bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fiber reinforced GelMA hydrogel to induce the regeneration of corneal stroma
Authors: Kong Bin , Chen Yun , Liu Rui , Liu Xi , Liu Changyong , Shao Zengwu , Xiong Liming , Liu Xianning , Sun Wei , Mi Shengli 
Published: March 2020

AbstractRegeneration of corneal stroma has always been a challenge due to its sophisticated structure and keratocyte-fibroblast transformation. In this study, we fabricate grid poly (ε-caprolactone)-poly (ethylene glycol) microfibrous scaffold and infuse the scaffold with gelatin methacrylate (GelMA) hydrogel to obtain a 3 D fiber hydrogel construct; the fiber spacing is adjusted to fabricate optimal construct that simulates the stromal structure with properties most similar to the native cornea. The topological structure (3 D fiber hydrogel, 3 D GelMA hydrogel, and 2 D culture dish) and chemical factors (serum, ascorbic acid, insulin, and β-FGF) are examined to study their effects on the differentiation of limbal stromal stem cells to keratocytes or fibroblasts and the phenotype maintenance, in vitro and in vivo tissue regeneration. The results demonstrate that fiber hydrogel and serum-free media synergize to provide an optimal environment for the maintenance of keratocyte phenotype and the regeneration of damaged corneal stroma.
Elastic conducting polymer composites in thermoelectric modules
Authors: Kim Nara , Lienemann Samuel , Petsagkourakis Ioannis , Alemu Mengistie Desalegn , Kee Seyoung , Ederth Thomas , Gueskine Viktor , Leclère Philippe , Lazzaroni Roberto , Crispin Xavier , Tybrandt Klas 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe rapid growth of wearables has created a demand for lightweight, elastic and conformal energy harvesting and storage devices. The conducting polymer poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) has shown great promise for thermoelectric generators, however, the thick layers of pristine poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) required for effective energy harvesting are too hard and brittle for seamless integration into wearables. Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-elastomer composites have been developed to improve its mechanical properties, although so far without simultaneously achieving softness, high electrical conductivity, and stretchability. Here we report an aqueously processed poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)-polyurethane-ionic liquid composite, which combines high conductivity (>140 S cm−1) with superior stretchability (>600%), elasticity, and low Young’s modulus (<7 MPa). The outstanding performance of this organic nanocomposite is the result of favorable percolation networks on the nano- and micro-scale and the plasticizing effect of the ionic liquid. The elastic thermoelectric material is implemented in the first reported intrinsically stretchable organic thermoelectric module.
Context-dependent dynamics lead to the assembly of functionally distinct microbial communities
Authors: Bittleston Leonora S. , Gralka Matti , Leventhal Gabriel E. , Mizrahi Itzhak , Cordero Otto X. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNiche construction through interspecific interactions can condition future community states on past ones. However, the extent to which such history dependency can steer communities towards functionally different states remains a subject of active debate. Using bacterial communities collected from wild pitchers of the carnivorous pitcher plant, Sarracenia purpurea, we test the effects of history on composition and function across communities assembled in synthetic pitcher plant microcosms. We find that the diversity of assembled communities is determined by the diversity of the system at early, pre-assembly stages. Species composition is also contingent on early community states, not only because of differences in the species pool, but also because the same species have different dynamics in different community contexts. Importantly, compositional differences are proportional to differences in function, as profiles of resource use are strongly correlated with composition, despite convergence in respiration rates. Early differences in community structure can thus propagate to mature communities, conditioning their functional repertoire.
Filamentation of the bacterial bi-functional alcohol/aldehyde dehydrogenase AdhE is essential for substrate channeling and enzymatic regulation
Authors: Pony Pauline , Rapisarda Chiara , Terradot Laurent , Marza Esther , Fronzes Rémi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAcetaldehyde–alcohol dehydrogenase (AdhE) enzymes are a key metabolic enzyme in bacterial physiology and pathogenicity. They convert acetyl-CoA to ethanol via an acetaldehyde intermediate during ethanol fermentation in an anaerobic environment. This two-step reaction is associated to NAD+ regeneration, essential for glycolysis. The bifunctional AdhE enzyme is conserved in all bacterial kingdoms but also in more phylogenetically distant microorganisms such as green microalgae. It is found as an oligomeric form called spirosomes, for which the function remains elusive. Here, we use cryo-electron microscopy to obtain structures of Escherichia coli spirosomes in different conformational states. We show that spirosomes contain active AdhE monomers, and that AdhE filamentation is essential for its activity in vitro and function in vivo. The detailed analysis of these structures provides insight showing that AdhE filamentation is essential for substrate channeling within the filament and for the regulation of enzyme activity.
