bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabrication of Silica Nanospheres Coated Membranes: towards the Effective Separation of Oil-in-Water Emulsion in Extremely Acidic and Concentrated Salty Environments
Authors: Chen Yuning , Liu Na , Cao Yingze , Lin Xin , Xu Liangxin , Zhang Weifeng , Wei Yen , Feng Lin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA superhydrophilic and underwater superoleophobic surface is fabricated by simply coating silica nanospheres onto a glass fiber membrane through a sol-gel process. Such membrane has a complex framework with micro and nano structures covering and presents a high efficiency (more than 98%) of oil-in-water emulsion separation under harsh environments including strong acidic and concentrated salty conditions. This membrane also possesses outstanding stability since no obvious decline in efficiency is observed after different kinds of oil-in-water emulsions separation, which provides it candidate for comprehensive applicability.
Sensitive determination of the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali-metal atoms using near-resonant light
Authors: Ding Zhichao , Long Xingwu , Yuan Jie , Fan Zhenfang , Luo Hui 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA new method to measure the spin polarization of optically pumped alkali-metal atoms is demonstrated. Unlike the conventional method using far-detuned probe light, the near-resonant light with two specific frequencies was chosen. Because the Faraday rotation angle of this approach can be two orders of magnitude greater than that with the conventional method, this approach is more sensitive to the spin polarization. Based on the results of the experimental scheme, the spin polarization measurements are found to be in good agreement with the theoretical predictions, thereby demonstrating the feasibility of this approach.
The Neuromelanin-related T2* Contrast in Postmortem Human Substantia Nigra with 7T MRI
Authors: Lee Jae-Hyeok , Baek Sun-Yong , Song YoungKyu , Lim Sujeong , Lee Hansol , Nguyen Minh Phuong , Kim Eun-Joo , Huh Gi Yeong , Chun Se Young , Cho HyungJoon 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHigh field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-based delineation of the substantia nigra (SN) and visualization of its inner cellular organization are promising methods for the evaluation of morphological changes associated with neurodegenerative diseases; however, corresponding MR contrasts must be matched and validated with quantitative histological information. Slices from two postmortem SN samples were imaged with a 7 Tesla (7T) MRI with T1 and T2* imaging protocols and then stained with Perl’s Prussian blue, Kluver-Barrera, tyrosine hydroxylase, and calbindin immunohistochemistry in a serial manner. The association between T2* values and quantitative histology was investigated with a co-registration method that accounts for histology slice preparation. The ventral T2* hypointense layers between the SNr and the crus cerebri extended anteriorly to the posterior part of the crus cerebri, which demonstrates the difficulty with an MRI-based delineation of the SN. We found that the paramagnetic hypointense areas within the dorsolateral SN corresponded to clusters of neuromelanin (NM). These NM-rich zones were distinct from the hypointense ventromedial regions with high iron pigments. Nigral T2* imaging at 7T can reflect the density of NM-containing neurons as the metal-bound NM macromolecules may decrease T2* values and cause hypointense signalling in T2* imaging at 7T.
Bivalent Copper Ions Promote Fibrillar Aggregation of KCTD1 and Induce Cytotoxicity
Authors: Liu Zhepeng , Song Feifei , Ma Zhi-li , Xiong Qiushuang , Wang Jingwen , Guo Deyin , Sun Guihong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractPotassium channel tetramerization domain containing 1 (KCTD1) family members have a BTB/POZ domain, which can facilitate protein-protein interactions involved in the regulation of different signaling pathways. KCTD proteins have potential Zn2+/Cu2+ binding sites with currently unknown structural and functional roles. We investigated potential Cu2+-specific effects on KCTD1 using circular dichroism, turbidity measurement, fluorescent dye binding, proteinase K (PK) digestion, cell proliferation and apoptosis assays. These experiments indicate that the KCTD1 secondary structure assumes greater β-sheet content and the proteins aggregate into a PK-resistant form under 20 μM Cu2+, and this β-sheet-rich aggregation with Cu2+ promotes fibril formation, which results in increased cell toxicity by apoptosis. Our results reveal a novel role for Cu2+ in determining the structure and function of KCTD1.
