bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ti3C2 MXene co-catalyst on metal sulfide photo-absorbers for enhanced visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production
Authors: Ran Jingrun , Gao Guoping , Li Fa-Tang , Ma Tian-Yi , Du Aijun , Qiao Shi-Zhang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractScalable and sustainable solar hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting requires highly active and stable earth-abundant co-catalysts to replace expensive and rare platinum. Here we employ density functional theory calculations to direct atomic-level exploration, design and fabrication of a MXene material, Ti3C2 nanoparticles, as a highly efficient co-catalyst. Ti3C2 nanoparticles are rationally integrated with cadmium sulfide via a hydrothermal strategy to induce a super high visible-light photocatalytic hydrogen production activity of 14,342 μmol h−1g−1 and an apparent quantum efficiency of 40.1% at 420 nm. This high performance arises from the favourable Fermi level position, electrical conductivity and hydrogen evolution capacity of Ti3C2 nanoparticles. Furthermore, Ti3C2 nanoparticles also serve as an efficient co-catalyst on ZnS or ZnxCd1−xS. This work demonstrates the potential of earth-abundant MXene family materials to construct numerous high performance and low-cost photocatalysts/photoelectrodes.
Properties of the exotic metastable ST12 germanium allotrope
Authors: Zhao Zhisheng , Zhang Haidong , Kim Duck Young , Hu Wentao , Bullock Emma S. , Strobel Timothy A. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe optical and electronic properties of semiconducting materials are of great importance to a vast range of contemporary technologies. Diamond-cubic germanium is a well-known semiconductor, although other ‘exotic’ forms may possess distinct properties. In particular, there is currently no consensus for the band gap and electronic structure of ST12-Ge (tP12, P43212) due to experimental limitations in sample preparation and varying theoretical predictions. Here we report clear experimental and theoretical evidence for the intrinsic properties of ST12-Ge, including the first optical measurements on bulk samples. Phase-pure bulk samples of ST12-Ge were synthesized, and the structure and purity were verified using powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, Raman and wavelength/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Optical measurements indicate that ST12-Ge is a semiconductor with an indirect band gap of 0.59 eV and a direct optical transition at 0.74 eV, which is in good agreement with electrical transport measurements and our first-principles calculations.
Cannabinoid CB2 receptor ligand profiling reveals biased signalling and off-target activity
Authors: Soethoudt Marjolein , Grether Uwe , Fingerle Jürgen , Grim Travis W. , Fezza Filomena , de Petrocellis Luciano , Ullmer Christoph , Rothenhäusler Benno , Perret Camille , van Gils Noortje , Finlay David , MacDonald Christa , Chicca Andrea , Gens Marianela Dalghi , Stuart Jordyn , de Vries Henk , Mastrangelo Nicolina , Xia Lizi , Alachouzos Georgios , Baggelaar Marc P. , Martella Andrea , Mock Elliot D. , Deng Hui , Heitman Laura H. , Connor Mark , Di Marzo Vincenzo , Gertsch Jürg , Lichtman Aron H. , Maccarrone Mauro , Pacher Pal , Glass Michelle , van der Stelt Mario 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe cannabinoid CB2 receptor (CB2R) represents a promising therapeutic target for various forms of tissue injury and inflammatory diseases. Although numerous compounds have been developed and widely used to target CB2R, their selectivity, molecular mode of action and pharmacokinetic properties have been poorly characterized. Here we report the most extensive characterization of the molecular pharmacology of the most widely used CB2R ligands to date. In a collaborative effort between multiple academic and industry laboratories, we identify marked differences in the ability of certain agonists to activate distinct signalling pathways and to cause off-target effects. We reach a consensus that HU910, HU308 and JWH133 are the recommended selective CB2R agonists to study the role of CB2R in biological and disease processes. We believe that our unique approach would be highly suitable for the characterization of other therapeutic targets in drug discovery research.
