bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Size effect on atomic structure in low-dimensional Cu-Zr amorphous systems
Authors: Zhang W. B. , Liu J. , Lu S. H. , Zhang H. , Wang H. , Wang X. D. , Cao Q. P. , Zhang D. X. , Jiang J. Z. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe size effect on atomic structure of a Cu64Zr36 amorphous system, including zero-dimensional small-size amorphous particles (SSAPs) and two-dimensional small-size amorphous films (SSAFs) together with bulk sample was investigated by molecular dynamics simulations. We revealed that sample size strongly affects local atomic structure in both Cu64Zr36 SSAPs and SSAFs, which are composed of core and shell (surface) components. Compared with core component, the shell component of SSAPs has lower average coordination number and average bond length, higher degree of ordering, and lower packing density due to the segregation of Cu atoms on the shell of Cu64Zr36 SSAPs. These atomic structure differences in SSAPs with various sizes result in different glass transition temperatures, in which the glass transition temperature for the shell component is found to be 577 K, which is much lower than 910 K for the core component. We further extended the size effect on the structure and glasses transition temperature to Cu64Zr36 SSAFs, and revealed that the Tg decreases when SSAFs becomes thinner due to the following factors: different dynamic motion (mean square displacement), different density of core and surface and Cu segregation on the surface of SSAFs. The obtained results here are different from the results for the size effect on atomic structure of nanometer-sized crystalline metallic alloys.
Income inequality, gene expression, and brain maturation during adolescence
Authors: Parker Nadine , Wong Angelita Pui-Yee , Leonard Gabriel , Perron Michel , Pike Bruce , Richer Louis , Veillette Suzanne , Pausova Zdenka , Paus Tomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIncome inequality is associated with poor health and social outcomes. Negative social comparisons and competition may involve the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) and hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axes in underlying some of these complex inter-relationships. Here we investigate brain maturation, indexed by age-related decreases in cortical thickness, in adolescents living in neighborhoods with differing levels of income inequality and household income. We examine whether inter-regional variations relate to those in glucocorticoid receptor (HPA) and androgen receptor (HPG) gene expression. For each sex, we used a median split of income inequality and household income (income-to-needs ratio) to create four subgroups. In female adolescents, the high-inequality low-income group displayed the greatest age-related decreases in cortical thickness. In this group, expression of glucocorticoid and androgen receptor genes explained the most variance in these age-related decreases in thickness across the cortex. We speculate that female adolescents living in high-inequality neighborhoods and low-income households may experience greater HPA and HPG activity, leading to steeper decreases in cortical thickness with age.
Possible involvement of the oxLDL/LOX-1 system in the pathogenesis and progression of human intervertebral disc degeneration or herniation
Authors: Li Xinhua , Wang Xuejun , Hu Zhouyang , Chen Zhaoxiong , Li Haoxi , Liu Xiaoming , Yong Zhi Yao , Wang Shanjing , Wei Zhanying , Han Yingchao , Tan Jun , Li Cong , He Xiao bo , Sun Guixin , Wu Desheng , Li Lijun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEpidemiological studies have concluded that hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis were related to intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). The presence of oxidized low density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) and the expression of lectin-like oxidized low density lipoprotein receptor 1 (LOX-1) have not been explored in this tissue. In this study, we investigated the presence of ox-LDL and the expression of its receptor LOX-1 in non-degenerated, degenerated or herniated human intervertebral discs (IVDs). The expression of LOX-1 and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) were studied after incubating nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) with ox-LDL. The presence of ox-LDL and LOX-1 was positively related with the extent of IVDD in nucleus pulposus (NP), end-plate cartilage and outer annulus fibrous, but not with the extent of degeneration of inter annulus fibrous. Ox-LDL significantly reduced the viability of human NPCs in a dose and time-dependent manner, and increased the expression of MMP3 induced by LOX-1. Pretreatment with anti-human LOX-1 monoclonal antibody reversed these effects. Ox-LDL, principally mediated by LOX-1, enhanced MMP3 production in NPCs through the NF-κB signaling pathway. In conclusion, increased accumulation of ox-LDL and LOX-1 in IVDs indicates a specific role of the receptor-ligand interaction in degeneration or herniation of IVDs.
