bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Disparate miRNA expression in serum and plasma of patients with acute myocardial infarction: a systematic and paired comparative analysis
Authors: Mompeón Ana , Ortega-Paz Luis , Vidal-Gómez Xavier , Costa Tiago Januario , Pérez-Cremades Daniel , Garcia-Blas Sergio , Brugaletta Salvatore , Sanchis Juan , Sabate Manel , Novella Susana , Dantas Ana Paula , Hermenegildo Carlos 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDespite the promising value of miRNAs in the diagnostic and prognostic of cardiovascular disease (CVD), recent meta-analyses did not support their potential. Methodological variances in studies may interfere with miRNA profile and affect their results. This study determines if the blood starting material is a source of variance in miRNA profile by performing a paired comparison in plasma and serum of the expression of primary miRNAs associated with CVD. Circulating miRNA yield was similar in both plasma and serum, although a significant increase was observed in patients with Non-ST-elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI) compared to control volunteers. When normalized by the expression of miR-484, different patterns of miRNA expression between serum and plasma. Although NSTEMI modified the expression of miR-1 and miR-208 in both serum and plasma, plasma displayed a higher variance than serum (Levene’s test p < 0.01). For miR-133a and miR-26a, differences were only detected in serum (p = 0.0240), and conversely, miR-499a showed differences only in plasma of NSTEMI (p = 0.001). Interestingly, miR-21 showed an opposite pattern of expression, being increased in serum (2−ΔΔCt: 5.7, p = 0.0221) and decreased in plasma (2−ΔΔCt: 0.5, p = 0.0107). Plasma and serum exhibit different patterns of circulating miRNA expression in NSTEMI and suggest that results from studies with different starting material could not be comparable.
Smoothed millennial-scale palaeoclimatic reference data as unconventional comparison targets: Application to European loess records
Authors: Zeeden Christian , Obreht Igor , Veres Daniel , Kaboth-Bahr Stefanie , Hošek Jan , Marković Slobodan B. , Bösken Janina , Lehmkuhl Frank , Rolf Christian , Hambach Ulrich 
Published: March 2020

AbstractMillennial-scale palaeoclimate variability has been documented in various terrestrial and marine palaeoclimate proxy records throughout the Northern Hemisphere for the last glacial cycle. Its clear expression and rapid shifts between different states of climate (Greenland Interstadials and Stadials) represents a correlation tool beyond the resolution of e.g. luminescence dating, especially relevant for terrestrial deposits. Usually, comparison of terrestrial proxy datasets and the Greenland ice cores indicates a complex expression of millennial-scale climate variability as recorded in terrestrial geoarchives including loess. Loess is the most widespread terrestrial geoarchive of the Quaternary and especially widespread over Eurasia. However, loess often records a smoothed representation of millennial-scale variability without all fidelity when compared to the Greenland data, this being a relevant limiting feature in integrating loess with other palaeoclimate records. To better understand the loess proxy-response to millennial-scale climate variability, we simulate a proxy signal smoothing by natural processes through application of low-pass filters of δ18O data from Greenland, a high-resolution palaeoclimate reference record, alongside speleothem isotope records from the Black Sea-Mediterranean region. We show that low-pass filters represent rather simple models for better constraining the expression of millennial-scale climate variability in low sedimentation environments, and in sediments where proxy-response signals are most likely affected by natural smoothing (by e.g. bioturbation). Interestingly, smoothed datasets from Greenland and the Black Sea-Mediterranean region are most similar in the last ~15 ka and between ~50–30 ka. Between ~30–15 ka, roughly corresponding to the Last Glacial Maximum and the deglaciation, the records show dissimilarities, challenging the construction of robust correlative time-scales in this age range. From our analysis it becomes apparent that patterns of palaeoclimate signals in loess-palaeosol sequences often might be better explained by smoothed Greenland reference data than the original high-resolution Greenland dataset, or other reference data. This opens the possibility to better assess the temporal resolution and palaeoclimate potential of loess-palaeosol sequences in recording supra-regional climate patterns, as well as to securely integrate loess with other chronologically better-resolved palaeoclimate records.
