bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Growth differentiation factor-15: a p53- and demethylation-upregulating gene represses cell proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis in bladder carcinoma cells
Authors: Tsui Ke-Hung , Hsu Shu-Yuan , Chung Li-Chuan , Lin Yu-Hsiang , Feng Tsui-Hsia , Lee Tzu-Yi , Chang Phei-Lang , Juang Horng-Heng 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGrowth differentiation factor-15 (GDF15), a member of the TGF-β superfamily, affects tumor biology of certain cancers, but remains poorly understood in bladder cancer cells. This study determined the expression, regulation, function and potential downstream target genes of GDF15 in bladder carcinoma cells. The transitional papilloma carcionoma cells (RT4) expressed higher levels of GDF15 as compared with the bladder carcinoma cells (HT1376 and T24). Treatments of recombinant human GDF15 (rhGDF15) reduced the proliferations of HT1376 and T24 cells. Expression of GDF15 was upregulated via DNA demethylation and p53. The cell proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis were reduced in ectopic overexpression of GDF15, while enhanced in GDF15 knockdown. The expressions of mammary serine protease inhibitor (MASPIN) and N-myc downstream-regulated family genes (NDRG1, NDRG2 and NDRG3) were upregulated by GDF15 overexpressions and rhGDF15 treatments in bladder carcinoma cells. GDF15 knockdown induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and F-actin polarization in HT1376 cells. Our results suggest that enhanced expressions of MASPIN and N-myc downstream-regulated family genes and the modulation of EMT may account for the inhibitory functions of GDF15 in the cell proliferation, invasion and tumorigenesis of bladder carcinoma cells. The GDF15 should be considered as a tumor suppressor in human bladder carcinoma cells.
First Miocene rodent from Lebanon provides the 'missing link' between Asian and African gundis (Rodentia: Ctenodactylidae)
Authors: López-Antoñanzas Raquel , Knoll Fabien , Maksoud Sibelle , Azar Dany 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCtenodactylinae (gundis) is a clade of rodents that experienced, in Miocene time, their greatest diversification and widest distribution. They expanded from the Far East, their area of origin, to Africa, which they entered from what would become the Arabian Peninsula. Questions concerning the origin of African Ctenodactylinae persist essentially because of a poor fossil record from the Miocene of Afro-Arabia. However, recent excavations in the Late Miocene of Lebanon have yielded a key taxon for our understanding of these issues. Proafricanomys libanensis nov. gen. nov. sp. shares a variety of dental characters with both the most primitive and derived members of the subfamily. A cladistic analysis demonstrates that this species is the sister taxon to a clade encompassing all but one of the African ctenodactylines, plus a southern European species of obvious African extraction. As such, Proafricanomys provides the 'missing link' between the Asian and African gundis.
M. tuberculosis Secretory Protein ESAT-6 Induces Metabolic Flux Perturbations to Drive Foamy Macrophage Differentiation
Authors: Singh Varshneya , Kaur Charanpreet , Chaudhary Vijay K. , Rao Kanury V. S , Chatterjee Samrat 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe Foamy Macrophage (FM) differentiation forms a major component of the host dependent survival axis of M. tuberculosis. The FM which are characterized by the intracellular accumulation of lipid bodies (LBs), ensure a privileged existence for the bacilli through ready provision of nutrients and by conferring protection against bactericidal pathways. The mycobacterial secretory protein ESAT-6 has been identified as the molecular mediator of the FM differentiation process although little is known about the mechanism through which it induces this process. In the present study, we show that ESAT-6 induces GLUT-1 mediated enhanced glucose uptake by macrophages which is coupled to metabolic flux perturbations in the glycolytic pathway caused by differential rates of reaction at several steps in the pathway. Two major changes identified were the simultaneous buildup of DHAP (for Triglyceride synthesis) and AcCoA (for synthesis of 3-HB, ligand for the anti-lipolytic GPR109A). We also show that part of the observed effects involve protein- protein interactions between ESAT-6 and the macrophage glycolytic enzymes, Enolase1 and Phosphoglycerate kinase1.
