bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Multiple clinical characteristics separate MED12-mutation-positive and -negative uterine leiomyomas
Authors: Heinonen Hanna-Riikka , Pasanen Annukka , Heikinheimo Oskari , Tanskanen Tomas , Palin Kimmo , Tolvanen Jaana , Vahteristo Pia , Sjöberg Jari , Pitkänen Esa , Bützow Ralf , Mäkinen Netta , Aaltonen Lauri A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractUp to 86% of uterine leiomyomas harbour somatic mutations in mediator complex subunit 12 (MED12). These mutations have been associated with conventional histology, smaller tumour size, and larger number of tumours within the uterus. Prior studies, with limited sample sizes, have failed to detect associations between other clinical features and MED12 mutations. Here, we prospectively collected 763 uterine leiomyomas and the corresponding normal myometrial tissue from 244 hysterectomy patients, recorded tumour characteristics, collected clinical data from medical records, and screened the tissue samples for MED12 mutations to assess potential associations between clinical variables and mutation status. Out of 763 leiomyomas, 599 (79%) harboured a MED12 mutation. In the analysis of tumour characteristics, positive MED12-mutation status was significantly associated with smaller tumour size, conventional histology, and subserous location, relative to intramural. In the analysis of clinical variables, the number of MED12-mutation-positive tumours showed an inverse association with parity, and the number of mutation-negative tumours showed a positive association with a history of pelvic inflammatory disease. This study confirmed the previously reported differences and discovered novel differentiating features for MED12-mutation-positive and -negative leiomyomas. These findings emphasise the relevance of specific driver mutations in genesis and presentation of uterine leiomyomas.
Created mangrove wetlands store belowground carbon and surface elevation change enables them to adjust to sea-level rise
Authors: Krauss Ken W. , Cormier Nicole , Osland Michael J. , Kirwan Matthew L. , Stagg Camille L. , Nestlerode Janet A. , Russell Marc J. , From Andrew S. , Spivak Amanda C. , Dantin Darrin D. , Harvey James E. , Almario Alejandro E. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMangrove wetlands provide ecosystem services for millions of people, most prominently by providing storm protection, food and fodder. Mangrove wetlands are also valuable ecosystems for promoting carbon (C) sequestration and storage. However, loss of mangrove wetlands and these ecosystem services are a global concern, prompting the restoration and creation of mangrove wetlands as a potential solution. Here, we investigate soil surface elevation change, and its components, in created mangrove wetlands over a 25 year developmental gradient. All created mangrove wetlands were exceeding current relative sea-level rise rates (2.6 mm yr−1), with surface elevation change of 4.2–11.0 mm yr−1 compared with 1.5–7.2 mm yr−1 for nearby reference mangroves. While mangrove wetlands store C persistently in roots/soils, storage capacity is most valuable if maintained with future sea-level rise. Through empirical modeling, we discovered that properly designed creation projects may not only yield enhanced C storage, but also can facilitate wetland persistence perennially under current rates of sea-level rise and, for most sites, for over a century with projected medium accelerations in sea-level rise (IPCC RCP 6.0). Only the fastest projected accelerations in sea-level rise (IPCC RCP 8.5) led to widespread submergence and potential loss of stored C for created mangrove wetlands before 2100.
Aptamer- Based Label-Free Electrochemical Biosensor Array for the Detection of Total and Glycated Hemoglobin in Human Whole Blood
Authors: Eissa Shimaa , Zourob Mohammed 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe increase of the level of glucose in blood leads to an increase in the fraction of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c). Therefore, the percentage of HbA1c in the blood can serve as a marker for the average glucose level over the past three months and thus, it can be used to diagnose diabetes. Here, we report the selection, identification and characterization of specific DNA aptamers against HbA1c- and total hemoglobin (tHb) and their integration into an electrochemical array sensing platform. High affinity and specificity aptamers were selected in vitro showing dissociation constants of 2.8 and 2.7 nM for HbA1c and tHb, respectively. Thiol-modified forms of the aptamers were then immobilised on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs)-modified array electrodes and used for the label-free detection of HbA1c and tHb using square wave voltammetry. The voltammetric aptasensors showed high sensitivity with detection limits of 0.2 and 0.34 ng/ml for HbA1c and tHb, respectively. This array platform is superior to the currently available immunoassays in terms of simplicity, stability, ease of use, reduction of sample volume and low cost. Moreover, this method enabled the detection of HbA1c % in human whole blood without any pre-treatment, suggesting great promise of this platform for the diagnosis of diabetes.
