bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Metal concentrations and distributions in the human olfactory bulb in Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Gardner Bronwen , Dieriks Birger V. , Cameron Steve , Mendis Lakshini H. S. , Turner Clinton , Faull Richard L. M. , Curtis Maurice A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn Parkinson’s disease (PD), the olfactory bulb is typically the first region in the body to accumulate alpha-synuclein aggregates. This pathology is linked to decreased olfactory ability, which becomes apparent before any motor symptoms occur, and may be due to a local metal imbalance. Metal concentrations were investigated in post-mortem olfactory bulbs and tracts from 17 human subjects. Iron (p < 0.05) and sodium (p < 0.01) concentrations were elevated in the PD olfactory bulb. Combining laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and immunohistochemistry, iron and copper were evident at very low levels in regions of alpha-synuclein aggregation. Zinc was high in these regions, and free zinc was detected in Lewy bodies, mitochondria, and lipofuscin of cells in the anterior olfactory nucleus. Increased iron and sodium in the human PD olfactory bulb may relate to the loss of olfactory function. In contrast, colocalization of free zinc and alpha-synuclein in the anterior olfactory nucleus implicate zinc in PD pathogenesis.
Origins of Dirac cone formation in AB3 and A3B (A, B = C, Si, and Ge) binary monolayers
Authors: Qin Xuming , Wu Yuqin , Liu Yi , Chi Baoqian , Li Xiaowu , Wang Yin , Zhao Xinluo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCompared to the pure two-dimensional (2D) graphene and silicene, the binary 2D system silagraphenes, consisting of both C and Si atoms, possess more diverse electronic structures depending on their various chemical stoichiometry and arrangement pattern of binary components. By performing calculations with both density functional theory and a Tight-binding model, we elucidated the formation of Dirac cone (DC) band structures in SiC3 and Si3C as well as their analogous binary monolayers including SiGe3, Si3Ge, GeC3, and Ge3C. A “ring coupling” mechanism, referring to the couplings among the six ring atoms, was proposed to explain the origin of DCs in AB3 and A3B binary systems, based on which we discussed the methods tuning the SiC3 systems into self-doped systems. The first-principles quantum transport calculations by non-equilibrium Green’s function method combined with density functional theory showed that the electron conductance of SiC3 and Si3C lie between those of graphene and silicene, proportional to the carbon concentrations. Understanding the DC formation mechanism and electronic properties sheds light onto the design principles for novel Fermi Dirac systems used in nanoelectronic devices.
Infrared probe of pseudogap in electron-doped Sr2IrO4
Authors: Seo J. H. , Ahn G. H. , Song S. J. , Chen X. , Wilson S. D. , Moon S. J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe report on infrared spectroscopy experiments on the electronic response in (Sr1−x
La
x
)2IrO4 (x = 0, 0.021, and 0.067). Our data show that electron doping induced by La substitution leads to an insulator-to-metal transition. The evolution of the electronic structure across the transition reveals the robustness of the strong electronic correlations against the electron doping. The conductivity data of the metallic compound show the signature of the pseudogap that bears close similarity to the analogous studies of the pseudogap in the underdoped cuprates. While the low energy conductivity of the metallic compound is barely frequency dependent, the formation of the pseudogap is revealed by the gradual suppression of the featureless conductivity below a threshold frequency of about 17 meV. The threshold structure develops below about 100 K which is in the vicinity of the onset of the short-range antiferromagnetic order. Our results demonstrate that the electronic correlations play a crucial role in the anomalous charge dynamics in the (Sr1−x
La
x
)2IrO4 system.
A mutation in the melon Vacuolar Protein Sorting 41prevents systemic infection of Cucumber mosaic virus
Authors: Giner Ana , Pascual Laura , Bourgeois Michael , Gyetvai Gabor , Rios Pablo , Picó Belén , Troadec Christelle , Bendahmane Abdel , Garcia-Mas Jordi , Martín-Hernández Ana Montserrat 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn the melon exotic accession PI 161375, the gene cmv1, confers recessive resistance to Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) strains of subgroup II. cmv1 prevents the systemic infection by restricting the virus to the bundle sheath cells and impeding viral loading to the phloem. Here we report the fine mapping and cloning of cmv1. Screening of an F2 population reduced the cmv1 region to a 132 Kb interval that includes a Vacuolar Protein Sorting 41 gene. CmVPS41 is conserved among plants, animals and yeast and is required for post-Golgi vesicle trafficking towards the vacuole. We have validated CmVPS41 as the gene responsible for the resistance, both by generating CMV susceptible transgenic melon plants, expressing the susceptible allele in the resistant cultivar and by characterizing CmVPS41 TILLING mutants with reduced susceptibility to CMV. Finally, a core collection of 52 melon accessions allowed us to identify a single amino acid substitution (L348R) as the only polymorphism associated with the resistant phenotype. CmVPS41 is the first natural recessive resistance gene found to be involved in viral transport and its cellular function suggests that CMV might use CmVPS41 for its own transport towards the phloem.
