bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Fabricating a Raman spectrometer using an optical pickup unit and pulsed power
Authors: Cho Young Chai , Ahn Sung Il 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAlthough Raman spectroscopy is a major analytical tool in modern chemical experiments, commercial Raman spectrometers remain very pricey for educational and research purposes in individual university laboratories. Thus, this study focused on the structural similarity between the Raman spectrometer and an optical pickup unit (OPU), which is an inexpensive compact optical device used for a part of optical discs. The study investigated whether or not a full set of Raman spectrometer can be developed at a cost of less than 1,000 US$. The OPU-based Raman spectrometer was fabricated using 3D printer-made components, a Raman edge filter, and a laser diode with a wavelength of 520 nm as the light source. A function generator was used as a pulsed power source to analyze the characteristics of the OPU Raman spectrometer according to various frequencies and duty ratios. When using a pulsed DC power supply, the laser wavelength tended to move to a longer wavelength with increases in duty ratios. That is, the higher the frequency at the same duty ratio, the weaker the background light intensity compared with the scattered Raman signal intensity. The findings illustrate that Raman signal strength can be adjusted by adjusting the focal length of the objective lens of the OPU through an external adjustment of an additional DC power. In the Raman spectra of all solid and liquid samples used, the maximum error rate reached approximately 11 cm−1, whereas the maximum intensity deviation reached approximately ± 6%. The cost of the complete OPU Raman spectrometer is less than 1,100 US$ using a function generator as power source and less than 930 US$ using a DC adapter. If the optical density (OD) 6 filter can be replaced with the OD 4 filter, then the costs are expected to decrease to approximately 730 US$.
Early urinary protein changes during tumor formation in a NuTu-19 tail vein injection rat model
Authors: Wei Jing , Ni Na , Meng Wenshu , Huan Yuhang , Gao Youhe 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEarly detection of cancer is essential for effective intervention. Urine has been used to reflect early changes in various tumor-bearing models. However, urine has not been used to predict whether tumors will form in animal models. In this study, a cancer model was established by tail vein injection of 2 million NuTu-19 tumor cells. Urine samples were randomly selected from tumor-forming and non-tumor-forming rats on day 0/12/27/39/52 and were analyzed by label-free and parallel reaction monitoring targeted proteomic quantitative analyses. In tumor-forming rats, differential proteins were associated with tumor cell migration, TGF-β signaling and the STAT3 pathway. A total of 9 urinary proteins showed significant changes in the early phase of lung tumor formation in all eight tumor-bearing rats. Differential proteins in non-tumor-forming rats were associated with glutathione biosynthesis, IL-12 signaling and vitamin metabolism. A total of 12 urinary proteins changed significantly in the early phase in all seven non-tumor-forming rats. Our small-scale pilot study indicated that (1) the urinary proteome reflects early changes during lung tumor formation and that (2) the urinary proteome can distinguish early tumor-forming rats from non-tumor-forming rats.
An attraction–repulsion transition of force on two asymmetric wedges induced by active particles
Authors: Li Ke , Guo Fuchen , Zhou Xiaolin , Wang Xianghong , He Linli , Zhang Linxi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractEffective interaction between two asymmetric wedges immersed in a two-dimensional active bath is investigated by computer simulations. The attraction–repulsion transition of effective force between two asymmetric wedges is subjected to the relative position of two wedges, the wedge-to-wedge distance, the active particle density, as well as the apex angle of two wedges. By exchanging the position of the two asymmetric wedges in an active bath, firstly a simple attraction–repulsion transition of effective force occurs, completely different from passive Brownian particles. Secondly the transition of effective force is symmetric for the long-range distance between two asymmetric wedges, while it is asymmetric for the short-range case. Our investigations may provide new possibilities to govern the motion and assembly of microscopic objects by taking advantage of the self-driven behaviour of active particles.
