bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
HDAC3 inhibition ameliorates spinal cord injury by immunomodulation
Authors: Kuboyama Tomoharu , Wahane Shalaka , Huang Yong , Zhou Xiang , Wong Jamie K. , Koemeter-Cox Andrew , Martini Michael , Friedel Roland H. , Zou Hongyan 
Published: August 2017

AbstractFollowing spinal cord injury (SCI), the innate immune response of microglia and infiltrating macrophages clears up cellular debris and promotes tissue repair, but it also inflicts secondary injury from inflammatory responses. Immunomodulation aimed at maximizing the beneficial effects while minimizing the detrimental roles of the innate immunity may aid functional recovery after SCI. However, intracellular drivers of global reprogramming of the inflammatory gene networks in the innate immune cells are poorly understood. Here we show that SCI resulted in an upregulation of histone deacetylase 3 (HDAC3) in the innate immune cells at the injury site. Remarkably, blocking HDAC3 with a selective small molecule inhibitor shifted microglia/macrophage responses towards inflammatory suppression, resulting in neuroprotective phenotypes and improved functional recovery in SCI model. Mechanistically, HDAC3 activity is largely responsible for histone deacetylation and inflammatory responses of primary microglia to classic inflammatory stimuli. Our results reveal a novel function of HDAC3 inhibitor in promoting functional recovery after SCI by dampening inflammatory cytokines, thus pointing towards a new direction of immunomodulation for SCI repair.
Mechanism of transformation in Mycobacteria using a novel shockwave assisted technique driven by in-situ generated oxyhydrogen
Authors: Datey Akshay , Subburaj Janardhanraj , Gopalan Jagadeesh , Chakravortty Dipshikha 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe present a novel method for shockwave-assisted bacterial transformation using a miniature oxyhydrogen detonation-driven shock tube. We have obtained transformation efficiencies of about 1.28 × 106, 1.7 × 106, 5 × 106, 1 × 105, 1 × 105 and 2 × 105 transformants/µg of DNA for Escherichia coli, Salmonella Typhimurum, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Mycobacterium smegmatis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and Helicobacter pylori respectively using this method which are significantly higher than those obtained using conventional methods. Mtb is the most difficult bacteria to be transformed and hence their genetic modification is hampered due to their poor transformation efficiency. Experimental results show that longer steady time duration of the shockwave results in higher transformation efficiencies. Measurements of Young’s modulus and rigidity of cell wall give a good understanding of the transformation mechanism and these results have been validated computationally. We describe the development of a novel shockwave device for efficient bacterial transformation in complex bacteria along with experimental evidence for understanding the transformation mechanism.
Spag6 Mutant Mice Have Defects in Development and Function of Spiral Ganglion Neurons, Apoptosis, and Higher Sensitivity to Paclitaxel
Authors: Li Xiaofei , Xu Lei , Sun Gaoying , Wu Xianmin , Bai Xiaohui , Li Jianfeng , Strauss Jerome F. , Zhang Zhibing , Wang Haibo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractMammalian Sperm Associated Antigen 6 (SPAG6) is the orthologue of Chlamydomonas PF16, a protein localized in the axoneme central apparatus. Recent studies showed that Spag6 has a role in brain neuronal proliferation and differentiation. The mammalian spiral ganglion neurons (SGNs) are specialzed bipolar neurons in the inner ear. However, the role of SPAG6 in SGN has not been elucidated. Therefore, We hypothesized that a Spag6 knockout would affect the development and function of SGNs. We utilized Spag6-deficient mice and SGN explants to define the role of SPAG6. On postnatal day 30 (P30) mutant mice had lower SGN density compared to their wild-type littermates, and more apoptosis was evident in the mutants. Increased Bax expression, a disturbed distribution of cytochrome c, and cleaved caspase-3 positive staining indicated that increased apoptosis involved a mitochondrial pathway. Transmission electron microscopy revealed abnormalities in the ultrastructure of mutant SGNs as early as P7. In vitro, lack of SPAG6 affected the growth of neurites and growth cones. Additionally, SPAG6 deficiency decreased synapse density in SGN explants. Finally, Spag6 mutant SGNs were more sensitive to the microtubule stabilizing agent, paclitaxel. These findings suggest that Spag6 plays a crucial role in SGN development and function.
