bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Common pulmonary vein atresia: report of three cases and review of the literature
Authors: Perez Michael , Kumar T. K. Susheel , Briceno-Medina Mario , Alsheikh-Ali Mohammed , Sathanandam Shyam , Knott-Craig Christopher J. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCommon pulmonary vein atresia is a rare and usually fatal congenital anomaly, in which the pulmonary veins come together to form a confluence that does not connect to the left atrium. We report our experience with three cases of common pulmonary vein atresia and review the literature on this anomaly. The diagnosis of common pulmonary vein atresia must be entertained in any newborn that presents with cyanosis, refractory acidosis, and decreased systemic perfusion within the first 48 hours of life. Echocardiography is a useful screening tool, but cardiac catheterisation is the preferred diagnostic tool. Common pulmonary vein atresia can be fatal without surgical intervention, but survival after surgery continues to be poor.
The Value of International Law in Combating Transnational Organized Crime in the Asia-Pacific
Authors: OBOKATA Tom 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThis paper explores the value of international law in combating transnational organized crime in the Asia-Pacific, with particular reference to the United Nations Convention against Transnational Organized Crime. It begins by highlighting the definitions of organized crime under national and international law. It then analyzes the extent to which states in the Asia-Pacific have implemented the Convention, focusing on harmonization of national criminal laws and procedures, mutual recognition of law enforcement decisions and measures, as well as provision of technical assistance. The paper also touches upon the protection of the human rights of victims and perpetrators of organized crime. The main conclusion reached is that, although the implementation of international instruments pertinent to transnational organized crime has not been an easy task in the Asia-Pacific, they are slowly but surely making a difference on the ground. Therefore, their value should not be dismissed completely.
NBR1 is dispensable for PARK2-mediated mitophagy regardless of the presence or absence of SQSTM1
Authors: Shi J , Fung G , Deng H , Zhang J , Fiesel F C , Springer W , Li X , Luo H 
Published: October 2015

AbstractDegradation of malfunctional mitochondria by mitophagy is a pivotal component of mitochondrial quality control to maintain cellular homeostasis. Mitochondrial clearance through the PINK1/PARK2 pathway is mediated by autophagic adaptor proteins. Previous studies revealed a significant involvement, but not an absolute requirement for SQSTM1 in PARK2-dependent mitophagy, suggesting that the existence of redundant adaptor proteins may compensate for the loss of SQSTM1. Here we investigated whether NBR1, a functional homolog of SQSTM1, has a role in PARK2-mediated mitophagy, either alone or as a compensatory mechanism. We showed that NBR1 does not appear to be required for mitochondrial clustering following mitochondrial depolarization. Moreover, we demonstrated that deletion of NBR1 alone or in combination with SQSTM1 does not prevent the degradation of damaged mitochondria. Our data suggest that NBR1 is dispensable for PARK2-dependent mitophagy and additional autophagic adaptor proteins, other than NBR1, are responsible for mitochondrial degradation in cells depleted of SQSTM1.
POH1 deubiquitylates and stabilizes E2F1 to promote tumour formation
Authors: Wang Boshi , Ma Aihui , Zhang Li , Jin Wei-Lin , Qian Yu , Xu Guiqin , Qiu Bijun , Yang Zhaojuan , Liu Yun , Xia Qiang , Liu Yongzhong 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHyperactivation of the transcriptional factor E2F1 occurs frequently in human cancers and contributes to malignant progression. E2F1 activity is regulated by proteolysis mediated by the ubiquitin–proteasome system. However, the deubiquitylase that controls E2F1 ubiquitylation and stability remains undefined. Here we demonstrate that the deubiquitylase POH1 stabilizes E2F1 protein through binding to and deubiquitylating E2F1. Conditional knockout ofPoh1alleles results in reduced E2F1 expression in primary mouse liver cells. The POH1-mediated regulation of E2F1 expression strengthens E2F1-downstream prosurvival signals, including upregulation of Survivin and FOXM1 protein levels, and efficiently facilitates tumour growth of liver cancer cells in nude mice. Importantly, human hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) recapitulate POH1 regulation of E2F1 expression, as nuclear abundance of POH1 is increased in HCCs and correlates with E2F1 overexpression and tumour growth. Thus, our study suggests that the hyperactivated POH1–E2F1 regulation may contribute to the development of liver cancer.
