bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Light-induced Conductance Switching in Photomechanically Active Carbon Nanotube-Polymer Composites
Authors: Schneider V. , Polonskyi O. , Strunskus T. , Elbahri M. , Faupel F. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractNovel, optically responsive devices with a host of potential applications have been demonstrated by coupling carbon nanomaterials with photochromic molecules. For light-induced conductance switching in particular, we have recently shown that carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites containing azobenzene are very attractive and provide stable and non-degradable changes in conductivity over time at standard laboratory conditions. In these composites, the photoswitching mechanisms are based on light-induced changes in electronic properties and related to the Pool-Frenkel conduction mechanism. However, no link between conductivity switching and the molecular motion of azobenzene chromophores could be found due to application of high elastic modulus polymer matrices. Here we report on single wall carbon nanotube-polymer nanocomposites with a soft polycaprolactone polymer host. Such a system clearly shows the transfer of light-induced, nano-sized molecular motion to macroscopic thickness changes of the composite matrix. We demonstrate that these photomechanical effects can indeed overshadow the electronic effects in conductivity switching behavior and lead to a reversion of the conductivity switching direction near the percolation threshold.
Cryoconite as a temporary sink for anthropogenic species stored in glaciers
Authors: Baccolo Giovanni , Di Mauro Biagio , Massabò Dario , Clemenza Massimiliano , Nastasi Massimiliano , Delmonte Barbara , Prata Michele , Prati Paolo , Previtali Ezio , Maggi Valter 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCryoconite, the typical sediment found on the surface of glaciers, is mainly known in relation to its role in glacial microbiology and in altering the glacier albedo. But if these aspects are relatively well addressed, the same cannot be said about the geochemical properties of cryoconite and the possible interactions with glacial and peri-glacial environment. Current glacier retreat is responsible for the secondary emission of species deposited in high-altitude regions in the last decades. The role played by cryoconite in relation to such novel geochemical fluxes is largely unknown. Few and scarce observations suggest that it could interact with these processes, accumulating specific substances, but why, how and to what extent remain open questions. Through a multi-disciplinary approach we tried to shed lights. Results reveal that the peculiar composition of cryoconite is responsible for an extreme accumulation capability of this sediment, in particular for some, specific, anthropogenic substances.
Functional and effective whole brain connectivity using magnetoencephalography to identify monozygotic twin pairs
Authors: Demuru M. , Gouw A. A. , Hillebrand A. , Stam C. J. , van Dijk B. W. , Scheltens P. , Tijms B. M. , Konijnenberg E. , ten Kate M. , den Braber A. , Smit D. J. A. , Boomsma D. I. , Visser P. J. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractResting-state functional connectivity patterns are highly stable over time within subjects. This suggests that such ‘functional fingerprints’ may have strong genetic component. We investigated whether the functional (FC) or effective (EC) connectivity patterns of one monozygotic twin could be used to identify the co-twin among a larger sample and determined the overlap in functional fingerprints within monozygotic (MZ) twin pairs using resting state magnetoencephalography (MEG). We included 32 cognitively normal MZ twin pairs from the Netherlands Twin Register who participate in the EMIF-AD preclinAD study (average age 68 years). Combining EC information across multiple frequency bands we obtained an identification rate over 75%. Since MZ twin pairs are genetically identical these results suggest a high genetic contribution to MEG-based EC patterns, leading to large similarities in brain connectivity patterns between two individuals even after 60 years of life or more.
