bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Design of an α-helical antimicrobial peptide with improved cell-selective and potent anti-biofilm activity
Authors: Zhang Shi-Kun , Song Jin-wen , Gong Feng , Li Su-Bo , Chang Hong-Yu , Xie Hui-Min , Gao Hong-Wei , Tan Ying-Xia , Ji Shou-Ping 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAR-23 is a melittin-related peptide with 23 residues. Like melittin, its high α-helical amphipathic structure results in strong bactericidal activity and cytotoxicity. In this study, a series of AR-23 analogues with low amphipathicity were designed by substitution of Ala1, Ala8 and Ile17 with positively charged residues (Arg or Lys) to study the effect of positively charged residue distribution on the biological viability of the antimicrobial peptide. Substitution of Ile17 on the nonpolar face with positively charged Lys dramatically altered the hydrophobicity, amphipathicity, helicity and the membrane-penetrating activity against human cells as well as the haemolytic activity of the peptide. However, substitution on the polar face only slightly affected the peptide biophysical properties and biological activity. The results indicate that the position rather than the number of positively charged residue affects the biophysical properties and selectivity of the peptide. Of all the analogues, A(A1R, A8R, I17K), a peptide with Ala1-Arg, Ala8-Arg and Ile17-Lys substitutions, exhibited similar bactericidal activity and anti-biofilm activity to AR-23 but had much lower haemolytic activity and cytotoxicity against mammalian cells compared with AR-23. Therefore, the findings reported here provide a rationalization for peptide design and optimization, which will be useful for the future development of antimicrobial agents.
Hybrid kappa\lambda antibody is a new serological marker to diagnose autoimmune pancreatitis and differentiate it from pancreatic cancer
Authors: Hao Mingju , Li Wenli , Yi Lang , Yu Songlin , Fan Gaowei , Lu Tian , Yang Xin , Wang Guojing , Zhang Dong , Ding Jiansheng , Zhang Kuo , Zhang Rui , Lin Guigao , Han Yanxi , Wang Lunan , Li Jinming 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe only generally accepted serological marker currently used for the diagnosis of autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) is IgG4. Our aim was mainly to determine whether hybrid κ\λ antibody can help to diagnose AIP and to differentiate it from pancreatic cancer. We established an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) system to measure the levels of hybrid κ\λ antibodies in human sera. Sera were obtained from 338 patients, including 61 with AIP, 74 with pancreatic cancer, 50 with acute pancreatitis, 40 with ordinary chronic pancreatitis, 15 with miscellaneous pancreatic diseases, and 98 with normal pancreas. Our study showed levels of hybrid κ\λ antibodies in the AIP group were significantly higher than in the non-AIP group (P < 0.001). The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) for the diagnosis of AIP were 80.3%, 91%, 66.2% and 95.5% respectively. Furthermore, the combined measurement of serum hybrid κ\λ antibody and IgG4 tended to increase the sensitivity although the difference was not statistically significant (90.2% vs. 78.7%, P = 0.08), compared to measurement of IgG4 alone. Our findings suggest that hybrid κ\λ antibody could be a new serological marker to diagnose AIP and differentiate it from pancreatic cancer.
Long non-coding RNA LINC00628 functions as a gastric cancer suppressor via long-range modulating the expression of cell cycle related genes
Authors: Zhang Zi-Zhen , Zhao Gang , Zhuang Chun , Shen Yan-Ying , Zhao Wen-Yi , Xu Jia , Wang Ming , Wang Chao-Jie , Tu Lin , Cao Hui , Zhang Zhi-Gang 
Published: June 2016

