bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rhodoterpenoids A‒C, Three New Rearranged Triterpenoids from Rhododendron latoucheae by HPLC‒MS‒SPE‒NMR
Authors: Liu Fei , Wang Ya-Nan , Li Yong , Ma Shuang-Gang , Qu Jing , Liu Yun-Bao , Niu Chang-Shan , Tang Zhong-Hai , Zhang Tian-Tai , Li Yu-Huan , Li Li , Yu Shi-Shan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRhodoterpenoids A‒C (1‒3), three new rearranged triterpenoids, together with one new biogenetically related compound, rhodoterpenoid D (4), were isolated and efficiently elucidated from Rhododendron latoucheae by high-performance liquid chromatography−mass spectrometry−solid-phase extraction−nuclear magnetic resonance (HPLC‒MS‒SPE‒NMR). Compounds 1 and 2 possess an unprecedented skeleton with a 5/7/6/6/6-fused pentacyclic ring system, while compound 3 contains a unique 6/7/6/6/6-fused pentacyclic carbon backbone. Their structures were determined by extensive spectroscopic methods and electronic circular dichroism (ECD) analyses. Plausible biogenetic pathways for 1‒4 were proposed. Compounds 1 and 4 showed potential activity against herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) with IC50 values of 8.62 and 6.87 μM, respectively.
BiVO4-rGO with a novel structure on steel fabric used as high-performance photocatalysts
Authors: Fang Dong , Li Xiujuan , Liu Hui , Xu Weilin , Jiang Ming , Li Wenbin , Fan Xin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA high-performance and novel photocatalyst of BiVO4-reduced Graphene Oxide (BiVO4-rGO) nanocomposite was prepared by a facile hydrothermal method. The photocatalyst was characterized by X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electronic microscopy, UV-Vis diffusion reflectance spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy and UV-Vis adsorption spectroscopy, respectively. The visible-light photocatalytic activity was evaluated by oxidation of methyl orange (MO) under simulated sunlight irradiation. The results show that the BiVO4-rGO nanocomposites exhibit enhanced photocatalytic performance for the degradation of MO with a maximum removal rate of 98.95% under visible light irradiation as compared with pure BiVO4 (57.55%) due to the increased light absorption intensity and the degradation of electron-hole pair recombination in BiVO4 with the introduction of the rGO.
G protein stoichiometry dictates biased agonism through distinct receptor-G protein partitioning
Authors: Onfroy Lauriane , Galandrin Ségolène , Pontier Stéphanie M. , Seguelas Marie-Hélène , N’Guyen Du , Sénard Jean-Michel , Galés Céline 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBiased agonism at G protein coupled receptors emerges as an opportunity for development of drugs with enhanced benefit/risk balance making biased ligand identification a priority. However, ligand biased signature, classically inferred from ligand activity across multiple pathways, displays high variability in recombinant systems. Functional assays usually necessity receptor/effector overexpression that should be controlled among assays to allow comparison but this calibration currently fails. Herein, we demonstrate that Gα expression level dictates the biased profiling of agonists and, to a lesser extent of β-blockers, in a Gα isoform- and receptor-specific way, depending on specific G protein activity in different membrane territories. These results have major therapeutic implications since they suggest that the ligand bias phenotype is not necessarily maintained in pathological cell background characterized by fluctuations in G protein expression. Thus, we recommend implementation of G protein stoichiometry as a new parameter in biased ligand screening programs.
Visceral adiposity index, lipid accumulation product and intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis in middle-aged and elderly Chinese
Authors: Li Rui , Li Qi , Cui Min , Ying Zegang , Li Lin , Zhong Tingting , Huo Yingchao , Xie Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe investigated the association of the newly established lipid accumulation product (LAP) and visceral adiposity index (VAI) with intracranial atherosclerotic stenosis (ICAS) in middle-aged and elderly Chinese. From June 2012 to January 2013, consecutive patients ≥40 years of age who underwent cerebral vascular imaging for various medical reasons were enrolled in this study. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to evaluate the correlation of VAI and LAP with the risk of ICAS. In total, 845 patients were included in the study. The prevalence of ICAS gradually increased in females and in all patients with advancing tertiles of VAI or LAP. After adjusting for potential risks, both the VAI and LAP were related to ICAS in females [VAI: odds ratio (OR) = 3.25, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.17–9.03, P = 0.024; LAP: OR = 4.11, 95%CI = 1.39–12.12, P = 0.011; tertiles 3 vs. 1]. The sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive value (PPV) were 74.7%, 45.5%, and 84.4% for VAI (cut-off: 1.71) and 79.3%, 40.5%, and 84.1% for LAP (cut-off: 23.99). The same relationships in males were not significant. Both VAI and LAP were closely associated with an increased risk of ICAS in middle-aged and elderly Chinese females.
