bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dynamic-template-directed multiscale assembly for large-area coating of highly-aligned conjugated polymer thin films
Authors: Mohammadi Erfan , Zhao Chuankai , Meng Yifei , Qu Ge , Zhang Fengjiao , Zhao Xikang , Mei Jianguo , Zuo Jian-Min , Shukla Diwakar , Diao Ying 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSolution processable semiconducting polymers have been under intense investigations due to their diverse applications from printed electronics to biomedical devices. However, controlling the macromolecular assembly across length scales during solution coating remains a key challenge, largely due to the disparity in timescales of polymer assembly and high-throughput printing/coating. Herein we propose the concept of dynamic templating to expedite polymer nucleation and the ensuing assembly process, inspired by biomineralization templates capable of surface reconfiguration. Molecular dynamic simulations reveal that surface reconfigurability is key to promoting template–polymer interactions, thereby lowering polymer nucleation barrier. Employing ionic-liquid-based dynamic template during meniscus-guided coating results in highly aligned, highly crystalline donor–acceptor polymer thin films over large area (>1 cm2) and promoted charge transport along both the polymer backbone and the π–π stacking direction in field-effect transistors. We further demonstrate that the charge transport anisotropy can be reversed by tuning the degree of polymer backbone alignment.
Potential increase in coastal wetland vulnerability to sea-level rise suggested by considering hydrodynamic attenuation effects
Authors: Rodríguez José F. , Saco Patricia M. , Sandi Steven , Saintilan Neil , Riccardi Gerardo 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe future of coastal wetlands and their ecological value depend on their capacity to adapt to the interacting effects of human impacts and sea-level rise. Even though extensive wetland loss due to submergence is a possible scenario, its magnitude is highly uncertain due to limited understanding of hydrodynamic and bio-geomorphic interactions over time. In particular, the effect of man-made drainage modifications on hydrodynamic attenuation and consequent wetland evolution is poorly understood. Predictions are further complicated by the presence of a number of vegetation types that change over time and also contribute to flow attenuation. Here, we show that flow attenuation affects wetland vegetation by modifying its wetting-drying regime and inundation depth, increasing its vulnerability to sea-level rise. Our simulations for an Australian subtropical wetland predict much faster wetland loss than commonly used models that do not consider flow attenuation.
Improved genome recovery and integrated cell-size analyses of individual uncultured microbial cells and viral particles
Authors: Stepanauskas Ramunas , Fergusson Elizabeth A. , Brown Joseph , Poulton Nicole J. , Tupper Ben , Labonté Jessica M. , Becraft Eric D. , Brown Julia M. , Pachiadaki Maria G. , Povilaitis Tadas , Thompson Brian P. , Mascena Corianna J. , Bellows Wendy K. , Lubys Arvydas 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMicrobial single-cell genomics can be used to provide insights into the metabolic potential, interactions, and evolution of uncultured microorganisms. Here we present WGA-X, a method based on multiple displacement amplification of DNA that utilizes a thermostable mutant of the phi29 polymerase. WGA-X enhances genome recovery from individual microbial cells and viral particles while maintaining ease of use and scalability. The greatest improvements are observed when amplifying high G+C content templates, such as those belonging to the predominant bacteria in agricultural soils. By integrating WGA-X with calibrated index-cell sorting and high-throughput genomic sequencing, we are able to analyze genomic sequences and cell sizes of hundreds of individual, uncultured bacteria, archaea, protists, and viral particles, obtained directly from marine and soil samples, in a single experiment. This approach may find diverse applications in microbiology and in biomedical and forensic studies of humans and other multicellular organisms.