Upper Critical Field Based on a Width of ΔH = ΔB region in a Superconductor
Authors: Lee H. B. , Kim G. C. , Kim Byeong-Joo , Kim Y. C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWe studied a method of measuring upper critical field (Hc2) of a superconductor based on a width of ΔH = ΔB region, which appears in a superconductor that volume defects are many and dominant. Here we show basic concepts and details of the method. Although Hc2 of a superconductor is fixed according to a kind of superconductor, it is difficult to measure Hc2 experimentally. Thus, results are different depending on experimental conditions. Hc2 was otained by a theory on a width of ΔH = ΔB region, which is that pinned fluxes at volume defects are picked out and move into an inside of the superconductor when the distance between pinned fluxes is the same as that at Hc2 of the superconductor. Hc2 of MgB2 obtained by the method was 65.4 Tesla at 0 K, which is quite same as that of Ginzburg-Landau theory. The reason that Hc2 obtained by the method is closer to ultimate Hc2 is based on that Fpinning/Fpickout is more than 4 when pinned fluxes at volume defects of 163 nm radius are depinned, which means that the Hc2 is less sensitive to fluctuation. The method will help to find the ultimate Hc2 of volume defect-dominating superconductors.
Real-time Optical Dimensional Metrology via Diffractometry for Nanofabrication
Authors: Whitworth Guy L. , Francone Achille , Sotomayor-Torres Clivia M. , Kehagias Nikolaos 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSurface patterning technologies represent a worldwide growing industry, creating smart surfaces and micro/nanoscale device. The advent of large-area, high-speed imprinting technologies has created an ever-growing need for rapid and non-destructive dimensional metrology techniques to keep pace with the speed of production. Here we present a new real-time optical scatterometry technique, applicable at the mesoscale when optical inspection produces multiple orders of diffraction. We validate this method by inspecting multiple silicon gratings with a variety of structural parameters. These measurements are cross-referenced with FIB, SEM and scanning stylus profilometry. Finally, we measure thermally imprinted structures as a function of imprinting temperature in order to demonstrate the method suitable for in-line quality control in nanoimprint lithography.
Isotopic systematics of zircon indicate an African affinity for the rocks of southernmost India
Authors: Clark Chris , Collins Alan S. , Taylor Richard J. M. , Hand Martin 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSouthern India lies in an area of Gondwana where multiple blocks are juxtaposed along Moho-penetrating structures, the significance of which are not well understood. Adequate geochronological data that can be used to differentiate the various blocks are also lacking. We present a newly acquired SIMS U–Pb, Lu–Hf, O isotopic and trace element geochemical dataset from zircon and garnet from the protoliths of the Nagercoil Block at the very tip of southern India. The data indicate that the magmatic protoliths of the rocks in this block formed at c. 2040 Ma with Lu–Hf, O-isotope and trace element data consistent with formation in a magmatic arc environment. The zircon data from Nagercoil Block are isotopically and temporally distinct from those in all the other blocks in southern India, but remarkably correspond to rocks in East Africa that are exposed on the southern margin of the Tanzania–Bangweulu Block. The new data suggest that the tip of southern India has an African affinity and a major suture zone must lie along its northern margin. All of these blocks were finally brought together during the Ediacaran-Cambrian amalgamation of Gondwana where they underwent high to ultrahigh temperature metamorphism.
Demonstration of stimulated emission depletion phenomenon in luminescence of solid-state scintillator excited by soft X-rays
Authors: Ejima Takeo , Wakayama Toshitaka , Shinozaki Natsumi , Shoji Misaki , Hatayama Genta , Higashiguchi Takeshi 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAlthough imaging techniques using soft X-rays (SXs) are being developed as the available photon flux increases because of the continuing development of synchrotron light sources, it will be necessary to downsize the pixel size of the SX camera to produce finer SX images. Application of the stimulated emission depletion (STED) method to a scintillator plate followed by use of this plate as a sensor is one promising method to reduce the pixel size of SX cameras. A STED phenomenon occurred in the luminescence of a Ce-doped Lu2SiO5 crystal (Ce:LSO) excited using ultraviolet (UV) light when the scintillator was irradiated with azimuthally polarized laser light in the photon energy range from 1.97 eV (630 nm) to 2.58 eV (480 nm). When the excitation light source changed to synchrotron radiation (SR) light with photon energy of 800 eV, the same STED phenomenon occurred. The spot size of the luminescence was reduced by the STED phenomenon and this spot size decreased as the STED laser’s photon energy increased. The energy dependence of the Ce:LSO luminescence levels can be used to explain the change in the spot size at the luminescence point.
