bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Systemic application of 3-methyladenine markedly inhibited atherosclerotic lesion in ApoE−/− mice by modulating autophagy, foam cell formation and immune-negative molecules
Authors: Dai Shen , Wang Bo , Li Wen , Wang Liyang , Song Xingguo , Guo Chun , Li Yulan , Liu Fengming , Zhu Faliang , Wang Qun , Wang Xiaoyan , Shi Yongyu , Wang Jianing , Zhao Wei , Zhang Lining 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA growing body of evidence demonstrates that autophagy, an evolutionarily conserved intracellular degradation process, is involved in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis and has become a potential therapeutic target. Here we tested the effect of two inhibitors of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase, 3-methyladenine (3-MA) and 2-(4-morpholinyl)-8-phenyl-chromone (LY294002), commonly used as inhibitors of autophagy, in atherosclerosis in apolipoprotein E−/− mice. Systemic application of 3-MA but not LY294002 markedly reduced the size of atherosclerotic plaque and increased the stability of lesions in high-fat diet-fed mice as compared with controls. Furthermore, 3-MA had multiple atheroprotective effects, including modulating macrophage autophagy and foam cell formation and altering the immune microenvironment. Long-term treatment with 3-MA promoted oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL)-induced macrophage autophagy and suppressed foam cell formation and cell viability in vitro. Furthermore, systemic application of 3-MA promoted lipid droplet breakdown and decreased apoptosis, most likely associated with autophagy. 3-MA treatment strikingly enhanced the expression of immune-negative molecules such as interleukin 10 (IL-10), transforming growth factor β and IL-35, as well as forkhead box P3 (Foxp3), the specific transcriptional factor for regulatory T cells, but did not affect the level of proinflammatory cytokines in the arterial wall. We provide strong evidence for the potential therapeutic benefit of 3-MA in inhibiting atherosclerosis development and improving plaque stability.
Increased plasma VEGF levels following ischemic preconditioning are associated with downregulation of miRNA-762 and miR-3072-5p
Authors: Ueno Koji , Samura Makoto , Nakamura Tamami , Tanaka Yuya , Takeuchi Yuriko , Kawamura Daichi , Takahashi Masaya , Hosoyama Tohru , Morikage Noriyasu , Hamano Kimikazu 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIschemic preconditioning (IPC) has protective effects against ischemia-perfusion injury of organs. In the present study, we investigated the associated mechanisms after performing remote IPC (rIPC) of lower limbs by clamping abdominal aorta in mice. Subsequent experiments showed decreased damage and paralysis of lower limbs following spinal cord injury (SCI). Concomitantly, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels were increased 24 h after rIPC compared with those in sham-operated animals. In subsequent microRNA analyses, thirteen microRNAs were downregulated in exosomes 24 h after rIPC. Further studies of femoral CD34-positive bone marrow (BM) cells confirmed downregulation of these seven microRNAs 24 h after rIPC compared with those in sham-operated controls. Subsequent algorithm-based database searches suggested that two of the seven microRNAs bind to the 3′ UTR of VEGF mRNA, and following transfection into CD34-positive BM cells, anti-miR-762, and anti-miR-3072-5p inhibitors led to increased VEGF concentrations. The present data suggest that rIPC transiently increases plasma VEGF levels by downregulating miR-762 and miR-3072-5p in CD34-positive BM cells, leading to protection against organ ischemia.
Protonation enhancement by dichloromethane doping in low-pressure photoionization
Authors: Shu Jinian , Zou Yao , Xu Ce , Li Zhen , Sun Wanqi , Yang Bo , Zhang Haixu , Zhang Peng , Ma Pengkun 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDoping has been used to enhance the ionization efficiency of analytes in atmospheric pressure photoionization, which is based on charge exchange. Compounds with excellent ionization efficiencies are usually chosen as dopants. In this paper, we report a new phenomenon observed in low-pressure photoionization: Protonation enhancement by dichloromethane (CH2Cl2) doping. CH2Cl2 is not a common dopant due to its high ionization energy (11.33 eV). The low-pressure photoionization source was built using a krypton VUV lamp that emits photons with energies of 10.0 and 10.6 eV and was operated at ~500–1000 Pa. Protonation of water, methanol, ethanol, and acetaldehyde was respectively enhanced by 481.7 ± 122.4, 197.8 ± 18.8, 87.3 ± 7.8, and 93.5 ± 35.5 times after doping 291 ppmv CH2Cl2, meanwhile CH2Cl2 almost does not generate noticeable ions itself. This phenomenon has not been documented in the literature. A new protonation process involving in ion-pair and H-bond formations was proposed to expound the phenomenon. The observed phenomenon opens a new prospect for the improvement of the detection efficiency of VUV photoionization.
