bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of Chinese herbal medicine for cancer palliative care: overview of systematic reviews with meta-analyses
Authors: Chung Vincent CH , Wu Xinyin , Hui Edwin P. , Ziea Eric TC , Ng Bacon FL , Ho Robin ST , Tsoi Kelvin KF , Wong Samuel YS , Wu Justin CY 
Published: December 2015

AbstractChinese herbal medicines (CHM) are often used in managing cancer related symptoms but their effectiveness and safety is controversial. We conducted this overview of meta-analyses to summarize evidence on CHM for cancer palliative care. We included systematic reviews (SRs) with meta-analyses of CHM clinical trials on patients diagnosed with any type of cancer. Methodological quality of included meta-analyses was assessed with the Methodological Quality of Systematic Reviews (AMSTAR) Instrument. Fifty-one SRs with meta-analyses were included. They covered patients with lung (20 SRs), gastric (8 SRs), colorectal (6 SRs), liver (6 SRs), breast (2 SRs), cervical (1 SR), esophageal (1 SR) and nasopharyngeal (1 SR) cancers. Six SRs summarized evidence on various types of cancer. Methodological quality of included meta-analyses was not satisfactory. Overall, favorable therapeutic effects in improving quality of life among cancer patients have been reported. Conflicting evidence exists for the effectiveness of CHM in prolonging survival and in reducing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy related toxicities. No serious adverse effects were reported in all included studies. Evidence indicated that CHM could be considered as an option for improving quality of life among patients receiving palliative care. It is unclear if CHM may increase survival, or reduce therapy related toxicities.
RNA-sequencing Reveals Global Transcriptomic Changes in Nicotiana tabacum Responding to Topping and Treatment of Axillary-shoot Control Chemicals
Authors: Singh Sanjay K. , Wu Yongmei , Ghosh Jayadri S. , Pattanaik Sitakanta , Fisher Colin , Wang Ying , Lawson Darlene , Yuan Ling 
Published: December 2015

AbstractRemoval of terminal buds (topping) and control of the formation of axillary shoots (suckers) are common agronomic practices that significantly impact the yield and quality of various crop plants. Application of chemicals (suckercides) to plants following topping is an effective method for sucker control. However, our current knowledge of the influence of topping and subsequent suckercide applications, to gene expression is limited. We analyzed the differential gene expression using RNA-sequencing in tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) that are topped, or treated after topping by two different suckercides, the contact-localized-systemic, Flupro® (FP) and contact, Off-Shoot-T®. Among the differentially expressed genes (DEGs), 179 were identified as common to all three conditions. DEGs, largely related to wounding, phytohormone metabolism and secondary metabolite biosynthesis, exhibited significant upregulation following topping and downregulation after suckercide treatments. DEGs related to photosynthetic processes were repressed following topping and suckercide treatments. Moreover, topping and FP-treatment affect the expression of auxin and cytokinin signaling pathway genes that are possibly involved in axillary shoot formation. Our results provide insights into the global change of plant gene expression in response to topping and suckercide treatments. The regulatory elements of topping-inducible genes are potentially useful for the development of a chemical-free sucker control system.
A New Route for High-Purity Organic Materials: High-Pressure-Ramp-Induced Ultrafast Polymerization of 2-(Hydroxyethyl)Methacrylate
Authors: Evlyukhin E. , Museur L. , Traore M. , Perruchot C. , Zerr A. , Kanaev A. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe synthesis of highly biocompatible polymers is important for modern biotechnologies and medicine. Here, we report a unique process based on a two-step high-pressure ramp (HPR) for the ultrafast and efficient bulk polymerization of 2-(hydroxyethyl)methacrylate (HEMA) at room temperature without photo- and thermal activation or addition of initiator. The HEMA monomers are first activated during the compression step but their reactivity is hindered by the dense glass-like environment. The rapid polymerization occurs in only the second step upon decompression to the liquid state. The conversion yield was found to exceed 90% in the recovered samples. The gel permeation chromatography evidences the overriding role of HEMA2••biradicals in the polymerization mechanism. The HPR process extends the application field of HP-induced polymerization, beyond the family of crystallized monomers considered up today. It is also an appealing alternative to typical photo- or thermal activation, allowing the efficient synthesis of highly pure organic materials.
