bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Photoinduced Strain Release and Phase Transition Dynamics of Solid-Supported Ultrathin Vanadium Dioxide
Authors: He Xing , Punpongjareorn Napat , Liang Weizheng , Lin Yuan , Chen Chonglin , Jacobson Allan J. , Yang Ding-Shyue 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe complex phase transitions of vanadium dioxide (VO2) have drawn continual attention for more than five decades. Dynamically, ultrafast electron diffraction (UED) with atomic-scale spatiotemporal resolution has been employed to study the reaction pathway in the photoinduced transition of VO2, using bulk and strain-free specimens. Here, we report the UED results from 10-nm-thick crystalline VO2 supported on Al2O3(0001) and examine the influence of surface stress on the photoinduced structural transformation. An ultrafast release of the compressive strain along the surface-normal direction is observed at early times following the photoexcitation, accompanied by faster motions of vanadium dimers that are more complex than simple dilation or bond tilting. Diffraction simulations indicate that the reaction intermediate involved on picosecond times may not be a single state, which implies non-concerted atomic motions on a multidimensional energy landscape. At longer times, a laser fluence multiple times higher than the thermodynamic enthalpy threshold is required for complete conversion from the initial monoclinic structure to the tetragonal lattice. For certain crystalline domains, the structural transformation is not seen even on nanosecond times following an intense photoexcitation. These results signify a time-dependent energy distribution among various degrees of freedom and reveal the nature of and the impact of strain on the photoinduced transition of VO2.
Finding disagreement pathway signatures and constructing an ensemble model for cancer classification
Authors: Zhang Qiaosheng , Li Jie , Wang Dong , Wang Yadong 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCancer classification based on molecular level is a relatively routine research procedure with advances in high-throughput molecular profiling techniques. However, the number of genes typically far exceeds the number of the sample size in gene expression studies. The existing gene selection methods are almost based on statistics and machine learning, overlooking relevant biological principles or knowledge while working with biological data. Here, we propose a robust ensemble learning paradigm, which incorporates multiple pathways information, to predict cancer classification. We compare the proposed method with other methods, such as Elastic SCAD and PPDMF, and estimate the classification performance. The results show that the proposed method has the higher performances on most metrics and robust performance. We further investigate the biological mechanism of the ensemble feature genes. The results demonstrate that the ensemble feature genes are associated with drug targets/clinically-relevant cancer. In addition, some core biological pathways and biological process underlying clinically-relevant phenotypes are identified by function annotation. Overall, our research can provide a new perspective for the further study of molecular activities and manifestations of cancer.
TCR–like antibodies mediate complement and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against Epstein-Barr virus–transformed B lymphoblastoid cells expressing different HLA-A*02 microvariants
Authors: Lai Junyun , Choo Joanna Ai Ling , Tan Wei Jian , Too Chien Tei , Oo Min Zin , Suter Manuel A. , Mustafa Fatimah Bte , Srinivasan Nalini , Chan Conrad En Zuo , Lim Andrew Guo Xian , Zhong Youjia , Chan Soh Ha , Hanson Brendon J. , Gascoigne Nicholas R. J. , MacAry Paul A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEpstein-Barr virus (EBV) is a common gammaherpesvirus associated with various human malignancies. Antibodies with T cell receptor-like specificities (TCR-like mAbs) provide a means to target intracellular tumor- or virus-associated antigens by recognising their processed peptides presented on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I (pMHC) complexes. These antibodies are however thought to be relevant only for a single HLA allele. Here, we show that HLA-A*02:01-restricted EBV antigenic peptides EBNA1562-570, LMP1125-133and LMP2A426-434display binding degeneracy towards HLA-A*02 allelic microvariants, and that these pMHC complexes are recognised by anti-EBV TCR-like mAbs E1, L1 and L2 raised in the context of HLA-A*02:01. These antibodies bound endogenously derived pMHC targets on EBV–transformed human B lymphoblastoid cell lines expressing A*02:01, A*02:03, A*02:06 and A*02:07 alleles. More importantly, these TCR-like mAbs mediated both complement-dependent and antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity of these cell linesin vitro. This finding suggests the utility of TCR-like mAbs against target cells of closely related HLA subtypes, and the potential applicability of similar reagents within populations of diverse HLA-A*02 alleles.
