bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Real-Time Forecasting of Hand-Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreaks using the Integrating Compartment Model and Assimilation Filtering
Authors: Zhan Zhicheng , Dong Weihua , Lu Yongmei , Yang Peng , Wang Quanyi , Jia Peng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHand-foot-and-mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious viral infection, and real-time predicting of HFMD outbreaks will facilitate the timely implementation of appropriate control measures. By integrating a susceptible-exposed-infectious-recovered (SEIR) model and an ensemble Kalman filter (EnKF) assimilation method, we developed an integrated compartment model and assimilation filtering forecast model for real-time forecasting of HFMD. When applied to HFMD outbreak data collected for 2008–11 in Beijing, China, our model successfully predicted the peak week of an outbreak three weeks before the actual arrival of the peak, with a predicted maximum infection rate of 85% or greater than the observed rate. Moreover, dominant virus types enterovirus 71 (EV-71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) may account for the different patterns of HFMD transmission and recovery observed. The results of this study can be used to inform agencies responsible for public health management of tailored strategies for disease control efforts during HFMD outbreak seasons.
Polymeric Engineering of Nanoparticles for Highly Efficient Multifunctional Drug Delivery Systems
Authors: Fortuni Beatrice , Inose Tomoko , Ricci Monica , Fujita Yasuhiko , Van Zundert Indra , Masuhara Akito , Fron Eduard , Mizuno Hideaki , Latterini Loredana , Rocha Susana , Uji-i Hiroshi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMost targeting strategies of anticancer drug delivery systems (DDSs) rely on the surface functionalization of nanocarriers with specific ligands, which trigger the internalization in cancer cells via receptor-mediated endocytosis. The endocytosis implies the entrapment of DDSs in acidic vesicles (endosomes and lysosomes) and their eventual ejection by exocytosis. This process, intrinsic to eukaryotic cells, is one of the main drawbacks of DDSs because it reduces the drug bioavailability in the intracellular environment. The escape of DDSs from the acidic vesicles is, therefore, crucial to enhance the therapeutic performance at low drug dose. To this end, we developed a multifunctionalized DDS that combines high specificity towards cancer cells with endosomal escape capabilities. Doxorubicin-loaded mesoporous silica nanoparticles were functionalized with polyethylenimine, a polymer commonly used to induce endosomal rupture, and hyaluronic acid, which binds to CD44 receptors, overexpressed in cancer cells. We show irrefutable proof that the developed DDS can escape the endosomal pathway upon polymeric functionalization. Interestingly, the combination of the two polymers resulted in higher endosomal escape efficiency than the polyethylenimine coating alone. Hyaluronic acid additionally provides the system with cancer targeting capability and enzymatically controlled drug release. Thanks to this multifunctionality, the engineered DDS had cytotoxicity comparable to the pure drug whilst displaying high specificity towards cancer cells. The polymeric engineering here developed enhances the performance of DDS at low drug dose, holding great potential for anticancer therapeutic applications.
Neuropeptides Substance P and Calcitonin Gene Related Peptide Accelerate the Development and Fibrogenesis of Endometriosis
Authors: Yan Dingmin , Liu Xishi , Guo Sun-Wei 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEndometriotic lesions are known to be hyperinnervated, especially in lesions of deep endometriosis (DE), which are frequently in close proximity to various nerve plexuses. DE lesions typically have higher fibromuscular content than that of ovarian endometriomas (OE) lesions, but the underlying reason remains elusive. Aside from their traditional role of pain transduction, however, whether or not sensory nerves play any role in the development of endometriosis is unclear. Here, we show that, thorough their respective receptors neurokinin receptor 1 (NK1R), calcitonin receptor like receptor (CRLR), and receptor activity modifying protein 1 (RAMP-1), neuropeptides substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) induce epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transdifferentiation (FMT) and further turn stromal cells into smooth muscle cells (SMCs) in endometriotic lesions, resulting ultimately in fibrosis. We show that SP and CGRP, or the rat dorsal root ganglia (DRG) supernatant, through the induction of NK1R and CGRP/CRLR/RAMP-1 signaling pathways, promoted EMT, FMT and SMM in endometriosis, resulting in increased migratory and invasive propensity, cell contractility, production of collagen, and eventually to fibrosis. Neutralization of NK1R and/or CGRP/CRLR/RAMP-1 abrogated these processes. Extended exposure of endometriotic stromal cells to SP and/or CGRP or the DRG supernatant induced increased expression of α-SMA, desmin, oxytocin receptor, and smooth muscle myosin heavy-chain. Finally, we show that DE lesions had significantly higher nerve fiber density, increased staining levels of α-SMA, NK1R, CRLR, and RAMP-1, concomitant with higher lesional fibrotic content than that of OE lesions. The extent of lesional fibrosis correlated positively with the staining levels of NK1R, CRLR, and RAMP-1, as well as the nerve fiber density in lesions. Thus, this study provides another piece of evidence that sensory nerves play an important role in promoting the development and fibrogenesis of endometriosis. It explains as why DE frequently have higher fibromuscular content than that of OE, highlights the importance of lesional microenvironment in shaping the lesional fate, gives more credence to the idea that ectopic endometrium is fundamentally wounds that go through repeated tissue injury and repair, and should shed much needed light into the pathophysiology of endometriosis.
