bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Construction of 3D Skeleton for Polymer Composites Achieving a High Thermal Conductivity
Authors: Yao Yimin , Sun Jiajia , Zeng Xiaoliang , Sun Rong , Xu Jian‐Bin , Wong Ching‐Ping 
Published: February 2018

AbstractOwing to the growing heat removal issue in modern electronic devices, electrically insulating polymer composites with high thermal conductivity have drawn much attention during the past decade. However, the conventional method to improve through‐plane thermal conductivity of these polymer composites usually yields an undesired value (below 3.0 Wm−1 K−1). Here, construction of a 3D phonon skeleton is reported composed of stacked boron nitride (BN) platelets reinforced with reduced graphene oxide (rGO) for epoxy composites by the combination of ice‐templated and infiltrating methods. At a low filler loading of 13.16 vol%, the resulting 3D BN‐rGO/epoxy composites exhibit an ultrahigh through‐plane thermal conductivity of 5.05 Wm−1 K−1 as the best thermal‐conduction performance reported so far for BN sheet‐based composites. Theoretical models qualitatively demonstrate that this enhancement results from the formation of phonon‐matching 3D BN‐rGO networks, leading to high rates of phonon transport. The strong potential application for thermal management has been demonstrated by the surface temperature variations of the composites with time during heating and cooling.
Morphology Characterization of Bulk Heterojunction Solar Cells
Authors: Song Jingnan , Zhang Ming , Yuan Meng , Qian Yuhao , Sun Yanming , Liu Feng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractRevealing the nanostructure of bulk‐heterojunction (BHJ) photovoltaic blends is a critical task in the field of organic photovoltaics. The complicated morphology, ranging from binary blends to ternary mixtures, shows quite varied structural details that need to be fully characterized in terms of correlating them with device performance. The nonequilibrium nature of the BHJ thin‐film morphology makes the structure optimization difficult, and fundamental principles that relate to chemical structure, processing methods, and device performances have not yet been fully understood. On the other hand, various high‐powered techniques ranging from in‐house instrumentation to synchrotron techniques have been applied to this tremendously difficult research topic. More structural details, including length scale of phase separation, structural ordering, chain/molecular orientation, surface topology, etc., can be obtained in a quantitative manner, which finally allows the structure–property relationships to be determined. Here, the most important characterization techniques in understanding the morphology of BHJ solar cells are summarized, targeting chemists and materials scientists.
Hydropower and high productivity in the Hanford Reach: A synthesis of how flow management may benefit fall Chinook Salmon in the Columbia River, USA
Authors: Langshaw Russell B. , Graf Peter J. , Pearsons Todd N. 
Published: February 2018

The fall Chinook Salmon (Oncorhynchus tshawytscha) population that spawns in the Hanford Reach of the Columbia River, USA is paradoxical because it is located above 4 and below 10 main stem Columbia River dams and yet is one of the largest and most productive C. salmon populations in the Pacific Northwest. A synthesis of information collected in the Hanford Reach reveals that the hydrosystem above the Hanford Reach and the management of river flows may have contributed to the recent size and productivity of this salmon population. Mechanisms for high survival and capacity at each freshwater life stage have been identified. Plausible mechanisms for contributing to high spawning capacity include: (a) more spawning habitat available during the spawning period. Plausible mechanisms for high egg‐to‐presmolt survival include: (a) reduced desiccation of redds, (b) reduced scour of redds, (c) reduced sedimentation in redds, (d) improved flow exchange within redds, and (e) increased food availability. Smolt survival may also be enhanced through the large size they attain in the Hanford Reach. This synthesis of information provides an uncommon assessment of some the positive effects of flow management from hydropower dams on a valued native fish that has occurred over the last three decades. WIREs Water 2018, 5:e1275. doi: 10.1002/wat2.1275This article is categorized under:

Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems
Water and Life > Conservation, Management, and Awareness
Silk nanofibril self‐assembly versus electrospinning
Authors: Humenik Martin , Lang Gregor , Scheibel Thomas 
Published: February 2018

