bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
All-inkjet-printed thin-film transistors: manufacturing process reliability by root cause analysis
Authors: Sowade Enrico , Ramon Eloi , Mitra Kalyan Yoti , Martínez-Domingo Carme , Pedró Marta , Pallarès Jofre , Loffredo Fausta , Villani Fulvia , Gomes Henrique L. , Terés Lluís , Baumann Reinhard R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe report on the detailed electrical investigation of all-inkjet-printed thin-film transistor (TFT) arrays focusing on TFT failures and their origins. The TFT arrays were manufactured on flexible polymer substrates in ambient condition without the need for cleanroom environment or inert atmosphere and at a maximum temperature of 150 °C. Alternative manufacturing processes for electronic devices such as inkjet printing suffer from lower accuracy compared to traditional microelectronic manufacturing methods. Furthermore, usually printing methods do not allow the manufacturing of electronic devices with high yield (high number of functional devices). In general, the manufacturing yield is much lower compared to the established conventional manufacturing methods based on lithography. Thus, the focus of this contribution is set on a comprehensive analysis of defective TFTs printed by inkjet technology. Based on root cause analysis, we present the defects by developing failure categories and discuss the reasons for the defects. This procedure identifies failure origins and allows the optimization of the manufacturing resulting finally to a yield improvement.
Comprehensive Modeling and Discovery of Mebendazole as a Novel TRAF2- and NCK-interacting Kinase Inhibitor
Authors: Tan Zhi , Chen Lu , Zhang Shuxing 
Published: September 2016

AbstractTRAF2- and NCK-interacting kinase (TNIK) represents one of the crucial targets for Wnt-activated colorectal cancer. In this study, we curated two datasets and conducted a comprehensive modeling study to explore novel TNIK inhibitors with desirable biopharmaceutical properties. With Dataset I, we derived Comparative Molecular Similarity Indices Analysis (CoMSIA) and variable-selection k-nearest neighbor models, from which 3D-molecular fields and 2D-descriptors critical for the TNIK inhibitor activity were revealed. Based on Dataset II, predictive CoMSIA-SIMCA (Soft Independent Modelling by Class Analogy) models were obtained and employed to screen 1,448 FDA-approved small molecule drugs. Upon experimental evaluations, we discovered that mebendazole, an approved anthelmintic drug, could selectively inhibit TNIK kinase activity with a dissociation constant Kd = ~1 μM. The subsequent CoMSIA and kNN analyses indicated that mebendazole bears the favorable molecular features that are needed to bind and inhibit TNIK.
Polyamines release the let-7b-mediated suppression of initiation codon recognition during the protein synthesis of EXT2
Authors: Imamura Masataka , Higashi Kyohei , Yamaguchi Katsutoshi , Asakura Kiryu , Furihata Tomomi , Terui Yusuke , Satake Toshihiko , Maegawa Jiro , Yasumura Kazunori , Ibuki Ai , Akase Tomoko , Nishimura Kazuhiro , Kashiwagi Keiko , Linhardt Robert J. , Igarashi Kazuei , Toida Toshihiko 
Published: September 2016

