bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The 3T3-L1 adipocyte glycogen proteome
Authors: Stapleton David , Nelson Chad , Parsawar Krishna , Flores-Opazo Marcelo , McClain Donald , Parker Glendon 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Glycogen is a branched polysaccharide of glucose residues, consisting of α-1-4 glycosidic linkages with α-1-6 branches that together form multi-layered particles ranging in size from 30 nm to 300 nm. Glycogen spatial conformation and intracellular organization are highly regulated processes. Glycogen particles interact with their metabolizing enzymes and are associated with a variety of proteins that intervene in its biology, controlling its structure, particle size and sub-cellular distribution. The function of glycogen in adipose tissue is not well understood but appears to have a pivotal role as a regulatory mechanism informing the cells on substrate availability for triacylglycerol synthesis. To provide new molecular insights into the role of adipocyte glycogen we analyzed the glycogen-associated proteome from differentiated 3T3-L1-adipocytes.

Results
Glycogen particles from 3T3-L1-adipocytes were purified using a series of centrifugation steps followed by specific elution of glycogen bound proteins using α-1,4 glucose oligosaccharides, or maltodextrins, and tandem mass spectrometry. We identified regulatory proteins, 14-3-3 proteins, RACK1 and protein phosphatase 1 glycogen targeting subunit 3D. Evidence was also obtained for a regulated subcellular distribution of the glycogen particle: metabolic and mitochondrial proteins were abundant. Unlike the recently analyzed hepatic glycogen proteome, no endoplasmic proteins were detected, along with the recently described starch-binding domain protein 1. Other regulatory proteins which have previously been described as glycogen-associated proteins were not detected, including laforin, the AMPK beta-subunit and protein targeting to glycogen (PTG).

Conclusions
These data provide new molecular insights into the regulation of glycogen-bound proteins that are associated with the maintenance, organization and localization of the adipocyte glycogen particle.
Color-tunable up-conversion emission in Y2O3:Yb3+, Er3+ nanoparticles prepared by polymer complex solution method
Authors: Lojpur Vesna M , Ahrenkiel Phillip S , Dramićanin Miroslav D 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Powders of Y2O3 co-doped with Yb3+ and Er3+ composed of well-crystallized nanoparticles (30 to 50 nm in diameter) with no adsorbed ligand species on their surface are prepared by polymer complex solution method. These powders exhibit up-conversion emission upon 978-nm excitation with a color that can be tuned from green to red by changing the Yb3+/Er3+ concentration ratio. The mechanism underlying up-conversion color changes is presented along with material structural and optical properties.

PACS

42.70.-a, 78.55.Hx, 78.60.-b
Synthesis, optical and electrochemical properties of ZnO nanowires/graphene oxide heterostructures
Authors: Zeng Huidan , Cao Ying , Xie Shufan , Yang Junhe , Tang Zhihong , Wang Xianying , Sun Luyi 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Large-scale vertically aligned ZnO nanowires with high crystal qualities were fabricated on thin graphene oxide films via a low temperature hydrothermal method. Room temperature photoluminescence results show that the ultraviolet emission of nanowires grown on graphene oxide films was greatly enhanced and the defect-related visible emission was suppressed, which can be attributed to the improved crystal quality and possible electron transfer between ZnO and graphene oxide. Electrochemical property measurement results demonstrated that the ZnO nanowires/graphene oxide have large integral area of cyclic voltammetry loop, indicating that such heterostructure is promising for application in supercapacitors.
Quantitative proteomics for identifying biomarkers for Rabies
Authors: Venugopal Abhilash K , Ghantasala S Sameer Kumar , Selvan Lakshmi Dhevi N , Mahadevan Anita , Renuse Santosh , Kumar Praveen , Pawar Harsh , Sahasrabhuddhe Nandini A , Suja Mooriyath S , Ramachandra Yarappa L , Prasad Thottethodi S Keshava , Madhusudhana Shampur N , HC Harsha , Chaerkady Raghothama , Satishchandra Parthasarathy , Pandey Akhilesh , Shankar Susarla K 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Introduction
Rabies is a fatal acute viral disease of the central nervous system, which is a serious public health problem in Asian and African countries. Based on the clinical presentation, rabies can be classified into encephalitic (furious) or paralytic (numb) rabies. Early diagnosis of this disease is particularly important as rabies is invariably fatal if adequate post exposure prophylaxis is not administered immediately following the bite.

