bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Peculiar optical properties of bilayer silicene under the influence of external electric and magnetic fields
Authors: Do Thi-Nga , Gumbs Godfrey , Shih Po-Hsin , Huang Danhong , Chiu Chih-Wei , Chen Chia-Yun , Lin Ming-Fa 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe conduct a comprehensive investigation of the effect of an applied electric field on the optical and magneto-optical absorption spectra for AB-bt (bottom-top) bilayer silicene. The generalized tight-binding model in conjunction with the Kubo formula is efficiently employed in the numerical calculations. The electronic and optical properties are greatly diversified by the buckled lattice structure, stacking configuration, intralayer and interlayer hopping interactions, spin-orbital couplings, as well as the electric and magnetic fields ($${E}_{z}\hat{z}$$

E

z

z
ˆ

$$\& $$
&
$${B}_{z}\hat{z}$$

B

z

z
ˆ

). An electric field induces spin-split electronic states, a semiconductor-metal phase transitions and the Dirac cone formations in different valleys, leading to the special absorption features. The Ez-dependent low-lying Landau levels possess lower degeneracy, valley-created localization centers, peculiar distributions of quantum numbers, well-behaved and abnormal energy spectra in Bz-dependencies, and the absence of anti-crossing behavior. Consequently, the specific magneto-optical selection rules exist for diverse excitation categories under certain critical electric fields. The optical gaps are reduced as Ez is increased, but enhanced by Bz, in which the threshold channel might dramatically change in the former case. These characteristics are in sharp contrast with those for layered graphene.
Application of the Transcriptional Disease Signature (TDSs) to Screen Melanoma-Effective Compounds in a Small Fish Model
Authors: Lu Yuan , Boswell William , Boswell Mikki , Klotz Barbara , Kneitz Susanne , Regneri Janine , Savage Markita , Mendoza Cristina , Postlethwait John , Warren Wesley C. , Schartl Manfred , Walter Ronald B. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCell culture and protein target-based compound screening strategies, though broadly utilized in selecting candidate compounds, often fail to eliminate candidate compounds with non-target effects and/or safety concerns until late in the drug developmental process. Phenotype screening using intact research animals is attractive because it can help identify small molecule candidate compounds that have a high probability of proceeding to clinical use. Most FDA approved, first-in-class small molecules were identified from phenotypic screening. However, phenotypic screening using rodent models is labor intensive, low-throughput, and very expensive. As a novel alternative for small molecule screening, we have been developing gene expression disease profiles, termed the Transcriptional Disease Signature (TDS), as readout of small molecule screens for therapeutic molecules. In this concept, compounds that can reverse, or otherwise affect known disease-associated gene expression patterns in whole animals may be rapidly identified for more detailed downstream direct testing of their efficacy and mode of action. To establish proof of concept for this screening strategy, we employed a transgenic strain of a small aquarium fish, medaka (Oryzias latipes), that overexpresses the malignant melanoma driver gene xmrk, a mutant egfr gene, that is driven by a pigment cell-specific mitf promoter. In this model, melanoma develops with 100% penetrance. Using the transgenic medaka malignant melanoma model, we established a screening system that employs the NanoString nCounter platform to quantify gene expression within custom sets of TDS gene targets that we had previously shown to exhibit differential transcription among xmrk-transgenic and wild-type medaka. Compound-modulated gene expression was identified using an internet-accessible custom-built data processing pipeline. The effect of a