Fully Automated Molecular Diagnostic System “Simprova” for Simultaneous Testing of Multiple Items
Authors: Yonekawa Toshihiro , Watanabe Hidetoshi , Hosaka Norimitsu , Semba Shohei , Shoji Atsushi , Sato Masaki , Hamasaki Masato , Yuki Shota , Sano Shiori , Segawa Yuji , Notomi Tsugunori 
Published: March 2020

AbstractNucleic acid amplification-based diagnostics is known as one of the molecular diagnostic systems that allows higher sensitive detection of pathogens than test methods such as immunoassay. However, it has not been widely used because it is complicated to use and takes a long time to generate results. On the other hand, development of fully automated molecular diagnostic systems has been growing around the world as demand for such systems from physicians and laboratory technicians has increased. To meet this demand, we have developed the “Simprova” fully automated molecular diagnostic system, which takes advantage of LAMP (Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification), a method Eiken Chemical Co., Ltd. invented. Simprova comprises a master unit that controls the entire system and a test unit that extracts and purifies nucleic acid from samples (pretreatment), and uses the LAMP method to detect and amplify nucleic acid. Users can obtain test results automatically by simply installing a pretreatment cartridge, a multi-well testing chip and the sample in the test unit. The multi-well testing chip has 25 reaction wells connected by channels and enables simultaneous testing of multiple targets with one sample. Turnaround time for one test is approximately 30 minutes. Since a conventional extraction and purification method using magnetic-bead separation is used for the pretreatment, nucleic acid can be extracted from serum, plasma, whole blood, urine, and sputum, for example. In addition, the system can perform random-access testing by connecting four test units to the master unit to realize near-the-patient testing. Simprova is therefore a robust and useful system for a wide variety of applications.
Reorganization of perineuronal nets in the medial Preoptic Area during the reproductive cycle in female rats
Authors: Uriarte Natalia , Ferreño Marcela , Méndez Diego , Nogueira Javier 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPerineuronal nets (PNNs) are aggregations of extracellular matrix associated with specific neuronal populations in the central nervous system, suggested to play key roles in neural development, synaptogenesis and experience-dependent synaptic plasticity. Pregnancy and lactation are characterized by a dramatic increase in neuroplasticity. However, dynamic changes in the extracellular matrix associated with maternal circuits have been mostly overlooked. We analyzed the structure of PNNs in an essential nucleus of the maternal circuit, the medial preoptic area (mPOA), during the reproductive cycle of rats, using the Wisteria floribunda (WFA) label. PNNs associated to neurons in the mPOA start to assemble halfway through gestation and become highly organized prior to parturition, fading through the postpartum period. This high expression of PNNs during pregnancy appears to be mediated by the influence of estrogen, progesterone and prolactin, since a hormonal simulated-gestation treatment induced the expression of PNNs in ovariectomized females. We found that PNNs associated neurons in the mPOA express estrogen receptor α and progesterone receptors, supporting a putative role of reproductive hormones in the signaling mechanisms that trigger the assembly of PNNs in the mPOA. This is the first report of PNNs presence and remodeling in mPOA during adulthood induced by physiological variables.
