bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Taste of breath: the temporal order of taste and smell synchronized with breathing as a determinant for taste and olfactory integration
Authors: Kakutani Yuya , Narumi Takuji , Kobayakawa Tatsu , Kawai Takayuki , Kusakabe Yuko , Kunieda Satomi , Wada Yuji 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMany studies have reported that subjective taste intensity is enhanced by odors which are congruent, for example a sweet taste and a vanilla odor. Some reports have suggested that subjective taste is more strongly enhanced by retronasal than by orthonasal odors; others have suggested that taste enhancements by both odor routes are identical. Differences between the two routes include the direction of airflow accompanying breath. Thus, it is possible that the order of gustatory and olfactory stimuli when breathing through either route while drinking is a determining factor for taste-odor integration. To reveal the natural relationship between taste intensity enhancement by odors and breath, synchronization of odor stimulation with the breath is necessary. Here, we examined whether the enhancement of a sweet taste is induced by a vanilla odor presented in various combinations of odor routes, immediately before and immediately after drinking. The results showed that a retronasal odor after drinking enhanced taste, but an orthonasal odor before drinking did not. The retronasal odor before drinking and the orthonasal odor after drinking did not enhance the sweet taste. These results show that congruency with the natural order of stimulus and kinetic sensation is a determining factor for odor-induced taste enhancement.
A Machine Learning Approach Using Survival Statistics to Predict Graft Survival in Kidney Transplant Recipients: A Multicenter Cohort Study
Authors: Yoo Kyung Don , Noh Junhyug , Lee Hajeong , Kim Dong Ki , Lim Chun Soo , Kim Young Hoon , Lee Jung Pyo , Kim Gunhee , Kim Yon Su 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAccurate prediction of graft survival after kidney transplant is limited by the complexity and heterogeneity of risk factors influencing allograft survival. In this study, we applied machine learning methods, in combination with survival statistics, to build new prediction models of graft survival that included immunological factors, as well as known recipient and donor variables. Graft survival was estimated from a retrospective analysis of the data from a multicenter cohort of 3,117 kidney transplant recipients. We evaluated the predictive power of ensemble learning algorithms (survival decision tree, bagging, random forest, and ridge and lasso) and compared outcomes to those of conventional models (decision tree and Cox regression). Using a conventional decision tree model, the 3-month serum creatinine level post-transplant (cut-off, 1.65 mg/dl) predicted a graft failure rate of 77.8% (index of concordance, 0.71). Using a survival decision tree model increased the index of concordance to 0.80, with the episode of acute rejection during the first year post-transplant being associated with a 4.27-fold increase in the risk of graft failure. Our study revealed that early acute rejection in the first year is associated with a substantially increased risk of graft failure. Machine learning methods may provide versatile and feasible tools for forecasting graft survival.
Amniogenic somatopleure: a novel origin of multiple cell lineages contributing to the cardiovascular system
Authors: Asai Rieko , Haneda Yuka , Seya Daiki , Arima Yuichiro , Fukuda Kimiko , Kurihara Yukiko , Miyagawa-Tomita Sachiko , Kurihara Hiroki 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe somatopleure is the amniotic primordium in amniote development, but its boundary to the embryonic body at early embryonic stages and the fate of cells constituting this structure are not well characterized. It also remains unclear how cells behave during the demarcation between intra- and extra-embryonic tissues. Here we identify cellular alignments, which indicate two streams towards the sites of dorsal amniotic closure and ventral thoracic wall formation. A subpopulation of mesodermal cells moving ventrally from the somatopleural region adjacent to the base of the head fold enter the body of the embryo and distribute to the thoracic wall, pharyngeal arches and heart. These cells are induced to differentiate into vascular endothelial cells and cardiomyocytes possibly by FGF and BMP signaling, respectively. These results indicate that the somatopleure acting as the amniotic primordium also serves as a source of embryonic cells, which may contribute to cardiovascular development.
