bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Role of the virulence plasmid in acid resistance of Shigella flexneri
Authors: Niu Chang , Yang Jing , Liu Hongsheng , Cui Yong , Xu Huijie , Wang Ruifeng , Liu Xiankai , Feng Erling , Wang Dongshu , Pan Chao , Xiao Wei , Liu Xiaoqing , Zhu Li , Wang Hengliang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractVirulence plasmid (VP) acquisition was a key step in the evolution of Shigella from a non-pathogenic Escherichia coli ancestor to a pathogenic genus. In addition, the co-evolution and co-ordination of chromosomes and VPs was also a very important step in the evolutionary process. To investigate the cross-talk between VPs and bacterial chromosomes, we analyzed the expression profiles of protein complexes and protein monomers in three wild-type Shigella flexneri strains and their corresponding VP deletion mutants. A non-pathogenic wild-type E. coli strain and mutant E. coli strains harboring three Shigella VPs were also analyzed. Comparisons showed that the expression of chromosome-encoded proteins GadA/B and AtpA/D, which are associated with intracellular proton flow and pH tuning of bacterial cells, was significantly altered following acquisition or deletion of the VP. The acid tolerance of the above strains was also compared, and the results confirmed that the presence of the VP reduced the bacterial survival rate in extremely acidic environments, such as that in the host stomach. These results further our understanding of the evolution from non-pathogenic E. coli to Shigella, and highlight the importance of co-ordination between heterologous genes and the host chromosome in the evolution of bacterial species.
Glypican-2 levels in cerebrospinal fluid predict the status of adult hippocampal neurogenesis
Authors: Lugert S. , Kremer T. , Jagasia R. , Herrmann A. , Aigner S. , Giachino C. , Mendez-David I. , Gardier A. M. , Carralot J. P. , Meistermann H. , Augustin A. , Saxe M. D. , Lamerz J. , Duran-Pacheco G. , Ducret A. , Taylor V. , David D. J. , Czech C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAdult hippocampal neurogenesis is a remarkable form of brain plasticity through which new neurons are generated throughout life. Despite its important roles in cognition and emotion and its modulation in various preclinical disease models, the functional importance of adult hippocampal neurogenesis in human health has not been revealed because of a lack of tools for monitoring adult neurogenesis in vivo. Therefore, we performed an unbiased proteomics screen to identify novel proteins expressed during neuronal differentiation using a human neural stem cell model, and we identified the proteoglycan Glypican-2 (Gpc2) as a putative secreted marker of immature neurons. Exogenous Gpc2 binds to FGF2 and inhibits FGF2-induced neural progenitor cell proliferation. Gpc2 is enriched in neurogenic regions of the adult brain. Its expression is increased by physiological stimuli that increase hippocampal neurogenesis and decreased in transgenic models in which neurogenesis is selectively ablated. Changes in neurogenesis also result in changes in Gpc2 protein level in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Gpc2 is detectable in adult human CSF, and first pilot experiments with a longitudinal cohort indicate a decrease over time. Thus, Gpc2 may serve as a potential marker to monitor adult neurogenesis in both animal and human physiology and disease, warranting future studies.
Targeting ASIC3 for Relieving Mice Fibromyalgia Pain: Roles of Electroacupuncture, Opioid, and Adenosine
Authors: Yen Liang-Ta , Hsieh Ching-Liang , Hsu Hsin-Cheng , Lin Yi-Wen 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMany scientists are seeking better therapies for treating fibromyalgia (FM) pain. We used a mouse model of FM to determine if ASIC3 and its relevant signaling pathway participated in FM pain. We demonstrated that FM-induced mechanical hyperalgesia was attenuated by electroacupuncture (EA). The decrease in fatigue-induced lower motor function in FM mice was also reversed by EA. These EA-based effects were abolished by the opioid receptor antagonist naloxone and the adenosine A1 receptor antagonist rolofylline. Administration of opioid receptor agonist endomorphin (EM) or adenosine A1 receptor agonist N6-cyclopentyladenosine (CPA) has similar results to EA. Similar results were also observed in ASIC3−/− or ASIC3 antagonist (APETx2) injected mice. Using western blotting, we determined that pPKA, pPI3K, and pERK were increased during a dual acidic injection priming period. Nociceptive receptors, such as ASIC3, Nav1.7, and Nav1.8, were upregulated in the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) and spinal cord (SC) of FM mice. Furthermore, pPKA, pPI3K, and pERK were increased in the central thalamus. These aforementioned mechanisms were completely abolished in ASIC3 knockout mice. Electrophysiological results also indicated that acid potentiated Nav currents through ASIC3 and ERK pathway. Our results highlight the crucial role of ASIC3-mediated mechanisms in the treatment of FM-induced mechanical hyperalgesia.
