bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of neurostimulation for advanced Parkinson’s disease patients on motor symptoms: A multiple-treatments meta-analysas of randomized controlled trials
Authors: Xie Cheng-Long , Shao Bei , Chen Jie , Zhou Yi , Lin Shi-Yi , Wang Wen-Wen 
Published: May 2016

AbstractDeep brain stimulation (DBS) is the surgical procedure of choice for patients with advanced Parkinson disease (PD). We aim to evaluate the efficacy of GPi (globus pallidus internus), STN (subthalamic nucleus)-DBS and medical therapy for PD. We conducted a systematic review and multiple-treatments meta-analysis to investigate the efficacy of neurostimulation and medical therapy for PD patients. Sixteen eligible studies were included in this analysis. We pooled the whole data and found obvious difference between GPi-DBS versus medical therapy and STN-DBS versus medical therapy in terms of UPDRS scores (Unified Parkinson’s Disease Rating Scale). Meanwhile, we found GPi-DBS had the similar efficacy on the UPDRS scores when compared with STN-DBS. What is more, quality of life, measured by PDQ-39 (Parkinson’s disease Questionnaire) showed greater improvement after GPi-DBS than STN-DBS. Five studies showed STN-DBS was more effective for reduction in medication than GPi-DBS. Overall, either GPi-DBS or STN-DBS was an effective technique to control PD patients’ symptoms and improved their functionality and quality of life. Meanwhile, the UPDRS scores measuring parkinsonian symptoms revealed no significant difference between GPi-DBS and STN-DBS. STN-DBS was more effective for reduction in medication than GPi-DBS. Alternatively, GPi-DBS was more effective for improving the PDQ-39 score than STN-DBS.
Syndecan-4 modulates the proliferation of neural cells and the formation of CaP axons during zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis
Authors: Luo Ning , Li Hongda , Xiang Bo , Qiao Liangjun , He Jiao , Ji Yi , Liu Yuan , Li Siying , Lu Ran , Li Yu , Meng Wentong , Wu Yang , Xu Hong , Mo Xianming 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSyndecan-4 (Syn4), a single-pass transmembrane heparin sulphate proteoglycan (HSPG), plays significant role in the formation of focal adhesions and interacts with many growth factors to regulate cell migration and neural induction. Here, we show the new roles ofsyndecan-4(syn4) in zebrafish embryonic neurogenesis.Syn4is broadly and dynamically expressed throughout the early stages of embryonic development. Knockdown ofsyn4increases the expression of the marker genes of multiple types of neural cells. The increased expression of the marker genes is resulted from excessive proliferation of the neural cells. In addition, disruptingsyn4expression results in truncated and multiple aberrant branching of caudal primary (CaP) axons. Collectively, these data indicate that Syn4 suppresses the cellular proliferation during neurogenesis and is crucial for the formation of CaP axons during zebrafish embryogenesis.
Raffinose, a plant galactoside, inhibits Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm formation via binding to LecA and decreasing cellular cyclic diguanylate levels
Authors: Kim Han-Shin , Cha Eunji , Kim YunHye , Jeon Young Ho , Olson Betty H. , Byun Youngjoo , Park Hee-Deung 
Published: May 2016

AbstractBiofilm formation on biotic or abiotic surfaces has unwanted consequences in medical, clinical and industrial settings. Treatments with antibiotics or biocides are often ineffective in eradicating biofilms. Promising alternatives to conventional agents are biofilm-inhibiting compounds regulating biofilm development without toxicity to growth. Here, we screened a biofilm inhibitor, raffinose, derived from ginger. Raffinose, a galactotrisaccharide, showed efficient biofilm inhibition of Pseudomonas aeruginosa without impairing its growth. Raffinose also affected various phenotypes such as colony morphology, matrix formation and swarming motility. Binding of raffinose to a carbohydrate-binding protein called LecA was the cause of biofilm inhibition and altered phenotypes. Furthermore, raffinose reduced the concentration of the second messenger, cyclic diguanylate (c-di-GMP), by increased activity of a c-di-GMP specific phosphodiesterase. The ability of raffinose to inhibit P. aeruginosa biofilm formation and its molecular mechanism opens new possibilities for pharmacological and industrial applications.
Platelet lysate gel and endothelial progenitors stimulate microvascular network formation in vitro: tissue engineering implications
Authors: Fortunato Tiago M. , Beltrami Cristina , Emanueli Costanza , De Bank Paul A. , Pula Giordano 
Published: May 2016

