bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cold-aggravated pain in humans caused by a hyperactive NaV1.9 channel mutant
Authors: Leipold Enrico , Hanson-Kahn Andrea , Frick Miya , Gong Ping , Bernstein Jonathan A. , Voigt Martin , Katona Istvan , Oliver Goral R. , Altmüller Janine , Nürnberg Peter , Weis Joachim , Hübner Christian A. , Heinemann Stefan H. , Kurth Ingo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGain-of-function mutations in the human SCN11A-encoded voltage-gated Na+ channel NaV1.9 cause severe pain disorders ranging from neuropathic pain to congenital pain insensitivity. However, the entire spectrum of the NaV1.9 diseases has yet to be defined. Applying whole-exome sequencing we here identify a missense change (p.V1184A) in NaV1.9, which leads to cold-aggravated peripheral pain in humans. Electrophysiological analysis reveals that p.V1184A shifts the voltage dependence of channel opening to hyperpolarized potentials thereby conferring gain-of-function characteristics to NaV1.9. Mutated channels diminish the resting membrane potential of mouse primary sensory neurons and cause cold-resistant hyperexcitability of nociceptors, suggesting a mechanistic basis for the temperature dependence of the pain phenotype. On the basis of direct comparison of the mutations linked to either cold-aggravated pain or pain insensitivity, we propose a model in which the physiological consequence of a mutation, that is, augmented versus absent pain, is critically dependent on the type of NaV1.9 hyperactivity.
An event-based architecture for solving constraint satisfaction problems
Authors: Mostafa Hesham , Müller Lorenz K. , Indiveri Giacomo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractConstraint satisfaction problems are ubiquitous in many domains. They are typically solved using conventional digital computing architectures that do not reflect the distributed nature of many of these problems, and are thus ill-suited for solving them. Here we present a parallel analogue/digital hardware architecture specifically designed to solve such problems. We cast constraint satisfaction problems as networks of stereotyped nodes that communicate using digital pulses, or events. Each node contains an oscillator implemented using analogue circuits. The non-repeating phase relations among the oscillators drive the exploration of the solution space. We show that this hardware architecture can yield state-of-the-art performance on random SAT problems under reasonable assumptions on the implementation. We present measurements from a prototype electronic chip to demonstrate that a physical implementation of the proposed architecture is robust to practical non-idealities and to validate the theory proposed.
Quantum tomography protocols with positivity are compressed sensing protocols
Authors: Kalev Amir , Kosut Robert L , Deutsch Ivan H 
Published: December 2015

AbstractCharacterising complex quantum systems is a vital task in quantum information science. Quantum tomography, the standard tool used for this purpose, uses a well-designed measurement record to reconstruct quantum states and processes. It is, however, notoriously inefficient. Recently, the classical signal reconstruction technique known as ‘compressed sensing’ has been ported to quantum information science to overcome this challenge: accurate tomography can be achieved with substantially fewer measurement settings, thereby greatly enhancing the efficiency of quantum tomography. Here we show that compressed sensing tomography of quantum systems is essentially guaranteed by a special property of quantum mechanics itself—that the mathematical objects that describe the system in quantum mechanics are matrices with non-negative eigenvalues. This result has an impact on the way quantum tomography is understood and implemented. In particular, it implies that the information obtained about a quantum system through compressed sensing methods exhibits a new sense of ‘informational completeness.’ This has important consequences on the efficiency of the data taking for quantum tomography, and enables us to construct informationally complete measurements that are robust to noise and modelling errors. Moreover, our result shows that one can expand the numerical tool-box used in quantum tomography and employ highly efficient algorithms developed to handle large dimensional matrices on a large dimensional Hilbert space. Although we mainly present our results in the context of quantum tomography, they apply to the general case of positive semidefinite matrix recovery.