Hypermethylation of Interferon Regulatory Factor 8 (IRF8) Confers Risk to Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada Disease
Authors: Qiu Yiguo , Yu Hongsong , Zhu Yunyun , Ye Zi , Deng Jing , Su Wencheng , Cao Qingfeng , Yuan Gangxiang , Kijlstra Aize , Yang Peizeng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAberrant methylation change of IRF8 confers risk to various tumors, and abnormal expression of IRF8 is involved in many autoimmune diseases, including ocular Behcet’s disease. However, whether the methylation change of IRF8 is associated with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease remains unknown. In the present study, we found a decreased IRF8 mRNA expression in association with a higher methylation level in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (DCs) from active VKH patients compared with the normal and inactive subjects. DCs incubated with cyclosporin a (CsA) or dexamethasone (DEX) showed a lower methylation and higher mRNA expression of IRF8 in active VKH patients. A demethylation reagent, 5-Aza-2′-deoxycytidine (DAC) showed a notable demethylation effect as evidenced by increasing the mRNA expression and reducing the methylation level of IRF8. It also suppressed the Th1 and Th17 responses through down-regulating the expression of co-stimulatory molecules (CD86, CD80, CD40), and reducing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-1β, IL-23, IL-12) produced by DCs. These findings shows that hypermethylation of IRF8 in DCs confers risk to VKH disease. Demethylation of IRF8 may offer a novel therapeutic strategy protect against VKH disease.
RRM domain of ALS/FTD-causing FUS characteristic of irreversible unfolding spontaneously self-assembles into amyloid fibrils
Authors: Lu Yimei , Lim Liangzhong , Song Jianxing 
Published: April 2017

Abstract526-residue FUS functions to self-assemble into reversible droplets/hydrogels, which could be further solidified into pathological fibrils. FUS is intrinsically prone to aggregation, composed of N-terminal low-sequence complexity (LC); RNA-recognition motif (RRM) and C-terminal LC domains. Intriguingly, previous in vivo studies revealed that its RRM is required for manifesting FUS cytotoxicity but the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we characterized solution conformations of FUS and its five differentially dissected fragments, followed by detailed investigations on thermal unfolding, NMR dynamics and self-assembly of RRM. The results decipher: (1) the N- and C-terminal LC domains are intrinsically disordered, while RRM is folded. Intriguingly, well-dispersed HSQC peaks of RRM disappear in the full-length FUS, reminiscent of the previous observation on TDP-43. (2) FUS RRM is characteristic of irreversible unfolding. “Model-free” analysis of NMR relaxation data decodes that RRM has high ps-ns conformational dynamics even over some residues within secondary structure regions. (3) RRM spontaneously self-assembles into amyloid fibrils. Therefore, in addition to the well-established prion-like region, FUS RRM is also prone to self-assembly to form amyloid fibrils. Taken together, FUS RRM appears to play a crucial role in exaggerating the physiological/reversible self-assembly into pathological/irreversible fibrillization, thus contributing to manifestation of FUS cytotoxicity.
T-Bet independent development of IFNγ secreting natural T helper 1 cell population in the absence of Itk
Authors: Kannan Arun K. , Mohinta Sonia , Huang Weishan , Huang Lu , Koylass Nicholas , Appleton Judith A. , August Avery 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTh1, Th2, Th9 and Th17 cells are conventional CD4+ effector T cells identified as secretors of prototypical cytokines IFNγ, IL4, IL9, and IL-17A respectively. Recently, populations of natural Th17 and Th1 cells (nTh17 and nTh1) with innate-like phenotype have been identified in the thymus that are distinct from conventional Th17 and Th1 cells. The absence of the Tec family kinase Interleukin-2 inducible T cell kinase (Itk) results in T cell immunodeficiency in mice and humans. Here we show that Itk negatively regulates the development of nTh1 cells that express IFNγ in a Tbet independent manner, and whose expansion can be enhanced by IL4. Furthermore, we show that robust induction of IL4 responses during Trichinella spiralis infection enhance the presence of nTh1 cells. We conclude T cell receptor signaling via Itk controls the development of natural Th1 cells, which are expanded by the presence of IL4.
