bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Hexamethylene bisacetamide impairs NK cell-mediated clearance of acute T lymphoblastic leukemia cells and HIV-1-infected T cells that exit viral latency
Authors: Giuliani Erica , Desimio Maria Giovanna , Doria Margherita 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe hexamethylene bisacetamide (HMBA) anticancer drug was dismissed due to limited efficacy in leukemic patients but it may re-enter into the clinics in HIV-1 eradication strategies because of its recently disclosed capacity to reactivate latent virus. Here, we investigated the impact of HMBA on the cytotoxicity of natural killer (NK) cells against acute T lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) cells or HIV-1-infected T cells that exit from latency. We show that in T-ALL cells HMBA upmodulated MICB and ULBP2 ligands for the NKG2D activating receptor. In a primary CD4+ T cell-based latency model, HMBA did not reactivate HIV-1, yet enhanced ULBP2 expression on cells harboring virus reactivated by prostratin (PRO). However, HMBA reduced the expression of NKG2D and its DAP10 adaptor in NK cells, hence impairing NKG2D-mediated cytotoxicity and DAP10-dependent response to IL-15 stimulation. Alongside, HMBA dampened killing of T-ALL targets by IL-15-activated NK cells and impaired NK cell-mediated clearance of PRO-reactivated HIV-1+ cells. Overall, our results demonstrate a dominant detrimental effect of HMBA on the NKG2D pathway that crucially controls NK cell-mediated killing of tumors and virus-infected cells, providing one possible explanation for poor clinical outcome in HMBA-treated cancer patients and raising concerns for future therapeutic application of this drug.
Quantitative proteomic changes in LPS-activated monocyte-derived dendritic cells: A SWATH-MS study
Authors: Arya Swati , Wiatrek-Moumoulidis Dagmara , Synowsky Silvia A. , Shirran Sally L. , Botting Catherine H. , Powis Simon J. , Stewart Alan J. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDendritic cells are key immune cells that respond to pathogens and co-ordinate many innate and adaptive immune responses. Quantitative mass spectrometry using Sequential Window Acquisition of all THeoretical fragment-ion spectra-Mass Spectrometry (SWATH-MS) was performed here to determine the global alterations in monocyte-derived dendritic cells (moDCs) in response to stimulation with lipopolysaccharide (LPS). A moDC library of 4,666 proteins was generated and proteins were quantified at 0, 6 and 24 h post-LPS stimulation using SWATH-MS. At 6 h and 24 h post-LPS exposure, the relative abundance of 227 and 282 proteins was statistically significantly altered (p-value ≤ 0.05), respectively. Functional annotation of proteins exhibiting significant changes in expression between the various time points led to the identification of clusters of proteins implicated in distinct cellular processes including interferon and interleukin signalling, endocytosis, the ER-phagosome pathway and antigen-presentation. In SWATH-MS major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I proteins were highly upregulated at 24 h, whilst MHC class II proteins exhibited comparatively fewer changes over this period. This study provides new detailed insight into the global proteomic changes that occur in moDCs during antigen processing and presentation and further demonstrates the potential of SWATH-MS for the quantitative study of proteins involved in cellular processes.
TiO2 decorated functionalized halloysite nanotubes (TiO2@HNTs) and photocatalytic PVC membranes synthesis, characterization and its application in water treatment
Authors: Mishra Gourav , Mukhopadhyay Mausumi 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this study photocatalyst, TiO2@HNTs were prepared by synthesizing TiO2 nanoparticles in situ on the functionalized halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) surface. Photocatalytic PVC membrane TiO2@HNTs M2 (2 wt.%) and TiO2@HNTs M3 (3 wt.%) were also prepared. Photocatalyst TiO2@HNTs and photocatalytic PVC membranes were used to study the photocatalytic activity against the methylene blue (MB) and rhodamine B (RB) dyes in UV batch reactor. The structure and morphology of photocatalyst and photocatalytic PVC membrane were characterized by fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), UV-Vis spectrophotometer and photoluminescence (PL). The PL study showed that the oxygen vacancies and surface hydroxyl groups present on the surface of TiO2@HNTs act as excellent traps for charge carrier, reducing the electron-hole recombination rate.TiO2@HNTs 2 (2 wt.%) and TiO2@HNTs 3 (3 wt.%) degraded MB dye up to 83.21%, 87.47% and RB dye up to 96.84% and 96.87%, respectively. TiO2@HNT photocatalyst proved to be stable during the three consecutive cycle of photocatalytic degradation of the RB dye. TiO2@HNTs M2 and TiO2@HNTs M3 degraded MB dye up to 27.19%, 42.37% and RB dye up to 30.78%, 32.76%, respectively. Photocatalytic degradation of both the dyes followed the first-order kinetic model. Degradation product analysis was done using the liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) and the results showed that the dye degradation was initiated by demethylation of the molecule. MB and RB dye degradation reaction were tested by TBA and IPA as OH* and H+ scavengers respectively. Mechanism of photocatalytic activity of TiO2@HNTs and photocatalytic PVC membrane were also explained.
