bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
On/off-switchable anti-neoplastic nanoarchitecture
Authors: Patra Hirak K. , Imani Roghayeh , Jangamreddy Jaganmohan R. , Pazoki Meysam , Iglič Aleš , Turner Anthony P. F. , Tiwari Ashutosh 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThroughout the world, there are increasing demands for alternate approaches to advanced cancer therapeutics. Numerous potentially chemotherapeutic compounds are developed every year for clinical trial and some of them are considered as potential drug candidates. Nanotechnology-based approaches have accelerated the discovery process, but the key challenge still remains to develop therapeutically viable and physiologically safe materials suitable for cancer therapy. Here, we report a high turnover, on/off-switchable functionally popping reactive oxygen species (ROS) generator using a smart mesoporous titanium dioxide popcorn (TiO2 Pops) nanoarchitecture. The resulting TiO2 Pops, unlike TiO2 nanoparticles (TiO2 NPs), are exceptionally biocompatible with normal cells. Under identical conditions, TiO2 Pops show very high photocatalytic activity compared to TiO2 NPs. Upon on/off-switchable photo activation, the TiO2 Pops can trigger the generation of high-turnover flash ROS and can deliver their potential anticancer effect by enhancing the intracellular ROS level until it crosses the threshold to open the ‘death gate’, thus reducing the survival of cancer cells by at least six times in comparison with TiO2 NPs without affecting the normal cells.
Hydrometallurgical Recovery of Metals from Large Printed Circuit Board Pieces
Authors: Jadhav U. , Hocheng H. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe recovery of precious metals from waste printed circuit boards (PCBs) is an effective recycling process. This paper presents a promising hydrometallurgical process to recover precious metals from waste PCBs. To simplify the metal leaching process, large pieces of PCBs were used instead of a pulverized sample. The chemical coating present on the PCBs was removed by sodium hydroxide (NaOH) treatment prior to the hydrometallurgical treatment. Among the leaching reagents examined, hydrochloric acid (HCl) showed great potential for the recovery of metals. The HCl-mediated leaching of waste PCBs was investigated over a range of conditions. Increasing the acid concentration decreased the time required for complete metal recovery. The shaking speed showed a pronounced positive effect on metal recovery, but the temperature showed an insignificant effect. The results showed that 1 M HCl recovered all of the metals from 4 cm × 4 cm PCBs at room temperature and 150 rpm shaking speed in 22 h.
Melanin production through novel processing of proopiomelanocortin in the extracellular compartment of the auricular skin of C57BL/6 mice after UV-irradiation
Authors: Yamamoto Hiroyuki , Yamane Tomohiro , Iguchi Kazuaki , Tanaka Kiyotaka , Iddamalgoda Arunasiri , Unno Keiko , Hoshino Minoru , Takeda Atsushi 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe production of melanin is regulated by α-melanocyte-stimulating hormone (α-MSH), which is produced from proopiomelanocortin (POMC). Keratinocytes release POMC along with lower levels of α-MSH and ACTH. To clarify the mechanism of melanogenesis after ultraviolet (UV)-irradiation, this study focused on the expression of POMC and POMC-derived peptides after UV-irradiation. Western blot analysis and immunoassays indicated that both POMC and α-MSH-like immunoreactivity (α-MSH-LI) increased after UV-irradiation. However, other POMC-derived products were very low. In hypophysectomized mice, α-MSH-LI increased to the same level as in control mice after UV-irradiation. Structural analysis revealed that the major α-MSH-LI product was ACTH(1–8). Furthermore, ACTH(1–8) competed with [125I]-α-MSH for receptor binding and increased melanin production via a melanocortin-1 receptor. These results suggested that melanin was produced through ACTH(1–8) after UV-irradiation. Trypsin-like enzymatic activity, which is responsible for POMC activation, increased after UV-irradiation and was identified as tryptase. In mast cell-deficient mice, which do not produce tryptase, α-MSH-LI levels were unchanged after UV-irradiation. The present study demonstrates the production of ACTH(1–8) from POMC by tryptase, which is a novel peptide-processing mechanism in the extracellular compartment of the skin.
Dairy products consumption and metabolic syndrome in adults: systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies
Authors: Chen Guo-Chong , Szeto Ignatius M. Y. , Chen Li-Hua , Han Shu-Fen , Li Yan-Jie , van Hekezen Rina , Qin Li-Qiang 
Published: September 2015

