bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The photocycle of orange carotenoid protein conceals distinct intermediates and asynchronous changes in the carotenoid and protein components
Authors: Maksimov E. G. , Sluchanko N. N. , Slonimskiy Y. B. , Slutskaya E. A. , Stepanov A. V. , Argentova-Stevens A. M. , Shirshin E. A. , Tsoraev G. V. , Klementiev K. E. , Slatinskaya O. V. , Lukashev E. P. , Friedrich T. , Paschenko V. Z. , Rubin A. B. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe 35-kDa Orange Carotenoid Protein (OCP) is responsible for photoprotection in cyanobacteria. It acts as a light intensity sensor and efficient quencher of phycobilisome excitation. Photoactivation triggers large-scale conformational rearrangements to convert OCP from the orange OCPO state to the red active signaling state, OCPR, as demonstrated by various structural methods. Such rearrangements imply a complete, yet reversible separation of structural domains and translocation of the carotenoid. Recently, dynamic crystallography of OCPO suggested the existence of photocycle intermediates with small-scale rearrangements that may trigger further transitions. In this study, we took advantage of single 7 ns laser pulses to study carotenoid absorption transients in OCP on the time-scale from 100 ns to 10 s, which allowed us to detect a red intermediate state preceding the red signaling state, OCPR. In addition, time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy and the assignment of carotenoid-induced quenching of different tryptophan residues derived thereof revealed a novel orange intermediate state, which appears during the relaxation of photoactivated OCPR to OCPO. Our results show asynchronous changes between the carotenoid- and protein-associated kinetic components in a refined mechanistic model of the OCP photocycle, but also introduce new kinetic signatures for future studies of OCP photoactivity and photoprotection.
Differences in mitochondrial function and morphology during cooling and rewarming between hibernator and non-hibernator derived kidney epithelial cells
Authors: Hendriks Koen D. W. , Lupi Eleonora , Hardenberg Maarten C. , Hoogstra-Berends Femke , Deelman Leo E. , Henning Robert H. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHibernators show superior resistance to ischemia and hypothermia, also outside the hibernation season. Therefore, hibernation is a promising strategy to decrease cellular damage in a variety of fields, such as organ transplantation. Here, we explored the role of mitochondria herein, by comparing epithelial cell lines from a hibernator (hamster kidney cells, HaK) and a non-hibernator (human embryonic kidney cells, HEK293) during cold preservation at 4 °C and rewarming. Cell survival (Neutral Red), ATP and MDA levels, mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP), mitochondrial morphology (using fluorescent probes) and metabolism (seahorse XF) were assessed. Hypothermia induced dispersion of the tubular mitochondrial network, a loss of MMP, increased oxygen radical (MDA) and decreased ATP production in HEK293. In contrast, HaK maintained MMP and ATP production without an increase in oxygen radicals during cooling and rewarming, resulting in superior cell survival compared to HEK293. Further, normothermic HaK showed a dispersed mitochondrial network and higher respiratory and glycolysis capacity compared to HEK293. Disclosing the mechanisms that hibernators use to counteract cell death in hypothermic and ischemic circumstances may help to eventually improve organ preservation in a variety of fields, including organ transplantation.
Divide-and-conquer Tournament on Social Networks
Authors: Wang Jiasheng , Zhang Yichao , Guan Jihong , Zhou Shuigeng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIn social gaming networks, previous studies extensively investigated the influence of a variety of strategies on reciprocal behaviors in the prisoner’s dilemma game. The studied frameworks range from the case that an individual uniformly cooperates or defects with all social contacts, to the recently reported divide-and-conquer games, where an individual can choose a particular move to play with each neighbor. In this paper, we investigate a divide-and-conquer tournament among 14 well-known strategies on social gaming networks. In the tournament, an individual’s fitness is measured by accumulated and average payoff aggregated for a certain number of rounds. On the base of their fitness, the evolution of the population follows a local learning mechanism. Our observation indicates that the distribution of individuals adopting a strategy in degree ranking fundamentally changes the frequency of the strategy. In the divide-and-conquer gaming networks, our result suggests that the connectivity in social networks and strategy are two key factors that govern the evolution of the population.
