bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nanostructure Introduces Artifacts in Quantitative Immunofluorescence by Influencing Fluorophore Intensity
Authors: Chapman Christopher A. R. , Zhu Xiangchao , Chen Hao , Yanik Ahmet A. , Lein Pamela J. , Seker Erkin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractQuantitative analysis of fluorescence signals from cells reacted with fluorescently labeled probes is a widely-used method for assessing cell biology. This method has become especially powerful for screening novel nanostructured materials for their influence on cell behavior. However, the effect of nanostructured surface on fluorescence intensity has largely been ignored, which likely leads to erroneous conclusions about cell behavior. This paper investigates this possibility by using fibroblasts cultured on nanoporous gold (np-Au) as a model nanostructured material system. We found that fibroblasts stained for f-actin using phalloidin conjugated with common fluorophores display different levels of fluorescence on np-Au, planar gold, and glass, suggesting different levels of f-actin composition. However, direct quantification via western blots indicates that the actin expression is the same across all conditions. We further investigated whether the fluorescence intensity depended on np-Au feature size, complementing the findings with reflection dark field measurements from different np-Au surfaces. Overall, our experimental measurements in agreement with our electrodynamic simulations suggest that nanostructured surfaces alter the fluorescence intensity of fluorophores by modulating both the excitation and light emission processes. We conclude that comparison of fluorescence on materials with different nanostructures should be done with a quantification method decoupled from the nanostructure's influence.
Relevance of the dietary glycemic index, glycemic load and genetic predisposition for the glucose homeostasis of Chinese adults without diabetes
Authors: Cheng Guo , Xue Hongmei , Luo Jiao , Jia Hong , Zhang Lishi , Dai Junbiao , Buyken Anette E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2DM) and pre-diabetes have become a major public health problem in China. We examined whether a higher dietary glycemic index (GI) or glycemic load (GL) was associated with a less favorable glucose homeostasis among Chinese adults and whether these associations were modified by their genetic predisposition or whether combined effects exist with their cereal fiber intake. Multivariable regression analyses were performed in 3918 adults aged 23–69 years for whom three 24-hour dietary recalls and information on glucose homeostasis, genetic background and potential confounders was available. Adults in the highest GI (GL) tertile had an approximately 9% (5%) higher fasting plasma glucose, 11% (3%) higher glycated haemoglobin, 12% (7%) higher insulin level, and 28% (22%) higher hepatic insulin resistance compared to those in the lowest tertile (adjusted pfor-trend ≤ 0.04). Moreover, a higher dietary GI or GL was associated with higher odds of pre-diabetes (pfor-trend = 0.03). These associations were more pronounced among persons with a high T2DM genetic risk score (pfor-interaction ≤ 0.06) or a low cereal fiber intake (pfor-interaction ≤ 0.05). In conclusion, our study indicates that the dietary GI or GL is of relevance for glucose homeostasis among Chinese adults, particularly among individuals genetically predisposed to T2DM.
Role of p62 in the suppression of inflammatory cytokine production by adiponectin in macrophages: Involvement of autophagy and p21/Nrf2 axis
Authors: Tilija Pun Nirmala , Park Pil-Hoon 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAdiponectin possesses potent anti-inflammatory properties. p62, an adaptor protein composed of multi-functional domain, is known to play a role in controlling inflammatory responses. In the present study, we examined the role of p62 in suppressing inflammatory cytokines produced by globular adiponectin (gAcrp) and the potential underlying mechanisms in macrophages. We demonstrated that gAcrp significantly increased p62 expression. Knockdown of p62 abrogated the suppressive effects of gAcrp on LPS-stimulated TNF-α and IL-1β expression and TRAF6/p38 MAPK pathway, indicating that p62 signaling is critical for suppressing inflammatory cytokines production by gAcrp. We next examined the role of p62 in gAcrp-induced autophagy activation, because autophagy has been shown to play a pivotal role in suppressing TNF-α. Herein, we observed that gene silencing of p62 prevented gAcrp-induced increases in autophagy-related genes and autophagosome formation. In addition, we found that Nrf2 knockdown prevented gAcrp-induced p62 expression, and p21 knockdown prevented Nrf2 induction, suggesting the role of p21/Nrf2 axis in gAcrp-induced p62 expression. Taken together, these findings imply that p62 signaling plays a crucial role in suppressing inflammatory cytokine production by globular adiponectin in macrophages, at least in part, through autophagy induction. Furthermore, the p21/Nrf2 signaling cascade contributes to p62 induction by globular adiponectin.