Prevalence, Awareness and Associated Risk Factors of Diabetes among Adults in Xi’an, China
Authors: Hu Meiqin , Wan Yi , Yu Lifen , Yuan Jing , Ma Yonghong , Hou Bin , Jiang Xun , Shang Lei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe study aimed to investigate the prevalence, awareness, treatment and glycaemic control of diabetes and its associated risk factors among adults in Xi’an, China. We collected data among participants aged 18 years or older through a self-developed questionnaire and an additional health examination. A total of 8150 participants were included, with an overall prevalence of diabetes of 8.0%. Among 655 participants with diabetes, 52.5% were aware they had diabetes, 48.1% took antidiabetic treatment, and 19.1% had their fasting blood glucose level at less than 7.0 mmol/l. Older age, lower educational level, higher body mass index, larger waist circumference, having an unhealthy diet and having more comorbidities were positively associated with the risk of diabetes. Participants who were older, who had higher education and who had more comorbidities were more aware that they had diabetes. Being older age, having higher education and having more comorbidities were also factors for better treatment. Participants who were older were more likely to have their glucose level controlled. The prevalence of diabetes among adults in Xi’an is high, with suboptimal awareness, treatment, and glycaemic control rates. Comprehensive integrated strategies based on risk factors should be implemented to improve the prevention and glycaemic control of diabetes.
A Metabolomics Signature Linked To Liver Fibrosis In The Serum Of Transplanted Hepatitis C Patients
Authors: Cano Ainara , Mariño Zoe , Millet Oscar , Martínez-Arranz Ibon , Navasa Miquel , Falcón-Pérez Juan Manuel , Pérez-Cormenzana Miriam , Caballería Joan , Embade Nieves , Forns Xavier , Bosch Jaume , Castro Azucena , Mato José María 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLiver fibrosis must be evaluated in patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) after liver transplantation because its severity affects their prognosis and the recurrence of HCV. Since invasive biopsy is still the gold standard to identify patients at risk of graft loss from rapid fibrosis progression, it becomes crucial the development of new accurate, non-invasive methods that allow repetitive examination of the patients. Therefore, we have developed a non-invasive, accurate model to distinguish those patients with different liver fibrosis stages. Two hundred and three patients with HCV were histologically classified (METAVIR) into five categories of fibrosis one year after liver transplantation. In this cross-sectional study, patients at fibrosis stages F0-F1 (n = 134) were categorised as “slow fibrosers” and F2-F4 (n = 69) as “rapid fibrosers”. Chloroform/methanol serum extracts were analysed by reverse ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. A diagnostic model was built through linear discriminant analyses. An algorithm consisting of two sphingomyelins and two phosphatidylcholines accurately classifies rapid and slow fibrosers after transplantation. The proposed model yielded an AUROC of 0.92, 71% sensitivity, 85% specificity, and 84% accuracy. Moreover, specific bile acids and sphingomyelins increased notably along with liver fibrosis severity, differentiating between rapid and slow fibrosers.
