bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cell–cell fusion of mesenchymal cells with distinct differentiations triggers genomic and transcriptomic remodelling toward tumour aggressiveness
Authors: Delespaul Lucile , Gélabert Caroline , Lesluyes Tom , Le Guellec Sophie , Pérot Gaëlle , Leroy Laura , Baud Jessica , Merle Candice , Lartigue Lydia , Chibon Frédéric 
Published: December 2020

AbstractCell–cell fusion is a physiological process that is hijacked during oncogenesis and promotes tumour evolution. The main known impact of cell fusion is to promote the formation of metastatic hybrid cells following fusion between mobile leucocytes and proliferating tumour cells. We show here that cell fusion between immortalized myoblasts and transformed fibroblasts, through genomic instability and expression of a specific transcriptomic profile, leads to emergence of hybrid cells acquiring dissemination properties. This is associated with acquisition of clonogenic ability by fused cells. In addition, by inheriting parental properties, hybrid tumours were found to mimic the histological characteristics of a specific histotype of sarcomas: undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcomas with incomplete muscular differentiation. This finding suggests that cell fusion, as macroevolution event, favours specific sarcoma development according to the differentiation lineage of parent cells.
Improved mitochondrial function in salmon (Salmo salar) following high temperature acclimation suggests that there are cracks in the proverbial ‘ceiling’
Authors: Gerber Lucie , Clow Kathy A. , Mark Felix C. , Gamperl Anthony K. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractMitochondrial function can provide key insights into how fish will respond to climate change, due to its important role in heart performance, energy metabolism and oxidative stress. However, whether warm acclimation can maintain or improve the energetic status of the fish heart when exposed to short-term heat stress is not well understood. We acclimated Atlantic salmon, a highly aerobic eurythermal species, to 12 and 20 °C, then measured cardiac mitochondrial functionality and integrity at 20 °C and at 24, 26 and 28 °C (this species’ critical thermal maximum ± 2 °C). Acclimation to 20 °C vs. 12 °C enhanced many aspects of mitochondrial respiratory capacity and efficiency up to 24 °C, and preserved outer mitochondrial membrane integrity up to 26 °C. Further, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was dramatically decreased at all temperatures. These data suggest that salmon acclimated to ‘normal’ maximum summer temperatures are capable of surviving all but the most extreme ocean heat waves, and that there is no ‘tradeoff’ in heart mitochondrial function when Atlantic salmon are acclimated to high temperatures (i.e., increased oxidative phosphorylation does not result in heightened ROS production). This study suggests that fish species may show quite different acclimatory responses when exposed to prolonged high temperatures, and thus, susceptibility to climate warming.
Region-specific Foxp2 deletions in cortex, striatum or cerebellum cannot explain vocalization deficits observed in spontaneous global knockouts
Authors: Urbanus Bastiaan H. A. , Peter Saša , Fisher Simon E. , De Zeeuw Chris I. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractFOXP2 has been identified as a gene related to speech in humans, based on rare mutations that yield significant impairments in speech at the level of both motor performance and language comprehension. Disruptions of the murine orthologue Foxp2 in mouse pups have been shown to interfere with production of ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs). However, it remains unclear which structures are responsible for these deficits. Here, we show that conditional knockout mice with selective Foxp2 deletions targeting the cerebral cortex, striatum or cerebellum, three key sites of motor control with robust neural gene expression, do not recapture the profile of pup USV deficits observed in mice with global disruptions of this gene. Moreover, we observed that global Foxp2 knockout pups show substantive reductions in USV production as well as an overproduction of short broadband noise “clicks”, which was not present in the brain region-specific knockouts. These data indicate that deficits of Foxp2 expression in the cortex, striatum or cerebellum cannot solely explain the disrupted vocalization behaviours in global Foxp2 knockouts. Our findings raise the possibility that the impact of Foxp2 disruption on USV is mediated at least in part by effects of this gene on the anatomical prerequisites for vocalizing.
Ultrafast carbothermal reduction of silica to silicon using a CO2 laser beam
Authors: Maeng Seok-Ho , Lee Hakju , Park Min Soo , Park Suhyun , Jeong Jaeki , Kim Seongbeom 
Published: December 2020

