bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Transcriptome Profiles of Alternaria oxytropis Provides Insights into Swainsonine Biosynthesis
Authors: Li Xin , Lu Ping
Published: April 2019

Swainsonine (SW) is a toxic alkaloid biosynthesized by the endophytic fungus Alternaria oxytropis in Oxytropis glabra. The biosynthetic pathway of SW is poorly understood. Saccharopine reductase/dehydrogenase of fungus plays an important role in this pathway. The gene knocked out mutant M1 in A. oxytropis was constructed in our previous work. In this study, the transcriptome of wild-strain OW7.8 and M1 was firstly sequenced to understand the biosynthetic pathway and molecular mechanism of SW in A. oxytropis. A total of 45,634 Unigenes were annotated. 5 genes were up-regulated and 11,213 genes were down-regulated. 41 Unigenes possibly related to the biosynthesis of SW were identified by data analyzing. The biosynthesis pathway of SW in the fungus was speculated, including two branches of P6C and P2C. Delta1-piperidine-2-carboxylate reductase, lysine 6-dehydrogenase, and saccharopine oxidase/L-pipecolate oxidase were involved in P6C. 1-piperidine-2-carboxylate/1-pyrroline-2- carboxylate reductase [NAD(P)H] and delta1-piperidine-2-carboxylate reductase were involved in P2C. Saccharopine reductase was involved in both. In addition, 1-indolizidineone was considered to be the direct precursor in the synthesis of SW, and the hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA lyase catalyzed the synthesis of SW. Here we analyzed details of the metabolic pathway of A. oxytropis SW, which is of great significance for the follow-up research.
A novel approach to differentiate rat embryonic stem cells in vitro reveals a role for RNF12 in activation of X chromosome inactivation
Authors: Magaraki Aristea , Loda Agnese , Gontan Cristina , Merzouk Sarra , Sleddens-Linkels Esther , Meek Stephen , Baarends Willy M. , Burdon Tom , Gribnau Joost
Published: April 2019

X chromosome inactivation (XCI) is a mammalian specific, developmentally regulated process relying on several mechanisms including antisense transcription, non-coding RNA-mediated silencing, and recruitment of chromatin remodeling complexes. In vitro modeling of XCI, through differentiation of embryonic stem cells (ESCs), provides a powerful tool to study the dynamics of XCI, overcoming the need for embryos, and facilitating genetic modification of key regulatory players. However, to date, robust initiation of XCI in vitro has been mostly limited to mouse pluripotent stem cells. Here, we adapted existing protocols to establish a novel monolayer differentiation protocol for rat ESCs to study XCI. We show that differentiating rat ESCs properly downregulate pluripotency factor genes, and present female specific Xist RNA accumulation and silencing of X-linked genes. We also demonstrate that RNF12 seems to be an important player in regulation of initiation of XCI in rat, acting as an Xist activator. Our work provides the basis to investigate the mechanisms directing the XCI process in a model organism different from the mouse.
Controlling frequency dispersion in electromagnetic invisibility cloaks
Authors: Klotz Geoffroy , Malléjac Nicolas , Guenneau Sebastien , Enoch Stefan
Published: April 2019

Electromagnetic cloaking, as challenging as it may be to the physicist and the engineer has become a topical subject over the past decade. Thanks to the transformations optics (TO) invisibility devices are in sight even though quite drastic limitations remain yet to be lifted. The extreme material properties which are deduced from TO can be achieved in practice using dispersive metamaterials. However, the bandwidth over which a metamaterial cloak is efficient is drastically limited. We design and simulate a spherical cloak which takes into account the dispersive nature of relative permittivity and permeability tensors realized by plasma-like metamaterials. This spherical cloak works over a broad frequency-band even though these materials are of a highly dispersive nature. We establish two equations of state that link the eigenvalues of the permittivity and permeability tensors in every spherical cloak regardless of the geometrical transformation. Frequency dispersive properties do not disrupt cloaking as long as the equations of states are satisfied in the metamaterial cloak.
Sea snake cathelicidin (Hc-cath) exerts a protective effect in mouse models of lung inflammation and infection
Authors: Carlile Simon R. , Shiels Jenna , Kerrigan Lauren , Delaney Rebecca , Megaw Julianne , Gilmore Brendan F. , Weldon Sinéad , Dalton John P. , Taggart Clifford C.
Published: April 2019

We investigated the anti-inflammatory and antibacterial activities of Hc-cath, a cathelicidin peptide derived from the venom of the sea snake, Hydrophis cyanocyntus, using in vivo models of inflammation and infection. Hc-cath function was evaluated in in vitro, in vivo in the wax moth, Galleria mellonella, and in mouse models of intraperitoneal and respiratory Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection. Hc-Cath downregulated LPS-induced pro-inflammatory responses in macrophages and significantly improved the survival of P. aeruginosa infected G. mellonella over a 5-day period. We also demonstrated, for the first time, that Hc-cath can modulate inflammation in a mouse model of LPS-induced lung inflammation by significantly reducing the release of the pro-inflammatory cytokine and neutrophil chemoattractant, KC, resulting in reduced cellular infiltration into the lungs. Moreover, Hc-cath treatment significantly reduced the bacterial load and inflammation in mouse models of P. aeruginosa intraperitoneal and respiratory infection. The effect of Hc-cath in our studies highlights the potential to develop this peptide as a candidate for therapeutic development.
Machine Learning for Diagnosis of Hematologic Diseases in Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Lumbar Spines
Authors: Hwang Eo-Jin , Jung Joon-Yong , Lee Seul Ki , Lee Sung-Eun , Jee Won-Hee
Published: April 2019