Exceptional surface and bulk electronic structures in a topological insulator, Bi2Se3
Authors: Biswas Deepnarayan , Thakur Sangeeta , Balakrishnan Geetha , Maiti Kalobaran 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe outstanding problem in topological insulators is the bulk metallicity underneath topologically ordered surface states and the appearance of Dirac point far away from the Fermi energy. Enormous efforts are being devoted to get the Dirac point at the Fermi level via exposure to foreign materials so that these materials can be used in technology and realize novel fundamental physics. Ironically, the conclusion of bulk metallicity in the electronic structure is essentially based on the angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy, a highly surface sensitive technique. Here, we employed state-of-the-art hard x-ray photoemission spectroscopy with judiciously chosen experiment geometry to delineate the bulk electronic structure of a topological insulator and a potential thermoelectric material, Bi2Se3. The results exhibit signature of insulating bulk electronic structure with tiny intensities at "Equation missing" akin to defect/vacancy induced doped states in the semiconductors. The core level spectra exhibit intense plasmon peak associated to core level excitations manifesting the signature of coupling of electrons to the collective excitations, a possible case of plasmon-phonon coupling. In addition, a new loss feature appear in the core level spectra indicating presence of additional collective excitations in the system.
Detection of airborne viruses using electro-aerodynamic deposition and a field-effect transistor
Authors: Park Kyu-Tae , Cho Dong-Guk , Park Ji-Woon , Hong Seunghun , Hwang Jungho 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe report a technique for the detection of aerosolized viruses. Conventional field-effect-transistor (FET)-based techniques use solution-based processes, thus require antibody binding to the detection region of the FET prior to the supply of the analyte. With the method described here, virus–antibody-bound particles are delivered to the FET during detection; therefore, neither a pre-treatment antibody binding step on the FET channel nor washing process for virus–antibody-binding are necessary. Our method is based on the concept that virus–antibody-bound particles are larger than the virus or antibody alone and thus have larger charge numbers following aerosol charging. When these particles are charged by negative ions and electro-aerodynamically deposited on a substrate, there exists a location on the substrate where neither lone virus nor antibody particles land and where only virus–antibody-bound particles are deposited. If this location coincides with the channel of the FET, the resulting variation in the current can be used to indicate the existence of a virus. By aerosolizing a mixed solution of the virus and the antibody, only the virus–antibody-bound particles were transported to the swCNT-FET and the electric current in the swCNT-FET decreased to 30% of that measured with no deposited particles.
The hematopoietic regulator, ELF-1, enhances the transcriptional response to Interferon-β of the OAS1 anti-viral gene
Authors: Larsen Steven , Kawamoto Shota , Tanuma Sei-ichi , Uchiumi Fumiaki 
Published: December 2015

AbstractInterferon (IFN) therapy is effective in treating cancers, haematological and virus induced diseases. The classical Jak/Stat pathway of IFN signal transduction leading to changes in transcriptional activity is well established but alone does not explain the whole spectrum of cellular responses to IFN. Gene promoters contain cis-acting sequences that allow precise and contextual binding of transcription factors, which control gene expression. Using the transcriptional response to IFN as a starting point we report a high frequency of tandem GGAA motifs in the proximal promoters of Interferon stimulated genes, suggesting a key regulatory action. Utilizing the well-characterized anti-viral gene, OAS1, as an example Interferon stimulated gene promoter containing such a duplicated GGAA motif, we have demonstrated a regulatory role of this promoter in response to IFN by mutation analysis. Furthermore, we identified ELF-1 as a direct binding factor at this motif. Additionally, recruitment of RB1 and SP1 factors to the promoter following IFN stimulation is shown. ELF-1 overexpression enhanced and knockdown of ELF-1 inhibited full activation of OAS1 by IFN stimulation. Collectively, ELF-1 binds an important duplicated GGAA cis-acting element at the OAS1 promoter and in cooperation with RB1 and SP1 recruitment contributes to regulation in response to IFN stimulation.
Superluminal and stopped light due to mode coupling in confined hyperbolic metamaterial waveguides
Authors: Neira Andres D. , Wurtz Gregory A. , Zayats Anatoly V. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAnisotropic metamaterials with hyperbolic dispersion can be used to design waveguides with unusual properties. We show that, in contrast to planar waveguides, geometric confinement leads to coupling of ordinary (forward) and extraordinary (backward) modes and formation of hybrid waveguided modes, which near the crossing point may exhibit slow, stopped or superluminal behavior accompanied by very strong group velocity dispersion. These modes can be used for designing stopped-light nanolasers for nanophotonic applications and dispersion-facilitated signal reshaping in telecom applications.