Novelty application of multi-omics correlation in the discrimination of sulfur-fumigation and non-sulfur-fumigation Ophiopogonis Radix
Authors: Dai Shengyun , Shang Zhanpeng , Wang Fei , Cao Yanfeng , Shi Xinyuan , Lin Zhaozhou , Wang Zhibin , Li Ning , Lu Jianqiu , Qiao Yanjiang , Zhang Jiayu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA rapid and sensitive approach to differentiate sulfur-fumigated (SF) Ophiopogonis Radix based on Multi-Omics Correlation Analysis (MOCA) strategy was first established. It was characterized by multiple data-acquisition methods (NIR, HPLC, and UHPLC-HRMS) based metabonomics and multivariate statistical analysis methods. As a result, SF and non-sulfur fumigated (NSF) Ophiopogonis Radix samples were efficaciously discriminated. Moreover, based on the acquired HRMS data, 38 sulfur-containing discriminatory markers were eventually characterized, whose NIR absorption could be in close correlation with the discriminatory NIR wavebands (5000–5200 cm−1) screened by NIR metabonomics coupled with SiPLS and 2D-COS methods. This results were also validated from multiple perspectives, including metabonomics analysis based on the discriminatory markers and the simulation of SF ophiopogonin D and Ophiopogonis Radix sample. In conclusion, our results first revealed the intrinsic mechanism of discriminatory NIR wavebands by means of UHPLC-HRMS analysis. Meanwhile, the established MOCA strategy also provided a promising NIR based differential method for SF Ophiopogonis Radix, which could be exemplary for future researches on rapid discrimination of other SF Chinese herbal medicines.
Dynamics and implications of circulating anti-angiogenic VEGF-A165b isoform in patients with ST-elevation myocardial infarction
Authors: Hueso Luisa , Rios-Navarro Cesar , Ruiz-Sauri Amparo , Chorro Francisco Javier , Nunez Julio , Sanz Maria Jesus , Bodi Vicente , Piqueras Laura 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAngiogenesis is crucial to restore microvascular perfusion in the jeopardized myocardium in the weeks following reperfused ST-segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI). (VEGF)-A165b, an anti-angiogenic factor, has been identified as a regulator of vascularization; however, it has not been previously implicated in acute myocardial infarction. We sought to investigate the dynamics of circulating VEGF-A165b and its association with cardiac magnetic resonance-derived infarct size and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF). 50 STEMI patients and 23 controls were included. Compared with control individuals, serum VEGF-A165b was elevated in STEMI patients prior to primary percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Following PCI, serum VEGF-A165b increased further, reaching a maximum level at 24 h and decreased one month after reperfusion. VEGF-A165b levels at 24 h were associated with a large infarct size and inversely related to LVEF. VEGF-A165b expression was increased in myocardial infarct areas from patients with previous history of AMI. An ex vivo assay using serum from STEMI patients showed that neutralization of VEGF-A165b increased tubulogenesis. Overall, the study suggests that VEGF-A165b might play a deleterious role after AMI as an inhibitor of angiogenesis in the myocardium. Accordingly, neutralization of VEGF-A165b could represent a novel pro-angiogenic therapy for reperfusion of myocardium in STEMI.
Optimum electronic structures for high thermoelectric figure of merit within several isotropic elastic scattering models
Authors: Yan Yuli , Jin Yu Rong , Zhang Guangbiao , Yang Jiong , Wang Yuanxu , Ren Wei 
Published: August 2017

AbstractElectronic band structure is vital in determination the performance of thermoelectric materials. What is the optimum electronic structure for the largest figure of merit? To answer the question, we studied the relationship between the thermoelectric properties and the electronic band structure under the assumption of isotropic elastic scattering, within the context of Chasmar-Stratton theory. The results show that whether the anisotropic band structure and the effective mass of the carrier are beneficial to improving the thermoelectric properties. The scattering mechanism and the shape of the Fermi surface play a decisive role. Regardless of scattering mechanism type, a larger valley degeneracy is always beneficial to thermoelectric materials.
