to correctly identify a facial emotion. Our study is the first to provide evidence for an impairing behavioral effect of the CACNA1C risk variant rs1006737 on facial emotion recognition in healthy individuals and adds to the growing number of studies pointing towards CACNA1C as affecting intermediate phenotypes of psychiatric disorders.
A novel algorithm for analyzing drug-drug interactions from MEDLINE literature
Authors: Lu Yin , Shen Dan , Pietsch Maxwell , Nagar Chetan , Fadli Zayd , Huang Hong , Tu Yi-Cheng , Cheng Feng 
Published: November 2015

AbstractDrug–drug interaction (DDI) is becoming a serious clinical safety issue as the use of multiple medications becomes more common. Searching the MEDLINE database for journal articles related to DDI produces over 330,000 results. It is impossible to read and summarize these references manually. As the volume of biomedical reference in the MEDLINE database continues to expand at a rapid pace, automatic identification of DDIs from literature is becoming increasingly important. In this article, we present a random-sampling-based statistical algorithm to identify possible DDIs and the underlying mechanism from the substances field of MEDLINE records. The substances terms are essentially carriers of compound (including protein) information in a MEDLINE record. Four case studies on warfarin, ibuprofen, furosemide and sertraline implied that our method was able to rank possible DDIs with high accuracy (90.0% for warfarin, 83.3% for ibuprofen, 70.0% for furosemide and 100% for sertraline in the top 10% of a list of compounds ranked by p-value). A social network analysis of substance terms was also performed to construct networks between proteins and drug pairs to elucidate how the two drugs could interact.
Topological phase transition in quasi-one dimensional organic conductors
Authors: Ye Xiao-Shan , Liu Yong-Jun , Zeng Xiang-Hua , Wu Guoqing 
Published: November 2015

AbstractWe explore topological phase transition, which involves the energy spectra of field-induced spin-density-wave (FISDW) states in quasi-one dimensional (Q1D) organic conductors, using an extended Su-Schrieffer-Heeger (SSH) model. We show that, in presence of half magnetic-flux FISDW state, the system exhibits topologically nontrivial phases, which can be characterized by a nonzero Chern number. The nontrivial evolution of the bulk bands with chemical potential in a topological phase transition is discussed. We show that the system can have a similar phase diagram which is discussed in the Haldane’s model. We suggest that the topological feature should be tested experimentally in this organic system. These studies enrich the theoretical research on topologically nontrivial phases in the Q1D lattice system as compared to the Haldane topological phase appearing in the two-dimensional lattices.
Distinct colicin M-like bacteriocin-immunity pairs in Burkholderia
Authors: Ghequire Maarten G. K. , De Mot René 
Published: November 2015

AbstractThe Escherichia coli bacteriocin colicin M (ColM) acts via degradation of the cell wall precursor lipid II in target cells. ColM producers avoid self-inhibition by a periplasmic immunity protein anchored in the inner membrane. In this study, we identified colM-like bacteriocin genes in genomes of several β-proteobacterial strains belonging to the Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) and the Burkholderia pseudomallei group. Two selected Burkholderia ambifaria proteins, designated burkhocins M1 and M2, were produced recombinantly and showed antagonistic activity against Bcc strains. In their considerably sequence-diverged catalytic domain, a conserved aspartate residue equally proved pivotal for cytotoxicity. Immunity to M-type burkhocins is conferred upon susceptible strains by heterologous expression of a cognate gene located either upstream or downstream of the toxin gene. These genes lack homology with currently known ColM immunity genes and encode inner membrane-associated proteins of two distinct types, differing in predicted transmembrane topology and moiety exposed to the periplasm. The addition of burkhocins to the bacteriocin complement of Burkholderia reveals a wider phylogenetic distribution of ColM-like bacteriotoxins, beyond the γ-proteobacterial genera Escherichia, Pectobacterium and Pseudomonas and illuminates the diversified nature of immunity-providing proteins.
High Efficiency Organic/Silicon-Nanowire Hybrid Solar Cells: Significance of Strong Inversion Layer
Authors: Yu Xuegong , Shen Xinlei , Mu Xinhui , Zhang Jie , Sun Baoquan , Zeng Lingsheng , Yang Lifei , Wu Yichao , He Hang , Yang Deren 
Published: November 2015