Endothelin-3 stimulates cell adhesion and cooperates with β1-integrins during enteric nervous system ontogenesis
Authors: Gazquez Elodie , Watanabe Yuli , Broders-Bondon Florence , Paul-Gilloteaux Perrine , Heysch Julie , Baral Viviane , Bondurand Nadège , Dufour Sylvie 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEndothelin-3 (EDN3) and β1-integrins are required for the colonization of the embryonic gut by enteric neural crest cells (ENCCs) to form the enteric nervous system (ENS). β1-integrin-null ENCCs exhibit migratory defects in a region of the gut enriched in EDN3 and in specific extracellular matrix (ECM) proteins. We investigated the putative role of EDN3 on ENCC adhesion properties and its functional interaction with β1-integrins during ENS development. We show that EDN3 stimulates ENCC adhesion to various ECM components in vitro. It induces rapid changes in ENCC shape and protrusion dynamics favouring sustained growth and stabilization of lamellipodia, a process coincident with the increase in the number of focal adhesions and activated β1-integrins. In vivo studies and ex-vivo live imaging revealed that double mutants for Itgb1 and Edn3 displayed a more severe enteric phenotype than either of the single mutants demonstrated by alteration of the ENS network due to severe migratory defects of mutant ENCCs taking place early during the ENS development. Altogether, our results highlight the interplay between the EDN3 and β1-integrin signalling pathways during ENS ontogenesis and the role of EDN3 in ENCC adhesion.
B- and T-lymphocyte number and function in HIV+/HIV− lymphoma patients treated with high-dose chemotherapy and autologous bone marrow transplantation
Authors: Bertoli Diego , Re Alessandro , Chiarini Marco , Sottini Alessandra , Serana Federico , Giustini Viviana , Roccaro Aldo M. , Cattaneo Chiara , Caimi Luigi , Rossi Giuseppe , Imberti Luisa 
Published: December 2016

AbstractCombination of anti-retroviral therapy, high-dose chemotherapy (HCT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) has led to an improved survival of HIV+ non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients. We compared T- and B-cell subset recovery and related capability to respond to in-vitro stimulation, as well as T-cell repertoire modifications of HIV+ and HIV− NHL patients undergoing HCT and ASCT as first-line consolidation or salvage treatment, using sequential blood samples obtained before and at 3, 6, 12 and 24 months after ASCT. B lymphocyte recovery occurred earlier, reaching higher levels in HIV+ patients as compared to HIV− patients and healthy controls; in particular, immature and naïve B cells were significantly higher in HIV+ patients who had received rituximab in the pre-ASCT period. These lymphocytes equally responded to in-vitro stimulation. Newly produced T cells similarly increased in HIV+ and HIV− NHL patients, but their levels remained constantly lower than in healthy controls. T lymphocytes showed a reduced proliferative capacity, but their repertoire was reassorted by the treatment. The functional and numeric B-cell recovery and the qualitative modifications of T-cell receptor repertoire may explain, at least in part, the success of this aggressive therapeutic approach in HIV+ patients.
