bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Modulatory effects of BPC 157 on vasomotor tone and the activation of Src-Caveolin-1-endothelial nitric oxide synthase pathway
Authors: Hsieh Ming-Jer , Lee Cheng-Hung , Chueh Ho-Yen , Chang Gwo-Jyh , Huang Hsiu-Yun , Lin Yuling , Pang Jong-Hwei S. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBPC 157-activated endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) is associated with tissue repair and angiogenesis as reported in previous studies. However, how BPC 157 regulates the vasomotor tone and intracellular Src-Caveolin-1 (Cav-1)-eNOS signaling is not yet clear. The present study demonstrated a concentration-dependent vasodilation effect of BPC 157 in isolated rat aorta. Attenuation of this vasodilation effect in the absence of endothelium suggested an endothelium-dependent vasodilation effect of BPC 157. Although slightly increased vasorelaxation in aorta without endothelium was noticed at high concentration of BPC 157, there was no direct relaxation effect on three-dimensional model made of vascular smooth muscle cells. The vasodilation effect of BPC 157 was nitric oxide mediated because the addition of L-NAME or hemoglobin inhibited the vasodilation of aorta. Nitric oxide generation was induced by BPC 157 as detected by intracellular DFA-FM DA labeling which was capable of promoting the migration of vascular endothelial cells. BPC 157 enhanced the phosphorylation of Src, Cav-1 and eNOS which was abolished by pretreatment with Src inhibitor, confirming the upstream role of Src in this signal pathway. Activation of eNOS required the released binding with Cav-1 in advance. Co-immunoprecipitation analysis revealed that BPC 157 could reduce the binding between Cav-1 and eNOS. Together, the present study demonstrates that BPC 157 can modulate the vasomotor tone of an isolated aorta in a concentration- and nitric oxide-dependent manner. BPC 157 can induce nitric oxide generation likely through the activation of Src-Cav-1-eNOS pathway.
Predictors of the pulsatility index in the middle cerebral artery of acute stroke patients
Authors: Bill Olivier , Lambrou Dimitris , Sotomayor Guillermo Toledo , Meyer Ivo , Michel Patrik , Moreira Tiago , Niederhauser Julien , Hirt Lorenz 
Published: October 2020

AbstractCervical and transcranial Doppler (TCD) are widely used as non-invasive methods in the evaluation of acute ischemic stroke (AIS) patients. High-grade carotid artery stenosis induces haemodynamic changes such as collateral flow and a so-called post-stenotic flow pattern of the middle cerebral artery (MCA), which appears flattened, with a reduction of the velocity difference between systole and diastole. We studied the influence of carotid artery stenosis and other variables on the flow pattern in the MCA using the pulsatility index (PI), a quantitative TCD parameter reflecting the flow spectrum in a large of cohort AIS patients. We performed ultrasound examinations of 1825 AIS patients at the CHUV from October 2004 to December 2014. We extracted patient characteristics from the ASTRAL registry. Carotid stenosis severity was classified as < 50%, 50–70%, 70–90% and > 90%, or occlusion, according to Doppler velocity criteria. We first determined variables associated with stenosis grade. Then we performed a multivariate analysis after adjusting for baseline differences, using MCA PI as dependent variable. Carotid stenosis > 70% (− 0.07) and carotid stenosis > 90%, or occlusion (− 0.14) and left side (− 0.02) are associated with lower MCA PI values. Age (+0.006 PI units per decade), diabetes (+0.07), acute ischemic changes on initial CT (+0.03) and severe plaque morphology (+0.18) are associated with higher MCA PI values. We found a number of clinical and radiological conditions that significantly influence the PI of the MCA, including high-grade ipsilateral carotid stenosis in AIS patients. We provide for the first time a quantitative evaluation of the effect of these influencing factors from a large cohort of AIS patients.