Non-classical MHC I-E negatively regulates macrophage activation and Th17 cell development in NOD mice
Authors: Yang Chunhui , Guo Nining , Liu Jinhua , Yang Juhao , Zhu Kai , Xiao Hui , Leng Qibin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTransgenic expression of I-E molecules prevents diabetes in NOD mice. So far, the precise role of these non-classical MHC II molecules remains elusive. Here, we showed that transgenic expression of I-Ek alpha 16 molecule in NOD mice selectively reduced Th17 cells in the thymus and pancreatic draining lymph nodes. The reduction in Th17 cells was associated with both attenuated IL-6 production and decreased activation of macrophages. Mechanistically, transgenic expression of the I-E molecule diminished expression of intracellular classical MHC II molecule and led to impaired TLR4-mediated signaling. In contrast to classical MHC II molecule, this non-classical MHC II molecule negatively regulates the inflammatory responses of macrophages. Altogether, our study reveals a novel regulatory role of I-E molecules in modulating inflammatory immune responses.
Transcriptome analysis provides insights into the regulatory function of alternative splicing in antiviral immunity in grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella)
Authors: Wan Quanyuan , Su Jianguo 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCharacterization of the transcriptomic response to infection is an effective approach to understanding the immune mechanisms. Herein we challenged grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) with grass carp reovirus (GCRV) and sequenced four cDNA libraries obtained from head-kidney and spleen by using Illumina Miseq. As a result, we gained a total of 21.52 Gb clean data with 107.96 million reads and de novo assembled 55,199 unigenes with an average length of 1,470 bp. Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals that 217 unigenes are differentially expressed (fold-change of at least 4) between resistant and susceptible fish in both head-kidney and spleen and of which 36 unigenes were validated by RT-qPCR experiment. The expression profile of immune-related genes demonstrates that the immune response of spleen is more intense than that of head-kidney. Remarkably, 11,811 unigenes contain multiple transcripts, of which 322 unigenes possess notably differentially expressed transcripts between the four transcriptomic datasets. Furthermore, the splicing transcripts of IL-12p40 and IL-1R1 are firstly found to play diverse roles in the antiviral response of fishes. This study provides a complete transcriptome dataset of C. idella, which is valuable for the studies of immune complexity and, moreover, throws light on the regulatory role of AS in antiviral immunity.
Basal Autophagy Is Required for Herpes simplex Virus-2 Infection
Authors: Yakoub Abraam M. , Shukla Deepak 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAutophagy is a conserved catabolic process of the cell, which plays an important role in regulating plethora of infections. The role of autophagy in Herpes simplex virus-2 (HSV-2) infection is unknown. Here, we found that HSV-2 does not allow induction of an autophagic response to infection, but maintains basal autophagy levels mostly unchanged during productive infection. Thus, we investigated the importance of basal autophagy for HSV-2 infection, using pharmacological autophagy suppression or cells genetically deficient in an autophagy-essential gene (ATG5). Interference with basal autophagy flux in cells significantly reduced viral replication and diminished the infection. These results indicate that basal autophagy plays an indispensable role required for a productive infection. Importantly, this study draws a sharp distinction between induced and basal autophagy, where the former acts as a viral clearance mechanism abrogating infection, while the latter supports infection.
Improving battery safety by reducing the formation of Li dendrites with the use of amorphous silicon polymer anodes
Authors: Maruyama Hitoshi , Nakano Hideyuki , Ogawa Masahiro , Nakamoto Masaaki , Ohta Toshiaki , Sekiguchi Akira 
Published: August 2015

