bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of Ape1 Redox Activity Promotes Odonto/osteogenic Differentiation of Dental Papilla Cells
Authors: Chen Tian , Liu Zhi , Sun Wenhua , Li Jingyu , Liang Yan , Yang Xianrui , Xu Yang , Yu Mei , Tian Weidong , Chen Guoqing , Bai Ding 
Published: December 2015

AbstractDentinogenesis is the formation of dentin, a substance that forms the majority of teeth and this process is performed by odontoblasts. Dental papilla cells (DPCs), as the progenitor cells of odontoblasts, undergo the odontogenic differentiation regulated by multiple cytokines and paracrine signal molecules. Ape1 is a perfect paradigm of the function complexity of a biological macromolecule with two major functional regions for DNA repair and redox regulation, respectively. To date, it remains unclear whether Ape1 can regulate the dentinogenesis in DPCs. In the present study, we firstly examed the spatio-temporal expression of Ape1 during tooth germ developmental process and found the Ape1 expression was initially high and then gradually reduced along with the tooth development. Secondly, the osteo/odontogenic differentiation capacity of DPCs was up-regulated when treated with either Ape1-shRNA or E3330 (a specific inhibitor of the Ape1 redox function), respectively. Moreover, we found that the canonical Wnt signaling pathway was activated in this process and E3330 reinforced-osteo/odontogenic differentiation capacity was suppressed by Dickkopf1 (DKK1), a potent antagonist of canonical Wnt signaling pathway. Taken together, we for the first time showed that inhibition of Ape1 redox regulation could promote the osteo/odontogenic differentiation capacity of DPCs via canonical Wnt signaling pathway.
Absolute measurement of the 1S0 − 3P0 clock transition in neutral 88Sr over the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optic link
Authors: Morzyński Piotr , Bober Marcin , Bartoszek-Bober Dobrosława , Nawrocki Jerzy , Krehlik Przemysław , Śliwczyński Łukasz , Lipiński Marcin , Masłowski Piotr , Cygan Agata , Dunst Piotr , Garus Michał , Lisak Daniel , Zachorowski Jerzy , Gawlik Wojciech , Radzewicz Czesław , Ciuryło Roman , Zawada Michał 
Published: December 2015

AbstractWe report a stability below 7 × 10−17 of two independent optical lattice clocks operating with bosonic 88Sr isotope. The value (429 228 066 418 008.3(1.9)syst (0.9)stat Hz) of the absolute frequency of the 1S0 – 3P0 transition was measured with an optical frequency comb referenced to the local representation of the UTC by the 330 km-long stabilized fibre optical link. The result was verified by series of measurements on two independent optical lattice clocks and agrees with recommendation of Bureau International des Poids et Mesures.
BIM and mTOR expression levels predict outcome to erlotinib in EGFR-mutant non-small-cell lung cancer
Authors: Karachaliou Niki , Codony-Servat Jordi , Teixidó Cristina , Pilotto Sara , Drozdowskyj Ana , Codony-Servat Carles , Giménez-Capitán Ana , Molina-Vila Miguel Angel , Bertrán-Alamillo Jordi , Gervais Radj , Massuti Bartomeu , Morán Teresa , Majem Margarita , Felip Enriqueta , Carcereny Enric , García-Campelo Rosario , Viteri Santiago , González-Cao María , Morales-Espinosa Daniela , Verlicchi Alberto , Crisetti Elisabetta , Chaib Imane , Santarpia Mariacarmela , Luis Ramírez José , Bosch-Barrera Joaquim , Felipe Cardona Andrés , de Marinis Filippo , López-Vivanco Guillermo , Miguel Sánchez José , Vergnenegre Alain , Sánchez Hernández José Javier , Sperduti Isabella , Bria Emilio , Rosell Rafael 
Published: December 2015