given drug on the entire TDS profile was estimated by comparing compound-modulated genes in the TDS using an activation Z-score and Kolmogorov-Smirnov statistics. TDS gene probes were designed that target common signaling pathways that include proliferation, development, toxicity, immune function, metabolism and detoxification. These pathways may be utilized to evaluate candidate compounds for potential favorable, or unfavorable, effects on melanoma-associated gene expression. Here we present the logistics of using medaka to screen compounds, as well as, the development of a user-friendly NanoString data analysis pipeline to support feasibility of this novel TDS drug-screening strategy.
Comparative prevalence of Oxalobacter formigenes in three human populations
Authors: PeBenito Amanda , Nazzal Lama , Wang Chan , Li Huilin , Jay Melanie , Noya-Alarcon Oscar , Contreras Monica , Lander Orlana , Leach Jeff , Dominguez-Bello Maria Gloria , Blaser Martin J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThere has been increasing interest in the human anaerobic colonic bacterium Oxalobacter formigenes because of its ability to metabolize oxalate, and its potential contribution to protection from calcium oxalate kidney stones. Prior studies examining the prevalence of this organism have focused on subjects in developed countries and on adults. Now using O. formigenes-specific PCR, we have compared the prevalence of these organisms among subjects in two remote areas in which modern medical practices have hardly been present with a USA group of mothers and their infants for the first three years of life. Among the Amerindians of the Yanomami-Sanema and Yekwana ethnic groups in Venezuela and the Hadza in Tanzania, O. formigenes was detected in 60–80% of the adult subjects, higher than found in adults from USA in this and prior studies. In young children, the prevalence was much lower in USA than in either tribal village. These data extend our understanding of the epidemiology of O. formigenes carriage, and are consistent with the hypothesis that the rising incidence of kidney stones is associated with the progressive loss of O. formigenes colonization in populations that have been highly impacted by modern medical practices.
Ascorbic acid encapsulated into negatively charged liposomes exhibits increased skin permeation, retention and enhances collagen synthesis by fibroblasts
Authors: Maione-Silva Lorena , de Castro Elisandra Gava , Nascimento Thais Leite , Cintra Emílio Ramos , Moreira Larissa Cleres , Cintra Bertilha Alves Santana , Valadares Marize Campos , Lima Eliana Martins 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAscorbic acid (AA) is widely used in cosmetic formulations due to its antioxidant property and ability to increase collagen synthesis. Here, we encapsulated AA in vesicles with different lipid compositions. Negative liposome charge favored AA skin retention, with accumulation of 37 ± 12 and 74 ± 23 μg/cm2 in the epidermis and dermis, respectively, after 6 hours. Drug flux was influenced by the formulation composition, and both the presence of cholesterol and the liposomes surface charge were able to increase the amount of AA crossing the skin. The formulation was stable for at least 30 days and promoted a 7-fold increase in flux compared to free AA. Additionally, liposomes were able to interact better with keratinocytes and fibroblasts membranes. In vitro efficacy studies demonstrated that associating AA to these liposomes resulted in increased effectiveness of type I collagen synthesis by fibroblasts and regeneration of UVA-induced damage in keratinocytes. Our results demonstrate the applicability of AA-negatively charged liposomes in promoting AA cutaneous permeation and increasing the retention and flux of this molecule in the skin. This formulation also increased AA stability and effectiveness, opening new perspectives for its application in view of reducing certain skin ageing outcomes.
