bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photoluminescence changes of C70 nano/submicro-crystals induced by high pressure and high temperature
Authors: Liu Dedi , Liu Bingbing , Sundqvist Bertil , Dong Dapeng , Li Zhenghua , Liu Dongping 
Published: December 2016

AbstractHollow C70 nano/submicro-crystals with a fcc lattice structure were treated under various high pressure and high temperature conditions. The energy band structure was visibly changed by the high pressure and high temperature treatment, and the luminescence of the treated C70 nano/submicro-crystals were tuned from the visible to the near infrared range. In-situ high pressure experiments at room temperature indicate that pressure plays a key role in the tuning of the band gap and PL properties in C70 nanocrystals, and temperature plays an important role in the formation of stable intermolecular bonds and thus to define the final red-shift of the PL peaks. The polymeric phases of C70 nanocrystals treated at high pressure and high temperature were identified from their Raman spectra, which showed a change from monomers to a dimer-rich phase and finally to a phase containing larger, disordered C70 oligomers.
Elderly patients have an altered gut-brain axis regardless of the presence of cirrhosis
Authors: Bajaj Jasmohan S. , Ahluwalia Vishwadeep , Steinberg Joel L. , Hobgood Sarah , Boling Peter A. , Godschalk Michael , Habib Saima , White Melanie B. , Fagan Andrew , Gavis Edith A. , Ganapathy Dinesh , Hylemon Phillip B. , Stewart Karen E. , Keradman Raffi , Liu Eric J. , Wang Jessica , Gillevet Patrick M. , Sikaroodi Masoumeh , Moeller F. Gerard , Wade James B. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractCognitive difficulties manifested by the growing elderly population with cirrhosis could be amnestic (memory-related) or non-amnestic (memory-unrelated). The underlying neuro-biological and gut-brain changes are unclear in this population. We aimed to define gut-brain axis alterations in elderly cirrhotics compared to non-cirrhotic individuals based on presence of cirrhosis and on neuropsychological performance. Age-matched outpatients with/without cirrhosis underwent cognitive testing (amnestic/non-amnestic domains), quality of life (HRQOL), multi-modal MRI (fMRI go/no-go task, volumetry and MR spectroscopy), blood (inflammatory cytokines) and stool collection (for microbiota). Groups were studied based on cirrhosis/not and also based on neuropsychological performance (amnestic-type, amnestic/non-amnestic-type and unimpaired). Cirrhotics were impaired on non-amnestic and selected amnestic tests, HRQOL and systemic inflammation compared to non-cirrhotics. Cirrhotics demonstrated significant changes on MR spectroscopy but not on fMRI or volumetry. Correlation networks showed that Lactobacillales members were positively while Enterobacteriaceae and Porphyromonadaceae were negatively linked with cognition. Using the neuropsychological classification amnestic/non-amnestic-type individuals were majority cirrhosis and had worse HRQOL, higher inflammation and decreased autochthonous taxa relative abundance compared to the rest. This classification also predicted fMRI, MR spectroscopy and volumetry changes between groups. We conclude that gut-brain axis alterations may be associated with the type of neurobehavioral decline or inflamm-aging in elderly cirrhotic subjects.
Emotion Dysregulation of Women with Premenstrual Syndrome
Authors: Wu Mengying , Liang Ying , Wang Qingguo , Zhao Yan , Zhou Renlai 
Published: December 2016

AbstractThe aim of the current study was to test whether women with premenstrual syndrome (PMS) had difficulties in emotion regulation. In Study 1, we investigated the relationship between the habitual use of emotion-regulation strategies and the severity of PMS (n = 230). The results showed that the severity of PMS was negatively associated with the habitual use of reappraisal, but positively associated with the habitual use of suppression. In Study 2, we first investigated the difference in the spontaneous use of suppression versus reappraisal between women with (n = 42) and without PMS (n = 42) when watching sad film clips. Then we instructed some participants (PMS group = 20, healthy group = 21) to use reappraisal to regulate their emotions induced by a second sad film clip, and the other participants were asked to watch the second film clip freely (PMS group = 22, healthy group = 21). The results showed that there was no significant difference between participants with and without PMS in the self-reported spontaneous use of emotion-regulation strategies. For participants with PMS, increases in spontaneous suppression use were associated with increases in skin conductance level (SCL), while this association was not found among participants without PMS.
Evaluation of candidate reference genes for RT-qPCR studies in three metabolism related tissues of mice after caloric restriction
Authors: Gong Huan , Sun Liang , Chen Beidong , Han Yiwen , Pang Jing , Wu Wei , Qi Ruomei , Zhang Tie-mei 
Published: December 2016

