bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Perfect proton selectivity in ion transport through two-dimensional crystals
Authors: Mogg L. , Zhang S. , Hao G.-P. , Gopinadhan K. , Barry D. , Liu B. L. , Cheng H. M. , Geim A. K. , Lozada-Hidalgo M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractDefect-free monolayers of graphene and hexagonal boron nitride are surprisingly permeable to thermal protons, despite being completely impenetrable to all gases. It remains untested whether small ions can permeate through the two-dimensional crystals. Here we show that mechanically exfoliated graphene and hexagonal boron nitride exhibit perfect Nernst selectivity such that only protons can permeate through, with no detectable flow of counterions. In the experiments, we use suspended monolayers that have few, if any, atomic-scale defects, as shown by gas permeation tests, and place them to separate reservoirs filled with hydrochloric acid solutions. Protons account for all the electrical current and chloride ions are blocked. This result corroborates the previous conclusion that thermal protons can pierce defect-free two-dimensional crystals. Besides the importance for theoretical developments, our results are also of interest for research on various separation technologies based on two-dimensional materials.
Flexible organic light-emitting diodes for antimicrobial photodynamic therapy
Authors: Lian Cheng , Piksa Marta , Yoshida Kou , Persheyev Saydulla , Pawlik Krzysztof J. , Matczyszyn Katarzyna , Samuel Ifor D. W. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBacterial infection and the growth of antibiotic resistance is a serious problem that leads to patient suffering, death and increased costs of healthcare. To address this problem, we propose using flexible organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) as light sources for photodynamic therapy (PDT) to kill bacteria. PDT involves the use of light and a photosensitizer to generate reactive oxygen species that kill neighbouring cells. We have developed flexible top-emitting OLEDs with the ability to tune the emission peak from 669 to 737 nm to match the photosensitizer, together with high irradiance, low driving voltage, long operational lifetime and adequate shelf-life. These features enable OLEDs to be the ideal candidate for ambulatory PDT light sources. A detailed study of OLED–PDT for killing Staphylococcus aureus was performed. The results show that our OLEDs in combination with the photosensitizer methylene blue, can kill more than 99% of bacteria. This indicates a huge potential for using OLEDs to treat bacterial infections.
EEG dynamics reveal a dissociation between storage and selective attention within working memory
Authors: Günseli Eren , Fahrenfort Johannes Jacobus , van Moorselaar Dirk , Daoultzis Konstantinos Christos , Meeter Martijn , Olivers Christian N. L. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSelective attention plays a prominent role in prioritizing information in working memory (WM), improving performance for attended representations. However, it remains unclear whether unattended WM representations suffer from information loss. Here we tested the hypothesis that within WM, selectively attending to an item and stopping storing other items are independent mechanisms. We recorded EEG while participants performed a WM recall task in which the item most likely to be tested was cued retrospectively during retention. By manipulating retro-cue reliability (i.e., the ratio of valid to invalid cue trials), we varied the incentive to retain non-cued items. Storage and selective attention in WM were measured during the retention interval by contralateral delay activity (CDA) and contralateral alpha power suppression, respectively. Soon after highly reliable cues, the cued item was attended, and non-cued items suffered information loss. However, for less reliable cues, initially the cued item was attended, but unattended items were kept in WM. Later during the delay, previously unattended items suffered information loss despite now attention being reallocated to their locations, presumably to strengthen their weakening traces. These results show that storage and attention in WM are distinct processes that can behave differently depending on the relative importance of representations.