Graphene Klein tunnel transistors for high speed analog RF applications
Authors: Tan Yaohua , Elahi Mirza M. , Tsao Han-Yu , Habib K. M. Masum , Barker N. Scott , Ghosh Avik W. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractWe propose Graphene Klein tunnel transistors (GKTFET) as a way to enforce current saturation while maintaining large mobility for high speed radio frequency (RF) applications. The GKTFET consists of a sequence of angled graphene p-n junctions (GPNJs). Klein tunneling creates a collimation of electrons across each GPNJ, so that the lack of substantial overlap between transmission lobes across successive junctions creates a gate-tunable transport gap without significantly compromising the on-current. Electron scattering at the device edge tends to bleed parasitic states into the gap, but the resulting pseudogap is still sufficient to create a saturated output (I
D
–V
D
) characteristic and a high output resistance. The modulated density of states generates a higher transconductance (g
m
) and unity current gain cut-off frequency (f
T
) than GFETs. More significantly the high output resistance makes the unity power gain cut-off frequency (f
max
) of GKTFETs considerably larger than GFETs, making analog GKTFET potentially useful for RF electronics. Our estimation shows the f
T
/f
max
of a GKTFET with 1 μm channel reaches 33 GHz/17 GHz, and scale up to 350 GHz/53 GHz for 100 nm channel (assuming a single, scalable trapezoidal gate). The f
max
of a GKTFET is 10 times higher than a GFET with the same channel length.
Investigation of a Canine Parvovirus Outbreak using Next Generation Sequencing
Authors: Parker Jayme , Murphy Molly , Hueffer Karsten , Chen Jack 
Published: August 2017

AbstractCanine parvovirus (CPV) outbreaks can have a devastating effect in communities with dense dog populations. The interior region of Alaska experienced a CPV outbreak in the winter of 2016 leading to the further investigation of the virus due to reports of increased morbidity and mortality occurring at dog mushing kennels in the area. Twelve rectal-swab specimens from dogs displaying clinical signs consistent with parvoviral-associated disease were processed using next-generation sequencing (NGS) methodologies by targeting RNA transcripts, and therefore detecting only replicating virus. All twelve specimens demonstrated the presence of the CPV transcriptome, with read depths ranging from 2.2X – 12,381X, genome coverage ranging from 44.8–96.5%, and representation of CPV sequencing reads to those of the metagenome background ranging from 0.0015–6.7%. Using the data generated by NGS, the presence of newly evolved, yet known, strains of both CPV-2a and CPV-2b were identified and grouped geographically. Deep-sequencing data provided additional diagnostic information in terms of investigating novel CPV in this outbreak. NGS data in addition to limited serological data provided strong diagnostic evidence that this outbreak most likely arose from unvaccinated or under-vaccinated canines, not from a novel CPV strain incapable of being neutralized by current vaccination efforts.
Activation of invariant natural killer T cells stimulated with microbial α-mannosyl glycolipids
Authors: Shimamura Michio , Yamamura Masaki , Nabeshima Tatsuya , Kitano Naoki , van den Elzen Peter , Yesilkaya Hasan , Andrew Peter , Illarionov Petr 
Published: August 2017

AbstractSome synthetic and bacterial glycolipids presented by CD1d specifically activate invariant NKT (iNKT) cells bearing an invariant Vα14-Jα18 (mouse) or Vα24-Jα18 (human) TCR. The antigenic glycolipids identified to date consist of two hydrophobic chains and an α-glycoside in which the 2′-OH group is in thecisorientation toward the anomeric group, namely, either an α-galactoside or an α-glucoside. Several microbial α-mannosyl glycolipids, in which the 2′-OH group is in thetransorientation, were herein examined to establish whether they have potential to activate iNKT cells. We found that α-mannnosyl1-3 (6′-O-acyl α-mannosyl)-1-1 monoacylglycerol and cholesteryl 6′-O-acyl α-mannoside, found inSaccharopolysporaandCandida albicans, respectively, induced the activation of iNKT cells, dependent on CD1d. In contrast, α-mannosyldiacylglycerol found inStreptococcus suisor α-mannosylceramide demonstrated markedly less antigenicity for iNKT cells. The potentially antigenic α-mannosyl glycolipids contributed to the protection of mice against infection withS.pneumoniaein which iNKT cells have previously been found to participate. Furthermore, these glycolipids induced the production of proinflammatory cytokines by macrophages, thereby suggesting their recognition by specific pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Collectively, these results suggest that these microbial α-mannosyl glycolipids are capable of being recognized by both the invariant TCR and PRRs and inducing immune responses.