AbstractThe association of dairy products consumption with risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) has been inconsistently reported in observational studies. A systematic review and meta-analysis of published observational studies was conducted to quantitatively evaluate this association. Relevant studies were identified by searching PubMed and EMBASE databases and by carefully checking the bibliographies of retrieved full reports and related reviews. Eligible studies were observational studies that investigated the association between dairy products consumption and risk of MetS in adults, with risk estimates available. Random-effects model was assigned to calculate the summary risk estimates. The final analysis included 15 cross-sectional studies, one case-control study and seven prospective cohort studies. Higher dairy consumption significantly reduced MetS by 17% in the cross-sectional/case-control studies (odds ratio = 0.83, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.73–0.94) and by 14% (relative risk [RR] = 0.86, 95% CI, 0.79–0.92) in cohort studies. The inverse dairy-MetS association was consistent in subgroup and sensitivity analyses. The dose-response analysis of the cohort studies conferred a significant 6% (RR = 0.94, 95% CI, 0.90–0.98) reduction in the risk of MetS for each increment in dairy consumption of one serving/d. No significant publication bias was observed. Our findings suggest an inverse dose-response relationship between dairy consumption and risk of MetS.
Flower-like supramolecular self-assembly of phosphonic acid appended naphthalene diimide and melamine
Authors: Bhosale Rajesh S , Al Kobaisi Mohammad , Bhosale Sidhanath V. , Bhargava Suresh , Bhosale Sheshanath V. 
Published: September 2015

AbstractDiverse supramolecular assemblies ranging from nanometres to micrometers of small aromatic π-conjugated functional molecules have attracted enormous research interest in light of their applications in optoelectronics, chemosensors, nanotechnology, biotechnology and biomedicines. Here we study the mechanism of the formation of a flower-shaped supramolecular structure of phosphonic acid appended naphthalene diimide with melamine. The flower-shaped assembly formation was visualised by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, furthermore, XRD and DLS used to determined mode of aggregation. Characteristically, phosphonic acid-substituted at imide position of NDIs possess two important properties resulting in the formation of controlled flower-like nanostructures: (i) the aromatic core of the NDI which is designed to optimize the dispersive interactions (π-π stacking and van der Waals interactions) between the cores within a construct and (ii) phosphonic acid of NDI interact with malamine through molecular recognition i.e. strong hydrogen-bonding (H-bonding). We believe such arrangements prevent crystallization and favour the directional growth of flower-like nanostructure in 3D fashion. These works demonstrate that complex self-assembly can indeed be attained through hierarchical non-covalent interactions of two components. Furthermore, flower-like structures built from molecular recognition by these molecules indicate their potential in other fields if combined with other chemical entities.
Fast probe of local electronic states in nanostructures utilizing a single-lead quantum dot
Authors: Otsuka Tomohiro , Amaha Shinichi , Nakajima Takashi , Delbecq Matthieu R. , Yoneda Jun , Takeda Kenta , Sugawara Retsu , Allison Giles , Ludwig Arne , Wieck Andreas D. , Tarucha Seigo 
Published: September 2015

AbstractTransport measurements are powerful tools to probe electronic properties of solid-state materials. To access properties of local electronic states in nanostructures, such as local density of states, electronic distribution and so on, micro-probes utilizing artificial nanostructures have been invented to perform measurements in addition to those with conventional macroscopic electronic reservoirs. Here we demonstrate a new kind of micro-probe: a fast single-lead quantum dot probe, which utilizes a quantum dot coupled only to the target structure through a tunneling barrier and fast charge readout by RF reflectometry. The probe can directly access the local electronic states with wide bandwidth. The probe can also access more electronic states, not just those around the Fermi level and the operations are robust against bias voltages and temperatures.
Leptin levels are reduced by intravenous ghrelin administration and correlated with cue-induced alcohol craving
Authors: Haass-Koffler C L , Aoun E G , Swift R M , de la Monte S M , Kenna G A , Leggio L 
Published: September 2015

