bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Polyrotaxane-based supramolecular theranostics
Authors: Yu Guocan , Yang Zhen , Fu Xiao , Yung Bryant C. , Yang Jie , Mao Zhengwei , Shao Li , Hua Bin , Liu Yijing , Zhang Fuwu , Fan Quli , Wang Sheng , Jacobson Orit , Jin Albert , Gao Changyou , Tang Xiaoying , Huang Feihe , Chen Xiaoyuan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe development of smart theranostic systems with favourable biocompatibility, high loading efficiency, excellent circulation stability, potent anti-tumour activity, and multimodal diagnostic functionalities is of importance for future clinical application. The premature burst release and poor degradation kinetics indicative of polymer-based nanomedicines remain the major obstacles for clinical translation. Herein we prepare theranostic shell-crosslinked nanoparticles (SCNPs) using a β-cyclodextrin-based polyrotaxane (PDI-PCL-b-PEG-RGD⊃β-CD-NH2) to avoid premature drug leakage and achieve precisely controllable release, enhancing the maximum tolerated dose of the supramolecular nanomedicines. cRGDfK and perylene diimide are chosen as the stoppers of PDI-PCL-b-PEG-RGD⊃β-CD-NH2, endowing the resultant SCNPs with excellent integrin targeting ability, photothermal effect, and photoacoustic capability. In vivo anti-tumour studies demonstrate that drug-loaded SCNPs completely eliminate the subcutaneous tumours without recurrence after a single-dose injection combining chemotherapy and photothermal therapy. These supramolecular nanomedicines also exhibit excellent anti-tumour performance against orthotopic breast cancer and prevent lung metastasis with negligible systemic toxicity.
Acute effects of air pollution on respiratory disease mortalities and outpatients in Southeastern China
Authors: Mo Zhe , Fu Qiuli , Zhang Lifang , Lyu Danni , Mao Guangming , Wu Lizhi , Xu Peiwei , Wang Zhifang , Pan Xuejiao , Chen Zhijian , Wang Xiaofeng , Lou Xiaoming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe objective of this study was to investigate the potential association between air pollutants and respiratory diseases (RDs). Generalized additive models were used to analyze the effect of air pollutants on mortalities or outpatient visits. The average concentrations of air pollutants in Hangzhou (HZ) were 1.6–2.8 times higher than those in Zhoushan (ZS), except for O3. In a single pollutant model, the increased concentrations of PM2.5, NO2, and SO2 were strongly associated with deaths caused by RD in HZ, while PM2.5 and O3 were associated with deaths caused by RD in ZS. All air pollutants (PM2.5, NO2, SO2, and O3) were strongly associated with outpatient visits for RD in both HZ and ZS. In multiple pollutant models, a significant association was only observed between PM2.5 and the mortality rate of RD patients in both HZ and in ZS. Moreover, strong associations between SO2, NO2, and outpatient visits for RD were observed in HZ and ZS. This study has provided evidence that both the mortality rates and outpatient visits for RD were significantly associated with air pollutants. Furthermore, the results showed that different air pollutant levels lead to regional differences between mortality rates and outpatient visits.
Design and Demonstration of Impedance-matched Dual-band Chiral Metasurfaces
Authors: Kim Minseok , Eleftheriades George V. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe propose a new family of impedance-matched chiral metasurfaces that offer arbitrary polarization control at two different frequencies. To this end, two main problems are addressed: (1) determination of the required surface impedances for a certain user-defined chiral functionality at two frequencies and (2) their physical realization at microwaves. The first milestone is achieved through a proposed synthesis method that combines a semi-analytical method and a nonlinear optimization technique. In particular, the impedances are computed such that the devised chiral metasurface is also impedance-matched to a terminating medium. The chiral metasurfaces are then physically realized at microwaves by cascading layers of rotated arrays of multiple concentric rectangular copper rings. We establish that these proposed unit cells offer distinct dual-resonances that can be arbitrarily and independently tuned for two orthogonal linear polarizations at each of the two operating frequencies. This allows simultaneous physical mapping of the required surface impedances at two frequencies. The versatility and generality of the proposed numerical and physical solutions are demonstrated through two design examples: A dual-band circular polarization selective surface (CPSS) and a dual-band polarization rotator (PR). The dual-band CPSS is further confirmed experimentally at 20 GHz and 30 GHz based on a free-space quasi-optical system.