Surface phonons in topological insulator Bi2Te3 investigated by Brillouin light scattering
Authors: Trzaskowska Aleksandra , Mroz Boguslaw 
Published: July 2020

AbstractHigh resolution Brillouin spectroscopy was used for the first time to study the dispersion and anisotropy of surface phonons in the single crystal of topological insulator Bi2Te3. Two surface acoustic waves have been observed, which distinguishes this material from other metals or nontransparent materials. The modes were assigned as Rayleigh waves. The obtained results were then simulated by Finite Element Method. The layered structure of the unit cell proposed in simulation reproduced quite well experimental results of the modes dispersion and anisotropy.
RETRACTED ARTICLE: Synthesis and characterization of trimeric phosphazene based ionic liquids with tetrafluoroborate anions and their thermal investigations
Authors: Karadağ Ahmet , Akbaş Hüseyin , Destegül Ali , Çakırlar Çiğdem , Yerli Yusuf , Kılıç Zeynel , Sen Fatih 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe quaternized compounds (PzIL1–9) reacted with sodium tetrafluoroborate (NaBF4) to generate phosphazene based ionic liquids (PzILs), PzIL1a–9a. The newly synthesized ionic compounds (PzIL1a–9a) were verified using elemental CHN analyses and functional and spectroscopic (FTIR and 1H, 13C, 31P-NMR) analyses techniques. The thermal properties of PzIL1a–9a were investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). According to the initial decomposition temperature values calculated based on the TGA thermograms, PzIL7a (213 °C) was recognized to be more thermally stable than the other PzILs studied. PzIL1a–9a exhibited good solubility in the water and demonstrate a typical dielectric relaxation behavior, conductivity levels for both low and high-frequency regions. AC conductivity mechanisms and dielectric relaxation behavior of each sample are investigated by fabricating parallel plate capacitors.
What matters for cooperation? The importance of social relationship over cognition
Authors: Dale Rachel , Marshall-Pescini Sarah , Range Friederike 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCooperation is vital for the survival of many species and has been extensively researched at the ultimate level however, there is a considerable degree of variation within a given species in the extent of cooperative behaviours exhibited. Possible factors that have been discussed to contribute to this variation are the social relationship between the cooperating individuals, but also non-social factors such as inhibitory control. Investigating the performance of wolves, a highly cooperative species, in three experimental cooperative tasks; a coordination (string-pulling) task, a prosocial task and an inequity aversion task, we found that the social relationship between the partners had the largest effects on all tasks, while non-social factors (inhibition, learning speed, causal understanding and persistence) had rather unpredicted, or no effects. The results support the potential importance of relational factors, rather than motivation and cognitive abilities, in driving cooperative interactions.
Monoamine and genome-wide DNA methylation investigation in behavioral addiction
Authors: Asaoka Yui , Won Moojun , Morita Tomonari , Ishikawa Emi , Lee Young-A , Goto Yukiori 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBehavioral addiction (BA) is characterized by repeated, impulsive and compulsive seeking of specific behaviors, even with consequent negative outcomes. In drug addiction, alterations in biological mechanisms, such as monoamines and epigenetic processes, have been suggested, whereas whether such mechanisms are also altered in BA remains unknown. In this preliminary study with a small sample size, we investigated monoamine concentrations and genome-wide DNA methylation in blood samples from BA patients and control (CT) subjects. Higher dopamine (DA) metabolites and the ratio between DA and its metabolites were observed in the BA group than in the CT group, suggesting increased DA turnover in BA. In the methylation assay, 186 hyper- or hypomethylated CpGs were identified in the BA group compared to the CT group, of which 64 CpGs were further identified to correlate with methylation status in brain tissues with database search. Genes identified with hyper- or hypomethylation were not directly associated with DA transmission, but with cell membrane trafficking and the immune system. Some of the genes were also associated with psychiatric disorders, such as drug addiction, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorder. These results suggest that BA may involve alterations in epigenetic regulation of the genes associated with synaptic transmission, including that of monoamines, and neurodevelopment.
