bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Reversible visible/near-infrared light responsive thin films based on indium tin oxide nanocrystals and polymer
Authors: Wu Jian , Mu Chenzhong , Yang Jinglei 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn this study, we design a novel thermo- and photo-responsive nanocomposite film prepared by depositing indium tin oxide nanocrystals via the coating of amphiphilic copolymer on polycaprolactone substrates (INCP). The INCP film shows reversible surface morphology change properties by changing temperature as well as turning ON/OFF NIR laser. Especially, as the temperature changes from 25 to 75 °C, the film could regulate light transmittance from 75 to 90% across the visible and near-infrared region (500–1,750 nm). In addition, the film also exhibits excellent recycle and thermal stability at different temperature. Our results reveal that reversible surface morphology change properties are caused by curvature adjustment of film, which is owing to the coupling effect between copolymer and PCL with different thermal expansion strains. Our results suggest a possible strategy for the preparation of smart responsive materials in the future, which provides a reference for the development of new energy-saving materials.
Vulnerability of a top marine predator to coastal storms: a relationship between hydrodynamic drivers and stranding rates of newborn pinnipeds
Authors: Sepúlveda M. , Quiñones R. A. , Esparza C. , Carrasco P. , Winckler P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCoastal storms have increased in recent decades, affecting many species, including the South American sea lion (Otaria byronia). Reports of stranded sea lion pups are becoming common in Chile, presumably due to the increase in the frequency and intensity of coastal storms. To validate this assumption, a 10-year database was built by coupling wave generation and coastal propagation models to correlate pure wave parameters (significant wave height Hs, peak period Tp, normalized wave power Hs2Tp) and wave parameters including the tidal level (maximum surface elevation η, modified wave power η2Tp) with records of stranded pups in Cobquecura, the largest breeding colony in central Chile. The correlation between the number of pups stranded per day and wave parameters in the first half of January and the last half of February is poor, while they are stronger for the second half of January and the first half of February. The higher number of stranded pups coincide with coastal storms with normalized wave power values exceeding a threshold of 100 m2/s. Conversely, below this threshold there is wide dispersion between the number of strandings and wave parameters. Identifying wave parameter thresholds could be used to predict when newborn pups will be most affected by coastal storms, and thus help institutions to develop remediation techniques for animals at risk.
The Gly82Ser mutation in AGER contributes to pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) in Japanese patients
Authors: Kinjo Takumi , Kitaguchi Yoshiaki , Droma Yunden , Yasuo Masanori , Wada Yosuke , Ueno Fumika , Ota Masao , Hanaoka Masayuki 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe dominant pathogenesis underlying the combined pulmonary fibrosis and emphysema (CPFE) remains unresolved. The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) is highly expressed in lung tissues and interacts with distinct multiple ligands, implicating it in certain lung diseases. To elucidate the pathogenesis of CPFE, we genotyped three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs: rs2070600, rs1800625, and rs2853807) of the gene encoding RAGE (AGER) in 111 CPFE patients and 337 chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients of Japanese by using StepOne Real-Time PCR System for SNP genotyping assay. Serum levels of soluble RAGE (sRAGE) were measured by ELISA. We found that the allele frequency of rs2070600 was significantly different between the two groups [corrected P (Pc) = 0.015]. In addition, the minor allele was associated with CPFE patients relative to COPD patients in a dominant effect model (Odds Ratio = 1.93; Pc = 0.018). Moreover, the serum sRAGE level was significantly lower in the CPFE group than the COPD group (P = 0.014). The rs2070600 minor allele was significantly associated with reduced sRAGE level in CPFE patients and independently affected sRAGE level reduction in this group (P = 0.020). We concluded that the AGER rs2070600 minor allele (Gly82Ser mutation) is associated with the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis in CPFE in Japanese patients.
