bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hippocampal memory enhancing activity of pine needle extract against scopolamine-induced amnesia in a mouse model
Authors: Lee Jin-Seok , Kim Hyeong-Geug , Lee Hye-Won , Han Jong-Min , Lee Sam-Keun , Kim Dong-Woon , Saravanakumar Arthanari , Son Chang-Gue 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe evaluated the neuropharmacological effects of 30% ethanolic pine needle extract (PNE) on memory impairment caused by scopolamine injection in mice hippocampus. Mice were orally pretreated with PNE (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg) or tacrine (10 mg/kg) for 7 days and scopolamine (2 mg/kg) was injected intraperitoneally, 30 min before the Morris water maze task on first day. To evaluate memory function, the Morris water maze task was performed for 5 days consecutively. Scopolamine increased the escape latency and cumulative path-length but decreases the time spent in target quadrant, which were ameliorated by pretreatment with PNE. Oxidant-antioxidant balance, acetylcholinesterase activity, neurogenesis and their connecting pathway were abnormally altered by scopolamine in hippocampus and/or sera, while those alterations were recovered by pretreatment with PNE. As lipid peroxidation, 4HNE-positive stained cells were ameliorated in hippocampus pretreated with PNE. Pretreatment with PNE increased the proliferating cells and immature neurons against hippocampal neurogenesis suppressed by scopolamine, which was confirmed by ki67- and DCX-positive stained cells. The expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and phosphorylated cAMP response element-binding protein (pCREB) in both protein and gene were facilitated by PNE pretreatment. These findings suggest that PNE could be a potent neuropharmacological drug against amnesia and its possible mechanism might be modulating cholinergic activity via CREB-BDNF pathway.
Skeletal plasticity in response to embryonic muscular activity underlies the development and evolution of the perching digit of birds
Authors: Francisco Botelho João , Smith-Paredes Daniel , Soto-Acuña Sergio , Mpodozis Jorge , Palma Verónica , Vargas Alexander O. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMost birds have an opposable digit 1 (hallux) allowing the foot to grasp, which evolved from the non-opposable hallux of early theropod dinosaurs. An important morphological difference with early theropods is the twisting of the long axis of its metatarsal. Here, we show how embryonic musculature and the onset of its activity are required for twisting of metatarsal 1 (Mt1) and retroversion of the hallux. Pharmacologically paralyzed embryos do not fully retrovert the hallux and have a straight Mt1 shaft, phenocopying the morphology of early tetanuran dinosaurs. Molecular markers of cartilage maturation and ossification show that differentiation of Mt1 is significantly delayed compared to Mt2-4. We hypothesize on how delayed maturation may have increased plasticity, facilitating muscular twisting. Our experimental results emphasize the importance of embryonic muscular activity in the evolutionary origin of a crucial adaptation.
Tracking of dendritic cell migration into lymph nodes using molecular imaging with sodium iodide symporter and enhanced firefly luciferase genes
Authors: Lee Ho Won , Yoon Seung Yun , Singh Thoudam Debraj , Choi Yoon Ju , Lee Hong Je , Park Ji Young , Jeong Shin Young , Lee Sang-Woo , Ha Jeoung-Hee , Ahn Byeong-Cheol , Jeon Yong Hyun , Lee Jaetae 
Published: May 2015

AbstractWe sought to evaluate the feasibility of molecular imaging using the human sodium iodide symporter (hNIS) gene as a reporter, in addition to the enhanced firefly luciferase (effluc) gene, for tracking dendritic cell (DCs) migration in living mice. A murine dendritic cell line (DC2.4) co-expressing hNIS and effluc genes (DC/NF) was established. For the DC-tracking study, mice received either parental DCs or DC/NF cells in the left or right footpad, respectively and combined I-124 PET/CT and bioluminescence imaging (BLI) were performed. In vivo PET/CT imaging with I-124 revealed higher activity of the radiotracer in the draining popliteal lymph nodes (DPLN) of the DC/NF injection site at day 1 than DC injection site (p < 0.05). The uptake value further increased at day 4 (p < 0.005). BLI also demonstrated migration of DC/NF cells to the DPLNs at day 1 post-injection and signals at the DPLNs were much higher at day 4. These data support the feasibility of hNIS reporter gene imaging in the tracking of DC migration to lymphoid organs in living mice. DCs expressing the NIS reporter gene could be a useful tool to optimize various strategies of cell-based immunotherapy.
