bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Catalytically inactive RIP1 and RIP3 deficiency protect against acute ischemic stroke by inhibiting necroptosis and neuroinflammation
Authors: Zhang Yue , Li Ming , Li Xiaoming , Zhang Haiwei , Wang Lingxia , Wu Xiaoxia , Zhang Haibing , Luo Yan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractNecroptosis, which is mediated by RIP1/RIP3/MLKL (receptor-interacting protein kinase 1/receptor-interacting protein kinase 3/mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein) signaling, is a critical process in the development of acute ischemic stroke. However, it is unclear precisely how necroptosis promotes the pathogenesis of acute ischemic stroke. In this experimental study in mice, we investigated how necroptosis loss-of-function mice, RIP1 kinase-dead mice, RIP3-deficiency mice, and MLKL-deficiency mice could be protected against cerebral injury after acute ischemic stroke. Insoluble RIP1, RIP3, and MLKL were all detected in the infarct area of the study mice, indicating activation of necroptosis. Two types of RIP1 kinase-dead mutant mice (Rip1K45A/K45A or Rip1Δ/Δ) were used to show that catalytically-inactive RIP1 can decrease the infarct volume and improve neurological function after MCAO/R (middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion). Both Rip3−/− mice and Mlkl−/− mice were protected against acute ischemic stroke. In addition, necroptosis loss-of-function mice showed less inflammatory responses in the infarct area. Therefore, necroptosis and its accompanying inflammatory response can lead to acute injury following ischemia stroke. Our study provides new insight into the pathogenetic mechanisms of acute ischemic stroke, and suggests potential therapeutic targets for neuroprotection.
Hsa_circ_0046263 functions as a ceRNA to promote nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by upregulating IGFBP3
Authors: Yin Li , Chen Jie , Ma Chengxian , Pei Shuai , Du Mingyu , Zhang Yufeng , Feng Yong , Yin Rong , Bian Xiuhua , He Xia , Feng Jifeng 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAccumulating evidences indicate that circular RNAs (circRNAs), a subclass of noncoding RNAs, play important role in regulating gene expression in eukaryotes. Hsa_circ_0046263 (circ-0046263) was found aberrantly expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), but its role in tumor growth and metastasis remains largely unclear. Sanger sequencing, RNase R assay, and nucleic acid electrophoresis were conducted to verify the identification of circ-0046263. Nuclear separation and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assays were used to determine the localization of circ-004263. Dual luciferase reporter and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were employed to confirm the binding of circ-0046263 with miR-133a-5p. Colony formation, proliferation, wound healing, transwell, western blot, and in vivo tumor growth and metastasis assays were performed to assess the roles of circ-0046263, miR-133a-5p, IGFBP3 and their interactions in NPC cells. Circ-0046263 was upregulated in both NPC cell lines and tissues. The in vitro functional studies revealed that knockdown of circ-0046263 inhibited the proliferation, invasion, and migration of NPC cells, whereas its overexpression produced the opposite result. In vivo experiments indicated that knockdown or overexpression of circ-0046263 attenuated or promoted tumor growth and metastasis, respectively. Mechanistically, circ-0046263 could act as a miRNA sponge to absorb miR-133a-5p and upregulate the expression of miRNA downstream target IGFBP3. In addition, miR-133a-5p inhibition or IGFBP3 overexpression could rescue the malignant behavior induced by circ-0046263 silencing. Finally, circ-0046263 plays a tumor-promoting role in NPC to enhance malignant behavior through the miR-133a-5p/IGFBP3 axis, which could be a potential target for NPC therapy.
