bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Novel Technique for Accelerated Culture of Murine Mesenchymal Stem Cells that Allows for Sustained Multipotency
Authors: Caroti Courtney M. , Ahn Hyunhee , Salazar Hector F. , Joseph Giji , Sankar Sitara B. , Willett Nick J. , Wood Levi B. , Taylor W. Robert , Lyle Alicia N. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are regularly utilized for translational therapeutic strategies including cell therapy, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine and are frequently used in preclinical mouse models for both mechanistic studies and screening of new cell based therapies. Current methods to culture murine MSCs (mMSCs) select for rapidly dividing colonies and require long-term expansion. These methods thus require months of culture to generate sufficient cell numbers for feasibility studies in a lab setting and the cell populations often have reduced proliferation and differentiation potential, or have become immortalized cells. Here we describe a simple and reproducible method to generate mMSCs by utilizing hypoxia and basic fibroblast growth factor supplementation. Cells produced using these conditions were generated 2.8 times faster than under traditional methods and the mMSCs showed decreased senescence and maintained their multipotency and differentiation potential until passage 11 and beyond. Our method for mMSC isolation and expansion will significantly improve the utility of this critical cell source in pre-clinical studies for the investigation of MSC mechanisms, therapies, and cell manufacturing strategies.
Controlling sound radiation through an opening with secondary loudspeakers along its boundaries
Authors: Wang Shuping , Tao Jiancheng , Qiu Xiaojun 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe propose a virtual sound barrier system that blocks sound transmission through openings without affecting access, light and air circulation. The proposed system applies active control technique to cancel sound transmission with a double layered loudspeaker array at the edge of the opening. Unlike traditional transparent glass windows, recently invented double-glazed ventilation windows and planar active sound barriers or any other metamaterials designed to reduce sound transmission, secondary loudspeakers are put only along the boundaries of the opening, which provides the possibility to make it invisible. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate its feasibility for broadband sound control, especially for low frequency sound which is usually hard to attenuate with existing methods.
Unravelling the Chemical Influence of Water on the PMMA/Aluminum Oxide Hybrid Interface In Situ
Authors: Pletincx Sven , Marcoen Kristof , Trotochaud Lena , Fockaert Laura-Lynn , Mol Johannes M. C. , Head Ashley R. , Karslioğlu Osman , Bluhm Hendrik , Terryn Herman , Hauffman Tom 
Published: October 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the stability of chemical interactions at the polymer/metal oxide interface under humid conditions is vital to understand the long-term durability of hybrid systems. Therefore, the interface of ultrathin PMMA films on native aluminum oxide, deposited by reactive adsorption, was studied. The characterization of the interface of the coated substrates was performed using ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (APXPS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the Kretschmann geometry (ATR-FTIR Kretschmann) and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The formation of hydrogen bonds and carboxylate ionic bonds at the interface are observed. The formed ionic bond is stable up to 5 Torr water vapour pressure as shown by APXPS. However, when the coated samples are exposed to an excess of aqueous electrolyte, an increase in the amount of carboxylate bonds at the interface, as a result of hydrolysis of the methoxy group, is observed by ATR-FTIR Kretschmann. These observations, supported by ToF-SIMS spectra, lead to the proposal of an adsorption mechanism of PMMA on aluminum oxide, which shows the formation of methanol at the interface and the effect of water molecules on the different interfacial interactions.
Lipid polymorphism in chloroplast thylakoid membranes – as revealed by 31P-NMR and time-resolved merocyanine fluorescence spectroscopy
Authors: Garab Győző , Ughy Bettina , Waard Pieter de , Akhtar Parveen , Javornik Uroš , Kotakis Christos , Šket Primož , Karlický Václav , Materová Zuzana , Špunda Vladimír , Plavec Janez , van Amerongen Herbert , Vígh László , As Henk Van , Lambrev Petar H. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractChloroplast thylakoid membranes contain virtually all components of the energy-converting photosynthetic machinery. Their energized state, driving ATP synthesis, is enabled by the bilayer organization of the membrane. However, their most abundant lipid species is a non-bilayer-forming lipid, monogalactosyl-diacylglycerol; the role of lipid polymorphism in these membranes is poorly understood. Earlier 31P-NMR experiments revealed the coexistence of a bilayer and a non-bilayer, isotropic lipid phase in spinach thylakoids. Packing of lipid molecules, tested by fluorescence spectroscopy of the lipophilic dye, merocyanine-540 (MC540), also displayed heterogeneity. Now, our 31P-NMR experiments on spinach thylakoids uncover the presence of a bilayer and three non-bilayer lipid phases; time-resolved fluorescence spectroscopy of MC540 also reveals the presence of multiple lipidic environments. It is also shown by 31P-NMR that: (i) some lipid phases are sensitive to the osmolarity and ionic strength of the medium, (ii) a lipid phase can be modulated by catalytic hydrogenation of fatty acids and (iii) a marked increase of one of the non-bilayer phases upon lowering the pH of the medium is observed. These data provide additional experimental evidence for the polymorphism of lipid phases in thylakoids and suggest that non-bilayer phases play an active role in the structural dynamics of thylakoid membranes.
Serum SAA1 and APOE are novel indicators for human cytomegalovirus infection
Authors: Xie Ni , Li Zhonghang , Zuo Ran , Qi Suwen , Zhu Ting , Liu Litao , Wan Lili , Yuan Jianhui 
Published: October 2017

