bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cotton fiber tips have diverse morphologies and show evidence of apical cell wall synthesis
Authors: Stiff Michael R. , Haigler Candace H. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCotton fibers arise through highly anisotropic expansion of a single seed epidermal cell. We obtained evidence that apical cell wall synthesis occurs through examining the tips of young elongating Gossypium hirsutum (Gh) and G. barbadense (Gb) fibers. We characterized two tip types in Gh fiber (hemisphere and tapered), each with distinct apical diameter, central vacuole location, and distribution of cell wall components. The apex of Gh hemisphere tips was enriched in homogalacturonan epitopes, including a relatively high methyl-esterified form associated with cell wall pliability. Other wall components increased behind the apex including cellulose and the α-Fuc-(1,2)-β-Gal epitope predominantly found in xyloglucan. Gb fibers had only one narrow tip type featuring characters found in each Gh tip type. Pulse-labeling of cell wall glucans indicated wall synthesis at the apex of both Gh tip types and in distal zones. Living Gh hemisphere and Gb tips ruptured preferentially at the apex upon treatment with wall degrading enzymes, consistent with newly synthesized wall at the apex. Gh tapered tips ruptured either at the apex or distantly. Overall, the results reveal diverse cotton fiber tip morphologies and support primary wall synthesis occurring at the apex and discrete distal regions of the tip.
Biodegradability of poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) after femtosecond laser irradiation
Authors: Shibata Akimichi , Yada Shuhei , Terakawa Mitsuhiro 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBiodegradation is a key property for biodegradable polymer-based tissue scaffolds because it can provide suitable space for cell growth as well as tailored sustainability depending on their role. Ultrashort pulsed lasers have been widely used for the precise processing of optically transparent materials, including biodegradable polymers. Here, we demonstrated the change in the biodegradation of a poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) following irradiation with femtosecond laser pulses at different wavelengths. Microscopic observation as well as water absorption and mass change measurement revealed that the biodegradation of the PLGA varied significantly depending on the laser wavelength. There was a significant acceleration of the degradation rate upon 400 nm-laser irradiation, whereas 800 nm-laser irradiation did not induce a comparable degree of change. The X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis indicated that laser pulses at the shorter wavelength dissociated the chemical bonds effectively, resulting in a higher degradation rate at an early stage of degradation.
Effectors and potential targets selectively upregulated in human KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas
Authors: Li Jinyu , Sordella Raffaella , Powers Scott 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGenetic and proteomic analysis of human tumor samples can provide an important compliment to information obtained from model systems. Here we examined protein and gene expression from the Cancer Genome and Proteome Atlases (TCGA and TCPA) to characterize proteins and protein-coding genes that are selectively upregulated in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas. Phosphoprotein activation of several MAPK signaling components was considerably stronger in KRAS-mutants than any other group of tumors, even those with activating mutations in receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs) and BRAF. Co-occurring mutations in KRAS-mutants were associated with differential activation of PDK1 and PKC-alpha. Genes showing strong activation in RNA-seq data included negative regulators of RTK/RAF/MAPK signaling along with potential oncogenic effectors including activators of Rac and Rho proteins and the receptor protein-tyrosine phosphatase genes PTPRM and PTPRE. These results corroborate RAF/MAPK signaling as an important therapeutic target in KRAS-mutant lung adenocarcinomas and pinpoint new potential targets.
The Hydration Structure at Yttria-Stabilized Cubic Zirconia (110)-Water Interface with Sub-Ångström Resolution
Authors: Hou Binyang , Kim Seunghyun , Kim Taeho , Kim Jongjin , Hong Seungbum , Bahn Chi Bum , Park Changyong , Kim Ji Hyun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe interfacial hydration structure of yttria-stabilized cubic zirconia (110) surface in contact with water was determined with ~0.5 Å resolution by high-resolution X-ray reflectivity measurement. The terminal layer shows a reduced electron density compared to the following substrate lattice layers, which indicates there are additional defects generated by metal depletion as well as intrinsic oxygen vacancies, both of which are apparently filled by water species. Above this top surface layer, two additional adsorbed layers are observed forming a characteristic interfacial hydration structure. The first adsorbed layer shows abnormally high density as pure water and likely includes metal species, whereas the second layer consists of pure water. The observed interfacial hydration structure seems responsible for local equilibration of the defective surface in water and eventually regulating the long-term degradation processes. The multitude of water interactions with the zirconia surface results in the complex but highly ordered interfacial structure constituting the reaction front.
