bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Neuroinflammation alters cellular proteostasis by producing endoplasmic reticulum stress, autophagy activation and disrupting ERAD activation
Authors: Pintado Cristina , Macías Sandra , Domínguez-Martín Helena , Castaño Angélica , Ruano Diego 
Published: August 2017

AbstractProteostasis alteration and neuroinflammation are typical features of normal aging. We have previously shown that neuroinflammation alters cellular proteostasis through immunoproteasome induction, leading to a transient decrease of proteasome activity. Here, we further investigated the role of acute lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced hippocampal neuroinflammation in cellular proteostasis. In particular, we focused on macroautophagy (hereinafter called autophagy) and endoplasmic reticulum-associated protein degradation (ERAD). We demonstrate that LPS injection induced autophagy activation that was dependent, at least in part, on glycogen synthase kinase (GSK)-3β activity but independent of mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibition. Neuroinflammation also produced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress leading to canonical unfolded protein response (UPR) activation with a rapid activating transcription factor (ATF) 6α attenuation that resulted in a time-dependent down-regulation of ERAD markers. In this regard, the time-dependent accumulation of unspliced X-box binding protein (XBP) 1, likely because of decreased inositol-requiring enzyme (IRE) 1α-mediated splicing activity, might underlie in vivo ATF6α attenuation. Importantly, lactacystin-induced activation of ERAD was abolished in both the acute neuroinflammation model and in aged rats. Therefore, we provide a cellular pathway through which neuroinflammation might sensitize cells to neurodegeneration under stress situations, being relevant in normal aging and other disorders where neuroinflammation is a characteristic feature.
Minimally invasive treatment of both-column acetabular fractures through the Stoppa combined with iliac fossa approach
Authors: Zhang Ruipeng , Yin Yingchao , Li Shilun , Hou Zhiyong , Wang Juan , Chen Wei , Zhang Yingze 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBoth-column fractures are the most complicated group of acetabular fractures. Although great progress of surgical technique has been made, the choice of approach is controversial. All the fragments could be exposed and managed through combined ilioinguinal and Kocher-Langenbeck (IL+KL) approaches, which has been widely used to conduct the both-column fractures. However, the clinical popularization may be restricted for high rate of complication. Most internal area of the hemipelvis could be exposed through Stoppa combined with iliac fossa (S+IF) approach. The majority of both-column fractures were managed through IL+KL approaches or S+IF approach in our institution. The comparison of the two surgical methods was done in this study. The purpose is to examine whether S+IF approach could achieve the satisfactory reduction and fixation for both-column fractures.
Stress Induced Polarization of Immune-Neuroendocrine Phenotypes in Gallus gallus
Authors: Nazar F. Nicolas , Estevez Inma , Correa Silvia G. , Marin Raul H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractImmune-neuroendocrine phenotypes (INPs) stand for population subgroups differing in immune-neuroendocrine interactions. While mammalian INPs have been characterized thoroughly in rats and humans, avian INPs were only recently described inCoturnix coturnix(quail). To assess the scope of this biological phenomenon, herein we characterized INPs inGallus gallus(a domestic hen strain submitted to a very long history of strong selective breeding pressure) and evaluated whether a social chronic stress challenge modulates the individuals’ interplay affecting the INP subsets and distribution. Evaluating plasmatic basal corticosterone, interferon-γ and interleukin-4 concentrations, innate/acquired leukocyte ratio, PHA-P skin-swelling and induced antibody responses, two opposite INP profiles were found: LEWIS-like (15% of the population) and FISCHER-like (16%) hens. After chronic stress, an increment of about 12% in each polarized INP frequency was found at expenses of a reduction in the number of birds with intermediate responses. Results show that polarized INPs are also a phenomenon occurring in hens. The observed inter-individual variation suggest that, even after a considerable selection process, the population is still well prepared to deal with a variety of immune-neuroendocrine challenges. Stress promoted disruptive effects, leading to a more balanced INPs distribution, which represents a new substrate for challenging situations.