We aimed to assess feasibility of a support vector machine (SVM) texture classifier to discriminate pathologic infiltration patterns from the normal bone marrows in MRI. This retrospective study included 467 cases, which were split into a training (n = 360) and a test set (n = 107). A sagittal T1-weighted lumbar spinal MR image was normalized by an intervertebral disk, and bone marrows were segmented. The various kernel functions and SVM input dimensions were experimented to construct the most optimal classifier model. The accuracy and sensitivity increased as the number of training set sizes increased from 180 to 360. The test set was analyzed by SVM and two independent readers, and the accuracy and sensitivity of the SVM classifier, reader 1 and reader 2 were 82.2% and 85.5%, 79.4% and 82.3%, and 82.2% and 83.9%, respectively. The area under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the SVM classifier, reader 1 and reader 2 were 0.895, 0.879 and 0.880, respectively. The SVM texture classifier produced comparable performance to radiologists in isolating the hematologic diseases, which could support inexperienced physicians with spinal MRI to screen patients with marrow diseases, who need further diagnostic work-ups to make final decisions.
Upsurge of Enterovirus D68 and Circulation of the New Subclade D3 and Subclade B3 in Beijing, China, 2016
Authors: Shen Lingyu , Gong Cheng , Xiang Zichun , Zhang Tiegang , Li Maozhong , Li Aihua , Luo Ming , Huang Fang
Published: April 2019

We conducted a surveillance among acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) cases to define the epidemiology, clinical characteristics and genetic variations of enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) in Beijing, China from 2015 to 2017. Nasopharyngeal swabs and sputum were collected from 30 sentinel hospitals in Beijing and subjected to EV and EV-D68 detection by real-time PCR. The VP1 gene region and complete genome sequences of EV-D68 positive cases were analyzed. Of 21816 ARTI cases, 619 (2.84%) were EV positive and 42 cases were EV-D68 positive. The detection rates of EV-D68 were 0 (0/6644) in 2015, 0.53% (40/7522) in 2016 and 0.03% (2/7650) in 2017, respectively. Two peaks of EV-D68 infections occurred in late summer and early-winter. Ten cases (23.81%) with upper respiratory tract infection and 32 cases (76.19%) presented with pneumonia, including 3 cases with severe pneumonia. The phylogenetic analysis suggested 15 subclade D3 strains and 27 subclade B3 strains of EV-D68 were circulated in China from 2016 to 2017. A total of 52 amino acid polymorphisms were identified between subclades D1 and D3. These data suggest an upsurge of EV-D68 occurred in Beijing in 2016, the new subclade D3 emerged in 2016 and co-circulated with subclade B3 between 2016 and 2017.
Plasmonic Schottky photodetector with metal stripe embedded into semiconductor and with a CMOS-compatible titanium nitride
Authors: Gosciniak Jacek , Atar Fatih B. , Corbett Brian , Rasras Mahmoud
Published: April 2019

Here we propose an original waveguide-integrated plasmonic Schottky photodetector that takes full advantage of a thin metal stripe embedded entirely into a semiconductor. The photodetector is based on the long-range dielectric-loaded surface plasmon polariton waveguide with a metal stripe deposited on top of a semiconductor rib and covered by another semiconductor. As the metal stripe is entirely surrounded by semiconductor, all hot electrons with appropriate k-vectors can participate in transitions that highly enhances the electron transfer, and consequently the internal quantum efficiency. In addition, a high coupling efficiency from the photonic waveguide to the photodetector is simulated exceeding 90 % which enhances the external quantum efficiency. Calculations show that a responsivity exceeding 0.5A/Wcan be achieved at telecom wavelength of 1550nmand the bandwidth can exceed 100GHz. Furthermore, it is shown that titanium nitride is a perfect material for the photodetector as it provides a low Fermi energy and long electron mean free path that enhance the hot electron transfer to the semiconductor. In addition, it shows reasonable metallic behavior and CMOS compatibility. Measurements showed that the Schottky barrier height between titanium nitride and p-doped silicon reaches 0.69–0.70eVthat matches the optimum signal-to-noise ratio operation calculated at 0.697eV.
Highly efficient solar steam generation of supported metal–organic framework membranes by a photoinduced electron transfer process
Authors: Chen Liyong , Li Dezhi , Wang Yanxin , Duan Chunying
Published: April 2019

PPF-3 exhibits stronger photothermal effect than porphyrin ligands. This is attributed to the enhancement of light absorption ability and the occurrence of PET from ligands to metal nodes to suppress radiative recombination of electron–hole pairs.
The nuclear export inhibitor aminoratjadone is a potent effector in extracellular-targeted drug conjugates
Authors: Klahn Philipp , Fetz Verena , Ritter Antje , Collisi Wera , Hinkelmann Bettina , Arnold Tatjana , Tegge Werner , Rox Katharina , Hüttel Stephan , Mohr Kathrin I. , Wink Joachim , Stadler Marc , Wissing Josef , Jänsch Lothar , Brönstrup Mark
Published: April 2019

Ratjadone derivatives have been successfully introduced as suitable payloads with new mode of action for targeted drug conjugates.
Enantioselective conjugate addition of an α,α-dithioacetonitrile with nitroalkenes using chiral bis(imidazoline)–Pd complexes
Authors: Nakamura Shuichi , Tokunaga Akari , Saito Hikari , Kondo Masaru
Published: April 2019