Chitin-deacetylase activity induces appressorium differentiation in the rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae
Authors: Kuroki Misa , Okauchi Kana , Yoshida Sho , Ohno Yuko , Murata Sayaka , Nakajima Yuichi , Nozaka Akihito , Tanaka Nobukiyo , Nakajima Masahiro , Taguchi Hayao , Saitoh Ken-ichiro , Teraoka Tohru , Narukawa Megumi , Kamakura Takashi 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe rice blast fungus Magnaporthe oryzae differentiates a specialized infection structure called an appressorium to invade rice cells. In this report, we show that CBP1, which encodes a chitin-deacetylase, is involved in the induction phase of appressorium differentiation. We demonstrate that the enzymatic activity of Cbp1 is critical for appressorium formation. M. oryzae has six CDA homologues in addition to Cbp1, but none of these are indispensable for appressorium formation. We observed chitosan localization at the fungal cell wall using OGA488. This observation suggests that Cbp1-catalysed conversion of chitin into chitosan occurs at the cell wall of germ tubes during appressorium differentiation by M. oryzae. Taken together, our results provide evidence that the chitin deacetylase activity of Cbp1 is necessary for appressorium formation.
Molecular hydrogen increases resilience to stress in mice
Authors: Gao Qiang , Song Han , Wang Xiao-ting , Liang Ying , Xi Yan-jie , Gao Yuan , Guo Qing-jun , LeBaron Tyler , Luo Yi-xiao , Li Shuang-cheng , Yin Xi , Shi Hai-shui , Ma Yu-xia 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThe inability to successfully adapt to stress produces pathological changes that can lead to depression. Molecular hydrogen has anti-oxidative and anti-inflammatory activities and neuroprotective effects. However, the potential role of molecular hydrogen in stress-related disorders is still poorly understood. The present study aims to investigate the effects of hydrogen gas on resilience to stress in mice. The results showed that repeated inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas [67%:33% (V/V)] significantly decreased both the acute and chronic stress-induced depressive- and anxiety-like behaviors of mice, assessed by tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST), novelty suppressed feeding (NSF) test, and open field test (OFT). ELISA analyses showed that inhalation of hydrogen-oxygen mixed gas blocked CMS-induced increase in the serum levels of corticosterone, adrenocorticotropic hormone, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α in mice exposed to chronic mild stress. Finally, inhalation of hydrogen gas in adolescence significantly increased the resilience to acute stress in early adulthood, which illustrates the long-lasting effects of hydrogen on stress resilience in mice. This was likely mediated by inhibiting the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and inflammatory responses to stress. These results warrant further exploration for developing molecular hydrogen as a novel strategy to prevent the occurrence of stress-related disorders.
Insight into the metabolic mechanism of Diterpene Ginkgolides on antidepressant effects for attenuating behavioural deficits compared with venlafaxine
Authors: Bai Shunjie , Zhang Xiaodong , Chen Zhi , Wang Wei , Hu Qingchuan , Liang Zihong , Shen Peng , Gui Siwen , Zeng Li , Liu Zhao , Chen Jianjun , Xie Xiongfei , Huang Hua , Han Yu , Wang Haiyang , Xie Peng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDepression is a severe and chronic mental disorder, affecting about 322 million individuals worldwide. A recent study showed that diterpene ginkgolides (DG) have antidepressant-like effects on baseline behaviours in mice. Here, we examined the effects of DG and venlafaxine (VLX) in a chronic social defeat stress model of depression. Both DG and VLX attenuated stress-induced social deficits, despair behaviour and exploratory behaviour. To elucidate the metabolic changes underlying the antidepressive effects of DG and VLX, we investigated candidate functional pathways in the prefrontal cortex using a GC-MS-based metabolomics approach. Metabolic functions and pathways analysis revealed that DG and VLX affect protein biosynthesis and nucleotide metabolism to enhance cell proliferation, with DG having a weaker impact than VLX. Glutamate and aspartate metabolism played important roles in the antidepressant effects of DG and VLX. Tyrosine degradation and cell-to-cell signaling and interaction helped discriminate the two antidepressants. L-glutamic acid was negatively correlated, while hypoxanthine was positively correlated, with the social interaction ratio. Understanding the metabolic changes produced by DG and VLX should provide insight into the mechanisms of action of these drugs and aid in the development of novel therapies for depression.