Seagrass (Posidonia oceanica) seedlings in a high-CO2 world: from physiology to herbivory
Authors: Hernán Gema , Ramajo Laura , Basso Lorena , Delgado Antonio , Terrados Jorge , Duarte Carlos M. , Tomas Fiona 
Published: December 2016

AbstractUnder future increased CO2concentrations, seagrasses are predicted to perform better as a result of increased photosynthesis, but the effects in carbon balance and growth are unclear and remain unexplored for early life stages such as seedlings, which allow plant dispersal and provide the potential for adaptation under changing environmental conditions. Furthermore, the outcome of the concomitant biochemical changes in plant-herbivore interactions has been poorly studied, yet may have important implications in plant communities. In this study we determined the effects of experimental exposure to current and future predicted CO2concentrations on the physiology, size and defense strategies against herbivory in the earliest life stage of the Mediterranean seagrassPosidonia oceanica. The photosynthetic performance of seedlings, assessed by fluorescence, improved under increasedpCO2conditions after 60 days, although these differences disappeared after 90 days. Furthermore, these plants exhibited bigger seeds and higher carbon storage in belowground tissues, having thus more resources to tolerate and recover from stressors. Of the several herbivory resistance traits measured, plants under highpCO2conditions had a lower leaf N content but higher sucrose. These seedlings were preferred by herbivorous sea urchins in feeding trials, which could potentially counteract some of the positive effects observed.
Advancing ovarian folliculometry with selective plane illumination microscopy
Authors: Lin Hsiao-Chun Amy , Dutta Rahul , Mandal Subhamoy , Kind Alexander , Schnieke Angelika , Razansky Daniel 
Published: December 2016

AbstractDetermination of ovarian status and follicle monitoring are common methods of diagnosing female infertility. We evaluated the suitability of selective plane illumination microscopy (SPIM) for the study of ovarian follicles. The large field of view and fast acquisition speed of our SPIM system enables rendering of volumetric image stacks from intact whole porcine ovarian follicles, clearly visualizing follicular features including follicle volume and average diameter (70 μm–2.5 mm), their spherical asymmetry parameters, size of developing cumulus oophorus complexes (40 μm–110 μm), and follicular wall thickness (90 μm–120 μm). Follicles at all developmental stages were identified. A distribution of the theca thickness was measured for each follicle, and a relationship between these distributions and the stages of follicular development was discerned. The ability of the system to non-destructively generate sub-cellular resolution 3D images of developing follicles, with excellent image contrast and high throughput capacity compared to conventional histology, suggests that it can be used to monitor follicular development and identify structural abnormalities indicative of ovarian ailments. Accurate folliculometric measurements provided by SPIM images can immensely help the understanding of ovarian physiology and provide important information for the proper management of ovarian diseases.
Pesticide toxicogenomics across scales: in vitro transcriptome predicts mechanisms and outcomes of exposure in vivo
Authors: Porreca Immacolata , D’Angelo Fulvio , De Franceschi Lucia , Mattè Alessandro , Ceccarelli Michele , Iolascon Achille , Zamò Alberto , Russo Filomena , Ravo Maria , Tarallo Roberta , Scarfò Marzia , Weisz Alessandro , De Felice Mario , Mallardo Massimo , Ambrosino Concetta 
Published: December 2016

AbstractIn vitro Omics analysis (i.e. transcriptome) is suggested to predict in vivo toxicity and adverse effects in humans, although the causal link between high-throughput data and effects in vivo is not easily established. Indeed, the chemical-organism interaction can involve processes, such as adaptation, not established in cell cultures. Starting from this consideration we investigate the transcriptomic response of immortalized thyrocytes to ethylenthiourea and chlorpyrifos. In vitro data revealed specific and common genes/mechanisms of toxicity, controlling the proliferation/survival of the thyrocytes and unrelated hematopoietic cell lineages. These results were phenotypically confirmed in vivo by the reduction of circulating T4 hormone and the development of pancytopenia after long exposure. Our data imply that in vitro toxicogenomics is a powerful tool in predicting adverse effects in vivo, experimentally confirming the vision described as Tox21c (Toxicity Testing in the 21st century) although not fully recapitulating the biocomplexity of a living animal.