Genetic analysis of Indian tasar silkmoth (Antheraea mylitta) populations
Authors: Chakraborty Saikat , Muthulakshmi M , Vardhini Deena , Jayaprakash P , Nagaraju J , Arunkumar K. P. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractIndian tasar silkmoth, Antheraea mylitta is an economically important wild silkmoth species distributed across India. A number of morphologically and ethologically well-defined ecotypes are known for this species that differ in their primary food plant specificity. Most of these ecotypes do not interbreed in nature, but are able to produce offspring under captive conditions. Microsatellite markers were developed for A. mylitta and out of these, ten well-behaved microsatellite loci were used to analyze the population structure of different ecoraces. A total of 154 individual moths belonging to eight different ecoraces, were screened at each locus. Hierarchical analysis of population structure using Analysis of MOlecular VAriance (AMOVA) revealed significant structuring (FST = 0.154) and considerable inbreeding (FIS = 0.505). A significant isolation by distance was also observed. The number of possible population clusters was investigated using distance method, Bayesian algorithm and self organization maps (SOM). The first two methods revealed two distinct clusters, whereas the SOM showed the different ecoraces not to be clearly differentiated. These results suggest that although there is a large degree of phenotypic variation among the different ecoraces of A. mylitta, genetically they are not very different and the phenotypic differences may largely be a result of their respective ecology.
High efficacy vasopermeability drug candidates identified by screening in an ex ovo chorioallantoic membrane model
Authors: Pink Desmond , Luhrs Keith A. , Zhou Longen , Schulte Wendy , Chase Jennifer , Frosch Christian , Haberl Udo , Nguyen Van , Roy Aparna I. , Lewis John D. , Zijlstra Andries , Parseghian Missag H. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe use of rodent models to evaluate efficacy during testing is accompanied by significant economic and regulatory hurdles which compound the costs of screening for promising drug candidates. Vasopermeation Enhancement Agents (VEAs) are a new class of biologics that are designed to increase the uptake of cancer therapeutics at the tumor site by modifying vascular permeability in the tumor to increase the therapeutic index of co-administered drugs. To evaluate the efficacy of a panel of VEA clinical candidates, we compared the rodent Miles assay to an equivalent assay in the ex ovo chicken embryo model. Both model systems identified the same candidate (PVL 10) as the most active promoter of vasopermeation in non-tumor tissues. An ex ovo chicken embryo system was utilized to test each candidate VEA in two human tumor models at a range of concentrations. Vasopermeation activity due to VEA was dependent on tumor type, with HEp3 tumors displaying higher levels of vasopermeation than MDA-MB-435. One candidate (PVL 10) proved optimal for HEp3 tumors and another (PVL 2) for MDA-MB-435. The use of the ex ovo chicken embryo model provides a rapid and less costly alternative to the use of rodent models for preclinical screening of drug candidates.
Genome-wide analysis correlates Ayurveda Prakriti
Authors: Govindaraj Periyasamy , Nizamuddin Sheikh , Sharath Anugula , Jyothi Vuskamalla , Rotti Harish , Raval Ritu , Nayak Jayakrishna , Bhat Balakrishna K. , Prasanna B. V. , Shintre Pooja , Sule Mayura , Joshi Kalpana S. , Dedge Amrish P. , Bharadwaj Ramachandra , Gangadharan G. G. , Nair Sreekumaran , Gopinath Puthiya M. , Patwardhan Bhushan , Kondaiah Paturu , Satyamoorthy Kapaettu , Valiathan Marthanda Varma Sankaran , Thangaraj Kumarasamy 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe practice ofAyurveda, the traditional medicine of India, is based on the concept of three major constitutional types (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) defined as “Prakriti”. To the best of our knowledge, no study has convincingly correlated genomic variations with the classification ofPrakriti.In the present study, we performed genome-wide SNP (single nucleotide polymorphism) analysis (Affymetrix, 6.0) of 262 well-classified male individuals (after screening 3416 subjects) belonging to threePrakritis.We found 52 SNPs (p ≤ 1 × 10−5) were significantly different betweenPrakritis, without any confounding effect of stratification, after 106permutations. Principal component analysis (PCA) of these SNPs classified 262 individuals into their respective groups (Vata, Pitta and Kapha) irrespective of their ancestry, which represent its power in categorization. We further validated our finding with 297 Indian population samples with known ancestry. Subsequently, we found thatPGM1correlates with phenotype of Pitta as described in the ancient text of Caraka Samhita, suggesting that the phenotypic classification of India’s traditional medicine has a genetic basis; and itsPrakriti-based practice in vogue for many centuries resonates with personalized medicine.
