bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Chronic mercury exposure in Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic populations in Portugal from the cultural use of cinnabar
Authors: Emslie Steven D. , Brasso Rebecka , Patterson William P. , Carlos Valera António , McKenzie Ashley , Maria Silva Ana , Gleason James D. , Blum Joel D. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractCinnabar is a natural mercury sulfide (HgS) mineral of volcanic or hydrothermal origin that is found worldwide. It has been mined prehistorically and historically in China, Japan, Europe and the Americas to extract metallic mercury (Hg0) for use in metallurgy, as a medicinal, a preservative and as a red pigment for body paint and ceramics. Processing cinnabar via combustion releases Hg0 vapor that can be toxic if inhaled. Mercury from cinnabar can also be absorbed through the gut and skin, where it can accumulate in organs and bone. Here, we report moderate to high levels of total mercury (THg) in human bone from three Late Neolithic/Chalcolithic (5400–4100 B.P.) sites in southern Portugal that were likely caused by cultural use of cinnabar. We use light stable isotope and Hg stable isotope tracking to test three hypotheses on the origin of mercury in this prehistoric human bone. We traced Hg in two individuals to cinnabar deposits near Almadén, Spain and conclude that use of this mineral likely caused mild to severe mercury poisoning in the prehistoric population. Our methods have applications to bioarchaeological investigations worldwide and for tracking trade routes and mobility of prehistoric populations where cinnabar use is documented.
Ionic Driven Embedment of Hyaluronic Acid Coated Liposomes in Polyelectrolyte Multilayer Films for Local Therapeutic Delivery
Authors: Hayward Stephen L. , Francis David M. , Sis Matthew J. , Kidambi Srivatsan 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe ability to control the spatial distribution and temporal release of a therapeutic remains a central challenge for biomedical research. Here, we report the development and optimization of a novel substrate mediated therapeutic delivery system comprising of hyaluronic acid covalently functionalized liposomes (HALNPs) embedded into polyelectrolyte multilayer (PEM) platform via ionic stabilization. The PEM platform was constructed from sequential deposition of Poly-L-Lysine (PLL) and Poly(Sodium styrene sulfonate) (SPS) “(PLL/SPS)4.5” followed by adsorption of anionic HALNPs. An adsorption affinity assay and saturation curve illustrated the preferential HALNP deposition density for precise therapeutic loading. (PLL/SPS)2.5 capping layer on top of the deposited HALNP monolayer further facilitated complete nanoparticle immobilization, cell adhesion and provided nanoparticle confinement for controlled linear release profiles of the nanocarrier and encapsulated cargo. To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate the successful embedment of a translatable lipid based nanocarrier into a substrate that allows for temporal and spatial release of both hydrophobic and hydrophilic drugs. Specifically, we have utilized our platform to deliver chemotherapeutic drug Doxorubicin from PEM confined HALNPs. Overall, we believe the development of our HALNP embedded PEM system is significant and will catalyze the usage of substrate mediated delivery platforms in biomedical applications.
Giant Optical Activity of Quantum Dots, Rods and Disks with Screw Dislocations
Authors: Baimuratov Anvar S. , Rukhlenko Ivan D. , Noskov Roman E. , Ginzburg Pavel , Gun’ko Yurii K. , Baranov Alexander V. , Fedorov Anatoly V. 
Published: October 2015

AbstractFor centuries mankind has been modifying the optical properties of materials: first, by elaborating the geometry and composition of structures made of materials found in nature, later by structuring the existing materials at a scale smaller than the operating wavelength. Here we suggest an original approach to introduce optical activity in nanostructured materials, by theoretically demonstrating that conventional achiral semiconducting nanocrystals become optically active in the presence of screw dislocations, which can naturally develop during the nanocrystal growth. We show the new properties to emerge due to the dislocation-induced distortion of the crystal lattice and the associated alteration of the nanocrystal’s electronic subsystem, which essentially modifies its interaction with external optical fields. The g-factors of intraband transitions in our nanocrystals are found comparable with dissymmetry factors of chiral plasmonic complexes and exceeding the typical g-factors of chiral molecules by a factor of 1000. Optically active semiconducting nanocrystals—with chiral properties controllable by the nanocrystal dimensions, morphology, composition and blending ratio—will greatly benefit chemistry, biology and medicine by advancing enantiomeric recognition, sensing and resolution of chiral molecules.
Natural small molecule FMHM inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammatory response by promoting TRAF6 degradation via K48-linked polyubiquitination
Authors: Zeng Ke-Wu , Liao Li-Xi , Lv Hai-Ning , Song Fang-Jiao , Yu Qian , Dong Xin , Li Jun , Jiang Yong , Tu Peng-Fei 
Published: October 2015