AbstractIncreasing evidence supports the role of appetite-regulating pathways, including ghrelin and leptin, in alcoholism. This study tested the hypothesis that intravenous exogenous ghrelin administration acutely decreases endogenous serum leptin levels, and that changes in leptin levels negatively correlate with alcohol craving. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled human laboratory study. Non-treatment-seeking, alcohol-dependent, heavy drinkers (n=45) were randomized to receive intravenous ghrelin or placebo, followed by a cue-reactivity procedure, during which participants were exposed to neutral (juice) and alcohol trial cues. There was a main effect for intravenous ghrelin administration, compared with placebo, in reducing serum leptin levels (P<0.01). Post hoc analysis showed significant differences in serum leptin levels at the alcohol trial (P<0.05) that persisted at the end of the experiment (P<0.05). By contrast, there were no significant differences in serum leptin levels at the juice trial (P=not significant (NS)). The change of serum leptin level at the alcohol trial correlated with the increase in alcohol urge (P<0.05), whereas urge to drink juice was not correlated with the leptin change at the juice trial (P=NS). These findings provide preliminary evidence of ghrelin–leptin cross-talk in alcoholic individuals and suggest that their relationship may have a role in alcohol craving.
Children with autism spectrum disorders, who improved with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation, show reduced serum levels of TNF and IL-6
Authors: Tsilioni I , Taliou A , Francis K , Theoharides T C 
Published: September 2015

AbstractAutism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have been associated with brain inflammation as indicated by microglia activation, as well as brain expression and increased plasma levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF). Here we report that serum levels of IL-6 and TNF were elevated (61.95±94.76 pg ml−1 and 313.8±444.3 pg ml−1, respectively) in the same cohort of patients with elevated serum levels of corticotropin-releasing hormone (CRH) and neurotensin (NT), while IL-9, IL-31 and IL-33 were not different from controls. The elevated CRH and NT levels did not change after treatment with a luteolin-containing dietary formulation. However, the mean serum IL-6 and TNF levels decreased significantly (P=0.036 and P=0.015, respectively) at the end of the treatment period (26 weeks) as compared with levels at the beginning; these decreases were strongly associated with children whose behavior improved the most after luteolin formulation treatment. Our results indicate that there are distinct subgroups of children within the ASDs that may be identifiable through serum levels of IL-6 and TNF and that these cytokines may constitute distinct prognostic markers for at least the beneficial effect of luteolin formulation.
A new level of regulation in gluconeogenesis: metabolic state modulates the intracellular localization of aldolase B and its interaction with liver fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase
Authors: Droppelmann Cristian A. , Sáez Doris E. , Asenjo Joel L. , Yáñez Alejandro J. , García-Rocha Mar , Concha Ilona I. , Grez Manuel , Guinovart Joan J. , Slebe Juan C. 
Published: September 2015

Understanding how glucose metabolism is finely regulated at molecular and cellular levels in the liver is critical for knowing its relationship to related pathologies, such as diabetes. In order to gain insight into the regulation of glucose metabolism, we studied the liver-expressed isoforms aldolase B and fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase-1 (FBPase-1), key enzymes in gluconeogenesis, analysing their cellular localization in hepatocytes under different metabolic conditions and their protein–protein interaction in vitro and in vivo. We observed that glucose, insulin, glucagon and adrenaline differentially modulate the intracellular distribution of aldolase B and FBPase-1. Interestingly, the in vitro protein–protein interaction analysis between aldolase B and FBPase-1 showed a specific and regulable interaction between them, whereas aldolase A (muscle isozyme) and FBPase-1 showed no interaction. The affinity of the aldolase B and FBPase-1 complex was modulated by intermediate metabolites, but only in the presence of K+. We observed a decreased association constant in the presence of adenosine monophosphate, fructose-2,6-bisphosphate, fructose-6-phosphate and inhibitory concentrations of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. Conversely, the association constant of the complex increased in the presence of dihydroxyacetone phosphate (DHAP) and non-inhibitory concentrations of fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. Notably, in vivo FRET studies confirmed the interaction between aldolase B and FBPase-1. Also, the co-expression of aldolase B and FBPase-1 in cultured cells suggested that FBPase-1 guides the cellular localization of aldolase B. Our results provide further evidence that metabolic conditions modulate aldolase B and FBPase-1 activity at the cellular level through the regulation of their interaction, suggesting that their association confers a catalytic advantage for both enzymes.
Cadaveric Spinal Surgery Simulation: A Comparison of Cadaver Types
Authors: Tomlinson James E. , Yiasemidou Marina , Watts Anna L. , Roberts Dave J. H. , Timothy Jake 
Published: September 2015

