bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
High-fraction brookite films from amorphous precursors
Authors: Haggerty James E. S. , Schelhas Laura T. , Kitchaev Daniil A. , Mangum John S. , Garten Lauren M. , Sun Wenhao , Stone Kevin H. , Perkins John D. , Toney Michael F. , Ceder Gerbrand , Ginley David S. , Gorman Brian P. , Tate Janet 
Published: November 2017

AbstractStructure-specific synthesis processes are of key importance to the growth of polymorphic functional compounds such as TiO2, where material properties strongly depend on structure as well as chemistry. The robust growth of the brookite polymorph of TiO2, a promising photocatalyst, has been difficult in both powder and thin-film forms due to the disparity of reported synthesis techniques, their highly specific nature, and lack of mechanistic understanding. In this work, we report the growth of high-fraction (~95%) brookite thin films prepared by annealing amorphous titania precursor films deposited by pulsed laser deposition. We characterize the crystallization process, eliminating the previously suggested roles of substrate templating and Na helper ions in driving brookite formation. Instead, we link phase selection directly to film thickness, offering a novel, generalizable route to brookite growth that does not rely on the presence of extraneous elements or particular lattice-matched substrates. In addition to providing a new synthesis route to brookite thin films, our results take a step towards resolving the problem of phase selection in TiO2 growth, contributing to the further development of this promising functional material.
Deep sequencing and analyses of miRNAs, isomiRs and miRNA induced silencing complex (miRISC)-associated miRNome in primary human chondrocytes
Authors: Haseeb Abdul , Makki Mohammad Shahidul , Khan Nazir M. , Ahmad Imran , Haqqi Tariq M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMicroRNAs, a group of small, noncoding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate gene expression, play important roles in chondrocyte function and in the development of osteoarthritis. We characterized the dynamic repertoire of the chondrocyte miRNome and miRISC-associated miRNome by deep sequencing analysis of primary human chondrocytes. IL-1β treatment showed a modest effect on the expression profile of miRNAs in normal and osteoarthritis (OA) chondrocytes. We found a number of miRNAs that showed a wide range of sequence modifications including nucleotide additions and deletions at 5′ and 3′ ends; and nucleotide substitutions. miR-27b-3p showed the highest expression and miR-140-3p showed the highest number of sequence variations. AGO2 RIP-Seq analysis revealed the differential recruitment of a subset of expressed miRNAs and isoforms of miRNAs (isomiRs) to the miRISC in response to IL-1β, including miR-146a-5p, miR-155-5p and miR-27b-3p. Together, these results reveal a complex repertoire of miRNAs and isomiRs in primary human chondrocytes. Here, we also show the changes in miRNA composition of the miRISC in primary human chondrocytes in response to IL-1β treatment. These findings will provide an insight to the miRNA-mediated control of gene expression in the pathogenesis of OA.
Slow waves in locally resonant metamaterials line defect waveguides
Authors: Kaina Nadège , Causier Alexandre , Bourlier Yoan , Fink Mathias , Berthelot Thomas , Lerosey Geoffroy 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMany efforts have been devoted to wave slowing, as it is essential, for instance, in analog signal computing and is one prerequisite for increased wave/matter interactions. Despite the interest of many communities, researches have mostly been conducted in optics, where wavelength-scaled structured composite media are promising candidates for compact slow light components. Yet their structural scale prevents them from being transposed to lower frequencies. Here, we propose to overcome this limitation using the deep sub-wavelength scale of locally resonant metamaterials. We experimentally show, in the microwave regime, that introducing coupled resonant defects in such metamaterials creates sub-wavelength waveguides in which wave propagation exhibit reduced group velocities. We qualitatively explain the mechanism underlying this slow wave propagation and demonstrate how it can be used to tune the velocity, achieving group indices as high as 227. We conclude by highlighting the three beneficial consequences of our line defect slow wave waveguides: (1) the sub-wavelength scale making it a compact platform for low frequencies (2) the large group indices that together with the extreme field confinement enables efficient wave/matter interactions and (3) the fact that, contrarily to other approaches, slow wave propagation does not occur at the expense of drastic bandwidth reductions.
