bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Rap1b Is an Effector of Axin2 Regulating Crosstalk of Signaling Pathways During Skeletal Development
Authors: Maruyama Takamitsu , Jiang Ming , Abbott Alycia , Yu H-M Ivy , Huang Qirong , Chrzanowska-Wodnicka Magdalena , Chen Emily I , Hsu Wei 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACT

Recent identification and isolation of suture stem cells capable of long-term self-renewal, clonal expanding, and differentiating demonstrate their essential role in calvarial bone development, homeostasis, and injury repair. These bona fide stem cells express a high level of Axin2 and are able to mediate bone regeneration and repair in a cell autonomous fashion. The importance of Axin2 is further demonstrated by its genetic inactivation in mice causing skeletal deformities resembling craniosynostosis in humans. The fate determination and subsequent differentiation of Axin2+ stem cells are highly orchestrated by a variety of evolutionary conserved signaling pathways including Wnt, FGF, and BMP. These signals are often antagonistic of each other and possess differential effects on osteogenic and chondrogenic cell types. However, the mechanisms underlying the interplay of these signaling transductions remain largely elusive. Here we identify Rap1b acting downstream of Axin2 as a signaling interrogator for FGF and BMP. Genetic analysis reveals that Rap1b is essential for development of craniofacial and body skeletons. Axin2 regulates Rap1b through modulation of canonical BMP signaling. The BMP-mediated activation of Rap1b promotes chondrogenic fate and chondrogenesis. Furthermore, by inhibiting MAPK signaling, Rap1b mediates the antagonizing effect of BMP on FGF to repress osteoblast differentiation. Disruption of Rap1b in mice not only enhances osteoblast differentiation but also impairs chondrocyte differentiation during intramembranous and endochondral ossifications, respectively, leading to severe defects in craniofacial and body skeletons. Our findings reveal a dual role of Rap1b in development of the skeletogenic cell types. Rap1b is critical for balancing the signaling effects of BMP and FGF during skeletal development and disease. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Comparative musculoskeletal anatomy of chameleon limbs, with implications for the evolution of arboreal locomotion in lizards and for teratology
Authors: Molnar Julia L. , Diaz Raul E. , Skorka Tautis , Dagliyan Grant , Diogo Rui 
Published: May 2017

AbstractChameleon species have recently been adopted as models for evo‐devo and macroevolutionary processes. However, most anatomical and developmental studies of chameleons focus on the skeleton, and information about their soft tissues is scarce. Here, we provide a detailed morphological description based on contrast enhanced micro‐CT scans and dissections of the adult phenotype of all the forelimb and hindlimb muscles of the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo calyptratus) and compare these muscles with those of other chameleons and lizards. We found the appendicular muscle anatomy of chameleons to be surprisingly conservative considering the remarkable structural and functional modifications of the limb skeleton, particularly the distal limb regions. For instance, the zygodactyl autopodia of chameleons are unique among tetrapods, and the carpals and tarsals are highly modified in shape and number. However, most of the muscles usually present in the manus and pes of other lizards are present in the same configuration in chameleons. The most obvious muscular features related to the peculiar opposable autopodia of chameleons are: (1) presence of broad, V‐shaped plantar and palmar aponeuroses, and absence of intermetacarpales and intermetatarsales, between the digits separated by the cleft in each autopod; (2) oblique orientation of the superficial short flexors originating from these aponeuroses, which may allow these muscles to act as powerful adductors of the “super‐digits”; and (3) well‐developed abductor digiti minimi muscles and abductor pollicis/hallucis brevis muscles, which may act as powerful abductors of the “super‐digits.”
Aging and Parkinson's disease: Different sides of the same coin?
Authors: Collier Timothy J. , Kanaan Nicholas M. , Kordower Jeffrey H. 
