bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Early changes in corticospinal excitability when seeing fearful body expressions
Authors: Borgomaneri Sara , Vitale Francesca , Avenanti Alessio 
Published: September 2015

AbstractQuick inhibition of approach tendencies in response to signals of potential threats is thought to promote survival. However, little is known about the effect of viewing fearful expressions on the early dynamics of the human motor system. We used the high temporal resolution of single-pulse and paired-pulse transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) over the motor cortex to assess corticospinal excitability (CSE) and intracortical facilitation (ICF) during observation of happy, fearful and neutral body postures. To test motor circuits involved in approach tendencies, CSE and ICF were recorded from the first dorsal interosseous (FDI), a muscle involved in grasping and the abductor pollicis brevis (APB), which served as a control. To test early motor dynamics, CSE and ICF were measured 70–90 ms after stimulus onset. We found a selective reduction in CSE in the FDI when participants observed fearful body expressions. No changes in ICF or in the excitability of APB were detected. Our study establishes an extremely rapid motor system reaction to observed fearful body expressions. This motor modulation involves corticospinal downstream projections but not cortical excitatory mechanisms and appears to reflect an inhibition of hand grasping. Our results suggest a fast visuo-motor route that may rapidly inhibit inappropriate approaching actions.
A top-down approach for fabricating free-standing bio-carbon supercapacitor electrodes with a hierarchical structure
Authors: Li Yingzhi , Zhang Qinghua , Zhang Junxian , Jin Lei , Zhao Xin , Xu Ting 
Published: September 2015

AbstractBiomass has delicate hierarchical structures, which inspired us to develop a cost-effective route to prepare electrode materials with rational nanostructures for use in high-performance storage devices. Here, we demonstrate a novel top-down approach for fabricating bio-carbon materials with stable structures and excellent diffusion pathways; this approach is based on carbonization with controlled chemical activation. The developed free-standing bio-carbon electrode exhibits a high specific capacitance of 204 F g−1 at 1 A g−1; good rate capability, as indicated by the residual initial capacitance of 85.5% at 10 A g−1; and a long cycle life. These performance characteristics are attributed to the outstanding hierarchical structures of the electrode material. Appropriate carbonization conditions enable the bio-carbon materials to inherit the inherent hierarchical texture of the original biomass, thereby facilitating effective channels for fast ion transfer. The macropores and mesopores that result from chemical activation significantly increase the specific surface area and also play the role of temporary ion-buffering reservoirs, further shortening the ionic diffusion distance.
Hyperspectral Microscopy of Near-Infrared Fluorescence Enables 17-Chirality Carbon Nanotube Imaging
Authors: Roxbury Daniel , Jena Prakrit V. , Williams Ryan M. , Enyedi Balázs , Niethammer Philipp , Marcet Stéphane , Verhaegen Marc , Blais-Ouellette Sébastien , Heller Daniel A. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe intrinsic near-infrared photoluminescence (fluorescence) of single-walled carbon nanotubes exhibits unique photostability, narrow bandwidth, penetration through biological media, environmental sensitivity and both chromatic variety and range. Biomedical applications exploiting this large family of fluorophores will require the spectral and spatial resolution of individual (n,m) nanotube species’ fluorescence and its modulation within live cells and tissues, which is not possible with current microscopy methods. We present a wide-field hyperspectral approach to spatially delineate and spectroscopically measure single nanotube fluorescence in living systems. This approach resolved up to 17 distinct (n,m) species (chiralities) with single nanotube spatial resolution in live mammalian cells, murine tissues ex vivo and zebrafish endothelium in vivo. We anticipate that this approach will facilitate multiplexed nanotube imaging in biomedical applications while enabling deep-tissue optical penetration and single-molecule resolution in vivo.
