bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Engineering single-molecule fluorescence with asymmetric nano-antennas
Authors: Zhao Wenqi , Tian Xiaochaoran , Fang Zhening , Xiao Shiyi , Qiu Meng , He Qiong , Feng Wei , Li Fuyou , Zhang Yuanbo , Zhou Lei , Tan Yan-Wen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs a powerful tool for studying molecular dynamics in bioscience, single-molecule fluorescence detection provides dynamical information buried in ensemble experiments. Fluorescence in the near-infrared (NIR) is particularly useful because it offers higher signal-to-noise ratio and increased penetration depth in tissue compared with visible fluorescence. The low quantum yield of most NIR fluorophores, however, makes the detection of single-molecule fluorescence difficult. Here, we use asymmetric plasmonic nano-antenna to enhance the fluorescence intensity of AIEE1000, a typical NIR dye, by a factor up to 405. The asymmetric nano-antenna achieve such an enhancement mainly by increasing the quantum yield (to ~80%) rather than the local field, which degrades the molecules’ photostability. Our coupled-mode-theory analysis reveals that the enhancements stem from resonance-matching between antenna and molecule and, more importantly, from optimizing the coupling between the near- and far-field modes with designer asymmetric structures. Our work provides a universal scheme for engineering single-molecule fluorescence in the near-infrared regime.
Optical actuation of a micromechanical photodiode via the photovoltaic-piezoelectric effect
Authors: Rampal A. , Kleiman R. N. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRadiation pressure and photothermal forces have been previously used to optically actuate micro/nanomechanical structures fabricated from semiconductor piezoelectric materials such as gallium arsenide (GaAs). In these materials, coupling of the photovoltaic and piezoelectric properties has not been fully explored and leads to a new type of optical actuation that we call the photovoltaic-piezoelectric effect (PVPZ). We demonstrate this effect by electrically measuring, via the direct piezoelectric effect, the optically induced strain in a novel torsional resonator. The micron-scale torsional resonator is fabricated from a lattice-matched single-crystal molecular beam epitaxy (MBE)-grown GaAs photodiode heterostructure. We find that the strain depends on the product of the electro-optic responsivity and piezoelectric constant of GaAs. The photovoltaic-piezoelectric effect has important potential applications, such as in the development of configurable optical circuits, which can be used in neuromorphic photonic chips, processing of big data with deep learning and the development of quantum circuits.
GOLM1 restricts colitis and colon tumorigenesis by ensuring Notch signaling equilibrium in intestinal homeostasis
Authors: Pu Yang , Song Ya , Zhang Mengdi , Long Caifeng , Li Jie , Wang Yanan , Xu Yinzhe , Pan Fei , Zhao Na , Zhang Xinyu , Xu Yanan , Cui Jianxin , Wang Hongying , Li Yan , Zhao Yong , Jin Di , Zhang Hongbing 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIntestinal epithelium serves as the first barrier against the infections and injuries that mediate colonic inflammation. Colorectal cancer is often accompanied with chronic inflammation. Differed from its well-known oncogenic role in many malignancies, we present here that Golgi membrane protein 1 (GOLM1, also referred to as GP73) suppresses colorectal tumorigenesis via maintenance of intestinal epithelial barrier. GOLM1 deficiency in mice conferred susceptibility to mucosal inflammation and colitis-induced epithelial damage, which consequently promoted colon cancer. Mechanistically, depletion of GOLM1 in intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) led to aberrant Notch activation that interfered with IEC differentiation, maturation, and lineage commitment in mice. Pharmacological inhibition of Notch pathway alleviated epithelial lesions and restrained pro-tumorigenic inflammation in GOLM1-deficient mice. Therefore, GOLM1 maintains IEC homeostasis and protects against colitis and colon tumorigenesis by modulating the equilibrium of Notch signaling pathway.
Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors and Kamuvudines inhibit amyloid-β induced retinal pigmented epithelium degeneration
Authors: Narendran Siddharth , Pereira Felipe , Yerramothu Praveen , Apicella Ivana , Wang Shao-bin , Ambati Kameshwari , Hirahara Shuichiro , Kim Younghee , Ambati Meenakshi , Ambati Vidya L. , Huang Peirong , Varshney Akhil , Nagasaka Yosuke , Fukuda Shinichi , Baker Kirstie L. , Marion Kenneth M. , Deussing Jan M. , Sadda Srinivas R. , Gelfand Bradley D. , Ambati Jayakrishna 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNonfibrillar amyloid-β oligomers (AβOs) are a major component of drusen, the sub-retinal pigmented epithelium (RPE) extracellular deposits characteristic of age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a common cause of global blindness. We report that AβOs induce RPE degeneration, a clinical hallmark of geographic atrophy (GA), a vision-threatening late stage of AMD that is currently untreatable. We demonstrate that AβOs induce activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in the mouse RPE in vivo and that RPE expression of the purinergic ATP receptor P2RX7, an upstream mediator of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, is required for AβO-induced RPE degeneration. Two classes of small molecule inflammasome inhibitors—nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) and their antiretrovirally inert modified analog Kamuvudines—both inhibit AβOs-induced RPE degeneration. These findings crystallize the importance of P2RX7 and NLRP3 in a disease-relevant model of AMD and identify inflammasome inhibitors as potential treatments for GA.
Intensification of functional neural control on heartbeat dynamics in subclinical depression
Authors: Catrambone Vincenzo , Messerotti Benvenuti Simone , Gentili Claudio , Valenza Gaetano 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSubclinical depression (dysphoria) is a common condition that may increase the risk of major depression and leads to impaired quality of life and severe comorbid somatic diseases. Despite its prevalence, specific biological markers are unknown; consequently, the identification of dysphoria currently relies exclusively on subjective clinical scores and structured interviews. Based on recent neurocardiology studies that link brain and cardiovascular disorders, it was hypothesized that multi-system biomarkers of brain–body interplay may effectively characterize dysphoria. Thus, an ad hoc computational technique was developed to quantify the functional bidirectional brain–heart interplay. Accordingly, 32-channel electroencephalographic and heart rate variability series were obtained from 24 young dysphoric adults and 36 healthy controls. All participants were females of a similar age, and results were obtained during a 5-min resting state. The experimental results suggest that a specific feature of dysphoria is linked to an augmented functional central-autonomic control to the heart, which originates from central, frontopolar, and occipital oscillations and acts through cardiovascular sympathovagal activity. These results enable further development of a large set of novel biomarkers for mood disorders based on comprehensive brain–body measurements.
Endocannabinoid signaling in the lateral habenula regulates pain and alcohol consumption
Authors: Fu Rao , Tang Ying , Li Wenfu , Ren Zhiheng , Li Ding , Zheng Jiayi , Zuo Wanhong , Chen Xuejun , Zuo Qi Kang , Tam Kelsey L. , Zou Yucong , Bachmann Thomas , Bekker Alex , Ye Jiang-Hong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractHyperalgesia, which often occurs in people suffering from alcohol use disorder, may drive excessive drinking and relapse. Emerging evidence suggests that the lateral habenula (LHb) may play a significant role in this condition. Previous research suggests that endocannabinoid signaling (eCBs) is involved in drug addiction and pain, and that the LHb contains core components of the eCBs machinery. We report here our findings in rats subjected to chronic ethanol vapor exposure. We detected a substantial increase in endocannabinoid-related genes, includingMgllandDaglbmRNA levels, as well as monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) protein levels, as well as a decrease inCnr1mRNA and type-1 cannabinoid receptor (CB1R) protein levels, in the LHb of ethanol-exposed rats. Also, rats withdrawing from ethanol exposure displayed hypersensitivity to mechanical and thermal nociceptive stimuli. Conversely, intra-LHb injection of the MAGL inhibitor JZL184, the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597, or the CB1R agonist WIN55,212-2 produced an analgesic effect, regardless of ethanol or air exposure history, implying that alcohol exposure does not change eCB pain responses. Intra-LHb infusion of the CB1R inverse agonist rimonabant eliminated the analgesic effect of these chemicals. Rimonabant alone elicited hyperalgesia in the air-, but not ethanol-exposed animals. Moreover, intra-LHb JZL184, URB597, or WIN55,212-2 reduced ethanol consumption in both homecages and operant chambers in rats exposed to ethanol vapor but not air. These findings suggest that LHb eCBs play a pivotal role in nociception and facilitating LHb eCBs may attenuate pain in drinkers.