AbstractReverse transcription quantitative-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a routine method for gene expression analysis, and reliable results depend on proper normalization by stable reference genes. Caloric restriction (CR) is a robust lifestyle intervention to slow aging and delay onset of age-associated diseases via inducing global changes in gene expression. Reliable normalization of RT-qPCR data becomes crucial in CR studies. In this study, the expression stability of 12 candidate reference genes were evaluated in inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT), skeletal muscle (Sk.M) and liver of CR mice by using three algorithms, geNorm, NormFinder, and Bestkeeper. Our results showed β2m, Ppia and Hmbs as the most stable genes in iWAT, Sk.M and liver, respectively. Moreover, two reference genes were sufficient to normalize RT-qPCR data in each tissue and the suitable pair of reference genes was β2m-Hprt in iWAT, Ppia-Gusb in Sk.M and Hmbs-β2m in liver. By contrast, the least stable gene in iWAT or Sk.M was Gapdh, and in liver was Pgk1. Furthermore, the expression of Leptin and Ppar-γ were profiled in these tissues to validate the selected reference genes. Our data provided a basis for gene expression analysis in future CR studies.
Viral and bacterial co-infection in severe pneumonia triggers innate immune responses and specifically enhances IP-10: a translational study
Authors: Hoffmann Jonathan , Machado Daniela , Terrier Olivier , Pouzol Stephane , Messaoudi Mélina , Basualdo Wilma , Espínola Emilio E , Guillen Rosa M. , Rosa-Calatrava Manuel , Picot Valentina , Bénet Thomas , Endtz Hubert , Russomando Graciela , Paranhos-Baccalà Gláucia 
Published: December 2016

AbstractMixed viral and bacterial infections are widely described in community-acquired pneumonia; however, the clinical implications of co-infection on the associated immunopathology remain poorly studied. In this study, microRNA, mRNA and cytokine/chemokine secretion profiling were investigated for human monocyte-derived macrophages infected in-vitro with Influenza virus A/H1N1 and/or Streptococcus pneumoniae. We observed that the in-vitro co-infection synergistically increased interferon-γ-induced protein-10 (CXCL10, IP-10) expression compared to the singly-infected cells conditions. We demonstrated that endogenous miRNA-200a-3p, whose expression was synergistically induced following co-infection, indirectly regulates CXCL10 expression by targeting suppressor of cytokine signaling-6 (SOCS-6), a well-known regulator of the JAK-STAT signaling pathway. Additionally, in a subsequent clinical pilot study, immunomodulators levels were evaluated in samples from 74 children (≤5 years-old) hospitalized with viral and/or bacterial community-acquired pneumonia. Clinically, among the 74 cases of pneumonia, patients with identified mixed-detection had significantly higher (3.6-fold) serum IP-10 levels than those with a single detection (P = 0.03), and were significantly associated with severe pneumonia (P < 0.01). This study demonstrates that viral and bacterial co-infection modulates the JAK-STAT signaling pathway and leads to exacerbated IP-10 expression, which could play a major role in the pathogenesis of pneumonia.
Transistor Properties of 2,7-Dialkyl-Substituted Phenanthro[2,1-b:7,8-b′]dithiophene
Authors: Kubozono Yoshihiro , Hyodo Keita , Hamao Shino , Shimo Yuma , Mori Hiroki , Nishihara Yasushi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractA new phenacene-type molecule with five fused aromatic rings was synthesized: 2,7-didodecylphenanthro[2,1-b:7,8-b′]dithiophene ((C12H25)2-i-PDT), with two terminal thiophene rings. Field-effect transistors (FETs) using thin films of this molecule were fabricated using various gate dielectrics, showing p-channel normally-off FET properties with field-effect mobilities (μ) greater than 1 cm2 V−1 s−1. The highest μ value in the thin-film FETs fabricated in this study was 5.4 cm2 V−1 s−1, when a 150 nm-thick ZrO2 gate dielectric was used. This implies that (C12H25)2-i-PDT is very suitable for use in a transistor. Its good FET performance is fully discussed, based on electronic/topological properties and theoretical calculations.
LptD is a promising vaccine antigen and potential immunotherapeutic target for protection against Vibrio species infection
Authors: Zha Zhenzhong , Li Chuchu , Li Weiyan , Ye Zhicang , Pan Jianyi 
Published: December 2016