Small RNA zippers lock miRNA molecules and block miRNA function in mammalian cells
Authors: Meng Lingyu , Liu Cuicui , Lü Jinhui , Zhao Qian , Deng Shengqiong , Wang Guangxue , Qiao Jing , Zhang Chuyi , Zhen Lixiao , Lu Ying , Li Wenshu , Zhang Yuzhen , Pestell Richard G. , Fan Huiming , Chen Yi-Han , Liu Zhongmin , Yu Zuoren 
Published: January 2017

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs) loss-of-function phenotypes are mainly induced by chemically modified antisense oligonucleotides. Here we develop an alternative inhibitor for miRNAs, termed ‘small RNA zipper’. It is designed to connect miRNA molecules end to end, forming a DNA–RNA duplex through a complementary interaction with high affinity, high specificity and high stability. Two miRNAs, miR-221 and miR-17, are tested in human breast cancer cell lines, demonstrating the 70∼90% knockdown of miRNA levels by 30–50 nM small RNA zippers. The miR-221 zipper shows capability in rescuing the expression of target genes of miR-221 and reversing the oncogenic function of miR-221 in breast cancer cells. In addition, we demonstrate that the miR-221 zipper attenuates doxorubicin resistance with higher efficiency than anti-miR-221 in human breast cancer cells. Taken together, small RNA zippers are a miRNA inhibitor, which can be used to induce miRNA loss-of-function phenotypes and validate miRNA target genes.
A niobium and tantalum co-doped perovskite cathode for solid oxide fuel cells operating below 500 °C
Authors: Li Mengran , Zhao Mingwen , Li Feng , Zhou Wei , Peterson Vanessa K. , Xu Xiaoyong , Shao Zongping , Gentle Ian , Zhu Zhonghua 
Published: January 2017

AbstractThe slow activity of cathode materials is one of the most significant barriers to realizing the operation of solid oxide fuel cells below 500 °C. Here we report a niobium and tantalum co-substituted perovskite SrCo0.8Nb0.1Ta0.1O3−δ as a cathode, which exhibits high electroactivity. This cathode has an area-specific polarization resistance as low as ∼0.16 and ∼0.68 Ω cm2 in a symmetrical cell and peak power densities of 1.2 and 0.7 W cm−2 in a Gd0.1Ce0.9O1.95-based anode-supported fuel cell at 500 and 450 °C, respectively. The high performance is attributed to an optimal balance of oxygen vacancies, ionic mobility and surface electron transfer as promoted by the synergistic effects of the niobium and tantalum. This work also points to an effective strategy in the design of cathodes for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cells.
Cell division orientation is coupled to cell–cell adhesion by the E-cadherin/LGN complex
Authors: Gloerich Martijn , Bianchini Julie M. , Siemers Kathleen A. , Cohen Daniel J. , Nelson W. James 
Published: January 2017

AbstractBoth cell–cell adhesion and oriented cell division play prominent roles in establishing tissue architecture, but it is unclear how they might be coordinated. Here, we demonstrate that the cell–cell adhesion protein E-cadherin functions as an instructive cue for cell division orientation. This is mediated by the evolutionarily conserved LGN/NuMA complex, which regulates cortical attachments of astral spindle microtubules. We show that LGN, which adopts a three-dimensional structure similar to cadherin-bound catenins, binds directly to the E-cadherin cytosolic tail and thereby localizes at cell–cell adhesions. On mitotic entry, NuMA is released from the nucleus and competes LGN from E-cadherin to locally form the LGN/NuMA complex. This mediates the stabilization of cortical associations of astral microtubules at cell–cell adhesions to orient the mitotic spindle. Our results show how E-cadherin instructs the assembly of the LGN/NuMA complex at cell–cell contacts, and define a mechanism that couples cell division orientation to intercellular adhesion.
Saturated palmitic acid induces myocardial inflammatory injuries through direct binding to TLR4 accessory protein MD2
Authors: Wang Yi , Qian Yuanyuan , Fang Qilu , Zhong Peng , Li Weixin , Wang Lintao , Fu Weitao , Zhang Yali , Xu Zheng , Li Xiaokun , Liang Guang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractObesity increases the risk for a number of diseases including cardiovascular diseases and type 2 diabetes. Excess saturated fatty acids (SFAs) in obesity play a significant role in cardiovascular diseases by activating innate immunity responses. However, the mechanisms by which SFAs activate the innate immune system are not fully known. Here we report that palmitic acid (PA), the most abundant circulating SFA, induces myocardial inflammatory injury through the Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) accessory protein MD2 in mouse and cell culture experimental models.Md2knockout mice are protected against PA- and high-fat diet-induced myocardial injury. Studies of cell surface binding, cell-free protein–protein interactions and molecular docking simulations indicate that PA directly binds to MD2, supporting a mechanism by which PA activates TLR4 and downstream inflammatory responses. We conclude that PA is a crucial contributor to obesity-associated myocardial injury, which is likely regulated via its direct binding to MD2.