Inhibition of endocytic pathways impacts cytomegalovirus maturation
Authors: Archer Madeline A. , Brechtel Teal M. , Davis Leslie E. , Parmar Rinkuben C. , Hasan Mohammad H. , Tandon Ritesh 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEndocytic processes are critical for cellular entry of several viruses; however, the role of endocytosis in cellular trafficking of viruses beyond virus entry is only partially understood. Here, we utilized two laboratory strains (AD169 and Towne) of human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), which are known to use cell membrane fusion rather than endocytosis to enter fibroblasts, in order to study a post-entry role of endocytosis in HCMV life cycle. Upon pharmacological inhibition of dynamin-2 or clathrin terminal domain (TD) ligand association, these strains entered the cells successfully based on the expression of immediate early viral protein. However, both the inhibitors significantly reduced the growth rates and final virus yields of viruses without inhibiting the expression of early to late viral proteins. Clathrin accumulated in the cytoplasmic virus assembly compartment (vAC) of infected cells co-localizing with virus tegument protein pp150 and the formation of vAC was compromised upon endocytic inhibition. Transmission electron micrographs (TEM) of infected cells treated with endocytosis inhibitors showed intact nuclear stages of nucleocapsid assembly but the cytoplasmic virus maturation was greatly compromised. Thus, the data presented here implicate endocytic pathways in HCMV maturation and egress.
Induced perpendicular magnetization in a Cu layer inserted between Co and Pt layers revealed by x-ray magnetic circular dichroism
Authors: Okabayashi Jun , Koyama Tomohiro , Suzuki Motohiro , Tsujikawa Masahito , Shirai Masafumi , Chiba Daichi 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe used x-ray absorption spectroscopy and x-ray magnetic circular dichroism to investigate the effects of inserting Cu into Co/Pt interfaces, and found that a 0.4-nm-thick inserted Cu layer showed perpendicularly magnetized properties induced by the proximity effect through the Co and Pt layers. The dependence of the magnetic properties on the thickness of the Cu layers showed that the proximity effects between Co and Pt with perpendicular magnetic anisotropy can be prevented by the insertion of a Cu layer with a nominal threshold thickness of 0.7 nm. Element-specific magnetization curves were also obtained, demonstrating that the out-of-plane magnetization is induced in the Cu layers of the Co/Cu/Pt structures.
High-Q photonic resonators and electro-optic coupling using silicon-on-lithium-niobate
Authors: Witmer Jeremy D. , Valery Joseph A. , Arrangoiz-Arriola Patricio , Sarabalis Christopher J. , Hill Jeff T. , Safavi-Naeini Amir H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractFuture quantum networks, in which superconducting quantum processors are connected via optical links, will require microwave-to-optical photon converters that preserve entanglement. A doubly-resonant electro-optic modulator (EOM) is a promising platform to realize this conversion. Here, we present our progress towards building such a modulator by demonstrating the optically-resonant half of the device. We demonstrate high quality (Q) factor ring, disk and photonic crystal resonators using a hybrid silicon-on-lithium-niobate material system. Optical Q factors up to 730,000 are achieved, corresponding to propagation loss of 0.8 dB/cm. We also use the electro-optic effect to modulate the resonance frequency of a photonic crystal cavity, achieving a electro-optic modulation coefficient between 1 and 2 pm/V. In addition to quantum technology, we expect that our results will be useful both in traditional silicon photonics applications and in high-sensitivity acousto-optic devices.