Transient Second Harmonic Generation Induced by Single Cycle THz pulses in Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3/MgO
Authors: Grishunin Kirill , Bilyk Vladislav , Sherstyuk Natalia , Mukhortov Vladimir , Ovchinnikov Andrey , Chefonov Oleg , Agranat Mikhail , Mishina Elena , Kimel Alexey V. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe ability to switch ferroics (magnets, ferroelectrics, multiferroics) between two stable bit states is the main principle of modern data storage technology. Due to many new ideas, originating from fundamental research during the last 50 years, this technology has developed in a breath-taking fashion. Ever increasing demands for faster and more energy efficient data storage strongly motivate fundamental studies of dynamics in ferroics triggered by ultrashort stimuli. It has been recently realized that nearly single cycle intense THz pulses and the phenomenon of the second harmonic generation are appealing tools for excitation and detection of poorly understood ultrafast dynamics of electric polarization in ferroelectrics at the picosecond timescale. Here we investigate picosecond dynamics of second harmonic from near-infrared pulse in ferroelectric heterostructure Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3/MgO triggered by the electric field of a nearly single cycle intense THz pulse. The dynamics of the nonlinear optical signal is characterized by a step and oscillations at the frequency of about 1.67 THz. Although the observations can be mistakenly interpreted as oscillations of the electric polarization at the frequency of the soft mode and switching of the order parameter to another metastable state, here we show that the THz modulation of second harmonic generation in Ba0.8Sr0.2TiO3/MgO has a purely optical origin. The observation can be explained assuming that the THz pulse is a relativistically propagating inhomogeneity which induces center of symmetry breaking and linear birefringence. Our work reveals the role of propagation effects in interpretation of time-resolved non-linear optical experiments and thus it has important implications for experimental studies of ultrafast dynamics in ferroics.
Initiation of Pulmonary Fibrosis after Silica Inhalation in Rats is linked with Dysfunctional Shelterin Complex and DNA Damage Response
Authors: Shoeb Mohammad , Mustafa Gul M. , Joseph Pius , Umbright Christina , Kodali Vamsi , Roach Katherine A. , Meighan Terence , Roberts Jenny R. , Erdely Aaron , Antonini James M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractOccupational exposure to silica has been observed to cause pulmonary fibrosis and lung cancer through complex mechanisms. Telomeres, the nucleoprotein structures with repetitive (TTAGGG) sequences at the end of chromosomes, are a molecular “clock of life”, and alterations are associated with chronic disease. The shelterin complex (POT1, TRF1, TRF2, Tin2, Rap1, and POT1 and TPP1) plays an important role in maintaining telomere length and integrity, and any alteration in telomeres may activate DNA damage response (DDR) machinery resulting in telomere attrition. The goal of this study was to assess the effect of silica exposure on the regulation of the shelterin complex in an animal model. Male Fisher 344 rats were exposed by inhalation to Min-U-Sil 5 silica for 3, 6, or 12 wk at a concentration of 15 mg/m3 for 6 hr/d for 5 consecutive d/wk. Expression of shelterin complex genes was assessed in the lungs at 16 hr after the end of each exposure. Also, the relationship between increased DNA damage protein (γH2AX) and expression of silica-induced fibrotic marker, αSMA, was evaluated. Our findings reveal new information about the dysregulation of shelterin complex after silica inhalation in rats, and how this pathway may lead to the initiation of silica-induced pulmonary fibrosis.
Epithelial to Mesenchymal transition, eIF2α phosphorylation and Hsp70 expression enable greater tolerance in A549 cells to TiO2 over ZnO nanoparticles
Authors: Martin Ansie , Sarkar Angshuman 
Published: January 2019