AbstractOrganic/silicon nanowires (SiNWs) hybrid solar cells have recently been recognized as one of potentially low-cost candidates for photovoltaic application. Here, we have controllably prepared a series of uniform silicon nanowires (SiNWs) with various diameters on silicon substrate by metal-assisted chemical etching followed by thermal oxidization and then fabricated the organic/SiNWs hybrid solar cells with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS). It is found that the reflective index of SiNWs layer for sunlight depends on the filling ratio of SiNWs. Compared to the SiNWs with the lowest reflectivity (LR-SiNWs), the solar cell based on the SiNWs with low filling ratio (LF-SiNWs) has a higher open-circuit voltage and fill factor. The capacitance-voltage measurements have clarified that the built-in potential barrier at the LF-SiNWs/PEDOT:PSS interface is much larger than that at the LR-SiNWs/PEDOT one, which yields a strong inversion layer generating near the silicon surface. The formation of inversion layer can effectively suppress the carrier recombination, reducing the leakage current of solar cell and meanwhile transfer the LF-SiNWs/PEDOT:PSS device into a p-n junction. As a result, a highest efficiency of 13.11% is achieved for the LF-SiNWs/PEDOT:PSS solar cell. These results pave a way to the fabrication of high efficiency organic/SiNWs hybrid solar cells.
Additive Manufacturing of a Microbial Fuel Cell—A detailed study
Authors: Calignano Flaviana , Tommasi Tonia , Manfredi Diego , Chiolerio Alessandro 
Published: November 2015

AbstractIn contemporary society we observe an everlasting permeation of electron devices, smartphones, portable computing tools. The tiniest living organisms on Earth could become the key to address this challenge: energy generation by bacterial processes from renewable stocks/waste through devices such as microbial fuel cells (MFCs). However, the application of this solution was limited by a moderately low efficiency. We explored the limits, if any, of additive manufacturing (AM) technology to fabricate a fully AM-based powering device, exploiting low density, open porosities able to host the microbes, systems easy to fuel continuously and to run safely. We obtained an optimal energy recovery close to 3 kWh m−3 per day that can power sensors and low-power appliances, allowing data processing and transmission from remote/harsh environments.
Single MoO3 nanoribbon waveguides: good building blocks as elements and interconnects for nanophotonic applications
Authors: Zhang Li , Wu Guoqing , Gu Fuxing , Zeng Heping 
Published: November 2015

AbstractExploring new nanowaveguide materials and structures is of great scientific interest and technological significance for optical and photonic applications. In this work, high-quality single-crystal MoO3 nanoribbons (NRs) are synthesized and used for optical guiding. External light sources are efficiently launched into the single MoO3 NRs using silica fiber tapers. It is found that single MoO3 NRs are as good nanowaveguides with loss optical losses (typically less than 0.1 dB/μm) and broadband optical guiding in the visible/near-infrared region. Single MoO3 NRs have good Raman gains that are comparable to those of semiconductor nanowaveguides, but the second harmonic generation efficiencies are about 4 orders less than those of semiconductor nanowaveguides. And also no any third-order nonlinear optical effects are observed at high pump power. A hybrid Fabry-Pérot cavity containing an active CdSe nanowire and a passive MoO3 NR is also demonstrated and the ability of coupling light from other active nanostructures and fluorescent liquid solutions has been further demonstrated. These optical properties make single MoO3 NRs attractive building blocks as elements and interconnects in miniaturized photonic circuitries and devices.
Tuneable endogenous mammalian target complementation via multiplexed plasmid-based recombineering
Authors: Beltran-Sastre Violeta , Benisty Hannah , Burnier Julia , Berger Imre , Serrano Luis , Kiel Christina 
Published: November 2015

AbstractUnderstanding the quantitative functional consequences of human disease mutations requires silencing of endogenous genes and expression of mutants at close to physiological levels. Changing protein levels above or below these levels is also important for system perturbation and modelling. Fast design optimization demands flexible interchangeable cassettes for endogenous gene silencing and tuneable expression. Here, we introduce ‘TEMTAC’, a multigene recombineering and delivery system for simultaneous siRNA-based knockdown and regulated mutant (or other variant) expression with different dynamic ranges. We show its applicability by confirming known phenotypic effects for selected mutations for BRAF, HRAS and SHP2.
Psychological and physiological correlates of childhood obesity in Taiwan
Authors: Chung Kuo-Hsuan , Chiou Hung-Yi , Chen Yi-Hua 
Published: November 2015

