bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Gating mechanisms underlying deactivation slowing by two KCNQ1 atrial fibrillation mutations
Authors: Peng Gary , Barro-Soria Rene , Sampson Kevin J. , Larsson H. Peter , Kass Robert S. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractKCNQ1 is a voltage-gated potassium channel that is modulated by the beta-subunit KCNE1 to generate IKs, the slow delayed rectifier current, which plays a critical role in repolarizing the cardiac action potential. Two KCNQ1 gain-of-function mutations that cause a genetic form of atrial fibrillation, S140G and V141M, drastically slow IKs deactivation. However, the underlying gating alterations remain unknown. Voltage clamp fluorometry (VCF) allows simultaneous measurement of voltage sensor movement and current through the channel pore. Here, we use VCF and kinetic modeling to determine the effects of mutations on channel voltage-dependent gating. We show that in the absence of KCNE1, S140G, but not V141M, directly slows voltage sensor movement, which indirectly slows current deactivation. In the presence of KCNE1, both S140G and V141M slow pore closing and alter voltage sensor-pore coupling, thereby slowing current deactivation. Our results suggest that KCNE1 can mediate changes in pore movement and voltage sensor-pore coupling to slow IKs deactivation and provide a key step toward developing mechanism-based therapies.
A tamB homolog is involved in maintenance of cell envelope integrity and stress resistance of Deinococcus radiodurans
Authors: Yu Jiangliu , Li Tao , Dai Shang , Weng Yulan , Li Jiulong , Li Qinghao , Xu Hong , Hua Yuejin , Tian Bing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe translocation and assembly module (TAM) in bacteria consists of TamA and TamB that form a complex to control the transport and secretion of outer membrane proteins. Herein, we demonstrated that the DR_1462-DR_1461-DR_1460 gene loci on chromosome 1 of Deinococcus radiodurans, which lacks tamA homologs, is a tamB homolog (DR_146T) with two tamB motifs and a DUF490 motif. Mutation of DR_146T resulted in cell envelope peeling and a decrease in resistance to shear stress and osmotic pressure, as well as an increase in oxidative stress resistance, consistent with the phenotype of a surface layer (S-layer) protein SlpA (DR_2577) mutant, demonstrating the involvement of DR_146T in maintenance of cell envelope integrity. The 123 kDa SlpA was absent and only its fragments were present in the cell envelope of DR_146T mutant, suggesting that DR_146T might be involved in maintenance of the S-layer. A mutant lacking the DUF490 motif displayed only a slight alteration in phenotype compared with the wild type, suggesting DUF490 is less important than tamB motif for the function of DR_146T. These findings enhance our understanding of the properties of the multilayered envelope in extremophilic D. radiodurans, as well as the diversity and functions of TAMs in bacteria.
Two-band and pauli-limiting effects on the upper critical field of 112-type iron pnictide superconductors
Authors: Xing Xiangzhuo , Zhou Wei , Wang Jinhua , Zhu Zengwei , Zhang Yufeng , Zhou Nan , Qian Bin , Xu Xiaofeng , Shi Zhixiang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe temperature dependence of upper critical field μ0Hc2 of Ca0.83La0.17FeAs2 and Ca0.8La0.2Fe0.98Co0.02As2 single crystals are investigated by measuring the resistivity for the inter-plane (H//c) and in-plane (H//ab) directions in magnetic fields up to 60 T. It is found that μ0Hc2(T) of both crystals for H//c presents a sublinear temperature dependence with decreasing temperature, whereas the curve of μ0Hc2(T) for H//ab has a convex curvature and gradually tends to saturate at low temperatures. μ0Hc2(T) in both crystals deviates from the conventional Werthamer-Helfand-Hohenberg (WHH) theoretical model without considering spin paramagnetic effect for H//c and H//ab directions. Detailed analyses show that the behavior of μ0Hc2(T) in 112-type Iron-based superconductors (IBSs) is similar to that of most IBSs. Two-band model is required to fully reproduce the behavior of μ0Hc2(T) for H//c, while the effect of spin paramagnetic effect is responsible for the behavior of μ0Hc2(T) for H//ab.