The first highly enantioselective reaction of α,α-dithioacetonitriles with nitroolefins as electron deficient olefins using chiral Phebim–Pd catalysts was developed.
Syntheses, structures, and magnetic properties of three two-dimensional cobalt(ii) single-ion magnets with a CoIIN4X2 octahedral geometry
Authors: Shi Le , Shen Fu-Xing , Shao Dong , Zhang Yi-Quan , Wang Xin-Yi
Published: April 2019

Three two-dimensional CoII SIMs with (4,4) layer structures have been synthesized and characterized structurally and magnetically.
Direct evidence for the influence of lithium ion vacancies on polaron transport in nanoscale LiFePO4
Authors: Banday Azeem , Ali Mahboob , Pandey Raghvendra , Murugavel Sevi
Published: April 2019

An enhanced polaron conductivity in LiFePO4 by decreasing the crystallite size as evidenced due to the reduction of hopping length of electrons and enhanced polaron concentrations.
Giant contribution of the ligand states to the magnetic properties of the Cr2Ge2Te6 monolayer
Authors: Wang Kangying , Nikolaev Sergey , Ren Wei , Solovyev Igor
Published: April 2019

The magnetic properties of Cr2Ge2Te6, an important two-dimensional ferromagnetic material, are investigated at the molecular level by constructing and solving realistic models extracted from first-principles electronic structure calculations.
Impact of charge state on 193 nm ultraviolet photodissociation of protein complexes
Authors: Sipe Sarah N. , Brodbelt Jennifer S.
Published: April 2019

Access to symmetric dissociation pathways is achieved using higher laser power for photodissociation of native-like protein complexes in the gas phase.
Multi-scale modeling of early-stage morphology in solution-processed polycrystalline thin films
Authors: Patrick David L. , Schaaf Cyrus , Morehouse Robell , Johnson Brad L.
Published: April 2019

A model is introduced for treating early-stage nucleation, growth kinetics, and mesoscale domain structure in submonolayer polycrystalline films prepared by solution-phase processing methods such as spin casting, dip coating, liquid-based printing, and related techniques.
Self-ordering of chemisorbed PTCDA molecules on Ge(001) driven by repulsive forces
Authors: Kocán Pavel , Pieczyrak Barbara , Jurczyszyn Leszek , Yoshimoto Yoshihide , Yagyu Kazuma , Tochihara Hiroshi , Suzuki Takayuki
Published: April 2019

PTCDA molecules covalently bonded to the Ge(001) surface surprisingly self-order as a result of a repulsive inter-molecular interaction.
Tailoring the interparticle distance in Langmuir nanoparticle films
Authors: Benkovičová Monika , Hološ Ana , Nádaždy Peter , Halahovets Yuriy , Kotlár Mário , Kollár Jozef , Šiffalovič Peter , Jergel Matej , Majková Eva , Mosnáček Jaroslav , Ivančo Ján
Published: April 2019

The ability to control the interparticle distance in self-assembled arrays of nanoparticles plays an important role in a large number of applications, which require tunable electronic and photonic properties.
PbX2(OOCMMIm) (X = Cl, Br): photoluminescent organic–inorganic hybrid lead halide compounds with high proton conductivity
Authors: Gong Liao-Kuo , Du Ke-Zhao , Huang Xiao-Ying
Published: April 2019

Differences in electronegativity and hydrophilicity of halogens result in various proton conduction and photoluminescence properties in [PbX2(OOCMMIm)].
New heterobimetallic ferrocenyl derivatives are promising antitrypanosomal agents
Authors: Rodríguez Arce Esteban , Putzu Eugenia , Lapier Michel , Maya Juan Diego , Olea Azar Claudio , Echeverría Gustavo A. , Piro Oscar E. , Medeiros Andrea , Sardi Florencia , Comini Marcelo , Risi Gastón , Salinas Gustavo , Correia Isabel , Pessoa João Costa , Otero Lucía , Gambino Dinorah
Published: April 2019

New Pd and Pt ferrocenyl derivatives showed submicromolar activities onT. cruziandT. bruceiand high selectivities.
Natural organic activator quercetin for persulfate oxidative degradation of halogenated hydrocarbons
Authors: Lin Ya-Ting , Chiu Yu-Ting , Ciou Chiya , Liang Chenju
Published: April 2019

Organic activation is a method that can be used to generate SO4−˙ from persulfate (PS).
Engineering nanomaterials for water and wastewater treatment: review of classifications, properties and applications
Authors: Taghipour Shabnam , Hosseini Seiyed Mossa , Ataie-Ashtiani Behzad
Published: April 2019

Based on their characteristics and applicability, a new category of NMs is proposed for water and wastewater treatment.
Rapid detection of trichlorfon residues by a microfluidic paper-based phosphorus-detection chip (μPPC)
Authors: Deng Siwei , Yang Tingyuan , Zhang Wenxian , Ren Chongbo , Zhang Jing , Zhang Ying , Cui Tianyu , Yue Wanqing
Published: April 2019

We propose a novel microfluidic paper-based phosphorus-detection chip (μPPC) for rapid analysis of trichlorfon, one of the most common organophosphate pesticide residues.
Highly biocompatible jujube polysaccharide-stabilized palladium nanoparticles with excellent catalytic performance
Authors: Guo Xiaolei , Zhang Jin , Cui Yanshuai , Chen Shengfu , Sun Haotian , Yang Qinghua , Ma Guanglong , Wang Longgang , Kang Jianxin
Published: April 2019

