bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Turbulence hierarchy in a random fibre laser
Authors: González Iván R. Roa , Lima Bismarck C. , Pincheira Pablo I. R. , Brum Arthur A. , Macêdo Antônio M. S. , Vasconcelos Giovani L. , de S. Menezes Leonardo , Raposo Ernesto P. , Gomes Anderson S. L. , Kashyap Raman 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTurbulence is a challenging feature common to a wide range of complex phenomena. Random fibre lasers are a special class of lasers in which the feedback arises from multiple scattering in a one-dimensional disordered cavity-less medium. Here we report on statistical signatures of turbulence in the distribution of intensity fluctuations in a continuous-wave-pumped erbium-based random fibre laser, with random Bragg grating scatterers. The distribution of intensity fluctuations in an extensive data set exhibits three qualitatively distinct behaviours: a Gaussian regime below threshold, a mixture of two distributions with exponentially decaying tails near the threshold and a mixture of distributions with stretched-exponential tails above threshold. All distributions are well described by a hierarchical stochastic model that incorporates Kolmogorov’s theory of turbulence, which includes energy cascade and the intermittence phenomenon. Our findings have implications for explaining the remarkably challenging turbulent behaviour in photonics, using a random fibre laser as the experimental platform.
Metabolic injury-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation dampens phospholipid degradation
Authors: Rampanelli Elena , Orsó Evelyn , Ochodnicky Peter , Liebisch Gerhard , Bakker Pieter J. , Claessen Nike , Butter Loes M. , van den Bergh Weerman Marius A. , Florquin Sandrine , Schmitz Gerd , Leemans Jaklien C. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe collateral effects of obesity/metabolic syndrome include inflammation and renal function decline. As renal disease in obesity can occur independently of hypertension and diabetes, other yet undefined causal pathological pathways must be present. Our study elucidate novel pathological pathways of metabolic renal injury through LDL-induced lipotoxicity and metainflammation. Our in vitro and in vivo analysis revealed a direct lipotoxic effect of metabolic overloading on tubular renal cells through a multifaceted mechanism that includes intralysosomal lipid amassing, lysosomal dysfunction, oxidative stress, and tubular dysfunction. The combination of these endogenous metabolic injuries culminated in the activation of the innate immune NLRP3 inflammasome complex. By inhibiting the sirtuin-1/LKB1/AMPK pathway, NLRP3 inflammasome dampened lipid breakdown, thereby worsening the LDL-induced intratubular phospholipid accumulation. Consequently, the presence of NLRP3 exacerbated tubular oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and malabsorption during overnutrition. Altogether, our data demonstrate a causal link between LDL and tubular damage and the creation of a vicious cycle of excessive nutrients-NLRP3 activation-catabolism inhibition during metabolic kidney injury. Hence, this study strongly highlights the importance of renal epithelium in lipid handling and recognizes the role of NLRP3 as a central hub in metainflammation and immunometabolism in parenchymal non-immune cells.
A Four-Biomarker Blood Signature Discriminates Systemic Inflammation Due to Viral Infection Versus Other Etiologies
Authors: Sampson D. L. , Fox B. A. , Yager T. D. , Bhide S. , Cermelli S. , McHugh L. C. , Seldon T. A. , Brandon R. A. , Sullivan E. , Zimmerman J. J. , Noursadeghi M. , Brandon R. B. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe innate immune system of humans and other mammals responds to pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) that are conserved across broad classes of infectious agents such as bacteria and viruses. We hypothesized that a blood-based transcriptional signature could be discovered indicating a host systemic response to viral infection. Previous work identified host transcriptional signatures to individual viruses including influenza, respiratory syncytial virus and dengue, but the generality of these signatures across all viral infection types has not been established. Based on 44 publicly available datasets and two clinical studies of our own design, we discovered and validated a four-gene expression signature in whole blood, indicative of a general host systemic response to many types of viral infection. The signature’s genes are: Interferon Stimulated Gene 15 (ISG15), Interleukin 16 (IL16), 2′,5′-Oligoadenylate Synthetase Like (OASL), and Adhesion G Protein Coupled Receptor E5 (ADGRE5). In each of 13 validation datasets encompassing human, macaque, chimpanzee, pig, mouse, rat and all seven Baltimore virus classification groups, the signature provides statistically significant (p < 0.05) discrimination between viral and non-viral conditions. The signature may have clinical utility for differentiating host systemic inflammation (SI) due to viral versus bacterial or non-infectious causes.