Assessing endgame strategies for the elimination of lymphatic filariasis: A model-based evaluation of the impact of DEC-medicated salt
Authors: Smith Morgan E. , Singh Brajendra K. , Michael Edwin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConcern is growing regarding the prospects of achieving the global elimination of lymphatic filariasis (LF) by 2020. Apart from operational difficulties, evidence is emerging which points to unique challenges that could confound achieving LF elimination as extinction targets draw near. Diethylcarbamazine (DEC)-medicated salt may overcome these complex challenges posed by the endgame phase of parasite elimination. We calibrated LF transmission models using Bayesian data-model assimilation techniques to baseline and follow-up infection data from 11 communities that underwent DEC salt medication. The fitted models were used to assess the utility of DEC salt treatment for achieving LF elimination, in comparison with other current and proposed drug regimens, during the endgame phase. DEC-medicated salt consistently reduced microfilaria (mf) prevalence from 1% mf to site-specific elimination thresholds more quickly than the other investigated treatments. The application of DEC salt generally required less than one year to achieve site-specific LF elimination, while annual and biannual MDA options required significantly longer durations to achieve the same task. The use of DEC-medicated salt also lowered between-site variance in extinction timelines, especially when combined with vector control. These results indicate that the implementation of DEC-medicated salt, where feasible, can overcome endgame challenges facing LF elimination programs.
A Magnetically Recoverable Fe3O4–NH2–Pd Sorbent for Capture of Mercury from Coal Derived Fuel Gas
Authors: Han Lina , Li Qinglian , Chen Shuai , Xie Wei , Bao Weiren , Chang Liping , Wang Jiancheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA sort of magnetical material named Fe3O4–NH2–Pd was prepared by loading varying amounts of immobilizing Pd on the surface of the magnetic Fe3O4–NH2 microspheres. This magnetical material was used firstly for capturing Hg° from coal derived fuel gas based on its recoverability. The experimental results showed that the loading Pd on the amine-functionalized magnetite nanoparticles can greatly improve the efficiency of removing Hg° at a high temperature range between 200 and 300 °C. The magnetic Fe3O4–NH2–Pd sorbent with 5% Pd loaded exhibited significantly high activity and stability in capturing Hg°, affording over 93% capture efficiency at 200 °C for more than 8 hrs. Compared to the Fe3O4–NH2 sorbent that converted the Hg° as HgS, this Fe3O4–NH2–Pd sorbent can remove the Hg° by forming Pd-Hg amalgam and HgS. In addition, the experimental tests indicated that the as-synthesized Fe3O4–NH2–Pd sorbent still showed stable magnetic properties after two regeneration cycles in removing Hg°, which provided the opportunity for preparing a recyclable sorbent which can be easily separated and recovered for Hg° removal.
A subwavelength spot and a three-dimensional optical trap formed by a single planar element with azimuthal light
Authors: Guan Jian , Lin Jie , Ma Yuan , Tan Jiubin , Jin Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe generation of subwavelength spots smaller than the Abbe diffraction limit has attracted great interest due to the various applications in many fields, such as high-density optical data storage and particle manipulation. Planar optics that can miniaturize conventional refractive optics have become increasingly attractive. In this work, we first formed a subwavelength bright spot and a three-dimensional optical trap under the illumination of an azimuthally polarized (AP) beam by only a single planar element, a spiral zone plate (SZP). Initially, the SZP was proposed as a computer-generated hologram to generate optical phase singularities. However, the SZP in this work was used to focus and modulate the incident AP beam with a vortex phase simultaneously. Therefore, no additional vortex phase modulating element was introduced in our method. The SZP has an ultra-long focal length of 250λ for a numerical aperture (NA) of 0.95 and an incident wavelength of 632.8 nm. The generated spot is purely transversely polarized with a lateral full width at half maximum (FWHM) of 0.43λ beyond the diffraction limit of 0.54λ. The generated focal field formed a stable optical trap for a Rayleigh dielectric particle in three dimensions.