Subchronic low-dose 2,4-D exposure changed plasma acylcarnitine levels and induced gut microbiome perturbations in mice
Authors: Tu Pengcheng , Gao Bei , Chi Liang , Lai Yunjia , Bian Xiaoming , Ru Hongyu , Lu Kun 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe gut microbiota critically confers various health benefits, whereas environmental chemicals can affect its constitution and functionality thereby increasing disease risk. In the present study, we aim to evaluate the toxic effects of a wildly-used herbicide 2,4-D (2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid) on the gut microbiome and host using an occupationally relevant dose. A mouse model was used combined with metagenomic sequencing and metabolomic profiling to examine the alterations induced by subchronic low-dose 2,4-D exposure in fecal and plasma samples. The metagenomics results revealed a distinct gut microbial community with profound changes in diverse microbial pathways including urea degradation, amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism in 2,4-D-treated mice. Moreover, the metabolomics results revealed that the metabolic profiles in treatment group were differentiated from control group in both fecal and plasma samples. Toxic effects on the host of 2,4-D at an occupationally relevant dose were observed indicated by decreased acylcarnitine levels in plasma. These findings indicated that 2,4-D can cause toxicity and substantially impact the gut microbiome in mice at occupationally relevant doses, inferring that the relationship between environmental contaminants and microbiota is largely underestimated calling for more comprehensive consideration of the toxicity of occupational exposures.
The BRAF-inhibitor PLX4720 inhibits CXCL8 secretion in BRAFV600E mutated and normal thyroid cells: a further anti-cancer effect of BRAF-inhibitors
Authors: Coperchini Francesca , Croce Laura , Denegri Marco , Awwad Oriana , Ngnitejeu Samuel Tata , Muzza Marina , Capelli Valentina , Latrofa Francesco , Persani Luca , Chiovato Luca , Rotondi Mario 
Published: March 2019

AbstractCXCL8 is a chemokine secreted by normal and thyroid cancer cells with proven tumor-promoting effects. The presence of BRAFV600E mutation is associated with a more aggressive clinical behavior and increased ability to secrete CXCL8 by papillary-thyroid-cancer cells. Aim of this study was to test the effect of the BRAF-inhibitor (PLX4720) on the basal and TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretions in BRAFV600E mutated (BCPAP, 8305C, 8505C), in RET/PTC rearranged (TPC-1) thyroid-cancer-cell-lines and in normal-human-thyrocytes (NHT). Cells were incubated with increasing concentrations of PLX4720 alone or in combination with TNF-α for 24-hours. CXCL8 concentrations were measured in the cell supernatants. PLX4720 dose-dependently inhibited the basal and the TNF-α-induced CXCL8 secretions in BCPAP (F: 14.3, p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 12.29 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α), 8305C (F: 407.9 p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 5.76 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α) and 8505C (F:55.24 p < 0.0001 for basal and F: 42.85 p < 0.0001 for TNF-α). No effect was found in TPC-1 (F: 1.8, p = 0.134 for basal; F: 1.6, p = 0.178 for TNF-α). In NHT an inhibitory effect was found only at the highest concentration of PLX4720 (F: 13.13 p < 0.001 for basal and F: 2.5 p < 0.01 for TNF-α). Cell migration assays showed that PLX4720 reduced both basal and CXCL8-induced cell migration in BCPAP, 8305C, 8505C and NHT but not in TPC-1 cells. These results constitutes the first demonstration that PLX4720 is able to inhibit the secretion of CXCL8 in BRAFV600E mutated thyroid cancer cells indicating that, at least some, of the anti-tumor activities of PLX4720 could be exerted through a lowering of CXCL8 in the thyroid-cancer-microenvironment.
