bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Biological Activity of Masked Endotoxin
Authors: Schwarz Harald , Gornicec Jan , Neuper Theresa , Parigiani Maria Alejandra , Wallner Michael , Duschl Albert , Horejs-Hoeck Jutta 
Published: March 2017

AbstractLow endotoxin recovery (LER) is a recently discovered phenomenon describing the inability of limulus amebocyte lysate (LAL)-based assays to detect lipopolysaccharide (LPS) because of a “masking effect” caused by chelators or detergents commonly used in buffer formulations for medical products and recombinant proteins. This study investigates the masking capacities of different buffer formulations and whether masked endotoxin is biologically active. We show that both naturally occurring endotoxin as well as control standard endotoxin can be affected by LER. Furthermore, whereas masked endotoxin cannot be detected in Factor C based assays, it is still detectable in a cell-based TLR4-NF-κB-luciferase reporter gene assay. Moreover, in primary human monocytes, masked LPS induces the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and surface activation markers even at very low concentrations. We therefore conclude that masked LPS is a potent trigger of immune responses, which emphasizes the potential danger of masked LPS, as it may pose a health threat in pharmaceutical products or compromise experimental results.
Microscale Symmetrical Electroporator Array as a Versatile Molecular Delivery System
Authors: Ouyang Mengxing , Hill Winfield , Lee Jung Hyun , Hur Soojung Claire 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSuccessful developments of new therapeutic strategies often rely on the ability to deliver exogenous molecules into cytosol. We have developed a versatile on-chip vortex-assisted electroporation system, engineered to conduct sequential intracellular delivery of multiple molecules into various cell types at low voltage in a dosage-controlled manner. Micro-patterned planar electrodes permit substantial reduction in operational voltages and seamless integration with an existing microfluidic technology. Equipped with real-time process visualization functionality, the system enables on-chip optimization of electroporation parameters for cells with varying properties. Moreover, the system’s dosage control and multi-molecular delivery capabilities facilitate intracellular delivery of various molecules as a single agent or in combination and its utility in biological research has been demonstrated by conducting RNA interference assays. We envision the system to be a powerful tool, aiding a wide range of applications, requiring single-cell level co-administrations of multiple molecules with controlled dosages.
Inhibitory responses mediated by vagal nerve stimulation are diminished in stomachs of mice with reduced intramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal
Authors: Beckett Elizabeth A. H. , Sanders Kenton M. , Ward Sean M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIntramuscular interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-IM) are closely associated with enteric motor nerve terminals and electrically coupled to smooth muscle cells within the gastric musculature. Previous studies investigating the role of ICC-IM in motor neurotransmission have used indiscriminate electric field stimulation of neural elements within the gastric wall. To determine the role of ICC-IM in transduction of vagally-mediated motor input to gastric muscles electrical and mechanical responses to selective electrical vagal stimulation (EVS) were recorded from gastric fundus and antral regions of wild type and W/WV mice, which lack most ICC-IM. EVS evoked inhibitory junction potentials (IJPs) in wild type muscles that were attenuated or abolished by L-NNA. IJPs were rarely evoked in W/WV muscles by EVS, and not affected by L-NNA. EVS evoked relaxation of wild type stomachs, but the predominant response of W/WV stomachs was contraction. EVS applied after pre-contraction with bethanechol caused relaxation of wild type gastric tissues and these were inhibited by the nitric oxide synthase inhibitor L-NNA. Relaxation responses were of smaller amplitude in W/WV muscles and L-NNA did not attenuate relaxation responses in W/WV fundus muscles. These data suggest an important role for ICC-IM in vagally-mediated nitrergic relaxation in the proximal and distal stomach.