AbstractBIM is a proapoptotic protein that initiates apoptosis triggered by EGFR tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI). mTOR negatively regulates apoptosis and may influence response to EGFR TKI. We examined mRNA expression of BIM and MTOR in 57 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC from the EURTAC trial. Risk of mortality and disease progression was lower in patients with high BIM compared with low/intermediate BIM mRNA levels. Analysis of MTOR further divided patients with high BIM expression into two groups, with those having both high BIM and MTOR experiencing shorter overall and progression-free survival to erlotinib. Validation of our results was performed in an independent cohort of 19 patients with EGFR-mutant NSCLC treated with EGFR TKIs. In EGFR-mutant lung adenocarcinoma cell lines with high BIM expression, concomitant high mTOR expression increased IC50 of gefitinib for cell proliferation. We next sought to analyse the signalling pattern in cell lines with strong activation of mTOR and its substrate P-S6. We showed that mTOR and phosphodiesterase 4D (PDE4D) strongly correlate in resistant EGFR-mutant cancer cell lines. These data suggest that the combination of EGFR TKI with mTOR or PDE4 inhibitors could be adequate therapy for EGFR-mutant NSCLC patients with high pretreatment levels of BIM and mTOR.
GLUT3 and PKM2 regulate OCT4 expression and support the hypoxic culture of human embryonic stem cells
Authors: Christensen David R. , Calder Philip C. , Houghton Franchesca D. 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHuman embryonic stem cells (hESCs) have the capacity to differentiate into all cell types and thus have great potential for regenerative medicine. hESCs cultured at low oxygen tensions are more pluripotent and display an increased glycolytic rate but how this is regulated is unknown. This study therefore aimed to investigate the regulation of glucose metabolism in hESCs and whether this might impact OCT4 expression. In contrast to the glucose transporter GLUT1, GLUT3 was regulated by environmental oxygen and localised to hESC membranes. Silencing GLUT3 caused a reduction in glucose uptake and lactate production as well as OCT4 expression. GLUT3 and OCT4 expression were correlated suggesting that hESC self-renewal is regulated by the rate of glucose uptake. Surprisingly, PKM2, a rate limiting enzyme of glycolysis displayed a nuclear localisation in hESCs and silencing PKM2 did not alter glucose metabolism suggesting a role other than as a glycolytic enzyme. PKM2 expression was increased in hESCs cultured at 5% oxygen compared to 20% oxygen and silencing PKM2 reduced OCT4 expression highlighting a transcriptional role for PKM2 in hESCs. Together, these data demonstrate two separate mechanisms by which genes regulating glucose uptake and metabolism are involved in the hypoxic support of pluripotency in hESCs.
Flame treatment of graphene oxides: cost-effective production of nanoporous graphene electrode for Lithium-ion batteries
Authors: Jiang Hao-Bo , Zhang Yong-Lai , Zhang Yi , Liu Yan , Fu Xiu-Yan , Liu Yu-Qing , Wang Chun-Dong , Sun Hong-Bo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractA facile production of highly porous graphene foam by using flame treatment of graphene oxide (GO) is proposed. Highly porous architectures with randomly distributed micro-crack and micro-slit were produced due to the high temperature induced ruinous reduction and rapid expansion of GO. Synchronously, abundant oxygen-containing groups (OCGs) on GO sheets could be effectively removed after flame treatment, which renders significantly increased conductivity to the resultant flame reduced GO (FR-GO). The synergistic effect of micro/nanostructuring and the OCGs removal makes FR-GO a promising candidate for electrode materials. Compared with chemically reduced GO (CR-GO), FR-GO delivers much higher specific capacity. It gives us some hints that flame treatment of graphene-based material is a smart strategy for cost-effective production of anode materials for commercial application.
Antibiotic monensin synergizes with EGFR inhibitors and oxaliplatin to suppress the proliferation of human ovarian cancer cells
Authors: Deng Youlin , Zhang Junhui , Wang Zhongliang , Yan Zhengjian , Qiao Min , Ye Jixing , Wei Qiang , Wang Jing , Wang Xin , Zhao Lianggong , Lu Shun , Tang Shengli , Mohammed Maryam K. , Liu Hao , Fan Jiaming , Zhang Fugui , Zou Yulong , Liao Junyi , Qi Hongbo , Haydon Rex C. , Luu Hue H. , He Tong-Chuan , Tang Liangdan 
Published: December 2015