The Effects of Housing Density on Social Interactions and Their Correlations with Serotonin in Rodents and Primates
Authors: Lee Young-A , Obora Tsukasa , Bondonny Laura , Toniolo Amelie , Mivielle Johanna , Yamaguchi Yoshie , Kato Akemi , Takita Masatoshi , Goto Yukiori 
Published: February 2018

AbstractPopulation density has been suggested to affect social interactions of individuals, but the underlying neural mechanisms remain unclear. In contrast, neurotransmission of monoamines such as serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) has been demonstrated to play important roles in social behaviors. Here, we investigated whether housing density affected social interactions of rodents and non-human primates housed in groups, and its correlations with monoamines. Japanese macaques exhibited higher plasma 5-HT, but not DA, concentrations than rhesus macaques. Similarly, C57BL/6 mice exhibited higher plasma and brain tissue 5-HT concentrations than DBA2 mice. Under crowding, C57BL/6 mice and Japanese macaques exhibited more prominent social avoidance with mates than DBA2 mice and rhesus macaques, respectively. Although DBA2 mice and rhesus macaques in crowding exhibited elevated plasma stress hormones, such stress hormone elevations associated with crowding were absent in C57BL/6 mice and Japanese macaques. Administration of parachlorophenylalanine, which inhibits 5-HT synthesis, increased social interactions and stress hormones in C57BL/6 mice under crowding. These results suggest that, animals with hyperserotonemia may exhibit social avoidance as an adaptive behavioral strategy to mitigate stress associated with crowding environments, which may also be relevant to psychiatric disorder such as autism spectrum disorder.
Lack of galectin-3 modifies differentially Notch ligands in bone marrow and spleen stromal cells interfering with B cell differentiation
Authors: de Oliveira Felipe Leite , dos Santos Sofia Nascimento , Ricon Lauremilia , da Costa Thayse Pinheiro , Pereira Jonathas Xavier , Brand Camila , Fermino Marise Lopes , Chammas Roger , Bernardes Emerson Soares , El-Cheikh Márcia Cury 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGalectin-3 (Gal-3) is a β-galactoside binding protein that controls cell-cell and cell-extracellular matrix interactions. In lymphoid organs, gal-3 inhibits B cell differentiation by mechanisms poorly understood. The B cell development is dependent on tissue organization and stromal cell signaling, including IL-7 and Notch pathways. Here, we investigate possible mechanisms that gal-3 interferes during B lymphocyte differentiation in the bone marrow (BM) and spleen. The BM of gal-3-deficient mice (Lgals3−/− mice) was evidenced by elevated numbers of B220+CD19+c-Kit+IL-7R+ progenitor B cells. In parallel, CD45− bone marrow stromal cells expressed high levels of mRNA IL-7, Notch ligands (Jagged-1 and Delta-like 4), and transcription factors (Hes-1, Hey-1, Hey-2 and Hey-L). The spleen of Lgals3−/− mice was hallmarked by marginal zone disorganization, high number of IgM+IgD+ B cells and CD138+ plasma cells, overexpression of Notch ligands (Jagged-1, Delta-like 1 and Delta-like 4) by stromal cells and Hey-1. Morever, IgM+IgD+ B cells and B220+CD138+ CXCR4+ plasmablasts were significantly increased in the BM and blood of Lgals3−/− mice. For the first time, we demonstrated that gal-3 inhibits Notch signaling activation in lymphoid organs regulating earlier and terminal events of B cell differentiation.
Bronchial extracellular matrix from COPD patients induces altered gene expression in repopulated primary human bronchial epithelial cells
Authors: Hedström Ulf , Hallgren Oskar , Öberg Lisa , DeMicco Amy , Vaarala Outi , Westergren-Thorsson Gunilla , Zhou Xiaohong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a serious global health problem characterized by chronic airway inflammation, progressive airflow limitation and destruction of lung parenchyma. Remodeling of the bronchial airways in COPD includes changes in both the bronchial epithelium and the subepithelial extracellular matrix (ECM). To explore the impact of an aberrant ECM on epithelial cell phenotype in COPD we developed a new ex vivo model, in which normal human bronchial epithelial (NHBE) cells repopulate and differentiate on decellularized human bronchial scaffolds derived from COPD patients and healthy individuals. By using transcriptomics, we show that bronchial ECM from COPD patients induces differential gene expression in primary NHBE cells when compared to normal bronchial ECM. The gene expression profile indicated altered activity of upstream mediators associated with COPD pathophysiology, including hepatocyte growth factor, transforming growth factor beta 1 and platelet-derived growth factor B, which suggests that COPD-related changes in the bronchial ECM contribute to the defective regenerative ability in the airways of COPD patients.