MUC1-C activates EZH2 expression and function in human cancer cells
Authors: Rajabi Hasan , Hiraki Masayuki , Tagde Ashujit , Alam Maroof , Bouillez Audrey , Christensen Camilla L. , Samur Mehmet , Wong Kwok-Kin , Kufe Donald 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe EZH2 histone methyltransferase is a member of the polycomb repressive complex 2 (PRC2) that is highly expressed in diverse human cancers and is associated with a poor prognosis. MUC1-C is an oncoprotein that is similarly overexpressed in carcinomas and has been linked to epigenetic regulation. A role for MUC1-C in regulating EZH2 and histone methylation is not known. Here, we demonstrate that targeting MUC1-C in diverse human carcinoma cells downregulates EZH2 and other PRC2 components. MUC1-C activates (i) the EZH2 promoter through induction of the pRB→E2F pathway, and (ii) an NF-κB p65 driven enhancer in exon 1. We also show that MUC1-C binds directly to the EZH2 CXC region adjacent to the catalytic SET domain and associates with EZH2 on the CDH1 and BRCA1 promoters. In concert with these results, targeting MUC1-C downregulates EZH2 function as evidenced by (i) global and promoter-specific decreases in H3K27 trimethylation (H3K27me3), and (ii) activation of tumor suppressor genes, including BRCA1. These findings highlight a previously unreported role for MUC1-C in activating EZH2 expression and function in cancer cells.
Alpine bogs of southern Spain show human-induced environmental change superimposed on long-term natural variations
Authors: García-Alix Antonio , Jiménez-Espejo Francisco J. , Toney Jaime L. , Jiménez-Moreno Gonzalo , Ramos-Román María J. , Anderson R. Scott , Ruano Patricia , Queralt Ignasi , Delgado Huertas Antonio , Kuroda Junichiro 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecent studies have proved that high elevation environments, especially remote wetlands, are exceptional ecological sensors of global change. For example, European glaciers have retreated during the 20th century while the Sierra Nevada National Park in southern Spain witnessed the first complete disappearance of modern glaciers in Europe. Given that the effects of climatic fluctuations on local ecosystems are complex in these sensitive alpine areas, it is crucial to identify their long-term natural trends, ecological thresholds, and responses to human impact. In this study, the geochemical records from two adjacent alpine bogs in the protected Sierra Nevada National Park reveal different sensitivities and long-term environmental responses, despite similar natural forcings, such as solar radiation and the North Atlantic Oscillation, during the late Holocene. After the Industrial Revolution both bogs registered an independent, abrupt and enhanced response to the anthropogenic forcing, at the same time that the last glaciers disappeared. The different response recorded at each site suggests that the National Park and land managers of similar regions need to consider landscape and environmental evolution in addition to changing climate to fully understand implications of climate and human influence.
Paternal nicotine exposure defines different behavior in subsequent generation via hyper-methylation of mmu-miR-15b
Authors: Dai Jingbo , Wang Zhaoxia , Xu Wangjie , Zhang Meixing , Zhu Zijue , Zhao Xianglong , Zhang Dong , Nie Dongsheng , Wang Lianyun , Qiao Zhongdong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe neurobehavioral effects of paternal smoking and nicotine use have not been widely reported. In the present study, nicotine exposure induced depression in the paternal generation, but reduced depression and promoted hyperactivity in F1 offspring. While this intergenerational effect was not passed down to the F2 generation. Further studies revealed that nicotine induced the down-regulation of mmu-miR-15b expression due to hyper-methylation in the CpG island shore region of mmu-miR-15b in both the spermatozoa of F0 mice and the brains of F1 mice. As the target gene of mmu-miR-15b, Wnt4 expression was elevated in the thalamus of F1 mice due to the inheritance of DNA methylation patterns from the paternal generation. Furthermore, the increased expression of Wnt4 elevated the phosphorylation level of its downstream protein GSK-3 through the canonical WNT4 pathway which involved in the behavioral alterations observed in F1 mice. Moreover, in vivo stereotaxic brain injections were used to induce the overexpression of mmu-miR-15b and WNT4 and confirm the neurobehavioral effects in vitro. The behavioral phenotype of the F1 mice resulting from paternal nicotine exposure could be attenuated by viral manipulation of mmu-miR-15b in the thalamus.