AbstractOuter membrane proteins (OMPs) are unique to Gram-negative bacteria. Several features, including surface exposure, conservation among strains and ability to induce immune responses, make OMPs attractive targets for using as vaccine antigens and immunotherapeutics. LptD is an essential OMP that mediates the final transport of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) to outer leaflet. The protein in Vibrio parahaemolyticus was identified to have immunogenicity in our previous report. In this study, broad distribution, high conservation and similar surface-epitopes of LptD were found among the major Vibrio species. LptD was further revealed to be associated with immune responses, and it has a strong ability to stimulate antibody response. More importantly, it conferred 100% immune protection against lethal challenge by V. parahaemolyticus in mice when the mice were vaccinated with LptD, and this finding was consistent with the observation of efficient clearance of bacteria in vaccination mice. Strikingly, targeting of bacteria by the LptD antibody caused significant decreases in both the growth and LPS level and an increase in susceptibility to hydrophobic antibiotics. These findings were consistent with those previously obtained in lptD-deletion bacteria. These data demonstrated LptD is a promising vaccine antigens and a potential target for antibody-based therapy to protect against Vibrio infections.
An ERβ agonist induces browning of subcutaneous abdominal fat pad in obese female mice
Authors: Miao Yi-fei , Su Wen , Dai Yu-bing , Wu Wan-fu , Huang Bo , Barros Rodrigo P. A. , Nguyen Hao , Maneix Laure , Guan You-fei , Warner Margaret , Gustafsson Jan-Åke 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEstrogen, via estrogen receptor alpha (ERα), exerts several beneficial effects on metabolism and energy homeostasis by controlling size, enzymatic activity and hormonal content of adipose tissue. The actions of estrogen on sympathetic ganglia, which are key players in the browning process, are less well known. In the present study we show that ERβ influences browning of subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) via its actions both on sympathetic ganglia and on the SAT itself. A 3-day-treatment with a selective ERβ agonist, LY3201, induced browning of SAT in 1-year-old obese WT and ERα−/− female mice. Browning was associated with increased expression of ERβ in the nuclei of neurons in the sympathetic ganglia, increase in tyrosine hydroxylase in both nerve terminals in the SAT and sympathetic ganglia neurons and an increase of β3-adrenoceptor in the SAT. LY3201 had no effect on browning in young female or male mice. In the case of young females browning was already maximal while in males there was very little expression of ERβ in the SAT and very little expression of the β3-adrenoceptor. The increase in both sympathetic tone and responsiveness of adipocytes to catecholamines reveals a novel role for ERβ in controlling browning of adipose tissue.
SLC2A8 (GLUT8) is a mammalian trehalose transporter required for trehalose-induced autophagy
Authors: Mayer Allyson L. , Higgins Cassandra B. , Heitmeier Monique R. , Kraft Thomas E. , Qian Xia , Crowley Jan R. , Hyrc Krzysztof L. , Beatty Wandy L. , Yarasheski Kevin E. , Hruz Paul W. , DeBosch Brian J. 
Published: December 2016

AbstractTrehalose is a disaccharide demonstrated to mitigate disease burden in multiple murine neurodegenerative models. We recently revealed that trehalose rapidly induces hepatic autophagy and abrogates hepatic steatosis by inhibiting hexose transport via the SLC2A family of facilitative transporters. Prior studies, however, postulate that intracellular trehalose is sufficient to induce cellular autophagy. The objective of the current study was to identify the means by which trehalose accesses the hepatocyte cytoplasm, and define the distal signaling mechanisms by which trehalose induces autophagy. We provide gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric, fluorescence microscopic and radiolabeled uptake evidence that trehalose traverses the plasma membrane via SLC2A8 (GLUT8), a homolog of the trehalose transporter-1 (Tret1). Moreover, GLUT8-deficient hepatocytes and GLUT8-deficient mice exposed to trehalose resisted trehalose-induced AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) phosphorylation and autophagic inductionin vitroandin vivo. Although trehalose profoundly attenuated mTORC1 signaling, trehalose-induced mTORC1 suppression was insufficient to activate autophagy in the absence of AMPK or GLUT8. Strikingly, transient, heterologous Tret1 overexpression reconstituted autophagic flux and AMPK signaling defects in GLUT8-deficient hepatocyte cultures. Together, these data suggest that cytoplasmic trehalose access is carrier-mediated, and that GLUT8 is a mammalian trehalose transporter required for hepatocyte trehalose-induced autophagy and signal transduction.
Identification of critical paralog groups with indispensable roles in the regulation of signaling flow
Authors: Modos Dezso , Brooks Johanne , Fazekas David , Ari Eszter , Vellai Tibor , Csermely Peter , Korcsmaros Tamas , Lenti Katalin 
Published: December 2016