HIF-1α promoted vasculogenic mimicry formation in lung adenocarcinoma through NRP1 upregulation in the hypoxic tumor microenvironment
Authors: Fu Ran , Du Wenwen , Ding Zongli , Wang Yi , Li Yue , Zhu Jianjie , Zeng Yuanyuan , Zheng Yulong , Liu Zeyi , Huang Jian-an 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNeovascularization is a key factor that contributes to tumor metastasis, and vasculogenic mimicry (VM) is an important form of neovascularization found in highly invasive tumors, including lung cancer. Despite the increasing number of studies focusing on VM, the mechanisms underlying VM formation remain unclear. Herein, our study explored the role of the HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in mediating lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and VM formation. HIF-1α, NRP1 expression, and VM in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) patient samples were examined by immunohistochemical staining. Quantitative real-time (qRT-PCR), western blot, transwell assay, wound healing assay, and tube formation assay were performed to verify the role of HIF-1α/NRP1 axis in LUAD metastasis and VM formation. ChIP and luciferase reporter assay were used to confirm whether NRP1 is a direct target of HIF-1α. In LUAD tissues, we confirmed a positive relationship between HIF-1α and NRP1 expression. Importantly, high HIF-1α and NRP1 expression and the presence of VM were correlated with poor prognosis. We also found that HIF-1α could induce LUAD cell migration, invasion, and VM formation by regulating NRP1. Moreover, we demonstrated that HIF-1α can directly bind to the NRP1 promoter located between −2009 and −2017 of the promoter. Mechanistically, MMP2, VE-cadherin, and Vimentin expression were affected. HIF-1α plays an important role in inducing lung adenocarcinoma cell metastasis and VM formation via upregulation of NRP1. This study highlights the potential therapeutic value of targeting NRP1 for suppressing lung adenocarcinoma metastasis and progression.
Targeting K-Ras and apoptosis-driven cellular transformation in cancer
Authors: Godwin Isha , Anto Nikhil Ponnoor , Bava Smitha V. , Babu Mani Shankar , Jinesh Goodwin G. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCellular transformation is a major event that helps cells to evade apoptosis, genomic instability checkpoints, and immune surveillance to initiate tumorigenesis and to promote progression by cancer stem cell expansion. However, the key molecular players that govern cellular transformation and ways to target cellular transformation for therapy are poorly understood to date. Here we draw key evidences from the literature on K-Ras-driven cellular transformation in the context of apoptosis to shed light on the key players that are required for cellular transformation and explain how aiming p53 could be useful to target cellular transformation. The defects in key apoptosis regulators such as p53, Bax, and Bak lead to apoptosis evasion, cellular transformation, and genomic instability to further lead to stemness, tumorigenesis, and metastasis via c-Myc-dependent transcription. Therefore enabling key apoptotic checkpoints in combination with K-Ras inhibitors will be a promising therapeutic target in cancer therapy.
Incidence and predictive biomarkers of Clostridioides difficile infection in hospitalized patients receiving broad-spectrum antibiotics
Authors: van Werkhoven Cornelis H. , Ducher Annie , Berkell Matilda , Mysara Mohamed , Lammens Christine , Torre-Cisneros Julian , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Herghea Delia , Cornely Oliver A. , Biehl Lena M. , Bernard Louis , Dominguez-Luzon M. Angeles , Maraki Sofia , Barraud Olivier , Nica Maria , Jazmati Nathalie , Sablier-Gallis Frederique , de Gunzburg Jean , Mentré France , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi , Bonten Marc J. M. , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T. ,   the ANTICIPATE Study Group, Engbers Annemarie M. S. , de Regt Marieke J. A. , Goossens Herman , Xavier Basil Britto , Bouverne Marie-Noelle , Monsieurs Pieter , Merle Uta , Stallmach Andreas , Rupp Jan , Bogner Johannes , Lübbert Christoph , Silling Gerda , Witzke Oliver , Gikas Achilleas , Daikos George , Tsiodras Sotirios , Skoutelis Athanasios , Sambatakou Helen , Pujol Miquel , Aguado Jose M. , Bouza Emilio , Cobo Javier , Almirante Benito , Florescu Simin A. , Vata Andrei , Hristea Adriana , Lupse Mihaela , Postil Deborah , Molina Jean-Michel , De Lastours Victoire , Guimard Thomas , Talarmin Jean-Philippe , Duval Xavier , Launay Odile 
Published: April 2021

AbstractTrial enrichment using gut microbiota derived biomarkers by high-risk individuals can improve the feasibility of randomized controlled trials for prevention of Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI). Here, we report in a prospective observational cohort study the incidence of CDI and assess potential clinical characteristics and biomarkers to predict CDI in 1,007 patients ≥ 50 years receiving newly initiated antibiotic treatment with penicillins plus a beta-lactamase inhibitor, 3rd/4th generation cephalosporins, carbapenems, fluoroquinolones or clindamycin from 34 European hospitals. The estimated 90-day cumulative incidences of a first CDI episode is 1.9% (95% CI 1.1-3.0). Carbapenem treatment (Hazard Ratio (95% CI): 5.3 (1.7-16.6)), toxigenic C. difficile rectal carriage (10.3 (3.2-33.1)), high intestinal abundance of Enterococcus spp. relative to Ruminococcus spp. (5.4 (2.1-18.7)), and low Shannon alpha diversity index as determined by 16 S rRNA gene profiling (9.7 (3.2-29.7)), but not normalized urinary 3-indoxyl sulfate levels, predicts an increased CDI risk.