Respiratory Microbiome of Endangered Southern Resident Killer Whales and Microbiota of Surrounding Sea Surface Microlayer in the Eastern North Pacific
Authors: Raverty Stephen A. , Rhodes Linda D. , Zabek Erin , Eshghi Azad , Cameron Caroline E. , Hanson M. Bradley , Schroeder J. Pete 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn the Salish Sea, the endangered Southern Resident Killer Whale (SRKW) is a high trophic indicator of ecosystem health. Three major threats have been identified for this population: reduced prey availability, anthropogenic contaminants, and marine vessel disturbances. These perturbations can culminate in significant morbidity and mortality, usually associated with secondary infections that have a predilection to the respiratory system. To characterize the composition of the respiratory microbiota and identify recognized pathogens of SRKW, exhaled breath samples were collected between 2006–2009 and analyzed for bacteria, fungi and viruses using (1) culture-dependent, targeted PCR-based methodologies and (2) taxonomically broad, non-culture dependent PCR-based methodologies. Results were compared with sea surface microlayer (SML) samples to characterize the respective microbial constituents. An array of bacteria and fungi in breath and SML samples were identified, as well as microorganisms that exhibited resistance to multiple antimicrobial agents. The SML microbes and respiratory microbiota carry a pathogenic risk which we propose as an additional, fourth putative stressor (pathogens), which may adversely impact the endangered SRKW population.
Transcriptomic profile of tobacco in response to Phytophthora nicotianae infection
Authors: Yang Jian-Kang , Tong Zhi-Jun , Fang Dun-Huang , Chen Xue-Jun , Zhang Ke-Qin , Xiao Bing-Guang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBlack shank, caused byPhytophthora nicotianae(P. nicotianae), is a serious disease of cultivated tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum) worldwide. The interactions between tobacco andP. nicotianaeare complex and the outcomes of the interactions depend on the tobacco genotype,P. nicotianaestrain, and environmental conditions. In this study, we used RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to investigate and compare transcriptional changes in the stems of tobacco upon inoculation withP. nicotianaestrain race 0. We used two tobacco varieties: RBST (named from resistance to black shank and tobacco mosaic virus), which was resistant to theP. nicotianaestrain race 0, and Honghuadajinyuan (HD), which was susceptible toP. nicotianaerace 0. Samples were collected 12 and 72-hour post inoculation (hpi). Analysis of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and significantly enriched GO terms indicated that several basic defense mechanisms were suppressed in both varieties, which included response to wounding (GO: 0009611), and defense response to fungus (GO: 0050832). We also found some genes that may especially be related to mechanisms of resistance in RBST, such as the one encoding a chitinase. These results will provide a valuable resource for understanding the interactions betweenP. nicotianaeand tobacco plants.
A scoring system to predict breast cancer mortality at 5 and 10 years
Authors: Paredes-Aracil Esther , Palazón-Bru Antonio , Folgado-de la Rosa David Manuel , Ots-Gutiérrez José Ramón , Compañ-Rosique Antonio Fernando , Gil-Guillén Vicente Francisco 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAlthough predictive models exist for mortality in breast cancer (BC) (generally all cause-mortality), they are not applicable to all patients and their statistical methodology is not the most powerful to develop a predictive model. Consequently, we developed a predictive model specific for BC mortality at 5 and 10 years resolving the above issues. This cohort study included 287 patients diagnosed with BC in a Spanish region in 2003–2016. Main outcome variable: time-to-BC death. Secondary variables: age, personal history of breast surgery, personal history of any cancer/BC, premenopause, postmenopause, grade, estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, c-erbB2, TNM stage, multicentricity/multifocality, diagnosis and treatment. A points system was constructed to predict BC mortality at 5 and 10 years. The model was internally validated by bootstrapping. The points system was integrated into a mobile application for Android. Mean follow-up was 8.6 ± 3.5 years and 55 patients died of BC. The points system included age, personal history of BC, grade, TNM stage and multicentricity. Validation was satisfactory, in both discrimination and calibration. In conclusion, we constructed and internally validated a scoring system for predicting BC mortality at 5 and 10 years. External validation studies are needed for its use in other geographical areas.