A low cost, green method to synthesize GaN nanowires
Authors: Zhao Jun-Wei , Zhang Yue-Fei , Li Yong-He , Su Chao-hua , Song Xue-Mei , Yan Hui , Wang Ru-Zhi 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe synthesis of gallium nitride nanowires (GaN NWs) by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) are successfully demonstrated in this work. The simple and green synthesis route is to introduce gallium oxide (Ga2O3) and nitrogen (N2) for the growth of nanowires. The prepared GaN nanowires have a single crystalline wurtzite structure, which the length of some nanowires is up to 20 μm, with a maximum diameter about 140 nm. The morphology and quantity of the nanowires can be modulated by the growth substrate and process parameters. In addition, the photoluminescence and field emission properties of the prepared GaN nanowires have been investigated, which were found to be largely affected by their structures. This work renders an environmentally benign strategy and a facile approach for controllable structures on nanodevice.
A STRIPAK component Strip regulates neuronal morphogenesis by affecting microtubule stability
Authors: Sakuma Chisako , Okumura Misako , Umehara Tomoki , Miura Masayuki , Chihara Takahiro 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDuring neural development, regulation of microtubule stability is essential for proper morphogenesis of neurons. Recently, the striatin-interacting phosphatase and kinase (STRIPAK) complex was revealed to be involved in diverse cellular processes. However, there is little evidence that STRIPAK components regulate microtubule dynamics, especially in vivo. Here, we show that one of the core STRIPAK components, Strip, is required for microtubule organization during neuronal morphogenesis. Knockdown of Strip causes a decrease in the level of acetylated α-tubulin in Drosophila S2 cells, suggesting that Strip influences the stability of microtubules. We also found that Strip physically and genetically interacts with tubulin folding cofactor D (TBCD), an essential regulator of α- and β-tubulin heterodimers. Furthermore, we demonstrate the genetic interaction between strip and Down syndrome cell adhesion molecule (Dscam), a cell surface molecule that is known to work with TBCD. Thus, we propose that Strip regulates neuronal morphogenesis by affecting microtubule stability.
One Dimensional(1D)-to-2D Crossover of Spin Correlations in the 3D Magnet ZnMn2O4
Authors: Disseler S. M. , Chen Y. , Yeo S. , Gasparovic G. , Piccoli P. M. B. , Schultz A. J. , Qiu Y. , Huang Q. , Cheong S.-W. , Ratcliff W. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe report on the intriguing evolution of the dynamical spin correlations of the frustrated spinel ZnMn2O4. Inelastic neutron scattering and magnetization studies reveal that the dynamical correlations at high temperatures are 1D. At lower temperature, these dynamical correlations become 2D. Surprisingly, the dynamical correlations condense into a quasi 2D Ising-like ordered state, making this a rare observation of two dimensional order on the spinel lattice. Remarkably, 3D ordering is not observed down to temperatures as low as 300 mK. This unprecedented dimensional crossover stems from frustrated exchange couplings due to the huge Jahn-Teller distortions around Mn3+ ions on the spinel lattice.
Suspended Solid-state Membranes on Glass Chips with Sub 1-pF Capacitance for Biomolecule Sensing Applications
Authors: Balan Adrian , Chien Chen-Chi , Engelke Rebecca , Drndić Marija 
Published: December 2015

AbstractSolid-state membranes are finding use in many applications in nanoelectronics and nanomedicine, from single molecule sensors to water filtration and yet many of their electronics applications are limited by the relatively high current noise and low bandwidth stemming from the relatively high capacitance (>10 pF) of the membrane chips. To address this problem, we devised an integrated fabrication process to grow and define circular silicon nitride membranes on glass chips that successfully lower the chip capacitance to below 1 pF. We use these devices to demonstrate low-noise, high-bandwidth DNA translocation measurements. We also make use of this versatile, low-capacitance platform to suspend other thin, two-dimensional membrane such as graphene.