AbstractTo discover new biomarkers for gastric cancer (GC) diagnose and treatment, we screened the lncRNAs in GC tissues from 5 patients. We found 6 lncRNAs had altered expression, and in the same time, the levels of their neighboring genes (located near 300 kb upstream or downstream of lncRNA locus) were significantly changed. After confirming the results of microarray by qRT-PCR in 82 GC patients, the biological function of LINC00628 was examined through cell proliferation and apoptosis, cell migration and invasion, colony formation assay and cell cycle detection. We confirmed that LINC00628 functions as a GC suppressor through suppressing proliferation, migration and colony formation of cancer cells. Furthermore, LINC00628 can also suppress the tumor size in mouse xenograft models. Although LINC00628 can modulate LRRN2 expression, the GC suppressor function of LINC00628 is not LRRN2 dependent. The result of mRNA microarray indicated that LINC00628 perform GC inhibitor function through long-range modulating cell cycle related genes. Importantly, we confirmed that LINC00628 mainly located in the nucleus and interacted with EZH2, and modulated genes expression by regulating H3K27me3 level. This research shed light on the role of dysregulated LINC00628 during GC process and may serve as a potential target for therapeutic intervention.
Molecular distributions and compound-specific stable carbon isotopic compositions of lipids in wintertime aerosols from Beijing
Authors: Ren Lujie , Fu Pingqing , He Yue , Hou Juzhi , Chen Jing , Pavuluri Chandra Mouli , Sun Yele , Wang Zifa 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMolecular distributions and stable carbon isotopic compositions (δ13C) of n-alkanes, fatty acids and n-alcohols were investigated in urban aerosols from Beijing, northern China to better understand the sources and long-range atmospheric transport of terrestrial organic matter during polluted and clear days in winter. n-Alkanes (C19–C36), fatty acids (C8–C32) and n-alcohols (C16–C32) detected in Beijing aerosols are characterized by the predominance of C23, C16 and C28, respectively. Carbon preference index (CPI) values of n-alkanes, the ratios of the sum of odd-numbered n-alkanes to the sum of even-numbered n-alkanes, are close to 1, indicating a heavy influence of fossil fuel combustion. Relatively higher ratios of C(18:0+16:0)/C(18:n+16:1) (fatty acids) on clear days than polluted days indicate that long-distance transport and/or photochemical aging are more significant during clear days. δ13C values of n-alkanes and low molecular weight fatty acids (C16:0, C18:0) ranged from –34.1 to −24.7% and −26.9 to −24.6%, respectively, which are generally heavier on polluted days than those on clear days. Such a wide range suggests that atmospheric lipids in Beijing aerosols originate from multiple sources and encounter complicated atmospheric processes during long-range transport in North China.
Purification of Nanoparticles by Size and Shape
Authors: Robertson James D. , Rizzello Loris , Avila-Olias Milagros , Gaitzsch Jens , Contini Claudia , Magoń Monika S. , Renshaw Stephen A. , Battaglia Giuseppe 
Published: June 2016

AbstractProducing monodisperse nanoparticles is essential to ensure consistency in biological experiments and to enable a smooth translation into the clinic. Purification of samples into discrete sizes and shapes may not only improve sample quality, but also provide us with the tools to understand which physical properties of nanoparticles are beneficial for a drug delivery vector. In this study, using polymersomes as a model system, we explore four techniques for purifying pre-formed nanoparticles into discrete fractions based on their size, shape or density. We show that these techniques can successfully separate polymersomes into monodisperse fractions.
Genetic variations associated with six-white-point coat pigmentation in Diannan small-ear pigs
Authors: Lü Meng-Die , Han Xu-Man , Ma Yun-Fei , Irwin David M. , Gao Yun , Deng Jia-Kun , Adeola Adeniyi C. , Xie Hai-Bing , Zhang Ya-Ping 
Published: June 2016