Mutational heterogeneity in non-serous ovarian cancers
Authors: Teer Jamie K. , Yoder Sean , Gjyshi Anxhela , Nicosia Santo V. , Zhang Chaomei , Monteiro Alvaro N. A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEpithelial ovarian cancer is a leading cause of death in gynecological cancers. While several systematic studies have revealed the mutation landscape of serous epithelial ovarian cancer, other non-serous subtypes of the disease have not been explored as extensively. Here we conduct exome sequencing of nine non-serous epithelial ovarian tumors (six endometrioid and three mucinous) and their corresponding normal DNA as well as a tumor-only granulosa cell sample. We integrated the exome data with targeted gene sequencing for 1,321 genes selected for their involvement in cancer from additional 28 non-serous ovarian tumors and compared our results to TCGA ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma and uterine corpus endometrial carcinomas. Prevalence of TP53 mutations in non-serous was much lower than in serous epithelial OC, whereas the prevalence of PIK3CA, PIK3R1, PTEN, CTNNB1, ARID1A, and KRAS was higher. We confirmed the high prevalence of FOXL2 and KRAS mutations in granulosa cell tumors and in mucinous tumors, respectively. We also identified POLE proofreading domain mutations in three endometrioid ovarian tumors. These results highlight mutational differences between serous and non-serous ovarian cancers, and further distinguish different non-serous subtypes.
ADAM12-L confers acquired 5-fluorouracil resistance in breast cancer cells
Authors: Wang Xuedong , Wang Yueping , Gu Juan , Zhou Daoping , He Zhimin , Wang Xinhui , Ferrone Soldano 
Published: August 2017

Abstract5-FU-based combinatory chemotherapeutic regimens have been routinely used for many years for the treatment of breast cancer patients. Recurrence and chemotherapeutic drug resistance are two of the most prominent factors that underpin the high mortality rates associated with most breast cancers (BC). Increasing evidence indicates that overexpression of ADAMs could correlate with cancer progression. However, the role of ADAMs in the chemoresistance of cancer cells has rarely been reported. In this study, we observed that 5-FU induces expression of the ADAM12 isoform ADAM12-L but not ADAM12-S in BC cells and in recurrent BC tissues. The overexpression of ADAM12-L in BC cells following 5-FU treatment results in the acquisition of resistance to 5-FU. ADAM12-L overexoression also resulted in increased levels of p-Akt but not p-ERK. These alterations enhanced BC cell growth and invasive abilities. Conversely, ADAM12 knockdown attenuated the levels of p-Akt and restored 5-FU sensitivity in 5-FU-resistant BC cells. ADAM12 knockdown also reduced BC cell survival and invasive abilities. These findings suggest that ADAM12-L mediates chemoresistance to 5-FU and 5-FU-induced recurrence of BC by enhancing PI3K/Akt signaling. The results of this study suggest that specific ADAM12-L inhibition could optimize 5-FU-based chemotherapy of BC, thereby preventing BC recurrence in patients.
Toward new gas-analytical multisensor chips based on titanium oxide nanotube array
Authors: Fedorov Fedor , Vasilkov Michail , Lashkov Andrey , Varezhnikov Alexey , Fuchs Dirk , Kübel Christian , Bruns Michael , Sommer Martin , Sysoev Victor 
Published: August 2017

AbstractReliable environmental monitoring requires cost effective but highly sensitive and selective gas sensors. While the sensitivity of the sensors is improved by reducing the characteristic dimensions of the gas-sensing material, the selectivity is often approached by combining the sensors into multisensor arrays. The development of scalable methods to manufacture such arrays based on low-dimensional structures offers new perspectives for gas sensing applications. Here we examine an approach to produce multisensor array chips based on the TiOxnanotube layers segmented by multiple Pt strip electrodes. We study the sensitivity and selectivity of the developed chip at operating temperatures up to 400 °C towards organic vapors in the ppm range. The results indicate that the titania nanotubes are a promising material platform for novel cost-effective and powerful gas-analytical multisensor units.
