bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Asteroseismology of exoplanet host stars
Authors: Huber Daniel 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAsteroseismology is among the most powerful observational tools to determine fundamental properties of stars. Space-based photometry has recently enabled the systematic detection of oscillations in exoplanet host stars, allowing a combination of asteroseismology with transit and radial-velocity measurements to characterize planetary systems. In this contribution I will review the key synergies between asteroseismology and exoplanet science such as the precise determination of radii and ages of exoplanet host stars, as well as applications of asteroseismology to measure spin-orbit inclinations in multiplanet systems and orbital eccentricities of small planets. Finally I will give a brief outlook on asteroseismic studies of exoplanet hosts with current and future space-based missions such as K2 and TESS.
Das Kommunikationskompetenz-Inventar für Schulleitungen (KKI-SL)
Authors: Hertzsch Helen 
Published: October 2016

Zusammenfassung. Gegenstand der vorliegenden Studien ist die Konstruktion und Validierung eines deutschsprachigen Inventars zur Erfassung des Konstrukts Kommunikationskompetenz von Schulleitungen (KKI-SL). Kommunikationskompetenz wird als dreidimensionales Konstrukt (Wissen, Fähigkeiten, Motivation) konzeptualisiert und in ein theoretisches Rahmenmodell eingebettet. Fünf Studien wurden mit deutschen Lehrkräften aller Schularten durchgeführt: Selektion und Kategorisierung der Items via Experten-Rating sowie Exploration der Dimensionalität (N = 169), Kreuzvalidierung der gefundenen Faktorenstruktur (N = 1 354), Test-Retest-Reliabilität (N = 126), konvergente und diskriminante Validität (N = 331) und Kriterienrelevanz (N = 1 023). Itemanalysen und Maximum Likelihood-Faktorenanalysen führten zu einer 3-Faktoren-Lösung (Alterzentrismus, Kommunikationswissen und -bereitschaft, Selbstregulationsfähigkeit) mit guten internen Konsistenzen. Konfirmatorische Faktorenanalysen bestätigten die Struktur mit 14 Items. Die psychometrischen Kennwerte des Inventars waren durchweg gut. Beziehungen zu korrespondierenden Konstrukten belegen die konvergente und divergente Validität des Instruments. Als weiterer Validitätshinweis konnten Zusammenhänge mit relevanten Ergebniskriterien (z. B. Arbeitszufriedenheit) nachgewiesen werden.
Mitochondrial function controls intestinal epithelial stemness and proliferation
Authors: Berger Emanuel , Rath Eva , Yuan Detian , Waldschmitt Nadine , Khaloian Sevana , Allgäuer Michael , Staszewski Ori , Lobner Elena M. , Schöttl Theresa , Giesbertz Pieter , Coleman Olivia I. , Prinz Marco , Weber Achim , Gerhard Markus , Klingenspor Martin , Janssen Klaus-Peter , Heikenwalder Mathias , Haller Dirk 
Published: October 2016

AbstractControl of intestinal epithelial stemness is crucial for tissue homeostasis. Disturbances in epithelial function are implicated in inflammatory and neoplastic diseases of the gastrointestinal tract. Here we report that mitochondrial function plays a critical role in maintaining intestinal stemness and homeostasis. Using intestinal epithelial cell (IEC)-specific mouse models, we show that loss of HSP60, a mitochondrial chaperone, activates the mitochondrial unfolded protein response (MT-UPR) and results in mitochondrial dysfunction. HSP60-deficient crypts display loss of stemness and cell proliferation, accompanied by epithelial release of WNT10A and RSPO1. Sporadic failure of Cre-mediated Hsp60 deletion gives rise to hyperproliferative crypt foci originating from OLFM4+ stem cells. These effects are independent of the MT-UPR-associated transcription factor CHOP. In conclusion, compensatory hyperproliferation of HSP60+ escaper stem cells suggests paracrine release of WNT-related factors from HSP60-deficient, functionally impaired IEC to be pivotal in the control of the proliferative capacity of the stem cell niche.
Cell-type-specific modulation of targets and distractors by dopamine D1 receptors in primate prefrontal cortex
Authors: Jacob Simon N. , Stalter Maximilian , Nieder Andreas 
Published: October 2016