AbstractProteoglycans (PGs), a family of glycosaminoglycan (GAG)-protein glycoconjugates, contribute to animal physiology through interactions between their glycan chains and growth factors, chemokines and adhesion molecules. However, it remains unclear how GAG structures are changed during the aging process. Here, we found that polyamine levels are correlated with the expression level of heparan sulfate (HS) in human skin. In cultured cell lines, the EXT1 and EXT2 enzymes, initiating HS biosynthesis, were stimulated at the translational level by polyamines. Interestingly, the initiation codon recognition by 43S preinitiation complex during EXT2 translation is suppressed by let-7b, a member of the let-7 microRNA family, through binding at the N-terminal amino acid coding sequence in EXT2 mRNA. Let-7b-mediated suppression of initiation codon depends on the length of 5′-UTR of EXT2 mRNA and its suppression is inhibited in the presence of polyamines. These findings provide new insights into the HS biosynthesis related to miRNA and polyamines.
CXCL13, CXCL10 and CXCL8 as Potential Biomarkers for the Diagnosis of Neurosyphilis Patients
Authors: Wang Cuini , Wu Kaiqi , Yu Qian , Zhang Sufang , Gao Zixiao , Liu Yudan , Ni Liyan , Cheng Yuanyuan , Guan Zhifang , Shi Mei , Lu Haikong , Lou Yongliang , Zhou Pingyu 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAt present, diagnosis for neurosyphilis remains a major clinical challenge. Venereal Disease Research Laboratory (VDRL) titer of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is suboptimally sensitive to diagnose neurosyphilis, which can be negative in neurosyphilis patients, especially in asymptomatic neurosyphilis patients. In the search for biomarkers of neurosyphilis, we investigated the chemokine profile in CSF of neurosyphilis patients and found that the concentrations of CXCL13, CXCL10 and CXCL8 were selectively elevated in neurosyphilis patients and correlated with CSF protein concentration and CSF-VDRL titer. After antibiotic treatment, the concentration of these chemokines was dramatically reduced. The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CSF CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 and the CSF/serum ratio of CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 in the diagnosis of neurosyphilis were 0.940, 0.899, 0.915, 0.963, 0.846 and 0.926, respectively. The corresponding sensitivities/specificities of CSF CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 and the CSF/serum ratio of CXCL13, CXCL8,CXCL10 in diagnosis of neurosyphilis were 85.4%/89.1%, 79%/90.1% and 79.6%/91.1%, 86.6%/99%, 79%/73.3% and 86%/92.1%, respectively. Our results suggest that the elevated concentrations of CXCL13, CXCL8, and CXCL10 or their increasing CSF/serum ratios may be potential biomarkers of neurosyphilis, particularly for asymptomatic neurosyphilis. Reduced concentration of these chemokines may indicate the prognosis of antibiotic therapy.
Facile preparation of nickel/carbonized wood nanocomposite for environmentally friendly supercapacitor electrodes
Authors: Yaddanapudi Haritha Sree , Tian Kun , Teng Shiang , Tiwari Ashutosh 
Published: September 2016

AbstractWe are reporting a facile way to prepare nickel/carbon nanocomposites from wood as a novel electrode material for supercapacitors. The surface morphology and the structure of the as-prepared electrodes were studied by using X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results indicate that after high-temperature carbonization process, the wood is converted into graphitic carbon with nickel nanoparticles uniformly distributed within the three dimensional structure of the wood. Electrochemical characterization such as cyclic voltammetry (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge-discharge measurements were conducted. These results showed that the introduction of nickel into the carbonized wood improves the specific capacitance and the cyclic stability of the nanocomposite electrode over that of the pure carbonized wood electrode. The composite electrode displayed an enhanced capacitive performance of 3616 F/g at 8 A/g and showed an excellent capacitance retention after 6000 charge-discharge cycles. These results endow the nickel nanoparticles impregnated carbonized wood with a great potential for future application in supercapacitors.
Biochemical and genome sequence analyses of Megasphaera sp. strain DISK18 from dental plaque of a healthy individual reveals commensal lifestyle
Authors: Nallabelli Nayudu , Patil Prashant P. , Pal Vijay Kumar , Singh Namrata , Jain Ashish , Patil Prabhu B. , Grover Vishakha , Korpole Suresh 
Published: September 2016

AbstractMuch of the work in periodontal microbiology in recent years has focused on identifying and understanding periodontal pathogens. As the majority of oral microbes have not yet been isolated in pure form, it is essential to understand the phenotypic characteristics of microbes to decipher their role in oral environment. In this study, strain DISK18 was isolated from gingival sulcus and identified as a Megasphaera species. Although metagenomics studies revealed Megasphaera species as a major group within the oral habitat, they have never been isolated in cultivable form to date. Therefore, we have characterized the DISK18 strain to better understand its role in the periodontal ecosystem. Strain Megasphaera sp. DISK18 displayed the ability to adhere and self-aggregate, which are essential requisite features for inhabiting and persisting in oral cavity. It also coaggregated with other pioneer oral colonizers like Streptococcus and Lactobacillus species but not with Veillonella. This behaviour points towards its role in the ecologic succession of a multispecies biofilm as an early colonizer. The absence of virulence determining genes as observed in whole genome sequence analysis coupled with an inability to degrade collagen reveals that Megasphaera sp. strain DISK18 is likely not a pathogenic species and emphasizes its commensal lifestyle.
Neprilysin is a Mediator of Alternative Renin-Angiotensin-System Activation in the Murine and Human Kidney
Authors: Domenig Oliver , Manzel Arndt , Grobe Nadja , Königshausen Eva , Kaltenecker Christopher C. , Kovarik Johannes J. , Stegbauer Johannes , Gurley Susan B. , van Oyen Dunja , Antlanger Marlies , Bader Michael , Motta-Santos Daisy , Santos Robson A. , Elased Khalid M. , Säemann Marcus D. , Linker Ralf A. , Poglitsch Marko 
Published: September 2016

