bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Estrogen attenuates AGTR1 expression to reduce pancreatic β-cell death from high glucose
Authors: Kooptiwut Suwattanee , Wanchai Keerati , Semprasert Namoiy , Srisawat Chatchawan , Yenchitsomanus Pa-thai 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChronic exposure of pancreatic β-cells to high glucose levels results in β-cell dysfunction and death. These effects can be protected by estrogen. The local pancreatic renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been shown as a novel pathological pathway of high-glucose-induced cell death. The effect of estrogen on pancreatic RAS is still unknown. This study examines whether estrogen protects against pancreatic β-cell death caused by glucotoxicity via a decrease in the pancreatic β-cell RAS pathway. When INS-1 cells were cultured in a high glucose medium, cell death was significantly higher than when the cells were cultured in a basal glucose medium; similarly, there were also higher levels of AGTR1 and p47
ph
°
x
mRNA, and protein expression. Moreover, the addition of 10−8 M 17β-estradiol to INS-1 cells cultured in a high glucose medium markedly reduced cell death, AGTR1 and p47
ph
°
x
mRNA levels, and protein expression. Similar results were demonstrated in the pancreatic islets. The presence of 10−8 M 17β-estradiol, losartan, or a combination of both, in a high glucose medium had similar levels of reduction of p47
ph
°
x
mRNA and protein expression, compared with those cultured in high glucose. Taken together, estrogen protected pancreatic β-cells from high-glucose-induced cell death by reducing the AGTR1 pathway.
Repellency of zerumbone identified in Cyperus rotundus rhizome and other constituents to Blattella germanica
Authors: Chang Kyu-Sik , Jeon Jin-Hwan , Kim Gi-Hun , Jang Chang-Won , Jeong Se-Jin , Ju Young-Ran , Ahn Young-Joon 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe compounds 1,8-cineole and zerumbone (ZER) from the Cyperus rotundus rhizome along with another 11 previously identified rhizome essential oil constituents and α-humulene, which lacks the only carbonyl group present in ZER, as well as binary mixtures of ZER and seven active compounds were tested for repellency to male B. germanica. The results were compared to N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (deet). In filter-paper choice tests, ZER was the most repellent compound, and α-humulene was ineffective, which indicates that the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl group of ZER is a prerequisite component for repellency. At 81.5 μg cm−2, enhanced repellency was produced by binary mixtures of ZER and 1,8-cineole, (+)-dihydrocarvone or (R)-(+)-limonene (70:30, 50:50 and 30:70 ratios by weight). These mixtures were very effective against male B. germanica within 24 h and were more repellent than a single compound or deet alone. The optimum ZER content was determined to be more than 50%. In Ebeling choice box tests at 652.4 μg cm−2, these compounds and deet resulted in complete repellency to intact male B. germanica, while they exhibited 35–47% repellency to antennectomized male one. Mixtures formulated from the active constituents of the C. rotundus rhizome could be useful as potential repellents for controlling B. germanica.
Low resistance to chytridiomycosis in direct-developing amphibians
Authors: Mesquita Andréa F. C. , Lambertini Carolina , Lyra Mariana , Malagoli Leo R. , James Timothy Y. , Toledo Luís Felipe , Haddad Célio F. B. , Becker C. Guilherme 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHost-generalist pathogens sporadically infect naive hosts, potentially triggering epizootics. The waterborne fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd) is linked to declines of hundreds of amphibian species with aquatic larvae. Although several population declines and extinctions attributed to Bd have been reported among cryptic species undergoing direct development away from water, epidemiological studies focused on these terrestrial frogs are lacking. Our field data support that terrestrial direct-developing hosts are less exposed to Bd during their ontogeny than species with aquatic larvae, and thus they might lack adaptive responses against waterborne chytrids. Using controlled laboratory experiments, we exposed wild-caught amphibian species with terrestrial and aquatic life histories to Bd and found that direct developers showed more rapid increases in infection loads and experienced higher mortality rates than species with aquatic larvae. Our findings provide novel information about host responses to generalist pathogens and specifically show that our focal direct developing species have low resistance to Bd infections. Finally, our results underscore that we should not ignore Bd as a potential threat to direct developing species simply because they are less exposed to Bd in nature; instead future amphibian conservation plans should include efforts to safeguard hundreds of direct-developing amphibian species globally.