Fat/carbohydrate ratio but not energy density determines snack food intake and activates brain reward areas
Authors: Hoch Tobias , Kreitz Silke , Gaffling Simone , Pischetsrieder Monika , Hess Andreas 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe snack food potato chips induces food intake in ad libitum fed rats, which is associated with modulation of the brain reward system and other circuits. Here, we show that food intake in satiated rats is triggered by an optimal fat/carbohydrate ratio. Like potato chips, an isocaloric fat/carbohydrate mixture influenced whole brain activity pattern of rats, affecting circuits related e.g. to reward/addiction, but the number of modulated areas and the extent of modulation was lower compared to the snack food itself.
Finding and tracing human MSC in 3D microenvironments with the photoconvertible protein Dendra2
Authors: Caires Hugo R. , Gomez-Lazaro Maria , Oliveira Carla M. , Gomes David , Mateus Denisa D. , Oliveira Carla , Barrias Cristina C. , Barbosa Mário A. , Almeida Catarina R. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractMesenchymal Stem/Stromal Cells (MSC) are a promising cell type for cell-based therapies - from tissue regeneration to treatment of autoimmune diseases - due to their capacity to migrate to damaged tissues, to differentiate in different lineages and to their immunomodulatory and paracrine properties. Here, a simple and reliable imaging technique was developed to study MSC dynamical behavior in natural and bioengineered 3D matrices. Human MSC were transfected to express a fluorescent photoswitchable protein, Dendra2, which was used to highlight and follow the same group of cells for more than seven days, even if removed from the microscope to the incubator. This strategy provided reliable tracking in 3D microenvironments with different properties, including the hydrogels Matrigel and alginate as well as chitosan porous scaffolds. Comparison of cells mobility within matrices with tuned physicochemical properties revealed that MSC embedded in Matrigel migrated 64% more with 5.2 mg protein/mL than with 9.6 mg/mL and that MSC embedded in RGD-alginate migrated 51% faster with 1% polymer concentration than in 2% RGD-alginate. This platform thus provides a straightforward approach to characterize MSC dynamics in 3D and has applications in the field of stem cell biology and for the development of biomaterials for tissue regeneration.
Quantitative assessment of the association between AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism and cancer risk
Authors: Gong Juan , Jiang Yuan , Hao Ningbo , Zhu Bo , Li Yongsheng 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAxin2 is involved in the regulation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway and implicated in cancer development and progression. The association between AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism and cancer risk has been examined in several case-control studies, but the conclusions were conflicting. Here we performed a meta-analysis to evaluate the role of rs2240308 in cancer risk. A total of 8 studies were included in this meta-analysis (1559 cancer cases and 1503 controls). The pooled odds ratios (OR) and the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed to evaluate the association of the AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism with a susceptibility to cancer. A significantly decreased overall cancer risk was observed in the homozygous (TT vs. CC), heterozygous (CT vs. CC), dominant (CT+TT vs. CC) and allelic (T vs. C) models (P < 0.005), rather than that in the recessive (TT vs. CT+CC) model (P = 0.092). AXIN2 polymorphism rs2240308 was also associated with decreased cancer risk under all five models in lung cancer. However, AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism was not associated with cancer risk under any above model in Turkish population and under homozygous, heterozygous, recessive models in Japanese population. These findings indicate that AXIN2 rs2240308 polymorphism significantly and race-specifically correlates with decreased cancer risk.
Ultra-broadband and strongly enhanced diffraction with metasurfaces
Authors: Zhang Yong , Zhou Lin , Li Jia-qi , Wang Qian-jin , Huang Cheng-ping 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEnhanced high-order diffractions which are spatially dispersive are desirable in such as spectroscopy studies, thin-film solar cells, etc. Conventionally, the dielectric gratings can be used to realize the enhanced diffraction, but the facets are usually rugged and optically thick (~μm). Plasmonic materials may exhibit unprecedented ability for manipulating light. Nonetheless, much interest has been focused on the subwavelength metasurfaces working in the zero-order regime. Here, we show that ultra-broadband and strongly enhanced diffraction can be achieved with the super-wavelength metasurfaces. For the purpose, we employ symmetric or asymmetric metal patches on a ground metal plane, which support the localized oscillation of free electrons and enhanced scattering of light. The zero-order reflection is suppressed, giving rise to an enhancement of first-order diffraction (50 ~ 95%) in an ultra-wide bandwidth (600 ~ 1500 nm). The proposed plasmonic structure is planar and ultra-thin (with an etching depth of only 80 nm), showing new potential for constructing compact and efficient dispersive elements.