AbstractA common phenotypic difference among domestic animals is variation in coat color. Six-white-point is a pigmentation pattern observed in varying pig breeds, which seems to have evolved through several different mechanistic pathways. Herein, we re-sequenced whole genomes of 31 Diannan small-ear pigs from China and found that the six-white-point coat color in Diannan small-ear pigs is likely regulated by polygenic loci, rather than by the MC1R locus. Strong associations were observed at three loci (EDNRB, CNTLN and PINK1), which explain about 20 percent of the total coat color variance in the Diannan small-ear pigs. We found a mutation that is highly differentiated between six-white-point and black Diannan small-ear pigs, which is located in a conserved noncoding sequence upstream of the EDNRB gene and is a putative binding site of the CEBPB protein. This study advances our understanding of coat color evolution in Diannan small-ear pigs and expands our traditional knowledge of coat color being a monogenic trait.
Does advancing male age influence the expression levels and localisation patterns of phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ) in human sperm?
Authors: Yeste Marc , Jones Celine , Amdani Siti Nornadhirah , Yelumalai Suseela , Mounce Ginny , da Silva Sarah J. Martins , Child Tim , Coward Kevin 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSocio-economic factors have led to an increasing trend for couples to delay parenthood. However, advancing age exerts detrimental effects upon gametes which can have serious consequences upon embryo viability. While such effects are well documented for the oocyte, relatively little is known with regard to the sperm. One fundamental role of sperm is to activate the oocyte at fertilisation, a process initiated by phospholipase C zeta (PLCζ), a sperm-specific protein. While PLCζ deficiency can lead to oocyte activation deficiency and infertility, it is currently unknown whether the expression or function of PLCζ is compromised by advancing male age. Here, we evaluate sperm motility and the proportion of sperm expressing PLCζ in 71 males (22–54 years; 44 fertile controls and 27 infertile patients), along with total levels and localisation patterns of PLCζ within the sperm head. Three different statistical approaches were deployed with male age considered both as a categorical and a continuous factor. While progressive motility was negatively correlated with male age, all three statistical models concurred that no PLCζ–related parameter was associated with male age, suggesting that advancing male age is unlikely to cause problems in terms of the sperm’s fundamental ability to activate an oocyte.
Activation of the Renin-Angiotensin System Promotes Colitis Development
Authors: Shi Yongyan , Liu Tianjing , He Lei , Dougherty Urszula , Chen Li , Adhikari Sarbani , Alpert Lindsay , Zhou Guolin , Liu Weicheng , Wang Jiaolong , Deb Dilip K. , Hart John , Liu Shu Q. , Kwon John , Pekow Joel , Rubin David T. , Zhao Qun , Bissonnette Marc , Li Yan Chun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe renin-angiotensin system (RAS) plays pathogenic roles in renal and cardiovascular disorders, but whether it is involved in colitis is unclear. Here we show that RenTgMK mice that overexpress active renin from the liver developed more severe colitis than wild-type controls. More than 50% RenTgMK mice died whereas all wild-type mice recovered. RenTgMK mice exhibited more robust mucosal TH17 and TH1/TH17 responses and more profound colonic epithelial cell apoptosis compared to wild-type controls. Treatment with aliskiren (a renin inhibitor), but not hydralazine (a smooth muscle relaxant), ameliorated colitis in RenTgMK mice, although both drugs normalized blood pressure. Chronic infusion of angiotensin II into wild-type mice mimicked the severe colitic phenotype of RenTgMK mice and treatment with losartan [an angiotensin type 1 receptor blocker (ARB)] ameliorated colitis in wild-type mice, confirming a colitogenic role for the endogenous RAS. In human biopsies, pro-inflammatory cytokines were suppressed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease who were on ARB therapy compared to patients not receiving ARB therapy. These observations demonstrate that activation of the RAS promotes colitis in a blood pressure independent manner. Angiotensin II appears to drive colonic mucosal inflammation by promoting intestinal epithelial cell apoptosis and mucosal TH17 responses in colitis development.
Glucose induced activation of canonical Wnt signaling pathway in hepatocellular carcinoma is regulated by DKK4
Authors: Chouhan Surbhi , Singh Snahlata , Athavale Dipti , Ramteke Pranay , Pandey Vimal , Joseph Jomon , Mohan Rajashekar , Shetty Praveen Kumar , Bhat Manoj Kumar 
Published: June 2016

