bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Do Development and Democracy Positively Affect Gender Equality in Cabinets?
Authors: HÖGSTRÖM JOHN 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIt has been argued that economic development and democracy create new opportunities and resources for women to access political power, which should increase gender equality in politics. However, empirical evidence from previous research that supports this argument is mixed. The contribution of this study is to expand the research on gender equality in politics through an in-depth examination of the effect of development and democracy on gender equality in cabinets. This has been completed through separate analyses that include most of the countries in the world across three levels of development (least-developed, developing, and developed) and across different types of political regimes (democracies, royal dictatorships, military dictatorships, and civilian dictatorships). The results demonstrate that economic development and democracy only affect gender equality in cabinets positively in a few environments. Accordingly, the context is important and there seem to be thresholds before development and democracy have any effect. Development has a positive effect in developed countries and in democracies, but it has a negative effect in dictatorships, and the negative effect is strongest in military dictatorships. The level of democracy has a positive effect mainly in dictatorships, and the strongest effect is in civilian dictatorships. The article demonstrates the importance of dividing samples into subsets to increase understanding of what affects women's representation in cabinets in different environments, and I ask scholars to subset samples and run separate analyses more often in comparative studies.
Multicohort analysis of the maternal age effect on recombination
Authors: Martin Hilary C. , Christ Ryan , Hussin Julie G. , O’Connell Jared , Gordon Scott , Mbarek Hamdi , Hottenga Jouke-Jan , McAloney Kerrie , Willemsen Gonnecke , Gasparini Paolo , Pirastu Nicola , Montgomery Grant W. , Navarro Pau , Soranzo Nicole , Toniolo Daniela , Vitart Veronique , Wilson James F. , Marchini Jonathan , Boomsma Dorret I. , Martin Nicholas G. , Donnelly Peter 
Published: August 2015

AbstractSeveral studies have reported that the number of crossovers increases with maternal age in humans, but others have found the opposite. Resolving the true effect has implications for understanding the maternal age effect on aneuploidies. Here, we revisit this question in the largest sample to date using single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-chip data, comprising over 6,000 meioses from nine cohorts. We develop and fit a hierarchical model to allow for differences between cohorts and between mothers. We estimate that over 10 years, the expected number of maternal crossovers increases by 2.1% (95% credible interval (0.98%, 3.3%)). Our results are not consistent with the larger positive and negative effects previously reported in smaller cohorts. We see heterogeneity between cohorts that is likely due to chance effects in smaller samples, or possibly to confounders, emphasizing that care should be taken when interpreting results from any specific cohort about the effect of maternal age on recombination.
Unlocking the energy capabilities of micron-sized LiFePO4
Authors: Guo Limin , Zhang Yelong , Wang Jiawei , Ma Lipo , Ma Shunchao , Zhang Yantao , Wang Erkang , Bi Yujing , Wang Deyu , McKee William C. , Xu Ye , Chen Jitao , Zhang Qinghua , Nan Cewen , Gu Lin , Bruce Peter G. , Peng Zhangquan 
Published: August 2015

AbstractUtilization of LiFePO4 as a cathode material for Li-ion batteries often requires size nanonization coupled with calcination-based carbon coating to improve its electrochemical performance, which, however, is usually at the expense of tap density and may be environmentally problematic. Here we report the utilization of micron-sized LiFePO4, which has a higher tap density than its nano-sized siblings, by forming a conducting polymer coating on its surface with a greener diazonium chemistry. Specifically, micron-sized LiFePO4 particles have been uniformly coated with a thin polyphenylene film via the spontaneous reaction between LiFePO4 and an aromatic diazonium salt of benzenediazonium tetrafluoroborate. The coated micron-sized LiFePO4, compared with its pristine counterpart, has shown improved electrical conductivity, high rate capability and excellent cyclability when used as a ‘carbon additive free’ cathode material for rechargeable Li-ion batteries. The bonding mechanism of polyphenylene to LiFePO4/FePO4 has been understood with density functional theory calculations.
Structure and vascular function of MEKK3–cerebral cavernous malformations 2 complex
Authors: Fisher Oriana S. , Deng Hanqiang , Liu Dou , Zhang Ya , Wei Rong , Deng Yong , Zhang Fan , Louvi Angeliki , Turk Benjamin E. , Boggon Titus J. , Su Bing 
Published: August 2015