Gene knockdown via electroporation of short hairpin RNAs in embryos of the marine hydroid Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus
Authors: Quiroga-Artigas Gonzalo , Duscher Alexandrea , Lundquist Katelyn , Waletich Justin , Schnitzler Christine E. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAnalyzing gene function in a broad range of research organisms is crucial for understanding the biological functions of genes and their evolution. Recent studies have shown that short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) can induce gene-specific knockdowns in two cnidarian species. We have developed a detailed, straightforward, and scalable method to deliver shRNAs into fertilized eggs of the hydrozoan cnidarian Hydractinia symbiolongicarpus via electroporation, yielding effective gene-targeted knockdowns that can last throughout embryogenesis. Our electroporation protocol allows for the transfection of shRNAs into hundreds of fertilized H. symbiolongicarpus eggs simultaneously with minimal embryo death and no long-term harmful consequences on the developing animals. We show RT-qPCR and detailed phenotypic evidence of our method successfully inducing effective knockdowns of an exogenous gene (eGFP) and an endogenous gene (Nanos2), as well as knockdown confirmation by RT-qPCR of two other endogenous genes. We also provide visual confirmation of successful shRNA transfection inside embryos through electroporation. Our detailed protocol for electroporation of shRNAs in H. symbiolongicarpus embryos constitutes an important experimental resource for the hydrozoan community while also serving as a successful model for the development of similar methods for interrogating gene function in other marine invertebrates.
Intracellular G-actin targeting of peripheral sensory neurons by the multifunctional engineered protein C2C confers relief from inflammatory pain
Authors: Allen Derek , Zhou You , Wilhelm Audrey , Blum Paul 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe engineered multifunctional protein C2C was tested for control of sensory neuron activity by targeted G-actin modification. C2C consists of the heptameric oligomer, C2II-CI, and the monomeric ribosylase, C2I. C2C treatment of sensory neurons and SH-SY5Y cells in vitro remodeled actin and reduced calcium influx in a reversible manner. C2C prepared using fluorescently labeled C2I showed selective in vitro C2I delivery to primary sensory neurons but not motor neurons. Delivery was dependent on presence of both C2C subunits and blocked by receptor competition. Immunohistochemistry of mice treated subcutaneously with C2C showed colocalization of subunit C2I with CGRP-positive sensory neurons and fibers but not with ChAT-positive motor neurons and fibers. The significance of sensory neuron targeting was pursued subsequently by testing C2C activity in the formalin inflammatory mouse pain model. Subcutaneous C2C administration reduced pain-like behaviors by 90% relative to untreated controls 6 h post treatment and similarly to the opioid buprenorphene. C2C effects were dose dependent, equally potent in female and male animals and did not change gross motor function. One dose was effective in 2 h and lasted 1 week. Administration of C2I without C2II-CI did not reduce pain-like behavior indicating its intracellular delivery was required for behavioral effect.
Elafin inhibits obesity, hyperglycemia, and liver steatosis in high-fat diet-treated male mice
Authors: Wang Jiani , Ortiz Christina , Fontenot Lindsey , Mukhopadhyay Riya , Xie Ying , Law Ivy Ka Man , Shih David Q. , Mattai S. Anjani , Li Zhaoping , Koon Hon Wai 
Published: July 2020

AbstractElafin is an antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory protein. We hypothesize that elafin expression correlates with diabetes. Among non-diabetic and prediabetic groups, men have significantly higher serum elafin levels than women. Men with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) have significantly lower serum elafin levels than men without T2DM. Serum elafin levels are inversely correlated with fasting blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c levels in men with T2DM, but not women with T2DM. Lentiviral elafin overexpression inhibited obesity, hyperglycemia, and liver steatosis in high-fat diet (HFD)-treated male mice. Elafin-overexpressing HFD-treated male mice had increased serum leptin levels, and serum exosomal miR181b-5p and miR219-5p expression. Transplantation of splenocytes and serum exosomes from elafin-overexpressing HFD-treated donor mice reduced food consumption and fat mass, and increased adipose tissue leptin mRNA expression in HFD-treated recipient mice. Elafin improved leptin sensitivity via reduced interferon-gamma expression and induced adipose leptin expression via increased miR181b-5p and miR219-5p expression. Subcutaneous and oral administration of modified elafin inhibited obesity, hyperglycemia, and liver steatosis in the HFD-treated mice. Circulating elafin levels are associated with hyperglycemia in men with T2DM. Elafin, via immune-derived miRNAs and cytokine, activates leptin sensitivity and expression that subsequently inhibit food consumption, obesity, hyperglycemia, and liver steatosis in HFD-treated male mice.
