bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Graphene‐Polymer//Graphene‐Manganese Oxide Nanocomposites‐Based Asymmetric High Energy Supercapacitor with 1.8 V Cell Voltage in Aqueous Solution
Authors: Amutha Balasubramanian , Subramani Kaipannan , Reddy Pula Nagesh , Sathish Marappan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractAsymmetric supercapacitor is fabricated using reduced graphene oxide‐polymer (RGO‐PEDOT.PSS) and reduced graphene‐manganese oxide (RGO‐CNF‐MnO2) nanocomposites as negative and positive electrodes, respectively. Both the RGO‐PEDOT.PSS and RGO‐CNF‐MnO2 (GCM) nanocomposite electrode were studied systematically with three electrode and asymmetric device configuration. The cyclic voltammetry (CV) and galvanostatic charge‐discharge (CD) studies revealed a maximum specific capacitance of 247 F/g at 1 A/g between −0.9 to 0.1 V (vs. SCE) for RGO‐PEDOT.PSS electrode. While the GCM nanocomposite electrode showed 145 F/g at 1 A/g between −0.1 to 0.9 V (vs. SCE). The X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies of GCM positive electrode revealed the formation of crystalline Akhtenskite MnO2 hexagonal structure and the XRD of RGO‐PEDOT.PSS confirms the complete reduction of graphene oxide (GO). The microscopic images of GCM demonstrate the MnO2 nanowhiskers growth over the carbon support. The fabricated asymmetric supercapacitor device showed a cell voltage of 1.8 V in 1 M Na2SO4 electrolyte. The CD profile of RGO‐PEDOT.PSS//RGO‐CNF‐MnO2 shows the device capacitance of 47 F/g with a high energy density of 21 Wh/kg while the symmetric device shows 5 and 5.6 Wh/kg for negative and positive electrodes respectively. The high energy density and electrochemical stability of the prepared asymmetric device is promising for electrochemical energy storage in aqueous electrolyte.
Biodegradable Nanoagents with Short Biological Half‐Life for SPECT/PAI/MRI Multimodality Imaging and PTT Therapy of Tumors
Authors: Chen Lei , Chen Jiayao , Qiu Shanshan , Wen Ling , Wu Yan , Hou Yi , Wang Yong , Zeng Jianfeng , Feng Yuan , Li Zhen , Shan Hong , Gao Mingyuan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractRapid clearance of nanoagents is a critical criterion for their clinical translation. Herein, it is reported that biodegradable and renal clearable nanoparticles are potentially useful for image‐guided photothermal therapy of tumors. The multifunctional nanoparticles with excellent colloidal stability are synthesized through coordination reactions between Fe3+ ions and gallic acid (GA)/polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) in aqueous solution. Detailed characterization reveals that the resulting Fe3+/GA/PVP complex nanoparticles (FGPNs) integrate strong near‐infrared absorption with paramagnetism well. As a result, the FGPNs present outstanding performance for photoacoustic imaging and magnetic resonance imaging of tumors, and outstanding photothermal ablation effect for tumor therapy owing to their high photothermal conversion efficiency. More importantly, the pharmacokinetic behaviors of the FGPNs determined through 125I labeling suggest that the FGPNs are readily degraded in vivo showing a short biological half‐life, and the decomposition products are excreted through either renal clearance pathway or bowel elimination pathway via stomach, which highlights the characteristics of the current multifunctional theranostic agent and their potential in clinical translation.
Roles of two types of heparan sulfate clusters in Wnt distribution and signaling in Xenopus
Authors: Mii Yusuke , Yamamoto Takayoshi , Takada Ritsuko , Mizumoto Shuji , Matsuyama Makoto , Yamada Shuhei , Takada Shinji , Taira Masanori 
Published: December 2017

AbstractWnt proteins direct embryonic patterning, but the regulatory basis of their distribution and signal reception remain unclear. Here, we show that endogenous Wnt8 protein is distributed in a graded manner inXenopusembryo and accumulated on the cell surface in a punctate manner in association with “N-sulfo-rich heparan sulfate (HS),” not with “N-acetyl-rich HS”. These two types of HS are differentially clustered by attaching to different glypicans as core proteins.N-sulfo-rich HS is frequently internalized and associated with the signaling vesicle, known as the Frizzled/Wnt/LRP6 signalosome, in the presence of Wnt8. Conversely,N-acetyl-rich HS is rarely internalized and accumulates Frzb, a secreted Wnt antagonist. Upon interaction with Frzb, Wnt8 associates withN-acetyl-rich HS, suggesting thatN-acetyl-rich HS supports Frzb-mediated antagonism by sequestering Wnt8 fromN-sulfo-rich HS. Thus, these two types of HS clusters may constitute a cellular platform for the distribution and signaling of Wnt8.