AbstractCardiovascular and renal pathologies are frequently associated with an activated renin-angiotensin-system (RAS) and increased levels of its main effector and vasoconstrictor hormone angiotensin II (Ang II). Angiotensin-converting-enzyme-2 (ACE2) has been described as a crucial enzymatic player in shifting the RAS towards its so-called alternative vasodilative and reno-protective axis by enzymatically converting Ang II to angiotensin-(1-7) (Ang-(1-7)). Yet, the relative contribution of ACE2 to Ang-(1-7) formationin vivohas not been elucidated. Mass spectrometry based quantification of angiotensin metabolites in the kidney and plasma of ACE2 KO mice surprisingly revealed an increase in Ang-(1-7), suggesting additional pathways to be responsible for alternative RAS activationin vivo. Following assessment of angiotensin metabolism in kidney homogenates, we identified neprilysin (NEP) to be a major source of renal Ang-(1-7) in mice and humans. These findings were supported by MALDI imaging, showing NEP mediated Ang-(1-7) formation in whole kidney cryo-sections in mice. Finally, pharmacologic inhibition of NEP resulted in strongly decreased Ang-(1-7) levels in murine kidneys. This unexpected new role of NEP may have implications for the combination therapy with NEP-inhibitors and angiotensin-receptor-blockade, which has been shown being a promising therapeutic approach for heart failure therapy.
Quinone derivatives isolated from the endolichenic fungus Phialocephala fortinii are Mdr1 modulators that combat azole resistance in Candida albicans
Authors: Xie Fei , Chang Wenqiang , Zhang Ming , Li Ying , Li Wei , Shi Hongzhuo , Zheng Sha , Lou Hongxiang 
Published: September 2016

AbstractOne of the main azole-resistance mechanisms in Candida pathogens is the upregulation of drug efflux pumps, which compromises the efficacy of azoles and results in treatment failure. The combination of azole-antifungal agents with efflux pump inhibitors represents a promising strategy to combat fungal infection. High-throughput screening of 150 extracts obtained from endolichenic fungal cultures led to the discovery that the extract of Phialocephala fortinii exhibits potent activity for the reversal of azole resistance. From P. fortinii cultures, a total of 15 quinone derivatives, comprising 11 new derivatives and 4 known compounds, were obtained. Among these compounds, palmarumycin P3 (3) and phialocephalarin B (8) specifically modulate the expression of MDR1 to inhibit the activity of drug efflux pumps and therefore reverse azole resistance. The present study revealed Mdr1 targeting as an alternative mechanism for the discovery of new agents to fight antifungal drug resistance.
Self-Replication of Localized Vegetation Patches in Scarce Environments
Authors: Bordeu Ignacio , Clerc Marcel G. , Couteron Piere , Lefever René , Tlidi Mustapha 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDesertification due to climate change and increasing drought periods is a worldwide problem for both ecology and economy. Our ability to understand how vegetation manages to survive and propagate through arid and semiarid ecosystems may be useful in the development of future strategies to prevent desertification, preserve flora—and fauna within—or even make use of scarce resources soils. In this paper, we study a robust phenomena observed in semi-arid ecosystems, by which localized vegetation patches split in a process called self-replication. Localized patches of vegetation are visible in nature at various spatial scales. Even though they have been described in literature, their growth mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Here, we develop an innovative statistical analysis based on real field observations to show that patches may exhibit deformation and splitting. This growth mechanism is opposite to the desertification since it allows to repopulate territories devoid of vegetation. We investigate these aspects by characterizing quantitatively, with a simple mathematical model, a new class of instabilities that lead to the self-replication phenomenon observed.
Photobiomodulation (blue and green light) encourages osteoblastic-differentiation of human adipose-derived stem cells: role of intracellular calcium and light-gated ion channels
Authors: Wang Yuguang , Huang Ying-Ying , Wang Yong , Lyu Peijun , Hamblin Michael R. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractHuman adipose-derived stem cells (hASCs) have the potential to differentiate into several different cell types including osteoblasts. Photobiomodulation (PBM) or low level laser therapy (LLLT) using red or near-infrared wavelengths has been reported to have effects on both proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of stem cells. We examined the effects of delivering four different wavelengths (420 nm, 540 nm, 660 nm, 810 nm) at the same dose (3 J/cm2) five times (every two days) on hASCs cultured in osteogenic medium over three weeks. We measured expression of the following transcription factors by RT-PCR: RUNX2, osterix and the osteoblast protein, osteocalcin. The 420 nm and 540 nm wavelengths were more effective in stimulating osteoblast differentiation compared to 660 nm and 810 nm. Intracellular calcium was higher after 420 nm and 540 nm and could be inhibited by capsazepine and SKF96365, which also inhibited osteogenic differentiation. We hypothesize that activation of light-gated calcium ion channels by blue and green light could explain our results.
Neuronal networks provide rapid neuroprotection against spreading toxicity
Authors: Samson Andrew J. , Robertson Graham , Zagnoni Michele , Connolly Christopher N. 
Published: September 2016