Natural silk fibers represent one of the most advanced blueprints for (bio)polymer scientists, displaying highly optimized mechanical properties due to their hierarchical structures. Biotechnological production of silk proteins and implementation of advanced processing methods enabled harnessing the potential of these biopolymer not just based on the mechanical properties. In addition to fibers, diverse morphologies can be produced, such as nonwoven meshes, films, hydrogels, foams, capsules and particles. Among them, nanoscale fibrils and fibers are particularly interesting concerning medical and technical applications due to their biocompatibility, environmental and mechanical robustness as well as high surface‐to‐volume ratio. Therefore, we introduce here self‐assembly of silk proteins into hierarchically organized structures such as supramolecular nanofibrils and fabricated materials based thereon. As an alternative to self‐assembly, we also present electrospinning a technique to produce nanofibers and nanofibrous mats. Accordingly, we introduce a broad range of silk‐based dopes, used in self‐assembly and electrospinning: natural silk proteins originating from natural spinning glands, natural silk protein solutions reconstituted from fibers, engineered recombinant silk proteins designed from natural blueprints, genetic fusions of recombinant silk proteins with other structural or functional peptides and moieties, as well as hybrids of recombinant silk proteins chemically conjugated with nonproteinaceous biotic or abiotic molecules. We highlight the advantages but also point out drawbacks of each particular production route. The scope includes studies of the natural self‐assembly mechanism during natural silk spinning, production of silk fibrils as new nanostructured non‐native scaffolds allowing dynamic morphological switches, as well as studying potential applications.This article is categorized under:
Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Peptide‐Based Structures
Nanotechnology Approaches to Biology > Nanoscale Systems in Biology
Biology‐Inspired Nanomaterials > Protein and Virus‐Based Structures
High-level recombinant production of squalene using selectedSaccharomyces cerevisiaestrains
Authors: Han Jong Yun , Seo Sung Hwa , Song Jae Myeong , Lee Hongweon , Choi Eui-Sung 
Published: February 2018

AbstractFor recombinant production of squalene, which is a triterpenoid compound with increasing industrial applications, in microorganisms generally recognized as safe, we screened Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains to determine their suitability. A strong strain dependence was observed in squalene productivity among Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains upon overexpression of genes important for isoprenoid biosynthesis. In particular, a high level of squalene production (400 ± 45 mg/L) was obtained in shake flasks with the Y2805 strain overexpressing genes encoding a bacterial farnesyl diphosphate synthase (ispA) and a truncated form of hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (tHMG1). Partial inhibition of squalene epoxidase by terbinafine further increased squalene production by up to 1.9-fold (756 ± 36 mg/L). Furthermore, squalene production of 2011 ± 75 or 1026 ± 37 mg/L was obtained from 5-L fed-batch fermentations in the presence or absence of terbinafine supplementation, respectively. These results suggest that the Y2805 strain has potential as a new alternative source of squalene production.
Climate change as a possible driver of invasion and differential in HSP70 expression in two genetically distinct populations of the invasive killer shrimp, Dikerogammarus villosus
Authors: Hupało Kamil , Riss H. Wolfgang , Grabowski Michał , Thiel Jacqueline , Bącela-Spychalska Karolina , Meyer Elizabeth I. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractGlobal climate change is known to affect physiological processes in charge of cellular stress response. That often results in forcing many organisms to shift their biogeographic distribution ranges. It also holds true for euryoecious and highly invasive species like the killer shrimp,Dikerogammarus villosus.In this study we compare the level of response to thermal stress in two genetically diversified populations of the amphipodD. villosuson the cellular level, namely HSP70 expression. The results show clear difference in HSP70 expression, that can be a direct consequence of the different climatic conditions both populations faced along their invasion routes. We conclude that the eastern population ofD. villosusis more sensitive to thermal stress than the western population, hence its invasion potential may be lower than that of the latter. Considering the thermal tolerance of both populations and global warming, we can make some predictions about further spread ofD. villosus, including the possibility of an emergence of the super-invader that may arise after cross-breeding of both populations, imposing even larger threat to the freshwater ecosystems.