Single crystal of a one-dimensional metallo-covalent organic framework
Authors: Xu Hai-Sen , Luo Yi , Li Xing , See Pei Zhen , Chen Zhongxin , Ma Tianqiong , Liang Lin , Leng Kai , Abdelwahab Ibrahim , Wang Lin , Li Runlai , Shi Xiangyan , Zhou Yi , Lu Xiu Fang , Zhao Xiaoxu , Liu Cuibo , Sun Junliang , Loh Kian Ping 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlthough polymers have been studied for well over a century, there are few examples of covalently linked polymer crystals synthesised directly from solution. One-dimensional (1D) covalent polymers that are packed into a framework structure can be viewed as a 1D covalent organic framework (COF), but making a single crystal of this has been elusive. Herein, by combining labile metal coordination and dynamic covalent chemistry, we discover a strategy to synthesise single-crystal metallo-COFs under solvothermal conditions. The single-crystal structure is rigorously solved using single-crystal electron diffraction technique. The non-centrosymmetric metallo-COF allows second harmonic generation. Due to the presence of syntactic pendant amine groups along the polymer chains, the metallopolymer crystal can be further cross-linked into a crystalline woven network.
Antibody response of a particle-inducing, liposome vaccine adjuvant admixed with a Pfs230 fragment
Authors: Huang Wei-Chiao , Deng Bingbing , Seffouh Amal , Ortega Joaquin , Long Carole A. , Suresh Ragavan V. , He Xuedan , Miura Kazutoyo , Lee Shwu-Maan , Wu Yimin , Lovell Jonathan F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPfs230 is a malaria transmission-blocking antigen candidate, expressed on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum gametocytes. A recombinant, his-tagged Pfs230 fragment (Pfs230C1; amino acids 443–731) formed serum-stable particles upon incubation with liposomes containing cobalt-porphyrin-phospholipid (CoPoP). In mice, immunization with Pfs230C1, admixed with the adjuvants Alum, Montanide ISA720 or CoPoP liposomes (also containing synthetic monophosphoryl lipid A; PHAD), resulted in elicitation of IgG antibodies, but only those induced with CoPoP/PHAD or ISA720 strongly reduced parasite transmission. Immunization with micrograms of Pfs230C1 adjuvanted with identical liposomes lacking cobalt (that did not induce particle formation) or Alum was less effective than immunization with nanograms of Pfs230C1 with CoPoP/PHAD. CoPoP/PHAD and ISA720 adjuvants induced antibodies with similar Pfs230C1 avidity but higher IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios than Alum, which likely contributed to enhanced functional activity. Unlike prior work with another transmission-blocking antigen (Pfs25), Pfs230C1 was found to be effectively taken up by antigen-presenting cells without particle formation. The anti-Pfs230C1 IgG response was durable in mice for 250 days following immunization with CoPoP/PHAD, as were antibody avidity and elevated IgG2-to-IgG1 ratios. Immunization of rabbits with 20 µg Pfs230C1 admixed with CoPoP/PHAD elicited antibodies that inhibited parasite transmission. Taken together, these results show that liposomes containing CoPoP and PHAD are an effective vaccine adjuvant platform for recombinant malaria transmission blocking antigens.
Novel strategies for expansion of tooth epithelial stem cells and ameloblast generation
Authors: Binder Martin , Biggs Leah C. , Kronenberg Mark S. , Schneider Pascal , Thesleff Irma , Balic Anamaria 
Published: March 2020

AbstractEnamel is secreted by ameloblasts derived from tooth epithelial stem cells (SCs). Humans cannot repair or regenerate enamel, due to early loss of tooth epithelial SCs. Contrarily in the mouse incisors, epithelial SCs are maintained throughout life and endlessly generate ameloblasts, and thus enamel. Here we isolated Sox2-GFP+ tooth epithelial SCs which generated highly cellular spheres following a novelin vitrostrategy. This system enabled analysis of SC regulation by various signaling molecules, and supported the stimulatory and inhibitory roles of Shh and Bmp, respectively; providing better insight into the heterogeneity of the SCs. Further, we generated a novel mouse reporter,Enamelin-tdTomato for identification of ameloblasts in live tissues and cells, and used it to demonstrate presence of ameloblasts in the new 3D co-culture system of dental SCs. Collectively, our results provide means of generating 3D tooth epithelium from adult SCs which can be utilized toward future generation of enamel.