Near-Infrared Photoluminescent Carbon Nanotubes for Imaging of Brown Fat
Authors: Yudasaka Masako , Yomogida Yohei , Zhang Minfang , Tanaka Takeshi , Nakahara Masako , Kobayashi Norihiko , Okamatsu-Ogura Yuko , Machida Ken , Ishihara Kazuhiko , Saeki Kumiko , Kataura Hiromichi 
Published: March 2017

AbstractNear-infrared photoluminescent single-walled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are expected to provide effectual bio-imaging tools, although, as yet, only limited applications have been reported. Here, we report that CNTs coated with an amphiphilic and biocompatible polymer, poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate; PMB), generate high-quality images of brown fat. Brown fat is a heat-productive adipose tissue, which is attracting increasing attention as a new therapeutic target for obesity-associated metabolic disorders. Its brown colour is mainly attributed to densely packed capillaries, which facilitate its high heat-exchanging efficiency. Currently, positron emission tomography-computed tomography is the only practical technique to identify brown fat distribution in the living body; however, it is expensive to use. By virtue of their high affinity to apolipoproteins and exemption from macrophage phagocytosis, PMB-CNTs selectively accumulate on capillary endothelial cells but not larger vessels in adipose tissue. Therefore, the image brightness of adipose tissue can directly reflect the capillary density, and indirectly the thermogenic capability and brownness. PMB-CNTs provide clearer images than conventional organic dyes, as the high level of transmitted light passes through the body with less light scattering. Thus, PMB-CNT-based imaging methods could open a new phase in thermogenic adipose tissue research.
Inferring biomarkers for Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis infection and disease progression in cattle using experimental data
Authors: Magombedze Gesham , Shiri Tinevimbo , Eda Shigetoshi , Stabel Judy R. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAvailable diagnostic assays forMycobacterium aviumsubsp.paratuberculosis(MAP) have poor sensitivities and cannot detect early stages of infection, therefore, there is need to find new diagnostic markers for early infection detection and disease stages. We analyzed longitudinal IFN-γ, ELISA-antibody and fecal shedding experimental sensitivity scores for MAP infection detection and disease progression. We used both statistical methods and dynamic mathematical models to (i) evaluate the empirical assays (ii) infer and explain biological mechanisms that affect the time evolution of the biomarkers, and (iii) predict disease stages of 57 animals that were naturally infected with MAP. This analysis confirms that the fecal test is the best marker for disease progression and illustrates that Th1/Th2 (IFN-γ/ELISA antibodies) assays are important for infection detection, but cannot reliably predict persistent infections. Our results show that the theoretical simulated macrophage-based assay is a potential good diagnostic marker for MAP persistent infections and predictor of disease specific stages. We therefore recommend specifically designed experiments to test the use of a based assay in the diagnosis of MAP infections.
A smartphone-based diagnostic platform for rapid detection of Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses
Authors: Priye Aashish , Bird Sara W. , Light Yooli K. , Ball Cameron S. , Negrete Oscar A. , Meagher Robert J. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractCurrent multiplexed diagnostics for Zika, dengue, and chikungunya viruses are situated outside the intersection of affordability, high performance, and suitability for use at the point-of-care in resource-limited settings. Consequently, insufficient diagnostic capabilities are a key limitation facing current Zika outbreak management strategies. Here we demonstrate highly sensitive and specific detection of Zika, chikungunya, and dengue viruses by coupling reverse-transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) with our recently developed quenching of unincorporated amplification signal reporters (QUASR) technique. We conduct reactions in a simple, inexpensive and portable “LAMP box” supplemented with a consumer class smartphone. The entire assembly can be powered by a 5 V USB source such as a USB power bank or solar panel. Our smartphone employs a novel algorithm utilizing chromaticity to analyze fluorescence signals, which improves the discrimination of positive/negative signals by 5-fold when compared to detection with traditional RGB intensity sensors or the naked eye. The ability to detect ZIKV directly from crude human sample matrices (blood, urine, and saliva) demonstrates our device’s utility for widespread clinical deployment. Together, these advances enable our system to host the key components necessary to expand the use of nucleic acid amplification-based detection assays towards point-of-care settings where they are needed most.