An Optimal Mean Based Block Robust Feature Extraction Method to Identify Colorectal Cancer Genes with Integrated Data
Authors: Liu Jian , Cheng Yuhu , Wang Xuesong , Zhang Lin , Liu Hui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIt is urgent to diagnose colorectal cancer in the early stage. Some feature genes which are important to colorectal cancer development have been identified. However, for the early stage of colorectal cancer, less is known about the identity of specific cancer genes that are associated with advanced clinical stage. In this paper, we conducted a feature extraction method named Optimal Mean based Block Robust Feature Extraction method (OMBRFE) to identify feature genes associated with advanced colorectal cancer in clinical stage by using the integrated colorectal cancer data. Firstly, based on the optimal mean and L2,1-norm, a novel feature extraction method called Optimal Mean based Robust Feature Extraction method (OMRFE) is proposed to identify feature genes. Then the OMBRFE method which introduces the block ideology into OMRFE method is put forward to process the colorectal cancer integrated data which includes multiple genomic data: copy number alterations, somatic mutations, methylation expression alteration, as well as gene expression changes. Experimental results demonstrate that the OMBRFE is more effective than previous methods in identifying the feature genes. Moreover, genes identified by OMBRFE are verified to be closely associated with advanced colorectal cancer in clinical stage.
Zeb2 is a negative regulator of midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation
Authors: Hegarty Shane V. , Wyatt Sean L. , Howard Laura , Stappers Elke , Huylebroeck Danny , Sullivan Aideen M. , O’Keeffe Gerard W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNeural connectivity requires neuronal differentiation, axon growth, and precise target innervation. Midbrain dopaminergic neurons project via the nigrostriatal pathway to the striatum to regulate voluntary movement. While the specification and differentiation of these neurons have been extensively studied, the molecular mechanisms that regulate midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation are less clear. Here we show that the transcription factor Zeb2 cell-autonomously represses Smad signalling to limit midbrain dopaminergic axon growth and target innervation. Zeb2 levels are downregulated in the embryonic rodent midbrain during the period of dopaminergic axon growth, when BMP pathway components are upregulated. Experimental knockdown of Zeb2 leads to an increase in BMP-Smad-dependent axon growth. Consequently there is dopaminergic hyperinnervation of the striatum, without an increase in the numbers of midbrain dopaminergic neurons, in conditional Zeb2 (Nestin-Cre based) knockout mice. Therefore, these findings reveal a new mechanism for the regulation of midbrain dopaminergic axon growth during central nervous system development.
The investigation of stress in freestanding GaN crystals grown from Si substrates by HVPE
Authors: Lee Moonsang , Mikulik Dmitry , Yang Mino , Park Sungsoo 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe investigate the stress evolution of 400 µm-thick freestanding GaN crystals grown from Si substrates by hydride vapour phase epitaxy (HVPE) and the in situ removal of Si substrates. The stress generated in growing GaN can be tuned by varying the thickness of the MOCVD AlGaN/AlN buffer layers. Micro Raman analysis shows the presence of slight tensile stress in the freestanding GaN crystals and no stress accumulation in HVPE GaN layers during the growth. Additionally, it is demonstrated that the residual tensile stress in HVPE GaN is caused only by elastic stress arising from the crystal quality difference between Ga- and N-face GaN. TEM analysis revealed that the dislocations in freestanding GaN crystals have high inclination angles that are attributed to the stress relaxation of the crystals. We believe that the understanding and characterization on the structural properties of the freestanding GaN crystals will help us to use these crystals for high-performance opto-electronic devices.
Insights into the role of endonuclease V in RNA metabolism in Trypanosoma brucei
Authors: García-Caballero Daniel , Pérez-Moreno Guiomar , Estévez Antonio M. , Ruíz-Pérez Luis Miguel , Vidal Antonio E. , González-Pacanowska Dolores 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInosine may arise in DNA as a result of oxidative deamination of adenine or misincorporation of deoxyinosine triphosphate during replication. On the other hand, the occurrence of inosine in RNA is considered a normal and essential modification induced by specific adenosine deaminases acting on mRNA and tRNA. In prokaryotes, endonuclease V (EndoV) can recognize and cleave inosine-containing DNA. In contrast, mammalian EndoVs preferentially cleave inosine-containing RNA, suggesting a role in RNA metabolism for the eukaryotic members of this protein family. We have performed a biochemical characterization of EndoV from the protozoan parasite Trypanosoma brucei. In vitro, TbEndoV efficiently processes single-stranded RNA oligonucleotides with inosine, including A to I-edited tRNA-like substrates but exhibits weak activity over DNA, except when a ribonucleotide is placed 3′ to the inosine. Immunolocalization studies performed in procyclic forms indicate that TbEndoV is mainly cytosolic yet upon nutritional stress it redistributes and accumulates in stress granules colocalizing with the DEAD-box helicase TbDhh1. RNAi-mediated depletion of TbEndoV results in moderate growth defects in procyclic cells while the two EndoV alleles could be readily knocked out in bloodstream forms. Taken together, these observations suggest an important role of TbEndoV in RNA metabolism in procyclic forms of the parasite.
