bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Phylogeography and genealogy of the tsetse fly Glossina pallidipes (Diptera: Glossinidae)
Authors: Krafsur E.S. , Marquez J.G. , Ouma J.O. 
Published: February 2016

Glossina pallidipes, a widely but discontinuously distributed African savanna species, is one of the economically important tsetse flies because it is a vector of trypanosomiasis, a lethal disease of cattle and other domestic animals. DNA sequences of ribosomal (r16S2, 249 bp) and cytochrome oxidase I (COI, 421 bp) concatenated mitochondrial genes were analysed in 23 geographically diverse samples ofG. pallidipesfrom Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Among 873 flies, we detected 181 composite haplotypes and found that their spatial diversities and frequency distributions were heterogeneous. Haplotype and nucleotide diversities were greatest in Ethiopia and least in southern Africa. We observed little haplotype and nucleotide diversity among regions, and detected severely limited maternal gene flow among the sampled populations (ΦST= 0.42). Tests for demographic stability and analysis of mismatch distributions revealed regionally contrasting demographic histories. The Ethiopian populations were phylogenetically the oldest and genetically the most diverse, and exhibited successive waves of contraction and expansion. The southern African populations were phylogenetically the youngest and genetically the least diverse, and showed only a single, recent expansion. Likely ecological correlates of historical tsetse fly demography include population suppression trials in East Africa and recurring rinderpest epizootics in southern Africa, beginning in the late nineteenth century that reduced host mammalian populations.
Functional imaging of neuron–astrocyte interactions in a compartmentalized microfluidic device
Authors: Gao Yandong , Broussard Joey , Haque Amranul , Revzin Alexander , Lin Tian 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTraditional approaches in cultivating neural cells in a dish without orienting their interactions have had only limited success in revealing neural network properties. To enhance the experimental capabilities of studying neural circuitry in vitro, we designed an experimental system combining concepts of micropatterned surfaces, microfluidic devices and genetically encoded biosensors. Micropatterning was used to position neurons and astrocytes in defined locations and guide interactions between the two cell types. Microfluidic chambers were placed atop micropatterned surfaces to allow delivery of different pharmacological agents or viral vectors to the desired cell types. In this device, astrocytes and neurons communicated through grooves molded into the floor of the microfluidic device. By combining microfluidics with genetically encoded calcium indicators as functional readouts, we further demonstrated the utility of this device for analyzing neuron–neuron and neuron–astrocyte interactions in vitro under both healthy and pathophysiological conditions. We found that both spontaneous and evoked calcium dynamics in astrocytes can be modulated by interactions with neurons. In the future, we foresee employing the microdevices described here for studying mechanisms of neurological disorders.
A fully electronic microfabricated gas chromatograph with complementary capacitive detectors for indoor pollutants
Authors: Qin Yutao , Gianchandani Yogesh B 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThis paper reports a complete micro gas chromatography (μGC) system in which all the components are lithographically microfabricated and electronically interfaced. The components include a bi-directional Knudsen pump, a preconcentrator, separation columns and a pair of capacitive gas detectors; together, these form the iGC3.c2 system. All the fluidic components of the system are fabricated by a common three-mask lithographic process. The Knudsen pump is a thermomolecular pump that provides air flow to the μGC without any moving parts. The film heaters embedded in the separation columns permit temperature programming. The capacitive detectors provide complementary response patterns, enhancing vapor recognition and resolving co-eluting peaks. With the components assembled on printed circuit boards, the system has a footprint of 8×10 cm2 . Using room air as the carrier gas, the system is used to experimentally demonstrate the analysis of 19 chemicals with concentration levels on the order of parts per million (p.p.m.) and parts per billion (p.p.b.). The tested chemicals include alkanes, aromatic hydrocarbons, aldehydes, halogenated hydrocarbons and terpenes. This set of chemicals represents a variety of common indoor air pollutants, among which benzene, toluene and xylenes (BTX) are of particular interest.
