bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Melanocortin-3 receptors expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are sufficient for controlling appetitive responses to hypocaloric conditioning
Authors: Girardet Clémence , Mavrikaki Maria M. , Stevens Joseph R. , Miller Courtney A. , Marks Daniel L. , Butler Andrew A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMelanocortin-3 receptors (MC3R) have a contextual role in appetite control that is amplified with hypocaloric conditioning. C57BL/6J (B6) mice subjected to hypocaloric feeding schedules (HFS) exhibit compulsive behavioral responses involving food anticipatory activity (FAA) and caloric loading following food access. These homeostatic responses to calorie-poor environs are attenuated in B6 mice in which Mc3r transcription is suppressed by a lox-stop-lox sequence in the 5’UTR (Mc3rTB/TB ). Here, we report that optimization of caloric loading in B6 mice subject to HFS, characterized by increased meal size and duration, is not observed in Mc3rTB/TB mice. Analysis of hypothalamic and neuroendocrine responses to HFS throughout the light-dark cycle suggests uncoupling of hypothalamic responses involving appetite-stimulating fasting-responsive hypothalamic neurons expressing agouti-related peptide (AgRP) and neuropeptide Y (Npy). Rescuing Mc3rs expression in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons is sufficient to restore normal hypothalamic responses to negative energy balance. In addition, Mc3rs expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are also sufficient to restore FAA and caloric loading of B6 mice subjected to HFS. In summary, MC3Rs expressed in Nkx2.1(+ve) neurons are sufficient to coordinate hypothalamic response and expression of compulsive behavioral responses involving meal anticipation and consumption of large meals during situations of prolonged negative energy balance.
Sporicidal activity of ceragenin CSA-13 against Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Piktel Ewelina , Pogoda Katarzyna , Roman Maciej , Niemirowicz Katarzyna , Tokajuk Grażyna , Wróblewska Marta , Szynaka Beata , Kwiatek Wojciech M. , Savage Paul B. , Bucki Robert 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSpore-forming bacteria are a class of microorganisms that possess the ability to survive in extreme environmental conditions. Morphological features of spores assure their resistance to stress factors such as high temperature, radiation, disinfectants, and drying. Consequently, spore elimination in industrial and medical environments is very challenging. Ceragenins are a new class of cationic lipids characterized by a broad spectrum of bactericidal activity resulting from amphipathic nature and membrane-permeabilizing properties. To assess the impact of ceragenin CSA-13 on spores formed by Bacillus subtilis (ATCC 6051), we performed the series of experiments confirming that amphipathic and membrane-permeabilizing properties of CSA-13 are sufficient to disrupt the structure of B. subtilis spores resulting in decreased viability. Raman spectroscopy analysis provided evidence that upon CSA-13 treatment the number of CaDPA-positive spores was clearly diminished. As a consequence, a loss of impermeability of the inner membranes of spores, accompanied by a decrease in spore resistance and killing take place. In addition to their broad antimicrobial spectrum, ceragenins possess great potential for development as new sporicidal agents.
Structure-symptom relationship with wide-area ultrasound scanning of knee osteoarthritis
Authors: Podlipská Jana , Koski Juhani M. , Kaukinen Päivi , Haapea Marianne , Tervonen Osmo , Arokoski Jari P. , Saarakkala Simo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe aetiology of knee pain in osteoarthritis (OA) is heterogeneous and its relationship with structural changes and function is unclear. Our goal was to determine the prevalence of wide-area scanned ultrasound-defined knee OA structural features and their association with pain and functional impairment in 79 symptomatic and 63 asymptomatic subjects. All subjects underwent ultrasound knee wide-area scanning and the severity of articular cartilage degeneration, the presence and size of osteophytes, and meniscal extrusion were evaluated. Subjects filled in a self-administrated questionnaire on present knee pain, and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) on clinical symptoms and function over the past week. Cartilage changes were the most prevalent followed by lateral meniscal extrusion, osteophytes and medial meniscal extrusion. The global femoral cartilage grade associated strongly with pain and the WOMAC index. Site-specifically, early medial cartilage changes and thinning in sulcus and lateral site were associated with symptoms. The presence of femoral lateral osteophytes was also associated with both outcomes. Using the novel wide-area ultrasound scanning technique, we were able to confirm the negative impact of femoral cartilage OA changes on clinical symptoms. Presence, not necessarily size, of lateral femoral osteophytes was also associated with increased pain and disability.
