bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ultrastable Au nanoparticles on titania through an encapsulation strategy under oxidative atmosphere
Authors: Liu Shaofeng , Xu Wei , Niu Yiming , Zhang Bingsen , Zheng Lirong , Liu Wei , Li Lin , Wang Junhu 
Published: December 2019

AbstractSupported gold catalysts play a crucial role in the chemical industry; however, their poor on-stream stability because of the sintering of the gold nanoparticles restricts their practical application. The strong metal-support interaction (SMSI), an important concept in heterogeneous catalysis, may be applied to construct the structure of catalysts and, hence, improve their reactivity and stability. Here we report an ultrastable Au nanocatalyst after calcination at 800 °C, in which Au nanoparticles are encapsulated by a permeable TiOx thin layer induced by melamine under oxidative atmosphere. Owning to the formed TiOx overlayer, the resulting Au catalyst is resistant to sintering and exhibits excellent activity and stability for catalytic CO oxidation. Furthermore, this special strategy can be extended to colloidal Au nanoparticles supported on TiO2 and commercial gold catalyst denoted as RR2Ti, providing a universal way to engineer and develop highly stable supported Au catalysts with tunable activity.
Differential expression of circulating exosomal microRNAs in refractory intracranial atherosclerosis associated with antiangiogenesis
Authors: Jiang Hao , Toscano Juan F. , Song Shlee S. , Schlick Konrad H. , Dumitrascu Oana M. , Pan Jianwei , Lyden Patrick D. , Saver Jeffrey L. , Gonzalez Nestor R. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntracranial atherosclerotic disease (ICAD) is a common cause of stroke with high rates of ischemic recurrence. We aimed to investigate the role of circulating exosomal microRNAs (e-miRNAs) in recurrent ischemic events in ICAD. Consecutive patients with severe ICAD undergoing intensive medical management (IMM) were prospectively enrolled. Those with recurrent ischemic events despite IMM during 6-month follow up were algorithmically matched to IMM responders. Baseline blood e-miRNA expression levels of the matched patients were measured using next generation sequencing. A total of 122 e-miRNAs were isolated from blood samples of 10 non-responders and 11 responders. Thirteen e-miRNAs predicted IMM failure with 90% sensitivity and 100% specificity. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) determined 10 of the 13 e-miRNAs were significantly associated with angiogenesis-related biological functions (p < 0.025) and angiogenic factors that have been associated with recurrent ischemic events in ICAD. These e-miRNAs included miR-122-5p, miR-192-5p, miR-27b-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-10b-5p, miR-10a-5p, miR-101-3p, and miR-24-3p. As predicted by IPA, the specific expression profiles of these 10 e-miRNAs in non-responders had a net result of inhibition of the angiogenesis-related functions and up expression of the antiangiogenic factors. This study revealed distinct expression profiles of circulating e-miRNAs in refractory ICAD, suggesting an antiangiogenic mechanism underlying IMM failure.
OutCyte: a novel tool for predicting unconventional protein secretion
Authors: Zhao Linlin , Poschmann Gereon , Waldera-Lupa Daniel , Rafiee Nima , Kollmann Markus , Stühler Kai 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe prediction of protein localization, such as in the extracellular space, from high-throughput data is essential for functional downstream inference. It is well accepted that some secreted proteins go through the classic endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi pathway with the guidance of a signal peptide. However, a large number of proteins have been found to reach the extracellular space by following unconventional secretory pathways. There remains a demand for reliable prediction of unconventional protein secretion (UPS). Here, we present OutCyte, a fast and accurate tool for the prediction of UPS, which for the first time has been built upon experimentally determined UPS proteins. OutCyte mediates the prediction of protein secretion in two steps: first, proteins with N-terminal signals are accurately filtered out; second, proteins without N-terminal signals are classified as UPS or intracellular proteins based on physicochemical features directly generated from their amino acid sequences. We are convinced that OutCyte will play a relevant role in the annotation of experimental data and will therefore contribute to further characterization of the extracellular nature of proteins by considering the commonly neglected UPS proteins.OutCyte has been implemented as a web server atwww.outcyte.com.
