bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
BIM and NOXA are mitochondrial effectors of TAF6δ-driven apoptosis
Authors: Delannoy Aurélie , Wilhelm Emmanuelle , Eilebrecht Sebastian , Alvarado-Cuevas Edith Milena , Benecke Arndt G , Bell Brendan 
Published: January 2018

AbstractTAF6δ is a pro-apoptotic splice variant of the RNA polymerase II general transcription factor, TAF6, that can dictate life vs. death decisions in animal cells. TAF6δ stands out from classical pro-apoptotic proteins because it is encoded by a gene that is essential at the cellular level, and because it functions as a component of the basal transcription machinery. TAF6δ has been shown to modulate the transcriptome landscape, but it is not known if changes in gene expression trigger apoptosis nor which TAF6δ-regulated genes contribute to cell death. Here we used microarrays to interrogate the genome-wide impact of TAF6δ on transcriptome dynamics at temporal resolution. The results revealed changes in pro-apoptotic BH3-only mitochondrial genes that correlate tightly with the onset of cell death. These results prompted us to test and validate a role for the mitochondrial pathway by showing that TAF6δ expression causes cytochrome c release into the cytoplasm. To further dissect the mechanism by which TAF6δ drives apoptosis, we pinpointed BIM and NOXA as candidate effectors. siRNA experiments showed that both BIM and NOXA contribute to TAF6δ-dependent cell death. Our results identify mitochondrial effectors of TAF6δ-driven apoptosis, thereby providing the first of mechanistic framework underlying the atypical TAF6δ apoptotic pathway’s capacity to intersect with the classically defined apoptotic machinery to trigger cell death.
Kruppel-like factor 4-dependent Staufen1-mediated mRNA decay regulates cortical neurogenesis
Authors: Moon Byoung-San , Bai Jinlun , Cai Mingyang , Liu Chunming , Shi Jiandang , Lu Wange 
Published: January 2018

AbstractKruppel-like factor 4 (Klf4) is a zinc-finger-containing protein that plays a critical role in diverse cellular physiology. While most of these functions attribute to its role as a transcription factor, it is postulated that Klf4 may play a role other than transcriptional regulation. Here we demonstrate that Klf4 loss in neural progenitor cells (NPCs) leads to increased neurogenesis and reduced self-renewal in mice. In addition, Klf4 interacts with RNA-binding protein Staufen1 (Stau1) and RNA helicase Ddx5/17. They function together as a complex to maintain NPC self-renewal. We report that Klf4 promotes Stau1 recruitment to the 3′-untranslated region of neurogenesis-associated mRNAs, increasing Stau1-mediated mRNA decay (SMD) of these transcripts. Stau1 depletion abrogated SMD of target mRNAs and rescued neurogenesis defects in Klf4-overexpressing NPCs. Furthermore, Ddx5/17 knockdown significantly blocked Klf4-mediated mRNA degradation. Our results highlight a novel molecular mechanism underlying stability of neurogenesis-associated mRNAs controlled by the Klf4/Ddx5/17/Stau1 axis during mammalian corticogenesis.
Distinct epigenetic programs regulate cardiac myocyte development and disease in the human heart in vivo
Authors: Gilsbach Ralf , Schwaderer Martin , Preissl Sebastian , Grüning Björn A. , Kranzhöfer David , Schneider Pedro , Nührenberg Thomas G. , Mulero-Navarro Sonia , Weichenhan Dieter , Braun Christian , Dreßen Martina , Jacobs Adam R. , Lahm Harald , Doenst Torsten , Backofen Rolf , Krane Markus , Gelb Bruce D. , Hein Lutz 
Published: January 2018