Impact of spatial dispersion, evolution and selection on Ebola Zaire Virus epidemic waves
Authors: Azarian Taj , Lo Presti Alessandra , Giovanetti Marta , Cella Eleonora , Rife Brittany , Lai Alessia , Zehender Gianguglielmo , Ciccozzi Massimo , Salemi Marco 
Published: May 2015

AbstractEbola virus Zaire (EBOV) has reemerged in Africa, emphasizing the global importance of this pathogen. Amidst the response to the current epidemic, several gaps in our knowledge of EBOV evolution are evident. Specifically, uncertainty has been raised regarding the potential emergence of more virulent viral variants through amino acid substitutions. Glycoprotein (GP), an essential component of the EBOV genome, is highly variable and a potential site for the occurrence of advantageous mutations. For this study, we reconstructed the evolutionary history of EBOV by analyzing 65 GP sequences from humans and great apes over diverse locations across epidemic waves between 1976 and 2014. We show that, although patterns of spatial dispersion throughout Africa varied, the evolution of the virus has largely been characterized by neutral genetic drift. Therefore, the radical emergence of more transmissible variants is unlikely, a positive finding, which is increasingly important on the verge of vaccine deployment.
Short-range order of compressed amorphous GeSe2
Authors: Properzi L. , Di Cicco A. , Nataf L. , Baudelet F. , Irifune T. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe structure of amorphous GeSe2 (a-GeSe2) has been studied by means of a combination of two-edges X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS) and angle-dispersive X-ray diffraction under pressures up to about 30 GPa. Multiple-edge XAS data-analysis of a-GeSe2 at ambient conditions allowed us to reconstruct and compare the first-neighbor distribution function with previous results obtained by neutron diffraction with isotopic substitution. GeSe2 is found to remain amorphous up to the highest pressures attained and a reversible 1.5 eV red-shift of the Ge K-edge energy indicating metallization, occurs between 10 GPa and 15 GPa. Two compression stages are identified by XAS structure refinement. First, a decrease of the first-neighbor distances up to about 10 GPa, in the same pressure region of a previously observed breakdown of the intermediate-range order. Second, an increase of the Ge-Se distances, bond disorder and of the coordination number. This stage is related to a reversible non-isostructural transition involving a gradual conversion from tetra- to octa-hedral geometry which is not yet fully completed at 30 GPa.
Inhibition of STAT3, FAK and Src mediated signaling reduces cancer stem cell load, tumorigenic potential and metastasis in breast cancer
Authors: Thakur Ravi , Trivedi Rachana , Rastogi Namrata , Singh Manisha , Mishra Durga Prasad 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCancer stem cells (CSCs) are responsible for aggressive tumor growth, metastasis and therapy resistance. In this study, we evaluated the effects of Shikonin (Shk) on breast cancer and found its anti-CSC potential. Shk treatment decreased the expression of various epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and CSC associated markers. Kinase profiling array and western blot analysis indicated that Shk inhibits STAT3, FAK and Src activation. Inhibition of these signaling proteins using standard inhibitors revealed that STAT3 inhibition affected CSCs properties more significantly than FAK or Src inhibition. We observed a significant decrease in cell migration upon FAK and Src inhibition and decrease in invasion upon inhibition of STAT3, FAK and Src. Combined inhibition of STAT3 with Src or FAK reduced the mammosphere formation, migration and invasion more significantly than the individual inhibitions. These observations indicated that the anti-breast cancer properties of Shk are due to its potential to inhibit multiple signaling proteins. Shk also reduced the activation and expression of STAT3, FAK and Srcin vivoand reduced tumorigenicity, growth and metastasis of 4T1 cells. Collectively, this study underscores the translational relevance of using a single inhibitor (Shk) for compromising multiple tumor-associated signaling pathways to check cancer metastasis and stem cell load.