Light Scattering By Optically-Trapped Vesicles Affords Unprecedented Temporal Resolution Of Lipid-Raft Dynamics
Authors: Collard Liam , Perez-Guaita David , Faraj Bayan H. A. , Wood Bayden R. , Wallis Russell , Andrew Peter W. , Hudson Andrew J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA spectroscopic technique is presented that is able to identify rapid changes in the bending modulus and fluidity of vesicle lipid bilayers on the micrometer scale, and distinguish between the presence and absence of heterogeneities in lipid-packing order. Individual unilamellar vesicles have been isolated using laser tweezers and, by measuring the intensity modulation of elastic back-scattered light, changes in the biophysical properties of lipid bilayers were revealed. Our approach offers unprecedented temporal resolution and, uniquely, physical transformations of lipid bilayers can be monitored on a length scale of micrometers. As an example, the deformation of a membrane bilayer following the gel-to-fluid phase transition in a pure phospholipid vesicle was observed to take place across an interval of 54 ± 5 ms corresponding to an estimated full-width of only ~1 m°C. Dynamic heterogeneities in packing order were detected in mixed-lipid bilayers. Using a ternary mixture of lipids, the modulated-intensity profile of elastic back-scattered light from an optically-trapped vesicle revealed an abrupt change in the bending modulus of the bilayer which could be associated with the dissolution of ordered microdomains (i.e., lipid rafts). This occurred across an interval of 30 ± 5 ms (equivalent to ~1 m°C).
The correlation between CRB1 variants and the clinical severity of Brazilian patients with different inherited retinal dystrophy phenotypes
Authors: Motta Fabiana Louise , Salles Mariana Vallim , Costa Karita Antunes , Filippelli-Silva Rafael , Martin Renan Paulo , Sallum Juliana Maria Ferraz 
Published: August 2017

AbstractInherited retinal dystrophies are characterized by progressive retina degeneration and mutations in at least 250 genes have been associated as disease-causing. CRB1 is one of many genes analyzed in molecular diagnosis for inherited retinal dystrophy. Crumbs homolog-1 protein encoded by CRB1 is important for cell-to-cell contact, polarization of epithelial cells and the morphogenesis of photoreceptors. Pathogenic variants in CRB1 lead to a huge variety of phenotypes ranging from milder forms of inherited retinal dystrophy, such as retinitis pigmentosa to more severe phenotypes such as Leber congenital amaurosis. In this study, seven novel likely-pathogenic variants were identified: four missense variants (p.Leu479Pro, p.Ala921Pro, p.Cys948Arg and p.Asp1031Asn), two frameshift deletions (c.2536_2542del7 and c.3460_3461delTG) and one frameshift indel variant (c.276_294delinsTGAACACTGTAC). Furthermore, two patients with cone-rod dystrophy due to mutations in CRB1 were reported, supporting previous data, in which mutations in CRB1 can also cause cone-rod dystrophy. Finally, our data suggested there was a direct relation between phenotype severity and the mutation effect on protein functionality in 15 Brazilian CRB1 patients.