Nuclear export of chimeric mRNAs depends on an lncRNA-triggered autoregulatory loop in blood malignancies
Authors: Chen Zhen-Hua , Chen Tian-Qi , Zeng Zhan-Cheng , Wang Dan , Han Cai , Sun Yu-Meng , Huang Wei , Sun Lin-Yu , Fang Ke , Chen Yue-Qin , Luo Xue-Qun , Wang Wen-Tao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAberrant chromosomal translocations leading to tumorigenesis have been ascribed to the heterogeneously oncogenic functions. However, how fusion transcripts exporting remains to be declared. Here, we showed that the nuclear speckle-specific long noncoding RNA MALAT1 controls chimeric mRNA export processes and regulates myeloid progenitor cell differentiation in malignant hematopoiesis. We demonstrated that MALAT1 regulates chimeric mRNAs export in an m6A-dependent manner and thus controls hematopoietic cell differentiation. Specifically, reducing MALAT1 or m6A methyltransferases and the ‘reader’ YTHDC1 result in the universal retention of distinct oncogenic gene mRNAs in nucleus. Mechanically, MALAT1 hijacks both the chimeric mRNAs and fusion proteins in nuclear speckles during chromosomal translocations and mediates the colocalization of oncogenic fusion proteins with METTL14. MALAT1 and fusion protein complexes serve as a functional loading bridge for the interaction of chimeric mRNA and METTL14. This study demonstrated a universal mechanism of chimeric mRNA transport that involves lncRNA-fusion protein-m6A autoregulatory loop for controlling myeloid cell differentiation. Targeting the lncRNA-triggered autoregulatory loop to disrupt chimeric mRNA transport might represent a new common paradigm for treating blood malignancies.
Advancing theoretical understanding and practical performance of signal processing for nonlinear optical communications through machine learning
Authors: Fan Qirui , Zhou Gai , Gui Tao , Lu Chao , Lau Alan Pak Tao 
Published: July 2020

AbstractIn long-haul optical communication systems, compensating nonlinear effects through digital signal processing (DSP) is difficult due to intractable interactions between Kerr nonlinearity, chromatic dispersion (CD) and amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) noise from inline amplifiers. Optimizing the standard digital back propagation (DBP) as a deep neural network (DNN) with interleaving linear and nonlinear operations for fiber nonlinearity compensation was shown to improve transmission performance in idealized simulation environments. Here, we extend such concepts to practical single-channel and polarization division multiplexed wavelength division multiplexed experiments. We show improved performance compared to state-of-the-art DSP algorithms and additionally, the optimized DNN-based DBP parameters exhibit a mathematical structure which guides us to further analyze the noise statistics of fiber nonlinearity compensation. This machine learning-inspired analysis reveals that ASE noise and incomplete CD compensation of the Kerr nonlinear term produce extra distortions that accumulates along the DBP stages. Therefore, the best DSP should balance between suppressing these distortions and inverting the fiber propagation effects, and such trade-off shifts across different DBP stages in a quantifiable manner. Instead of the common ‘black-box’ approach to intractable problems, our work shows how machine learning can be a complementary tool to human analytical thinking and help advance theoretical understandings in disciplines such as optics.
Photodegradable branched polyethylenes from carbon monoxide copolymerization under benign conditions
Authors: Morgen Tobias O. , Baur Maximilian , Göttker-Schnetmann Inigo , Mecking Stefan 
Published: July 2020

AbstractSmall amounts of in-chain keto groups render polyethylene (PE) photodegradable, a desirable feature in view of environmental plastics pollution. Free-radical copolymerization of CO and ethylene is challenging due to the formation of stable acyl radicals which hinders further chain growth. Here, we report that copolymerization to polyethylenes with desirable low ketone content is enabled in dimethyl carbonate organic solvent or under aqueous conditions at comparatively moderate pressures <350 atm that compare favorable to typical ethylene polymerization at 2000 atm. Hereby, thermoplastic processable materials can be obtained as demonstrated by injection molding and tensile testing. Colloidally stable dipersions from aqueous polymerizations form continuous thin films upon drying at ambient conditions. Extensive spectroscopic investigation including 13C labeling provides an understanding of the branching microstructures associated with keto groups. Exposure of injection molded materials or thin films to simulated sunlight under sea-like conditions results in photodegradation.