Fractional Solitons in Excitonic Josephson Junctions
Authors: Hsu Ya-Fen , Su Jung-Jung 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe Josephson effect is especially appealing to physicists because it reveals macroscopically the quantum order and phase. In excitonic bilayers the effect is even subtler due to the counterflow of supercurrent as well as the tunneling between layers (interlayer tunneling). Here we study, in a quantum Hall bilayer, the excitonic Josephson junction: a conjunct of two exciton condensates with a relative phase ϕ0 applied. The system is mapped into a pseudospin ferromagnet then described numerically by the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation. In the presence of interlayer tunneling, we identify a family of fractional sine-Gordon solitons which resemble the static fractional Josephson vortices in the extended superconducting Josephson junctions. Each fractional soliton carries a topological charge Q that is not necessarily a half/full integer but can vary continuously. The calculated current-phase relation (CPR) shows that solitons with Q = ϕ0/2π is the lowest energy state starting from zero ϕ0 – until ϕ0 > π – then the alternative group of solitons with Q = ϕ0/2π − 1 takes place and switches the polarity of CPR.
NMR characterization of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase binding to various non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors with different activities
Authors: Thammaporn Ratsupa , Yagi-Utsumi Maho , Yamaguchi Takumi , Boonsri Pornthip , Saparpakorn Patchreenart , Choowongkomon Kiattawee , Techasakul Supanna , Kato Koichi , Hannongbua Supa 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus type 1 reverse transcriptase (HIV-1 RT) is an important target for antiviral therapy against acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. However, the efficiency of available drugs is impaired most typically by drug-resistance mutations in this enzyme. In this study, we applied a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopic technique to the characterization of the binding of HIV-1 RT to various non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) with different activities, i.e., nevirapine, delavirdine, efavirenz, dapivirine, etravirine and rilpivirine. 1H-13C heteronuclear single-quantum coherence (HSQC) spectral data of HIV-1 RT, in which the methionine methyl groups of the p66 subunit were selectively labeled with 13C, were collected in the presence and absence of these NNRTIs. We found that the methyl 13C chemical shifts of the M230 resonance of HIV-1 RT bound to these drugs exhibited a high correlation with their anti-HIV-1 RT activities. This methionine residue is located in proximity to the NNRTI-binding pocket but not directly involved in drug interactions and serves as a conformational probe, indicating that the open conformation of HIV-1 RT was more populated with NNRTIs with higher inhibitory activities. Thus, the NMR approach offers a useful tool to screen for novel NNRTIs in developing anti-HIV drugs.
Differential temporal changes of primary and secondary bacterial symbionts and whitefly host fitness following antibiotic treatments
Authors: Zhang Chang-Rong , Shan Hong-Wei , Xiao Na , Zhang Fan-Di , Wang Xiao-Wei , Liu Yin-Quan , Liu Shu-Sheng 
Published: October 2015

AbstractWhere multiple symbionts coexist in the same host, the selective elimination of a specific symbiont may enable the roles of a given symbiont to be investigated. We treated the Mediterranean species of the whitefly Bemisia tabaci complex by oral delivery of the antibiotic rifampicin and then examined the temporal changes of its primary symbiont “Candidatus Portiera aleyrodidarum” and secondary symbiont “Ca. Hamiltonella defensa” as well as host fitness for three generations. In adults treated with rifampicin (F0), the secondary symbiont was rapidly reduced, approaching complete disappearance as adults aged. In contrast, the primary symbiont was little affected until later in the adult life. In the offspring of these adults (F1), both symbionts were significantly reduced and barely detectable when the hosts reached the adult stage. The F1 adults laid few eggs (F2), all of which failed to hatch. Mating experiments illustrated that the negative effects of rifampicin on host fitness were exerted via female hosts but not males. This study provides the first evidence of differential temporal reductions of primary and secondary symbionts in whiteflies following an antibiotic treatment. Studies that disrupt functions of bacterial symbionts must consider their temporal changes.
