bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Elevated Serum GAD65 and GAD65-GADA Immune Complexes in Stiff Person Syndrome
Authors: Gu Urban Gucci Jijuan , Friedman Mikaela , Ren Ping , Törn Carina , Fex Malin , Hampe Christiane S. , Lernmark Åke , Landegren Ulf , Kamali-Moghaddam Masood 
Published: June 2015

AbstractGlutamic acid decarboxylase 65 (GAD65) and autoantibodies specific for GAD65 (GADA) are associated with autoimmune diseases including Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS) and Type 1 diabetes (T1D). GADA is recognized as a biomarker of value for clinical diagnosis and prognostication in these diseases. Nonetheless, it remains medically interesting to develop sensitive and specific assays to detect GAD65 preceding GADA emergence and to monitor GADA-GAD65 immune complexes in blood samples. In the present study, we developed a highly sensitive proximity ligation assay to measure serum GAD65. This novel assay allowed detection of as little as 0.65 pg/ml GAD65. We were also able to detect immune complexes involving GAD65 and GADA. Both free GAD65 and GAD65-GADA levels were significantly higher in serum samples from SPS patients compared to healthy controls. The proximity ligation assays applied for detection of GAD65 and its immune complexes may thus enable improved diagnosis and better understanding of SPS.
Inhomogeneous field in cavities of zero index metamaterials
Authors: Fu Yangyang , Xu Yadong , Chen Huanyang 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn common media, electromagnetic wave always possesses a fluctuant field variation, analogous to an undulant surface of sea. While electromagnetic wave in the media with zero index metamaterials (ZIMs), whose refractive indices are near zero, homogeneous or constant field distribution will emerge, resembling a tranquil surface of lake. Such impression almost could be found in all previous literatures related to ZIMs. However, in this letter, we theoretically and numerically find that, in a cavity structure with ZIMs, when higher order modes (e.g., dipole modes) are excited inside cavity, inhomogeneous field could take place in ZIMs. Such a finding challenges the common perception in ZIMs: It is generally considered that homogeneous or constant field is generated in ZIMs. In addition, the proposed cavity structure herein could be used to manipulate radiation of light, such as enhancing or suppressing radiation, controlling radiation pattern and achieving isotropic or directive radiation, thereby potential applications are expected. These effects are well confirmed by numerical simulations.
The peatlands developing history in the Sanjiang Plain, NE China and its response to East Asian monsoon variation
Authors: Zhang Zhenqing , Xing Wei , Wang Guoping , Tong Shouzheng , Lv Xianguo , Sun Jimin 
Published: June 2015

AbstractStudying the peatlands accumulation and carbon (C) storage in monsoonal areas could provide useful insights into the response of C dynamics to climate variation in the geological past. Here, we integrated 40 well-dated peat/lake sediment cores to reveal the peatlands evolution history in the Sanjiang Plain and examine its links to East Asian monsoon variations during the Holocene. The results show that 80% peatlands in the Sanjiang Plain initiated after 4.7 ka (1 ka = 1000 cal yr BP), with the largest initiating frequency around 4.5 ka. The mean C accumulation rate of peatlands in the Sanjiang Plain exhibits a synchronous increase with the peatlands expansion during the Holocene. Such a peatlands expanding and C accumulating pattern corresponds well to the remarkable drying event subsequent to the Holocene monsoon maximum. We suggest that in addition to the locally topographic conditions, Holocene variations of East Asian summer monsoon (especially its associated precipitation) have played a critical role in driving the peatlands initiation and expansion in the Sanjiang Plain.
Cytokine profile in severe gram-positive and gram-negative abdominal sepsis
Authors: Surbatovic Maja , Popovic Nada , Vojvodic Danilo , Milosevic Ivan , Acimovic Gordana , Stojicic Milan , Veljovic Milic , Jevdjic Jasna , Djordjevic Dragan , Radakovic Sonja 
Published: June 2015