Optimization of ClpXP activity and protein synthesis in an E. coli extract-based cell-free expression system
Authors: Shi Xinying , Wu Ti , M. Cole Christian , K. Devaraj Neal , Joseph Simpson 
Published: February 2018

AbstractProtein degradation is a fundamental process in all living cells and is essential to remove both damaged proteins and intact proteins that are no longer needed by the cell. We are interested in creating synthetic genetic circuits that function in a cell-free expression system. This will require not only an efficient protein expression platform but also a robust protein degradation system in cell extract. Therefore, we purified and tested the activity of E. coli ClpXP protease in cell-free transcription-translation (TX-TL) systems that used E. coli S30 cell extract. Surprisingly, our studies showed that purified ClpXP added to the TX-TL system has very low proteolytic activity. The low activity of ClpXP was correlated with the rapid consumption of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) in cell extract. We improved the activity of ClpXP in cell extract by adding exogenous ATP and an energy regeneration system. We then established conditions for both protein synthesis, and protein degradation by ClpXP to occur simultaneously in the TX-TL systems. The optimized conditions for ClpXP activity will be useful for creating tunable synthetic genetic circuits and in vitro synthetic biology.
Human mitochondrial pyruvate carrier 2 as an autonomous membrane transporter
Authors: Nagampalli Raghavendra Sashi Krishna , Quesñay José Edwin Neciosup , Adamoski Douglas , Islam Zeyaul , Birch James , Sebinelli Heitor Gobbi , Girard Richard Marcel Bruno Moreira , Ascenção Carolline Fernanda Rodrigues , Fala Angela Maria , Pauletti Bianca Alves , Consonni Sílvio Roberto , de Oliveira Juliana Ferreira , Silva Amanda Cristina Teixeira , Franchini Kleber Gomes , Leme Adriana Franco Paes , Silber Ariel Mariano , Ciancaglini Pietro , Moraes Isabel , Dias Sandra Martha Gomes , Ambrosio Andre Luis Berteli 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe active transport of glycolytic pyruvate across the inner mitochondrial membrane is thought to involve two mitochondrial pyruvate carrier subunits, MPC1 and MPC2, assembled as a 150 kDa heterotypic oligomer. Here, the recombinant production of human MPC through a co-expression strategy is first described; however, substantial complex formation was not observed, and predominantly individual subunits were purified. In contrast to MPC1, which co-purifies with a host chaperone, we demonstrated that MPC2 homo-oligomers promote efficient pyruvate transport into proteoliposomes. The derived functional requirements and kinetic features of MPC2 resemble those previously demonstrated for MPC in the literature. Distinctly, chemical inhibition of transport is observed only for a thiazolidinedione derivative. The autonomous transport role for MPC2 is validated in cells when the ectopic expression of human MPC2 in yeast lacking endogenous MPC stimulated growth and increased oxygen consumption. Multiple oligomeric species of MPC2 across mitochondrial isolates, purified protein and artificial lipid bilayers suggest functional high-order complexes. Significant changes in the secondary structure content of MPC2, as probed by synchrotron radiation circular dichroism, further supports the interaction between the protein and ligands. Our results provide the initial framework for the independent role of MPC2 in homeostasis and diseases related to dysregulated pyruvate metabolism.
Nondestructive in-line sub-picomolar detection of magnetic nanoparticles in flowing complex fluids
Authors: Bougas Lykourgos , Langenegger Lukas D. , Mora Carlos A. , Zeltner Martin , Stark Wendelin J. , Wickenbrock Arne , Blanchard John W. , Budker Dmitry 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOver the last decades, the use of magnetic nanoparticles in research and commercial applications has increased dramatically. However, direct detection of trace quantities remains a challenge in terms of equipment cost, operating conditions and data acquisition times, especially in flowing conditions within complex media. Here we present the in-line, non-destructive detection of magnetic nanoparticles using high performance atomic magnetometers at ambient conditions in flowing media. We achieve sub-picomolar sensitivities measuring ~30 nm ferromagnetic iron and cobalt nanoparticles that are suitable for biomedical and industrial applications, under flowing conditions in water and whole blood. Additionally, we demonstrate real-time surveillance of the magnetic separation of nanoparticles from water and whole blood. Overall our system has the merit of in-line direct measurement of trace quantities of ferromagnetic nanoparticles with so far unreached sensitivities and could be applied in the biomedical field (diagnostics and therapeutics) but also in the industrial sector.
