bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Stenosis coexists with compromised α1-adrenergic contractions in the ascending aorta of a mouse model of Williams-Beuren syndrome
Authors: Jiménez-Altayó Francesc , Ortiz-Romero Paula , Puertas-Umbert Lídia , Dantas Ana Paula , Pérez Belén , Vila Elisabet , D’Ocon Pilar , Campuzano Victoria 
Published: January 2020

AbstractWilliams-Beuren syndrome (WBS) is a rare disorder caused by a heterozygous deletion of 26–28 contiguous genes that affects the brain and cardiovascular system. Here, we investigated whether WBS affects aortic structure and function in the complete deletion (CD) mouse model harbouring the most common deletion found in WBS patients. Thoracic aortas from 3–4 months-old male CD mice and wild-type littermates were mounted in wire myographs or were processed for histomorphometrical analysis. Nitric oxide synthase (NOS) isoforms and oxidative stress levels were assessed. Ascending aortas from young adult CD mice showed moderate (50%) luminal stenosis, whereas endothelial function and oxidative stress were comparable to wild-type. CD mice showed greater contractions to KCl. However, α1-adrenergic contractions to phenylephrine, but not with a thromboxane analogue, were compromised. Decreased phenylephrine responses were not affected by selective inducible NOS blockade with 1400 W, but were prevented by the non-selective NOS inhibitor L-NAME and the selective neuronal NOS inhibitor SMTC. Consistently, CD mice showed increased neuronal NOS expression in aortas. Overall, aortic stenosis in CD mice coexists with excessive nNOS-derived NO signaling that compromises ascending aorta α1-adrenergic contractions. We suggest that increased neuronal NOS signaling may act as a physiological ‘brake’ against the detrimental effects of stenosis.
MicroRNA and transcription factor co-regulatory networks and subtype classification of seminoma and non-seminoma in testicular germ cell tumors
Authors: Qin Guimin , Mallik Saurav , Mitra Ramkrishna , Li Aimin , Jia Peilin , Eischen Christine M. , Zhao Zhongming 
Published: January 2020

