bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A zero power harmonic transponder sensor for ubiquitous wireless μL liquid-volume monitoring
Authors: Huang Haiyu , Chen Pai-Yen , Hung Cheng-Hsien , Gharpurey Ranjit , Akinwande Deji 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAutonomous liquid-volume monitoring is crucial in ubiquitous healthcare. However, conventional approach is based on either human visual observation or expensive detectors, which are costly for future pervasive monitoring. Here we introduce a novel approach based on passive harmonic transponder antenna sensor and frequency hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) pattern analysis, to provide a very low cost wireless μL-resolution liquid-volume monitoring without battery or digital circuits. In our conceptual demonstration, the harmonic transponder comprises of a passive nonlinear frequency multiplier connected to a metamaterial-inspired 3-D antenna designed to be highly sensitive to the liquid-volume within a confined region. The transponder first receives some FHSS signal from an interrogator, then converts such signal to its harmonic band and re-radiates through the antenna sensor. The harmonic signal is picked up by a sniffer receiver and decoded through pattern analysis of the high dimensional FHSS signal strength data. A robust, zero power, absolute accuracy wireless liquid-volume monitoring is realized in the presence of strong direct coupling, background scatters, distance variance as well as near-field human-body interference. The concepts of passive harmonic transponder sensor, metamaterial-inspired antenna sensor and FHSS pattern analysis based sensor decoding may help establishing cost-effective, energy-efficient and intelligent wireless pervasive healthcare monitoring platforms.
Size-dependent redox behavior of iron observed by in-situ single nanoparticle spectro-microscopy on well-defined model systems
Authors: Karim Waiz , Kleibert Armin , Hartfelder Urs , Balan Ana , Gobrecht Jens , van Bokhoven Jeroen A. , Ekinci Yasin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the chemistry of nanoparticles is crucial in many applications. Their synthesis in a controlled manner and their characterization at the single particle level is essential to gain deeper insight into chemical mechanisms. In this work, single nanoparticle spectro-microscopy with top-down nanofabrication is demonstrated to study individual iron nanoparticles of nine different lateral dimensions from 80 nm down to 6 nm. The particles are probed simultaneously, under same conditions, during in-situ redox reaction using X-ray photoemission electron microscopy elucidating the size effect during the early stage of oxidation, yielding time-dependent evolution of iron oxides and the mechanism for the inter-conversion of oxides in nanoparticles. Fabrication of well-defined system followed by visualization and investigation of singled-out particles eliminates the ambiguities emerging from dispersed nanoparticles and reveals a significant increase in the initial rate of oxidation with decreasing size, but the reactivity per active site basis and the intrinsic chemical properties in the particles remain the same in the scale of interest. This advance of nanopatterning together with spatially-resolved single nanoparticle X-ray absorption spectroscopy will guide future discourse in understanding the impact of confinement of metal nanoparticles and pave way to solve fundamental questions in material science, chemical physics, magnetism, nanomedicine and nanocatalysis.
PYCR1 and PYCR2 Interact and Collaborate with RRM2B to Protect Cells from Overt Oxidative Stress
Authors: Kuo Mei-Ling , Lee Mabel Bin-Er , Tang Michelle , den Besten Willem , Hu Shuya , Sweredoski Michael J. , Hess Sonja , Chou Chih-Ming , Changou Chun A. , Su Mingming , Jia Wei , Su Leila , Yen Yun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractRibonucleotide reductase small subunit B (RRM2B) is a stress response protein that protects normal human fibroblasts from oxidative stress. However, the underlying mechanism that governs this function is not entirely understood. To identify factors that interact with RRM2B and mediate anti-oxidation function, large-scale purification of human Flag-tagged RRM2B complexes was performed. Pyrroline-5-carboxylate reductase 1 and 2 (PYCR1, PYCR2) were identified by mass spectrometry analysis as components of RRM2B complexes. Silencing of both PYCR1 and PYCR2 by expressing short hairpin RNAs induced defects in cell proliferation, partial fragmentation of the mitochondrial network and hypersensitivity to oxidative stress in hTERT-immortalized human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF-hTERT). Moderate overexpression of RRM2B, comparable to stress-induced level, protected cells from oxidative stress. Silencing of both PYCR1 and PYCR2 completely abolished anti-oxidation activity of RRM2B, demonstrating a functional collaboration of these metabolic enzymes in response to oxidative stress.
