bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Six-fold director field configuration in amyloid nematic and cholesteric phases
Authors: Bagnani Massimo , Azzari Paride , Assenza Salvatore , Mezzenga Raffaele 
Published: September 2019

AbstractChiral liquid crystals, or cholesteric phases, have been widely studied in the last decades, leading to fundamental advances and a multitude of applications and technologies. In general, the rich phenomenology of these systems depends directly on the molecular traits and conditions of the system, imposing precise symmetry to the resulting nematic field. By selecting amyloid fibrils as model filamentous chiral colloids, we report an unprecedented breadth of liquid crystalline morphologies, where up to six distinct configurations of the nematic field are observed under identical conditions. Amyloid-rich droplets show homogeneous, bipolar, radial, uniaxial chiral and radial chiral nematic fields, with additional parabolic focal conics in bulk. Variational and scaling theories allow rationalizing the experimental evidence as a subtle interplay between surface and bulk energies. Our experimental and theoretical findings deepen the understanding of chiral liquid crystals under confinement, opening to a more comprehensive exploitation of these systems in related functional materials.
Leishmania donovani Internalizes into Host Cells via Caveolin-mediated Endocytosis
Authors: Kumar G. Aditya , Karmakar Joyshree , Mandal Chitra , Chattopadhyay Amitabha 
Published: September 2019

AbstractLeishmania donovani is an intracellular protozoan parasite that causes visceral leishmaniasis, a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. The host plasma membrane serves as the portal of entry for Leishmania to gain access to the cellular interior. Although several host cell membrane receptors have been shown to be involved in the entry of Leishmania donovani into host cells, the endocytic pathway involved in the internalization of the parasite is not known. In this work, we explored the endocytic pathway involved in the entry of Leishmania donovani into host macrophages, utilizing specific inhibitors against two major pathways of internalization, i.e., clathrin- and caveolin-mediated endocytosis. We show that pitstop 2, an inhibitor for clathrin-mediated endocytosis, does not affect the entry of Leishmania donovani promastigotes into host macrophages. Interestingly, a significant reduction in internalization was observed upon treatment with genistein, an inhibitor for caveolin-mediated endocytosis. These results are supported by a similar trend in intracellular amastigote load within host macrophages. These results suggest that Leishmania donovani utilizes caveolin-mediated endocytosis to internalize into host cells. Our results provide novel insight into the mechanism of phagocytosis of Leishmania donovani into host cells and assume relevance in the development of novel therapeutics against leishmanial infection.
Discovery of 33mer in chromosome 21 – the largest alpha satellite higher order repeat unit among all human somatic chromosomes
Authors: Glunčić Matko , Vlahović Ines , Paar Vladimir 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe centromere is important for segregation of chromosomes during cell division in eukaryotes. Its destabilization results in chromosomal missegregation, aneuploidy, hallmarks of cancers and birth defects. In primate genomes centromeres contain tandem repeats of ~171 bp alpha satellite DNA, commonly organized into higher order repeats (HORs). In spite of crucial importance, satellites have been understudied because of gaps in sequencing - genomic “black holes”. Bioinformatical studies of genomic sequences open possibilities to revolutionize understanding of repetitive DNA datasets. Here, using robust (Global Repeat Map) algorithm we identified in hg38 sequence of human chromosome 21 complete ensemble of alpha satellite HORs with six long repeat units (≥20 mers), five of them novel. Novel 33mer HOR has the longest HOR unit identified so far among all somatic chromosomes and novel 23mer reverse HOR is distant far from the centromere. Also, we discovered that for hg38 assembly the 33mer sequences in chromosomes 21, 13, 14, and 22 are 100% identical but nearby gaps are present; that seems to require an additional more precise sequencing. Chromosome 21 is of significant interest for deciphering the molecular base of Down syndrome and of aneuploidies in general. Since the chromosome identifier probes are largely based on the detection of higher order alpha satellite repeats, distinctions between alpha satellite HORs in chromosomes 21 and 13 here identified might lead to a unique chromosome 21 probe in molecular cytogenetics, which would find utility in diagnostics. It is expected that its complete sequence analysis will have profound implications for understanding pathogenesis of diseases and development of new therapeutic approaches.