AbstractRevascularisation is a key step for tissue regeneration and complete organ engineering. We describe the generation of human platelet lysate gel (hPLG), an extracellular matrix preparation from human platelets able to support the proliferation of endothelial colony forming cells (ECFCs) in 2D cultures and the formation of a complete microvascular network in vitro in 3D cultures. Existing extracellular matrix preparations require addition of high concentrations of recombinant growth factors and allow only limited formation of capillary-like structures. Additional advantages of our approach over existing extracellular matrices are the absence of any animal product in the composition hPLG and the possibility of obtaining hPLG from patients to generate homologous scaffolds for re-implantation. This discovery has the potential to accelerate the development of regenerative medicine applications based on implantation of microvascular networks expanded ex vivo or the generation of fully vascularised organs.
Early life stress affects limited regional brain activity in depression
Authors: Du Lian , Wang Jingjie , Meng Ben , Yong Na , Yang Xiangying , Huang Qingling , Zhang Yan , Yang Lingling , Qu Yuan , Chen Zhu , Li Yongmei , Lv Fajin , Hu Hua 
Published: May 2016

AbstractEarly life stress (ELS) can alter brain function and increases the risk of major depressive disorder (MDD) in later life. This study investigated whether ELS contributes to differences in regional brain activity between MDD patients and healthy controls (HC), as measured by amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation (ALFF)/fractional (f)ALFF. Eighteen first-episode, treatment-naïve MDD patients and HC were assessed with the Childhood Trauma Questionnaire and resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging. We compared ALFF/fALFF between MDD patients and HC, with or without controlling for ELS, and determined whether ELS level was correlated with regional brain activity in each group. After regressing out ELS, we found that ALFF increased in bilateral amygdala and left orbital/cerebellum, while fALFF decreased in left inferior temporal and right middle frontal gyri in MDD patients relative to controls. ELS positively correlated with regional activity in the left cerebellum in MDD and in the right post-central/inferior temporal/superior frontal cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus and bilateral cerebellum in HC. Our findings indicate that there is only very limited region showing correlation between ELS and brain activity in MDD, while diverse areas in HC, suggesting ELS has few impacts on MDD patients.
Induction of P-glycoprotein expression and activity by Aconitum alkaloids: Implication for clinical drug–drug interactions
Authors: Wu Jinjun , Lin Na , Li Fangyuan , Zhang Guiyu , He Shugui , Zhu Yuanfeng , Ou Rilan , Li Na , Liu Shuqiang , Feng Lizhi , Liu Liang , Liu Zhongqiu , Lu Linlin 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe Aconitum species, which mainly contain bioactive Aconitum alkaloids, are frequently administered concomitantly with other herbal medicines or chemical drugs in clinics. The potential risk of drug–drug interactions (DDIs) arising from co-administration of Aconitum alkaloids and other drugs against specific targets such as P-glycoprotein (P-gp) must be evaluated. This study focused on the effects of three representative Aconitum alkaloids: aconitine (AC), benzoylaconine (BAC), and aconine, on the expression and activity of P-gp. We observed that Aconitum alkaloids increased P-gp expression in LS174T and Caco-2 cells in the order AC > BAC > aconine. Nuclear receptors were involved in the induction of P-gp. AC and BAC increased the P-gp transport activity. Strikingly, intracellular ATP levels and mitochondrial mass also increased. Furthermore, exposure to AC decreased the toxicity of vincristine and doxorubicin towards the cells. In vivo, AC significantly up-regulated the P-gp protein levels in the jejunum, ileum, and colon of FVB mice, and protected them against acute AC toxicity. Taken together, the findings of our in vitro and in vivo experiments indicate that AC can induce P-gp expression, and that co-administration of AC with P-gp substrate drugs may cause DDIs. Our findings have important implications for Aconitum therapy in clinics.
ahg12 is a dominant proteasome mutant that affects multiple regulatory systems for germination of Arabidopsis
Authors: Hayashi Shimpei , Hirayama Takashi 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe ubiquitin-proteasome system is fundamentally involved in myriad biological phenomena of eukaryotes. In plants, this regulated protein degradation system has a pivotal role in the cellular response mechanisms for both internal and external stimuli, such as plant hormones and environmental stresses. Information about substrate selection by the ubiquitination machinery has accumulated, but there is very little information about selectivity for substrates at the proteasome. Here, we report characterization of a novel abscisic acid (ABA)-hypersensitive mutant named ABA hypersensitive germination12 (ahg12) in Arabidopsis. The ahg12 mutant showed a unique pleiotropic phenotype, including hypersensitivity to ABA and ethylene, and hyposensitivity to light. Map-based cloning identified the ahg12 mutation to cause an amino acid conversion in the L23 loop of RPT5a, which is predicted to form the pore structure of the 19S RP complex of the proteasome. Transient expression assays demonstrated that some plant-specific signaling components accumulated at higher levels in the ahg12 mutant. These results suggest that the ahg12 mutation led to changes in the substrate preference of the 26S proteasome. The discovery of the ahg12 mutation thus will contribute to elucidate the characteristics of the regulated protein degradation system.
Perfect Spin-filtering in graphene monolayer-bilayer superlattice with zigzag boundaries
Authors: Yu Hang , Liu Jun-Feng 
Published: May 2016