α subunits in GABAA receptors are dispensable for GABA and diazepam action
Authors: Wongsamitkul Nisa , Maldifassi Maria C. , Simeone Xenia , Baur Roland , Ernst Margot , Sigel Erwin 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe major isoform of the GABAA receptor is α1β2γ2. The binding sites for the agonist GABA are located at the β2+/α1− subunit interfaces and the modulatory site for benzodiazepines at α1+/γ2−. In the absence of α1 subunits, a receptor was formed that was gated by GABA and modulated by diazepam similarly. This indicates that alternative subunits can take over the role of the α1 subunits. Point mutations were introduced in β2 or γ2 subunits at positions homologous to α1− benzodiazepine binding and GABA binding positions, respectively. From this mutation work we conclude that the site for GABA is located at a β2+/β2− subunit interface and that the diazepam site is located at the β2+/γ2− subunit interface. Computational docking leads to a structural hypothesis attributing this non-canonical interaction to a binding mode nearly identical with the one at the α1+/γ2− interface. Thus, the β2 subunit can take over the role of the α1 subunit for the formation of both sites, its minus side for the GABA binding site and its plus side for the diazepam binding site.
Screening based approach and dehydrogenation kinetics for MgH2: Guide to find suitable dopant using first-principles approach
Authors: Kumar E. Mathan , Rajkamal A. , Thapa Ranjit 
Published: November 2017

AbstractFirst-principles based calculations are performed to investigate the dehydrogenation kinetics considering doping at various layers of MgH2 (110) surface. Doping at first and second layer of MgH2 (110) has a significant role in lowering the H2 desorption (from surface) barrier energy, whereas the doping at third layer has no impact on the barrier energy. Molecular dynamics calculations are also performed to check the bonding strength, clusterization, and system stability. We study in details about the influence of doping on dehydrogenation, considering the screening factors such as formation enthalpy, bulk modulus, and gravimetric density. Screening based approach assist in finding Al and Sc as the best possible dopant in lowering of desorption temperature, while preserving similar gravimetric density and Bulk modulus as of pure MgH2 system. The electron localization function plot and population analysis illustrate that the bond between Dopant-Hydrogen is mainly covalent, which weaken the Mg-Hydrogen bonds. Overall we observed that Al as dopant is suitable and surface doping can help in lowering the desorption temperature. So layer dependent doping studies can help to find the best possible reversible hydride based hydrogen storage materials.
Drying in a microfluidic chip: experiments and simulations
Authors: Fantinel Paolo , Borgman Oshri , Holtzman Ran , Goehring Lucas 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe present an experimental micro-model of drying porous media, based on microfluidic cells made of arrays of pillars on a regular grid, and complement these experiments with a matching two-dimensional pore-network model of drying. Disorder, or small-scale heterogeneity, was introduced into the cells by randomly varying the radii of the pillars. The microfluidic chips were filled with a volatile oil and then dried horizontally, such that gravitational effects were excluded. The experimental and simulated drying rates and patterns were then compared in detail, for various levels of disorder. The geometrical features were reproduced well, although the model under-predicted the formation of trapped clusters of drying fluid. Reproducing drying rates proved to be more challenging, but improved if the additional trapped clusters were added to the model. The methods reported can be adapted to a wide range of multi-phase flow problems, and allow for the rapid development of high-precision micro-models containing tens of thousands of individual elements.