AbstractHuman cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a global concern and highly infectious. HCMV-infected individuals are often carriers with damaged immunity. However few diagnostic indicators block HMCV control and prevention. Thus, we measured 21 serum proteins related to HCMV infection using iTRAQ-labeling based quantitative proteomic approaches and SAA1 and APOE were confirmed as candidate serum indicators for identification of HMCV infection according to ROC curve analysis and that co-occurrence of SAA1 and APOE are better markers than individual proteins.
Immunoproteasome subunit ß5i/LMP7-deficiency in atherosclerosis
Authors: Hewing Bernd , Ludwig Antje , Dan Cristian , Pötzsch Max , Hannemann Carmen , Petry Andreas , Lauer Dilyara , Görlach Agnes , Kaschina Elena , Müller Dominik N. , Baumann Gert , Stangl Verena , Stangl Karl , Wilck Nicola 
Published: October 2017

AbstractManagement of protein homeostasis by the ubiquitin-proteasome system is critical for atherosclerosis development. Recent studies showed controversial results on the role of immunoproteasome (IP) subunit β5i/LMP7 in maintenance of protein homeostasis under cytokine induced oxidative stress. The present study aimed to investigate the effect of β5i/LMP7-deficiency on the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis as a chronic inflammatory, immune cell driven disease. LDLR−/−LMP7−/− and LDLR−/− mice were fed a Western-type diet for either 6 or 24 weeks to induce early and advanced stage atherosclerosis, respectively. Lesion burden was similar between genotypes in both stages. Macrophage content and abundance of polyubiquitin conjugates in aortic root plaques were unaltered by β5i/LMP7-deficiency. In vitro experiments using bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) showed that β5i/LMP7-deficiency did not influence macrophage polarization or accumulation of polyubiquitinated proteins and cell survival upon hydrogen peroxide and interferon-γ treatment. Analyses of proteasome core particle composition by Western blot revealed incorporation of standard proteasome subunits in β5i/LMP7-deficient BMDM and spleen. Chymotrypsin-, trypsin- and caspase-like activities assessed by using short fluorogenic peptides in BMDM whole cell lysates were similar in both genotypes. Taken together, deficiency of IP subunit β5i/LMP7 does not disturb protein homeostasis and does not aggravate atherogenesis in LDLR−/− mice.
Equation of state and self-bound droplet in Rabi-coupled Bose mixtures
Authors: Cappellaro Alberto , Macrì Tommaso , Bertacco Giovanni F. , Salasnich Luca 
Published: October 2017

AbstractLaser induced transitions between internal states of atoms have been playing a fundamental role to manipulate atomic clouds for many decades. In absence of interactions each atom behaves independently and their coherent quantum dynamics is described by the Rabi model. Since the experimental observation of Bose condensation in dilute gases, static and dynamical properties of multicomponent quantum gases have been extensively investigated. Moreover, at very low temperatures quantum fluctuations crucially affect the equation of state of many-body systems. Here we study the effects of quantum fluctuations on a Rabi-coupled two-component Bose gas of interacting alkali atoms. The divergent zero-point energy of gapless and gapped elementary excitations of the uniform system is properly regularized obtaining a meaningful analytical expression for the beyond-mean-field equation of state. In the case of attractive inter-particle interaction we show that the quantum pressure arising from Gaussian fluctuations can prevent the collapse of the mixture with the creation of a self-bound droplet. We characterize the droplet phase and discover an energetic instability above a critical Rabi frequency provoking the evaporation of the droplet. Finally, we suggest an experiment to observe such quantum droplets using Rabi-coupled internal states of K39 atoms.
Remarkably enhanced current-driven 360° domain wall motion in nanostripe by tuning in-plane biaxial anisotropy
Authors: Su Yuanchang , Weng Lianghao , Dong Wenjun , Xi Bin , Xiong Rui , Hu Jingguo 
Published: October 2017