Xanthurenic Acid Activates mGlu2/3 Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors and is a Potential Trait Marker for Schizophrenia
Authors: Fazio Francesco , Lionetto Luana , Curto Martina , Iacovelli Luisa , Cavallari Michele , Zappulla Cristina , Ulivieri Martina , Napoletano Flavia , Capi Matilde , Corigliano Valentina , Scaccianoce Sergio , Caruso Alessandra , Miele Jessica , De Fusco Antonio , Di Menna Luisa , Comparelli Anna , De Carolis Antonella , Gradini Roberto , Nisticò Robert , De Blasi Antonio , Girardi Paolo , Bruno Valeria , Battaglia Giuseppe , Nicoletti Ferdinando , Simmaco Maurizio 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe kynurenine pathway of tryptophan metabolism has been implicated in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia. We report here that the kynurenine metabolite, xanturenic acid (XA), interacts with and activates mGlu2 and mGlu3 metabotropic glutamate receptors in heterologous expression systems. However, the molecular nature of this interaction is unknown and our data cannot exclude that XA acts primarily on other targets, such as the vesicular glutamate transporter, in the CNS. Systemic administration of XA in mice produced antipsychotic-like effects in the MK-801-induced model of hyperactivity. This effect required the presence of mGlu2 receptors and was abrogated by the preferential mGlu2/3 receptor antagonist, LY341495. Because the mGlu2 receptor is a potential drug target in the treatment of schizophrenia, we decided to measure serum levels of XA and other kynurenine metabolites in patients affected by schizophrenia. Serum XA levels were largely reduced in a large cohort of patients affected by schizophrenia, and, in patients with first-episode schizophrenia, levels remained low after 12 months of antipsychotic medication. As opposed to other kynurenine metabolites, XA levels were also significantly reduced in first-degree relatives of patients affected by schizophrenia. We suggest that lowered serum XA levels might represent a novel trait marker for schizophrenia.
Comparative transcriptomic analysis of silkwormBmovo-1 and wild type silkworm ovary
Authors: Xue Renyu , Hu Xiaolong , Zhu Liyuan , Cao Guangli , Huang Moli , Xue Gaoxu , Song Zuowei , Lu Jiayu , Chen Xueying , Gong Chengliang 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe detailed molecular mechanism of Bmovo-1 regulation of ovary size is unclear. To uncover the mechanism of Bmovo-1 regulation of ovarian development and oogenesis using RNA-Seq, we compared the transcriptomes of wild type (WT) and Bmovo-1-overexpressing silkworm (silkworm+Bmovo-1) ovaries. Using a pair-end Illumina Solexa sequencing strategy, 5,296,942 total reads were obtained from silkworm+Bmovo-1 ovaries and 6,306,078 from WT ovaries. The average read length was about 100 bp. Clean read ratios were 98.79% for silkworm+Bmovo-1 and 98.87% for WT silkworm ovaries. Comparative transcriptome analysis showed 123 upregulated and 111 downregulated genes in silkworm+Bmovo-1 ovaries. These differentially expressed genes were enriched in the extracellular and extracellular spaces and involved in metabolism, genetic information processing, environmental information processing, cellular processes and organismal systems. Bmovo-1 overexpression in silkworm ovaries might promote anabolism for ovarian development and oogenesis and oocyte proliferation and transport of nutrients to ovaries by altering nutrient partitioning, which would support ovary development. Excessive consumption of nutrients for ovary development alters nutrient partitioning and deters silk protein synthesis.
Association of BRCA1 promoter methylation with sporadic breast cancers: Evidence from 40 studies
Authors: Zhang Li , Long Xinghua 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBreast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) located at chromosome 17q12-21 is a classic tumor suppressor gene and has been considered as a significant role in hereditary breast cancers. Moreover, numerous studies demonstrated the methylation status of CpG islands in the promoter regions ofBRCA1gene was aberrant in patients with sporadic breast tumors compared with healthy females or patients with benign diseases. However, these conclusions were not always consistent. Hence, a meta-analysis was performed to get a more precise estimate for these associations. Crude odds ratio with 95% confidence interval were used to assess the association ofBRCA1promoter methylation and the risk or clinicopathologic characteristics of breast cancers under fixed or random effect model. A total of 40 studies were eligible for this present study. We observed the frequency of BRCA1 promoter methylation was statistically significant higher in breast cancers than non-cancer controls. Furthermore, BRCA1 methylation was statistically associated with lymph node metastasis, histological grade 3, ER(-), PR(-), triple-negative phenotype and decreased or lack levels of BRCA1 protein expression. In conclusion, this study indicated that BRCA1 promoter methylation appeared to be a useful predictive or prognostic biomarker for breast cancers in clinical assessment.