Methods
In this study, we carried out a quantitative proteomic analysis of the human brain tissue from cases of encephalitic and paralytic rabies along with normal human brain tissues using an 8-plex isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (iTRAQ) strategy.

Results and conclusion
We identified 402 proteins, of which a number of proteins were differentially expressed between encephalitic and paralytic rabies, including several novel proteins. The differentially expressed molecules included karyopherin alpha 4 (KPNA4), which was overexpressed only in paralytic rabies, calcium calmodulin dependent kinase 2 alpha (CAMK2A), which was upregulated in paralytic rabies group and glutamate ammonia ligase (GLUL), which was overexpressed in paralytic as well as encephalitic rabies. We validated two of the upregulated molecules, GLUL and CAMK2A, by dot blot assays and further validated CAMK2A by immunohistochemistry. These molecules need to be further investigated in body fluids such as cerebrospinal fluid in a larger cohort of rabies cases to determine their potential use as antemortem diagnostic biomarkers in rabies. This is the first study to systematically profile clinical subtypes of human rabies using an iTRAQ quantitative proteomics approach.
Avian leukosis virus subgroup J associated with the outbreak of erythroblastosis in chickens in China
Authors: Wang Guihua , Jiang Yanping , Yu Linin , Wang Yue , Zhao Xiaomin , Cheng Ziqiang 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
Emaciation, depression and lethargy were observed in two flocks of Chinese local breed and one flock of commercial layer chicken infected naturally from 2010 to 2011. The aims of this study were to diagnose.

Methods and results
Gross observation showed that severe enlargement of liver, spleen and kidney, and hemorrhage of thymus, muscle and glandular stomach in all submitted birds. The liver and lung of one flock had diffuse, multifocal white raised foci on the surface as well as on the cut-surface. Numerous erythrocytoblasts with bigger volume, basophilic cytoplasm and round nucleus were observed in blood and bone marrow smears. The same erythrocytoblasts were also found crowded in blood vessels and mesenchym of tissues by histological examination, and some had mitotic figures. PCR results showed that three flocks were positive for ALV-J with specific fragment of 924 bp, negative for AEV, ALV-A, ALV-B, Marek’s disease virus (MDV) and Reticuloendotheliosis virus (REV). The results of immunohistochemistry showed that cytoplasm of histiocytes and erythrocytoblasts in lung and spleen sections was positive for ALV-J antigen.

Conclusion
These data demonstrated that erythroblastosis was all induced by ALV-J in the three different flocks. This is the first document report of erythroblastosis induced by ALV-J in China flocks.
Study of Optimal Replacement of Thyroxine in the ElDerly (SORTED): protocol for a mixed methods feasibility study to assess the clinical utility of lower dose thyroxine in elderly hypothyroid patients: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
Authors: Wilkes Scott , Pearce Simon , Ryan Vicky , Rapley Tim , Ingoe Lorna , Razvi Salman 
Published: March 2013

Abstract

Background
The population of the UK is ageing. There is compelling evidence that thyroid stimulating hormone distribution levels increase with age. Currently, in UK clinical practice elderly hypothyroid patients are treated with levothyroxine to lower their thyroid stimulating hormone levels to a standard non-age-related range. Evidence suggests that mortality is negatively associated with thyroid stimulating hormone levels. We report the protocol of a feasibility study working towards a full-scale randomized controlled trial to test whether lower dose levothyroxine has beneficial cardiovascular outcomes in the oldest old.