Structures of Medicago truncatula L-Histidinol Dehydrogenase Show Rearrangements Required for NAD+ Binding and the Cofactor Positioned to Accept a Hydride
Authors: Ruszkowski Milosz , Dauter Zbigniew 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPlants, lower eukaryotes, bacteria, and archaebacteria synthesise L-histidine (His) in a similar, multistep pathway that is absent in mammals. This makes the His biosynthetic route a promising target for herbicides, antifungal agents, and antibiotics. The last enzyme of the pathway, bifunctional L-histidinol dehydrogenase (HDH, EC 1.1.1.23), catalyses two oxidation reactions: from L-histidinol (HOL) to L-histidinaldehyde and from L-histidinaldehyde to His. Over the course of the reaction, HDH utilises two molecules of NAD+ as the hydride acceptor. The object of this study was the HDH enzyme from the model legume plant, Medicago truncatula (MtHDH). Three crystal structures complexed with imidazole, HOL, and His with NAD+ provided in-depth insights into the enzyme architecture, its active site, and the cofactor binding mode. The overall structure of MtHDH is similar to the two bacterial orthologues whose three-dimensional structures have been determined. The three snapshots, with the MtHDH enzyme captured in different states, visualise structural rearrangements that allow for NAD+ binding for the first time. Furthermore, the MtHDH complex with His and NAD+ displays the cofactor molecule situated in a way that would allow for a hydride transfer.
Armored CAR T cells enhance antitumor efficacy and overcome the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Yeku Oladapo O. , Purdon Terence J. , Koneru Mythili , Spriggs David , Brentjens Renier J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractChimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has shown limited efficacy for the management of solid tumor malignancies. In ovarian cancer, this is in part due to an immunosuppressive cytokine and cellular tumor microenvironment which suppresses adoptively transferred T cells. We engineered an armored CAR T cell capable of constitutive secretion of IL-12, and delineate the mechanisms via which these CAR T cells overcome a hostile tumor microenvironment. In this report, we demonstrate enhanced proliferation, decreased apoptosis and increased cytotoxicity in the presence of immunosuppressive ascites. In vivo, we show enhanced expansion and CAR T cell antitumor efficacy, culminating in improvement in survival in a syngeneic model of ovarian peritoneal carcinomatosis. Armored CAR T cells mediated depletion of tumor associated macrophages and resisted endogenous PD-L1-induced inhibition. These findings highlight the role of the inhibitory microenvironment and how CAR T cells can be further engineered to maintain efficacy.
Erosion potential of the Yangtze Delta under sediment starvation and climate change
Authors: Yang H. F. , Yang S. L. , Xu K. H. , Wu H. , Shi B. W. , Zhu Q. , Zhang W. X. , Yang Z. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDeltas are widely threatened by sediment starvation and climate change. Erosion potential is an important indicator of delta vulnerability. Here, we investigate the erosion potential of the Yangtze Delta. We found that over the past half century the Yangtze’s sediment discharge has decreased by 80% due to the construction of >50,000 dams and soil conservation, whereas the wind speed and wave height in the delta region have increased by 5–7%, and the sea level has risen at a rate of 3 mm/yr. According to hydrodynamic measurements and analyses of seabed sediments, the period when bed shear stress due to combined current-wave action under normal weather conditions exceeds the critical bed shear stress for erosion (τcr) accounts for 63% of the total observed period on average and can reach 100% during peak storms. This explains why net erosion has occurred in some areas of the subaqueous delta. We also found that the increase with depth ofτcris very gradual in the uppermost several metres of the depositional sequence. We therefore expect that the Yangtze subaqueous delta will experience continuous erosion under sediment starvation and climate change in the next decades of this century or even a few centuries.
Investigation of possible phase transition of the frustrated spin-1/2 J
1-J
2-J
3 model on the square lattice
Authors: Hu Ai-Yuan , Wang Huai-Yu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe frustrated spin-1/2 J1-J2-J3 antiferromagnet with exchange anisotropy on the two-dimensional square lattice is investigated. The exchange anisotropy is presented by η with 0 ≤ η < 1. The effects of the J1, J2, J3 and anisotropy on the possible phase transition of the Néel state and collinear state are studied comprehensively. Our results indicate that for J3 > 0 there are upper limits $${J}_{3}^{c}$$

J

3

c

and η
c
values. When 0 < J3 ≤ $${J}_{3}^{c}$$

J

3

c

and 0 ≤ η ≤ η
c
, the Néel and collinear states have the same order-disorder transition point at J2 = J1/2. Nevertheless, when the J3 and η values beyond the upper limits, it is a paramagnetic phase at J2 = J1/2. For J3 < 0, in the case of 0 ≤ η < 1, the two states always have the same critical temperature as long as J2 = J1/2. Therefore, for J2 = J1/2, under such parameters, a first-order phase transition between the two states for these two cases below the critical temperatures may occur. When J2 ≠ J1/2, the Néel and collinear states may also exist, while they have different critical temperatures. When J2 > J1/2, a first-order phase transition between the two states may also occur. However, for J2 < J1/2, the Néel state is always more stable than the collinear state.