AbstractWe show that the spontaneous magnetization is formed at the zigzag boundary between monolayer and bilayer graphene by the self-consistent calculation based on Hubbard model. In a monolayer- bilayer graphene superlattice with zigzag boundaries, it is surprising that nearly 100% spin polarization is achieved in the energy window around the Dirac point, no matter the magnetization configuration at two boundaries is parallel or antiparallel. The reason is that the low-energy transport is only influenced by the magnetization at one edge, but not by that at the other. The underlying physics is unveiled by the spin-split band structure and the distribution of the wave-function pertaining to the lowest (highest) subband of electron (hole).
Antimycotic Activity and Genotoxic Evaluation of Citrus sinensis and Citrus latifolia Essential Oils
Authors: Ruiz-Pérez Nancy J. , González-Ávila Marisela , Sánchez-Navarrete Jaime , Toscano-Garibay Julia D. , Moreno-Eutimio Mario A. , Sandoval-Hernández Teresa , Arriaga-Alba Myriam 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe aim of this study was to evaluate the antifungal activity of essential oils (EOs) of Citrus sinensis (C. sinensis) and Citrus latifolia (C. latifolia) against five Candida species: Candida albicans, Candida tropicalis, Candida glabrata, Candida lusitaniae and Candida guilliermondii; and perform its genotoxic evaluation. The EOs of C. sinensis and C. latifolia were obtained from the peel by hydro-distillation. The major components determined by GC-MS were in C. sinensis, d-limonene (96%) and α-myrcene (2.79%); and in C. latifolia, d-limonene (51.64%), β-thujene (14.85%), β-pinene (12.79%) and γ-terpinene (12.8%). Antifungal properties were studied by agar diffusion method, where C. sinensis presented low activity and C. latifolia essential oil was effective to inhibit growing of C. lusitaniae and C. guilliermondii with IC50 of 6.90 and 2.92 μg respectively. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) for C. sinensis were in a range of 0.42–3.71 μg and for C. latifolia of 0.22–1.30 μg. Genotoxic evaluation was done by Ames test where none of the oils induced point mutations. Flow cytometry was used to measure toxicity in human oral epithelial cells, C. sinensis was not cytotoxic and C. latifolia was toxic at 21.8 μg. These properties might bestow different odontological applications to each essential oil.
A novel assay for screening inhibitors targeting HIV-1 integrase dimerization based on Ni-NTA magnetic agarose beads
Authors: Zhang Dawei , He Hongqiu , Liu Mengmeng , Meng Zhixia , Guo Shunxing 
Published: May 2016

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 integrase (IN), which mediates integration of viral cDNA into the cellular chromosome, is a validated antiviral drug target. Three IN inhibitors, raltegravir, elvitegravir and dolutegravir, have been clinically approved since 2008. However, drug resistance have emerged in infected patients receiving treatment using these drugs which share the same mechanism of action and have a low genetic barrier for resistance. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop drugs with novel mechanism. IN requires a precise and dynamic equilibrium between several oligomeric species for its activities. The modulation of the process which is termed as IN oligomerization, presents an interesting allosteric target for drug development. In this research, we developed a magnetic beads based approach to assay the IN dimerization. Then, using the assay we screened a library of 1000 Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved drugs for IN dimerization inhibitors and identified dexlansoprazole as a potential IN dimerization inhibitor. In conclusion, the assay presented here has been proven to be sensitive and specific for the detection of IN dimerization as well as for the identification of antiviral drugs targeting IN dimerization. Moreover, a FDA-approved proton-pump inhibitors, dexlansoprazole, was identified as a potential inhibitor for IN dimerization.
Design, Synthesis and Antitumor Activity of Novel link-bridge and B-Ring Modified Combretastatin A-4 (CA-4) Analogues as Potent Antitubulin Agents
Authors: Duan Yong-Tao , Man Ruo-Jun , Tang Dan-Jie , Yao Yong-Fang , Tao Xiang-Xiang , Yu Chen , Liang Xin-Yi , Makawana Jigar A. , Zou Mei-Juan , Wang Zhong-Chang , Zhu Hai-Liang 
Published: May 2016