Enhanced physicochemical properties of polydimethylsiloxane based microfluidic devices and thin films by incorporating synthetic micro-diamond
Authors: Waheed Sidra , Cabot Joan M. , Macdonald Niall P. , Kalsoom Umme , Farajikhah Syamak , Innis Peter C. , Nesterenko Pavel N. , Lewis Trevor W. , Breadmore Michael C. , Paull Brett 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSynthetic micro-diamond-polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) composite microfluidic chips and thin films were produced using indirect 3D printing and spin coating fabrication techniques. Microfluidic chips containing up to 60 wt% micro-diamond were successfully cast and bonded. Physicochemical properties, including the dispersion pattern, hydrophobicity, chemical structure, elasticity and thermal characteristics of both chip and films were investigated. Scanning electron microscopy indicated that the micro-diamond particles were embedded and interconnected within the bulk material of the cast microfluidic chip, whereas in the case of thin films their increased presence at the polymer surface resulted in a reduced hydrophobicity of the composite. The elastic modulus increased from 1.28 for a PDMS control, to 4.42 MPa for the 60 wt% composite, along with a three-fold increase in thermal conductivity, from 0.15 to 0.45 W m−1 K−1. Within the fluidic chips, micro-diamond incorporation enhanced heat dissipation by efficient transfer of heat from within the channels to the surrounding substrate. At a flow rate of 1000 μL/min, the gradient achieved for the 60 wt% composite chip equalled a 9.8 °C drop across a 3 cm long channel, more than twice that observed with the PDMS control chip.
A nanobody-based tracer targeting DPP6 for non-invasive imaging of human pancreatic endocrine cells
Authors: Balhuizen Alexander , Massa Sam , Mathijs Iris , Turatsinze Jean-Valery , De Vos Jens , Demine Stéphane , Xavier Catarina , Villate Olatz , Millard Isabelle , Egrise Dominique , Capito Carmen , Scharfmann Raphaël , In’t Veld Pieter , Marchetti Piero , Muyldermans Serge , Goldman Serge , Lahoutte Tony , Bouwens Luc , Eizirik Decio L. , Devoogdt Nick 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThere are presently no reliable ways to quantify endocrine cell mass (ECM) in vivo, which prevents an accurate understanding of the progressive beta cell loss in diabetes or following islet transplantation. To address this unmet need, we coupled RNA sequencing of human pancreatic islets to a systems biology approach to identify new biomarkers of the endocrine pancreas. Dipeptidyl-Peptidase 6 (DPP6) was identified as a target whose mRNA expression is at least 25-fold higher in human pancreatic islets as compared to surrounding tissues and is not changed by proinflammatory cytokines. At the protein level, DPP6 localizes only in beta and alpha cells within the pancreas. We next generated a high-affinity camelid single-domain antibody (nanobody) targeting human DPP6. The nanobody was radiolabelled and in vivo SPECT/CT imaging and biodistribution studies were performed in immunodeficient mice that were either transplanted with DPP6-expressing Kelly neuroblastoma cells or insulin-producing human EndoC-βH1 cells. The human DPP6-expressing cells were clearly visualized in both models. In conclusion, we have identified a novel beta and alpha cell biomarker and developed a tracer for in vivo imaging of human insulin secreting cells. This provides a useful tool to non-invasively follow up intramuscularly implanted insulin secreting cells.
Demonstration of measuring sea fog with an SNSPD-based Lidar system
Authors: Zhu Jiang , Chen Yajun , Zhang Labao , Jia Xiaoqing , Feng Zhijun , Wu Ganhua , Yan Xiachao , Zhai Jiquan , Wu Yang , Chen Qi , Zhou Xiaoying , Wang Zhizhong , Zhang Chi , Kang Lin , Chen Jian , Wu Peiheng 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe monitor of sea fogs become more important with the rapid development of marine activities. Remote sensing through laser is an effective tool for monitoring sea fogs, but still challengeable for large distance. We demonstrated a Long-distance Lidar for sea fog with superconducting nanowire single-photon detector (SNSPD), which extended the ranging area to a 180-km diameter area. The system, which was verified by using a benchmark distance measurement of a known island, is applied to the Mie scattering weather prediction Lidar system. The fog echo signal distribution in the range of 42.3∼63.5 km and 53.2∼74.2 km was obtained by the Lidar system. Then the fog concentration and the velocity of the fog were deduced from the distribution, which is consistent with the weather prediction. The height of the sea fog is about two hundred meter while the visibility at this height is about 90 km due to the Earth’s radius of curvature. Therefore, the capability of this SNSPD-based Lidar was close to the theoretical limit for sea fog measurements for extremely high signal-to-noise ratio of SNSPD.