CREBH-FGF21 axis improves hepatic steatosis by suppressing adipose tissue lipolysis
Authors: Park Jong-Gil , Xu Xu , Cho Sungyun , Hur Kyu Yeon , Lee Myung-Shik , Kersten Sander , Lee Ann-Hwee 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAdipose tissue lipolysis produces glycerol and nonesterified fatty acids (NEFA) that serve as energy sources during nutrient scarcity. Adipose tissue lipolysis is tightly regulated and excessive lipolysis causes hepatic steatosis, as NEFA released from adipose tissue constitutes a major source of TG in the liver of patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases. Here we show that the liver-enriched transcription factor CREBH is activated by TG accumulation and induces FGF21, which suppresses adipose tissue lipolysis, ameliorating hepatic steatosis. CREBH-deficient mice developed severe hepatic steatosis due to increased adipose tissue lipolysis, when fasted or fed a high-fat low-carbohydrate ketogenic diet. FGF21 production was impaired in CREBH-deficient mice, and adenoviral overexpression of FGF21 suppressed adipose tissue lipolysis and improved hepatic steatosis in these mice. Thus, our results uncover a negative feedback loop in which CREBH regulates NEFA flux from adipose tissue to the liver via FGF21.
The thermal and electrical properties of the promising semiconductor MXene Hf2CO2
Authors: Zha Xian-Hu , Huang Qing , He Jian , He Heming , Zhai Junyi , Francisco Joseph S. , Du Shiyu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWith the growing interest in low dimensional materials, MXenes have also attracted considerable attention recently. In this work, the thermal and electrical properties of oxygen-functionalized M2CO2 (M = Ti, Zr, Hf) MXenes are investigated using first-principles calculations. Hf2CO2 is determined to exhibit a thermal conductivity better than MoS2 and phosphorene. The room-temperature thermal conductivity along the armchair direction is determined to be 86.25~131.2 Wm−1 K−1 with a flake length of 5~100 μm. The room temperature thermal expansion coefficient of Hf2CO2 is 6.094 × 10−6 K−1, which is lower than that of most metals. Moreover, Hf2CO2 is determined to be a semiconductor with a band gap of 1.657 eV and to have high and anisotropic carrier mobility. At room temperature, the Hf2CO2 hole mobility in the armchair direction (in the zigzag direction) is determined to be as high as 13.5 × 103 cm2V−1s−1 (17.6 × 103 cm2V−1s−1). Thus, broader utilization of Hf2CO2, such as the material for nanoelectronics, is likely. The corresponding thermal and electrical properties of Ti2CO2 and Zr2CO2 are also provided. Notably, Ti2CO2 presents relatively lower thermal conductivity but much higher carrier mobility than Hf2CO2. According to the present results, the design and application of MXene based devices are expected to be promising.
From multiple pathogenicity islands to a unique organized pathogenicity archipelago
Authors: Bouyioukos Costas , Reverchon Sylvie , Képès François 
Published: June 2016

AbstractPathogenicity islands are sets of successive genes in a genome that determine the virulence of a bacterium. In a growing number of studies, bacterial virulence appears to be determined by multiple islands scattered along the genome. This is the case in a family of seven plant pathogens and a human pathogen that, under KdgR regulation, massively secrete enzymes such as pectinases that degrade plant cell wall. Here we show that their multiple pathogenicity islands form together a coherently organized, single “archipelago” at the genome scale. Furthermore, in half of the species, most genes encoding secreted pectinases are expressed from the same DNA strand (transcriptional co-orientation). This genome architecture favors DNA conformations that are conducive to genes spatial co-localization, sometimes complemented by co-orientation. As proteins tend to be synthetized close to their encoding genes in bacteria, we propose that this architecture would favor the efficient funneling of pectinases at convergent points within the cell. The underlying functional hypothesis is that this convergent funneling of the full blend of pectinases constitutes a crucial strategy for successful degradation of the plant cell wall. Altogether, our work provides a new approach to describe and predict, at the genome scale, the full virulence complement.