The impact of DNA damage response gene polymorphisms on therapeutic outcomes in late stage ovarian cancer
Authors: Guffanti F. , Fruscio R. , Rulli E. , Damia G. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractLate stage epithelial ovarian cancer has a dismal prognosis. Identification of pharmacogenomic markers (i.e. polymorphisms) to stratify patients to optimize individual therapy is of paramount importance. We here report the retrospective analysis of polymorphisms in 5 genes (ATM, ATR, Chk1, Chk2 and CDK12) involved in the cellular response to platinum in a cohort of 240 cancer patients with late stage ovarian cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate associations between the above mentioned SNPs and patients’ clinical outcomes: overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). None of the ATM, ATR, Chk1 and Chk2 polymorphisms was found to significantly affect OS nor PFS in this cohort of patients. Genotype G/G of CDK12 polymorphism (rs1054488) predicted worse OS and PFS than the genotype A/A-A/G in univariate analysis. The predictive value was lost in the multivariate analysis. The positive correlation observed between this polymorphism and age, grade and residual tumor may explain why the CDK12 variant was not confirmed as an independent prognostic factor in multivariate analysis.The importance of CDK12 polymorphism as possible prognostic biomarker need to be confirmed in larger ovarian cancer cohorts, and possibly in other cancer population responsive to platinum agents.
Evaluation of a Silicon 90Sr Betavoltaic Power Source
Authors: Dixon Jefferson , Rajan Aravindh , Bohlemann Steven , Coso Dusan , Upadhyaya Ajay D. , Rohatgi Ajeet , Chu Steven , Majumdar Arun , Yee Shannon 
Published: December 2016

AbstractBetavoltaic energy converters (i.e., β-batteries) are attractive power sources because of their potential for high energy densities (>200 MWh/kg) and long duration continuous discharge (>1 year). However, conversion efficiencies have been historically low (<3%). High efficiency devices can be achieved by matching β-radiation transport length scales with the device physics length scales. In this work, the efficiency of c-Si devices using high-energy (>1 MeV) electrons emitted from 90Sr as a power source is investigated. We propose a design for a >10% efficient betavoltaic device, which generates 1 W of power. A Varian Clinac iX is used to simulate the high-energy electrons emitted from 90Sr, and a high efficiency c-Si photovoltaic cell is used as the converter. The measured conversion efficiency is 16%. This relatively high value is attributed to proper length scale matching and the generation of secondary electrons in c-Si by the primary β-particles.
The effects of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation in an animal model of tinnitus
Authors: Mulders Wilhelmina H. A. M. , Vooys Vanessa , Makowiecki Kalina , Tang Alex D. , Rodger Jennifer 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTinnitus (phantom auditory perception associated with hearing loss) can seriously affect wellbeing. Its neural substrate is unknown however it has been linked with abnormal activity in auditory pathways. Though no cure currently exists, repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) has been shown to reduce tinnitus in some patients, possibly via induction of cortical plasticity involving brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). We examined whether low intensity rTMS (LI-rTMS) alleviates signs of tinnitus in a guinea pig model and whether this involves changes in BDNF expression and hyperactivity in inferior colliculus. Acoustic trauma was used to evoke hearing loss, central hyperactivity and tinnitus. When animals developed tinnitus, treatment commenced (10 sessions of 10 minutes 1 Hz LI-rTMS or sham over auditory cortex over 14 days). After treatment ceased animals were tested for tinnitus, underwent single-neuron recordings in inferior colliculus to assess hyperactivity and samples from cortex and inferior colliculus were taken for BDNF ELISA. Analysis revealed a significant reduction of tinnitus after LI-rTMS compared to sham, without a statistical significant effect on BDNF levels or hyperactivity. This suggests that LI-rTMS alleviates behavioural signs of tinnitus by a mechanism independent of inferior colliculus hyperactivity and BDNF levels and opens novel therapeutic avenues for tinnitus treatment.