Multiple Mechanisms are Involved in Salt-Sensitive Hypertension-Induced Renal Injury and Interstitial Fibrosis
Authors: Wei Shi-Yao , Wang Yu-Xiao , Zhang Qing-Fang , Zhao Shi-Lei , Diao Tian-Tian , Li Jian-Si , Qi Wen-Rui , He Yi-Xin , Guo Xin-Yu , Zhang Man-Zhu , Chen Jian-Yu , Wang Xiao-Ting , Wei Qiu-Ju , Wang Yu , Li Bing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSalt-sensitive hypertension (SSHT) leads to kidney interstitial fibrosis. However, the potential mechanisms leading to renal fibrosis have not been well investigated. In present study, Dahl salt-sensitive (DS) rats were divided into three groups: normal salt diet (DSN), high salt diet (DSH) and high salt diet treated with hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) (DSH + HCTZ). A significant increase in systolic blood pressure (SBP) was observed 3 weeks after initiating the high salt diet, and marked histological alterations were observed in DSH rats. DSH rats showed obvious podocyte injury, peritubular capillary (PTC) loss, macrophage infiltration, and changes in apoptosis and cell proliferation. Moreover, Wnt/β-catenin signaling was significantly activated in DSH rats. However, HCTZ administration attenuated these changes with decreased SBP. In addition, increased renal and urinary Wnt4 expression was detected with time in DSH rats and was closely correlated with histopathological alterations. Furthermore, these alterations were also confirmed by clinical study. In conclusion, the present study provides novel insight into the mechanisms related to PTC loss, macrophage infiltration and Wnt/β-catenin signaling in SSHT-induced renal injury and fibrosis. Therefore, multi-target therapeutic strategies may be the most effective in preventing these pathological processes. Moreover, urinary Wnt4 may be a noninvasive biomarker for monitoring renal injury after hypertension.
Project Loon based augmentation for global ionospheric modeling over Southern Hemisphere
Authors: Wang Cheng , Shi Chuang , Zhang Hongping 
Published: April 2017

AbstractGlobal ionospheric products of vertical total electron content (VTEC) derived from GNSS measurements may have low accuracy over oceans and southern latitudes where there are not rich observations. Project Loon provides a great opportunity to enhance the measurements over those areas. In this contribution, a simulation of Project Loon based augmentation for global ionospheric modeling is performed by using the international reference ionosphere (IRI) which could simulate VTEC measurements for the balloons. The performance of the enhanced method based on simulation of Project Loon is investigated by comparing with VTEC maps from Ionosphere Associate Analysis Centers (IAACs) as well as IGS final GIMs. The comparison indicates that there is a better consistency between the VTEC maps by the enhanced method and IGS final GIMs. Also, obvious improvements of RMS maps in GIMs for the middle latitudes and southern latitudes are enabled by the augmentation of Project Loon. Additionally, JASON data are used to validate the specific improvement of the VTEC maps. The results show that the performance of VTEC maps is improved slightly, especially in southern latitudes. It is possible that the VTEC maps could be improved significantly by using real GPS measurements from balloons of Project Loon in the near future.
Dark trions and biexcitons in WS2 and WSe2 made bright by e-e scattering
Authors: Danovich Mark , Zólyomi Viktor , Fal’ko Vladimir I. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe direct band gap character and large spin-orbit splitting of the valence band edges (at the K and K’ valleys) in monolayer transition metal dichalcogenides have put these two-dimensional materials under the spot-light of intense experimental and theoretical studies. In particular, for Tungsten dichalcogenides it has been found that the sign of spin splitting of conduction band edges makes ground state excitons radiatively inactive (dark) due to spin and momentum mismatch between the constituent electron and hole. One might similarly assume that the ground states of charged excitons and biexcitons in these monolayers are also dark. Here, we show that the intervalley (K ⇆ K′) electron-electron scattering mixes bright and dark states of these complexes, and estimate the radiative lifetimes in the ground states of these “semi-dark” trions and biexcitons to be ~10 ps, and analyse how these complexes appear in the temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectra of WS2 and WSe2 monolayers.