Rhythmic potassium transport regulates the circadian clock in human red blood cells
Authors: Henslee Erin A. , Crosby Priya , Kitcatt Stephen J. , Parry Jack S. W. , Bernardini Andrea , Abdallat Rula G. , Braun Gabriella , Fatoyinbo Henry O. , Harrison Esther J. , Edgar Rachel S. , Hoettges Kai F. , Reddy Akhilesh B. , Jabr Rita I. , von Schantz Malcolm , O’Neill John S. , Labeed Fatima H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCircadian rhythms organize many aspects of cell biology and physiology to a daily temporal program that depends on clock gene expression cycles in most mammalian cell types. However, circadian rhythms are also observed in isolated mammalian red blood cells (RBCs), which lack nuclei, suggesting the existence of post-translational cellular clock mechanisms in these cells. Here we show using electrophysiological and pharmacological approaches that human RBCs display circadian regulation of membrane conductance and cytoplasmic conductivity that depends on the cycling of cytoplasmic K+ levels. Using pharmacological intervention and ion replacement, we show that inhibition of K+ transport abolishes RBC electrophysiological rhythms. Our results suggest that in the absence of conventional transcription cycles, RBCs maintain a circadian rhythm in membrane electrophysiology through dynamic regulation of K+ transport.
Auditory closed-loop stimulation of EEG slow oscillations strengthens sleep and signs of its immune-supportive function
Authors: Besedovsky Luciana , Ngo Hong-Viet V. , Dimitrov Stoyan , Gassenmaier Christoph , Lehmann Rainer , Born Jan 
Published: December 2017

AbstractSleep is essential for health. Slow wave sleep (SWS), the deepest sleep stage hallmarked by electroencephalographic slow oscillations (SOs), appears of particular relevance here. SWS is associated with a unique endocrine milieu comprising minimum cortisol and high aldosterone, growth hormone (GH), and prolactin levels, thereby presumably fostering efficient adaptive immune responses. Yet, whether SWS causes these changes is unclear. Here we enhance SOs in men by auditory closed-loop stimulation, i.e., by delivering tones in synchrony with endogenous SOs. Stimulation intensifies the hormonal milieu characterizing SWS (mainly by further reducing cortisol and increasing aldosterone levels) and reduces T and B cell counts, likely reflecting a redistribution of these cells to lymphoid tissues. GH remains unchanged. In conclusion, closed-loop stimulation of SOs is an easy-to-use tool for probing SWS functions, and might also bear the potential to ameliorate conditions like depression and aging, where disturbed sleep coalesces with specific hormonal and immunological dysregulations.
The role of Cdx2 as a lineage specific transcriptional repressor for pluripotent network during the first developmental cell lineage segregation
Authors: Huang Daosheng , Guo Guoji , Yuan Ping , Ralston Amy , Sun Lingang , Huss Mikael , Mistri Tapan , Pinello Luca , Ng Huck Hui , Yuan Guocheng , Ji Junfeng , Rossant Janet , Robson Paul , Han Xiaoping 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe first cellular differentiation event in mouse development leads to the formation of the blastocyst consisting of the inner cell mass (ICM) and trophectoderm (TE). The transcription factor CDX2 is required for proper TE specification, where it promotes expression of TE genes, and represses expression of Pou5f1 (OCT4). However its downstream network in the developing embryo is not fully characterized. Here, we performed high-throughput single embryo qPCR analysis in Cdx2 null embryos to identify CDX2-regulated targets in vivo. To identify genes likely to be regulated by CDX2 directly, we performed CDX2 ChIP-Seq on trophoblast stem (TS) cells. In addition, we examined the dynamics of gene expression changes using inducible CDX2 embryonic stem (ES) cells, so that we could predict which CDX2-bound genes are activated or repressed by CDX2 binding. By integrating these data with observations of chromatin modifications, we identify putative novel regulatory elements that repress gene expression in a lineage-specific manner. Interestingly, we found CDX2 binding sites within regulatory elements of key pluripotent genes such as Pou5f1 and Nanog, pointing to the existence of a novel mechanism by which CDX2 maintains repression of OCT4 in trophoblast. Our study proposes a general mechanism in regulating lineage segregation during mammalian development.
