bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Greater flavonoid intake is associated with improved CVD risk factors in US adults
Authors: Kim Kijoon , Vance Terrence M. , Chun Ock K. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEpidemiological studies have reported that diets high in flavonoids are associated with a reduced risk of CVD. However, evidence on the association of dietary flavonoid intake with CVD risk factors is still scarce. The present study aimed to investigate the association of dietary flavonoid intake with CVD risk factors among US adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2012. A total of 4042 US adults aged 19 years and older from the NHANES 2007–2012 participated in this cross-sectional, population-based study. Intakes of total and individual flavonoids were estimated from 2-d 24-h diet recall data by matching with the expanded US Department of Agriculture flavonoid, isoflavone and proanthocyanidin databases. After adjusting for covariates, increased HDL-cholesterol was associated with higher total flavonoid intake (0·54 % change). TAG and TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio were inversely associated with anthocyanidin (−1·25 % change for TAG; −1·60 % change for TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio) and total flavonoid intakes (−1·31 % change for TAG; −1·83 % change for TAG:HDL-cholesterol ratio), respectively. Insulin and homoeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were inversely associated with flavone (for insulin, −3·18 % change; 95 % CI −5·85, −0·44; for HOMA-IR, −3·10 % change; 95 % CI −5·93, −0·19) and isoflavone intakes (for insulin, −3·11 % change; 95 % CI −5·46, −0·70; for HOMA-IR, −4·01 % change; 95 % CI −6·67, −1·27). BMI was negatively associated with anthocyanidin intake (−0·60 % change). This study showed that higher flavonoid intake was associated with improved CVD risk factors. Further research is warranted to confirm the findings from this study as these associations were moderate in strength.
Relationship between general nutrition knowledge and diet quality in Australian military personnel
Authors: Kullen Charina J. , Farrugia Jamie-Lee , Prvan Tania , O’Connor Helen T. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractA balanced diet informed by sound nutrition knowledge is key for operational readiness and the health of military personnel. Unfortunately, research suggests that military personnel have inadequate dietary intakes. This study assessed general nutrition knowledge, diet quality and their association in Australian military personnel. A convenience sample of male military personnel (n211) including Army soldiers and officers completed a validated general nutrition knowledge questionnaire (GNKQ) and FFQ. The GNKQ assessed knowledge of dietary guidelines (Section A), sources of nutrients (Section B), choosing everyday foods (Section C) and diet–disease relationships (Section D). The Australian Recommended Food Score (ARFS) was used to assess diet quality from FFQ data. Statistical analyses included theχ2test, Spearman’s correlation test,ttest, median test, ANCOVA and ordinal logistic regression. The mean total GNKQ score was 52·7 %. Participants performed best on Section A (58·5 %) followed by Sections B (57·3 %) and C (57·0 %) and worst on Section D (31·0 %). Overall, officers scored significantly higher than soldiers (58·7v. 51·9 %,P=0·001). Age was weakly but positively correlated with GNKQ total scores (r0·307;P<0·0005), with no significant effects seen for level of education (P=0·463) or living arrangement (P=0·167). Overall ARFS was 37·6 (sd7·7) (50·8 %) with officers scoring significantly higher than soldiers (54·7v. 50·3 %,P=0·040). No demographic variables influenced total ARFS. The total GNKQ score had a significant, positive but weak relationship with total ARFS (r0·179;P=0·009). Given the importance of nutrition to personnel health and operational readiness, initiatives to improve nutrition knowledge and diet quality are recommended in this population, especially in soldiers.
Trade in Environmental Goods: A Review of the WTO Appellate Body's Ruling in US‒Countervailing Measures (China)
Authors: BREWSTER RACHEL , BRUNEL CLAIRE , MAYDA ANNA MARIA 
Published: March 2016

AbstractIn this paper we claim that, in the WTO Appellate Body (AB)'s ruling in US‒Countervailing Measures (China), the AB decision has not put in question the practice of imposing countervailing duties (CVDs). While the US has formally ‘lost’ the case, a change in the procedures and tests used to motivate the CVD will allow the US to continue using this policy tool on the specified products. From an economic point of view, this is not welcome news since CVDs have the standard distortionary effects of tariffs and could go against environmental goals. From a political-economy point of view, the CVDs in this case appear driven by pressure of domestic manufacturers of clean energy technology and products.