AbstractExtensive cross-talk between signaling pathways is required to integrate the myriad of extracellular signal combinations at the cellular level. Gene duplication events may lead to the emergence of novel functions, leaving groups of similar genes - termed paralogs - in the genome. To distinguish critical paralog groups (CPGs) from other paralogs in human signaling networks, we developed a signaling network-based method using cross-talk annotation and tissue-specific signaling flow analysis. 75 CPGs were found with higher degree, betweenness centrality, closeness, and ‘bowtieness’ when compared to other paralogs or other proteins in the signaling network. CPGs had higher diversity in all these measures, with more varied biological functions and more specific post-transcriptional regulation than non-critical paralog groups (non-CPG). Using TGF-beta, Notch and MAPK pathways as examples, SMAD2/3, NOTCH1/2/3 and MEK3/6-p38 CPGs were found to regulate the signaling flow of their respective pathways. Additionally, CPGs showed a higher mutation rate in both inherited diseases and cancer, and were enriched in drug targets. In conclusion, the results revealed two distinct types of paralog groups in the signaling network: CPGs and non-CPGs. Thus highlighting the importance of CPGs as compared to non-CPGs in drug discovery and disease pathogenesis.
A human carboxypeptidase E/NF-α1 gene mutation in an Alzheimer’s disease patient leads to dementia and depression in mice
Authors: Cheng Y , Cawley N X , Yanik T , Murthy S R K , Liu C , Kasikci F , Abebe D , Loh Y P 
Published: December 2016

AbstractPatients with Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a common dementia among the aging population, often also suffer from depression. This comorbidity is poorly understood. Although most forms of AD are not genetically inherited, we have identified a new human mutation in the carboxypeptidase E (CPE)/neurotrophic factor-α1 (NF-α1) gene from an AD patient that caused memory deficit and depressive-like behavior in transgenic mice. This mutation consists of three adenosine inserts, introducing nine amino acids, including two glutamines into the mutant protein, herein called CPE-QQ. Expression of CPE-QQ in Neuro2a cells demonstrated that it was not secreted, but accumulated in the endoplasmic reticulum and was subsequently degraded by proteasomes. Expression of CPE-QQ in rat hippocampal neurons resulted in cell death, through increased ER stress and decreased expression of pro-survival protein, BCL-2. Transgenic mice expressing CPE-QQ did not show any difference in the processing enzyme activity of CPE compared with wild-type mice. However, the transgenic mice exhibited poor memory, depressive-like behavior, severely decreased dendrites in the hippocampal CA3 region and medial prefrontal cortex indicative of neurodegeneration, hyperphosphorylation of tau at Ser396, and diminished neurogenesis in the dentate gyrus at 50 weeks old. All these pathologies are associated with AD and the latter with depression and were observed in 50-week-old mice. Interestingly, the younger CPE-QQ mice (11 weeks old) did not show deficits in dendrite outgrowth and neurogenesis. This study has uncovered a human CPE/NF-α1 gene mutation that could lead to comorbidity of dementia and depression, emphasizing the importance of this gene in cognitive function.
DNA methylation and substance-use risk: a prospective, genome-wide study spanning gestation to adolescence
Authors: Cecil C A M , Walton E , Smith R G , Viding E , McCrory E J , Relton C L , Suderman M , Pingault J-B , McArdle W , Gaunt T R , Mill J , Barker E D 
Published: December 2016