The soluble form of BMPRIB is a novel therapeutic candidate for treating bone related disorders
Authors: Yamawaki Kengo , Kondo Yuichiro , Okada Tsutomu , Oshima Takeshi , Kakitani Makoto , Tomizuka Kazuma 
Published: January 2016

AbstractBone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are multi-functional growth factors that belong to the TGF-beta superfamily. Recently, several soluble BMP receptors, such as ActRIIA-Fc, ActRIIB-Fc and ALK1-Fc, are undergoing clinical trials. Both BMPRIA and BMPRIB are type I BMP receptors and while BMPRIA-Fc has been reported to have bone-increasing properties, there have been no investigations concerning the biological functions of BMPRIB-Fc. Therefore, comparing the effects of BMPRIA-Fc and BMPRIB-Fc in vivo should be helpful in revealing the differences in biological function between BMPRIA and BMPRIB and would also aid in the evaluation of BMPRIB-Fc as a therapeutic agent. Here, we produced Tg chimeras in which BMPRIA-Fc and BMPRIB-Fc proteins circulated at high concentrations (36.8–121.4 μg/mL). Both Tg chimeras showed a significant increase of bone volume and strength. Using histological analysis, adenoma of the glandular stomach was observed only in BMPRIA-Fc chimeras suggesting the tumorigenic activity of this protein. Administration of recombinant BMPRIB-Fc protein to normal mice also increased bone volumes. Finally, treatment with BMPRIB-Fc decreased the area of osteolytic regions in a mouse model of breast cancer metastasis. In conclusion, our data suggest that BMPRIB-Fc can be used for the treatment of bone-related disorders with a lower risk than BMPRIA-Fc.
Manifold angles, the concept of self-similarity and angle-enhanced bifurcation diagrams
Authors: Beims Marcus W. , Gallas Jason A. C. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractChaos and regularity are routinely discriminated by using Lyapunov exponents distilled from the norm of orthogonalized Lyapunov vectors, propagated during the temporal evolution of the dynamics. Such exponents are mean-field-like averages that, for each degree of freedom, squeeze the whole temporal evolution complexity into just a single number. However, Lyapunov vectors also contain a step-by-step record of what exactly happens with the angles between stable and unstable manifolds during the whole evolution, a big-data information permanently erased by repeated orthogonalizations. Here, we study changes of angles between invariant subspaces as observed during temporal evolution of Hénon’s system. Such angles are calculated numerically and analytically and used to characterize self-similarity of a chaotic attractor. In addition, we show how standard tools of dynamical systems may be angle-enhanced by dressing them with informations not difficult to extract. Such angle-enhanced tools reveal unexpected and practical facts that are described in detail. For instance, we present a video showing an angle-enhanced bifurcation diagram that exposes from several perspectives the complex geometrical features underlying the attractors. We believe such findings to be generic for extended classes of systems.
A transcriptome-wide, organ-specific regulatory map of Dendrobium officinale, an important traditional Chinese orchid herb
Authors: Meng Yijun , Yu Dongliang , Xue Jie , Lu Jiangjie , Feng Shangguo , Shen Chenjia , Wang Huizhong 
Published: January 2016

AbstractDendrobium officinale is an important traditional Chinese herb. Here, we did a transcriptome-wide, organ-specific study on this valuable plant by combining RNA, small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing. RNA sequencing of four organs (flower, root, leaf and stem) of Dendrobium officinale enabled us to obtain 536,558 assembled transcripts, from which 2,645, 256, 42 and 54 were identified to be highly expressed in the four organs respectively. Based on sRNA sequencing, 2,038, 2, 21 and 24 sRNAs were identified to be specifically accumulated in the four organs respectively. A total of 1,047 mature microRNA (miRNA) candidates were detected. Based on secondary structure predictions and sequencing, tens of potential miRNA precursors were identified from the assembled transcripts. Interestingly, phase-distributed sRNAs with degradome-based processing evidences were discovered on the long-stem structures of two precursors. Target identification was performed for the 1,047 miRNA candidates, resulting in the discovery of 1,257 miRNA--target pairs. Finally, some biological meaningful subnetworks involving hormone signaling, development, secondary metabolism and Argonaute 1-related regulation were established. All of the sequencing data sets are available at NCBI Sequence Read Archive (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sra/). Summarily, our study provides a valuable resource for the in-depth molecular and functional studies on this important Chinese orchid herb.
