bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Short winters threaten temperate fish populations
Authors: Farmer Troy M. , Marschall Elizabeth A. , Dabrowski Konrad , Ludsin Stuart A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlthough climate warming is expected to benefit temperate ectotherms by lengthening the summer growing season, declines in reproductive success following short, warm winters may counter such positive effects. Here we present long-term (1973–2010) field patterns for Lake Erie yellow perch, Perca flavescens, which show that failed annual recruitment events followed short, warm winters. Subsequent laboratory experimentation and field investigations revealed how reduced reproductive success following short, warm winters underlie these observed field patterns. Following short winters, females spawn at warmer temperatures and produce smaller eggs that both hatch at lower rates and produce smaller larvae than females exposed to long winters. Our research suggests that continued climate warming can lead to unanticipated, negative effects on temperate fish populations.
Ultrafast Intrinsic Photoresponse and Direct Evidence of Sub-gap States in Liquid Phase Exfoliated MoS2Thin Films
Authors: Ghosh Sujoy , Winchester Andrew , Muchharla Baleeswaraiah , Wasala Milinda , Feng Simin , Elias Ana Laura , Krishna M. Bala Murali , Harada Takaaki , Chin Catherine , Dani Keshav , Kar Swastik , Terrones Mauricio , Talapatra Saikat 
Published: July 2015

Abstract2-Dimensional structures with swift optical response have several technological advantages, for example they could be used as components of ultrafast light modulators, photo-detectors and optical switches. Here we report on the fast photo switching behavior of thin films of liquid phase exfoliated MoS2, when excited with a continuous laser of λ = 658 nm (E = 1.88 eV), over a broad range of laser power. Transient photo-conductivity measurements, using an optical pump and THz probe (OPTP), reveal that photo carrier decay follows a bi-exponential time dependence, with decay times of the order of picoseconds, indicating that the photo carrier recombination occurs via trap states. The nature of variation of photocurrent with temperature confirms that the trap states are continuously distributed within the mobility gap in these thin film of MoS2 and play a vital role in influencing the overall photo response. Our findings provide a fundamental understanding of the photo-physics associated with optically active 2D materials and are crucial for developing advanced optoelectronic devices.
Identification of reproducible drug-resistance-related dysregulated genes in small-scale cancer cell line experiments
Authors: Ao Lu , Yan Haidan , Zheng Tingting , Wang Hongwei , Tong Mengsha , Guan Qingzhou , Li Xiangyu , Cai Hao , Li Mengyao , Guo Zheng 
Published: July 2015

AbstractResearchers usually measure only a few technical replicates of two types of cell line, resistant or sensitive to a drug and use a fold-change (FC) cut-off value to detect differentially expressed (DE) genes. However, the FC cut-off lacks statistical control and is biased towards the identification of genes with low expression levels in both cell lines. Here, viewing every pair of resistant-sensitive technical replicates as an experiment, we proposed an algorithm to identify DE genes by evaluating the reproducibility of the expression difference or FC between every two independent experiments without overlapping samples. Using four small datasets of cancer cell line resistant or sensitive to a drug, we demonstrated that this algorithm could efficiently capture reproducible DE genes significantly enriched in biological pathways relevant to the corresponding drugs, whereas many of them could not be found by the FC and other commonly used methods. Therefore, the proposed algorithm is an effective complement to current approaches for analysing small cancer cell line data.
ZBTB20 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor of alpha-fetoprotein gene
Authors: Zhang Hai , Cao Dongmei , Zhou Luting , Zhang Ye , Guo Xiaoqin , Li Hui , Chen Yuxia , Spear Brett T. , Wu Jia-Wei , Xie Zhifang , Zhang Weiping J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractAlpha-fetoprotein (AFP) represents a classical model system to study developmental gene regulation in mammalian cells. We previously reported that liver ZBTB20 is developmentally regulated and plays a central role in AFP postnatal repression. Here we show that ZBTB20 is a sequence-specific transcriptional repressor of AFP. By ELISA-based DNA-protein binding assay and conventional gel shift assay, we successfully identified a ZBTB20-binding site at −104/−86 of mouse AFP gene, flanked by two HNF1 sites and two C/EBP sites in the proximal promoter. Importantly, mutation of the core sequence in this site fully abolished its binding to ZBTB20 in vitro, as well as the repression of AFP promoter activity by ZBTB20. The unique ZBTB20 site was highly conserved in rat and human AFP genes, but absent in albumin genes. These help to explain the autonomous regulation of albumin and AFP genes in the liver after birth. Furthermore, we demonstrated that transcriptional repression of AFP gene by ZBTB20 was liver-specific. ZBTB20 was dispensable for AFP silencing in other tissues outside liver. Our data define a cognate ZBTB20 site in AFP promoter which mediates the postnatal repression of AFP gene in the liver.
Consequences of the variability of the CovRS and RopB regulators among Streptococcus pyogenes causing human infections
Authors: Friães Ana , Pato Catarina , Melo-Cristino José , Ramirez Mario 
Published: July 2015