AbstractSepsis is a principal cause of death in critical care units worldwide and consumes considerable healthcare resources. The aim of our study was to determine whether the early cytokine profile can discriminate between Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteraemia (GPB and GNB, respectively) and to assess the prognostic value regarding outcome in critically ill patients with severe abdominal sepsis. The outcome measure was hospital mortality. Blood samples were obtained from 165 adult patients with confirmed severe abdominal sepsis. Levels of the proinflammatory mediators TNF-α, IL-8, IL-12 and IFN-γ and the anti-inflammatory mediators IL-1ra, IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-β1 were determined and correlated with the nature of the bacteria isolated from the blood culture and outcome. The cytokine profile in our study indicated that the TNF-α levels were 2-fold, IL-8 were 3.3-fold, IFN-γ were 13-fold, IL-1ra were 1.05-fold, IL-4 were 1.4-fold and IL-10 were 1.83-fold higher in the GNB group compared with the GPB group. The TNF-α levels were 4.7-fold, IL-8 were 4.6-fold, IL-1ra were 1.5-fold and IL-10 were 3.3-fold higher in the non-survivors compared with the survivors.
Visualizing the appearance and disappearance of the attractor of differentiation using Raman spectral imaging
Authors: Ichimura Taro , Chiu Liang-da , Fujita Katsumasa , Machiyama Hiroaki , Kawata Satoshi , Watanabe Tomonobu M. , Fujita Hideaki 
Published: June 2015

AbstractUsing Raman spectral imaging, we visualized the cell state transition during differentiation and constructed hypothetical potential landscapes for attractors of cellular states on a state space composed of parameters related to the shape of the Raman spectra. As models of differentiation, we used the myogenic C2C12 cell line and mouse embryonic stem cells. Raman spectral imaging can validate the amounts and locations of multiple cellular components that describe the cell state such as proteins, nucleic acids and lipids; thus, it can report the state of a single cell. Herein, we visualized the cell state transition during differentiation using Raman spectral imaging of cell nuclei in combination with principal component analysis. During differentiation, cell populations with a seemingly homogeneous cell state before differentiation showed heterogeneity at the early stage of differentiation. At later differentiation stages, the cells returned to a homogeneous cell state that was different from the undifferentiated state. Thus, Raman spectral imaging enables us to illustrate the disappearance and reappearance of an attractor in a differentiation landscape, where cells stochastically fluctuate between states at the early stage of differentiation.
Large-scale identification of encystment-related proteins and genes in Pseudourostyla cristata
Authors: Gao Xiuxia , Chen Fenfen , Niu Tao , Qu Ruidan , Chen Jiwu 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe transformation of a ciliate into cyst is an advance strategy against an adverse situation. However, the molecular mechanism for the encystation of free-living ciliates is poorly understood. A large-scale identification of the encystment-related proteins and genes in ciliate would provide us with deeper insights into the molecular mechanisms for the encystations of ciliate. We identified the encystment-related proteins and genes in Pseudourostyla cristata with shotgun LC-MS/MS and scale qRT-PCR, respectively, in this report. A total of 668 proteins were detected in the resting cysts, 102 of these proteins were high credible proteins, whereas 88 high credible proteins of the 724 total proteins were found in the vegetative cells. Compared with the vegetative cell, 6 specific proteins were found in the resting cyst. However, the majority of high credible proteins in the resting cyst and the vegetative cell were co-expressed. We compared 47 genes of the co-expressed proteins with known functions in both the cyst and the vegetative cell using scale qRT-PCR. Twenty-seven of 47 genes were differentially expressed in the cyst compared with the vegetative cell. In our identifications, many uncharacterized proteins were also found. These results will help reveal the molecular mechanism for the formation of cyst in ciliates.
Large Displacement in Relaxor Ferroelectric Terpolymer Blend Derived Actuators Using Al Electrode for Braille Displays
Authors: Lu S. G. , Chen X. , Levard T. , Diglio P. J. , Gorny L. J. , Rahn C. D. , Zhang Q. M. 
Published: June 2015