AbstractBy micromagnetic simulations, we study the current-driven 360° domain wall (360DW) motion in ferromagnetic nanostripe with an in-plane biaxial anisotropy. We observe the critical annihilation current of 360° domain wall can be enhanced through such a type of anisotropy, the reason of which is the suppression of out-of-plane magnetic moments generated simultaneously with domain-wall motion. In details, We have found that the domain-wall width is only related to K
y
− K
x
, with K
x(y) the anisotropy constant in x(y) direction. Taking domain-wall width into consideration, a prior choice is to keep K
y
≈ K
x
with large enough K. The mode of domain-wall motion has been investigated as well. The traveling-wave-motion region increases with K, while the average DW velocity is almost unchanged. Another noteworthy feature is that a Walker-breakdown-like motion exists before annihilation. In this region, though domain wall moves with an oscillating behavior, the average velocity does not reduce dramatically, but even rise again for a large K.
A DNA Contact Map for the Mouse Runx1 Gene Identifies Novel Haematopoietic Enhancers
Authors: Marsman Judith , Thomas Amarni , Osato Motomi , O’Sullivan Justin M. , Horsfield Julia A. 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe transcription factor Runx1 is essential for definitive haematopoiesis, and the RUNX1 gene is frequently translocated or mutated in leukaemia. Runx1 is transcribed from two promoters, P1 and P2, to give rise to different protein isoforms. Although the expression of Runx1 must be tightly regulated for normal blood development, the mechanisms that regulate Runx1 isoform expression during haematopoiesis remain poorly understood. Gene regulatory elements located in non-coding DNA are likely to be important for Runx1 transcription. Here we use circular chromosome conformation capture sequencing to identify DNA interactions with the P1 and P2 promoters of Runx1, and the previously identified +24 enhancer, in the mouse multipotent haematopoietic progenitor cell line HPC-7. The active promoter, P1, interacts with nine non-coding regions that are occupied by transcription factors within a 1 Mb topologically associated domain. Eight of nine regions function as blood-specific enhancers in zebrafish, of which two were previously shown to harbour blood-specific enhancer activity in mice. Interestingly, the +24 enhancer interacted with multiple distant regions on chromosome 16, suggesting it may regulate the expression of additional genes. The Runx1 DNA contact map identifies connections with multiple novel and known haematopoietic enhancers that are likely to be involved in regulating Runx1 expression in haematopoietic progenitor cells.
Effects of intranasal insulin application on the hypothalamic BOLD response to glucose ingestion
Authors: Opstal Anna M. van , Akintola Abimbola A. , Elst Marjan van der , Westendorp Rudi G. , Pijl Hanno , Heemst Diana van , Grond Jeroen van der 
Published: October 2017

AbstractThe hypothalamus is a crucial structure in the brain that responds to metabolic cues and regulates energy homeostasis. Patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrate a lack of hypothalamic neuronal response after glucose ingestion, which is suggested to be an underlying cause of the disease. In this study, we assessed whether intranasal insulin can be used to enhance neuronal hypothalamic responses to glucose ingestion. In a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled 4-double cross-over experiment, hypothalamic activation was measured in young non- diabetic subjects by determining blood-oxygen-level dependent MRI signals over 30 minutes before and after ingestion of 75 g glucose dissolved in 300 ml water, under intranasal insulin or placebo condition. Glucose ingestion under placebo condition lead to an average 1.4% hypothalamic BOLD decrease, under insulin condition the average response to glucose was a 2.2% decrease. Administration of water did not affect the hypothalamic BOLD responses. Intranasal insulin did not change circulating glucose and insulin levels. Still, circulating glucose levels showed a significant dampening effect on the BOLD response and insulin levels a significant strengthening effect. Our data provide proof of concept for future experiments testing the potential of intranasal application of insulin to ameliorate defective homeostatic control in patients with type 2 diabetes.
A generalized simulation development approach for predicting refugee destinations
Authors: Suleimenova Diana , Bell David , Groen Derek 
Published: October 2017