Jujube polysaccharide-stabilized palladium nanoparticles provide active sites for efficient catalysis of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol.
Optical response of magnetically actuated biocompatible membranes
Authors: Joisten H. , Truong A. , Ponomareva S. , Naud C. , Morel R. , Hou Y. , Joumard I. , Auffret S. , Sabon P. , Dieny B.
Published: April 2019

Optical responses of biocompatible nanostructured magneto-elastic membranes, magnetically actuated, were experimentally characterized and fitted using a magneto-mechanical and optical model.
Cauliflower-like CeO2–TiO2hybrid nanostructures with extreme photocatalytic and self-cleaning properties
Authors: Veziroglu Salih , Röder Katharina , Gronenberg Ole , Vahl Alexander , Polonskyi Oleksandr , Strunskus Thomas , Rubahn Horst-Günter , Kienle Lorenz , Adam Jost , Fiutowski Jacek , Faupel Franz , Aktas Oral Cenk
Published: April 2019

Columnar TiO2structures decorated with CeO2nanoclusters (NCs) exhibit an extraordinary photocatalytic performance.
Nanostructured electrically conductive hydrogels obtained via ultrafast laser processing and self-assembly
Authors: Tao Yufeng , Wei Chengyiran , Liu Jingwei , Deng Chunsan , Cai Song , Xiong Wei
Published: April 2019

Ultrafast laser-processed MWNT/polymer composite materials for an absorbent polymeric matrix and self-assembly of PEDOT:PSS to obtain nanostructured electrically conductive hydrogels.
Functional self-assembled nanovesicles based on β-cyclodextrin, liposomes and adamantyl guanidines as potential nonviral gene delivery vectors
Authors: Štimac Adela , Tokić Matea , Ljubetič Ajasja , Vuletić Tomislav , Šekutor Marina , Požar Josip , Leko Katarina , Hanževački Marko , Frkanec Leo , Frkanec Ruža
Published: April 2019

Multicomponent supramolecular nanovesicles functionalized with adamantyl guanidines were prepared.
Chemical composition of DNA-encoded libraries, past present and future
Authors: Dickson Paige , Kodadek Thomas
Published: April 2019

We discuss here the chemical composition of DNA-encoded libraries likely to be made in the near future.
Diblock copolymers consisting of a redox polymer block based on a stable radical linked to an electrically conducting polymer block as cathode materials for organic radical batteries
Authors: Hergué Noémie , Ernould Bruno , Minoia Andrea , De Winter Julien , Gerbaux Pascal , Lazzaroni Roberto , Gohy Jean-François , Dubois Philippe , Coulembier Olivier
Published: April 2019

Coupling a conjugated P3HT block to a radical polymer block leads to improved PTMA battery performances.
Modulating the crystallinity, mechanical properties, and degradability of poly(ε-caprolactone) derived polyesters by statistical and alternating copolymerization
Authors: Liu Qianhui , Yuan Shichen , Guo Yuanhao , Narayanan Amal , Peng Chao , Wang Shijun , Miyoshi Toshikazu , Joy Abraham
Published: April 2019

Functionalization of PCL analogues in statistical and alternating manner modulates the thermal, physical and mechanical properties.
Ionized aromatization approach to charged porous polymers as exceptional absorbents
Authors: Zhang Yinghang , Wang Xiaofeng , Thiruvengadam Palani , Ming Wenyong , Qiu Feng , Yu Kaijin , Liu Ping , Su Yuezeng , Zhang Fan
Published: April 2019

One-step ionized aromatization approach to cyclopropenium cation-based porous polymers with ultra-high selective capture of anionic dyes in water.
Flexible Bi–Te-based alloy nanosheet/PEDOT:PSS thermoelectric power generators
Authors: Du Yong , Liu Xin , Xu Jiayue , Shen Shirley Z.
Published: April 2019

Herein, Bi–Te-based alloy nanosheet/poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(4-styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) thermoelectric nanocomposite films were prepared by a vacuum filtration method after exfoliating Bi–Te-based alloy particles into nanosheets.
A AgOAc/quinine-derived aminophosphine complex as an efficient catalyst for diastereo- and enantioselective 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition of α,β-unsaturated 7-azaindoline amides and azomethine ylides
Authors: Zhang Yan-Ping , You Yong , Zhao Jian-Qiang , Zhou Xiao-Jian , Zhang Xiao-Mei , Xu Xiao-Ying , Yuan Wei-Cheng
Published: April 2019

The Dixon’s catalyst system is effective for the asymmetric 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition.
Microscale droplets covered by amphiphilic gold nanoparticles with various ligand ratios and concentrations
Authors: Jung Yeon-Geon , Lee Chae-Rim , Lee Hee-Jin , Chang Ji Woong , Lee Hee-Young
Published: April 2019

Behavior of amphiphilic gold nanoparticles on the droplet surface.
Stem cell models as an in vitro model for predictive toxicology
Authors: Lynch Stephen , Pridgeon Chris S. , Duckworth Carrie A. , Sharma Parveen , Park B. Kevin , Goldring Chris E.P.
Published: April 2019

