bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A Thermochromic Superhydrophobic Surface
Authors: Cataldi Pietro , Bayer Ilker S. , Cingolani Roberto , Marras Sergio , Chellali Ryad , Athanassiou Athanassia 
Published: June 2016

AbstractHighly enhanced solid-state thermochromism is observed in regioregular poly(3-hexylthiophene), P3HT, when deposited on a superhydrophobic polymer-SiO2 nanocomposite coating. The conformal P3HT coating on the nanocomposite surface does not alter or reduce superhydrophicity while maintaining its reversible enhanced thermochromism. The polymeric matrix of the superhydrophobic surface is comprised of a blend of poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene) copolymer and an acrylic adhesive. Based on detailed X-ray diffraction measurements, this long-lasting, repeatable and hysteresis-free thermochromic effect is attributed to the enhancement of the Bragg peak associated with the d-spacing of interchain directional packing (100) which remains unaltered during several heating-cooling cycles. We propose that the superhydrophobic surface confines π–π interchain stacking in P3HT with uniform d-spacing into its nanostructured texture resulting in better packing and reduction in face-on orientation. The rapid response of the system to sudden temperature changes is also demonstrated by water droplet impact and bounce back on heated surfaces. This effect can be exploited for embedded thin film temperature sensors for metal coatings.
A humanized anti-DLL4 antibody promotes dysfunctional angiogenesis and inhibits breast tumor growth
Authors: Jia Xuelian , Wang Wenyi , Xu Zhuobin , Wang Shijing , Wang Tong , Wang Min , Wu Min 
Published: June 2016

AbstractBlockage of Delta-like 4 (DLL4)-directed Notch signaling induces excessive tip cell formation and endothelial proliferation resulting in dysfunctional angiogenesis in tumors. MMGZ01, as a murine anti-human DLL4 monoclonal antibody, specifically binds to human DLL4 and blocks Notch pathway. Here, the structure of MMGZ01 variable fragment (Fv) was established and framework region (FR) residues which supported complementarily determining region (CDR) loop conformation were identified. Important residues interactions were also identified through docking MMGZ01 Fv with antigen epitope in DLL4. To humanize the murine antibody, we modified MMGZ01 Fv through CDR grafting and the reconstructed antibody (H3L2) maintained similar structure and binding affinity to parental MMGZ01 after back mutation of 12 canonical murine residues in the FRs. Meanwhile, H3L2 promoted human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation through inhibiting DLL4-directed Notch pathway. Moreover, in MDA-MB-231-bearing nude mice, H3L2 induced dysfunctional angiogenesis and tumor cell apoptosis and showed superior anti-tumor activity. In conclusion, H3L2 is an ideal humanized antibody that inhibits tumor growth through targeting DLL4-Notch pathway and has attracting potentials for clinical applications.
FACS-sorted putative oogonial stem cells from the ovary are neither DDX4-positive nor germ cells
Authors: Zarate-Garcia Larissa , Lane Simon I. R. , Merriman Julie A. , Jones Keith T. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractWhether the adult mammalian ovary contains oogonial stem cells (OSCs) is controversial. They have been isolated by a live-cell sorting method using the germ cell marker DDX4, which has previously been assumed to be cytoplasmic, not surface-bound. Furthermore their stem cell and germ cell characteristics remain disputed. Here we show that although OSC-like cells can be isolated from the ovary using an antibody to DDX4, there is no good in silico modelling to support the existence of a surface-bound DDX4. Furthermore these cells when isolated were not expressing DDX4 and did not initially possess germline identity. Despite these unremarkable beginnings, they acquired some pre-meiotic markers in culture, including DDX4, but critically never expressed oocyte-specific markers and furthermore were not immortal but died after a few months. Our results suggest that freshly isolated OSCs are not germ stem cells and are not being isolated by their DDX4 expression. However it may be that culture induces some pre-meiotic markers. In summary the present study offers weight to the dogma that the adult ovary is populated by a fixed number of oocytes and that adult de novo production is a rare or insignificant event.
Solute carrier 41A3 encodes for a mitochondrial Mg2+ efflux system
Authors: Mastrototaro Lucia , Smorodchenko Alina , Aschenbach Jörg R. , Kolisek Martin , Sponder Gerhard 
Published: June 2016