AbstractWe report the extraction of silicon via a carbothermal reduction process using a CO2 laser beam as a heat source. The surface of a mixture of silica and carbon black powder became brown after laser beam irradiation for a few tens of seconds, and clear peaks of crystalline silicon were observed by Raman shift measurements, confirming the successful carbothermal reduction of silica. The influence of process parameters, including the laser beam intensity, radiation time, nitrogen gas flow in a reaction chamber, and the molar ratios of silica/carbon black of the mixture, on the carbothermal reduction process is explained in detail.
High pressure assisted synthetic approach for novel 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine and 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinoline derivatives and their assessment as anticancer agents
Authors: Behbehani Haider , Aryan Fatemah A. , Dawood Kamal M. , Ibrahim Hamada Mohamed 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA novel, expedient and effective methodology for the synthesis of distinctly substituted 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine and 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinoline systems has been developed with a new synthetic platform. This process includes ammonium acetate-mediated cyclocondensation reactions of 3-oxo-2-arylhydrazonopropanals with benzosuberone and tetralone precursors, respectively, using the high-pressure Q-tube reactor, which has been found to be superior to both conventional heating and microwave irradiation. The novel protocol benefits from its high atom efficiency, economy, ease of workup, broad substrate scope and is also applicable to gram-scale synthesis. To identify and confirm the newly synthesized targeted compounds, the X-ray single-crystal as well as all possible spectroscopic methods were utilized. The cytotoxicity of the newly synthesized 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine 4a–j and 5,6-dihydrobenzo-[h]quinolines derivatives 6a–e were preliminary examined toward three cell lines of human cancer; lung cancer (A549), breast cancer (MCF-7) and colon cancer (HCT-116), by applying the MTT colorimetric assay. The achieved results reflected the promising profile of the prepared compounds in this study against cancer cells and have shown that members from the synthesized 6,7-dihydro-5H-benzo[6,7]cyclohepta[1,2-b]pyridine 4a–j exhibited promising cytotoxicity’s against MCF-7, and A549 cancer cells respectively, while the HCT-116 (colon) cancer cells were inhibited by certain examples of 5,6-dihydrobenzo[h]quinoline derivatives 6c,d. These promising results could serve as a good primary base for further research into the design of anticancer drugs.
MRI-based molecular imaging of epicardium-derived stromal cells (EpiSC) by peptide-mediated active targeting
Authors: Straub Tamara , Nave Julia , Bouvain Pascal , Akbarzadeh Mohammad , Dasa Siva Sai Krishna , Kistner Julia , Ding Zhaoping , Marzoq Aseel , Stepanow Stefanie , Becker Katrin , Hesse Julia , Köhrer Karl , Flögel Ulrich , Ahmadian Mohammad R. , French Brent A. , Schrader Jürgen , Temme Sebastian 
Published: December 2020

AbstractAfter myocardial infarction (MI), epicardial cells reactivate their embryonic program, proliferate and migrate into the damaged tissue to differentiate into fibroblasts, endothelial cells and, if adequately stimulated, to cardiomyocytes. Targeting epicardium-derived stromal cells (EpiSC) by specific ligands might enable the direct imaging of EpiSCs after MI to better understand their biology, but also may permit the cell-specific delivery of small molecules to improve the post-MI healing process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify specific peptides by phage display screening to enable EpiSC specific cargo delivery by active targeting. To this end, we utilized a sequential panning of a phage library on cultured rat EpiSCs and then subtracted phage that nonspecifically bound blood immune cells. EpiSC specific phage were analyzed by deep sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify a total of 78 300 ± 31 900 different, EpiSC-specific, peptide insertion sequences. Flow cytometry of the five most highly abundant peptides (EP1, -2, –3, -7 or EP9) showed strong binding to EpiSCs but not to blood immune cells. The best binding properties were found for EP9 which was further studied by surface plasmon resonance (SPR). SPR revealed rapid and stable association of EpiSCs with EP9. As a negative control, THP-1 monocytes did not associate with EP9. Coupling of EP9 to perfluorocarbon nanoemulsions (PFCs) resulted in the efficient delivery of 19F cargo to EpiSCs and enabled their visualization by 19F MRI. Moreover, active targeting of EpiSCs by EP9-labelled PFCs was able to outcompete the strong phagocytic uptake of PFCs by circulating monocytes. In summary, we have identified a 7-mer peptide, (EP9) that binds to EpiSCs with high affinity and specificity. This peptide can be used to deliver small molecule cargos such as contrast agents to permit future in vivo tracking of EpiSCs by molecular imaging and to transfer small pharmaceutical molecules to modulate the biological activity of EpiSCs.
Surface functionalisation of poly-APO-b-polyol ester cross-linked copolymers as core–shell nanoparticles for targeted breast cancer therapy
Authors: Tajau Rida , Rohani Rosiah , Abdul Hamid Siti Selina , Adam Zainah , Mohd Janib Siti Najila , Salleh Mek Zah 
Published: December 2020