Low-Cost, Disposable, Flexible and Highly Reproducible Screen Printed SERS Substrates for the Detection of Various Chemicals
Authors: Wu Wei , Liu Li , Dai Zhigao , Liu Juhua , Yang Shuanglei , Zhou Li , Xiao Xiangheng , Jiang Changzhong , Roy Vellaisamy A.L. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractIdeal SERS substrates for sensing applications should exhibit strong signal enhancement, generate a reproducible and uniform response and should be able to fabricate in large-scale and low-cost. Herein, we demonstrate low-cost, highly sensitive, disposable and reproducible SERS substrates by means of screen printing Ag nanoparticles (NPs) on a plastic PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) substrates. While there are many complex methods for the fabrication of SERS substrates, screen printing is suitable for large-area fabrication and overcomes the uneven radial distribution. Using as-printed Ag substrates as the SERS platform, detection of various commonly known chemicals have been done. The SERS detection limit of Rhodamine 6G (R6G) is higher than the concentration of 1 × 10−10 M. The relative standard deviation (RSD) value for 784 points on the detection of R6G and Malachite green (MG) is less than 20% revealing a homogeneous SERS distribution and high reproducibility. Moreover, melamine (MA) is detected in fresh liquid-milk without additional pretreatment, which may accelerate the application of rapid on-line detection of MA in liquid milk. Our screen printing method highlights the use of large-scale printing strategies for the fabrication of well-defined functional nanostructures with applications well beyond the field of SERS sensing.
Manipulating Steady Heat Conduction by Sensu-shaped Thermal Metamaterials
Authors: Han Tiancheng , Bai Xue , Liu Dan , Gao Dongliang , Li Baowen , Thong John T. L. , Qiu Cheng-Wei 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe ability to design the control of heat flow has innumerable benefits in the design of electronic systems such as thermoelectric energy harvesters, solid-state lighting and thermal imagers, where the thermal design plays a key role in performance and device reliability. In this work, we employ one identical sensu-unit with facile natural composition to experimentally realize a new class of thermal metamaterials for controlling thermal conduction (e.g., thermal concentrator, focusing/resolving, uniform heating), only resorting to positioning and locating the same unit element of sensu-shape structure. The thermal metamaterial unit and the proper arrangement of multiple identical units are capable of transferring, redistributing and managing thermal energy in a versatile fashion. It is also shown that our sensu-shape unit elements can be used in manipulating dc currents without any change in the layout for the thermal counterpart. These could markedly enhance the capabilities in thermal sensing, thermal imaging, thermal-energy storage, thermal packaging, thermal therapy and more domains beyond.
Noise-robust recognition of wide-field motion direction and the underlying neural mechanisms in Drosophila melanogaster
Authors: Suzuki Yoshinori , Ikeda Hideaki , Miyamoto Takuya , Miyakawa Hiroyoshi , Seki Yoichi , Aonishi Toru , Morimoto Takako 
Published: May 2015

AbstractAppropriate and robust behavioral control in a noisy environment is important for the survival of most organisms. Understanding such robust behavioral control has been an attractive subject in neuroscience research. Here, we investigated the processing of wide-field motion with random dot noise at both the behavioral and neuronal level in Drosophila melanogaster. We measured the head yaw optomotor response (OMR) and the activity of motion-sensitive neurons, horizontal system (HS) cells, with in vivo whole-cell patch clamp recordings at various levels of noise intensity. We found that flies had a robust sensation of motion direction under noisy conditions, while membrane potential changes of HS cells were not correlated with behavioral responses. By applying signal classification theory to the distributions of HS cell responses, however, we found that motion direction under noise can be clearly discriminated by HS cells and that this discrimination performance was quantitatively similar to that of OMR. Furthermore, we successfully reproduced HS cell activity in response to noisy motion stimuli with a local motion detector model including a spatial filter and threshold function. This study provides evidence for the physiological basis of noise-robust behavior in a tiny insect brain.
Prognostic value of meta-signature miRNAs in renal cell carcinoma: an integrated miRNA expression profiling analysis
Authors: Tang Kun , Xu Hua 
Published: May 2015

AbstractTo identify a robust panel of microRNA (miRNA) signatures that can distinguish renal cell carcinoma (RCC) from normal kidney using miRNA expression levels. We performed a comprehensive meta-analysis of 29 published studies that compared the miRNA expression profiles of RCC tissues and adjacent normal tissues (NT) to determine candidate miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers for RCC. Using vote-counting strategy and robust rank aggregation method, we identified a statistically significant miRNA meta-signature of two upregulated (miR-21, miR-210) and three downregulated (miR-141, miR-200c and miR-429) miRNAs. X-tile plot was used to generate the optimum cut-off point for the 15 different deregulated miRNAs and Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate CSS. In a cohort of 45 patients, the high expression of miR-21 (HR: 5.46, 95%CI: 2.02-53.39) and miR-210 (HR: 6.85, 95%CI: 2.13-43.36), the low expression of miR-141 (HR: 0.16, 95%CI: 0.004-0.18), miR-200c (HR: 0.08, 95%CI: 0.01-0.43) and miR-429 (HR: 0.18, 95%CI: 0.02-0.50) were associated with poor cancer-specific survival (CSS) following RCC resection. We also constructed a five-miRNAs-based classifier as a reliable prognostic and predictive tool for CSS in patients with RCC, especially in clear cell RCC (ccRCC) (HR: 5.46, 95% CI: 1.51-19.66). This method might facilitate patient counselling and individualise management of RCC.