Integrating uniform design and response surface methodology to optimize thiacloprid suspension
Authors: Li Bei-xing , Wang Wei-chang , Zhang Xian-peng , Zhang Da-xia , Mu Wei , Liu Feng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA model 25% suspension concentrate (SC) of thiacloprid was adopted to evaluate an integrative approach of uniform design and response surface methodology. Tersperse2700, PE1601, xanthan gum and veegum were the four experimental factors, and the aqueous separation ratio and viscosity were the two dependent variables. Linear and quadratic polynomial models of stepwise regression and partial least squares were adopted to test the fit of the experimental data. Verification tests revealed satisfactory agreement between the experimental and predicted data. The measured values for the aqueous separation ratio and viscosity were 3.45% and 278.8 mPa·s, respectively, and the relative errors of the predicted values were 9.57% and 2.65%, respectively (prepared under the proposed conditions). Comprehensive benefits could also be obtained by appropriately adjusting the amount of certain adjuvants based on practical requirements. Integrating uniform design and response surface methodology is an effective strategy for optimizing SC formulas.
Incidence and factors associated with mortality in 2,476 patients with variant angina in Korea
Authors: Kim Hack-Lyoung , Kim Jayeun , Kim Hyun Joo , Lim Woo-Hyun , Lee Jin Yong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThis study investigated the incidence and risk factors of mortality in 2,476 patients with variant angina (VA) using the National Health Insurance Service–National Sample Cohort between 2004 and 2011. The risk factors of all-cause and cardiac mortality were investigated using Cox proportional hazards model. Most patients (69.5%) were less than 65 years and 42.9% were women. During the median follow-up duration of 4.9 years, there were 178 (7.2%) and 95 (3.8%) cases of all-cause and cardiac mortality, respectively. Older age, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, poor medication adherence, low household income and tertiary teaching hospitals were independent predictors for all-cause mortality, while older age, hypertension, low household income and tertiary teaching hospitals were independent predictors for cardiac mortality. In conclusion, our findings suggest that traditional risk factor control and continued medication are important to improve VA outcomes, and that household income-level factors should be considered in the assessment of risk of VA patients.
Epidemiology and outcome analysis of 6325 burn patients: a five-year retrospective study in a major burn center in Southwest China
Authors: Li Haisheng , Yao Zhihui , Tan Jianglin , Zhou Junyi , Li Yi , Wu Jun , Luo Gaoxing 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBurns are a major cause of injury worldwide. We investigated the epidemiology and outcomes of burn patients in a major burn center in southwest China between 2011 and 2015 to provide guidance for burn prevention. Of the 6,325 included burn patients, 66.8% were male and 34.7% were 0 ~ 6 years old. The incidence of burns peaked in autumn. Scald was the most common cause of burns, which was predominant in patients aged 0 ~ 6 years. The mean total body surface area (TBSA) of burns was 13.4%, and patients with burns ≤10% TBSA comprised 64.1% of all cases. Patients with full-thickness burns accounted for 40.1% of all patients and 81.0% of operated patients; these burns were primarily caused by flame (34.8%), scald (21.0%), and electricity (20.4%). Fifty-six deaths occurred (mortality 0.9%), and risk factors included full-thickness burns, larger TBSA and older age. The median length of stay was 17 days, and major risk factors included more operations, better outcomes and larger TBSA. Our data showed that closer attention should be paid to children under 6 years old, males, incidents in autumn and scald burns to prevent burn injuries. Furthermore, individualized burn prevention and treatment measures based on related risk factors should be adopted.
High transition frequencies of dynamic functional connectivity states in the creative brain
Authors: Li Junchao , Zhang Delong , Liang Aiying , Liang Bishan , Wang Zengjian , Cai Yuxuan , Gao Mengxia , Gao Zhenni , Chang Song , Jiao Bingqing , Huang Ruiwang , Liu Ming 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCreativity is thought to require the flexible reconfiguration of multiple brain regions that interact in transient and complex communication patterns. In contrast to prior emphases on searching for specific regions or networks associated with creative performance, we focused on exploring the association between the reconfiguration of dynamic functional connectivity states and creative ability. We hypothesized that a high frequency of dynamic functional connectivity state transitions will be associated with creative ability. To test this hypothesis, we recruited a high-creative group (HCG) and a low-creative group (LCG) of participants and collected resting-state fMRI (R-fMRI) data and Torrance Tests of Creative Thinking (TTCT) scores from each participant. By combining an independent component analysis with a dynamic network analysis approach, we discovered the HCG had more frequent transitions between dynamic functional connectivity (dFC) states than the LCG. Moreover, a confirmatory analysis using multiplication of temporal derivatives also indicated that there were more frequent dFC state transitions in the HCG. Taken together, these results provided empirical evidence for a linkage between the flexible reconfiguration of dynamic functional connectivity states and creative ability. These findings have the potential to provide new insights into the neural basis of creativity.