No Effect of Bt-transgenic Rice on the Tritrophic Interaction of the Stored Rice, the Maize Weevil Sitophilus Zeamais and the Parasitoid Wasp Theocolax elegans
Authors: Tang Qingfeng , Yang Zhipeng , Han Rongrong , Zhang Ying , Shen Chen , Wang Jian 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDuring Bt transgenic rice storage, Bt Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac fused protein is exposed to the maize weevil Sitophilus zeamais and the parasitoid wasp Theocolax elegans. We have carried out a long-term risk assessment for Bt rice to these non-target organisms in the storehouse. Effects of Bt rice on S. zeamais and T. elegans have been carefully detected in a laboratory experiment of over 5 years. The survival, development, fecundity, and longevity of the maize weevil were compared between Bt rice and non-Bt rice treatments for every 5 generations from generation 1 to 25. Moreover, the development, adult body size and sex ratio of T. elegans were compared between them parasitizing S. zeamais feeding on Bt rice or non-Bt rice. We found that although Bt Cry1Ab/Cry1Ac fused protein exists in the Bt rice grains and S. zeamais digestive tracts, Bt rice is not harmful to the maize weevil S. zeamais and its parasitoid T. elegans.
Evidence for polarized nanoregions from the domain dynamics in multiferroic LiCuVO4
Authors: Grams Christoph P. , Kopatz Severin , Brüning Daniel , Biesenkamp Sebastian , Becker Petra , Bohatý Ladislav , Lorenz Thomas , Hemberger Joachim 
Published: March 2019

AbstractLiCuVO4 is a model system of a 1D spin-1/2 chain that enters a planar spin-spiral ground state below its Néel temperature of 2.4 K due to competing nearest and next nearest neighbor interactions. The spin-spiral state is multiferroic with an electric polarization along the a axis which has been proposed to be caused purely by the spin supercurrent mechanism. With external magnetic fields in c direction TN can be suppressed down to 0 K at 7.4 T. Here we report dynamical measurements of the polarization from P(E)-hysteresis loops, magnetic field dependent pyro-current and non-linear dielectric spectroscopy as well as thermal expansion and magnetostriction measurements at very low temperatures. The multiferroic transition is accompanied by strong anomalies in the thermal expansion and magnetostriction coefficients and we find slow switching times of electric domain reversal. Both observations suggest a sizable magnetoelastic coupling in LiCuVO4. By analyzing the non-linear polarization dynamics we derive domain sizes in the nm range that are probably caused by Li defects.
Rice seed priming with sodium selenate: Effects on germination, seedling growth, and biochemical attributes
Authors: Du Bin , Luo Haowen , He Longxin , Zhang Lihe , Liu Yangfang , Mo Zhaowen , Pan Shenggang , Tian Hua , Duan Meiyang , Tang Xiangru 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to determine the effects of sodium selenate (15, 30, 45, 60, 75, 90, and 105 mg kg−1) on the germination and seedling growth of Changnongjing 1 rice (Oryza sativa L.) at 25 °C and 30 °C. Low selenate concentrations induced shorter and more uniform germination periods than did ultrapure water at both temperatures. Seedlings primed with low selenate concentrations were superior to those primed with ultrapure water in terms of plant height, fresh weight, dry matter accumulation, and soluble carbohydrate and protein contents. Lower selenate concentrations (15–75 mg kg−1) induced higher chlorophyll and phenol contents in seedlings than did ultrapure water. Lower selenate concentrations also increased the superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POX), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) contents in seedlings and significantly decreased the stress-related malondialdehyde (MDA) content compared to ultrapure water. In conclusion, rice seedling germination and growth were promoted by priming with low selenate concentrations (15–75 mg kg−1) but inhibited by priming with high selenate concentrations (90–105 mg kg−1).