AbstractEpigenetic mechanisms and transcription factor networks essential for differentiation of cardiac myocytes have been uncovered. However, reshaping of the epigenome of these terminally differentiated cells during fetal development, postnatal maturation, and in disease remains unknown. Here, we investigate the dynamics of the cardiac myocyte epigenome during development and in chronic heart failure. We find that prenatal development and postnatal maturation are characterized by a cooperation of active CpG methylation and histone marks at cis-regulatory and genic regions to shape the cardiac myocyte transcriptome. In contrast, pathological gene expression in terminal heart failure is accompanied by changes in active histone marks without major alterations in CpG methylation and repressive chromatin marks. Notably, cis-regulatory regions in cardiac myocytes are significantly enriched for cardiovascular disease-associated variants. This study uncovers distinct layers of epigenetic regulation not only during prenatal development and postnatal maturation but also in diseased human cardiac myocytes.
Cleaner fuels for ships provide public health benefits with climate tradeoffs
Authors: Sofiev Mikhail , Winebrake James J. , Johansson Lasse , Carr Edward W. , Prank Marje , Soares Joana , Vira Julius , Kouznetsov Rostislav , Jalkanen Jukka-Pekka , Corbett James J. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractWe evaluate public health and climate impacts of low-sulphur fuels in global shipping. Using high-resolution emissions inventories, integrated atmospheric models, and health risk functions, we assess ship-related PM2.5 pollution impacts in 2020 with and without the use of low-sulphur fuels. Cleaner marine fuels will reduce ship-related premature mortality and morbidity by 34 and 54%, respectively, representing a ~ 2.6% global reduction in PM2.5 cardiovascular and lung cancer deaths and a ~3.6% global reduction in childhood asthma. Despite these reductions, low-sulphur marine fuels will still account for ~250k deaths and ~6.4 M childhood asthma cases annually, and more stringent standards beyond 2020 may provide additional health benefits. Lower sulphur fuels also reduce radiative cooling from ship aerosols by ~80%, equating to a ~3% increase in current estimates of total anthropogenic forcing. Therefore, stronger international shipping policies may need to achieve climate and health targets by jointly reducing greenhouse gases and air pollution.
Room temperature magneto-optic effect in silicon light-emitting diodes
Authors: Chiodi F. , Bayliss S. L. , Barast L. , Débarre D. , Bouchiat H. , Friend R. H. , Chepelianskii A. D. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn weakly spin–orbit coupled materials, the spin-selective nature of recombination can give rise to large magnetic-field effects, e.g. on the electro-luminescence of molecular semiconductors. Although silicon has weak spin–orbit coupling, observing spin-dependent recombination through magneto-electroluminescence is challenging: silicon’s indirect band-gap causes an inefficient emission and it is difficult to separate spin-dependent phenomena from classical magneto-resistance effects. Here we overcome these challenges and measure magneto-electroluminescence in silicon light-emitting diodes fabricated via gas immersion laser doping. These devices allow us to achieve efficient emission while retaining a well-defined geometry, thus suppressing classical magnetoresistance effects to a few percent. We find that electroluminescence can be enhanced by up to 300% near room temperature in a seven Tesla magnetic field, showing that the control of the spin degree of freedom can have a strong impact on the efficiency of silicon LEDs.
Structural insight into molecular mechanism of poly(ethylene terephthalate) degradation
Authors: Joo Seongjoon , Cho In Jin , Seo Hogyun , Son Hyeoncheol Francis , Sagong Hye-Young , Shin Tae Joo , Choi So Young , Lee Sang Yup , Kim Kyung-Jin 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPlastics, including poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), possess many desirable characteristics and thus are widely used in daily life. However, non-biodegradability, once thought to be an advantage offered by plastics, is causing major environmental problem. Recently, a PET-degrading bacterium,Ideonella sakaiensis, was identified and suggested for possible use in degradation and/or recycling of PET. However, the molecular mechanism of PET degradation is not known. Here we report the crystal structure ofI. sakaiensisPETase (IsPETase) at 1.5 Å resolution.IsPETase has a Ser–His-Asp catalytic triad at its active site and contains an optimal substrate binding site to accommodate four monohydroxyethyl terephthalate (MHET) moieties of PET. Based on structural and site-directed mutagenesis experiments, the detailed process of PET degradation into MHET, terephthalic acid, and ethylene glycol is suggested. Moreover, other PETase candidates potentially having high PET-degrading activities are suggested based on phylogenetic tree analysis of 69 PETase-like proteins.
Competition between electron pairing and phase coherence in superconducting interfaces
Authors: Singh G. , Jouan A. , Benfatto L. , Couëdo F. , Kumar P. , Dogra A. , Budhani R. C. , Caprara S. , Grilli M. , Lesne E. , Barthélémy A. , Bibes M. , Feuillet-Palma C. , Lesueur J. , Bergeal N. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn LaAlO3/SrTiO3 heterostructures, a gate tunable superconducting electron gas is confined in a quantum well at the interface between two insulating oxides. Remarkably, the gas coexists with both magnetism and strong Rashba spin–orbit coupling. However, both the origin of superconductivity and the nature of the transition to the normal state over the whole doping range remain elusive. Here we use resonant microwave transport to extract the superfluid stiffness and the superconducting gap energy of the LaAlO3/SrTiO3 interface as a function of carrier density. We show that the superconducting phase diagram of this system is controlled by the competition between electron pairing and phase coherence. The analysis of the superfluid density reveals that only a very small fraction of the electrons condenses into the superconducting state. We propose that this corresponds to the weak filling of high-energy dxz/dyz bands in the quantum well, more apt to host superconductivity.
Anisotropic spin-density distribution and magnetic anisotropy of strained La1−xSr
x
MnO3 thin films: angle-dependent x-ray magnetic circular dichroism
Authors: Shibata Goro , Kitamura Miho , Minohara Makoto , Yoshimatsu Kohei , Kadono Toshiharu , Ishigami Keisuke , Harano Takayuki , Takahashi Yukio , Sakamoto Shoya , Nonaka Yosuke , Ikeda Keisuke , Chi Zhendong , Furuse Mitsuho , Fuchino Shuichiro , Okano Makoto , Fujihira Jun-ichi , Uchida Akira , Watanabe Kazunori , Fujihira Hideyuki , Fujihira Seiichi , Tanaka Arata , Kumigashira Hiroshi , Koide Tsuneharu , Fujimori Atsushi 
Published: January 2018