Study Design Single-blinded study. Objective To assess the suitability of three types of cadaver for simulating pedicle screw insertion and establish if there is an ideal. Methods Three types of cadaver—Thiel-embalmed, Crosado-embalmed, and formaldehyde-embalmed—were draped and the spines exposed. Experienced surgeons were asked to place pedicle screws in each cadaver and give written questionnaire feedback using a modified Likert scale. Soft tissue and bony properties were assessed, along with the role of simulation in spinal surgery training. Results The Thiel cadaver rated highest for soft tissue feel and appearance with a median score of 6 for both (range 2 to 7). The Crosado cadaver rated highest for bony feel, with a median score of 6 (range 2 to 7). The formaldehyde cadaver rated lowest for all categories with median scores of 2, 2.5, and 3.5, respectively. All surgeons felt pedicle screw insertion should be learned in a simulated setting using human cadavers. Conclusion Thiel and Crosado cadavers both offered lifelike simulation of pedicle screw insertion, with each having advantages depending on whether the focus is on soft tissue approach or technical aspects of bony screw insertion. Both cadaver types offer the advantage of long life span, unlike fresh frozen tissue, which means cadavers can be used multiple times, thus reducing the costs.
Moderately Degenerated Human Intervertebral Disks Exhibit a Less Geometrically Specific Collagen Fiber Orientation Distribution
Authors: Dittmar Roman , van Rijsbergen Marc M. , Ito Keita 
Published: September 2015

Study Design Collagen fiber orientation analysis in moderately degenerated human cadaveric annulus fibrosus (AF) tissue samples. Objective Little is known about the changes in tissue architecture during early degeneration of intervertebral disks (IVDs). As collagen organization strongly affects the disk function, the objective of this study was to quantify the AF collagen orientation and its spatial distribution in moderately degenerated IVDs (Pfirrmann grade III). Methods AF tissue samples were dissected from four circumferential (anterior, left and right lateral, and posterior) and two radial (outer and inner) locations. Cryosections were imaged using Second Harmonic Generation microscopy, and the collagen fiber orientations per location were determined utilizing a fiber-tracking image analysis algorithm. Also, the proportionality between the fibers aligned in the primary direction versus other oriented fibers was determined. Results Mean collagen fiber angles ranged between 21 and 31 degrees for outer and 15 to 19 degrees for inner AF samples. Mean collagen orientations at circumferential locations were only significantly different from each other at inner anterior and lateral location. Similarly, fiber angles between the outer and inner AF were not significantly different except at the posterior location. Fiber orientation proportionality did not show large variations. Except for a significant difference in outer AF proportionality between posterior and lateral positions, no other differences were observed. Conclusion The results of this study provide the first quantitative evidence that the collagen fiber orientation of moderately degenerated disks exhibits a spatial rather than homogeneous distribution and typical collagen orientation gradients characterizing healthy IVDs are only partially retained.
Patient and Procedural Factors that Influence Anesthetized, Nonoperative Time in Spine Surgery
Authors: Puffer Ross C. , Mallory Grant W. , Burrows Anthony M. , Curry Timothy B. , Clarke Michelle J. 
Published: September 2015