AbstractTo evaluate the importance ofcovRSandropBmutations in invasive disease caused by Group A Streptococci (GAS), we determined the sequence of thecovRSandropBgenes of 191 isolates from invasive infections and pharyngitis, comprising a diverse set ofemmtypes and multilocus sequence types. The production of SpeB and the activity of NAD glycohydrolase (NADase) and streptolysin S (SLS) were evaluated. The results support the acquisition of nullcovSalleles (predicted to eliminate protein function), resulting in downregulation of SpeB and upregulation of NADase and SLS, as a mechanism possibly contributing to higher invasiveness. Among the isolates tested, this mechanism was found to be uncommon (10% of invasive isolates) and was not more prevalent among clones with enhanced invasiveness (including M1T1) but occurred in diverse genetic backgrounds. In lineages such asemm64, these changes did not result in upregulation of NADase and SLS, highlighting the diversity of regulatory pathways in GAS. Despite abrogating SpeB production, null alleles inropBwere not associated with invasive infection. ThecovRSandropBgenes are under stabilising selection and no expansion of isolates carrying null alleles has been observed, suggesting that the presence of these regulators is important for overall fitness.
Nogo-B protects mice against lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury
Authors: Xu Wujian , Zhu Ying , Ning Yunye , Dong Yuchao , Huang Haidong , Zhang Wei , Sun Qinying , Li Qiang 
Published: July 2015