Colossal piezomagnetic response in magnetically pressed Zr+4 substituted cobalt ferrites
Authors: Reddy Monaji Vinitha , Lisfi Abdellah , Pokharel Sabin , Das Dibakar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA remarkable 111% increase in magnetostriction (λ) and 435% increase in strain sensitivity (dλ/dH) (compared to normally compacted (NC) unsubstituted CoFe2O4 (CFO)) of Zr+4 doped CFO sample, Co1.2Zr0.2Fe1.6O4, prepared by magnetic field assisted compaction, have been reported in this study. Magnetic field assisted compaction (MC) has been employed to process Zr-doped cobalt ferrites, Co1+xZrxFe2−2xO4 (0 ≤ × ≤ 0.4), to further improve the magnetoelastic properties. Saturation magnetization (M
S
) and coercivity (H
C
) increase from ~426 kA/m and ~4.4 kA/m respectively, for x = 0, to ~552 kA/m and ~7.11 kA/m respectively for x = 0.2. Dramatic increase in λ was observed for MC samples (~ −360 ppm and ~−380 ppm for x = 0 and x = 0.2 respectively) compared to the NC samples (~−181 ppm and ~−185 ppm for x = 0 and x = 0.2 respectively). A remarkable quadruple increase in dλ/dH was observed in Zr-doped (x = 0.2) cobalt-ferrite (~4.3 × 10−9 A−1m) compared to that of unsubstituted cobalt-ferrite (~1.24 × 10−9 A−1m), while a fivefold increase in dλ/dH was observed for magnetically compacted (MC) Zr doped cobalt ferrite (x = 0.2) (~4.3 × 10−9 A−1m) compared to normal compacted (NC) unsubstituted cobalt ferrite (~0.8 × 10−9 A−1m).
Polyacrylamide-Phytic Acid-Polydopamine Conducting Porous Hydrogel for Efficient Removal of Water-Soluble Dyes
Authors: Zhao Zhen , Li Leijiao , Geleta Girma Selale , Ma Lina , Wang Zhenxin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRemoval of toxic dyes from wastewater has become a hot topic in both academic and industrial fields since there is growing concern about the threat of sewage to human health. Herein, we demonstrate that the three-dimensional porous polyacrylamide-phytic acid-polydopamine (termed as PAAM/PA/PDA) hydrogel can be served as reusable adsorbent with high efficiency for either anionic or cationic dyes. Using methyl blue (MB), methylene blue (YMB), methyl violet (MV) and neutral red (NR) as model dyes, we investigate the effect of pH, temperature, dye concentration, and PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel mass on the adsorption. The experimental maximum adsorption capacities are more than 350.67 mg g−1 for four selected dyes. Adsorption kinetic and thermodynamic analysis suggests that the dyes are adsorbed on the PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel through the strong π-π stacking and anion-cation interaction, and the adsorption process satisfies a pseudo-second-order model. Furthermore, the free-standing PAAM/PA/PDA hydrogel can be easily removed from water after adsorption process, and regenerated by adjusting solution pH values.
Both Nuclear Size and DNA Amount Contribute to Midblastula Transition Timing in Xenopus laevis
Authors: Jevtić Predrag , Levy Daniel L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDuring early Xenopus laevis embryogenesis both nuclear and cell volumes decrease with the nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C) volume ratio reaching a maximum at the midblastula transition (MBT). At the MBT, embryonic transcription is upregulated and cell cycles lengthen. Early studies demonstrated a role for the DNA-to-cytoplasmic ratio in the control of MBT timing. By altering nuclear size, we previously showed that the N/C volume ratio also contributes to proper MBT timing. Here we examine the relative contributions of nuclear size and DNA amount to MBT timing by simultaneously altering nuclear size and ploidy in X. laevis embryos. Compared to diploid embryos, haploids exhibited a delay in both zygotic gene expression and cell cycle lengthening, while diploid embryos with increased N/C volume ratios showed early expression of zygotic genes and premature lengthening of cell cycles. Interestingly, haploids with increased N/C volume ratios exhibited an intermediate effect on the timing of zygotic gene expression and cell cycle lengthening. Decreasing nuclear size in post-MBT haploid embryos caused a further delay in cell cycle lengthening and the expression of some zygotic genes. Our data suggest that both the N/C volume ratio and DNA amount contribute to the regulation of MBT timing with neither parameter being dominant.