AbstractMagnetic anisotropies of ferromagnetic thin films are induced by epitaxial strain from the substrate via strain-induced anisotropy in the orbital magnetic moment and that in the spatial distribution of spin-polarized electrons. However, the preferential orbital occupation in ferromagnetic metallic La1−xSr
x
MnO3 (LSMO) thin films studied by x-ray linear dichroism (XLD) has always been found out-of-plane for both tensile and compressive epitaxial strain and hence irrespective of the magnetic anisotropy. In order to resolve this mystery, we directly probed the preferential orbital occupation of spin-polarized electrons in LSMO thin films under strain by angle-dependent x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD). Anisotropy of the spin-density distribution was found to be in-plane for the tensile strain and out-of-plane for the compressive strain, consistent with the observed magnetic anisotropy. The ubiquitous out-of-plane preferential orbital occupation seen by XLD is attributed to the occupation of both spin-up and spin-down out-of-plane orbitals in the surface magnetic dead layer.
Novel mechanisms of Collagenase Santyl Ointment (CSO) in wound macrophage polarization and resolution of wound inflammation
Authors: Das Amitava , Datta Soma , Roche Eric , Chaffee Scott , Jose Elizabeth , Shi Lei , Grover Komel , Khanna Savita , Sen Chandan K. , Roy Sashwati 
Published: January 2018