Geographic variation in wing size and shape of the grasshopper Trilophidia annulata (Orthoptera: Oedipodidae): morphological trait variations follow an ecogeographical rule
Authors: Bai Yi , Dong Jia-Jia , Guan De-Long , Xie Juan-Ying , Xu Sheng-Quan 
Published: September 2016

AbstractA quantitative analysis of wing variation in grasshoppers can help us to understand how environmental heterogeneity affects the phenotypic patterns of insects. In this study, geometric morphometric methods were used to measure the differences in wing shape and size of Trilophidia annulata among 39 geographical populations in China, and a regression analysis was applied to identify the major environmental factors contributing to the observed morphological variations. The results showed that the size of the forewing and hindwing were significantly different among populations; the shape of the forewing among populations can be divided into geographical groups, however hindwing shape are geographical overlapped, and populations cannot be divided into geographical groups. Environmental PCA and thin-plate spline analysis suggested that smaller individuals with shorter and blunter-tip forewings were mainly distributed in the lower latitudes and mountainous areas, where they have higher temperatures and more precipitation. Correspondingly, the larger-bodied grasshoppers, those that have longer forewings with a longer radial sector, are distributed in contrary circumstances. We conclude that the size variations in body, forewing and hindwing of T. annulata apparently follow the Bergmann clines. The importance of climatic variables in influencing morphological variation among populations, forewing shape of T. annulata varies along an environmental gradient.
Mesenchymal Stem Cells Reshape and Provoke Proliferation of Articular Chondrocytes by Paracrine Secretion
Authors: Xu Lei , Wu Yuxi , Xiong Zhimiao , Zhou Yan , Ye Zhaoyang , Tan Wen-Song 
Published: September 2016

AbstractCoculture between mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and articular chondrocytes (ACs) represents a promising strategy for cartilage regeneration. This study aimed at elaborating how ACs were regulated by MSCs. Rabbit ACs (rACs) and rabbit MSCs (rMSCs) were seeded separately in a Transwell system to initiate non-contact coculture in growth medium without chondrogenic factors. Cell morphology, cell proliferation, production of extracellular matrix (ECM), and gene expression of rACs were characterized. Upon coculture, rACs underwent a morphological transition from a rounded or polygonal shape into a fibroblast-like one and proliferation was provoked simultaneously. Such effects were dependent on the amount of rMSCs. Along with these changes, ECM production and gene expression of rACs were also perturbed. Importantly, when a ROCK inhibitor (Y27632) was supplemented to coculture, the effects except that on cell proliferation were inhibited, suggesting the involvement of RhoA/ROCK signaling. By applying an inhibitor (BIBF1120) of VEGFR1/2/3, FGFR1/2/3 and PDGFRα/β in coculture, or supplementing FGF-1, VEGF-A and PDGFbb in monoculture, it was confirmed that the paracrine factors by rMSCs mediated the compounding effects on rACs. These findings shed light on MSCs-ACs interactions and might confer an insight view on cell-based cartilage regeneration.
Exploration of laser-driven electron-multirescattering dynamics in high-order harmonic generation
Authors: Li Peng-Cheng , Sheu Yae-Lin , Jooya Hossein Z. , Zhou Xiao-Xin , Chu Shih-I 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMultiple rescattering processes play an important role in high-order harmonic generation (HHG) in an intense laser field. However, the underlying multi-rescattering dynamics are still largely unexplored. Here we investigate the dynamical origin of multiple rescattering processes in HHG associated with the odd and even number of returning times of the electron to the parent ion. We perform fully ab initio quantum calculations and extend the empirical mode decomposition method to extract the individual multiple scattering contributions in HHG. We find that the tunneling ionization regime is responsible for the odd number times of rescattering and the corresponding short trajectories are dominant. On the other hand, the multiphoton ionization regime is responsible for the even number times of rescattering and the corresponding long trajectories are dominant. Moreover, we discover that the multiphoton- and tunneling-ionization regimes in multiple rescattering processes occur alternatively. Our results uncover the dynamical origin of multiple rescattering processes in HHG for the first time. It also provides new insight regarding the control of the multiple rescattering processes for the optimal generation of ultrabroad band supercontinuum spectra and the production of single ultrashort attosecond laser pulse.