Achieving ultrahigh triboelectric charge density for efficient energy harvesting
Authors: Wang Jie , Wu Changsheng , Dai Yejing , Zhao Zhihao , Wang Aurelia , Zhang Tiejun , Wang Zhong Lin 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWith its light weight, low cost and high efficiency even at low operation frequency, the triboelectric nanogenerator is considered a potential solution for self-powered sensor networks and large-scale renewable blue energy. As an energy harvester, its output power density and efficiency are dictated by the triboelectric charge density. Here we report a method for increasing the triboelectric charge density by coupling surface polarization from triboelectrification and hysteretic dielectric polarization from ferroelectric material in vacuum (P ~ 10−6 torr). Without the constraint of air breakdown, a triboelectric charge density of 1003 µC m−2, which is close to the limit of dielectric breakdown, is attained. Our findings establish an optimization methodology for triboelectric nanogenerators and enable their more promising usage in applications ranging from powering electronic devices to harvesting large-scale blue energy.
Glucose Deficiency Elevates Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 2a Expression and Increases Seizure Susceptibility in Temporal Lobe Epilepsy
Authors: Zhang Haitao , Gao Guodong , Zhang Yu , Sun Yang , Li Huanfa , Dong Shan , Ma Wei , Liu Bei , Wang Weiwen , Wu Hao , Zhang Hua 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBrain hypometabolism is a common epilepsy-related finding in both patients and animal models. Fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography studies have shown that recurrent seizures lead to reduced glucose metabolism in certain brain regions, but no studies have definitively determined whether this induces epileptogenesis. There is evidence that acid-sensing ion channel 2a (ASIC2a) affects epilepsy susceptibility. Transcription factor CP2 (TFCP2) regulates ASIC2a expression. We report that suppressed TFCP2 expression and elevated ASIC2a expression were associated with glucose hypometabolism in the hippocampi of humans with epilepsy and of rat epilepsy model brains. In cultured PC12 cells, we determined that glucose deficiency led to TFCP2 downregulating ASIC2a. Moreover, electrophysiological recordings from cultured rat hippocampal slices showed that ASIC2a overexpression resulted in more action potentials in CA1 pyramidal neurons and increased seizure susceptibility. Our findings suggest that hippocampal glucose hypometabolism elevates ASIC2a expression by suppressing TFCP2 expression, which further enhances the intrinsic excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons and increases seizure susceptibility in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy.
Pathways to clinical CLARITY: volumetric analysis of irregular, soft, and heterogeneous tissues in development and disease
Authors: Hsueh Brian , Burns Vanessa M. , Pauerstein Philip , Holzem Katherine , Ye Li , Engberg Kristin , Wang Ai-Chi , Gu Xueying , Chakravarthy Harini , Arda H. Efsun , Charville Gregory , Vogel Hannes , Efimov Igor R. , Kim Seung , Deisseroth Karl 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThree-dimensional tissue-structural relationships are not well captured by typical thin-section histology, posing challenges for the study of tissue physiology and pathology. Moreover, while recent progress has been made with intact methods for clearing, labeling, and imaging whole organs such as the mature brain, these approaches are generally unsuitable for soft, irregular, and heterogeneous tissues that account for the vast majority of clinical samples and biopsies. Here we develop a biphasic hydrogel methodology, which along with automated analysis, provides for high-throughput quantitative volumetric interrogation of spatially-irregular and friable tissue structures. We validate and apply this approach in the examination of a variety of developing and diseased tissues, with specific focus on the dynamics of normal and pathological pancreatic innervation and development, including in clinical samples. Quantitative advantages of the intact-tissue approach were demonstrated compared to conventional thin-section histology, pointing to broad applications in both research and clinical settings.