Non-thermal atmospheric plasma ameliorates imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice through inhibition of immune responses and up-regulation of PD-L1 expression
Authors: Lee Yun Sang , Lee Myung-Hoon , Kim Hang-Jun , Won Ho-Ryun , Kim Chul-Ho 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPlasma medicine is an emerging novel therapeutic field. It has been reported that plasma can kill bacteria, promote wound healing and induce apoptosis of tumor cells. However, the effects of plasma on immune cells and immune related skin diseases have not been well studied. In this study, we demonstrated that non-thermal atmospheric plasma (NTP) treatment could inhibit psoriasis-like skin inflammation in mice. NTP treatment in imiquimod-induced psoriasis-like mouse skin inhibited increases in epithelial cell thickness and expression of pro-inflammatory molecules compared to ones without the NTP treatment. In addition, differentiation of Th17 cells, an important cell type for pathogenesis of psoriasis, was inhibited in the NTP-treated mouse lymph nodes. It was also demonstrated that liquid type plasma (LTP), which is also known as indirect plasma, inhibited Th17 cell differentiation in vitro. Other in vitro experiments showed that LTP inhibited bone marrow-derived dendritic cell activation. Interestingly, LTP enhanced PD-L1 expression in HaCaT cells, suggesting that NTP may inhibit unwanted over-activation of T cells through increased PD-L1 expression. Taken together, these results suggest that NTP may be used in treatment of CD4+ T cell-mediated autoimmune diseases such as psoriasis.
A scale to measure MRI contrast agent sensitivity
Authors: Alvares Rohan D. A. , Szulc Daniel A. , Cheng Hai-Ling M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMagnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides superior resolution of anatomical features and the best soft tissue contrast, and is one of the predominant imaging modalities. With this technique, contrast agents are often used to aid discrimination by enhancing specific features. Over the years, a rich diversity of such agents has evolved and with that, so has a need to systematically sort contrast agents based on their efficiency, which directly determines sensitivity. Herein, we present a scale to rank MRI contrast agents. The scale is based on analytically determining the minimum detectable concentration of a contrast agent, and employing a ratiometric approach to standardize contrast efficiency to a benchmark contrast agent. We demonstrate the approach using several model contrast agents and compare the relative sensitivity of these agents for the first time. As the first universal metric of contrast agent sensitivity, this scale will be vital to easily assessing contrast agent efficiency and thus important to promoting use of some of the elegant and diverse contrast agents in research and clinical practice.
Inhibition activity of a traditional Chinese herbal formula Huang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang and its major components found in its plasma profile on neuraminidase-1
Authors: Zhou Xuelin , Li Haotian , Shi Zhilong , Gao Sijia , Wei Shizhang , Li Kun , Wang Jiabo , Li Jianyu , Wang Ruilin , Gong Man , Zhao Yanling , Xiao Xiaohe 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuang-Lian-Jie-Du-Tang (HLJDT), a traditional formula with four TCM herbs, has been used for hundred years for different diseases. The current study aimed to assess the inhibitory activity of HLJDT against H1N1 neuraminidase (NA-1), and identify potent NA-1 inhibitors from its plasma profile. Thein vitroNA-1 study has shown that the water extract of HLJDT potently inhibited NA-1 (IC50 = 112.6 μg/ml; Ki = 55.6 μg/ml) in a competitive mode. The IC50values of the water extracts of its four herbs were as follows: Coptidis Rhizoma, 96.1 μg/ml; Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex, 108.6 μg/ml; Scutellariae Radix, 303.5 μg/ml; Gardeniae Fructus, 285.0 μg/ml. Thirteen compounds found in the plasma profile of HLJDT were also identified as potent NA-1 inhibitors, which included jatrorrhizine, palmatine, epiberberine, geniposide, oroxylin A, berberine, coptisine, baicalein, wogonoside, phellodendrine, wogonin, oroxylin A-7-O-glucuronide and baicalin (sorted in ascending order by their IC50values). Their inhibitory activities were consistent with molecular docking analysis when considering crystallographic water molecules in the ligand-binding pocket of NA-1. Our current findings suggested that HLJDT can be used as a complementary medicine for H1N1 infection and its potent active compounds can be developed as NA-1 inhibitors.