Combined pharmacological administration of AQP1 ion channel blocker AqB011 and water channel blocker Bacopaside II amplifies inhibition of colon cancer cell migration
Authors: De Ieso Michael L. , Pei Jinxin V. , Nourmohammadi Saeed , Smith Eric , Chow Pak Hin , Kourghi Mohamad , Hardingham Jennifer E. , Yool Andrea J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAquaporin-1 (AQP1) has been proposed as a dual water and cation channel that when upregulated in cancers enhances cell migration rates; however, the mechanism remains unknown. Previous work identified AqB011 as an inhibitor of the gated human AQP1 cation conductance, and bacopaside II as a blocker of AQP1 water pores. In two colorectal adenocarcinoma cell lines, high levels of AQP1 transcript were confirmed in HT29, and low levels in SW480 cells, by quantitative PCR (polymerase chain reaction). Comparable differences in membrane AQP1 protein levels were demonstrated by immunofluorescence imaging. Migration rates were quantified using circular wound closure assays and live-cell tracking. AqB011 and bacopaside II, applied in combination, produced greater inhibitory effects on cell migration than did either agent alone. The high efficacy of AqB011 alone and in combination with bacopaside II in slowing HT29 cell motility correlated with abundant membrane localization of AQP1 protein. In SW480, neither agent alone was effective in blocking cell motility; however, combined application did cause inhibition of motility, consistent with low levels of membrane AQP1 expression. Bacopaside alone or combined with AqB011 also significantly impaired lamellipodial formation in both cell lines. Knockdown of AQP1 with siRNA (confirmed by quantitative PCR) reduced the effectiveness of the combined inhibitors, confirming AQP1 as a target of action. Invasiveness measured using transwell filters layered with extracellular matrix in both cell lines was inhibited by AqB011, with a greater potency in HT29 than SW480. A side effect of bacopaside II at high doses was a potentiation of invasiveness, that was reversed by AqB011. Results here are the first to demonstrate that combined block of the AQP1 ion channel and water pores is more potent in impairing motility across diverse classes of colon cancer cells than single agents alone.
Involvement of abscisic acid-responsive element-binding factors in cassava (Manihot esculenta) dehydration stress response
Authors: Feng Ren-Jun , Ren Meng-Yun , Lu Li-Fang , Peng Ming , Guan Xiao , Zhou Deng-Bo , Zhang Miao-Yi , Qi Deng-Feng , Li Kai , Tang Wen , Yun Tian-Yan , Chen Yu-Feng , Wang Fei , Zhang Dun , Shen Qi , Liang Ping , Zhang Yin-Dong , Xie Jiang-Hui 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCassava (Manihot esculenta) is a major staple food, animal feed and energy crop in the tropics and subtropics. It is one of the most drought-tolerant crops, however, the mechanisms of cassava drought tolerance remain unclear. Abscisic acid (ABA)-responsive element (ABRE)-binding factors (ABFs) are transcription factors that regulate expression of target genes involved in plant tolerance to drought, high salinity, and osmotic stress by binding ABREcis-elements in the promoter regions of these genes. However, there is little information aboutABFgenes in cassava. A comprehensive analysis ofManihot esculenta ABFs(MeABFs) described the phylogeny, genome location,cis-acting elements, expression profiles, and regulatory relationship between these factors andManihot esculenta betaine aldehyde dehydrogenase genes(MeBADHs). Here we conducted genome-wide searches and subsequent molecular cloning to identify sevenMeABFsthat are distributed unevenly across six chromosomes in cassava. TheseMeABFscan be clustered into three groups according to their phylogenetic relationships to theirArabidopsis(Arabidopsis thaliana) counterparts. Analysis of the 5′-upstream region ofMeABFsrevealed putativecis-acting elements related to hormone signaling, stress, light, and circadian clock.MeABFexpression profiles displayed clear differences among leaf, stem, root, and tuberous root tissues under non-stress and drought, osmotic, or salt stress conditions. Drought stress in cassava leaves and roots, osmotic stress in tuberous roots, and salt stress in stems induced expression of the highest number ofMeABFsshowing significantly elevated expression. The glycine betaine (GB) content of cassava leaves also was elevated after drought, osmotic, or salt stress treatments. BADH1 is involved in GB synthesis. We show thatMeBADH1promoter sequences contained ABREs and thatMeBADH1expression correlated withMeABFexpression profiles in cassava leaves after the three stress treatments. Taken together, these results suggest that in response to various dehydration stresses, MeABFs in cassava may activate transcriptional expression ofMeBADH1by binding theMeBADH1promoter that in turn promotes GB biosynthesis and accumulation via an increase inMeBADH1gene expression levels and MeBADH1 enzymatic activity. These responses protect cells against dehydration stresses by preserving an osmotic balance that enhances cassava tolerance to dehydration stresses.