Single-shot structural analysis by high-energy X-ray diffraction using an ultrashort all-optical source
Authors: Rakowski R. , Golovin G. , O’Neal J. , Zhang J. , Zhang P. , Zhao B. , Wilson M. D. , Veale M. C. , Seller P. , Chen S. , Banerjee S. , Umstadter D. , Fuchs M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHigh-energy X-rays (HEX-rays) with photon energies on order of 100 keV have attractive characteristics, such as comparably low absorption, high spatial resolution and the ability to access inner-shell states of heavy atoms. These properties are advantageous for many applications ranging from studies of bulk materials to the investigation of materials in extreme conditions. Ultrafast X-ray diffraction allows the direct imaging of atomic dynamics simultaneously on its natural time and length scale. However, using HEX-rays for ultrafast studies has been limited due to the lack of sources that can generate pulses of sufficiently short (femtosecond) duration in this wavelength range. Here we show single-crystal diffraction using ultrashort ~90 keV HEX-ray pulses generated by an all-optical source based on inverse Compton scattering. We also demonstrate a method for measuring the crystal lattice spacing in a single shot that contains only ~105 photons in a spectral bandwidth of ~50% full width at half maximum (FWHM). Our approach allows us to obtain structural information from the full X-ray spectrum. As target we use a cylindrically bent Ge crystal in Laue transmission geometry. This experiment constitutes a first step towards measurements of ultrafast atomic dynamics using femtosecond HEX-ray pulses.
High-efficiency grating-couplers: demonstration of a new design strategy
Authors: Marchetti Riccardo , Lacava Cosimo , Khokhar Ali , Chen Xia , Cristiani Ilaria , Richardson David J. , Reed Graham T. , Petropoulos Periklis , Minzioni Paolo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe present a simple and practical strategy that allows to design high-efficiency grating couplers. The technique is based on the simultaneous apodization of two structural parameters: the grating period and the fill-factor, along with the optimization of the grating coupler etching depth. Considering a 260 nm Si-thick Silicon-on-insulator platform, we numerically demonstrated a coupling efficiency of −0.8 dB (83%), well matching the experimental value of −0.9 dB (81%). Thanks to the optimized design, these results represent the best performance ever reported in the literature for SOI structures without the use of any back-reflector.
Chitosan-Graphene Oxide 3D scaffolds as Promising Tools for Bone Regeneration in Critical-Size Mouse Calvarial Defects
Authors: Hermenean Anca , Codreanu Ada , Herman Hildegard , Balta Cornel , Rosu Marcel , Mihali Ciprian Valentin , Ivan Alexandra , Dinescu Sorina , Ionita Mariana , Costache Marieta 
Published: November 2017

AbstractLimited self-regenerating capacity of human skeleton makes the reconstruction of critical size bone defect a significant challenge for clinical practice. Aimed for regenerating bone tissues, this study was designed to investigate osteogenic differentiation, along with bone repair capacity of 3D chitosan (CHT) scaffolds enriched with graphene oxide (GO) in critical-sized mouse calvarial defect. Histopathological/histomorphometry and scanning electron microscopy(SEM) analysis of the implants revealed larger amount of new bone in the CHT/GO-filled defects compared with CHT alone (p < 0.001). When combined with GO, CHT scaffolds synergistically promoted the increase of alkaline phosphatase activity both in vitro and in vivo experiments. This enhanced osteogenesis was corroborated with increased expression of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and Runx-2 up to week 4 post-implantation, which showed that GO facilitates the differentiation of osteoprogenitor cells. Meanwhile, osteogenesis was promoted by GO at the late stage as well, as indicated by the up-regulation of osteopontin and osteocalcin at week 8 and overexpressed at week 18, for both markers. Our data suggest that CHT/GO biomaterial could represent a promising tool for the reconstruction of large bone defects, without using exogenous living cells or growth factors.