The non-Newtonian maxwell nanofluid flow between two parallel rotating disks under the effects of magnetic field
Authors: Ahmadian Ali , Bilal Muhammad , Khan Muhammad Altaf , Asjad Muhammad Imran 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThe main feature of the present numerical model is to explore the behavior of Maxwell nanoliquid moving within two horizontal rotating disks. The disks are stretchable and subjected to a magnetic field in axial direction. The time dependent characteristics of thermal conductivity have been considered to scrutinize the heat transfer phenomena. The thermophoresis and Brownian motion features of nanoliquid are studied with Buongiorno model. The lower and upper disk's rotation for both the cases, same direction as well as opposite direction of rotation is investigated. The subsequent arrangement of the three dimensional Navier Stoke’s equations along with energy, mass and Maxwell equations are diminished to a dimensionless system of equations through the Von Karman’s similarity framework. The comparative numerical arrangement of modeled equations is further set up by built-in numerical scheme “boundary value solver” (Bvp4c) and Runge Kutta fourth order method (RK4). The various physical constraints, such as Prandtl number, thermal conductivity, magnetic field, thermal radiation, time relaxation, Brownian motion and thermophoresis parameters and their impact are presented and discussed briefly for velocity, temperature, concentration and magnetic strength profiles. In the present analysis, some vital characteristics such as Nusselt and Sherwood numbers are considered for physical and numerical investigation. The outcomes concluded that the disk stretching action opposing the flow behavior. With the increases of magnetic field parameter $$M$$
M
the fluid velocity decreases, while improving its temperature. We show a good agreement of the present work by comparing with those published in literature.
Usefulness of a novel device to divide core needle biopsy specimens in a spatially matched fashion
Authors: Shiraishi Takumi , Inui Shogo , Inoue Yuta , Saito Yumiko , Taga Hideto , Kaneko Masatomo , Tsuji Keisuke , Ueda Saya , Ueda Takashi , Matsugasumi Toru , Taniguchi Hidefumi , Ueno Akihisa , Yamada Takeshi , Yamada Yasuhiro , Iwata Tsuyoshi , Fujihara Atsuko , Hongo Fumiya , Ukimura Osamu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractWe developed a novel dividing device that can split needle biopsy tissues along longitude axis aiming to achieve definitive molecular-biological and genetical analysis with reference of pathological diagnosis of the side-by-side divided tissue as spatially matched information. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and potential usefulness of the novel dividing device to provide the appropriate materials for molecular diagnosis. The new device was examined using mouse xenograft tumors. Real-time quantitative PCR and genetic test were performed to evaluate the feasibility and usefulness of the device. All the samples from needle biopsy were successfully divided into two pieces. Quality and quantity from divided samples harbor high enough to perform gene expression analysis (real-time PCR) and genetic test. Using two divided samples obtained from xenograft tumor model by needle biopsy, the % length of xenograft tumor (human origin) was significantly correlated with the % human genomic DNA (p = 0.00000608, r = 0.987), indicating that these divided samples were spatially matched. The novel longitudinally dividing device of a needle biopsy tissue was useful to provide the appropriate materials for molecular-biological and genetical analysis with reference of pathological diagnosis as spatially matched information.
Association of foveal avascular zone with the metamorphopsia in epiretinal membrane
Authors: Shiihara Hideki , Terasaki Hiroto , Sonoda Shozo , Kakiuchi Naoko , Yamaji Hidetaka , Yamaoka Shinnosuke , Uno Toshihiko , Watanabe Mutsumi , Sakamoto Taiji 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThis study was to investigate the relationship between the metamorphopsia and foveal avascular zone (FAZ) parameter in eyes with epiratinal membrane (ERM). We studied patients with an ERM visited retinal service unit at the Kagoshima University Hospital or Shirai Hospital. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the degree of metamorphopsia by M -CHARTS™ were evaluated. The 3 × 3 mm optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) images of the superficial layer were obtained. Area (mm2), the circularity, eigen value were calculated using ImageJ software. The relationship between visual function, such as best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and metamorphopsia, and FAZ parameters were studied by Pearson’s correlational coefficient. Fifty-four eyes of 51 patients (24 men and 27 women) with an ERM were studied. The mean age of the patients was 69.6 ± 8.20 years. The mean BCVA and metamorphopsia score was 0.31 ± 0.29 logMAR units and 0.49 ± 0.42. There was no significant relationship between BCVA and FAZ parameters. While, metamorphopsia score was significantly and negatively correlated with all of FAZ parameters (area R = − 0.491, P < 0.001; circularity R = − 0.385, P = 0.004; eigenvalue ratio R = − 0.341; P = 0.012). Multiple regression analysis showed the FAZ area was solely and significantly correlated with metamorphopsia score (β − 0.479, P < 0.001). The size but not the shape of the FAZ was significantly correlated with the degree of metamorphopsia suggesting that it could be an objective parameter of metamorphopsia in ERM patients.