Visfatin/eNampt induces endothelial dysfunction in vivo: a role for Toll-Like Receptor 4 and NLRP3 inflammasome
Authors: Romacho Tania , Valencia Inés , Ramos-González Mariella , Vallejo Susana , López-Esteban Miguel , Lorenzo Oscar , Cannata Pablo , Romero Alejandra , San Hipólito-Luengo Alvaro , Gómez-Cerezo Jorge F. , Peiró Concepción , Sánchez-Ferrer Carlos F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractVisfatin/extracellular-nicotinamide-phosphoribosyltranferase-(eNampt) is a multifaceted adipokine enhanced in type-2-diabetes and obesity. Visfatin/eNampt cause in vitro endothelial dysfunction and vascular inflammation, although whether the same effects are achieved in vivo is unknown. Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), a main surface pattern recognition receptor of innate immune system is a potential target for visfatin/eNampt. We studied its capacity to generate vascular dysfunction in vivo, focusing on TLR4 role and downstream activation of nod-like-receptor-protein-3 (NLRP3)-inflammasome. 4 month-old C57BL/6 mice were exposed to 7 days infusion of visfatin/eNampt, alone or together with FK 866 (Nampt enzymatic inhibitor), CLI 095 (TLR4 blocker), MCC 950 (NLRP3-inflammasome inhibitor), or anakinra (interleukin(IL)-1-receptor antagonist). Endothelial dysfunction was tested in isolated microvessels. In human umbilical endothelial cells (HUVEC), proteins related to the NLRP3-inflammasome phosphorylated p-65, NLRP3, caspase-1, pro-IL-1β, and mature IL-1β were determined by Western blot, while the inflammasome related apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a caspase recruitment domain (ASC-specks) was studied by immunofluorescence. Impaired endothelium-dependent relaxations were observed in isolated mesenteric microvessels from visfatin/eNampt-infused mice. This effect was attenuated by co-treatment with FK 866 or CLI 095, supporting a role for Nampt enzymatic activity and TLR4 activation. Moreover, cultured HUVEC exposed to visfatin/eNampt showed higher expression and activation of NLRP3-inflammasome. Again, this effect relied on Nampt enzymatic activity and TLR4 activation, and it was abrogated by the inflammasome assembly blockade with MCC 950. The endothelial dysfunction evoked by visfatin/eNampt infusion in vivo was also sensitive to both MCC 950 and anakinra treatments, suggesting that the NLRP3-inflammasome-driven tissular release of IL-1β is the final mediator of endothelial damage. We conclude that Visfatin/eNampt produces in vivo vascular dysfunction in mice by a Nampt-dependent TLR4-mediated pathway, involving NLRP3-inflammasome and paracrine IL-1β. Thus, those targets may become therapeutic strategies for attenuating the adipokine-mediated vascular dysfunction associated to obesity and/or type-2-diabetes.
Perceptual Representation of Own Hand Size in Early Childhood and Adulthood
Authors: Giurgola Serena , Bolognini Nadia , Nava Elena 
Published: March 2020

AbstractHand size perceptual distortions characterize adult human cognition. Notwithstanding the importance of uncovering how hand size representation develops in humans, studies in this field are still at a preliminary stage. Indeed, it is yet to be understood whether hand size distortions are present and reliable in early childhood and whether they differ from adults’ distortions, offering a more in-depth insight into the emergence and development of such representations. We addressed this issue by comparing 4- to 6- year-old children and adults’ representation of their own hand size, as assessed with a 2-forced choice visual perceptual task. To test participants’ ability to estimate their own hand size, children and adults judged whether pictures of their own hand, resized to appear smaller or bigger than their own hand, matched or not its actual dimension. Results show that children aged 4 to 6 years tend to underestimate their own hand size, while adults underestimate their own hand more weakly. This evidence suggests that body-parts perceptual distortions are already in place in early childhood, and thus represent a characteristic of the human body representation.
Fabrication of γ-Fe2O3 Nanowires from Abundant and Low-cost Fe Plate for Highly Effective Electrocatalytic Water Splitting
Authors: Arumugam Sivaranjani , Toku Yuhki , Ju Yang 
Published: March 2020

AbstractWater splitting is thermodynamically uphill reaction, hence it cannot occur easily, and also highly complicated and challenging reaction in chemistry. In electrocatalytic water splitting, the combination of oxygen and hydrogen evolution reactions produces highly clean and sustainable hydrogen energy and which attracts research communities. Also, fabrication of highly active and low cost materials for water splitting is a major challenge. Therefore, in the present study, γ-Fe2O3 nanowires were fabricated from highly available and cost-effective iron plate without any chemical modifications/doping onto the surface of the working electrode with high current density. The fabricated nanowires achieved the current density of 10 mA/cm2 at 1.88 V vs. RHE with the scan rate of 50 mV/sec. Stability measurements of the fabricated Fe2O3 nanowires were monitored up to 3275 sec with the current density of 9.6 mA/cm2 at a constant potential of 1.7 V vs. RHE and scan rate of 50 mV/sec.