Serum and synovial fluid lipidomic profiles predict obesity-associated osteoarthritis, synovitis, and wound repair
Authors: Wu Chia-Lung , Kimmerling Kelly A. , Little Dianne , Guilak Farshid 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHigh-fat diet-induced obesity is a major risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA) and diminished wound healing. The objective of this study was to determine the associations among serum and synovial fluid lipid levels with OA, synovitis, adipokine levels, and wound healing in a pre-clinical obese mouse model of OA. Male C57BL/6 J mice were fed either a low-fat (10% kcal) or one of three high-fat (HF, 60% kcal) diets rich in saturated fatty acids (SFAs), ω-6 or ω-3 polyunsaturated FAs (PUFAs). OA was induced by destabilization of the medial meniscus. Mice also received an ear punch for evaluating wound healing. Serum and synovial fluid were collected for lipidomic and adipokine analyses. We demonstrated that the serum levels of ω-3 PUFAs were negatively correlated with OA and wound size, but positively correlated with adiponectin levels. In contrast, most ω-6 PUFAs exhibited positive correlations with OA, impaired healing, and inflammatory adipokines. Interestingly, levels of pentadecylic acid (C15:0, an odd-chain SFA) and palmitoleic acid were inversely correlated with joint degradation. This study extends our understanding of the links of FAs with OA, synovitis and wound healing, and reports newly identified serum and synovial fluid FAs as predictive biomarkers of OA in obesity.
Corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1M HCl by D-glucose derivatives of dihydropyrido [2,3-d:6,5-d′] dipyrimidine-2, 4, 6, 8(1H,3H, 5H,7H)-tetraone
Authors: Verma Chandrabhan , Quraishi M. A. , Kluza K. , Makowska-Janusik M. , Olasunkanmi Lukman O. , Ebenso Eno E. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractD-glucose derivatives of dihydropyrido-[2,3-d:6,5-d′]-dipyrimidine-2, 4, 6, 8(1H,3H, 5H,7H)-tetraone (GPHs) have been synthesized and investigated as corrosion inhibitors for mild steel in 1M HCl solution using gravimetric, electrochemical, surface, quantum chemical calculations and Monte Carlo simulations methods. The order of inhibition efficiencies is GPH-3 > GPH-2 > GPH-1. The results further showed that the inhibitor molecules with electron releasing (-OH, -OCH3) substituents exhibit higher efficiency than the parent molecule without any substituents. Polarization study suggests that the studied compounds are mixed-type but exhibited predominantly cathodic inhibitive effect. The adsorption of these compounds on mild steel surface obeyed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. SEM, EDX and AFM analyses were used to confirm the inhibitive actions of the molecules on mild steel surface. Quantum chemical (QC) calculations and Monte Carlo (MC) simulations studies were undertaken to further corroborate the experimental results.
Reducing Cascading Failure Risk by Increasing Infrastructure Network Interdependence
Authors: Korkali Mert , Veneman Jason G. , Tivnan Brian F. , Bagrow James P. , Hines Paul D. H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIncreased interconnection between critical infrastructure networks, such as electric power and communications systems, has important implications for infrastructure reliability and security. Others have shown that increased coupling between networks that are vulnerable to internetwork cascading failures can increase vulnerability. However, the mechanisms of cascading in these models differ from those in real systems and such models disregard new functions enabled by coupling, such as intelligent control during a cascade. This paper compares the robustness of simple topological network models to models that more accurately reflect the dynamics of cascading in a particular case of coupled infrastructures. First, we compare a topological contagion model to a power grid model. Second, we compare a percolation model of internetwork cascading to three models of interdependent power-communication systems. In both comparisons, the more detailed models suggest substantially different conclusions, relative to the simpler topological models. In all but the most extreme case, our model of a “smart” power network coupled to a communication system suggests that increased power-communication coupling decreases vulnerability, in contrast to the percolation model. Together, these results suggest that robustness can be enhanced by interconnecting networks with complementary capabilities if modes of internetwork failure propagation are constrained.