AbstractIn recent years, global forced displacement has reached record levels, with 22.5 million refugees worldwide. Forecasting refugee movements is important, as accurate predictions can help save refugee lives by allowing governments and NGOs to conduct a better informed allocation of humanitarian resources. Here, we propose a generalized simulation development approach to predict the destinations of refugee movements in conflict regions. In this approach, we synthesize data from UNHCR, ACLED and Bing Maps to construct agent-based simulations of refugee movements. We apply our approach to develop, run and validate refugee movement simulations set in three major African conflicts, estimating the distribution of incoming refugees across destination camps, given the expected total number of refugees in the conflict. Our simulations consistently predict more than 75% of the refugee destinations correctly after the first 12 days, and consistently outperform alternative naive forecasting techniques. Using our approach, we are also able to reproduce key trends in refugee arrival rates found in the UNHCR data.
Signalling mechanisms in PAF-induced intestinal failure
Authors: Lautenschläger Ingmar , Wong Yuk Lung , Sarau Jürgen , Goldmann Torsten , Zitta Karina , Albrecht Martin , Frerichs Inéz , Weiler Norbert , Uhlig Stefan 
Published: October 2017

AbstractCapillary leakage syndrome, vasomotor disturbances and gut atony are common clinical problems in intensive care medicine. Various inflammatory mediators and signalling pathways are involved in these pathophysiological alterations among them platelet-activating factor (PAF). The related signalling mechanisms of the PAF-induced dysfunctions are only poorly understood. Here we used the model of the isolated perfused rat small intestine to analyse the role of calcium (using calcium deprivation, IP-receptor blockade (2-APB)), cAMP (PDE-inhibition plus AC activator), myosin light chain kinase (inhibitor ML-7) and Rho-kinase (inhibitor Y27632) in the following PAF-induced malfunctions: vasoconstriction, capillary and mucosal leakage, oedema formation, malabsorption and atony. Among these, the PAF-induced vasoconstriction and hyperpermeability appear to be governed by similar mechanisms that involve IP3 receptors, extracellular calcium and the Rho-kinase. Our findings further suggest that cAMP-elevating treatments – while effective against hypertension and oedema – bear the risk of dysmotility and reduced nutrient uptake. Agents such as 2-APB or Y27632, on the other hand, showed no negative side effects and improved most of the PAF-induced malfunctions suggesting that their therapeutic usefulness should be explored.
Hormone Signaling Regulates Nymphal Diapause in Laodelphax striatellus (Hemiptera: Delphacidae)
Authors: Zhai Yifan , Zhang Zhiming , Gao Huanhuan , Chen Hao , Sun Meng , Zhang Wenqing , Yu Yi , Zheng Li 
Published: October 2017