Shisa6 traps AMPA receptors at postsynaptic sites and prevents their desensitization during synaptic activity
Authors: Klaassen Remco V. , Stroeder Jasper , Coussen Françoise , Hafner Anne-Sophie , Petersen Jennifer D. , Renancio Cedric , Schmitz Leanne J. M. , Normand Elisabeth , Lodder Johannes C. , Rotaru Diana C. , Rao-Ruiz Priyanka , Spijker Sabine , Mansvelder Huibert D. , Choquet Daniel , Smit August B. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTrafficking and biophysical properties of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) in the brain depend on interactions with associated proteins. We identify Shisa6, a single transmembrane protein, as a stable and directly interacting bona fide AMPAR auxiliary subunit. Shisa6 is enriched at hippocampal postsynaptic membranes and co-localizes with AMPARs. The Shisa6 C-terminus harbours a PDZ domain ligand that binds to PSD-95, constraining mobility of AMPARs in the plasma membrane and confining them to postsynaptic densities. Shisa6 expressed in HEK293 cells alters GluA1- and GluA2-mediated currents by prolonging decay times and decreasing the extent of AMPAR desensitization, while slowing the rate of recovery from desensitization. Using gene deletion, we show that Shisa6 increases rise and decay times of hippocampal CA1 miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents (mEPSCs). Shisa6-containing AMPARs show prominent sustained currents, indicating protection from full desensitization. Accordingly, Shisa6 prevents synaptically trapped AMPARs from depression at high-frequency synaptic transmission.
mTORC1-mediated inhibition of polycystin-1 expression drives renal cyst formation in tuberous sclerosis complex
Authors: Pema Monika , Drusian Luca , Chiaravalli Marco , Castelli Maddalena , Yao Qin , Ricciardi Sara , Somlo Stefan , Qian Feng , Biffo Stefano , Boletta Alessandra 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPrevious studies report a cross-talk between the polycystic kidney disease (PKD) and tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) genes. mTOR signalling is upregulated in PKD and rapamycin slows cyst expansion, whereas renal inactivation of the Tsc genes causes cysts. Here we identify a new interplay between the PKD and TSC genes, with important implications for the pathophysiology of both diseases. Kidney-specific inactivation of either Pkd1 or Tsc1 using an identical Cre (KspCre) results in aggressive or very mild PKD, respectively. Unexpectedly, we find that mTORC1 negatively regulates the biogenesis of polycystin-1 (PC-1) and trafficking of the PC-1/2 complex to cilia. Genetic interaction studies reveal an important role for PC-1 downregulation by mTORC1 in the cystogenesis of Tsc1 mutants. Our data potentially explain the severe renal manifestations of the TSC/PKD contiguous gene syndrome and open new perspectives for the use of mTOR inhibitors in autosomal dominant PKD caused by hypomorphic or missense PKD1 mutations.
Observation of magnon-mediated current drag in Pt/yttrium iron garnet/Pt(Ta) trilayers
Authors: Li Junxue , Xu Yadong , Aldosary Mohammed , Tang Chi , Lin Zhisheng , Zhang Shufeng , Lake Roger , Shi Jing 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPure spin current, a flow of spin angular momentum without flow of any accompanying net charge, is generated in two common ways. One makes use of the spin Hall effect in normal metals (NM) with strong spin–orbit coupling, such as Pt or Ta. The other utilizes the collective motion of magnetic moments or spin waves with the quasi-particle excitations called magnons. A popular material for the latter is yttrium iron garnet, a magnetic insulator (MI). Here we demonstrate in NM/MI/NM trilayers that these two types of spin currents are interconvertible across the interfaces, predicated as the magnon-mediated current drag phenomenon. The transmitted signal scales linearly with the driving current without a threshold and follows the power-law Tn with n ranging from 1.5 to 2.5. Our results indicate that the NM/MI/NM trilayer structure can serve as a scalable pure spin current valve device which is an essential ingredient in spintronics.