Comparison Between Fine Needle Aspiration and Core Needle Biopsy for the Diagnosis of Thyroid Nodules: Effective Indications According to US Findings
Authors: Hahn Soo Yeon , Shin Jung Hee , Oh Young Lyun , Park Ko Woon , Lim Yaeji 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThyroid nodules are initially handled by fine needle aspiration (FNA). However, the stance of thyroid core needle biopsy (CNB) still is a challenge. This study aimed to compare the diagnostic performances and conclusive rates of FNA and CNB for the diagnosis of thyroid nodules and to define effective indications of CNB. This retrospective study enrolled 1,060 consecutive thyroid nodules in 1,037 patients who underwent FNA from January 2008 to May 2008, and 462 consecutive nodules in 453 patients who underwent CNB from January 2014 to December 2015 at our institution. Ultrasound (US) features were classified according to the American College of Radiology Thyroid Imaging Reporting and Data System (ACR TI-RADS) and Korean TIRADS (K-TIRADS). We compared diagnostic performances and conclusive rates between FNA and CNB groups. Propensity score matching was conducted to match FNA patients with CNB patients. After matching, the diagnostic performances for selecting surgical candidates and predicting malignancy were comparable between the two biopsy groups. Based on US findings, conclusive results were obtained significantly more in CNB than in FNA when thyroid nodules were classified as ACR TI-RADS or K-TIRADS category 4 and measured larger than 2 cm. Diagnostic performances between FNA and CNB were comparable. Superiority of CNB to FNA was found for thyroid nodules larger than 2 cm and classified as ACR TI-RADS or K-TIRADS category 4.
Electronic structure, thermodynamic stability and high-temperature sensing properties of Er-α-SiAlON ceramics
Authors: Kshetri Yuwaraj K. , Kamiyama Takashi , Torii Shuki , Jeong Sang Hoon , Kim Tae-Ho , Choi Heechae , Zhou Jun , Feng Yuan Ping , Lee Soo Wohn 
Published: March 2020

Abstractα-SiAlON ceramics have been in use as engineering ceramics in the most arduous industrial environments such as molten metal handling, cutting tools, gas turbine engines, extrusion molds, thermocouple sheaths, protective cover for high-temperature sensors, etc., owing to their outstanding mechanical, thermal and chemical stability. Taking advantage of the intrinsic properties of α-SiAlONs, we investigate, in this paper, the possibility of using the Er-doped α-SiAlON (Er-α-SiAlON) ceramic as a high-temperature sensing material via its unique near-infrared to visible upconversion property. We first use neutron diffraction and density functional theory calculations to study the electronic structure and thermodynamic stability of Er-α-SiAlON. It is found that the interstitial doping of Er stabilizes the α-SiAlON structure via chemical bonds with O-atoms with N:O ratio of 5:2 in the seven-fold coordination sites of the Er3+ ion. Temperature-dependent upconversion emissions are then studied under 980 and 793 nm excitations over a temperature range of 298–1373 K and the fluorescence intensity ratio (FIR) technique has been employed to investigate the temperature sensing behavior. Temperature-dependent Raman behavior is also investigated. We demonstrate that using Er-α-SiAlON as a sensing material, the limit of temperature measurement via the FIR technique can be pushed well beyond 1200 K.
Finding cell-specific expression patterns in the early Ciona embryo with single-cell RNA-seq
Authors: Ilsley Garth R. , Suyama Ritsuko , Noda Takeshi , Satoh Nori , Luscombe Nicholas M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSingle-cell RNA-seq has been established as a reliable and accessible technique enabling new types of analyses, such as identifying cell types and studying spatial and temporal gene expression variation and change at single-cell resolution. Recently, single-cell RNA-seq has been applied to developing embryos, which offers great potential for finding and characterising genes controlling the course of development along with their expression patterns. In this study, we applied single-cell RNA-seq to the 16-cell stage of the Ciona embryo, a marine chordate and performed a computational search for cell-specific gene expression patterns. We recovered many known expression patterns from our single-cell RNA-seq data and despite extensive previous screens, we succeeded in finding new cell-specific patterns, which we validated by in situ and single-cell qPCR.