AbstractTo provide safe lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) at low cost, battery materials which lead to reduced Li dendrite formation are needed. The currently used anode materials have low redox voltages that are very close to the redox potential for the formation of Li metal, which leads to severe short circuiting. Herein, we report that when the three-dimensional amorphous silicon polymers poly(methylsilyne) and poly(phenylsilyne) are used as anode materials, dendritic Li formation on the anode surface is avoided up to a practical current density of 10 mA·g−1 at 5 °C. Equally as significant, poly(methylsilyne) and poly(phenylsilyne) are capable of reacting with 0.45 and 0.9 Li atoms per formula unit, respectively, at an average voltage of approximately 1.0 V, affording reversible capacities of 244 mAh·g−1 and 180 mAh·g−1. Moreover, noteworthy is the fact that polysilynes are suitable for practical applications because they can be prepared through a simple and low-cost process and are easy to handle.
Evaluation of CdTe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell quantum dot toxicity on three-dimensional spheroid cultures
Authors: Ulusoy Mehriban , Lavrentieva Antonina , Walter Johanna-Gabriela , Sambale Franziska , Green Mark , Stahl Frank , Scheper Thomas 
Published: August 2015

Abstract
In this work, three-dimensional (3D) spheroid cultures of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hAD-MSCs), with tissue-mimetic morphology through well developed cell–cell and cell–matrix interactions and distinct diffusion/transport characteristics, were assessed for dose-dependent toxic effects of red-emitting CdTe/CdS/ZnS quantum dots (Qdots). Morphological investigations and time-resolved microscopy analysis in addition to cell metabolic activity studies revealed that 3D spheroid cultures are more resistant to Qdot-induced cytotoxicity in comparison to conventional 2D cultures. The obtained results suggest the presence of two distinct cell populations in 2D cultures with different sensitivity to Qdots, however that effect wasn't observed in 3D spheroids. Our investigations were aimed to improve the prediction of nanotoxicity of Qdot on tissue-level and provide the essential screening steps prior to any in vivo application. Moreover, penetration ability of highly fluorescent Qdots to densely-packed spheroids will fortify the biological application of developed Qdots in tissue-like structures.
Differential reduction in cardiac and liver monolysocardiolipin acyltransferase-1 and reduction in cardiac and liver tetralinoleoyl-cardiolipin in the α-subunit of trifunctional protein heterozygous knockout mice
Authors: Mejia Edgard M. , Ibdah Jamal A. , Sparagna Genevieve C. , Hatch Grant M. 
Published: August 2015

The contribution of α-subunit of trifunctional protein (αTFP) to cardiolipin (CL) (diphosphatidylglycerol) remodelling and mitochondrial supercomplex formation was examined in heart and liver mitochondria from wild-type (WT) and αTFP heterozygous knockout [Mtpa(+/−)] mice. Mtpa(+/−) mouse heart and liver exhibited an approximate 55% and 50% reduction in αTFP protein expression compared with WT respectively. Monolysocardiolipin (MLCL) acyltransferase (MLCL AT)-1 protein derived from αTFP was reduced by 30% in Mtpa(+/−) mouse heart but not in liver compared with WT. In vitro acylation of MLCL was significantly reduced in heart but not in liver mitochondria of Mtpa(+/−) mice compared with WT. CL mass was reduced and significant reductions in linoleate-containing CL species, in particular tetralinoleoyl-CL (L4-CL) and trilinoleoyl-CL (L3-MLCL) species, were observed in heart and liver mitochondria of Mtpa(+/−) mice compared with WT. Cardiac and liver mitochondrial supercomplex assembly and NADH dehydrogenase (complex I) activity within these supercomplexes were unaltered in both Mtpa(+/−) mouse heart and Mtpa(+/−) mouse liver compared with WT. The results indicate that αTFP may modulate CL molecular species composition in murine heart and liver. In addition, L4-CL might not be an essential requirement for mitochondrial supercomplex assembly.
The N-terminal acetyltransferase Naa10 is essential for zebrafish development
Authors: Ree Rasmus , Myklebust Line M. , Thiel Puja , Foyn Håvard , Fladmark Kari E. , Arnesen Thomas 
Published: August 2015

N-terminal acetylation, catalysed by N-terminal acetyltransferases (NATs), is among the most common protein modifications in eukaryotes and involves the transfer of an acetyl group from acetyl-CoA to the α-amino group of the first amino acid. Functions of N-terminal acetylation include protein degradation and sub-cellular targeting. Recent findings in humans indicate that a dysfunctional Nα-acetyltransferase (Naa) 10, the catalytic subunit of NatA, the major NAT, is associated with lethality during infancy. In the present study, we identified the Danio rerio orthologue zebrafish Naa 10 (zNaa10). In vitro N-terminal acetylation assays revealed that zNaa10 has NAT activity with substrate specificity highly similar to that of human Naa10. Spatiotemporal expression pattern was determined by in situ hybridization, showing ubiquitous expression with especially strong staining in brain and eye. By morpholino-mediated knockdown, we demonstrated that naa10 morphants displayed increased lethality, growth retardation and developmental abnormalities like bent axis, abnormal eyes and bent tails. In conclusion, we identified the zebrafish Naa10 orthologue and revealed that it is essential for normal development and viability of zebrafish.
The Effects of Isocaloric Exchange of Dietary Starch and Sucrose on Glucose Tolerance, Plasma Insulin and Serum Lipids in Man
Authors: Dunnigan M. G. , Fyfe T. , McKiddie M. T. , Crosbie S. M. 
Published: August 2015