Dysregulation of Bmi1 promotes malignant transformation of hepatic progenitor cells
Authors: Zhang R , Wu W R , Shi X D , Xu L B , Zhu M S , Zeng H , Liu C 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAdult hepatic progenitor cells (HPCs) are involved in a wide range of human liver diseases, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Bmi1 has been reported to have vital roles in stem cell self-renewal and carcinogenesis. We have previously demonstrated that Bmi1 is upregulated in HCC with bile duct tumor thrombi, a subtype of HCC characterized by profuse expression of hepatic stem cell markers. However, the function of Bmi1 in HPCs has not yet been well elucidated. The current study was designed to investigate the effects of Bmi1 on the biological properties of rat HPCs. To accomplish this, Bmi1 was silenced or enhanced in two HPC cell lines (WB-F344 and OC3) by, respectively, using either small interfering RNA against Bmi1 or a forced Bmi1 expression retroviral vector. The biological functions of Bmi1 in HPCs were investigated through cell proliferation assays, colony-formation assays, cell cycle analysis and invasion assays, as well as through xenograft-formation assays. In this study, genetic depletion of Bmi1 repressed cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in both assessed HPC cell lines relative to controls. Conversely, forced expression of Bmi1 in two HPCs cell lines promoted cell proliferation, colony formation and invasion in vitro. Aldehyde dehydrogenase (ALDH) assay revealed a significant increase in the number of ALDH-positive cells following the forced expression of Bmi1 in HPCs. Most importantly, transplantation of forced Bmi1 expression HPCs into nude mice resulted in the formation of tumors with histological features of poorly differentiated HCC. Taken together, our findings indicate that forced expression of Bmi1 promotes the malignant transformation of HPCs, suggesting Bmi1 might be a potential molecular target for the treatment of HCC.
Mediating effect of anxiety and depression on the relationship between Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder symptoms and smoking/drinking
Authors: Tong Lian , Shi Hui-Jing , Zhang Zhe , Yuan Yuan , Xia Zhi-Juan , Jiang Xiao-Xiao , Xiong Xu 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAttention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) has been often found to be comorbid with other disorders, including anxiety, depression and unhealthy behaviors such as drinking alcohol and smoking. These factors were often discussed separately and the mediating effects of mental health on substance use are unknown. To study the mediating effects of anxiety and depression on the relationship between ADHD and drinking/smoking behaviors, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 1870 college students from Shanghai, China. The Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale (ASRS-v1.1) and Wender Utah Rating Scale (WURS) were used to identify the current and past ADHD. Structural Equation Modeling was carried out to clarify the mediating effect of anxiety and depression on the relationship between core ADHD symptoms and smoking/drinking behaviors. We found that inattention as one of the core symptoms of ADHD was associated with an increased risk of depression as a direct effect, as well as slightly increased risk of smoking/drinking behaviors by an indirect effect of depression. Hyperactivity-impulsivity, as another core symptom of ADHD had a robust impact on smoking and drinking behaviors, while being mediated by anxiety and depression. In conclusion, anxiety and depression was associated with further increased risk behaviors of smoking/drinking alcohol among those students with ADHD.
MASTL(Greatwall) regulates DNA damage responses by coordinating mitotic entry after checkpoint recovery and APC/C activation
Authors: Wong Po Yee , Ma Hoi Tang , Lee Hyun-jung , Poon Randy Y. C. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe G2 DNA damage checkpoint is one of the most important mechanisms controlling G2–mitosis transition. The kinase Greatwall (MASTL in human) promotes normal G2–mitosis transition by inhibiting PP2A via ARPP19 and ENSA. In this study, we demonstrate that MASTL is critical for maintaining genome integrity after DNA damage. Although MASTL did not affect the activation of DNA damage responses and subsequent repair, it determined the timing of entry into mitosis and the subsequent fate of the recovering cells. Constitutively active MASTL promoted dephosphorylation of CDK1Tyr15 and accelerated mitotic entry after DNA damage. Conversely, downregulation of MASTL or ARPP19/ENSA delayed mitotic entry. Remarkably, APC/C was activated precociously, resulting in the damaged cells progressing from G2 directly to G1 and skipping mitosis all together. Collectively, these results established that precise control of MASTL is essential to couple DNA damage to mitosis through the rate of mitotic entry and APC/C activation.