A picture of pseudogap phase related to charge fluxes
Authors: Chen Xi , Dong Jiahao , Li Xin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractRecently, charge density fluctuations or charge fluxes attract strong interests in understanding the unconventional superconductivity. In this paper, a new emergent configuration in cuprates is identified by density functional theory simulations, called the charge pseudoplane, which exhibits the property of confining the dynamic charge fluxes for higher superconducting transition temperatures. It further redefines the fundamental collective excitation in cuprates as pQon with the momentum-dependent and ultrafast localization-delocalization duality. It is shown that both pseudogap and superconducting phases can be born from and intertwined through the charge flux confinement property of the charge pseudoplane region. Our experimental simulations based on the new picture provide good agreements with previous angle resolved photoemission spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy results. Our work thus opens a new perspective into the origin of the pseudogap phase and other related phases in cuprates, and further provides a critical descriptor to search and design higher temperature superconductors.
Live imaging and functional changes of the inner ear in an animal model of Meniere’s disease
Authors: Kakigi Akinobu , Egami Naoya , Uehara Natsumi , Fujita Takeshi , Nibu Ken-ichi , Yamashita Shinji , Yamasoba Tatsuya 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe symptoms of Meniere’s disease (MD) are generally considered to be related to endolymphatic hydrops (EH). There are many recent reports supporting the possibility that vasopressin (VP) is closely linked to the formation of EH in Meniere’s disease. Based on this, we developed a clinically relevant animal model of Meniere’s disease in which a VP type 2 receptor agonist was administered after electrocauterization of the endolymphatic sac. We report live imaging of the internal structure, and functional changes of the inner ear after electrocauterization of the endolymphatic sac and administration of a VP type 2 receptor agonist. In this model, the development of EH was visualized in vivo using optical coherence tomography, there was no rupture of Reissner’s membrane, and low-tone hearing loss and vertiginous attacks were observed. This study suggested that acute attacks are caused by the abrupt development of EH. This is the first report of live imaging of the development of EH induced by the administration of a VP type 2 receptor agonist.
Gene expression profiling of glioblastoma cell lines depending on TP53 status after tumor-treating fields (TTFields) treatment
Authors: Lee Yeon-Joo , Seo Hyun Wook , Baek Jeong-Hwa , Lim Sun Ha , Hwang Sang-Gu , Kim Eun Ho 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGlioblastoma is frequently associated with TP53 mutation, which is linked to a worse prognosis and response to conventional treatments (chemoradiotherapy). Therefore, targeting TP53 is a promising strategy to overcome this poor therapeutic response. Tumor-treating fields (TTFields) are a recently approved treatment for newly diagnosed glioblastoma, which involves direct application of low-intensity, intermediate-frequency alternating electric fields to the tumor, thereby offering a local tumor-killing effect. However, the influence of TP53 mutation status on the effectiveness of TTFields is controversial. Here, we identified the key gene signatures and pathways associated with TTFields in four glioblastoma cell lines varying in TP53 mutation status using gene profiling and functional annotation. Overall, genes associated with the cell cycle, cell death, and immune response were significantly altered by TTFields regardless of TP53 status. TTFields appeared to exert enhanced anti-cancer effects by altering the immune system in the inflammatory environment and regulating cell cycle- and cell death-related genes, but the precise genes influenced vary according to TP53 status. These results should facilitate detailed mechanistic studies on the molecular basis of TTFields to further develop this modality as combination therapy, which can improve the therapeutic effect and minimize side effects of chemoradiotherapy.
Old African fossils provide new evidence for the origin of the American crocodiles
Authors: Delfino Massimo , Iurino Dawid A. , Mercurio Bruno , Piras Paolo , Rook Lorenzo , Sardella Raffaele 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMolecular and morphological phylogenies concur in indicating that the African lineages formerly referred to Crocodylus niloticus are the sister taxon the four Neotropical crocodiles (Crocodylus intermedius, C. moreleti, C. acutus and C. rhombifer), implying a transoceanic dispersal from Africa to America. So far the fossil record did not contribute to identify a possible African forerunner of the Neotropical species but, curiously, the oldest remains referred to the African C. niloticus are Quaternary in age, whereas the oldest American fossils of Crocodylus are older, being dated to the early Pliocene, suggesting that another species could be involved. We re-described, also thanks to CT imaging, the only well-preserved topotipic skull of Crocodylus checchiai Maccagno, 1947 from the late Miocene (Messinian) African site of As Sahabi in Libya. As previously suggested on the basis of late Miocene material from Tanzania, C. checchiai is a valid, diagnosable species. According to our phylogenetic analyses, C. checchiai is related to the Neotropical taxa and could be even located at the base of their radiation, therefore representing the missing link between the African and the American lineages.