A New Approach for the Diagnosis of Myelodysplastic Syndrome Subtypes Based on Protein Interaction Analysis
Authors: Chrastinová Leona , Pastva Ondřej , Bocková Markéta , Lynn Nicholas S. , Šácha Pavel , Hubálek Martin , Suttnar Jiří , Kotlín Roman , Štikarová Jana , Hlaváčková Alžběta , Pimková Kristýna , Čermák Jaroslav , Homola Jiří , Dyr Jan E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies with a high risk of transformation to acute myeloid leukemia (AML). MDS are associated with posttranslational modifications of proteins and variations in the protein expression levels. In this work, we present a novel interactomic diagnostic method based on both protein array and surface plasmon resonance biosensor technology, which enables monitoring of protein-protein interactions in a label-free manner. In contrast to conventional methods based on the detection of individual biomarkers, our presented method relies on measuring interactions between arrays of selected proteins and patient plasma. We apply this method to plasma samples obtained from MDS and AML patients, as well as healthy donors, and demonstrate that even a small protein array comprising six selected proteins allows the method to discriminate among different MDS subtypes and healthy donors.
Design and characterization of dual drug delivery based on in-situ assembled PVA/PAN core-shell nanofibers for wound dressing application
Authors: Kharaghani Davood , Gitigard Parastoo , Ohtani Hijiri , Kim Kyu Oh , Ullah Sana , Saito Yusuke , Khan Muhammad Qamar , Kim Ick Soo 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCore-shell nanofibers with the ability to carry multiple drugs are attracting the attention to develop appropriate drug delivery systems for wounds dressing applications. In this study, biocompatible core-shell nanofibers have been designed as a promising dual-drug carrier with the capability of delivering both water-soluble and organic solvent-soluble drugs simultaneously. With the aim of fabricating the core-shell nanofibers, the dipping method has been employed. For this propose, core nanofibers made from polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) were immersed in various concentrations of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and cross-linked by dipping into ethanol. Diclofenac sodium salt (DSs) and gentamicin sulfate (GENs) have been loaded into the core and shell nanofibers as models of the drug, respectively. The morphology study of core-shell nanofibers showed that the concentrations between 1% w/w up to 2% w/w PAN/GENs, with deep penetration into the internal layers of PAV/DSs nanofibers could lead to the core-shell structure. The cytotoxicity results showed the competency of designed core-shell nanofibers for wound dressing application. Also, the release profile exhibits the controllable behavior of drug release.
Long-lead ENSO control of the boreal summer intraseasonal oscillation in the East Asian-western North Pacific region
Authors: Lin Hai 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe boreal summer 30–60-day intraseasonal oscillation (ISO) in the East Asian-western North Pacific (EAWNP) region strongly influences persistent heavy rainfall in East Asia and tropical cyclone activities in the tropical western Pacific. In this study, we show that there exists a significant interannual south-north shift of the EAWNP-ISO activity between the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean—Maritime continent region and the subtropical South China Sea—western Pacific. This is reflected by the year-to-year changes in the occurrence frequency of individual ISO phases that correspond to different latitudinal locations of the convection anomaly. This interannual shift is largely controlled by the El Niño—Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the preceding winter and spring. Following an El Niño event, the ISO convective activity tends to occur in the equatorial eastern Indian Ocean—Maritime continents, whereas after a La Niña, frequent ISO-related precipitation occurs in the region of south China and the subtropical South China Sea—western Pacific. This result implies long-lead predictability for the occurrence of the summertime EAWNP-ISO activity and its associated weather.