Tunneling nanotubes (TNT) mediate long-range gap junctional communication: Implications for HIV cell to cell spread
Authors: Okafo George , Prevedel Lisa , Eugenin Eliseo 
Published: November 2017

AbstractCell-to-cell communication is essen for the development of multicellular systems and is coordinated by soluble factors, exosomes, gap junction (GJ) channels, and the recently described tunneling nanotubes (TNTs). We and others have demonstrated that TNT-like structures are mostly present during pathogenic conditions, including HIV infection. However, the nature, function, and communication properties of TNTs are still poorly understood. In this manuscript, we demonstrate that TNTs induced by HIV infection have functional GJs at the ends of their membrane extensions and that TNTs mediate long-range GJ communication during HIV infection. Blocking or reducing GJ communication during HIV infection resulted in aberrant TNT cell-to-cell contact, compromising HIV spread and replication. Thus, TNTs and associated GJs are required for the efficient cell-to-cell communication and viral spread. Our data indicate that targeting TNTs/GJs may provide new therapeutic opportunities for the treatment of HIV.
Self-medication by orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus) using bioactive properties of Dracaena cantleyi
Authors: Morrogh-Bernard H. C. , Foitová I. , Yeen Z. , Wilkin P. , de Martin R. , Rárová L. , Doležal K. , Nurcahyo W. , Olšanský M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAnimals self-medicate using a variety of plant and arthropod secondary metabolites by either ingesting them or anointing them to their fur or skin apparently to repel ectoparasites and treat skin diseases. In this respect, much attention has been focused on primates. Direct evidence for self-medication among the great apes has been limited to Africa. Here we document self-medication in the only Asian great ape, orang-utans (Pongo pygmaeus), and for the first time, to our knowledge, the external application of an anti-inflammatory agent in animals. The use of leaf extracts from Dracaena cantleyi by orang-utan has been observed on several occasions; rubbing a foamy mixture of saliva and leaf onto specific parts of the body. Interestingly, the local indigenous human population also use a poultice of these leaves for the relief of body pains. We present pharmacological analyses of the leaf extracts from this species, showing that they inhibit TNFα-induced inflammatory cytokine production (E-selectin, ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and IL-6). This validates the topical anti-inflammatory properties of this plant and provides a possible function for its use by orang-utans. This is the first evidence for the deliberate external application of substances with demonstrated bioactive potential for self-medication in great apes.
Profiling of the transcriptional response to all-trans retinoic acid in breast cancer cells reveals RARE-independent mechanisms of gene expression
Authors: Coyle Krysta Mila , Maxwell Selena , Thomas Margaret Lois , Marcato Paola 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRetinoids, derivatives of vitamin A, are key physiological molecules with regulatory effects on cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. As a result, they are of interest for cancer therapy. Specifically, models of breast cancer have varied responses to manipulations of retinoid signaling. This study characterizes the transcriptional response of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells to retinaldehyde dehydrogenase 1A3 (ALDH1A3) and all-trans retinoic acid (atRA). We demonstrate limited overlap between ALDH1A3-induced gene expression and atRA-induced gene expression in both cell lines, suggesting that the function of ALDH1A3 in breast cancer progression extends beyond its role as a retinaldehyde dehydrogenase. Our data reveals divergent transcriptional responses to atRA, which are largely independent of genomic retinoic acid response elements (RAREs) and consistent with the opposing responses of MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-468 to in vivo atRA treatment. We identify transcription factors associated with each gene set. Manipulation of the IRF1 transcription factor demonstrates that it is the level of atRA-inducible and epigenetically regulated transcription factors that determine expression of target genes (e.g. CTSS, cathepsin S). This study provides a paradigm for complex responses of breast cancer models to atRA treatment, and illustrates the need to characterize RARE-independent responses to atRA in a variety of models.
Investigating quantum metrology in noisy channels
Authors: Falaye B. J. , Adepoju A. G. , Aliyu A. S. , Melchor M. M. , Liman M. S. , Oluwadare O. J. , González-Ramírez M. D. , Oyewumi K. J. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractQuantum entanglement lies at the heart of quantum information and quantum metrology. In quantum metrology, with a colossal amount of quantum Fisher information (QFI), entangled systems can be ameliorated to be a better resource scheme. However, noisy channels affect the QFI substantially. This research work seeks to investigate how QFI of N-qubit Greenberger-Horne-Zeilinger (GHZ) state is affected when subjected to decoherence channels: bit-phase flip (BPF) and generalize amplitude damping (GAD) channels, which can be induced experimentally. We determine the evolution under these channels, deduce the eigenvalues, and then derive the QFI. We found that when there is no interaction with the environment, the Heisenberg limit can be achieved via rotations along the z direction. It has been shown that in BPF channel, the maximal mean QFI of the N-qubit GHZ state ($${\bar{F}}_{max}$$

F
¯

m
a
x

) dwindles as decoherence rate (p
B
) increases due to flow of information from the system to the environment, until p
B
= 0.5, then revives to form a symmetric around p
B
= 0.5. Thus, p
B
> 0.5 leads to a situation where more noise yields more efficiency. We found that in GAD channel, at finite temperature, QFIs decay more rapidly than at zero temperature. Our results also reveal that QFI can be enhanced by adjusting the temperature of the environment.