Electrical stimulation of non-classical photon emission from diamond color centers by means of sub-superficial graphitic electrodes
Authors: Forneris Jacopo , Traina Paolo , Monticone Daniele Gatto , Amato Giampiero , Boarino Luca , Brida Giorgio , Degiovanni Ivo P. , Enrico Emanuele , Moreva Ekaterina , Grilj Veljko , Skukan Natko , Jakšić Milko , Genovese Marco , Olivero Paolo 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFocused MeV ion beams with micrometric resolution are suitable tools for the direct writing of conductive graphitic channels buried in an insulating diamond bulk, as already demonstrated for different device applications. In this work we apply this fabrication method to the electrical excitation of color centers in diamond, demonstrating the potential of electrical stimulation in diamond-based single-photon sources. Differently from optically-stimulated light emission from color centers in diamond, electroluminescence (EL) requires a high current flowing in the diamond subgap states between the electrodes. With this purpose, buried graphitic electrode pairs, 10 μm spaced, were fabricated in the bulk of a single-crystal diamond sample using a 6 MeV C microbeam. The electrical characterization of the structure showed a significant current injection above an effective voltage threshold of 150 V, which enabled the stimulation of a stable EL emission. The EL imaging allowed to identify the electroluminescent regions and the residual vacancy distribution associated with the fabrication technique. Measurements evidenced isolated electroluminescent spots where non-classical light emission in the 560–700 nm spectral range was observed. The spectral and auto-correlation features of the EL emission were investigated to qualify the non-classical properties of the color centers.
Doxycycline hinders phenylalanine fibril assemblies revealing a potential novel therapeutic approach in phenylketonuria
Authors: De Luigi Ada , Mariani Alessandro , De Paola Massimiliano , Re Depaolini Andrea , Colombo Laura , Russo Luca , Rondelli Valeria , Brocca Paola , Adler-Abramovich Lihi , Gazit Ehud , Del Favero Elena , Cantù Laura , Salmona Mario 
Published: October 2015

AbstractA new paradigm for the aetiopathology of phenylketonuria suggests the presence of amyloid-like assemblies in the brains of transgenic mouse models and patients with phenylketonuria, possibly shedding light on the selective cognitive deficit associated with this disease. Paralleling the amyloidogenic route that identifies different stages of peptide aggregation, corresponding to different levels of toxicity, we experimentally address for the first time, the physico-chemical properties of phenylalanine aggregates via Small Angle, Wide Angle X-ray Scattering and Atomic Force Microscopy. Results are consistent with the presence of well-structured, aligned fibres generated by milliMolar concentrations of phenylalanine. Moreover, the amyloid-modulating doxycycline agent affects the local structure of phenylalanine aggregates, preventing the formation of well-ordered crystalline structures. Phenylalanine assemblies prove toxic in vitro to immortalized cell lines and primary neuronal cells. Furthermore, these assemblies also cause dendritic sprouting alterations and synaptic protein impairment in neurons. Doxycycline counteracts these toxic effects, suggesting an approach for the development of future innovative non-dietary preventive therapies.
LFP-guided targeting of a cortical barrel column for in vivo two-photon calcium imaging
Authors: Lee Joon-Hyuk , Shin Hee-Sup , Lee Kwang-Hyung , Chung Sooyoung 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTwo-photon microscopy of bulk-loaded functional dyes is an outstanding physiological technique that enables simultaneous functional mapping of hundreds of brain cells in vivo at single-cell resolution. However, precise targeting of a specific cortical location is not easy due to its fine dimensionality. To enable precise targeting, intrinsic-signal optical imaging is often additionally performed. However, the intrinsic-signal optical imaging is not only time-consuming but also ineffective in ensuring precision. Here, we propose an alternative method for precise targeting based on local field potential (LFP) recording, a conventional electrophysiological method. The heart of this method lies in use of the same glass pipette to record LFPs and to eject calcium dye. After confirming the target area by LFP using a glass pipette, the calcium dye is ejected from the same pipette without a time delay or spatial adjustment. As a result, the calcium dye is loaded into the same ensemble of brain cells from which the LFP was obtained. As a validation of the proposed LFP-based method, we targeted and successfully loaded calcium dye into layer 2/3 of a mouse barrel column.