AbstractPoly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) based polymers are attractive for applications for artificial muscles, high energy density storage devices etc. Recently these polymers have been found great potential for being used as actuators for refreshable full-page Braille displays for visually impaired people in terms of light weight, miniaturized size and larger displacement, compared with currently used lead zirconate titanate ceramic actuators. The applied voltages of published polymer actuators, however, cannot be reduced to meet the requirements of using city power. Here, we report the polymer actuator generating quite large displacement and blocking force at a voltage close to the city power. Our embodiments also show good self-healing performance and disuse of lead-containing material, which makes the Braille device safer, more reliable and more environment-friendly.
CD44 is a direct target of miR-199a-3p and contributes to aggressive progression in osteosarcoma
Authors: Gao Yan , Feng Yong , Shen Jacson K. , Lin Min , Choy Edwin , Cote Gregory M. , Harmon David C. , Mankin Henry J. , Hornicek Francis J. , Duan Zhenfeng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractOsteosarcoma is the most common primary bone malignancy in children and adolescents. Herein, we investigated the role of cluster of differentiation 44 (CD44), a cell-surface glycoprotein involved in cell-cell interactions, cell adhesion and migration in osteosarcoma. We constructed a human osteosarcoma tissue microarray with 114 patient tumor specimens, including tumor tissues from primary, metastatic and recurrent stages and determined the expression of CD44 by immunohistochemistry. Results showed that CD44 was overexpressed in metastatic and recurrent osteosarcoma as compared with primary tumors. Higher expression of CD44 was found in both patients with shorter survival and patients who exhibited unfavorable response to chemotherapy before surgical resection. Additionally, the 3′-untranslated region of CD44 mRNA was the direct target of microRNA-199a-3p (miR-199a-3p). Overexpression of miR-199a-3p significantly inhibited CD44 expression in osteosarcoma cells. miR-199a-3p is one of the most dramatically decreased miRs in osteosarcoma cells and tumor tissues as compared with normal osteoblast cells. Transfection of miR-199a-3p significantly increased the drug sensitivity through down-regulation of CD44 in osteosarcoma cells. Taken together, these results suggest that the CD44-miR-199a-3p axis plays an important role in the development of metastasis, recurrence and drug resistance of osteosarcoma. Developing strategies to target CD44 may improve the clinical outcome of osteosarcoma.
Enhanced photoluminescence from CdS with SiO2 nanopillar arrays
Authors: Li Wei , Wang Shaolei , He Sufeng , Wang Jing , Guo Yanyan , Guo Yufeng 
Published: June 2015

AbstractIn this paper, the enhanced photoluminescence from CdS thin film with SiO2 nanopillar array (NPA) was demonstrated. The CdS was prepared using chemical bath deposition in a solution bath containing CdSO4, SC(NH2)2 and NH4OH. The SiO2 NPA was fabricated by the nanosphere lithography (NSL) techniques. The nanopillar is about 50 nm in diameter and the height is 150 nm. As a result, the sample with NPA shows an obvious improvement of photoluminescence (PL), compared with the one without NPA. In addition, we also observed that the PL intensity is increased ~5 times if the active layer is deposited on the nanopillar arrays and covered by a thin metal film of Al. It is noteworthy that the enhancement of photoluminescence could be attributed to the roughness of the surface, the 2D photonic band gap (PBG) effect and the surface plasmon resonance (SPR) effects.
Dehydration-mediated cluster formation of nanoparticles
Authors: Ahn Sungsook , Joon Lee Sang 
Published: June 2015

AbstractDrying procedure is a powerful method to modulate the bottom-up assembly of basic building component. The initially weak attraction between the components screened in a solution strengthens as the solvent evaporates, organizing the components into structures. Drying is process-dependent, irreversible and nonequilibrated, thus the mechanism and the dynamics are influenced by many factors. Therefore, the interaction of the solvent and the elements during the drying procedure as well as the resulting pattern formations are strongly related. Nonetheless still many things are open in questions in terms of their dynamics. In this study, nanoscale dehydration procedure is experimentally investigated using a nanoparticle (NP) model system. The role of water is verified in a single NP scale and the patterns of collective NP clusters are determined. Stepwise drying procedures are proposed based on the location from which water is removed. Effective water exodus from a unit NP surface enhances the attractive interaction in nanoscale and induces heterogeneous distribution in microscale. This study provides fundamental proof of systematic relation between the dehydration process and the resultant cluster patterns in hierarchical multiscales.
Morphine Modulates Interleukin-4- or Breast Cancer Cell-induced Pro-metastatic Activation of Macrophages
Authors: Khabbazi Samira , Goumon Yannick , Parat Marie-Odile 
Published: June 2015