Development of Novel Triazolo-Thiadiazoles from Heterogeneous “Green” Catalysis as Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase 1B Inhibitors
Authors: Baburajeev C. P. , Dhananjaya Mohan Chakrabhavi , Ananda Hanumappa , Rangappa Shobith , Fuchs Julian E. , Jagadish Swamy , Sivaraman Siveen Kodappully , Chinnathambi Arunachalam , Ali Alharbi Sulaiman , Zayed M. E. , Zhang Jingwen , Li Feng , Sethi Gautam , Girish Kesturu S. , Bender Andreas , Basappa  , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCondensed-bicyclic triazolo-thiadiazoles were synthesized via an efficient “green” catalyst strategy and identified as effective inhibitors of PTP1B in vitro. The lead compound, 6-(2-benzylphenyl)-3-phenyl-[1,2,4]triazolo[3][1,3,4]thiadiazole (BPTT) was most effective against human hepatoma cells, inhibits cell invasion and decreases neovasculature in HUVEC and also tumor volume in EAT mouse models. This report describes an experimentally unidentified class of condensed-bicyclic triazolo-thiadiazoles targeting PTP1B and its analogs could be the therapeutic drug-seeds.
Proteomic analysis of endoplasmic reticulum stress responses in rice seeds
Authors: Qian Dandan , Tian Lihong , Qu Leqing 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe defects in storage proteins secretion in the endosperm of transgenic rice seeds often leads to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, which produces floury and shrunken seeds, but the mechanism of this response remains unclear. We used an iTRAQ-based proteomics analysis of ER-stressed rice seeds due to the endosperm-specific suppression of OsSar1 to identify changes in the protein levels in response to ER stress. ER stress changed the expression of 405 proteins in rice seed by >2.0- fold compared with the wild-type control. Of these proteins, 140 were upregulated and 265 were downregulated. The upregulated proteins were mainly involved in protein modification, transport and degradation and the downregulated proteins were mainly involved in metabolism and stress/defense responses. A KOBAS analysis revealed that protein-processing in the ER and degradation-related proteasome were the predominant upregulated pathways in the rice endosperm in response to ER stress. Trans-Golgi protein transport was also involved in the ER stress response. Combined with bioinformatic and molecular biology analyses, our proteomic data will facilitate our understanding of the systemic responses to ER stress in rice seeds.
TRPV4 channel activation selectively inhibits tumor endothelial cell proliferation
Authors: Thoppil Roslin J. , Adapala Ravi K. , Cappelli Holly C. , Kondeti Vinay , Dudley Andrew C. , Gary Meszaros J. , Paruchuri Sailaja , Thodeti Charles K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractEndothelial cell proliferation is a critical event during angiogenesis, regulated by both soluble factors and mechanical forces. Although the proliferation of tumor cells is studied extensively, little is known about the proliferation of tumor endothelial cells (TEC) and its contribution to tumor angiogenesis. We have recently shown that reduced expression of the mechanosensitive ion channel TRPV4 in TEC causes aberrant mechanosensitivity that result in abnormal angiogenesis. Here, we show that TEC display increased proliferation compared to normal endothelial cells (NEC). Further, we found that TEC exhibit high basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation and increased expression of proliferative genes important in the G1/S phase of the cell cycle. Importantly, pharmacological activation of TRPV4, with a small molecular activator GSK1016790A (GSK), significantly inhibited TEC proliferation, but had no effect on the proliferation of NEC or the tumor cells (epithelial) themselves. This reduction in TEC proliferation by TRPV4 activation was correlated with a decrease in high basal ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Finally, using a syngeneic tumor model revealed that TRPV4 activation, with GSK, significantly reduced endothelial cell proliferation in vivo. Our findings suggest that TRPV4 channels regulate tumor angiogenesis by selectively inhibiting tumor endothelial cell proliferation.
Magmatic record of India-Asia collision
Authors: Zhu Di-Cheng , Wang Qing , Zhao Zhi-Dan , Chung Sun-Lin , Cawood Peter A. , Niu Yaoling , Liu Sheng-Ao , Wu Fu-Yuan , Mo Xuan-Xue 
Published: September 2015

AbstractNew geochronological and geochemical data on magmatic activity from the India-Asia collision zone enables recognition of a distinct magmatic flare-up event that we ascribe to slab breakoff. This tie-point in the collisional record can be used to back-date to the time of initial impingement of the Indian continent with the Asian margin. Continental arc magmatism in southern Tibet during 80–40 Ma migrated from south to north and then back to south with significant mantle input at 70–43 Ma. A pronounced flare up in magmatic intensity (including ignimbrite and mafic rock) at ca. 52–51 Ma corresponds to a sudden decrease in the India-Asia convergence rate. Geological and geochemical data are consistent with mantle input controlled by slab rollback from ca. 70 Ma and slab breakoff at ca. 53 Ma. We propose that the slowdown of the Indian plate at ca. 51 Ma is largely the consequence of slab breakoff of the subducting Neo-Tethyan oceanic lithosphere, rather than the onset of the India-Asia collision as traditionally interpreted, implying that the initial India-Asia collision commenced earlier, likely at ca. 55 Ma.