Direct Oral Anticoagulants Form Thrombus Different From Warfarin in a Microchip Flow Chamber System
Authors: Ishii Masanobu , Kaikita Koichi , Ito Miwa , Sueta Daisuke , Arima Yuichiro , Takashio Seiji , Izumiya Yasuhiro , Yamamoto Eiichiro , Yamamuro Megumi , Kojima Sunao , Hokimoto Seiji , Yamabe Hiroshige , Ogawa Hisao , Tsujita Kenichi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDirect oral anticoagulants (DOACs) have low risk of intracranial hemorrhage compared to warfarin. We sought to clarify the different mechanisms responsible for suppression of bleeding events using the Total Thrombus-formation Analysis System (T-TAS), a flow-microchip chamber with thrombogenic surfaces. Blood samples were obtained at Off- and On-anticoagulant (trough) from 120 consecutive patients with atrial fibrillation (warfarin; n = 29, dabigatran; n = 19, rivaroxaban; n = 47, apixaban; n = 25), which were used for T-TAS to compute the area under the curve (AUC) (AR10-AUC30) in the AR chip, and to measure plasma concentrations of DOACs at On-anticoagulant. In addition, the two-dimensional area covered by thrombi (%) in the capillary was analyzed every 3 minutes after sample applications. The AR10-AUC30 correlated weakly and negatively with plasma concentrations of DOACs, and the levels at On-anticoagulant were lower in all groups than at Off-anticoagulant. AR10-AUC30 levels at Off- and On-anticoagulant were identical among the groups. The thrombi areas in early phase were significantly larger in rivaroxaban and apixaban than warfarin and dabigatran groups. The findings suggested that visual analysis of the AR-chip can identify the differential inhibitory patterns of warfarin and DOACs on thrombus formation under flow condition.
JAM-A overexpression is related to disease progression in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and downregulated by lenalidomide
Authors: Xu Peng-Peng , Sun Yi-Feng , Fang Ying , Song Qi , Yan Zi-Xun , Chen Yi , Jiang Xu-Feng , Fei Xiao-Chun , Zhao Yan , Leboeuf Christophe , Li Biao , Wang Chao-Fu , Janin Anne , Wang Li , Zhao Wei-Li 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCancer stem cells play an important role on tumor progression. Biomarkers of stem cell property and their relationship to extranodal involvement of malignant lymphocytes are undefined in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). Here we showed that junctional adhesion molecule-A (JAM-A) was highly expressed in DLBCL patients with multiple extranodal lesions. JAM-A maintained B-lymphoma cell stemness and was associated with cell invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition both in vitro and in vivo. As mechanism of action, JAM-A overexpression selectively activated transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)/NODAL signaling, thereby enhanced B-lymphoma cell aggressiveness and induced extranodal involvement to mesoendoderm-derived organs in DLBCL. Lenalidomide downregulated JAM-A and downstream NODAL expression, resulting in inhibition of B-lymphoma cell invasion and epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition. In a murine xenograft model established with subcutaneous injection of JAM-A-overexpressing B-lymphoma cells, lenalidomide retarded tumor growth and prevented cell invasion to mesoendoderm-derived organs, consistent with the downregulation of JAM-A and NODAL expression. Collectively, these findings indicated that JAM-A was related to extranodal involvement in DLBCL through modulating TGF-β/NODAL signaling. Identified as a biomarker of stem cell property, JAM-A indicated the sensitivity of B-lymphoma cells to lenalidomide. Therapeutic targeting of JAM-A/NODAL axis could thus be a promising clinical strategy to impede tumor progression in DLBCL.
Aerobic condition enhances bacteriostatic effects of silver nanoparticles in aquatic environment: an antimicrobial study on Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Authors: Chen Zhaoyu , Yang Ping , Yuan Zhiguo , Guo Jianhua 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe intensive applications of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) inevitably cause continuous release of such materials into environments, as a consequence posing potential risks to microbial communities in engineered or natural ecosystems. However, the magnitude of antibacterial capacity of nanoparticles is still inconclusive, owing to influential factors such as the size of nanoparticle, microbial species, or environmental conditions. To reveal whether the presence of air would alter AgNPs ecotoxicity,Pseudomonas aeruginosaPAO1, a facultative denitrifying bacterium and an opportunity pathogen, was used to study antibacterial assays under both anaerobic and aerobic conditions. The results indicate that the respiration status ofP. aeruginosaaffect the ecotoxicity of AgNPs.P. aeruginosacultured under aerobic condition were more susceptible to AgNPs than that under anaerobic condition. Aerobic condition greatly enhanced bacteriostatic effects of AgNPs but not their bactericidal effects, as the ratio of viable but nonculturable (VBNC) bacteria remained above 90% when 5 mg L−1AgNPs applied. Our findings offer further understanding for the degree of toxicity of nanoparticles on microbial ecosystems and underscore the importance of exposure condition (e.g. oxygen) in the mode of action of AgNPs.