Next-Generation Bacillus anthracis Live Attenuated Spore Vaccine Based on the htrA- (High Temperature Requirement A) Sterne Strain
Authors: Chitlaru Theodor , Israeli Ma’ayan , Bar-Haim Erez , Elia Uri , Rotem Shahar , Ehrlich Sharon , Cohen Ofer , Shafferman Avigdor 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAnthrax is a lethal disease caused by the gram-positive spore-producing bacteriumBacillus anthracis. Live attenuated vaccines, such as the nonencapsulated Sterne strain, do not meet the safety standards mandated for human use in the Western world and are approved for veterinary purposes only. Here we demonstrate that disrupting thehtrAgene, encoding the chaperone/protease HtrA (High Temperature Requirement A), in the virulentBacillus anthracisVollum strain results in significant virulence attenuation in guinea pigs, rabbits and mice, underlying the universality of the attenuated phenotype associated withhtrAknockout. Accordingly,htrAdisruption was implemented for the development of a Sterne-derived safe live vaccine compatible with human use. The novelB. anthracisSterneΔhtrAstrain secretes functional anthrax toxins but is 10–104-fold less virulent than the Sterne vaccine strain depending on animal model (mice, guinea pigs, or rabbits). In spite of this attenuation, double or even single immunization with SterneΔhtrA spores elicits immune responses which target toxaemia and bacteremia resulting in protection from subcutaneous or respiratory lethal challenge with a virulent strain in guinea pigs and rabbits. The efficacy of the immune-protective response in guinea pigs was maintained for at least 50 weeks after asingleimmunization.
Anti-inflammatory effects of indirubin derivatives on influenza A virus-infected human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells
Authors: Kwok Hoi-Hin , Poon Po-Ying , Fok Siu-Ping , Ying-Kit Yue Patrick , Mak Nai-Ki , Chan Michael Chi-Wai , Peiris Joseph Sriyal Malik , Wong Ricky Ngok-Shun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractInfluenza A virus (IAV) poses global threats to human health. Acute respiratory distress syndrome and multi-organ dysfunction are major complications in patients with severe influenza infection. This may be explained by the recent studies which highlighted the role of the pulmonary endothelium as the center of innate immune cells recruitment and excessive pro-inflammatory cytokines production. In this report, we examined the potential immunomodulatory effects of two indirubin derivatives, indirubin-3′-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-oximether (E804) and indirubin-3′-oxime (E231), on IAV (H9N2) infected-human pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells (HPMECs). Infection of H9N2 on HPMECs induced a high level of chemokines and cytokines production including IP-10, RANTES, IL-6, IFN-β and IFN-γ1. Post-treatment of E804 or E231 could significantly suppress the production of these cytokines. H9N2 infection rapidly triggered the activation of innate immunity through phosphorylation of signaling molecules including mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT) proteins. Using specific inhibitors or small-interfering RNA, we confirmed that indirubin derivatives can suppress H9N2-induced cytokines production through MAPKs and STAT3 signaling pathways. These results underscore the immunomodulatory effects of indirubin derivatives on pulmonary endothelium and its therapeutic potential on IAV-infection.
Evaluation of hypointense liver lesions during hepatobiliary phase MR imaging in normal and cirrhotic livers: is increasing flip angle reliable?
Authors: Xiao Yu-dong , Ma Cong , Liu Jun , Li Hua-bing , Zhang Zi-shu , Zhou Shun-ke 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGd-EOB-DTPA is a newly developed liver specific magnetic resonance contrast agent, which is widely used for focal liver lesion (FLL) detection and liver function evaluation. However, it has been demonstrated that hepatocytes uptake of Gd-EOB-DTPA obviously decreased in cirrhotic liver and cirrhotic liver parenchyma may show reduced enhancement in hepatobiliary phase, which would result in decreased liver-to-lesion contrast (LLC) and liver to lesion signal intensity ratio (LLSIR). Therefore, it is important to improve the image quality in cirrhotic liver, as it may alter therapeutic strategy. In this paper, we have shown adjustments of the flip angle (FA) provides a simple step to achieve better image quality for evaluation of FLLs, especially to those patients with severe liver cirrhosis. On the basis of our quantitative analysis, both of the LLC and the LLSIR with high FA protocol were always higher than those of low FA protocol. Additionally, on high FA images, more FLLs were detected, peritumoral invasion was found, boundary of the tumor was more remarkably and better visualization of bile duct was observed. In conclusion, for the patient with severe liver cirrhosis, increasing FA can obviously improve the image quality, which is helpful for FLLs depiction.