High Critical Current Density of YBa2Cu3O7−x Superconducting Films Prepared through a DUV-assisted Solution Deposition Process
Authors: Chen Yuanqing , Bian Weibai , Huang Wenhuan , Tang Xinni , Zhao Gaoyang , Li Lingwei , Li Na , Huo Wen , Jia Jiqiang , You Caiyin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractAlthough the solution deposition of YBa2Cu3O7−x (YBCO) superconducting films is cost effective and capable of large-scale production, further improvements in their superconductivity are necessary. In this study, a deep UV (DUV) irradiation technique combined with a low-fluorine solution process was developed to prepare YBCO films. An acrylic acidic group as the chelating agent was used in the precursor solution. The acrylic acidic group was highly sensitive to DUV light at 254 nm and significantly absorbed UV light. The coated gel films exposed to DUV light decomposed at 150 °C and copper aggregation was prevented. The UV irradiation promoted the removal of the carbon residue and other by-products in the films, increased the density and enhanced the crystallinity and superconductivity of the YBCO films. Using a solution with F/Ba = 2, YBCO films with thicknesses of 260 nm and enhanced critical current densities of nearly 8 MA/cm2 were produced on the LaAlO3 (LAO) substrates.
Single‐stage AC module with series power decoupling capability for connecting PV to a single‐phase power grid
Authors: Zare Mohammad Hadi , Mohamadian Mustafa , Beiranvand Reza 
Published: December 2016

In single‐phase grid‐connected photovoltaic inverters, the input power is constant during the grid period, whereas the output power oscillates at double‐line frequency. Therefore, electrolytic capacitors are widely used to handle the input and output power differences. However, these capacitors have short lifetime which degrade the inverter reliability. This paper proposes a control strategy to turn a conventional four‐switch flyback‐based inverter to an inverter equipped with a series power decoupling circuit. Therefore, a long lifetime film capacitor can be used as the main energy storage. The modified inverter has an inherent snubber circuit, which can restore energy of the transformer leakage inductance and improves its overall efficiency. The control strategy can realise maximum power point tracking and inject a sinusoidal low total harmonic distortion current to the grid. A 100 W prototype inverter has been built to verify operation and feasibility of the proposed control strategy.
Working memory, language processing, and implications of malleability for second language acquisition
Authors: Tsai Nancy , Au Jacky , Jaeggi Susanne M. 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Working memory is thought of as a fundamental cognitive system that is particularly important for complex cognition such as language processing. Individuals differ in the amount of information they can keep in working memory, and such differences predict language processing and acquisition, including second language (L2) learning. Given its relevance for higher order cognition, interventions targeting WM have proliferated in recent years, on the premise that improving WM skills might also improve other cognitive functions relying on WM. Accumulating evidence is promising in that certain interventions do result in language-related improvements that go beyond task-specific practice. Given the importance of WM in L2 acquisition, we propose that WM interventions might be a promising avenue to facilitate L2 learning.
Music, song and speech
Authors: Christiner Markus , Reiterer Susanne 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Recent evidence shows that musical aptitude positively influences language acquisition processes. The underlying mechanisms of why and how musical talent heightens one’s ability to detect, imitate and memorize foreign languages, however, have not yet been fully understood. We set out to test vocalists’ ability to imitate speech. Findings indicated that singing capacity is a good predictor for accent imitation and a better predictor of than instrument playing and musical expertise measured perceptually. As we wanted to uncover whether there is a difference between instrumentalists’ and vocalists’ accent imitation abilities, we recruited vocalists, instrumentalists and non-singers/non-musicians and compared their accent imitation skills directly. As expected, vocalists outperformed instrumentalists and non-musicians/non-singers significantly, while the perceptual musicality test showed no significant difference between vocalists and instrumentalists.
Elicited imitation as a measure of implicit L2 knowledge
Authors: Granena Gisela 
Published: December 2016

Abstract
Elicited imitation (EI) is an oral production task considered to be conducive to the retrieval of implicit second language (L2) knowledge (e.g. Bley-Vroman & Chaudron 1994; Chaudron, Prior, & Kozok 2005; Ellis 2005; Erlam 2006). This study aimed at contributing to testing the validity of EI as a measure of implicit language knowledge by examining whether individual differences in working memory (WM) and/or short-term memory (STM) capacity are related to performance on an EI task. The study focused on two types of morpho-syntactic agreement: plural marking and third person subject-verb agreement in English. Sixty intermediate-level learners of English with Chinese as L1 background participated in the study. The results of the study showed that neither WM nor STM moderated accuracy scores on the EI task. These findings were interpreted as evidence of automatic knowledge retrieval during the task and, therefore, as evidence in support of the validity of EI as a measure of implicit language knowledge.