BECon: a tool for interpreting DNA methylation findings from blood in the context of brain
Authors: Edgar R D , Jones M J , Meaney M J , Turecki G , Kobor M S 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTissue differences are one of the largest contributors to variability in the human DNA methylome. Despite the tissue-specific nature of DNA methylation, the inaccessibility of human brain samples necessitates the frequent use of surrogate tissues such as blood, in studies of associations between DNA methylation and brain function and health. Results from studies of surrogate tissues in humans are difficult to interpret in this context, as the connection between blood–brain DNA methylation is tenuous and not well-documented. Here, we aimed to provide a resource to the community to aid interpretation of blood-based DNA methylation results in the context of brain tissue. We used paired samples from 16 individuals from three brain regions and whole blood, run on the Illumina 450 K Human Methylation Array to quantify the concordance of DNA methylation between tissues. From these data, we have made available metrics on: the variability of cytosine-phosphate-guanine dinucleotides (CpGs) in our blood and brain samples, the concordance of CpGs between blood and brain, and estimations of how strongly a CpG is affected by cell composition in both blood and brain through the web application BECon (Blood–Brain Epigenetic Concordance;https://redgar598.shinyapps.io/BECon/). We anticipate that BECon will enable biological interpretation of blood-based human DNA methylation results, in the context of brain.
Autoimmune Encephalitis in Children
Authors: Armangue Thaís 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe recent demonstration of pathogenic immune mechanisms and autoantibodies in some patients with acute encephalopathy has raised interest in the identification of autoimmunity as a treatable cause of encephalitis. Especially in children, autoimmune encephalitis can be triggered by a preceding viral infection (e.g., anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor encephalitis post-herpes simplex encephalitis) or by some acquired or genetic disorders that predispose to brain autoimmunity (e.g., hematopoietic cell transplant, CLTA4 deficiency). This review discusses recent advances in pediatric autoimmune encephalitis, including new insights into immune mechanisms and biomarkers in disorders proven or suspected to be autoimmune.
Effects of a Low-Calorie, Low-Carbohydrate Soy Containing Diet on Systemic Inflammation Among Patients with Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease: A Parallel Randomized Clinical Trial
Authors: Kani Ali , Alavian Seyed , Esmaillzadeh Ahmad , Adibi Peyman , Haghighatdoost Fahimeh , Azadbakht Leila 
Published: July 2017

AbstractFew studies have focused on the effects of a soy containing diet on inflammation and serum leptin level among patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of such a diet in patients with NAFLD. Forty-five patients with NAFLD participated in this parallel randomized clinical trial for 8 weeks. Patients were randomly allocated to these 3 groups: 1) a low-calorie diet, 2) low-calorie low-carbohydrate diet, and 3) low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet. Low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet reduced fasting blood sugar (FBS) and serum insulin level significantly compared to other 2 groups (−11.6±2.8 vs. −6.3±1.7 and −3.1±1.0 mg/dl for FBS; and −5.1±1.2  vs. −1.2±0.3 and −1.7±0.5 mg/dl for serum insulin level). Serum hs-CRP level was also reduced significantly following low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet (−0.8±0.1 vs. −0.1±0.06 and −0.1±0.06 mg/dl). Both systolic and diastolic blood pressures were reduced significantly. Changes in leptin level tended to be different among 3 groups. After trial, 5 patients in each intervention group did not have NAFLD. From 6 patients in grade 2 at the beginning only 1 patient remained and others moved to grade 1. Low-calorie low-carbohydrate soy containing diet could reduce glycemic indices, hs CRP, systolic and diastolic blood pressure in a significant level in patients with NAFLD. However, these effects were dependent on baseline weight and further studies are needed to clarify the effect of such interventions in subjects with different BMI categories.