AbstractNogo-B, a member of the reticulon 4 protein family, plays a critical role in tissue repair and acute inflammation. Its role in acute lung injury (ALI) remains unclear. Here, we assessed the function of Nogo-B during tissue injury in a lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI mouse model. We found that pulmonary Nogo-B was significantly repressed after LPS instillation in C57BL/6 mice. Over-expression of pulmonary Nogo-B using an adenovirus vector carrying the Nogo-B-RFP-3flag gene (Ad-Nogo-B) significantly prolonged the survival of mice challenged with a lethal dose of LPS. The Ad-Nogo-B-treated mice also had less severe lung injury, less alveolar protein exudation and a higher number of macrophages but less neutrophil infiltration compared with Ad-RFP-treated mice. Interestingly, microarray analysis showed that the Ad-Nogo-B-treated mice had different gene expression profiles compared with the controls and the prominent expression of genes related to wound healing and the humoral immune response after LPS induction. Of the 49 differently expressed genes, we found that the expression of PTX3 was significantly up-regulated following Nogo-B over-expression as observed in lung tissues and RAW264.7 cells. In conclusion, Nogo-B plays a protective role against LPS-induced ALI and this effect might be exerted through the modulation of alveolar macrophage recruitment and PTX3 production.
Early treatment of minocycline alleviates white matter and cognitive impairments after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion
Authors: Ma Jing , Zhang Jing , Hou Wei Wei , Wu Xiao Hua , Liao Ru Jia , Chen Ying , Wang Zhe , Zhang Xiang Nan , Zhang Li San , Zhou Yu Dong , Chen Zhong , Hu Wei Wei 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSubcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) caused by chronic cerebral hypoperfusion develops with progressive white matter and cognitive impairments, yet no effective therapy is available. We investigated the temporal effects of minocycline on an experimental SIVD exerted by right unilateral common carotid arteries occlusion (rUCCAO). Minocycline treated at the early stage (day 0–3), but not the late stage after rUCCAO (day 4–32) alleviated the white matter and cognitive impairments and promoted remyelination. The actions of minocycline may not involve the inhibition of microglia activation, based on the effects after the application of a microglial activation inhibitor, macrophage migration inhibitory factor and co-treatment with lipopolysaccharides. Furthermore, minocycline treatment at the early stage promoted the proliferation of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) in subventricular zone, increased OPC number and alleviated apoptosis of mature oligodendrocytes in white matter. In vitro, minocycline promoted OPC proliferation and increased the percentage of OPCs in S and G2/M phases. We provided direct evidence that early treatment is critical for minocycline to alleviate white matter and cognitive impairments after chronic cerebral hypoperfusion, which may be due to its robust effects on OPC proliferation and mature oligodendrocyte loss. So, early therapeutic time window may be crucial for its application in SIVD.
Prostate-specific RNA aptamer: promising nucleic acid antibody-like cancer detection
Authors: Marangoni Karina , Neves Adriana F. , Rocha Rafael M. , Faria Paulo R. , Alves Patrícia T. , Souza Aline G. , Fujimura Patrícia T. , Santos Fabiana A. A. , Araújo Thaise G. , Ward Laura S. , Goulart Luiz R. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractWe described the selection of a novel nucleic acid antibody-like prostate cancer (PCa) that specifically binds to the single-stranded DNA molecule from a 277-nt fragment that may have been partially paired and bound to the PCA3 RNA conformational structure. PCA3-277 aptamer ligands were obtained and the best binding molecule, named CG3, was synthesized for validation. Aiming to prove its diagnostic utility, we used an apta-qPCR assay with CG3-aptamer conjugated to magnetic beads to capture PCA3 transcripts, which were amplified 97-fold and 7-fold higher than conventional qPCR in blood and tissue, respectively. Histopathologic analysis of 161 prostate biopsies arranged in a TMA and marked with biotin-labeled CG3-aptamer showed moderate staining in both cytoplasm and nucleus of PCa samples; in contrast, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples presented strong nuclear staining (78% of the cases). No staining was observed in stromal cells. In addition, using an apta-qPCR, we demonstrated that CG3-aptamer specifically recognizes the conformational PCA3-277 molecule and at least three other transcript variants, indicating that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) is processed after transcription. We suggest that CG3-aptamer may be a useful PCa diagnostic tool. In addition, this molecule may be used in drug design and drug delivery for PCa therapy.
Overexpression of MAGE-A9 Is Predictive of Poor Prognosis in Epithelial Ovarian Cancer
Authors: Xu Yunzhao , Wang Chenyi , Zhang Yuquan , Jia Lizhou , Huang Jianfei 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe cancer testis antigen, melanoma-associated antigen A9 (MAGE-A9), is expressed in many kinds of different human cancers and is an important target for immunotherapy. However, the clinicopathologic significance of MAGE-A9 in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is unknown. In this study, real-time PCR (12 carcinomas of high FIGO stage, 12 carcinomas of low FIGO stage and 20 normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues) and immunohistochemistry by tissue microarrays (128 carcinomas and 112 normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues, benign or borderline ovarian tumor tissues) were performed to characterize expression of MAGE-A9 in EOC. We found that significantly higher MAGE-A9 mRNA expression in EOC tumors than that in normal ovary or fallopian tube tissues (all P < 0.05). Protein expression of MAGE-A9 was significantly associated with FIGO stage, high histological grade, level of CA-125 and metastasis. Consistent with the associated poor clinicopathologic features, patients with MAGE-A9H (high-expressing) tumors had a worse overall survival as compared to patients with MAGE-A9L (low or none-expressing) tumors. Further studies revealed that MAGE-A9 overexpression was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival (OS). Multivariate analysis showed that patients with MAGE-A9 overexpressing tumors had extremely poor OS. These findings indicate that MAGE-A9 expression may be helpful in predicting EOC prognosis.
Epidemic Model with Isolation in Multilayer Networks
Authors: Zuzek L. G. Alvarez , Stanley H. E. , Braunstein L. A. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe Susceptible-Infected-Recovered (SIR) model has successfully mimicked the propagation of such airborne diseases as influenza A (H1N1). Although the SIR model has recently been studied in a multilayer networks configuration, in almost all the research the isolation of infected individuals is disregarded. Hence we focus our study in an epidemic model in a two-layer network and we use an isolation parameterwto measure the effect of quarantining infected individuals from both layers during an isolation periodtw. We call this process the Susceptible-Infected-Isolated-Recovered (SIIR) model. Using the framework of link percolation we find that isolation increases the critical epidemic threshold of the disease because the time in which infection can spread is reduced. In this scenario we find that this threshold increases withwandtw. When the isolation period is maximum there is a critical threshold forwabove which the disease never becomes an epidemic. We simulate the process and find an excellent agreement with the theoretical results.
An Inexpensive Co-Intercalated Layered Double Hydroxide Composite with Electron Donor-Acceptor Character for Photoelectrochemical Water Splitting
Authors: Zheng Shufang , Lu Jun , Yan Dongpeng , Qin Yumei , Li Hailong , Evans David G. , Duan Xue 
Published: July 2015