Cleavage of DFNA5 by caspase-3 during apoptosis mediates progression to secondary necrotic/pyroptotic cell death
Authors: Rogers Corey , Fernandes-Alnemri Teresa , Mayes Lindsey , Alnemri Diana , Cingolani Gino , Alnemri Emad S. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractApoptosis is a genetically regulated cell suicide programme mediated by activation of the effector caspases 3, 6 and 7. If apoptotic cells are not scavenged, they progress to a lytic and inflammatory phase called secondary necrosis. The mechanism by which this occurs is unknown. Here we show that caspase-3 cleaves the GSDMD-related protein DFNA5 after Asp270 to generate a necrotic DFNA5-N fragment that targets the plasma membrane to induce secondary necrosis/pyroptosis. Cells that express DFNA5 progress to secondary necrosis, when stimulated with apoptotic triggers such as etoposide or vesicular stomatitis virus infection, but disassemble into small apoptotic bodies when DFNA5 is deleted. Our findings identify DFNA5 as a central molecule that regulates apoptotic cell disassembly and progression to secondary necrosis, and provide a molecular mechanism for secondary necrosis. Because DFNA5-induced secondary necrosis and GSDMD-induced pyroptosis are dependent on caspase activation, we propose that they are forms of programmed necrosis.
Structural characterisation of the fatty acid biosynthesis enzyme FabF from the pathogen Listeria monocytogenes
Authors: Soares da Costa Tatiana P. , Nanson Jeffrey D. , Forwood Jade K. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDevelopment of new antimicrobial agents is required against the causative agent for listeriosis, Listeria monocytogenes, as the number of drug resistant strains continues to increase. A promising target is the β-ketoacyl-acyl carrier protein synthase FabF, which participates in the catalysis of fatty acid synthesis and elongation, and is required for the production of phospholipid membranes, lipoproteins, and lipopolysaccharides. In this study, we report the 1.35 Å crystal structure of FabF from L. monocytogenes, providing an excellent platform for the rational design of novel inhibitors. By comparing the structure of L. monocytogenes FabF with other published bacterial FabF structures in complex with known inhibitors and substrates, we highlight conformational changes within the active site, which will need to be accounted for during drug design and virtual screening studies. This high-resolution structure of FabF represents an important step in the development of new classes of antimicrobial agents targeting FabF for the treatment of listeriosis.
Protective effects of intercalated disk protein afadin on chronic pressure overload-induced myocardial damage
Authors: Zankov Dimitar P. , Shimizu Akio , Tanaka-Okamoto Miki , Miyoshi Jun , Ogita Hisakazu 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAdhesive intercellular connections at cardiomyocyte intercalated disks (IDs) support contractile force and maintain structural integrity of the heart muscle. Disturbances of the proteins at IDs deteriorate cardiac function and morphology. An adaptor protein afadin, one of the components of adherens junctions, is expressed ubiquitously including IDs. At present, the precise role of afadin in cardiac physiology or disease is unknown. To explore this, we generated conditional knockout (cKO) mice with cardiomyocyte-targeted deletion of afadin. Afadin cKO mice were born according to the expected Mendelian ratio and have no detectable changes in cardiac phenotype. On the other hand, chronic pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction (TAC) caused systolic dysfunction, enhanced fibrogenesis and apoptosis in afadin cKO mice. Afadin deletion increased macrophage infiltration and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 expression, and suppressed transforming growth factor (TGF) β receptor signaling early after TAC procedure. Afadin also associated with TGFβ receptor I at IDs. Pharmacological antagonist of TGFβ receptor I (SB431542) augmented mononuclear infiltration and fibrosis in the hearts of TAC-operated control mice. In conclusion, afadin is a critical molecule for cardiac protection against chronic pressure overload. The beneficial effects are likely to be a result from modulation of TGFβ receptor signaling pathways by afadin.
Cu2ZnSnS4/MoS2-Reduced Graphene Oxide Heterostructure: Nanoscale Interfacial Contact and Enhanced Photocatalytic Hydrogen Generation
Authors: Ha Enna , Liu Wei , Wang Luyang , Man Ho-Wing , Hu Liangsheng , Tsang Shik Chi Edman , Chan Chris Tsz-Leung , Kwok Wai-Ming , Lee Lawrence Yoon Suk , Wong Kwok-Yin 
Published: January 2017

AbstractHydrogen generation from water using noble metal-free photocatalysts presents a promising platform for renewable and sustainable energy. Copper-based chalcogenides of earth-abundant elements, especially Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS), have recently arisen as a low-cost and environment-friendly material for photovoltaics and photocatalysis. Herein, we report a new heterostructure consisting of CZTS nanoparticles anchored onto a MoS2-reduced graphene oxide (rGO) hybrid. Using a facile two-step method, CZTS nanoparticles were in situ grown on the surface of MoS2-rGO hybrid, which generated high density of nanoscale interfacial contact between CZTS and MoS2-rGO hybrid. The photoexcited electrons of CZTS can be readily transported to MoS2 through rGO backbone, reducing the electron-hole pair recombination. In photocatalytic hydrogen generation under visible light irradiation, the presence of MoS2-rGO hybrids enhanced the hydrogen production rate of CZTS by 320%, which can be attributed to the synergetic effect of increased charge separation by rGO and more catalytically active sites from MoS2. Furthermore, this CZTS/MoS2-rGO heterostructure showed much higher photocatalytic activity than both Au and Pt nanoparticle-decorated CZTS (Au/CZTS and Pt/CZTS) photocatalysts, indicating the MoS2-rGO hybrid is a better co-catalyst for photocatalytic hydrogen generation than the precious metal. The CZTS/MoS2-rGO system also demonstrated stable photocatalytic activity for a continuous 20 h reaction.