Hakai overexpression effectively induces tumour progression and metastasis in vivo
Authors: Castosa Raquel , Martinez-Iglesias Olaia , Roca-Lema Daniel , Casas-Pais Alba , Díaz-Díaz Andrea , Iglesias Pilar , Santamarina Isabel , Graña Begoña , Calvo Lourdes , Valladares-Ayerbes Manuel , Concha Ángel , Figueroa Angélica 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAt early stages of carcinoma progression, epithelial cells undergo a program named epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition characterized by the loss of the major component of the adherens junctions, E-cadherin, which in consequence causes the disruption of cell-cell contacts. Hakai is an E3 ubiquitin-ligase that binds to E-cadherin in a phosphorylated-dependent manner and induces its degradation; thus modulating cell adhesions. Here, we show that Hakai expression is gradually increased in adenoma and in different TNM stages (I-IV) from colon adenocarcinomas compared to human colon healthy tissues. Moreover, we confirm that Hakai overexpression in epithelial cells drives transformation in cells, a mesenchymal and invasive phenotype, accompanied by the downregulation of E-cadherin and the upregulation of N-cadherin, and an increased proliferation and an oncogenic potential. More importantly, for the first time, we have studied the role of Hakai during cancer progression in vivo. We show that Hakai-transformed MDCK cells dramatically induce tumour growth and local invasion in nude mice and tumour cells exhibit a mesenchymal phenotype. Furthermore, we have detected the presence of micrometastasis in the lung mice, further confirming Hakai role during tumour metastasis in vivo. These results lead to the consideration of Hakai as a potential new therapeutic target to block tumour development and metastasis.
Transcription Factor Target Gene Network governs the Logical Abstraction Analysis of the Synthetic Circuit in Leishmaniasis
Authors: Mol Milsee , Kosey Dipali , Boppana Ramanamurthy , Singh Shailza 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWith the advent of synthetic biology in medicine many synthetic or engineered proteins have made their way to therapeutics and diagnostics. In this paper, the downstream gene network of CD14-TNF-EGFR pathway in leishmaniasis, a tropical disease, is reconstructed. Network analysis showed that NFkB links the signaling and gene network, used as a point of intervention through a synthetic circuit embedded within the negative autoregulatory feedback loop. A chimeric protein kinase C (PKC) is incorporated in the synthetic circuit, under the transcriptional regulation of Lac repressor and IPTG, as an inducer. The chimeric PKC_ζα via IκKb phosphorylation activates NFκB, and modulates the gene expression from an anti-inflammatory to a pro-inflammatory phenotype in in vitro L. major infected macrophage model. This is the first ever report of a synthetic device construction in leishmania.
Changes in micro-relief during different water erosive stages of purple soil under simulated rainfall
Authors: Luo Jian , Zheng Zicheng , Li Tingxuan , He Shuqin 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the variation characteristics of micro-topography during successive erosive stages of water erosion: splash erosion (SpE), sheet erosion (ShE), and rill erosion (RE). Micro-topography was quantified using surface elevation change, soil roughness (SR) and multifractal model. Results showed that the area of soil surface elevation decay increased gradually with the development of water erosion. With rainfall, the combined effects of the detachment by raindrop impact and the transport of runoff decreased SR, whereas rill erosion contributed to increase SR. With the increase in slope gradient, soil erosion area gradually decreased at the splash erosion stage. By contrast, soil erosion area initially decreased and then increased at the sheet and rill erosion stages. The width of the D
q
spectra (ΔD) values increased at the splash erosion stage and then decreased at the sheet and rill erosion stages on the 10° slope, opposite to that on the 15° slope. The ΔD values decreased with the evolution of water erosive stages on the 20° slope. The slope had an enhancing effect on the evolution of water erosion. In this study, we clarified the essence of micro-topography and laid a theoretical foundation for further understanding diverse hydrological processes.