Study of the lithium diffusion properties and high rate performance of TiNb6O17 as an anode in lithium secondary battery
Authors: Lee Yong-Seok , Ryu Kwang-Sun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractTiNb6O17 and TiNb2O7 were synthesized using a solid-state method. The techniques were used to assess the electrochemical performance and lithium diffusion kinetics of TiNb6O17 related to the unit cell volume with TiNb2O7. The charge-discharge curves and cyclic voltammetry revealed TiNb6O17 to have a similar redox potential to TiNb2O7 as well as a high discharge capacity. The rate performance of TiNb6O17 was measured using a rate capability test. SSCV and EIS showed that TiNb6O17 had higher lithium diffusion coefficients during the charging. From GITT, the lithium diffusion coefficients at the phase transition region showed the largest increase from TiNb2O7 to TiNb6O17.
Solution structure and interaction with copper in vitro and in living cells of the first BIR domain of XIAP
Authors: Hou Meng-Meng , Polykretis Panagis , Luchinat Enrico , Wang Xiao , Chen Shen-Na , Zuo Hui-Hui , Yang Yin , Chen Jia-Liang , Ye Yansheng , Li Conggang , Banci Lucia , Su Xun-Cheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe X-chromosome linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) is a multidomain metalloprotein involved in caspase inhibition and in copper homeostasis. It contains three zinc-binding baculoviral IAP repeats (BIR) domains, which are responsible for caspase interaction. Recently, it has been suggested that the BIR domains can bind copper, however high resolution data on such interaction is missing. Here we characterize by NMR the structural properties of BIR1 in solution, and the effects of its interaction with copper both in vitro and in physiological environments. BIR1 is dimeric in solution, consistent with the X-ray structure. Cysteine 12, located in the unfolded N-terminal region, has a remarkably low redox potential, and is prone to oxidation even in reducing physiological environments. Interaction of BIR1 with copper(II) results in the oxidation of cysteine 12, with the formation of either an intermolecular disulfide bond between two BIR1 molecules or a mixed disulfide bond with glutathione, whereas the zinc binding site is not affected by the interaction.
Unbiased Quantitative Proteomics Reveals a Crucial Role of the Allergen Context for the Activation of Human Dendritic Cells
Authors: Strasser L. , Dang H.-H. , Schwarz H. , Asam C. , Ferreira F. , Horejs-Hoeck J. , Huber C. G. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWorldwide, more than 1 billion people suffer from allergic diseases. However, until now it is not fully understood how certain proteins can induce allergic immune responses, while others cannot. Studies suggest that allergenicity is a process not only determined by properties of the allergen itself but also by costimulatory factors, that are not classically associated with allergic reactions. To investigate the allergenicity of the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 and the impact of adjuvants associated with pollen, e.g. lipopolysaccharide (LPS), we performed quantitative proteome analysis to study the activation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs). Thus, we treated cells with birch pollen extract (BPE), recombinant Bet v 1, and LPS followed by proteomic profiling via high-performance liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) using isobaric labelling. Enrichment and pathway analysis revealed the influence of regulated proteins especially in cytokine signalling and dendritic cell activation. We found highly regulated, but differentially expressed proteins after treatment with BPE and LPS, whereas the cellular response to Bet v 1 was limited. Our findings lead to the conclusion that Bet v 1 needs a specific “allergen context” involving cofactors apart from LPS to induce an immune response in human moDCs.