Morphology Transition Engineering of ZnO Nanorods to Nanoplatelets Grafted Mo8O23-MoO2 by Polyoxometalates: Mechanism and Possible Applicability to other Oxides
Authors: Abdelmohsen Ahmed H. , Rouby Waleed M. A. El , Ismail Nahla , Farghali Ahmed A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractA new fundamental mechanism for reliable engineering of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanorods to nanoplatelets grafted Mo8O23-MoO2mixed oxide with controlled morphology, composition and precise understanding of the nanoscale reaction mechanism was developed. These hybrid nanomaterials are gaining interest due to their potential use for energy, catalysis, biomedical and other applications. As an introductory section, we demonstrate a new expansion for the concept ‘materials engineering’ by discussing the fabrication of metal oxides nanostructures by bottom-up approach and carbon nanoparticles by top-down approach. Moreover, we propose a detailed mechanism for the novel phenomenon that was experienced by ZnO nanorods when treated with phosphomolybdic acid (PMA) under ultra-sonication stimulus. This approach is expected to be the basis of a competitive fabrication approach to 2D hybrid nanostructures. We will also discuss a proposed mechanism for the catalytic deposition of Mo8O23-MoO2mixed oxide over ZnO nanoplatelets. A series of selection rules (SRs) which applied to ZnO to experience morphology transition and constitute theory for morphology transition engineering (TMTE) will be demonstrated through the article, besides a brief discussion about possibility of other oxides to obey this theory.
Enhanced differential expression statistics for data-independent acquisition proteomics
Authors: Suomi Tomi , Elo Laura L. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe describe a new reproducibility-optimization method ROPECA for statistical analysis of proteomics data with a specific focus on the emerging data-independent acquisition (DIA) mass spectrometry technology. ROPECA optimizes the reproducibility of statistical testing on peptide-level and aggregates the peptide-level changes to determine differential protein-level expression. Using a ‘gold standard’ spike-in data and a hybrid proteome benchmark data we show the competitive performance of ROPECA over conventional protein-based analysis as well as state-of-the-art peptide-based tools especially in DIA data with consistent peptide measurements. Furthermore, we also demonstrate the improved accuracy of our method in clinical studies using proteomics data from a longitudinal human twin study.
Prediction of size-resolved number concentration of cloud condensation nuclei and long-term measurements of their activation characteristics
Authors: Che H. C. , Zhang X. Y. , Zhang L. , Wang Y. Q. , Zhang Y. M. , Shen X. J. , Ma Q. L. , Sun J. Y. , Zhong J. T. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAtmospheric aerosol particles acting as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) are key elements in the hydrological cycle and climate. To improve our understanding of the activation characteristics of CCN and to obtain accurate predictions of their concentrations, a long-term field campaign was carried out in the Yangtze River Delta, China. The results indicated that the CCN were easier to activate in this relatively polluted rural station than in clean (e.g., the Amazon region) or dusty (e.g., Kanpur-spring) locations, but were harder to activate than in more polluted urban areas (e.g., Beijing). An improved method, using two additional parameters—the maximum activation fraction and the degree of heterogeneity, is proposed to predict the accurate, size-resolved concentration of CCN. The value ranges and prediction uncertainties of these parameters were evaluated. The CCN predicted using this improved method with size-resolved chemical compositions under an assumption that all particles were internally mixed showed the best agreement with the long-term field measurements.
Co-expression network analysis of toxin-antitoxin loci in Mycobacterium tuberculosis reveals key modulators of cellular stress
Authors: Gupta Amita , Venkataraman Balaji , Vasudevan Madavan , Gopinath Bankar Kiran 
Published: July 2017

AbstractResearch on toxin-antitoxin loci (TA loci) is gaining impetus due to their ubiquitous presence in bacterial genomes and their observed roles in stress survival, persistence and drug tolerance. The present study investigates the expression profile of all the seventy-nine TA loci found in Mycobacterium tuberculosis. The bacterium was subjected to multiple stress conditions to identify key players of cellular stress response and elucidate a TA-coexpression network. This study provides direct experimental evidence for transcriptional activation of each of the seventy-nine TA loci following mycobacterial exposure to growth-limiting environments clearly establishing TA loci as stress-responsive modules in M. tuberculosis. TA locus activation was found to be stress-specific with multiple loci activated in a duration-based response to a particular stress. Conditions resulting in arrest of cellular translation led to greater up-regulation of TA genes suggesting that TA loci have a primary role in arresting translation in the cell. Our study identifed higBA2 and vapBC46 as key loci that were activated in all the conditions tested. Besides, relBE1, higBA3, vapBC35, vapBC22 and higBA1 were also upregulated in multpile stresses. Certain TA modules exhibited co-activation across multiple conditions suggestive of a common regulatory mechanism.