AbstractType II alveolar cells are highly robust in nature, yet susceptible to aerosolized nanoparticles (NPs). Dysfunction in these specialized cells, can often lead to emphysema, edema, and pulmonary inflammation. Long-time exposure can also lead to dangerous epigenetic modifications and cancer. Among the manufactured nanomaterials, metal oxide nanoparticles are widely encountered owing to their wide range of applications. Scores of published literatures affirm ZnO NPs are more toxic to human alveolar cells than TiO2. However, signalling cascades deducing differences in human alveolar responses to their exposure is not well documented. With A549 cells, we have demonstrated that epithelial to mesenchymal transition and an increased duration of phosphorylation of eIF2α are crucial mechanisms routing better tolerance to TiO2NP treatment over exposure to ZnO. The increased migratory capacity may help cells escape away from the zone of stress. Further, expression of chaperone such as Hsp70 is also enhanced during the same dose-time investigations. This is the first report of its kind. These novel findings could be successfully developed in the future to design relief strategies to alleviate metal oxide nanoparticle mediated stress.
Daclatasvir-based regimens in HCV cirrhosis: experience from the Italian early access program
Authors: Calvaruso Vincenza , Mazzarelli Chiara , Milazzo Laura , Badia Lorenzo , Pasulo Luisa , Guaraldi Giovanni , Lionetti Raffaella , Villa Erica , Borghi Vanni , Carrai Paola , Alberti Alfredo , Biolato Marco , Piai Guido , Persico Marcello , Santantonio Teresa , Felder Martina , Angelico Mario , Montalbano Marzia , Mancusi Rossella Letizia , Grieco Antonio , Angeli Elena , D’Offizi Gianpiero , Fagiuoli Stefano , Belli Luca , Verucchi Gabriella , Puoti Massimo , Craxì Antonio 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWe reported the efficacy and safety data for daclatasvir (DCV)-based all-oral antiviral therapy in patients treated in the Italian compassionate-use program. 275 patients were included (202 male-73.5%, mean age: 57.4 years, 62 HIV-coinfected, 94 with recurrence of hepatitis C post-OLT). Forty-nine patients (17.8%) had Child-Pugh B, Genotype(G) distribution was: G1a:72 patients (26.2%), G1b:137 (49.8%); G3:40 (14.5%) and G4:26 (9.5%). Patients received DCV with sofosbuvir(SOF) (n = 221, 129 with ribavirin(RBV) or with simeprevir (SMV) or asunaprevir (ASU) (n = 54, 19 with RBV) for up to 24 weeks. Logistic regression was used to identify baseline characteristics associated with sustained virological response at week 12 post-treatment (SVR12). Liver function changes between baseline and follow up were assessed in 228 patients. 240 patients achieved SVR12 (87.3%), post transplant and HIV co-infected patients were equally distributed among SVR and no SVR (35% vs 34.3%; p = 0.56 and 24.2% vs 11.4%, p = 0.13, respectively). SVR rate was significantly higher with the combination DCV + SOF compared with DCV + SIM or ASU (93.2% vs 63.0%, p < 0.0001). Bilirubin value (OR: 0.69, CI95%: 0.54–0.87, p = 0.002) and regimen containing SOF (OR: 9.99, CI95%: 4.09–24.40; p < 0.001) were independently related with SVR. Mean albumin and bilirubin values significantly improved between baseline and follow-up week 12. DCV-based antiviral therapy was well tolerated and resulted in a high SVR when combined with SOF either in pre-transplant and in OLT patients and in “difficult to treat” HCV genotypes. Regimens containing DCV in combination with NS3 protease inhibitors obtained suboptimal results.
Detailed characterization of the Arthrospira type species separating commercially grown taxa into the new genus Limnospira (Cyanobacteria)
Authors: Nowicka-Krawczyk Paulina , Mühlsteinová Radka , Hauer Tomáš 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe genus Arthrospira has a long history of being used as a food source in different parts of the world. Its mass cultivation for production of food supplements and additives has contributed to a more detailed study of several species of this genus. In contrast, the type species of the genus (A. jenneri), has scarcely been studied. This work adopts a polyphasic approach to thoroughly investigate environmental samples of A. jenneri, whose persistent bloom was noticed in an urban reservoir in Poland, Central Europe. The obtained results were compared with strains designated as A. platensis, A. maxima, and A. fusiformis from several culture collections and other Arthrospira records from GenBank. The comparison has shown that A. jenneri differs from popular species that are massively utilized commercially with regard to its cell morphology, ultrastructure and ecology, as well as its 16S rRNA gene sequence. Based on our findings, we propose the establishment of a new genus, Limnospira, which currently encompasses three species including the massively produced L. (A.) fusiformis and L. (A.) maxima with the type species Limnospira fusiformis.
Surface Emitting, Tunable, Mid-Infrared Laser with High Output Power and Stable Output Beam
Authors: Slivken Steven , Wu Donghai , Razeghi Manijeh 
Published: January 2019