Integrative approach detects natural hybridization of sympatric lambaris species and emergence of infertile hybrids
Authors: Pinheiro Ana Paula Barbosa , Melo Rafael Magno Costa , Teixeira Daniel Fonseca , Birindelli José Luís Olivan , Carvalho Daniel Cardoso , Rizzo Elizete 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDespite its relevance for ecology, evolution and conservation of species, natural hybridization and hybrids biology are still poorly studied in freshwater fish. Here, we tested the hypothesis that sympatric species Astyanax paranae and A. fasciatus are able to interbreed in the natural environment and presented evidence for the first record of hybridization between these species. We analyzed anatomical traits, gametogenesis, reproductive biology, and genetic variations of the COI and S7 genes of both species and putative hybrids. Intermediate morphometric and meristic features were observed in hybrids when compared to A. paranae and A. fasciatus. Overlap in reproductive season was showed for these species, with greater reproductive activity from August to January, but hybrids did not present any sign of gonadal maturation. Oogonia and perinucleolar follicles as well as spermatogonia and primary spermatocytes were found in hybrids, but previtellogenic and vitellogenic follicles, spermatids, and spermatozoa were absent. Moreover, several alterations in gametogenesis were detected, such as interrupted meiosis in both males and females, vacuolated and degenerated germ cells, increased interstitial tissue, and presence of immune cells. Molecular analyses supported the hypothesis of hybridization between A. paranae and A. fasciatus. Overall, our multidisciplinary approach also provides strong evidence that hybrids are infertile.
Combined congenic mapping and nuclease-based gene targeting for studying allele-specific effects of Tnfrsf9 within the Idd9.3 autoimmune diabetes locus
Authors: Forsberg Matthew H. , Foda Bardees , Serreze David V. , Chen Yi-Guang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractRodent complex trait genetic studies involving a cross between two inbred strains are usually followed by congenic mapping to refine the loci responsible for the phenotype. However, progressing from a chromosomal region to the actual causal gene remains challenging because multiple polymorphic genes are often closely linked. The goal of this study was to develop a strategy that allows candidate gene testing by allele-specific expression without prior knowledge of the credible causal variant.Tnfrsf9(encoding CD137) is a candidate gene for theIdd9.3type 1 diabetes (T1D) susceptibility locus in the nonobese diabetic (NOD) mouse model. A C57BL/10Sn (B10)-derived diabetes resistanceIdd9.3congenic region has been shown to enhance accumulation of CD137+regulatory T cells and serum soluble CD137 in NOD mice. By combining the power of congenic mapping and nuclease-based gene targeting, we established a system where a pair of F1 hybrids expressed either the B10 or NODTnfrsf9allele mimicking coisogenic strains. Using this approach, we demonstrated that the allelic difference in B10 and NODTnfrsf9alone was sufficient to cause differential accumulation of CD137+regulatory T cells and serum soluble CD137 levels. This strategy can be broadly applied to other rodent genetic mapping studies.
GlcNAc6ST3 is a keratan sulfate sulfotransferase for the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPRZ in the adult brain
Authors: Narentuya  , Takeda-Uchimura Yoshiko , Foyez Tahmina , Zhang Zui , Akama Tomoya O. , Yagi Hirokazu , Kato Koichi , Komatsu Yukio , Kadomatsu Kenji , Uchimura Kenji 
Published: March 2019

AbstractKeratan sulfate (KS) is a carbohydrate side chain covalently attached to extracellular proteoglycans. KS is composed of disaccharide units of 6-sulfated N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) and galactose. We have previously shown that GlcNAc-6-O-sulfotransferase (GlcNAc6ST) 1 encoded by Chst2 is an enzyme necessary for the synthesis of GlcNAc-6-sulfated KS chains that are required for neuronal plasticity in the visual cortex of the mouse brain during the critical period, but not in adulthood. Here, we show that GlcNAc-6-sulfated KS recognized by the R-10G anti-KS antibody, of which the minimum epitope structure is Galß1-4GlcNAc(6S)ß1-3Galß1-4GlcNAc(6S), distributes diffusely in neuropils and presents densely in close proximity to the perineuronal region of the perineuronal net (PNN)-positive neurons in the adult visual cortex. Surprisingly, GlcNAc6ST3, which was discovered as an intestinal GlcNAc6ST encoded by Chst5, is a major brain KS sulfotransferase expressed in oligodendrocytes in adulthood. Moreover, we identified an isoform of the protein-tyrosine phosphatase PTPRZ as a R-10G-reactive KS proteoglycan. These results indicate that GlcNAc6ST3 may play a role in synthesis of a component of PNN in the adult brain, and that the KS-modified isoform of PTPRZ encoded by Ptprz1 could be an extracellular molecule associated with PNNs.