Overexpression of VIRE2-INTERACTING PROTEIN2 in Arabidopsis regulates genes involved in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation and abiotic stresses
Authors: Raman Vidhyavathi , Anand Ajith , Vasudevan Balaji , Morsy Mustafa R. , Pant Bikram D. , Lee Hee-Kyung , Tang Yuhong , Mysore Kirankumar S. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractArabidopsis VIRE2-INTERACTING PROTEIN2 (VIP2) was previously described as a protein with a NOT domain, and Arabidopsis vip2 mutants are recalcitrant to Agrobacterium-mediated root transformation. Here we show that VIP2 is a transcription regulator and the C-terminal NOT2 domain of VIP2 interacts with VirE2. Interestingly, AtVIP2 overexpressor lines in Arabidopsis did not show an improvement in Agrobacterium-mediated stable root transformation, but the transcriptome analysis identified 1,634 differentially expressed genes compared to wild-type. These differentially expressed genes belonged to various functional categories such as membrane proteins, circadian rhythm, signaling, response to stimulus, regulation of plant hypersensitive response, sequence-specific DNA binding transcription factor activity and transcription regulatory region binding. In addition to regulating genes involved in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation, AtVIP2 overexpressor line showed differential expression of genes involved in abiotic stresses. The majority of the genes involved in abscisic acid (ABA) response pathway, containing the Abscisic Acid Responsive Element (ABRE) element within their promoters, were down-regulated in AtVIP2 overexpressor lines. Consistent with this observation, AtVIP2 overexpressor lines were more susceptible to ABA and other abiotic stresses. Based on the above findings, we hypothesize that VIP2 not only plays a role in Agrobacterium-mediated plant transformation but also acts as a general transcriptional regulator in plants.
Low-pressure-responsive heat-storage ceramics for automobiles
Authors: Ohkoshi Shin-ichi , Tokoro Hiroko , Nakagawa Kosuke , Yoshikiyo Marie , Jia Fangda , Namai Asuka 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe accumulated heat energy of a heat-storage material is typically released over time. If a heat-storage material could preserve its accumulated heat energy for a prolonged period, the applicability of such materials would be expanded greatly. Herein we report a newly fabricated heat-storage material that can store latent heat energy for a long period and release the heat energy upon demand by applying an extremely low pressure. This material is a block-type lambda trititanium pentoxide (block-type λ-Ti3O5). The block-type λ-phase accumulates a large heat energy of 237 kJ L−1 and exhibits a pressure-induced phase transition to beta trititanium pentoxide. The pressure-induced phase transition occurs by applying only several tens of bars, and half of the fraction transforms by 7 MPa (70 bar). Such a low-pressure-responsive heat-storage ceramic is effective to reuse excessive heat in automobiles or waste heat at industrial factories.
Rapid Detection of Genetic Engineering, Structural Variation, and Antimicrobial Resistance Markers in Bacterial Biothreat Pathogens by Nanopore Sequencing
Authors: Gargis Amy S. , Cherney Blake , Conley Andrew B. , McLaughlin Heather P. , Sue David 
Published: September 2019

AbstractWidespread release of Bacillus anthracis (anthrax) or Yersinia pestis (plague) would prompt a public health emergency. During an exposure event, high-quality whole genome sequencing (WGS) can identify genetic engineering, including the introduction of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) genes. Here, we developed rapid WGS laboratory and bioinformatics workflows using a long-read nanopore sequencer (MinION) for Y. pestis (6.5 h) and B. anthracis (8.5 h) and sequenced strains with different AMR profiles. Both salt-precipitation and silica-membrane extracted DNA were suitable for MinION WGS using both rapid and field library preparation methods. In replicate experiments, nanopore quality metrics were defined for genome assembly and mutation analysis. AMR markers were correctly detected and >99% coverage of chromosomes and plasmids was achieved using 100,000 raw sequencing reads. While chromosomes and large and small plasmids were accurately assembled, including novel multimeric forms of the Y. pestis virulence plasmid, pPCP1, MinION reads were error-prone, particularly in homopolymer regions. MinION sequencing holds promise as a practical, front-line strategy for on-site pathogen characterization to speed the public health response during a biothreat emergency.