Dose-response Relationship of Serum Uric Acid with Metabolic Syndrome and Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Incidence: A Meta-analysis of Prospective Studies
Authors: Liu Zhengtao , Que Shuping , Zhou Lin , Zheng Shusen 
Published: September 2015

AbstractEmerging evidence has shown that serum uric acid (SUA) elevation might cause metabolic derangements, including metabolic syndrome (MetS) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD); however, magnitude of the risk has not been quantified. We searched PubMed, EMBASE and ISI databases for relevant studies through 10 May 2015. Prospective studies reporting the risk of SUA elevation on the incidence of MetS/NAFLD were enrolled. Pooled HR of MetS was 1.55 (95%CI: 1.40–1.70) for the highest versus lowest SUA categories and 1.05 (95%CI: 1.04–1.07) per incremental increased in SUA of 1 mg/dl. The pooled HR of MetS in younger women was higher than age-matched men and older women (1.17 vs. 1.05 and 1.04, respectively,P < 0.05). Individuals in the highest SUA category had a 40% greater risk of disease NAFLD occurrence. Dose-response increment of NAFLD events was 1.03 (95%CI: 1.02–1.05). A positive relationship with a linear trend for SUA elevation with MetS and NAFLD in different genders was examined by a dose-response meta-analysis (P < 0.001).SUA assay is useful in screening metabolic disorders for linear trend between its elevation and MetS/NAFLD incidence. SUA-lowering therapy is a potential strategy for preventing systemic/hepatic metabolic abnormalities.
On the Structural and Chemical Characteristics of Co/Al2O3/graphene Interfaces for Graphene Spintronic Devices
Authors: Canto Bárbara , Gouvea Cristol P. , Archanjo Bráulio S. , Schmidt João E. , Baptista Daniel L. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractWe report a detailed investigation of the structural and chemical characteristics of thin evaporated Al2O3 tunnel barriers of variable thickness grown onto single-layer graphene sheets. Advanced electron microscopy and spectrum-imaging techniques were used to investigate the Co/Al2O3/graphene/SiO2 interfaces. Direct observation of pinhole contacts was achieved using FIB cross-sectional lamellas. Spatially resolved EDX spectrum profiles confirmed the presence of direct point contacts between the Co layer and the graphene. The high surface diffusion properties of graphene led to cluster-like Al2O3 film growth, limiting the minimal possible thickness for complete barrier coverage onto graphene surfaces using standard Al evaporation methods. The results indicate a minimum thickness of nominally 3 nm Al2O3, resulting in a 0.6 nm rms rough film with a maximum thickness reaching 5 nm.
Dormant phages of Helicobacter pylori reveal distinct populations in Europe
Authors: Vale F. F. , Vadivelu J. , Oleastro M. , Breurec S. , Engstrand L. , Perets T. T. , Mégraud F. , Lehours P. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractProphages of Helicobacter pylori, a bacterium known to co-evolve in the stomach of its human host, were recently identified. However, their role in the diversity of H. pylori strains is unknown. We demonstrate here and for the first time that the diversity of the prophage genes offers the ability to distinguish between European populations and that H. pylori prophages and their host bacteria share a complex evolutionary history. By comparing the phylogenetic trees of two prophage genes (integrase and holin) and the multilocus sequence typing (MLST)-based data obtained for seven housekeeping genes, we observed that the majority of the strains belong to the same phylogeographic group in both trees. Furthermore, we found that the Bayesian analysis of the population structure of the prophage genes identified two H. pylori European populations, hpNEurope and hpSWEurope, while the MLST sequences identified one European population, hpEurope. The population structure analysis of H. pylori prophages was even more discriminative than the traditional MLST-based method for the European population. Prophages are new players to be considered not only to show the diversity of H. pylori strains but also to more sharply define human populations.