Prediction of regional functional impairment following experimental stroke via connectome analysis
Authors: Schmitt O. , Badurek S. , Liu W. , Wang Y. , Rabiller G. , Kanoke A. , Eipert P. , Liu J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRecent advances in functional connectivity suggest that shared neuronal activation patterns define brain networks linking anatomically separate brain regions. We sought to investigate how cortical stroke disrupts multiple brain regions in processing spatial information. We conducted a connectome investigation at the mesoscale-level using the neuroVIISAS-framework, enabling the analysis of directed and weighted connectivity in bilateral hemispheres of cortical and subcortical brain regions. We found that spatial-exploration induced brain activation mapped by Fos, a proxy of neuronal activity, was differentially affected by stroke in a region-specific manner. The extent of hypoactivation following spatial exploration is inversely correlated with the spatial distance between the region of interest and region damaged by stroke, in particular within the parietal association and the primary somatosensory cortex, suggesting that the closer a region is to a stroke lesion, the more it would be affected during functional activation. Connectome modelling with 43 network parameters failed to reliably predict regions of hypoactivation in stroke rats exploring a novel environment, despite a modest correlation found for the centrality and hubness parameters in the home-caged animals. Further investigation in the inhibitory versus excitatory neuronal networks and microcircuit connectivity is warranted to improve the accuracy of predictability in post-stroke functional impairment.
Environmentally friendly synthesis of CeO2 nanoparticles for the catalytic oxidation of benzyl alcohol to benzaldehyde and selective detection of nitrite
Authors: Tamizhdurai P. , Sakthinathan Subramanian , Chen Shen-Ming , Shanthi K. , Sivasanker S. , Sangeetha P. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCerium oxide nanoparticles (CeO2 NPs) are favorable in nanotechnology based on some remarkable properties. In this study, the crystalline CeO2 NPs are successfully prepared by an efficient microwave combustion (MCM) and conventional route sol-gel (CRSGM) methods. The structural morphology of the as-prepared CeO2 NPs was investigated by various spectroscopic and analytical techniques. Moreover, the XRD pattern confirmed the formation of CeO2 NPs as a face centered cubic structure. The magnetometer studies indicated the low saturation magnetization (23.96 emu/g) of CeO2 NPs for weak paramagnetic and high saturation magnetization (32.13 emu/g) of CeO2 NPs for super paramagnetic. After that, the oxidation effect of benzyl alcohol was investigated which reveals good conversion and selectivity. Besides, the CeO2 NPs modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE) used for the detection of nitrite with linear concentration range (0.02–1200 μM), low limit of detection (0.21 μM) and higher sensitivity (1.7238 μAμM−1 cm−2). However, the CeO2 NPs modified electrode has the fast response, high sensitivity and good selectivity. In addition, the fabricated electrode is applied for the determination of nitrite in various water samples. Eventually, the CeO2 NPs can be regarded as an effective way to enhance the catalytic activity towards the benzyl alcohol and nitrite.
Sensitivity and accuracy of high-throughput metabarcoding methods for early detection of invasive fish species
Authors: Hatzenbuhler Chelsea , Kelly John R. , Martinson John , Okum Sara , Pilgrim Erik 
Published: April 2017

AbstractHigh-throughput DNA metabarcoding has gained recognition as a potentially powerful tool for biomonitoring, including early detection of aquatic invasive species (AIS). DNA based techniques are advancing, but our understanding of the limits to detection for metabarcoding complex samples is inadequate. For detecting AIS at an early stage of invasion when the species is rare, accuracy at low detection limits is key. To evaluate the utility of metabarcoding in future fish community monitoring programs, we conducted several experiments to determine the sensitivity and accuracy of routine metabarcoding methods. Experimental mixes used larval fish tissue from multiple “common” species spiked with varying proportions of tissue from an additional “rare” species. Pyrosequencing of genetic marker, COI (cytochromecoxidase subunit I) and subsequent sequence data analysis provided experimental evidence of low-level detection of the target “rare” species at biomass percentages as low as 0.02% of total sample biomass. Limits to detection varied interspecifically and were susceptible to amplification bias. Moreover, results showed some data processing methods can skew sequence-based biodiversity measurements from corresponding relative biomass abundances and increase false absences. We suggest caution in interpreting presence/absence and relative abundance in larval fish assemblages until metabarcoding methods are optimized for accuracy and precision.