Ellipsometric spectroscopy of rubidium vapor cell at near-normal incidence
Authors: Mosleh M. , Ranjbaran M. , Hamidi S. M. , Tehranchi M. M. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractVarious efforts have been made to overcome Doppler broadening in hyperfine measurement limitations in the atomic vapors spectroscopy and associated applications. The present study measured and calculated hyperfine resolved ellipsometric parameters through the near-normal reflectance spectra of the rubidium vapor cell in two experimental setups based on continuous and modulated pathway. The results indicated that valuable information could be extracted from the ellipsometric parameters about the atomic medium. Change in the ellipsometric parameters in each transition line confirms the existence of the elliptical polarization of the reflected light when it is exposed to the alkali metal vapor. Our results show that the ellipticity at 5S1/2 (Fg = 1, 2) → 5P1/2 (Fe = 1, 2) hyperfine transitions of 87Rb (D1 line) is small, and accordingly hyperfine transitions between the ground 5S1/2 (Fg = 2, 3) and excited 5P1/2 (Fe = 2, 3) states of the 85Rb isotope are considerable. These ellipsometric parameters, as phase difference, can trace the behavior of the relative orientation of the electric field and atom velocity in the interface based on van der Waals dipole–dipole interaction and is directly proportional to the strength of the light-matter interaction which extremely useful instead complicated atomic spectroscopic methods.
Nonlinear association between blood lead and hyperhomocysteinemia among adults in the United States
Authors: Li Minghui , Hu Lihua , Zhou Wei , Wang Tao , Zhu Lingjuan , Zhai Zhenyu , Bao Huihui , Cheng Xiaoshu 
Published: October 2020

AbstractEvidence regarding the association between blood lead levels (BLL) and hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) in US adults was limited. We aimed to investigate the association of BLL with the risk of HHcy, and to examine possible effect modifiers using US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database. We performed a cross-sectional study using data from up to 9,331 participants aged ≥ 20 years of NHANES from 2001 to 2006. BLL was measured by atomic absorption spectrometry. HHcy was defined as plasma homocysteine level > 15 µmol/L. The weighted prevalence of HHcy was 6.87%. The overall mean BLL was 1.9 μg/dL. Overall, there was a nonlinear positive association between Ln-transformed BLL (LnBLL) and the risk of HHcy. The Odds ratios (95% CI) for participants in the second (0.04–0.49 μg/dL), third (0.5–0.95 μg/dL) and fourth quartiles (> 0.95 μg/dL) were 1.12 (95% CI: 0.71, 1.76), 1.13 (95% CI: 0.73, 1.77), and 1.67 (95% CI: 1.07, 2.61), respectively, compared with those in quartile 1. Consistently, a significantly higher risk of HHcy (OR: 1.49; 95% CI: 1.19, 1.88) was found in participants in quartile 4 compared with those in quartiles 1–3. Furthermore, a strongly positive association between LnBLL and HHcy was observed in participants with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) < 60 mL/min−1/1.73 m−2. Our results suggested that a higher level of BLL (LnBLL > 0.95 μg/dL) was associated with increased risk of HHcy compared with a lower level of BLL (LnBLL ≤ 0.95 μg/dL) among U.S. adults, and the association was modified by the eGFR.