Hand, foot and lip representations in primary sensorimotor cortex: a high-density electroencephalography study
Authors: Zhao Mingqi , Marino Marco , Samogin Jessica , Swinnen Stephan P. , Mantini Dante 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe primary sensorimotor cortex plays a major role in the execution of movements of the contralateral side of the body. The topographic representation of different body parts within this brain region is commonly investigated through functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). However, fMRI does not provide direct information about neuronal activity. In this study, we used high-density electroencephalography (hdEEG) to map the representations of hand, foot, and lip movements in the primary sensorimotor cortex, and to study their neural signatures. Specifically, we assessed the event-related desynchronization (ERD) in the cortical space. We found that the performance of hand, foot, and lip movements elicited an ERD in beta and gamma frequency bands. The primary regions showing significant beta- and gamma-band ERD for hand and foot movements, respectively, were consistent with previously reported using fMRI. We observed relatively weaker ERD for lip movements, which may be explained by the fact that less fine movement control was required. Overall, our study demonstrated that ERD based on hdEEG data can support the study of motor-related neural processes, with relatively high spatial resolution. An interesting avenue may be the use of hdEEG for deeper investigations into the pathophysiology of neuromotor disorders.
Novel multimodal MRI and MicroCT imaging approach to quantify angiogenesis and 3D vascular architecture of biomaterials
Authors: Woloszyk Anna , Wolint Petra , Becker Anton S. , Boss Andreas , Fath Weston , Tian Yinghua , Hoerstrup Simon P. , Buschmann Johanna , Emmert Maximilian Y. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractQuantitative assessment of functional perfusion capacity and vessel architecture is critical when validating biomaterials for regenerative medicine purposes and requires high-tech analytical methods. Here, combining two clinically relevant imaging techniques, (magnetic resonance imaging; MRI and microcomputed tomography; MicroCT) and using the chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay, we present and validate a novel functional and morphological three-dimensional (3D) analysis strategy to study neovascularization in biomaterials relevant for bone regeneration. Using our new pump-assisted approach, the two scaffolds, Optimaix (laminar structure mimicking entities of the diaphysis) and DegraPol (highly porous resembling spongy bone), were shown to directly affect the architecture of the ingrowing neovasculature. Perfusion capacity (MRI) and total vessel volume (MicroCT) strongly correlated for both biomaterials, suggesting that our approach allows for a comprehensive evaluation of the vascularization pattern and efficiency of biomaterials. Being compliant with the 3R-principles (replacement, reduction and refinement), the well-established and easy-to-handle CAM model offers many advantages such as low costs, immune-incompetence and short experimental times with high-grade read-outs when compared to conventional animal models. Therefore, combined with our imaging-guided approach it represents a powerful tool to study angiogenesis in biomaterials.
UNI-EM: An Environment for Deep Neural Network-Based Automated Segmentation of Neuronal Electron Microscopic Images
Authors: Urakubo Hidetoshi , Bullmann Torsten , Kubota Yoshiyuki , Oba Shigeyuki , Ishii Shin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRecently, there has been rapid expansion in the field of micro-connectomics, which targets the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of neuronal networks from stacks of two-dimensional (2D) electron microscopy (EM) images. The spatial scale of the 3D reconstruction increases rapidly owing to deep convolutional neural networks (CNNs) that enable automated image segmentation. Several research teams have developed their own software pipelines for CNN-based segmentation. However, the complexity of such pipelines makes their use difficult even for computer experts and impossible for non-experts. In this study, we developed a new software program, called UNI-EM, for 2D and 3D CNN-based segmentation. UNI-EM is a software collection for CNN-based EM image segmentation, including ground truth generation, training, inference, postprocessing, proofreading, and visualization. UNI-EM incorporates a set of 2D CNNs, i.e., U-Net, ResNet, HighwayNet, and DenseNet. We further wrapped flood-filling networks (FFNs) as a representative 3D CNN-based neuron segmentation algorithm. The 2D- and 3D-CNNs are known to demonstrate state-of-the-art level segmentation performance. We then provided two example workflows: mitochondria segmentation using a 2D CNN and neuron segmentation using FFNs. By following these example workflows, users can benefit from CNN-based segmentation without possessing knowledge of Python programming or CNN frameworks.