MiR-218 Induces Neuronal Differentiation of ASCs in a Temporally Sequential Manner with Fibroblast Growth Factor by Regulation of the Wnt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Hu Feihu , Sun Bo , Xu Peng , Zhu Yanliang , Meng Xian-Hui , Teng Gao-Jun , Xiao Zhong-Dang 
Published: January 2017

AbstractDifferentiation of neural lineages from mesenchymal stem cells has raised the hope of generating functional cells as seed cells for nerve tissue engineering. As important gene regulators, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been speculated to play a vital role in accelerating stem cell differentiation and repairing neuron damage. However, miRNA roles in directing differentiation of stem cells in current protocols are underexplored and the mechanisms of miRNAs as regulators of neuronal differentiation remain ambiguous. In this study, we have determined that miR-218 serves as crucial constituent regulator in neuronal differentiation of adipose stem cells (ASCs) through Wnt signaling pathway based on comprehensive annotation of miRNA sequencing data. Moreover, we have also discovered that miR-218 and Fibroblast Growth Factor-2 (FGF2) modulate neuronal differentiation in a sequential manner. These findings provide additional understanding of the mechanisms regulating stem cell neuronal differentiation as well as a new method for neural lineage differentiation of ASCs.
Randomized trial on the effects of a combined physical/cognitive training in aged MCI subjects: the Train the Brain study
Authors:   Train the Brain Consortium, Maffei L. , Picano E. , Andreassi M. G. , Angelucci A. , Baldacci F. , Baroncelli L. , Begenisic T. , Bellinvia P. F. , Berardi N. , Biagi L. , Bonaccorsi J. , Bonanni E. , Bonuccelli U. , Borghini A. , Braschi C. , Broccardi M. , Bruno R. M. , Caleo M. , Carlesi C. , Carnicelli L. , Cartoni G. , Cecchetti L. , Cenni M. C. , Ceravolo R. , Chico L. , Cintoli S. , Cioni G. , Coscia M. , Costa M. , D’Angelo G. , D’Ascanio P. , Nes M. De , Turco S. Del , Coscio E. Di , Galante M. Di , Lascio N. di , Faita F. , Falorni I. , Faraguna U. , Fenu A. , Fortunato L. , Franco R. , Gargani L. , Gargiulo R. , Ghiadoni L. , Giorgi F. S. , Iannarella R. , Iofrida C. , Kusmic C. , Limongi F. , Maestri M. , Maffei M. , Maggi S. , Mainardi M. , Mammana L. , Marabotti A. , Mariotti V. , Melissari E. , Mercuri A. , Micera S. , Molinaro S. , Narducci R. , Navarra T. , Noale M. , Pagni C. , Palumbo S. , Pasquariello R. , Pellegrini S. , Pietrini P. , Pizzorusso T. , Poli A. , Pratali L. , Retico A. , Ricciardi E. , Rota G. , Sale A. , Sbrana S. , Scabia G. , Scali M. , Scelfo D. , Sicari R. , Siciliano G. , Stea F. , Taddei S. , Tognoni G. , Tonacci A. , Tosetti M. , Turchi S. , Volpi L. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractAge-related cognitive impairment and dementia are an increasing societal burden. Epidemiological studies indicate that lifestyle factors, e.g. physical, cognitive and social activities, correlate with reduced dementia risk; moreover, positive effects on cognition of physical/cognitive training have been found in cognitively unimpaired elders. Less is known about effectiveness and action mechanisms of physical/cognitive training in elders already suffering from Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI), a population at high risk for dementia. We assessed in 113 MCI subjects aged 65–89 years, the efficacy of combined physical-cognitive training on cognitive decline, Gray Matter (GM) volume loss and Cerebral Blood Flow (CBF) in hippocampus and parahippocampal areas, and on brain-blood-oxygenation-level-dependent (BOLD) activity elicited by a cognitive task, measured by ADAS-Cog scale, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Arterial Spin Labeling (ASL) and fMRI, respectively, before and after 7 months of training vs. usual life. Cognitive status significantly decreased in MCI-no training and significantly increased in MCI-training subjects; training increased parahippocampal CBF, but no effect on GM volume loss was evident; BOLD activity increase, indicative of neural efficiency decline, was found only in MCI-no training subjects. These results show that a non pharmacological, multicomponent intervention improves cognitive status and indicators of brain health in MCI subjects.