Multivalent Aptamer/Gold Nanoparticle–Modified Graphene Oxide for Mass Spectrometry–Based Tumor Tissue Imaging
Authors: Huang Rong-Cing , Chiu Wei-Jane , Po-Jung Lai Irving , Huang Chih-Ching 
Published: May 2015

AbstractThe protein mucin1 (MUC1) is an attractive target for cancer biomarkers because it is overexpressed in most adenocarcinomas. In this study, we exploited a MUC1-binding aptamer (AptMUC1) as a targeting agent for nanoparticle-based imaging systems coupled with laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS). We found that AptMUC1-conjugated gold nanoparticles immobilized, through hydrophobic and π–π interactions, on graphene oxide (AptMUC1–Au NPs/GO) bound effectively to MUC1 units on tumor cell membranes. The ultrahigh density and high flexibility of AptMUC1 on the GO surface enhanced the platform’s cooperative and multivalent binding affinity for MUC1 on cell membranes. After we had labeled MUC1-overexpressing MCF-7 cells (human breast adenocarcinoma cell line) with AptMUC1–Au NPs/GO, we used LDI-MS to monitor Au cluster ions ([Aun]+; n = 1–3), resulting in the detection of as few as 100 MCF-7 cells. We also employed this AptMUC1–Au NPs/GO–LDI-MS system to analyze four different MUC1 expression cell lines. In addition, the AptMUC1–Au NPs/GO platform could be used further as a labeling agent for tumor tissue imaging when coupled with LDI-MS. Thus, Apt–Au NPs/GO can function as a highly amplified signal transducer through the formation of large Au clusters ions during LDI-MS analysis.
Achieving high energy absorption capacity in cellular bulk metallic glasses
Authors: Chen S. H. , Chan K. C. , Wu F. F. , Xia L. 
Published: May 2015

AbstractCellular bulk metallic glasses (BMGs) have exhibited excellent energy-absorption performance by inheriting superior strength from the parent BMGs. However, how to achieve high energy absorption capacity in cellular BMGs is vital but mysterious. In this work, using step-by-step observations of the deformation evolution of a series of cellular BMGs, the underlying mechanisms for the remarkable energy absorption capacity have been investigated by studying two influencing key factors: the peak stress and the decay of the peak stress during the plastic-flow plateau stages. An analytical model of the peak stress has been proposed and the predicted results agree well with the experimental data. The decay of the peak stress has been attributed to the geometry change of the macroscopic cells, the formation of shear bands in the middle of the struts and the “work-softening” nature of BMGs. The influencing factors such as the effect of the strut thickness and the number of unit cells have also been investigated and discussed. Strategies for achieving higher energy absorption capacity in cellular BMGs have been proposed.
Influence of three-dimensional nanoparticle branching on the Young’s modulus of nanocomposites: Effect of interface orientation
Authors: Raja Shilpa N. , Olson Andrew C. K. , Limaye Aditya , Thorkelsson Kari , Luong Andrew , Lin Liwei , Ritchie Robert O. , Xu Ting , Alivisatos A. Paul 
Published: May 2015

Significance
Currently, the effect of branching of nanoparticles tens of nanometers in size on the mechanical properties of structural composites is not well understood due to the limited availability of branched nanoscale fillers. We report that branched nanofillers have the potential for optimization of nanocomposite Young’s modulus over their linear counterparts. Lattice spring model simulations reveal that the mechanism for this improvement involves the ability of branched nanoparticles to optimize the ratio of both filler and stiff interfacial bonds aligned with the tensile axis, as opposed to linear nanoparticles, which optimize only the filler bond orientation when parallel to the stretching axis. We believe this information could inform the design of nanocomposites with optimized mechanical properties for a variety of structural applications.