bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Pretreatment Differences in Intraindividual Variability in Reaction Time between Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer and Healthy Controls
Authors: Yao Christie , Rich Jill B. , Tannock Ian F. , Seruga Bostjan , Tirona Kattleya , Bernstein Lori J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractObjectives: Chemotherapy has adverse effects on cognitive performance in women treated for breast cancer, but less is known about the period before chemotherapy. Studies have focused on mean level of performance, yet there is increasing recognition that variability in performance within an individual is also an important behavioral indicator of cognitive functioning and underlying neural integrity. Methods: We examined intraindividual variability (IIV) before chemotherapy and surgery in women diagnosed with breast cancer (n=31), and a healthy control group matched on age and education (n=25). IIV was calculated across trials of a computerized Stroop task, including an examination of the slowest and fastest trials of reaction time (RT) responses. Results: The groups were equivalent on overall accuracy and speed, and participants in both groups were less accurate and slower on incongruent trials compared with congruent trials. However, women with breast cancer became more variable with increased task difficulty relative to healthy controls. Among the slowest RT responses, women with breast cancer were significantly more variable than healthy controls on incongruent trials. This suggests that a specific variability-producing process (e.g., attentional lapses) occurs in task conditions that require executive control (e.g., incongruent trials). Conclusions: Results are consistent with other evidence of executive dysfunction among women treated for breast cancer. These findings highlight the importance of pretreatment assessment and show that variability in performance provides information about cognition that measures of central tendency do not. (JINS, 2016, 23, 1–10)
Globalization and the Animal Turn: How International Trade Law Contributes to Global Norms of Animal Protection
Authors: Sykes Katie 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMany animal and environmental activists think of international trade law as a block to the achievement of their goals and perceive the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a threat to animals. Yet, the first legal decision of an international tribunal to devote careful, sustained attention to animal welfare issues comes from the WTO, in the EC – Seal Products decision. This article argues that international trade law is currently an important, although under-acknowledged, locus for the development of global norms concerning the protection of animals, and that animal conservation and animal welfare can be seen as aspects of a single overarching principle of animal protection. International trade law contributes to animal protection in two ways. Firstly, WTO jurisprudence has recognized animal protection as a legitimate basis for invoking exceptions to trade rules (as in EC – Seal Products). Secondly, international trade negotiations enhance cooperation on the implementation and enforcement of existing conservation obligations (as in the new Trans-Pacific Partnership’s Environment Chapter).
G9a-mediated methylation of ERα links the PHF20/MOF histone acetyltransferase complex to hormonal gene expression
Authors: Zhang Xi , Peng Danni , Xi Yuanxin , Yuan Chao , Sagum Cari A. , Klein Brianna J. , Tanaka Kaori , Wen Hong , Kutateladze Tatiana G. , Li Wei , Bedford Mark T. , Shi Xiaobing 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe euchromatin histone methyltransferase 2 (also known as G9a) methylates histone H3K9 to repress gene expression, but it also acts as a coactivator for some nuclear receptors. The molecular mechanisms underlying this activation remain elusive. Here we show that G9a functions as a coactivator of the endogenous oestrogen receptor α (ERα) in breast cancer cells in a histone methylation-independent manner. G9a dimethylates ERα at K235 both in vitro and in cells. Dimethylation of ERαK235 is recognized by the Tudor domain of PHF20, which recruits the MOF histone acetyltransferase (HAT) complex to ERα target gene promoters to deposit histone H4K16 acetylation promoting active transcription. Together, our data suggest the molecular mechanism by which G9a functions as an ERα coactivator. Along with the PHF20/MOF complex, G9a links the crosstalk between ERα methylation and histone acetylation that governs the epigenetic regulation of hormonal gene expression.