AbstractIn this paper, the inexpensive 4,4-diaminostilbene-2,2-disulfonate (DAS) and 4,4-dinitro-stilbene-2,2- disulfonate (DNS) anions with arbitrary molar ratios were successfully co-intercalated into Zn2Al-layered double hydroxides (LDHs). The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite exhibited the broad UV-visible light absorption and fluorescence quenching, which was a direct indication of photo-induced electron transfer (PET) process between the intercalated DAS (donor) and DNS (acceptor) anions. This was confirmed by the matched HOMO/LUMO energy levels alignment of the intercalated DAS and DNS anions, which was also compatible for water splitting. The DAS(50%)-DNS/LDHs composite was fabricated as the photoanode and Pt as the cathode. Under the UV-visible light illumination, the enhanced photo-generated current (4.67 mA/cm2 at 0.8 V vs. SCE) was generated in the external circuit and the photoelectrochemical water split was realized. Furthermore, this photoelectrochemical water splitting performance had excellent crystalline, electrochemical and optical stability. Therefore, this novel inorganic/organic hybrid photoanode exhibited potential application prospect in photoelectrochemical water splitting.
Copper depletion inhibits CoCl2-induced aggressive phenotype of MCF-7 cells via downregulation of HIF-1 and inhibition of Snail/Twist-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition
Authors: Li Shun , Zhang Jing , Yang Hong , Wu Chunhui , Dang Xitong , Liu Yiyao 
Published: July 2015

AbstractCopper, a strictly regulated trace element, is essential for many physiological processes including angiogenesis. Dysregulated angiogenesis has been associated with increased copper in tumors and thus copper chelators have been used to inhibit tumor angiogenesis. However, it remains unclear whether copper has any effect on epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Using CoCl2-induced EMT of human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells, we found that TEPA, a copper chelator, inhibited EMT-like cell morphology and cytoskeleton arrangement triggered by CoCl2; decreased the expression of vimentin and fibronectin, markers typical of EMT; inhibited HIF-1 activation and HIF1-α accumulation in nuclear; and down-regulated the expression of hypoxia-associated transcription factors, Snail and Twist1. Moreover, knockdown copper transport protein, Ctr1, also inhibited CoCl2-induced EMT and reversed the mesenchymal phenotype. In EMT6 xenograft mouse models, TEPA administration inhibited the tumor growth and increased mice survival. Immunohistochemical analysis of the xenograft further demonstrated that TEPA administration significantly inhibited tumor angiogenesis, down-regulated hypoxia-induced transcription factors, Snail and Twist1, leading to decreased transactivation of EMT-associated marker genes, vimentin and fibronectin. These results indicate that TEPA inhibits CoCl2-induced EMT most likely via HIF1-α-Snail/Twist signaling pathway and copper depletion may be exploited as a therapeutic for breast cancer.
Search for common targets of lithium and valproic acid identifies novel epigenetic effects of lithium on the rat leptin receptor gene
Authors: Lee R S , Pirooznia M , Guintivano J , Ly M , Ewald E R , Tamashiro K L , Gould T D , Moran T H , Potash J B 
Published: July 2015