AbstractTNF receptor-associated factor 6 (TRAF6) is a key hub protein involved in Toll-like receptor-dependent inflammatory signaling pathway and it recruits additional proteins to form multiprotein complexes capable of activating downstream NF-κB inflammatory signaling pathway. Ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) plays a crucial role in various protein degradations, such as TRAF6, leading to inhibitory effects on inflammatory response and immunologic function. However, whether ubiquitination-dependent TRAF6 degradation can be used as a novel anti-inflammatory drug target still remains to be explored. FMHM, a bioactive natural small molecule compound extracted from Chinese herbal medicine Radix Polygalae, suppressed acute inflammatory response by targeting ubiquitin protein and inducing UPS-dependent TRAF6 degradation mechanism. It was found that FMHM targeted ubiquitin protein via Lys48 site directly induced Lys48 residue-linked polyubiquitination. This promoted Lys48 residue-linked polyubiquitin chain formation on TRAF6, resulting in increased TRAF6 degradation via UPS and inactivation of downstream NF-κB inflammatory pathway. Consequently, FMHM down-regulated inflammatory mediator levels in circulation, protected multiple organs against inflammatory injury in vivo and prolong the survival of endotoxemia mouse models. Therefore, FMHM can serve as a novel lead compound for the development of TRAF6 scavenging agent via ubiquitination-dependent mode, which represents a promising strategy for treating inflammatory diseases.
Navigating through digital folders uses the same brain structures as real world navigation
Authors: Benn Yael , Bergman Ofer , Glazer Liv , Arent Paris , Wilkinson Iain D. , Varley Rosemary , Whittaker Steve 
Published: October 2015