Microbiota-based markers predictive of development of Clostridioides difficile infection
Authors: Berkell Matilda , Mysara Mohamed , Xavier Basil Britto , van Werkhoven Cornelis H. , Monsieurs Pieter , Lammens Christine , Ducher Annie , Vehreschild Maria J. G. T. , Goossens Herman , de Gunzburg Jean , Bonten Marc J. M. , Malhotra-Kumar Surbhi ,   the ANTICIPATE study group, Engbers Annemarie , de Regt Marieke , Biehl Lena M. , Cornely Oliver A. , Jazmati Nathalie , Bouverne Marie-Noelle , Sablier-Gallis Frederique , Mentré France , Merle Uta , Stallmach Andreas , Rupp Jan , Bogner Johannes , Lübbert Christoph , Silling Gerda , Witzke Oliver , Gikas Achilleas , Maraki Sofia , Daikos George , Tsiodras Sotirios , Skoutelis Athanasios , Sambatakou Helen , Pujol Miquel , Dominguez-Luzon M. Angeles , Aguado Jose M. , Bouza Emilio , Cobo Javier , Rodríguez-Baño Jesús , Almirante Benito , de la Torre Cisneros Julian , Florescu Simin A. , Nica Maria , Vata Andrei , Hristea Adriana , Lupse Mihaela , Herghea Delia , Postil Deborah , Barraud Olivier , Molina Jean-Michel , De Lastours Victoire , Guimard Thomas , Talarmin Jean-Philippe , Duval Xavier , Bernard Louis , Launay Odile 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAntibiotic-induced modulation of the intestinal microbiota can lead to Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI), which is associated with considerable morbidity, mortality, and healthcare-costs globally. Therefore, identification of markers predictive of CDI could substantially contribute to guiding therapy and decreasing the infection burden. Here, we analyze the intestinal microbiota of hospitalized patients at increased CDI risk in a prospective, 90-day cohort-study before and after antibiotic treatment and at diarrhea onset. We show that patients developing CDI already exhibit significantly lower diversity before antibiotic treatment and a distinct microbiota enriched in Enterococcus and depleted of Ruminococcus, Blautia, Prevotella and Bifidobacterium compared to non-CDI patients. We find that antibiotic treatment-induced dysbiosis is class-specific with beta-lactams further increasing enterococcal abundance. Our findings, validated in an independent prospective patient cohort developing CDI, can be exploited to enrich for high-risk patients in prospective clinical trials, and to develop predictive microbiota-based diagnostics for management of patients at risk for CDI.
Improving organic photovoltaic cells by forcing electrode work function well beyond onset of Ohmic transition
Authors: Zhao Chao , Tang Cindy G. , Seah Zong-Long , Koh Qi-Mian , Chua Lay-Lay , Png Rui-Qi , Ho Peter K. H. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAs electrode work function rises or falls sufficiently, the organic semiconductor/electrode contact reaches Fermi-level pinning, and then, few tenths of an electron-volt later, Ohmic transition. For organic solar cells, the resultant flattening of open-circuit voltage (Voc) and fill factor (FF) leads to a ‘plateau’ that maximizes power conversion efficiency (PCE). Here, we demonstrate this plateau in fact tilts slightly upwards. Thus, further driving of the electrode work function can continue to improve Voc and FF, albeit slowly. The first effect arises from the coercion of Fermi level up the semiconductor density-of-states in the case of ‘soft’ Fermi pinning, raising cell built-in potential. The second effect arises from the contact-induced enhancement of majority-carrier mobility. We exemplify these using PBDTTPD:PCBM solar cells, where PBDTTPD is a prototypal face-stacked semiconductor, and where work function of the hole collection layer is systematically ‘tuned’ from onset of Fermi-level pinning, through Ohmic transition, and well into the Ohmic regime.