RGMa inhibition with human monoclonal antibodies promotes regeneration, plasticity and repair, and attenuates neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury
Authors: Mothe Andrea J. , Tassew Nardos G. , Shabanzadeh Alirezha P. , Penheiro Romeo , Vigouroux Robin J. , Huang Lili , Grinnell Christine , Cui Yi-Fang , Fung Emma , Monnier Philippe P. , Mueller Bernhard K. , Tator Charles H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTraumatic spinal cord injury (SCI) causes a cascade of degenerative events including cell death, axonal damage, and the upregulation of inhibitory molecules which prevent regeneration and limit recovery. Repulsive guidance molecule A (RGMa) is a potent neurite growth inhibitor in the central nervous system, exerting its repulsive activity by binding the Neogenin receptor. Here, we show for the first time that inhibitory RGMa is markedly upregulated in multiple cell types after clinically relevant impact-compression SCI in rats, and importantly, also in the injured human spinal cord. To neutralize inhibitory RGMa, clinically relevant human monoclonal antibodies were systemically administered after acute SCI, and were detected in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and in the injured tissue. Rats treated with RGMa blocking antibodies showed significantly improved recovery of motor function and gait. Furthermore, RGMa blocking antibodies promoted neuronal survival, and enhanced the plasticity of descending serotonergic pathways and corticospinal tract axonal regeneration. RGMa antibody also attenuated neuropathic pain responses, which was associated with fewer activated microglia and reduced CGRP expression in the dorsal horn caudal to the lesion. These results show the therapeutic potential of the first human RGMa antibody for SCI and uncovers a new role for the RGMa/Neogenin pathway on neuropathic pain.
Global-local processing relates to spatial and verbal processing: implications for sex differences in cognition
Authors: Pletzer Belinda , Scheuringer Andrea , Scherndl Thomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSex differences have been reported for a variety of cognitive tasks and related to the use of different cognitive processing styles in men and women. It was recently argued that these processing styles share some characteristics across tasks, i.e. male approaches are oriented towards holistic stimulus aspects and female approaches are oriented towards stimulus details. In that respect, sex-dependent cognitive processing styles share similarities with attentional global-local processing. A direct relationship between cognitive processing and global-local processing has however not been previously established. In the present study, 49 men and 44 women completed a Navon paradigm and a Kimchi Palmer task as well as a navigation task and a verbal fluency task with the goal to relate the global advantage (GA) effect as a measure of global processing to holistic processing styles in both tasks. Indeed participants with larger GA effects displayed more holistic processing during spatial navigation and phonemic fluency. However, the relationship to cognitive processing styles was modulated by the specific condition of the Navon paradigm, as well as the sex of participants. Thus, different types of global-local processing play different roles for cognitive processing in men and women.
Role of Smad3 and p38 Signalling in Cigarette Smoke-induced CFTR and BK dysfunction in Primary Human Bronchial Airway Epithelial Cells
Authors: Sailland Juliette , Grosche Astrid , Baumlin Nathalie , Dennis John S. , Schmid Andreas , Krick Stefanie , Salathe Matthias 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMucociliary clearance (MCC) is a major airway host defence system that is impaired in patients with smoking-associated chronic bronchitis. This dysfunction is partially related to a decrease of airway surface liquid (ASL) volume that is in part regulated by apically expressed cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) and large-conductance, Ca2+-activated, and voltage dependent K+ (BK) channels. Here, data from human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEC) confirm that cigarette smoke not only downregulates CFTR activity but also inhibits BK channel function, thereby causing ASL depletion. Inhibition of signalling pathways involved in cigarette smoke-induced channel dysfunction reveals that CFTR activity is downregulated via Smad3 signalling whereas BK activity is decreased via the p38 cascade. In addition, pre-treatment with pirfenidone, a drug presently used to inhibit TGF-β signalling in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, ameliorated BK dysfunction and ASL volume loss. Taken together, our results highlight the importance of not only CFTR but also BK channel function in maintaining ASL homeostasis and emphasize the possibility that pirfenidone could be employed as a novel therapeutic regimen to help improve MCC in smoking-related chronic bronchitis.