Arp2/3 complex controls T cell homeostasis by maintaining surface TCR levels via regulating TCR+ endosome trafficking
Authors: Zhang Ye , Shen Hao , Liu Haifeng , Feng Haiyun , Liu Yan , Zhu Xiaoyan , Liu Xiaolong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractT cell receptor (TCR) signaling is important for T cell homeostasis and function. However, how surface TCR levels are regulated and its biological significance on T cells remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the T cell-specific deletion of Arpc2, a component of Arp2/3 complex, results in compromised peripheral T cell homeostasis. Arp2/3 complex-nucleated actin filaments are essential for maintaining surface TCR levels by regulating TCR+ endosome trafficking in resting state and controlling polarization of TCR+ endosomes during immune synapse formation in T cells. Additionally, Arpc2-TKO T cells are unable to form immune synapse. Interestingly, defected T cell homeostasis is caused by reduced surface TCR levels but not impaired immune synapse formation. Collectively, our findings suggest that Arp2/3 complex-nucleated actin filaments are required for maintaining surface TCR levels via regulating TCR+ endosome trafficking which is essential for T cell homeostasis.
Isoliquiritigenin modulates miR-374a/PTEN/Akt axis to suppress breast cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis
Authors: Peng Fu , Tang Hailin , Liu Peng , Shen Jiangang , Guan Xinyuan , Xie Xiaofang , Gao Jihai , Xiong Liang , Jia Lei , Chen Jianping , Peng Cheng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBreast cancer is one of the most frightful causes of death among females worldwide. Accumulating evidence attached the importance of microRNAs negative regulation to tumorigenesis in breast cancer, suggesting novel cancer therapies targeting microRNAs modulation. Recent studies demonstrated that isoliquiritigenin could inhibit breast cancer cells proliferation and migration, but the underlying mechanism is still limited. In this study, the anti-cancer effects as well as the detailed mechanisms of isoliquiritigenin were explored. The results proved that isoliquiritigenin could negatively regulate breast cancer growth through the induction of apoptosis. We also verified the anti-cancer effect of isoliquiritigenin on migration and invasion, and identified highly expressed miR-374a as one of the main microRNAs down-regulated by isoliquiritigenin treatment in breast cancer. Further study displayed that isoliquiritigenin increased PTEN expression through the decrease of miR-374a expression to inhibit the aberrant Akt signaling. Our findings suggest isoliquiritigenin as a novel anti-cancer candidate significantly regulating miR-374a/PTEN/Akt axis in microRNA-based breast cancer therapies.
Self-sacrificed template synthesis of ribbon-like hexagonal boron nitride nano-architectures and their improvement on mechanical and thermal properties of PHA polymer
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Zhenya , Cao Chaochao , Wang Chong , Fang Yi , Huang Yang , Yu Chao , Zhang Jun , Li Lanlan , Hu Long , Tang Chengchun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2-D) boron nitride (BN) nanomaterials have received intensive attention because of their attractive mechanical, thermal and chemical stability. Here we demonstrate, for the first time, the synthesis of ribbon-like hexagonal boron nitride nano-architectures (RLBN) through a simple self-sacrificed template method using the cheap boric acid and melamine as raw materials. After the freeze-drying and thermal decomposition process, uniform ultrathin RLBN with width of 200–500 nm and thick of a few nanometers can be obtained. The RLBN with high quality tremendously improves the mechanical and thermal properties of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) polymer. The decomposition temperature (Td) of PHA increases from 368 °C to 390 °C, while the thermal conductivity increases by 46.0% with RLBN doped. The ductility (strain at break), yield strength and tensile strength of PHA@RLBN composite are also enhanced by 52.3%, 49.4% and 6.01% respectively.