Giant renormalization of dopant impurity levels in 2D semiconductor MoS2
Authors: Hwang Jeongwoon , Zhang Chenxi , Kim Yong-Sung , Wallace Robert M. , Cho Kyeongjae 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSubstitutional doping in 2D semiconductor MoS2 was investigated by charge transition level (CTL) calculations for Nitrogen group (N, P, As, Sb) and Halogen group (F, Cl, Br, I) dopants at the S site of monolayer MoS2. Both n-type and p-type dopant levels are calculated to be deep mid-gap states (~1 eV from band edges) from DFT total energy-based CTL and separate DFT + GW calculations. The deep dopant levels result from the giant renormalization of hydrogen-like defect states by reduced dielectric screening in ultrathin 2D films. Theoretical analysis based on Keldysh formulation provides a consistent impurity binding energy of ~1 eV for dielectric thin films. These findings of intrinsic deep impurity levels in 2D semiconductors MoS2 may be applicable to diverse novel emerging device applications.
Jdp2-deficient granule cell progenitors in the cerebellum are resistant to ROS-mediated apoptosis through xCT/Slc7a11 activation
Authors: Ku Chia-Chen , Wuputra Kenly , Kato Kohsuke , Lin Wen-Hsin , Pan Jia-Bin , Tsai Shih-Chieh , Kuo Che-Jung , Lee Kan-Hung , Lee Yan-Liang , Lin Ying-Chu , Saito Shigeo , Noguchi Michiya , Nakamura Yukio , Miyoshi Hiroyuki , Eckner Richard , Nagata Kyosuke , Wu Deng-Chyang , Lin Chang-Shen , Yokoyama Kazunari K. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe Jun dimerization protein 2 (Jdp2) is expressed predominantly in granule cell progenitors (GCPs) in the cerebellum, as was shown in Jdp2-promoter-Cre transgenic mice. Cerebellum of Jdp2-knockout (KO) mice contains lower number of Atoh-1 positive GCPs than WT. Primary cultures of GCPs from Jdp2-KO mice at postnatal day 5 were more resistant to apoptosis than GCPs from wild-type mice. In Jdp2-KO GCPs, the levels of both the glutamate‒cystine exchanger Sc7a11 and glutathione were increased; by contrast, the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was decreased; these changes confer resistance to ROS-mediated apoptosis. In the absence of Jdp2, a complex of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1 (p21Cip1) and Nrf2 bound to antioxidant response elements of the Slc7a11 promoter and provide redox control to block ROS-mediated apoptosis. These findings suggest that an interplay between Jdp2, Nrf2, and p21Cip1 regulates the GCP apoptosis, which is one of critical events for normal development of the cerebellum.
Evaluation of bile salt hydrolase inhibitor efficacy for modulating host bile profile and physiology using a chicken model system
Authors: Geng Wenjing , Long Sarah L. , Chang Yun-Juan , Saxton Arnold M. , Joyce Susan A. , Lin Jun 
Published: March 2020

AbstractGut microbial enzymes, bile salt hydrolases (BSHs) are the gateway enzymes for bile acid (BA) modification in the gut. This activity is a promising target for developing innovative non-antibiotic growth promoters to enhance animal production and health. Compelling evidence has shown that inhibition of BSH activity should enhance weight gain by altering the BA pool, host signalling and lipid metabolism. We recently identified a panel of promising BSH inhibitors. Here, we address the potential of them as alternative, effective, non-antibiotic feed additives, for commercial application, to promote animal growth using a chicken model. In this study, thein vivoefficacy of three BSH inhibitors (caffeic acid phenethylester, riboflavin, carnosic acid) were evaluated. 7-day old chicks (10 birds/group) were either untreated or they received one of the specific BSH inhibitors (25 mg/kg body weight)viaoral gavage for 17 days. The chicks in treatment groups consistently displayed higher body weight gain than the untreated chicks. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that BSH inhibitor treatment led to significant changes in both circulating and intestinal BA signatures in support of blunted intestinal BSH activity. Consistent with this finding, liver and intestinal tissue RNA-Seq analysis showed that carnosic acid treatment significantly altered expression of genes involved in lipid and bile acid metabolism. Taken together, this study validates microbial BSH activity inhibition as an alternative target and strategy to antibiotic treatment for animal growth promotion.