Molecular Rationale behind the Differential Substrate Specificity of Bacterial RND Multi-Drug Transporters
Authors: Ramaswamy Venkata Krishnan , Vargiu Attilio V. , Malloci Giuliano , Dreier Jürg , Ruggerone Paolo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractResistance-Nodulation-cell Division (RND) transporters AcrB and AcrD of Escherichia coli expel a wide range of substrates out of the cell in conjunction with AcrA and TolC, contributing to the onset of bacterial multidrug resistance. Despite sharing an overall sequence identity of ~66% (similarity ~80%), these RND transporters feature distinct substrate specificity patterns whose underlying basis remains elusive. We performed exhaustive comparative analyses of the putative substrate binding pockets considering crystal structures, homology models and conformations extracted from multi-copy μs-long molecular dynamics simulations of both AcrB and AcrD. The impact of physicochemical and topographical properties (volume, shape, lipophilicity, electrostatic potential, hydration and distribution of multi-functional sites) within the pockets on their substrate specificities was quantitatively assessed. Differences in the lipophilic and electrostatic potentials among the pockets were identified. In particular, the deep pocket of AcrB showed the largest lipophilicity convincingly pointing out its possible role as a lipophilicity-based selectivity filter. Furthermore, we identified dynamic features (not inferable from sequence analysis or static structures) such as different flexibilities of specific protein loops that could potentially influence the substrate recognition and transport profile. Our findings can be valuable for drawing structure (dynamics)-activity relationship to be employed in drug design.
The importance of the nutritive value of old bones in the diet of Bearded vultures Gypaetus barbatus
Authors: Margalida Antoni , Villalba Daniel 
Published: August 2017

AbstractVultures are central-place foragers and need to optimize their foraging behaviour to offset travel costs by increasing their energy gain. This process is more obvious in certain vulture species that do not feed their young by regurgitation and so must carry food items back to the nest. The Bearded VultureGypaetus barbatusis the only species with a bone-diet based. We analysed the chemical composition of bones and the age-related changes in their nutritive value to assess the differences in energy content between bones of differing age, body part and species. We found differences between specific anatomical parts, species and the age of the bones. Fresh bones contain 108% as much energy as fresh meat and, interestingly, dry bones retain 90% of the protein found in fresh bones. Dry femurs weighing 140 g retain enough protein to be comparable to 111 g of fresh meat, in energy terms. Compared to meat-eating species, the specialized osteophagous diet of the Bearded Vulture seems to have certain advantages. A better understanding of nutrient levels in food remains could help to improve theoretical foraging models, assist in conservation management, and even improve our understanding of the use of bones by early hominids.
Characteristic Assessment of Diesel-degrading Bacteria Immobilized on Natural Organic Carriers in Marine Environment: the Degradation Activity and Nutrient
Authors: Xue Jianliang , Wu Yanan , Liu Zhixiu , Li Menglu , Sun Xiyu , Wang Huajun , Liu Bing 
Published: August 2017

AbstractOil spill has led to severe environmental and ecological problems. Due to the harsh environmental conditions, the bioremediation technology is not successfully used to remedy the oil spill in marine environment. In this study, immobilization technology was used to immobilize bacteria on natural organic carriers (i.e., wood chips and maize straw). The higher surface area of in wood chips leads to larger biomass density (0.0242 gVSS/g) than that of maize straw of 0.0097 gVSS/g carrier. Compared with biodegradation efficiency of free bacteria (44.79%), the immobilized bacteria on wood chips and maize straw reached to 73.39% and 52.28%, respectively. The high biological activity of the immobilized bacteria can be also explained by nutrients, such as TN (total nitrogen) and TP (total phosphorus), released from wood chips and maize straw, which was 8.83 mg/g and 5.53 mg/g, 0.0624 mg/g and 0.0099 mg/g, respectively.