AbstractPolymeric nanoparticles (NPs) are commonly used as nanocarriers for drug delivery, whereby their sizes can be altered for a more efficient delivery of therapeutic active agents with better efficacy. In this work, cross-linked copolymers acted as core–shell NPs from acrylated palm olein (APO) with polyol ester were synthesized via gamma radiation-induced reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerisation. The particle diameter of the copolymerised poly(APO-b-polyol ester) core–shell NPs was found to be less than 300 nm, have a low molecular weight (MW) of around 24 kDa, and showed a controlled MW distribution of a narrow polydispersity index (PDI) of 1.01. These properties were particularly crucial for further use in designing targeted NPs, with inclusion of peptide for the targeted delivery of paclitaxel. Moreover, the characterisation of the synthesised NPs using Fourier Transform-Infrared (FTIR) and Neutron Magnetic Resonance (NMR) analyses confirmed the possession of biodegradable hydrolysed ester in its chemical structures. Therefore, it can be concluded that the synthesised NPs produced may potentially contribute to better development of a nano-structured drug delivery system for breast cancer therapy.
Microchemical analysis of Leonardo da Vinci’s lead white paints reveals knowledge and control over pigment scattering properties
Authors: Gonzalez Victor , Hageraats Selwin , Wallez Gilles , Eveno Myriam , Ravaud Elisabeth , Réfrégiers Matthieu , Thoury Mathieu , Menu Michel , Gourier Didier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractLeonardo da Vinci (1452–1519) is a key artistic and scientific figure of the Renaissance. He is renowned for his science of art, taking advantage of his acute observations of nature to achieve striking pictorial results. This study describes the analysis of an exceptional sample from one of Leonardo’s final masterpieces: The Virgin and Child with St. Anne (Musée du Louvre, Paris, France). The sample was analyzed at the microscale by synchrotron-based hyperspectral photoluminescence imaging and high-angular X-ray diffraction. The results demonstrate Leonardo’s use of two subtypes of lead white pigment, thus revealing how he must have possessed a precise knowledge of his materials; carefully selecting them according to the aesthetical results he aimed at achieving in each painting. This work provides insights on how Leonardo obtained these grades of pigment and proposes new clues regarding the optical and/or working properties he may have tried to achieve.
Noninvasive and portable stroke type discrimination and progress monitoring based on a multichannel microwave transmitting–receiving system
Authors: Xu Jia , Chen Jingbo , Yu Wei , Zhang Haisheng , Wang Feng , Zhuang Wei , Yang Jun , Bai Zelin , Xu Lin , Sun Jian , Jin Gui , Nian Yongjian , Qin Mingxin , Chen Mingsheng 
Published: December 2020

AbstractThe hemorrhagic and the ischemic types of stroke have similar symptoms in the early stage, but their treatments are completely different. The timely and effective discrimination of the two types of stroke can considerable improve the patients' prognosis. In this paper, a 16-channel and noncontact microwave-based stroke detection system was proposed and demonstrated for the potential differentiation of the hemorrhagic and the ischemic stroke. In animal experiments, 10 rabbits were divided into two groups. One group consisted of five cerebral hemorrhage models, and the other group consisted of five cerebral ischemia models. The two groups were monitored by the system to obtain the Euclidean distance transform value of microwave scattering parameters caused by pathological changes in the brain. The support vector machine was used to identify the type and the severity of the stroke. Based on the experiment, a discrimination accuracy of 96% between hemorrhage and ischemia stroke was achieved. Furthermore, the potential of monitoring the progress of intracerebral hemorrhage or ischemia was evaluated. The discrimination of different degrees of intracerebral hemorrhage achieved 86.7% accuracy, and the discrimination of different severities of ischemia achieved 94% accuracy. Compared with that with multiple channels, the discrimination accuracy of the stroke severity with a single channel was only 50% for the intracerebral hemorrhage and ischemia stroke. The study showed that the microwave-based stroke detection system can effectively distinguish between the cerebral hemorrhage and the cerebral ischemia models. This system is very promising for the prehospital identification of the stroke type due to its low cost, noninvasiveness, and ease of operation.
Cascade synthesis and optoelectronic applications of intermediate bandgap Cu3VSe4 nanosheets
Authors: Liu Mimi , Lai Cheng-Yu , Zhang Meng , Radu Daniela R. 
Published: December 2020