Characterization of thymine microcrystals by CARS and SHG microscopy
Authors: Dementjev Andrej , Rutkauskas Danielis , Polovy Ivan , Macernis Mindaugas , Abramavicius Darius , Valkunas Leonas , Dovbeshko Galina 
Published: October 2020

AbstractIdentification of chemically homologous microcrystals in a polycrystal sample is a big challenge and requires developing specific highly sensitive tools. Second harmonic (SHG) and coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) spectroscopy can be used to reveal arrangement of thymine molecules, one of the DNA bases, in microcrystalline sample. Strong dependence of CARS and SHG intensity on the orientation of the linear polarization of the excitation light allows to obtain high resolution images of thymine microcrystals by additionally utilizing the scanning microscopy technique. Experimental findings and theoretical interpretation of the results are compared. Presented experimental data together with quantum chemistry-based theoretical interpretation allowed us to determine the most probable organization of the thymine molecules.
Mechanochemical conversion kinetics of red to black phosphorus and scaling parameters for high volume synthesis
Authors: Pedersen Samuel V. , Muramutsa Florent , Wood Joshua D. , Husko Chad , Estrada David , Jaques Brian J. 
Published: October 2020

AbstractAdopting black phosphorus (BP) as a material in electronic and optoelectronic device manufacturing requires the development and understanding of a large-scale synthesis technique. To that end, high-energy planetary ball milling is demonstrated as a scalable synthesis route, and the mechanisms and conversion kinetics of the BP phase transformation are investigated. During the milling process, media collisions rapidly compress amorphous red phosphorus (RP) into crystalline, orthorhombic BP flakes, resulting in a conversion yield of ≈90% for ≈5 g of bulk BP powder. Milling conversion kinetics, monitored via ex situ x-ray diffraction, manifest a sigmoidal behavior best described by the Avrami rate model with each impact of sufficient energy (>25 mJ) producing BP nuclei; the process appears to be limited by grain growth. Using a kinematic model for ball trajectories and impact energies, the optimum milling condition is determined to be an impact energy near ≈25 mJ and a milling dose near ≈100 kJ/gram. Photoexcitation of exfoliated BP flakes reveals emission in the near-infrared, indicating the formation of few-layer BP, a promising advance for optoelectronic device applications.
Early detection and tracking of bulbar changes in ALS via frequent and remote speech analysis
Authors: Stegmann Gabriela M. , Hahn Shira , Liss Julie , Shefner Jeremy , Rutkove Seward , Shelton Kerisa , Duncan Cayla Jessica , Berisha Visar 
Published: October 2020

AbstractBulbar deterioration in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating characteristic that impairs patients’ ability to communicate, and is linked to shorter survival. The existing clinical instruments for assessing bulbar function lack sensitivity to early changes. In this paper, using a cohort of N = 65 ALS patients who provided regular speech samples for 3–9 months, we demonstrated that it is possible to remotely detect early speech changes and track speech progression in ALS via automated algorithmic assessment of speech collected digitally.
Protein-crystal detection with a compact multimodal multiphoton microscope
Authors: Cheng Qing-di , Chung Hsiang-Yu , Schubert Robin , Chia Shih-Hsuan , Falke Sven , Mudogo Celestin Nzanzu , Kärtner Franz X. , Chang Guoqing , Betzel Christian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractThere is an increasing demand for rapid, effective methods to identify and detect protein micro- and nano-crystal suspensions for serial diffraction data collection at X-ray free-electron lasers or high-intensity micro-focus synchrotron radiation sources. Here, we demonstrate a compact multimodal, multiphoton microscope, driven by a fiber-based ultrafast laser, enabling excitation wavelengths at 775 nm and 1300 nm for nonlinear optical imaging, which simultaneously records second-harmonic generation, third-harmonic generation and three-photon excited ultraviolet fluorescence to identify and detect protein crystals with high sensitivity. The instrument serves as a valuable and important tool supporting sample scoring and sample optimization in biomolecular crystallography, which we hope will increase the capabilities and productivity of serial diffraction data collection in the future.