Re-construction layer effect of LiNi0.8Co0.15Mn0.05O2 with solvent evaporation process
Authors: Park Kwangjin , Park Jun-Ho , Hong Suk-Gi , Choi Byungjin , Heo Sung , Seo Seung-Woo , Min Kyoungmin , Park Jin-Hwan 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe solvent evaporation method on the structural changes and surface chemistry of the cathode and the effect of electrochemical performance of Li1.0Ni0.8Co0.15Mn0.05O2 (NCM) has been investigated. After dissolving of Li residuals using minimum content of solvent in order to minimize the damage of pristine material and the evaporation time, the solvent was evaporated without filtering and remaining powder was re-heated at 700 °C in oxygen environment. Two kinds of solvent, de-ionized water and diluted nitric acid, were used as a solvent. The almost 40% of Li residuals were removed using solvent evaporation method. The NCM sample after solvent evaporation process exhibited an increase in the initial capacity (214.3 mAh/g) compared to the pristine sample (207.4 mAh/g) at 0.1C because of enhancement of electric conductivity caused by decline of Li residuals. The capacity retention of NCM sample after solvent evaporation process (96.0% at the 50th cycle) was also improved compared to that of the pristine NCM sample (90.6% at the 50th cycle). The uniform Li residual layer after solvent treated and heat treatment acted like a coating layer, leading to enhance the cycle performance. The NCM sample using diluted nitric acid showed better performance than that using de-ionized water.
Engineering a lipase B from Candida antactica with efficient perhydrolysis performance by eliminating its hydrolase activity
Authors: Wang Xu-Ping , Zhou Peng-Fei , Li Zhi-Gang , Yang Bo , Hollmann Frank , Wang Yong-Hua 
Published: March 2017

AbstractA Ser105Ala mutant of the lipase B from Candida antarctica enables ‘perhydrolase-only’ reactions. At the example of the chemoenzymatic Baeyer-Villiger oxidation of cyclohexanone, we demonstrate that with this mutant selective oxidation can be achieved in deep eutectic solvent while essentially eliminating the undesired hydrolysis reaction of the product.
Achromatic light patterning and improved image reconstruction for parallelized RESOLFT nanoscopy
Authors: Chmyrov Andriy , Leutenegger Marcel , Grotjohann Tim , Schönle Andreas , Keller-Findeisen Jan , Kastrup Lars , Jakobs Stefan , Donnert Gerald , Sahl Steffen J. , Hell Stefan W. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractFluorescence microscopy is rapidly turning into nanoscopy. Among the various nanoscopy methods, the STED/RESOLFT super-resolution family has recently been expanded to image even large fields of view within a few seconds. This advance relies on using light patterns featuring substantial arrays of intensity minima for discerning features by switching their fluorophores between ‘on’ and ‘off’ states of fluorescence. Here we show that splitting the light with a grating and recombining it in the focal plane of the objective lens renders arrays of minima with wavelength-independent periodicity. This colour-independent creation of periodic patterns facilitates coaligned on- and off-switching and readout with combinations chosen from a range of wavelengths. Applying up to three such periodic patterns on the switchable fluorescent proteins Dreiklang and rsCherryRev1.4, we demonstrate highly parallelized, multicolour RESOLFT nanoscopy in living cells for ~100 × 100 μm2 fields of view. Individual keratin filaments were rendered at a FWHM of ~60–80 nm, with effective resolution for the filaments of ~80–100 nm. We discuss the impact of novel image reconstruction algorithms featuring background elimination by spatial bandpass filtering, as well as strategies that incorporate complete image formation models.
Optical determination of Shockley-Read-Hall and interface recombination currents in hybrid perovskites
Authors: Sarritzu Valerio , Sestu Nicola , Marongiu Daniela , Chang Xueqing , Masi Sofia , Rizzo Aurora , Colella Silvia , Quochi Francesco , Saba Michele , Mura Andrea , Bongiovanni Giovanni 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMetal-halide perovskite solar cells rival the best inorganic solar cells in power conversion efficiency, providing the outlook for efficient, cheap devices. In order for the technology to mature and approach the ideal Shockley-Queissier efficiency, experimental tools are needed to diagnose what processes limit performances, beyond simply measuring electrical characteristics often affected by parasitic effects and difficult to interpret. Here we study the microscopic origin of recombination currents causing photoconversion losses with an all-optical technique, measuring the electron-hole free energy as a function of the exciting light intensity. Our method allows assessing the ideality factor and breaks down the electron-hole recombination current into bulk defect and interface contributions, providing an estimate of the limit photoconversion efficiency, without any real charge current flowing through the device. We identify Shockley-Read-Hall recombination as the main decay process in insulated perovskite layers and quantify the additional performance degradation due to interface recombination in heterojunctions.