Magnetic Resonance Microscopy (MRM) of Single Mammalian Myofibers and Myonuclei
Authors: Lee Choong H. , Bengtsson Niclas , Chrzanowski Stephen M. , Flint Jeremy J. , Walter Glenn A. , Blackband Stephen J. 
Published: January 2017

AbstractRecently, the first magnetic resonance microscopy (MRM) images at the cellular level in isolated mammalian brain tissues were obtained using microsurface coils. These methods can elucidate the cellular origins of MR signals and describe how these signals change over the course of disease progression and therapy. In this work, we explore the capability of these microimaging techniques to visualize mouse muscle fibers and their nuclei. Isolated myofibers expressing lacZ were imaged with and without a stain for β-galactosidase activity (S-Gal + ferric ammonium citrate) that produces both optical and MR contrast. We found that MRM can be used to image single myofibers with 6-μm resolution. The ability to image single myofibers will serve as a valuable tool to study MR properties attributed to healthy and myopathic cells. The ability to image nuclei tagged with MR/Optical gene markers may also find wide use in cell lineage MRI studies.
Out-of-hospital cardiac arrest risk attributable to temperature in Japan
Authors: Onozuka Daisuke , Hagihara Akihito 
Published: January 2017

AbstractSeveral studies have estimated the associations between extreme temperatures and mortality and morbidity; however, few have investigated the attributable fraction for a wide range of temperatures on the risk of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA). We obtained daily records of OHCA cases in the 47 Japanese prefectures between 2005 and 2014. We examined the relationship between OHCA and temperature for each prefecture using a Poisson regression model combined with a distributed lag non-linear model. The estimated prefecture-specific associations were pooled at the nationwide level using a multivariate random-effect meta-analysis. A total of 659,752 cases of OHCA of presumed-cardiac origin met the inclusion criteria. Overall, 23.93% (95% empirical confidence interval [eCI]: 20.15–26.19) of OHCA was attributable to temperature. The attributable fraction to low temperatures was 23.64% (95% eCI: 19.76–25.87), whereas that of high temperatures was 0.29% (95% eCI: 0.21–0.35). The attributable fraction for OHCA was related to moderate low temperature with an overall estimate of 21.86% (95% eCI: 18.10–24.21). Extreme temperatures were responsible for a small fraction. The majority of temperature-related OHCAs were attributable to lower temperatures. The attributable risk of extremely low and high temperatures was markedly lower than that of moderate temperatures.
High diversity of airborne fungi in the hospital environment as revealed by meta-sequencing-based microbiome analysis
Authors: Tong Xunliang , Xu Hongtao , Zou Lihui , Cai Meng , Xu Xuefeng , Zhao Zuotao , Xiao Fei , Li Yanming 
Published: January 2017

AbstractInvasive fungal infections acquired in the hospital have progressively emerged as an important cause of life-threatening infection. In particular, airborne fungi in hospitals are considered critical pathogens of hospital-associated infections. To identify the causative airborne microorganisms, high-volume air samplers were utilized for collection, and species identification was performed using a culture-based method and DNA sequencing analysis with the Illumina MiSeq and HiSeq 2000 sequencing systems. Few bacteria were grown after cultivation in blood agar. However, using microbiome sequencing, the relative abundance of fungi, Archaea species, bacteria and viruses was determined. The distribution characteristics of fungi were investigated using heat map analysis of four departments, including the Respiratory Intensive Care Unit, Intensive Care Unit, Emergency Room and Outpatient Department. The prevalence of Aspergillus among fungi was the highest at the species level, approximately 17% to 61%, and the prevalence of Aspergillus fumigatus among Aspergillus species was from 34% to 50% in the four departments. Draft genomes of microorganisms isolated from the hospital environment were obtained by sequence analysis, indicating that investigation into the diversity of airborne fungi may provide reliable results for hospital infection control and surveillance.