AbstractCollagenases are useful in enzymatic wound debridement. Clostridial collagenase, marketed as Collagenase Santyl Ointment (CSO), is FDA approved for such use. Building on the scientific premise that collagenases as well as collagen degradation products may regulate immune cell function, we sought to investigate the potential role of CSO in wound inflammation. We tested the hypothesis that in addition to enacting debridement, CSO contributes to the resolution of persistent wound inflammation. Wound macrophages were isolated from PVA sponges loaded with CSO or petrolatum and implanted in mice. Significant increase in pro-reparative and decrease in pro-inflammatory polarization was noted in macrophages of acute as well as diabetic wounds. Wound macrophages from CSO-treated group displayed increased production of anti-inflammatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-β, and decreased levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β. The active ingredient of CSO, CS-API, induced the expression of mϕheal/M(IL-4) polarization markersex vivo. CS-API treatment attenuated transactivation of NF-κB and significantly induced STAT6 phosphorylation. A significant role of a novel PGE2-EP4 pathway in CS-API induced STAT6 activation and the mϕheal/M(IL-4) polarization was identified. Taken together, findings of this work reposition CSO as a potential agent that may be effective in resolving wound inflammation, including diabetic wounds.
A comparative study of fruit and vegetable consumption and physical activity among adolescents in 49 Low-and-Middle-Income Countries
Authors: Darfour-Oduro Sandra A. , Buchner David M. , Andrade Juan E. , Grigsby-Toussaint Diana S. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPhysical inactivity and low consumption of fruits and vegetables (FV) during adolescence may persist through adulthood, putting adolescents at risk of developing chronic diseases. Although studies from high-income countries have reported differences in FV consumption and physical activity (PA) between adolescent boys and girls, few exist from low-and-middle-income countries (LMICs). In this study, we examined patterns of FV consumption and PA among adolescent boys and girls in LMICs. Country selection was based on availability of Global School-Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) data from 2004 to 2013. The total analytic sample was 164,771 adolescents from 49 LMICs. Descriptive statistics were generated to determine adolescents meeting the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations for FV and PA. A Rao-Scott adjusted chi-square statistic was computed to assess gender differences. Less than 30% of adolescents across all countries met the WHO guidelines for FV consumption or PA. Morocco (29.5%) and India (29.5%) however had the highest percentage of adolescents meeting recommendations for FV and PA, respectively. Adolescent boys were more active than girls, and this difference was more notable in the Middle East and North African region. Adolescents achieving the WHO recommendations for daily consumption of FV and PA were consistently low in all countries.
A retrospective clinical comparison of daptomycin vs daptomycin and a beta-lactam antibiotic for treating vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecium bloodstream infections
Authors: Chuang Yu-Chung , Chen Pao-Yu , Lin Chi-Ying , Chen Yee-Chun , Wang Jann-Tay , Chang Shan-Chwen 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThere is limited clinical evidence to support the combination of daptomycin and beta-lactam antibiotics (DAP + BLA) for treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE) bloodstream infections (BSI). We conducted a prospective observational cohort study of VRE-BSI during 2010–2015. The primary endpoint was mortality at the end of treatment. We included 114 patients who received DAP for VRE-BSI. Of these 87 (76.3%) received DAP + BLA. There were no significant differences in mortality between the DAP and DAP + BLA groups on univariable analysis (10/27 vs. 34/87, P = 0.85). A subgroup analysis of patients with enterococcal DAP minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ≤2 mg/L, revealed that those treated with DAP + BLA had a lower mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.23; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.06–0.93; P = 0.04) after adjustment for other significant predictors of mortality, including the DAP dose. In addition, patients receiving high-dose (≥9 mg/kg) DAP + BLA independently had a better survival than those receiving low-dose DAP alone (aHR = 5.16), low-dose DAP + BLA (aHR = 5.39), and high-dose DAP alone (aHR = 19.01) (P < 0.05 for all comparisons). For patients with VRE-BSIs, the DAP MIC of the isolate and the DAP dose influence the effect of DAP + BLA on outcome. A high-dose DAP + BLA might improve survival. These findings support the use of high-dose DAP + BLA for treatment of VRE-BSI.
New role of phenothiazine derivatives as peripherally acting CB1 receptor antagonizing anti-obesity agents
Authors: Sharma Mayank Kumar , Machhi Jatin , Murumkar Prashant , Yadav Mange Ram 
Published: January 2018