Transcriptome and biomineralization responses of the pearl oyster Pinctada fucata to elevated CO2 and temperature
Authors: Li Shiguo , Liu Chuang , Huang Jingliang , Liu Yangjia , Zhang Shuwen , Zheng Guilan , Xie Liping , Zhang Rongqing 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOcean acidification and global warming have been shown to significantly affect the physiological performances of marine calcifiers; however, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. In this study, the transcriptome and biomineralization responses ofPinctada fucatato elevated CO2(pH 7.8 and pH 7.5) and temperature (25 °C and 31 °C) are investigated. Increases in CO2and temperature induced significant changes in gene expression, alkaline phosphatase activity, net calcification rates and relative calcium content, whereas no changes are observed in the shell ultrastructure. “Ion and acid-base regulation” related genes and “amino acid metabolism” pathway respond to the elevated CO2(pH 7.8), suggesting thatP. fucataimplements a compensatory acid-base mechanism to mitigate the effects of low pH. Additionally, “anti-oxidation”-related genes and “Toll-like receptor signaling”, “arachidonic acid metabolism”, “lysosome” and “other glycan degradation” pathways exhibited responses to elevated temperature (25 °C and 31 °C), suggesting thatP. fucatautilizes anti-oxidative and lysosome strategies to alleviate the effects of temperature stress. These responses are energy-consuming processes, which can lead to a decrease in biomineralization capacity. This study therefore is important for understanding the mechanisms by which pearl oysters respond to changing environments and predicting the effects of global climate change on pearl aquaculture.
Discovering new mTOR inhibitors for cancer treatment through virtual screening methods and in vitro assays
Authors: Wang Ling , Chen Lei , Yu Miao , Xu Li-Hui , Cheng Bao , Lin Yong-Sheng , Gu Qiong , He Xian-Hui , Xu Jun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractMammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) is an attractive target for new anticancer drug development. We recently developed in silico models to distinguish mTOR inhibitors and non-inhibitors. In this study, we developed an integrated strategy for identifying new mTOR inhibitors using cascaded in silico screening models. With this strategy, fifteen new mTOR kinase inhibitors including four compounds with IC50 values below 10 μM were discovered. In particular, compound 17 exhibited potent anticancer activities against four tumor cell lines, including MCF-7, HeLa, MGC-803 and C6, with IC50 values of 1.90, 2.74, 3.50 and 11.05 μM. Furthermore, cellular studies and western blot analyses revealed that 17 induces cell death via apoptosis by targeting both mTORC1 and mTORC2 within cells and arrests the cell cycle of HeLa at the G1/G0-phase. Finally, multi-nanosecond explicit solvent simulations and MM/GBSA analyses were carried out to study the inhibitory mechanisms of 13, 17 and 40 for mTOR. The potent compounds presented here are worthy of further investigation.
Iliac Crest Bone Graft versus Local Autograft or Allograft for Lumbar Spinal Fusion: A Systematic Review
Authors: Tuchman Alexander , Brodke Darrel S. , Youssef Jim A. , Meisel Hans-Jörg , Dettori Joseph R. , Park Jong-Beom , Yoon S. Tim , Wang Jeffrey C. 
Published: January 2016

Study Design Systematic review. Objective To compare the effectiveness and safety between iliac crest bone graft (ICBG) and local autologous bone and allograft in the lumbar spine. Methods A systematic search of multiple major medical reference databases identified studies evaluating spinal fusion in patients with degenerative joint disease using ICBG, local autograft, or allograft in the thoracolumbar spine. Results Six comparative studies met our inclusion criteria. A “low” strength of the overall body of evidence suggested no difference in fusion percentages in the lumbar spine between local autograft and ICBG. We found no difference in fusion percentages based on low evidence comparing allograft with ICBG autograft. There were no differences in pain or functional results comparing local autograft or allograft with ICBG autograft. Donor site pain and hematoma/seroma occurred more frequently in ICBG autograft group for lumbar fusion procedures. There was low evidence around the estimate of patients with donor site pain following ICBG harvesting, ranging from 16.7 to 20%. With respect to revision, low evidence demonstrated no difference between allograft and ICBG autograft. There was no evidence comparing patients receiving allograft with local autograft for fusion, pain, functional, and safety outcomes. Conclusion In the lumbar spine, ICBG, local autograft, and allograft have similar effectiveness in terms of fusion rates, pain scores, and functional outcomes. However, ICBG is associated with an increased risk for donor site-related complications. Significant limitations exist in the available literature when comparing ICBG, local autograft, and allograft for lumbar fusion, and thus ICBG versus other fusion methods necessitates further investigation.