AbstractOvarian cancer is the most lethal gynecologic malignancy with an overall cure rate of merely 30%. Most patients experience recurrence within 12–24 months of cure and die of progressively chemotherapy-resistant disease. Thus, more effective anti-ovarian cancer therapies are needed. Here, we investigate the possibility of repurposing antibiotic monensin as an anti-ovarian cancer agent. We demonstrate that monensin effectively inhibits cell proliferation, migration and cell cycle progression and induces apoptosis of human ovarian cancer cells. Monensin suppresses multiple cancer-related pathways including Elk1/SRF, AP1, NFκB and STAT and reduces EGFR expression in ovarian cancer cells. Monensin acts synergistically with EGFR inhibitors and oxaliplatin to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of ovarian cancer cells. Xenograft studies confirm that monensin effectively inhibits tumor growth by suppressing cell proliferation through targeting EGFR signaling. Our results suggest monensin may be repurposed as an anti-ovarian cancer agent although further preclinical and clinical studies are needed.
Formation of Carbonized Polystyrene Sphere/hemisphere Shell Arrays by Ion Beam Irradiation and Subsequent Annealing or Chloroform Treatment
Authors: Song Xianyin , Dai Zhigao , Xiao Xiangheng , Li Wenqing , Zheng Xudong , Shang Xunzhong , Zhang Xiaolei , Cai Guangxu , Wu Wei , Meng Fanli , Jiang Changzhong 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHeat-resistant two-dimensional (2D) sphere/hemisphere shell array is significant for the fabrication of novel nanostructures. Here large-area, well-ordered arrays of carbonized polystyrene (PS) hollow sphere/hemisphere with controlled size and morphology are prepared by combining the nanosphere self-assembly, kV Ag ion beam modification and subsequent annealing or chloroform treatment. Potential mechanisms for the formation and evolution of the heat-resistant carbonized PS spherical shell with increasing ion fluence and energy are discussed. Combined with noble metal or semiconductor, these modified PS sphere arrays should open up new possibilities for high-performance nanoscale optical sensors or photoelectric devices.
A Wide-angle Multi-Octave Broadband Waveplate Based on Field Transformation Approach
Authors: Zhao Junming , Zhang Lianhong , Li Jensen , Feng Yijun , Dyke Amy , Haq Sajad , Hao Yang 
Published: December 2015

AbstractTransformation optics (TO) offers a geometrical approach in designing optical components of any shapes. Although it has been proven to be a versatile and robust mathematical tool, TO has, however, limited control over electromagnetic (EM) field polarization in the process of coordinate transformation. Such a technique can be extended to a so-called “Field transformation (FT)” which provides direct control over the impedance and polarization signature of an arbitrary object. In this work, we demonstrate a FT application by designing and manufacturing a novel waveplate, which defies the fundamental limit of bandwidth and incident angles and has the ability of converting between TE (transverse electric) and TM (transverse magnetic) as well as LCP (left-handed circular polarization) and RCP (right-handed circular polarization). Such a waveplate can also be applied to different operating modes for both transmitted and reflected waves by adjusting its thickness and adding an optional metallic ground plane. The proposed design approach presents a remarkable degree of advance for designing future devices with arbitrary polarization controls, artificial waveguides or antenna substrates and polarization-enabled resonators with angle-insensitive functionalities. Our approach has far reaching implications applicable from radio to optical frequencies.
Three-dimensional Nitrogen-Doped Graphene Supported Molybdenum Disulfide Nanoparticles as an Advanced Catalyst for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction
Authors: Dong Haifeng , Liu Conghui , Ye Haitao , Hu Linping , Fugetsu Bunshi , Dai Wenhao , Cao Yu , Qi Xueqiang , Lu Huiting , Zhang Xueji 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAn efficient three-dimensional (3D) hybrid material of nitrogen-doped graphene sheets (N-RGO) supporting molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) nanoparticles with high-performance electrocatalytic activity for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) is fabricated by using a facile hydrothermal route. Comprehensive microscopic and spectroscopic characterizations confirm the resulting hybrid material possesses a 3D crumpled few-layered graphene network structure decorated with MoS2 nanoparticles. Electrochemical characterization analysis reveals that the resulting hybrid material exhibits efficient electrocatalytic activity toward HER under acidic conditions with a low onset potential of 112 mV and a small Tafel slope of 44 mV per decade. The enhanced mechanism of electrocatalytic activity has been investigated in detail by controlling the elemental composition, electrical conductance and surface morphology of the 3D hybrid as well as Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculations. This demonstrates that the abundance of exposed active sulfur edge sites in the MoS2 and nitrogen active functional moieties in N-RGO are synergistically responsible for the catalytic activity, whilst the distinguished and coherent interface in MoS2/N-RGO facilitates the electron transfer during electrocatalysis. Our study gives insights into the physical/chemical mechanism of enhanced HER performance in MoS2/N-RGO hybrids and illustrates how to design and construct a 3D hybrid to maximize the catalytic efficiency.
Hidden symmetry and protection of Dirac points on the honeycomb lattice
Authors: Hou Jing-Min , Chen Wei 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe honeycomb lattice possesses a novel energy band structure, which is characterized by two distinct Dirac points in the Brillouin zone, dominating most of the physical properties of the honeycomb structure materials. However, up till now, the origin of the Dirac points is unclear yet. Here, we discover a hidden symmetry on the honeycomb lattice and prove that the existence of Dirac points is exactly protected by such hidden symmetry. Furthermore, the moving and merging of the Dirac points and a quantum phase transition, which have been theoretically predicted and experimentally observed on the honeycomb lattice, can also be perfectly explained by the parameter dependent evolution of the hidden symmetry.
Overexpression of Sirtuin 6 suppresses cellular senescence and NF-κB mediated inflammatory responses in osteoarthritis development
Authors: Wu Yaosen , Chen Linwei , Wang Ye , Li Wanli , Lin Yan , Yu Dongsheng , Zhang Liang , Li Fangcai , Pan Zhijun 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe aim of our study was to evaluate if Sirt6, a NAD + dependent histone deacetylase, plays a protective role in cartilage degeneration by suppressing cellular senescence and inflammatory responses. The expression level of sirt6 in normal and OA human knee articular cartilage was compared by immunofluorescence and western blotting. The effect of sirt6 overexpression on replicative senescence of chondrocytes and NF-κB target genes expression was evaluated. Histological assessment of OA mice knee joint was carried out to assess the in vivo effects of sirt6 overexpression on mice chondrocytes. We found sirt6 level was significantly decreased in the articular chondrocytes of OA patients compare to normal human. SA-β-gal staining revealed that overexpression of sirt6 suppressed replicative senescence of chondrocytes. Meanwhile, the expression of NF-κB dependent genes were significantly attenuated by sirt6 overxpression. Safranin-O staining and OARSI score of knee joint cartilage in OA mice revealed that Lenti-Sirt6 intraarticular injection could protect mice chondrocytes from degeneration. These data strongly suggest that overexpression of Sirt6 can prevent OA development by reducing both the inflammatory response and chondrocytes senescence. Therefore, the development of specific activators of Sirt6 may have therapeutic potential for the treatment of OA.
Environmental marine pathogen isolation using mesocosm culture of sharpsnout seabream: striking genomic and morphological features of novel Endozoicomonas sp.
Authors: Katharios Pantelis , Seth-Smith Helena M. B. , Fehr Alexander , Mateos José M. , Qi Weihong , Richter Denis , Nufer Lisbeth , Ruetten Maja , Guevara Soto Maricruz , Ziegler Urs , Thomson Nicholas R , Schlapbach Ralph , Vaughan Lloyd 
Published: December 2015