Constructing 3D interaction maps from 1D epigenomes
Authors: Zhu Yun , Chen Zhao , Zhang Kai , Wang Mengchi , Medovoy David , Whitaker John W. , Ding Bo , Li Nan , Zheng Lina , Wang Wei 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe human genome is tightly packaged into chromatin whose functional output depends on both one-dimensional (1D) local chromatin states and three-dimensional (3D) genome organization. Currently, chromatin modifications and 3D genome organization are measured by distinct assays. An emerging question is whether it is possible to deduce 3D interactions by integrative analysis of 1D epigenomic data and associate 3D contacts to functionality of the interacting loci. Here we present EpiTensor, an algorithm to identify 3D spatial associations within topologically associating domains (TADs) from 1D maps of histone modifications, chromatin accessibility and RNA-seq. We demonstrate that active promoter–promoter, promoter–enhancer and enhancer–enhancer associations identified by EpiTensor are highly concordant with those detected by Hi-C, ChIA-PET and eQTL analyses at 200 bp resolution. Moreover, EpiTensor has identified a set of interaction hotspots, characterized by higher chromatin and transcriptional activity as well as enriched TF and ncRNA binding across diverse cell types, which may be critical for stabilizing the local 3D interactions.
G protein-coupled receptor 37 is a negative regulator of oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination
Authors: Yang Hyun-Jeong , Vainshtein Anna , Maik-Rachline Galia , Peles Elior 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWhile the formation of myelin by oligodendrocytes is critical for the function of the central nervous system, the molecular mechanism controlling oligodendrocyte differentiation remains largely unknown. Here we identify G protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) as an inhibitor of late-stage oligodendrocyte differentiation and myelination. GPR37 is enriched in oligodendrocytes and its expression increases during their differentiation into myelin forming cells. Genetic deletion of Gpr37 does not affect the number of oligodendrocyte precursor cells, but results in precocious oligodendrocyte differentiation and hypermyelination. The inhibition of oligodendrocyte differentiation by GPR37 is mediated by suppression of an exchange protein activated by cAMP (EPAC)-dependent activation of Raf-MAPK-ERK1/2 module and nuclear translocation of ERK1/2. Our data suggest that GPR37 regulates central nervous system myelination by controlling the transition from early-differentiated to mature oligodendrocytes.
Unmasking the ancestral activity of integron integrases reveals a smooth evolutionary transition during functional innovation
Authors: Escudero Jose Antonio , Loot Celine , Parissi Vincent , Nivina Aleksandra , Bouchier Christiane , Mazel Didier 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTyrosine (Y)-recombinases have evolved to deliver mechanistically different reactions on a variety of substrates, but these evolutionary transitions are poorly understood. Among them, integron integrases are hybrid systems recombining single- and double-stranded DNA partners. These reactions are asymmetric and need a replicative resolution pathway, an exception to the canonical second strand exchange model of Y-recombinases. Integron integrases possess a specific domain for this specialized pathway. Here we show that despite this, integrases are still capable of efficiently operating the ancestral second strand exchange in symmetrical reactions between double-stranded substrates. During these reactions, both strands are reactive and Holliday junction resolution can follow either pathway. A novel deep-sequencing approach allows mapping of the crossover point for the second strand exchange. The persistence of the ancestral activity in integrases illustrates their robustness and shows that innovation towards new recombination substrates and resolution pathways was a smooth evolutionary process.
Damage-free vibrational spectroscopy of biological materials in the electron microscope
Authors: Rez Peter , Aoki Toshihiro , March Katia , Gur Dvir , Krivanek Ondrej L. , Dellby Niklas , Lovejoy Tracy C. , Wolf Sharon G. , Cohen Hagai 
Published: March 2016

AbstractVibrational spectroscopy in the electron microscope would be transformative in the study of biological samples, provided that radiation damage could be prevented. However, electron beams typically create high-energy excitations that severely accelerate sample degradation. Here this major difficulty is overcome using an ‘aloof’ electron beam, positioned tens of nanometres away from the sample: high-energy excitations are suppressed, while vibrational modes of energies <1 eV can be ‘safely’ investigated. To demonstrate the potential of aloof spectroscopy, we record electron energy loss spectra from biogenic guanine crystals in their native state, resolving their characteristic C–H, N–H and C=O vibrational signatures with no observable radiation damage. The technique opens up the possibility of non-damaging compositional analyses of organic functional groups, including non-crystalline biological materials, at a spatial resolution of ∼10 nm, simultaneously combined with imaging in the electron microscope.