Optical µ-Printing of Cellular-Scale Microscaffold Arrays for 3D Cell Culture
Authors: Ouyang Xia , Zhang Kunyu , Wu Jushuai , Wong Dexter Siu-Hong , Feng Qian , Bian Liming , Zhang A. Ping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractGuiding cell culture via engineering extracellular microenvironment has attracted tremendous attention due to its appealing potentials in the repair, maintenance, and development of tissues or even whole organs. However, conventional biofabrication technologies are usually less productive in fabricating microscale three-dimensional (3D) constructs because of the strident requirements in processing precision and complexity. Here we present an optical µ-printing technology to rapidly fabricate 3D microscaffold arrays for 3D cell culture and cell-scaffold interaction studies on a single chip. Arrays of 3D cubic microscaffolds with cubical sizes matching the single-cell size were fabricated to facilitate cell spreading on suspended microbeams so as to expose both apical and basal cell membranes. We further showed that the increasing of the cubical size of the microscaffolds led to enhanced spreading of the seeded human mesenchymal stem cells and activation of mechanosensing signaling, thereby promoting osteogenesis. Moreover, we demonstrated that the spatially selective modification of the surfaces of suspended beams with a bioactive coating (gelatin methacrylate) via an in-situ printing process allowed tailorable cell adhesion and spreading on the 3D microscaffolds.
40Ar/39Ar dating of Glacial Termination VI: constraints on the duration of Marine Isotopic Stage 13
Authors: Marra Fabrizio , Florindo Fabio , Jicha Brian R. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present four new 40Ar/39Ar ages of tephra layers from an aggradational succession (Valle Giulia Formation) near the mouth of the Tiber Valley in Rome that was deposited in response to sea-level rise during Marine Isotopic Stage (MIS) 13. These new ages, integrated with seven previously determined ages, provide the only extant independent, radioisotopic age constraint on glacial termination VI and on the duration of MIS 13 sea-level rise. The new geochronologic constraints suggest a long duration for the period of sea-level rise (533 ± 2 through 498 ± 2 ka) encompassing two consecutive positive peaks of the δ18O curve (substages 13.3 and 13.1). Consistently, the litho-stratigraphic features of the sedimentary record account for two aggradational phases separated by an intervening erosional phase. Moreover, the ages obtained for this study give us the opportunity to compare the timing of the sea-level fluctuations inferred from the stratigraphic record and that provided by the astrochronologic calibration of the Oxygen isotopic curves, and to assess the calibrations of 40Ar/39Ar standards. Results of this comparison indicate that the best match is for an age of 1.186 Ma for the Alder Creek Rhyolite sanidine and 28.201 Ma for the Fish Canyon Tuff sanidine.
Orphan GPR61, GPR62 and GPR135 receptors and the melatonin MT2 receptor reciprocally modulate their signaling functions
Authors: Oishi Atsuro , Karamitri Angeliki , Gerbier Romain , Lahuna Olivier , Ahmad Raise , Jockers Ralf 
Published: August 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the function of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), whose cognate ligand is unknown, is of major importance as GPCRs are privileged drug targets for many diseases. Recent phylogenetic studies classified three orphan receptors, GPR61, GPR62 and GPR135 among the melatonin receptor subfamily, but their capacity to bind melatonin and their biochemical functions are not well characterized yet. We show here that GPR61, GPR62 and GPR135 do not bind [3H]-melatonin nor 2-[125I]iodomelatonin and do not respond to melatonin in several signaling assays. In contrast, the three receptors show extensive spontaneous ligand-independent activities on the cAMP, inositol phosphate and ß-arrestin pathways with distinct pathway-specific profiles. Spontaneous ß-arrestin recruitment internalizes all three GPRs in the endosomal compartment. Co-expression of the melatonin binding MT2 receptor with GPR61, GPR62 or GPR135 has several consequences such as (i) the formation of receptor heteromers, (ii) the inhibition of melatonin-induced ß-arrestin2 recruitment to MT2 and (iii) the decrease of elevated cAMP levels upon melatonin stimulation in cells expressing spontaneously active GPR61 and GPR62. Collectively, these data show that GPR61, GPR62 and GPR135 are unable to bind melatonin, but show a reciprocal regulatory interaction with MT2 receptors.