Generating biomembrane-like local curvature in polymersomes via dynamic polymer insertion
Authors: Sun Jiawei , Rijpkema Sjoerd J. , Luan Jiabin , Zhang Shaohua , Wilson Daniela A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBiomembrane curvature formation has long been observed to be essential in the change of membrane morphology and intracellular processes. The significant importance of curvature formation has attracted scientists from different backgrounds to study it. Although magnificent progress has been achieved using liposome models, the instability of these models restrict further exploration. Here, we report a new approach to mimic biomembrane curvature formation using polymersomes as a model, and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) to induce the local curvature based on its co-nonsolvency phenomenon. Curvatures form when poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) becomes hydrophobic and inserts into the membrane through solvent addition. The insertion area can be fine-tuned by adjusting the poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) concentration, accompanied by the formation of new polymersome-based non-axisymmetric shapes. Moreover, a systematic view of curvature formation is provided through investigation of the segregation, local distribution and dissociation of inserted poly(N-isopropylacrylamide). This strategy successfully mimicks biomembrane curvature formation in polymersomes and a detailed observation of the insertion can be beneficial for a further understanding of the curvature formation process. Furthermore, polymer insertion induced shape changing could open up new routes for the design of non-axisymmetric nanocarriers and nanomachines to enrich the boundless possibilities of nanotechnology.
Fine-scale multiannual survey of benthic invertebrates in a glacier-fed stream used for hydropower generation
Authors: Scotti Alberto , Bottarin Roberta 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe present dataset contains information about aquatic macroinvertebrates and environmental variables collected before and after the implementation of a small “run-of-river” hydropower plant on the Saldur stream, a glacier-fed stream located in the Italian Central-Eastern Alps. Between 2015 and 2019, with two sampling events per year, we collected and identified 34,836 organisms in 6 sampling sites located within a 6 km stretch of the stream. Given the current boom of the hydropower sector worldwide, and the growing contribution of small hydropower plants to energy production, data here included may represent an important – and long advocated – baseline to assess the effects that these kinds of powerplants have on the riverine ecosystem. Moreover, since the Saldur stream is part of the International Long Term Ecological Research network, this dataset also constitutes part of the data gathered within this research programme. All samples are preserved at Eurac Research facilities.
Validation of three predictive models for suboptimal cytoreductive surgery in advanced ovarian cancer
Authors: Llueca Antoni , Climent María Teresa , Escrig Javier , Carrasco Paula , Serra Anna ,   MUAPOS working group (Multidisciplinary Unit of Abdominal Pelvic Oncology Surgery), Gomez-Quiles L. , Játiva R. , Cebrian G. , Bosso V. , Villarin A. , Maiocchi K. , Delgado-Barriga K. , Rodrigo-Aliaga M. , Ruiz N. , Herrero C. , Frances A. , Beato I. , Ferrer C. , Aracil J. P. , Boldo E. , Boldo A. , Adell R. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe standard treatment for advanced ovarian cancer (AOC) is cytoreduction surgery and adjuvant chemotherapy. Tumor volume after surgery is a major prognostic factor for these patients. The ability to perform complete cytoreduction depends on the extent of disease and the skills of the surgical team. Several predictive models have been proposed to evaluate the possibility of performing complete cytoreductive surgery (CCS). External validation of the prognostic value of three predictive models (Fagotti index and the R3 and R4 models) for predicting suboptimal cytoreductive surgery (SCS) in AOC was performed in this study. The scores of the 3 models were evaluated in one hundred and three consecutive patients diagnosed with AOC treated in a tertiary hospital were evaluated. Clinicopathological features were collected prospectively and analyzed retrospectively. The performance of the three models was evaluated, and calibration and discrimination were analyzed. The calibration of the Fagotti, R3 and R4 models showed odds ratios of obtaining SCSs of 1.5, 2.4 and 2.4, respectively, indicating good calibration. The discrimination of the Fagotti, R3 and R4 models showed an area under the ROC curve of 83%, 70% and 81%, respectively. The negative predictive values of the three models were higher than the positive predictive values for SCS. The three models were able to predict suboptimal cytoreductive surgery for advanced ovarian cancer, but they were more reliable for predicting CCS. The R4 model discriminated better because it includes the laparotomic evaluation of the peritoneal carcinomatosis index.