Lost region in amyloid precursor protein (APP) through TALEN-mediated genome editing alters mitochondrial morphology
Authors: Wang Yajie , Wu Fengyi , Pan Haining , Zheng Wenzhong , Feng Chi , Wang Yunfu , Deng Zixin , Wang Lianrong , Luo Jie , Chen Shi 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by amyloid-β (Aβ) deposition in the brain. Aβ plaques are produced through sequential β/γ cleavage of amyloid precursor protein (APP), of which there are three main APP isoforms: APP695, APP751 and APP770. KPI-APPs (APP751 and APP770) are known to be elevated in AD, but the reason remains unclear. Transcription activator-like (TAL) effector nucleases (TALENs) induce mutations with high efficiency at specific genomic loci and it is thus possible to knock out specific regions using TALENs. In this study, we designed and expressed TALENs specific for the C-terminus of APP in HeLa cells, in which KPI-APPs are predominantly expressed. The KPI-APP mutants lack a 12-aa region that encompasses a 5-aa trans-membrane (TM) region and 7-aa juxta-membrane (JM) region. The mutated KPI-APPs exhibited decreased mitochondrial localization. In addition, mitochondrial morphology was altered, resulting in an increase in spherical mitochondria in the mutant cells through the disruption of the balance between fission and fusion. Mitochondrial dysfunction, including decreased ATP levels, disrupted mitochondrial membrane potential, increased ROS generation and impaired mitochondrial dehydrogenase activity, was also found. These results suggest that specific regions of KPI-APPs are important for mitochondrial localization and function.
The μSCAPE System: 3-Dimensional Profiling of Microfluidic Architectural Features Using a Flatbed Scanner
Authors: Xu Kerui , Liu Qian , Jackson Kimberly R. , Landers James P. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWe developed a microfluidic scanner-based profile exploration system, μSCAPE, capable of generating high resolution 3D profiles of microstructure architecture in a variety of transparent substrates. The profile is obtained by scanning the dye-filled microstructure followed by absorbance calculation and the reconstruction of the optical length at each point. The power of the method was demonstrated in (1) the inspection of the variation of the cross-section of laser-ablated PDMS channel; (2) the volume of PeT chamber; and (3) the population distribution of the volumes of the micro wells in HF-etched glass and laser-ablated PDMS. The reported methods features low equipment-cost, convenient operation and large field of view (FOV) and has revealed unreported quality parameters of the tested microstructures.
Myeloid tissue factor does not modulate lung inflammation or permeability during experimental acute lung injury
Authors: Shaver Ciara M. , Grove Brandon S. , Clune Jennifer K. , Mackman Nigel , Ware Lorraine B. , Bastarache Julie A. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractTissue factor (TF) is a critical mediator of direct acute lung injury (ALI) with global TF deficiency resulting in increased airspace inflammation, alveolar-capillary permeability and alveolar hemorrhage after intra-tracheal lipopolysaccharide (LPS). In the lung, TF is expressed diffusely on the lung epithelium and intensely on cells of the myeloid lineage. We recently reported that TF on the lung epithelium, but not on myeloid cells, was the major source of TF during intra-tracheal LPS-induced ALI. Because of a growing body of literature demonstrating important pathophysiologic differences between ALI caused by different etiologies, we hypothesized that TF on myeloid cells may have distinct contributions to airspace inflammation and permeability between direct and indirect causes of ALI. To test this, we compared mice lacking TF on myeloid cells (TF∆mye, LysM.Cre+/−TFflox/flox) to littermate controls during direct (bacterial pneumonia, ventilator-induced ALI, bleomycin-induced ALI) and indirect ALI (systemic LPS, cecal ligation and puncture). ALI was quantified by weight loss, bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) inflammatory cell number, cytokine concentration, protein concentration and BAL procoagulant activity. There was no significant contribution of TF on myeloid cells in multiple models of experimental ALI, leading to the conclusion that TF in myeloid cells is not a major contributor to experimental ALI.