AbstractAcute secondary neuronal cell death, as seen in neurodegenerative disease, cerebral ischemia (stroke) and traumatic brain injury (TBI), drives spreading neurotoxicity into surrounding, undamaged, brain areas. This spreading toxicity occurs via two mechanisms, synaptic toxicity through hyperactivity, and excitotoxicity following the accumulation of extracellular glutamate. To date, there are no fast-acting therapeutic tools capable of terminating secondary spreading toxicity within a time frame relevant to the emergency treatment of stroke or TBI patients. Here, using hippocampal neurons (DIV 15–20) cultured in microfluidic devices in order to deliver a localized excitotoxic insult, we replicate secondary spreading toxicity and demonstrate that this process is driven by GluN2B receptors. In addition to the modeling of spreading toxicity, this approach has uncovered a previously unknown, fast acting, GluN2A-dependent neuroprotective signaling mechanism. This mechanism utilizes the innate capacity of surrounding neuronal networks to provide protection against both forms of spreading neuronal toxicity, synaptic hyperactivity and direct glutamate excitotoxicity. Importantly, network neuroprotection against spreading toxicity can be effectively stimulated after an excitotoxic insult has been delivered, and may identify a new therapeutic window to limit brain damage.
Transcriptome meta-analysis reveals a dysregulation in extra cellular matrix and cell junction associated gene signatures during Dengue virus infection
Authors: Afroz Sumbul , Giddaluru Jeevan , Abbas Mohd. Manzar , Khan Nooruddin 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDengue Viruses (DENVs) cause one of the most prevalent arthropod-borne viral diseases affecting millions of people worldwide. Identification of genes involved in DENV pathogenesis would help in deciphering molecular mechanisms responsible for the disease progression. Here, we carried out a meta-analysis of publicly available gene expression data of dengue patients and further validated the meta-profile using in-vitro infection in THP-1 cells. Our findings reveal that DENV infection modulates expression of several genes and signalling pathways including interferons, detoxification of ROS and viral assembly. Interestingly, we have identified novel gene signatures comprising of INADL/PATJ and CRTAP (Cartilage Associated Protein), which were significantly down-regulated across all patient data sets as well as in DENV infected THP-1 cells. PATJ and CRTAP genes are involved in maintaining cell junction integrity and collagen assembly (extracellular matrix component) respectively, which together play a crucial role in cell-cell adhesion. Our results categorically reveal that overexpression of CRTAP and PATJ genes restrict DENV infection, thereby suggesting a critical role of these genes in DENV pathogenesis. Conclusively, these findings emphasize the utility of meta-analysis approach in identifying novel gene signatures that might provide mechanistic insights into disease pathogenesis and possibly lead towards the development of better therapeutic interventions.
The PRKD1 promoter is a target of the KRas-NF-κB pathway in pancreatic cancer
Authors: Döppler Heike , Panayiotou Richard , Reid Elizabeth M. , Maimo Willibroad , Bastea Ligia , Storz Peter 
Published: September 2016