Methods/design
SORTED is a mixed methods study with three components:
SORTED A: A feasibility study of a dual-center single-blinded randomized controlled trial of elderly hypothyroid patients currently treated with levothyroxine.
Setting: Patients will be recruited from 20 general practices and two hospital trust endocrine units in Northumberland, Tyne and Wear.
Participants: Target recruitment of 50 elderly hypothyroid patients currently treated with levothyroxine, identified in both primary and secondary care settings.
Intervention: Reduced dose of levothyroxine to achieve an elevated serum thyroid stimulating hormone (target range 4.1 to 8.0 mU/L) versus standard levothyroxine replacement (target range 0.4 to 4.0 mU/L).
Randomization: Using random permuted blocks, in a ratio of 1:1, randomization will be carried out by Newcastle Clinical Trials Unit.
Outcomes: Study feasibility (recruitment and retention rates and medication compliance), acceptability of the trial design, assessment of mobility and falls risk, and change in cardiovascular risk factors.
SORTED B: Qualitative study using in-depth interviews to understand patients’ willingness to take part in a randomized controlled trial and participants’ experience of the intervention.
SORTED C: Retrospective cohort study of 400 treated hypothyroid patients aged 80 years or over registered in 2008 in primary care practices, studying their 4-year cardiovascular outcomes to inform the power of SORTED II.

Discussion
This is a study to evaluate the feasibility of conducting a randomized controlled trial in elderly hypothyroid patients in general practice and hospital settings. The results will inform the design of the definitive SORTED II trial to evaluate the effects of lower dose thyroxine in elderly hypothyroid patients.

Trial registration
Current Controlled Trials http://www.controlled-trials.com/ISRCTN16043724
Analysis of telomere length and function in radiosensitive mouse and human cells in response to DNA-PKcs inhibition
Authors: Yasaei Hemad , Gozaly-Chianea Yaghoub , Slijepcevic Predrag 
Published: March 2013

Background
Telomeres, the physical ends of chromosomes, play an important role in preserving genomic integrity. This protection is supported by telomere binding proteins collectively known as the shelterin complex. The shelterin complex protects chromosome ends by suppressing DNA damage response and acting as a regulator of telomere length maintenance by telomerase, an enzyme that elongates telomeres. Telomere dysfunction manifests in different forms including chromosomal end-to-end fusion, telomere shortening and p53-dependent apoptosis and/or senescence. An important shelterin-associated protein with critical role in telomere protection in human and mouse cells is the catalytic subunit of DNA-protein kinase (DNA-PKcs). DNA-PKcs deficiency in mouse cells results in elevated levels of spontaneous telomeric fusion, a marker of telomere dysfunction, but does not cause telomere length shortening. Similarly, inhibition of DNA-PKcs with chemical inhibitor, IC86621, prevents chromosomal end protection through mechanism reminiscent of dominant-negative reduction in DNA-PKcs activity.

Results
We demonstrate here that the IC86621 mediated inhibition of DNA-PKcs in two mouse lymphoma cell lines results not only in elevated frequencies of chromosome end-to-end fusions, but also accelerated telomere shortening in the presence of telomerase. Furthermore, we observed increased levels of spontaneous telomeric fusions in Artemis defective human primary fibroblasts in which DNA-PKcs was inhibited, but no significant changes in telomere length.

Conclusion
These results confirm that DNA-PKcs plays an active role in chromosome end protection in mouse and human cells. Furthermore, it appears that DNA-PKcs is also involved in telomere length regulation, independently of telomerase activity, in mouse lymphoma cells but not in human cells.
Diversity in sequence-dependent control of GRO chemokine mRNA half-life
Authors: Herjan Tomasz , Novotny Michael , Hamilton Thomas A 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Regulation of GRO chemokine half-life is determined by multiple sequence regions that confer IL-1α -dependent and -independent instability via distinct RNA binding proteins.
Neutrophil trafficking to sites of injury or infection is regulated, in part, by the closely related GRO family of chemokines (CXCL1, -2, and -3). Expression of the GRO chemokine genes is known to be determined by transcriptional bursts in response to proinflammatory stimulation, but post-transcriptional mechanisms that regulate mRNA half-life are now recognized as important determinants. mRNA half-life is regulated via distinct sequence motifs and sequence-specific, RNA-binding proteins, whose function is subject to regulation by extracellular proinflammatory stimuli. Moreover, such mechanisms exhibit cell-type and stimulus dependency. We now present evidence that in nonmyeloid cells, GRO2 and GRO3 isoforms exhibit at least two patterns of mRNA instability that are distinguished by differential sensitivity to specific mRNA-destabilizing proteins and stimulus-mediated prolongation of mRNA half-life, respectively. Although the 3′ UTR regions of GRO2 and GRO3 mRNAs contain multiple AREs, GRO2 has eight AUUUA pentamers, whereas GRO3 has seven. These confer quantitative differences in half-life and show sensitivity for TTP and KSRP but not SF2/ASF. Moreover, these AUUUA determinants do not confer instability that can be modulated in response to IL-1α. In contrast, IL-1α-sensitive instability for GRO2 and GRO3 is conferred by sequences located proximal to the 3′ end of the 3′UTR that are independent of the AUUUA sequence motif. These regions are insensitive to TTP and KSRP but show reduced half-life mediated by SF2/ASF. These sequence-linked, post-transcriptional activities provide substantial mechanistic diversity in the control of GRO family chemokine gene expression.
Bright light therapy for symptoms of anxiety and depression in focal epilepsy: randomised controlled trial
Authors: Baxendale Sallie , O'Sullivan John , Heaney Dominic 
Published: March 2013