RNA sequencing reveals a transcriptomic portrait of human mesenchymal stem cells from bone marrow, adipose tissue, and palatine tonsils
Authors: Cho Kyung-Ah , Park Minhwa , Kim Yu-Hee , Woo So-Youn , Ryu Kyung-Ha 
Published: December 2017

AbstractHuman mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are adult multipotent cells that have plasticity and inhabit the stroma of diverse tissues. The potential utility of MSCs has been heavily investigated in the fields of regenerative medicine and cell therapy. However, MSCs represent diverse populations that may depend on the tissue of origin. Thus, the ability to identify specific MSC populations has remained difficult. Using RNA sequencing, we analyzed the whole transcriptomes of bone marrow-derived MSCs (BMs), adipose tissue-derived MSCs (AMs), and tonsil-derived MSCs (TMs). We categorized highly regulated genes from these MSC groups according to functional gene ontology (GO) classification. AMs and TMs showed higher expression of genes encoding proteins that function in protein binding, growth factor, or cytokine activity in extracellular compartments than BMs. Interestingly, TM were highly enriched for genes coding extracellular, protein-binding proteins compared with AMs. Functional Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis also showed differentially enriched signaling pathways between the three MSC groups. Further, we confirmed surface antigens expressed in common and in a tissue-specific manner on BMs, AMs, and TMs by flow cytometry analysis. This study provides comprehensive characteristics of MSCs derived from different tissues to better understand their cellular and molecular biology.
Human liver segments: role of cryptic liver lobes and vascular physiology in the development of liver veins and left-right asymmetry
Authors: Hikspoors Jill P. J. M. , Peeters Mathijs M. J. P. , Kruepunga Nutmethee , Mekonen Hayelom K. , Mommen Greet M. C. , Köhler S. Eleonore , Lamers Wouter H. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCouinaud based his well-known subdivision of the liver into (surgical) segments on the branching order of portal veins and the location of hepatic veins. However, both segment boundaries and number remain controversial due to an incomplete understanding of the role of liver lobes and vascular physiology on hepatic venous development. Human embryonic livers (5–10 weeks of development) were visualized with Amira 3D-reconstruction and Cinema 4D-remodeling software. Starting at 5 weeks, the portal and umbilical veins sprouted portal-vein branches that, at 6.5 weeks, had been pruned to 3 main branches in the right hemi-liver, whereas all (>10) persisted in the left hemi-liver. The asymmetric branching pattern of the umbilical vein resembled that of a “distributing” vessel, whereas the more symmetric branching of the portal trunk resembled a “delivering” vessel. At 6 weeks, 3–4 main hepatic-vein outlets drained into the inferior caval vein, of which that draining the caudate lobe formed the intrahepatic portion of the caval vein. More peripherally, 5–6 major tributaries drained both dorsolateral regions and the left and right ventromedial regions, implying a “crypto-lobar” distribution. Lobar boundaries, even in non-lobated human livers, and functional vascular requirements account for the predictable topography and branching pattern of the liver veins, respectively.
Charge-Stripe Order and Superconductivity in Ir1−xPtxTe2
Authors: Ivashko O. , Yang L. , Destraz D. , Martino E. , Chen Y. , Guo C. Y. , Yuan H. Q. , Pisoni A. , Matus P. , Pyon S. , Kudo K. , Nohara M. , Forró L. , Rønnow H. M. , Hücker M. , v. Zimmermann M. , Chang J. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractA combined resistivity and hard x-ray diffraction study of superconductivity and charge ordering in Ir Ir1−xPtxTe2, as a function of Pt substitution and externally applied hydrostatic pressure, is presented. Experiments are focused on samples near the critical composition x
c
~ 0.045 where competition and switching between charge order and superconductivity is established. We show that charge order as a function of pressure in Ir0.95Pt0.05Te2 is preempted — and hence triggered — by a structural transition. Charge ordering appears uniaxially along the short crystallographic (1, 0, 1) domain axis with a (1/5, 0, 1/5) modulation. Based on these results we draw a charge-order phase diagram and discuss the relation between stripe ordering and superconductivity.
Disentangling eco-evolutionary dynamics of predator-prey coevolution: the case of antiphase cycles
Authors: van Velzen Ellen , Gaedke Ursula 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe impact of rapid predator-prey coevolution on predator-prey dynamics remains poorly understood, as previous modelling studies have given rise to contradictory conclusions and predictions. Interpreting and reconciling these contradictions has been challenging due to the inherent complexity of model dynamics, defying mathematical analysis and mechanistic understanding. We develop a new approach here, based on the Geber method for deconstructing eco-evolutionary dynamics, for gaining such understanding. We apply this approach to a co-evolutionary predator-prey model to disentangle the processes leading to either antiphase or ¼-lag cycles. Our analysis reveals how the predator-prey phase relationship is driven by the temporal synchronization between prey biomass and defense dynamics. We further show when and how prey biomass and trait dynamics become synchronized, resulting in antiphase cycles, allowing us to explain and reconcile previous modelling and empirical predictions. The successful application of our proposed approach provides an important step towards a comprehensive theory on eco-evolutionary feedbacks in predator-prey systems.