AbstractThe important role of magnesium (Mg2+) in normal cellular physiology requires flexible, yet tightly regulated, intracellular Mg2+ homeostasis (IMH). However, only little is known about Mg2+ transporters of subcellular compartments such as mitochondria, despite their obvious importance for the deposition and reposition of intracellular Mg2+ pools. In particular, knowledge about mechanisms responsible for extrusion of Mg2+ from mitochondria is lacking. Based on circumstantial evidence, two possible mechanisms of Mg2+ release from mitochondria were predicted: (1) Mg2+ efflux coupled to ATP translocation via the ATP-Mg/Pi carrier and (2) Mg2+ efflux via a H+/Mg2+ exchanger. Regardless, the identity of the H+-coupled Mg2+ efflux system is unknown. We demonstrate here that member A3 of solute carrier (SLC) family 41 is a mitochondrial Mg2+ efflux system. Mitochondria of HEK293 cells overexpressing SLC41A3 exhibit a 60% increase in the extrusion of Mg2+ compared with control cells. This efflux mechanism is Na+-dependent and temperature sensitive. Our data identify SLC41A3 as the first mammalian mitochondrial Mg2+ efflux system, which greatly enhances our understanding of intracellular Mg2+ homeostasis.
Translational and post-translational regulation of mouse cation transport regulator homolog 1
Authors: Nomura Yuki , Hirata Yoko , Kiuchi Kazutoshi , Oh-hashi Kentaro 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCation transport regulator homolog 1 (Chac1) is an endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress inducible gene that has a function as a γ-glutamyl cyclotransferase involved in the degradation of glutathione. To characterize the translation and stability of Chac1, we found that the Kozak-like sequence present in the 5′ untranslated region (5′UTR) of the Chac1 mRNA was responsible for Chac1 translation. In addition, the short form (ΔChac1), which translated from the second ATG codon, was generated in the absence of the 5′UTR. The proteasome pathway predominantly participated in the stability of the Chac1 protein; however, its expression was remarkably up-regulated by co-transfection with ubiquitin genes. Using an immunoprecipitation assay, we revealed that ubiquitin molecule was directly conjugated to Chac1 and that mutated Chac1 with all lysine residues replaced by arginine was also ubiquitinated. Finally, we showed that WT Chac1 but not ΔChac1 reduced the intracellular level of glutathione. Taken together, our results suggest that the Chac1 protein expression is regulated in translational and post-translational fashion due to the Kozak-like sequence in the 5′UTR and the ubiquitin-mediated pathways. The bidirectional roles of ubiquitination in regulating Chac1 stabilization might give us a new insight into understanding the homeostasis of glutathione under pathophysiological conditions.
Inflated Sporopollenin Exine Capsules Obtained from Thin-Walled Pollen
Authors: Park Jae Hyeon , Seo Jeongeun , Jackman Joshua A. , Cho Nam-Joon 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSporopollenin is a physically robust and chemically resilient biopolymer that comprises the outermost layer of pollen walls and is the first line of defense against harsh environmental conditions. The unique physicochemical properties of sporopollenin increasingly motivate the extraction of sporopollenin exine capsules (SECs) from pollen walls as a renewable source of organic microcapsules for encapsulation applications. Despite the wide range of different pollen species with varying sizes and wall thicknesses, faithful extraction of pollen-mimetic SECs has been limited to thick-walled pollen capsules with rigid mechanical properties. There is an unmet need to develop methods for producing SECs from thin-walled pollen capsules which constitute a large fraction of all pollen species and have attractive materials properties such as greater aerosol dispersion. Herein, we report the first successful extraction of inflated SEC microcapsules from a thin-walled pollen species (Zea mays), thereby overcoming traditional challenges with mechanical stability and loss of microstructure. Morphological and compositional characterization of the SECs obtained by the newly developed extraction protocol confirms successful protein removal along with preservation of nanoscale architectural features. Looking forward, there is excellent potential to apply similar strategies across a wide range of unexplored thin-walled pollen species.