AbstractEfficient storage and retrieval of digital data is the focus of much commercial and academic attention. With personal computers, there are two main ways to retrieve files: hierarchical navigation and query-based search. In navigation, users move down their virtual folder hierarchy until they reach the folder in which the target item is stored. When searching, users first generate a query specifying some property of the target file (e.g., a word it contains) and then select the relevant file when the search engine returns a set of results. Despite advances in search technology, users prefer retrieving files using virtual folder navigation, rather than the more flexible query-based search. Using fMRI we provide an explanation for this phenomenon by demonstrating that folder navigation results in activation of the posterior limbic (including the retrosplenial cortex) and parahippocampal regions similar to that previously observed during real-world navigation in both animals and humans. In contrast, search activates the left inferior frontal gyrus, commonly observed in linguistic processing. We suggest that the preference for navigation may be due to the triggering of automatic object finding routines and lower dependence on linguistic processing. We conclude with suggestions for future computer systems design.
Inhibition of HIV-1 assembly by coiled-coil domain containing protein 8 in human cells
Authors: Wei Min , Zhao Xia , Liu Mi , Huang Zhi , Xiao Yong , Niu Meijuan , Shao Yiming , Kleiman Lawrence 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHuman Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) major structure protein Gag is synthesized in the cytoplasm, assembles on the plasma membrane, subsequently buds and releases. HIV-1 viral particles incorporate a number of host proteins to facilitate or inhibit HIV-1 replication. Here we identify a new host protein, coiled-coil domain containing protein 8 (CCDC8), in HIV-1 particles. Incorporation of CCDC8 into virions is dependent on the interaction between CCDC8 and Gag matrix region. Exogenous overexpression of CCDC8 can strongly inhibit HIV-1 production, up to ~30 fold. CCDC8 is a membrane-associated protein. The interaction between exogenously expressed CCDC8 and Gag on the plasma membrane changes the assembly of Gag and redirects it into intracellular sites, or causes Gag endocytosis. CCDC8, along with cytoskeleton protein obscuring-like1 (Obsl1) and E3 ligase Cul7, induces Gag polyubiquitination and degradation. Thus we identify a new host protein and a new pathway for HIV-1 Gag polyubiquitination and degradation. This pathway presents potential therapeutic strategies against HIV infection.
Appetitive traits as behavioural pathways in genetic susceptibility to obesity: a population-based cross-sectional study
Authors: Konttinen Hanna , Llewellyn Clare , Wardle Jane , Silventoinen Karri , Joensuu Anni , Männistö Satu , Salomaa Veikko , Jousilahti Pekka , Kaprio Jaakko , Perola Markus , Haukkala Ari 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe mechanisms through which genes influence body weight are not well understood, but appetite has been implicated as one mediating pathway. Here we use data from two independent population-based Finnish cohorts (4632 adults aged 25–74 years from the DILGOM study and 1231 twin individuals aged 21–26 years from the FinnTwin12 study) to investigate whether two appetitive traits mediate the associations between known obesity-related genetic variants and adiposity. The results from structural equation modelling indicate that the effects of a polygenic risk score (90 obesity-related loci) on measured body mass index and waist circumference are partly mediated through higher levels of uncontrolled eating (βindirect = 0.030–0.032, P < 0.001 in DILGOM) and emotional eating (βindirect = 0.020–0.022, P < 0.001 in DILGOM and βindirect = 0.013–0.015, P = 0.043–0.044 in FinnTwin12). Our findings suggest that genetic predispositions to obesity may partly exert their effects through appetitive traits reflecting lack of control over eating or eating in response to negative emotions. Obesity prevention and treatment studies should examine the impact of targeting these eating behaviours, especially among individuals having a high genetic predisposition to obesity.
Ultralow temperature terahertz magnetic thermodynamics of perovskite-like SmFeO3 ceramic
Authors: Fu Xiaojian , Zeng Xinxi , Wang Dongyang , Chi Zhang Hao , Han Jiaguang , Jun Cui Tie 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe terahertz magnetic properties of perovskite-like SmFeO3 ceramic are investigated over a broad temperature range, especially at ultralow temperatures, using terahertz time-domain spectroscopy. It is shown that both resonant frequencies of quasi-ferromagnetic and quasi-antiferromagnetic modes have blue shifts with the decreasing temperature due to the enhancement of effective magnetic field. The temperature-dependent magnetic anisotropy constants are further estimated using the resonant frequencies, under the approximation of omitting the contribution of Sm3+ magnetic moments to the effective field. Specially, the effective anisotropy constants in the ca and cb planes at 3 K are 6.63 × 105 erg/g and 8.48 × 105 erg/g, respectively. This thoroughly reveals the terahertz magnetic thermodynamics of orthoferrites and will be beneficial to the application in terahertz magnetism.
The protein kinase 2 inhibitor tetrabromobenzotriazole protects against renal ischemia reperfusion injury
Authors: Ka Sun-O , Hwang Hong Pil , Jang Jong-Hwa , Hyuk Bang In , Bae Ui-Jin , Yu Hee Chul , Cho Baik Hwan , Park Byung-Hyun 
Published: October 2015

AbstractProtein kinase 2 (CK2) activation was reported to enhance reactive oxygen species production and activate the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway. Because oxidative stress and inflammation are critical events for tissue destruction during ischemia reperfusion (I/R), we sought to determine whether CK2 was important in the renal response to I/R. Mice underwent 25 min of renal ischemia and were then reperfused. We confirmed an increased expression of CK2α during the reperfusion period, while expression of CK2β remained consistent. We administered tetrabromobenzotriazole (TBBt), a selective CK2α inhibitor before inducing I/R injury. Mice subjected to I/R injury showed typical patterns of acute kidney injury; blood urea nitrogen and serum creatinine levels, tubular necrosis and apoptosis, inflammatory cell infiltration and proinflammatory cytokine production and oxidative stress were markedly increased when compared to sham mice. However, pretreatment with TBBt abolished these changes and improved renal function and architecture. Similar renoprotective effects of CK2α inhibition were observed for emodin. Renoprotective effects of CK2α inhibition were associated with suppression of NF-κB and mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways. Taken together, these results suggest that CK2α mediates proapoptotic and proinflammatory signaling, thus the CK2α inhibitor may be used to prevent renal I/R injuries observed in clinical settings.
Azo-Based Iridium(III) Complexes as Multicolor Phosphorescent Probes to Detect Hypoxia in 3D Multicellular Tumor Spheroids
Authors: Sun Lingli , Li Guanying , Chen Xiang , Chen Yu , Jin Chengzhi , Ji Liangnian , Chao Hui 
Published: October 2015