Structural basis for m7G recognition and 2′-O-methyl discrimination in capped RNAs by the innate immune receptor RIG-I
Authors: Devarkar Swapnil C. , Wang Chen , Miller Matthew T. , Ramanathan Anand , Jiang Fuguo , Khan Abdul G. , Patel Smita S. , Marcotrigiano Joseph 
Published: January 2016

Significance
The cytosolic innate immune receptor Retinoic Acid Inducible Gene-I (RIG-I) is the principal detector of pathogenic RNAs carrying a 5′-triphosphate (5′ppp). Self RNAs like mRNAs evade recognition by RIG-I due to posttranscriptional modifications like 5′-end capping with 7-methyl guanosine (m7G) and 2′-O-methylation of 5′-end nucleotides. Viruses have also evolved mechanisms to mimic these modifications, which in part is believed to aid in immune evasion. Currently, it is unclear how these modifications modulate RIG-I recognition. This paper provides structural and mechanistic insights into the roles of the m7G cap and 2′-O-methylation in RIG-I evasion. We show that RIG-I accommodates the m7G base while maintaining the 5′ppp contacts and can recognize Cap-0 RNAs but not Cap-1.
How faceted liquid droplets grow tails
Authors: Guttman Shani , Sapir Zvi , Schultz Moty , Butenko Alexander V. , Ocko Benjamin M. , Deutsch Moshe , Sloutskin Eli 
Published: January 2016

Significance
Rounded oil-in-water emulsion droplets are ubiquitous in life and technology. We demonstrate that crystallization of the monomolecular nanolayer at the interface of these droplets provides a novel way to control the shape of liquid droplets. In particular, the droplets undergo a spontaneous faceting transition, split, and grow tails. All these transitions are fully temperature-controllable and reversible. The observed phenomena mimic shape selection in virus capsids, virus-associated pyramid formation in lipid membranes, and the growth of rod-like bacteria, yet the underlying mechanism is completely new. The observed effects allow formation of emulsions with controllable attributes, probe the fundamentals of molecular-scale elasticity, and open new routes for self-assembly of complex-shape colloids.
Growth factors and medium hyperglycemia induce Sox9+ductal cell differentiation into β cells in mice with reversal of diabetes
Authors: Zhang Mingfeng , Lin Qing , Qi Tong , Wang Tiankun , Chen Ching-Cheng , Riggs Arthur D. , Zeng Defu 
Published: January 2016

SignificanceWhether or not SRY (sex-determining region Y)-box 9+(Sox9+) pancreatic ductal cells can give rise to insulin-producing β cells in adult mice remains controversial. Using lineage-tracing techniques, we demonstrate that pancreatic Sox9+ductal cells can be induced to differentiate into β cells under conditions of medium hyperglycemia. Long-term administration of low-dose, but not short-term administration of high-dose, gastrin and epidermal growth factors can augment this differentiation, resulting in formation of new β cells with reversal of diabetes. This study provides previously unidentified insight into β-cell regeneration from ductal cells in diabetic adult individuals.
The tyrosine-sorting motif of the vacuolar sorting receptor VSR4 from Arabidopsis thaliana, which is involved in the interaction between VSR4 and AP1M2, μ1-adaptin type 2 of clathrin adaptor complex 1 subunits, participates in the post-Golgi sorting of VSR4
Authors: Nishimura Kohji , Matsunami Erika , Yoshida Shohei , Kohata Shuhei , Yamauchi Junji , Jisaka Mitsuo , Nagaya Tsutomu , Yokota Kazushige , Nakagawa Tsuyoshi 
Published: January 2016

Abstract
μ1-Adaptin of adaptor protein (AP) 1 complex, AP1M, is generally accepted to load cargo proteins into clathrin-coated vesicles (CCVs) at the trans-Golgi network through its binding to cargo-recognition sequences (CRSs). Plant vacuolar-sorting receptors (VSRs) function in sorting vacuolar proteins, which are reportedly mediated by CCV. We herein investigated the involvement of CRSs of Arabidopsis thaliana VSR4 in the sorting of VSR4. The results obtained showed the increased localization of VSR4 at the plasma membrane or vacuoles by mutations in CRSs including the tyrosine-sorting motif YMPL or acidic dileucine-like motif EIRAIM, respectively. Interaction analysis using the bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) system, V10-BiFC, which we developed, indicated an interaction between VSR4 and AP1M2, AP1M type 2, which was attenuated by a YMPL mutation, but not influenced by an EIRAIM mutation. These results demonstrated the significance of the recognition of YMPL in VSR4 by AP1M2 for the post-Golgi sorting of VSR4.