KIF3A binds to β-arrestin for suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signalling independently of primary cilia in lung cancer
Authors: Kim Minsuh , Suh Young-Ah , Oh Ju-Hee , Lee Bo Ra , Kim Joon , Jang Se Jin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAberrant Wnt/β-catenin signalling is implicated in the progression of several human cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). However, mutations in Wnt/β-catenin pathway components are uncommon in NSCLC, and their epigenetic control remains unclear. Here, we show that KIF3A, a member of the kinesin-2 family, plays a role in suppressing Wnt/β-catenin signalling in NSCLC cells. KIF3A knockdown increases both β-catenin levels and transcriptional activity with concomitant promotion of malignant potential, such as increased proliferation and migration and upregulation of stemness markers. Because KIF3A binds β-arrestin, KIF3A depletion allows β-arrestin to form a complex with DVL2 and axin, stabilizing β-catenin. Although primary cilia, whose biogenesis requires KIF3A, are thought to restrain the Wnt response, pharmacological inhibition of ciliogenesis failed to increase β-catenin activity in NSCLC cells. A correlation between KIF3A loss and a poorer NSCLC prognosis as well as β-catenin and cyclin D1 upregulation further suggests that KIF3A suppresses Wnt/β-catenin signalling and tumourigenesis in NSCLC.
Triptonide Effectively Inhibits Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling via C-terminal Transactivation Domain of β-catenin
Authors: Chinison Jessica , Aguilar Jose S. , Avalos Alan , Huang Ying , Wang Zhijun , Cameron D. Joshua , Hao Jijun 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAbnormal activation of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling is implicated in many diseases including cancer. As a result, therapeutic agents that disrupt this signaling pathway have been highly sought after. Triptonide is a key bioactive small molecule identified in a traditional Chinese medicine named Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F., and it has a broad spectrum of biological functions. Here we show that triptonide can effectively inhibit canonical Wnt/β-catenin signaling by targeting the downstream C-terminal transcription domain of β-catenin or a nuclear component associated with β-catenin. In addition, triptonide treatment robustly rescued the zebrafish “eyeless” phenotype induced by GSK-3β antagonist 6-bromoindirubin-30-oxime (BIO) for Wnt signaling activation during embryonic gastrulation. Finally, triptonide effectively induced apoptosis of Wnt-dependent cancer cells, supporting the therapeutic potential of triptonide.
Exceedingly Higher co-loading of Curcumin and Paclitaxel onto Polymer-functionalized Reduced Graphene Oxide for Highly Potent Synergistic Anticancer Treatment
Authors: Muthoosamy Kasturi , Abubakar Ibrahim Babangida , Bai Renu Geetha , Loh Hwei-San , Manickam Sivakumar 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMetastasis of lung carcinoma to breast and vice versa accounts for one of the vast majority of cancer deaths. Synergistic treatments are proven to be the effective method to inhibit malignant cell proliferation. It is highly advantageous to use the minimum amount of a potent toxic drug, such as paclitaxel (Ptx) in ng/ml together with a natural and safe anticancer drug, curcumin (Cur) to reduce the systemic toxicity. However, both Cur and Ptx suffer from poor bioavailability. Herein, a drug delivery cargo was engineered by functionalizing reduced graphene oxide (G) with an amphiphilic polymer, PF-127 (P) by hydrophobic assembly. The drugs were loaded via pi-pi interactions, resulting in a nano-sized GP-Cur-Ptx of 140 nm. A remarkably high Cur loading of 678 wt.% was achieved, the highest thus far compared to any other Cur nanoformulations. Based on cell proliferation assay, GP-Cur-Ptx is a synergistic treatment (CI < 1) and is highly potent towards lung, A549 (IC50 = 13.24 μg/ml) and breast, MDA-MB-231 (IC50 = 1.450 μg/ml) cancer cells. These positive findings are further confirmed by increased reactive oxygen species, mitochondrial membrane potential depletion and cell apoptosis. The same dose treated on normal MRC-5 cells shows that the system is biocompatible and cancerous cell-specific.