PHF20 positively regulates osteoblast differentiation via increasing the expression and activation of Runx2 with enrichment of H3K4me3
Authors: Yang Jin-Woo , Jeong Byung-Chul , Park Jongsun , Koh Jeong-Tae 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPlant homeodomain finger protein 20 (PHF20), a methyl lysine effector protein, is a component MOF-NSL lysine acetyltranferase complex. Global deletion of PHF20 has shown spinal bone defects and reduced skeletal formation. However, the molecular basis of PHF20 involved in skeletal development has not been elucidated yet. The objective of this study was to determine the role of PHF20 in osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. Expression of PHF20 was gradually increased during osteoblast differentiation. Overexpression of PHF20 enhanced ALP activity and mineralized nodule formation as well as the expression of osteogenic markers including Runx2. In contrast, inhibition of PHF20 expression reduced osteoblast differentiation and mineralization. Mechanistically, PHF20 increased the promoter activity of osteogenic genes including Og2, Alp, and Bsp through direct association with Runx2. Moreover, PHF20 increased the enrichment of H3K4me3 on the promoter of Runx2 followed by increased Runx2 promoter activity. Interestingly, Bix-01294, a histone methylation inhibitor, decreased mineralized nodule formation through decreasing the levels of H3K4me3 and Runx2. Overexpression of PHF20 restored the Bix-01294 effects. Taken together, these results indicate that methyl lysine-binding protein PHF20 might be a novel regulator of osteoblast differentiation.
Water quality measurements in San Francisco Bay by the U.S. Geological Survey, 1969–2015
Authors: Schraga Tara S. , Cloern James E. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains a place-based research program in San Francisco Bay (USA) that began in 1969 and continues, providing one of the longest records of water-quality measurements in a North American estuary. Constituents include salinity, temperature, light extinction coefficient, and concentrations of chlorophyll-a, dissolved oxygen, suspended particulate matter, nitrate, nitrite, ammonium, silicate, and phosphate. We describe the sampling program, analytical methods, structure of the data record, and how to access all measurements made from 1969 through 2015. We provide a summary of how these data have been used by USGS and other researchers to deepen understanding of how estuaries are structured and function differently from the river and ocean ecosystems they bridge.
Wireless electric current sensing via integrating a magnetic–piezoelectric cantilever with a microstrip antenna
Authors: Cao Xi , Tian Xiao‐Jian , Wang Dong F. 
Published: August 2017

This work for the first time presents a wireless electric current sensor via integrating a magnetic–piezoelectric cantilever and a trapezoidal‐structured microstrip antenna. The wireless current sensor system, consisting of both the magnetic–piezoelectric cantilever for measuring electric currents and the trapezoidal‐structured microstrip antenna for transmitting output voltages, are designed and integrated for demonstration, at an operating frequency of 3 GHz with the lowest return loss. Although output errors of 2–7% are observed for output voltage range of 88–116 mV, the signal transmission measurement demonstrates that the proposed integration is experimentally feasible and effective. Owing to the ultra‐wideband (2–11 GHz) and low‐power consumption of the integrated microstrip antenna, the proposed integration is expected to be applicable to various kinds of wireless sensor nodes of different frequencies or multi‐sensors monitoring systems.
Fusion Rates of Intervertebral Polyetheretherketone and Titanium Cages without Bone Grafting in Posterior Interbody Lumbar Fusion Surgery for Degenerative Lumbar Instability
Authors: Wrangel Christof , Karakoyun Ali , Buchholz Kaye-Marie , Süss Olaf , Kombos Theodoros , Woitzik Johannes , Vajkoczy Peter , Czabanka Marcus 
Published: August 2017

Background Posterior lumbar interbody fusion (PLIF) surgery is a commonly used procedure for degenerative lumbar instability. Locally harvested bone is usually inserted into intervertebral cages to increase fusion rate. The fusion rate without bone application remains unknown. Our aim was to analyze retrospectively the fusion rates of intervertebral polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and titanium cages in PLIF surgery that were implanted without bone grafting using three-dimensional computed tomography (CT) scanning.
Material and Methods Forty patients (age 43–83 years) with mono- or bisegmental degenerative instability were included. PEEK cages were used in 28 segments (25 patients), and titanium cages were used in 17 segments (15 patients) undergoing PLIF surgery plus pedicle screws. The primary outcome parameter was radiologic fusion rate measured by CT at follow-up. Secondary parameters included rate of implant failure and adjacent segment disease.