AbstractEpigenetic processes have been implicated in addiction; yet, it remains unclear whether these represent a risk factor and/or a consequence of substance use. Here, we believe we conducted the first genome-wide, longitudinal study to investigate whether DNA methylation patterns in early life prospectively associate with substance use in adolescence. The sample comprised of 244 youth (51% female) from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children (ALSPAC), with repeated assessments of DNA methylation (Illumina 450k array; cord blood at birth, whole blood at age 7) and substance use (tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use; age 14–18). We found that, at birth, epigenetic variation across a tightly interconnected genetic network (n=65 loci; q<0.05) associated with greater levels of substance use during adolescence, as well as an earlier age of onset amongst users. Associations were specific to the neonatal period and not observed at age 7. Key annotated genes included PACSIN1, NEUROD4 and NTRK2, implicated in neurodevelopmental processes. Several of the identified loci were associated with known methylation quantitative trait loci, and consequently likely to be under significant genetic control. Collectively, these 65 loci were also found to partially mediate the effect of prenatal maternal tobacco smoking on adolescent substance use. Together, findings lend novel insights into epigenetic correlates of substance use, highlight birth as a potentially sensitive window of biological vulnerability and provide preliminary evidence of an indirect epigenetic pathway linking prenatal tobacco exposure and adolescent substance use.
260‐GHz differential amplifier in SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor technology
Authors: Yoon D. , Seo M.‐G. , Song K. , Kaynak M. , Tillack B. , Rieh J.‐S. 
Published: December 2016

A 260‐GHz amplifier in a SiGe heterojunction bipolar transistor (HBT) technology is reported. It is based on three‐stage differential cascode topology and adopts a passive shunt transistor pair at the output of each amplifying stage to relax instability caused by parasitic base inductance of amplifying transistor pair. The instability of the amplifier can be mitigated by tuning the base bias voltage of the shunt transistor pair. Peak gain of the amplifier was measured as 15 dB at 260 GHz. DC power dissipation is 112 mW. The chip occupies 300 × 160 μm2 excluding Baluns and probing pads.
Evaluation of a pilot school‐based physical activity challenge for primary students
Authors: Passmore E. , Donato‐Hunt C. , Maher L. , Havrlant R. , Hennessey K. , Milat A. , Farrell L. 
Published: December 2016

Issue addressedPhysical inactivity and sedentary behaviour among children are growing public health concerns. The Culture Health Communities Activity Challenge (hereafter known as the Challenge) is a school‐based pedometer program in which classes compete to achieve the highest class average daily steps in an 8‐week period. The Challenge aims to encourage physical activity in primary school students, with a focus on engaging Aboriginal students. The program was piloted in 15 classes in New South Wales in 2014.MethodsThe evaluation aimed to explore students’ and teachers’ experiences of the Challenge, and assess its impact on the students’ physical activity levels. Data sources were a pre‐ and post‐intervention survey of students’ physical activity levels and sedentary time (n = 209), qualitative interviews with teachers (n = 11) and discussions with 10 classes.ResultsFifteen Year 5 and 6 classes comprising 318 students participated. Fifty percent of participants were girls, the average age was 11 years and the majority (57%) were Aboriginal students. Participation in the Challenge was associated with a slight but statistically significant increase in students’ physical activity levels (P < 0.05), and a significant decrease in weekend screen time (P < 0.05). However, when stratified by Aboriginality these changes were not statistically significant for Aboriginal students. Qualitative feedback from teachers and students indicated high levels of engagement and satisfaction with the Challenge. Teachers and students reported positive impacts, including increased motivation to be physically active, and improved student attendance and engagement in class activities and teamwork.ConclusionsParticipation in the Challenge was associated with increased physical activity and decreased screen time for some students. Students and teachers also reported a range of positive social and educational outcomes.So what?The findings highlight the importance of primary schools as a setting for health promotion activities, and demonstrate that school‐based physical activity programs can be engaging and appropriate for classes with high proportions of Aboriginal students.
Emergent structures and dynamics of cell colonies by contact inhibition of locomotion
Authors: Smeets Bart , Alert Ricard , Pešek Jiří , Pagonabarraga Ignacio , Ramon Herman , Vincent Romaric 
Published: December 2016

Significance
The regular distribution of mesenchymal cells, the formation of epithelial monolayers, or their collapse into spheroidal tumors illustrates the broad range of possible organizations of cells in tissues. Unveiling a physical picture of their emergence and dynamics is of critical importance to understand tissue morphogenesis or cancer progression. Although the role of cell–substrate and cell–cell adhesion in the organization of cell colonies has been widely studied, the impact of the cell-type–specific contact inhibition of locomotion (CIL) remains unclear. Here, we include this interaction in simulations of active particles and find a number of structures and collective dynamics that recapitulate existing tissue phenotypes. We give analytical predictions for the epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the formation of 3D aggregates as a function of cell–cell adhesion and CIL strengths. Thus, our findings shed light on the physical mechanisms underlying multicellular organization.