AbstractInteractions between cancer cells and stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment play a key role in the control of invasiveness, metastasis and angiogenesis. Macrophages display a range of activation states in specific pathological contexts and alternatively activated (M2) macrophages can promote tumour aggressiveness. Opioids are able to modulate tumour growth and metastasis. We tested whether morphine modulates the activation of macrophages induced by (i) interleukin-4 (IL-4), the prototypical M2 polarization-inducing cytokine, or (ii) coculture with breast cancer cells. We showed that IL-4 causes increased MMP-9 production and expression of the alternative activation markers arginase-1 and MRC-1. Morphine prevented IL-4-induced increase in MMP-9 in a naloxone- and methylnaltrexone-reversible fashion. Morphine also prevented IL-4-elicited alternative activation of RAW264.7 macrophages. Expression of MMP-9 and arginase-1 were increased when RAW264.7 were subjected to paracrine activation by 4T1 cells and this effect was prevented by morphine via an opioid receptor-mediated mechanism. Morphine further decreased 4T1 breast cancer cell invasion elicited by co-culture with RAW264.7. Reduction of MMP-9 expression and alternative activation of macrophages by morphine was confirmed using mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages. Taken together, our results indicate that morphine may modulate tumour aggressiveness by regulating macrophage protease production and M2 polarization within the tumour microenvironment.
Preferential coupling of an incident wave to reflection eigenchannels of disordered media
Authors: Choi Wonjun , Kim Moonseok , Kim Donggyu , Yoon Changhyeong , Fang-Yen Christopher , Park Q-Han , Choi Wonshik 
Published: June 2015

AbstractLight waves incident to a highly scattering medium are incapable of penetrating deep into the medium due to the multiple scattering process. This poses a fundamental limitation to optically imaging, sensing and manipulating targets embedded in opaque scattering layers such as biological tissues. One strategy for mitigating the shallow wave penetration is to exploit eigenchannels with anomalously high transmittance existing in any scattering medium. However, finding such eigenchannels has been a challenging task due to the complexity of disordered media. Moreover, it is even more difficult to identify those eigenchannels from the practically relevant reflection geometry of measurements. In this Letter, we present an iterative wavefront control method that either minimizes or maximizes the total intensity of the reflected waves. We proved that this process led to the preferential coupling of incident wave to either low or high-reflection eigenchannels and observed either enhanced or reduced wave transmission as a consequence. Since our approach is free from prior characterization measurements such as the recording of transmission matrix and also able to keep up with sample perturbation, it is readily applicable to in vivo applications. Enhancing light penetration will help improving the working depth of optical sensing and treatment techniques.
Reversible Photoswitching of Carbon Dots
Authors: Khan Syamantak , Verma Navneet Chandra , Gupta Abhishek , Nandi Chayan Kanti 
Published: June 2015

AbstractWe present a method of reversible photoswitching in carbon nanodots with red emission. A mechanism of electron transfer is proposed. The cationic dark state, formed by the exposure of red light, is revived back to the bright state with the very short exposure of blue light. Additionally, the natural on-off state of carbon dot fluorescence was tuned using an electron acceptor molecule. Our observation can make the carbon dots as an excellent candidate for the super-resolution imaging of nanoscale biomolecules within the cell.
In the face of threat: neural and endocrine correlates of impaired facial emotion recognition in cocaine dependence
Authors: Ersche K D , Hagan C C , Smith D G , Jones P S , Calder A J , Williams G B 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe ability to recognize facial expressions of emotion in others is a cornerstone of human interaction. Selective impairments in the recognition of facial expressions of fear have frequently been reported in chronic cocaine users, but the nature of these impairments remains poorly understood. We used the multivariate method of partial least squares and structural magnetic resonance imaging to identify gray matter brain networks that underlie facial affect processing in both cocaine-dependent (n=29) and healthy male volunteers (n=29). We hypothesized that disruptions in neuroendocrine function in cocaine-dependent individuals would explain their impairments in fear recognition by modulating the relationship with the underlying gray matter networks. We found that cocaine-dependent individuals not only exhibited significant impairments in the recognition of fear, but also for facial expressions of anger. Although recognition accuracy of threatening expressions co-varied in all participants with distinctive gray matter networks implicated in fear and anger processing, in cocaine users it was less well predicted by these networks than in controls. The weaker brain-behavior relationships for threat processing were also mediated by distinctly different factors. Fear recognition impairments were influenced by variations in intelligence levels, whereas anger recognition impairments were associated with comorbid opiate dependence and related reduction in testosterone levels. We also observed an inverse relationship between testosterone levels and the duration of crack and opiate use. Our data provide novel insight into the neurobiological basis of abnormal threat processing in cocaine dependence, which may shed light on new opportunities facilitating the psychosocial integration of these patients.
Epigenetic modifications of the glucocorticoid receptor gene are associated with the vulnerability to psychopathology in childhood maltreatment
Authors: Radtke K M , Schauer M , Gunter H M , Ruf-Leuschner M , Sill J , Meyer A , Elbert T 
Published: June 2015