The relation between gallstone disease and cardiovascular disease
Authors: Fan Lai lai , Chen Bai hui , Dai Zhi juan 
Published: November 2017

AbstractGallstone disease (GD) is a common digestive disorder that shares many risk factors with cardiovascular disease (CVD). CVD is an important public health issue that encompasses a large percentage of overall mortality. Several recent studies have suggested an association between GD and CVD, while others have not. In this report, we present a meta-analysis of cohort studies to assess the association between GD and CVD. We included eight studies published from 1980 to 2017, including nearly one million participants. The pooled relative risk (RR, 95% confidence interval [CI]) from the random-effects model associates with GD is 1.23 (95% CI: 1.17–1.30) for fatal and nonfatal CVD events. The pooled RR from the random-effects model of CVD events in female patients with GD is 1.24 (95% CI: 1.16–1.32). In male GD patients, the pooled RR from the random-effects model for CVD is 1.18 (95% CI: 1.06–1.31). Our meta-analysis demonstrates a substantially increased risk of fatal and nonfatal CVD events among patients with a medical history of GD. We suggest that interested investigators should further pursue the subject. In addition, both male and female patients with GD have a risk of CVD, and women have a higher risk than men.
D-Cateslytin, a new antimicrobial peptide with therapeutic potential
Authors: Zaet Abdurraouf , Dartevelle Pauline , Daouad Fadoua , Ehlinger Claire , Quilès Fabienne , Francius Grégory , Boehler Christian , Bergthold Camille , Frisch Benoît , Prévost Gilles , Lavalle Philippe , Schneider Francis , Haïkel Youssef , Metz-Boutigue Marie-Hélène , Marban Céline 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe rise of antimicrobial resistant microorganisms constitutes an increasingly serious threat to global public health. As a consequence, the efficacy of conventional antimicrobials is rapidly declining, threatening the ability of healthcare professionals to cure common infections. Over the last two decades host defense peptides have been identified as an attractive source of new antimicrobials. In the present study, we characterized the antibacterial and mechanistic properties of D-Cateslytin (D-Ctl), a new epipeptide derived from L-Cateslytin, where all L-amino acids were replaced by D-amino acids. We demonstrated that D-Ctl emerges as a potent, safe and robust peptide antimicrobial with undetectable susceptibility to resistance. Using Escherichia coli as a model, we reveal that D-Ctl targets the bacterial cell wall leading to the permeabilization of the membrane and the death of the bacteria. Overall, D-Ctl offers many assets that make it an attractive candidate for the biopharmaceutical development of new antimicrobials either as a single therapy or as a combination therapy as D-Ctl also has the remarkable property to potentiate several antimicrobials of reference such as cefotaxime, amoxicillin and methicillin.
A temperature sensitive Mycobacterium paragordonae induces enhanced protective immune responses against mycobacterial infections in the mouse model
Authors: Kim Byoung-Jun , Kim Bo-Ram , Kook Yoon-Hoh , Kim Bum-Joon 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecently, we introduced a temperature sensitive Mycobacterium spp., Mycobacterium paragordonae (Mpg). Here, we checked its potential as a candidate for live vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Mycobacterium abscessus. Intravenous infections of mice with Mpg led to lower colony forming units (CFUs) compared to infection with BCG, suggesting its usefulness as a live vaccine. The analyses of immune responses indicated that the highly protective immunity elicited by Mpg was dependent on effective dendritic maturation, shift of cytokine patterns and antibody production toward a Th1 phenotype, and enhanced cytotoxic T cell response. Compared to BCG, Mpg showed a more effective protective immune response in the vaccinated mice against challenges with 2 different mycobacterial strains, M. tuberculosis H37Ra or M. abscessus Asan 50594. Our data suggest that a temperature sensitive Mpg may be a potentially powerful candidate vaccine strain to induce enhanced protective immune responses against M. tuberculosis and M. abscessus.