A metallic mosaic phase and the origin of Mott-insulating state in 1T-TaS2
Authors: Ma Liguo , Ye Cun , Yu Yijun , Lu Xiu Fang , Niu Xiaohai , Kim Sejoong , Feng Donglai , Tománek David , Son Young-Woo , Chen Xian Hui , Zhang Yuanbo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractElectron–electron and electron–phonon interactions are two major driving forces that stabilize various charge-ordered phases of matter. In layered compound 1T-TaS2, the intricate interplay between the two generates a Mott-insulating ground state with a peculiar charge-density-wave (CDW) order. The delicate balance also makes it possible to use external perturbations to create and manipulate novel phases in this material. Here, we study a mosaic CDW phase induced by voltage pulses, and find that the new phase exhibits electronic structures entirely different from that of the original Mott ground state. The mosaic phase consists of nanometre-sized domains characterized by well-defined phase shifts of the CDW order parameter in the topmost layer, and by altered stacking relative to the layers underneath. We discover that the nature of the new phase is dictated by the stacking order, and our results shed fresh light on the origin of the Mott phase in 1T-TaS2.
Making the hydrogen evolution reaction in polymer electrolyte membrane electrolysers even faster
Authors: Tymoczko Jakub , Calle-Vallejo Federico , Schuhmann Wolfgang , Bandarenka Aliaksandr S. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAlthough the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is one of the fastest electrocatalytic reactions, modern polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) electrolysers require larger platinum loadings (∼0.5–1.0 mg cm−2) than those in PEM fuel cell anodes and cathodes altogether (∼0.5 mg cm−2). Thus, catalyst optimization would help in substantially reducing the costs for hydrogen production using this technology. Here we show that the activity of platinum(111) electrodes towards HER is significantly enhanced with just monolayer amounts of copper. Positioning copper atoms into the subsurface layer of platinum weakens the surface binding of adsorbed H-intermediates and provides a twofold activity increase, surpassing the highest specific HER activities reported for acidic media under similar conditions, to the best of our knowledge. These improvements are rationalized using a simple model based on structure-sensitive hydrogen adsorption at platinum and copper-modified platinum surfaces. This model also solves a long-lasting puzzle in electrocatalysis, namely why polycrystalline platinum electrodes are more active than platinum(111) for the HER.
A systematic study on drug-response associated genes using baseline gene expressions of the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia
Authors: Liu Xiaoming , Yang Jiasheng , Zhang Yi , Fang Yun , Wang Fayou , Wang Jun , Zheng Xiaoqi , Yang Jialiang 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe have studied drug-response associated (DRA) gene expressions by applying a systems biology framework to the Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia data. More than 4,000 genes are inferred to be DRA for at least one drug, while the number of DRA genes for each drug varies dramatically from almost 0 to 1,226. Functional enrichment analysis shows that the DRA genes are significantly enriched in genes associated with cell cycle and plasma membrane. Moreover, there might be two patterns of DRA genes between genders. There are significantly shared DRA genes between male and female for most drugs, while very little DRA genes tend to be shared between the two genders for a few drugs targeting sex-specific cancers (e.g., PD-0332991 for breast cancer and ovarian cancer). Our analyses also show substantial difference for DRA genes between young and old samples, suggesting the necessity of considering the age effects for personalized medicine in cancers. Lastly, differential module and key driver analyses confirm cell cycle related modules as top differential ones for drug sensitivity. The analyses also reveal the role of TSPO, TP53, and many other immune or cell cycle related genes as important key drivers for DRA network modules. These key drivers provide new drug targets to improve the sensitivity of cancer therapy.
In-situ preparation of functionalized molecular sieve material and a methodology to remove template
Authors: Yadav Rekha , Ahmed Maqsood , Singh Arvind Kumar , Sakthivel Ayyamperumal 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA series of diaminosilane-functionalized silicoaluminophosphate molecular sieve (SAPO-37) was prepared by in-situ synthesis, and a novel method was developed for the selective removal of structure directing agent (SDA)/template from the functionalized SAPO-37.The complete removal of the SDA was evident according to FT-IR, TGA, 13C MAS-NMR and elemental analysis. The developed method was found to be efficient for removal of template from microporous molecular sieve viz., SAPO-37 and can be applied for other microporous molecular sieves such as SAPO-5, SAPO-40, etc. The powder XRD pattern of the template-removed samples showed a highly crystalline SAPO-37 phase. Argentometric titration revealed that more than 90% of diamine functionality exposed on the surface was accessible for catalytic applications. The resultant materials showed promising activity for ring opening of epoxide with aniline to yield β-amino-alcohol.