Cholesterol bound Plasmodium falciparum co-chaperone ‘PFA0660w’ complexes with major virulence factor ‘PfEMP1’ via chaperone ‘PfHsp70-x’
Authors: Behl Ankita , Kumar Vikash , Bisht Anjali , Panda Jiban J. , Hora Rachna , Mishra Prakash Chandra 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLethality of Plasmodium falciparum caused malaria results from ‘cytoadherence’, which is mainly effected by exported Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1) family. Several exported P. falciparum proteins (exportome) including chaperones alongside cholesterol rich microdomains are crucial for PfEMP1 translocation to infected erythrocyte surface. An exported Hsp40 (heat shock protein 40) ‘PFA0660w’ functions as a co-chaperone of ‘PfHsp70-x’, and these co-localize to specialized intracellular mobile structures termed J-dots. Our studies attempt to understand the function of PFA0660w-PfHsp70-x chaperone pair using recombinant proteins. Biochemical assays reveal that N and C-terminal domains of PFA0660w and PfHsp70-x respectively are critical for their activity. We show the novel direct interaction of PfHsp70-x with the cytoplasmic tail of PfEMP1, and binding of PFA0660w with cholesterol. PFA0660w operates both as a chaperone and lipid binding molecule via its separate substrate and cholesterol binding sites. PfHsp70-x interacts with cholesterol bound PFA0660w and PfEMP1 simultaneously in vitro to form a complex. Collectively, our results and the past literature support the hypothesis that PFA0660w-PfHsp70-x chaperone pair assists PfEMP1 transport across the host erythrocyte through cholesterol containing ‘J-dots’. These findings further the understanding of PfEMP1 export in malaria parasites, though their in vivo validation remains to be performed.
Growth and Thermo-driven Crystalline Phase Transition of Metastable Monolayer 1T′-WSe2 Thin Film
Authors: Chen Wang , Xie Xuedong , Zong Junyu , Chen Tong , Lin Dongjin , Yu Fan , Jin Shaoen , Zhou Lingjie , Zou Jingyi , Sun Jian , Xi Xiaoxiang , Zhang Yi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) transition metal dichalcogenides MX2 (M = Mo, W, X = S, Se, Te) attracts enormous research interests in recent years. Its 2H phase possesses an indirect to direct bandgap transition in 2D limit, and thus shows great application potentials in optoelectronic devices. The 1T′ crystalline phase transition can drive the monolayer MX2 to be a 2D topological insulator. Here we realized the molecular beam epitaxial (MBE) growth of both the 1T′ and 2H phase monolayer WSe2 on bilayer graphene (BLG) substrate. The crystalline structures of these two phases were characterized using scanning tunneling microscopy. The monolayer 1T′-WSe2 was found to be metastable, and can transform into 2H phase under post-annealing procedure. The phase transition temperature of 1T′-WSe2 grown on BLG is lower than that of 1T′ phase grown on 2H-WSe2 layers. This thermo-driven crystalline phase transition makes the monolayer WSe2 to be an ideal platform for the controlling of topological phase transitions in 2D materials family.