AbstractThe prefrontal cortex (PFC) is crucial for maintaining relevant information in working memory and resisting interference. PFC neurons are strongly regulated by dopamine, but it is unknown whether dopamine receptors are involved in protecting target memories from distracting stimuli. We investigated the prefrontal circuit dynamics and dopaminergic modulation of targets and distractors in monkeys trained to ignore interfering stimuli in a delayed-match-to-numerosity task. We found that dopamine D1 receptors (D1Rs) modulate the recovery of task-relevant information following a distracting stimulus. The direction of modulation is cell-type-specific: in putative pyramidal neurons, D1R inhibition enhances and D1R stimulation attenuates coding of the target stimulus after the interference, while the opposite pattern is observed in putative interneurons. Our results suggest that dopaminergic neuromodulation of PFC circuits regulates mental representations of behaviourally relevant stimuli that compete with task-irrelevant input and could play a central role for cognitive functioning in health and disease.
Evaluating frequency and quality of pathogen-specific T cells
Authors: Anikeeva Nadia , Grosso Dolores , Flomenberg Neal , Sykulev Yuri 
Published: October 2016

AbstractIt is generally accepted that enumeration and characterization of antigen-specific T cells provide essential information about potency of the immune response. Here, we report a new technique to determine the frequency and potency of antigen-specific CD8 T cells. The assay measures changes of intracellular Ca2+ in real time by fluorescent microscopy in individual CD8 T cells responding to cognate peptides. The T cells form continuous monolayer, enabling the cells to present the peptides to each other. This approach allows us to evaluate the kinetics of intracellular Ca2+ signalling that characterizes the quality of T cell response. We demonstrate the usefulness of the assay examining the frequency and quality of cytomegalovirus-specific CD8 T cells from healthy donor and patient after haploidentical stem cell transplantation. The new assay has a potential to provide essential information determining the status of the immune system, disease morbidity, potency of therapeutic intervention and vaccine efficacy.
Ranking factors involved in diabetes remission after bariatric surgery using machine-learning integrating clinical and genomic biomarkers
Authors: Pedersen Helle Krogh , Gudmundsdottir Valborg , Pedersen Mette Krogh , Brorsson Caroline , Brunak Søren , Gupta Ramneek 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAs weight-loss surgery is an effective treatment for the glycaemic control of type 2 diabetes in obese patients, yet not all patients benefit, it is valuable to find predictive factors for this diabetic remission. This will help elucidating possible mechanistic insights and form the basis for prioritising obese patients with dysregulated diabetes for surgery where diabetes remission is of interest. In this study, we combine both clinical and genomic factors using heuristic methods, informed by prior biological knowledge in order to rank factors that would have a role in predicting diabetes remission, and indeed in identifying patients who may have low likelihood in responding to bariatric surgery for improved glycaemic control. Genetic variants from the Illumina CardioMetaboChip were prioritised through single-association tests and then seeded a larger selection from protein–protein interaction networks. Artificial neural networks allowing nonlinear correlations were trained to discriminate patients with and without surgery-induced diabetes remission, and the importance of each clinical and genetic parameter was evaluated. The approach highlighted insulin treatment, baseline HbA1c levels, use of insulin-sensitising agents and baseline serum insulin levels, as the most informative variables with a decent internal validation performance (74% accuracy, area under the curve (AUC) 0.81). Adding information for the eight top-ranked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly boosted classification performance to 84% accuracy (AUC 0.92). The eight SNPs mapped to eight genes — ABCA1, ARHGEF12, CTNNBL1, GLI3, PROK2, RYBP, SMUG1 and STXBP5 — three of which are known to have a role in insulin secretion, insulin sensitivity or obesity, but have not been indicated for diabetes remission after bariatric surgery before.
A Reduction-Based Sensor for Acrolein Conjugates with the Inexpensive Nitrobenzene as an Alternative to Monoclonal Antibody
Authors: Takamatsu Masayuki , Fukase Koichi , Oka Ritsuko , Kitazume Shinobu , Taniguchi Naoyuki , Tanaka Katsunori 
Published: October 2016