The cleaved FAS ligand activates the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1 through Akt/ROCK1 to stimulate cell motility
Authors: Monet Michael , Poët Mallorie , Tauzin Sébastien , Fouqué Amélie , Cophignon Auréa , Lagadic-Gossmann Dominique , Vacher Pierre , Legembre Patrick , Counillon Laurent 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTransmembrane CD95L (Fas ligand) can be cleaved to release a promigratory soluble ligand, cl-CD95L, which can contribute to chronic inflammation and cancer cell dissemination. The motility signaling pathway elicited by cl-CD95L remains poorly defined. Here, we show that in the presence of cl-CD95L, CD95 activates the Akt and RhoA signaling pathways, which together orchestrate an allosteric activation of the Na+/H+ exchanger NHE1. Pharmacologic inhibition of Akt or ROCK1 independently blocks the cl-CD95L-induced migration. Confirming these pharmacologic data, disruption of the Akt and ROCK1 phosphorylation sites on NHE1 decreases cell migration in cells exposed to cl-CD95L. Together, these findings demonstrate that NHE1 is a novel molecular actor in the CD95 signaling pathway that drives the cl-CD95L-induced cell migration through both the Akt and RhoA signaling pathways.
Characterization of different CTC subpopulations in non-small cell lung cancer
Authors: Hanssen Annkathrin , Wagner Jenny , Gorges Tobias M. , Taenzer Aline , Uzunoglu Faik G. , Driemel Christiane , Stoecklein Nikolas H. , Knoefel Wolfram T. , Angenendt Sebastian , Hauch Siegfried , Atanackovic Djordje , Loges Sonja , Riethdorf Sabine , Pantel Klaus , Wikman Harriet 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCirculating tumour cells (CTCs) serve as valuable biomarkers. However, EpCAM positive CTCs are less frequently detected in NSCLC patients compared to other epithelial tumours. First, EpCAM protein expression was analysed in primary and metastatic lung cancer tissue. In both groups 21% of the samples were EpCAM negative. Second, the CellSearch system identified 15% of patients (n = 48) as CTC positive whereas a multiplex RT-PCR for PIK3CA, AKT2, TWIST, and ALDH1 following EGFR, HER2 and EpCAM based enrichment detected CTCs in 29% of the patients. Interestingly, 86% of CTC positive patients were found to express ALDH1. Only 11% of the patients were CTC-positive by both techniques. CTC positivity was associated with patient disease state when assessed by the multiplex RT-PCR assay (p = 0.015). Patients harbouring tumours with an altered EGFR genotype were more frequently CTC-positive compared to patients with EGFR wildtype tumours. In subsets of patients, CTCs were found to express genes involved in resistance to therapy such as HER3 and MET. In conclusion, using multiple targets for CTC capture and identification increases the sensitivity of CTC detection in NSCLC patients, which can be explained by the presence of different CTC subtypes with distinct molecular features.
Experimental Models in Syrian Golden Hamster Replicate Human Acute Pancreatitis
Authors: Wang Yunan , Kayoumu Abudurexiti , Lu Guotao , Xu Pengfei , Qiu Xu , Chen Liye , Qi Rong , Huang Shouxiong , Li Weiqin , Wang Yuhui , Liu George 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe hamster has been shown to share a variety of metabolic similarities with humans. To replicate human acute pancreatitis with hamsters, we comparatively studied the efficacy of common methods, such as the peritoneal injections of caerulein, L-arginine, the retrograde infusion of sodium taurocholate, and another novel model with concomitant administration of ethanol and fatty acid. The severity of pancreatitis was evaluated by serum amylase activity, pathological scores, myeloperoxidase activity, and the expression of inflammation factors in pancreas. The results support that the severity of pathological injury is consistent with the pancreatitis induced in mice and rat using the same methods. Specifically, caerulein induced mild edematous pancreatitis accompanied by minimal lung injury, while L-arginine induced extremely severe pancreatic injury including necrosis and neutrophil infiltration. Infusion of Na-taurocholate into the pancreatic duct induced necrotizing pancreatitis in the head of pancreas and lighter inflammation in the distal region. The severity of acute pancreatitis induced by combination of ethanol and fatty acids was between the extent of caerulein and L-arginine induction, with obvious inflammatory cells infiltration. In view of the advantages in lipid metabolism features, hamster models are ideally suited for the studies of pancreatitis associated with altered metabolism in humans.