Xanthomonas campestris FabH is required for branched-chain fatty acid and DSF-family quorum sensing signal biosynthesis
Authors: Yu Yong-Hong , Hu Zhe , Dong Hui-Juan , Ma Jin-Cheng , Wang Hai-Hong 
Published: September 2016

AbstractXanthomonas campestris pv. campestris (Xcc), a Gram-negative phytopathogenic bacterium, causes black rot disease of cruciferous vegetables. Although Xcc has a complex fatty acid profile comprised of straight-chain fatty acids and branched-chain fatty acids (BCFAs), and encodes a complete set of genes required for fatty acid synthesis, there is still little known about the mechanism of BCFA synthesis. We reported that expression of Xcc fabH restores the growth of Ralstonia solanacearum fabH mutant, and this allows the R. solanacearum fabH mutant to produce BCFAs. Using in vitro assays, we demonstrated that Xcc FabH is able to condense branched-chain acyl-CoAs with malonyl-ACP to initiate BCFA synthesis. Moreover, although the fabH gene is essential for growth of Xcc, it can be replaced with Escherichia coli fabH, and Xcc mutants failed to produce BCFAs. These results suggest that Xcc does not have an obligatory requirement for BCFAs. Furthermore, Xcc mutants lost the ability to produce cis-11-methyl-2-dodecenoic acid, a diffusible signal factor (DSF) required for quorum sensing of Xcc, which confirms that the fatty acid synthetic pathway supplies the intermediates for DSF signal biosynthesis. Our study also showed that replacing Xcc fabH with E. coli fabH affected Xcc pathogenesis in host plants.
High protein flexibility and reduced hydration water dynamics are key pressure adaptive strategies in prokaryotes
Authors: Martinez N. , Michoud G. , Cario A. , Ollivier J. , Franzetti B. , Jebbar M. , Oger P. , Peters J. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWater and protein dynamics on a nanometer scale were measured by quasi-elastic neutron scattering in the piezophile archaeon Thermococcus barophilus and the closely related pressure-sensitive Thermococcus kodakarensis, at 0.1 and 40 MPa. We show that cells of the pressure sensitive organism exhibit higher intrinsic stability. Both the hydration water dynamics and the fast protein and lipid dynamics are reduced under pressure. In contrast, the proteome of T. barophilus is more pressure sensitive than that of T. kodakarensis. The diffusion coefficient of hydration water is reduced, while the fast protein and lipid dynamics are slightly enhanced with increasing pressure. These findings show that the coupling between hydration water and cellular constituents might not be simply a master-slave relationship. We propose that the high flexibility of the T. barophilus proteome associated with reduced hydration water may be the keys to the molecular adaptation of the cells to high hydrostatic pressure.
Tylophorine Analog DCB-3503 Inhibited Cyclin D1 Translation through Allosteric Regulation of Heat Shock Cognate Protein 70
Authors: Wang Ying , Lam Wing , Chen Shao-Ru , Guan Fu-Lan , Dutchman Ginger E. , Francis Samson , Baker David C. , Cheng Yung-Chi 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTylophorine analog DCB-3503 is a potential anticancer and immunosuppressive agent that suppresses the translation of cellular regulatory proteins, including cyclin D1, at the elongation step. However, the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown. This study demonstrates that DCB-3503 preferentially binds to heat shock cognate protein 70 (HSC70), which is a determinant for cyclin D1 translation by binding to the 3′-untranslated region (3′ UTR) of its mRNA. DCB-3503 allosterically regulates the ATPase and chaperone activities of HSC70 by promoting ATP hydrolysis in the presence of specific RNA binding motifs (AUUUA) of cyclin D1 mRNA. The suppression of cyclin D1 translation by DCB-3503 is not solely caused by perturbation of the homeostasis of microRNAs, although the microRNA processing complex is dissociated with DCB-3503 treatment. This study highlights a novel regulatory mechanism of protein translation with AUUUA motifs in the 3′ UTR of mRNA by HSC70, and its activity can be allosterically modulated by DCB-3503. DCB-3503 may be used to treat malignancies, such as hepatocellular carcinoma or breast cancer with elevated expression of cyclin D1.
Single-Shot Measurement of Temporally-Dependent Polarization State of Femtosecond Pulses by Angle-Multiplexed Spectral-Spatial Interferometry
Authors: Lin Ming-Wei , Jovanovic Igor 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe demonstrate that temporally-dependent polarization states of ultrashort laser pulses can be reconstructed in a single shot by use of an angle-multiplexed spatial-spectral interferometry. This is achieved by introducing two orthogonally polarized reference pulses and interfering them with an arbitrarily polarized ultrafast pulse under measurement. A unique calibration procedure is developed for this technique which facilitates the subsequent polarization state measurements. The accuracy of several reconstructed polarization states is verified by comparison with that obtained from an analytic model that predicts the polarization state on the basis of its method of production. Laser pulses with mJ-level energies were characterized via this technique, including a time-dependent polarization state that can be used for polarization-gating of high-harmonic generation for production of attosecond pulses.