Myocardial pathology induced by aldosterone is dependent on non-canonical activities of G protein-coupled receptor kinases
Authors: Cannavo Alessandro , Liccardo Daniela , Eguchi Akito , Elliott Katherine J. , Traynham Christopher J. , Ibetti Jessica , Eguchi Satoru , Leosco Dario , Ferrara Nicola , Rengo Giuseppe , Koch Walter J. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractHyper-aldosteronism is associated with myocardial dysfunction including induction of cardiac fibrosis and maladaptive hypertrophy. Mechanisms of these cardiotoxicities are not fully understood. Here we show that mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) activation by aldosterone leads to pathological myocardial signalling mediated by mitochondrial G protein-coupled receptor kinase 2 (GRK2) pro-death activity and GRK5 pro-hypertrophic action. Moreover, these MR-dependent GRK2 and GRK5 non-canonical activities appear to involve cross-talk with the angiotensin II type-1 receptor (AT1R). Most importantly, we show that ventricular dysfunction caused by chronic hyper-aldosteronism in vivo is completely prevented in cardiac Grk2 knockout mice (KO) and to a lesser extent in Grk5 KO mice. However, aldosterone-induced cardiac hypertrophy is totally prevented in Grk5 KO mice. We also show human data consistent with MR activation status in heart failure influencing GRK2 levels. Therefore, our study uncovers GRKs as targets for ameliorating pathological cardiac effects associated with high-aldosterone levels.
Spin generation via bulk spin current in three-dimensional topological insulators
Authors: Peng Xingyue , Yang Yiming , Singh Rajiv R.P. , Savrasov Sergey Y. , Yu Dong 
Published: March 2016

AbstractTo date, spin generation in three-dimensional topological insulators is primarily modelled as a single-surface phenomenon, attributed to the momentum-spin locking on each individual surface. In this article, we propose a mechanism of spin generation where the role of the insulating yet topologically non-trivial bulk becomes explicit: an external electric field creates a transverse pure spin current through the bulk of a three-dimensional topological insulator, which transports spins between the top and bottom surfaces. Under sufficiently high surface disorder, the spin relaxation time can be extended via the Dyakonov–Perel mechanism. Consequently, both the spin generation efficiency and surface conductivity are largely enhanced. Numerical simulation confirms that this spin generation mechanism originates from the unique topological connection of the top and bottom surfaces and is absent in other two-dimensional systems such as graphene, even though they possess a similar Dirac cone-type dispersion.
A de novo 2.78-Mb duplication on chromosome 21q22.11 implicates candidate genes in the partial trisomy 21 phenotype
Authors: Weisfeld-Adams James D , Tkachuk Amanda K , Maclean Kenneth N , Meeks Naomi L , Scott Stuart A 
Published: March 2016

AbstractDown syndrome (DS) is the most common genetic cause of intellectual disability (ID) and in the majority of cases is the result of complete trisomy 21. The hypothesis that the characteristic DS clinical features are due to a single DS critical region (DSCR) at distal chromosome 21q has been refuted by recently reported segmental trisomy 21 cases characterised by microarray-based comparative genomic hybridisation (aCGH). These rare cases have implicated multiple regions on chromosome 21 in the aetiology of distinct features of DS; however, the map of chromosome 21 copy-number aberrations and their associated phenotypes remains incompletely defined. We report a child with ID who was deemed very high risk for DS on antenatal screening (1 in 13) and has partial, but distinct, dysmorphologic features of DS without congenital heart disease (CHD). Oligonucleotide aCGH testing of the proband detected a previously unreported de novo 2.78-Mb duplication on chromosome 21q22.11 that includes 16 genes; however, this aberration does not harbour any of the historical DSCR genes (APP, DSCR1, DYRK1A and DSCAM). This informative case implicates previously under-recognised candidate genes (SOD1, SYNJ1 and ITSN1) in the pathogenesis of specific DS clinical features and supports a critical region for CHD located more distal on chromosome 21q. In addition, this unique case illustrates how the increasing resolution of microarray and high-throughput sequencing technologies can continue to reveal new biology and enhance understanding of widely studied genetic diseases that were originally described over 50 years ago.
Periscope: quantitative prediction of soluble protein expression in the periplasm of Escherichia coli
Authors: Chang Catherine Ching Han , Li Chen , Webb Geoffrey I. , Tey BengTi , Song Jiangning , Ramanan Ramakrishnan Nagasundara 
Published: March 2016

AbstractPeriplasmic expression of soluble proteins inEscherichia colinot only offers a much-simplified downstream purification process, but also enhances the probability of obtaining correctly folded and biologically active proteins. Different combinations of signal peptides and target proteins lead to different soluble protein expression levels, ranging from negligible to several grams per litre. Accurate algorithms for rational selection of promising candidates can serve as a powerful tool to complement with current trial-and-error approaches. Accordingly, proteomics studies can be conducted with greater efficiency and cost-effectiveness. Here, we developed a predictor with a two-stage architecture, to predict the real-valued expression level of target protein in the periplasm. The output of the first-stage support vector machine (SVM) classifier determines which second-stage support vector regression (SVR) classifier to be used. When tested on an independent test dataset, the predictor achieved an overall prediction accuracy of 78% and a Pearson’s correlation coefficient (PCC) of 0.77. We further illustrate the relative importance of various features with respect to different models. The results indicate that the occurrence of dipeptide glutamine and aspartic acid is the most important feature for the classification model. Finally, we provide access to the implemented predictor through the Periscope webserver, freely accessible athttp://lightning.med.monash.edu/periscope/.