AbstractAquaculture is a burgeoning industry, requiring diversification into new farmed species, which are often at risk from infectious disease. We used a mesocosm technique to investigate the susceptibility of sharpsnout seabream (Diplodus puntazzo) larvae to potential environmental pathogens in seawater compared to control borehole water. Fish exposed to seawater succumbed to epitheliocystis from 21 days post hatching, causing mortality in a quarter of the hosts. The pathogen responsible was not chlamydial, as is often found in epitheliocystis, but a novel species of the γ-proteobacterial genus Endozoicomonas. Detailed characterisation of this pathogen within the infectious lesions using high resolution fluorescent and electron microscopy showed densely packed rod shaped bacteria. A draft genome sequence of this uncultured bacterium was obtained from preserved material. Comparison with the genome of the Endozoicomonas elysicola type strain shows that the genome of Ca. Endozoicomonas cretensis is undergoing decay through loss of functional genes and insertion sequence expansion, often indicative of adaptation to a new niche or restriction to an alternative lifestyle. These results demonstrate the advantage of mesocosm studies for investigating the effect of environmental bacteria on susceptible hosts and provide an important insight into the genome dynamics of a novel fish pathogen.
Podocyte injury in diabetic nephropathy: implications of angiotensin II – dependent activation of TRPC channels
Authors: Ilatovskaya Daria V. , Levchenko Vladislav , Lowing Andrea , Shuyskiy Leonid S. , Palygin Oleg , Staruschenko Alexander 
Published: December 2015

AbstractInjury to podocytes is considered a major contributor to diabetic kidney disease: their loss causes proteinuria and progressive glomerulosclerosis. Podocyte depletion may result from improper calcium handling due to abnormal activation of the calcium permeant TRPC (Transient Receptor Potential Canonical) channels. Angiotensin II (Ang II) levels are found to be elevated in diabetes; furthermore, it was reported that Ang II causes activation of TRPC6 in podocytes. We hypothesized here that Ang II-mediated calcium influx is aggravated in the podocytes under the conditions of type 1 diabetic nephropathy (DN). Diabetes was induced in the Dahl Salt-Sensitive rats by an injection of streptozotocin (STZ-SS). Eleven weeks post treatment was sufficient for the animals to develop hyperglycemia, excessive urination, weight loss, microalbuminuria, nephrinuria and display renal histological lesions typical for patients with DN. Patch-clamp electrophysiology performed on podocytes of the freshly isolated glomeruli showed enhanced basal TRPC channel activity in the STZ-SS rats and increased response to Ang II; total calcium influx triggered by Ang II application was also augmented in podocytes of these rats. Our studies have a strong potential for advancing the understanding of TRPC-mediated effects on podocytopenia in DN initiation.
Practice reduces task relevant variance modulation and forms nominal trajectory
Authors: Osu Rieko , Morishige Ken-ichi , Nakanishi Jun , Miyamoto Hiroyuki , Kawato Mitsuo 
Published: December 2015