Cellular responses induced by multi-walled carbon nanotubes: in vivo and in vitro studies on the medicinal leech macrophages
Authors: Girardello Rossana , Baranzini Nicolò , Tettamanti Gianluca , de Eguileor Magda , Grimaldi Annalisa 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe core characteristics of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) are impressive and attractive for technology however, since their production and use is steadily increasing, their environmental dispersion could be potentially hazardous to animal and human health. For this reason, the identification of new methods and of reliable models to better understand MWCNT effects is essential. Here we propose the medicinal leech as an alternative model to assess the effects of MWCNTs on immune system. Our previous studies have already demonstrated that in vivo MWCNT treatment induces the activation of leech’s macrophages. Here we will focus on the direct effects of MWCNTs on these cells by isolating and culturing leech's macrophages by means of the consolidated Matrigel technique, followed by MWCNT in vitro treatment. Our results indicate that MWCNT administration causes both the decrease of cell proliferation rate and the increase of the apoptotic rate. Furthermore, since oxidative stress is linked with inflammation, reactive oxygen species has been evaluated confirming that their production rate increases after MWCNT treatment. Our experimental approaches demonstrate the ability of MWCNTs inducing a powerful inflammatory response and confirm that the medicinal leech is a good alternative model to study the possible harmful effects of any nanomaterial.
Extracellular calcium modulates brown adipocyte differentiation and identity
Authors: Pramme-Steinwachs Ines , Jastroch Martin , Ussar Siegfried 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBrown adipocytes are important in regulating non-shivering thermogenesis, whole body glucose and lipid homeostasis. Increasing evidence supports an important role of metabolites as well as macro- and micronutrients in brown adipocyte differentiation and function. Calcium is one of the most abundant ions in the body regulating multiple cellular processes. We observed that increasing extracellular calcium concentration during brown adipocyte differentiation blocks lipid accumulation and suppresses induction of major adipogenic transcription factors such as PPARγ and C/EBPα. In contrast, the depletion of calcium in the medium enhances adipogenesis and expression of brown adipocyte selective genes, such as UCP1. Mechanistically, we show that elevated extracellular calcium inhibits C/EBPβ activity through hyperactivation of ERK, a process that is independent of intracellular calcium levels and reversibly halts differentiation. Moreover, increased extracellular calcium solely after the induction phase of differentiation specifically suppresses gene expression of UCP1, PRDM16 and PGC1-α. Notably, depleting extracellular calcium provokes opposite effects. Together, we show that modulating extracellular calcium concentration controls brown adipocyte differentiation and thermogenic gene expression, highlighting the importance of tissue microenvironment on brown adipocyte heterogeneity and function.
A Bio-mechanical Model for Elbow Isokinetic and Isotonic Flexions
Authors: Wang Xi , Tao Xiaoming , So Raymond C. H. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA new bio-mechanical model for elbow flexions is proposed to quantify the elbow torque generated as a function of the upper-arm circumferential strain and influencing factors of elbow angle and angular velocity. The upper-arm circumferential strain is used to represent the contractile intensity of the dominant flexor, biceps brachii, whose behavior is described by Hill’s theory. Experiments with thirteen healthy subjects were conducted to determine the influencing factors. The temporal distributions of torque and elbow angle were measured by Biodex ®3 simultaneously, while the upper-arm circumference was obtained by a wearable anthropometric measurement device. Within the experimental range, the change of angular velocity has been found to have no effect on the torque generated. The new model was further verified experimentally with reasonable agreements obtained. The mean relative error of the torque estimated from the model is 15% and 22%, for isokinetic and isotonic flexions, respectively. The verified model establishes the relationship between the torque generated and circumference strain of the upper arm, for the first time, thus provide a scientific foundation for the anthropometric measurement technology as an alternative to sEMG for monitoring force/torque generation during elbow flexions.
Link predication based on matrix factorization by fusion of multi class organizations of the network
Authors: Jiao Pengfei , Cai Fei , Feng Yiding , Wang Wenjun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLink predication aims at forecasting the latent or unobserved edges in the complex networks and has a wide range of applications in reality. Almost existing methods and models only take advantage of one class organization of the networks, which always lose important information hidden in other organizations of the network. In this paper, we propose a link predication framework which makes the best of the structure of networks in different level of organizations based on nonnegative matrix factorization, which is called NMF3 here. We first map the observed network into another space by kernel functions, which could get the different order organizations. Then we combine the adjacency matrix of the network with one of other organizations, which makes us obtain the objective function of our framework for link predication based on the nonnegative matrix factorization. Third, we derive an iterative algorithm to optimize the objective function, which converges to a local optimum, and we propose a fast optimization strategy for large networks. Lastly, we test the proposed framework based on two kernel functions on a series of real world networks under different sizes of training set, and the experimental results show the feasibility, effectiveness, and competitiveness of the proposed framework.