AbstractStress, particularly when experienced early in life, can have profound implications for mental health. Previous research covering various tissues such as the brain, suggests that the detrimental impact of early-life stress (ELS) on mental health is mediated via epigenetic modifications including DNA methylation. Genes of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis—in particular, the glucocorticoid receptor (hGR) gene—stand out as key targets for ELS. Even though the link betweenhGRmethylation and either ELS or psychopathology is fairly well established, the mutually dependent relationships between ELS, DNA methylation and psychopathology remain to be uncovered. The specific psychopathology an individual might develop in the aftermath of stressful events can be highly variable, however, most studies investigatinghGRmethylation and psychopathology suffer from being limited to a single symptom cluster of mental disorders. Here, we screened volunteers for childhood maltreatment and analyzed whether it associates withhGRmethylation in lymphocytes and a range of measures of psychological ill-health.hGRmethylation in lymphocytes most likely reflects methylation patterns found in the brain and thus provides valuable insights into the etiology of psychopathology. We find the interaction between childhood maltreatment andhGRmethylation to be strongly correlated with an increased vulnerability to psychopathology providing evidence of epigenome × environment interactions. Furthermore, our results indicate an additive effect of childhood maltreatment andhGRmethylation in predicting borderline personality disorder (BPD)-associated symptoms, suggesting that the combination of both ELS and DNA methylation that possibly represents unfavorable events experienced even earlier in life poses the risk for BPD.
The glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor as a potential treatment target in alcohol use disorder: evidence from human genetic association studies and a mouse model of alcohol dependence
Authors: Suchankova P , Yan J , Schwandt M L , Stangl B L , Caparelli E C , Momenan R , Jerlhag E , Engel J A , Hodgkinson C A , Egli M , Lopez M F , Becker H C , Goldman D , Heilig M , Ramchandani V A , Leggio L 
Published: June 2015

AbstractThe hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) regulates appetite and food intake. GLP-1 receptor (GLP-1R) activation also attenuates the reinforcing properties of alcohol in rodents. The present translational study is based on four human genetic association studies and one preclinical study providing data that support the hypothesis that GLP-1R may have a role in the pathophysiology of alcohol use disorder (AUD). Case–control analysis (N=908) was performed on a sample of individuals enrolled in the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) intramural research program. The Study of Addiction: Genetics and Environment (SAGE) sample (N=3803) was used for confirmation purposes. Post hoc analyses were carried out on data from a human laboratory study of intravenous alcohol self-administration (IV-ASA; N=81) in social drinkers and from a functional magnetic resonance imaging study in alcohol-dependent individuals (N=22) subjected to a Monetary Incentive Delay task. In the preclinical study, a GLP-1R agonist was evaluated in a mouse model of alcohol dependence to demonstrate the role of GLP-1R for alcohol consumption. The previously reported functional allele 168Ser (rs6923761) was nominally associated with AUD (P=0.004) in the NIAAA sample, which was partially replicated in males of the SAGE sample (P=0.033). The 168Ser/Ser genotype was further associated with increased alcohol administration and breath alcohol measures in the IV-ASA experiment and with higher BOLD response in the right globus pallidus when receiving notification of outcome for high monetary reward. Finally, GLP-1R agonism significantly reduced alcohol consumption in a mouse model of alcohol dependence. These convergent findings suggest that the GLP-1R may be an attractive target for personalized pharmacotherapy treatment of AUD.