Capnography monitoring the hypoventilation during the induction of bronchoscopic sedation: A randomized controlled trial
Authors: Lin Ting-Yu , Fang Yueh-Fu , Huang Shih-Hao , Wang Tsai-Yu , Kuo Chih-Hsi , Wu Hau-Tieng , Kuo Han-Pin , Lo Yu-Lun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe hypothesize that capnography could detect hypoventilation during induction of bronchoscopic sedation and starting bronchoscopy following hypoventilation, may decrease hypoxemia. Patients were randomized to: starting bronchoscopy when hypoventilation (hypopnea, two successive breaths of at least 50% reduction of the peak wave compared to baseline or apnea, no wave for 10 seconds) (Study group, n = 55), or when the Observer Assessment of Alertness and Sedation scale (OAAS) was less than 4 (Control group, n = 59). Propofol infusion was titrated to maintain stable vital signs and sedative levels. The hypoventilation during induction in the control group and the sedative outcome were recorded. The patient characteristics and procedures performed were similar. Hypoventilation was observed in 74.6% of the patients before achieving OAAS < 4 in the control group. Apnea occurred more than hypopnea (p < 0.0001). Hypoventilation preceded OAAS < 4 by 96.5 ± 88.1 seconds. In the study group, the induction time was shorter (p = 0.03) and subjects with any two events of hypoxemia during sedation, maintenance or recovery were less than the control group (1.8 vs. 18.6%, p < 0.01). Patient tolerance, wakefulness during sedation, and cooperation were similar in both groups. Significant hypoventilation occurred during the induction and start bronchoscopy following hypoventilation may decrease hypoxemia without compromising patient tolerance.
Regulation of CCR7-dependent cell migration through CCR7 homodimer formation
Authors: Kobayashi Daichi , Endo Masataka , Ochi Hirotaka , Hojo Hironobu , Miyasaka Masayuki , Hayasaka Haruko 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe chemokine receptor CCR7 contributes to various physiological and pathological processes including T cell maturation, T cell migration from the blood into secondary lymphoid tissues, and tumor cell metastasis to lymph nodes. Although a previous study suggested that the efficacy of CCR7 ligand-dependent T cell migration correlates with CCR7 homo- and heterodimer formation, the exact extent of contribution of the CCR7 dimerization remains unclear. Here, by inducing or disrupting CCR7 dimers, we demonstrated a direct contribution of CCR7 homodimerization to CCR7-dependent cell migration and signaling. Induction of stable CCR7 homodimerization resulted in enhanced CCR7-dependent cell migration and CCL19 binding, whereas induction of CXCR4/CCR7 heterodimerization did not. In contrast, dissociation of CCR7 homodimerization by a novel CCR7-derived synthetic peptide attenuated CCR7-dependent cell migration, ligand-dependent CCR7 internalization, ligand-induced actin rearrangement, and Akt and Erk signaling in CCR7-expressing cells. Our study indicates that CCR7 homodimerization critically regulates CCR7 ligand-dependent cell migration and intracellular signaling in multiple cell types.
Dielectric properties of Y and Nb co-doped TiO2 ceramics
Authors: Wang Xianwei , Zhang Bihui , Xu Linhai , Wang Xiaoer , Hu Yanchun , Shen Gaohang , Sun Lingyun 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn this work, the (Y0.5Nb0.5)xTi1−xO2 (x = 0.001, 0.01, 0.02, 0.04, 0.06 and 0.1) ceramics (as called YNTO) were fabricated by synthesized through a standard solid-state reaction. As revealed by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra, the YNTOs exhibit tetragonal rutile structure. Meanwhile, the grain size of YNTO ceramics increased and then decreased with the increase of x value, and the largest value reached when x = 0.02. All the YNTO samples display colossal permittivity (~102–105) over a wide temperature and frequency range. Moreover, the optimal ceramic, (Y0.5Nb0.5)0.02Ti0.98O2, exhibits high performance over a broad temperature range from 20 °C to 180 °C; specifically, at 1 kHz, the dielectric constant and dielectric loss are 6.55 × 104 and 0.22 at room temperature, and they are 1.03 × 105 and 0.11 at 180 °C, respectively.