Gαi-mediated TRPC4 activation by polycystin-1 contributes to endothelial function via STAT1 activation
Authors: Kwak Misun , Hong Chansik , Myeong Jongyun , Park Eunice Yon June , Jeon Ju-Hong , So Insuk 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHypertension and aneurysm are frequently associated with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) caused by polycystin-1 (PC1) mutations, which is closely related to endothelial dysfunction. PC1 is an atypical G-protein-coupled receptor that activates G-proteins by self-cleavage; currently, however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms of the associated intracellular signaling and ion channel activation remain poorly elucidated. Here, we report an activation mechanism of a calcium-permeable canonical transient receptor potential 4 (TRPC4) channel by PC1 and its endothelial function. We found that the inhibitory Gαi3 protein selectively bound to the G-protein-binding domain on the C-terminus of PC1. The dissociation of Gαi3 upon cleavage of PC1 increased TRPC4 activity. Calcium influx through TRPC4 activated the transcription factor STAT1 to regulate cell proliferation and death. The down-regulation of PC1/TRPC4/STAT1 disrupted migration of endothelial cell monolayers, leading to an increase in endothelial permeability. These findings contribute to greater understanding of the high risk of aneurysm in patients with ADPKD.
Nanogels of dual inhibitor-modified hyaluronic acid function as a potent inhibitor of amyloid β-protein aggregation and cytotoxicity
Authors: Jiang Zhiqiang , Dong Xiaoyan , Yan Xin , Liu Yang , Zhang Lin , Sun Yan 
Published: February 2018

AbstractInhibition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) aggregation is considered as a promising strategy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) and curcumin have been recognized as effective inhibitors of Aβ aggregation. Herein, we proposed dual-inhibitor modification of hyaluronic acid (HA) to explore the synergistic effect of the two inhibitors. EGCG-modified HA (EHA) formed dispersed hydrogel structures, while EGCG-curcumin bi-modified HA (CEHA) self-assembled into nanogels like curcumin-modified HA (CHA). Thioflavin T fluorescent assays revealed that the inhibitory effect of CEHA was 69% and 55% higher than EHA and CHA, respectively, and cytotoxicity assays showed that the viability of SH-SY5Y cells incubated with Aβ and CEHA was 28% higher than that with Aβ and the mixture of EHA and CHA. These results clearly indicate the synergism of the two inhibitors. It is considered that the difference in the hydrophobicities of the two inhibitors made the bi-modification of HA provide a favorable CEHA nanostructure that coordinated different inhibition effects of the two inhibitors. This research indicates that fabrication of dual-inhibitor nanosystem is promising for the development of potent agents against Aβ aggregation and cytotoxicity.
Correction: Corrigendum: Treponema pallidum (syphilis) antigen TpF1 induces angiogenesis through the activation of the IL-8 pathway
Authors: Pozzobon Tommaso , Facchinello Nicola , Bossi Fleur , Capitani Nagaja , Benagiano Marisa , Di Benedetto Giulietta , Zennaro Cristina , West Nicole , Codolo Gaia , Bernardini Marialina , Baldari Cosima Tatiana , D’Elios Mario Milco , Pellegrini Luca , Argenton Francesco , de Bernard Marina 
Published: February 2018

Scientific Reports 6: Article number: 18785; published online: 05 January 2016; updated: 16 February 2018 This Article contains errors in the Materials and Methods section under subheading ‘RNA Isolation and RT-PCR in zebrafish’. “One microgram of total RNA was reverse transcribed using MMLV reversetranscriptase and cDNA was amplified with the following primers: Danio rerio β-actin, 5′-CAGCAAGCAGGAGTACGATGAGT-3′ and 5′-TTGAATCTCATTGCTAGGCCATT-3′; Danio rerio IL-8a, 5′-AGCTTGAGAGGTCTGGCTGTAGA-3′ and 5′-CGAGGCGTTGATAAGCTCTCTGCT-3′, Danio rerio IL-8b, 5′-TGTTTTCCTGGCATTTCTGACC-3′and 5′-TTTACAGTGTGGGCT TGGAGGG-3′, Danio rerio VEGF-A, 5′-GATGTGATTCCCTTCATGGATGTGT-3′ and 5′-GGATACTCCTGGATG ATGTCTACCA-3′.