Stabilization of ferulic acid in topical gel formulation via nanoencapsulation and pH optimization
Authors: Das Surajit , Wong Annie B. H. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractFerulic acid is a potent anti-oxidant with scientifically proven skin care efficacies. However, instability of this active in the skin care products restricted its wide application in beauty and skin care industries. This study aimed to stabilize ferulic acid in topical hydrogel formulation via nanoencapsulation technique. Ferulic acid loaded nanocapsules were prepared via high pressure homogenization method and physicochemically characterized. Mean particle size of ferulic acid loaded nanocapsules was < 300 nm. TEM and SEM images exhibited spherical particles with smooth surface. DSC and XRD results indicated that ferulic acid was completely dissolved in the lipid matrix of the nanocapsules and remained in amorphous form. Two types of hydrogel formulations containing ferulic acid loaded nanocapsules were prepared: Gel A with pH higher and Gel B with pH lower than pKa of ferulic acid. Cross-polarized microscopic image of the gel formulations did not show presence of any un-encapsulated and un-dissolved crystal. Gel B showed slower and controlled release of ferulic acid than Gel A. Ferulic acid permeation through skin mimic from the gel formulation demonstrated controlled permeation. Color stability of the gel and chemical stability of ferulic acid were very good in Gel B, while poor in Gel A (although significantly better than the gel with un-encapsulated ferulic acid). The result clearly indicates that together with nanoencapsulation, low pH (less than pKa of ferulic acid) of the hydrogel was crucial for both product appearance and chemical stability of ferulic acid. In fact, it has been proved that skin care product with low pH is good for skin as it can maintain skin homeostasis and microbiome. Furthermore, the permeation result suggests that ferulic acid may penetrate into deep skin layers and at the same time avoid systemic circulation. Overall, this low pH hydrogel formulation containing nanoencapsulated ferulic acid demonstrates great promise for commercialization.
Brown adipose tissue ameliorates autoimmune arthritis via inhibition of Th17 cells
Authors: Moon Jeonghyeon , Kim Dasom , Kim Eun Kyung , Lee Seon-yeong , Na Hyun Sik , Kim Gyoung Nyun , Lee Aram , Jung KyungAh , Choi Jeong Won , Park Sung-Hwan , Roh Sangho , Cho Mi-La 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe functions of adipose tissue are associated with autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Some studies have shown that the three compositions of adipose tissue (white, brown, and beige) have different functions. Brown adipose tissue (BAT) is known to secrete several factors that differ from those in white adipose tissue. This suggests that BAT might have potential positive advantages in the physiology of autoimmune diseases. We compared the functions of collagen-induced arthritis mice-derived BAT (CIA BAT) with normal mice-derived BAT. DBA/1J mice (6–7 weeks of age) were immunized by intradermal injection at the base of the tail with 100 μg of bovine type II collagen (CII) emulsified in complete Freund’s adjuvant. Immunized mice then received booster immunizations by intraperitoneal injection with 100 μg of CII in incomplete Freund’s adjuvant. We transplanted CIA BAT and normal BAT into CIA recipient mice. After transplantation, we measured the functions of CIA BAT and normal BAT in mice. Normal BAT-transplanted mice showed significantly lower scores of bone damage, inflammation, and cartilage damage. The proinflammatory cytokines in normal BAT-transplanted mice, such as IL-12, IL-17, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), tended to decrease. Microarray analysis showed that the PI3K-AKT signaling pathway and IL-17 levels of CIA BAT tissues were significantly higher than those of normal BAT tissues. These results suggest that the transplantation of normal brown fat may have a therapeutic effect in RA patients.