Phytoseiid predatory mites can disperse entomopathogenic fungi to prey patches
Authors: Lin Gongyu , Guertin Claude , Di Paolo Sean-Anthony , Todorova Silvia , Brodeur Jacques 
Published: December 2019

AbstractRecent studies have shown that predatory mites used as biocontrol agents can be loaded with entomopathogenic fungal conidia to increase infection rates in pest populations. Under laboratory conditions, we determined the capacity of two phytoseiid mites,Amblyseius swirskiiandNeoseiulus cucumeristo deliver the entomopathogenic fungusBeauveria bassianato their prey,Frankliniella occidentalis. Predatory mites were loaded with conidia and released on plants that had been previously infested with first instar prey clustered on a bean leaf. We examined each plant section to characterize the spatial distribution of each interacting organism. Our results showed thatA. swirskiidelivered high numbers of conidia to thrips infested leaves, thereby increasing the proportion of thrips that came into contact with the fungus. The effect was larger when thrips infestation occurred on young leaves than on old leaves.Neoseiulus cucumerisdelivered less conidia to the thrips infested leaves. These patterns result from differences in foraging activity between predatory mite species.Amblyseius swirskiistayed longer on plants, especially within thrips colonies, and had a stronger suppressing effect on thrips thanN. cucumeris. Our study suggests that loading certain predatory mite species with fungal conidia can increase their capacity to suppress thrips populations by combining predation and dispersing pathogens.
Performance of deep learning-based algorithm for detection of ileocolic intussusception on abdominal radiographs of young children
Authors: Kim Sungwon , Yoon Haesung , Lee Mi-Jung , Kim Myung-Joon , Han Kyunghwa , Yoon Ja Kyung , Kim Hyung Cheol , Shin Jaeseung , Shin Hyun Joo 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to develop and test the performance of a deep learning-based algorithm to detect ileocolic intussusception using abdominal radiographs of young children. For the training set, children (≤5 years old) who underwent abdominal radiograph and ultrasonography (US) for suspicion of intussusception from March 2005 to December 2017 were retrospectively included and divided into control and intussusception groups according to the US results. A YOLOv3-based algorithm was developed to recognize the rectangular area of the right abdomen and to diagnose intussusception. For the validation set, children (≤5 years old) who underwent both radiograph and US from January to August 2018 with the suspicion of intussusception were included. Diagnostic performances of an algorithm and radiologists were compared. Total 681 children including 242 children in intussusception group were included in the training set and 75 children including 25 children in intussusception group were included in the validation set. The sensitivity of the algorithm was higher compared with that of the radiologists (0.76 vs. 0.46, p = 0.013), while specificity was not different between the algorithm and the radiologists (0.96 vs. 0.92, p = 0.32). Deep learning-based algorithm can aid screening of intussusception using abdominal radiography in young children.
AT1 and AT2 receptors modulate renal tubular cell necroptosis in angiotensin II-infused renal injury mice
Authors: Zhu Yongjun , Cui Hongwang , Lv Jie , Liang Haiqin , Zheng Yanping , Wang Shanzhi , Wang Min , Wang Huanan , Ye Feng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAbnormal renin-angiotensin system (RAS) activation plays a critical role in the initiation and progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD) by directly mediating renal tubular cell apoptosis. Our previous study showed that necroptosis may play a more important role than apoptosis in mediating renal tubular cell loss in chronic renal injury rats, but the mechanism involved remains unknown. Here, we investigate whether blocking the angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R) and/or angiotensin II type 2 receptor (AT2R) beneficially alleviates renal tubular cell necroptosis and chronic kidney injury. In an angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced renal injury mouse model, we found that blocking AT1R and AT2R effectively mitigates Ang II-induced increases in necroptotic tubular epithelial cell percentages, necroptosis-related RIP3 and MLKL protein expression, serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen levels, and tubular damage scores. Furthermore, inhibition of AT1R and AT2R diminishes Ang II-induced necroptosis in HK-2 cells and the AT2 agonist CGP42112A increases the percentage of necroptotic HK-2 cells. In addition, the current study also demonstrates that Losartan and PD123319 effectively mitigated the Ang II-induced increases in Fas and FasL signaling molecule expression. Importantly, disruption of FasL significantly suppressed Ang II-induced increases in necroptotic HK-2 cell percentages, and necroptosis-related proteins. These results suggest that Fas and FasL, as subsequent signaling molecules of AT1R and AT2R, might involve in Ang II-induced necroptosis. Taken together, our results suggest that Ang II-induced necroptosis of renal tubular cell might be involved both AT1R and AT2R and the subsequent expression of Fas, FasL signaling. Thus, AT1R and AT2R might function as critical mediators.
