bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Influence of Nitric Oxide generated through microwave plasma on L6 skeletal muscle cell myogenesis via oxidative signaling pathways
Authors: Kumar Naresh , Shaw Priyanka , Uhm Han Sup , Choi Eun Ha , Attri Pankaj 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMyogenic precursors are myoblasts that have a potency to differentiate into muscle fibers on injury and maintain the regenerative power of skeletal muscle. However, the roles of exogenous nitric oxide (NO) in muscle development and myoblast differentiation are largely unknown. Therefore, in this study, we examined the effects of exogenous NO generated by a microwave plasma torch on rat myoblastic L6 cell proliferation and differentiation. We observed that the differentiation of L6 myogenic precursor cells into myotubes was significantly enhanced after NO treatment. The expression of the myogenesis marker proteins and mRNA level, such as myoD, myogenin, and myosin heavy chain (MHC), as well as the cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) level, were significantly increased after the NO treatment, without creating toxicity. Moreover, we observed that the oxidative stress signaling [extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (Erks), ﻿and Adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK)] phosphorylation was higher in NO treated cells than in the control cells [without NO treatment]. Therefore, these results reveal the exogenous NO role in regulating myoblast differentiation through the oxidative stress signaling pathway. Through this work, we can suggest that exogenous NO can help in cell differentiation and tissue regeneration, which provides new possibilities for plasma medicine.
The structures of a naturally empty cowpea mosaic virus particle and its genome-containing counterpart by cryo-electron microscopy
Authors: Hesketh Emma L. , Meshcheriakova Yulia , Thompson Rebecca F. , Lomonossoff George P. , Ranson Neil A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCowpea mosaic virus (CPMV) is a picorna-like plant virus. As well as an intrinsic interest in CPMV as a plant pathogen, CPMV is of major interest in biotechnology applications such as nanotechnology. Here, we report high resolution cryo electron microscopy (cryo-EM) maps of wild type CPMV containing RNA-2, and of naturally-formed empty CPMV capsids. The resolution of these structures is sufficient to visualise large amino acids. We have refined an atomic model for each map and identified an essential amino acid involved in genome encapsidation. This work has furthered our knowledge of Picornavirales genome encapsidation and will assist further work in the development of CPMV as a biotechnological tool.
Fast preparation of RG-I enriched ultra-low molecular weight pectin by an ultrasound accelerated Fenton process
Authors: Zhi Zijian , Chen Jianle , Li Shan , Wang Wenjun , Huang Rui , Liu Donghong , Ding Tian , Linhardt Robert John , Chen Shiguo , Ye Xingqian 
Published: March 2017