Published: May 2017

ABSTRACTDespite abundant epidemiological evidence in support of aging as the primary risk factor for PD, biological correlates of a connection have been elusive. In this article, we address the following question: does aging represent biology accurately characterized as pre‐PD? We present evidence from our work on midbrain dopamine neurons of aging nonhuman primates that demonstrates that markers of known correlates of dopamine neuron degeneration in PD, including impaired proteasome/lysosome function, oxidative/nitrative damage, and inflammation, all increase with advancing age and are exaggerated in the ventral tier substantia nigra dopamine neurons most vulnerable to degeneration in PD. Our findings support the view that aging‐related changes in the dopamine system approach the biological threshold for parkinsonism, actively producing a vulnerable pre‐parkinsonian state. © 2017 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.
Extension of MITC to higher‐order beam models and shear locking analysis for compact, thin‐walled, and composite structures
Authors: Carrera E. , de Miguel A. G. , Pagani A. 
Published: May 2017

SummaryA class of mixed interpolated beam elements is introduced in this paper under the framework of the Carrera Unified Formulation to eliminate the detrimental effects due to shear locking. The Mixed Interpolation of Tensorial Components (MITC) method is adopted to generate locking‐free displacement‐based beam models using general 1D finite elements. An assumed distribution of the transverse shear strains is used for the derivation of the virtual work, and the full Gauss‐Legendre quadrature is used for the numerical computation of all the components of the stiffness matrix. Linear, quadratic, and cubic beam elements are developed using the unified formulation and applied to linear static problems including compact, laminated, and thin‐walled structures. A comprehensive study of how shear locking affects general beam elements when different classical integration schemes are used is presented, evidencing the outstanding capabilities of the MITC method to overcome this numerical issue. Refined beam theories based on the expansion of pure and generalized displacement variables are implemented making use of Lagrange and Legendre polynomials over the cross‐sectional domain, allowing one to capture complex states of stress with a 3D‐like accuracy. The numerical examples are compared to analytic, numerical solutions from the literature, and commercial software solutions, whenever it is possible. The efficiency and robustness of the proposed method demonstrated throughout all the assessments, illustrating that MITC elements are the natural choice to avoid shear locking and showing an unprecedent accuracy in the computation of transverse shear stresses for beam formulations.
Proteome analysis of Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV)‐infected BHK‐21 cells
Authors: Sun Xin , Wang Shengyu , Lin Xian , Zhao Lianzhong , Zhang Dan , Yi Chenyang , Sun Xiaomei , Chen Huanchun , Jin Meilin 
Published: May 2017

Duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) is a newly emerging pathogenic flavivirus that has caused huge economic losses to the duck industry in China since 2010. Moreover, the infection has spread rapidly, posing a potential public health concern. In this study, iTRAQ approach was first used to quantitatively identify differentially expressed cellular proteins in DTMUV‐infected BHK‐21 cells which are usually employed to produce veterinary vaccines for DTMUV, as well as other flaviviruses by serial passage. We identified 192 differentially expressed cellular proteins, including 11 upregulated and eight downregulated proteins at 24 h postinfection (hpi), as well as 25 upregulated and 151 downregulated proteins at 48 hpi, of which TLR9, DDX3X, and DDX5 may play important roles in virus propagation. Further, DDX3X could inhibit DTMUV replication by modulating the IFN pathway via TBK1. In conclusion, our study is the first to analyze the protein profile of DTMUV‐infected cells by quantitative proteomics. We believe that our findings provide valuable information in better understanding the host response to DTMUV infection. These findings are particularly important in the development of vaccine‐based strategies.
The interactive role of eating regulation and stress in the prediction of weight‐related outcomes among college students
Authors: Arsiwalla Dilbur D. , Arnold Amanda W. , Teel Karla P. , Ulrich Pamela V. , Gropper Sareen S. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe interactive role of eating regulation and perceived stress on weight‐related outcomes was examined among 319 sophomore year college students (110 males and 209 females). Moderated regressions were used to examine interactions between stress and eating regulation on study outcomes including body mass index (BMI) and body fat. Eating regulation moderated associations between stress and BMI and body fat outcomes. Students reporting high perceived stress, high autonomous eating regulation, low controlled regulation, and low amotivation exhibited higher outcomes (BMI and body fat) than those with similar eating regulation but lower perceived stress. Students with lower autonomous eating regulation and higher controlled regulation had no differences in study outcomes across levels of stress. College students who regulate their eating behaviours for health reasons (specifically showing autonomous regulation) exhibit higher BMI and body fat when they report higher levels of perceived stress. Health promotion programs for college students need to target education efforts towards stress reduction and healthy eating behaviours.
