bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional characterization of maize heat shock transcription factor gene ZmHsf01 in thermotolerance
Authors: Zhang Huaning , Li Guoliang , Hu Dong , Zhang Yuanyuan , Zhang Yujie , Shao Hongbo , Zhao Lina , Yang Ruiping , Guo Xiulin 
Published: April 2020

Background
Heat waves can critically influence maize crop yields. Plant heat shock transcription factors (HSFs) play a key regulating role in the heat shock (HS) signal transduction pathway.

Method
In this study, a homologous cloning method was used to clone HSF gene ZmHsf01 (accession number: MK888854) from young maize leaves. The transcript levels of ZmHsf01 were detected using qRT-PCR in different tissues and treated by HS, abscisic acid (ABA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), respectively, and the functions of gene ZmHsf01 were studied in transgenic yeast and Arabidopsis.

Result
ZmHsf01 had a coding sequence (CDS) of 1176 bp and encoded a protein consisting of 391 amino acids. The homologous analysis results showed that ZmHsf01 and SbHsfA2d had the highest protein sequence identities. Subcellular localization experiments confirmed that ZmHsf01 was localized in the nucleus. ZmHsf01 was expressed in many maize tissues. It was up-regulated by HS, and up-regulated in roots and down-regulated in leaves under ABA and H2O2treatments. ZmHsf01-overexpressing yeast cells showed increased thermotolerance. In Arabidopsis seedlings, ZmHsf01 compensated for the thermotolerance defects of mutant athsfa2, and ZmHsf01-overexpressing lines showed enhanced basal and acquired thermotolerance. When compared to wild type (WT) seedlings, ZmHsf01-overexpressing lines showed higher chlorophyll content and survival rates after HS. Heat shock protein (HSP) gene expression levels were more up-regulated in ZmHsf01-overexpressing Arabidopsis seedlings than WT seedlings. These results suggest that ZmHsf01 plays a vital role in response to HS in plant.
Multiplexed Nondiffracting Nonlinear Metasurfaces
Authors: Li Zhi , Liu Wenwei , Geng Guangzhou , Li Zhancheng , Li Junjie , Cheng Hua , Chen Shuqi , Tian Jianguo 
Published: April 2020

AbstractMetasurfaces and planar photonic nanostructures have drawn great interest from the optical scientific community due to their diverse abilities of manipulating electromagnetic waves and high integration. Most metasurfaces launch diffracting waves, and thus suffer from divergence, short working distance, and instability. Although much effort has been devoted to researching nondiffracting metasurfaces which can launch electromagnetic waves with constant transverse intensity profiles in free‐space propagation, the number of working channels is inherently limited as these meta‐devices are implemented in the linear optical regime. Here, the multiplexed nondiffracting nonlinear metasurfaces are theoretically proposed and experimentally realized, which can generate the representative nondiffracting Bessel beam and Airy beam. Three Bessel beams with different numerical apertures and topological charges and three Airy beams with different propagation curves and focal lengths can be generated by a combination of different spins and wavelengths. The complex properties of the nondiffracting beams can be designed and detected in a more comprehensive and concise way with Fourier analysis. This proof‐of‐concept represents a new strategy for realizing multiplexed nondiffracting metasurfaces with advantages of ultracompactness, high‐pixelation, and easy integration and paves the way for multi‐channel optical communication and manipulation.
Topology Optimization‐Based Inverse Design of Plasmonic Nanodimer with Maximum Near‐Field Enhancement
Authors: Chen Yiqin , Hu Yueqiang , Zhao Jingyi , Deng Yunsheng , Wang Zhaolong , Cheng Xing , Lei Dangyuan , Deng Yongbo , Duan Huigao 
Published: April 2020