AbstractAcrolein, a highly toxic α, β–unsaturated aldehyde, has been a longstanding key biomarker associated with a range of disorders related to oxidative stresses. One of the most promising methods for detecting acrolein involves the use of antibodies that can recognize the acrolein–lysine conjugate, 3-formyl-3, 4-dehydropiperidines (FDP), within oxidatively stressed cells and tissues from various disease states. We have uncovered here that FDP could reduce nitroarenes in high yields at 100 °C in the presence of excess CaCl2 as a Lewis acid promoter. This unique transformation allowed for the development of a de novo method for detecting levels of FDPs generated from proteins in urine or blood serum samples. Thus we successfully converted a non-fluorescent and inexpensive 4-nitrophthalonitrile probe to the corresponding fluorescent aniline, thereby constituting the concept of fluorescent switching. Its sensitivity level (0.84 nmol/mL) is more than that of ELISA assays (3.13 nmol/mL) and is already equally reliable and reproducible at this early stage of development. More importantly, this method is cost effective and simple to operate, requiring only mixing of samples with a kit solution. Our method thus possesses potential as a future alternative to the more costly and operatively encumbered conventional antibody-based methods.
An inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor-1 (FGFR1) promotes late-stage terminal differentiation from NGN3+ pancreatic endocrine progenitors
Authors: Yamashita-Sugahara Yzumi , Matsumoto Masahito , Ohtaka Manami , Nishimura Ken , Nakanishi Mahito , Mitani Kohnosuke , Okazaki Yasushi 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) provide a potential resource for regenerative medicine. To identify the signalling pathway(s) contributing to the development of functional β cells, we established a tracing model consisting of dual knock-in hiPSCs (INS-Venus/NGN3-mCherry) (hIveNry) expressing the fluorescent proteins Venus and mCherry under the control of intrinsic insulin (INS) and neurogenin 3 (NGN3) promoters, respectively. hIveNry iPSCs differentiated into NGN3- and mCherry-positive endocrine progenitors and then into Venus-positive β cells expressing INS, PDX1, NKX6.1, and glucokinase (GCK). Using these cells, we conducted high-throughput screening of chemicals and identified a specific kinase inhibitor of fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 (FGFR1) that acted in a stage-dependent manner to promote the terminal differentiation of pancreatic endocrine cells, including β cells, from the intermediate stage of pancreatic endocrine progenitors while blocking the early development of pancreatic progenitors. This FGFR1 inhibitor augmented the expression of functional β cell markers (SLC30A8 and ABCC8) and improved glucose-stimulated INS secretion. Our findings indicate that the hIveNry model could provide further insights into the mechanisms of hiPS-derived β cell differentiation controlled by FGFR1-mediated regulatory pathways in a temporal-dependent fashion.
A novel screen for genes associated with pheromone-induced sterility
Authors: Camiletti Alison L. , Percival-Smith Anthony , Croft Justin R. , Thompson Graham J. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractFor honey bee and other social insect colonies the ‘queen substance’ regulates colony reproduction rendering workers functionally sterile. The evolution of worker reproductive altruism is explained by inclusive fitness theory, but little is known of the genes involved or how they regulate the phenotypic expression of altruism. We previously showed that application of honeybee queen pheromone to virgin fruit flies suppresses fecundity. Here we exploit this finding to identify genes associated with the perception of an ovary-inhibiting social pheromone. Mutational and RNAi approaches in Drosophila reveal that the olfactory co-factor Orco together with receptors Or49b, Or56a and Or98a are potentially involved in the perception of queen pheromone and the suppression of fecundity. One of these, Or98a, is known to mediate female fly mating behaviour, and its predicted ligand is structurally similar to a methyl component of the queen pheromone. Our novel approach to finding genes associated with pheromone-induced sterility implies conserved reproductive regulation between social and pre-social orders, and further helps to identify candidate orthologues from the pheromone-responsive pathway that may regulate honeybee worker sterility.
Comparative proteomic analysis of extracellular vesicles isolated from porcine adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells
Authors: Eirin Alfonso , Zhu Xiang-Yang , Puranik Amrutesh S. , Woollard John R. , Tang Hui , Dasari Surendra , Lerman Amir , van Wijnen Andre J. , Lerman Lilach O. 
Published: October 2016