Printing Highly Controlled Suspended Carbon Nanotube Network on Micro-patterned Superhydrophobic Flexible Surface
Authors: Li Bo , Wang Xin , Jung Hyun Young , Kim Young Lae , Robinson Jeremy T. , Zalalutdinov Maxim , Hong Sanghyun , Hao Ji , Ajayan Pulickel M. , Wan Kai-Tak , Jung Yung Joon 
Published: October 2015

AbstractSuspended single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) offer unique functionalities for electronic and electromechanical systems. Due to their outstanding flexible nature, suspended SWCNT architectures have great potential for integration into flexible electronic systems. However, current techniques for integrating SWCNT architectures with flexible substrates are largely absent, especially in a manner that is both scalable and well controlled. Here, we present a new nanostructured transfer paradigm to print scalable and well-defined suspended nano/microscale SWCNT networks on 3D patterned flexible substrates with micro- to nanoscale precision. The underlying printing/transfer mechanism, as well as the mechanical, electromechanical and mechanical resonance properties of the suspended SWCNTs are characterized, including identifying metrics relevant for reliable and sensitive device structures. Our approach represents a fast, scalable and general method for building suspended nano/micro SWCNT architectures suitable for flexible sensing and actuation systems.
Crystal structure of Mycobacterium tuberculosis O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase protein clusters assembled on to damaged DNA
Authors: Miggiano Riccardo , Perugino Giuseppe , Ciaramella Maria , Serpe Mario , Rejman Dominik , Páv Ondřej , Pohl Radek , Garavaglia Silvia , Lahiri Samarpita , Rizzi Menico , Rossi Franca 
Published: October 2015

Mycobacterium tuberculosis O 6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MtOGT) contributes to protect the bacterial GC-rich genome against the pro-mutagenic potential of O6-methylated guanine in DNA. Several strains of M. tuberculosis found worldwide encode a point-mutated O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (OGT) variant (MtOGT-R37L), which displays an arginine-to-leucine substitution at position 37 of the poorly functionally characterized N-terminal domain of the protein. Although the impact of this mutation on the MtOGT activity has not yet been proved in vivo, we previously demonstrated that a recombinant MtOGT-R37L variant performs a suboptimal alkylated-DNA repair in vitro, suggesting a direct role for the Arg37-bearing region in catalysis. The crystal structure of MtOGT complexed with modified DNA solved in the present study reveals details of the protein–protein and protein–DNA interactions occurring during alkylated-DNA binding, and the protein capability also to host unmodified bases inside the active site, in a fully extrahelical conformation. Our data provide the first experimental picture at the atomic level of a possible mode of assembling three adjacent MtOGT monomers on the same monoalkylated dsDNA molecule, and disclose the conformational flexibility of discrete regions of MtOGT, including the Arg37-bearing random coil. This peculiar structural plasticity of MtOGT could be instrumental to proper protein clustering at damaged DNA sites, as well as to protein–DNA complexes disassembling on repair.
Photonic‐assisted microwave amplification using four‐wave mixing
Authors: Cerqueira Sodré Arismar , Cañas‐Estrada Natalia , Noque Dionisio F. , Borges Ramon M. , Melo Suzanne A.S. , González Neil G. , Oliveira Julio C.R.F. 
Published: October 2015

This work reports the development of a high‐gain and wideband photonic‐assisted amplified radio over fibre (RoF) system based on the non‐linear effect four‐wave mixing (FWM). The microwave gain is defined as the difference between the electrical power photodetected using a FWM product and that from the conventional RoF system at the same optical power level. Numerical simulations and experimental results prove that microwave gain strongly depends on the system parameters, such as wavelength separation between pump sources, state of polarisation, radio frequency modulation frequency and DC bias voltage of optical modulator. Microwave amplification from 4 to 19 GHz, electrical signal‐to‐noise ratio higher than 51 dB and gain up to 26 dB at 17 GHz are demonstrated. Moreover, an optical‐wireless network based on the photonic‐assisted microwave application is proposed, with the purpose of illustrating its applicability.