Results No difference in mean age between groups was identified (PEEK: 69 ± 10 years; titanium: 62 ± 13 years). Mean follow-up was 39 ± 13 months in PEEK and 24 ± 12 months in the titanium group. Radiologic fusion rate was 32% of operated segments in PEEK and 53% in the titanium group. Screw loosening/adjacent-level disease was observed in 8% and 8% in the PEEK group and in 0% and 7% in the titanium group, respectively.
Conclusion Radiologic fusion rates of PEEK and titanium cages without bone grafting is low in PLIF surgery, and therefore bone grafting should be performed if possible. Rate of implant failure and adjacent-level disease remains low despite reduced osseous fusion in the operated segments.
Application of an Iliac Osteocutaneous and Fabricated Chimeric Iliac Osteocutaneous Flap for Foot and Ankle Reconstruction
Authors: Pan Zhao , Jiang Ping , Xue Shan , Wang Jian 
Published: August 2017

Background As understanding of the blood supply by superficial circumflex iliac artery (SCIA) to the skin and iliac bone has improved and the use of a perforator flap has become accepted, most previous drawbacks of SICA iliac osteocutaneous flaps, such as bulky flap, small diameter, and inadequate blood supply to bone, can now be overcome. Here, the authors present their experience of using such flaps for the reconstruction of complex defects in the foot and ankle with a focus on feasibility and safety.
Methods A retrospective review of patients who underwent foot and ankle reconstruction using an SCIA iliac osteocutaneous flap between 2010 and 2015 was performed to assess outcomes.
Results Four patients who underwent treatment with SCIA iliac osteocutaneous flaps and eight patients treated with fabricated chimeric iliac osteocutaneous flaps were identified. The iliac segment size ranged from 1 × 3 × 0.7 to 3 × 6 × 1 cm and the skin paddle size ranged from 1 × 4 to 8 × 16 cm. All flaps survived uneventfully except for marginal necrosis in one anterolateral thigh (ALT) flap and one iliac osteocutaneous flap. The median time to bone union was 4 months. All patients were able to walk in normal footwear and none developed significant complications at the donor site.
Conclusion The use of free SCIA iliac osteocutaneous and fabricated chimeric iliac osteocutaneous flaps provides an alternative for treating small- and medium-sized bone defects (smaller than 8 cm) along with soft tissue defects in the foot and ankle region.
Tale of Two Patent Ductus Arteriosus Severity Scores: Similarities and Differences
Authors: Fink Daniel , El-Khuffash Afif , McNamara Patrick , Nitzan Itamar , Hammerman Cathy 
Published: August 2017

Introduction Several echocardiographic scoring systems have been developed to assess the severity of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA) shunting in preterm infants.
Objective The objective of this study was to compare the ability of two different scoring systems to evaluate the hemodynamic significance of the PDA and to predict long-term PDA-associated morbidities.
Subjects El-Khuffash cohort (previously described) was derived from a multicenter, prospective, observational study conducted in tertiary neonatal intensive care units in Ireland, Canada, and Australia.
Results A total of 141 infants with a mean gestational age of 26 ± 1.4 weeks and a mean birth weight of 952 ± 235 g were evaluated on day 2 of life. The two scores were well correlated with each other and both scores positively predicted chronic lung disease/death in this population.
Conclusion There appears to be an overall stepwise progression in the incidence of poor outcome parameters from “closed” to “borderline” to “hemodynamically significant” PDA. Both the El-Khuffash and Shaare Zedek scores are predictive of PDA-associated morbidities.
The critical phase for visual control of human walking over complex terrain
Authors: Matthis Jonathan Samir , Barton Sean L. , Fajen Brett R. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
The physical dynamics of the body are central to the generation and maintenance of the human gait cycle. The ability to exploit the force of gravity and bodily inertia increases the energetic efficiency of locomotion by minimizing the need for internally generated muscular forces and simplifies control by obviating the need to actively guide each body segment. Here we explore how these principles generalize to situations in which foot placement is constrained, as when walking over a rocky trail. Walkers can exploit external forces to efficiently traverse extended stretches of complex terrain provided that visual information about the upcoming ground surface is available during a particular (critical) phase of the gait cycle between midstance of the preceding step and toe-off.