AbstractCerebral cavernous malformations 2 (CCM2) loss is associated with the familial form of CCM disease. The protein kinase MEKK3 (MAP3K3) is essential for embryonic angiogenesis in mice and interacts physically with CCM2, but how this interaction is mediated and its relevance to cerebral vasculature are unknown. Here we report that Mekk3 plays an intrinsic role in embryonic vascular development. Inducible endothelial Mekk3 knockout in neonatal mice is lethal due to multiple intracranial haemorrhages and brain blood vessels leakage. We discover direct interaction between CCM2 harmonin homology domain (HHD) and the N terminus of MEKK3, and determine a 2.35 Å cocrystal structure. We find Mekk3 deficiency impairs neurovascular integrity, which is partially dependent on Rho–ROCK signalling, and that disruption of MEKK3:CCM2 interaction leads to similar neurovascular leakage. We conclude that CCM2:MEKK3-mediated regulation of Rho signalling is required for maintenance of neurovascular integrity, unravelling a mechanism by which CCM2 loss leads to disease.
Drosophila germ granules are structured and contain homotypic mRNA clusters
Authors: Trcek Tatjana , Grosch Markus , York Andrew , Shroff Hari , Lionnet Timothée , Lehmann Ruth 
Published: August 2015

AbstractGerm granules, specialized ribonucleoprotein particles, are a hallmark of all germ cells. In Drosophila, an estimated 200 mRNAs are enriched in the germ plasm, and some of these have important, often conserved roles in germ cell formation, specification, survival and migration. How mRNAs are spatially distributed within a germ granule and whether their position defines functional properties is unclear. Here we show, using single-molecule FISH and structured illumination microscopy, a super-resolution approach, that mRNAs are spatially organized within the granule whereas core germ plasm proteins are distributed evenly throughout the granule. Multiple copies of single mRNAs organize into ‘homotypic clusters’ that occupy defined positions within the center or periphery of the granule. This organization, which is maintained during embryogenesis and independent of the translational or degradation activity of mRNAs, reveals new regulatory mechanisms for germ plasm mRNAs that may be applicable to other mRNA granules.
RNA-seq reveals the critical role of OtpR in regulating Brucella melitensis metabolism and virulence under acidic stress
Authors: Liu Wenxiao , Dong Hao , Li Jing , Ou Qixing , Lv Yujin , Wang Xiaolei , Xiang Zuoshuang , He Yongqun , Wu Qingmin 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe response regulator OtpR is critical for the growth, morphology and virulence ofBrucella melitensis. Compared to its wild type strain 16 M,B. melitensis16 MΔotpRmutant has decreased tolerance to acid stress. To analyze the genes regulated by OtpR under acid stress, we performed RNA-seq whole transcriptome analysis of 16 MΔotpRand 16 M. In total, 501 differentially expressed genes were identified, including 390 down-regulated and 111 up-regulated genes. Among these genes, 209 were associated with bacterial metabolism, including 54 genes involving carbohydrate metabolism, 13 genes associated with nitrogen metabolism and seven genes associated with iron metabolism. The 16 MΔotpRalso decreased capacity to utilize different carbon sources and to tolerate iron limitation in culture experiments. Notably, OtpR regulated manyBrucellavirulence factors essential forB. melitensisintracellular survival. For instance, thevirBoperon encoding type IV secretion system was significantly down-regulated and 36 known transcriptional regulators (e.g., vjbRandblxR) were differentially expressed in 16 MΔotpR.Selected RNA-seq results were experimentally confirmed by RT-PCR and RT-qPCR. Overall, these results deciphered differential phenomena associated with virulence, environmental stresses and cell morphology in 16 MΔotpRand 16 M, which provided important information for understanding the detailed OtpR-regulated interaction networks andBrucellapathogenesis.
Inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase 8/9 impairs preadipocyte differentiation
Authors: Han Ruijun , Wang Xinying , Bachovchin William , Zukowska Zofia , Osborn John W. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractAdipocytes are the primary cells in adipose tissue and adipocyte dysfunction causes lipodystrophy, obesity and diabetes. The dipeptidyl peptidase (DPP) 4 family includes four enzymes, DPP4, DPP8, DPP9 and fibroblast activation protein (FAP). DPP4 family inhibitors have been used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes patients, but their role in adipocyte formation are poorly understood. Here we demonstrate that the DPP8/9 selective inhibitor 1G244 blocks adipogenesis in preadipocyte 3T3-L1 and 3T3-F422A, while DPP4 and FAP inhibitors have no effect. In addition, knockdown of DPP8 or DPP9 significantly impairs adipocyte differentiation in preadipocytes. We further uncovered that blocking the expression or activities of DPP8 and DPP9 attenuates PPARγ2 induction during preadipocyte differentiation. Addition of PPARγ agonist thiazolidinediones (TZDs), or ectopic expression of PPARγ2, is able to rescue the adipogenic defect caused by DPP8/9 inhibition in preadipocytes. These results indicate the importance of DPP8 and DPP9 on adipogenesis.
Tailored delivery of analgesic ziconotide across a blood brain barrier model using viral nanocontainers
Authors: Anand Prachi , O’Neil Alison , Lin Emily , Douglas Trevor , Holford Mandë 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe blood brain barrier (BBB) is often an insurmountable obstacle for a large number of candidate drugs, including peptides, antibiotics and chemotherapeutic agents. Devising an adroit delivery method to cross the BBB is essential to unlocking widespread application of peptide therapeutics. Presented here is an engineered nanocontainer for delivering peptidic drugs across the BBB encapsulating the analgesic marine snail peptide ziconotide (Prialt®). We developed a bi-functional viral nanocontainer based on the Salmonella typhimurium bacteriophage P22 capsid, genetically incorporating ziconotide in the interior cavity and chemically attaching cell penetrating HIV-Tat peptide on the exterior of the capsid. Virus like particles (VLPs) of P22 containing ziconotide were successfully transported in several BBB models of rat and human brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMVEC) using a recyclable noncytotoxic endocytic pathway. This work demonstrates proof in principle for developing a possible alternative to intrathecal injection of ziconotide using a tunable VLP drug delivery nanocontainer to cross the BBB.
YIP1 family member 4 (YIPF4) is a novel cellular binding partner of the papillomavirus E5 proteins
Authors: Müller Marietta , Wasson Christopher W. , Bhatia Ramya , Boxall Sally , Millan David , Goh Grace Y.S. , Haas Jürgen , Stonehouse Nicola J. , Macdonald Andrew 
Published: August 2015