BackgroundBright light therapy is an effective treatment for seasonal affective disorder and non-seasonal depression. Depression and anxiety are common psychiatric comorbidities in epilepsy.AimsTo examine the efficacy of bright light therapy for symptoms of anxiety and depression in adults with focal epilepsy (trial registration at ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT01028456).MethodWe recruited 101 adults with medically intractable focal epilepsy. Participants completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) at the beginning (T1) and end of a 12-week baseline period (T2) and again after 12 weeks of daily light therapy (T3), with 51 participants using a high-intensity light box and 50 using a low-intensity one. Seizure diaries were kept throughout the baseline and trial period.ResultsA total of 58 patients completed the trial. Anxiety and depression scores were significantly reduced following the light therapy at T3in both the high- and low-intensity groups.ConclusionsLight therapy resulted in a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression but we did not find any differences between high- v. low-intensity treatment This may, therefore, be an effective treatment for symptoms of low mood in epilepsy at lower intensities than those typically used to treat seasonal affective disorder. Further work is needed to investigate this possibility with an adequate placebo condition.
Hypothyroidism Compromises Hypothalamic Leptin Signaling in Mice
Authors: Groba Claudia , Mayerl Steffen , van Mullem Alies A. , Visser Theo J. , Darras Veerle M. , Habenicht Andreas J. , Heuer Heike 
Published: March 2013