AbstractHumans are capable of achieving complex tasks with redundant degrees of freedom. Much attention has been paid to task relevant variance modulation as an indication of online feedback control strategies to cope with motor variability. Meanwhile, it has been discussed that the brain learns internal models of environments to realize feedforward control with nominal trajectories. Here we examined trajectory variance in both spatial and temporal domains to elucidate the relative contribution of these control schemas. We asked subjects to learn reaching movements with multiple via-points and found that hand trajectories converged to stereotyped trajectories with the reduction of task relevant variance modulation as learning proceeded. Furthermore, variance reduction was not always associated with task constraints but was highly correlated with the velocity profile. A model assuming noise both on the nominal trajectory and motor command was able to reproduce the observed variance modulation, supporting an expression of nominal trajectories in the brain. The learning-related decrease in task-relevant modulation revealed a reduction in the influence of optimal feedback around the task constraints. After practice, the major part of computation seems to be taken over by the feedforward controller around the nominal trajectory with feedback added only when it becomes necessary.
Heterologous expression of newly identified galectin-8 from sea urchin embryos produces recombinant protein with lactose binding specificity and anti-adhesive activity
Authors: Karakostis Konstantinos , Costa Caterina , Zito Francesca , Matranga Valeria 
Published: December 2015

AbstractGalectin family members specifically bind beta-galactoside derivatives and are involved in different cellular events, including cell communication, signalling, apoptosis and immune responses. Here, we report a tandem-repeat type galectin from the Paracentrotus lividus sea urchin embryo, referred to as Pl-GAL-8. The 933nt sequence encodes a protein of 34.73 kDa, containing the conserved HFNPRF and WGxExR motifs in the two highly similar carbohydrate-recognition domains (CRD). The three-dimensional protein structure model of the N-CRD confirms the high evolutionary conservation of carbohydrate binding sites. The temporal gene expression is regulated during development and transcripts localize at the tip of the archenteron at gastrula stage, in a subset of the secondary mesenchyme cells that differentiate into blastocoelar (immune) cells. Functional studies using a recombinant Pl-GAL-8 expressed in bacteria demonstrate its hemo-agglutinating activity on human red blood cells through the binding to lactose, as well as its ability in inhibiting the adhesion of human Hep-G2 cells to the substrate. The recent implications in autoimmune diseases and inflammatory disorders make Gal-8 an attractive candidate for therapeutic purposes. Our results offer a solid basis for addressing the use of the new Pl-GAL-8 in functional and applicative studies, respectively in the developmental and biomedical fields.
A Probabilistic Model for Estimating the Depth and Threshold Temperature of C-fiber Nociceptors
Authors: Dezhdar Tara , Moshourab Rabih A. , Fründ Ingo , Lewin Gary R. , Schmuker Michael 
Published: December 2015

AbstractThe subjective experience of thermal pain follows the detection and encoding of noxious stimuli by primary afferent neurons called nociceptors. However, nociceptor morphology has been hard to access and the mechanisms of signal transduction remain unresolved. In order to understand how heat transducers in nociceptors are activatedin vivo, it is important to estimate the temperatures that directly activate the skin-embedded nociceptor membrane. Hence, the nociceptor’s temperature threshold must be estimated, which in turn will depend on the depth at which transduction happens in the skin. Since the temperature at the receptor cannot be accessed experimentally, such an estimation can currently only be achieved through modeling. However, the current state-of-the-art model to estimate temperature at the receptor suffers from the fact that it cannot account for the natural stochastic variability of neuronal responses. We improve this model using a probabilistic approach which accounts for uncertainties and potential noise in system. Using a data set of 24 C-fibers recordedin vitro, we show that, even without detailed knowledge of the bio-thermal properties of the system, the probabilistic model that we propose here is capable of providing estimates of threshold and depth in cases where the classical method fails.