AbstractE5 proteins are amongst the least understood of the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) encoded gene products. They are small, membrane-integrated proteins known to modulate a number of critical host pathways associated with pathogenesis including growth factor receptor signaling and immune evasion. Their role in the virus life cycle is less clear, indicating a role in the productive stages of the life cycle. However, a mechanism for this is currently lacking. Here we describe the identification of a novel binding partner of E5, YIPF4 using yeast two-hybrid analysis. YIPF4 is also a poorly characterized membrane spanning protein. Mutagenesis studies implicated the transmembrane regions of each protein as important for their interaction. Binding to YIPF4 was found for all E5 proteins tested suggesting that this interaction may mediate a conserved E5 function. In normal human keratinocytes YIPF4 expression was down-regulated upon differentiation and this reduction was partially rescued in cells harbouring HPV. Despite the conserved nature of the interaction with E5, siRNA mediated depletion of YIPF4 failed to impede two well-characterized functions of E5, namely EGFR trafficking or HLA class I presentation. Continued studies of YIPF4 are warranted to determine its role in the PV life cycle.
Generation of a Homozygous Transgenic Rat Strain Stably Expressing a Calcium Sensor Protein for Direct Examination of Calcium Signaling
Authors: Szebényi Kornélia , Füredi András , Kolacsek Orsolya , Pergel Enikő , Bősze Zsuzsanna , Bender Balázs , Vajdovich Péter , Tóvári József , Homolya László , Szakács Gergely , Héja László , Enyedi Ágnes , Sarkadi Balázs , Apáti Ágota , Orbán Tamás I. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractIn drug discovery, prediction of selectivity and toxicity require the evaluation of cellular calcium homeostasis. The rat is a preferred laboratory animal for pharmacology and toxicology studies, while currently no calcium indicator protein expressing rat model is available. We established a transgenic rat strain stably expressing the GCaMP2 fluorescent calcium sensor by a transposon-based methodology. Zygotes were co-injected with mRNA of transposase and a CAG-GCaMP2 expressing construct and animals with one transgene copy were pre-selected by measuring fluorescence in blood cells. A homozygous rat strain was generated with high sensor protein expression in the heart, kidney, liver and blood cells. No pathological alterations were found in these animals and fluorescence measurements in cardiac tissue slices and primary cultures demonstrated the applicability of this system for studying calcium signaling. We show here that the GCaMP2 expressing rat cardiomyocytes allow the prediction of cardiotoxic drug side-effects and provide evidence for the role of Na+/Ca2+exchanger and its beneficial pharmacological modulation in cardiac reperfusion. Our data indicate that drug-induced alterations and pathological processes can be followed by using this rat model, suggesting that transgenic rats expressing a calcium-sensitive protein provide a valuable system for pharmacological and toxicological studies.
Establishment of a new OSCC cell line derived from OLK and identification of malignant transformation-related proteins by differential proteomics approach
Authors: Dong Yan , Zhao Qun , Ma Xiaoyan , Ma Guowu , Liu Caiyun , Chen Zhuwen , Yu Liyuan , Liu Xuefeng , Zhang Yanguang , Shao Shujuan , Xiao Jing , Li Jia , Zhang Weimin , Fu Ming , Dong Lijia , Yang Xiandong , Guo Xu , Xue Liyan , Fang Fei , Zhan Qimin , Zhang Lihua 
Published: August 2015