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are the unintended side effects of drugs. They are categorised as either predictable or unpredictable drug-induced injury and may be exhibited after a single or prolonged exposure to one or multiple compounds. Historically, toxicology studies rely heavily on animal models to understand and characterise the toxicity of novel compounds. However, animal models are imperfect proxies for human toxicity and there have been several high-profile cases of failure of animal models to predict human toxicity e.g. fialuridine, TGN1412 which highlight the need for improved predictive models of human toxicity. As a result, stem cell-derived models are under investigation as potential models for toxicity during early stages of drug development. Stem cells retain the genotype of the individual from which they were derived, offering the opportunity to model the reproducibility of rare phenotypes in vitro. Differentiated 2D stem cell cultures have been investigated as models of hepato- and cardiotoxicity. However, insufficient maturity, particularly in the case of hepatocyte-like cells, means that their widespread use is not currently a feasible method to tackle the complex issues of off-target and often unpredictable toxicity of novel compounds. This review discusses the current state of the art for modelling clinically relevant toxicities, e.g. cardio- and hepatotoxicity, alongside the emerging need for modelling gastrointestinal toxicity and seeks to address whether stem cell technologies are a potential solution to increase the accuracy of ADR predictivity in humans.
PAS domain-containing phosphoglycerate kinase deficiency in Leishmania major results in increased autophagosome formation and cell death
Authors: Adhikari Ayan , Biswas Saroj , Mukherjee Aditi , Das Sumit , Adak Subrata
Published: April 2019

Per-Arnt-Sim (PAS) domains are structurally conserved and present in numerous proteins throughout all branches of the phylogenetic tree. Although PAS domain-containing proteins are major players for the adaptation to environmental stimuli in both prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms, these types of proteins are still uncharacterized in the trypanosomatid parasites, Trypanosome and Leishmania. In addition, PAS-containing phosphoglycerate kinase (PGK) protein is uncharacterized in the literature. Here, we report a PAS domain-containing PGK (LmPAS-PGK) in the unicellular pathogen Leishmania. The modeled structure of N-terminal of this protein exhibits four antiparallel β sheets centrally flanked by α helices, which is similar to the characteristic signature of PAS domain. Activity measurements suggest that acidic pH can directly stimulate PGK activity. Localization studies demonstrate that the protein is highly enriched in the glycosome and its presence can also be seen in the lysosome. Gene knockout, overexpression and complement studies suggest that LmPAS-PGK plays a fundamental role in cell survival through autophagy. Furthermore, the knockout cells display a marked decrease in virulence when host macrophage and BALB/c mice were infected with them. Our work begins to clarify how acidic pH-dependent ATP generation by PGK is likely to function in cellular adaptability of Leishmania.
LncRNA-MALAT1 promotes neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy through regulating miR-125b/VE-cadherin axis
Authors: Liu Ping , Jia Song-Bai , Shi Jing-Ming , Li Wen-Jie , Tang Luo-Sheng , Zhu Xia-Hua , Tong Ping
Published: April 2019

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is currently the leading cause of blindness and visual disability in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Neovascularization has been identified as an important clinical property in DR, however, the exact mechanisms in DR neovascularization are still unclear and need further elucidation.

Methods: Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression level of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), miR-125b and vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) in human retina microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) treated with high glucose (HG). Luciferase assay was used to detect interaction of MALAT1 with miR-125b and miR-125b with VE-cadherin. MTT assay, transwell assay, tube formation assay and vascular permeability assay were conducted to detect the cell viability, migration tube formation ability and permeability of hRMECs, respectively. ELISA was used to examine the release of VE-cadherin and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Western blotting was used to access the protein expression of VE-cadherin, VEGF, β-catenin, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2 (MMP2) and MMP9.

Results: MALAT1 and VE-cadherin were up-regulated while miR-125b was down-regulated in hRMECs treated with HG. MALAT1 could competitively bind to miR-125b against VE-cadherin at the site of 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR), leading to the up-regulation of VE-cadherin. Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited the proliferation, migration, tube formation and vascular permeability of hRMECs induced by HG through up-regulating miR-125b. Furthermore, we found the deletion of MALAT1 suppressed the VE-cadherin/β-catenin complex and neovascularization related proteins expression, which was up-regulated by HG.

Conclusion: Knockdown of MALAT1 inhibited cell proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of hRMECs via suppressing the VE-cadherin/β-catenin complex through targeting miR-125b. Inhibition of MALAT1 may serve as a potential target for anti-angiogenic therapy for DR.
Associations between cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 gene polymorphisms and diabetes mellitus: a meta-analysis of 76 case–control studies
Authors: Chen Min , Li ShuMin
Published: April 2019

Background: Several genetic association studies already investigated potential roles of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) gene polymorphisms in diabetes mellitus (DM), with inconsistent results. Therefore, we performed this meta-analysis to better assess the relationship between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and DM in a larger pooled population.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and CNKI were systematically searched for eligible studies. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to estimate the strength of associations between CTLA-4 gene polymorphisms and DM in all possible genetic models.

Results: A total of 76 studies were finally included in our analyses. Significant associations with susceptibility to type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) were detected for rs231775 (dominant model: P=0.008, OR = 0.83, 95%CI 0.73–0.95; recessive model: P=0.003, OR = 1.27, 95%CI 1.09–1.50; allele model: P=0.004, OR = 0.85, 95%CI 0.77–0.95) and rs5742909 (recessive model: P=0.02, OR = 1.50, 95%CI 1.05–2.13) polymorphisms in overall population. Further subgroup analyses revealed that rs231775 polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to T1DM in Caucasians and South Asians, and rs5742909 polymorphism was significantly associated with susceptibility to T1DM in South Asians. Moreover, rs231775 polymorphism was also found to be significantly associated with susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in East Asians and South Asians.