RT-qPCR analyses on the osteogenic differentiation from human iPS cells: an investigation of reference genes
Authors: Okamura Kensuke , Inagaki Yusuke , Matsui Takeshi K. , Matsubayashi Masaya , Komeda Tomoya , Ogawa Munehiro , Mori Eiichiro , Tanaka Yasuhito 
Published: July 2020

AbstractReverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) is used to quantify gene expression and require standardization with reference genes. We sought to identify the reference genes best suited for experiments that induce osteogenic differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells. They were cultured in an undifferentiated maintenance medium and after confluence, further cultured in an osteogenic differentiation medium for 28 days. RT-qPCR was performed on undifferentiation markers, osteoblast and osteocyte differentiation markers, and reference gene candidates. The expression stability of each reference gene candidate was ranked using four algorithms. General rankings identified TATA box binding protein in the first place, followed by transferrin receptor, ribosomal protein large P0, and finally, beta-2-microglobulin, which was revealed as the least stable. Interestingly, universally used GAPDH and ACTB were found to be unsuitable. Our findings strongly suggest a need to evaluate the expression stability of reference gene candidates for each experiment.
Dual SMAD inhibition and Wnt inhibition enable efficient and reproducible differentiations of induced pluripotent stem cells into retinal ganglion cells
Authors: Chavali Venkata R. M. , Haider Naqi , Rathi Sonika , Vrathasha Vrathasha , Alapati Teja , He Jie , Gill Kamaljot , Nikonov Roman , Duong Thu T. , McDougald Devin S. , Nikonov Sergei , O’Brien Joan , Mills Jason A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractGlaucoma is a group of progressive optic neuropathies that share common biological and clinical characteristics including irreversible changes to the optic nerve and visual field loss caused by the death of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). The loss of RGCs manifests as characteristic cupping or optic nerve degeneration, resulting in visual field loss in patients with Glaucoma. Published studies on in vitro RGC differentiation from stem cells utilized classical RGC signaling pathways mimicking retinal development in vivo. Although many strategies allowed for the generation of RGCs, increased variability between experiments and lower yield hampered the cross comparison between individual lines and between experiments. To address this critical need, we developed a reproducible chemically defined in vitro methodology for generating retinal progenitor cell (RPC) populations from iPSCs, that are efficiently directed towards RGC lineage. Using this method, we reproducibly differentiated iPSCs into RGCs with greater than 80% purity, without any genetic modifications. We used small molecules and peptide modulators to inhibit BMP, TGF-β (SMAD), and canonical Wnt pathways that reduced variability between iPSC lines and yielded functional and mature iPSC-RGCs. Using CD90.2 antibody and Magnetic Activated Cell Sorter (MACS) technique, we successfully purified Thy-1 positive RGCs with nearly 95% purity.
Cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation for learning a novel split-belt treadmill task: a randomised controlled trial
Authors: Kumari Nitika , Taylor Denise , Rashid Usman , Vandal Alain C. , Smith Paul F. , Signal Nada 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThis study aimed to examine the effect of repeated anodal cerebellar transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on learning a split-belt treadmill task. Thirty healthy individuals randomly received three consecutive sessions of active or sham anodal ctDCS during split-belt treadmill training. Motor performance and strides to steady-state performance were evaluated before (baseline), during (adaptation), and after (de-adaptation) the intervention. The outcomes were measured one week later to assess absolute learning and during the intervention to evaluate cumulative, consecutive, and session-specific effects. Data were analysed using linear mixed-effects regression models. During adaptation, there was no significant difference in absolute learning between the groups (p > 0.05). During de-adaptation, a significant difference in absolute learning between the groups (p = 0.03) indicated slower de-adaptation with anodal ctDCS. Pre-planned secondary analysis revealed that anodal ctDCS significantly reduced the cumulative (p = 0.01) and consecutive-session effect (p = 0.01) on immediate adaptation. There were significant cumulative (p = 0.02) and session-specific effects (p = 0.003) on immediate de-adaptation. Repeated anodal ctDCS does not enhance motor learning measured during adaptation to a split-belt treadmill task. However, it influences the maintenance of learnt walking patterns, suggesting that it may be beneficial in maintaining therapeutic effects.