An Innovative Approach to Sex Trafficking Research: The Methodological Advancement of Attride-Stirling’s Thematic Network Analysis
Authors: Mano Avekadavie Parasramsingh 
Published: February 2018

AbstractResearch into sex trafficking is considerably lacking despite its increasing global relevance. The trafficking in human beings has been documented within the literature as a form of modern-day slavery. It is commonly described as a form of organized crime that is highly profitable, involving the active participation of corrupt officials, politicians, financial institutions and criminal networks that facilitate document forgery, illegal border crossings, money laundering and the return of escaped victims. This paper discusses the thematic network analysis of recently collected qualitative data on sex trafficking in Belize. Jennifer Attride-Stirling’s (2001) thematic network analysis was applied to data gathered from face-to-face, semi-structured interviews with four distinct groups within the sex industry: sex traffickers, sex workers, clients and knowledgeable locally based officials Given the expansive nature of this research, thematic network analysis has been advanced to accommodate the specificities of each group, creating what has been termed here as asupra-global theme. This innovative approach facilitates the emergence of a deeper, more pertinent understanding of the intrinsic realities characteristic of Belize’s sex industry and may be applied to similar multi-group research.
fastPACE Train-the-Trainer: A scalable new educational program to accelerate training in biomedical innovation, entrepreneurship, and commercialization
Authors: Servoss Jonathan , Chang Connie , Fay Jonathan , Lota Kanchan Sehgal , Mashour George A. , Ward Kevin R. 
Published: February 2018

IntroductionThe Institute of Medicine recommended the advance of innovation and entrepreneurship training programs within the Clinical & Translational Science Award (CTSA) program; however, there remains a gap in adoption by CTSA institutes. The University of Michigan’s Michigan Institute for Clinical & Health Research and Fast Forward Medical Innovation (FFMI) partnered to develop a pilot program designed to teach CTSA hubs how to implement innovation and entrepreneurship programs at their home institutions.Materials and methodsThe program provided a 2-day onsite training experience combined with observation of an ongoing course focused on providing biomedical innovation, commercialization and entrepreneurial training to a medical academician audience (FFMI fastPACE).ResultsAll 9 participating CTSA institutes reported a greater connection to biomedical research commercialization resources. Six launched their own version of the FFMI fastPACE course or modified existing programs. Two reported greater collaboration with their technology transfer offices.ConclusionThe FFMI fastPACE course and training program may be suitable for CTSA hubs looking to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship within their institutions and across their innovation ecosystems.
Building collaborative capacity: supporting tribal agriculture and natural resources in a changing climate
Authors: Reyes Julian J , Wiener John D. , Doan-Crider Diana , Novak Rachael 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA working group was held during the 2017 National Adaptation Forum to build collaborative capacity on issues related to Tribal agriculture and natural resource management in a changing climate. We developed three synthetic themes from these discussions and dialogue to highlight on-going opportunities, but also demonstrate areas for continued engagement with Tribes related to effective agricultural and natural resource management. We hope this forum demonstrates the critical importance of partnerships, and motivates further coordination and collaboration among Tribes, universities and Federal agencies.
Targeted inhibition of Hedgehog-GLI signaling by novel acylguanidine derivatives inhibits melanoma cell growth by inducing replication stress and mitotic catastrophe
Authors: Pietrobono Silvia , Santini Roberta , Gagliardi Sinforosa , Dapporto Francesca , Colecchia David , Chiariello Mario , Leone Cosima , Valoti Massimo , Manetti Fabrizio , Petricci Elena , Taddei Maurizio , Stecca Barbara 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAberrant activation of the Hedgehog (HH) signaling is a critical driver in tumorigenesis. The Smoothened (SMO) receptor is one of the major upstream transducers of the HH pathway and a target for the development of anticancer agents. The SMO inhibitor Vismodegib (GDC-0449/Erivedge) has been approved for treatment of basal cell carcinoma. However, the emergence of resistance during Vismodegib treatment and the occurrence of numerous side effects limit its use. Our group has recently discovered and developed novel and potent SMO inhibitors based on acylguanidine or acylthiourea scaffolds. Here, we show that the two acylguanidine analogs, compound (1) and its novel fluoride derivative (2), strongly reduce growth and self-renewal of melanoma cells, inhibiting the level of the HH signaling target GLI1 in a dose-dependent manner. Both compounds induce apoptosis and DNA damage through the ATR/CHK1 axis. Mechanistically, they prevent G2 to M cell cycle transition, and induce signs of mitotic aberrations ultimately leading to mitotic catastrophe. In a melanoma xenograft mouse model, systemic treatment with 1 produced a remarkable inhibition of tumor growth without body weight loss in mice. Our data highlight a novel route for cell death induction by SMO inhibitors and support their use in therapeutic approaches for melanoma and, possibly, other types of cancer with active HH signaling.