Performance and cross-crop resistance of Cry1F-maize selected Spodoptera frugiperda on transgenic Bt cotton: implications for resistance management
Authors: Yang Fei , Kerns David L. , Brown Sebe , Kurtz Ryan , Dennehy Tim , Braxton Bo , Head Graham , Huang Fangneng 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTransgenic crops producing Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) proteins have become a primary tool in pest management. Due to the intensive use of Bt crops, resistance of the fall armyworm, Spodoptera frugiperda, to Cry1F maize has occurred in Puerto Rico, Brazil and some areas of the southeastern U.S. The sustainability of Bt crops faces a great challenge because the Cry1F-maize resistant S. frugiperda may also infest other Bt crops in multiple cropping ecosystems. Here we examined the survival and plant injury of a S. frugiperda population selected with Cry1F maize on three single-gene and five pyramided Bt cotton products. Larvae of Cry1F-susceptible (SS), -heterozygous (RS) and -resistant (RR) genotypes of S. frugiperda were all susceptible to the pyramided cotton containing Cry1Ac/Cry2Ab, Cry1Ac/Cry1F/Vip3A, Cry1Ab/Cry2Ae, or Cry1Ab/Cry2Ae/Vip3A and the single-gene Cry2Ae cotton. Pyramided cotton containing Cry1Ac/Cry1F was effective against SS and RS, but not for RR. These findings show that the Cry1F-maize selected S. frugiperda can cause cross-crop resistance to other Bt crops expressing similar insecticidal proteins. Resistance management and pest management programs that utilize diversify mortality factors must be implemented to ensure the sustainability of Bt crops. This is especially important in areas where resistance to single-gene Bt crops is already widespread.
A Genome-wide Study of “Non-3UTR” Polyadenylation Sites in Arabidopsis thaliana
Authors: Guo Cheng , Spinelli Matthew , Liu Man , Li Qingshun Q. , Liang Chun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAlternative polyadenylation has been recognized as a key contributor of gene expression regulation by generating different transcript isoforms with altered 3′ ends. Although polyadenylation is well known for marking the end of a 3′ UTR, an increasing number of studies have reported previously less-addressed polyadenylation events located in other parts of genes in many eukaryotic organisms. These other locations include 5′ UTRs, introns and coding sequences (termed herein as non-3UTR), as well as antisense and intergenic polyadenlation. Focusing on the non-3UTR polyadenylation sites (n3PASs), we detected and characterized more than 11000 n3PAS clusters in the Arabidopsis genome using poly(A)-tag sequencing data (PAT-Seq). Further analyses suggested that the occurrence of these n3PASs were positively correlated with certain characteristics of their respective host genes, including the presence of spliced, diminutive or diverse beginning of 5′ UTRs, number of introns and whether introns have extreme lengths. The interaction of the host genes with surrounding genetic elements, like a convergently overlapped gene and associated transposable element, may contribute to the generation of a n3PAS as well. Collectively, these results provide a better understanding of n3PASs and offer some new insights of the underlying mechanisms for non-3UTR polyadenylation and its regulation in plants.
Synthesizing 2D MoS2 Nanofins on carbon nanospheres as catalyst support for Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells
Authors: Hu Yan , Chua Daniel H. C. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHighly dense 2D MoS2 fin-like nanostructures on carbon nanospheres were fabricated and formed the main catalyst support structure in the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) for polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells. These nanofins were observed growing perpendicular to the carbon nanosphere surface in random orientations and high resolution transmission electron microscope confirmed 2D layers. The PEM fuel cell test showed enhanced electrochemical activity with good stability, generating over 8.5 W.mgPt−1 as compared to standard carbon black of 7.4 W.mgPt−1 under normal operating conditions. Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy confirmed that the performance improvement is highly due to the excellent water management of the MoS2 lamellar network, which facilitates water retention at low current density and flood prevention at high current density. Reliability test further demonstrated that these nanofins are highly stable in the electrochemical reaction and is an excellent ORR catalyst support.