Photoacoustic Wavefront Shaping with High Signal to Noise Ratio for Light Focusing Through Scattering Media
Authors: Sun Jialin , Zhang Bin , Feng Qi , He Huimei , Ding Yingchun , Liu Qiang 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNoninvasive light focusing and imaging through a scattering medium can be achieved by wavefront shaping using the photoacoustic signal as feedback. Unfortunately, the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the traditional photoacoustic method is very low, which limits the wavefront shaping focusing speed and intensity. In this paper, we propose a completely new photoacoustic-signal-extraction method which combines wavelet denoising and correlation detection. With this method, the SNR of the photoacoustic signal reaches 25.2, 6.5 times higher than that of the unprocessed photoacoustic signal. Moreover, we achieve the simultaneous multipoint focusing, which is crucial for improving the speed of scanning imaging. The superior performance of the proposed method was experimentally demonstrated in extracting and denoising the photoacoustic signals deeply buried in noise, one critical step in in vivo photoacoustic imaging.
Non-Invasive Monitoring of Functional State of Articular Cartilage Tissue with Label-Free Unsupervised Hyperspectral Imaging
Authors: Mahbub Saabah B. , Guller Anna , Campbell Jared M. , Anwer Ayad G. , Gosnell Martin E. , Vesey Graham , Goldys Ewa M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractDamage and degradation of articular cartilage leads to severe pain and loss of mobility. The development of new therapies for cartilage regeneration for monitoring their effect requires further study of cartilage, ideally at a molecular level and in a minimally invasive way. Hyperspectral microscopy is a novel technology which utilises endogenous fluorophores to non-invasively assess the molecular composition of cells and tissue. In this study, we applied hyperspectral microscopy to healthy bovine articular cartilage and osteoarthritic human articular cartilage to investigate its capacity to generate informative molecular data and characterise disease state and treatment effects. We successfully demonstrated label-free fluorescence identification of collagen type I and II – isolated in cartilage here for the first time and the co-enzymes free NADH and FAD which together give the optical redox ratio that is an important measure of metabolic activity. The intracellular composition of chondrocytes was also examined. Differences were observed in the molecular ratios within the superficial and transitional zones of the articular cartilage which appeared to be influenced by disease state and treatment. These findings show that hyperspectral microscopy could be useful for investigating the molecular underpinnings of articular cartilage degradation and repair. As it is non-invasive and non-destructive, samples can be repeatedly assessed over time, enabling true time-course experiments with in-depth molecular data. Additionally, there is potential for the hyperspectral approach to be adapted for patient examination to allow the investigation of cartilage state. This could be of advantage for assessment and diagnosis as well as treatment monitoring.
1,8-diiodooctane acts as a photo-acid in organic solar cells
Authors: Doumon Nutifafa Y. , Wang Gongbao , Qiu Xinkai , Minnaard Adriaan J. , Chiechi Ryan C. , Koster L. Jan Anton 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe last decade saw myriad new donor polymers, among which benzodithiophene-co-thienothiophene polymers are attractive due to their relatively high power conversion efficiency in bulk heterojunction solar cells. We examine the effect of UV-light on the stability of these polymers. The relationship between the polymer chemical structure and the UV-stability of the cells is explored on the one hand, and on the other hand, the effect of additives on their UV-stability: 1,8-diiodooctane against 1-chloronaphthalene in the cells and 1,8-octanedithiol in solution. For example, PBDTTT-E with 18% efficiency loss is more stable than PBDTTT-ET with 36% loss throughout the exposure. While 1,8-diiodooctane acts as photo-acid and leads to accelerated degradation of the solar cells, 1-chloronaphthalene does not. Acidity is known to be detrimental to the efficiency and stability of organic solar cells. The degradation is initiated upon UV-irradiation by the cleavage of the side chains, resulting in more electron traps and by the formation of iodine, dissolved HI and carbon-centered radicals from 1,8-diiodooctane as revealed by 1H NMR spectrum. The 1,8-octanedithiol spectra do not show such species. Finally, the mechanisms behind the effect of 1,8-diiodooctane are explained, paving the way for the design of new, efficient as well as stable materials and additives.