AbstractA reflective outcoupler is demonstrated which can allow for stable surface emission from a quantum cascade laser and has potential for cost-effective wafer-scale manufacturing. This outcoupler is integrated with an amplified, electrically tunable laser architecture to demonstrate high power surface emission at a wavelength near 4.9 μm. Single mode peak power up to 6.7 W is demonstrated with >6 W available over a 90 cm−1 (215 nm) spectral range. A high quality output beam is realized with a simple, single-layer, anti-reflective coating. The beam shape and profile are shown to be independent of wavelength.
Arrestin-1 engineering facilitates complex stabilization with native rhodopsin
Authors: Haider Raphael S. , Wilhelm Florian , Rizk Aurélien , Mutt Eshita , Deupi Xavier , Peterhans Christian , Mühle Jonas , Berger Philipp , Schertler Gebhard F. X. , Standfuss Jörg , Ostermaier Martin K. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractArrestin-1 desensitizes the activated and phosphorylated photoreceptor rhodopsin by forming transient rhodopsin−arrestin-1 complexes that eventually decay to opsin, retinal and arrestin-1. Via a multi-dimensional screening setup, we identified and combined arrestin-1 mutants that form lasting complexes with light-activated and phosphorylated rhodopsin in harsh conditions, such as high ionic salt concentration. Two quadruple mutants, D303A + T304A + E341A + F375A and R171A + T304A + E341A + F375A share similar heterologous expression and thermo-stability levels with wild type (WT) arrestin-1, but are able to stabilize complexes with rhodopsin with more than seven times higher half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values for NaCl compared to the WT arrestin-1 protein. These quadruple mutants are also characterized by higher binding affinities to phosphorylated rhodopsin, light-activated rhodopsin and phosphorylated opsin, as compared with WT arrestin-1. Furthermore, the assessed arrestin-1 mutants are still specifically associating with phosphorylated or light-activated receptor states only, while binding to the inactive ground state of the receptor is not significantly altered. Additionally, we propose a novel functionality for R171 in stabilizing the inactive arrestin-1 conformation as well as the rhodopsin–arrestin-1 complex. The achieved stabilization of the active rhodopsin–arrestin-1 complex might be of great interest for future structure determination, antibody development studies as well as drug-screening efforts targeting G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs).
High strength metallic wood from nanostructured nickel inverse opal materials
Authors: Pikul James H. , Özerinç Sezer , Liu Burigede , Zhang Runyu , Braun Paul V. , Deshpande Vikram S. , King William P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThis paper describes a nickel-based cellular material, which has the strength of titanium and the density of water. The material’s strength arises from size-dependent strengthening of load-bearing nickel struts whose diameter is as small as 17 nm and whose 8 GPa yield strength exceeds that of bulk nickel by up to 4X. The mechanical properties of this material can be controlled by varying the nanometer-scale geometry, with strength varying over the range 90–880 MPa, modulus varying over the range 14–116 GPa, and density varying over the range 880–14500 kg/m3. We refer to this material as a “metallic wood,” because it has the high mechanical strength and chemical stability of metal, as well as a density close to that of natural materials such as wood.
Delivery of mRNA to platelets using lipid nanoparticles
Authors: Novakowski S. , Jiang K. , Prakash G. , Kastrup C. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPlatelets are natural delivery vehicles within the blood, carrying and releasing their contents at sites of vasculature damage. Investigating the biology of platelets, and modifying them for new therapeutic uses, is limited by a lack of methods for efficiently transfecting these cells. The ability of four different classes of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) to deliver mRNA to platelets was compared using confocal microscopy, flow cytometry and quantitative PCR. The amount of mRNA delivered, mechanism of uptake, and extent of platelet activation depended on the LNP formulation and platelet storage conditions. Cationic LNPs (cLNPs) delivered mRNA to the largest percentage of platelets but induced platelet activation. Ionizable cationic LNPs (icLNPs) delivered mRNA to fewer platelets and did not induce activation. Furthermore, mRNA delivered using icLNPs and cLNPs was stable in resting platelets and was released in platelet microparticles under specific conditions. The results demonstrate that mRNA can be delivered to platelets using cLNPs and icLNPs without impairing platelet aggregation or spreading. Optimizing the LNP formulations used here may lead to a transfection agent for platelets that allows for de novo synthesis of exogenous proteins in the future.
TGF-β-SNAIL axis induces Müller glial-mesenchymal transition in the pathogenesis of idiopathic epiretinal membrane
Authors: Kanda Atsuhiro , Noda Kousuke , Hirose Ikuyo , Ishida Susumu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key process in fibrogenic diseases where transdifferentiated myofibroblasts produce excessive amounts of extracellular matrix, resulting in organ dysfunction. Idiopathic epiretinal membrane (iERM) is a vision-threatening disorder characterized by fibrocellular proliferation and contraction on the central retina. Müller glial cells, which regulate retinal physiology and structure, are the major cellular components in the iERM tissue; however, the pathological role of this cell type remains incompletely understood. Here we revealed the involvement of Müller glial-mesenchymal transition (GMT), as an alternative to EMT, in the pathogenesis of iERM lacking epithelial contribution in nature. Of various pro-fibrotic cytokines, transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 stimulation to human Müller glial cells exclusively increased mRNA and protein levels of several EMT-related molecular markers, together with the transcription factor SNAIL but not SLUG or TWIST. TGF-β1-stimulated Müller cells also exhibited EMT-related cell motility, while reducing the expression of glutamine synthetase (GS), a Müller glial marker. Notably, all of these TGF-β-induced EMT features were reversed bySNAI1knockdown in Müller cells. iERM patient specimens demonstrated co-immunolocalization of SNAIL with TGF-β1, GS, and smooth muscle protein 22. Our data implicated a critical role of the TGF-β-SNAIL axis in Müller GMT to promote iERM formation.