Autonomous feedback loop of RUNX1-p53-CBFB in acute myeloid leukemia cells
Authors: Morita Ken , Noura Mina , Tokushige Chieko , Maeda Shintaro , Kiyose Hiroki , Kashiwazaki Gengo , Taniguchi Junichi , Bando Toshikazu , Yoshida Kenichi , Ozaki Toshifumi , Matsuo Hidemasa , Ogawa Seishi , Liu Pu Paul , Nakahata Tatsutoshi , Sugiyama Hiroshi , Adachi Souichi , Kamikubo Yasuhiko 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAlthough runt-related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) and its associating core binding factor-β (CBFB) play pivotal roles in leukemogenesis, and inhibition of RUNX1 has now been widely recognized as a novel strategy for anti-leukemic therapies, it has been elusive how leukemic cells could acquire the serious resistance against RUNX1-inhibition therapies and also whether CBFB could participate in this process. Here, we show evidence that p53 (TP53) and CBFB are sequentially up-regulated in response to RUNX1 depletion, and their mutual interaction causes the physiological resistance against chemotherapy for acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cells. Mechanistically, p53 induced by RUNX1 gene silencing directly binds to CBFB promoter and stimulates its transcription as well as its translation, which in turn acts as a platform for the stabilization of RUNX1, thereby creating a compensative RUNX1-p53-CBFB feedback loop. Indeed, AML cells derived from relapsed cases exhibited higher CBFB expression levels compared to those from primary AML cells at diagnosis, and these CBFB expressions were positively correlated to those of p53. Our present results underscore the importance of RUNX1-p53-CBFB regulatory loop in the development and/or maintenance of AML cells, which could be targeted at any sides of this triangle in strategizing anti-leukemia therapies.
Interaction of Synthetic Human SLURP-1 with the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors
Authors: Durek Thomas , Shelukhina Irina V. , Tae Han-Shen , Thongyoo Panumart , Spirova Ekaterina N. , Kudryavtsev Denis S. , Kasheverov Igor E. , Faure Grazyna , Corringer Pierre-Jean , Craik David J. , Adams David J. , Tsetlin Victor I. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractHuman SLURP-1 is a secreted protein of the Ly6/uPAR/three-finger neurotoxin family that co-localizes with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and modulates their functions. Conflicting biological activities of SLURP-1 at various nAChR subtypes have been based on heterologously produced SLURP-1 containing N- and/or C-terminal extensions. Here, we report the chemical synthesis of the 81 amino acid residue human SLURP-1 protein, characterization of its 3D structure by NMR, and its biological activity at nAChR subtypes. Radioligand assays indicated that synthetic SLURP-1 did not compete with [125I]-α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgt) binding to human neuronal α7 and Torpedo californica muscle-type nAChRs, nor to mollusk acetylcholine binding proteins (AChBP). Inhibition of human α7-mediated currents only occurred in the presence of the allosteric modulator PNU120596. In contrast, we observed robust SLURP-1 mediated inhibition of human α3β4, α4β4, α3β2 nAChRs, as well as human and rat α9α10 nAChRs. SLURP-1 inhibition of α9α10 nAChRs was accentuated at higher ACh concentrations, indicating an allosteric binding mechanism. Our results are discussed in the context of recent studies on heterologously produced SLURP-1 and indicate that N-terminal extensions of SLURP-1 may affect its activity and selectivity on its targets. In this respect, synthetic SLURP-1 appears to be a better probe for structure-function studies.
BET inhibitors RVX-208 and PFI-1 reactivate HIV-1 from latency
Authors: Lu Panpan , Shen Yinzhong , Yang He , Wang Yanan , Jiang Zhengtao , Yang Xinyi , Zhong Yangcheng , Pan Hanyu , Xu Jianqing , Lu Hongzhou , Zhu Huanzhang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPersistent latent reservoir in resting CD4+ T cells is a major obstacle in curing HIV-1 infection. Effective strategies for eradication of the HIV-1 reservoir are urgently needed. We report here for the first time that two BET inhibitors, RVX-208, which has entered phase II clinical trials for diverse cardiovascular disorders, and PFI-1, which has been widely studied in oncology, can reactivate HIV-1 from latency. RVX-208 and PFI-1 treatment alone or in combination with other latency reversing agents efficiently reactivated HIV-1 transcription through an up-regulation of P-TEFb by increasing CDK9 Thr-186 phosphorylation in latently infected Jurkat T cells in vitro. The two BET inhibitors also reactivated HIV-1 transcription in cART treated patient-derived resting CD4+ T cells ex vivo, without influence on global immune cell activation. Our findings, in combination with previous reports, further confirm that BET inhibitors are a group of leading compounds for combating HIV-1 latency for viral eradication.