Inferring patterns of folktale diffusion using genomic data
Authors: Bortolini Eugenio , Pagani Luca , Crema Enrico R. , Sarno Stefania , Barbieri Chiara , Boattini Alessio , Sazzini Marco , da Silva Sara Graça , Martini Gessica , Metspalu Mait , Pettener Davide , Luiselli Donata , Tehrani Jamshid J. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
This paper presents unprecedented evidence on the transmission mechanism underlying the spread of a broad cross-cultural assemblage of folktales in Eurasia and Africa. State-of-the-art genomic evidence is used to directly assess the relevance of demic diffusion processes, in particular on the distribution of Old World folktales at intermediate geographic scales, and identify individual stories that are more likely to be transmitted through population movement and replacement. The results provide an empirical solution to operate with linguistic barriers and highlight the impossibility of disentangling genetic from geographic relationships at a cross-continental scale, warning against the direct use of extant genetic variability to infer processes of long-range cultural transmission.
Lipophilic siRNA targets albumin in situ and promotes bioavailability, tumor penetration, and carrier-free gene silencing
Authors: Sarett Samantha M. , Werfel Thomas A. , Lee Linus , Jackson Meredith A. , Kilchrist Kameron V. , Brantley-Sieders Dana , Duvall Craig L. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has the capacity to silence traditionally undruggable targets, but in vivo delivery barriers limit clinical translation of siRNA, especially for nonhepatic targets such as solid tumors. Most delivery strategies for RNAi cancer therapies focus on synthetic nanocarriers, but their shortcomings include limited delivery to and variable distribution throughout the target site and low therapeutic indices due to nonspecific, carrier-associated toxicities. A diacyl lipid-modified siRNA can leverage albumin as an endogenous carrier, resulting in comprehensively enhanced pharmacokinetic properties that translate to greater quantity and homogeneity of tumor accumulation relative to nanocarriers. The albumin-binding siRNA conjugate strategy is synthetically simple and safe at high doses, and thus is a translatable and potentially transformative option for RNAi oncology therapies.
Crystal structure of an orthomyxovirus matrix protein reveals mechanisms for self-polymerization and membrane association
Authors: Zhang Wenting , Zheng Wenjie , Toh Yukimatsu , Betancourt-Solis Miguel A. , Tu Jiagang , Fan Yanlin , Vakharia Vikram N. , Liu Jun , McNew James A. , Jin Meilin , Tao Yizhi J. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Orthomyxoviruses, including the influenza viruses A–D, all encode a matrix protein M1 that forms a continuous matrix layer underneath the viral envelope. Here we report the crystal structure of a full-length M1 from an orthomyxovirus that infects fish. Consisting of two domains connected by a flexible linker, M1 forms an infinite two-dimensional lattice in crystal through parallel packing. A cryoelectron tomography reconstruction of intact virions confirmed that the M1 lattice closely mimics the viral matrix layer, with the N domain abutting the viral envelope and the C domain pointing toward the virus interior. Our findings provide valuable insights into the mechanisms of M1 in mediating self-oligomerization, membrane association, and viral genome packaging.
Zbtb7b engages the long noncoding RNA Blnc1 to drive brown and beige fat development and thermogenesis
Authors: Li Siming , Mi Lin , Yu Lei , Yu Qi , Liu Tongyu , Wang Guo-Xiao , Zhao Xu-Yun , Wu Jun , Lin Jiandie D. 
Published: August 2017

Significance
Brown and beige fat function has important implications for metabolic physiology and the treatment of metabolic disorders. How transcription factors interface with long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), an emerging class of regulatory factors, to drive development and thermogenesis of brown/beige fat remains essentially unknown. Here we identified Zbtb7b as an activator of the thermogenic gene program through a genome-wide functional screen and showed that it plays an essential role in cold-induced thermogenesis and beige fat formation. Mechanistically, Zbtb7b forms a ribonucleoprotein transcriptional complex with the lncRNA Blnc1 and drives thermogenic gene expression via a feedforward loop. This work illustrates the emerging concept of a protein–lncRNA regulatory network in the control of adipose tissue biology and energy metabolism.