AbstractPectin, a natural polysaccharide found in the cell wall of most higher plant such as citrus, has drawn much attention due to its potential beneficial role in facilitating the treatment of many diseases like cancer, hyper cholesterol and diabetes. However, the broad application of pectin faces great limitations as the large molecular size of pectin severely prevents its bioavailability in vivo. In this study, we report an effective and highly convenient approach to degrade natural pectin into lower molecular pectin. By combining ultrasound with Fenton system (US-Fenton), we show that ultrasound synergistically enhances the efficiency of Fenton reaction to degrade pectin into 5.5 kDa within only 35 minutes. Importantly, RG-I domain, the most effective portion of natural pectin, was well preserved and highly enriched. In addition, the antioxidant activities of US-Fenton-treated pectin was significantly elevated. The mechanism of this novel observation was further investigated through the multiple structural analyses including HPLC, IR and NMR. Taken together, we present a novel and convenient approach to generate ultra-low molecular weight pectin with high efficiency and higher bioactivity. We expect our approach will have broader applications in improving the bioavailability and bioactivity of other polysaccharide-based natural compounds.
Fibrosis quantification in Hypertensive Heart Disease with LVH and Non-LVH: Findings from T1 mapping and Contrast-free Cardiac Diffusion-weighted imaging
Authors: Wu Lian-Ming , Wu Rui , Ou Yang-Rongzheng , Chen Bing-Hua , Yao Qiu-Ying , Lu Qing , Hu Jiani , Jiang Meng , An Dong-Aolei , Xu Jian-Rong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThis study assessed the extent of fibrosis and the relationship between the ADC value and systolic strain in hypertensive patients with left ventricular hypertrophy (HTN LVH) and hypertensive patients without LVH (HTN non-LVH) using cardiac diffusion-weighted imaging and T1 mapping. T1 mapping was performed in 13 HTN LVH (mean age, 56.23 ± 3.30 years), 17 HTN non-LVH (mean age, 56.41 ± 2.78 years), and 12 normal control subjects (mean age, 55.67 ± 3.08 years) with 3.0 T MRI using cardiac diffusion-weighted imaging and T1 mapping. HTN LVH subjects had higher native T1 (1233.12 ± 79.01) compared with controls (1133.88 ± 27.40) (p < 0.05). HTN LVH subjects had higher ECV (0.28 ± 0.03) compared with HTN non-LVH subjects (0.26 ± 0.02) or controls (0.24 ± 0.03) (p < 0.05). HTN LVH subjects had higher ADC (2.23 ± 0.34) compared with HTN non-LVH subjects (1.88 ± 0.27) or controls (1.61 ± 0.38), (p < 0.05). Positive associations were noted between LVMI and ADC (Spearman = 0.450, p < 0.05) and between LVMI and ECV (Spearman = 0.181, p < 0.05). ADC was also related to an increase in ECV (R2 = 0.210). Increased levels of ADC were associated with reduced peak systolic and early diastolic circumferential strain rates across all subjects. Contrast-free DW-CMR is an alternative sequence to ECV for the evaluation of fibrosis extent in HTN LVH and HTN non-LVH, while native T1 has limited value.
Electron momentum densities near Dirac cones: Anisotropic Umklapp scattering and momentum broadening
Authors: Hiraoka N. , Nomura T. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe relationship between electron momentum densities (EMDs) and a band gap is clarified in momentum space. The interference between wavefunctions via reciprocal lattice vectors, making a band gap in momentum space, causes the scattering of electrons from the first Brillouin zone to the other zones, so-called Umklapp scattering. This leads to the broadening of EMDs. A sharp drop of the EMD in the limit of a zero gap becomes broadened as the gap opens. The broadening is given by a simple quantity, E
g
/v
F
, where E
g
is the gap magnitude and v
F
the Fermi velocity. As the ideal case to see such an effect, we investigate the EMDs in graphene and graphite. They are basically semimetals, and their EMDs have a hexagonal shape enclosed in the first Brillouin zone. Since the gap is zero at Dirac points, a sharp drop exists at the corners (K/K’ points) while the broadening becomes significant away from K/K’s, showing the smoothest fall at the centers of the edges (M’s). In fact, this unique topology mimics a general variation of the EMDs across the metal-insulator transition in condensed matters. Such an anisotropic broadening effect is indeed observed by momentum-density-based experiments e.g. x-ray Compton scattering.
TRPV1 temperature activation is specifically sensitive to strong decreases in amino acid hydrophobicity