Efficacy and safety of rectal 5-aminosalicylic acid versus corticosteroids in active distal ulcerative colitis: a systematic review and network meta-analysis
Authors: Zhao Xiaojing , Zhou Changcheng , Ma Jingjing , Zhu Yunjuan , Sun Min , Wang Peixue , Zhang Yi , Ma Haiqin , Zhang Hongjie 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTopical 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA) and corticosteroids are used frequently in the treatment of active distal ulcerative colitis (UC). Our study aimed to determine the efficacy and safety of different topical drugs used to treat active distal UC. A random-effects model within a Bayesian framework was utilized to compare treatment effects and safety as odds ratios (ORs) with corresponding 95% credible intervals (CrI). The surface under the cumulative ranking area (SUCRA) and median rank (MR) with corresponding 95% CrI were calculated to rank the treatment outcomes. In the induction of clinical and endoscopic remission, most regimens showed significant advantages over placebo except topical budesonide 0.5 mg/d and hydrocortisone 100 mg/d. According to SUCRA and MR values, rectal 5-ASA 1.5 to 2.0 g/d + Beclomethasone dipropionate (BDP) 3 mg/d rendered the highest probability of being the best regimen to achieve clinical and endoscopic remission, followed by the separate use of 5-ASA 4 g/d and BDP 3 mg/d. The occurrence of adverse events was not significantly different between each treatments and placebo. In conclusion, the combined use of topical 5-ASA and BDP proved to be the best choice for active distal UC and further well-designed researches are warranted to assess its efficacy and safety.
Longitudinal spin Seebeck coefficient: heat flux vs. temperature difference method
Authors: Sola A. , Bougiatioti P. , Kuepferling M. , Meier D. , Reiss G. , Pasquale M. , Kuschel T. , Basso V. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe determination of the longitudinal spin Seebeck effect (LSSE) coefficient is currently plagued by a large uncertainty due to the poor reproducibility of the experimental conditions used in its measurement. In this work we present a detailed analysis of two different methods used for the determination of the LSSE coefficient. We have performed LSSE experiments in different laboratories, by using different setups and employing both the temperature difference method and the heat flux method. We found that the lack of reproducibility can be mainly attributed to the thermal contact resistance between the sample and the thermal baths which generate the temperature gradient. Due to the variation of the thermal resistance, we found that the scaling of the LSSE voltage to the heat flux through the sample rather than to the temperature difference across the sample greatly reduces the uncertainty. The characteristics of a single YIG/Pt LSSE device obtained with two different setups was (1.143 ± 0.007) 10−7 Vm/W and (1.101 ± 0.015) 10−7 Vm/W with the heat flux method and (2.313 ± 0.017) 10−7 V/K and (4.956 ± 0.005) 10−7 V/K with the temperature difference method. This shows that systematic errors can be considerably reduced with the heat flux method.
Ultrahigh energy density harvested from domain-engineered relaxor ferroelectric single crystals under high strain rate loading
Authors: Shkuratov Sergey I. , Baird Jason , Antipov Vladimir G. , Talantsev Evgueni F. , Chase Jay B. , Hackenberger Wesley , Luo Jun , Jo Hwan R. , Lynch Christopher S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRelaxor ferroelectric single crystals have triggered revolution in electromechanical systems due to their superior piezoelectric properties. Here the results are reported on experimental studies of energy harvested from (1-y-x)Pb(In1/2Nb1/2)O3–(y)Pb(Mg1/3Nb2/3)O3–(x)PbTiO3 (PIN-PMN-PT) crystals under high strain rate loading. Precise control of ferroelectric properties through composition, size and crystallographic orientation of domains made it possible to identify single crystals that release up to three times more electric charge density than that produced by PbZr0.52Ti0.48O3 (PZT 52/48) and PbZr0.95Ti0.05O3 (PZT 95/5) ferroelectric ceramics under identical loading conditions. The obtained results indicate that PIN-PMN-PT crystals became completely depolarized under 3.9 GPa compression. It was found that the energy density generated in the crystals during depolarization in the high voltage mode is four times higher than that for PZT 52/48 and 95/5. The obtained results promise new single crystal applications in ultrahigh-power transducers that are capable of producing hundreds kilovolt pulses and gigawatt-peak power microwave radiation.