Game-changing restraint of Ros-damaged phenylalanine, upon tumor metastasis
Authors: Gueron Geraldine , Anselmino Nicolás , Chiarella Paula , Ortiz Emiliano G. , Lage Vickers Sofia , Paez Alejandra V. , Giudice Jimena , Contin Mario D. , Leonardi Daiana , Jaworski Felipe , Manzano Verónica , Strazza Ariel , Montagna Daniela R. , Labanca Estefania , Cotignola Javier , D´Accorso Norma , Woloszynska-Read Anna , Navone Nora , Meiss Roberto P. , Ruggiero Raúl , Vazquez Elba 
Published: February 2018

AbstractAn abrupt increase in metastatic growth as a consequence of the removal of primary tumors suggests that the concomitant resistance (CR) phenomenon might occur in human cancer. CR occurs in murine tumors and ROS-damaged phenylalanine, meta-tyrosine (m-Tyr), was proposed as the serum anti-tumor factor primarily responsible for CR. Herein, we demonstrate for the first time that CR happens in different experimental human solid tumors (prostate, lung anaplastic, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma). Moreover, m-Tyr was detected in the serum of mice bearing prostate cancer (PCa) xenografts. Primary tumor growth was inhibited in animals injected with m-Tyr. Further, the CR phenomenon was reversed when secondary implants were injected into mice with phenylalanine (Phe), a protective amino acid highly present in primary tumors. PCa cells exposed to m-Tyr in vitro showed reduced cell viability, downregulated NFκB/STAT3/Notch axis, and induced autophagy; effects reversed by Phe. Strikingly, m-Tyr administration also impaired both, spontaneous metastasis derived from murine mammary carcinomas (4T1, C7HI, and LMM3) and PCa experimental metastases. Altogether, our findings propose m-Tyr delivery as a novel approach to boost the therapeutic efficacy of the current treatment for metastasis preventing the escape from tumor dormancy.
RAP80 is an independent prognosis biomarker for the outcome of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Yang Qingyuan , Lin Wanrun , Liu Zhiwei , Zhu Jiabei , Huang Nan , Cui Zhongqi , Han Zeping , Pan Qiuhui , Goel Ajay , Sun Fenyong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEsophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most popular pathology of esophageal cancer (EC) in China, especially in Henan province, mid-east of China. Presently, targeting DNA damage repair (DDR) factors is a promising approach for cancer therapy. Our group has been focusing on exploring the DDR factors overexpressed in ESCC tissues to provide potential targets for therapies for many years. RAP80/UIMC1 (ubiquitin interaction motif containing 1), one of those DDR factors we tested, was highly overexpressed in ESCC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues. Moreover, the RAP80 mRNA level was validated to be an independent prognosis biomarker for the overall survival time of ESCC patients. The following biological assays revealed that it promoted cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo, inhibited cell apoptosis at both early and late stages, and participated in G2/M checkpoint regulation. Even though studies have reported that ATM phosphorylates RAP80 at different serine sites upon DNA damage, the reversal regulation of RAP80 on the activity of ATM has never been investigated. In the study, mechanism explorations revealed that RAP80 positively regulated the ATM activity via proteasome–ubiquitination pathway to promote the transition of G2/M phase in cell cycle. By examining a number of E3 ubiquitination ligases (Ub) and deubiquitination (DUb) enzymes, we found that RAP80 positively regulated the stability of USP13 to promote cell proliferation of EC cells. Moreover, inhibition of RAP80 greatly sensitized EC cells to ATM inhibitor KU-55933, triggering a potential combination of RAP80 inhibitors and ATM inhibitors to enhance the therapeutic efficiency of ESCC patients for the clinicians.