Study Design Retrospective study. Objective Efficient use of operating room time is important, as delays during induction or recovery increase time not spent operating while in the operating room. We identified factors that increase anesthetized, nonoperative time by utilizing a database of over 5,000 consecutive neurosurgical spine cases. Methods Surgical records were searched to identify all spine surgeries performed between January 2010 and July 2012. Anesthetized, nonoperative time was calculated from the anesthesia record and compared with both patient and procedure characteristics to determine any significant relationships Results There were 5,515 surgical cases with a mean age of 60.5 and mean body mass index (BMI) of 29.7; 3,226 (58%) were male subjects. There were 1,176 (21%) fusion cases, and level of pathology was predominantly lumbar (4,010 cases, 73%). Fusion cases had a significantly longer total anesthetized, nonoperative time (fusion: 98 minutes, nonfusion: 76 minutes, mean difference: 22 minutes, p < 0.0001). Significant factors affecting anesthetized, nonoperative time in nonfusion cases include age greater than 65 years (mean difference 5 minutes, p < 0.0001), American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) grade, and BMI (BMI < 25: 72 ± 1.2 minutes, BMI 25 to 29: 74 ± 0.6 minutes, BMI 30 to 39: 79 ± 0.6 minutes, BMI 40 + : 87 ± 1.8 minutes, p < 0.0001). Similarly, for fusion operations, age > 65 years significantly increased nonoperative time (mean difference 6 minutes, p < 0.01), as did increasing ASA (mean difference 9 minutes, p < 0.0001) and increasing BMI. Conclusion Patient and surgical factors, including ASA grade, BMI, level of pathology, and surgical approach, have noticeable effects on anesthetized, nonoperative times in spine surgery.
Administration of thimerosal-containing vaccines to infant rhesus macaques does not result in autism-like behavior or neuropathology
Authors: Gadad Bharathi S. , Li Wenhao , Yazdani Umar , Grady Stephen , Johnson Trevor , Hammond Jacob , Gunn Howard , Curtis Britni , English Chris , Yutuc Vernon , Ferrier Clayton , Sackett Gene P. , Marti C. Nathan , Young Keith , Hewitson Laura , German Dwight C. 
Published: September 2015

SignificanceAutism is a childhood neurodevelopmental disorder affecting approximately 1 in 70 children in the United States. Some parents believe that thimerosal-containing vaccines and/or the measles, mumps, rubella (MMR) vaccine are involved in the etiology of autism. Here we gave nonhuman primate infants similar vaccines given to human infants to determine whether the animals exhibited behavioral and/or neuropathological changes characteristic of autism. No behavioral changes were observed in the vaccinated animals, nor were there neuropathological changes in the cerebellum, hippocampus, or amygdala. This study does not support the hypothesis that thimerosal-containing vaccines and/or the MMR vaccine play a role in the etiology of autism.
Noninvasive brain cancer imaging with a bispecific antibody fragment, generated via click chemistry
Authors: Luo Haiming , Hernandez Reinier , Hong Hao , Graves Stephen A. , Yang Yunan , England Christopher G. , Theuer Charles P. , Nickles Robert J. , Cai Weibo 
Published: September 2015

Significance
Given the success of combination therapies for the treatment of cancer, the use of bispecific antibodies targeting multiple cancerous molecular pathways is an attractive strategy to enhance the efficacy of current therapeutic paradigms. However, parallel development of companion diagnostic tools is essential for patient identification, stratification, and the early assessment of treatment efficacies. Herein, we describe the generation of a bispecific construct for noninvasive PET imaging of glioblastoma via bioorthogonal click chemistry. The excellent tumor-homing properties displayed by our bispecific probe, which features two antibody fragments simultaneously targeting epidermal growth factor receptor and CD105, demonstrated that our approach is a simple and effective method to generate multispecific targeting agents for noninvasive molecular imaging.
New roles for DNA cytosine modification, eRNA, anchors, and superanchors in developing B cell progenitors
Authors: Benner Christopher , Isoda Takeshi , Murre Cornelis 
Published: September 2015

Significance
B cells are destined to produce a wide spectrum of antibodies or immunoglobulins in response to the invading pathogens. Here, we found that the onset of B-cell development was accompanied by large-scale changes in DNA cytosine modifications associated with DNA elements that control gene expression and the folding patterns of genomes. We identify novel DNA elements that function as superanchors and/or superinsulators. A prominent super-anchor is located in the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus where it acts to facilitate the interactions among variable, diversity, and joining DNA segments. We propose that changes in DNA cytosine modifications at regulatory DNA elements orchestrate a B cell-specific transcription signature and genome structure to enable the production of a diverse antibody repertoire.