The proposed biosynthesis of procyanidins by the comparative chemical analysis of five Camellia species using LC-MS
Authors: Zhang Liang , Tai Yuling , Wang Yijun , Meng Qilu , Yang Yunqiu , Zhang Shihua , Yang Hua , Zhang Zhengzhu , Li Daxiang , Wan Xiaochun 
Published: April 2017

AbstractThe genus Camellia (C.) contains many species, including C. sinensis, C. assamica, and C. taliensis, C. gymnogyna and C. tachangensis. The polyphenols of C. sinensis and C. assamica are flavan-3-ols monomers and their dimers and trimmers. However, the biosynthesis of procyanidins in Camellia genus remains unclear. In the present study, a comparative chemical analysis of flavan-3-ols, flavan-3-ols glycoside and procyanidins was conducted by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography diode array detection coupled with triple-quadrupole mass-spectrometry (LC-DAD-QQQ-MS). The results showed that C. tachangensis had a significant higher contents of (-)-epicatechin (EC) and (-)-epigallocatechin (EGC) compared with C. sinensis (p < 0.001). By contrast, higher levels of galloylated catechins were detected in C. sinensis. LC-DAD-MS/MS indicated that the main secondary metabolites of C. tachangensis were non-galloylated catechins, procyanidin dimers and trimers. Furthermore, (-)-epicatechin glucose (EC-glucose) and (-)-epigallocatechin glucose (EGC-glucose) were also abundant in C. tachangensis. A correlation analysis of EC-glucose and procyanidins dimers was conducted in five Camellia species. The levels of EC-glucose were closely related to the procyanidin dimers content. Thus, it was suggested that EC-glucose might be an important substrate for the biosynthesis of procyanidins.
Survival benefit of surgery to patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Chen Miao-Fen , Chen Ping-Tsung , Lu Ming- Shian , Lee Chuan-Pin , Chen Wen-Cheng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractTo assess if surgery provided survival benefit to patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), we performed a retrospective review of 1230 patients who were newly diagnosed with stage T2-T4 esophageal SCC from 2007 to 2014 in our hospital. There were greater than 70% of patients with age under 65 years, and more than 85% were stage T3-T4 at the time of diagnosis. The median survival time was 1.06 year (95% CI 0.99–1.1 yrs). Survival analyses showed that survival time was significantly associated with age, T stage, clinical lymph node involvement and treatment modality (surgery versus definite chemoradiotherapy). Surgery still possessed a powerful impact on overall survival by multivariable analysis. Death risk of patients treated with curative surgery was significantly lower than those with definite chemoradiotherapy. Furthermore, for patients of stage T3N(+) and T4, surgery combined with (neo-)adjuvant treatment were significantly associated with higher survival rate than surgery alone or definite chemoradiotherapy. In conclusion, the patients who undergo surgery were significantly associated longer survival, therefore, curative resection should be considered for esophageal cancer patients who are medically fit for surgery. Moreover, combined with (neo-)adjuvant treatment is recommended for surgically resectable stage T3-T4 esophageal SCC.
NOX4 Regulates CCR2 and CCL2 mRNA Stability in Alcoholic Liver Disease
Authors: Sasaki Yu , Dehnad Ali , Fish Sarah , Sato Ai , Jiang Joy , Tian Jijing , Schröder Kathrin , Brandes Ralf , Török Natalie J. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractRecruitment of inflammatory cells is a major feature of alcoholic liver injury however; the signals and cellular sources regulating this are not well defined. C-C chemokine receptor type 2 (CCR2) is expressed by active hepatic stellate cells (HSC) and is a key monocyte recruitment signal. Activated HSC are also important sources of hydrogen peroxide resulting from the activation of NADPH oxidase 4 (NOX4). As the role of this NOX in early alcoholic liver injury has not been addressed, we studied NOX4-mediated regulation of CCR2/CCL2 mRNA stability. NOX4 mRNA was significantly induced in patients with alcoholic liver injury, and was co-localized with αSMA-expressing activated HSC. We generated HSC-specific NOX4 KO mice and these were pair-fed on alcohol diet. Lipid peroxidation have not changed significantly however, the expression of CCR2, CCL2, Ly6C, TNFα, and IL-6 was significantly reduced in NOX4HSCKO compared to fl/fl mice. NOX4 promoter was induced in HSC by acetaldehyde treatment, and NOX4 has significantly increased mRNA half-life of CCR2 and CCL2 in conjunction with Ser221 phosphorylation and cytoplasmic shuttling of HuR. In conclusion, NOX4 is induced in early alcoholic liver injury and regulates CCR2/CCL2 mRNA stability thereby promoting recruitment of inflammatory cells and production of proinflammatory cytokines.