Dual functionality nanobioconjugates targeting intracellular bacteria in cancer cells with enhanced antimicrobial activity
Authors: Singh Rohini , Patil Smita , Singh Neetu , Gupta Shalini 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBacterial drug resistance has emerged as a serious global threat mandating the development of novel methodologies that allow facile modulation of antimicrobial action in a controlled fashion. Conjugating antibiotics to nanoparticles helps to meet this goal by increasing the drug’s overall avidity, bioavailability and easier internalisation into mammalian cells, targeting bacteria that otherwise escape antibacterial action by host cell-localisation. We used polymyxin B sulfate (PMB) and sushi peptide as model drugs against Gram-negative bacteria and established their enhanced antimicrobial activity onEscherichia coli(E. coli)cells after conjugation to gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The efficacy of the bioconjugates was also tested onSalmonella typhi (S. typhi)bacteria infected into cervical cancer cells (HeLa) and further improved through specific targeting via folate receptors. Our results demonstrate significantly lower inhibitory concentration values for sushi-NP assemblies as compared to free drug, especially at optimal drug loading levels. No major cytotoxicity was observed in mammalian cells alone.
Phycocyanin attenuates pulmonary fibrosis via the TLR2-MyD88-NF-κB signaling pathway
Authors: Li Chengcheng , Yu Yan , Li Wenjun , Liu Bo , Jiao Xudong , Song Xinyu , Lv Changjun , Qin Song 
Published: July 2017

AbstractOur aim was to investigate the effects of phycocyanin (PC) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis (PF). In this study, C57 BL/6 wild-type (WT) mice and toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 deficient mice were treated with PC for 28 days following BLM exposure. Serum and lung tissues were collected on days 3, 7 and 28. Data shows PC significantly decreased the levels of hydroxyproline (HYP), vimentin, surfactant-associated protein C (SP-C), fibroblast specific protein-1 (S100A4) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) but dramatically increased E-cadherin and podoplanin (PDPN) expression on day 28. Moreover, PC greatly decreased the levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) at the earlier time. Reduced expression of key genes in the TLR2 pathway was also detected. Compared with WT mice, TLR2-deficient mice exhibited less injury, and the protective effect of PC was partly diminished in this background. These data indicate the anti-fibrotic effects of PC may be mediated by reducing W/D ratio, MPO, IL-6, TNF-α, protecting type I alveolar epithelial cells, inhibiting fibroblast proliferation, attenuating epithelial-mesenchymal transitions (EMT) and reducing oxidative stress. The TLR2-MyD88-NF-κB pathway plays an important role in PC-mediated reduction in pulmonary fibrosis.
Mammographic density, blood telomere length and lipid peroxidation
Authors: Erdmann Natalie J. , Harrington Lea A. , Martin Lisa J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractExtensive mammographic density is a strong risk factor for breast cancer, but may also be an indicator of biological age. In this study we examined whether mammographic density is related to blood telomere length, a potential marker of susceptibility to age-related disease. We measured mammographic density by a computer assisted method and blood telomere length using a validated PCR method. Urinary malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation, was measured in 24 hour urine collections. In the 342 women examined telomere length was negatively correlated with age, was lower in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal women and in smokers compared to non-smokers, and was positively correlated with urinary MDA. Telomere length was not associated with percent mammographic density or dense area, before or after adjustment for risk factors and MDA. However, there was a significant interaction between telomere length and MDA in their association with mammographic density. At lower levels of MDA, mammographic density and telomere length were inversely associated; while at high levels of MDA, there was evidence of a J-shaped association between mammographic density and telomere length. Further work is need to replicate these results and to examine the association of mammographic density with age-related chronic disease and mortality.