Human malignant mesothelioma is recapitulated in immunocompetent BALB/c mice injected with murine AB cells
Authors: Mezzapelle Rosanna , Rrapaj Eltjona , Gatti Elena , Ceriotti Chiara , Marchis Francesco De , Preti Alessandro , Spinelli Antonello E. , Perani Laura , Venturini Massimo , Valtorta Silvia , Moresco Rosa Maria , Pecciarini Lorenza , Doglioni Claudio , Frenquelli Michela , Crippa Luca , Recordati Camilla , Scanziani Eugenio , de Vries Hilda , Berns Anton , Frapolli Roberta , Boldorini Renzo , D’Incalci Maurizio , Bianchi Marco E. , Crippa Massimo P. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMalignant Mesothelioma is a highly aggressive cancer, which is difficult to diagnose and treat. Here we describe the molecular, cellular and morphological characterization of a syngeneic system consisting of murine AB1, AB12 and AB22 mesothelioma cells injected in immunocompetent BALB/c mice, which allows the study of the interplay of tumor cells with the immune system. Murine mesothelioma cells, like human ones, respond to exogenous High Mobility Group Box 1 protein, a Damage-Associated Molecular Pattern that acts as a chemoattractant for leukocytes and as a proinflammatory mediator. The tumors derived from AB cells are morphologically and histologically similar to human MM tumors, and respond to treatments used for MM patients. Our system largely recapitulates human mesothelioma, and we advocate its use for the study of MM development and treatment.
Testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase 4 (Tssk4) phosphorylates Odf2 at Ser-76
Authors: Wang Xiaoli , Li Han , Fu Guolong , Wang Yunfu , Du Shiming , Yu Long , Wei Youheng , Chen Shi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAs a member of the testis-specific serine/threonine protein kinase (TSSK) family, Tssk4 is exclusively expressed in the testis and plays an essential role in male fertility. We previously reported that Tssk4 can associate with and phosphorylate Odf2, but the phosphorylation site is still unknown. Here we confirm that the C-terminal region (amino acids 214-638) of Odf2 is required for association with Tssk4. Furthermore, to identify the site at which Tssk4 phosphorylates Odf2, we generated several Odf2 point mutants (Ser/Thr/Lys to Ala) and identified serine 76 of Odf2 as one of the phosphorylation sites. In vivo, phosphorylated Odf2 was evaluated in mouse sperm using a specific phospho-Ser-76 Odf2 antibody and LC-MS/MS. These findings are the first to demonstrate the phosphorylation site in Odf2 by Tssk4, providing essential clues regarding the function of Tssk4 in regulating sperm motility and/or structure and thus male fertility.
Estrogen ameliorates microglial activation by inhibiting the Kir2.1 inward-rectifier K+ channel
Authors: Wu Shih-Ying , Chen Yun-Wen , Tsai Sheng-Feng , Wu Sheng-Nan , Shih Yao-Hsiang , Jiang-Shieh Ya-Fen , Yang Ting-Ting , Kuo Yu-Min 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMicroglial activation is implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Although the etiology of PD remains unclear, age and male gender are known PD risk factors. By comparing microglia and dopaminergic (DA) neurons in the substantia nigra (SN) of male and female mice of different ages, we found that the degrees of microglial activation and DA neuron loss increased with age in both genders, but were more pronounced in males, as were peripheral lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced microglial activation and DA neuron loss. A bilateral ovariectomy (OVX) eliminated the female-associated protection against age- and LPS-induced microglial activation, which suggests that ovary hormones are involved in gender-specific responses. Treating female mice with 17β-estradiol supplements reduced the age-associated microglial activation in OVX mice. Moreover, pretreating mouse BV2 microglial cells with 17β-estradiol inhibited LPS-induced elevation of Toll-like receptor 4, phosphorylated p38 and TNF-α levels. We then examined the effect of 17β-estradiol on inward-rectifier K+ channel Kir2.1, a known regulator of microglial activation. We found that 17β-estradiol inhibited the Kir2.1 activity of BV2 cells by reducing the probability that the channel would be open. We conclude that age- and inflammation-associated microglial activation is attenuated by ovarian estrogen, because it inhibits Kir2.1.