Concentrations and sources of heavy metals in shallow sediments in Lake Bafa, Turkey
Authors: Algül Fulya , Beyhan Mehmet 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe concentrations and sources of heavy metals in shallow sediments in Lake Bafa were investigated. The concentrations of nine heavy metals and the total organic carbon content in sediment samples were determined for between Summer 2015 and Spring 2016. The mean contents of heavy metals were in decreasing order Fe > Mn > Ni > Cr > Zn > Cu > Co > Pb > Cd. Sediment quality guidelines indicate that Cr, Cu, and Ni pose a considerable threat to the aquatic ecosystem in Lake Bafa. Site L3 was found to be contaminated with Cd, Cr, and Ni, and the pollution load indices suggest that these metals had anthropogenic sources. The sediment samples were notably enriched with Cd and Ni. There is no consistent trend for seasonal effect in terms of the sample locations. However, at all sampling points, an increase in heavy metal concentrations was observed in the autumn. The results of a multivariate analysis indicate that the sources of Co, Cu, Fe, Mn, Pb, and Zn were all natural, the sources of Cd were anthropogenic, and the sources of Ni and Cr were both anthropogenic and natural. These results highlight that Cd, Cr, and particularly Ni represent the most serious threat in terms of heavy metal pollution in the ecosystem of the lake.
Nucleosome binding by the pioneer transcription factor OCT4
Authors: Echigoya Kenta , Koyama Masako , Negishi Lumi , Takizawa Yoshimasa , Mizukami Yuka , Shimabayashi Hideki , Kuroda Akari , Kurumizaka Hitoshi 
Published: July 2020

AbstractTranscription factor binding to genomic DNA is generally prevented by nucleosome formation, in which the DNA is tightly wrapped around the histone octamer. In contrast, pioneer transcription factors efficiently bind their target DNA sequences within the nucleosome. OCT4 has been identified as a pioneer transcription factor required for stem cell pluripotency. To study the nucleosome binding by OCT4, we prepared human OCT4 as a recombinant protein, and biochemically analyzed its interactions with the nucleosome containing a natural OCT4 target, the LIN28B distal enhancer DNA sequence, which contains three potential OCT4 target sequences. By a combination of chemical mapping and cryo-electron microscopy single-particle analysis, we mapped the positions of the three target sequences within the nucleosome. A mutational analysis revealed that OCT4 preferentially binds its target DNA sequence located near the entry/exit site of the nucleosome. Crosslinking mass spectrometry consistently showed that OCT4 binds the nucleosome in the proximity of the histone H3 N-terminal region, which is close to the entry/exit site of the nucleosome. We also found that the linker histone H1 competes with OCT4 for the nucleosome binding. These findings provide important information for understanding the molecular mechanism by which OCT4 binds its target DNA in chromatin.
A novel three-dimensional magnetic particle imaging system based on the frequency mixing for the point-of-care diagnostics
Authors: Choi Seung-Min , Jeong Jae-Chan , Kim Jinsun , Lim Eul-Gyoon , Kim Chang-beom , Park Sang-Jin , Song Dae-Yong , Krause Hans-Joachim , Hong Hyobong , Kweon In So 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe magnetic particle imaging (MPI) is a technology that can image the concentrations of the superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPIONs) which can be used in biomedical diagnostics and therapeutics as non-radioactive tracers. We proposed a point-of-care testing MPI system (PoCT-MPI) that can be used for preclinical use for imaging small rodents (mice) injected with SPIONs not only in laboratories, but also at emergency sites far from laboratories. In particular, we applied a frequency mixing magnetic detection method to the PoCT-MPI, and proposed a hybrid field free line generator to reduce the power consumption, size and weight of the system. The PoCT-MPI is $$20 \times 33 \times 45\,{\hbox{cm}}^3$$20×33×45cm3 in size and weighs less than 100 kg. It can image a three-dimensional distribution of SPIONs injected into a biosample with less than 120 Wh of power consumption. Its detection limit is $$0.13\,\upmu {\hbox{L}}$$0.13μL, 10 mg/mL, $$1.3\,\upmu {\hbox{g}}$$1.3μg (Fe).