Developing a digital intervention for cancer survivors: an evidence-, theory- and person-based approach
Authors: Bradbury Katherine , Steele Mary , Corbett Teresa , Geraghty Adam W. A. , Krusche Adele , Heber Elena , Easton Steph , Cheetham-Blake Tara , Slodkowska-Barabasz Joanna , Müller Andre Matthias , Smith Kirsten , Wilde Laura J. , Payne Liz , Singh Karmpaul , Bacon Roger , Burford Tamsin , Summers Kevin , Turner Lesley , Richardson Alison , Watson Eila , Foster Claire , Little Paul , Yardley Lucy 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis paper illustrates a rigorous approach to developing digital interventions using an evidence-, theory- and person-based approach. Intervention planning included a rapid scoping review that identified cancer survivors’ needs, including barriers and facilitators to intervention success. Review evidence (N = 49 papers) informed the intervention’s Guiding Principles, theory-based behavioural analysis and logic model. The intervention was optimised based on feedback on a prototype intervention through interviews (N = 96) with cancer survivors and focus groups with NHS staff and cancer charity workers (N = 31). Interviews with cancer survivors highlighted barriers to engagement, such as concerns about physical activity worsening fatigue. Focus groups highlighted concerns about support appointment length and how to support distressed participants. Feedback informed intervention modifications, to maximise acceptability, feasibility and likelihood of behaviour change. Our systematic method for understanding user views enabled us to anticipate and address important barriers to engagement. This methodology may be useful to others developing digital interventions.
Regional heterogeneity impacts gene expression in the subarctic zooplankter Neocalanus flemingeri in the northern Gulf of Alaska
Authors: Roncalli Vittoria , Cieslak Matthew C. , Germano Martina , Hopcroft Russell R. , Lenz Petra H. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractMarine pelagic species are being increasingly challenged by environmental change. Their ability to persist will depend on their capacity for physiological acclimatization. Little is known about limits of physiological plasticity in key species at the base of the food web. Here we investigate the capacity for acclimatization in the copepod Neocalanus flemingeri, which inhabits the Gulf of Alaska, a heterogeneous and highly seasonal environment. RNA-Seq analysis of field-collected pre-adults identified large regional differences in expression of genes involved in metabolic and developmental processes and response to stressors. We found that lipid synthesis genes were up-regulated in individuals from Prince William Sound and down-regulated in the Gulf of Alaska. Up-regulation of lipid catabolic genes in offshore individuals suggests they are experiencing nutritional deficits. The expression differences demonstrate physiological plasticity in response to a steep gradient in food availability. Our transcriptional analysis reveals mechanisms of acclimatization that likely contribute to the observed resilience of this population.
Cell-specific image-guided transcriptomics identifies complex injuries caused by ischemic acute kidney injury in mice
Authors: Miyazaki Tomoaki , Gharib Sina A. , Hsu Yun-Wei A. , Xu Katherine , Khodakivskyi Pavlo , Kobayashi Akio , Paragas Jason , Klose Alexander D. , Francis Kevin P. , Dubikovskaya Elena , Page-McCaw Patrick S. , Barasch Jonathan , Paragas Neal 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe kidney’s inherent complexity has made identifying cell-specific pathways challenging, particularly when temporally associating them with the dynamic pathophysiology of acute kidney injury (AKI). Here, we combine renal cell-specific luciferase reporter mice using a chemoselective luciferin to guide the acquisition of cell-specific transcriptional changes in C57BL/6 background mice. Hydrogen peroxide generation, a common mechanism of tissue damage, was tracked using a peroxy-caged-luciferin to identify optimum time points for immunoprecipitation of labeled ribosomes for RNA-sequencing. Together, these tools revealed a profound impact of AKI on mitochondrial pathways in the collecting duct. In fact, targeting the mitochondria with an antioxidant, ameliorated not only hydrogen peroxide generation, but also significantly reduced oxidative stress and the expression of the AKI biomarker, LCN2. This integrative approach of coupling physiological imaging with transcriptomics and drug testing revealed how the collecting duct responds to AKI and opens new venues for cell-specific predictive monitoring and treatment.
Alpha rhythm collapse predicts iso-electric suppressions during anesthesia
Authors: Cartailler Jérôme , Parutto Pierre , Touchard Cyril , Vallée Fabrice , Holcman David 
Published: September 2019

AbstractCould an overly deep sedation be anticipated from ElectroEncephaloGram (EEG) patterns? We report here motifs hidden in the EEG signal that predict the appearance of Iso-Electric Suppressions (IES), observed during epileptic encephalopathies, drug intoxications, comatose, brain death or during anesthetic over-dosage that are considered to be detrimental. To show that IES occurrences can be predicted from EEG traces dynamics, we focus on transient suppression of the alpha rhythm (8–14 Hz) recorded for 80 patients, that had a Propofol target controlled infusion of 5 μg/ml during a general anesthesia. We found that the first time of appearance as well as changes in duration of these Alpha-Suppressions (αS) are two parameters that anticipate the appearance of IES. Using machine learning, we predicted IES appearance from the first 10 min of EEG (AUC of 0.93). To conclude, transient motifs in the alpha rhythm predict IES during anesthesia and can be used to identify patients, with higher risks of post-operative complications.