AbstractRecent studies have revealed that feed-forward loops (FFLs) as regulatory motifs have synergistic roles in cellular systems and their disruption may cause diseases including cancer. FFLs may include two regulators such as transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). In this study, we extensively investigated TF and miRNA regulation pairs, their FFLs, and TF-miRNA mediated regulatory networks in two major types of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT): seminoma (SE) and non-seminoma (NSE). Specifically, we identified differentially expressed mRNA genes and miRNAs in 103 tumors using the transcriptomic data from The Cancer Genome Atlas. Next, we determined significantly correlated TF-gene/miRNA and miRNA-gene/TF pairs with regulation direction. Subsequently, we determined 288 and 664 dysregulated TF-miRNA-gene FFLs in SE and NSE, respectively. By constructing dysregulated FFL networks, we found that many hub nodes (12 out of 30 for SE and 8 out of 32 for NSE) in the top ranked FFLs could predict subtype-classification (Random Forest classifier, average accuracy ≥90%). These hub molecules were validated by an independent dataset. Our network analysis pinpointed several SE-specific dysregulated miRNAs (miR-200c-3p, miR-25-3p, and miR-302a-3p) and genes (EPHA2, JUN, KLF4, PLXDC2, RND3, SPI1, and TIMP3) and NSE-specific dysregulated miRNAs (miR-367-3p, miR-519d-3p, and miR-96-5p) and genes (NR2F1 and NR2F2). This study is the first systematic investigation of TF and miRNA regulation and their co-regulation in two major TGCT subtypes.
White matter dissection and structural connectivity of the human vertical occipital fasciculus to link vision-associated brain cortex
Authors: Jitsuishi Tatsuya , Hirono Seiichiro , Yamamoto Tatsuya , Kitajo Keiko , Iwadate Yasuo , Yamaguchi Atsushi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe vertical occipital fasciculus (VOF) is an association fiber tract coursing vertically at the posterolateral corner of the brain. It is re-evaluated as a major fiber tract to link the dorsal and ventral visual stream. Although previous tractography studies showed the VOF’s cortical projections fall in the dorsal and ventral visual areas, the post-mortem dissection study for the validation remains limited. First, to validate the previous tractography data, we here performed the white matter dissection in post-mortem brains and demonstrated the VOF’s fiber bundles coursing between the V3A/B areas and the posterior fusiform gyrus. Secondly, we analyzed the VOF’s structural connectivity with diffusion tractography to link vision-associated cortical areas of the HCP MMP1.0 atlas, an updated map of the human cerebral cortex. Based on the criteria the VOF courses laterally to the inferior longitudinal fasciculus (ILF) and craniocaudally at the posterolateral corner of the brain, we reconstructed the VOF’s fiber tracts and found the widespread projections to the visual cortex. These findings could suggest a crucial role of VOF in integrating visual information to link the broad visual cortex as well as in connecting the dual visual stream.
Assessment of malathion toxicity on cytophysiological activity, DNA damage and antioxidant enzymes in root of Allium cepa model
Authors: Srivastava Akhileshwar Kumar , Singh Divya 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe current study was emphasized to assess the effect of malathion on root system (cell division and kinetics of the root elongation) and stress related parameters in Allium cepa L. The roots were exposed to different concentrations (0.05, 0.13, 0.26, 0.39 and 0.52 g/L) of malathion for different treatment periods (4, 8 and 18 h). The results revealed that malathion application affected the growth rate and cell division in root tips. The root elongation kinetics were impaired at 0.13 to 0.52 g/L concentrations. Reduction in tissue water content (TWC) indicated the limited osmotic adjustment due to membrane damage. Further, a decrease in sucrose content was observed in contrast to the accumulation of proline (upto 0.39 g/L). Moreover, malathion exposure elevated the levels of lipid peroxidation followed by changes in antioxidant enzymes status. The activities of ascorbate peroxidase (APX) and glutathione reductase (GR) were down-regulated whereas the activities of catalase (CAT), glutathione-S-transferase (GST) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were up-regulated except in 0.52 g/L malathion. The molecular docking study of malathion with CAT, GST, SOD, APX and GR also supported of above results for their activity. All these physiological responses varied with increasing malathion concentration and duration of treatment. The single cell gel electrophoresis results showed that all concentrations of malathion induced DNA damage in root cells. The findings depicted that malathion application induces cytotoxic and phytotoxic effects mediated through oxidative stress and subsequent injuries.
Development of a cognitive function marker based on D-amino acid proportions using new chiral tandem LC-MS/MS systems
Authors: Kimura Ren , Tsujimura Hisashi , Tsuchiya Masaru , Soga Satoko , Ota Noriyasu , Tanaka Atsushi , Kim Hunkyung 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe incidence of dementia, a clinical symptom characterized by severe cognitive decline, is increasing worldwide. Predictive biomarkers are therefore required for early identification and management. D-amino acids in the brain contribute to cognitive function and are suggested as useful biomarkers for diagnosing dementia risk. To clarify their relationship with human cognitive decline, we developed an identification method of chiral metabolomics for detecting slight differences in chiral amino acid amounts. Chiral tandem liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry systems were applied for sensitive and selective amino acid species along with chiral species determination based on anion and zwitterion exchange mechanisms. In a comprehensive health cohort (cross-sectional study), we measured blood chiral amino acid levels from 305 women (65–80 years old) classified into Control, Mild-cognitive-Impairment (MCI), and Dementia groups using the Mini-Mental State Examination. MCI exhibited higher D-Pro (D-Pro/(D-Pro + L-Pro)) proportion vs the Control group, suggesting this proportion as a useful biomarker for MCI. Biomarker accuracy was improved in combination with D-Ser proportion. Receiver operating characteristics analysis of the Control vs. MCI proportion obtained area under the curve (0.80) with 70% sensitivity and 84% specificity at the optimal cutoff value (0.30). Thus, dementia monitoring can be improved by including trace D-amino acids measurements.
Continuous reorganization of cortical information flow in multiple sclerosis: A longitudinal fMRI effective connectivity study
Authors: Fleischer Vinzenz , Muthuraman Muthuraman , Anwar Abdul Rauf , Gonzalez-Escamilla Gabriel , Radetz Angela , Gracien René-Maxime , Bittner Stefan , Luessi Felix , Meuth Sven G. , Zipp Frauke , Groppa Sergiu 
Published: January 2020