Erythropoietin alleviates hepatic insulin resistance via PPARγ-dependent AKT activation
Authors: Ge Zhijuan , Zhang Pengzi , Hong Ting , Tang Sunyinyan , Meng Ran , Bi Yan , Zhu Dalong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractErythropoietin (EPO) has beneficial effects on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. However, the mechanism underlying these effects has not yet been elucidated. This study aimed to investigate how EPO affects hepatic glucose metabolism. Here, we report that EPO administration promoted phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/AKT pathway activation in palmitic acid (PA)-treated HepG2 cells and in the liver of high-fat diet (HFD)-fed mice, whereas adenovirus-mediated silencing of the erythropoietin receptor (EPOR) blocked EPO-induced AKT signalling in HepG2 cells. Importantly, a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) antagonist and PPARγ small interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated the EPO-induced increase in p-AKT in HepG2 cells. Lentiviral vector-mediated hepatic PPARγ silencing in HFD-fed C57BL/6 mice impaired EPO-mediated increases in glucose tolerance, insulin sensitivity and hepatic AKT activation. Furthermore, EPO activated the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) signalling pathway and AMPKα and SIRT1 knockdown each attenuated the EPO-induced PPARγ expression and deacetylation and PPARγ-dependent AKT activation in HepG2 cells. In summary, these findings suggest that PPARγ is involved in EPO/EPOR-induced AKT activation and targeting the PPARγ/AKT pathway via EPO may have therapeutic implications for hepatic insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes.
Cell cycle reactivation of cochlear progenitor cells in neonatal FUCCI mice by a GSK3 small molecule inhibitor
Authors: Roccio M. , Hahnewald S. , Perny M. , Senn P. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDue to the lack of regenerative capacity of the mammalian auditory epithelium, sensory hair cell loss results in permanent hearing deficit. Nevertheless, a population of tissue resident stem/progenitor cells has been recently described. Identification of methods to trigger their activity could lead to exploitation of their potential therapeutically. Here we validate the use of transgenic mice reporting cell cycle progression (FUCCI) and stemness (Lgr5-GFP), as a valuable tool to identify regulators of cell cycle re-entry of supporting cells within the auditory epithelium. The small molecule compound CHIR99021 was used to inhibit GSK3 activity. This led to a significant increase in the fraction of proliferating sphere-forming cells, labeled by the FUCCI markers and in the percentage of Lgr5-GFP + cells, as well as a selective increase in the fraction of S-G2-M cells in the Lgr5 + population. Using whole mount cultures of the organ of Corti we detected a statistically significant increment in the fraction of proliferating Sox2 supporting cells after CHIR99021 treatment, but only rarely appearance of novel MyoVIIa+/Edu + hair cells. In conclusion, these tools provide a robust mean to identify novel regulators of auditory organ regeneration and to clarify the contribution of stem cell activity.
Tuning the conductance of H2O@C60 by position of the encapsulated H2O
Authors: Zhu Chengbo , Wang Xiaolin 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe change of conductance of single-molecule junction in response to various external stimuli is the fundamental mechanism for the single-molecule electronic devices with multiple functionalities. We propose the concept that the conductance of molecular systems can be tuned from inside. The conductance is varied in C60 with encapsulated H2O, H2O@C60. The transport properties of the H2O@C60-based nanostructure sandwiched between electrodes are studied using first-principles calculations combined with the non-equilibrium Green’s function formalism. Our results show that the conductance of the H2O@C60 is sensitive to the position of the H2O and its dipole direction inside the cage with changes in conductance up to 20%. Our study paves a way for the H2O@C60 molecule to be a new platform for novel molecule-based electronics and sensors.