Exome sequencing identifies novel mutation signatures of UV radiation and trichostatin A in primary human keratinocytes
Authors: Shen Yao , Ha Wootae , Zeng Wangyong , Queen Dawn , Liu Liang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCanonical ultraviolet (UV) mutation type and spectra are traditionally defined by direct sequencing-based approaches to map mutations in a limited number of representative DNA elements. To obtain an unbiased view of genome wide UV mutation features, we performed whole exome-sequencing (WES) to profile single nucleotide substitutions in UVB-irradiated primary human keratinocytes. Cross comparison of UV mutation profiles under different UVB radiation conditions revealed that T > C transition was highly prevalent in addition to C > T transition. We also identified 5′-ACG-3′ as a common sequence motif of C > T transition. Furthermore, our analyses uncovered several recurring UV mutations following acute UVB radiation affecting multiple genes including HRNR, TRIOBP, KCNJ12, and KMT2C, which are frequently mutated in skin cancers, indicating their potential role as founding mutations in UV-induced skin tumorigenesis. Pretreatment with trichostatin A, a pan-histone deacetylase inhibitor that renders chromatin decondensation, significantly decreased the number of mutations in UVB-irradiated keratinocytes. Unexpectedly, we found trichostatin A to be a mutagen that caused DNA damage and mutagenesis at least partly through increased reactive oxidation. In summary, our study reveals new UV mutation features following acute UVB radiation and identifies novel UV mutation hotspots that may potentially represent founding driver mutations in skin cancer development.
Effects of the winter temperature regime on survival, body mass loss and post-winter starvation resistance in laboratory-reared and field-collected ladybirds
Authors: Knapp Michal , Řeřicha Michal 
Published: March 2020

AbstractOngoing climate change results in increasing temperatures throughout the seasons. The effects of climate change on insect performance are less studied during the winter season than during the growing season. Here, we investigated the effects of various winter temperature regimes (warm, normal and cold) on the winter performance of the invasive ladybird Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Winter survival, body mass loss and post-winter starvation resistance were measured for a laboratory-reared population as well as three populations collected from the field prior to overwintering. The warm winter regime increased the survival rate and body mass loss and reduced post-winter starvation resistance compared to those of the ladybirds in the cold winter regime. The effects of the temperature regime were qualitatively similar for the laboratory-reared and field-collected beetles; however, there were significant quantitative differences in all measured overwintering parameters between the laboratory-reared and field-collected populations. The winter survival of the laboratory-reared beetles was much lower than that of the field-collected beetles. The laboratory-reared beetles also lost a larger proportion of their body mass and had reduced post-winter starvation resistance. Winter survival was similar between the females and males, but compared to the males, the females lost a smaller proportion of their body mass and had better post-winter starvation resistance. The pre-overwintering body mass positively affected winter survival and post-winter starvation resistance in both the laboratory-reared and field-collected ladybirds. The significant differences between the laboratory-reared and field-collected individuals indicate that quantitative conclusions derived from studies investigating solely laboratory-reared individuals cannot be directly extrapolated to field situations.
Build-up functionalization of anti-EGFR × anti-CD3 bispecific diabodies by integrating high-affinity mutants and functional molecular formats
Authors: Asano Ryutaro , Hosokawa Katsuhiro , Taki Shintaro , Konno Shota , Shimomura Ippei , Ogata Hiromi , Okada Mai , Arai Kyoko , Onitsuka Masayoshi , Omasa Takeshi , Nakanishi Takeshi , Umetsu Mitsuo , Kumagai Izumi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDesigning non-natural antibody formats is a practical method for developing highly functional next-generation antibody drugs, particularly for improving the therapeutic efficacy of cancer treatments. One approach is constructing bispecific antibodies (bsAbs). We previously reported a functional humanized bispecific diabody (bsDb) that targeted epidermal growth factor receptor and CD3 (hEx3-Db). We enhanced its cytotoxicity by constructing an Fc fusion protein and rearranging order of the V domain. In this study, we created an additional functional bsAb, by integrating the molecular formats of bsAb and high-affinity mutants previously isolated by phage display in the form of Fv. Introducing the high-affinity mutations into bsDbs successfully increased their affinities and enhanced their cytotoxicity in vitro and in vivo. However, there were some limitations to affinity maturation of bsDb by integrating high-affinity Fv mutants, particularly in Fc-fused bsDb with intrinsic high affinity, because of their bivalency. The tetramers fractionated from the bsDb mutant exhibited the highest in vitro growth inhibition among the small bsAbs and was comparable to the in vivo anti-tumor effects of Fc-fused bsDbs. This molecule shows cost-efficient bacterial production and high therapeutic potential.