AbstractEffective connectivity (EC) is able to explore causal effects between brain areas and can depict mechanisms that underlie repair and adaptation in chronic brain diseases. Thus, the application of EC techniques in multiple sclerosis (MS) has the potential to determine directionality of neuronal interactions and may provide an imaging biomarker for disease progression. Here, serial longitudinal structural and resting-state fMRI was performed at 12-week intervals over one year in twelve MS patients. Twelve healthy subjects served as controls (HC). Two approaches for EC quantification were used: Causal Bayesian Network (CBN) and Time-resolved Partial Directed Coherence (TPDC). The EC strength was correlated with the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) and Fatigue Scale for Motor and Cognitive functions (FSMC). Our findings demonstrated a longitudinal increase in EC between specific brain regions, detected in both the CBN and TPDC analysis in MS patients. In particular, EC from the deep grey matter, frontal, prefrontal and temporal regions showed a continuous increase over the study period. No longitudinal changes in EC were attested in HC during the study. Furthermore, we observed an association between clinical performance and EC strength. In particular, the EC increase in fronto-cerebellar connections showed an inverse correlation with the EDSS and FSMC. Our data depict continuous functional reorganization between specific brain regions indicated by increasing EC over time in MS, which is not detectable in HC. In particular, fronto-cerebellar connections, which were closely related to clinical performance, may provide a marker of brain plasticity and functional reserve in MS.
VCP expression decrease as a biomarker of preclinical and early clinical stages of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Alieva Anelya , Rudenok Margarita , Filatova Elena , Karabanov Alexey , Doronina Olga , Doronina Kseniya , Kolacheva Anna , Ugrumov Mikhail , Illarioshkin Sergey , Slominsky Petr , Shadrina Maria 
Published: January 2020

AbstractValosin-containing human protein (VCP) or p97 performs enzyme functions associated with the maintenance of protein homeostasis and control of protein quality. Disruption of its normal functioning might be associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease (PD). Tissues of mice with toxin-induced presymptomatic and early symptomatic stages of PD, as well as 52 treated and untreated patients with newly diagnosed PD and nine patients with a “predicted” form of PD, were investigated. Significant changes in Vcp gene expression were observed in almost all studied mouse tissues. A significant decrease in VCP expression specific for PD was also detected at both the late preclinical and the early clinical stages of PD in untreated patients. Thus, a decrease in VCP expression is important for changes in the function of the nervous system at early stages of PD. Analysis of changes in VCP expression in all patients with PD and in Vcp in the peripheral blood of mice used as models of PD revealed significant decreases in expression specific for PD. These data suggest that a decrease in the relative levels of VCP mRNA might serve as a biomarker for the development of pathology at the early clinical and preclinical stages of human PD.
The effectiveness of nanobiochar for reducing phytotoxicity and improving soil remediation in cadmium-contaminated soil
Authors: Liu Wei , Li Yulong , Feng Ya , Qiao Jianchen , Zhao Huiwei , Xie Jixing , Fang Yanyan , Shen Shigang , Liang Shuxuan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThere is growing concern that Cd in soils can be transferred to plants, resulting in phytotoxicity and threats to human health via the food chain. Biochar has been reported to be a soil amendment capable of reducing the bioavailability of metals in soil by electrostatic interactions, ionic exchange and the specific binding of metal ions by surface ligands. To determine the effects of Cd contamination and nanobiochar on the growth characteristics of plants, the dynamics of Cd in soil were explored in Petri dish and pot experiments (0%, 0.2%, 0.5% and 1% nanobiochar), respectively. The diversity, distribution and composition of the bacterial community in treated soil were monitored by high-throughput sequencing. The results showed that the germination potential and height and weight of plants were significantly decreased in Cd-treated soil samples (P < 0.05). The Cd content of Brassica chinensis L. in the treated soil groups was lower than that in the untreated soil groups (P < 0.05) after nanobiochar application. The application of biochar significantly improved the microbial biomass, microorganism abundance and diversity of Actinobacteria and Bacteroidetes in Cd-contaminated soil and reduced the diversity of Proteobacteria, which was relatively more persistent than in the contaminated sites without biochar application. The results of this study provide theoretical and technical support for understanding the environmental behavior of nanopassivators, thus enhancing the role of biochar in the remediation of soil pollution.
Dynamics of electrically driven solitons in nematic and cholesteric liquid crystals
Authors: Shen Yuan , Dierking Ingo 
Published: January 2020