Parasitic nematode Meloidogyne incognita interactions with different Capsicum annum cultivars reveal the chemical constituents modulating root herbivory
Authors: Kihika Ruth , Murungi Lucy K. , Coyne Danny , Ng’ang’a Margaret , Hassanali Ahmed , Teal Peter E. A. , Torto Baldwyn 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPlant volatile signatures are often used as cues by herbivores to locate their preferred hosts. Here, we report on the volatile organic compounds used by the subterranean root-knot nematode (RKN) Meloidogyne incognita for host location. We compared responses of infective second stage juveniles (J2s) to root volatiles of three cultivars and one accession of the solanaceous plant, Capsicum annum against moist sand in dual choice assays. J2s were more attracted to the three cultivars than to the accession, relative to controls. GC/MS analysis of the volatiles identified common constituents in each plant, five of which were identified as α-pinene, limonene, 2-methoxy-3-(1-methylpropyl)-pyrazine, methyl salicylate and tridecane. We additionally identified thymol as being specific to the accession. In dose-response assays, a blend of the five components elicited positive chemotaxis (71–88%), whereas individual components elicited varying responses; Methyl salicylate (MeSA) elicited the highest positive chemotaxis (70–80%), α-pinene, limonene and tridecane were intermediate (54–60%), and 2-methoxy-3-(1-methylpropyl)-pyrazine the lowest (49–55%). In contrast, thymol alone or thymol combined with either the preferred natural plant root volatiles or the five-component synthetic blend induced negative chemotaxis. Our results provide insights into RKN-host plant interactions, creating new opportunities for plant breeding programmes towards management of RKNs.
Photo-acoustic spectroscopy revealing resonant absorption of self-assembled GaAs-based nanowires
Authors: Leahu Grigore , Petronijevic Emilija , Belardini Alessandro , Centini Marco , Li Voti Roberto , Hakkarainen Teemu , Koivusalo Eero , Guina Mircea , Sibilia Concita 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIII–V semiconductors nanowires (NW) have recently attracted a significant interest for their potential application in the development of high efficiency, highly-integrated photonic devices and in particular for the possibility to integrate direct bandgap materials with silicon-based devices. Here we report the absorbance properties of GaAs-AlGaAs-GaAs core-shell-supershell NWs using photo-acoustic spectroscopy (PAS) measurements in the spectral range from 300 nm to 1100 nm wavelengths. The NWs were fabricated by self-catalyzed growth on Si substrates and their dimensions (length ~5 μm, diameter ~140–150 nm) allow for the coupling of the incident light to the guided modes in near-infrared (IR) part of the spectrum. This coupling results in resonant absorption peaks in the visible and near IR clearly evidenced by PAS. The analysis reveal broadening of the resonant absorption peaks arising from the NW size distribution and the interaction with other NWs. The results show that the PAS technique, directly providing scattering independent absorption spectra, is a very useful tool for the characterization and investigation of vertical NWs as well as for the design of NW ensembles for photonic applications, such as Si-integrated light sources, solar cells, and wavelength dependent photodetectors.
The development of fluorescent protein tracing vectors for multicolor imaging of clinically isolated Staphylococcus aureus
Authors: Kato Fuminori , Nakamura Motoki , Sugai Motoyuki 
Published: May 2017

AbstractRecent advances in fluorescent protein technology provide a wide variety of biological imaging applications; however current tools for bio-imaging in the Gram-positive bacterium Staphylococcus aureus has necessitated further developments for fluorescence intensity and for a multicolor palette of fluorescent proteins. To enhance the expression of multicolor fluorescent proteins in clinical S. aureus strains, we developed new fluorescent protein expression vectors, containing the blaZ/sodp promoter consisting of the β-lactamase gene (blaZ) promoter and the ribosome binding site (RBS) of superoxide dismutase gene (sod). We found S. aureus-adapted GFP (GFPsa) driven by the blaZ/sodp promoter was highly expressed in the S. aureus laboratory strain RN4220, but not in the clinical strains, MW2 and N315, harboring the endogenous blaI gene, a repressor of the blaZ gene promoter. We therefore constructed a constitutively induced blaZ/sodp promoter (blaZ/sodp(Con)) by introducing substitution mutations into the BlaI binding motif, and this modification allowed enhanced expression of the multicolor GFP variants (GFPsa, EGFP, mEmerald, Citrine, Cerulean, and BFP) as well as codon-optimized reef coral fluorescent proteins (mCherry and AmCyan) in the S. aureus clinical strains. These new fluorescent probes provide new tools to enhance expression of multicolor fluorescent proteins and facilitate clear visualization of clinical S. aureus strains.