AbstractElevated glycemic index, an important feature of diabetes is implicated in an increased risk of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of this association are relatively less explored. Present study investigates the effect of hyperglycemia over HCC proliferation. We observed that high glucose culture condition (HG) specifically activates canonical Wnt signaling in HCC cells, which is mediated by suppression of DKK4 (a Wnt antagonist) expression and enhanced β-catenin level. Functional assays demonstrated that a normoglycemic culture condition (NG) maintains constitutive expression of DKK4, which controls HCC proliferation rate by suppressing canonical Wnt signaling pathway. HG diminishes DKK4 expression leading to loss of check at G0/G1/S phases of the cell cycle thereby enhancing HCC proliferation, in a β-catenin dependent manner. Interestingly, in NOD/SCID mice supplemented with high glucose, HepG2 xenografted tumors grew rapidly in which elevated levels of β-catenin, c-Myc and decreased levels of DKK4 were detected. Knockdown of DKK4 by shRNA promotes proliferation of HCC cells in NG, which is suppressed by treating cells exogenously with recombinant DKK4 protein. Our in vitro and in vivo results indicate an important functional role of DKK4 in glucose facilitated HCC proliferation.
Ovarian proteomic study reveals the possible molecular mechanism for hyperprolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep
Authors: Miao Xiangyang , Luo Qingmiao , Zhao Huijing , Qin Xiaoyu 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSmall Tail Han sheep is a widely bred farm animal in China which has attracted lots of attention due to their high prolificacy and year-round estrus. However, the molecular mechanism of its fecundity remains unrevealed. The FecB gene polymorphism has been found to be associated with the ovulation rate and litter size of sheep. In the present study, we constructed an iTRAQ-based quantitative proteomics analysis to compare the ovarian proteomes of FecB+FecB+ genotype Small Tail Han sheep ewes (Han ++), FecBBFecBB Han ewes (Han BB) and Dorset ewes (Dorset). Hundreds of differentially expressed proteins between each two groups were identified; GO and KEGG pathway analysis indicated that the expressions of those proteins involved in ribosome assembly, protein translation and mTOR pathway between Dorset and both Han groups were highly different. Between Han ++ and Han BB groups, higher level of protein expressions were related to mitochondrial oxidation functions such as oxidoreductase activity, cytochrome-c oxidase activity and electron carrier activity. This was identified in Han BB group, which may contribute to the elevated ovulation rate of Han BB ewes. In conclusion, our work provided a prospective understanding of the molecular mechanism for high prolificacy of Small Tail Han sheep.
Macrophage Migration Inhibitor Factor Upregulates MCP-1 Expression in an Autocrine Manner in Hepatocytes during Acute Mouse Liver Injury
Authors: Xie Jieshi , Yang Le , Tian Lei , Li Weiyang , Yang Lin , Li Liying 
Published: June 2016

AbstractMacrophage migration inhibitor factor (MIF), a multipotent innate immune mediator, is an upstream component of the inflammatory cascade in diseases such as liver disease. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), a highly representative chemokine, is critical in liver disease pathogenesis. We investigated the role of MIF in regulating hepatocytic MCP-1 expression. MIF and MCP-1 expression were characterized by immunochemistry, RT-PCR, ELISA and immunoblotting in CCl4-treated mouse liver and isolated hepatocytes. MIF was primarily distributed in hepatocytes and its expression increased upon acute liver injury. Its expression was also increased in injured hepatocytes, induced by LPS or CCl4, which mimic liver injury in vitro. MIF was expressed earlier than MCP-1, strongly inducing hepatocytic MCP-1 expression. Moreover, the increase in MCP-1 expression induced by MIF was inhibited by CD74- or CD44-specific siRNAs and SB203580, a p38 MAPK inhibitor. Further, CD74 or CD44 deficiency effectively inhibited MIF-induced p38 activation. MIF inhibitor ISO-1 reduced MCP-1 expression and p38 phosphorylation in CCl4-treated mouse liver. Our results showed that MIF regulates MCP-1 expression in hepatocytes of injured liver via CD74, CD44 and p38 MAPK in an autocrine manner, providing compelling information on the role of MIF in liver injury and implying a new regulatory mechanism for liver inflammation.
Inhibition of microtubule dynamics impedes repair of kidney ischemia/reperfusion injury and increases fibrosis
Authors: Han Sang Jun , Kim Ji-Hyeon , Kim Jee In , Park Kwon Moo 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe microtubule cytoskeleton is composed of α-tubulin and β-tubulin heterodimers, and it serves to regulate the shape, motility, and division of a cell. Post-translational modifications including acetylation are closely associated with the functional aspects of the microtubule, involving in a number of pathological diseases. However, the role of microtubule acetylation in acute kidney injury (AKI) and progression of AKI to chronic kidney disease have yet to be understood. In this study, ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), a major cause of AKI, resulted in deacetylation of the microtubules with a decrease in α-tubulin acetyltransferase 1 (α-TAT1). Paclitaxel (taxol), an agent that stabilizes microtubules by tubulin acetylation, treatment during the recovery phase following I/R injury inhibited tubular cell proliferation, impaired renal functional recovery, and worsened fibrosis. Taxol induced α-tubulin acetylation and post-I/R cell cycle arrest. Taxol aggregated the microtubule in the cytoplasm, resulting in suppression of microtubule dynamics. Our studies have demonstrated for the first time that I/R induced deacetylation of the microtubules, and that inhibition of microtubule dynamics retarded repair of injured tubular epithelial cells leading to an acceleration of fibrosis. This suggests that microtubule dynamics plays an important role in the processes of repair and fibrosis after AKI.
Description and Preliminary Evaluation of a Curriculum for Teaching Conversational Skills to Children With High-Functioning Autism and Other Social Cognition Challenges
Authors: Müller Eve , Cannon Lynn R. , Kornblum Courtney , Clark Jonna , Powers Michal 
Published: June 2016