Association between social asymmetry and depression in older adults: A phone Call Detail Records analysis
Authors: Aubourg Timothée , Demongeot Jacques , Renard Félix , Provost Hervé , Vuillerme Nicolas 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAnalyzing social interactions on a passive and non-invasive way through the use of phone call detail records (CDRs) is now recognized as a promising approach in health monitoring. However, deeper investigations are required to confirm its relevance in social interaction modeling. Particularly, no clear consensus exists in the use of the direction parameter characterizing the directed nature of interactions in CDRs. In the present work, we specifically investigate, in a 26-older-adults population over 12 months, whether and how this parameter could be used in CDRs analysis. We then evaluate its added-value for depression assessment regarding the Geriatric Depression Scale score assessed within our population during the study. The results show the existence of three clusters of phone call activity named (1) proactive, (2) interactive, and (3) reactive. Then, we introduce the notion of asymmetry that synthesizes these activities. We find significant correlations between asymmetry and the depressive state assessed in the older individual. Particularly, (1) reactive users are more depressed than the others, and (2) not depressed older adults tend to be proactive. Taken together, the present findings suggest the phone’s potential to be used as a social sensor containing relevant health-related insights when the direction parameter is considered.
Selenium maintains cytosolic Ca2+ homeostasis and preserves germination rates of maize pollen under H2O2-induced oxidative stress
Authors: Del Pino Alberto Marco , Guiducci Marcello , D’Amato Roberto , Di Michele Alessandro , Tosti Giacomo , Datti Alessandro , Palmerini Carlo Alberto 
Published: September 2019

AbstractSelenium (Se) displays antioxidant properties that can be exploited, in plants, to counteract abiotic stresses caused by overly-produced reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we show that fertigation of maize crops with sodium selenate effectively protects pollen against oxidative stress. Pollen isolated from Se-treated plants (Se1) and untreated controls (Se0) was incubated in vitro with H2O2 to produce oxidative challenge. Given the impact of ROS on Ca2+ homeostasis and Ca2+-dependent signaling, cytosolic Ca2+ was measured to monitor cellular perturbations. We found that H2O2 disrupted Ca2+ homeostasis in Se0 pollen only, while Se1 samples were preserved. The same trend was observed when Se0 samples were treated with sodium selenate or Se-methionine, which recapitulated in vitro the protective capacity of Se-fertigation. Furthermore, we found that germination rates were much better retained in Se1 as compared to Se0 (46% vs 8%, respectively) after exposure to 20 mM H2O2. The same was observed with Se0 pollen treated with Se-methionine, which is the organic form of Se into which most fertigated sodium selenate converts in the plant. These results, together, show a close correlation between ROS, Ca2+ homeostasis and pollen fertility, and provide strong evidence that Se-fertigation is an excellent approach to preserve or enhance agricultural productivity.
Temporal changes in transcriptome profile provide insights of White Spot Syndrome Virus infection in Litopenaeus vannamei
Authors: Peruzza Luca , Shekhar M. S. , Kumar K. Vinaya , Swathi A. , Karthic K. , Hauton Chris , Vijayan K. K. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractShrimp aquaculture is severely affected by WSSV. Despite an increasing effort to understand host/virus interaction by characterizing changes in gene expression (GE) following WSSV infection, the majority of published studies have focussed on a single time-point, providing limited insight on the development of host-pathogen interaction over the infection cycle. Using RNA-seq, we contrasted GE in gills of Litopenaeus vannamei at 1.5, 18 and 56 hours-post-infection (hpi), between WSSV-challenged and control shrimps. Time course analysis revealed 5097 differentially expressed genes: 63 DEGs were viral genes and their expression in WSSV group either peaked at 18 hpi (and decreased at 56 hpi) or increased linearly up to 56 hpi, suggesting a different role played by these genes during the course of infection. The remaining DEGs showed that WSSV altered the expression of metabolic, immune, apoptotic and cytoskeletal genes and was able to inhibit NF-κB and JAK/STAT pathways. Interestingly, GE changes were not consistent through the course of infection but were dynamic with time, suggesting the complexity of host-pathogen interaction. These data offer novel insights into the cellular functions that are affected during the course of infection and ultimately provide a valuable resource towards our understanding of the host-pathogen dynamics and its variation with time.