Genetically modified macrophages accomplish targeted gene delivery to the inflamed brain in transgenic Parkin Q311X(A) mice: importance of administration routes
Authors: Haney Matthew J. , Zhao Yuling , Fay James , Duhyeong Hwang , Wang Mengzhe , Wang Hui , Li Zibo , Lee Yueh Z. , Karuppan Mohan K. , El-Hage Nazira , Kabanov Alexander V. , Batrakova Elena V. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCell-based drug delivery systems have generated an increasing interest in recent years. We previously demonstrated that systemically administered macrophages deliver therapeutics to CNS, including glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), and produce potent effects in Parkinson’s disease (PD) mouse models. Herein, we report fundamental changes in biodistribution and brain bioavailability of macrophage-based formulations upon different routes of administration: intravenous, intraperitoneal, or intrathecal injections. The brain accumulation of adoptively transferred macrophages was evaluated by various imaging methods in transgenic Parkin Q311(X)A mice and compared with those in healthy wild type littermates. Neuroinflammation manifested in PD mice warranted targeting macrophages to the brain for each route of administration. The maximum amount of cell-carriers in the brain, up to 8.1% ID/g, was recorded followed a single intrathecal injection. GDNF-transfected macrophages administered through intrathecal route provided significant increases of GDNF levels in different brain sub-regions, including midbrain, cerebellum, frontal cortex, and pons. No significant offsite toxicity of the cell-based formulations in mouse brain and peripheral organs was observed. Overall, intrathecal injection appeared to be the optimal administration route for genetically modified macrophages, which accomplished targeted gene delivery, and significant expression of reporter and therapeutic genes in the brain.
Effects of Yersinia ruckeri invasion on the proteome of the Chinook salmon cell line CHSE-214
Authors: Menanteau-Ledouble Simon , Nöbauer Katharina , Razzazi-Fazeli Ebrahim , El-Matbouli Mansour 
Published: July 2020

AbstractYersinia ruckeri is an important bacterial pathogen of fish, in particular salmonids, it has been associated with systemic infections worldwide and, like many enteric bacteria, it is a facultative intracellular pathogen. However, the effect of Y. ruckeri’s interactions with the host at the cellular level have received little investigation. In the present study, a culture of Chinook Salmon Embryo (CHSE) cell line was exposed to Y. ruckeri. Afterwards, the proteins were investigated and identified by mass spectrometry and compared to the content of unexposed cultures. The results of this comparison showed that 4.7% of the identified proteins were found at significantly altered concentrations following infection. Interestingly, infection with Y. ruckeri was associated with significant changes in the concentration of surface adhesion proteins, including a significantly decreased presence of β-integrins. These surface adhesion molecules are known to be the target for several adhesion molecules of Yersiniaceae. The concentration of several anti-apoptotic regulators (HSP90 and two DNAj molecules) appeared similarly downregulated. Taken together, these findings suggest that Y. ruckeri affects the proteome of infected cells in a notable manner and our results shed some light on the interaction between this important bacterial pathogen and its host.
Combination of apolipoprotein-A-I/apolipoprotein-A-I binding protein and anti-VEGF treatment overcomes anti-VEGF resistance in choroidal neovascularization in mice
Authors: Zhu Lingping , Parker Mackenzie , Enemchukwu Nduka , Shen Megan , Zhang Guogang , Yan Qing , Handa James T. , Fang Longhou , Fu Yingbin 
Published: July 2020

AbstractMany patients of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) are unresponsive to the current anti-VEGF treatment. The mechanisms for anti-VEGF resistance are poorly understood. We explore the unique property of the apolipoprotein A-I (apoA-I) binding protein (AIBP) that enhances cholesterol efflux from endothelial cells and macrophages to thereby limit angiogenesis and inflammation to tackle anti-VEGF resistance in CNV. We show that laser-induced CNV in mice with increased age showed increased resistance to anti-VEGF treatment, which correlates with increased lipid accumulation in macrophages. The combination of AIBP/apoA-I and anti-VEGF treatment overcomes anti-VEGF resistance and effectively suppresses CNV. Furthermore, macrophage depletion in old mice restores CNV sensitivity to anti-VEGF treatment and blunts the synergistic effect of combination therapy. These results suggest that cholesterol-laden macrophages play a critical role in inducing anti-VEGF resistance in CNV. Combination therapy by neutralizing VEGF and enhancing cholesterol removal from macrophages is a promising strategy to combat anti-VEGF resistance in CNV.