1. The effects of isocalorically exchanging dietary starch and sucrose on glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and serum lipids were examined in nine middle-aged subjects. A ‘sucrose’ period in which 70% of dietary carbohydrate was supplied as sucrose was alternated with a ‘sucrose free’ period in which dietary carbohydrate was supplied mainly as starch. Each period lasted 4 weeks; eleven balances were completed.
2. Changes in body weight during the balances were small and statistically insignificant.
3. Fasting blood sugar levels were significantly elevated during the ‘sucrose’ period. During 50 g glucose tolerance tests, blood sugar levels were slightly higher during the ‘sucrose’ period but this difference was not statistically significant.
4. Plasma insulin levels were similar during the dietary periods, both in the fasting state and after 50 g of glucose.
5. Mean levels of serum cholesterol, serum triglyceride and plasma NEFA showed no significant differences between the two dietary periods.
6. It is concluded that glucose tolerance, plasma insulin and serum lipids are not significantly altered by the substitution of sucrose for starch at levels of sucrose intake comparable to those in the Western diet.
The Viscosity of Bronchial Secretion
Authors: Sturgess Jennifer M. , Palfrey A. J. , Reid Lynne 
Published: August 2015

1. The viscosity of sputum in patients with chronic bronchitis has been measured with the Weissenberg rheogoniometer, a cone and plate system, using oscillatory movement at low shear rates.
2. A characteristic pattern is described not previously reported for sputum or any other biological fluid.
3. Sputum viscosity decreased steadily with increasing shear rate; over a narrow range of shear rates a ‘notched plateau’ was shown. The destruction of this plateau by higher frequencies of oscillation was attributed to breakdown or rearrangement of the gel structure.
4. The effects of time on viscosity measurement, presumably caused by drying, are also described.
The Absorption of α-Tocopherol in Control Subjects and in Patients with Intestinal Malabsorption
Authors: MacMahon M. T. , Neale G. 
Published: August 2015

1. The absorption of physiological doses of tritiated α-tocopherol has been studied in seven control subjects and in twenty-three patients with malabsorption due to various causes.
2. Control subjects absorbed between 55·0 and 78·6% of an oral dose. Radioactivity appeared in the plasma between 1 and 3 hr, reached a peak between 5 and 9 hr, and subsequently fell exponentially with a mean half-life of 53 hr. Radioactivity in plasma was almost all associated with free α-tocopherol.
3. Absorption of α-tocopherol was most severely impaired in patients with biliary obstruction, and somewhat less severely impaired in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. Malabsorption in patients with an abnormal small intestinal mucosa varied with the severity of the condition, and could be correlated with the degree of steatorrhoea.
4. In two patients with intestinal lymphangiectasia, malabsorption of the vitamin was relatively more severe than that of fat. Mild malabsorption was found in five of the six patients who had had a partial gastrectomy.
5. The amount of radioactivity recovered from the urine in 3 days ranged from 0·0 to 21·4% of the dose given and could be correlated with the degree of absorption.
The Effect of Hyperventilation on the Lactacidaemia of Muscular Exercise
Authors: Edwards R. H. T. , Clode Marie 
Published: August 2015

1. Six men exercised at 600 kp m/min on a cycle ergometer. After a control period they hyperventilated at about twice the control level of ventilation. Capillary blood samples were taken for lactate estimations at the end of both 6 min periods.
2. Hyperventilation resulting in a fall in end-tidal Pco2 of 12·0 mmHg was associated with rise in blood lactate concentration of 1·07 mm/l.
3. It is concluded that the increase in blood lactate concentration attributable to hyperventilation is comparatively small in exercise tests involving short periods of moderately severe exertion.
4. In an additional subject exercising similarly, hyperventilation without a fall in Pco2 (‘normocapnic’ hyperventilation) was achieved by adding 3·8% CO2 to the inspired air. Subsequent hyperventilation while breathing air resulted in a fall in end-tidal Pco2 of 19·5 mmHg (‘hypocapnic’ hyperventilation) and a rise in blood lactate concentration of 1·21 mm/l. Parallel changes in pyruvate concentration occurred suggesting that lactate production had increased. Neither the origin nor the mechanism of this increase could be ascertained; however, it appeared unlikely to be due to increased anaerobic metabolism of the respiratory muscles as normocapnic hyperventilation was associated with virtually no change in blood lactate and pyruvate concentrations.
The Influence of Pregnancy and Lactation on the Morphology and Absorptive Capacity of the Rat Small Intestine
Authors: Craft I. L. 
Published: August 2015