Ergot alkaloids contribute to virulence in an insect model of invasive aspergillosis
Authors: Panaccione Daniel G. , Arnold Stephanie L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNeosartorya fumigata (Aspergillus fumigatus) is the most common cause of invasive aspergillosis, a frequently fatal lung disease primarily affecting immunocompromised individuals. This opportunistic fungal pathogen produces several classes of specialised metabolites including products of a branch of the ergot alkaloid pathway called fumigaclavines. The biosynthesis of the N. fumigata ergot alkaloids and their relation to those produced by alternate pathway branches in fungi from the plant-inhabiting Clavicipitaceae have been well-characterised, but the potential role of these alkaloids in animal pathogenesis has not been studied extensively. We investigated the contribution of ergot alkaloids to virulence of N. fumigata by measuring mortality in the model insect Galleria mellonella. Larvae were injected with conidia (asexual spores) of two different wild-type strains of N. fumigata and three different ergot alkaloid mutants derived by previous gene knockouts and differing in ergot alkaloid profiles. Elimination of all ergot alkaloids significantly reduced virulence of N. fumigata in G. mellonella (P < 0.0001). Mutants accumulating intermediates but not the pathway end product fumigaclavine C also were less virulent than the wild type (P < 0.0003). The data indicate that ergot alkaloids contribute to virulence of N. fumigata in this insect model and that fumigaclavine C is important for full virulence.
Deep time perspective on turtle neck evolution: chasing the Hox code by vertebral morphology
Authors: Böhmer Christine , Werneburg Ingmar 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe unparalleled ability of turtle neck retraction is possible in three different modes, which characterize stem turtles, living side-necked (Pleurodira), and hidden-necked (Cryptodira) turtles, respectively. Despite the conservatism in vertebral count among turtles, there is significant functional and morphological regionalization in the cervical vertebral column. Since Hox genes play a fundamental role in determining the differentiation in vertebra morphology and based on our reconstruction of evolutionary genetics in deep time, we hypothesize genetic differences among the turtle groups and between turtles and other land vertebrates. We correlated anterior Hox gene expression and the quantifiable shape of the vertebrae to investigate the morphological modularity in the neck across living and extinct turtles. This permitted the reconstruction of the hypothetical ancestral Hox code pattern of the whole turtle clade. The scenario of the evolution of axial patterning in turtles indicates shifts in the spatial expression of HoxA-5 in relation to the reduction of cervical ribs in modern turtles and of HoxB-5 linked with a lower morphological differentiation between the anterior cervical vertebrae observed in cryptodirans. By comparison with the mammalian pattern, we illustrate how the fixed count of eight cervical vertebrae in turtles resulted from the emergence of the unique turtle shell.
Phytotoxic dioxolanones are potential virulence factors in the infection process of Guignardia bidwellii
Authors: Buckel Iris , Andernach Lars , Schüffler Anja , Piepenbring Meike , Opatz Till , Thines Eckhard 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPhytotoxic dioxolanones from Guignardia bidwellii can be described as potential virulence factors which cause the formation of lesions upon an infection by G. bidwellii. The toxin guignardic acid was found in planta of G. bidwellii-infected Vitis vinifera leaves, whereas no phytotoxic dioxolanones were detected in uninfected leaf material. Secondary metabolism analyses of further phytopathogenic fungi from the genus Guignardia led to the observation that all species investigated can produce the phytotoxins known from G. bidwellii. In addition to these studies, it was demonstrated that phenguignardic acid is biosynthetically derived from two molecules of phenylalanine and that phenylalanine is a key precursor in the biosynthesis of the two other phytotoxins – alaguignardic acid and guignardic acid.