In vivo Monitoring of Serotonin by Nanomaterial Functionalized Acupuncture Needle
Authors: Li Yu-Tao , Tang Li-Na , Ning Yong , Shu Qing , Liang Feng-Xia , Wang Hua , Zhang Guo-Jun 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAcupuncture treatment is amazing but controversial. Up to now, the mechanism of treating diseases by acupuncture and moxibustion is still unclear, especially the occurrence of the molecular events in local acupoints. Herein, we report an extremely stable microsensor by modifying carbon nanotube (CNT) to the tip surface of acupuncture needle and applying this CNT-modified acupuncture needle for real time monitoring of serotonin (5-HT)in vivo. To stabilize CNT modification on the needle tip surface, poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene)(PEDOT) was employed as glue water to stick CNT on the needle. The detection limit of the CNT-modified needle was found to be approximately 50 nM and 78 nM in the PBS and the cell medium, respectively. In addition, the needle showed good selectivity to some inflammatory mediators and some electroactive molecules. For the first time, the CNT-modified needle could be directly probed into rat body for real time monitoring of 5-HTin vivo, showing a great potential for better understanding the mechanism of acupuncture treatment.
Characterisation of light responses in the retina of mice lacking principle components of rod, cone and melanopsin phototransduction signalling pathways
Authors: Hughes Steven , Rodgers Jessica , Hickey Doron , Foster Russell G. , Peirson Stuart N. , Hankins Mark W. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractGnat−/−, Cnga3−/−, Opn4−/− triple knockout (TKO) mice lack essential components of phototransduction signalling pathways present in rods, cones and photosensitive retinal ganglion cells (pRGCs) and are therefore expected to lack all sensitivity to light. However, a number of studies have shown that light responses persist in these mice. In this study we use multielectrode array (MEA) recordings and light-induced c-fos expression to further characterise the light responses of the TKO retina. Small, but robust electroretinogram type responses are routinely detected during MEA recordings, with properties consistent with rod driven responses. Furthermore, a distinctive pattern of light-induced c-fos expression is evident in the TKO retina, with c-fos expression largely restricted to a small subset of amacrine cells that express disabled-1 (Dab1) but lack expression of glycine transporter-1 (GlyT-1). Collectively these data are consistent with the persistence of a novel light sensing pathway in the TKO retina that originates in rod photoreceptors, potentially a rare subset of rods with distinct functional properties and which is propagated to an atypical subtype of AII amacrine cells. Furthermore, the minimal responses observed following UV light stimulation suggest only a limited role for the non-visual opsin OPN5 in driving excitatory light responses within the mouse retina.
Electronic structure and electron-phonon coupling in TiH2
Authors: Shanavas K. V. , Lindsay L. , Parker D. S. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCalculations using first principles methods and strong coupling theory are carried out to understand the electronic structure and superconductivity in cubic and tetragonal TiH2. A large electronic density of states at the Fermi level in the cubic phase arises from Ti-t2g states and leads to a structural instability towards tetragonal distortion at low temperatures. However, constraining the in-plane lattice constants diminishes the energy gain associated with the tetragonal distortion, allowing the cubic phase to be stable at low temperatures. Calculated phonon dispersions show decoupled acoustic and optic modes arising from Ti and H vibrations, respectively and frequencies of optic modes to be rather high. The cubic phase has a large electron-phonon coupling parameter λ and critical temperature of several K. Contribution of the hydrogen sublattice to λ is found to be small in this material, which we understand from strong coupling theory to be due to the small H-s DOS at the Fermi level and high energy of hydrogen modes at the tetrahedral sites.
CRACM3 regulates the stability of non-excitable exocytotic vesicle fusion pores in a Ca2+-independent manner via molecular interaction with syntaxin4
Authors: Liu Shuang , Sahid Muhammad Novrizal Abdi , Takemasa Erika , Kiyoi Takeshi , Kuno Miyuki , Oshima Yusuke , Maeyama Kazutaka 
Published: June 2016