Changes in soil microbial community composition and organic carbon fractions in an integrated rice–crayfish farming system in subtropical China
Authors: Si Guohan , Peng Chenglin , Yuan Jiafu , Xu Xiangyu , Zhao Shujun , Xu Dabing , Wu Jinshui 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIntegrated rice–crayfish farming system is a highly efficient artificial ecosystem in which the rice (Oryza sativa) variety ‘Jianzhen 2′ is cultivated in waterlogged paddy fields along with crayfish (Procambarus clarkii). We investigated soil carbon fractions and microbial community structure by phospholipid fatty acids (PLFA) analysis in a 10-year field experiment using an integrated rice–crayfish (CR) model and a rice monoculture (MR) model at soil depths of 0–10 cm, 10–20 cm, 20–30 cm, and 30–40 cm. Compared with the MR model, the CR model had significantly more total organic carbon, particulate organic carbon, and dissolved organic carbon contents in all of the layers examined and microbial biomass carbon content in the 20–40 cm layer. Principal components analysis revealed that microbial community composition in the CR model differed from that in the MR model in the 20–30 cm layer. Higher proportions of gram–negative bacteria, aerobic bacteria and fungi in the 20–30 cm soil layer were observed for the CR model than the MR model. These results indicate that the CR model increases soil carbon levels, and strongly affects microbial community composition and structure in the deeper layers of soil, thereby accelerating subsurface soil nutrient cycling.
Network Analysis Reveals the Recognition Mechanism for Dimer Formation of Bulb-type Lectins
Authors: Zhao Yunjie , Jian Yiren , Liu Zhichao , Liu Hang , Liu Qin , Chen Chanyou , Li Zhangyong , Wang Lu , Huang H. Howie , Zeng Chen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe bulb-type lectins are proteins consist of three sequential beta-sheet subdomains that bind to specific carbohydrates to perform certain biological functions. The active states of most bulb-type lectins are dimeric and it is thus important to elucidate the short- and long-range recognition mechanism for this dimer formation. To do so, we perform comparative sequence analysis for the single- and double-domain bulb-type lectins abundant in plant genomes. In contrast to the dimer complex of two single-domain lectins formed via protein-protein interactions, the double-domain lectin fuses two single-domain proteins into one protein with a short linker and requires only short-range interactions because its two single domains are always in close proximity. Sequence analysis demonstrates that the highly variable but coevolving polar residues at the interface of dimeric bulb-type lectins are largely absent in the double-domain bulb-type lectins. Moreover, network analysis on bulb-type lectin proteins show that these same polar residues have high closeness scores and thus serve as hubs with strong connections to all other residues. Taken together, we propose a potential mechanism for this lectin complex formation where coevolving polar residues of high closeness are responsible for long-range recognition.
PP2A inhibition from LB100 therapy enhances daunorubicin cytotoxicity in secondary acute myeloid leukemia via miR-181b-1 upregulation
Authors: Hu Chao , Yu Mengxia , Ren Yanling , Li Kongfei , Maggio Dominic M. , Mei Chen , Ye Li , Wei Juying , Jin Jie , Zhuang Zhengping , Tong Hongyan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPatients with secondary acute myeloid leukemia (sAML) arising from myelodysplastic syndromes have a poor prognosis marked by an increased resistance to chemotherapy. An urgent need exists for adjuvant treatments that can enhance or replace current therapeutic options. Here we show the potential of LB100, a small-molecule protein phosphatase 2 A (PP2A) inhibitor, as a monotherapy and chemosensitizing agent for sAML using an in-vitro and in-vivo approach. We demonstrate that LB100 decreases cell viability through caspase activation and G2/M cell-cycle arrest. LB100 enhances daunorubicin (DNR) cytotoxicity resulting in decreased xenograft volumes and improved overall survival. LB100 profoundly upregulates miR-181b-1, which we show directly binds to the 3′ untranslated region of Bcl-2 mRNA leading to its translational inhibition. MiR-181b-1 ectopic overexpression further diminishes Bcl-2 expression leading to suppression of sAML cell growth, and enhancement of DNR cytotoxicity. Our research highlights the therapeutic potential of LB100, and provides new insights into the mechanism of LB100 chemosensitization.