The neural mechanism underpinning balance calibration between action inhibition and activation initiated by reward motivation
Authors: Lee Hsin-Ju , Lin Fa-Hsuan , Kuo Wen-Jui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn everyday life, it is often the case that in some situations we are motivated and want not only to speed up our actions but also to avoid mistakes—for example, ballgames. How our brain works at that moment to resolve the situations and react properly has created an active research field. Previous findings indicated that maintaining a balance between withholding and executing an action are highly dynamic and involve many executive control processes. This fMRI study was set up to investigate how motivation affects these balancing processes. With manipulation of prospective rewards in a stop-signal task where both the proactive and reactive control were equally emphasized, our behavioral results replicated previous findings. The fMRI findings backed up the behavioral results. We found motivation effects in the anterior caudate and pre-SMA for action inhibition. The former works to register motivation status, the latter works to transform motivation into action inhibition control. Together with the results of connectivity analysis, our study also suggests a hierarchical relationship between functional roles of pre-SMA and right inferior frontal gyrus during action inhibition. While the pre-SMA acts to accommodate higher-order factors, such as motivation, for action control, the right inferior frontal cortex acts to participate in the execution of action inhibition. This study pinned down a neural mechanism that integrates reward motivation into action inhibition control.
Genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptome analyses reveal genes involved in immune responses of pig peripheral blood mononuclear cells to poly I:C
Authors: Wang Haifei , Wang Jiying , Ning Chao , Zheng Xianrui , Fu Jinlian , Wang Aiguo , Zhang Qin , Liu Jian-Feng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDNA methylation changes play essential roles in regulating the activities of genes involved in immune responses. Understanding of variable DNA methylation linked to immune responses may contribute to identifying biologically promising epigenetic markers for pathogenesis of diseases. Here, we generated genome-wide DNA methylation and transcriptomic profiles of six pairs of polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid-treated pig peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) samples and corresponding controls using methylated DNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA sequencing. Comparative methylome analyses identified 5,827 differentially methylated regions and 615 genes showing differential expression between the two groups. Integrative analyses revealed inverse associations between DNA methylation around transcriptional start site and gene expression levels. Furthermore, 70 differentially methylated and expressed genes were identified such as TNFRSF9, IDO1 and EBI3. Functional annotation revealed the enriched categories including positive regulation of immune system process and regulation of leukocyte activation. These findings demonstrated DNA methylation changes occurring in immune responses of PBMCs to poly I:C stimulation and a subset of genes potentially regulated by DNA methylation in the immune responses. The PBMC DNA methylome provides an epigenetic overview of this physiological system in response to viral infection, and we expect it to constitute a valuable resource for future epigenetic epidemiology studies in pigs.
A gene expression atlas of adult Schistosoma mansoni and their gonads
Authors: Lu Zhigang , Sessler Florian , Holroyd Nancy , Hahnel Steffen , Quack Thomas , Berriman Matthew , Grevelding Christoph G. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractRNA-Seq has proven excellence in providing information about the regulation and transcript levels of genes. We used this method for profiling genes in the flatworm Schistosoma mansoni. This parasite causes schistosomiasis, an infectious disease of global importance for human and animals. The pathology of schistosomiasis is associated with the eggs, which are synthesized as a final consequence of male and female adults pairing. The male induces processes in the female that lead to the full development of its gonads as a prerequisite for egg production. Unpaired females remain sexually immature. Based on an organ-isolation method we obtained gonad tissue for RNA extraction from paired and unpaired schistosomes, with whole adults included as controls. From a total of 23 samples, we used high-throughput cDNA sequencing (RNA-Seq) on the Illumina platform to profile gene expression between genders and tissues, with and without pairing influence. The data obtained provide a wealth of information on the reproduction biology of schistosomes and a rich resource for exploitation through basic and applied research activities.