Human iPSC-MSC-Derived Xenografts Modulate Immune Responses by Inhibiting the Cleavage of Caspases
Authors: Li Cheng-Lin , Leng Yun , Zhao Bin , Gao Chang , Du Fei-Fei , Jin Ning , Lian Qi-Zhou , Xu Shuang-Yue , Yan Guo-Liang , Xia Jun-Jie , Zhuang Guo-Hong , Fu Qing-Ling , Qi Zhong-Quan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractMesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) negatively modulate immune properties. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs)-derived MSCs are alternative source of MSCs. However, the effects of iPSC-MSCs on T cells phenotypes in vivo remain unclear. We established an iPSC-MSC-transplanted host versus graft reaction mouse model using subcapsular kidney injection. Th1, Th2, regulatory T cells (Treg), and Th17 phenotypes and their cytokines were investigated in vivo and in vitro. The role of caspases and the soluble factors involved in the effects of MSCs were examined. We found that iPSC-MSC grafts led to more cell survival and less infiltration of inflammatory cells in mice. iPSC-MSC transplantation inhibited T cell proliferation, decreased Th1 and Th2 phenotypes and cytokines, upregulated Th17 and Treg subsets. Moreover, iPSC-MSCs inhibited the cleavage of caspases 3 and 8 and inhibition of caspases downregulated Th1, Th2 responses and upregulated Th17, Treg responses. Soluble factors were determined using protein array and TGF-β1/2/3, IL-10, and MCP-1 were found to be highly expressed in iPSC-MSCs. The administration of the soluble factors decreased Th1/2 response, upregulated Treg response and inhibited the cleavage of caspases. Our results demonstrate that iPSC-MSCs regulate T cell responses as a result of a combined action of the above soluble factors secreted by iPSC-MSCs. These factors suppress T cell responses by inhibiting the cleavage of caspases. These data provide a novel immunomodulatory mechanism for the underlying iPSC-MSC-based immunomodulatory effects on T cell responses.
Informatics and Technology in Resident Education
Authors: Niehaus William 
Published: May 2017

AbstractBiomedical or clinical informatics is the transdisciplinary field that studies and develops effective uses of biomedical data, information technology innovations, and medical knowledge for scientific inquiry, problem solving, and decision making, with an emphasis on improving human health. Given the ongoing advances in information technology, the field of informatics is becoming important to clinical practice and to residency education. This article will discuss how informatics is specifically relevant to residency education and the different ways to incorporate informatics into residency education, and will highlight applications of current technology in the context of residency education. How informatics can optimize communication for residents, promote information technology use, refine documentation techniques, reduce medical errors, and improve clinical decision making will be reviewed. It is hoped that this article will increase faculty and trainees' knowledge of the field of informatics, awareness of available technology, and will assist practitioners to maximize their ability to provide quality care to their patients. This article will also introduce the idea of incorporating informatics specialists into residency programs to help practitioners deliver more evidenced‐based care and to further improve their efficiency.