Rapid fragmentation of microplastics by the freshwater amphipod Gammarus duebeni (Lillj.)
Authors: Mateos-Cárdenas Alicia , O’Halloran John , van Pelt Frank N. A. M. , Jansen Marcel A. K. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMicroplastics have become ubiquitous in all environments. Yet, their environmental fate is still largely unknown. Plastic fragmentation is a key component of plastic degradation, which is mostly caused by abiotic processes over prolonged time scales. Here, it is shown that the freshwater amphipod Gammarus duebeni can rapidly fragment polyethylene microplastics, resulting in the formation of differently shaped and sized plastic fragments, including nanoplastics. Fragments comprised 65.7% of all observed microplastic particles accumulated in digestive tracts. Higher numbers of fragments were found in response to longer exposure times and/or higher microplastic concentrations. Furthermore, the proportion of smaller plastic fragments was highest when food was present during the depuration process. It is concluded that G. duebeni can rapidly fragment polyethylene microplastics and that this is closely associated with the feeding process. These results highlight the crucial role, currently understudied, that biota may play in determining the fate of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
Simultaneous time-varying viscosity, elasticity, and mass measurements of single adherent cancer cells across cell cycle
Authors: Adeniba Olaoluwa O. , Corbin Elise A. , Ganguli Anurup , Kim Yongdeok , Bashir Rashid 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBiophysical studies on single cells have linked cell mechanics to physiology, functionality and disease. Evaluation of mass and viscoelasticity versus cell cycle can provide further insights into cell cycle progression and the uncontrolled proliferation of cancer. Using our pedestal microelectromechanical systems resonant sensors, we have developed a non-contact interferometric measurement technique that simultaneously tracks the dynamic changes in the viscoelastic moduli and mass of adherent colon (HT-29) and breast cancer (MCF-7) cells from the interphase through mitosis and then to the cytokinesis stages of their growth cycle. We show that by combining three optomechanical parameters in an optical path length equation and a two-degree-of-freedom model, we can simultaneously extract the viscoelasticity and mass as a function of the nano-scaled membrane fluctuation of each adherent cell. Our measurements are able to discern between soft and stiff cells across the cell cycle and demonstrated sharp viscoelastic changes due to cortical stiffening around mitosis. Cell rounding before division can be detected by measurement of mechanical coupling between the cells and the sensors. Our measurement device and method can provide for new insights into the mechanics of single adherent cells versus time.
Cutibacterium acnes regulates the epidermal barrier properties of HPV-KER human immortalized keratinocyte cultures
Authors: Bolla Beáta Szilvia , Erdei Lilla , Urbán Edit , Burián Katalin , Kemény Lajos , Szabó Kornélia 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOur skin provides a physical barrier to separate the internal part of our body from the environment. Maintenance of complex barrier functions is achieved through anatomical structures in the skin, the stratified squamous epithelium specialized junctional organelles, called tight junctions (TJs). Several members of our microbial communities are known to affect the differentiation state and function of the colonized organ. Whether and how interactions between skin cells and cutaneous microbes, including Cutibacterium acnes (C. acnes), modify the structure and/or function of our skin is currently only partly understood. Thus, in our studies, we investigated whether C. acnes may affect the epidermal barrier using in vitro model systems. Real-time cellular analysis showed that depending on the keratinocyte differentiation state, the applied C. acnes strains and their dose, the measured impedance values change, together with the expression of selected TJ proteins. These may reflect barrier alterations, which can be partially restored upon antibiotic–antimycotic treatment. Our findings suggest that C. acnes can actively modify the barrier properties of cultured keratinocytes, possibly through alteration of tight cell-to-cell contacts. Similar events may play important roles in our skin, in the maintenance of cutaneous homeostasis.