Bpifcl modulates kiss2 expression under the influence of 11-ketotestosterone in female zebrafish
Authors: Moriya Shogo , Tahsin Nabila , Parhar Ishwar S. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe bactericidal/permeability-increasing (BPI) fold-containing (BPIF) superfamily of genes expressed in the brain are purportedly involved in modulating brain function in response to stress, such as inflammation. Kisspeptin, encoded by kiss, is affected by inflammation in the brain; therefore, BPIF family genes might be involved in the modulation of kisspeptin in the brain. In this study, we investigated the expression of BPIF family C, like (bpifcl) in zebrafish brain and its involvement in kiss2 regulation. The identified, full-length sequence of a bpifcl isoform expressed in the zebrafish brain contained the BPI fold shared by BPIF family members. bpifcl mRNA expression in female zebrafish brains was significantly higher than that in males. Exposure of female zebrafish to 11-ketotestosterone decreased bpifcl and kiss2 mRNA expression. bpifcl knockdown by bpifcl-specific small interfering RNA administration to female zebrafish brain decreased kiss2 mRNA expression. bpifcl expression was widely distributed in the brain, including in the dorsal zone of the periventricular hypothalamus (Hd). Furthermore, bpifcl was also expressed in KISS2 neurons in the Hd. These results suggest that the Bpifcl modulates kiss2 mRNA expression under the influence of testosterone in the Hd of female zebrafish.
Effect of GOLPH3 on cumulus granulosa cell apoptosis and ICSI pregnancy outcomes
Authors: Lin Dianliang , Ran Jing , Zhu Suqin , Quan Song , Ye Baofeng , Yu Aili , Kang Yuefan , Lin Yuan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPrevious studies have shown that GOLPH3 mediates cell growth, proliferation and differentiation and inhibits cell apoptosis; however, the role of GOLPH3 in cumulus granulosa cells and the value of GOLPH3 in predicting ICSI pregnancy outcomes remain unknown until now. Our findings showed higher positive expression rate, score of staining intensity, and immunohistochemical score of GOLPH3 in the cumulus granulosa cells of the pregnant women relative to non-pregnant women, and a higher apoptotic rate of cumulus granulosa cells was detected in non-pregnant women than in pregnant women. Pearson correlation analyses revealed that pregnancy correlated negatively with GOLPH3 expression and apoptosis of cumulus granulosa cells, and positively with the number of follicles punctured, number of grade III oocytes, number of eggs retrieved for ICSI, number of zygotes, number of cleavage-stage embryos, number of top-quality embryos, number of blastocysts, number of top-quality blastocysts, and number of frozen embryos. GOLPH3 may be involved in the apoptosis of cumulus granulosa cells, which may correlate with oocyte maturation and egg development. GOLPH3 expression in cumulus granulosa cells may facilitate the selection of top-quality eggs and embryos, the prediction of the clinical pregnancy outcomes of ICSI, and the increase of the pregnancy rate.
Broadband Surface Plasmon Lasing in One-dimensional Metallic Gratings on Semiconductor
Authors: Kim Seung-Hyun , Han Won Seok , Jeong Tae-Young , Lee Hyang-Rok , Jeong H. , Lee D. , Shim Seung-Bo , Kim Dai-Sik , Ahn Kwang Jun , Yee Ki-Ju 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe report surface plasmon (SP) lasing in metal/semiconductor nanostructures, where one-dimensional periodic silver slit gratings are placed on top of an InGaAsP layer. The SP nature of the lasing is confirmed from the emission wavelength governed by the grating period, polarization analysis, spatial coherence, and comparison with the linear transmission. The excellent performance of the device as an SP source is demonstrated by its tunable emission in the 400-nm-wide telecom wavelength band at room temperature. We show that the stimulated emission enhanced by the Purcell effect enables successful SP lasing at high energies above the gap energy of the gain. We also discuss the dependence of the lasing efficiency on temperature, grating dimension, and type of metal.