AbstractInvestigations on solitons have been carried out for decades in various areas of physics, such as nonlinear photonics, magnetic matter and superconductors. However, producing multidimensional solitary states and manipulation of their motion are still big challenges. In this work, we describe the formation of dynamic multidimensional solitons in a nematic and a cholesteric liquid crystal (LC). These solitons are self-confined director perturbations that propagate rapidly through the LC bulk and preserve their identities after collisions. We tune the velocity of the solitons by electric fields and control their trajectories through alignment layers. We find that the chirality of the cholesteric LC endows the solitons a wave-particle duality, and leads to a variety of fascinating interactions between solitons which cannot be observed in the achiral nematic LC. Furthermore, we also show that these solitons can be used as vehicles for 2D delivery of micro-cargos.
Resonant tunnelling into the two-dimensional subbands of InSe layers
Authors: Kudrynskyi Zakhar R. , Kerfoot James , Mazumder Debarati , Greenaway Mark T. , Vdovin Evgeni E. , Makarovsky Oleg , Kovalyuk Zakhar D. , Eaves Laurence , Beton Peter H. , Patanè Amalia 
Published: January 2020

AbstractTwo-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) crystals have attracted considerable interest for digital electronics beyond Si-based complementary metal oxide semiconductor technologies. Despite the transformative success of Si-based devices, there are limits to their miniaturization and functionalities. Here we realize a resonant tunnelling transistor (RTT) based on a 2D InSe layer sandwiched between two multilayered graphene (MLG) electrodes. In the RTT the energy of the quantum-confined 2D subbands of InSe can be tuned by the thickness of the InSe layer. By applying a voltage across the two MLG electrodes, which serve as the source and drain electrodes to the InSe, the chemical potential in the source can be tuned in and out of resonance with a given 2D subband, leading to multiple regions of negative differential conductance that can be additionally tuned by electrostatic gating. This work demonstrates the potential of InSe and InSe-based RTTs for applications in quantum electronics.
Development of a High Temperature Neutron Flux Detector
Authors: Martin Shaw , Campbell Bradley , Ballantine James , Roberts Kevin 
Published: January 2020

Ultra Electronics, Energy is currently the supplier of neutron flux instrumentation to the UKs Advanced Gas Cooled Reactor (AGR) fleet. Neutron flux instrumentation provides a safety critical function, giving operators the fastest indication of any transient power behaviour in a nuclear reactor.
The operating requirements for these sensors in an AGR reactor are higher than those for equivalent instrumentation in a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) or Boiling Water Reactor (BWR). Whilst the underlying physics of these devices is the same, the engineering challenges for AGR instrumentation are different. Design and manufacturing processes have to be more precise due to susceptibility of device performance to a number of factors post installation.
The AGR sensor therefore provides a sound engineering platform for the development of an equivalent device for the harsh environments expected in Generation IV reactors.
This paper discusses the capabilities of the Ultra Electronics neutron flux detector manufacturing facility and how these capabilities are being expanded to cover the anticipated operating conditions for Generation IV reactor designs.
A prototype design has been manufactured and mechanically tested, the sensitive coating process has been developed and the Mineral Insulated (MI) signal cable has been tested at elevated temperature.
Non-Destructive Examination Development for the JHR Material Testing Reactor
Authors: Cornu B. , Roure C. , Moulin D. , Estre N. , Tisseur D. , Ferroud-Plattet M-P. , Kinnunen P. , Kotiluoto P. , Revuelta A. 
Published: January 2020

The Jules Horowitz Reactor (JHR) is a European material testing reactor (MTR) under construction at the CEA Cadarache centre. It will be dedicated to material and fuel irradiation tests, as well as to the production of medical isotopes. Gamma and X-Ray benches will be implemented in the reactor pool (RER), the irradiated component storage pool (EPI) and in a shielded hot cell for measuring either the whole underwater test device still containing the experimental sample or just the experimental sample before its extraction in the hot cell.
The CEA/Cadarache Nuclear Measurement Laboratory (LMN) has been working in collaboration with VTT (Technical Research Centre in Finland Ltd.) since 2008 under a Finnish in-kind contribution agreement. This agreement focuses on the development of NDE systems implementing gamma-ray spectroscopy and high-energy X-ray imaging of the sample and irradiation device with the highest definition possible (resolution of 100 μm). The CEA-VTT technical specifications led to a European call for tenders launched by VTT. The contract was awarded to the Spanish company IDOM for the design, manufacturing, assembly and commissioning of: - Underwater gamma and X-ray (UGXR) mechanical benches and their associated gamma and X-ray collimation systems for the RER and EPI pools - Hot cell gamma and X-ray (HGXR) bench in the JHR NDE hot cell.
The Final Design Reviews (FDR) of the UGXR and HGXR systems were completed in 2016. The design phase has been an iterative process in order to manage interfacing specifications and constraints: - Challenging experimental requirements, mainly to cover the wide diversity of sample shapes, sample activity levels and measurement processes, but also to achieve a level of mechanical accuracy to reach the ambitious geometrical resolution target in X-ray imaging, - Environmental constraints (immersion, radiation, compactness, limited accessibility for maintenance), - Nuclear safety constraints (seism, radiation protection).
The whole design process has produced a number of elaborate and innovative mechatronic systems, which is rather unusual in nuclear applications since the resulting solutions have benefited from IDOM’s technological expertise in designing and commissioning large telescopes for the astronomy sector.
Once the manufacturing phase and assembly finalised, the site acceptance tests for the UGXR and HGXR mechanical systems will be performed in 2019-2020 in the TOTEM facility at the CEA Cadarache center. The underwater benches will be tested in the CESARINE pool to check their requirements.
Nuclear heating measurements by gamma and neutron thermometers
Authors: Van Nieuwenhove R. , Vermeeren L. 
Published: January 2020