Sampling Hyperpolarized Molecules Utilizing a 1 Tesla Permanent Magnetic Field
Authors: Tee Sui Seng , DiGialleonardo Valentina , Eskandari Roozbeh , Jeong Sangmoo , Granlund Kristin L. , Miloushev Vesselin , Poot Alex J. , Truong Steven , Alvarez Julio A. , Aldeborgh Hannah N. , Keshari Kayvan R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHyperpolarized magnetic resonance spectroscopy (HP MRS) using dynamic nuclear polarization (DNP) is a technique that has greatly enhanced the sensitivity of detecting 13C nuclei. However, the HP MRS polarization decays in the liquid state according to the spin-lattice relaxation time (T1) of the nucleus. Sampling of the signal also destroys polarization, resulting in a limited temporal ability to observe biologically interesting reactions. In this study, we demonstrate that sampling hyperpolarized signals using a permanent magnet at 1 Tesla (1T) is a simple and cost-effective method to increase T1s without sacrificing signal-to-noise. Biologically-relevant information may be obtained with a permanent magnet using enzyme solutions and in whole cells. Of significance, our findings indicate that changes in pyruvate metabolism can also be quantified in a xenograft model at this field strength.
Diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility of a new noninvasive index for hepatic steatosis in patients with hepatitis B virus infection
Authors: Zhang Zhiqiao , Wang Gongsui , Kang Kaifu , Wu Guobiao , Wang Peng 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe aim of the present study was to construct a cost-effective noninvasive diagnostic index for prediction of hepatic steatosis in patients with hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection. From January 2011 to January 2015, a total of 364 consecutive subjects who underwent liver biopsies were enrolled. The Receiver-operating characteristic(ROC) curves and Obuchowski measure were constructed to evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the new index. The AUROCs of steatosis index of patients with HBV infection (SIHBV) in predicting of steatosis were 0.929 (95% confidence interval:0.889–0.970, P < 0.05) in the model group and 0.855 (0.794–0.917, P < 0.05) in the validation group respectively. Comparisons of AUROCs demonstrated that SIHBV was significantly superior to Korean Score, fatty liver index (FLI), hepatic steatosis index (HSI), lipid accumulation product(LAP), and fatty liver disease (FLD) index for prediction of hepatic steatosis in model group and validation group(all P < 0.01). Especially for patients with hepatic steatosis percentage of 5.0–9.9% and 10.0–19.9%, SIHBV had a sensitivity of 63.6% and 79.2%, whereas it were 29.1% and 45.8% for Ultrasonography (all P < 0.05). In conclusion, as a cost-effective, simple, noninvasive, and readily available method, SIHBV may act as a massive screening tool before further examinations such as MRI, CT, transient elastography, or liver biopsy, especially for developing countries.
High correlation of Middle East respiratory syndrome spread with Google search and Twitter trends in Korea
Authors: Shin Soo-Yong , Seo Dong-Woo , An Jisun , Kwak Haewoon , Kim Sung-Han , Gwack Jin , Jo Min-Woo 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) was exported to Korea in 2015, resulting in a threat to neighboring nations. We evaluated the possibility of using a digital surveillance system based on web searches and social media data to monitor this MERS outbreak. We collected the number of daily laboratory-confirmed MERS cases and quarantined cases from May 11, 2015 to June 26, 2015 using the Korean government MERS portal. The daily trends observed via Google search and Twitter during the same time period were also ascertained using Google Trends and Topsy. Correlations among the data were then examined using Spearman correlation analysis. We found high correlations (>0.7) between Google search and Twitter results and the number of confirmed MERS cases for the previous three days using only four simple keywords: “MERS”, “"Equation missing"” (“MERS (in Korean)”), “"Equation missing"” (“MERS symptoms (in Korean)”), and “"Equation missing"” (“MERS hospital (in Korean)”). Additionally, we found high correlations between the Google search and Twitter results and the number of quarantined cases using the above keywords. This study demonstrates the possibility of using a digital surveillance system to monitor the outbreak of MERS.