Increased Complement 3a Receptor is Associated with Behcet’s disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease
Authors: Wang Chaokui , Cao Shuang , Zhang Dike , Li Hong , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBehcet’s disease (BD) and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease (VKH) are systemic and recurrent autoimmune diseases associated with abnormal T cell immune response. Complement 3a receptor (C3aR) and complement 5a receptor (C5aR) have been reported to be involved in T cell mediated autoimmune disease. This study aimed to investigate the role of C3aR and C5aR in these two diseases. The C3aR expression in PBMCs was increased in patients with active BD (aBD) and active VKH (aVKH). No statistical difference was found concerning the expression of C5aR in PBMCs between patients with aBD or aVKH and normal controls. After the intraocular inflammation in BD and VKH patients was controlled, the C3aR expression returned back to normal levels. The serum from patients with aBD and aVKH significantly induced C3aR expression by PBMCs. C3a induced IL-6, IL-1β and TNF-α secretion, while inhibited the production of IL-10 by monocytes. Activation of C3aR in CD4+T cells could upregulate IL-17 production and inhibit IL-10 production, but had no detectable influence on IFN-γ production. Our data indicates that increased C3aR expression may lead to over activation of the Th17 cell response and may therefore contribute to the pathogenesis of BD and VKH disease.
Social Support as a Key Protective Factor against Depression in HIV-Infected Patients: Report from large HIV clinics in Hanoi, Vietnam
Authors: Matsumoto Shoko , Yamaoka Kazue , Takahashi Kenzo , Tanuma Junko , Mizushima Daisuke , Do Cuong Duy , Nguyen Dung Thi , Nguyen Hoai Dung Thi , Nguyen Kinh Van , Oka Shinichi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractDepression is the most common mental health issue among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study explored how different types and sources of social support are associated with depression among HIV-infected patients in Vietnam. We carried out a cross-sectional survey on 1,503 HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at two HIV clinics in Hanoi in 2016. Depression was prevalent in 26.2% of participants. Higher score of social support, especially emotional/informational support and positive social interaction, showed significant association with lower depression rate. Although family was primary source of all types of social support, receiving emotional/informational support not only from family but also from outside of family correlated with a lower proportion of depression. In countries with constrained social resources and/or with family-oriented social structures, as in Vietnam, expanding social networks between HIV populations and society is a potentially important option for reducing depression.
UV irradiation to mouse skin decreases hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic protein expression via HPA axis activation
Authors: Han Mira , Ban Jae-Jun , Bae Jung-Soo , Shin Chang-Yup , Lee Dong Hun , Chung Jin Ho 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe skin senses external environment, including ultraviolet light (UV). Hippocampus is a brain region that is responsible for memory and emotion. However, changes in hippocampus by UV irradiation to the skin have not been studied. In this study, after 2 weeks of UV irradiation to the mouse skin, we examined molecular changes related to cognitive functions in the hippocampus and activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. UV exposure to the skin decreased doublecortin-positive immature neurons and synaptic proteins, including N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor 2 A and postsynaptic density protein-95, in the hippocampus. Moreover, we observed that UV irradiation to the skin down-regulated brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression and ERK signaling in the hippocampus, which are known to modulate neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity. The cutaneous and central HPA axes were activated by UV, which resulted in significant increases in serum levels of corticosterone. Subsequently, UV irradiation to the skin activated the glucocorticoid-signaling pathway in the hippocampal dentate gyrus. Interestingly, after 6 weeks of UV irradiation, mice showed depression-like behavior in the tail suspension test. Taken together, our data suggest that repeated UV exposure through the skin may negatively affect hippocampal neurogenesis and synaptic plasticity along with HPA axis activation.
Visuospatial attention in the lateralised brain of pigeons – a matter of ontogenetic light experiences
Authors: Letzner Sara , Güntürkün Onur , Lor Stephanie , Pawlik Robert Jan , Manns Martina 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe ontogenetic mechanisms leading to complementary hemispheric specialisations of the two brain halves are poorly understood. In pigeons, asymmetrical light stimulation during development triggers the left-hemispheric dominance for visuomotor control but light effects on right-hemispheric specialisations are largely unknown. We therefore tested adult pigeons with and without embryonic light experience in a visual search task in which the birds pecked peas regularly scattered on an area in front of them. Comparing the pecking pattern of both groups indicates that the embryonic light conditions differentially influence biased visuospatial attention under mono- and binocular seeing conditions. When one eye was occluded, dark-incubated pigeons peck only within the limits of the visual hemifield of the seeing eye. Light-exposed pigeons also peck into the contralateral field indicating enlarged monocular visual fields of both hemispheres. While dark-incubated birds evinced an attentional bias to the right halfspace when seeing with both eyes, embryonic light exposure shifted this to the left. Thus, embryonic light experience modifies processes regulating biased visuospatial attention of the adult birds depending on the seeing conditions during testing. These data support the impact of light onto the emergence of functional dominances in both hemispheres and point to the critical role of interhemispheric processes.