AbstractThe near‐field enhancement factor is one of the most significant parameters to evaluate the performance of plasmonic nanostructures. Numerous efforts have been made to maximize the enhancement factor through optimizing the size, shape, and spatial arrangement of metallic nanostructures with simple geometries, such as disk, triangle, and rod. This work implements topology optimization to inversely design a metallic nanoparticle dimer with the goal of optimizing the near‐field enhancement factor in its sub‐10 nm gap. By optimizing the material layout within a given design space, the topology optimization algorithm results in a plasmonic nanodimer of two heart‐shaped particles having both convex and concave features. Full‐wave electromagnetic analysis reveals that the largest near‐field enhancement in the heart‐shaped nanoparticle dimer is originated from the greatest concentration of surface charges at the nano‐heart apex. Inversely designed heart‐, bowtie‐, and disk‐shaped nanodimers are fabricated by using focused helium ion beam milling with a “sketch and peel” strategy, and their near‐field enhancement performances are characterized with nonlinear optical spectroscopies at the single‐particle level. Indeed, the heart‐shaped nanodimer exhibits much stronger signal intensities than the other two structures. The present work corroborates the validity and effectiveness of topology optimization‐based inverse design in achieving desired plasmonic functionalities.
Oncocytic features in salivary duct carcinoma, a potential pitfall for misdiagnosis as Warthin tumor in fine needle aspiration specimens: A cytomorphologic analysis of 14 cases
Authors: Goswami Aarti , Zhang Amy J. , Vahidi Shifteh , Mettler Tetyana , Stewart Jimmie , Amin Khalid 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBackgroundSalivary duct carcinoma (SDC) is an uncommon and highly aggressive primary salivary gland neoplasm. Cytomorphologic features of SDC include cellular smears, nuclear atypia, prominent nucleoli, cribriform and papillary architecture, and background necrosis. The presence of oncocytic features has been described but not adequately characterized in the current literature.MethodThis study cohort consisted of 14 cases of histologically proven SDC with previous salivary gland fine needle aspiration (FNA). The cytologic material of each case was semi‐quantitatively analyzed and evaluated for various cytomorphologic, architectural, and background features.ResultsTwelve SDCs were located in the parotid gland and two in the submandibular gland. In two cases the initial cytologic diagnoses was Warthin tumor or favor Warthin tumor. Moderate to marked degree of oncocytic changes were noted in all cases except one case. Nuclear atypia was variable with most cases exhibiting moderate to high‐grade nuclear features, while four cases demonstrated low‐grade nuclear cytomorphology. Cytoplasmic vacuolation was seen in nine cases and variable amount of background necrosis was observed in eight cases. Cribriform and papillary architecture was recognized in only six cases. Background lymphocytes were absent in all but one case.ConclusionsPrecise diagnosis of SDC based on cytomorphologic features alone can be challenging. Oncocytic change is one of the most consistent features observed in this case series and when associated with less pronounced cytologic atypia, can potentially lead to misdiagnosis as Warthin tumor. SDC should be considered in the differential diagnosis of oncocytic salivary gland neoplasms where precise diagnosis is not possible.
Guidelines for antioxidant assays for food components
Authors: Xiao Fan , Xu Tao , Lu Baiyi , Liu Ruihai 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRecently, research on antioxidants has become increasingly active in various fields. Antioxidants react through free radical or molecular oxygen quenching, being capable to either delay or inhibit the oxidation processes that occur under the influence of molecular oxygen or reactive oxygen species. Accordingly, assays developed to evaluate the antioxidant activity of food constituents vary. Therefore, to investigate the antioxidant activity of chemical(s), choosing an adequate assay based on the properties of chemical(s) is critical. Antioxidant assays may be broadly classified as electron transfer (ET)‐based assays and hydrogen atom transfer (HAT)‐based assays. ET‐based assays include ABTS assay, DPPH assay, ferrous oxidation‐xylenol orange assay, ferric thiocyanate assay, ferric reducing/antioxidant power assay, potassium ferricyanide reducing power assay, and cupric reducing antioxidant power assay. HAT‐based assays include oxygen radical absorbance capacity assay, total peroxyl radical‐trapping antioxidant parameter assay, thiobarbituric acid assay, β‐carotene bleaching assay, and cellular antioxidant activity assay. In this guideline, assays used recently were selected for extended discussion, including the mechanisms underlying each assay as well as the practice of antioxidant capacity assessment.
A Novel Imine Based‐Liquid Crystal / PHBHHx Composite: Synthesis and Characterization
Authors: Ceylan‐Erdoğan Duygu , Türkoğlu Nelisa , Ocak Hale , Bilgin‐Eran Belkız 
Published: April 2020