Suppressor of Cytokine Signaling 2 Negatively Regulates NK Cell Differentiation by Inhibiting JAK2 Activity
Authors: Kim Won Sam , Kim Mi Jeong , Kim Dong Oh , Byun Jae-Eun , Huy Hangsak , Song Hae Young , Park Young-Jun , Kim Tae-Don , Yoon Suk Ran , Choi Eun-Ji , Jung Haiyoung , Choi Inpyo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractSuppressor of cytokine signaling (SOCS) proteins are negative regulators of cytokine responses. Although recent reports have shown regulatory roles for SOCS proteins in innate and adaptive immunity, their roles in natural killer (NK) cell development are largely unknown. Here, we show that SOCS2 is involved in NK cell development. SOCS2−/− mice showed a high frequency of NK cells in the bone marrow and spleen. Knockdown of SOCS2 was associated with enhanced differentiation of NK cells in vitro, and the transplantation of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) into congenic mice resulted in enhanced differentiation in SOCS2−/− HSCs. We found that SOCS2 could inhibit Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) activity and JAK2-STAT5 signaling pathways via direct interaction with JAK2. Furthermore, SOCS2−/− mice showed a reduction in lung metastases and an increase in survival following melanoma challenge. Overall, our findings suggest that SOCS2 negatively regulates the development of NK cells by inhibiting JAK2 activity via direct interaction.
Room-temperature subnanosecond waveguide lasers in Nd:YVO4 Q-switched by phase-change VO2: A comparison with 2D materials
Authors: Nie Weijie , Li Rang , Cheng Chen , Chen Yanxue , Lu Qingming , Romero Carolina , Vázquez de Aldana Javier R. , Hao Xiaotao , Chen Feng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe report on room-temperature subnanosecond waveguide laser operation at 1064 nm in a Nd:YVO4 crystal waveguide through Q-switching of phase-change nanomaterial vanadium dioxide (VO2). The unique feature of VO2 nanomaterial from the insulating to metallic phases offers low-saturation-intensity nonlinear absorptions of light for subnanosecond pulse generation. The low-loss waveguide is fabricated by using the femtosecond laser writing with depressed cladding geometry. Under optical pump at 808 nm, efficient pulsed laser has been achieved in the Nd:YVO4 waveguide, reaching minimum pulse duration of 690 ps and maximum output average power of 66.7 mW. To compare the Q-switched laser performances by VO2 saturable absorber with those based on two-dimensional materials, the 1064-nm laser pulses have been realized in the same waveguide platform with either graphene or transition metal dichalcogenide (in this work, WS2) coated mirror. The results on 2D material Q-switched waveguide lasers have shown that the shortest pulses are with 22-ns duration, whilst the maximum output average powers reach ~161.9 mW. This work shows the obvious difference on the lasing properties based on phase-change material and 2D materials, and suggests potential applications of VO2 as low-cost saturable absorber for subnanosecond laser generation.
Simple modification of basic dyes with bulky & symmetric WCAs for improving their solubilities in organic solvents without color change
Authors: Kim Jeong Yun , Hwang Tae Gyu , Woo Sung Wun , Lee Jae Moon , Namgoong Jin Woong , Yuk Sim Bum , Chung Sei-won , Kim Jae Pil 
Published: April 2017

AbstractA simple and easy solubility enhancement of basic dyes was performed with bulky and symmetric weakly coordinating anions (WCAs). The WCAs decreased the ionic character of the dyes by broadening the partial charge distribution and causing a screening effect on the ionic bonding. This new modification with WCAs has advantages in that it has no influence on the optical properties of the dyes. The solubilities of unmodified and modified dyes were tested in several organic solvents. X-ray powder diffraction patterns of the dyes were measured. Color films were prepared with the dyes and their color loci were analyzed to evaluate the optical properties. By the modification with WCAs, commercial basic dyes showed sufficient solubilities for be applied to various applications while preserving their superior optical properties.