High-Field High-Repetition-Rate Sources for the Coherent THz Control of Matter
Authors: Green B. , Kovalev S. , Asgekar V. , Geloni G. , Lehnert U. , Golz T. , Kuntzsch M. , Bauer C. , Hauser J. , Voigtlaender J. , Wustmann B. , Koesterke I. , Schwarz M. , Freitag M. , Arnold A. , Teichert J. , Justus M. , Seidel W. , Ilgner C. , Awari N. , Nicoletti D. , Kaiser S. , Laplace Y. , Rajasekaran S. , Zhang L. , Winnerl S. , Schneider H. , Schay G. , Lorincz I. , Rauscher A. A. , Radu I. , Mährlein S. , Kim T. H. , Lee J. S. , Kampfrath T. , Wall S. , Heberle J. , Malnasi-Csizmadia A. , Steiger A. , Müller A. S. , Helm M. , Schramm U. , Cowan T. , Michel P. , Cavalleri A. , Fisher A. S. , Stojanovic N. , Gensch M. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUltrashort flashes of THz light with low photon energies of a few meV, but strong electric or magnetic field transients have recently been employed to prepare various fascinating nonequilibrium states in matter. Here we present a new class of sources based on superradiant enhancement of radiation from relativistic electron bunches in a compact electron accelerator that we believe will revolutionize experiments in this field. Our prototype source generates high-field THz pulses at unprecedented quasi-continuous-wave repetition rates up to the MHz regime. We demonstrate parameters that exceed state-of-the-art laser-based sources by more than 2 orders of magnitude. The peak fields and the repetition rates are highly scalable and once fully operational this type of sources will routinely provide 1 MV/cm electric fields and 0.3 T magnetic fields at repetition rates of few 100 kHz. We benchmark the unique properties by performing a resonant coherent THz control experiment with few 10 fs resolution.
Perception of the duration of emotional faces in schizophrenic patients
Authors: Zhang Dandan , Zhao Yanli , Liu Yunzhe , Tan Shuping 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe level of emotional timing deficit is a critical determinant of daily functions and social interactions in people with schizophrenia. This study demonstrated that people with schizophrenia have significant deficits in emotional time perception. Behaviorally, while the healthy controls overestimated the duration of happy and fearful faces, the patients underestimated the duration of emotional and neutral faces. Accordingly, an online ERP index of timing—the contingent negative variation (CNV) displayed larger amplitudes for emotional faces in the controls, whereas the CNV in the patients only showed overall smaller amplitudes when compared with the controls. In addition, the results of the N170 and the CNV suggest that the emotional processing and timing for facial expressions in schizophrenia might have a pattern of two-stage deterioration. Findings from the present work point to the importance of considering the time dimension of emotional processing in schizophrenia, based on which we are likely to discover aspects of emotional deficits that would be unnoticed in other studies. Furthermore, the perception deviation of the duration of emotional faces in schizophrenia suggests us to consider the magnitude of this temporal deviation as a quantitative biomarker for specific emotional/social dysfunctions in schizophrenia.
Low serum calcium is associated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a Chinese population with coronary artery disease
Authors: Wang Yong , Ma Heng , Hao Xiaochen , Yang Jun , Chen Qiujing , Lu Lin , Zhang Ruiyan 
Published: February 2016

AbstractWhether serum calcium is associated with heart systolic function in patients with established coronary artery disease (CAD) and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) remains to be elucidated. This study is aimed to assess the association between serum calcium and left ventricular systolic dysfunction in a Chinese population of CAD. The cross-sectional study included 5938 CAD patients with and without AMI in China. The factors associated with AMI and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) were evaluated. The data showed that AMI patients had lower serum calcium levels (2.11 ± 0.13 vs 2.20 ± 0.10 mmol/l, P < 0.001) than those without AMI. Multiple logistic regression analysis exhibited that serum calcium (OR: 0.000, 95% CI: 0.000–0.001) was one of the independent factors correlated with AMI. CAD patients with and without AMI when LVEF <50% had lower serum calcium levels than those when LVEF ≥50% respectively. Serum calcium was independently associated with LVEF and LVEF <50% in CAD patients with and without AMI respectively using multivariate analysis. The independent association between serum calcium and LVEF still existed among CAD patients when LVEF ≥50%. Serum calcium levels are significantly decreased following AMI. Low serum calcium is independently correlated with left ventricular systolic dysfunction in CAD patients with and without AMI.