Effect of sodium diffusion on the properties of CIGS solar absorbers prepared using elemental Se in a two-step process
Authors: Li Weimin , Yan Xia , Aberle Armin G. , Venkataraj Selvaraj 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe influence of Na diffusion from various glass substrates during a high-temperature slenization process on the microstructure and morphology of two-step formed CIGS absorber layers is investigated. In order to minimise the CIGS absorber formation time, elemental Se vapour is used to prepare the CIGS absorber. The grain sizes of the CIGS films are found to increase with increasing sodium in the glass substrates (extra clear glass, soda-lime glass, borosilicate glass). TiN and SiN thin films are used as diffusion barrier layers inserted between the glass substrate and the Mo rear conatct to tune the Na diffusion from the soda-lime glass. The interdiffusion between the In-rich CuInSe2 surface layer and the Ga-rich CuGaSe2 layer is promoted by the barrier layer, leading to larger CIGS grains. Efforts are also taken to understand the differences in Na diffusion (from the glass substrates) and their effects on the MoSe2 intermediate layer formation during the high-temperature CIGS absorber formation processes. We find that excess amounts of Na and Se are essential for the MoSe2 growth. The excessive Na in the form of Na2Sex at the CIGS/Mo interface works as a Se source and catalyses the MoSe2 formation. The Se flow in the two-step CIGS formation process must be sufficiently high to obtain high-efficiency CIGS solar cells.
Comprehensive identification of the full-length transcripts and alternative splicing related to the secondary metabolism pathways in the tea plant (Camellia sinensis)
Authors: Qiao Dahe , Yang Chun , Chen Juan , Guo Yan , Li Yan , Niu Suzhen , Cao Kemei , Chen Zhengwu 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFlavonoids, theanine and caffeine are the main secondary metabolites of the tea plant (Camellia sinensis), which account for the tea’s unique flavor quality and health benefits. The biosynthesis pathways of these metabolites have been extensively studied at the transcriptional level, but the regulatory mechanisms are still unclear. In this study, to explore the transcriptome diversity and complexity of tea plant, PacBio Iso-Seq and RNA-seq analysis were combined to obtain full-length transcripts and to profile the changes in gene expression during the leaf development. A total of 1,388,066 reads of insert (ROI) were generated with an average length of 1,762 bp, and more than 54% (755,716) of the ROIs were full-length non-chimeric (FLNC) reads. The Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologue (BUSCO) completeness was 92.7%. A total of 93,883 non-redundant transcripts were obtained, and 87,395 (93.1%) were new alternatively spliced isoforms. Meanwhile, 7,650 differential expression transcripts (DETs) were identified. A total of 28,980 alternative splicing (AS) events were predicted, including 1,297 differential AS (DAS) events. The transcript isoforms of the key genes involved in the flavonoid, theanine and caffeine biosynthesis pathways were characterized. Additionally, 5,777 fusion transcripts and 9,052 long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) were also predicted. Our results revealed that AS potentially plays a crucial role in the regulation of the secondary metabolism of the tea plant. These findings enhanced our understanding of the complexity of the secondary metabolic regulation of tea plants and provided a basis for the subsequent exploration of the regulatory mechanisms of flavonoid, theanine and caffeine biosynthesis in tea plants.
USP7 Regulates Cytokinesis through FBXO38 and KIF20B
Authors: Georges Anna , Coyaud Etienne , Marcon Edyta , Greenblatt Jack , Raught Brian , Frappier Lori 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe ubiquitin specific protease 7 (USP7 or HAUSP) is known to regulate a variety of cellular processes by binding and deubiquitylating specific target proteins. To gain a more comprehensive understanding of its interactions and functions, we used affinity purification coupled to mass spectrometry to profile USP7 interactions. This revealed a novel interaction with FBXO38, a poorly characterized F-box protein. We showed that USP7 stabilizes FBXO38 dependent on its catalytic activity by protecting FBXO38 from proteasomal degradation. We used a BioID approach to profile the protein interactions (and putative functions) of FBXO38, revealing an interaction with KIF20B, a Kinesin-6 protein required for efficient cytokinesis. FBXO38 was shown to function independently from an SCF complex to stabilize KIF20B. Consequently, depletion of either FBXO38 or USP7 led to dramatic decreases in KIF20B levels and KIF20B at the midbody, which were manifested in cytokinetic defects. Furthermore, cytokinetic defects associated with USP7 silencing were rescued by restoring FBXO38 or KIF20B. The results indicate a novel mechanism of regulating cytokinesis through USP7 and FBXO38.