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) ternary materials recently generated interest in optoelectronics and energy-related applications, alongside their binary counterparts. To date, only a few naturally occurring layered 2D ternary materials have been explored. The plethora of benefits owed to reduced dimensionality prompted exploration of expanding non-layered ternary chalcogenides into the 2D realm. This work presents a templating method that uses 2D transition metal dichalcogenides as initiators to be converted into the corresponding ternary chalcogenide upon addition of copper, via a solution-phase synthesis, conducted in high boiling point solvents. The process starts with preparation of VSe2 nanosheets, which are next converted into Cu3VSe4 sulvanite nanosheets (NSs) which retain the 2D geometry while presenting an X-ray diffraction pattern identical with the one for the bulk Cu3VSe4. Both the scanning electron microscopy and transmission microscopy electron microscopy show the presence of quasi-2D morphology. Recent studies of the sulfur-containing sulvanite Cu3VS4 highlight the presence of an intermediate bandgap, associated with enhanced photovoltaic (PV) performance. The Cu3VSe4 nanosheets reported herein exhibit multiple UV–Vis absorption peaks, related to the intermediate bandgaps similar to Cu3VS4 and Cu3VSe4 nanocrystals. To test the potential of Cu3VSe4 NSs as an absorber for solar photovoltaic devices, Cu3VSe4 NSs thin-films deposited on FTO were subjected to photoelectrochemical testing, showing p-type behavior and stable photocurrents of up to ~ 0.036 mA/cm2. The photocurrent shows a ninefold increase in comparison to reported performance of Cu3VSe4 nanocrystals. This proves that quasi-2D sulvanite nanosheets are amenable to thin-film deposition and could show superior PV performance in comparison to nanocrystal thin-films. The obtained electrical impedance spectroscopy signal of the Cu3VSe4 NSs-FTO based electrochemical cell fits an equivalent circuit with the circuit elements of solution resistance (Rs), charge-transfer resistance (Rct), double-layer capacitance (Cdl), and Warburg impedance (W). The estimated charge transfer resistance value of 300 Ω cm2 obtained from the Nyquist plot provides an insight into the rate of charge transfer on the electrode/electrolyte interface.
A protein of the metallo-hydrolase/oxidoreductase superfamily with both beta-lactamase and ribonuclease activity is linked with translation in giant viruses
Authors: Colson Philippe , Pinault Lucile , Azza Said , Armstrong Nicholas , Chabriere Eric , La Scola Bernard , Pontarotti Pierre , Raoult Didier 
Published: December 2020

AbstractProteins with a metallo-beta-lactamase (MBL) fold have been largely studied in bacteria in the framework of resistance to beta-lactams, but their spectrum of activities is broader. We show here that the giant Tupanvirus also encodes a MBL fold-protein that has orthologs in other giant viruses, a deep phylogenetic root and is clustered with tRNases. This protein is significantly associated with translation components in giant viruses. After expression in Escherichia coli, it was found to hydrolyse nitrocefin, a beta-lactam, and penicillin G. This was inhibited by sulbactam, a beta-lactamase inhibitor. In addition, the tupanvirus MBL fold-protein was not active on single- or double-stranded DNA, but degraded RNAs from bacteria and Acanthamoeba castellanii, the tupanvirus amoebal host. This activity was not neutralized by sulbactam. Overall, our results still broaden the host range of MBL fold-proteins, showing dual beta-lactamase/nuclease activities in giant viruses.
Defining intraspecific conservation units in the endemic Cuban Rock Iguanas (Cyclura nubila nubila)
Authors: Shaney Kyle J. , Diaz-Ramirez L. Grisell , Espindola Sayra , Castañeda-Rico Susette , Berovides-Álvarez Vicente , Vázquez-Domínguez Ella 
Published: December 2020