Generation of non-viral, transgene-free hepatocyte like cells with piggyBac transposon
Authors: Katayama Hokahiro , Yasuchika Kentaro , Miyauchi Yuya , Kojima Hidenobu , Yamaoka Ryoya , Kawai Takayuki , Yukie Yoshitoshi Elena , Ogiso Satoshi , Kita Sadahiko , Yasuda Katsutaro , Sasaki Naoya , Fukumitsu Ken , Komori Junji , Ishii Takamichi , Uemoto Shinji 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSomatic cells can be reprogrammed to induced hepatocyte-like cells (iHeps) by overexpressing certain defined factors in direct reprogramming techniques. Of the various methods to deliver genes into cells, typically used genome-integrating viral vectors are associated with integration-related adverse events such as mutagenesis, whereas non-integrating viral vectors have low efficiency, making viral vectors unsuitable for clinical application. Therefore, we focused on developing a transposon system to establish a non-viral reprogramming method. Transposons are unique DNA elements that can be integrated into and removed from chromosomes. PiggyBac, a type of transposon, has high transduction efficiency and cargo capacity, and the integrated transgene can be precisely excised in the presence of transposase. This feature enables the piggyBac vector to achieve efficient transgene expression and a transgene-free state, thus making it a promising method for cell reprogramming. Here, we attempted to utilize the piggyBac transposon system to generate iHeps by integrating a transgene consisting of Hnf4a and Foxa3, and successfully obtained functional iHeps. We then demonstrated removal of the transgene to obtain transgene-free iHeps, which still maintained hepatocyte functions. This non-viral, transgene-free reprogramming method using the piggyBac vector may facilitate clinical applications of iHeps in upcoming cell therapy.
Nitrogen addition and clonal integration alleviate water stress of dependent ramets of Indocalamus decorus under heterogeneous soil water environment
Authors: Guo Zi-Wu , Hu Jun-Jing , Chen Shuang-Lin , Li Ying-Chun , Yang Qing-Ping , Cai Han-Jiang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWater and nitrogen are two of the most important factors for plant growth and development. However, little is known about effects of N on water translocation between connected bamboo ramets. We performed experiment connected Indocalamus decorus ramets in adjacent pots with different soil water contents and three N levels. We determined antioxidase activities, concentration of osmotic adjustment products, O2·−, MDA and photosynthetic pigments, and electrolyte leakage rate in paired unit. When N supply to supporting ramets increased, their electrolyte leakage rates and contents of O2·− and MDA significantly increased, while antioxidase activities and contents of osmotic adjustment products and photosynthetic pigments in connected dependent ramets increased markedly as their electrolyte leakage rates and contents of O2·− and MDA decreased greatly. When N addition to dependent ramets increased, antioxidant enzyme activity and contents of osmotic adjustment products and photosynthetic pigments decreased in both ramets, but electrolyte leakage rates and O2·− and MDA contents increased significantly. Therefore, N addition to either supporting or dependent ramets can improve water integration among I. decorus ramets. N addition to supporting ramets promotes water translocation and alleviates water stress of dependent ramets, but N addition to dependent ramets exacerbates drought stress damage to dependent ramets.
Novel transcriptome assembly and comparative toxicity pathway analysis in mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) embryos and larvae exposed to Deepwater Horizon oil
Authors: Xu Elvis Genbo , Mager Edward M. , Grosell Martin , Hazard E. Starr , Hardiman Gary , Schlenk Daniel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe impacts of Deepwater Horizon (DWH) oil on morphology and function during embryonic development have been documented for a number of fish species, including the economically and ecologically important pelagic species, mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus). However, further investigations on molecular events and pathways responsible for developmental toxicity have been largely restricted due to the limited molecular data available for this species. We sought to establish the de novo transcriptomic database from the embryos and larvae of mahi-mahi exposed to water accommodated fractions (HEWAFs) of two DWH oil types (weathered and source oil), in an effort to advance our understanding of the molecular aspects involved during specific toxicity responses. By high throughput sequencing (HTS), we obtained the first de novo transcriptome of mahi-mahi, with 60,842 assembled transcripts and 30,518 BLAST hits. Among them, 2,345 genes were significantly regulated in 96hpf larvae after exposure to weathered oil. With comparative analysis to a reference-transcriptome-guided approach on gene ontology and tox-pathways, we confirmed the novel approach effective for exploring tox-pathways in non-model species, and also identified a list of co-expressed genes as potential biomarkers which will provide information for the construction of an Adverse Outcome Pathway which could be useful in Ecological Risk Assessments.