AbstractA series of 12 novel acylhydrazone, chalcone and amide–bridged analogues of combretastatin A-4 were designed and synthesized toward tubulin. All these compounds were determined by elemental analysis, 1H NMR, and MS. Among them, compound 7 with acylhydrazone-bridge, bearing a benzyl at the indole-N position, was identified as a potent antiproliferative agent against a panel of cancer cell lines with IC50 values ranging from 0.08 to 35.6 μM. In contrast, its cytotoxic effects on three normal human cells were minimal. Cellular studies have revealed that the induction of apoptosis by compound 7 was associated with a collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential, accumulation of reactive oxygen species, alterations in the expression of some cell cycle-related proteins (Cyclin B1, Cdc25c, Cdc2, P21) and some apoptosis-related proteins (Bax, PARP, Bcl-2, Caspase3). The docking mode showed the binding posture of CA-4 and compound 7 are similar in the colchicine-binding pocket of tubulin, as confirmed by colchicine-tubulin competitive binding assay, tubulin polymerization inhibitory activity, extracellular protein expression determination assay and confocal immunofluorescence microscopy. In vivo study, compound 7 effectively inhibited A549 xenograft tumor growth without causing significant loss of body weight suggesting that compound 7 is a promising new antimitotic agent with clinical potential.
Specific Cues Associated With Honey Bee Social Defence against Varroa destructor Infested Brood
Authors: Mondet Fanny , Kim Seo Hyun , de Miranda Joachim R. , Beslay Dominique , Le Conte Yves , Mercer Alison R. 
Published: May 2016

AbstractSocial immunity forms an essential part of the defence repertoire of social insects. In response to infestation by the parasitic mite Varroa destructor and its associated viruses, honey bees (Apis mellifera L.) have developed a specific behaviour (varroa-sensitive hygiene, or VSH) that helps protect the colony from this parasite. Brood cells heavily infested with mites are uncapped, the brood killed and the cell contents removed. For this extreme sacrifice to be beneficial to the colony, the targeting of parasitized brood for removal must be accurate and selective. Here we show that varroa-infested brood produce uniquely identifiable cues that could be used by VSH-performing bees to identify with high specificity which brood cells to sacrifice. This selective elimination of mite-infested brood is a disease resistance strategy analogous to programmed cell death, where young bees likely to be highly dysfunctional as adults are sacrificed for the greater good of the colony.
CSN6, a subunit of the COP9 signalosome, is involved in early response to iron deficiency in Oryza sativa
Authors: Tan Song , Liu Fang , Pan Xiao-Xi , Zang Yue-Peng , Jin Fei , Zu Wei-Xi , Qi Xiao-Ting , Xiao Wei , Yin Li-Ping 
Published: May 2016

AbstractThe COP9 signalosome (CSN) plays an important role in proteasome-mediated degradation by regulating CUL1 rubylation of the SCF ligase and is involved in many crucial biological processes. Here, we demonstrate a link between IDEF1 accumulation and the decline in COP9 derubylation activity in response to iron deficiency (-Fe) in rice (Oryza sativa). CSN6 expression is rapidly down-regulated during Fe depletion, contributing to reduced CSN activity, as judged by CSN5 and CUL1 expression, indicating CSN6 is involved in the early stage response of -Fe. In contrast to CSN6, the IDEF1 protein and expression of several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes are increased in response to -Fe. Thus, we constructed CSN6 transgenic sense and antisense lines and found that experimental depletion of CSN6 results in accumulation of the IDEF1 protein and up-regulation of several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes. Furthermore, IDEF1 can be decorated with K48-linked polyubiquitin and degraded via the 26S proteasome. Accumulated IDEF1 in antisense lines led to increased chlorophyll and Fe content in seedlings during -Fe. Collectively, the cellular CSN6 level is decreased during early stages of -Fe to ensure the rapid accumulation of IDEF1, which in turn up-regulates several iron uptake/utilisation-related genes to help overcome -Fe stress in rice.
Switchable reflective metamaterial polarisation rotator
Authors: Saikia M. , Ghosh S. , Srivastava K.V. 
Published: May 2016