Facile electrosynthesis of silicon carbide nanowires from silica/carbon precursors in molten salt
Authors: Zou Xingli , Ji Li , Lu Xionggang , Zhou Zhongfu 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSilicon carbide nanowires (SiC NWs) have attracted intensive attention in recent years due to their outstanding performances in many applications. A large-scale and facile production of SiC NWs is critical to its successful application. Here, we report a simple method for the production of SiC NWs from inexpensive and abundantly available silica/carbon (SiO2/C) precursors in molten calcium chloride. The solid-to-solid electroreduction and dissolution-electrodeposition mechanisms can easily lead to the formation of homogenous SiC NWs. This template/catalyst-free approach greatly simplifies the synthesis procedure compared to conventional methods. This general strategy opens a direct electrochemical route for the conversion of SiO2/C into SiC NWs, and may also have implications for the electrosynthesis of other micro/nanostructured metal carbides/composites from metal oxides/carbon precursors.
Immunization with truncated envelope protein of Zika virus induces protective immune response in mice
Authors: Han Jian-Feng , Qiu Yang , Yu Jiu-Yang , Wang Hong-Jiang , Deng Yong-Qiang , Li Xiao-Feng , Zhao Hui , Sun Han-Xiao , Qin Cheng-Feng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe global spread of Zika virus (ZIKV) as well as its unexpected link to infant microcephaly have resulted in serious public health concerns. No antiviral drugs against ZIKV is currently available, and vaccine development is of high priority to prepare for potential ZIKV pandemic. In the present study, a truncated E protein with the N-terminal 90% region reserved (E90) from a contemporary ZIKV strain was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli, purified by a Ni-NTA column, and characterized by Western blotting assays. Immunization with recombinant E90 induced robust ZIKV-specific humoral response in adult BALB/c mice. Passive transfer of the antisera from E90-immunized mice conferred full protection against lethal ZIKV challenge in a neonatal mice model. Our results indicate that recombinant ZIKV E90 described here represents as a promising ZIKV subunit vaccine that deserves further clinical development.
Combined effects of ZnO particle deposition and heat treatment on dimensional stability and mechanical properties of poplar wood
Authors: Cui Wei , Zhang Nannan , Xu Min , Cai Liping 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis study proposed a one-step wood modification method by combining the deposition of ZnO particles on wood surface and heat treatment. The effects of ZnO particles and heat treatment on mechanical properties and dimensional stability of poplar wood were examined. Samples were sorted into 4 groups, i.e., control, heat-treated, impregnation/heat-treated, and hydrothermal-treated samples. The mechanical properties and dimensional stability of impregnation/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated wood samples were measured in comparison with those of the control and heat-treated wood samples. Compared with the control ones, the reduction of the flexural strength of the heat-treated, impregnation/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples were about 11.57%, 8.53% and 15.90%, respectively. The modulus of elasticity of the heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples decreased by 13.78% and 23.78%, respectively, while the impregnation/heat-treated samples increased by about 8.57% due to the ZnO particles growth. The dimensional stabilities of the heat-treated, impregnated/heat-treated and hydrothermal-treated samples were improved in comparison with that of the control sample. All samples were characterized by the scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X - ray diffraction (XRD).
The two-pore channel TPC1 is required for efficient protein processing through early and recycling endosomes
Authors: Castonguay Jan , Orth Joachim H. C. , Müller Thomas , Sleman Faten , Grimm Christian , Wahl-Schott Christian , Biel Martin , Mallmann Robert Theodor , Bildl Wolfgang , Schulte Uwe , Klugbauer Norbert 
Published: August 2017

AbstractTwo-pore channels (TPCs) are localized in endo-lysosomal compartments and assumed to play an important role for vesicular fusion and endosomal trafficking. Recently, it has been shown that both TPC1 and 2 were required for host cell entry and pathogenicity of Ebola viruses. Here, we investigate the cellular function of TPC1 using protein toxins as model substrates for distinct endosomal processing routes. Toxin uptake and activation through early endosomes but not processing through other compartments were reduced in TPC1 knockout cells. Detailed co-localization studies with subcellular markers confirmed predominant localization of TPC1 to early and recycling endosomes. Proteomic analysis of native TPC1 channels finally identified direct interaction with a distinct set of syntaxins involved in fusion of intracellular vesicles. Together, our results demonstrate a general role of TPC1 for uptake and processing of proteins in early and recycling endosomes, likely by providing high local Ca2+ concentrations required for SNARE-mediated vesicle fusion.