Rosuvastatin alters the genetic composition of the human gut microbiome
Authors: Kummen Martin , Solberg Ole Geir , Storm-Larsen Christopher , Holm Kristian , Ragnarsson Asgrimur , Trøseid Marius , Vestad Beate , Skårdal Rita , Yndestad Arne , Ueland Thor , Svardal Asbjørn , Berge Rolf K. , Seljeflot Ingebjørg , Gullestad Lars , Karlsen Tom H. , Aaberge Lars , Aukrust Pål , Hov Johannes R. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe gut microbiome contributes to the variation of blood lipid levels, and secondary bile acids are associated with the effect of statins. Yet, our knowledge of how statins, one of our most common drug groups, affect the human microbiome is scarce. We aimed to characterize the effect of rosuvastatin on gut microbiome composition and inferred genetic content in stool samples from a randomized controlled trial (n = 66). No taxa were significantly altered by rosuvastatin during the study. However, rosuvastatin-treated participants showed a reduction in the collective genetic potential to transport and metabolize precursors of the pro-atherogenic metabolite trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO, p < 0.01), and an increase of related metabolites betaine and γ-butyrobetaine in plasma (p < 0.01). Exploratory analyses in the rosuvastatin group showed that participants with the least favorable treatment response (defined as < median change in high-density/low-density lipoprotein (HDL/LDL) ratio) showed a marked increase in TMAO-levels compared to those with a more favorable response (p < 0.05). Our data suggest that while rosuvastatin has a limited effect on gut microbiome composition, it could exert broader collective effects on the microbiome relevant to their function, providing a rationale for further studies of the influence of statins on the gut microbiome.
Short-term effects of hypoxia are more important than effects of ocean acidification on grazing interactions with juvenile giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera)
Authors: Ng Crystal A. , Micheli Fiorenza 
Published: March 2020

AbstractSpecies interactions are crucial for the persistence of ecosystems. Within vegetated habitats, early life stages of plants and algae must survive factors such as grazing to recover from disturbances. However, grazing impacts on early stages, especially under the context of a rapidly changing climate, are largely unknown. Here we examine interaction strengths between juvenile giant kelp (Macrocystis pyrifera) and four common grazers under hypoxia and ocean acidification using short-term laboratory experiments and field data of grazer abundances to estimate population-level grazing impacts. We found that grazing is a significant source of mortality for juvenile kelp and, using field abundances, estimate grazers can remove on average 15.4% and a maximum of 73.9% of juveniles per m2 per day. Short-term exposure to low oxygen, not acidification, weakened interaction strengths across the four species and decreased estimated population-level impacts of grazing threefold, from 15.4% to 4.0% of juvenile kelp removed, on average, per m2 per day. This study highlights potentially high juvenile kelp mortality from grazing. We also show that the effects of hypoxia are stronger than the effects of acidification in weakening these grazing interactions over short timescales, with possible future consequences for the persistence of giant kelp and energy flow through these highly productive food webs.
Cuttlefish retrieve whether they smelt or saw a previously encountered item
Authors: Billard P. , Clayton N. S. , Jozet-Alves C. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractAccording to the Source Monitoring Framework, the origin of a memory is remembered through the retrieval of specific features (e.g. perceptive, sensitive, affective signals). In two source discrimination tasks, we studied the ability of cuttlefish to remember the modality in which an item had been presented several hours ago. In Experiment 1, cuttlefish were able to retrieve the modality of presentation of a crab (visual vs olfactory) sensed before 1 h and 3 hrs delays. In Experiment 2, cuttlefish were trained to retrieve the modality of the presentation of fish, shrimp, and crabs. After training, cuttlefish performed the task with another item never encountered before (e.g. mussel). The cuttlefish successfully passed transfer tests with and without a delay of 3 hrs. This study is the first to show the ability to discriminate between two sensory modalities (i.e. see vs smell) in an animal. Taken together, these results suggest that cuttlefish can retrieve perceptual features of a previous event, namely whether they had seen or smelled an item.