NRF1 and ZSCAN10 bind to the promoter region of the SIX1 gene and their effects body measurements in Qinchuan cattle
Authors: Wei Da-Wei , Gui Lin-Sheng , Raza Sayed Haidar Abbas , Zhang Song , Khan Rajwali , Wang Li , Guo Hong-Fang , Zan Lin-Sen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe SIX1 homeobox gene belongs to the six homeodomain family and is widely thought to play a principal role in mediating of skeletal muscle development. In the present study, we determined that the bovine SIX1 gene was highly expressed in the longissimus thoracis and physiologically immature individuals. DNA sequencing of 428 individual Qinchuan cattle identified nine single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the promoter region of the SIX1 gene. Using a series of 5′ deletion promoter plasmid luciferase reporter assays and 5′-rapid amplification of cDNA end analysis (RACE), two of these SNPs were found to be located in the proximal minimal promoter region −216/−28 relative to the transcriptional start site (TSS). Correlation analysis showed the combined haplotypes H1-H2 (-GG-GA-) was significantly greater in the body measurement traits (BMTs) than the others, which was consistent with the results showing that the transcriptional activity of Hap2 was higher than the others in Qinchuan cattle myoblast cells. Furthermore, the electrophoretic mobility shift assays (EMSA) and chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP) demonstrated that NRF1 and ZSCAN10 binding occurred in the promoter region of diplotypes H1-H2 to regulate SIX1 transcriptional activity. This information may be useful for molecular marker-assisted selection (MAS) in cattle breeding.
Micro-to-nano scale filling behavior of PMMA during imprinting
Authors: Li Jingmin , Liu Ziyang , Liang Chao , Li Xia , Fan Jinguang , Zhang Hao , Liu Chong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe filling behavior of polymers in narrow gaps or small pores is important for the dynamics of polymeric micro/nanostructure fabrication. Here, the filling behavior, the mechanical properties, and the stress versus strain relationship of 996 kD poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) at a scale from micron to molecular confinement are measured. It has been found that the solid polymer exhibits elastic-plastic dominant deformation behavior at micron scale. As the scale reduces to submicron, the resistance to deformation of the polymeric solid has a pronounced reduction. A softening effect and the visco-dominant behavior which is always exhibited by melt flow is observed. In confinement conditions, an anomalous hardening effect is found. The modulus and the hardness of 996 kD PMMA have been found to increase dramatically. The stress-strain curve also exhibits an obvious hardening phenomenon which is contrary to the conventional shear thinning and deformation acceleration results. The results of this paper show that the PMMA can exhibit a change of “solid-fluid-solid” in mechanical character at micron to molecular confinement scale.
Differences of protein expression profiles, KRAS and BRAF mutation, and prognosis in right-sided colon, left-sided colon and rectal cancer
Authors: Gao Xian Hua , Yu Guan Yu , Gong Hai Feng , Liu Lian Jie , Xu Yi , Hao Li Qiang , Liu Peng , Liu Zhi Hong , Bai Chen Guang , Zhang Wei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo compare protein expression levels, gene mutation and survival among Right-Sided Colon Cancer (RSCC), Left-Sided Colon Cancer (LSCC) and rectal cancer patients, 57 cases of RSCC, 87 LSCC and 145 rectal cancer patients were included retrospectively. Our results demonstrated significant differences existed among RSCC, LSCC and rectal cancer regarding tumor diameter, differentiation, invasion depth and TNM stage. No significant difference was identified in expression levels of MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2, β-Tubulin III, P53, Ki67 and TOPIIα, and gene mutation of KRAS and BRAF among three groups. Progression Free Survival (PFS) of RSCC was significantly lower than that of LRCC and rectal cancer. In univariate analyses, RSCC, preoperative chemoradiotherapy, poor differentiation, advanced TNM stage, elevated serum CEA and CA19-9 level, tumor deposit, perineural and vascular invasion were found to be predictive factors of shorter PFS. In multivariate analyses, only differentiation and TNM stages were found to be independent predictors of PFS. In conclusion, compared with LSCC and rectal cancer, RSCC has larger tumor size, poor differentiation, advanced TNM stage and shorter survival. The shorter survival in RSCC might be attributed to the advanced tumor stage caused by its inherent position feature of proximal colon rather than genetic difference.