A peptide identification-free, genome sequence-independent shotgun proteomics workflow for strain-level bacterial differentiation
Authors: Shao Wenguang , Zhang Min , Lam Henry , Lau Stanley C. K. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractShotgun proteomics is an emerging tool for bacterial identification and differentiation. However, the identification of the mass spectra of peptides to genome-derived peptide sequences remains a key issue that limits the use of shotgun proteomics to bacteria with genome sequences available. In this proof-of-concept study, we report a novel bacterial fingerprinting method that enjoys the resolving power and accuracy of mass spectrometry without the burden of peptide identification (i.e. genome sequence-independent). This method uses a similarity-clustering algorithm to search for mass spectra that are derived from the same peptide and merge them into a unique consensus spectrum as the basis to generate proteomic fingerprints of bacterial isolates. In comparison to a traditional peptide identification-based shotgun proteomics workflow and a PCR-based DNA fingerprinting method targeting the repetitive extragenic palindromes elements in bacterial genomes, the novel method generated fingerprints that were richer in information and more discriminative in differentiating E. coli isolates by their animal sources. The novel method is readily deployable to any cultivable bacteria and may be used for several fields of study such as environmental microbiology, applied microbiology and clinical microbiology.
Distinctive ocean interior changes during the recent warming slowdown
Authors: Cheng Lijing , Zheng Fei , Zhu Jiang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe earth system experiences continuous heat input, but a “climate hiatus” of upper ocean waters has been observed in this century. This leads to a question: where is the extra heat going? Using four in situ observation datasets, we explore the ocean subsurface temperature changes from 2004 to 2013. The observations all show that the ocean has continued to gain heat in this century, which is indicative of anthropogenic global warming. However, a distinctive pattern of change in the interior ocean is observed. The sea surface (1–100 m) temperature has decreased in this century, accompanied by warming in the 101–300 m layer. This pattern is due to the changes in the frequency of El Niño and La Niña events (ENSO characteristics), according to both observations and CMIP5 model simulations. In addition, we show for the first time that the ocean subsurface within 301–700 m experienced a net cooling, indicative of another instance of variability in the natural ocean. Furthermore, the ocean layer of 701–1500 m has experienced significant warming.
Reversible Regulation of Catalytic Activity of Gold Nanoparticles with DNA Nanomachines
Authors: Zhou Peipei , Jia Sisi , Pan Dun , Wang Lihua , Gao Jimin , Lu Jianxin , Shi Jiye , Tang Zisheng , Liu Huajie 
Published: September 2015

AbstractReversible catalysis regulation has gained much attention and traditional strategies utilized reversible ligand coordination for switching catalyst’s conformations. However, it remains challenging to regulate the catalytic activity of metal nanoparticle-based catalysts. Herein, we report a new DNA nanomachine-driven reversible nano-shield strategy for circumventing this problem. The basic idea is based on the fact that the conformational change of surface-attached DNA nanomachines will cause the variation of the exposed surface active area on metal nanoparticles. As a proof-of-concept study, we immobilized G-rich DNA strands on gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) which have glucose oxidase (GOx) like activity. Through the reversible conformational change of the G-rich DNA between a flexible single-stranded form and a compact G-quadruplex form, the catalytic activity of AuNPs has been regulated reversibly for several cycles. This strategy is reliable and robust, which demonstrated the possibility of reversibly adjusting catalytic activity with external surface coverage switching, rather than coordination interactions.