InsuTAG: A novel physiologically relevant predictor for insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome
Authors: Thota Rohith N. , Abbott Kylie A. , Ferguson Jessica J. A. , Veysey Martin , Lucock Mark , Niblett Suzanne , King Katrina , Garg Manohar L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe aim of this study was to investigate whether a novel physiologically relevant marker, InsuTAG (fasting insulin × fasting triglycerides) can predict insulin resistance (IR) and metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data of 618 participants from the Retirement Health and Lifestyle Study (RHLS) were evaluated for the current study. IR was defined by homeostatic model assessment (HOMA-IR) scores. Pearson correlations were used to examine the associations of InsuTAG with HOMA-IR and other markers. Predictions of IR from InsuTAG were evaluated using multiple regression models. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were constructed to measure the sensitivity and specificity of InsuTAG values and to determine the optimum cut-off point for prediction of IR. InsuTAG was positively correlated with HOMA-IR (r = 0.86; p < 0.0001). InsuTAG is a strong predictor of IR accounting for 65.0% of the variation in HOMA-IR values after adjusting for potential confounders. Areas under the ROC curve showed that InsuTAG (0.93) has higher value than other known lipid markers for predicting IR, with a sensitivity and specificity of 84.15% and 86.88%. Prevalence of MetS was significantly (p < 0.0001) higher in subjects with InsuTAG values greater than optimal cut-off value of 11.2. Thus, InsuTAG appears to be a potential feasible marker of IR and metabolic syndrome.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus Exacerbates OVA-mediated asthma in mice through C5a-C5aR regulating CD4+T cells Immune Responses
Authors: Hu Xinyue , Li Xiaozhao , Hu Chengping , Qin Ling , He Ruoxi , Luo Lisha , Tang Wei , Feng Juntao 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAsthma exacerbation could be induced by respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and the underlying pathogenic mechanism is related to complement activation. Although complement might regulate CD4+T cells immune responses in asthma model, this regulation existed in RSV-induced asthma model remains incompletely characterrized. In this study, we assessed the contribution of C5a-C5aR to CD4+T cell immune responses in RSV-infected asthma mice. Female BALB/C mice were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA) while treated with RSV infection and C5a receptor antagonist (C5aRA) during challenge period. RSV enhanced lung damage, airway hyperresponsiveness, and C5aR expressions in asthma mice, while C5aRA alleviated these pathologic changes. The percentages of Th1, Th2 and Th17 cells were increased, while the percentage of Treg cells was decreased in RSV-infected asthma mice compared with asthma mice. IFN-γ, IL-4, IL-10 and IL-17A levels have similar trend with Th1, Th2, Th17 and Treg cells. Notably, above changes of CD4+T cells and their related cytokines were reversed by C5aRA. Together, the data indicates that RSV infection could apparently increase C5a and C5aR expression in the pathogenesis of RSV-infected asthma mice, meanwhile C5aRA prevents some of the CD4+T cells immune changes that are induced by RSV.
Hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species mediate N-cadherin and SERPINE1 expression, EGFR signalling and motility in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells
Authors: Azimi Iman , Petersen Rosalie M. , Thompson Erik W. , Roberts-Thomson Sarah J. , Monteith Gregory R. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractOne of the hallmarks of the tumour microenvironment is hypoxia resulting from increased oxygen consumption by proliferative cancer cells and altered vasculature. Hypoxic tension initiates various cellular signals and can drive epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process important in cancer progression. In this study, using the antioxidant N-acetylcysteine (NAC), we show that hypoxia-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in MDA-MB-468 breast cancer cells, selectively regulate hypoxia-induced increases in N-cadherin and SERPINE1, two proteins involved in cell adhesion. Treatment of cells with NAC also attenuated hypoxia-mediated activation of EGFR, but did not have any effect on hypoxia-mediated induction of HIF1α. Exogenous hydrogen peroxide phenocopied the effects of hypoxia on N-cadherin and SERPINE1 expression and EGFR activation, suggesting its possible involvement in these hypoxia-mediated events. Reflective of their effect on cell adhesion proteins and EGFR (associated with migratory phenotypes), NAC also reduced cell migration under hypoxic conditions, a crucial event in metastasis. Our findings suggest a selective role for redox signalling in the regulation of specific components of the responses to hypoxia and induction of EMT in breast cancer cells. This study provides new evidence supporting the potential of targeting ROS as a therapeutic strategy for the control of breast cancer metastasis.