N-P Fertilization Stimulates Anaerobic Selenium Reduction in an End-Pit Lake
Authors: Luek Andreas , Rowan David J. , Rasmussen Joseph B. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSelenium (Se), an essential micro nutrient, is toxic to aquatic life at slightly higher water concentrations. Watersheds receiving leachate from selenium rich sources require large-scale, long-term treatment to mitigate Se toxicity. We applied the principles of anaerobic bacterial bioreactors, previously successful in small scale Se mitigation, to a whole end-pit lake ecosystem. Fertilization of the lake with N and P increased primary production, creating a meromictic, anoxic layer, and enhanced the habitat for locally present, anaerobic, Se and sulfur reducing bacteria. Within two years, Se concentrations were reduced ten-fold, reaching water-quality guideline values. The successful experiment demonstrated a novel treatment of large volumes of Se-contaminated water, and introduced an inexpensive method to mitigate a persistent aquatic pollutant of global concern.
Immunization with alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C reduces Fusobacterium nucleatum load in the intestinal tract
Authors: Guo Song-He , Wang Hai-Fang , Nian Zhi-Gang , Wang Yi-Dan , Zeng Qiu-Yao , Zhang Ge 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFusobacterium nucleatum (Fn) is an important tumour-associated bacterium in colorectal cancer (CRC). The antioxidant protein alkyl hydroperoxide reductase subunit C (AhpC) can induce strong antibacterial immune response during various pathogen infections. Our study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of Fn-AhpC as a candidate vaccine. In this work, by western blot analysis, we showed that Fn-AhpC recombinant protein could be recognized specifically by antibodies present in the sera of CRC patients; using the mouse Fn-infection model, we observed that systemic prophylactic immunization with AhpC/alum conferred significant protection against infection in 77.3% of mice. In addition, we measured the anti-AhpC antibody level in the sera of CRC patients and found that there was no obvious increase of anti-AhpC antibodies in the early-stage CRC group. Furthermore, we treated Fn with the sera from both immunized mice and CRC patients and found that sera with high anti-AhpC antibodies titre could inhibit Fn growth. In conclusion, our findings support the use of AhpC as a potential vaccine candidate against inhabitation or infection of Fn in the intestinal tract, which could provide a practical strategy for the prevention of CRC associated with Fn infection.
Effect of Surface Plasmon Coupling to Optical Cavity Modes on the Field Enhancement and Spectral Response of Dimer-Based sensors
Authors: Alrasheed Salma , Di Fabrizio Enzo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present a theoretical approach to narrow the plasmon linewidth and enhance the near-field intensity at a plasmonic dimer gap (hot spot) through coupling the electric localized surface plasmon (LSP) resonance of a silver hemispherical dimer with the resonant modes of a Fabry-Perot (FP) cavity. The strong coupling is demonstrated by the large anticrossing in the reflection spectra and a Rabi splitting of 76 meV. Up to 2-fold enhancement increase can be achieved compared to that without using the cavity. Such high field enhancement has potential applications in optics, including sensors and high resolution imaging devices. In addition, the resonance splitting allows for greater flexibility in using the same array at different wavelengths. We then further propose a practical design to realize such a device and include dimers of different shapes and materials.
First-principles calculations on Fe-Pt nanoclusters of various morphologies
Authors: Platonenko Alexander , Piskunov Sergei , Bocharov Dmitry , Zhukovskii Yuri F. , Evarestov Robert A. , Bellucci Stefano 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBimetallic FePt nanoparticles with L10 structure are attracting a lot of attention due to their high magnetocrystalline anisotropy and high coercivity what makes them potential material for storage of ultra-high density magnetic data. FePt nanoclusters are considered also as nanocatalysts for growth of carbon nanotubes of different chiralities. Using the DFT-LCAO CRYSTAL14 code, we have performed large-scale spin-polarized calculations on 19 different polyhedral structures of FePt nanoparticles in order to estimate which icosahedral or hcp-structured morphology is the energetically more preferable. Surface energy calculations of all aforementioned nanoparticles indicate that the global minimum corresponds to the nanocluster possessing the icosahedron “onion-like” structure and Fe43Pt104 morphology where the outer layer consists of Pt atoms. The presence of the Pt-enriched layer around FePt core explains high oxidation resistance and environmental stability, both observed experimentally.