1. A study of the length, total weight and weight per cm of the small intestine of virgin, pregnant and lactating rats has provided evidence for an increase in intestinal surface area in pregnancy and lactation.
2. Because of such alterations in morphology of the gut the absorption,in vivo, of the substrates studied, glucose and glycine, has been expressed in terms of amount transferred per loop and also per g dry weight of intestine.
3. Using these parameters the results show that pregnancy does not alter the ability of the upper jejunum to absorb glucose and glycine. In lactation there is a significant decrease in the transfer of these substances when expressed per g dry weight of intestine, but not in absolute terms.
The Treatment of Salicylate Poisoning Using Mannitol and Forced Alkaline Diuresis
Authors: Prowse K. , Pain M. , Marston A. D. , Cumming G. 
Published: August 2015

1. A comparison has been made between alkaline mannitol diuresis and alkaline glucose diuresis in the treatment of salicylate poisoning during an 8 hr period.
2. Mannitol gave a higher rate of urine flow, but there was no significant difference in the rate of salicylate excretion.
3. Serum levels of sodium, potassium and calcium fell in both groups, mainly during the first 2 hr. The mean fall in serum sodium was greater (21·4 mEq/l compared with 10·0 mEq/l) and that in serum potassium less (0·6 mEq/l compared with 1·5 mEq/l) in patients who received mannitol than in those who did not.
4. All serum electrolyte values had returned to normal within 24 hr of the end of the treatment period.
5. Acid—base changes occurring during treatment are described.
6. No adverse clinical features were seen in either treatment group.
7. Syrup of ipecacuanha was used to induce emesis. The mean recovery of salicylate in the vomitus was 38% of the apparent total ingested. The variability in recovery (0–81%) was not related to the delay between ingestion and vomiting.
8. It is concluded that mannitol does not increase the excretion of salicylate. It maintains good urinary excretion, thereby increasing the safety of the procedure. It is associated with a smaller fall in serum potassium and permits rapid removal of salicylate for a smaller rise in serum pH than does forced alkaline diuresis alone.
Turnover of Plasma Esterified Cholesterol: Influence of Dietary Fat and Carbohydrate and Relation to Plasma Lipids and Body Weight
Authors: Nestel P. J. 
Published: August 2015

1. The turnover of plasma esterified cholesterol was measured in normal and hyperlipidaemic subjects during diets rich in either carbohydrate, polyunsaturated fat or saturated fat. Turnover was measured from the rate of incorporation of radioactive mevalonic acid into plasma esterified cholesterol.
2. The turnover of esterified cholesterol was greater with polyunsaturated than with saturated fat in each of four normal subjects.
3. In sixteen studies carried out with carbohydrate-rich diets, plasma esterified cholesterol turnover tended to increase as the cholesterol concentration rose. Turnover appeared also to be higher among subjects with carbohydrate-induced hyperlipidaemia especially when they were overweight. Thus, esterified cholesterol turnover was significantly correlated with the plasma concentrations of both cholesterol and triglyceride and with body weight.
4. The physiological function of esterified cholesterol is not known but these findings suggest that it may be related to lipid transport.
The Effect of Plasma from Blood Volume Expanded Dogs on Sodium, Potassium and Pah Transport of Renal Tubule Fragments
Authors: Clarkson E. M. , Talner L. B. , de Wardener H. E. 
Published: August 2015

1. Sodium, potassium and para-amino hippurate (PAH) transport was studied in renal tubule fragments incubated in vitro in plasma taken from dogs before and after their blood volume was expanded with blood with which the dog was in equilibrium. The individuals who carried out the cell transport studies did not know the identity of the plasma samples.
2. Tubule fragments were less able to maintain a gradient of sodium and potassium, or to accumulate PAH when incubated in plasma obtained after blood volume expansion than when they were incubated in control plasma.
3. It is concluded that expansion of the blood volume causes the dog to change the concentration of some unknown circulating substance which influences sodium, potassium and PAH transport in separated tubule fragments.
4. It is proposed that this substance is partly responsible for the rise in urinary excretion of sodium that accompanies blood volume expansion in the intact animal.