Structural role of essential light chains in the apicomplexan glideosome
Authors: Pazicky Samuel , Dhamotharan Karthikeyan , Kaszuba Karol , Mertens Haydyn D. T. , Gilberger Tim , Svergun Dmitri , Kosinski Jan , Weininger Ulrich , Löw Christian 
Published: October 2020

AbstractGliding, a type of motility based on an actin-myosin motor, is specific to apicomplexan parasites. Myosin A binds two light chains which further interact with glideosome associated proteins and assemble into the glideosome. The role of individual glideosome proteins is unclear due to the lack of structures of larger glideosome assemblies. Here, we investigate the role of essential light chains (ELCs) in Toxoplasma gondii and Plasmodium falciparum and present their crystal structures as part of trimeric sub-complexes. We show that although ELCs bind a conserved MyoA sequence, P. falciparum ELC adopts a distinct structure in the free and MyoA-bound state. We suggest that ELCs enhance MyoA performance by inducing secondary structure in MyoA and thus stiffen its lever arm. Structural and biophysical analysis reveals that calcium binding has no influence on the structure of ELCs. Our work represents a further step towards understanding the mechanism of gliding in Apicomplexa.
Ring dynamics around an oblate body with an inclined satellite: the case of Haumea
Authors: Marzari Francesco 
Published: October 2020

Context. The recent discovery of rings and massive satellites around minor bodies and dwarf planets suggests that they may often coexist, as for example around Haumea.
Aims. A ring perturbed by an oblate central body and by an inclined satellite may disperse on a short timescale. The conditions under which a ring may survive are explored both analytically and numerically.
Methods. The trajectories of ring particles are integrated under the influence of the gravitational field of a triaxial ellipsoid and (a) massive satellite(s), including the effects of collisions.
Results. A ring initially formed in the equatorial plane of the central body will be disrupted if the satellite has an inclination in the Kozai–Lidov regime (39.2° < i < 144.8). For lower inclinations, the ring may relax to the satellite orbital plane thanks to an intense collisional damping. On the other hand, a significant J2 term easily suppresses the perturbations of an inclined satellite within a critical semi-major axis, even in the case of Kozai–Lidov cycles. However, if the ring is initially inclined with respect to the equatorial plane, the same J2 perturbations are not a protective factor but instead disrupt the ring on a short timescale. The ring found around Haumea is stable despite the rise in the impact velocities that is due to the asymmetric shape of the body and the presence of a 3:1 resonance with the rotation of the central body.
Conclusions. A ring close to an oblate central body should be searched for in the proximity of the equatorial plane, where the J2 perturbations protect it against the perturbations of an external inclined satellites. In an inclined configuration, the J2 term is itself disruptive.
Models of ultraluminous X-ray transient sources
Authors: Hameury J.-M. , Lasota J.-P. 
Published: October 2020

Context. It is now widely accepted that most ultraluminous X-ray sources (ULXs) are binary systems whose large (above 1039 erg s−1) apparent luminosities are explained by super-Eddington accretion onto a stellar-mass compact object. Many of the ULXs, especially those containing magnetized neutron stars, are highly variable; some exhibit transient behaviour. Large luminosities might imply large accretion discs that could be therefore prone to the thermal–viscous instability known to drive outbursts of dwarf novae and low-mass X-ray binary transient sources.
Aims. The aim of this paper is to extend and generalize the X-ray transient disc-instability model to the case of large (outer radius larger than 1012 cm) accretion discs and apply it to the description of systems with super-Eddington accretion rates at outburst and, in some cases, super-Eddington mass transfer rates.
Methods. We have used our disc-instability-model code to calculate the time evolution of the accretion disc and the outburst properties.
Results. We show that, provided that self-irradiation of the accretion disc is efficient even when the accretion rate exceeds the Eddington value, possibly due to scattering back of the X-ray flux emitted by the central parts of the disc on the outer portions of the disc, heating fronts can reach the disc’s outer edge generating high accretion rates. We also provide analytical approximations for the observable properties of the outbursts. We have successfully reproduced the observed properties of galactic transients with large discs, such as V404 Cyg, as well as some ULXs such as M51 XT-1. Our model can reproduce the peak luminosity and decay time of ESO 243-39 HLX-1 outbursts if the accretor is a neutron star.
Conclusions. Observational tests of our predicted relations between the outburst duration and decay time with peak luminosity would be most welcome.