AbstractCa2+ release-activated calcium channel 3 (CRACM3) is a unique member of the CRAC family of Ca2+-selective channels. In a non-excitable exocytosis model, we found that the extracellular L3 domain and the cytoplasmic C-terminus of CRACM3 interacted in an activity-dependent manner with the N-peptide of syntaxin4, a soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor attachment receptor protein. Our biochemical, electrophysiological and single-vesicle studies showed that knockdown of CRACM3 suppressed functional exocytosis by decreasing the open time of the vesicle fusion pore without affecting Ca2+ influx, the activity-dependent membrane capacitance (Cm) change, and the total number of fusion events. Conversely, overexpressing CRACM3 significantly impaired cell exocytosis independent of Ca2+, led to an impaired Cm change, decreased the number of fusion events, and prolonged the dwell time of the fusion pore. CRACM3 changes the stability of the vesicle fusion pore in a manner consistent with the altered molecular expression. Our findings imply that CRACM3 plays a greater role in exocytosis than simply acting as a compensatory subunit of a Ca2+ channel.
Real-time microstructure imaging by Laue microdiffraction: A sample application in laser 3D printed Ni-based superalloys
Authors: Zhou Guangni , Zhu Wenxin , Shen Hao , Li Yao , Zhang Anfeng , Tamura Nobumichi , Chen Kai 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSynchrotron-based Laue microdiffraction has been widely applied to characterize the local crystal structure, orientation, and defects of inhomogeneous polycrystalline solids by raster scanning them under a micro/nano focused polychromatic X-ray probe. In a typical experiment, a large number of Laue diffraction patterns are collected, requiring novel data reduction and analysis approaches, especially for researchers who do not have access to fast parallel computing capabilities. In this article, a novel approach is developed by plotting the distributions of the average recorded intensity and the average filtered intensity of the Laue patterns. Visualization of the characteristic microstructural features is realized in real time during data collection. As an example, this method is applied to image key features such as microcracks, carbides, heat affected zone, and dendrites in a laser assisted 3D printed Ni-based superalloy, at a speed much faster than data collection. Such analytical approach remains valid for a wide range of crystalline solids, and therefore extends the application range of the Laue microdiffraction technique to problems where real-time decision-making during experiment is crucial (for instance time-resolved non-reversible experiments).
Topological constraints of structural elements in regulation of catalytic activity in HDV-like self-cleaving ribozymes
Authors: Webb Chiu-Ho T. , Nguyen Dang , Myszka Marie , Lupták Andrej 
Published: June 2016

