bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Role of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Small-airway Remodelling in a Rat Model of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Authors: Wang Lu , Xu Zhibo , Chen Bin , He Wei , Hu Jingxian , Zhang Liting , Liu Xianzhong , Chen Fang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSmall-airway remodelling is one of the most remarkable pathological features of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), in which angiogenesis plays a critical role that contributes to disease progression. The endothelial cell-specific mitogen vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), as well as its receptors, VEGFR1, VEGFR2, are thought to be the major mediators of pathological angiogenesis, and sunitinib exhibits anti-angiogenesis property through VEGF blockage and has been widely used to treat various cancers. In our study, Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to lipopolysaccharide (LPS) injection and cigarette smoke (CS) inhalation to induce COPD, following sunitinib administration was conducted. Haematoxylin-eosin, Masson staining and immunostaining analysis were used to evaluate the pathological changes; quantitative real-time PCR and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were performed to provide more compelling data on the function of VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2 in angiogenesis. Sunitinib treatment was associated with less angiogenesis in small-airway remodelling with a slightly disordered lung architecture, and lower expression level of VEGF, VEGFR1, VEGFR2. Overall, our results indicate that VEGF is a vital important factor that contributes to the small-airway remodelling in a rat model of COPD through promoting angiogenesis, which mainly depend on the specific binding between VEGF and VEGFR1 and can be effectively attenuated by sunitinib.
PtoMYB156 is involved in negative regulation of phenylpropanoid metabolism and secondary cell wall biosynthesis during wood formation in poplar
Authors: Yang Li , Zhao Xin , Ran Lingyu , Li Chaofeng , Fan Di , Luo Keming 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSome R2R3 MYB transcription factors have been shown to be major regulators of phenylpropanoid biosynthetic pathway and impact secondary wall formation in plants. In this study, we describe the functional characterization of PtoMYB156, encoding a R2R3-MYB transcription factor, from Populus tomentosa. Expression pattern analysis showed that PtoMYB156 is widely expressed in all tissues examined, but predominantly in leaves and developing wood cells. PtoMYB156 localized to the nucleus and acted as a transcriptional repressor. Overexpression of PtoMYB156 in poplar repressed phenylpropanoid biosynthetic genes, leading to a reduction in the amounts of total phenolic and flavonoid compounds. Transgenic plants overexpressing PtoMYB156 also displayed a dramatic decrease in secondary wall thicknesses of xylem fibers and the content of cellulose, lignin and xylose compared with wild-type plants. Transcript accumulation of secondary wall biosynthetic genes was down-regulated by PtoMYB156 overexpression. Transcriptional activation assays revealed that PtoMYB156 was able to repress the promoter activities of poplar CESA17, C4H2 and GT43B. By contrast, knockout of PtoMYB156 by CRISPR/Cas9 in poplar resulted in ectopic deposition of lignin, xylan and cellulose during secondary cell wall formation. Taken together, these results show that PtoMYB156 may repress phenylpropanoid biosynthesis and negatively regulate secondary cell wall formation in poplar.
A novel Laccase Biosensor based on Laccase immobilized Graphene-Cellulose Microfiber Composite modified Screen-Printed Carbon Electrode for Sensitive Determination of Catechol
Authors: Palanisamy Selvakumar , Ramaraj Sayee Kannan , Chen Shen-Ming , Yang Thomas C. K. , Yi-Fan Pan , Chen Tse-Wei , Velusamy Vijayalakshmi , Selvam Sonadevi 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn the present work, we demonstrate the fabrication of laccase biosensor to detect the catechol (CC) using laccase immobilized on graphene-cellulose microfibers (GR-CMF) composite modified screen printed carbon electrode (SPCE). The direct electrochemical behavior of laccase was investigated using laccase immobilized different modified SPCEs, such as GR/SPCE, CMF/SPCE and GR-CMF/SPCE. Compared with laccase immobilized GR and CMF modified SPCEs, a well-defined redox couple of CuI/CuIIfor laccase was observed at laccase immobilized GR-CMF composite modified SPCE. Cyclic voltammetry results show that the as-prepared biosensor has 7 folds higher catalytic activity with lower oxidation potential towards CC than SPCE modified with GR-CMF composite. Under optimized conditions, amperometrici-tmethod was used for the quantification of CC, and the amperometric response of the biosensor was linear over the concertation of CC ranging from 0.2 to 209.7 μM. The sensitivity, response time and the detection limit of the biosensor for CC is 0.932 μMμA−1cm−2, 2 s and 0.085 μM, respectively. The biosensor has high selectivity towards CC in the presence of potentially active biomolecules and phenolic compounds. The biosensor also accessed for the detection of CC in different water samples and shows good practicality with an appropriate repea.