Genetic and pharmacological inhibition of vanin-1 activity in animal models of type 2 diabetes
Authors: van Diepen Janna A. , Jansen Patrick A. , Ballak Dov B. , Hijmans Anneke , Rutjes Floris P.J.T. , Tack Cees J. , Netea Mihai G. , Schalkwijk Joost , Stienstra Rinke 
Published: March 2016

AbstractVanins are enzymes that convert pantetheine to pantothenic acid (vitamin B5). Insights into the function of vanins have evolved lately, indicating vanin-1 to play a role in inflammation, oxidative stress and cell migration. Moreover, vanin-1 has recently gained attention as a novel modulator of hepatic glucose and lipid metabolism. In the present study, we investigated the role of vanin-1 in the development of hepatic steatosis and insulin resistance in animal models of obesity and diabetes. In addition, we evaluated the potency of RR6, a novel pharmacological vanin-1 inhibitor, as an anti-diabetic drug. Increased vanin activity was observed in plasma and liver of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice, as well as ZDF-diabetic rats. Ablation of vanin-1 (Vnn1−/− mice) mildly improved glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed mice, but had no effects on body weight, hepatic steatosis or circulating lipid levels. Oral administration of RR6 for 8 days completely inhibited plasma vanin activity, but did not affect hepatic glucose production, insulin sensitivity or hepatic steatosis in ZDF-diabetes rats. In conclusion, absence of vanin-1 activity improves insulin sensitivity in HFD-fed animals, yet short-term inhibition of vanin activity may have limited value as an anti-diabetic strategy.
Titanium trisulfide (TiS3): a 2D semiconductor with quasi-1D optical and electronic properties
Authors: Island Joshua O. , Biele Robert , Barawi Mariam , Clamagirand José M. , Ares José R. , Sánchez Carlos , van der Zant Herre S. J. , Ferrer Isabel J. , D’Agosta Roberto , Castellanos-Gomez Andres 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe present characterizations of few-layer titanium trisulfide (TiS3) flakes which, due to their reduced in-plane structural symmetry, display strong anisotropy in their electrical and optical properties. Exfoliated few-layer flakes show marked anisotropy of their in-plane mobilities reaching ratios as high as 7.6 at low temperatures. Based on the preferential growth axis of TiS3 nanoribbons, we develop a simple method to identify the in-plane crystalline axes of exfoliated few-layer flakes through angle resolved polarization Raman spectroscopy. Optical transmission measurements show that TiS3 flakes display strong linear dichroism with a magnitude (transmission ratios up to 30) much greater than that observed for other anisotropic two-dimensional (2D) materials. Finally, we calculate the absorption and transmittance spectra of TiS3 in the random-phase-approximation (RPA) and find that the calculations are in qualitative agreement with the observed experimental optical transmittance.
The fetal ovary exhibits temporal sensitivity to a ‘real-life’ mixture of environmental chemicals
Authors: Lea Richard G. , Amezaga Maria R. , Loup Benoit , Mandon-Pépin Béatrice , Stefansdottir Agnes , Filis Panagiotis , Kyle Carol , Zhang Zulin , Allen Ceri , Purdie Laura , Jouneau Luc , Cotinot Corinne , Rhind Stewart M. , Sinclair Kevin D. , Fowler Paul A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe development of fetal ovarian follicles is a critical determinant of adult female reproductive competence. Prolonged exposure to environmental chemicals (ECs) can perturb this process with detrimental consequences for offspring. Here we report on the exposure of pregnant ewes to an environmental mixture of ECs derived from pastures fertilized with sewage sludge (biosolids): a common global agricultural practice. Exposure of pregnant ewes to ECs over 80 day periods during early, mid or late gestation reduced the proportion of healthy early stage fetal follicles comprising the ovarian reserve. Mid and late gestation EC exposures had the most marked effects, disturbing maternal and fetal liver chemical profiles, masculinising fetal anogenital distance and greatly increasing the number of altered fetal ovarian genes and proteins. In conclusion, differential temporal sensitivity of the fetus and its ovaries to EC mixtures has implications for adult ovarian function following adverse exposures during pregnancy.