A switchable wideband reflective metamaterial polarisation rotator based on plasmon resonances has been presented. The proposed design comprises of periodically arranged split rings on which PIN diodes are mounted to demonstrate switching operation. By controlling the bias voltage of the PIN diodes, the polarisation of the reflected wave can be controlled over a broad frequency range. The simulated result shows that over 90% cross‐polarised reflection is observed in 2.42–3.52 GHz under OFF state, whereas co‐polarised reflection is exhibited under ON state. Polarisation rotation has also been explained using two plasmon resonances in terms of electromagnetic responses. Finally the structure has been fabricated, whose measured results agree well with simulated responses, thus validating the concept behind switchable polarisation rotator.
Influences of input impedance of oscilloscope on the accuracy of switching overvoltage measuring system
Authors: Sun Qiuqin , Yan Joseph , Wang Feng , Li Qingmin , Chen She 
Published: May 2016

The accuracy of switching overvoltage measuring system is significantly affected by the input impedance of oscilloscope. First, the principle of switching overvoltage is presented, followed by a brief introduction to the structure of measuring system. Using the laplace transform, the transfer function of the measuring system is then derived. Its frequency response, ranging from DC to 1 GHz, is investigated in detail. The influences of the input impedance on the amplitude and phase angle responses are clearly revealed. Two typical cases, i.e. unit step response and sinusoidal step response, are also considered in the study. To validate the above analysis, a series of experiments has been performed at a substation. Both the theoretical analysis and the experimental results indicate that the input impedance affects the accuracy of switching overvoltage measuring system significantly. In the case that the impedance is rather small, the voltage waveform displayed on oscilloscope would be considerably distorted from the one stressed on the line. The impedance should be greater than 107 Ω to satisfy the accuracy requirement. On the other hand, it can be also used as a direct indicator to assess the performance of oscilloscope.
Influence of colloidal silica dispersion on the decrease of roughness in silicon chemical mechanical polishing
Authors: Chen Gaopan , Luo Guihai , Pan Guoshun , Liu Yuhong , Luo Haimen 
Published: May 2016

Colloidal silica with different dispersion states during silicon chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) are investigated in detail. As the dispersion of colloidal silica is improved, the roughness (Ra) decreases gradually during polishing. The silicon surface has a minimum Ra of 0.118 nm when the polydispersity index of particles is 0.078. Comparing with surface polished by colloidal silica in poor dispersion, the surface quality has great improvement. The important role of dispersant is presented by the results of investigations. The research results indicate that dispersant makes aggregate micelles dispersed into many smaller uniform colloidal silica particles. The uniformly dispersed colloidal silica forms a thin film between the surfaces of silicon and polishing pad during CMP, which is beneficial for the stability of friction, and therefore greatly decreases roughness of silicon surface after polishing.
Outcomes of Late Implantation in Usher Syndrome Patients
Authors: Hoshino Ana , Echegoyen Agustina , Goffi-Gomez Maria , Tsuji Robinson , Bento Ricardo 
Published: May 2016

Introduction Usher syndrome (US) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by hearing loss and progressive visual impairment. Some deaf Usher syndrome patients learn to communicate using sign language. During adolescence, as they start losing vision, they are usually referred to cochlear implantation as a salvage for their new condition. Is a late implantation beneficial to these children?
Objective The objective of this study is to describe the outcomes of US patients who received cochlear implants at a later age.
Methods This is a retrospective study of ten patients diagnosed with US1. We collected pure-tone thresholds and speech perception tests from pre and one-year post implant.
Results Average age at implantation was 18.9 years (5–49). Aided average thresholds were 103 dB HL and 35 dB HL pre and one-year post implant, respectively. Speech perception was only possible to be measured in four patients preoperatively, who scored 13.3; 26.67; 46% vowels and 56% 4-choice. All patients except one had some kind of communication. Two were bilingual. After one year of using the device, seven patients were able to perform the speech tests (from four-choice to close set sentences) and three patients abandoned the use of the implant.
Conclusion We observed that detection of sounds can be achieved with late implantation, but speech recognition is only possible in patients with previous hearing stimulation, since it depends on the development of hearing skills and the maturation of the auditory pathways.