Investigation of pyrophosphate versus ATP substrate selection in the Entamoeba histolytica acetate kinase
Authors: Dang Thanh , Ingram-Smith Cheryl 
Published: July 2017

AbstractAcetate kinase (ACK; E.C. 2.7.2.1), which catalyzes the interconversion of acetate and acetyl phosphate, is nearly ubiquitous in bacteria but is present only in one genus of archaea and certain eukaryotic microbes. All ACKs utilize ATP/ADP as the phosphoryl donor/acceptor in the respective directions of the reaction (acetate + ATP $${\boldsymbol{\leftrightarrows }}$$
⇆
acetyl phosphate + ADP), with the exception of the Entamoeba histolytica ACK (EhACK) which uses pyrophosphate (PPi)/inorganic phosphate (Pi) (acetyl phosphate + Pi
$${\boldsymbol{\leftrightarrows }}$$
⇆
acetate + PPi). Structural analysis and modeling of EhACK indicated steric hindrance by active site residues constricts entry to the adenosine pocket as compared to ATP-utilizing Methanosarcina thermophila ACK (MtACK). Reciprocal alterations were made to enlarge the adenosine pocket of EhACK and reduce that of MtACK. The EhACK variants showed a step-wise increase in ADP and ATP binding but were still unable to use these as substrates, and enzymatic activity with Pi/PPi was negatively impacted. Consistent with this, ATP utilization by MtACK variants was negatively affected but the alterations were not sufficient to convert this enzyme to Pi/PPi utilization. Our results suggest that controlling access to the adenosine pocket can contribute to substrate specificity but is not the sole determinant.
Surface chemistry and germination improvement of Quinoa seeds subjected to plasma activation
Authors: Gómez-Ramírez A. , López-Santos C. , Cantos M. , García J. L. , Molina R. , Cotrino J. , Espinós J. P. , González-Elipe A. R. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractPlasma treatment is recognized as a suitable technology to improve germination efficiency of numerous seeds. In this work Quinoa seeds have been subjected to air plasma treatments both at atmospheric and low pressure and improvements found in germination rate and percentage of success. Seed water uptake by exposure to water vapor, although slightly greater for plasma treated seeds, did not justify the observed germination improvement. To identify other possible factors contributing to germination, the chemical changes experienced by outer parts of the seed upon plasma exposure have been investigated by X-ray photoemission spectroscopy (XPS) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM-EDX). XPS revealed that the outer layers of the Quinoa plasma treated seeds were highly oxidized and appeared enriched in potassium ions and adsorbed nitrate species. Simultaneously, SEM-EDX showed that the enrichment in potassium and other mineral elements extended to the seed pericarp and closer zones. The disappearance from the surface of both potassium ions and nitrate species upon exposure of the plasma treated seeds to water vapor is proposed as a factor favoring germination. The use of XPS to study chemical changes at seed surfaces induced by plasma treatments is deemed very important to unravel the mechanisms contributing to germination improvement.
The effect of metformin on survival of patients with pancreatic cancer: a meta-analysis
Authors: Li Xiaogang , Li Tong , Liu Zhiqiang , Gou Shanmiao , Wang Chunyou 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe conducted a meta-analysis to analyse the effect of metformin on survival of pancreatic cancer patients at various stages. We performed a systematic search of PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science to identify all relevant studies. Summary hazard ratios (HR) of survival and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) were calculated with a fixed or random effects model according to inter-study heterogeneity. Nine retrospective cohort studies and two randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were eligible. There was a significant improvement in survival (HR = 0.86, 95% CI 0.76–0.97; P < 0.05) in the metformin group compared with control. Subgroup analysis indicated that metformin improved survival in patients with resection (HR = 0.79, 95% CI 0.69–0.91; P < 0.05) and patients with locally advanced tumors (HR = 0.68, 95% CI 0.55–0.84; P < 0.05) but not in patients with metastatic tumors, even when RCT data were included (HR = 0.99, 95% CI 0.70–1.40; P > 0.05), or were excluded (HR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.61–1.31; P > 0.05). This meta-analysis indicated that the effect of metformin does correlate with tumor stage but should be prudently considered given the limited and variable studies performed to data.