Alkaline ceramidase 2 is a novel direct target of p53 and induces autophagy and apoptosis through ROS generation
Authors: Wang Yitao , Zhang Chunxue , Jin Yuelei , Wang  , He Qing , Liu Zhu , Ai Qing , Lei Yunlong , Li Yi , Song Fangzhou , Bu Youquan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractACER2 is a critical sphingolipid metabolizing enzyme, and has been shown to be remarkably up-regulated following various stimuli such as DNA damage. However, the transcriptional regulatory mechanism of ACER2 gene and its potential role in the regulation of autophagy remain unknown. In this study, we have for the first time identified the human ACER2 gene promoter, and found that human ACER2 transcription is directly regulated by p53 and ACER2 is implicated in the induction of autophagy as well as apoptosis. A series of luciferase reporter assay demonstrated that ACER2 major promoter is located within its first intron where the consensus p53-binding sites exist. Consistently, forced expression of p53 significantly stimulated ACER2 transcription. Notably, p53-mediated autophagy and apoptosis were markedly enhanced by ACER2. Depletion of the essential autophagy gene ATG5 revealed that ACER2-induced autophagy facilitates its effect on apoptosis. Further studies clearly showed that ACER2-mediated autophagy and apoptosis are accompanied by ROS generation. In summary, our present study strongly suggests that ACER2 plays a pivotal role in p53-induced autophagy and apoptosis, and thus might serve as a novel and attractive molecular target for cancer treatment.
Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibition preserves renal hemodynamics and function in mice with diabetic kidney disease by modulating miR-22 and BMP7
Authors: Pofi Riccardo , Fiore Daniela , De Gaetano Rita , Panio Giuseppe , Gianfrilli Daniele , Pozza Carlotta , Barbagallo Federica , Xiang Yang Kevin , Giannakakis Konstantinos , Morano Susanna , Lenzi Andrea , Naro Fabio , Isidori Andrea M. , Venneri Mary Anna 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDiabetic Nephropathy (DN) is the leading cause of end-stage renal disease. Preclinical and experimental studies show that PDE5 inhibitors (PDE5is) exert protective effects in DN improving perivascular inflammation. Using a mouse model of diabetic kidney injury we investigated the protective proprieties of PDE5is on renal hemodynamics and the molecular mechanisms involved. PDE5i treatment prevented the development of DN-related hypertension (P < 0.001), the increase of urine albumin creatinine ratio (P < 0.01), the fall in glomerular filtration rate (P < 0.001), and improved renal resistive index (P < 0.001) and kidney microcirculation. Moreover PDE5i attenuated the rise of nephropathy biomarkers, soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor, suPAR and neutrophil gelatinase-associated lipocalin, NGAL. In treated animals, blood vessel perfusion was improved and vascular leakage reduced, suggesting preserved renal endothelium integrity, as confirmed by higher capillary density, number of CD31+ cells and pericyte coverage. Analysis of the mechanisms involved revealed the induction of bone morphogenetic protein-7 (BMP7) expression, a critical regulator of angiogenesis and kidney homeostasis, through a PDE5i-dependent downregulation of miR-22. In conclusion PDE5i slows the progression of DN in mice, improving hemodynamic parameters and vessel integrity. Regulation of miR-22/BMP7, an unknown mechanism of PDE5is in nephrovascular protection, might represent a novel therapeutic option for treatment of diabetic complications.
Temporal and spatial multiplexed infrared single-photon counter based on high-speed avalanche photodiode
Authors: Chen Xiuliang , Ding Chengjie , Pan Haifeng , Huang Kun , Laurat Julien , Wu Guang , Wu E 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe report on a high-speed temporal and spatial multiplexed single-photon counter with photon-number-resolving capability up to four photons. The infrared detector combines a fiber loop to split, delay and recombine optical pulses and a 200 MHz dual-channel single-photon detector based on InGaAs/InP avalanche photodiode. To fully characterize the photon-number-resolving capability, we perform quantum detector tomography and then reconstruct its positive-operator-valued measure and the associated Wigner functions. The result shows that, despite of the afterpulsing noise and limited system detection efficiency, this temporal and spatial multiplexed single-photon counter can already find applications for large repetition rate quantum information schemes.