Chimeric viruses between Rocio and West Nile: the role for Rocio prM-E proteins in virulence and inhibition of interferon-α/β signaling
Authors: Amarilla Alberto A. , Setoh Yin X. , Periasamy Parthiban , Peng Nias Y. , Pali Gabor , Figueiredo Luiz T. , Khromykh Alexander A. , Aquino Victor H. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMosquito-transmitted flavivirus Rocio (ROCV) was responsible for an outbreak of encephalitis in the Ribeira Valley, located in the south coast of Sao Paulo State, Brazil, in 1975–1976. ROCV also causes fatal encephalitis in adult mice. Seroprevalence studies in humans, horses and water buffaloes in different regions of Brazil have suggested that ROCV is still circulating in the country, indicating the risk of re-emergence of this virus. West Nile virus (WNV) is also a mosquito-transmitted encephalitic flavivirus, however, WNV strains circulating in Australia have not been associated with outbreaks of disease in humans and exhibit low virulence in adult mice. To identify viral determinants of ROCV virulence, we have generated reciprocal chimeric viruses between ROCV and the Australian strain of WNV by swapping structural prM and E genes. Chimeric WNV containing ROCV prM-E genes replicated more efficiently than WNV or chimeric ROCV containing WNV prM-E genes in mammalian cells, was as virulent as ROCV in adult mice, and inhibited type I IFN signaling as efficiently as ROCV. The results show that ROCV prM and E proteins are major virulence determinants and identify unexpected function of these proteins in inhibition of type I interferon response.
Membrane remodeling by the M2 amphipathic helix drives influenza virus membrane scission
Authors: Martyna Agnieszka , Bahsoun Basma , Badham Matthew D. , Srinivasan Saipraveen , Howard Mark J. , Rossman Jeremy S. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMembrane scission is a crucial step in all budding processes, from endocytosis to viral budding. Many proteins have been associated with scission, though the underlying molecular details of how scission is accomplished often remain unknown. Here, we investigate the process of M2-mediated membrane scission during the budding of influenza viruses. Residues 50–61 of the viral M2 protein bind membrane and form an amphipathic α-helix (AH). Membrane binding requires hydrophobic interactions with the lipid tails but not charged interactions with the lipid headgroups. Upon binding, the M2AH induces membrane curvature and lipid ordering, constricting and destabilizing the membrane neck, causing scission. We further show that AHs in the cellular proteins Arf1 and Epsin1 behave in a similar manner. Together, they represent a class of membrane-induced AH domains that alter membrane curvature and fluidity, mediating the scission of constricted membrane necks in multiple biological pathways.
Physiological and transcriptional approaches reveal connection between nitrogen and manganese cycles in Shewanella algae C6G3
Authors: Aigle Axel , Bonin Patricia , Iobbi-Nivol Chantal , Méjean Vincent , Michotey Valérie 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTo explain anaerobic nitrite/nitrate production at the expense of ammonium mediated by manganese oxide (Mn(IV)) in sediment, nitrate and manganese respirations were investigated in a strain (Shewanella algae C6G3) presenting these features. In contrast to S. oneidensis MR-1, a biotic transitory nitrite accumulation at the expense of ammonium was observed in S. algae during anaerobic growth with Mn(IV) under condition of limiting electron acceptor, concomitantly, with a higher electron donor stoichiometry than expected. This low and reproducible transitory accumulation is the result of production and consumption since the strain is able to dissimilative reduce nitrate into ammonium. Nitrite production in Mn(IV) condition is strengthened by comparative expression of the nitrate/nitrite reductase genes (napA, nrfA, nrfA-2), and rates of the nitrate/nitrite reductase activities under Mn(IV), nitrate or fumarate conditions. Compared with S. oneidensis MR-1, S. algae contains additional genes that encode nitrate and nitrite reductases (napA-α and nrfA-2) and an Outer Membrane Cytochrome (OMC)(mtrH). Different patterns of expression of the OMC genes (omcA, mtrF, mtrH and mtrC) were observed depending on the electron acceptor and growth phase. Only gene mtrF-2 (SO1659 homolog) was specifically expressed under the Mn(IV) condition. Nitrate and Mn(IV) respirations seem connected at the physiological and transcriptional levels.