In Vitro Micropatterned Human Pluripotent Stem Cell Test (µP-hPST) for Morphometric-Based Teratogen Screening
Authors: Xing Jiangwa , Cao Yue , Yu Yang , Li Huan , Song Ziwei , Yu Hanry 
Published: August 2017

AbstractExposure to teratogenic chemicals during pregnancy may cause severe birth defects. Due to high inter-species variation of drug responses as well as financial and ethical burdens, despite the widely use of in vivo animal tests, it’s crucial to develop highly predictive human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-based in vitro assays to identify potential teratogens. Previously we have shown that the morphological disruption of mesoendoderm patterns formed by geometrically-confined cell differentiation and migration using hPSCs could potentially serve as a sensitive morphological marker in teratogen detection. Here, a micropatterned human pluripotent stem cell test (µP-hPST) assay was developed using 30 pharmaceutical compounds. A simplified morphometric readout was developed to quantify the mesoendoderm pattern changes and a two-step classification rule was generated to identify teratogens. The optimized µP-hPST could classify the 30 compounds with 97% accuracy, 100% specificity and 93% sensitivity. Compared with metabolic biomarker-based hPSC assay by Stemina, the µP-hPST could successfully identify misclassified drugs Bosentan, Diphenylhydantoin and Lovastatin, and show a higher accuracy and sensitivity. This scalable µP-hPST may serve as either an independent assay or a complement assay for existing assays to reduce animal use, accelerate early discovery-phase drug screening and help general chemical screening of human teratogens.
Porous Polystyrene Monoliths and Microparticles Prepared from Core Cross-linked Star (CCS) Polymers-Stabilized Emulsions
Authors: Chen Qijing , Shi Ting , Han Fei , Li Zihan , Lin Chao , Zhao Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractA hydrophobic CCS polymer of poly(benzyl methacrylate) (PBzMA) was prepared in toluene by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT)-mediated dispersion polymerization. The CCS polymer, with poly(benzyl methacrylate) as the arm and crosslinked N, N′-bis(acryloyl)cystamine (BAC) as the core, was confirmed by characterization with gel permeation chromatography (GPC) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Three kinds of oils (toluene, anisole and styrene) were chosen to study the emulsification properties of PBzMA CCS polymer. The oils can be emulsified by CCS polymer to form water-in-oil (w/o) emulsions. Moreover, w/o high internal phase emulsions (HIPEs) can be obtained with the increase of toluene and styrene volume fractions from 75% to 80%. Porous polystyrene monolith and microparticles were prepared from the emulsion templates and characterized by the scanning electronic microscopy (SEM). With the internal phase volume fraction increased, open-pore porous monolith was obtained.
Impact of extracellular matrix on engraftment and maturation of pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes in a rat myocardial infarct model
Authors: Ogasawara Tatsuki , Okano Satomi , Ichimura Hajime , Kadota Shin , Tanaka Yuki , Minami Itsunari , Uesugi Motonari , Wada Yuko , Saito Naoto , Okada Kenji , Kuwahara Koichiro , Shiba Yuji 
Published: August 2017

AbstractPluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes show great promise in regenerating the heart after myocardial infarction; however, several uncertainties exist that must be addressed before clinical trials. One practical issue is graft survival following transplantation. Although a pro-survival cocktail with Matrigel has been shown to enhance graft survival, the use of Matrigel may not be clinically feasible. The purpose of this study was to test whether a hyaluronan-based hydrogel, HyStem, could be a substitute for Matrigel. Human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes diluted with HyStem alone, HyStem plus pro-survival factors, or a pro-survival cocktail with Matrigel (PSC/MG), were transplanted into a rat model of acute myocardial infarction. Histological analysis at 4 weeks post transplantation revealed that, among the three groups, recipients of PSC/MG showed the largest graft size. Additionally, the grafted cardiomyocytes in the recipients of PSC/MG had a more matured phenotype compared to those in the other two groups. These findings suggest that further studies will be required to enhance not only graft size, but also the maturation of grafted cardiomyocytes.
Nano-hybrid plasmonic photocatalyst for hydrogen production at 20% efficiency
Authors: Pavliuk Mariia V. , Fernandes Arthur B. , Abdellah Mohamed , Fernandes Daniel L. A. , Machado Caroline O. , Rocha Igor , Hattori Yocefu , Paun Cristina , Bastos Erick L. , Sá Jacinto 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe efficient conversion of light energy into chemical energy is key for sustainable human development. Several photocatalytic systems based on photovoltaic electrolysis have been used to produce hydrogen via water reduction. However, in such devices, light harvesting and proton reduction are carried separately, showing quantum efficiency of about 10–12%. Here, we report a nano-hybrid photocatalytic assembly that enables concomitant reductive hydrogen production and pollutant oxidation with solar-to-fuel efficiencies up to 20%. The modular architecture of this plasmonic material allows the fine-tuning of its photocatalytic properties by simple manipulation of a reduced number of basic components.