To Find a Better Dosimetric Parameter in the Predicting of Radiation-Induced Lung Toxicity Individually: Ventilation, Perfusion or CT based
Authors: Xiao Lin-Lin , Yang Guoren , Chen Jinhu , Wang Xiaohui , Wu Qingwei , Huo Zongwei , Yu Qingxi , Yu Jinming , Yuan Shuanghu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study aimed to find a better dosimetric parameter in predicting of radiation-induced lung toxicity (RILT) in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) individually: ventilation(V), perfusion (Q) or computerized tomography (CT) based. V/Q single-photon emission computerized tomography (SPECT) was performed within 1 week prior to radiotherapy (RT). All V/Q imaging data was integrated into RT planning system, generating functional parameters based on V/Q SPECT. Fifty-seven NSCLC patients were enrolled in this prospective study. Fifteen (26.3%) patients underwent grade ≥2 RILT, the remaining forty-two (73.7%) patients didn’t. Q-MLD, Q-V20, V-MLD, V-V20 of functional parameters correlated more significantly with the occurrence of RILT compared to V20, MLD of anatomical parameters (r = 0.630; r = 0.644; r = 0.617; r = 0.651 vs. r = 0.424; r = 0.520 p < 0.05, respectively). In patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), V functional parameters reflected significant advantage in predicting RILT; while in patients without COPD, Q functional parameters reflected significant advantage. Analogous results were existed in fractimal analysis of global pulmonary function test (PFT). In patients with central-type NSCLC, V parameters were better than Q parameters; while in patients with peripheral-type NSCLC, the results were inverse. Therefore, this study demonstrated that choosing a suitable dosimetric parameter individually can help us predict RILT accurately.
Crystallization and hardening of poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) mouthguards during routine use
Authors: Kuwahara Ryoko , Tomita Ryotaro , Ogawa Natsumi , Nakajima Kazunori , Takeda Tomotaka , Uehara Hiroki , Yamanobe Takeshi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMouthguards (MGs) made from poly(ethylene-co-vinyl acetate) (EVA) are widely used in contact sports to prevent injuries such as breaking teeth and lip lacerations and to reduce brain concussion. However, the changes in morphology and the molecular mobility of EVA, which can affect its physical properties during practical usage, have not been precisely examined. Therefore, we attempted to determine the main factors which lead to changes in MG performance after one season of practical use by high school rugby players. Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and pulse NMR measurements showed the hardening of MGs, which was associated with an increased crystallinity of the EVA resulting from prolonged usage. Furthermore, our data indicated that the increase in the relative amount of the crystalline phase may be primarily attributed to temperature fluctuations and repeated changes in pressure, which could cause the hardening of EVA and eventually diminish the protective ability of MGs.
Substrate integrated waveguide 3 dB directional coupler based on air‐filled vias
Authors: Li Teng , Dou Wenbin 
Published: March 2017

A novel substrate integrated waveguide (SIW) 3 dB directional coupler based on air‐filled vias (AFVs) is proposed and experimentally validated at Ka band. The AFV units can be used for tuning the effective permittivity by adjusting the dimensions of vias and period. Two rows of optimised AFVs are inserted in each branch of SIW directional coupler to cut off TE30 mode and achieve 3 dB coupling with 90° phase difference. A 90° phase shifter is designed based on the AFVs as well and the quarter wavelength impedance transformer is introduced. Finally, a 3 dB directional coupler prototype with 180° phase difference was designed and fabricated. The experimental results show that about 11.43% fractional bandwidth is obtained with a return loss of input port better than 19 dB, power equality within ±0.33 dB, isolation better than 25 dB and phase differences within 180° ± 10°. The agreements between simulations and measurements validate the design and it is a good candidate for millimetre‐wave applications.
Design of broadband power amplifier based on a series of novel continuous inverse modes
Authors: Luo Wen , Tang Zongxi , Ge Binbin , Cao Xin 
Published: March 2017

A series of novel continuous inverse modes based on current element is proposed. The series of novel continuous inverse mode is extended by increasing the coefficient in the current equation of traditional inverse class F power amplifier (PA). The theoretical analysis shows that new current equation can provide a wide matching space for the design of broadband high efficiency PAs. To prove this theory, a wideband high efficiency PA is designed and fabricated. The experimental test results show that the drain efficiency is 65–78% in the 1.8–3G frequency range. The designed PA can obtain output power from 12.9 to 21 W and gain is from 10 to 13.3 dB in the interesting frequency range.