The impact of natural modes in plasmonic imaging
Authors: Demetriadou Angela 
Published: December 2015

AbstractPlasmonic imaging is crucial for understanding cellular behaviours for biological sciences, where is used to image and track organelles in cells, such as DNA and virus molecules. Due to the fast dynamics of the intra-cellular processes, it is essential to keep the cells under their native states (i.e. label-free), establishing plasmonic imaging as one of the most powerful tools for studying biological samples. In this article, a theoretical model is presented that accurately predicts the properties of a plasmonic image, paving the route towards the characterization of an imaged nano-object. It is shown that natural modes are not only excited, but actually dominate the intensity and shape of the observed plasmonic image. Hence, the proposed model explains the dynamics forming the plasmonic image and can be used to extract spectroscopy information from current plasmonic imaging techniques.
Stochasticity and homeostasis in the E. coli replication and division cycle
Authors: Adiciptaningrum Aileen , Osella Matteo , Moolman M. Charl , Cosentino Lagomarsino Marco , Tans Sander J. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHow cells correct for stochasticity to coordinate the chromosome replication and cellular division cycle is poorly understood. We used time-lapse microscopy and fluorescently labelled SeqA to determine the timing of birth, initiation, termination and division, as well as cell size throughout the cell cycle. We found that the time between birth and initiation (B-period) compensates for stochastic variability in birth size and growth rate. The time between termination and division (D-period) also compensates for size and growth variability, invalidating the notion that replication initiation is the principal trigger for cell division. In contrast, the time between initiation and termination (C-period) did not display such compensations. Interestingly, the C-period did show small but systematic decreases for cells that spontaneously grew faster, which suggests a coupling between metabolic fluctuations and replication. An auto-regressive theoretical framework was employed to compare different possible models of sub-period control.
The principle and physical models of novel jetting dispenser with giant magnetostrictive and a magnifier
Authors: Zhou C. , Li J.H. , Duan J.A. , Deng G.L. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractIn order to develop jetting technologies of glue in LED and microelectronics packaging, giant-magnetostrictive-material (GMM) is firstly applied to increase jetting response and a new magnifying device including a lever and a flexible hinge is designed to improve jetting characteristics. Physical models of the jetting system are derived from the magnifying structure and working principle, which involves circuit model, electro-magneto-displacement model, dynamic model and fluid-solid coupling model. The system model is established by combining mathematical models with Matlab-Simulink. The effectiveness of the GMM-based dispenser is confirmed by simulation and experiments. The jetting frequency significantly increases to 250 Hz and dynamic behaviors jetting needle are evaluated that the velocity and displacement of the jetting needle reaches to 320 mm•s-1 and 0.11 mm respectively. With the increasing of the filling pressure or the amplitude of the current, the dot size will become larger. The dot size and working frequency can be easily adjusted.
Space-charge Effect on Electroresistance in Metal-Ferroelectric-Metal capacitors
Authors: Tian Bo Bo , Liu Yang , Chen Liu Fang , Wang Jian Lu , Sun Shuo , Shen Hong , Sun Jing Lan , Yuan Guo Liang , Fusil Stéphane , Garcia Vincent , Dkhil Brahim , Meng Xiang Jian , Chu Jun Hao 
Published: December 2015

AbstractResistive switching through electroresistance (ER) effect in metal-ferroelectric-metal (MFM) capacitors has attracted increasing interest due to its potential applications as memories and logic devices. However, the detailed electronic mechanisms resulting in large ER when polarisation switching occurs in the ferroelectric barrier are still not well understood. Here, ER effect up to 1000% at room temperature is demonstrated in C-MOS compatible MFM nanocapacitors with a 8.8 nm-thick poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) homopolymer ferroelectric, which is very promising for silicon industry integration. Most remarkably, using theory developed for metal-semiconductor rectifying contacts, we derive an analytical expression for the variation of interfacial barrier heights due to space-charge effect that can interpret the observed ER response. We extend this space-charge model, related to the release of trapped charges by defects, to MFM structures made of ferroelectric oxides. This space-charge model provides a simple and straightforward tool to understand recent unusual reports. Finally, this work suggests that defect-engineering could be an original and efficient route for tuning the space-charge effect and thus the ER performances in future electronic devices.