Effects of light emitting diode irradiation on neural differentiation of human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal cells
Authors: Dehghani-Soltani Samereh , Shojaee Mohammad , Jalalkamali Mahshid , Babaee Abdolreza , Nematollahi-mahani Seyed Noureddin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRecently, light emitting diodes (LEDs) have been introduced as a potential physical factor for proliferation and differentiation of various stem cells. Among the mesenchymal stem cells human umbilical cord matrix-derived mesenchymal (hUCM) cells are easily propagated in the laboratory and their low immunogenicity make them more appropriate for regenerative medicine procedures. We aimed at this study to evaluate the effect of red and green light emitted from LED on the neural lineage differentiation of hUCM cells in the presence or absence of retinoic acid (RA). Harvested hUCM cells exhibited mesenchymal and stemness properties. Irradiation of these cells by green and red LED with or without RA pre-treatment successfully differentiated them into neural lineage when the morphology of the induced cells, gene expression pattern (nestin, β-tubulin III and Olig2) and protein synthesis (anti-nestin, anti-β-tubulin III, anti-GFAP and anti-O4 antibodies) was evaluated. These data point for the first time to the fact that LED irradiation and optogenetic technology may be applied for neural differentiation and neuronal repair in regenerative medicine.
Conical Refraction of Elastic Waves by Anisotropic Metamaterials and Application for Parallel Translation of Elastic Waves
Authors: Ahn Young Kwan , Lee Hyung Jin , Kim Yoon Young 
Published: August 2017

AbstractConical refraction, which is quite well-known in electromagnetic waves, has not been explored well in elastic waves due to the lack of proper natural elastic media. Here, we propose and design a unique anisotropic elastic metamaterial slab that realizes conical refraction for horizontally incident longitudinal or transverse waves; the single-mode wave is split into two oblique coupled longitudinal-shear waves. As an interesting application, we carried out an experiment of parallel translation of an incident elastic wave system through the anisotropic metamaterial slab. The parallel translation can be useful for ultrasonic non-destructive testing of a system hidden by obstacles. While the parallel translation resembles light refraction through a parallel plate without angle deviation between entry and exit beams, this wave behavior cannot be achieved without the engineered metamaterial because an elastic wave incident upon a dissimilar medium is always split at different refraction angles into two different modes, longitudinal and shear.
Maximizing non-enzymatic methods for harvesting adipose-derived stem from lipoaspirate: technical considerations and clinical implications for regenerative surgery
Authors: Bellei Barbara , Migliano Emilia , Tedesco Marinella , Caputo Silvia , Picardo Mauro 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn the past decade, adipose tissue has become a highly interesting source of adult stem cells for plastic surgery and regenerative medicine. The adipose source offers two options for the isolation of regenerative cells: the enzymatic digestion an expensive time-consuming procedure lacking a common standard operating protocol, or the non-enzymatic dissociation methods based on mechanical forces to break the processed adipose tissue. Here, we propose innovative inexpensive non-enzymatic protocols to collect and concentrate clinically useful regenerative cells from adipose tissue by centrifugation of the infranatant fraction of lipoaspirate as first step, usually discarded as a byproduct of the surgical procedure, and by fat shaking and wash as second enrichment step. The isolated cells were characterized according to the criteria proposed by the Mesenchymal and Tissue Stem Cell Committee of the International Society for Cellular Therapy (ISCT) to define human mesenchymal stem cells, and the results were compared with matched lipoaspirate samples processed with collagenase. The results demonstrated the usability of these new procedures as an alternative to fat grafting for treating stem cell-depleted tissues and for specific application requiring minimal or null soft tissue augmentation, such as skin diseases including severe burn and post-oncological scaring, chronic non-healing wounds, and vitiligo.