Antibacterial and antifungal activity of crude and freeze-dried bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance produced by Pediococcus pentosaceus
Authors: de Souza de Azevedo Pamela Oliveira , Mendonça Carlos Miguel Nóbrega , Moreno Ana Carolina Ramos , Bueno Antonio Vinicius Iank , de Almeida Sonia Regina Yokomizo , Seibert Liane , Converti Attilio , Watanabe Ii-Sei , Gierus Martin , de Souza Oliveira Ricardo Pinheiro 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPediococcus pentosaceus LBM 18 has shown potential as producer of an antibacterial and antifungal bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS). BLIS inhibited the growth of spoilage bacteria belonging to Lactobacillus, Enterococcus and Listeria genera with higher activity than Nisaplin used as control. It gave rise to inhibition halos with diameters from 9.70 to 20.00 mm, with Lactobacillus sakei being the most sensitive strain (13.50–20.00 mm). It also effectively suppressed the growth of fungi isolated from corn grain silage for up to 25 days and impaired morphology of colonies by likely affecting fungal membranes. These results point out that P. pentosaceus BLIS may be used as a new promising alternative to conventional antibacterial and antifungal substances, with potential applications in agriculture and food industry as a natural bio-controlling agent. Moreover, cytotoxicity and cell death induction tests demonstrated cytotoxicity and toxicity of BLIS to human colon adenocarcinoma Caco-2cells but not to peripheral blood mononuclear cells, with suggests possible applications of BLIS also in medical-pharmaceutical applications.
Application of next generation sequencing (NGS) for descriptive analysis of 30 genomes of Leishmania infantum isolates in Middle-North Brazil
Authors: Carvalho Kátia Silene Sousa , da Silva Júnior Wilson José , da Silveira Regueira Neto Marcos , Silva Vladimir Costa , de Sá Leitão Paiva Júnior Sérgio , Balbino Valdir Queiroz , Costa Dorcas Lamounier , Costa Carlos Henrique Nery 
Published: July 2020

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is a life-threatening disease caused by the protozoa Leishmania donovani and L. infantum. Likely, L. infantum was introduced in the New World by the Iberic colonizers. Due to recent introduction, the genetic diversity is low. Access to genomic information through the sequencing of Leishmania isolates allows the characterization of populations through the identification and analysis of variations. Population structure information may reveal important data on disease dynamics. Aiming to describe the genetic diversity of L. infantum from the Middle-North, Brazil, next generation sequencing of 30 Leishmania isolates obtained in the city of Teresina, from where the disease dispersed, was performed. The variations were categorized accordingly to the genome region and impact and provided the basis for chromosomal ploidy and population structure analysis. The results showed low diversity between the isolates and the Iberic reference genome JPCM5. Most variations were seen in non-coding regions, with modifying impact. The ploidy number analysis showed aneuploid profile. The population structure analysis revealed the presence of two L. infantum populations identified in Teresina. Further population genetics studies with a larger number of isolates should be performed in order to identify the genetic background associated with virulence and parasite ecology.
Hemisphere-specific, differential effects of lateralized, occipital–parietal α- versus γ-tACS on endogenous but not exogenous visual-spatial attention
Authors: Kasten Florian H. , Wendeln Tea , Stecher Heiko I. , Herrmann Christoph S. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractOrienting spatial attention has been associated with interhemispheric asymmetry of power in the α- and γ-band. Specifically, increased α-power has been linked to the inhibition of unattended sensory streams (e.g. the unattended visual field), while increased γ-power is associated with active sensory processing. Here, we aimed to differentially modulate endogenous and exogenous visual-spatial attention using transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS). In a single-blind, within-subject design, participants performed several blocks of a spatial cueing task comprised of endogenous and exogenous cues while receiving lateralized α- or γ-tACS or no stimulation over left or right occipital-parietal areas. We found a significant, differential effect of α- and γ-tACS on endogenous (top-down) spatial attention but not on exogenous (bottom-up) attention. The effect was specific to tACS applied to the left hemisphere and driven by a modulation of attentional disengagement and re-orientation as measured during invalid trials. Our results indicate a causal role of α-/γ-oscillations for top-down (endogenous) attention. They may further suggest a left hemispheric dominance in controlling interhemispheric α-/γ-power asymmetry. The absence of an effect on exogenous attention may be indicative of a differential role of α-/γ-oscillations during different attention types or spatially distinct attentional subsystems.