Sustained intraocular VEGF neutralization results in retinal neurodegeneration in the Ins2Akita diabetic mouse
Authors: Hombrebueno Jose R. , Ali Imran HA. , Xu Heping , Chen Mei 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCurrent therapies that target vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have become a mainstream therapy for the management of diabetic macular oedema. The treatment involves monthly repeated intravitreal injections of VEGF inhibitors. VEGF is an important growth factor for many retinal cells, including different types of neurons. In this study, we investigated the adverse effect of multiple intravitreal anti-VEGF injections (200 ng/μl/eye anti-mouse VEGF164, once every 2 weeks totalling 5–6 injections) to retinal neurons in Ins2Akita diabetic mice. Funduscopic examination revealed the development of cotton wool spot-like lesions in anti-VEGF treated Ins2Akita mice after 5 injections. Histological investigation showed focal swellings of retinal nerve fibres with neurofilament disruption. Furthermore, anti-VEGF-treated Ins2Akita mice exhibited impaired electroretinographic responses, characterized by reduced scotopic a- and b-wave and oscillatory potentials. Immunofluorescent staining revealed impairment of photoreceptors, disruptions of synaptic structures and loss of amacrine and retinal ganglion cells in anti-VEGF treated Ins2Akita mice. Anti-VEGF-treated WT mice also presented mild amacrine and ganglion cell death, but no overt abnormalities in photoreceptors and synaptic structures. At the vascular level, exacerbated albumin leakage was observed in anti-VEGF injected diabetic mice. Our results suggest that sustained intraocular VEGF neutralization induces retinal neurodegeneration and vascular damage in the diabetic eye.
TATA boxes in gene transcription and poly (A) tails in mRNA stability: New perspective on the effects of berberine
Authors: Yuan Zhi-Yi , Lu Xi , Lei Fan , Chai Yu-Shuang , Wang Yu-Gang , Jiang Jing-Fei , Feng Tian-Shi , Wang Xin-Pei , Yu Xuan , Yan Xiao-Jin , Xing Dong-Ming , Du Li-Jun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBerberine (BBR) is a natural compound with variable pharmacological effects and a broad panel of target genes. We investigated berberine’s pharmacological activities from the perspective of its nucleotide-binding ability and discovered that BBR directly regulates gene expression by targeting TATA boxes in transcriptional regulatory regions as well as the poly adenine (poly (A)) tail at the mRNA terminus. BBR inhibits gene transcription by binding the TATA boxes in the transcriptional regulatory region, but it promotes higher levels of expression by targeting the poly (A) tails of mRNAs. The present study demonstrates that TATA boxes and poly (A) tails are the first and second primary targets by which BBR regulates gene expression. The final outcome of gene regulation by BBR depends on the structure of the individual gene. This is the first study to reveal that TATA boxes and poly (A) tails are direct targets for BBR in its regulation of gene expression. Our findings provide a novel explanation for the complex activities of a small molecule compound in a biological system and a novel horizon for small molecule-compound pharmacological studies.
Production of Oxidation-Resistant Cu-Based Nanoparticles by Wire Explosion
Authors: Kawamura Go , Alvarez Samuel , Stewart Ian E. , Catenacci Matthew , Chen Zuofeng , Ha Yoon-Cheol 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe low performance or high cost of commercially available conductive inks limits the advancement of printed electronics. This article studies the explosion of metal wires in aqueous solutions as a simple, low-cost and environmentally friendly method to prepare metallic nanoparticles consisting of Cu and Cu alloys for use in affordable, highly conductive inks. Addition of 0.2 M ascorbic acid to an aqueous explosion medium prevented the formation of Cu2O shells around Cu nanoparticles and allowed for the printing of conductive lines directly from these nanoparticles with no post-treatment. Cu alloy nanoparticles were generated from metal wires that were alloyed as purchased, or from two wires of different metals that were twisted together. Cu nanoparticles alloyed with 1% Sn, 5% Ag, 5% Ni and 30% Ni had electrical conductivities similar to Cu but unlike Cu, remained conductive after 24 hrs at 85 °C and 85% RH.