Modulation of gut microbiota by berberine and metformin during the treatment of high-fat diet-induced obesity in rats
Authors: Zhang Xu , Zhao Yufeng , Xu Jia , Xue Zhengsheng , Zhang Menghui , Pang Xiaoyan , Zhang Xiaojun , Zhao Liping 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAccumulating evidence suggests that the gut microbiota is an important factor in mediating the development of obesity-related metabolic disorders, including type 2 diabetes. Metformin and berberine, two clinically effective drugs for treating diabetes, have recently been shown to exert their actions through modulating the gut microbiota. In this study, we demonstrated that metformin and berberine similarly shifted the overall structure of the gut microbiota in rats. Both drugs showed reverting effects on the high-fat diet-induced structural changes of gut microbiota. The diversity of gut microbiota was significantly reduced by both berberine- and metformin-treatments. Nearest shrunken centroids analysis identified 134 operational taxonomic units (OTUs) responding to the treatments, which showed close associations with the changes of obese phenotypes. Sixty out of the 134 OTUs were decreased by both drugs, while those belonging to putative short-chain fatty acids (SCFA)-producing bacteria, including Allobaculum, Bacteriodes, Blautia, Butyricoccus and Phascolarctobacterium, were markedly increased by both berberine and, to a lesser extent, metformin. Taken together, our findings suggest that berberine and metformin showed similarity in modulating the gut microbiota, including the enrichment of SCFA-producing bacteria and reduction of microbial diversity, which may contribute to their beneficial effects to the host.
A whole-cell tumor vaccine modified to express fibroblast activation protein induces antitumor immunity against both tumor cells and cancer-associated fibroblasts
Authors: Chen Meihua , Xiang Rong , Wen Yuan , Xu Guangchao , Wang Chunting , Luo Shuntao , Yin Tao , Wei Xiawei , Shao Bin , Liu Ning , Guo Fuchun , Li Meng , Zhang Shuang , Li Minmin , Ren Kexing , Wang Yongsheng , Wei Yuquan 
Published: September 2015

AbstractCancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) are common components of the tumor-suppressive microenvironment and are a major determinant of the poor outcome of therapeutic vaccination. In this study, we modified tumor cells to express the fibroblast activation protein (FAP), which is highly expressed by CAFs, to potentially improve whole-cell tumor vaccines by targeting both tumor cells and CAFs. Tumor cells were transfected with murine FAP plasmids bearing the cationic lipid DOTAP. Its antitumor effects were investigated in three established tumor models. Vaccination with tumor cells expressing FAP eliminated solid tumors and tumors resulting from hematogenous dissemination. This antitumor immune response was mediated by CD8+ T cells. Additionally, we found that CAFs were significantly reduced within the tumors. Furthermore, this vaccine enhanced the infiltration of CD8+ T lymphocytes and suppressed the accumulation of immunosuppressive cells in the tumor microenvironment. Our results indicated that the FAP-modified whole-cell tumor vaccine induced strong antitumor immunity against both tumor cells and CAFs and reversed the immunosuppressive effects of tumors by decreasing the recruitment of immunosuppressive cells and enhancing the recruitment of effector T cells. This conclusion may have important implications for the clinical use of genetically modified tumor cells as cancer vaccines.
Elevated temperature altered photosynthetic products in wheat seedlings and organic compounds and biological activity in rhizopshere soil under cadmium stress
Authors: Jia Xia , Zhao YongHua , Wang WenKe , He Yunhua 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the effects of slightly elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring on photosynthetic products in wheat seedlings and on organic compounds and biological activity in rhizosphere soil under cadmium (Cd) stress. Elevated temperature was associated with increased soluble sugars, reducing sugars, starch and total sugars and with decreased amino acids in wheat seedlings under Cd stress. Elevated temperature improved total soluble sugars, free amino acids, soluble phenolic acids and organic acids in rhizosphere soil under Cd stress. The activity of amylase, phenol oxidase, invertase, β-glucosidase andl-asparaginase in rhizosphere soil was significantly improved by elevated temperature under Cd stress; while cellulase, neutral phosphatase and urease activity significantly decreased. Elevated temperature significantly improved bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes and total microorganisms abundance and fluorescein diacetate activity under Cd stress. In conclusion, slightly elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring improved the carbohydrate levels in wheat seedlings and organic compounds and biological activity in rhizosphere soil under Cd stress in the short term. In addition, elevated atmospheric temperature in the spring stimulated available Cd by affecting pH, DOC, phenolic acids and organic acids in rhizosphere soil, which resulted in the improvement of the Cd uptake by wheat seedlings.