Sequence evidence for common ancestry of eukaryotic endomembrane coatomers
Authors: Promponas Vasilis J. , Katsani Katerina R. , Blencowe Benjamin J. , Ouzounis Christos A. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractEukaryotic cells are defined by compartments through which the trafficking of macromolecules is mediated by large complexes, such as the nuclear pore, transport vesicles and intraflagellar transport. The assembly and maintenance of these complexes is facilitated by endomembrane coatomers, long suspected to be divergently related on the basis of structural and more recently phylogenomic analysis. By performing supervised walks in sequence space across coatomer superfamilies, we uncover subtle sequence patterns that have remained elusive to date, ultimately unifying eukaryotic coatomers by divergent evolution. The conserved residues shared by 3,502 endomembrane coatomer components are mapped onto the solenoid superhelix of nucleoporin and COPII protein structures, thus determining the invariant elements of coatomer architecture. This ancient structural motif can be considered as a universal signature connecting eukaryotic coatomers involved in multiple cellular processes across cell physiology and human disease.
Antiferromagnetic proximity effect in epitaxial CoO/NiO/MgO(001) systems
Authors: Li Q. , Liang J. H. , Luo Y. M. , Ding Z. , Gu T. , Hu Z. , Hua C. Y. , Lin H.-J. , Pi T. W. , Kang S. P. , Won C. , Wu Y. Z. 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMagnetic proximity effect between two magnetic layers is an important focus of research for discovering new physical properties of magnetic systems. Antiferromagnets (AFMs) are fundamental systems with magnetic ordering and promising candidate materials in the emerging field of antiferromagnetic spintronics. However, the magnetic proximity effect between antiferromagnetic bilayers is rarely studied because detecting the spin orientation of AFMs is challenging. Using X-ray linear dichroism and magneto-optical Kerr effect measurements, we investigated antiferromagnetic proximity effects in epitaxial CoO/NiO/MgO(001) systems. We found the antiferromagnetic spin of the NiO underwent a spin reorientation transition from in-plane to out-of-plane with increasing NiO thickness, with the existence of vertical exchange spring spin alignment in thick NiO. More interestingly, the Néel temperature of the CoO layer was greatly enhanced by the adjacent NiO layer, with the extent of the enhancement closely dependent on the spin orientation of NiO layer. This phenomenon was attributed to different exchange coupling strengths at the AFM/AFM interface depending on the relative spin directions. Our results indicate a new route for modifying the spin configuration and ordering temperature of AFMs through the magnetic proximity effect near room temperature, which should further benefit the design of AFM spintronic devices.
Dual-Color Fluorescence Imaging of Magnetic Nanoparticles in Live Cancer Cells Using Conjugated Polymer Probes
Authors: Sun Minjie , Sun Bin , Liu Yun , Shen Qun-Dong , Jiang Shaojun 
Published: March 2016

AbstractRapid growth in biological applications of nanomaterials brings about pressing needs for exploring nanomaterial-cell interactions. Cationic blue-emissive and anionic green-emissive conjugated polymers are applied as dual-color fluorescence probes to the surface of negatively charged magnetic nanoparticles through sequentially electrostatic adsorption. These conjugated polymers have large extinction coefficients and high fluorescence quantum yield (82% for PFN and 62% for ThPFS). Thereby, one can visualize trace amount (2.7 μg/mL) of fluorescence-labeled nanoparticles within cancer cells by confocal laser scanning microscopy. Fluorescence labeling by the conjugated polymers is also validated for quantitative determination of the internalized nanoparticles in each individual cell by flow cytometry analysis. Extensive overlap of blue and green fluorescence signals in the cytoplasm indicates that both conjugated polymer probes tightly bind to the surface of the nanoparticles during cellular internalization. The highly charged and fluorescence-labeled nanoparticles non-specifically bind to the cell membranes, followed by cellular uptake through endocytosis. The nanoparticles form aggregates inside endosomes, which yields a punctuated staining pattern. Cellular internalization of the nanoparticles is dependent on the dosage and time. Uptake efficiency can be enhanced three-fold by application of an external magnetic field. The nanoparticles are low cytotoxicity and suitable for simultaneously noninvasive fluorescence and magnetic resonance imaging application.