Interaction of MDM33 with mitochondrial inner membrane homeostasis pathways in yeast
Authors: Klecker Till , Wemmer Megan , Haag Mathias , Weig Alfons , Böckler Stefan , Langer Thomas , Nunnari Jodi , Westermann Benedikt 
Published: December 2015

AbstractMembrane homeostasis affects mitochondrial dynamics, morphology and function. Here we report genetic and proteomic data that reveal multiple interactions of Mdm33, a protein essential for normal mitochondrial structure, with components of phospholipid metabolism and mitochondrial inner membrane homeostasis. We screened for suppressors of MDM33 overexpression-induced growth arrest and isolated binding partners by immunoprecipitation of cross-linked cell extracts. These approaches revealed genetic and proteomic interactions of Mdm33 with prohibitins, Phb1 and Phb2, which are key components of mitochondrial inner membrane homeostasis. Lipid profiling by mass spectrometry of mitochondria isolated from Mdm33-overexpressing cells revealed that high levels of Mdm33 affect the levels of phosphatidylethanolamine and cardiolipin, the two key inner membrane phospholipids. Furthermore, we show that cells lacking Mdm33 show strongly decreased mitochondrial fission activity indicating that Mdm33 is critical for mitochondrial membrane dynamics. Our data suggest that MDM33 functionally interacts with components important for inner membrane homeostasis and thereby supports mitochondrial division.
Lacritin Salvages Human Corneal Epithelial Cells from Lipopolysaccharide Induced Cell Death
Authors: Vantaku Venkat Rao , Gupta Geetika , Rapalli Krishna Chaitanya , Karnati Roy 
Published: December 2015

AbstractInnate immunity of the corneal epithelium is conferred by proteinaceous secretions from the epithelium and associated lacrimal and meibomian glands. Lacritin, an eye-specific protein with anti-microbial, cytoprotective and wound-healing properties, predominantly secreted by lacrimal glands, is absent in conditions such as Dry eye and Keratitis. In view of the biological significance of lacritin in human eye, we investigated its role in human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells during lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced infection. LPS-challenged HCE cells demonstrated apoptosis-mediated cell death and elevated lacritin levels. The LPS-induced cell death is alleviated with exogenous supplementation of recombinant lacritin. This cytoprotective effect of lacritin is mediated through Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2). This study is the first to highlight the protective role of lacritin and mechanism of its action during bacterial infection of cornea in vitro.
Physiological response to elevated temperature and pCO2 varies across four Pacific coral species: Understanding the unique host+symbiont response
Authors: Hoadley Kenneth D. , Pettay D. Tye , Grottoli Andréa G. , Cai Wei-Jun , Melman Todd F. , Schoepf Verena , Hu Xinping , Li Qian , Xu Hui , Wang Yongchen , Matsui Yohei , Baumann Justin H. , Warner Mark E. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe physiological response to individual and combined stressors of elevated temperature and pCO2 were measured over a 24-day period in four Pacific corals and their respective symbionts (Acropora millepora/Symbiodinium C21a, Pocillopora damicornis/Symbiodinium C1c-d-t, Montipora monasteriata/Symbiodinium C15 and Turbinaria reniformis/Symbiodinium trenchii). Multivariate analyses indicated that elevated temperature played a greater role in altering physiological response, with the greatest degree of change occurring within M. monasteriata and T. reniformis. Algal cellular volume, protein and lipid content all increased for M. monasteriata. Likewise, S. trenchii volume and protein content in T. reniformis also increased with temperature. Despite decreases in maximal photochemical efficiency, few changes in biochemical composition (i.e. lipids, proteins and carbohydrates) or cellular volume occurred at high temperature in the two thermally sensitive symbionts C21a and C1c-d-t. Intracellular carbonic anhydrase transcript abundance increased with temperature in A. millepora but not in P. damicornis, possibly reflecting differences in host mitigated carbon supply during thermal stress. Importantly, our results show that the host and symbiont response to climate change differs considerably across species and that greater physiological plasticity in response to elevated temperature may be an important strategy distinguishing thermally tolerant vs. thermally sensitive species.