AbstractDeveloping peripherally active cannabinoid 1 (CB1) receptor antagonists is a novel therapeutic approach for the management of obesity. An unusual phenothiazine scaffold containing CB1R antagonizing hit was identified by adopting virtual screening work flow. The hit so identified was further modified by introducing polar functional groups into it to enhance the polar surface area and decrease the hydrophobicity of the resulting molecules. CB1 receptor antagonistic activity for the designed compounds was computed by the previously established pharmacophore and three dimensional quantitative structure–activity relationship models. Docking studies of these designed compounds confirmed the existence of favourable interactions within the active site of the CB1 receptor. The designed compounds were synthesized and evaluated for their CB1 receptor antagonistic activity. Parallel artificial membrane permeability assay was performed to evaluate their potential to permeate into the central nervous system wherein it was observed that the compounds did not possess the propensity to cross the blood brain barrier and would be devoid of central nervous system side effects. In pharmacological evaluation, the synthesized compounds (23, 25, 27 and 34) showed significant decrease in food intake suggesting their potential application in the management of obesity through CB1 receptor antagonist activity.
A two-step synthesis of nanosheet-covered fibers based on α-Fe2O3/NiO composites towards enhanced acetone sensing
Authors: ul Haq Mahmood , Wen Zhen , Zhang Ziyue , Khan Shahid , Lou Zirui , Ye Zhizhen , Zhu Liping 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA novel hierarchical heterostructures based on α-Fe2O3/NiO nanosheet-covered fibers were synthesized using a simple two-step process named the electrospinning and hydrothermal techniques. A high density of α-Fe2O3 nanosheets were uniformly and epitaxially deposited on a NiO nanofibers. The crystallinity, morphological structure and surface composition of nanostructured based on α-Fe2O3/NiO composites were investigated by XRD, SEM, TEM, EDX, XPS and BET analysis. The extremely branched α-Fe2O3/NiO nanosheet-covered fibers delivered an extremely porous atmosphere with huge specific surface area essential for superior gas sensors. Different nanostructured based on α-Fe2O3/NiO composites were also explored by adjusting the volume ratio of the precursors. The as-prepared samples based on α-Fe2O3/NiO nanocomposite sensors display apparently enhanced sensing characteristics, including higher sensing response, quick response with recovery speed and better selectivity towards acetone gas at lower operating temperature as compared to bare NiO nanofibers. The sensing response of S-2 based α-Fe2O3/NiO nanosheet-covered fibers were 18.24 to 100 ppm acetone gas at 169 °C, which was about 6.9 times higher than that of bare NiO nanofibers. The upgraded gas sensing performance of composites based on α-Fe2O3/NiO nanosheet-covered fibers might be ascribed to the exclusive morphologies with large surface area, p-n heterojunctions and the synergetic performance of α-Fe2O3 and NiO.
Formation, Microstructure, and Conductivity of a Novel Ga2S3-Sb2S3-AgI Chalcogenide System
Authors: Huang Xinyu , Jiao Qing , Lin Changgui , Ma Hongli , Zhang Xianghua , Zhu Erwei , Liu Xueyun , Dai Shixun , Xu Tiefeng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractNovel glasses in a Ga2S3-Sb2S3-AgI system were prepared with a melt-quenching method, and their glass-forming region was identified. The maximum dissolvable AgI in glasses was 65 mol%. The thermal, optical, and structural properties of glasses were investigated as a function of AgI and Ga2S3 contents. The Ga2S3-Sb2S3-AgI glasses possess a wide region of transmission window (0.65−14 μm). An ionic conductivity of approximately 1.01 × 10−3 S/cm can be obtained for a 40 (0.8Sb2S3-0.2Ga2S3)-60AgI glass at an ambient temperature, and the ionic conductivity increased as temperature increased. The relative activation energy of Ag+ conduction was also calculated. These novel glasses show potential for the combined application of infrared optics and solid electrolytes.
Effects of Bilateral Hearing Aid Use on Balance in Experienced Adult Hearing Aid Users
Authors: McDaniel D. Mike , Motts Susan D. , Neeley Richard A. 
Published: January 2018

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the balance of experienced adult hearing aid users with and without their hearing aids via computerized posturography.

Method
Computerized posturography was accomplished by employing the Sensory Organization Test (SOT) on the NeuroCom Balance Master (Natus Medical Incorporated). The SOT assessed each participant's balance and the strategy used to maintain balance in 6 progressively challenging conditions. Twenty-two adults using bilateral at-the-ear hearing aids participated in the study. All participants completed all SOT protocols with and without their hearing aids.

Results
No statistically significant differences in participants' balance were identified regardless of the presence or absence of their hearing aids during the SOT.

Conclusions
These results failed to support previous research, which indicated that amplification of auditory input could benefit balance in individuals with hearing and balance disorders. Further research utilizing randomized controlled trials is needed to resolve the disparity between the current results and those of previous studies.
Preparation and characterisation of ginkgolide nanoparticles via the emulsion solvent evaporation method
Authors: Jiang Jianfang , Ao Juan , He Chunyang , Xiong Jun , Zhao Jiaqi , Liu Jintao , You Shengrong , Jiang Hao 
Published: January 2018

Ginkgolide is the first choice for treatment of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, its conventional dosage form (ginkgolide injection) can easily produce side effects and adverse reactions. Hence, developing a new, safe and efficient nanometre dosage form is imperative. Ginkgolide nanoparticles (GLNs) were prepared via the emulsion solvent evaporation method, and their mean hydrodynamic diameter, surface zeta potential, and surface morphology were characterised. The work studied four factors that were able to influence the properties of GLNs and discussed the preparation mechanism. The results showed that the prepared GLNs were nanomaterials. The optimum preparation conditions were with a W/O of 5.0, CPVA of 6.0%, P of 250 W and T of 4.0 min. The GLN that was prepared under optimum conditions exhibited good dispersity and stability. Its surface zeta potential was −20.97 mV, single particle size was 20–50 nm, and the preparation yield was 73.51%. The pharmacokinetics of GLN was studied in detail, and the Cmax and AUC0→∞ increased by 63.29 and 67.56%, respectively, compared with ginkgolide injection. This study lays a foundation for the research and development of new nano‐dosage forms of ginkgolide and has an important value.