Controlling osteoblast morphology and proliferation via surface micro-topographies of implant biomaterials
Authors: Rabel Kerstin , Kohal Ralf-Joachim , Steinberg Thorsten , Tomakidi Pascal , Rolauffs Bernd , Adolfsson Erik , Palmero Paola , Fürderer Tobias , Altmann Brigitte 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCurrent research on surface modifications has yielded advanced implant biomaterials. Various implant surface modifications have been shown to be promising in improving bone target cell response, but more comprehensive studies whether certain implant surface modifications can directly target cell behavioural features such as morphogenesis and proliferation are needed. Here, we studied the response of primary alveolar bone cells on various implant surface modifications in terms of osteoblast morphology and proliferation in vitro. Analyses of surface modifications led to surface-related test parameters including the topographical parameters micro-roughness, texture aspect and surface enlargement as well as the physicochemical parameter surface wettability. We compared osteoblast morphology and proliferation towards the above-mentioned parameters and found that texture aspect and surface enlargement but not surface roughness or wettability exhibited significant impact on osteoblast morphology and proliferation. Detailed analysis revealed osteoblast proliferation as a function of cell morphology, substantiated by an osteoblast size- and morphology-dependent increase in mitotic activity. These findings show that implant surface topography controls cell behavioural morphology and subsequently cell proliferation, thereby opening the road for cell instructive biomaterials.
Two Dyakonov–Voigt surface waves guided by a biaxial–isotropic dielectric interface
Authors: Zhou Chenzhang , Mackay Tom G. , Lakhtakia Akhlesh 
Published: July 2020

AbstractElectromagnetic surface waves guided by the planar interface of an orthorhombic dielectric material and an isotropic dielectric material were analyzed theoretically and numerically. Both naturally occurring minerals (crocoite, tellurite, and cerussite) and engineered materials were considered as the orthorhombic partnering material. In addition to conventional Dyakonov surface waves, the analysis revealed that as many as two Dyakonov–Voigt surface waves can propagate in each quadrant of the interface plane, depending upon the birefringence of the orthorhombic partnering material. The coexistence of two Dyakonov–Voigt surface waves marks a fundamental departure from the corresponding case involving the planar interface of a uniaxial dielectric material and an isotropic dielectric material for which only one Dyakonov–Voigt surface wave is possible. The two Dyakonov–Voigt surface waves propagate in different directions in each quadrant of the interface plane, with different relative phase speeds and different penetration depths. Furthermore, the localization characteristics of the two Dyakonov–Voigt surface waves at the planar interface are quite different: the Dyakonov–Voigt surface wave with the higher relative phase speed is much less tightly localized at the interface in the isotropic dielectric partnering material.
Dopaminergic neurons regenerate following chemogenetic ablation in the olfactory bulb of adult Zebrafish (Danio rerio)
Authors: Godoy Rafael , Hua Khang , Kalyn Michael , Cusson Victoria-Marie , Anisman Hymie , Ekker Marc 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAdult zebrafish have the ability to regenerate cells of the central nervous system. However, few neuronal regeneration studies in adult zebrafish addressed their ability to regenerate specific types of neurons following cell specific ablation. We show here that treatment of transgenic Tg(dat:CFP-NTR) adult zebrafish with the prodrug metronidazole (Mtz) according to our administration regimen predominantly ablates dopamine (DA) neurons within the olfactory bulb (OB) of adult fish. Loss of DA neurons was accompanied by an impaired olfaction phenotype, as early as 1-week post-treatment, in which fish were unable to sense the presence of the repulsive stimulus cadaverine. The olfactory impairment was reversed within 45 days and coincided with the recovery of DA neuron counts in the OB. A multi-label pulse-chase analysis with BrdU and EdU over the first seventeen days-post Mtz exposure showed that newly formed DA neurons were recruited within the first nine days following exposure and led to functional and morphological recovery of the OB.