AbstractA new imine based chiral calamitic compound carrying a (S)‐3,7‐Dimethyloctyloxy group at one of terminal was synthesized and characterized by 1H‐NMR, 13C‐NMR and FT‐IR spectroscopy. 4‐Dodecyloxybenzylidene‐4′‐(S)‐(3,7‐dimethyloctyloxy) aniline (DBDMA) exhibits an enantiotropic chiral smectic tilted phase (SmC*) at a low temperature range. The mesomorphic properties of new liquid crystal were determined by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) and Polarised Optical Microscopy (POM). A new composite membrane was also prepared from DBDMA and Poly (3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) via solvent evaporation technique. The surface morphology as well as the mechanical behaviour of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane were investigated by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Dynamic Mechanical Analysis (DMA). Additionally, cell compatibility tests of the PHBHHx/DBDMA composite were performed by 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) method. The surface of PHBHHx/DBDMA composite membrane exhibited a homogenous porosity. The introduction of DBDMA into the polymer media improves the cell viability and mechanical strength.
Hybridized Mechanical and Solar Energy-Driven Self-Powered Hydrogen Production
Authors: Wei Xuelian , Wen Zhen , Liu Yina , Zhai Ningning , Wei Aimin , Feng Kun , Yuan Guotao , Zhong Jun , Qiang Yinghuai , Sun Xuhui 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPhotoelectrochemical hydrogen generation is a promising approach to address the environmental pollution and energy crisis. In this work, we present a hybridized mechanical and solar energy-driven self-powered hydrogen production system. A rotatory disc-shaped triboelectric nanogenerator was employed to harvest mechanical energy from water and functions as a sufficient external power source. WO3/BiVO4 heterojunction photoanode was synthesized in a PEC water-splitting cell to produce H2. After transformation and rectification, the peak current reaches 0.1 mA at the rotation speed of 60 rpm. In this case, the H2 evolution process only occurs with sunlight irradiation. When the rotation speed is over 130 rpm, the peak photocurrent and peak dark current have nearly equal value. Direct electrolysis of water is almost simultaneous with photoelectrocatalysis of water. It is worth noting that the hydrogen production rate increases to 5.45 and 7.27 μL min−1 without or with light illumination at 160 rpm. The corresponding energy conversion efficiency is calculated to be 2.43% and 2.59%, respectively. All the results demonstrate such a self-powered system can successfully achieve the PEC hydrogen generation, exhibiting promising possibility of energy conversion.
Genetic responses of inbred chicken lines illustrate importance of eIF2 family and immune-related genes in resistance to Newcastle disease virus
Authors: Del Vesco Ana Paula , Kaiser Michael G. , Monson Melissa S. , Zhou Huaijun , Lamont Susan J. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractNewcastle disease virus (NDV) replication depends on the translation machinery of the host cell; therefore, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 (eIF2) gene family is a likely candidate for control of viral replication. We hypothesized that differential expression of host genes related to translation and innate immune response could contribute to differential resistance to NDV in inbred Fayoumi and Leghorn lines. The expression of twenty-one genes related to the interferon signaling pathway and the eIF2 family was evaluated at two- and six-days post infection (dpi) in the spleen from both lines, either challenged by NDV or nonchallenged. Higher expression of OASL in NDV challenged versus nonchallenged spleen was observed in Leghorns at 2 dpi. Lower expression of EIF2B5 was found in NDV challenged than nonchallenged Fayoumis and Leghorns at 2 dpi. At 2 dpi, NDV challenged Fayoumis had lower expression of EIF2B5 and EIF2S3 than NDV challenged Leghorns. At 6 dpi, NDV challenged Fayoumis had lower expression of EIF2S3 and EIF2B4 than NDV challenged Leghorns. The genetic line differences in expression of eIF2-related genes may contribute to their differential resistance to NDV and also to understanding the interaction between protein synthesis shut-off and virus control in chickens.
An inertia-free beam scanning device for single-wavelength 2PE-STED nanoscopy
Authors: Bianchini Paolo , Saggau Peter , Diaspro Alberto 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Two-photon excitation stimulated emission depletion nanoscopy (2PE-STED) is a fluorescence imaging technique ideal for significantly improving the spatial resolution when observing scattering tissue in fixed, in vitro, and in vivo specimens. Both 2PE and STED are beam scanning techniques. The image acquisition is commonly realized by raster scanning, and a pair of galvanometric mirrors are the most used approach. In 2PE fluorescence microscopy, acousto-optical deflectors (AODs) are also used because they allow random-access scanning. However, since the AOD working principle is diffraction of light, these devices are of limited use when it is necessary to deflect multiple beams of different wavelengths and polarization, e.g. in STED nanoscopy. Here, we present the first implementation of single wavelength 2PE-STED that enables a smart beam scanning system based on AODs technology.