Histopathological and Ultrastructural Changes after Electroporation in Pig Liver Using Parallel-Plate Electrodes and High-Performance Generator
Authors: López-Alonso B. , Hernáez A. , Sarnago H. , Naval A. , Güemes A. , Junquera C. , Burdío J. M. , Castiella T. , Monleón E. , Gracia-Llanes J. , Burdio F. , Mejía E. , Lucía O. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIrreversible electroporation (IRE) has gained attention as a new non-thermal therapy for ablation with important benefits in terms of homogeneous treatment and fast recovery. In this study, a new concept of high voltage generator is used, enabling irreversible electroporation treatment in large tissue volume using parallel plates. Unlike currently available generators, the proposed versatile structure enables delivering high-voltage high-current pulses. To obtain homogeneous results, 3-cm parallel-plates electrodes have also been designed and implemented. IRE ablation was performed on six female pigs at 2000 V/cm electric field, and the results were analysed after sacrifice three hours, three days and seven days after ablation. Histopathological and ultrastructural studies, including transmission and scanning electron microscopy, were carried out. The developed high-voltage generator has proved to be effective for homogeneous IRE treatment using parallel plates. The destruction of the membrane of the hepatocytes and the alterations of the membranes of the cellular organelles seem incompatible with cell death by apoptosis. Although endothelial cells also die with electroporation, the maintenance of vascular scaffold allows repairing processes to begin from the third day after IRE as long as the blood flow has not been interrupted. This study has opened new direction for IRE using high performance generators and highlighted the importance of taking into account ultrastructural changes after IRE by using electron microscopy analysis.
The Association between Cannabis Product Characteristics and Symptom Relief
Authors: Stith Sarah S. , Vigil Jacob M. , Brockelman Franco , Keeling Keenan , Hall Branden 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFederal barriers and logistical challenges have hindered measurement of the real time effects from the types of cannabis products used medically by millions of patients in vivo. Between 06/06/2016 and 03/05/2018, 3,341 people completed 19,910 self- administrated cannabis sessions using the mobile device software, ReleafApp to record: type of cannabis product (dried whole natural Cannabis flower, concentrate, edible, tincture, topical), combustion method (joint, pipe, vaporization), Cannabis subspecies (C. indica and C. sativa), and major cannabinoid contents (tetrahydrocannabinol, THC; and cannabidiol, CBD), along with real-time ratings of health symptom severity levels, prior-to and immediately following administration, and reported side effects. A fixed effects panel regression approach was used to model the within-user effects of different product characteristics. Patients showed an average symptom improvement of 3.5 (SD = 2.6) on an 11-point scale across the 27 measured symptom categories. Dried flower was the most commonly used product and generally associated with greater symptom relief than other types of products. Across product characteristics, only higher THC levels were independently associated with greater symptom relief and prevalence of positive and negative side effects. In contrast, CBD potency levels were generally not associated with significant symptom changes or experienced side effects.
Engineering SU(1, 1) ⊗ SU(1, 1) vibrational states
Authors: Huerta Alderete C. , Morales Rodríguez M. P. , Rodríguez-Lara B. M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe propose an ideal scheme for preparing vibrational SU(1, 1) ⊗ SU(1, 1) states in a two-dimensional ion trap using red and blue second sideband resolved driving of two orthogonal vibrational modes. Symmetric and asymmetric driving provide two regimes to realize quantum state engineering of the vibrational modes. In one regime, we show that time evolution synthesizes so-called SU(1, 1) Perelomov coherent states, that is separable squeezed states and their superposition too. The other regime allows engineering of lossless 50/50 SU(2) beam splitter states that are entangled states. These ideal dynamics are reversible, thus, the non-classical and entangled states produced by our schemes might be used as resources for interferometry.