Authors: Sosa-Pagán Jason O. , Iversen Edwin S. , Grandl Jörg 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSeveral transient receptor potential (TRP) ion channels can be directly activated by hot or cold temperature with high sensitivity. However, the structures and molecular mechanism giving rise to their high temperature sensitivity are not fully understood. One hypothesized mechanism assumes that temperature activation is driven by the exposure of hydrophobic residues to solvent. This mechanism further predicts that residues are exposed to solvent in a coordinated fashion, but without necessarily being located in close proximity to each other. However, there is little experimental evidence supporting this mechanism in TRP channels. Here, we combined high-throughput mutagenesis, functional screening, and deep sequencing to identify mutations from a total of ~7,300 TRPV1 random mutant clones. We found that strong decreases in hydrophobicity of amino acids are better tolerated for activation by capsaicin than for activation by hot temperature, suggesting that strong hydrophobicity might be specifically required for temperature activation. Altogether, our work provides initial correlative support for a previously hypothesized temperature mechanism in TRP ion channels.
Blocking the Nav1.8 channel in the left stellate ganglion suppresses ventricular arrhythmia induced by acute ischemia in a canine model
Authors: Yu Lilei , Wang Menglong , Hu Dan , Huang Bing , Zhou Liping , Zhou Xiaoya , Wang Zhuo , Wang Songyun , Jiang Hong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLeft stellate ganglion (LSG) hyperactivity promotes ischemia induced ventricular arrhythmia (VA). Blocking the Nav1.8 channel decreases neuron activity. Therefore, the present study aimed to investigate whether blocking the Nav1.8 channel with its specific blocker A-803467 in the LSG reduces sympathetic activity and exerts anti-arrhythmic effects. Forty canines were divided into dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) group and 10 mM, 15 mM, and 20 mM A-803467 groups. A volume of 0.1 ml of A-803467 or DMSO was injected into the LSG. The ventricular electrophysiological parameters, LSG function were measured before and 30 min after the injection. VA was assessed for 60 min after ischemia and then LSG tissues were collected for molecular biological experiments. Compared with DMSO, concentration-dependent prolonged action potential duration and effective refractory period, decreased LSG function were identified after A-803467 treatment. Moreover, the severity of ischemia induced VA was decreased in A-803467 groups. Furthermore, decreased nerve growth factor, decreased c-fos and increased sympathetic neuron apoptosis were found in the LSG after A-803467 injection. In conclusion, blocking the Nav1.8 channel could significantly attenuate ischemia-induced VA, primarily by suppressing LSG activity.
Noise-processing by signaling networks
Authors: Kontogeorgaki Styliani , Sánchez-García Rubén J. , Ewing Rob M. , Zygalakis Konstantinos C. , MacArthur Ben D. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSignaling networks mediate environmental information to the cell nucleus. To perform this task effectively they must be able to integrate multiple stimuli and distinguish persistent signals from transient environmental fluctuations. However, the ways in which signaling networks process environmental noise are not well understood. Here we outline a mathematical framework that relates a network’s structure to its capacity to process noise, and use this framework to dissect the noise-processing ability of signaling networks. We find that complex networks that are dense in directed paths are poor noise processors, while those that are sparse and strongly directional process noise well. These results suggest that while cross-talk between signaling pathways may increase the ability of signaling networks to integrate multiple stimuli, too much cross-talk may compromise the ability of the network to distinguish signal from noise. To illustrate these general results we consider the structure of the signalling network that maintains pluripotency in mouse embryonic stem cells, and find an incoherent feedforward loop structure involving Stat3, Tfcp2l1, Esrrb, Klf2 and Klf4 is particularly important for noise-processing. Taken together these results suggest that noise-processing is an important function of signaling networks and they may be structured in part to optimize this task.
Delta-radiomics features for the prediction of patient outcomes in non–small cell lung cancer
Authors: Fave Xenia , Zhang Lifei , Yang Jinzhong , Mackin Dennis , Balter Peter , Gomez Daniel , Followill David , Jones Aaron Kyle , Stingo Francesco , Liao Zhongxing , Mohan Radhe , Court Laurence 
Published: March 2017