Electrostatic force driven helium insertion into ammonia and water crystals under pressure
Authors: Bai Yihong , Liu Zhen , Botana Jorge , Yan Dadong , Lin Hai-Qing , Sun Jian , Pickard Chris J. , Needs Richard J. , Miao Mao-Sheng 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHelium, ammonia and ice are among the major components of giant gas planets, and predictions of their chemical structures are therefore crucial in predicting planetary dynamics. Here we demonstrate a strong driving force originating from the alternation of the electrostatic interactions for helium to react with crystals of polar molecules such as ammonia and ice. We show that ammonia and helium can form thermodynamically stable compounds above 45 GPa, while ice and helium can form thermodynamically stable compounds above 300 GPa. The changes in the electrostatic interactions provide the driving force for helium insertion under high pressure, but the mechanism is very different to those that occur in ammonia and ice. This work extends the reactivity of helium into new types of compounds and demonstrates the richness of the chemistry of this most stable element in the periodic table.
Iridium-catalyzed Markovnikov hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes achieved by using a trimethylsilyl-protected trihydroxysilane
Authors: Xie Xingze , Zhang Xueyan , Gao Weiwei , Meng Congcong , Wang Xiaojun , Ding Shengtao 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDeveloping efficient strategies for Markovnikov hydrosilylation of alkynes is still an important goal. The steric and electronic properties of hydrosilanes are key factors in controlling selectivity in these reactions. Here by using a trimethylsilyl-protected trihydroxysilane, we report a mild, efficient strategy for Markovnikov hydrosilylation of terminal alkynes with the simple catalyst [Ir(μ-Cl)(cod)]2. A variety of terminal alkynes are hydrosilylated efficiently with outstanding α-regioselectivity. This protocol is successfully utilized in the late-stage hydrosilylation of derivatives of various bio-relevant molecules. The residual silyl group, -Si(OSiMe3)3, can participate in organic transformations directly, or be converted into other useful silyl groups.
XMMSL2 J144605.0+685735: a slow tidal disruption event
Authors: Saxton R. D. , Read A. M. , Komossa S. , Lira P. , Alexander K. D. , Steele I. , Ocaña F. , Berger E. , Blanchard P. 
Published: September 2019

Aims.We investigate the evolution of X-ray selected tidal disruption events.Methods.New events are found in near real-time data fromXMM-Newtonslews, and are monitored by multi-wavelength facilities.Results.In August 2016, X-ray emission was detected from the galaxy XMMSL2 J144605.0+685735 (also known as 2MASX 14460522+6857311), that was 20 times higher than an upper limit from 25 years earlier. The X-ray flux was flat for ∼100 days and then fell by a factor of 100 over the following 500 days. The UV flux was stable for the first 400 days before fading by a magnitude, while the optical (U,B,V) bands were roughly constant for 850 days. Optically, the galaxy appears to be quiescent, at a distance of 127 ± 4 Mpc (z = 0.029 ± 0.001) with a spectrum consisting of a young stellar population of 1–5 Gyr in age, an older population, and a total stellar mass of ∼6 × 109 M⊙. The bolometric luminosity peaked atLbol ∼ 1043ergs s−1with an X-ray spectrum that may be modelled by a power law of Γ ∼ 2.6 or Comptonisation of a low-temperature thermal component by thermal electrons. We consider a tidal disruption event to be the most likely cause of the flare. Radio emission was absent in this event down to < 10 μJy, which limits the total energy of a hypothetical off-axis jet toE <  5 × 1050ergs. The independent behaviour of the optical, UV, and X-ray light curves challenges models where the UV emission is produced by reprocessing of thermal nuclear emission or by stream-stream collisions. We suggest that the observed UV emission may have been produced from a truncated accretion disc and the X-rays from Compton upscattering of these disc photons.