AbstractEvidence of associations between psychopathology and obesity in childhood remains inconsistent and most studies have been conducted in Western countries. This study investigated psychological and physiological correlates of obesity in a community sample of children in Taiwan. In total, 302 children (157 overweight/obese and 145 healthy-weight children) were selected from first- and fourth-grade schoolchildren in eight elementary schools in 2009. These children participated in a comprehensive health examination, including a physical examination, blood sample analysis and questionnaire administration. We found that regarding physiological characteristics, compared with the healthy-weight children, the overweight/obese children had significantly higher values for body fat estimated using the bioelectrical impedance method (p < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.001); lower values for high-density lipoprotein (p < 0.001); and worse values for glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (p < 0.001), triglycerides (p < 0.001) and fasting blood glucose (p = 0.049). In logistic models adjusted for parental and child traits and physiological characteristics, children’s overweight/obesity was significantly associated with lower self-concept (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.93–0.99) and less disruptive behavior (OR = 0.96, 95% CI = 0.92–0.99). Less disruptive behavior and the lack of a higher prevalence of anxiety and depression in childhood obesity appear to be a unique pattern in Taiwan that warrants further investigation.
Delivery of cell-penetrating peptide-peptide nucleic acid conjugates by assembly on an oligonucleotide scaffold
Authors: Zhao Xing-Liang , Chen Bi-Cheng , Han Jin-Chao , Wei Lai , Pan Xiao-Ben 
Published: November 2015

AbstractDelivery to intracellular target sites is still one of the main obstacles in the development of peptide nucleic acids (PNAs) as antisense-antigene therapeutics. Here, we designed a self-assembled oligonucleotide scaffold that included a central complementary region for self-assembly and lateral regions complementing the PNAs. Assembly of cell-penetrating peptide (CPP)-PNAs on the scaffold significantly promoted endocytosis of PNAs by at least 10-fold in cell cultures, particularly for scaffolds in which the central complementary region was assembled by poly(guanine) and poly(cytosine). The antisense activity of CPP-PNAs increased by assembly on the scaffold and was further enhanced after co-assembly with endosomolytic peptide (EP)-PNA. This synergistic effect was also observed following the assembly of antigene CPP-PNAs\EP-PNAs on the scaffold. However, antigene activity was only observed by targeting episomal viral DNA or transfected plasmids, but not the chromosome in the cell cultures. In conclusion, assembly on oligonucleotide scaffolds significantly enhanced the antisense-antigene activity of PNAs by promoting endocytosis and endosomal escape. This oligonucleotide scaffold provided a simple strategy for assembly of multiple functional peptide-PNA conjugates, expanding the applications of PNAs and demonstrating the potential of PNAs as antiviral therapeutics.
Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Barnes Jonathan 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Aristotle: A Very Short Introduction argues that Aristotle’s influence on the intellectual history of the West is second to none. His various doctrines and beliefs were purveyed as received truths, and his ideas, or their reflections, influenced philosophers and scientists, historians and theologians, poets and playwrights. The structure as well as the content of Aristotle’s thought was influential — even those determined to reject Aristotelian views found themselves doing so in Aristotelian language. This VSI examines Aristotle’s scientific researches, his discoveries in logic and his metaphysical theories, his work in psychology, ethics and politics, and his ideas about art and poetry, placing his teachings in their historical context.
International Law: A Very Short Introduction
Authors: Lowe Vaughan 
Published: November 2015

Abstract
Recently, interest in international law has increased greatly, largely because of its central place in discussions such as the Iraq War, the World Trade Organization, the Kyoto Convention, the situations in Palestine and Darfur, and the plights of refugees and illegal immigrants around the world. International Law: A Very Short Introduction explains what international law is, its role in international society, and how it operates. It examines what international law can and cannot do and what it is and isn’t doing to make the world a better place. It uses terrorism, environmental change, poverty, and international violence to demonstrate international law theories and practice, and how the principles can be used for international cooperation.