AbstractExtracellular vesicles (EVs) isolated from mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) contribute to recovery of damaged tissue. We have previously shown that porcine MSC-derived EVs transport mRNA and miRNA capable of modulating cellular pathways in recipient cells. To identify candidate factors that contribute to the therapeutic effects of porcine MSC-derived EVs, we characterized their protein cargo using proteomics. Porcine MSCs were cultured from abdominal fat, and EVs characterized for expression of typical MSC and EV markers. LC-MS/MS proteomic analysis was performed and proteins classified. Functional pathway analysis was performed and five candidate proteins were validated by western blot. Proteomics analysis identified 5,469 distinct proteins in MSCs and 4,937 in EVs. The average protein expression was higher in MSCs vs. EVs. Differential expression analysis revealed 128 proteins that are selectively enriched in EVs versus MSCs, whereas 563 proteins were excluded from EVs. Proteins enriched in EVs are linked to a broad range of biological functions, including angiogenesis, blood coagulation, apoptosis, extracellular matrix remodeling, and regulation of inflammation. Excluded are mostly nuclear proteins, like proteins involved in nucleotide binding and RNA splicing. EVs have a selectively-enriched protein cargo with a specific biological signature that MSCs may employ for intercellular communication to facilitate tissue repair.
Synchronization in flickering of three-coupled candle flames
Authors: Okamoto Keiko , Kijima Akifumi , Umeno Yoshitaka , Shima Hiroyuki 
Published: October 2016

AbstractWhen two or more candle flames are fused by approaching them together, the resulting large flame often exhibits flickering, i.e., prolonged high-frequency oscillation in its size and luminance. In the present work, we investigate the collective behaviour of three-coupled candle flame oscillators in a triangular arrangement. The system showed four distinct types of syncronised modes as a consequence of spontaneous symmetry breaking. The modes obtained include the in-phase mode, the partial in-phase mode, the rotation mode, and an anomalous one called the “death” mode that causes a sudden stop of the flame oscillation followed by self-sustained stable combustion. We also clarified the correlation between the inter-flame distance and the frequency with which the modes occur.
HCV core protein inhibits polarization and activity of both M1 and M2 macrophages through the TLR2 signaling pathway
Authors: Zhang Qianqian , Wang Yang , Zhai Naicui , Song Hongxiao , Li Haijun , Yang Yang , Li Tianyang , Guo Xiaolin , Chi Baorong , Niu Junqi , Crispe Ian Nicholas , Su Lishan , Tu Zhengkun 
Published: October 2016

AbstractHepatitis C virus (HCV) establishes persistent infection in most infected patients, and eventually causes chronic hepatitis, cirrhosis, and hepatocellular carcinoma in some patients. Monocytes and macrophages provide the first line of defense against pathogens, but their roles in HCV infection remains unclear. We have reported that HCV core protein (HCVc) manipulates human blood-derived dendritic cell development. In the present study, we tested whether HCVc affects human blood-derived monocyte differentiating into macrophages. Results showed that HCVc inhibits monocyte differentiation to either M1 or M2 macrophages through TLR2, associated with impaired STATs signaling pathway. Moreover, HCVc inhibits phagocytosis activity of M1 and M2 macrophages, M1 macrophage-induced autologous and allogeneic CD4+ T cell activation, but promotes M2 macrophage-induced autologous and allogeneic CD4+ T cell activation. In conclusion, HCVc inhibits monocyte-derived macrophage polarization via TLR2 signaling, leading to dysfunctions of both M1 and M2 macrophages in chronic HCV infected patients. This may contribute to the mechanism of HCV persistent infection, and suggest that blockade of HCVc might be a novel therapeutic approach to treating HCV infection.
Evaluating the transferability of 15 European-derived fasting plasma glucose SNPs in Mexican children and adolescents
Authors: Langlois Christine , Abadi Arkan , Peralta-Romero Jesus , Alyass Akram , Suarez Fernando , Gomez-Zamudio Jaime , Burguete-Garcia Ana I. , Yazdi Fereshteh T. , Cruz Miguel , Meyre David 
Published: October 2016