Glycosylation of plasma IgG in colorectal cancer prognosis
Authors: Theodoratou Evropi , Thaçi Kujtim , Agakov Felix , Timofeeva Maria N. , Štambuk Jerko , Pučić-Baković Maja , Vučković Frano , Orchard Peter , Agakova Anna , Din Farhat V. N. , Brown Ewan , Rudd Pauline M. , Farrington Susan M. , Dunlop Malcolm G. , Campbell Harry , Lauc Gordan 
Published: June 2016

AbstractIn this study we demonstrate the potential value of Immunoglobulin G (IgG) glycosylation as a novel prognostic biomarker of colorectal cancer (CRC). We analysed plasma IgG glycans in 1229 CRC patients and correlated with survival outcomes. We assessed the predictive value of clinical algorithms and compared this to algorithms that also included glycan predictors. Decreased galactosylation, decreased sialylation (of fucosylated IgG glycan structures) and increased bisecting GlcNAc in IgG glycan structures were strongly associated with all-cause (q < 0.01) and CRC mortality (q = 0.04 for galactosylation and sialylation). Clinical algorithms showed good prediction of all-cause and CRC mortality (Harrell’s C: 0.73, 0.77; AUC: 0.75, 0.79, IDI: 0.02, 0.04 respectively). The inclusion of IgG glycan data did not lead to any statistically significant improvements overall, but it improved the prediction over clinical models for stage 4 patients with the shortest follow-up time until death, with the median gain in the test AUC of 0.08. These glycan differences are consistent with significantly increased IgG pro-inflammatory activity being associated with poorer CRC prognosis, especially in late stage CRC. In the absence of validated biomarkers to improve upon prognostic information from existing clinicopathological factors, the potential of these novel IgG glycan biomarkers merits further investigation.
Risk factors for endophthalmitis requiring evisceration or enucleation
Authors: Lu Xuehui , Ng Danny Siu-Chun , Zheng Kangkeng , Peng Kun , Jin Chuang , Xia Honghe , Chen Weiqi , Chen Haoyu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractEndophthalmitis has devastating sequelae resulting in blindness and even loss of eyeball. Although the prognosis of endophthalmitis has much improved with the advances of antibiotics and vitreoretinal surgery, of the number of patients that required evisceration or enucleation is still significant. We retrospectively reviewed the charts of 210 eyes of 210 patients with endophthalmitis andcompared the group that required evisceration or enucleation with those that received salvaging therapies. Regression analysis was used to identify the risk factors for evisceration or enucleation. Thirty eyes (14.3%) underwent enucleation or evisceration. The group of eviscerated or enucleated eyes were older (58.7 vs. 42.2 years, p < 0.001), had more women (56.7% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.003), had poorer initial visual acuity (2.79 vs. 2.10 LogMAR, p < 0.001) and had longer duration before intervention (18.03 vs. 5.74 days, p = 0.031). The most common primary indications for endophthalmitis were infections from corneal ulcer (50.0% vs. 4.4%, p < 0.001) andfrom endogenous source (23.3% vs. 5.6%, p < 0.001). Less common indications were trauma (26.7% vs. 67.8%, p < 0.001) and postoperative (6.7% vs. 22.2%, p = 0.049) endophthalmitis. After adjusting for confounding factors, corneal ulcer-related endophthalmitis, endogenous endophthalmitis and initial visual acuity were the independent risk factors for evisceration or enucleation.
Arm crossing updates brain functional connectivity of the left posterior parietal cortex
Authors: Ora Hiroki , Wada Makoto , Salat David , Kansaku Kenji 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe unusual configuration of body parts can cause illusions. For example, when tactile stimuli are delivered to crossed arms a reversal of subjective temporal ordering occurs. Our group has previously demonstrated that arm crossing without sensory stimuli causes activity changes in the left posterior parietal cortex (PPC) and an assessment of tactile temporal order judgments (TOJs) revealed a positive association between activity in this area, especially the left intraparietal sulcus (IPS) and the degree of the crossed-hand illusion. Thus, the present study investigated how the IPS actively relates to other cortical areas under arms-crossed and -uncrossed conditions by analyzing the functional connectivity of the IPS. Regions showing connectivity with the IPS overlapped with regions within the default mode network (DMN) but the IPS also showed connectivity with other brain areas, including the frontoparietal control network (FPCN). The right middle/inferior frontal gyrus (MFG/IFG), which is included in the FPCN, showed greater connectivity in the arms-crossed condition than in the arms-uncrossed condition. These findings suggest that there is state-dependent connectivity during arm crossing and that the left IPS may play an important role during the spatio-temporal updating of arm positions.