Unravelling the contributions of motor experience and conceptual knowledge in action perception: A training study
Authors: Gerson S. A. , Meyer M. , Hunnius S. , Bekkering H. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractPrior knowledge affects how we perceive the world and the sensorimotor system actively guides our perception. An ongoing dispute regards the extent to which prior motor knowledge versus conceptual knowledge modulates the observation of others’ actions. Research indicates that motor experience increases motor activation during action perception. Other research, however, has shown that conceptual familiarity with actions also modulates motor activation, i.e., increased motor activation during observation of unfamiliar, compared to conceptually familiar, actions. To begin to disentangle motor from conceptual contributions to action perception, we uniquely combined motoric and conceptual interventions into one design. We experimentally manipulated participants’ experience with both motoric skills and conceptual knowledge, via motor training of kinematically challenging actions and contextual information about the action, respectively, in a week-long training session. Measurements of the effects on motor activity measured via electroencephalography (EEG) during pre- and post-training action observation were compared. We found distinct, non-interacting effects of both manipulations: Motor training increased motor activation, whereas additional conceptual knowledge decreased motor activation. The findings indicate that both factors influence action perception in a distinct and parallel manner. This research speaks to previously irreconcilable findings and provides novel insights about the distinct roles of motor and conceptual contributions to action perception.
Influences of prenatal and postnatal maternal depression on amygdala volume and microstructure in young children
Authors: Wen D J , Poh J S , Ni S N , Chong Y-S , Chen H , Kwek K , Shek L P , Gluckman P D , Fortier M V , Meaney M J , Qiu A 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMaternal depressive symptoms influence neurodevelopment in the offspring. Such effects may appear to be gender-dependent. The present study examined contributions of prenatal and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms to the volume and microstructure of the amygdala in 4.5-year-old boys and girls. Prenatal maternal depressive symptoms were measured using the Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale (EPDS) at 26 weeks of gestation. Postnatal maternal depression was assessed at 3 months using the EPDS and at 1, 2, 3 and 4.5 years using the Beck’s Depression Inventory-II. Structural magnetic resonance imaging and diffusion tensor imaging were performed with 4.5-year-old children to extract the volume and fractional anisotropy (FA) values of the amygdala. Our results showed that greater prenatal maternal depressive symptoms were associated with larger right amygdala volume in girls, but not in boys. Increased postnatal maternal depressive symptoms were associated with higher right amygdala FA in the overall sample and girls, but not in boys. These results support the role of variation in right amygdala structure in transmission of maternal depression to the offspring, particularly to girls. The differential effects of prenatal and postnatal maternal depressive symptoms on the volume and FA of the right amygdala suggest the importance of the timing of exposure to maternal depressive symptoms in brain development of girls. This further underscores the need for intervention targeting both prenatal and postnatal maternal depression to girls in preventing adverse child outcomes.
Evaluation of circadian phenotypes utilizing fibroblasts from patients with circadian rhythm sleep disorders
Authors: Hida A , Ohsawa Y , Kitamura S , Nakazaki K , Ayabe N , Motomura Y , Matsui K , Kobayashi M , Usui A , Inoue Y , Kusanagi H , Kamei Y , Mishima K 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe evaluated the circadian phenotypes of patients with delayed sleep–wake phase disorder (DSWPD) and non-24-hour sleep–wake rhythm disorder (N24SWD), two different circadian rhythm sleep disorders (CRSDs) by measuring clock gene expression rhythms in fibroblast cells derived from individual patients. Bmal1-luciferase (Bmal1-luc) expression rhythms were measured in the primary fibroblast cells derived from skin biopsy samples of patients with DSWPD and N24SWD, as well as control subjects. The period length of the Bmal1-luc rhythm (in vitro period) was distributed normally and was 22.80±0.47 (mean±s.d.) h in control-derived fibroblasts. The in vitro periods in DSWPD-derived fibroblasts and N24SWD-derived fibroblasts were 22.67±0.67 h and 23.18±0.70 h, respectively. The N24SWD group showed a significantly longer in vitro period than did the control or DSWPD group. Furthermore, in vitro period was associated with response to chronotherapy in the N24SWD group. Longer in vitro periods were observed in the non-responders (mean±s.d.: 23.59±0.89 h) compared with the responders (mean±s.d.: 22.97±0.47 h) in the N24SWD group. Our results indicate that prolonged circadian periods contribute to the onset and poor treatment outcome of N24SWD. In vitro rhythm assays could be useful for predicting circadian phenotypes and clinical prognosis in patients with CRSDs.