AbstractDiapause is a physiological adaptation that allows an organism to survive adverse environmental conditions. Diapause occurs at a specific developmental stage in each species. There are few reports regarding the molecular regulatory mechanism of nymphal diapause in Laodelphax striatellus, which is an important graminaceous crop pest. Our previous studies identified the conditions for nymphal diapause in this species. Here, we combined RNA sequencing transcriptomics and quantitative proteomic analyses to identify nymphal diapause-related genes and proteins. The analysis of differentially regulated genes identified four gene/protein pairs that were synchronously up-regulated, and six gene/protein pairs that were synchronously down-regulated, suggesting that these genes may regulate nymphal diapause. The up-regulated gene juvenile hormone acid methyl transferase (JHAMT) and the down-regulated gene cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (CYP314A1, Shd) were chosen for further functional studies. After knocking-down of LsJHAMT and LsShd in vivo by RNA interference, the titer of JH III and 20E decreased significantly, and the duration of the nymphal development period was severely altered. Thus LsJHAMT and LsShd regulated JH III and 20E titers in the hemolymph to control the nymphal diapause status. This study may lead to new information on the regulation nymphal diapause of this important agricultural insect pest.
Abnormal M1/M2 macrophage phenotype profiles in the small airway wall and lumen in smokers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Authors: Eapen Mathew Suji , Hansbro Philip M. , McAlinden Kielan , Kim Richard Y. , Ward Chris , Hackett Tillie-Louise , Walters Eugene H. , Sohal Sukhwinder Singh 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe explore potential dysregulation of macrophage phenotypes in COPD pathogenesis through integrated study of human small airway tissue, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) and an experimental murine model of COPD. We evaluated human airway tissue and BAL from healthy controls, normal lung function smokers (NLFS), and COPD subjects. Both small airways and BAL cells were immunohistochemically stained with anti-CD68 for total macrophages and with anti-CD163 for M2, and anti-iNOS for M1 macrophages. Multiplex ELISA measured BAL cytokines. Comparable cigarette smoke-induced experimental COPD mouse model was assessed for relevant mRNA profiles. We found an increase in pro-inflammatory M1s in the small airways of NLFS and COPD compared to controls with a reciprocal decrease in M2 macrophages, which remained unchanged among pathological groups. However, luminal macrophages showed a dominant M2 phenotype in both NLFS and COPD subjects. BAL cytokine skewed towards an M2 profile with increase in CCL22, IL-4, IL-13, and IL-10 in both NLFS and COPDs. The mouse-model of COPD showed similar increase in mRNA for M2 markers. Our finding suggests abnormal macrophage switching in both mucosal and luminal areas of COPD patients, that strongly associated with cytokine balance. There may be potential for beneficial therapeutic cytokine manipulation of macrophage phenotypes in COPD.
Sperm-borne miR-449b influences cleavage, epigenetic reprogramming and apoptosis of SCNT embryos in bovine
Authors: Wang Mengyun , Gao Yang , Qu Pengxiang , Qing Suzhu , Qiao Fang , Zhang Yong , Mager Jesse , Wang Yongsheng 
Published: October 2017

AbstractAccumulating evidence indicates the absence of paternally derived miRNAs, piwiRNAs, and proteins may be one important factor contributing to developmental failure in somatic cell cloned embryos. In the present study, we found microRNA-449b (miR-449b) was highly expressed in sperm. Target gene predictions and experimental verification indicate that several embryonic development-related genes, including CDK6, c-MYC, HDAC1 and BCL-2, are targets of miR-449b. We therefore investigated the role of miR-449b using somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryo model. Bovine fetal fibroblasts, expressing miR-449b through a doxycycline (dox) induced expression system were used as nuclear donor cells for SCNT. The results showed that miR-449b expression in SCNT embryos significantly enhanced the cleavage rate at 48 h after activation and the levels of H3K9 acetylation at the 2-cell to 8-cell stages, meanwhile, significantly decreased the apoptosis index of blastocysts. In addition, we verified miR-449b could regulate the expression levels of CDK6, c-MYC, HDAC1 and BCL-2. In conclusion, the present study shows that miR-449b expression improves the first cleavage division, epigenetic reprogramming and apoptotic status of bovine preimplantation cloned embryos.
School-based assessment of amblyopia and strabismus among multiethnic children in rural China
Authors: Pan Chen-Wei , Chen Xuejuan , Zhu Hui , Fu Zhujun , Zhong Hua , Li Jun , Huang Dan , Liu Hu 
Published: October 2017

AbstractWe aimed to determine the prevalence and possible ethnic variations in strabismus and amblyopia among multiethnic school-aged children in rural China. A total of 9,263 children (4,347 Han, 3,352 Yi, 799 Dai and 765 Bai) aged 6 to 14 years were analyzed. Comprehensive eye examinations including monocular distance visual acuity, anterior segment examination, autorefraction, cover testing and ocular motility were conducted. Manifested strabismus was detected in 3.53% of the overall population. The prevalence of strabismus was 3.29% in Han, 4.12% in Yi, 2.25% in Dai, and 3.66% in Bai ethnic groups with marginally inter-ethnic differences (P = 0.046). There was an increasing trend in the prevalence of strabismus with increasing age (P < 0.001). Amblyopia affected 132 children (1.43%) overall, with no statistical differences in gender and age. The prevalence of amblyopia was highest in Dai ethnic group (2.00%) and lowest in ethnic Yi ethnic group (1.04%) with no significant difference being detected (P = 0.062). Refractive error and strabismus were the two major factors associated with amblyopia. No significant ethnic differences in strabismus and amblyopia among Chinese ethnic minorities were observed. Refractive error and strabismus were the major causes for amblyopia in rural Chinese children.