Identification of cancer-associated missense mutations in hace1 that impair cell growth control and Rac1 ubiquitylation
Authors: Andrio Emilie , Lotte Romain , Hamaoui Daniel , Cherfils Jacqueline , Doye Anne , Daugaard Mads , Sorensen Poul H. , Bost Frédéric , Ruimy Raymond , Mettouchi Amel , Lemichez Emmanuel 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe E3 ubiquitin ligase HACE1 is a potent tumor suppressor that controls cell proliferation and ubiquitylates the small GTPase Rac1 to target it to proteasomal degradation. Whether and how the activity of HACE1 is regulated by the N-terminal ankyrin (ANK) and the middle (MID) domains is ill defined. Here, we identified in the version 64 of the Catalogue of Somatic Mutations in Cancer (COSMIC) 13 missense mutations of hace1 located outside the HECT domain, and found that all lead to defective control of cell proliferation. In addition, several mutations located in the ankyrin domain displayed a dramatic reduction in Rac1 ubiquitylation associated with a decrease of colony formation in soft agar. 3D structure modelling of the 7 ankyrin-repeats coupled to functional analysis identified a surface epitope centered on one of the mutated residue, Gly-175, which is critical for controlling Rac1 binding and ubiquitylation. We also identified a role for the MID domain in conferring the specificity of association of HACE1 to the active form of Rac1. Our study of the functional interplay between HACE1 and Rac1 in cancer thus sheds a new light on the molecular mechanism of Rac1 ubiquitylation by HACE1 and the impact of its cancer-associated mutations in cell proliferation.
Deep-brain imaging via epi-fluorescence Computational Cannula Microscopy
Authors: Kim Ganghun , Nagarajan Naveen , Pastuzyn Elissa , Jenks Kyle , Capecchi Mario , Shepherd Jason , Menon Rajesh 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHere we demonstrate widefield (field diameter = 200 μm) fluorescence microscopy and video imaging inside the rodent brain at a depth of 2 mm using a simple surgical glass needle (cannula) of diameter 0.22 mm as the primary optical element. The cannula guides excitation light into the brain and the fluorescence signal out of the brain. Concomitant image-processing algorithms are utilized to convert the spatially scrambled images into fluorescent images and video. The small size of the cannula enables minimally invasive imaging, while the long length (>2 mm) allow for deep-brain imaging with no additional complexity in the optical system. Since no scanning is involved, widefield fluorescence video at the native frame rate of the camera can be achieved.
Size-tunable Synthesis of Silver Nanobelts Using a Polyaniline Derived Polymer as a Template
Authors: Padmanaban Sudakar , Kim Minog , Yoon Sungho 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSilver nanobelts (AgNBs) have attracted a great interest due to their excellent electrical conductivity and mechanical strength, leading a facile synthesis of these AgNBs in great demand. In here, we are reporting a simple, aqueous phase, size tunable synthesis of smooth surfaced 1D-silver nanobelts using a Polyaniline (PANi) derived polymer at room temperature. The specifically designed PANi polymer, comprising a pendant carboxyl group in the chain, acted as both a reducing agent and template. The resulting Ag nanobelts have more than 10 μm of length, mean width values ranging from 41.1 (11.5) nm to 118.5 (8.8) nm and a mean thickness value of 36.7 (12.5) nm. The UV-Visible spectrum of the AgNBs has shown two Surface Plasmon Resonance peaks at 352 nm and 383 nm.
SWIM: a computational tool to unveiling crucial nodes in complex biological networks
Authors: Paci Paola , Colombo Teresa , Fiscon Giulia , Gurtner Aymone , Pavesi Giulio , Farina Lorenzo 
Published: March 2017

AbstractSWItchMiner (SWIM) is a wizard-like software implementation of a procedure, previously described, able to extract information contained in complex networks. Specifically, SWIM allows unearthing the existence of a new class of hubs, called “fight-club hubs”, characterized by a marked negative correlation with their first nearest neighbors. Among them, a special subset of genes, called “switch genes”, appears to be characterized by an unusual pattern of intra- and inter-module connections that confers them a crucial topological role, interestingly mirrored by the evidence of their clinic-biological relevance. Here, we applied SWIM to a large panel of cancer datasets from The Cancer Genome Atlas, in order to highlight switch genes that could be critically associated with the drastic changes in the physiological state of cells or tissues induced by the cancer development. We discovered that switch genes are found in all cancers we studied and they encompass protein coding genes and non-coding RNAs, recovering many known key cancer players but also many new potential biomarkers not yet characterized in cancer context. Furthermore, SWIM is amenable to detect switch genes in different organisms and cell conditions, with the potential to uncover important players in biologically relevant scenarios, including but not limited to human cancer.