AbstractDefining conservation units is an important step in species management and requires interpretation of the genetic diversity and ecological function of the taxon being considered. We used the endemic Cuban Rock Iguanas (Cyclura nubila nubila) as a model to highlight this challenge and examined patterns of its intraspecific genetic diversity across Cuba. We evaluated nuclear (microsatellite loci) and mitochondrial diversity across eight populations from the island and its off-shore cays, and applied the population genetics results for assignment of Management Unit (MU) status and Evolutionary Significant Units (ESUs) based on phylogeographic and time of divergence information. We identified at least six distinct Cuban Rock Iguana MUs, encompassing demographically isolated and genetically differentiated populations across Cuba, most with low effective population size, declining populations, and with high risk of inbreeding and genetic drift. Hence, each MU should be considered of urgent conservation priority. Given the key ecological seed dispersal role ofC. n. nubila, the disappearance of any MU could trigger the loss of local ecological functional diversity and major negative impacts on their ecosystems. Two divergent ESUs were also identified, exhibiting an historical east–west geographic separation on Cuba. Based on a Caribbean phylogeographic assessment, our findings strengthen the conclusion that all geographically and evolutionarily differentiatedCycluraspecies and subspecies across the archipelago warrant ESU distinction.
FKBPL is associated with metabolic parameters and is a novel determinant of cardiovascular disease
Authors: Januszewski Andrzej S. , Watson Chris J. , O’Neill Vikki , McDonald Kenneth , Ledwidge Mark , Robson Tracy , Jenkins Alicia J. , Keech Anthony C. , McClements Lana 
Published: December 2020

AbstractType 2 diabetes (T2D) is associated with increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD). As disturbed angiogenesis and endothelial dysfunction are strongly implicated in T2D and CVD, we aimed to investigate the association between a novel anti-angiogenic protein, FK506-binding protein like (FKBPL), and these diseases. Plasma FKBPL was quantified by ELISA cross-sectionally in 353 adults, consisting of 234 T2D and 119 non–diabetic subjects with/without CVD, matched for age, BMI and gender. FKBPL levels were higher in T2D (adjusted mean: 2.03 ng/ml ± 0.90 SD) vs. non-diabetic subjects (adjusted mean: 1.79 ng/ml ± 0.89 SD, p = 0.02), but only after adjustment for CVD status. In T2D, FKBPL was negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, HbA1c and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and positively correlated with age, known diabetes duration, waist/hip ratio, urinary albumin/creatinine ratio (ACR) and fasting C-peptide. FKBPL plasma concentrations were increased in the presence of CVD, but only in the non-diabetic group (CVD: 2.02 ng/ml ± 0.75 SD vs. no CVD: 1.68 ng/ml ± 0.79 SD, p = 0.02). In non-diabetic subjects, FKBPL was positively correlated with an established biomarker for CVD, B-type Natriuretic Peptide (BNP), and echocardiographic parameters of diastolic dysfunction. FKBPL was a determinant of CVD in the non-diabetic group in addition to age, gender, total-cholesterol and systolic blood pressure (SBP). FKBPL may be a useful anti-angiogenic biomarker in CVD in the absence of diabetes and could represent a novel CVD mechanism.
Gene expression profiling in neuronal cells identifies a different type of transcriptome modulated by NF-Y
Authors: Yamanaka Tomoyuki , Miyazaki Haruko , Tosaki Asako , Maity Sankar N. , Shimogori Tomomi , Hattori Nobutaka , Nukina Nobuyuki 
Published: December 2020

AbstractA heterotrimeric transcription factor NF-Y is crucial for cell-cycle progression in various types of cells. In contrast, studies using NF-YA knockout mice have unveiled its essential role in endoplasmic reticulum (ER) homeostasis in neuronal cells. However, whether NF-Y modulates a different transcriptome to mediate distinct cellular functions remains obscure. Here, we knocked down NF-Y in two types of neuronal cells, neuro2a neuroblastoma cells and mouse brain striatal cells, and performed gene expression profiling. We found that down-regulated genes preferentially contained NF-Y-binding motifs in their proximal promoters, and notably enriched genes related to ER functions rather than those for cell cycle. This contrasts with the profiling data of HeLa and embryonic stem cells in which distinct down-regulation of cell cycle-related genes was observed. Clustering analysis further identified several functional clusters where populations of the down-regulated genes were highly distinct. Further analyses using chromatin immunoprecipitation and RNA-seq data revealed that the transcriptomic difference was not correlated with DNA binding of NF-Y but with splicing of NF-YA. These data suggest that neuronal cells have a different type of transcriptome in which ER-related genes are dominantly modulated by NF-Y, and imply that NF-YA splicing alteration could be involved in this cell type-specific gene modulation.