Conclusions: Our findings indicated that rs231775 and rs5742909 polymorphisms may serve as genetic biomarkers of T1DM, and rs231775 polymorphism may also serve as a genetic biomarker of T2DM.
A gene signature predicts response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancer patients
Authors: Zheng Tianzhi , Pang Zhiyuan , Zhao Zhao
Published: April 2019

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for approximately 15% of all breast cancer cases. TNBC is highly aggressive and associated with poor prognosis. The present study aimed to compare gene expression between TNBC patients with pathological complete response (pCR) and those with not complete response (nCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Microarray data of 16 TNBC patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy were identified from the Gene Expression Omnibus database and 10 patients of them had pCR. We found that 250 coding genes and 155 long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) were statistically differentially expressed between patients with pCR and nCR. Receiver operator characteristic curve and area under the curve (AUC) were calculated to assess predictive value of differentially expressed genes. A gene signature of three coding genes and two lncRNA was developed: 2.318*TCF3 + 7.349*CREB1 + 0.891*CEP44 + 0.091*NR_023392.1 + 1.424*NR_048561.1 − 106.682. The gene signature was further validated and had an AUC = 0.829. In summary, we profiled gene expression in pCR patients and developed a gene signature, which was effective to predict pCR among TNBC patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Endothelial cell-derived small extracellular vesicles suppress cutaneous wound healing through regulating fibroblasts autophagy
Authors: Zeng Tingting , Wang Xiaoyi , Wang Wei , Feng Qiling , Lao Guojuan , Liang Ying , Wang Chuan , Zhou Jing , Chen Yuying , Liu Jing , Gao Haiqi , Lan Biyun , Wu Yuxi , Han Yuting , Liu Yanyan , Chen Hongxing , Liu Liyi , Yang Chuan , Yan Li , Ren Meng , Sun Kan
Published: April 2019

Diabetic foot ulcer is a life-threatening clinical problem in diabetic patients. Endothelial cell-derived small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are important mediators of intercellular communication in the pathogenesis of several diseases. However, the exact mechanisms of wound healing mediated by endothelial cell-derived sEVs remain unclear. sEVs were isolated from human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) pretreated with or without advanced glycation end products (AGEs). The roles of HUVEC-derived sEVs on the biological characteristics of skin fibroblasts were investigated both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate that sEVs derived from AGEs-pretreated HUVECs (AGEs-sEVs) could inhibit collagen synthesis by activating autophagy of human skin fibroblasts. Additionally, treatment with AGEs-sEVs could delay the wound healing process in Sprague–Dawley (SD) rats. Further analysis indicated that miR-106b-5p was up-regulated in AGEs-sEVs and importantly, in exudate-derived sEVs from patients with diabetic foot ulcer. Consequently, sEV-mediated uptake of miR-106b-5p in recipient fibroblasts reduces expression of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), resulting in fibroblasts autophagy activation and subsequent collagen degradation. Collectively, our data demonstrate that miR-106b-5p could be enriched in AGEs-sEVs, then decreases collagen synthesis and delays cutaneous wound healing by triggering fibroblasts autophagy through reducing ERK1/2 expression.
Type-planning a Fenno-Swedish identity. The housing association for the Swedish speaking areas of Finland and the ideal rural home between 1938 and 1969
Authors: Åkerfelt Mia
Published: April 2019

Better housing for the rural population was an important part ofthe Finnish housing discussion in the 20th century. Between 1938 and 1969, Bostadsföreningen för svenska Finland (The housing association for the Swedish speaking areas of Finland) promoted rational housingfor the Fenno-Swedish minority. The construction of a collective identityfor a minority through dwelling ideals is the main focus of the article.Methods as identity process theory and perspectives on architecture and nationalism are used to interpret the material. Specific questions relate to how modernist architecture became a symbol when constructing an identity for a non-homogeneous minority. The housing association viewed modernist housing as a solution to a political and ideologicalproblem. With efficient homes, Fenno-Swedish farmers were less inclined to sell their homesteads to Finnish speakers and move to the cities, where they were assimilated into the Finnish culture. Mobility wasperceived as a threat to the minority, since it led to a loss of voters in areas of political importance. Modernist architecture combined with aesthetics from the vernacular building tradition were used to make thefarmers proud of their ancestral homes, willing to stay, securing theideological home of the Fenno-Swedes.
Alejandro de la Sota’s modern villages: vernacular abstraction and surrealist modernity
Authors: Lejeune Jean-François
Published: April 2019

Asked to implement General Franco’s ambitious “hydro-social dream” of modernization of the countryside, Falangist planners, engineers, and architects of the Instituto Nacional de Colonización (I.N.C.) developed a national strategy of “interior colonization” that, along with the reclamation of extensive regions, included the construction of302 modern pueblos between 1944 and 1970. Alejandro de la Sota (1913–1996) was one of the first five architects of the I.N.C. He designed Gimenells (1943), which set up the standards for the 1940s, and thenfour innovative villages: Esquivel (1952), Entrerríos (1954), Valuengoand La Bazana (1956). Based on research within the archives of the Fundación Alejandro de la Sota and the Ministry of Agriculture, this paper summarizes the modernity of his pueblos: the separation of traffic, the propagandistic concept of the open plaza, the volumetric abstraction ofthe vernacular house, and his ironic use (as understood by Ortega yGasset) of the Spanish classical. The research emphasizes how de la Sota transcended the functionalist elements of modernity in order to mobilize memories of the real and produce a “surreal” reality. In so doing,he reversed the fundamental reference to the countryside thatcharacterized Spanish surrealism to bring surrealism within the processof Franquist rural modernization.
Tessenei (1905-1941): intensive farming shaping landscape and social relations in colonial Eritrea
Authors: Cattaneo Nelly
Published: April 2019