AbstractRadiomics is the use of quantitative imaging features extracted from medical images to characterize tumor pathology or heterogeneity. Features measured at pretreatment have successfully predicted patient outcomes in numerous cancer sites. This project was designed to determine whether radiomics features measured from non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) change during therapy and whether those features (delta-radiomics features) can improve prognostic models. Features were calculated from pretreatment and weekly intra-treatment computed tomography images for 107 patients with stage III NSCLC. Pretreatment images were used to determine feature-specific image preprocessing. Linear mixed-effects models were used to identify features that changed significantly with dose-fraction. Multivariate models were built for overall survival, distant metastases, and local recurrence using only clinical factors, clinical factors and pretreatment radiomics features, and clinical factors, pretreatment radiomics features, and delta-radiomics features. All of the radiomics features changed significantly during radiation therapy. For overall survival and distant metastases, pretreatment compactness improved the c-index. For local recurrence, pretreatment imaging features were not prognostic, while texture-strength measured at the end of treatment significantly stratified high- and low-risk patients. These results suggest radiomics features change due to radiation therapy and their values at the end of treatment may be indicators of tumor response.
Targeted rescue of cancer-associated IDH1 mutant activity using an engineered synthetic antibody
Authors: Rizk Shahir S. , Mukherjee Somnath , Koide Akiko , Koide Shohei , Kossiakoff Anthony A. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWe have utilized a high-diversity phage display library to engineer antibody fragments (Fabs) that can modulate the activity of the enzyme isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 (IDH1). We show that a conformation-specific Fab can reactivate an IDH1 mutant associated with brain tumors. The results show that this strategy is a first step towards developing “activator drugs” for a large number of genetic disorders where mutations have disrupted protein function.
The VPS4 component of the ESCRT machinery plays an essential role in HPV infectious entry and capsid disassembly
Authors: Broniarczyk Justyna , Pim David , Massimi Paola , Bergant Martina , Goździcka-Józefiak Anna , Crump Colin , Banks Lawrence 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHuman Papillomavirus (HPV) infection involves multiple steps, from cell attachment, through endocytic trafficking towards the trans-Golgi network, and, ultimately, the entry into the nucleus during mitosis. An essential viral protein in infectious entry is the minor capsid protein L2, which engages different components of the endocytic sorting machinery during this process. The ESCRT machinery is one such component that seems to play an important role in the early stages of infection. Here we have analysed the role of specific ESCRT components in HPV infection, and we find an essential role for VPS4. Loss of VPS4 blocks infection with multiple PV types, suggesting an evolutionarily conserved critical step in infectious entry. Intriguingly, both L1 and L2 can interact with VPS4, and appear to be in complex with VPS4 during the early stages of virus infection. By using cell lines stably expressing a dominant-negative mutant form of VPS4, we also show that loss of VPS4 ATPase activity results in a marked delay in capsid uncoating, resulting in a defect in the endocytic transport of incoming PsVs. These results demonstrate that the ESCRT machinery, and in particular VPS4, plays a critical role in the early stages of PV infection.
A platform for high-throughput bioenergy production phenotype characterization in single cells
Authors: Kelbauskas Laimonas , Glenn Honor , Anderson Clifford , Messner Jacob , Lee Kristen B. , Song Ganquan , Houkal Jeff , Su Fengyu , Zhang Liqiang , Tian Yanqing , Wang Hong , Bussey Kimberly , Johnson Roger H. , Meldrum Deirdre R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractDriven by an increasing number of studies demonstrating its relevance to a broad variety of disease states, the bioenergy production phenotype has been widely characterized at the bulk sample level. Its cell-to-cell variability, a key player associated with cancer cell survival and recurrence, however, remains poorly understood due to ensemble averaging of the current approaches. We present a technology platform for performing oxygen consumption and extracellular acidification measurements of several hundreds to 1,000 individual cells per assay, while offering simultaneous analysis of cellular communication effects on the energy production phenotype. The platform comprises two major components: a tandem optical sensor for combined oxygen and pH detection, and a microwell device for isolation and analysis of single and few cells in hermetically sealed sub-nanoliter chambers. Our approach revealed subpopulations of cells with aberrant energy production profiles and enables determination of cellular response variability to electron transfer chain inhibitors and ion uncouplers.
Molecular dynamics simulations for mechanical properties of borophene: parameterization of valence force field model and Stillinger-Weber potential
Authors: Zhou Yu-Ping , Jiang Jin-Wu 
Published: March 2017