Gender differences in cognitive Theory of Mind revealed by transcranial direct current stimulation on medial prefrontal cortex
Authors: Adenzato Mauro , Brambilla Michela , Manenti Rosa , De Lucia Lucia , Trojano Luigi , Garofalo Sara , Enrici Ivan , Cotelli Maria 
Published: January 2017

AbstractGender differences in social cognition are a long discussed issue, in particular those concerning Theory of Mind (ToM), i.e., the ability to explain and predict other people’s mental states. The aim of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to test the hypothesis that anodal tDCS over the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) selectively enhances cognitive ToM performance in females. In the first experiment we administered to sixteen females and sixteen males a cognitive ToM task during anodal or placebo tDCS over the mPFC. In the second experiment further sixteen females completed the task receiving anodal or placebo tDCS over the vertex. The results showed that anodal tDCS over the mPFC enhances ToM in females but not in males, an effect indicated by enhanced ToM in females that received anodal tDCS over the mPFC compared with females that received tDCS over the vertex. These findings are relevant for three reasons. First, we found evidence of gender-related differences in cognitive ToM, extending previous findings concerning affective ToM. Second, these differences emerge with anodal stimulation of the mPFC, confirming the crucial role of this area in cognitive ToM. Third, we show that taking into account gender-related differences is mandatory for the investigation of ToM.
Preparation and execution of teeth clenching and foot muscle contraction influence on corticospinal hand-muscle excitability
Authors: Komeilipoor Naeem , Ilmoniemi Risto J. , Tiippana Kaisa , Vainio Martti , Tiainen Mikko , Vainio Lari 
Published: January 2017

AbstractContraction of a muscle modulates not only the corticospinal excitability (CSE) of the contracting muscle but also that of different muscles. We investigated to what extent the CSE of a hand muscle is modulated during preparation and execution of teeth clenching and ipsilateral foot dorsiflexion either separately or in combination. Hand-muscle CSE was estimated based on motor evoked potentials (MEPs) elicited by transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI) muscle. We found higher excitability during both preparation and execution of all the motor tasks than during mere observation of a fixation cross. As expected, the excitability was greater during the execution phase than the preparation one. Furthermore, both execution and preparation of combined motor tasks led to higher excitability than individual tasks. These results extend our current understanding of the neural interactions underlying simultaneous contraction of muscles in different body parts.
Costunolide and dehydrocostuslactone combination treatment inhibit breast cancer by inducing cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through c-Myc/p53 and AKT/14-3-3 pathway
Authors: Peng Zhangxiao , Wang Yan , Fan Jianhui , Lin Xuejing , Liu Chunying , Xu Yang , Ji Weidan , Yan Chao , Su Changqing 
Published: January 2017

AbstractOur previous studies demonstrated that volatile oil from saussurea lappa root (VOSL), rich in two natural sesquiterpene lactones, costunolide (Cos) and dehydrocostuslactone (Dehy), exerts better anti-breast cancer efficacy and lower side effects than Cos or Dehy alone in vivo, however, their anti-cancer molecular mechanisms were still unknown. In this study, we investigated the underlying mechanisms of Cos and Dehy combination treatment (CD) on breast cancer cells through proteomics technology coupled with Western blot validation. Ingenuity Pathways Analysis (IPA) results based on the differentially expressed proteins revealed that both VOSL and CD affect the 14-3-3-mediated signaling, c-Myc mediated apoptosis signaling and protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. Western blot coupled with cell cycle and apoptosis analysis validated the results of proteomics analysis. Cell cycle arrest and apoptosis were induced in a dose-dependent manner, and the expressions of p53 and p-14-3-3 were significantly up-regulated, whereas the expressions of c-Myc, p-AKT, p-BID were significantly down-regulated, furthermore, the ratio of BAX/BCL-2 were significantly increased in breast cancer cells after CD and VOSL treatment. The findings indicated that VOSL and CD could induce breast cancer cell cycle arrest and apoptosis through c-Myc/p53 and AKT/14-3-3 signaling pathways and may be novel effective candidates for breast cancer treatment.