Transcriptomics analysis of salt stress tolerance in the roots of the mangrove Avicennia officinalis
Authors: Krishnamurthy Pannaga , Mohanty Bijayalaxmi , Wijaya Edward , Lee Dong-Yup , Lim Tit-Meng , Lin Qingsong , Xu Jian , Loh Chiang-Shiong , Kumar Prakash P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSalinity affects growth and development of plants, but mangroves exhibit exceptional salt tolerance. With direct exposure to salinity, mangrove roots possess specific adaptations to tolerate salt stress. Therefore, studying the early effects of salt on mangrove roots can help us better understand the tolerance mechanisms. Using two-month-old greenhouse-grown seedlings of the mangrove tree Avicennia officinalis subjected to NaCl treatment, we profiled gene expression changes in the roots by RNA-sequencing. Of the 6547 genes that were differentially regulated in response to salt treatment, 1404 and 5213 genes were significantly up- and down-regulated, respectively. By comparative genomics, 93 key salt tolerance-related genes were identified of which 47 were up-regulated. Upon placing all the differentially expressed genes (DEG) in known signaling pathways, it was evident that most of the DEGs involved in ethylene and auxin signaling were up-regulated while those involved in ABA signaling were down-regulated. These results imply that ABA-independent signaling pathways also play a major role in salt tolerance of A. officinalis. Further, ethylene response factors (ERFs) were abundantly expressed upon salt treatment and the Arabidopsis mutant aterf115, a homolog of AoERF114 is characterized. Overall, our results would help in understanding the possible molecular mechanism underlying salt tolerance in plants.
Oral Mucosal Epithelial Cells Grown on Porous Silicon Membrane for Transfer to the Rat Eye
Authors: Irani Yazad D. , Klebe Sonja , McInnes Steven J. P. , Jasieniak Marek , Voelcker Nicolas H. , Williams Keryn A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDysfunction of limbal stem cells or their niche can result in painful, potentially sight-threatening ocular surface disease. We examined the utility of surface-modified porous-silicon (pSi) membranes as a scaffold for the transfer of oral mucosal cells to the eye. Male-origin rat oral mucosal epithelial cells were grown on pSi coated with collagen-IV and vitronectin, and characterised by immunocytochemistry. Scaffolds bearing cells were implanted into normal female rats, close to the limbus, for 8 weeks. Histology, immunohistochemistry and a multiplex nested PCR for sry were performed to detect transplanted cells. Oral mucosal epithelial cells expanded on pSi scaffolds expressed the corneal epithelial cell marker CK3/12. A large percentage of cells were p63+, indicative of proliferative potential, and a small proportion expressed ABCG2+, a putative stem cell marker. Cell-bearing scaffolds transferred to the eyes of live rats, were well tolerated, as assessed by endpoint histology. Immunohistochemistry for pan-cytokeratins demonstrated that transplanted epithelial cells were retained on the pSi membranes at 8 weeks post-implant, but were not detectable on the central cornea using PCR for sry. The pSi scaffolds supported and retained transplanted rat oral mucosal epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo and recapitulate some aspects of an artificial stem cell niche.
Aurora A Phosphorylation of YY1 during Mitosis Inactivates its DNA Binding Activity
Authors: Alexander Karen E. , Rizkallah Raed 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSuccessful execution of mitotic cell division requires the tight synchronisation of numerous biochemical pathways. The underlying mechanisms that govern chromosome segregation have been thoroughly investigated. However, the mechanisms that regulate transcription factors in coordination with mitotic progression remain poorly understood. In this report, we identify the transcription factor YY1 as a novel mitotic substrate for the Aurora A kinase, a key regulator of critical mitotic events, like centrosome maturation and spindle formation. Using in vitro kinase assays, we show that Aurora A directly phosphorylates YY1 at serine 365 in the DNA-binding domain. Using a new phospho-specific antibody, we show that YY1 phosphorylation at serine 365 occurs during mitosis, and that this phosphorylation is significantly reduced upon inhibition of Aurora A. Furthermore, we show, using electrophoretic mobility shift and chromatin immunoprecipitation assays, that phosphorylation of YY1 at this site abolishes its DNA binding activity in vitro and in vivo. In conformity with this loss of binding activity, phosphorylated YY1 also loses its transctivation ability as demonstrated by a luciferase reporter assay. These results uncover a novel mechanism that implicates Aurora A in the mitotic inactivation of transcription factors.