Essential Lessons in a Potential Sarin Attack Disaster Plan for a Resource-Constrained Environment
Authors: Watermeyer Matthew John , Dippenaar Nicole , Simo Nelly Clotildea Tchouambou , Buchanan Sean , Laher Abdullah Ebrahim 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSarin is a potent nerve agent chemical weapon that was originally designed for military purposes as a fast-acting anti-personnel weapon that would kill or disable large numbers of enemy troops. Its potent toxicity, ease of deployment, and rapid degradation allow for rapid deployment by an attacking force, who can safely enter the area of deployment a short while after its release. Sarin has been produced and stockpiled by a number of countries, and large quantities of it still exist despite collective agreements to cease manufacture and destroy stockpiles. Sarin’s ease of synthesis, which is easily disseminated across the Internet, increases the risk that terrorist organizations may use sarin to attack civilians. Sarin has been used in a number of terrorist attacks in Japan, and more recently in attacks in the Middle East, where nonmilitary organizations have led much of the disaster relief and provision of medical care. In the present article, we examine and discuss the available literature on sarin’s historical use, delivery methods, chemical properties, mechanism of action, decontamination process, and treatment. We present a management guideline to assist with the recognition of an attack and management of victims by medical professionals and disaster relief organizations, specifically in resource-constrained and austere environments. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2018;12:249–256)
Lorenz Oken (1779–1851):Naturphilosophieand the reform of natural history
Authors: GAMBAROTTO ANDREA 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe paper focuses on the work of Lorenz Oken (1779–1851) in an attempt to make sense of the role played by RomanticNaturphilosophiein the development of natural history in Germany at the turn of the nineteenth century. It first focuses on the role played by Schelling and his Würzburg circle in the development of Oken's early views on natural history, then reconstructs Oken's mature programme for a reform of animal classification.
Hepatocyte polyploidization and its association with pathophysiological processes
Authors: Wang Min-Jun , Chen Fei , Lau Joseph T Y , Hu Yi-Ping 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA characteristic cellular feature of the mammalian liver is the progressive polyploidization of the hepatocytes, where individual cells acquire more than two sets of chromosomes. Polyploidization results from cytokinesis failure that takes place progressively during the course of postnatal development. The proportion of polyploidy also increases with the aging process or with cellular stress such as surgical resection, toxic stimulation, metabolic overload, or oxidative damage, to involve as much as 90% of the hepatocytes in mice and 40% in humans. Hepatocyte polyploidization is generally considered an indicator of terminal differentiation and cellular senescence, and related to the dysfunction of insulin and p53/p21 signaling pathways. Interestingly, the high prevalence of hepatocyte polyploidization in the aged mouse liver can be reversed when the senescent hepatocytes are serially transplanted into young mouse livers. Here we review the current knowledge on the mechanism of hepatocytes polyploidization during postnatal growth, aging, and liver diseases. The biologic significance of polyploidization in senescent reversal, within the context of new ways to think of liver aging and liver diseases is considered.
A miRNA-101-3p/Bim axis as a determinant of serum deprivation-induced endothelial cell apoptosis
Authors: Kim Ji-Hee , Lee Dong-Keon , Kim Joohwan , Choi Seunghwan , Park Wonjin , Ha Kwon-Soo , Kim Tae-Hoon , Choe Jongseon , Won Moo-Ho , Kwon Young-Guen , Kim Young-Myeong 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSerum deprivation or withdrawal induces apoptosis in endothelial cells, resulting in endothelial cell dysfunction that is associated with cardiovascular disease. However, there is still limited information on the role of miRNA in serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. Here we found that serum deprivation increased caspase-dependent apoptosis through miRNA-101-3p downregulation, without altering expression of its host gene RNA 3′-terminal phosphate cyclase-like 1, which was highly correlated with suppressed expression levels of Dicer and Argonaute 2 (Ago2), indicating that miR-101-3p is post-transcriptionally elevated in serum-deprived conditions. The decreased miR-101-3p caused elevated Bim expression by targeting its 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR). This resulted in activation of the intrinsic pathway of apoptosis via interaction with Bcl-2, decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, cytochrome c release, mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and caspase activation. These events were abrogated by miR-101-3p mimic and the proapoptotic Bim siRNA, which suggest a determinant role of the miR-101-3p/Bim axis in serum deprivation-induced apoptosis. The apoptosis induced by miR-101-3p-mediated Bim expression is mediated by both caspase-3 and -1, which are activated by two distinct intrinsic mechanisms, cytochrome c release and ROS-induced inflammasome activation, respectively. In other words, the antioxidant inhibited endothelial cell death mediated by caspase-1 that activated caspase-7, but not caspase-3. These findings provide mechanistic insight into a novel function of miR-101-3p in serum withdrawal-induced apoptosis triggered by activating two different intrinsic or mitochondrial apoptosis pathways, implicating miR-101-3p as a therapeutic target that limits endothelial cell death associated with vascular disorders.