Novel serotonin transporter regulators: Natural aristolane- and nardosinane- types of sesquiterpenoids from Nardostachys chinensis Batal
Authors: Chen Ying-Peng , Ying Shu-Song , Zheng Hong-Hong , Liu Yan-Ting , Wang Zhong-Ping , Zhang Hu , Deng Xu , Wu Yi-Jing , Gao Xiu-Mei , Li Tian-Xiang , Zhu Yan , Xu Yan-Tong , Wu Hong-Hua 
Published: November 2017

AbstractSerotonin transporter (SERT) is a classic target of drug discovery for neuropsychiatric and digestive disorders, and against those disorders, plants of Nardostachys genus have been valued for centuries in the systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Ayurvedic and Unani. Herein, chemical investigation on the roots and rhizomes of Nardostachys chinensis Batal. led to the isolation of forty sesquiterpenoids including six new aristolane-type sesquiterpenoids and six new nardosinane-type sesquiterprenoids. Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic methods, combined with analyses of circular dichroism and single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. To explore natural product scaffolds with SERT regulating activity, a high-content assay for measurement of SERT function in vitro was conducted to evaluate the SERT regulating properties of these isolates. In conclusion, eleven compounds could be potential natural product scaffolds for developing drug candidates targeting SERT. Among which, kanshone C of aristolane-type sesquiterpenoid inhibited SERT most strongly, while desoxo-nachinol A of nardosinane-type sesquiterpenoid instead enhanced SERT potently.
Reconstructing Yeasts Phylogenies and Ancestors from Whole Genome Data
Authors: Feng Bing , Lin Yu , Zhou Lingxi , Guo Yan , Friedman Robert , Xia Ruofan , Hu Fei , Liu Chao , Tang Jijun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPhylogenetic studies aim to discover evolutionary relationships and histories. These studies are based on similarities of morphological characters and molecular sequences. Currently, widely accepted phylogenetic approaches are based on multiple sequence alignments, which analyze shared gene datasets and concatenate/coalesce these results to a final phylogeny with maximum support. However, these approaches still have limitations, and often have conflicting results with each other. Reconstructing ancestral genomes helps us understand mechanisms and corresponding consequences of evolution. Most existing genome level phylogeny and ancestor reconstruction methods can only process simplified real genome datasets or simulated datasets with identical genome content, unique genome markers, and limited types of evolutionary events. Here, we provide an alternative way to resolve phylogenetic problems based on analyses of real genome data. We use phylogenetic signals from all types of genome level evolutionary events, and overcome the conflicting issues existing in traditional phylogenetic approaches. Further, we build an automated computational pipeline to reconstruct phylogenies and ancestral genomes for two high-resolution real yeast genome datasets. Comparison results with recent studies and publications show that we reconstruct very accurate and robust phylogenies and ancestors. Finally, we identify and analyze the conserved syntenic blocks among reconstructed ancestral genomes and present yeast species.
1000-Year Quasi-Periodicity of Weak Monsoon Events in Temperate Northeast Asia since the Mid-Holocene
Authors: Jo Kyoung-nam , Yi Sangheon , Lee Jin-Yong , Woo Kyung Sik , Cheng Hai , Edwards Lawrence R. , Kim Sang-Tae 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe Holocene variability in the East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) based on speleothem δ18O records has inconsistencies in timing, duration, and expression of millennial-scale events among nearby regions, and even within the same cave. Here, we present another stalagmite δ18O record with multi-decadal time resolution from the temperate Korean Peninsula (KP) for the last 5500 years in order to compare with Holocene millennial-scale EASM events from Southeast Asia. Based on our new stalagmite δ18O record, millennial-scale events since the mid-Holocene were successfully identified in the KP, representing a noticeable cyclic pattern with a periodicity of around 1000 years. We propose that the Holocene millennial-scale events are common hydroclimatic phenomena at least in the East Asian monsoon system. Meanwhile, the shorter periodicity of millennial-scale events than that of the North Atlantic region is likely to decouple the EASM system from the North Atlantic climate system. This observation suggests that weak EASM and North Atlantic Bond events may have been induced independently by direct solar activity (and then possible feedback) and ocean–ice sheet dynamics, respectively, rather than simple propagation from the North Atlantic to the EASM regions.