AbstractSelf-cleaving ribozymes fold into intricate structures, which orient active site groups into catalytically competent conformations. Most ribozyme families have distinct catalytic cores stabilized by tertiary interactions between domains peripheral to those cores. We show that large hepatitis delta virus (HDV)-like ribozymes are activated by peripheral domains that bring two helical segments, P1 and P2, into proximity – a “pinch” that results in rate acceleration by almost three orders of magnitude. Kinetic analysis of ribozymes with systematically altered length and stability of the peripheral domain revealed that about one third of its free energy of formation is used to lower an activation energy barrier, likely related to a rate-limiting conformational change leading to the pre-catalytic state. These findings provide a quantitative view of enzyme regulation by peripheral domains and may shed light on the energetics of allosteric regulation.
Interaction of tRNA with MEK2 in pancreatic cancer cells
Authors: Wang Xiaoyun , Chow Christina R. , Ebine Kazumi , Lee Jiyoung , Rosner Marsha R. , Pan Tao , Munshi Hidayatullah G. 
Published: June 2016

AbstractAlthough the translational function of tRNA has long been established, extra translational functions of tRNA are still being discovered. We previously developed a computational method to systematically predict new tRNA-protein complexes and experimentally validated six candidate proteins, including the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase 2 (MEK2), that interact with tRNA in HEK293T cells. However, consequences of the interaction between tRNA and these proteins remain to be elucidated. Here we tested the consequence of the interaction between tRNA and MEK2 in pancreatic cancer cell lines. We also generated disease and drug resistance-derived MEK2 mutants (Q60P, P128Q, S154F, E207K) to evaluate the function of the tRNA-MEK2 interaction. Our results demonstrate that tRNA interacts with the wild-type and mutant MEK2 in pancreatic cancer cells; furthermore, the MEK2 inhibitor U0126 significantly reduces the tRNA-MEK2 interaction. In addition, tRNA affects the catalytic activity of the wild type and mutant MEK2 proteins in different ways. Overall, our findings demonstrate the interaction of tRNA with MEK2 in pancreatic cancer cells and suggest that tRNA may impact MEK2 activity in cancer cells.
Treating Speech Comprehensibility in Students With Down Syndrome
Authors: Yoder Paul J. , Camarata Stephen , Woynaroski Tiffany 
Published: June 2016

Purpose
This study examined whether a particular type of therapy (Broad Target Speech Recasts, BTSR) was superior to a contrast treatment in facilitating speech comprehensibility in conversations of students with Down syndrome who began treatment with initially high verbal imitation.

Method
We randomly assigned 51 5- to 12-year-old students to either BTSR or a contrast treatment. Therapy occurred in hour-long 1-to-1 sessions in students' schools twice per week for 6 months.

Results
For students who entered treatment just above the sample average in verbal-imitation skill, BTSR was superior to the contrast treatment in facilitating the growth of speech comprehensibility in conversational samples. The number of speech recasts mediated or explained the BTSR treatment effect on speech comprehensibility.

Conclusion
Speech comprehensibility is malleable in school-age students with Down syndrome. BTSR facilitates comprehensibility in students with just above the sample average level of verbal imitation prior to treatment. Speech recasts in BTSR are largely responsible for this effect.
Influence of thermal ageing and electrical discharges on uninhibited olive oil properties
Authors: Reffas Abderrahim , Idir Omar , Ziani Abderrahmane , Moulai Hocine , Nacer Azzeddine , Khelfane Ilhem , Ouagueni Mourad , Beroual Abderrahmane 
Published: June 2016

In recent years, significant attention has been paid to biodegradable vegetable oils as an alternative to mineral insulating oils. This study presents the influence of electrical discharges and thermal stress on the variation of the properties of uninhibited olive oil. This latter constitutes a serious environmentally friendly and renewable substitute for currently used mineral oils. The investigated properties are: dielectric loss factor and permittivity, resistivity, acid number, cinematic viscosity, water content, breakdown voltage, flash point and colour index. To analyse the effect of thermal stress, the uninhibited olive oil was aged in sealed bottles at 110°C for durations up to 716 h. As concerns the electrical stress, series of 200 up to 1600 low energy discharges are applied under 50 Hz alternating divergent electric field. Frequency domain spectroscopy has also been performed in order to assess the oil behaviour in a large frequency range (20 Hz–1 MHz). The real part of the complex dielectric permittivity of oil tends to increase with ageing. The obtained results show an acceptable stability with regard to thermal ageing and even an improvement of the oil key properties when submitted to discharges of controlled low energy level.
Transient thermal variation in stator winding of nuclear power turbo‐generator with the inner sudden water brake
Authors: Wang Likun , Li Weili , Chen Wen 
Published: June 2016

For nuclear power turbo‐generators, the transient thermal variation of its winding and its insulation is one of the important performance indices. For a long time, there have been some occasional accidents at nuclear power stations such as hydrogen and fuel rod leakage. These accidents affect the economy and the safety of people. In this study, a transient temperature variation mechanism of stator winding strands and insulation with a stator water brake has been researched. On account of the stator slot being an open structure, the resistance and reactance are different along the radial direction of the slot. It results in the heat source being different for different strands in the stator slot. The resistance enhancement coefficient of the stator strands is calculated based on the analysis of the eddy‐current of magnetic field. A transient fluid‐thermal coupled model of a 1000 MW nuclear power turbo‐generator stator is established regarding the resistance enhancement coefficient. Calculation results of the insulation temperature are compared with the test data of the turbo‐generator that is used at a nuclear power plant.