Accelerated degradation of cFLIPL and sensitization of the TRAIL DISC-mediated apoptotic cascade by pinoresinol, a lignan isolated from Rubia philippinensis
Authors: Lee So-Ra , Quan Khong Trong , Byun Hee Sun , Park InWha , Kang Kidong , Piao Xuezhe , Ju Eunjin , Ro Hyunju , Na MinKyun , Hur Gang Min 
Published: September 2019

AbstractPlant-derived lignans have numerous biological effects including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory activities. Screening of purified constituents ofRubia philippinensisfrom human glioblastoma cells resistant to TNF-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) has suggested that the lignan pinoresinol was a highly active TRAIL sensitizer. Here we show that treatment with nontoxic doses of pinoresinol in combination with TRAIL induced rapid apoptosis and caspase activation in many types of glioblastoma cells, but not in normal astrocytes. Analyses of apoptotic signaling events revealed that pinoresinol enhanced the formation of TRAIL-mediated death-inducing signaling complex (DISC) and complete processing of procaspase-8 within the DISC in glioblastoma cells, in which caspase-8 was inactivated. Mechanistically, pinoresinol downregulated the expression of cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (cFLIPL) and survivin through proteasome-mediated degradation, without affecting death receptors or downstream intracellular apoptosis-related proteins. Furthermore, the sensitization of TRAIL-mediated apoptosis by pinoresinol strictly depended on the expression level of cFLIPL, which was regulated throughde novoprotein synthesis, rather than by NF-κB or p53 signaling. Taken together, our results indicate that pinoresinol facilitates DISC-mediated caspase-8 activation by targeting cFLIPLin an early event in apoptotic signaling, which provides a potential therapeutic module for TRAIL-based chemotherapy.
Pattern of access to cafeteria-style diet determines fat mass and degree of spatial memory impairments in rats
Authors: Kendig Michael D. , Westbrook R. Frederick , Morris Margaret J. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRepeated ‘cycling’ between healthy and unhealthy eating is increasingly common but the effects of such cycling on cognitive function are unknown. Here we tested the effects of cycling between chow and a cafeteria diet (CAF) rich in saturated fat and refined carbohydrates on fat mass and place recognition memory in rats. Rats fed the chow diet (control group) were compared with groups fed CAF for either: 3 consecutive days per week followed by 4 days of chow, (3CAF:4CHOW group); 5 consecutive days per week followed by 2 days of chow (5CAF:2CHOW group); or 7 days per week (7CAF group). Total days of exposure to CAF were matched between the latter groups by staggering the introduction of CAF diet. After 16–18 days of CAF, spatial recognition memory was significantly worse in the 7CAF group relative to controls. After 23–25 days of CAF, both the 7CAF and 5CAF:2CHOW groups, but not the 3CAF:4CHOW group, were impaired relative to controls, mirroring changes in fat mass measured by EchoMRI. CAF feeding did not affect object recognition memory or total exploration time. These results indicate that even when matching total exposure, the pattern of access to unhealthy diets impairs spatial memory in a graded fashion.
MicroRNA-202 inhibits cell migration and invasion through targeting FGF2 and inactivating Wnt/β-catenin signaling in endometrial carcinoma
Authors: Chen Ping , Xing Tianrong , Wang Qingdong , Liu Ai , Liu Haiping , Hu Yuhong , Ji Yanjia , Song Ying , Wang Dongwei 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Recently, many mircroRNAs (miRNAs) involved in the development and progression of cancer have been reported to regulate cell growth and metastasis, including microRNA-202 (miR-202). The purpose of the present study was to elucidate the effect of miR-202 on endometrial carcinoma (EC) cell migration and invasion. First, qRT-PCR showed that miR-202 was down-regulated in EC tissues, which was associated with poor prognosis in EC patients. Functionally, transwell assay indicated that miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion in EC cells. In addition, miR-202 also blocked epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) through suppressing N-cadherin and Vimentin expressions and promoting E-cadherin expression. Moreover, the dual-luciferase reporter assay showed that fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a direct target gene for miR-202 in EC cells. Furthermore, up-regulation of FGF2 attenuated the inhibitory effect of miR-202 on cell migration and invasion in EC. Besides that, miR-202 inactivated the Wnt/β-catenin signaling by suppressing β-catenin expression in EC. In conclusion, miR-202 inhibited cell migration and invasion by targeting FGF2 and inactivating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling in EC.