Silicon moderated the K deficiency by improving the plant-water status in sorghum
Authors: Chen Daoqian , Cao Beibei , Wang Shiwen , Liu Peng , Deng Xiping , Yin Lina , Zhang Suiqi 
Published: March 2016

AbstractAlthough silicon (Si) has been widely reported to alleviate plant nutrient deficiency, the underlying mechanism in potassium (K) deficiency is poorly understood. In this study, sorghum seedlings were treated with Si under a K deficiency condition for 15 days. Under control conditions, plant growth was not affected by Si application. The growth and water status were reduced by K-deficient stress, but Si application significantly alleviated these decreases. The leaf gas exchanges, whole-plant hydraulic conductance (Kplant) and root hydraulic conductance (Lpr) were reduced by K deficiency, but Si application moderated the K-deficiency-induced reductions, suggesting that Si alleviated the plant hydraulic conductance. In addition, 29% of Si-alleviated transpiration was eliminated by HgCl2 treatment, suggesting that aquaporin was not the primary cause for the reversal of plant hydraulic conductance. Moreover, the K+ concentration in xylem sap was significantly increased and the xylem sap osmotic potential was decreased by Si application, suggesting that the major cause of Si-induced improvement in hydraulic conductance could be ascribed to the enhanced xylem sap K+ concentration, which increases the osmotic gradient and xylem hydraulic conductance. The results of this study show that Si mediates K+ accumulation in xylem, which ultimately alleviates the plant-water status under the K-deficient condition.
The three-dimensional structure of Clostridium absonum 7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase: new insights into the conserved arginines for NADP(H) recognition
Authors: Lou Deshuai , Wang Bochu , Tan Jun , Zhu Liancai , Cen Xiaoxi , Ji Qingzhi , Wang Yue 
Published: March 2016

Abstract7α-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (7α-HSDH) can catalyse the oxidation of C7 α-OH of the steroid nucleus in the bile acid metabolism. In the paper we determined the crystal structure of 7α-HSDH from Clostridium absonum (CA 7α-HSDH) complexed with taurochenodeoxycholic acid (TCDCA) and NADP+ by X-ray diffraction, which, as a tetramer, possesses the typical α/β folding pattern. The four subunits of an asymmetric unit lie in the fact that there are the stable hydrophobic interactions between Q-axis-related subunits. Significantly, we captured an active state of the NADP+, confirming that nicotinamide moiety of NADP+ act as electron carrier in the dehydrogenation. On the basis of crystal structure analysis, site-directed mutagenesis and MD simulation, furthermore, we find that the guanidinium of Arg38 can form the stable cation-π interaction with the adenine ring of NADP+ and the cation-π interaction and hydrogen bonds between Arg38 and NADP+ have a significant anchor effect on the cofactor binding to CA 7α-HSDH.
A transducible nuclear/nucleolar protein, mLLP, regulates neuronal morphogenesis and synaptic transmission
Authors: Yu Nam-Kyung , Kim Hyoung F. , Shim Jaehoon , Kim Somi , Kim Dae Won , Kwak Chuljung , Sim Su-Eon , Choi Jun-Hyeok , Ahn Seohee , Yoo Juyoun , Choi Sun-Lim , Jang Deok-Jin , Lim Chae-Seok , Lee Yong-Seok , Kang Chulhun , Choi Soo Young , Kaang Bong-Kiun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractCell-permeable proteins are emerging as unconventional regulators of signal transduction and providing a potential for therapeutic applications. However, only a few of them are identified and studied in detail. We identify a novel cell-permeable protein, mouse LLP homolog (mLLP), and uncover its roles in regulating neural development. We found that mLLP is strongly expressed in developing nervous system and that mLLP knockdown or overexpression during maturation of cultured neurons affected the neuronal growth and synaptic transmission. Interestingly, extracellular addition of mLLP protein enhanced dendritic arborization, demonstrating the non-cell-autonomous effect of mLLP. Moreover, mLLP interacts with CCCTC-binding factor (CTCF) as well as transcriptional machineries and modulates gene expression involved in neuronal growth. Together, these results illustrate the characteristics and roles of previously unknown cell-permeable protein mLLP in modulating neural development.