Point-of-Care Coagulation Monitoring in Trauma Patients
Authors: Stein Philipp , Kaserer Alexander , Spahn Gabriela , Spahn Donat 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTrauma remains one of the major causes of death and disability all over the world. Uncontrolled blood loss and trauma-induced coagulopathy represent preventable causes of trauma-related morbidity and mortality. Treatment may consist of allogeneic blood product transfusion at a fixed ratio or in an individualized goal-directed way based on point-of-care (POC) and routine laboratory measurements. Viscoelastic POC measurement of the developing clot in whole blood and POC platelet function testing allow rapid and tailored coagulation and transfusion treatment based on goal-directed, factor concentrate–based algorithms. The first studies have been published showing that this concept reduces the need for allogeneic blood transfusion and improves outcome. This review highlights the concept of goal-directed POC coagulation management in trauma patients, introduces a selection of POC devices, and presents algorithms which allow a reduction in allogeneic blood product transfusion and an improvement of trauma patient outcome.
Receptor Mincle promotes skin allergies and is capable of recognizing cholesterol sulfate
Authors: Kostarnoy Alexey V. , Gancheva Petya G. , Lepenies Bernd , Tukhvatulin Amir I. , Dzharullaeva Alina S. , Polyakov Nikita B. , Grumov Daniil A. , Egorova Daria A. , Kulibin Andrey Y. , Bobrov Maxim A. , Malolina Ekaterina A. , Zykin Pavel A. , Soloviev Andrey I. , Riabenko Evgeniy , Maltseva Diana V. , Sakharov Dmitry A. , Tonevitsky Alexander G. , Verkhovskaya Lyudmila V. , Logunov Denis Y. , Naroditsky Boris S. , Gintsburg Alexander L. 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Post-traumatic sterile inflammation is the first necessary step of wound healing. In addition, sterile inflammation underlies the pathogenesis of a multitude of common diseases, such as allergies and autoimmune diseases. The molecular mechanisms underlying sterile inflammation are still not fully understood. Here, we show that the receptor Mincle (Clec4e), the expression of which is highly induced in the skin in response to damage, recognizes cholesterol sulfate, a molecule that is abundant in the epidermal layer of the skin, subsequently inducing a pro-inflammatory response. We also identify a role for Mincle as a driving component in the pathogenesis of allergic skin inflammation. The results demonstrate a previously unconsidered important role of Mincle in mediating sterile inflammation.
Coarse graining from variationally enhanced sampling applied to the Ginzburg–Landau model
Authors: Invernizzi Michele , Valsson Omar , Parrinello Michele 
Published: March 2017

Significance
A multiscale description is believed to be the only feasible route toward the simulation of complex systems. Yet moving from one scale to another is not a trivial task, and many different approaches can be taken. We propose here a systematic approach to go from a fine scale to a coarser one, based on the recently introduced variationally enhanced sampling method. Contrary to other coarse-graining methods, it combines in the same algorithm the sampling enhancement and the optimization of the coarse-graining parameters. We illustrate the method in the case of the vapor–liquid critical transition of a Lennard–Jones fluid. This is done in the context of the Ginzburg–Landau field theoretical description of second-order phase transitions.
Tunable moiré bands and strong correlations in small-twist-angle bilayer graphene
Authors: Kim Kyounghwan , DaSilva Ashley , Huang Shengqiang , Fallahazad Babak , Larentis Stefano , Taniguchi Takashi , Watanabe Kenji , LeRoy Brian J. , MacDonald Allan H. , Tutuc Emanuel 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Accurately controlled, very long wavelength moiré patterns are realized in small-twist-angle bilayer graphene, and studied using electron transport and scanning probe microscopy. We observe gaps in electron transport at anomalous densities equal to ±8 electrons per moiré crystal unit cell, at variance with electronic structure theory, and the emergence of a Hofstadter butterfly in the energy spectrum in perpendicular magnetic fields. These findings open up an avenue to create artificial crystals by manipulating the relative angle between individual layers in a heterostructure.