A gamma thermometer suitable for very high gamma heating levels (up to 20 W/g) has been designed and modelled by means of detailed finite element calculations. Based on a sensitivity analysis, the predicted accuracy of this gamma thermometer is better than 5 %. A novel miniaturized gamma thermometer is proposed in which a single thermocouple is used as the gamma absorption element, allowing a reduction of the sensor diameter down to 3 mm.
Monte Carlo calculations (by MCNP) have been performed to assess the relative contribution of neutrons to the nuclear heating in a gamma thermometer. Calculations have been performed for gamma thermometers with an inner body made of various materials, such as stainless steel, tungsten, molybdenum and rhodium. By using gamma thermometers made of different materials, it will be possible to deduce the nuclear heating rates in these materials and also to separate out the neutron and gamma heating contributions. The Monte Carlo calculations show that nuclear heating of rhodium is mainly due to neutrons, converting the rhodium gamma thermometer effectively in a neutron thermometer. The sensitivities of the gamma thermometers with W, Mo or Rh as heated materials have been modelled by finite element calculations. It is found that both the Mo and the Rh based sensor have a very linear response up to a nuclear heating of 20 W/g.
Quo vadis 116117? Bundesweiter Überblick über den Status quo und aktuelle Veränderungen
Authors: Breckner Amanda , Roth Catharina , Wensing Michel , Paulus Jan 
Published: January 2020

Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund Der ärztliche Bereitschaftsdienst (ÄBD) ist seit 2012 unter der bundeseinheitlichen Rufnummer 116117 erreichbar. Die Rufnummer ist dennoch in Deutschland noch nicht weitreichend bekannt. Eine Literaturrecherche zum Themengebiet der ambulanten Notfallversorgung hat gezeigt, dass Informationen lückenhaft und teilweise unübersichtlich sind. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es den Status Quo der Strukturen der 116117 auf Länderebene zu erfassen.
Methode Im Februar 2019 wurden alle 17 KV-Bezirke schriftlich zur Beantwortung einer Online-Befragung eingeladen. Der Online-Fragebogen basiert auf einer ausgedehnten Literaturrecherche zum Themengebiet ambulante Notfallversorgung und ÄBD auf Länderebene innerhalb Deutschlands. Der Fragebogen umfasst mehrere Bereiche, hier wird auf die Rufnummer 116117 eingegangen. Die Daten wurden deskriptiv ausgewertet.
Ergebnis Die Organisation und das Leistungsspektrum sowie die Qualifikationen der Mitarbeiter der 116117 sind in den Bundesländern unterschiedlich strukturiert. Leistungen der 116117 umfassen die Vermittlung von Hausbesuchen, sowie an eine Bereitschaftsdienstpraxis, Beratung und die Weiterleitung an die 112. Das eingesetzte Personal reicht von MFAs über Pflegepersonal und Rettungsdienstpersonal bis hinzu Ärzten.
Schlussfolgerung Einheitliche Regelungen des Leistungsangebots und der eingesetzten Mitarbeiter können die Transparenz der 116117 auf Seiten der Patienten verbessern. Die geplante Erweiterung der 116117 um eine standardisierte medizinische Ersteinschätzung und die 24/7 Erreichbarkeit kann den Patienten die Zugangswege zu einer adäquaten medizinischen Versorgung erleichtern.