Safety assessment of Staphylococcus phages of the family Myoviridae based on complete genome sequences
Authors: Cui Zelin , Guo Xiaokui , Dong Ke , Zhang Yan , Li Qingtian , Zhu Yongzhang , Zeng Lingbing , Tang Rong , Li Li 
Published: January 2017

AbstractStaphylococcus phages of the Myoviridae family have a wide host range and potential applications in phage therapy. In this report, safety assessments of these phages were conducted based on their complete genome sequences. The complete genomes of Staphylococcus phages of the Myoviridae family were analyzed, and the Open Reading Frame (ORFs) were compared with a pool of virulence and antibiotic resistance genes using the BLAST algorithm. In addition, the lifestyle of the phages (virulent or temperate) was also confirmed using PHACTS. The results showed that all phages were lytic and did not contain resistance or virulence genes based on bioinformatic analyses, excluding the possibility that they could be vectors for the dissemination of these undesirable genes. These findings suggest that the phages are safe at the genome level. The SceD-like transglycosylase, which is a biomarker for vancomycin-intermediate strains, was widely distributed in the phage genomes. Approximately 70% of the ORFs encoded in the phage genomes have unknown functions; therefore, their roles in the antibiotic resistance and virulence of Staphylococcus aureus are still unknown and require consideration before use in phage therapy.
Towards accurate quantum simulations of large systems with small computers
Authors: Yang Yonggang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractNumerical simulations are important for many systems. In particular, various standard computer programs have been developed for solving the quantum Schrödinger equations. However, the accuracy of these calculations is limited by computer capabilities. In this work, an iterative method is introduced to enhance the accuracy of these numerical calculations, which is otherwise prohibitive by conventional methods. The method is easily implementable and general for many systems.
A new serotonin 5-HT6 receptor antagonist with procognitive activity – Importance of a halogen bond interaction to stabilize the binding
Authors: González-Vera Juan A. , Medina Rocío A. , Martín-Fontecha Mar , Gonzalez Angel , de la Fuente Tania , Vázquez-Villa Henar , García-Cárceles Javier , Botta Joaquín , McCormick Peter J. , Benhamú Bellinda , Pardo Leonardo , López-Rodríguez María L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSerotonin 5-HT6receptor has been proposed as a promising therapeutic target for cognition enhancement though the development of new antagonists is still needed to validate these molecules as a drug class for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease and other pathologies associated with memory deficiency. As part of our efforts to target the 5-HT6receptor, new benzimidazole-based compounds have been designed and synthesized. Site-directed mutagenesis and homology models show the importance of a halogen bond interaction between a chlorine atom of the new class of 5-HT6receptor antagonists identified herein and a backbone carbonyl group in transmembrane domain 4.In vitropharmacological characterization of 5-HT6receptor antagonist7indicates high affinity and selectivity over a panel of receptors including 5-HT2Bsubtype and hERG channel, which suggests no major cardiac issues. Compound7exhibitedin vivoprocognitive activity (1 mg/kg, ip) in the novel object recognition task as a model of memory deficit.
Fundamental mechanism for all-optical helicity-dependent switching of magnetization
Authors: Chen Xiang-Jun 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSwitching magnetizations with femtosecond circularly polarized lasers may have revolutionary impacts on magnetic data storage and relevant applications. Achievements in ferrimagnetic and ferromagnetic materials of various structures strongly imply a general phenomenon of fundamental atom-laser interaction. Rotating an atom’s wave function with the rotating electric field of a circularly polarized laser, I show the quantum mechanics for the atom is equivalent to that in a static electric field of the same magnitude and a tremendous static magnetic field which interacts with the atom in somewhat different ways. When some conditions are satisfied, transitions of atoms in these two crossed effective fields lead to a highly nonequilibrium state with orbital magnetic moments inclining to the effective magnetic field. The switching finally completes after the pulse duration via relaxation.