TRAF3 negatively regulates platelet activation and thrombosis
Authors: Zhang Rui , Zhang Guoying , Xiang Binggang , Chen Xiaofeng , Tang Lijang , Shi Shaojun , Liu Yani , Ai Xun , Xie Ping , Li Zhenyu 
Published: December 2017

AbstractCD40 ligand (CD40L), a member of the tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily, binds to CD40, leading to many effects depending on target cell type. Platelets express CD40L and are a major source of soluble CD40L. CD40L has been shown to potentiate platelet activation and thrombus formation, involving both CD40-dependent and -independent mechanisms. A family of proteins called TNF receptor associated factors (TRAFs) plays key roles in mediating CD40L-CD40 signaling. Platelets express several TRAFs. It has been shown that TRAF2 plays a role in CD40L-mediated platelet activation. Here we show that platelet also express TRAF3, which plays a negative role in regulating platelet activation. Thrombin- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation and secretion are increased in TRAF3 knockout mice. The expression levels of collagen receptor GPVI and integrin αIIbβ3 in platelets were not affected by deletion of TRAF3, suggesting that increased platelet activation in the TRAF3 knockout mice was not due to increased expression platelet receptors. Time to formation of thrombi in a FeCl3-induced thrombosis model was significantly shortened in the TRAF3 knockout mice. However, mouse tail-bleeding times were not affected by deletion of TRAF3. Thus, TRAF3 plays a negative role in platelet activation and in thrombus formation in vivo.
Identification of sRNA mediated responses to nutrient depletion in Burkholderia pseudomallei
Authors: Mohd-Padil Hirzahida , Damiri Nadzirah , Sulaiman Suhaila , Chai Shiao-Fei , Nathan Sheila , Firdaus-Raih Mohd 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe Burkholderia genus includes many species that are known to survive in diverse environmental conditions including low nutrient environments. One species, Burkholderia pseudomallei is a versatile pathogen that can survive in a wide range of hosts and environmental conditions. In this study, we investigated how a nutrient depleted growth environment evokes sRNA mediated responses by B. pseudomallei. Computationally predicted B. pseudomallei D286 sRNAs were mapped to RNA-sequencing data for cultures grown under two conditions: (1) BHIB as a nutrient rich media reference environment and (2) M9 media as a nutrient depleted stress environment. The sRNAs were further selected to identify potentially cis-encoded systems by investigating their possible interactions with their flanking genes. The mappings of predicted sRNA genes and interactions analysis to their flanking genes identified 12 sRNA candidates that may possibly have cis-acting regulatory roles that are associated to a nutrient depleted growth environment. Our approach can be used for identifying novel sRNA genes and their possible role as cis-mediated regulatory systems.
A Pilot Characterization of the Human Chronobiome
Authors: Skarke Carsten , Lahens Nicholas F. , Rhoades Seth D. , Campbell Amy , Bittinger Kyle , Bailey Aubrey , Hoffmann Christian , Olson Randal S. , Chen Lihong , Yang Guangrui , Price Thomas S. , Moore Jason H. , Bushman Frederic D. , Greene Casey S. , Grant Gregory R. , Weljie Aalim M. , FitzGerald Garret A. 
Published: December 2017

AbstractPhysiological function, disease expression and drug effects vary by time-of-day. Clock disruption in mice results in cardio-metabolic, immunological and neurological dysfunction; circadian misalignment using forced desynchrony increases cardiovascular risk factors in humans. Here we integrated data from remote sensors, physiological and multi-omics analyses to assess the feasibility of detecting time dependent signals - the chronobiome – despite the “noise” attributable to the behavioral differences of free-living human volunteers. The majority (62%) of sensor readouts showed time-specific variability including the expected variation in blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol. While variance in the multi-omics is dominated by inter-individual differences, temporal patterns are evident in the metabolome (5.4% in plasma, 5.6% in saliva) and in several genera of the oral microbiome. This demonstrates, despite a small sample size and limited sampling, the feasibility of characterizing at scale the human chronobiome “in the wild”. Such reference data at scale are a prerequisite to detect and mechanistically interpret discordant data derived from patients with temporal patterns of disease expression, to develop time-specific therapeutic strategies and to refine existing treatments.