AbstractWhile most existing theoretical studies on the borophene are based on first-principles calculations, the present work presents molecular dynamics simulations for the lattice dynamical and mechanical properties in borophene. The obtained mechanical quantities are in good agreement with previous first-principles calculations. The key ingredients for these molecular dynamics simulations are the two efficient empirical potentials developed in the present work for the interaction of borophene with low-energy triangular structure. The first one is the valence force field model, which is developed with the assistance of the phonon dispersion of borophene. The valence force field model is a linear potential, so it is rather efficient for the calculation of linear quantities in borophene. The second one is the Stillinger-Weber potential, whose parameters are derived based on the valence force field model. The Stillinger-Weber potential is applicable in molecular dynamics simulations of nonlinear physical or mechanical quantities in borophene.
Corrugated Textile based Triboelectric Generator for Wearable Energy Harvesting
Authors: Choi A Young , Lee Chang Jun , Park Jiwon , Kim Dogyun , Kim Youn Tae 
Published: March 2017

AbstractTriboelectric energy harvesting has been applied to various fields, from large-scale power generation to small electronics. Triboelectric energy is generated when certain materials come into frictional contact, e.g., static electricity from rubbing a shoe on a carpet. In particular, textile-based triboelectric energy-harvesting technologies are one of the most promising approaches because they are not only flexible, light, and comfortable but also wearable. Most previous textile-based triboelectric generators (TEGs) generate energy by vertically pressing and rubbing something. However, we propose a corrugated textile-based triboelectric generator (CT-TEG) that can generate energy by stretching. Moreover, the CT-TEG is sewn into a corrugated structure that contains an effective air gap without additional spacers. The resulting CT-TEG can generate considerable energy from various deformations, not only by pressing and rubbing but also by stretching. The maximum output performances of the CT-TEG can reach up to 28.13 V and 2.71 μA with stretching and releasing motions. Additionally, we demonstrate the generation of sufficient energy from various activities of a human body to power about 54 LEDs. These results demonstrate the potential application of CT-TEGs for self-powered systems.
Child–Adult Differences in Using Dual-Task Paradigms to Measure Listening Effort
Authors: Picou Erin M. , Charles Lauren M. , Ricketts Todd A. 
Published: March 2017

Purpose
The purpose of the project was to investigate the effects modifying the secondary task in a dual-task paradigm to measure objective listening effort. To be specific, the complexity and depth of processing were increased relative to a simple secondary task.

Method

Three dual-task paradigms were developed for school-age children. The primary task was word recognition. The secondary task was a physical response to a visual probe (simple task), a physical response to a complex probe (increased complexity), or word categorization (increased depth of processing). Sixteen adults (22–32 years,
M
= 25.4) and 22 children (9–17 years,
M
= 13.2) were tested using the 3 paradigms in quiet and noise.

Results
For both groups, manipulations of the secondary task did not affect word recognition performance. For adults, increasing depth of processing increased the calculated effect of noise; however, for children, results with the deep secondary task were the least stable.

Conclusions
Manipulations of the secondary task differentially affected adults and children. Consistent with previous findings, increased depth of processing enhanced paradigm sensitivity for adults. However, younger participants were more likely to demonstrate the expected effects of noise on listening effort using a secondary task that did not require deep processing.
Nurr1:RXRα heterodimer activation as monotherapy for Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Spathis Athanasios D. , Asvos Xenophon , Ziavra Despina , Karampelas Theodoros , Topouzis Stavros , Cournia Zoe , Qing Xiaobing , Alexakos Pavlos , Smits Lisa M. , Dalla Christina , Rideout Hardy J. , Schwamborn Jens Christian , Tamvakopoulos Constantin , Fokas Demosthenes , Vassilatis Demetrios K. 
Published: March 2017

Significance
In Parkinson’s disease (PD), dopamine (DA)-producing neurons gradually degenerate, leading to DA deficiency and to the main symptoms of PD. Current medications do not impede neurodegeneration, but relieve symptoms by replenishing DA; however, their chronic use causes serious side effects. We targeted a protein required for the development and function of DA neurons by designing a chemical compound that, by activating this protein, increases DA and improves symptoms without current treatment side effects while simultaneously preventing neuron loss in PD mice. Our findings point to a monotherapy that can both impede PD progression and concurrently improve symptoms of PD.
Mouse-adapted MERS coronavirus causes lethal lung disease in human DPP4 knockin mice
Authors: Li Kun , Wohlford-Lenane Christine L. , Channappanavar Rudragouda , Park Jung-Eun , Earnest James T. , Bair Thomas B. , Bates Amber M. , Brogden Kim A. , Flaherty Heather A. , Gallagher Tom , Meyerholz David K. , Perlman Stanley , McCray Paul B. 
Published: March 2017

Significance
Middle East respiratory syndrome, caused by a zoonotically transmitted coronavirus (MERS-CoV), has a high mortality (∼36%). Because of limited autopsy data on tissues from MERS fatalities, a small animal model can provide an important tool to better understand the disease. We humanized the mouse locus of the virus receptor DPP4, preserving native DPP4 expression. After inoculating hDPP4 knockin mice with MERS-CoV, there was virus replication without disease. We then generated a mouse-adapted MERS-CoV by serial passage in hDPP4 knockin mice. The resultant virus causes fatal lung disease that includes diffuse alveolar damage and immune dysregulation. Here, we characterize the pathologic features of the model and elucidate key aspects of the immunopathology and factors contributing to virulence.