AbstractHypoxia is an important characteristic of malignant solid tumors and is considered as a possible causative factor for serious resistance to chemo- and radiotherapy. The exploration of novel fluorescent probes capable of detecting hypoxia in solid tumors will aid tumor diagnosis and treatment. In this study, we reported the design and synthesis of a series of “off-on” phosphorescence probes for hypoxia detection in adherent and three-dimensional multicellular spheroid models. All of the iridium(III) complexes incorporate an azo group as an azo-reductase reactive moiety to detect hypoxia. Reduction of non-phosphorescent probes Ir1-Ir8 by reductases under hypoxic conditions resulted in the generation of highly phosphorescent corresponding amines for detection of hypoxic regions. Moreover, these probes can penetrate into 3D multicellular spheroids over 100 μm and image the hypoxic regions. Most importantly, these probes display a high selectivity for the detection of hypoxia in 2D cells and 3D multicellular spheroids.
Mass loss and chemical structures of wheat and maize straws in response to ultraviolet-B radiation and soil contact
Authors: Zhou Guixiang , Zhang Jiabao , Mao Jingdong , Zhang Congzhi , Chen Lin , Xin Xiuli , Zhao Bingzi 
Published: October 2015

AbstractThe role of photodegradation, an abiotic process, has been largely overlooked during straw decomposition in mesic ecosystems. We investigated the mass loss and chemical structures of straw decomposition in response to elevated UV-B radiation with or without soil contact over a 12-month litterbag experiment. Wheat and maize straw samples with and without soil contact were exposed to three radiation levels: a no-sunlight control, ambient solar UV-B and artificially elevated UV-B radiation. A block control with soil contact was not included. Compared with the no-sunlight control, UV-B radiation increased the mass loss by 14–19% and the ambient radiation by 9–16% for wheat and maize straws without soil contact after 12 months. Elevated UV-B exposure decreased the decomposition rates of both wheat and maize straws when in contact with soil. Light exposure resulted in decreased O-alkyl carbons and increased alkyl carbons for both the wheat and maize straws compared with no-sunlight control. The difference in soil contact may influence the contribution of photodegradation to the overall straw decomposition process. These results indicate that we must take into account the effects of photodegradation when explaining the mechanisms of straw decomposition in mesic ecosystems.
Accelerometer-Determined Physical Activity and Mortality in a National Prospective Cohort Study: Considerations by Hearing Sensitivity
Authors: Loprinzi Paul D. 
Published: October 2015

Background
Previous work demonstrates that hearing impairment and physical inactivity are associated with premature all-cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to discern whether increased physical activity among those with hearing impairment can produce survival benefits.

Method
Data from the 2003–2006 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used, with follow-up through 2011. Physical activity was objectively measured over 7 days via accelerometry. Hearing sensitivity was objectively measured using a modified Hughson Westlake procedure.

Results

Among the 1,482 participants, 152 died during the follow-up period (10.26%, unweighted); the unweighted median follow-up period was 89 months (interquartile range = 74–98 months). For those with normal hearing and after adjustments, for every 60-min increase in physical activity, adults had a 19% (HR [Hazard Ratio] = 0.81; 95% confidence interval [CI] [0.48–1.35];
p
= .40) reduced risk of all-cause mortality; however, this association was not statistically significant. In a similar manner, physical activity was not associated with all-cause mortality among those with mild hearing loss (HR = 0.76; 95% CI [0.51–1.13];
p
= .17). However, after adjustments, and for every 60-min increase in physical activity for those with moderate or greater hearing loss, there was a 20% (HR = 0.20; 95% CI [0.67–0.95];
p
= .01) reduced risk of all-cause mortality.