Self-adaptive Bioinspired Hummingbird-wing Stimulated Triboelectric Nanogenerators
Authors: Ahmed Abdelsalam , Hassan Islam , Song Peiyi , Gamaleldin Mohamed , Radhi Ali , Panwar Nishtha , Tjin Swee Chuan , Desoky Ahmed Y. , Sinton David , Yong Ken-Tye , Zu Jean 
Published: December 2017

AbstractBio-inspired technologies have remarkable potential for energy harvesting from clean and sustainable energy sources. Inspired by the hummingbird-wing structure, we propose a shape-adaptive, lightweight triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) designed to exploit the unique flutter mechanics of the hummingbird for small-scale wind energy harvesting. The flutter is confined between two surfaces for contact electrification upon oscillation. We investigate the flutter mechanics on multiple contact surfaces with several free-standing and lightweight electrification designs. The flutter driven-TENGs are deposited on simplified wing designs to match the electrical performance with variations in wind speed. The hummingbird TENG (H-TENG) device weighed 10 g, making it one of the lightest TENG harvesters in the literature. With a six TENG network, the hybrid design attained a 1.5 W m−2 peak electrical output at 7.5 m/s wind speed with an approximately linear increase in charge rate with the increased number of TENG harvesters. We demonstrate the ability of the H-TENG networks to operate Internet of Things (IoT) devices from sustainable and renewable energy sources.
Toll-like Receptor Activation Induces Degeneration of Human Intervertebral Discs
Authors: Krock Emerson , Rosenzweig Derek H. , Currie J. Brooke , Bisson Daniel G. , Ouellet Jean A. , Haglund Lisbet 
Published: December 2017

AbstractToll-like receptors (TLR) are activated by endogenous alarmins such as fragmented extracellular matrix compounds found in the degenerating disc. TLRs regulate cytokine, neurotrophin, and protease expression in human disc cells in vitro, and thus control key factors in disc degeneration. However, whether TLR activation leads to degenerative changes in intact human discs is unclear. Nucleus pulposus (NP) cells isolated from non-degenerating discs increase IL-1β and nerve growth factor gene expression following treatment with Pam2CSK4 (TLR2/6 agonist) but not Pam3CSK4 (TLR1/2 agonist). Challenging NP cells with Pam2CSK4 or 30 kDa fibronectin fragments (FN-f, an endogenous TLR2 and TLR4 alarmin) increased secretion of proinflammatory cytokines. We then investigated the effect of TLR activation in intact, non-degenerate, ex vivo human discs. Discs were injected with PBS, Pam2CSK4 and FN-f, and cultured for 28 days. TLR activation increased proteoglycan and ECM protein release into the culture media and decreased proteoglycan content in the NP. Proteases, including MMP3, 13 and HTRA1, are secreted at higher levels following TLR activation. In addition, proinflammatory cytokine levels, including IL-6, TNFα and IFNγ, increased following TLR activation. These results indicate that TLR activation induces degeneration in human discs. Therefore, TLRs are potential disease-modifying therapeutic targets to slow disc degeneration.
STR profiling and Copy Number Variation analysis on single, preserved cells using current Whole Genome Amplification methods
Authors: Vander Plaetsen Ann-Sophie , Deleye Lieselot , Cornelis Senne , Tilleman Laurentijn , Van Nieuwerburgh Filip , Deforce Dieter 
Published: December 2017

AbstractThe growing interest in liquid biopsies for cancer research and cell-based non-invasive prenatal testing (NIPT) invigorates the need for improved single cell analysis. In these applications, target cells are extremely rare and fragile in peripheral circulation, which makes the genetic analysis very challenging. To overcome these challenges, cell stabilization and unbiased whole genome amplification are required. This study investigates the performance of four WGA methods on single or a limited number of cells after 24 hour of Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT preservation. The suitability of the DNA, amplified with Ampli1, DOPlify, PicoPLEX and REPLI-g, was assessed for both short tandem repeat (STR) profiling and copy number variant (CNV) analysis after shallow whole genome massively parallel sequencing (MPS). Results demonstrate that Ampli1, DOPlify and PicoPLEX perform well for both applications, with some differences between the methods. Samples amplified with REPLI-g did not result in suitable STR or CNV profiles, indicating that this WGA method is not able to generate high quality DNA after Streck Cell-Free DNA BCT stabilization of the cells.