Protein expression changes caused by spaceflight as measured for 18 Russian cosmonauts
Authors: Larina Irina M. , Percy Andrew J. , Yang Juncong , Borchers Christoph H. , Nosovsky Andrei M. , Grigoriev Anatoli I. , Nikolaev Evgeny N. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe effects of spaceflight on human physiology is an increasingly studied field, yet the molecular mechanisms driving physiological changes remain unknown. With that in mind, this study was performed to obtain a deeper understanding of changes to the human proteome during space travel, by quantitating a panel of 125 proteins in the blood plasma of 18 Russian cosmonauts who had conducted long-duration missions to the International Space Station. The panel of labeled prototypic tryptic peptides from these proteins covered a concentration range of more than 5 orders of magnitude in human plasma. Quantitation was achieved by a well-established and highly-regarded targeted mass spectrometry approach involving multiple reaction monitoring in conjunction with stable isotope-labeled standards. Linear discriminant function analysis of the quantitative results revealed three distinct groups of proteins: 1) proteins with post-flight protein concentrations remaining stable, 2) proteins whose concentrations recovered slowly, or 3) proteins whose concentrations recovered rapidly to their pre-flight levels. Using a systems biology approach, nearly all of the reacting proteins could be linked to pathways that regulate the activities of proteases, natural immunity, lipid metabolism, coagulation cascades, or extracellular matrix metabolism.
Controlling the thermoelectric effect by mechanical manipulation of the electron’s quantum phase in atomic junctions
Authors: Aiba Akira , Demir Firuz , Kaneko Satoshi , Fujii Shintaro , Nishino Tomoaki , Tsukagoshi Kazuhito , Saffarzadeh Alireza , Kirczenow George , Kiguchi Manabu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe thermoelectric voltage developed across an atomic metal junction (i.e., a nanostructure in which one or a few atoms connect two metal electrodes) in response to a temperature difference between the electrodes, results from the quantum interference of electrons that pass through the junction multiple times after being scattered by the surrounding defects. Here we report successfully tuning this quantum interference and thus controlling the magnitude and sign of the thermoelectric voltage by applying a mechanical force that deforms the junction. The observed switching of the thermoelectric voltage is reversible and can be cycled many times. Our ab initio and semi-empirical calculations elucidate the detailed mechanism by which the quantum interference is tuned. We show that the applied strain alters the quantum phases of electrons passing through the narrowest part of the junction and hence modifies the electronic quantum interference in the device. Tuning the quantum interference causes the energies of electronic transport resonances to shift, which affects the thermoelectric voltage. These experimental and theoretical studies reveal that Au atomic junctions can be made to exhibit both positive and negative thermoelectric voltages on demand, and demonstrate the importance and tunability of the quantum interference effect in the atomic-scale metal nanostructures.
Human Mesenchymal Stromal Cell Sheet Enhances Allograft Repair in a Mouse Model
Authors: Shang Xifu , Shu Bing , Wang Yongjun , Luo Zhengliang , Wang Guangxi , Barton Shane , Morandi Massimo Max , Kevil Christopher , Dong Yufeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTo determine whether cell sheets generated with long-term passaged (P10) aging human mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) could be used for bone tissue regeneration as tissue engineered periosteum in a femoral allograft mouse model similar to fresh passaged (P3) young MSCs. At 3 weeks after transplantation of MSC sheets, results showed more bony callus formed between allograft and host bone ends in both young P3 MSC and aged P10 MSC sheet-wrapped groups when compared to allograft alone. At 6 weeks, while both MSC sheet-wrapped allografts showed more bony callus formation when compared to allograft alone groups, the bony callus size in aged P10 MSC sheet groups was significantly less than young P3 MSC sheet groups. Biomechanical testing confirmed that P3 MSC sheet-grafted femurs had the highest biomechanical strength in the three groups. Histology sections showed that the area of the chondriod callus in the aged P10 MSC sheet groups was significantly larger than in P3 MSC sheet groups. Finally, a significant increase of chondro-osteoclast activity was observed in the P3 MSC sheet-grafted femur. Our data demonstrates that extensive long-term culture-induced MSC aging impaired their osteogenic ability and subsequent bony callus formation, and could be used to induce cartilaginous callus formation.