Budget line items for immunization in 33 African countries
Authors: Griffiths Ulla K , Asman Jennifer , Adjagba Alex , Yo Marina , Oguta James O , Cho Chloe 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
When seeking to ensure financial sustainability of a health programme, existence of a line item in the Ministry of Health (MOH) budget is often seen as an essential, first step. We used immunization as a reference point for cross-country comparison of budgeting methods in Sub-Saharan African countries. Study objectives were to (1) verify the number and types of budget line items for immunization services, (2) compare budget execution with budgeted amounts and (3) compare values with annual immunization expenditures reported to WHO and UNICEF. MOH budgets for 2016 and/or 2017 were obtained from 33 countries. Despite repeated attempts, budgets could not be retrieved from five countries (Chad, Eritrea, Guinea Bissau, Somalia and South Sudan), and we were only able to gather budget execution from eight countries. The number of immunization line items ranged between 0 and 42, with a median of eight. Immunization donor funding was included in 10 budgets. Differences between budgeted amounts and expenditures reported to WHO and UNICEF were greater than 50% in 66% of countries. Immunization budgets per child in the birth cohort ranged from US$1.37 (Democratic Republic of Congo) to US$67.51 (Central African Republic), with an average of US$10.05. Out of the total Government health budget, immunization comprised between 0.04% (Madagascar) and 5.67% (Benin), with an average of 1.98% across the countries, when excluding on-budget donor funds. It was challenging to obtain MOH budgets in many countries and it was largely impossible to access budget execution reports, preventing us from assessing budget credibility. Large differences between budgets and expenditures reported to WHO and UNICEF are likely due to inconsistent interpretations of reporting requirements, diverse approaches to reporting donor funds, challenges in extracting the relevant information from public financial management systems and broader issues of public financial management capacity in MOH staff.
Local sympathetic neurons promote neutrophil egress from the bone marrow at the onset of acute inflammation
Authors: Ao Tomoka , Kikuta Junichi , Sudo Takao , Uchida Yutaka , Kobayashi Kenta , Ishii Masaru 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
The sympathetic nervous system plays critical roles in the differentiation, maturation and recruitment of immune cells under homeostatic conditions, and in responses to environmental stimuli, although its role in the migratory control of immune cells during acute inflammation remains unclear. In this study, using an advanced intravital bone imaging system established in our laboratory, we demonstrated that the sympathetic nervous system locally regulates neutrophil egress from the bone marrow for mobilization to inflammatory foci. We found that sympathetic neurons were located close to blood vessels in the bone marrow cavity; moreover, upon lipopolysaccharide (LPS) administration, local sympathectomy delayed neutrophil egress from the bone marrow and increased the proportion of neutrophils that remained in place. We also showed that vascular endothelial cells produced C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 1 (CXCL1), which is responsible for neutrophil egress out of the bone marrow. Its expression was up-regulated during acute inflammation, and was suppressed by β-adrenergic receptor blockade, which was accompanied with inhibition of neutrophil egress into the systemic circulation. Furthermore, systemic β-adrenergic signaling blockade decreased the recruitment of neutrophils in the lung under conditions of acute systemic inflammation. Taken together, the results of this study first suggested a new regulatory system, wherein local sympathetic nervous activation promoted neutrophil egress by enhancing Cxcl1 expression in bone marrow endothelial cells in a β-adrenergic signaling-dependent manner, contributing to the recruitment of neutrophils at the onset of inflammation in vivo.
Caregivers’ Barriers to Facilitating Medication Adherence in Adolescents/Young Adults With Solid Organ Transplants: Measure Development and Validation
Authors: Cushman Grace K , Rich Kristin Loiselle , Rea Kelly E , Quast Lauren F , Stolz Mary Gray , Gutierrez-Colina Ana M , Eaton Cyd K , Lee Jennifer L , Mee Laura L , George Roshan , Blount Ronald L 
Published: April 2020