An improved method for studying mouse diaphragm function
Authors: Hakim Chady H. , Lessa Thais B. , Jenkins Gregory J. , Yang Nora N. , Ambrosio Carlos E. , Duan Dongsheng 
Published: December 2019

AbstractDysfunction in the contractile properties of the diaphragm muscle contributes to the morbidity and mortality in many neuromuscular and respiratory diseases. Methods that can accurately quantify diaphragm function in mouse models are essential for preclinical studies. Diaphragm function is usually measured using the diaphragm strip. Two methods have been used to attach the diaphragm strip to the force transducer. The suture method is easy to adopt but it cannot maintain the physiological orientation of the muscle fibers. Hence, results may not accurately reflect diaphragm contractility. The clamp method can better maintain diaphragm muscle fiber orientation but is used less often because detailed information on clamp fabrication and application has never been published. Importantly, a side-by-side comparison of the two methods is lacking. To address these questions, we engineered diaphragm clamps using mechanically highly durable material. Here, we present a detailed and ready-to-use protocol on the design and manufacture of diaphragm clamps. Also, we present a step by step protocol on how to mount the diaphragm strip to the clamp and then to the muscle force measurement system. We compared the diaphragm force from the same mouse with both suture and clamp methods. We found the clamp method yielded a significantly higher muscle force. Finally, we validated the utility of the clamp method in the mdx model of Duchenne muscular dystrophy. In summary, the clamp method described in this paper yields reliable and consistent diaphragm force data. This method will be useful to any laboratory interested in performing mouse diaphragm function assay.
The application of Box-Behnken-Design in the optimization of HPLC separation of fluoroquinolones
Authors: Czyrski Andrzej , Sznura Justyna 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBox-Behnken Design is a useful tool for the optimization of the chromatographic analysis. The goal of this study was to select the most significant factors that influenced the following parameters of the chromatographic separation: retention time, relative retention time, symmetry of the peaks, tailing factor, a number of theoretical plates, Foley – Dorsey parameter, resolution factor, peak width at half height. The results underwent the ANOVA test to find the statistically significant variables and interactions between them. The level of significance was for p < 0.05. The polynomial equations described quantitatively the statistically significant parameters and the interactions between them. The statistical analysis indicated both the best conditions for the separation of the compounds and the variables that were most influential for peaks’ parameters. The four-factor analysis performed for LEVO and MOXI indicated that ACN, TEA and pH are the most significant factors that influence the separation. The analysis for the pair CIPRO and LEVO required six factors. The statistical analysis proved that the most significant factors are ACN, MeOH and TEA. In the separation of these two compounds on the HPLC column, the interaction ACN × MeOH was also significant.
RRAD expression in gastric and colorectal cancer with peritoneal carcinomatosis
Authors: Kim Hee Kyung , Lee Inkyoung , Kim Seung Tae , Lee Jeeyun , Kim Kyoung-Mee , Park Joon Oh , Kang Won Ki 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThe role of Ras-related associated with diabetes (RRAD) in gastric cancer (GC) or colorectal cancer (CRC) has not been investigated. We aimed to investigate the biological and clinical roles of RRAD in GC and CRC and to assess RRAD as a therapeutic target. A total of 31 cancer cell lines (17 GC cell lines, 14 CRC cell lines), 59 patient-derived cells (PDCs from 48 GC patients and 11 CRC patients), and 84 matched pairs of primary cancer tissue and non-tumor tissue were used to evaluate the role of RRAD in vitro and in vivo. RRAD expression was frequently increased in GC and CRC cell lines, and siRNA/shRNA-mediated RRAD inhibition induced significant decline of tumor cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. A synergistic effect of RRAD inhibition was generated by combined treatment with chemotherapy. Notably, RRAD expression was markedly increased in PDCs, and RRAD inhibition suppressed PDC proliferation. RRAD inhibition also resulted in reduced cell invasion, decreased expression of EMT markers, and decreased angiogenesis and levels of associated proteins including VEGF and ANGP2. Our study suggests that RRAD could be a novel therapeutic target for treatment of GC and CRC, especially in patients with peritoneal seeding.