AbstractOral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is usually preceded by the oral premalignant lesions, mainly oral leukoplakia (OLK) after repeated insults of carcinogens, tobacco. B(a)P and DMBA are key carcinogens in tobacco smoke. In the present study, for the first time we established the cancerous cell line OSCC-BD induced by B(a)P/DMBA mixture and transformed from dysplastic oral leukoplakia cell line DOK. Cell morphology, proliferation ability, migration ability, colony formation and tumorigenicity were studied and confirmed the malignant characteristics of OSCC-BD cells. We further identified the differential proteins between DOK and OSCC-BD cells by stable isotope dimethyl labeling based quantitative proteomic method, which showed 18 proteins up-regulated and 16 proteins down-regulated with RSD < 8%. Differential proteins are mainly related to cell cycle, cell proliferation, DNA replication, RNA splicing and apoptosis. Abberant binding function, catalysis activity and transportor activity of differential proteins might contribute to the malignant transformation of OLK. Of the 34 identified differential proteins with RSD < 8%, 13 novel cancer-related proteins were reported in the present study. This study might provide a new insight into the mechanism of OLK malignant transformation and the potent biomarkers for early diagnosis, meanwhile further facilitate the application of the quantification proteomics to carcinogenesis research.
Two Novel NYX Gene Mutations in the Chinese Families with X-linked Congenital Stationary Night Blindness
Authors: Dai Shuzhen , Ying Ming , Wang Kai , Wang Liming , Han Ruifang , Hao Peng , Li Ningdong 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMutations in NYX and CACNA1F gene are responsible for the X-linked congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB). In this study, we described the clinical characters of the two Chinese families with X-linked CSNB and detected two novel mutations of c. 371_377delGCTACCT and c.214A>C in the NYX gene by direct sequencing. These two mutations would expand the mutation spectrum of NYX. Our study would be helpful for further studying molecular pathogenesis of CSNB.
Eyes on words: A fixation-related fMRI study of the left occipito-temporal cortex during self-paced silent reading of words and pseudowords
Authors: Schuster Sarah , Hawelka Stefan , Richlan Fabio , Ludersdorfer Philipp , Hutzler Florian 
Published: August 2015

AbstractThe predominant finding of studies assessing the response of the left ventral occipito-temporal cortex (vOT) to familiar words and to unfamiliar, but pronounceable letter strings (pseudowords) is higher activation for pseudowords. One explanation for this finding is that readersautomaticallygenerate predictions about a letter string’s identity – pseudowords mismatch these predictions and the higher vOT activation is interpreted as reflecting the resultantprediction errors. The majority of studies, however, administered tasks which imposed demands above and beyond the intrinsic requirements of visual word recognition. The present study assessed the response of the left vOT to words and pseudowords by using the onset of the first fixation on a stimulus as time point for modeling the BOLD signal (fixation-related fMRI). This method allowed us to assess the neural correlates of self-paced silent reading with minimal task demands and natural exposure durations. In contrast to the predominantly reported higher vOT activation for pseudowords, we found higher activation for words. This finding is at odds with the expectation of higher vOT activation for pseudowords due to automatically generated predictions and the accompanying elevation of prediction errors. Our finding conforms to an alternative explanation which considers such top-down processing to be non-automatic and task-dependent.
Unsaturated fatty acids as high-affinity ligands of the C-terminal Per-ARNT-Sim domain from the Hypoxia-inducible factor 3α
Authors: Fala Angela M. , Oliveira Juliana F. , Adamoski Douglas , Aricetti Juliana A. , Dias Marilia M. , Dias Marcio V. B. , Sforça Maurício L. , Lopes-de-Oliveira Paulo S. , Rocco Silvana A. , Caldana Camila , Dias Sandra M. G. , Ambrosio Andre L. B. 
Published: August 2015