AbstractThe impact of thyroid hormone (TH) on metabolism and energy expenditure is well established, but the role of TH in regulating nutritional sensing, particularly in the central nervous system, is only poorly defined. Here, we studied the consequences of hypothyroidism on leptin production as well as leptin sensing in congenital hypothyroid TRH receptor 1 knockout (Trhr1 ko) mice and euthyroid control animals. Hypothyroid mice exhibited decreased circulating leptin levels due to a decrease in fat mass and reduced leptin expression in white adipose tissue. In neurons of the hypothalamic arcuate nucleus, hypothyroid mice showed increased leptin receptor Ob-R expression and decreased suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 transcript levels. In order to monitor putative changes in central leptin sensing, we generated hypothyroid and leptin-deficient animals by crossing hypothyroid Trhr1 ko mice with the leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. Hypothyroid Trhr1/ob double knockout mice showed a blunted response to leptin treatment with respect to body weight and food intake and exhibited a decreased activation of phospho-signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 as well as a up-regulation of suppressor of cytokine signaling 3 upon leptin treatment, particularly in the arcuate nucleus. These data indicate alterations in the intracellular processing of the leptin signal under hypothyroid conditions and thereby unravel a novel mode of action by which TH affects energy metabolism.
p-Aminosalicylic Acid Production by Enzymatic Kolbe–Schmitt Reaction Using Salicylic Acid Decarboxylases Improved through Site-Directed Mutagenesis
Authors: Ienaga Saori , Kosaka Sachiyo , Honda Yuki , Ishii Yoshitaka , Kirimura Kohtaro 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
A reversible salicylic acid decarboxylase (Sdc) catalyzes the carboxylation of m-aminophenol (m-AP) to p-aminosalicylic acid (PAS) as an antituberculous agent, through an enzymatic Kolbe–Schmitt reaction. To develop a high-yield PAS production system through such an enzymatic reaction, we generated Sdc mutants by site-directed mutagenesis and succeeded in generating several mutants showing increased carboxylation specific activities. Among them, a Y64T-F195Y-Sdc mutant showed a 12-fold higher carboxylation specific activity toward m-AP than wild-type Sdc. By the whole-cell reaction of recombinant Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) expressing the gene encoding Y64T-F195Y-Sdc, 70 mM PAS was produced from 100 mM m-AP within 2 h. This reaction time was shortened to one-twelfth that of the PAS production using E. coli BL21(DE3) expressing the gene encoding wild-type Sdc (24 h). Moreover, 140 mM PAS was produced from 200 mM m-AP within 9 h by the whole-cell reaction of recombinant E. coli BL21(DE3) expressing the gene encoding Y64T-F195Y-Sdc.
Synthesis and Properties of Partially Fluorinated Poly(arylene ether) Block Copolymers Containing Ammonium Groups as Anion Conductive Membranes
Authors: Ono Hideaki , Miyake Junpei , Bae Byungchan , Watanabe Masahiro , Miyatake Kenji 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
Synthesis and properties of aromatic block copolymers containing fluorinated phenylene and biphenylene groups and ammonium-substituted fluorene groups are reported. High-molecular-weight poly(arylene ether) block copolymers were prepared from the corresponding telechelic oligomers and were chloromethylated. Quaternization reaction of the chloromethylated precursors with trimethylamine provided the title ammonium-substituted block copolymers (QPE-bl-4). The QPE-bl-4 membrane with the highest ion-exchange capacity (IEC = 1.3 mequiv g−1) showed high hydroxide ion conductivity (45 mS cm−1) at 80 °C due to its phase-separated morphology with interconnected ion-transporting pathway. The accelerated stability test in aqueous KOH solution containing hydrazine revealed that the ammonium groups decomposed to certain extent while the polymer main chains were rather robust to maintain the self-supporting membranes.
Sequential Peptide Ligation by Combining the Cys–Pro Ester (CPE) and Thioester Methods and Its Application to the Synthesis of Histone H3 Containing a Trimethyl Lysine Residue
Authors: Kawakami Toru , Akai Yuichi , Fujimoto Hisao , Kita Chieko , Aoki Yuko , Konishi Takehiko , Waseda Masazumi , Takemura Lisa , Aimoto Saburo 
Published: March 2013

Abstract
A peptide thioester is a key building block for protein synthesis by a ligation method, such as the thioester method and native chemical ligation. Combining these ligation methods offers flexibility in the choice of the condensation sites in a sequential ligation strategy. We describe herein a novel strategy, in which native chemical ligation followed by the thioester method are utilized, based on the use of a peptide containing a Cys–Pro ester (CPE) autoactivating unit at the C-terminus as a peptide thioester precursor. This sequential ligation strategy was applied to the synthesis of histone H3, which consists of 135 amino acid residues and contains a trimethyl Lys9 residue.
What Happened to Long-Term Employment? The Role of Worker Power and Environmental Turbulence in Explaining Declines in Worker Tenure
Authors: Bidwell Matthew J. 
Published: March 2013

Recent declines in the average length of time that U.S. workers spend with a given employer represent an important change in the nature of the employment relationship, yet it is one whose causes are poorly understood. I explore those causes using Current Population Survey data on the tenure of men aged 30–65, from the years 1979–2008.I argue that long-term employment relationships primarily occur when workers pressure employers to close off employment from market competition, reducing the attractiveness of external mobility relative to internal opportunities and increasing employment security. I then explore how two changes in organizations’ environments—a decline in union strength and increased turbulence from changes in technology and globalization—might have affected workers’ ability to secure such closed employment relationships over the last 30 years.My results support the argument that declines in tenure reflect the reduced power of workers to secure closed employment relationships. Recent declines in tenure have been concentrated in large organizations, and many of those declines are explained by controlling for the changing levels of industry unionization. I find little evidence that foreign competition or technological change affected mobility. The results are robust to measures of changing industry growth rates and within-industry reorganization. Supplementary analyses suggest that layoffs are associated with different industry pressures than tenure and that voluntary mobility may have played an important role in declines in tenure.