Influence of electrode spacing and gas pressure on parameters of a runaway electron beam generating during the nanosecond breakdown in SF6 and nitrogen
Authors: Tarasenko Victor F. , Zhang Cheng , Kozyrev Andrey V. , Sorokin Dmitry A. , Hou Xingmin , Semeniuk Natalya S. , Burachenko Alexander G. , Yan Ping , Kozhevnikov Vasily Yu. , Baksht Evgenii Kh. , Lomaev Mikhail I. , Shao Tao 
Published: April 2017

This study deals with experimental and theoretical simulation data showing the influence of electrode spacing and gas pressure on parameters of a supershort avalanche electron beam (SAEB) formed in SF6 and nitrogen at different rise times and amplitudes of a voltage pulse. Using GIN‐55‐01, VPG‐30‐200, and SLEP‐150M pulsers, tubular cathodes with a diameter of 6 mm, as well as gaps of 3, 5, and 8 mm, it was shown that the SAEB current amplitude can both increase and decrease depending on an electrode spacing, a waveform and a rise time of the voltage pulse, as well as the pressure of SF6 and nitrogen. It was established as a result of simulation that maximal voltage across the gap during the process of generation of runaway electrons and the thickness of an anode foil have a major effect on the SAEB current pulse amplitude.
Clinical Significance of Antinuclear and Antiextractable Nuclear Antigen Antibody in Childhood Immune Thrombocytopenia
Authors: Liu Qihui , Xu Hongzhen , Guan Xianmin , Shen Yali , Wen Xianhao , Guo Yuxia , Yu Jie , Su Yongchun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study aims to determine the clinical significance of positive antinuclear/antiextractable nuclear antigen (ANA/A-ENA) antibody on manifestation and therapeutic response of childhood immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). Overall, 1,330 patients aged between 1 and 15.6 years diagnosed with primary ITP were retrospectively analyzed, excluding those with secondary ITP. Bleeding manifestations were recorded. All patients underwent autoantibody testing and follow-up for 32 months on average (range: 23–54 months). Steroid response was also assessed. Response rates were compared between ANA/A-ENA–positive and ANA/A-ENA–negative patients. Of all the patients enrolled, 84 tested positive only for ANA, 102 tested positive for A-ENA, 54 tested positive for both ANA and A-ENA, and 1,090 tested negative for both. Patients who were ANA/A-ENA positive were more likely to be female and older than 10 years. Patients who were A-ENA positive were more likely to have either persistent or chronic disease and suffer from life-threatening bleeding as well as poor short-term therapeutic response. We conclude that autoantibody testing is important to determine the short-term prognosis of ITP patients. Females, patients older than 10 years of age, and patients with either mixed positivity or A-ENA positivity should be more closely monitored.
Early Mitochondrial Adaptations in Skeletal Muscle to Obesity and Obesity Resistance Differentially Regulated by High-Fat Diet
Authors: Sun Jingyu , Huang Tao , Qi Zhengtang , You Songhui , Dong Jingmei , Zhang Chen , Qin Lili , Zhou Yunhe , Ding Shuzhe 
Published: April 2017

Abstract
The mechanism for different susceptibilities to obesity after short-term high-fat diet (HFD) feeding is largely unknown. Given the close association between obesity occurrence and mitochondrial dysfunction, the early events in skeletal muscle mitochondrial adaptations between HFD-induced obesity (DIO) and HFD-induced obesity resistant (DIO-R) lean phenotype under excess nutritional environment were explored.ICR/JCL male mice were randomly divided into 2 groups, as follows: low-fat diet (LFD) and HFD groups. After 6 weeks on HFD, HFD-fed mice were classified as DIO or DIO-R according to their body weight gain. Serum parameters, oxidative stress biomarkers, the activation of AMPK/ACC axis, and the expression profiles of mitochondrial biogenesis were measured by using corresponding methods among the LFD control, DIO, and DIO-R groups.