Albuminuria is an independent risk factor of T4 elevation in chronic kidney disease
Authors: Du Xin , Pan Binbin , Li Wenwen , Zou Yonghua , Hua Xi , Huang Wenjuan , Wan Xin , Cao Changchun 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThis study was to explore the association between thyroid dysfunction and albuminuria. 581 cases with chronic kidney disease (CKD) were included in this study. The clinical characteristics consisted of sex, age, serum creatinine, urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio (ACR), thyroid function were recorded. Estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) was calculated by CKD-EPI four-level race equation. Prevalence of different thyroid diseases was calculated by chi-square test. Levels of thyroid hormone were compared among different albuminuria groups by Kruskal-Wallis test. Spearman’s correlation was used to assess the association between albuminuria and thyroid hormone. Our study showed that total T4 and free T4 were significantly different among ACR < 30 mg/g, 30–300 mg/g and >300 mg/g (P < 0.001 and =0.007, respectively). Positive correlation between T4 (total T4 and free T4) and albuminuria was evaluated by correlation analysis (P = 0.001 and <0.001, respectively). Albuminuria was an independent influence factor of T4 after adjustment for age, sex, serum creatinine, albumin, hs-CRP, smoking status, systolic blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, medication use for diabetes mellitus, eGFR, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, hypertension, and medication use for hypercholesterinemia. In conclusion, T4 was positively correlated with albuminuria, and it was completely not consistent with our anticipation. Further study is needed to elucidate the causation association between albuminuria and T4.
Dissolved organic matter uptake by Trichodesmium in the Southwest Pacific
Authors: Benavides Mar , Berthelot Hugo , Duhamel Solange , Raimbault Patrick , Bonnet Sophie 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe globally distributed diazotroph Trichodesmium contributes importantly to nitrogen inputs in the oligotrophic oceans. Sites of dissolved organic matter (DOM) accumulation could promote the mixotrophic nutrition of Trichodesmium when inorganic nutrients are scarce. Nano-scale secondary ion mass spectrometry (nanoSIMS) analyses of individual trichomes sampled in the South Pacific Ocean, showed significant 13C-enrichments after incubation with either 13C-labeled carbohydrates or amino acids. These results suggest that DOM could be directly taken up by Trichodesmium or primarily consumed by heterotrophic epibiont bacteria that ultimately transfer reduced DOM compounds to their host trichomes. Although the addition of carbohydrates or amino acids did not significantly affect bulk N2 fixation rates, N2 fixation was enhanced by amino acids in individual colonies of Trichodesmium. We discuss the ecological advantages of DOM use by Trichodesmium as an alternative to autotrophic nutrition in oligotrophic open ocean waters.
Adverse effects of microplastics and oxidative stress-induced MAPK/Nrf2 pathway-mediated defense mechanisms in the marine copepod Paracyclopina nana
Authors: Jeong Chang-Bum , Kang Hye-Min , Lee Min-Chul , Kim Duck-Hyun , Han Jeonghoon , Hwang Dae-Sik , Souissi Sami , Lee Su-Jae , Shin Kyung-Hoon , Park Heum Gi , Lee Jae-Seong 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMicroplastic pollution causes a major concern in the marine environment due to their worldwide distribution, persistence, and adverse effects of these pollutants in the marine ecosystem. Despite its global presence, there is still a lack of information on the effect of microplastics on marine organisms at the molecular level. Herein we demonstrated ingestion and egestion of nano- (0.05 μm) and micro-sized (0.5 and 6 μm) polystyrene microbeads in the marine copepod Paracyclopina nana, and examined molecular responses to exposure to microbeads with in vivo endpoints such as growth rate and fecundity. Also, we proposed an adverse outcome pathway for microplastic exposure that covers molecular and individual levels. This study provides the first insight into the mode of action in terms of microplastic-induced oxidative stress and related signaling pathways in P. nana.