Co-electrodeposition of hard Ni-W/diamond nanocomposite coatings
Authors: Zhang Xinyu , Qin Jiaqian , Das Malay Kumar , Hao Ruru , Zhong Hua , Thueploy Adisak , Limpanart Sarintorn , Boonyongmaneerat Yuttanant , Ma Mingzhen , Liu Riping 
Published: February 2016

AbstractElectroplated hard chrome coating is widely used as a wear resistant coating to prolong the life of mechanical components. However, the electroplating process generates hexavalent chromium ion which is known carcinogen. Hence, there is a major effort throughout the electroplating industry to replace hard chrome coating. Composite coating has been identified as suitable materials for replacement of hard chrome coating, while deposition coating prepared using traditional co-deposition techniques have relatively low particles content, but the content of particles incorporated into a coating may fundamentally affect its properties. In the present work, Ni-W/diamond composite coatings were prepared by sediment co-electrodeposition from Ni-W plating bath, containing suspended diamond particles. This study indicates that higher diamond contents could be successfully co-deposited and uniformly distributed in the Ni-W alloy matrix. The maximum hardness of Ni-W/diamond composite coatings is found to be 2249 ± 23 Hv due to the highest diamond content of 64 wt.%. The hardness could be further enhanced up to 2647 ± 25 Hv with heat treatment at 873 K for 1 h in Ar gas, which is comparable to hard chrome coatings. Moreover, the addition of diamond particles could significantly enhance the wear resistance of the coatings.
Identification of Meflin as a Potential Marker for Mesenchymal Stromal Cells
Authors: Maeda Keiko , Enomoto Atsushi , Hara Akitoshi , Asai Naoya , Kobayashi Takeshi , Horinouchi Asuka , Maruyama Shoichi , Ishikawa Yuichi , Nishiyama Takahiro , Kiyoi Hitoshi , Kato Takuya , Ando Kenju , Weng Liang , Mii Shinji , Asai Masato , Mizutani Yasuyuki , Watanabe Osamu , Hirooka Yoshiki , Goto Hidemi , Takahashi Masahide 
Published: February 2016

AbstractBone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (BM-MSCs) in culture are derived from BM stromal cells or skeletal stem cells. Whereas MSCs have been exploited in clinical medicine, the identification of MSC-specific markers has been limited. Here, we report that a cell surface and secreted protein, Meflin, is expressed in cultured MSCs, fibroblasts and pericytes, but not other types of cells including epithelial, endothelial and smooth muscle cells. In vivo, Meflin is expressed by immature osteoblasts and chondroblasts. In addition, Meflin is found on stromal cells distributed throughout the BM and on pericytes and perivascular cells in multiple organs. Meflin maintains the undifferentiated state of cultured MSCs and is downregulated upon their differentiation, consistent with the observation that Meflin-deficient mice exhibit increased number of osteoblasts and accelerated bone development. In the bone and BM, Meflin is more highly expressed in primitive stromal cells that express platelet-derived growth factor receptor α and Sca-1 than the Sca-1-negative adipo-osteogenic progenitors, which create a niche for hematopoiesis. Those results are consistent with a decrease in the number of clonogenic colony-forming unit-fibroblasts within the BM of Meflin-deficient mice. These preliminary data suggest that Meflin is a potential marker for cultured MSCs and their source cells in vivo.
A physiologically based kinetic model for elucidating the in vivo distribution of administered mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Wang Haolu , Liang Xiaowen , Xu Zhi Ping , Crawford Darrell H. G. , Liu Xin , Roberts Michael S. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractAlthough mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) present a promising tool in cell therapy for the treatment of various diseases, the in vivo distribution of administered MSCs has still been poorly understood, which hampers the precise prediction and evaluation of their therapeutic efficacy. Here, we developed the first model to characterize the physiological kinetics of administered MSCs based on direct visualization of cell spatiotemporal disposition by intravital microscopy and assessment of cell quantity using flow cytometry. This physiologically based kinetic model was validated with multiple external datasets, indicating potential inter-route and inter-species predictive capability. Our results suggest that the targeting efficiency of MSCs is determined by the lung retention and interaction between MSCs and target organs, including cell arrest, depletion and release. By adapting specific parameters, this model can be easily applied to abnormal conditions or other types of circulating cells for designing treatment protocols and guiding future experiments.