Conclusion
Physical activity may help to prolong survival among those with greater hearing impairment.
Enhancing the Therapy Experience Using Principles of Video Game Design
Authors: Folkins John Wm. , Brackenbury Tim , Krause Miriam , Haviland Allison 
Published: October 2015

PurposeThis article considers the potential benefits that applying design principles from contemporary video games may have on enhancing therapy experiences.MethodSix principles of video game design are presented, and their relevance for enriching clinical experiences is discussed.ResultsThe motivational and learning benefits of each design principle have been discussed in the education literature as having positive impacts on student motivation and learning and are related here to aspects of clinical practice. The essential experience principle suggests connecting all aspects of the experience around a central emotion or cognitive connection. The discovery principle promotes indirect learning in focused environments. The risk-taking principle addresses the uncertainties clients face when attempting newly learned skills in novel situations. The generalization principle encourages multiple opportunities for skill transfer. The reward system principle directly relates to the scaffolding of frequent and varied feedback in treatment. Last, the identity principle can assist clients in using their newly learned communication skills to redefine self-perceptions.ConclusionThese principles highlight areas for research and interventions that may be used to reinforce or advance current practice.
missMethyl: an R package for analyzing data from Illumina’s HumanMethylation450 platform
Authors: Phipson Belinda , Maksimovic Jovana , Oshlack Alicia 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Summary: DNA methylation is one of the most commonly studied epigenetic modifications due to its role in both disease and development. The Illumina HumanMethylation450 BeadChip is a cost-effective way to profile &gt;450 000 CpGs across the human genome, making it a popular platform for profiling DNA methylation. Here we introduce missMethyl, an R package with a suite of tools for performing normalization, removal of unwanted variation in differential methylation analysis, differential variability testing and gene set analysis for the 450K array.
Availability and implementation: missMethyl is an R package available from the Bioconductor project at www.bioconductor.org.
Contact: alicia.oshlack@mcri.edu.au
Supplementary information: Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
regioneR: an R/Bioconductor package for the association analysis of genomic regions based on permutation tests
Authors: Gel Bernat , Díez-Villanueva Anna , Serra Eduard , Buschbeck Marcus , Peinado Miguel A. , Malinverni Roberto 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
Motivation: Statistically assessing the relation between a set of genomic regions and other genomic features is a common challenging task in genomic and epigenomic analyses. Randomization based approaches implicitly take into account the complexity of the genome without the need of assuming an underlying statistical model.
Summary: regioneR is an R package that implements a permutation test framework specifically designed to work with genomic regions. In addition to the predefined randomization and evaluation strategies, regioneR is fully customizable allowing the use of custom strategies to adapt it to specific questions. Finally, it also implements a novel function to evaluate the local specificity of the detected association.
Availability and implementation: regioneR is an R package released under Artistic-2.0 License. The source code and documents are freely available through Bioconductor (http://www.bioconductor.org/packages/regioneR).
Contact: rmalinverni@carrerasresearch.org
Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO): more than imaging criteria for malignant glioma
Authors: Chang Susan M. , Wen Patrick Y. , Vogelbaum Michael A. , Macdonald David R. , van den Bent Martin J. 
Published: October 2015

Abstract
The introduction of antiangiogenic therapies for the treatment of malignant glioma and the effect of these agents on standard imaging studies were the stimuli for forming a small group of investigators to critically evaluate the limitations of the Macdonald criteria in assessing response to treatment. The initial goal of this group was to highlight the challenges in accurately determining the efficacy of therapeutic interventions for malignant glioma and to develop new criteria that could be implemented in clinical care as well as in the design and conduct of clinical trials. This initial Response Assessment in Neuro-Oncology (RANO) effort started in 2008 and over the last 7 years, it has expanded to include a critical review of response assessment across several tumor types as well as endpoint selection and trial design to improve outcome criteria for neuro-oncological trials. In this paper, we review the overarching principles of the RANO initiative and the efforts to date. We also highlight the diverse and expanding efforts of the multidisciplinary groups of investigators who have volunteered their time as part of this endeavor.