In the early 20th century the agrarian policies of the Colonial Government in Eritrea moved from the promotion of Italian family homesteads on the highlands to the exploitation of wide semi-arid areas in the lowlands. In particular the surroundings of Tessenei, close to the Sudanese border, for its geomorphological and hydrographic features, were appropriate for a wide intensive plantation of cotton. Here in 1905 the most meaningful intervention of colonial agrarian valorisation in Eritrea was being planned, but it was realized at the end of the Twenties. Barriers, embankments, canals and drains caused then a radical change in the landscape, imposing a severe geometry over 10.000 hectares of smoothly corrugated lands around the Gash River. Production activities were mainly based on local workers: this had a dramatic impact on traditional culture and social relations, stressed by the fact that in a short while migration from Sudan and Ethiopia was encouraged. By analysing the main features of the spatial organization designed in Tessenei, an attempt to outline the relation between the colonial government and local cultural system will be made; the comprehension of this relation would be important to understand the legacies of the project and its potentialities at present.
The strada litoranea. Mapping colonial rural landscape along the Libyan coastal road.
Authors: Raffa Alessandro
Published: April 2019

The construction of the Strada Litoranea, the first modern infrastructure of Libya, coincided with an impressive territorial refoundation process. Although the role of this infrastructure in the tourist and rural development had been recognized, the scope and its transformative qualities in the process of modernization of the territory and of invention of a modern landscape has still not been investigated. The present paper illustrates ongoing research, interweaving geography, landscape architecture and architectural planning. Its first aim is to overcome the design-related disciplines previous research, through a less thematic and more 'relational' approach. A process that, starting from the coastal road, can tell the colonial fragments and their relations and reassemble them into a new interpretation of the Libyan peculiar rural landscape. Particularly, the modern strategy for rural development will emerge, also from a topographic point of view. A further element of originality consisted in the mapping process based on multi-scale territorial readings and architectural drawings, both as an instrument of knowledge and of restitution of relations between colonial fragments and strada litoranea. These maps intend to describe the complexity of an ambiguous landscape that oscillates between heterotopia and rooting, designed to be Italian and Libyan together.
Building the Modernist rural landscape in the Salazar’s Regime: The agricultural colony of Boalhosa
Authors: Marcolin Paolo , Flores Joaquim , Matias Isabel
Published: April 2019

The construction of the modernist rural landscape in Portugal bears the mark of the Junta de Colonização Interna, an institution created in 1936 during the Salazar regime within the Ministry of Agriculture. The colonies which were actually completed and whose original structures remain until today are regarded as singular experiences that, having assumed the assumptions of modernity, have sought to establish continuity with certain aspects of landscape and vernacular architecture. This research aims to test the methodology proposed for the analysis of the physical legacies of these colonies, applying it on the Agricultural Colony of Boalhosa. The methodology combines GIS and mapping analysis, covering several layers of information embarking natural and anthropogenic spatial data, which allow understanding the landscape transformation since the settlement of the colony. From the reading of the landscape structure of this colony, it was verified that these legacies were accomplished through the use of an autonomous design methodology, which considers the local culture and respects both the morphological and physiographic characteristics of the existing site, leading to the creation of modern landscapes strongly tied to the local identities.
The built memory: presenting the colonization villages in Spain by the newsreel of State NO-DO.
Authors: González Cubero Josefina , Zarza Arribas Alba
Published: April 2019

The newsreel of State used to show to Spanish society a determined image of architecture, conditioned by the political needs of Franco’s Regime. In this case, the subject of the cinematographic image of villages of colonization of the Tagus valley as presented by the NO-DO newsreel (Noticiarios y Documentales Cinematográficos) is studied. NO-DO was originally created as a propaganda tool and an instrument for the diffusion of “specially relevant” news from that time period.

The analysis of the architecture built by the National Institute of Colonization (INC) and showed in different editions of the newsreel allowed us to understand the ideological approach made by the Regime to the Spanish countryside, through the model of colonization of the territory, and how building was used as propaganda. The urban model proposed was defined by civic centres –usually square-shaped-, and church towers as urban milestones set in the landscape. For this reason, politic demonstrations in the representative public spaces of villages, through the delivering of houses and rural property to settlers, incorporated the context and living conditions in which new villages were built. At the same time, the visits to irrigation farms, new irrigation canals, and hydraulic and hydroelectric infrastructures exemplify the agrarian and irrigation policies during the autarchy, whereas in the next decades, and because of the economic and social development of the countryside, news about reservoirs were just referred to sports and leisure activities. Therefore, these cinematographic images of buildings, irrigation policies and the modernization of rural landscape presented in cinemas through the NO-DO newsreel are relevant, since they build a collective memoryof the architecture and engineering of that time. They also document the social, politic and economic role that the creation of Spanish villages of colonization at river basins had, specifically in one of the biggest rivers, the Tagus.
Modern rural landscapes in contemporary heritage imaginaries: the case of Germany’s southern Oderbruch
Authors: Bereskin Emily
Published: April 2019