Purpose

The purpose of this clinical focus article is to provide (a) a detailed description of a school-based intervention designed to teach children with high-functioning autism spectrum disorders (HF-ASDs) and other social cognition challenges both the
how
and the
why
of conversation and (b) a preliminary evaluation of program outcomes.

Method
This pilot study involved (a) qualitative and quantitative analysis of video footage of participants' conversational skills at baseline, during intervention, and postintervention; (b) interviews with participants' speech-language pathologist (third author) about individual participant progress; and (c) interviews with instructors responsible for implementing the curriculum regarding overall program effectiveness. Participants were four elementary-aged children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition challenges with deficits in expressive language and auditory processing and comprehension.

Results

Analyses of video-recorded footage indicated increases for all four participants in terms of peer-directed interactions, questions asked, use of
wh
-words to introduce new topics and/or extend conversation on existing topics, and attempts at conversational repair. Three participants also demonstrated increased use of attention-gaining behaviors. Qualitative analysis of transcripts, as well as in-depth interviews with the participants' speech-language pathologist and other program instructors, supported these findings.

Conclusions
Preliminary findings from this pilot study suggest that providing comprehensive instruction in many of the basic components required for successful conversation, including explanations for why these components are necessary, may be a promising means of teaching children with HF-ASDs and other social cognition challenges to engage in successful peer-to-peer conversation.
Upper and lower bounds on a system's bandwidth based on its zero‐value time constants
Authors: Hong B. , Hajimiri A. 
Published: June 2016

It is shown that for systems with no zeros and no complex poles, the classical estimate of the 3 dB cutoff frequency based on the sum of the zero‐value time constants (ZVTs) is always conservative. A non‐trivial upper bound on the cutoff frequency which depends only on the sum of the ZVTs and the system's order is also derived. It is demonstrated that both bounds are tight – specifically, the lower bound is approached by making one of the system's poles increasingly dominant, whereas the best possible bandwidth is achieved when all of the system's poles overlap. The impact of complex poles on the results is also discussed.
Effect of different standing poses on whole body volume acquisition by three‐dimensional photonic scanning
Authors: Chiu Chuang‐Yuan , Pease David L. , Sanders Ross H. 
Published: June 2016

The present study compared whole body volumes obtained by three‐dimensional (3D) photonic scanning of two different poses and discussed its effect on body composition estimation. Pose A with large angles of shoulder abduction and feet separated and Pose B with shoulders abducted slightly, the elbows extended and heels together. 16 male and 13 female participants were scanned twice in each pose using a 3D scanner. The mean of whole body volume and the mean of body composition obtained with Pose B was corrected by a regression equation and compared with the results obtained from Pose A. After correction, the whole body volumes acquired with these two poses were similar [limit of agreement = (−0.71 l,0.71 l)] but the body compositions obtained with Pose A and Pose B were different [limit of agreement = (−4.4%, 4.4%)]. The results indicated that scanning using either pose gives reliable estimations for whole body volume and body composition. The whole body volume obtained from different poses can be adjusted using the regression equation but small volumetric differences translate into much more substantial differences in body fat percentage. Hence, it is recommended to use the same scanning pose consistently when monitoring individuals longitudinally.