Fragmentation and filaments at the onset of star and cluster formation
Authors: Lin Y. , Csengeri T. , Wyrowski F. , Urquhart J. S. , Schuller F. , Weiss A. , Menten K. M. 
Published: September 2019

Context. The structure formation of the dense interstellar material and the fragmentation of clumps into cores is a fundamental step for understanding how stars and stellar clusters form.
Aims. We aim to establish a statistical view of clump fragmentation at subparsec scales based on a large sample of massive clumps selected from the ATLASGAL survey.
Methods. We used the APEX/SABOCA camera at 350 μm to image clumps at a resolution of 8.″5, corresponding to physical scales of < 0.2 pc at a distance < 5 kpc. The majority of the sample consists of massive clumps that are weak or in absorption at 24 μm. We resolved spherical and filamentary structures and identified the population of compact sources. Complemented with archival Herschel data, we derived the physical properties, such as dust temperature, mass, and bolometric luminosity of clumps and cores. We used association with mid-infrared 22−24 μm and 70 μm point sources to determine the star formation activity of the cores. We then statistically assessed their physical properties and the fragmentation characteristics of massive clumps.
Results. We detect emission at 350 μm toward all targets and find that it typically exhibits a filamentary (-like) morphology and hosts a population of compact sources. Using Gaussclumps, we identify 1120 compact sources and derive the physical parameters and star formation activity for 971 of these, 874 of which are associated with 444 clumps. We find a moderate correlation between the clump fragmentation levels with the clump gas density and the predicted number of fragments with a pure Jeans fragmentation scenario. We find a strong correlation between the mass of the most massive fragment and the total clump mass, suggesting that self-gravity may play an important role in the small-scale structure formation of the clumps. Finally, due to the improved angular resolution compared to ATLASGAL, we are able to identify 27 massive quiescent cores with Mcore >  100 M⊙ within 5 kpc; these are massive enough to be self-gravitating, but do not yet show any sign of star formation. This sample therefore comprises promising candidates of massive prestellar cores or deeply embedded high-mass protostars.
Conclusions. The submillimeter observations of the massive clumps that are weak or completely dark at 24 μm reveal rich filamentary structures and an embedded population of compact cores. The maximum core mass is likely determined by the self-gravity of the clump. The rarity of massive prestellar core candidates implies short collapse timescales for dense structures.
Development of a Carrier Free Dry Powder Inhalation Formulation of Ketotifen for Pulmonary Drug Delivery
Authors: Azari Fariba , Ghanbarzadeh Saeed , Safdari Rezvan , Yaqoubi Shadi , Adibkia Khosro , Hamishehkar Hamed 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
Background Pulmonary drug delivery route is gaining much attention because it enables to target the active ingredients directly to lung both for local and systemic treatments, which maximize the therapeutic effect and minimize unwanted systemic toxicity. Dry powder inhaler (DPI) systems for asthma therapy have shown several merits to the other pulmonary delivery systems such as nebulizers and metered dose inhalers.
Purpose The present study aims to develop and optimize a DPI formulation for Ketotifen fumarate through spray drying technique.
Methods Particles size and morphology, crystallinity, and drug-excipient interaction of fabricated DPI formulations were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy methods, respectively. The aerosolization indexes and aerodynamic properties of dry powders were determined by next generation impactor. The powder flowability was assessed by measuring the Hausner ratio and compressibility index.
Results Among solvent systems, ethanol-water mixture produced the most desirable powder property for inhalation after spray drying. Although co-spray dried formulations with ammonium bicarbonate resulted in the porous structure, it was not beneficial for DPI formulations due to the interaction with Ketotifen. DSC and XRD experiments proved the amorphous structure of prepared powders, which were stable for 12 months.
Conclusion The results of this study demonstrate the potential of Ketotifen DPI formulation and pave a way to use it easily in an industrial scale.