Using the Southern Oderbruch as a case study, this paper investigates the presence and representation of the modern rural landscapes of the German Democratic Republic within the region’s contemporary heritage and tourism landscape. Following an analysis of extant discourse production in place marketing materials and heritage sites (primarily local museums), the paper argues that although the unique landscapes developed in concert with the collective farms (landwirtschaftliche Produktionsgenossenschaften) of the GDR remain very much in situ, they remain largely invisible in the heritage and touristic representation of the Oderbruch, which tends to focus on more traditional manifestations of “pastoral beauty” and on historical events preceding the founding of the GDR. This paper hypothesizes several reasons for this conspicuous absence, arguing that the history of the LPG defies local will to narrativise due to its ongoing social, legal, and economic reverberations in everyday life. The second half of the paper reviews the current application effort fora European Cultural Heritage designation for the Oderbruch. The paper highlights the complexity of the situational landscape surrounding the production of heritage, in terms of political, economic, social, and symbolic factors and argues for similar analyses as a comparative path of investigation for the MODSCAPES project.
Glucose Responsiveness of β-Cells Depends on Fatty Acids
Authors: Gerst Felicia , Singer Christine , Noack Katja , Graf Dunia , Kaiser Gabriele , Panse Madhura , Kovarova Marketa , Schleicher Erwin , Häring Hans-Ulrich , Drews Gisela , Ullrich Susanne
Published: April 2019

Glucose-stimulated insulin secretion (GSIS) is the gold standard for β-cell function. Both experimental and clinical diabetology, i. e., preceding transplantation of isolated human islets, depend on functional testing. However, multiple factors influence GSIS rendering the comparison of different in vitro tests of glucose responsiveness difficult. This study examined the influence of bovine serum albumin (BSA)-coupled fatty acids on GSIS. Isolated islet preparations of human donors and of 12-months old mice displayed impaired GSIS in the presence of 0.5% FFA-free BSA compared to 0.5% BSA (fraction V, not deprived from fatty acids). In aged INS-1E cells, i. e. at a high passage number, GSIS became highly sensitive to FFA-free BSA. Readdition of 30 µM palmitate or 30 µM oleate to FFA-free BSA did not rescue GSIS, while the addition of 100 µM palmitate and the raise of extracellular Ca2+from 1.3 to 2.6 mM improved glucose responsiveness. A high concentration of palmitate (600 µM), which fully activates FFA1, largely restored insulin secretion. The FFA1-agonist TUG-469 also increased insulin secretion but to a lesser extent than palmitate. Glucose- and TUG-induced Ca2+oscillations were impaired in glucose-unresponsive, i. e., aged INS-1E cells. These results suggest that fatty acid deprivation (FFA-free BSA) impairs GSIS mainly through an effect on Ca2+sensitivity.
A Short Synthesis of (2S,3S,4R)-Dihydroxyhomoprolines from d-Erythrose-Derived 5,6-Dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one
Authors: Freitas David S. , Noro Jennifer , Drogalin Artem , Fernandes Mónica C. S. , Baptista António V. M. , Parente Joana F. C. , Rodríguez-Borges José E. , Gil Fortes António , Alves Maria J.
Published: April 2019

(2S,3S,4R)-Dihydroxyhomoprolines were obtained from a six-carbon-atom lactone intermediate obtained from d-erythrose in a short synthesis, by facile operational methodology, in very good overall yields.
Access to Biphenyls by Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Coupling of Phenyl Carbamates and Phenols
Authors: Bach Thorsten , Truchan Nadina , Jandl Christian , Pöthig Alexander , Breitenlechner Stefan
Published: April 2019

The oxidative cross-coupling of phenols (3 equiv) to various substituted phenyl N,N-diethylcarbamates was explored with a variety of substrates. Pd(OAc)2 was employed as the catalyst (20 mol%) and K2S2O8 as the stoichiometric oxidant in trifluoroacetic acid as the solvent (50 °C, 2 h). Carbamates without or with a substituent on the phenyl ring (Me, Ph, Cl, OMe) underwent the reaction unless the phenyl substituent was too strongly electron withdrawing (CN). Cross-coupling occurred exclusively in the ortho position relative to the carbamate group. The regioselectivity at the phenol (ortho or para to hydroxy) was mainly determined by steric factors. Yields up to 60–70% were achieved for specific carbamate/phenol combinations.
Ruthenium-Catalyzed Directed C(3)–H Olefination of N-Acetyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinolines: A Method to Achieve C3-Olefinated Isoquinolines
Authors: Das Riki , Khot Nandkishor Prakash , Deshpande Akanksha Santosh , Kapur Manmohan
Published: April 2019

A unique approach to achieve regioselective C(3)–H olefination of isoquinolines under ruthenium-catalyzed conditions has been developed. The acetyl group of N-acetyl-1,2-dihydroisoquinoline acts as a directing group for this C–H olefination strategy. Removal of the acetyl directing group by a simple method leads to a quick access to C-3 olefinated isoquinolines. The methodology is a very good alternative to the traditional Heck reaction and substrates with halogen substituents are very good candidates for the transformation.
Occlusive Coronary Thrombosis and Oral Anticoagulants
Authors: Barrillon A. , Kusmierek J. , Gerbaux A.
Published: April 2019

The results of post-mortem examination in 173 patients followed over an average period of five and a half years after their initial myocardial infarction are described. These 173 patients were divided into four groups according to whether or not they had received an oral anticoagulant and if so how adequately. An index of coronary and myocardial lesions was established for each heart. Recent occlusive coronary thromboses were four times less frequent in the group of patients who had received adequate anticoagulant therapy than in the other three groups of patients (p˂0,001). There was no significant difference between the inadequately treated groups and the untreated group. The recurrences of myocardial infarction were associated in 90 per cent of the cases with a recent occlusive thrombosis in the corresponding coronary artery and were found four times less frequently in the group subjected to effective long-term anticoagulant therapy (p˂0,001).