AbstractHypoxia-inducible transcription factors (HIF) form heterodimeric complexes that mediate cell responses to hypoxia. The oxygen-dependent stability and activity of the HIF-α subunits is traditionally associated to post-translational modifications such as hydroxylation, acetylation, ubiquitination and phosphorylation. Here we report novel evidence showing that unsaturated fatty acids are naturally occurring, non-covalent structural ligands of HIF-3α, thus providing the initial framework for exploring its exceptional role as a lipid sensor under hypoxia.
A computer-designed scaffold for bone regeneration within cranial defect using human dental pulp stem cells
Authors: Yeon Kwon Doo , Seon Kwon Jin , Hun Park Seung , Hun Park Ji , Hee Jang So , Yun Yin Xiang , Yun Jeong-Ho , Ho Kim Jae , Hyun Min Byoung , Hee Lee Jun , Kim Wan-Doo , Suk Kim Moon 
Published: August 2015

AbstractA computer-designed, solvent-free scaffold offer several potential advantages such as ease of customized manufacture andin vivosafety. In this work, we firstly used a computer-designed, solvent-free scaffold and human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) to regenerate neo-bone within cranial bone defects. The hDPSCs expressed mesenchymal stem cell markers and served as an abundant source of stem cells with a high proliferation rate. In addition, hDPSCs showed a phenotype of differentiated osteoblasts in the presence of osteogenic factors (OF). We used solid freeform fabrication (SFF) with biodegradable polyesters (MPEG-(PLLA-co-PGA-co-PCL) (PLGC)) to fabricate a computer-designed scaffold. The SFF technology gave quick and reproducible results. To assess bone tissue engineeringin vivo, the computer-designed, circular PLGC scaffold was implanted into a full-thickness cranial bone defect and monitored by micro-computed tomography (CT) and histology of thein vivotissue-engineered bone. Neo-bone formation of more than 50% in both micro-CT and histology tests was observed at only PLGC scaffold with hDPSCs/OF. Furthermore, the PLGC scaffold gradually degraded, as evidenced by the fluorescent-labeled PLGC scaffold, which provides information to tract biodegradation of implanted PLGC scaffold. In conclusion, we confirmed neo-bone formation within a cranial bone defect using hDPSCs and a computer-designed PLGC scaffold.
Csk-Induced Phosphorylation of Src at Tyrosine 530 is Essential for H2O2-Mediated Suppression of ERK1/2 in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells
Authors: Jeon Bo Kyung , Kwon Kihwan , Kang Jihee Lee , Choi Youn-Hee 
Published: August 2015

AbstractMitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) are key signal transducers involved in various cellular events such as growth, proliferation and differentiation. Previous studies have reported that H2O2 leads to phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK), one of the MAPKs in endothelial cells. The current study shows that H2O2 suppressed ERK1/2 activation and phosphorylation at specific concentrations and times in human umbilical vein endothelial cells but not in immortalized mouse aortic endothelial cells or human astrocytoma cell line CRT-MG. Phosphorylation of other MAPK family members (i.e., p38 and JNK) was not suppressed by H2O2. The decrease in ERK1/2 phosphorylation induced by H2O2 was inversely correlated with the level of phosphorylation of Src tyrosine 530. Using siRNA, it was found that H2O2-induced suppression of ERK1/2 was dependent on Csk. Physiological laminar flow abrogated, but oscillatory flow did not affect, the H2O2-induced suppression of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. In conclusion, H2O2-induced Csk translocation to the plasma membrane leads to phosphorylation of Src at the tyrosine 530 residue resulting in a reduction of ERK1/2 phosphorylation. Physiological laminar flow abrogates this effect of H2O2 by inducing phosphorylation of Src tyrosine 419. These findings broaden our understanding of signal transduction mechanisms in the endothelial cells against oxidative stress.