AbstractGenome wide association studies (GWAS) have identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that are associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) in adult European populations. The contribution of these SNPs to FPG in non-Europeans and children is unclear. We studied the association of 15 GWAS SNPs and a genotype score (GS) with FPG and 7 metabolic traits in 1,421 Mexican children and adolescents from Mexico City. Genotyping of the 15 SNPs was performed using TaqMan Open Array. We used multivariate linear regression models adjusted for age, sex, body mass index standard deviation score, and recruitment center. We identified significant associations between 3 SNPs (G6PC2 (rs560887), GCKR (rs1260326), MTNR1B (rs10830963)), the GS and FPG level. The FPG risk alleles of 11 out of the 15 SNPs (73.3%) displayed significant or non-significant beta values for FPG directionally consistent with those reported in adult European GWAS. The risk allele frequencies for 11 of 15 (73.3%) SNPs differed significantly in Mexican children and adolescents compared to European adults from the 1000G Project, but no significant enrichment in FPG risk alleles was observed in the Mexican population. Our data support a partial transferability of European GWAS FPG association signals in children and adolescents from the admixed Mexican population.
A fully functionalized metamaterial perfect absorber with simple design and implementation
Authors: Fu Sze Ming , Zhong Yan Kai , Tu Ming Hsiang , Chen Bo Ruei , Lin Albert 
Published: October 2016

AbstractBroadband perfect metamaterial absorbers have been drawing significant attention in recent years. A close-to-unity absorption over a broad spectral range is established and this facilitates many photonic applications. A more challenging goal is to construct a broadband absorber with a tailored spectral absorption. The spectral absorption control and spectral shaping are very critical in many applications, such as thermal-photovoltaic, thermal emitters, spectrum imaging system, biomedical and extraterrestrial sensing, and refractive index sensor. In this work, one-dimensional (1D) planar stacking structure is designed to achieve the ultimate goal of a functionalized absorber with a fully tailorable spectral absorption. The lithography and etching process are totally eliminated in this proposed structure, and the fabrication is fully compatible with the regular silicon IC processing. By using ~2 nm ultra-thin metallic layers with a 10-pair (10X) SiO2/Si3N4 integrated dielectric filter, we can achieve decent spectral response shaping. The planar configuration of the ultra-thin-metal metamaterial perfect absorber (MPA) is the key to the easy design/integration of the dielectric filters on top of the MPA. Specifically, band-rejected, high-pass, low-pass and band-pass structure are constructed successfully. Finally, experimental evidence to support our simulation result is also provided, which proves the feasibility of our proposal.
Outcome Analysis of End-to-End and End-to-Side Anastomoses in 131 Patients Undergoing Microsurgical Free Flap Reconstruction of the Lower Extremity
Authors: Könneker Sören , Broelsch G.F. , Kuhbier J.W. , Framke T. , Neubert N. , Dastagir K. , Mett T. , Vogt P.M. , Jokuszies A. 
Published: October 2016

Background End-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses remain the most common techniques in microsurgical free flap reconstruction. Still, there is an ongoing effort to optimize established techniques and develop novel techniques. Numerous comparative studies have investigated flow dynamics and patency rates of microvascular anastomoses and their impact on flap survival. In contrast, few studies have investigated whether the type of anastomosis influences the outcome of microvascular free flap reconstruction of a lower extremity.
Patients and Methods Retrospectively, we investigated the outcome of 131 consecutive free flaps for lower extremity reconstruction related to the anastomotic technique.
Results No statistical significance between arterial or venous anastomoses were found regarding the anastomotic techniques (p = 0.5470). However, evaluated separately by vessel type, a trend toward statistical significance for anastomotic technique was observed in the arterial (p = 0.0690) and venous (p = 0.1700) vessels. No thromboses were found in arterial end-to-end anastomoses and venous end-to-side anastomoses. More venous (n = 18) than arterial thromboses (n = 9) occurred in primary anastomoses undergoing microsurgical free flap reconstruction (p = 0.0098). Flap survival rate was 97.37% in the end-to-end arterial group versus 86.36% in the end-to-side group. No thromboses were found in five arterial anastomoses using T-patch technique.
Conclusion For lower extremities, there is a connate higher risk for venous thrombosis in anastomotic regions compared with arterial thrombosis. We observed divergent rates for thromboses between end-to-end and end-to-side anastomoses.However, if thrombotic events are explained by anastomotic technique and vessel type, the latter carries more importance.