Hydatid detection using the near-infrared transmission angular spectra of porous silicon microcavity biosensors
Authors: Li Peng , Jia Zhenhong , Lü Guodong 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHydatid, which is a parasitic disease, occurs today in many regions worldwide. Because it can present a serious threat to people’s health, finding a fast, convenient, and economical means of detection is important. This paper proposes a label- and spectrophotometer-free apparatus that uses optical biological detection based on porous silicon microcavities. In this approach, the refractive index change induced by the biological reactions of a sample in a porous silicon microcavity is detected by measuring the change in the incidence angle corresponding to the maximum transmitted intensity of a near-infrared probe laser. This paper reports that the proposed method can achieve the label-free detection of 43 kDa molecular weight hydatid disease antigens with high sensitivity.
A Novel Method for Screening Adenosine Receptor Specific Agonists for Use in Adenosine Drug Development
Authors: Jones Karlie R. , Choi Uimook , Gao Ji-Liang , Thompson Robert D. , Rodman Larry E. , Malech Harry L. , Kang Elizabeth M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractAgonists that target the A1, A2A, A2B and A3 adenosine receptors have potential to be potent treatment options for a number of diseases, including autoimmune diseases, cardiovascular disease and cancer. Because each of these adenosine receptors plays a distinct role throughout the body, obtaining highly specific receptor agonists is essential. Of these receptors, the adenosine A2AR and A2BR share many sequence and structural similarities but highly differ in their responses to inflammatory stimuli. Our laboratory, using a combination of specially developed cell lines and calcium release analysis hardware, has created a new and faster method for determining specificity of synthetic adenosine agonist compounds for the A2A and A2B receptors in human cells. A2A receptor expression was effectively removed from K562 cells, resulting in the development of a distinct null line. Using HIV-lentivector and plasmid DNA transfection, we also developed A2A and A2B receptor over-expressing lines. As adenosine is known to cause changes in intracellular calcium levels upon addition to cell culture, calcium release can be determined in these cell lines upon compound addition, providing a functional readout of receptor activation and allowing us to isolate the most specific adenosine agonist compounds.
Dynamic monitoring of membrane nanotubes formation induced by vaccinia virus on a high throughput microfluidic chip
Authors: Xiao Min , Xu Na , Wang Cheng , Pang Dai-Wen , Zhang Zhi-Ling 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMembrane nanotubes (MNTs) are physical connections for intercellular communication and induced by various viruses. However, the formation of vaccinia virus (VACV)-induced MNTs has never been studied. In this report, VACV-induced MNTs formation process was monitored on a microfluidic chip equipped with a series of side chambers, which protected MNTs from fluidic shear stress. MNTs were formed between susceptible cells and be facilitated by VACV infection through three patterns. The formed MNTs varied with cell migration and virus concentration. The length of MNTs was positively correlated with the distance of cell migration. With increasing virus titer, the peak value of the ratio of MNT-carried cell appeared earlier. The immunofluorescence assay indicated that the rearrangement of actin fibers induced by VACV infection may lead to the formation of MNTs. This study presents evidence for the formation of MNTs induced by virus and helps us to understand the relationship between pathogens and MNTs.
Serum lipid profiles and dyslipidaemia are associated with retinal microvascular changes in children and adolescents
Authors: Xiao Wei , Guo Xinxing , Ding Xiaohu , He Mingguang 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe present study aims to assess the relationship between serum lipid parameters and retinal microvascular calibres in children and adolescents. A total of 950 participants aged 7 to 19 years were recruited. Central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) were measured from digital retinal images. Serological testing was performed to obtain lipid profiles. Dyslipidaemia was defined according to the US national expert panel guideline. After adjusted for age, sex, mean arterial blood pressure, axial length, body mass index and the fellow retinal vascular calibre, no significant association was found between retinal vascular diameters and any lipid parameters (all P > 0.05) in children younger than 12 years. Among the adolescents 12 years and older, increased triglycerides, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and apoB were associated with decrease in CRAE (β = −1.33, −1.83, −1.92 and −7.18, P = 0.031, 0.003, 0.006, and 0.009, respectively). Compared with normolipidemic counterparts, adolescents with dyslipidaemia had significantly narrower retinal arteriolar diameters. No significant relationship between lipid subclass levels and CRVE was revealed in adolescents. The present findings suggest that the elevation of atherogenic lipids in adolescents is closely related to the adverse changes of retinal arterioles. Dyslipidaemia may affect systemic microvasculature from childhood on.