A small molecule compound IMB-LA inhibits HIV-1 infection by preventing viral Vpu from antagonizing the host restriction factor BST-2
Authors: Mi Zeyun , Ding Jiwei , Zhang Quan , Zhao Jianyuan , Ma Ling , Yu Haisheng , Liu Zhenlong , Shan Guangzhi , Li Xiaoyu , Zhou Jinming , Wei Tao , Zhang Liguo , Guo Fei , Liang Chen , Cen Shan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHuman BST-2 inhibits HIV-1 replication by tethering nascent virions to the cell surface. HIV-1 codes Vpu that counteracts BST-2 by down-regulating this restriction factor from the cell surface. This important function makes Vpu a potential therapeutic target. Yet, no agents have been reported to block Vpu from antagonizing BST-2. In this study, we report a small molecule compound IMB-LA that abrogates the function of Vpu and thereby strongly suppresses HIV-1 replication by sensitizing the virus to BST-2 restriction. Further studies revealed that IMB-LA specifically inhibits Vpu-mediated degradation of BST-2 and restores the expression of BST-2 at the cell surface. Although IMB-LA does not prevent Vpu from interacting with BST-2 or β-TrCP2-containing ubiquitin E3 ligase, sorting of BST-2 into lysosomes in Vpu-expressing cells is blocked by IMB-LA. Most importantly, HIV-1 release and infection is inhibited by IMB-LA only in BST-2-expressing cells. In summary, results herein demonstrated that IMB-LA could specifically inhibit the degradation of BST-2 induced by Vpu and impair HIV-1 replication in a BST-2 dependent manner, suggesting the feasibility of utilizing small molecule compounds to disable the antagonist function of Vpu and thereby expose HIV-1 to the restriction by BST-2.
Efficient generation of region-specific forebrain neurons from human pluripotent stem cells under highly defined condition
Authors: Yuan Fang , Fang Kai-Heng , Cao Shi-Ying , Qu Zhuang-Yin , Li Qi , Krencik Robert , Xu Min , Bhattacharyya Anita , Su Yu-Wen , Zhu Dong-Ya , Liu Yan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHuman pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) have potential to differentiate to unlimited number of neural cells, which provide powerful tools for neural regeneration. To date, most reported protocols were established with an animal feeder system. However, cells derived on this system are inappropriate for the translation to clinical applications because of the introduction of xenogenetic factors. In this study, we provided an optimized paradigm to generate region-specific forebrain neurons from hPSCs under a defined system. We assessed five conditions and found that a vitronectin-coated substrate was the most efficient method to differentiate hPSCs to neurons and astrocytes. More importantly, by applying different doses of purmorphamine, a small-molecule agonist of sonic hedgehog signaling, hPSCs were differentiated to different region-specific forebrain neuron subtypes, including glutamatergic neurons, striatal medium spiny neurons and GABA interneurons. Our study offers a highly defined system without exogenetic factors to produce human neurons and astrocytes for translational medical studies, including cell therapy and stem cell-based drug discovery.
Validation of a Russian Language Oswestry Disability Index Questionnaire
Authors: Yu Elizabeth M. , Nosova Emily V. , Falkenstein Yuri , Prasad Priya , Leasure Jeremi M. , Kondrashov Dimitriy G. 
Published: December 2015

Study Design Retrospective reliability and validity study. Objective To validate a recently translated Russian language version of the Oswestry Disability Index (R-ODI) using standardized methods detailed from previous validations in other languages. Methods We included all subjects who were seen in our spine surgery clinic, over the age of 18, and fluent in the Russian language. R-ODI was translated by six bilingual people and combined into a consensus version. R-ODI and visual analog scale (VAS) questionnaires for leg and back pain were distributed to subjects during both their initial and follow-up visits. Test validity, stability, and internal consistency were measured using standardized psychometric methods. Results Ninety-seven subjects participated in the study. No change in the meaning of the questions on R-ODI was noted with translation from English to Russian. There was a significant positive correlation between R-ODI and VAS scores for both the leg and back during both the initial and follow-up visits ( p < 0.01 for all). The instrument was shown to have high internal consistency (Cronbach α = 0.82) and moderate test–retest stability (interclass correlation coefficient = 0.70). Conclusions The R-ODI is both valid and reliable for use among the Russian-speaking population in the United States.