Betulin exhibits anti-inflammatory activity in LPS-stimulated macrophages and endotoxin-shocked mice through an AMPK/AKT/Nrf2-dependent mechanism
Authors: Ci Xinxin , Zhou Junfeng , Lv Hongming , Yu Qinlei , Peng Liping , Hua Shucheng 
Published: May 2017

AbstractContinued oxidative stress can lead to chronic inflammation, which in turn could mediate most chronic diseases including cancer. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor (Nrf2), a critical transcriptional activator for antioxidative responses, has envolved to be an attractive drug target for the treatment or prevention of human diseases. In the present study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of betulin on Nrf2 activation and its involvement in the lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-triggered inflammatory system. In macrophages, betulin activated the Nrf2 signaling pathway and increased Nrf2-targeted antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes, including NADPH, quinine oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1), heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), γ-glutamyl cysteine synthetase catalytic subunit (GCLC) and modifier subunit (GCLM) in a dose and time dependent manner. Importantly, we found betulin-induced activation of Nrf2 is AMPK/AKT/GSK3β dependent, as pharmacologically inactivating AMPK blocked the activating effect of betulin on AKT, GSK3β and Nrf2. Furthermore, betulin attenuated LPS-induced inflammatory mediators (iNOS and COX-2) and MAPK inflammatory signaling pathway. The effect of betulin on HO-1 and NQO1 upregulation, iNOS and COX-2 the downregulation, and survival time extension was largely weakened when Nrf2 was depleted in vitro and in vivo. Our results demonstrate that the AMPK/AKT/Nrf2 pathways are essential for the anti-inflammatory effects of betulin in LPS-stimulated macrophages and endotoxin-shocked mice.
Maternal age-dependent APC/C-mediated decrease in securin causes premature sister chromatid separation in meiosis II
Authors: Nabti Ibtissem , Grimes Rosanna , Sarna Hema , Marangos Petros , Carroll John 
Published: May 2017

AbstractSister chromatid attachment during meiosis II (MII) is maintained by securin-mediated inhibition of separase. In maternal ageing, oocytes show increased inter-sister kinetochore distance and premature sister chromatid separation (PSCS), suggesting aberrant separase activity. Here, we find that MII oocytes from aged mice have less securin than oocytes from young mice and that this reduction is mediated by increased destruction by the anaphase promoting complex/cyclosome (APC/C) during meiosis I (MI) exit. Inhibition of the spindle assembly checkpoint (SAC) kinase, Mps1, during MI exit in young oocytes replicates this phenotype. Further, over-expression of securin or Mps1 protects against the age-related increase in inter-sister kinetochore distance and PSCS. These findings show that maternal ageing compromises the oocyte SAC–APC/C axis leading to a decrease in securin that ultimately causes sister chromatid cohesion loss. Manipulating this axis and/or increasing securin may provide novel therapeutic approaches to alleviating the risk of oocyte aneuploidy in maternal ageing.
Tunable Polarons in Bose-Einstein Condensates
Authors: Compagno E. , De Chiara G. , Angelakis D. G. , Palma G. M. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractA toolbox for the quantum simulation of polarons in ultracold atoms is presented. Motivated by the impressive experimental advances in the area of ultracold atomic mixtures, we theoretically study the problem of ultracold atomic impurities immersed in a Bose-Einstein condensate mixture (BEC). The coupling between impurity and BEC gives rise to the formation of polarons whose mutual interaction can be effectively tuned using an external laser driving a quasi-resonant Raman transition between the BEC components. Our scheme allows one to change the effective interactions between polarons in different sites from attractive to zero. This is achieved by simply changing the intensity and the frequency of the two lasers. Such arrangement opens new avenues for the study of strongly correlated condensed matter models in ultracold gases.