Use of RNA-seq data to identify and validate RT-qPCR reference genes for studying the tomato-Pseudomonas pathosystem
Authors: Pombo Marina A. , Zheng Yi , Fei Zhangjun , Martin Gregory B. , Rosli Hernan G. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe agronomical relevant tomato-Pseudomonas syringaepv.tomatopathosystem is widely used to explore and understand the underlying mechanisms of the plant immune response. Transcript abundance estimation, mainly through reverse transcription-quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), is a common approach employed to investigate the possible role of a candidate gene in certain biological process under study. The accuracy of this technique relies heavily on the selection of adequate reference genes. Initially, genes derived from other techniques (such as Northern blots) were used as reference genes in RT-qPCR experiments, but recent studies in different systems suggest that many of these genes are not stably expressed. The development of high throughput transcriptomic techniques, such as RNA-seq, provides an opportunity for the identification of transcriptionally stable genes that can be adopted as novel and robust reference genes. Here we take advantage of a large set of RNA-seq data originating from tomato leaves infiltrated with different immunity inducers and bacterial strains. We assessed and validated 9 genes that are much more stable than two traditional reference genes. Specifically,ARD2andVIN3were the most stably expressed genes and consequently we propose they be adopted for RT-qPCR experiments involving this pathosystem.
Magnitude-dependent response of osteoblasts regulated by compressive stress
Authors: Shen Xiao-qing , Geng Yuan-ming , Liu Ping , Huang Xiang-yu , Li Shu-yi , Liu Chun-dong , Zhou Zheng , Xu Ping-ping 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the role of magnitude in adaptive response of osteoblasts exposed to compressive stress. Murine primary osteoblasts and MC3T3-E1 cells were exposed to compressive stress (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 g/cm2) in 3D culture. Cell viability was evaluated, and expression levels of Runx2, Alp, Ocn, Rankl, and Opg were examined. ALP activity in osteoblasts and TRAP activity in RAW264.7 cells co-cultured with MC3T3-E1 cells were assayed. Results showed that compressive stress within 5.0 g/cm2 did not influence cell viability. Both osteoblastic and osteoblast-regulated osteoclastic differentiation were enhanced at 2 g/cm2. An increase in stress above 2 g/cm2 did not enhance osteoblastic differentiation further but significantly inhibited osteoblast-regualted osteoclastic differentiation. This study suggested that compressive stress regulates osteoblastic and osteoclastic differentiation through osteoblasts in a magnitude-dependent manner.
Robust and Elastic Lunar and Martian Structures from 3D-Printed Regolith Inks
Authors: Jakus Adam E. , Koube Katie D. , Geisendorfer Nicholas R. , Shah Ramille N. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractHere, we present a comprehensive approach for creating robust, elastic, designer Lunar and Martian regolith simulant (LRS and MRS, respectively) architectures using ambient condition, extrusion-based 3D-printing of regolith simulant inks. The LRS and MRS powders are characterized by distinct, highly inhomogeneous morphologies and sizes, where LRS powder particles are highly irregular and jagged and MRS powder particles are rough, but primarily rounded. The inks are synthesized via simple mixing of evaporant, surfactant, and plasticizer solvents, polylactic-co-glycolic acid (30% by solids volume), and regolith simulant powders (70% by solids volume). Both LRS and MRS inks exhibit similar rheological and 3D-printing characteristics, and can be 3D-printed at linear deposition rates of 1–150 mm/s using 300 μm to 1.4 cm-diameter nozzles. The resulting LRS and MRS 3D-printed materials exhibit similar, but distinct internal and external microstructures and material porosity (~20–40%). These microstructures contribute to the rubber-like quasi-static and cyclic mechanical properties of both materials, with young’s moduli ranging from 1.8 to 13.2 MPa and extension to failure exceeding 250% over a range of strain rates (10–1−102 min−1). Finally, we discuss the potential for LRS and MRS ink components to be reclaimed and recycled, as well as be synthesized in resource-limited, extraterrestrial environments.