AbstractIncreased expression of PRKD1 and its gene product protein kinase D1 (PKD1) are linked to oncogenic signaling in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, but a direct functional relationship to oncogenic KRas has not been established so far. We here describe the PRKD1 gene promoter as a target for oncogenic KRas signaling. We demonstrate that KRas-induced activation of the canonical NF-κB pathway is one mechanism of how PRKD1 expression is increased and identify the binding sites for NF-κB in the PRKD1 promoter. Altogether, these results describe a novel mechanism governing PRKD1 gene expression in PDA and provide a functional link between oncogenic KRas, NF-κB and expression of PRKD1.
How do the strength and type of ENSO affect SST predictability in coupled models
Authors: Sohn Soo-Jin , Tam Chi-Yung , Jeong Hye-In 
Published: September 2016

AbstractThe effects of amplitude and type of the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on sea surface temperature (SST) predictability on a global scale were investigated, by examining historical climate forecasts for the period 1982–2006 from air-sea coupled seasonal prediction systems. Unlike in previous studies, SST predictability was evaluated in different phases of ENSO and for episodes with various strengths. Our results reveal that the seasonal mean Niño 3.4 index is well predicted in a multi-model ensemble (MME), even for four-month lead predictions. However, coupled models have particularly low skill in predicting the global SST pattern during weak ENSO events. During weak El Niño events, which are also El Niño Modoki in this period, a number of models fail to reproduce the associated tri-pole SST pattern over the tropical Pacific. During weak La Niña periods, SST signals in the MME tend to be less persistent than observations. Therefore, a good ENSO forecast does not guarantee a good SST prediction from a global perspective. The strength and type of ENSO need to be considered when inferring global SST and other climate impacts from model-predicted ENSO information.
Engineering new balancer chromosomes in C. elegans via CRISPR/Cas9
Authors: Iwata Satoru , Yoshina Sawako , Suehiro Yuji , Hori Sayaka , Mitani Shohei 
Published: September 2016

AbstractBalancer chromosomes are convenient tools used to maintain lethal mutations in heterozygotes. We established a method for engineering new balancers in C. elegans by using the CRISPR/Cas9 system in a non-homologous end-joining mutant. Our studies will make it easier for researchers to maintain lethal mutations and should provide a path for the development of a system that generates rearrangements at specific sites of interest to model and analyse the mechanisms of action of genes.
Neural substrates underlying delusions in schizophrenia
Authors: Zhu Jiajia , Zhuo Chuanjun , Liu Feng , Xu Lixue , Yu Chunshui 
Published: September 2016

AbstractDelusions are cardinal positive symptoms in schizophrenia; however, the neural substrates of delusions remain unknown. In the present study, we investigated the neural correlates of delusions in schizophrenia using multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) techniques. Diffusion, structural and perfusion MRIs were performed in 19 schizophrenia patients with severe delusions, 30 patients without delusions and 30 healthy controls. Fractional anisotropy (FA), gray matter volume (GMV) and cerebral blood flow (CBF) were voxel-wisely compared among the three groups. Although patients without delusions exhibited decreased FA in white matter regions and decreased GMV in gray matter regions relative to controls, patients with severe delusions demonstrated comparable FA in all of these white matter regions and similar GMV in most of these gray matter regions. Both patient subgroups had less GMV in the amygdala and anterior cingulate cortex than controls. Although two patient subgroups showed consistent CBF changes relative to controls, only CBF in the anterior cingulate cortex was lower in patients with severe delusions than in patients without delusions. These findings suggest that schizophrenia patients with severe delusions have relatively normal structural integrity. Importantly, the excessively reduced perfusion in the anterior cingulate cortex may be associated with the development of delusions in schizophrenia.