Serum glucose, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein levels were significantly increased in DIO and DIO-R mice compared with LFD controls. However, DIO-R mice had significantly higher MDA levels and exhibited a significantly higher level of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) inactivation than DIO mice. Furthermore, the transcript and protein levels of transcriptional coactivator peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) and estrogen-related receptor-α (ERRα) in DIO-R mice were significantly up-regulated compared with the DIO mice.
Although the body weight gain differed, the DIO and DIO-R mice had similar metabolic disturbance of glucose and lipids after short-term HFD consumption. The diverse alterations on fatty acid oxidation and mitochondrial biogenesis pathway induced by AMPK activation might be involved in different susceptibilities to obesity when consuming HFD.
Markers of Bone and Cartilage Turnover
Authors: Woitge Henning , Seibel Markus 
Published: April 2017

AbstractOver the past few decades, scientists have been trying to identify tissue-specific markers that would help to better understand the pathogenesis of bone and cartilage diseases and could be used clinically for the screening, diagnosis and follow-up of bone or joint diseases. Historically, only a few components known to be involved in bone, mineral or cartilage turnover were available for this purpose (e. g., urine hydroxyproline, serum and urine calcium and phosphate levels). However, since most if not all of these substances have wider biological functions beyond bone, mineral and cartilage metabolism, their clinical value as tissue-specific markers was limited. Hence, there was a need to identify more specific indices of bone and cartilage metabolism. Since the 1980s, a number of collagenous and non-collagenous breakdown products as well as cell-specific enzymes have been discovered and developed into markers of musculoskeletal tissue metabolism. This review describes their chemical and biological function, available analytical methods and possible clinical applications.
Genetic Polymorphisms of Antioxidant and Antiglycation Enzymes and Diabetic Complications. How Much Can we Learn from the Genes?
Authors: Oikonomou Dimitrios , Groener Jan Benedikt , Cheko Ruan , Kender Zoltan , Kihm Lars , Fleming Thomas , Kopf Stefan , Nawroth Peter P 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThere is growing evidence that reactive metabolites, such as reactive oxygen species and dicarbonyls contribute to diabetic complications. Formation, accumulation, and detoxification of these metabolites are controlled by several enzymes, some of which have genetically determined levels of expression or function. This review not only gives an overview of the different SNPs studied in patients with diabetes mellitus type 1 and type 2, but in addition attempts to bridge the gap between a genetic study and clinical use. Therefore, not only the results of the studies are reviewed, but also their use in identification of subgroups where an increased or decreased risk for a diabetic complication is described, as well as their use in developing novel therapeutic options based on understanding the contribution of an enzyme to a given complication.
csiLSFM combines light-sheet fluorescence microscopy and coherent structured illumination for a lateral resolution below 100 nm
Authors: Chang Bo-Jui , Perez Meza Victor Didier , Stelzer Ernst H. K. 
Published: April 2017

Significance
Structured illumination microscopy (SIM) is a superresolution technique that illuminates the specimen with a sine-modulated pattern. The frequency of the illumination pattern, i.e., the inverse of the resolution, is limited by the angular aperture of the objective lens. SIM in combination with light-sheet-based fluorescence microscopy (csiLSFM) uses a pair of illumination objective lenses to form two counterpropagating light sheets that interfere in the fluorescent specimen at an angle π. The frequency of the illumination pattern becomes the physical limit of a linear interference pattern. Whereas SIM is restricted to flat specimens and surfaces, csiLSFM operates deep inside three-dimensional specimens. Our implementation is able to generate different spatial frequencies and thus sample the frequency space intelligently.
Reading a 400,000-year record of earthquake frequency for an intraplate fault
Authors: Williams Randolph T. , Goodwin Laurel B. , Sharp Warren D. , Mozley Peter S. 
Published: April 2017

SignificanceU-Th dating of coseismic calcite veins in the Loma Blanca fault, New Mexico, quantifies an earthquake history spanning more than 400,000 years, the longest paleoseismic record ever documented for any fault. Data show that earthquakes on the Loma Blanca fault generally occurred at regular intervals, rather than aperiodically as previously hypothesized for faults in similar tectonic environments. However, periodic earthquake slip was interrupted by a relatively brief interval of increased earthquake frequency. Stable isotope data indicative of rapid CO2degassing suggest this interval was associated with elevated pore-fluid pressure. The Loma Blanca fault thus provides a record of “naturally induced” seismicity during which fault-valve behavior is inferred to have reduced earthquake recurrence intervals.