AbstractEpigenetics may have an important role in mood stabilizer action. Valproic acid (VPA) is a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and lithium (Li) may have downstream epigenetic actions. To identify genes commonly affected by both mood stabilizers and to assess potential epigenetic mechanisms that may be involved in their mechanism of action, we administered Li (N=12), VPA (N=12), and normal chow (N=12) to Brown Norway rats for 30 days. Genomic DNA and mRNA were extracted from the hippocampus. We used the mRNA to perform gene expression analysis on Affymetrix microarray chips, and for genes commonly regulated by both Li and VPA, we validated expression levels using quantitative real-time PCR. To identify potential mechanisms underlying expression changes, genomic DNA was bisulfite treated for pyrosequencing of key CpG island ‘shores’ and promoter regions, and chromatin was prepared from both hippocampal tissue and a hippocampal-derived cell line to assess modifications of histones. For most genes, we found little evidence of DNA methylation changes in response to the medications. However, we detected histone H3 methylation and acetylation in the leptin receptor gene, Lepr, following treatment with both drugs. VPA-mediated effects on histones are well established, whereas the Li effects constitute a novel mechanism of transcriptional derepression for this drug. These data support several shared transcriptional targets of Li and VPA, and provide evidence suggesting leptin signaling as an epigenetic target of two mood stabilizers. Additional work could help clarify whether leptin signaling in the brain has a role in the therapeutic action of Li and VPA in bipolar disorder.
Role of indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase in health and disease
Authors: Yeung Amanda W.S. , Terentis Andrew C. , King Nicholas J.C. , Thomas Shane R. 
Published: July 2015

IDO1 (indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase 1) is a member of a unique class of mammalian haem dioxygenases that catalyse the oxidative catabolism of the least-abundant essential amino acid, L-Trp (L-tryptophan), along the kynurenine pathway. Significant increases in knowledge have been recently gained with respect to understanding the fundamental biochemistry of IDO1 including its catalytic reaction mechanism, the scope of enzyme reactions it catalyses, the biochemical mechanisms controlling IDO1 expression and enzyme activity, and the discovery of enzyme inhibitors. Major advances in understanding the roles of IDO1 in physiology and disease have also been realised. IDO1 is recognised as a prominent immune regulatory enzyme capable of modulating immune cell activation status and phenotype via several molecular mechanisms including enzyme-dependent deprivation of L-Trp and its conversion into the aryl hydrocarbon receptor ligand kynurenine and other bioactive kynurenine pathway metabolites, or non-enzymatic cell signalling actions involving tyrosine phosphorylation of IDO1. Through these different modes of biochemical signalling, IDO1 regulates certain physiological functions (e.g. pregnancy) and modulates the pathogenesis and severity of diverse conditions including chronic inflammation, infectious disease, allergic and autoimmune disorders, transplantation, neuropathology and cancer. In the present review, we detail the current understanding of IDO1’s catalytic actions and the biochemical mechanisms regulating IDO1 expression and activity. We also discuss the biological functions of IDO1 with a focus on the enzyme's immune-modulatory function, its medical implications in diverse pathological settings and its utility as a therapeutic target.
Regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function by nuclear receptors: implications for health and disease
Authors: Perez-Schindler Joaquin , Philp Andrew 
Published: July 2015

Skeletal muscle metabolism is highly dependent on mitochondrial function, with impaired mitochondrial biogenesis associated with the development of metabolic diseases such as insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes. Mitochondria display substantial plasticity in skeletal muscle, and are highly sensitive to levels of physical activity. It is thought that physical activity promotes mitochondrial biogenesis in skeletal muscle through increased expression of genes encoded in both the nuclear and the mitochondrial genome; however, how this process is co-ordinated at the cellular level is poorly understood. Nuclear receptors (NRs) are key signalling proteins capable of integrating environmental factors and mitochondrial function, thereby providing a potential link between exercise and mitochondrial biogenesis. The aim of this review is to highlight the function of NRs in skeletal muscle mitochondrial biogenesis and discuss the therapeutic potential of NRs for the management and treatment of chronic metabolic disease.
Signaling between periglomerular cells reveals a bimodal role for GABA in modulating glomerular microcircuitry in the olfactory bulb
Authors: Parsa Pirooz Victor , D’Souza Rinaldo David , Vijayaraghavan Sukumar 
Published: July 2015

Significance
Excitation-driven inhibition is one mechanism for manipulating gain control in brain microcircuits. Here we show that interactions between GABAergic interneurons in the glomerulus in the olfactory bulb can, in a dynamic fashion, regulate inhibition of circuit output. GABA is depolarizing on these interneurons; however, depending on the activity state of these neurons, it can be excitatory or inhibitory, thereby providing a bimodal regulation of inhibition. In the olfactory bulb, activation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors can drive glutamate-dependent GABAergic mechanisms that allow for timed filtering of incoming inputs. These mechanisms can serve to normalize inhibition across the glomerular layer by cholinergic activation, taking into account both behavioral states and the activity history of individual glomeruli.