A D-lactate dehydrogenase from rice is involved in conferring tolerance to multiple abiotic stresses by maintaining cellular homeostasis
Authors: Jain Muskan , Aggarwal Sakshi , Nagar Preeti , Tiwari Roopam , Mustafiz Ananda 
Published: July 2020

AbstractD-lactate dehydrogenase (D-LDH) converts D-lactate (the end product of glyoxalase system) to pyruvate and thereby completes the detoxification process of methylglyoxal. D-LDH detoxifies and diverts the stress induced toxic metabolites, MG and D-lactate, towards energy production and thus, protects the cell from their deteriorating effects. In this study, a D-LDH enzyme from rice (OsD-LDH2, encoded by Os07g08950.1) was characterized for its role in abiotic stress tolerance. For this, a combination of in silico, molecular, genetic and biochemical approaches was used. The kinetic analysis revealed OsD-LDH2 to be the most efficient D-LDH enzyme in comparison to D-LDHs from other plant species. Heterologous overexpression of OsD-LDH2 provides tolerance against multiple abiotic stresses in E. coli, yeast and plant system. The analysis of D-LDH mutant and OsD-LDH2 overexpressing transgenic plants uncovered the crucial role of D-LDH in mitigation of abiotic stresses. OsD-LDH2 overexpressing plants maintained lower level of ROS and other toxic metabolites along with better functioning of antioxidant system. This is the first report on correlation of D-LDH with multiple abiotic stress tolerance. Overall, OsD-LDH2 emerged as a promising candidate which can open a new direction for engineering stress tolerant crop varieties by maintaining their growth and yield in unfavorable conditions.
Ultra-compact and high-performance polarization beam splitter assisted by slotted waveguide subwavelength gratings
Authors: Huang Chia-Chih , Huang Chia-Chien 
Published: July 2020

AbstractWe propose an ultra-short polarization beam splitter (PBS) consisting of two slot waveguides assisted by slotted waveguide subwavelength gratings (SWSWGs), located between the two slotted waveguides. By controlling the optical momentum of evanescent waves with the anisotropic characteristics of the SWSWGs, we considerably suppress and enhance the couplings of transverse-electric (TE) and transverse-magnetic (TM) modes, respectively, concurrently improving performances and reducing length of the proposed PBS, compared with conventional slotted waveguide couplers (CSWCs). Exceptionally, a transition point is found to show almost zero crosstalk between waveguides for the TE mode, i.e., infinite coupling length. Differing from conventional single-material SWGs, the SWSWGs not only simplify the fabrication process but improve polarization extinction ratio (PER). Numerical results demonstrate the improvement in PERTM (PERTE) from approximately 13 (23) dB for the CSWCs to 26 (24) dB for the present structure, with a > 70% reduction in device length, operating at the wavelength of λ = 1,550 nm. Our design achieves performance of PERTM > 25 dB and PERTE > 20 dB, and insertion loss (IL) < 0.05 dB for TE and < 0.3 dB for TM modes within a bandwidth width (BW) of ~ 50 nm from λ = 1,530 to 1,580 nm. Additionally, geometry deviation is also investigated to assess experimental tolerance. The present idea provides an approach for improving PER, device length, and operating BW of PBSs composed of various waveguide couplers.
SomaticCombiner: improving the performance of somatic variant calling based on evaluation tests and a consensus approach
Authors: Wang Mingyi , Luo Wen , Jones Kristine , Bian Xiaopeng , Williams Russell , Higson Herbert , Wu Dongjing , Hicks Belynda , Yeager Meredith , Zhu Bin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIt is challenging to identify somatic variants from high-throughput sequence reads due to tumor heterogeneity, sub-clonality, and sequencing artifacts. In this study, we evaluated the performance of eight primary somatic variant callers and multiple ensemble methods using both real and synthetic whole-genome sequencing, whole-exome sequencing, and deep targeted sequencing datasets with the NA12878 cell line. The test results showed that a simple consensus approach can significantly improve performance even with a limited number of callers and is more robust and stable than machine learning based ensemble approaches. To fully exploit the multi-callers, we also developed a software package, SomaticCombiner, that can combine multiple callers and integrates a new variant allelic frequency (VAF) adaptive majority voting approach, which can maintain sensitive detection for variants with low VAFs.