Neuroprotection after a first episode of mania: a randomized controlled maintenance trial comparing the effects of lithium and quetiapine on grey and white matter volume
Authors: Berk M , Dandash O , Daglas R , Cotton S M , Allott K , Fornito A , Suo C , Klauser P , Liberg B , Henry L , Macneil C , Hasty M , McGorry P , Pantelis Cs , Yücel M 
Published: January 2017

AbstractLithium and quetiapine are effective treatments for bipolar disorder, but their potential neuroprotective effects in humans remain unclear. A single blinded equivalence randomized controlled maintenance trial was conducted in a prospective cohort of first-episode mania (FEM) patients (n=26) to longitudinally compare the putative protective effects of lithium and quetapine on grey and white matter volume. A healthy control sample was also collected (n=20). Using structural MRI scans, voxel-wise grey and white matter volumes at baseline and changes over time in response to treatment were investigated. Patients were assessed at three time points (baseline, 3 and 12-month follow-up), whereas healthy controls were assessed at two time points (baseline and 12-month follow-up). Patients were randomized to lithium (serum level 0.6 mmol l−1, n=20) or quetiapine (flexibly dosed up to 800 mg per day, n=19) monotherapy. At baseline, compared with healthy control subjects, patients with FEM showed reduced grey matter in the orbitofrontal cortex, anterior cingulate, inferior frontal gyrus and cerebellum. In addition, patients had reduced internal capsule white matter volume bilaterally (t1,66>3.20, P<0.01). Longitudinally, there was a significant treatment × time effect only in the white matter of the left internal capsule (F2,112=8.54, P<0.01). Post hoc testing showed that, compared with baseline, lithium was more effective than quetiapine in slowing the progression of white matter volume reduction after 12 months (t1,24=3.76, P<0.01). Our data support the role of lithium but not quetiapine therapy in limiting white matter reduction early in the illness course after FEM.
Gender diversity on corporate boards: an empirical investigation of Italian listed companies
Authors: Solimene Silvia , Coluccia Daniela , Fontana Stefano 
Published: January 2017

AbstractIn recent years, there has been a growing consensus that gender diversity could improve the economic and social performance of companies—although progress has been painfully slow. In Italy, Law n. 120/2011 has required that since 2012 the composition of corporate boards must comprise at least 1/5 women and, from 2015, 1/3 women. Here, our primary aim was to study the proportion and the progression of female directors on the boards of Italian companies over the period between 2009–2014, among a sample of 60 companies listed on the Milan Stock Exchange. We additionally studied the characteristics of the women on the companies’ boards, in order to assemble a typical profile. To do this, we verified the boards’ compositions, the number of female directors, women’s power on the boards and their levels of education. Our results confirm that Italian law has produced significant effects on the composition of corporate boards. Moreover, we found that female directors are generally of Italian ethnic origin and have high levels of education, with a master’s, and sometimes, post-master’s degree. Furthermore, female directors are more likely to be professional figures with experience—the percentages of female directors with professional qualifications as well as the percentage of female directors on boards of other companies have consistently increased during the period mentioned. Our findings provide a descriptive analysis of female directors during the period between 2009–2014, thereby presenting a picture of gender equality in the Italian context. To our knowledge, this is the first study that has focused on examining gender equality among Italian-listed companies over such a long period. Future development of this research could examine in more depth the differences between male and female presence, behaviour and characteristics on boards, as well as how these issues affect the performance of firms. This article is published as part of a collection on the role of women in management and the workplace.
Death of family members as an overlooked source of racial disadvantage in the United States
Authors: Umberson Debra , Olson Julie Skalamera , Crosnoe Robert , Liu Hui , Pudrovska Tetyana , Donnelly Rachel 
Published: January 2017

Significance
Due to historical racial inequalities in the United States, including poverty, inadequate health care, and criminal victimization, black Americans die at much higher rates than white Americans. How the consequences of these elevated rates reverberate across family networks warrants attention. If blacks die at higher rates and earlier in the life course than whites, then blacks lose more loved ones from childhood through adulthood. Through the damaging effects of grief and other mechanisms, such losses are likely to undermine multiple life course outcomes. By analyzing nationally representative datasets to compare black and white Americans on the likelihood of losing family members over the life course, this study documents an intergenerational process with corrosive effects on black families and communities.