Morphological Detection and Functional Assessment of Regenerated Nerve after Neural Prosthesis with a PGLA Nerve Conduit
Authors: Gao Dong , Jiang Jun-Jian , Gu Shi-Hui , Lu Jiu-Zhou , Xu Lei 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to observe the morphological characteristics of a PGLA [poly(glycolide-co-L-lactide)] nerve conduit and regenerated nerve bundle in the human body using high-frequency ultrasound and examine functional recovery of the regenerated nerve using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) after neural prosthesis with a PGLA nerve conduit. Thirty-nine patients underwent high-frequency ultrasound, and one patient with superficial radial nerve injury (27-mm defect) underwent fMRI at one, three, and six postoperative months. The fMRI examination results were compared with sensory detection and high-frequency ultrasound results during the same follow-up window period. The normal and regenerated nerve bundles had similar ultrasonic imaging features. At one postoperative month, fMRI displayed activeness of the normal cortex in the brain region corresponding to the contralateral superficial radial nerve, while no activeness was observed on the ipsilateral side. From three to six postoperative months, fMRI revealed gradually increasing activeness in the brain region corresponding to the ipsilateral superficial radial nerve, but the activation area on the ipsilateral side was smaller than that on the contralateral side. Combining morphological detection of the regenerated nerve using high-frequency ultrasound and functional detection of the regenerated nerve using fMRI may be a valuable method for evaluating repair of peripheral nerve injury.
Identification of proteins involved in the anti-inflammatory properties of Propionibacterium freudenreichii by means of a multi-strain study
Authors: Deutsch Stéphanie-Marie , Mariadassou Mahendra , Nicolas Pierre , Parayre Sandrine , Le Guellec Rozenn , Chuat Victoria , Peton Vincent , Le Maréchal Caroline , Burati Julien , Loux Valentin , Briard-Bion Valérie , Jardin Julien , Plé Coline , Foligné Benoît , Jan Gwénaël , Falentin Hélène 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPropionibacterium freudenreichii, a dairy starter, can reach a population of almost 109 propionibacteria per gram in Swiss-type cheese at the time of consumption. Also consumed as a probiotic, it displays strain-dependent anti-inflammatory properties mediated by surface proteins that induce IL-10 in leukocytes. We selected 23 strains with varied anti-inflammatory potentials in order to identify the protein(s) involved. After comparative genomic analysis, 12 of these strains were further analysed by surface proteomics, eight of them being further submitted to transcriptomics. The omics data were then correlated to the anti-inflammatory potential evaluated by IL-10 induction. This comparative omics strategy highlighted candidate genes that were further subjected to gene-inactivation validation. This validation confirmed the contribution of surface proteins, including SlpB and SlpE, two proteins with SLH domains known to mediate non-covalent anchorage to the cell-wall. Interestingly, HsdM3, predicted as cytoplasmic and involved in DNA modification, was shown to contribute to anti-inflammatory activity. Finally, we demonstrated that a single protein cannot explain the anti-inflammatory properties of a strain. These properties therefore result from different combinations of surface and cytoplasmic proteins, depending on the strain. Our enhanced understanding of the molecular bases for immunomodulation will enable the relevant screening for bacterial resources with anti-inflammatory properties.
Spin-polarized Second Harmonic Generation from the Antiferromagnetic CaCoSO Single Crystal
Authors: Reshak A. H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe spin-polarized second harmonic generation (SHG) of the recently synthesized CaCoSO single crystal is performed based on the calculated electronic band structure. The calculation reveals that the spin-up (↑) channel of CaCoSO possesses a direct energy gap (Γv-Γc) of about 2.187 eV, 1.187 eV (Kv-Kc) for the spin-down (↓) channel and an indirect gap (Γv-Kc) of about 0.4 eV for the spin-polarized CaCoSO single crystal. The linear optical properties obtained reveal that the recently synthesized crystal exhibits considerable anisotropy with negative uniaxial anisotropy and birefringence favor to enhance the SHG. We have calculated the three non-zero tensor components of the SHG and found the "Equation missing" is the dominat component, one with a large SHG of about (d33 = 6.936 pm/V at λ = 1064 nm), the half value of KTiOPO4 (KTP). As the values of (↑)"Equation missing" < (↓)"Equation missing" < spin-polarized "Equation missing" are related to the values of the energy gap of (↑) 2.187 eV> (↓) 1.187 eV> spin-polarized gap 0.4 eV; therefore, a smaller energy gap gives better SHG performance. Furthermore, the microscopic first hyperpolarizability, βijk, is calculated.