Manganese availability is negatively associated with carbon storage in northern coniferous forest humus layers
Authors: Stendahl Johan , Berg Björn , Lindahl Björn D. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCarbon sequestration below ground depends on organic matter input and decomposition, but regulatory bottlenecks remain unclear. The relative importance of plant production, climate and edaphic factors has to be elucidated to better predict carbon storage in forests. In Swedish forest soil inventory data from across the entire boreal latitudinal range (n = 2378), the concentration of exchangeable manganese was singled out as the strongest predictor (R2 = 0.26) of carbon storage in the extensive organic horizon (mor layer), which accounts for one third of the total below ground carbon. In comparison, established ecosystem models applied on the same data have failed to predict carbon stocks (R2 < 0.05), and in our study manganese availability overshadowed both litter production and climatic factors. We also identified exchangeable potassium as an additional strong predictor, however strongly correlated with manganese. The negative correlation between manganese and carbon highlights the importance of Mn-peroxidases in oxidative decomposition of recalcitrant organic matter. The results support the idea that the fungus-driven decomposition could be a critical factor regulating humus carbon accumulation in boreal forests, as Mn-peroxidases are specifically produced by basidiomycetes.
Predicted molecular targets and pathways for germacrone, curdione, and furanodiene in the treatment of breast cancer using a bioinformatics approach
Authors: Kong Qi , Ma Yong , Yu Jie , Chen Xiuping 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGermacrone, curdione, and furanodiene have been shown to be useful in the treatment of breast cancer but the pharmacological mechanism of action is unclear. In this paper, we explored a new method to study the molecular network and function of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) herbs and their corresponding ingredients with bioinformatics tools, including PubChem Compound Database, BATMAN-TCM, SystemsDock, Coremine Medical, Gene ontology, and KEGG. Eleven targeted genes/proteins, 4 key pathways, and 10 biological processes were identified to participate in the mechanism of action in treating breast cancer with germacrone, curdione, and furanodiene. The information achieved by the bioinformatics tools was useful to interpretation the molecular mechanism for the treatment of germacrone, curdione, and furanodiene on breast cancers.
Dihydrotestosterone levels at birth associate positively with higher proportions of circulating immature/naïve CD5+ B cells in boys
Authors: Lundell Anna-Carin , Nordström Inger , Andersson Kerstin , Strömbeck Anna , Ohlsson Claes , Tivesten Åsa , Rudin Anna 
Published: November 2017

AbstractBoys present with higher proportions of immature/naïve CD5+B cells than girls up to 3 years of age. Boys also have higher fractions of regulatory T cells (Tregs) in early infancy, but the mechanisms for these sex-related differences are unknown. In the prospective FARMFLORA follow-up study of 23 boys and 25 girls, we investigated if these immunological differences remained at 8 years of age. We also examined if testosterone or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) levels at birth and at 8 years of age were associated with immune maturation. Immunological variables and androgen levels were examined and measured in blood samples obtained at birth, 3–5 days and at 8 years of age. Boys had higher proportions of CD5+and immature/transitional CD24hiCD38hiB cells, whereas girls had higher fractions of B cells with a memory phenotype at 8 years of age. School-aged boys also presented with higher frequencies of Tregs, and a greater capacity to produce T-cell-associated cytokines. Among boys, higher cord blood DHT levels were associated with higher proportions of CD5+B cells in early infancy and at 8 years of life. These results suggest that DHT actionsin uteromight be involved in the mechanism for delayed peripheral B-cell maturation in boys.