Strong One-Dimensional Characteristics of Hole-Carriers in ReS2 and ReSe2
Authors: Kim B. S. , Kyung W. S. , Denlinger J. D. , Kim C. , Park S. R. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEach plane of layered ReS2 and ReSe2 materials has 1D chain structure, from which intriguing properties such as 1D character of the exciton states and linearly polarized photoluminescence originate. However, systematic studies on the 1D character of charge carriers have not been done yet. Here, we report on systematic and comparative studies on the energy-momentum dispersion relationships of layered transition metal dichalcogenides ReS2 and ReSe2 by angle resolved photoemission. We found that the valence band maximum or the minimum energy for holes is located at the high symmetric Z-point for both materials. However, the out-of-plane ($${k}_{z}$$

k

z

) dispersion for ReSe2 (20 meV) is found to be much smaller than that of ReS2 (150 meV). We observe that the effective mass of the hole carriers along the direction perpendicular to the chain is about 4 times larger than that along the chain direction for both ReS2 and ReSe2. Remarkably, the experimentally measured hole effective mass is about twice heavier than that from first principles calculation for ReS2 although the in-plane anisotropy values from the experiment and calculations are comparable. These observation indicate that bulk ReS2 and ReSe2 are unique semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides having strong one-dimensional characters.
Structural basis of small RNA hydrolysis by oligoribonuclease (CpsORN) from Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H
Authors: Lee Chang Woo , Park Sun-Ha , Jeong Chang-Sook , Cha Sun-Shin , Park Hyun , Lee Jun Hyuck 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCells regulate their intracellular mRNA levels by using specific ribonucleases. Oligoribonuclease (ORN) is a 3′–5′ exoribonuclease for small RNA molecules, important in RNA degradation and re-utilisation. However, there is no structural information on the ligand-binding form of ORNs. In this study, the crystal structures of oligoribonuclease from Colwellia psychrerythraea strain 34H (CpsORN) were determined in four different forms: unliganded-structure, thymidine 5′-monophosphate p-nitrophenyl ester (pNP-TMP)-bound, two separated uridine-bound, and two linked uridine (U-U)-bound forms. The crystal structures show that CpsORN is a tight dimer, with two separated active sites and one divalent metal cation ion in each active site. These structures represent several snapshots of the enzymatic reaction process, which allowed us to suggest a possible one-metal-dependent reaction mechanism for CpsORN. Moreover, the biochemical data support our suggested mechanism and identified the key residues responsible for enzymatic catalysis of CpsORN.
A novel perspective on MOL-PCR optimization and MAGPIX analysis of in-house multiplex foodborne pathogens detection assay
Authors: Reslova Nikol , Huvarova Veronika , Hrdy Jakub , Kasny Martin , Kralik Petr 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMultiplex oligonucleotide ligation-PCR (MOL-PCR) is a rapid method for simultaneous detection of multiple molecular markers within a single reaction. MOL-PCR is increasingly employed in microbial detection assays, where its ability to facilitate identification and further characterization via simple analysis is of great benefit and significantly simplifies routine diagnostics. When adapted to microsphere suspension arrays on a MAGPIX reader, MOL-PCR has the potential to outperform standard nucleic acid-based diagnostic assays. This study represents the guideline towards in-house MOL-PCR assay optimization using the example of foodborne pathogens (bacteria and parasites) with an emphasis on the appropriate choice of crucial parameters. The optimized protocol focused on specific sequence detection utilizes the fluorescent reporter BODIPY-TMRX and self-coupled magnetic microspheres and allows for a smooth and brisk workflow which should serve as a guide for the development of MOL-PCR assays intended for pathogen detection.
Spin torque nano-oscillator driven by combined spin injection from tunneling and spin Hall current
Authors: Tarequzzaman M. , Böhnert T. , Decker M. , Costa J. D. , Borme J. , Lacoste B. , Paz E. , Jenkins A. S. , Serrano-Guisan S. , Back C. H. , Ferreira R. , Freitas P. P. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSpin-transfer torque nano-oscillators (STNO) are important candidates for several applications based on ultra-tunable microwave generation and detection. The microwave dynamics in these STNOs are induced by spin currents that are typically generated either by spin polarization in an adjacent ferromagnetic layer or through the spin Hall effect. In this paper, a 3-terminal STNO based on a magnetic tunnel junction is excited by both of these spin injection mechanisms. The combination of these two mechanisms excites the free layer into dynamic regimes beyond what can be achieved by each excitation mechanism individually, resulting in enhanced output powers, a key figures of merit for device performance. The system response can be coherently quantified as a function of the total injected spin current density. The experimental data shows an excellent consistency with this simple model and a critical spin current density of 4.52 ± 0.18 × 109ħ/2 e−1 Am−2.