Abstract

Objective
To evaluate the factor structure, validity, and reliability of the Caregiver Medication Barriers to Adherence Scale (CMBAS), which assesses caregivers’ barriers to facilitating medication adherence in adolescent and young adults (AYAs) with solid organ transplants.

Methods
The sample included 93 caregivers of AYAs ages 12–22 years who received a liver, kidney, or heart transplant. Caregivers completed the CMBAS and surveys to assess its validity, including internalizing symptoms, personality traits (i.e., neuroticism, conscientiousness), and AYAs’ nonadherence to immunosuppressant medications. AYA nonadherence to tacrolimus was objectively assessed via the Medication Level Variability Index (MLVI).

Results
Confirmatory factor analyses of the CMBAS revealed a two-factor model: Caregiver Emotional Distress and Caregiver Cognitive Burden/Responsibility. Higher CMBAS scores were related to higher levels of caregiver internalizing symptoms (rs = .28 to .30), neuroticism (r = .27), and caregiver proxy-reported immunosuppressant nonadherence (r = .27), as well as lower levels of caregiver conscientiousness (rs = −.25 to −.26). The CMBAS was not associated with the MLVI (rs = −.13 to −.16).

Conclusions
The CMBAS demonstrated reliability and validity for caregivers of AYAs with solid organ transplants. Findings support the use of the CMBAS as a brief clinical screening tool to identify caregivers’ barriers to facilitating AYA medication adherence.
Delivery of oligonucleotides to bone marrow to modulate ferrochelatase splicing in a mouse model of erythropoietic protoporphyria
Authors: Halloy François , Iyer Pavithra S , Ćwiek Paulina , Ghidini Alice , Barman-Aksözen Jasmin , Wildner-Verhey van Wijk Nicole , Theocharides Alexandre P A , Minder Elisabeth I , Schneider-Yin Xiaoye , Schümperli Daniel , Hall Jonathan 
Published: April 2020

Abstract
Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is a rare genetic disease in which patients experience acute phototoxic reactions after sunlight exposure. It is caused by a deficiency in ferrochelatase (FECH) in the heme biosynthesis pathway. Most patients exhibit a loss-of-function mutation in trans to an allele bearing a SNP that favors aberrant splicing of transcripts. One viable strategy for EPP is to deploy splice-switching oligonucleotides (SSOs) to increase FECH synthesis, whereby an increase of a few percent would provide therapeutic benefit. However, successful application of SSOs in bone marrow cells is not described. Here, we show that SSOs comprising methoxyethyl-chemistry increase FECH levels in cells. We conjugated one SSO to three prototypical targeting groups and administered them to a mouse model of EPP in order to study their biodistribution, their metabolic stability and their FECH splice-switching ability. The SSOs exhibited distinct distribution profiles, with increased accumulation in liver, kidney, bone marrow and lung. However, they also underwent substantial metabolism, mainly at their linker groups. An SSO bearing a cholesteryl group increased levels of correctly spliced FECH transcript by 80% in the bone marrow. The results provide a promising approach to treat EPP and other disorders originating from splicing dysregulation in the bone marrow.
Prediction of condition-specific regulatory genes using machine learning
Authors: Song Qi , Lee Jiyoung , Akter Shamima , Rogers Matthew , Grene Ruth , Li Song 
Published: April 2020

AbstractRecent advances in genomic technologies have generated data on large-scale protein–DNA interactions and open chromatin regions for many eukaryotic species. How to identify condition-specific functions of transcription factors using these data has become a major challenge in genomic research. To solve this problem, we have developed a method called ConSReg, which provides a novel approach to integrate regulatory genomic data into predictive machine learning models of key regulatory genes. Using Arabidopsis as a model system, we tested our approach to identify regulatory genes in data sets from single cell gene expression and from abiotic stress treatments. Our results showed that ConSReg accurately predicted transcription factors that regulate differentially expressed genes with an average auROC of 0.84, which is 23.5–25% better than enrichment-based approaches. To further validate the performance of ConSReg, we analyzed an independent data set related to plant nitrogen responses. ConSReg provided better rankings of the correct transcription factors in 61.7% of cases, which is three times better than other plant tools. We applied ConSReg to Arabidopsis single cell RNA-seq data, successfully identifying candidate regulatory genes that control cell wall formation. Our methods provide a new approach to define candidate regulatory genes using integrated genomic data in plants.