The MiR-135b–BMAL1–YY1 loop disturbs pancreatic clockwork to promote tumourigenesis and chemoresistance
Authors: Jiang Weiliang , Zhao Senlin , Shen Jia , Guo Lihong , Sun Yi , Zhu Yuntian , Ma Zhixiong , Zhang Xin , Hu Yangyang , Xiao Wenqin , Li Kai , Li Sisi , Zhou Li , Huang Li , Lu Zhanjun , Feng Yun , Xiao Junhua , Zhang Eric Erquan , Yang Lijuan , Wan Rong 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCircadian disruption has been implicated in tumour development, but the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that the molecular clockwork within malignant human pancreatic epithelium is disrupted and that this disruption is mediated by miR-135b-induced BMAL1 repression. miR-135b directly targets the BMAL1 3′-UTR and thereby disturbs the pancreatic oscillator, and the downregulation of miR-135b is essential for the realignment of the cellular clock. Asynchrony between miR-135b and BMAL1 expression impairs the local circadian gating control of tumour suppression and significantly promotes tumourigenesis and resistance to gemcitabine in pancreatic cancer (PC) cells, as demonstrated by bioinformatics analyses of public PC data sets and in vitro and in vivo functional studies. Moreover, we found that YY1 transcriptionally activated miR-135b and formed a ‘miR-135b–BMAL1–YY1’ loop, which holds significant predictive and prognostic value for patients with PC. Thus, our work has identified a novel signalling loop that mediates pancreatic clock disruption as an important mechanism of PC progression and chemoresistance.
Cooperation between Hsp90 and mortalin/GRP75 in resistance to cell death induced by complement C5b-9
Authors: Rozenberg Perri , Ziporen Lea , Gancz Dana , Saar-Ray Moran , Fishelson Zvi 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCancer cells are commonly more resistant to cell death activated by the membranolytic protein complex C5b-9. Several surface-expressed and intracellular proteins that protect cells from complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC) have been identified. In this study, we investigated the function of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90), an essential and ubiquitously expressed chaperone, overexpressed in cancer cells, in C5b-9-induced cell death. As shown, inhibition of Hsp90 with geldanamycin or radicicol is enhancing sensitivity of K562 erythroleukemia cells to CDC. Similarly, Hsp90 inhibition confers in Ramos B cell lymphoma cells elevated sensitivity to treatment with rituximab and complement. C5b-9 deposition is elevated on geldanamycin-treated cells. Purified Hsp90 binds directly to C9 and inhibits zinc-induced C9 polymerization, indicating that Hsp90 may act directly on the C5b-9 complex. Mortalin, also known as stress protein 70 or GRP75, is a mitochondrial chaperone that confers resistance to CDC. The postulated cooperation between Hsp90 and mortalin in protection from CDC was tested. Geldanamycin failed to sensitize toward CDC cells with knocked down mortalin. Direct binding of Hsp90 to mortalin was shown by co-immunoprecipitation in cell extracts after triggering with complement as well as by using purified recombinant proteins. These results provide an insight into the protective mechanisms utilized by cancer cells to evade CDC. They suggest that Hsp90 protects cells from CDC by inhibiting, together with mortalin, C5b-9 assembly and/or stability at the plasma membrane.
Human immunodeficiency virus Tat impairs mitochondrial fission in neurons
Authors: Rozzi Summer J. , Avdoshina Valeria , Fields Jerel A. , Mocchetti Italo 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHuman immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV) infection of the central nervous system promotes neuronal injury that culminates in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders. Viral proteins, including transactivator of transcription (Tat), have emerged as leading candidates to explain HIV-mediated neurotoxicity, though the mechanisms remain unclear. Tat transgenic mice or neurons exposed to Tat, which show neuronal loss, exhibit smaller mitochondria as compared to controls. To provide an experimental clue as to which mechanisms are used by Tat to promote changes in mitochondrial morphology, rat cortical neurons were exposed to Tat (100 nM) for various time points. Within 30 min, Tat caused a significant reduction in mitochondrial membrane potential, a process that is regulated by fusion and fission. To further assess whether Tat changes these processes, fission and fusion proteins dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and mitofusin-2 (Mfn2), respectively, were measured. We found that Drp1 levels increased beginning at 2 h after Tat exposure while Mfn2 remained unchanged. Moreover, increased levels of an active form of Drp1 were found to be present following Tat exposure. Furthermore, Drp1 and calcineurin inhibitors prevented Tat-mediated effects on mitochondria size. These findings indicate that mitochondrial fission is likely the leading factor in Tat-mediated alterations to mitochondrial morphology. This disruption in mitochondria homeostasis may contribute to the instability of the organelle and ultimately neuronal cell death following Tat exposure.