Estimating age-related incidence of HBsAg seroclearance in chronic hepatitis B virus infections of China by using a dynamic compartmental model
Authors: Zu Jian , Zhuang Guihua , Liang Peifeng , Cui Fuqiang , Wang Fuzhen , Zheng Hui , Liang Xiaofeng 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe age-specific seroclearance pattern of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infections of China remains unclear. In this study, based on three national serosurvey data of hepatitis B in China, we propose an age- and time-dependent discrete model and use the method of non-linear least squares to estimate the age-specific annual rate of HBsAg seroclearance. We found that the HBsAg seroclearance in chronic HBV infections of China aged 1–59 years occurred at an average annual rate of 1.80% (95% CI, 1.54–2.06%) from 1993 to 2006. The HBsAg seroclearance occurred predominantly in the early childhood, 20–24 and 35–39 year age groups. Moreover, our model estimated that HBsAg seroclearance resulted in 23.38% of the decrease of total HBsAg prevalence for population aged 1–59 years in 2006. It also prevented 9.30% of new HBV infections (about 7.43 million people) and 9.95% of HBV-related deaths (about 0.25 million people) from 1993 to 2006. This study develops a new and efficient method to estimate the age-specific incidence of HBsAg seroclearance at a population-level and evaluate its effect.
Frequency of GNAS R201H substitution mutation in polyostotic fibrous dysplasia: Pyrosequencing analysis in tissue samples with or without decalcification
Authors: Shin Su-Jin , Lee Seok Joo , Kim Sang Kyum 
Published: May 2017

AbstractGuanine nucleotide-binding protein/α-subunit (GNAS) mutations are involved in fibrous dysplasia (FD) pathogenesis. Here, we analyzed GNAS mutations in FD which were performed by pyrosequencing DNA isolated from formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) tissue. The mutation detection rate was determined in FD specimens with and without decalcification. GNAS mutation was identified in 28 cases out of 87 FDs (32.18%) [p.R201C (N = 14) and p.R201H (N = 14)]. GNAS mutation was more likely to occur in polyostotic FD (7/28, 25.0%); FD without GNAS mutation was mostly monostotic form (56/59, 94.9%, P = 0.011). The G > A (R201H) mutation was more frequent in polyostotic FD (6/14 patients, 42.9%) than the C > T (R201C) mutation (1/14, 7.1%) (P = 0.077). We divided the FD cases into two subgroups: tissue specimens that were not decalcified (N = 35, 40.2%), and tissue specimens that were decalcified (N = 52, 59.8%). GNAS mutation was more frequently identified in FD specimens that were not subjected to decalcification (23/35, 65.7%) than in FD specimens that were decalcified (5/52, 9.6%) (P = 0.001). In conclusion, mutation analysis of GNAS by pyrosequencing has diagnostic value in FFPE tissue of patients with FD, especially in specimens that were not decalcified. The R201H substitution mutation of GNAS may be involved in the pathogenesis of polyostotic FD.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D Printed Tablets for Intragastric Floating Delivery of Domperidone
Authors: Chai Xuyu , Chai Hongyu , Wang Xiaoyu , Yang Jingjing , Li Jin , Zhao Yan , Cai Weimin , Tao Tao , Xiang Xiaoqiang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to explore the feasibility of fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printing to prepare intragastric floating sustained release (FSR) tablets. Domperidone (DOM), an insoluble weak base, was chosen as a model drug to investigate the potential of FSR in increasing its oral bioavailability and reducing its administration frequency. DOM was successfully loaded into hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) filaments using hot melt extrusion (HME). The filaments were then printed into hollow structured tablets through changing the shell numbers and the infill percentages. Physical characterization results indicated that the majority of DOM gradually turned into the amorphous form during the fabrication process. The optimized formulation (contain 10% DOM, with 2 shells and 0% infill) exhibited the sustained release characteristic and was able to float for about 10 h in vitro. Radiographic images showed that the BaSO4-labeled tablets were retained in the stomach of rabbits for more than 8 h. Furthermore, pharmacokinetic studies showed the relative bioavailability of the FSR tablets compared with reference commercial tablets was 222.49 ± 62.85%. All the results showed that FDM based 3D printing might be a promising way to fabricate hollow tablets for the purpose of intragastric floating drug delivery.