Coupled Charge Transfer Dynamics and Photoluminescence Quenching in Monolayer MoS2 Decorated with WS2 Quantum Dots
Authors: Mawlong Larionette P. L. , Bora Abhilasha , Giri P. K. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHerein, we have investigated the tunability of the photoluminescence (PL) of the monolayer MoS2 (1L-MoS2) by decorating it with WS2 quantum dots (WS2 QD). The direct bandgap 1L-MoS2 and WS2 QDs are grown by chemical vapor deposition and liquid exfoliation methods, respectively. The room temperature PL spectrum of bare 1L-MoS2 is systematically quenched with its decoration with WS2 QDs at different concentrations. A decrease in the work function of 1L-MoS2 with the decoration of WS2 QDs was established from the Kelvin probe force microscopy analysis. A detailed quantitative analysis using the four-energy level model involving coupled charge transfer was employed to explain the redshift and the systematic decrease in the intensity of the PL peak in 1L-MoS2/WS2 QD heterostructure. The modulation of the PL in the heterostructure is attributed to the increase in the formation of negative trions through the charge transfer from WS2 QD to the 1L-MoS2 and thus making the 1L-MoS2 heavily n-type doped, with increase in the electron density by ~1.5 × 1013 cm−2. This study establishes the contribution of defects in the coupled charge transfer dynamics in 1L-MoS2, and it lays out a convenient strategy to manipulate the optical and electrical properties of 1L-MoS2 for various optoelectronic applications.
Efficiency of Iterative Metal Artifact Reduction Algorithm (iMAR) Applied to Brain Volume Perfusion CT in the Follow-up of Patients after Coiling or Clipping of Ruptured Brain Aneurysms
Authors: Hakim Arsany , Pastore-Wapp Manuela , Vulcu Sonja , Dobrocky Tomas , Z’Graggen Werner J. , Wagner Franca 
Published: December 2019

AbstractMetal artifacts resulting from coiling or clipping of a brain aneurysm degrade image quality and reduce diagnostic usefulness of computed tomography perfusion CTP. Our aim was to assess the diagnostic value of the iterative metal artifact reduction algorithm (iMAR) in CTP studies after coiling or clipping of ruptured intracranial aneurysms. Fifty-eight CTP exams performed in 32 patients were analysed. iMAR was applied to the source images from the CT scanner. Perfusion maps were generated from datasets both with and without iMAR, and both datasets were compared qualitatively and quantitatively. Qualitative analysis included evaluation of intensity of artifacts, image quality, presence of new artifacts, and the reader’s confidence in their diagnosis as well as diagnostic impression. Quantitative analysis included evaluation of tissue attenuation curves, evaluation of region of interest (ROI)-based measurement of perfusion values at levels that do and do not contain metal, compared to previously published reference ranges of perfusion values. Our results showed that application of iMAR reduced artifacts and significantly improved image quality. New artifacts were observed adjacent to metallic implants, but did not limit the evaluation of other regions. After correction for artifact readers’ confidence in their diagnosis increased from 41.3% to 87.9%, and the diagnostic impression changed in 31% of the exams. No difference between tissue attenuation curves was found. For slices without metal, no difference was noted between values measured before and after iMAR, and the total number of ROIs in the reference range of perfusion values was unchanged. At the level of the metal implant, 89.85% of ROIs obtained before using iMAR showed calculation errors. After using iMAR, only 1.7% showed errors. Before iMAR 3.1% of values were in the reference range, whereas after iMAR this increased to 33.1%. In conclusion, our results show that iMAR is an excellent tool for reducing artifacts in CTP. It is therefore recommended for use in clinical practice, particularly when severe artifacts are present, or when hypoperfusion is suspected at the level of the coil or clip. After the application of iMAR, the perfusion values at the level of the metal can be better calculated, but may not lie within the reference range; therefore, quantitative analysis at the level of artifacts is not advisable.