The effects of Brazilian green propolis that contains flavonols against mutant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase-mediated toxicity
Authors: Ueda Tomoyuki , Inden Masatoshi , Shirai Katsuhiro , Sekine Shin-ichiro , Masaki Yuji , Kurita Hisaka , Ichihara Kenji , Inuzuka Takashi , Hozumi Isao 
Published: May 2017

AbstractAmyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease characterized by the selective and progressive loss of motor neurons. The purpose of this study was to clarify effects of brazilian green propolis and the active ingredient against ALS-associated mutant copper-zinc superoxide dismutase (SOD1)-mediated toxicity. Ethanol extract of brazilian green propolis (EBGP) protected N2a cells against mutant SOD1-induced neurotoxicity and reduced aggregated mutant SOD1 by induction of autophagy. Kaempferide and kaempferol, the active ingredients of EBGP, also inhibited mutant SOD1-induced cell death and reduced the intracellular mutant SOD1 aggregates. Both kaempferide and kaempferol significantly suppressed mutant SOD1-induced superoxide in mitochondria. Western blot analysis showed that kaempferol potentially induced autophagy via the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) - the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway. These results suggest that EBGP containing the active ingredient against mutant SOD1-mediated toxicity is a promising medicine or health food for prevention and treatment of ALS.
Fluorometric evaluation of CYP3A4 expression using improved transgenic HepaRG cells carrying a dual-colour reporter for CYP3A4 and CYP3A7
Authors: Ueyama Takafumi , Tsuji Saori , Sugiyama Takemi , Tada Masako 
Published: May 2017

AbstractPrimary human hepatocytes are necessary to evaluate cytotoxicity, drug metabolism, and drug–drug interactions for candidate compounds in early-phase drug discovery and development. However, these analyses are often hampered by limited resources and functional or genetic variation among lots. HepaRG human hepatocellular carcinoma cells can differentiate into mature hepatocyte-like cells (HepLCs) that possess similar metabolic activity to human hepatocytes. We previously established transgenic HepaRG cells carrying a dual reporter that express red fluorescent protein (RFP) under the transcriptional regulation of CYP3A7 in the hepatoblast-like cell state and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) under the transcriptional regulation of CYP3A4 following HepLC differentiation. In this study, we successfully isolated a subclone of transgenic CYP3A4G/7R HepaRG cells with an improved HepLC differentiation potency. Midazolam metabolism by CYP3A4 in these HepLCs was comparable to that in wild-type HepLCs. The EGFP fluorescence intensity was greatly induced by rifampicin (RIF) treatment. There was a strong correlation between fluorometric and metabolic analyses. The fold change in EGFP-positive cells was comparable to those in the CYP3A4 mRNA level and luminescence of proluciferin metabolites. RIF treatment and cell proliferation increased the RFP-positive cell number. Thus, CYP3A4G/7R HepLCs provide a real-time, multiwell-based system to co-evaluate CYP3A4 induction and hepatic regeneration.
Evidence for exocellular Arsenic in Fronds of Pteris vittata
Authors: Datta Rupali , Das Padmini , Tappero Ryan , Punamiya Pravin , Elzinga Evert , Sahi Shivendra , Feng Huan , Kiiskila Jeffrey , Sarkar Dibyendu 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe arsenic (As) hyperaccumulating fern speciesPteris vittata(PV) is capable of accumulating large quantities of As in its aboveground tissues. Transformation to AsIII and vacuolar sequestration is believed to be the As detoxification mechanism in PV. Here we present evidence for a preponderance of exocellular As in fronds ofPteris vittatadespite numerous reports of a tolerance mechanism involving intracellular compartmentalization. Results of an extraction experiment show that 43–71% of the As extruded out of the fronds of PV grown in 0.67, 3.3 and 6.7 mM AsV. SEM-EDX analysis showed that As was localized largely on the lower pinna surface, with smaller amounts on the upper surface, as crystalline deposits. X-ray fluorescence imaging of pinna cross-sections revealed preferential localization of As on the pinna surface in the proximity of veins, with the majority localized near the midrib. Majority of the As in the pinnae is contained in the apoplast rather than vacuoles. Our results provide evidence that exocellular sequestration is potentially a mechanism of As detoxification in PV, particularly at higher As concentrations, raising concern about its use for phytoremediation.