bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with bacterial translocation and a higher inflammation response in psoriatic patients
Authors: Belinchón-Romero Isabel , Bellot Pablo , Romero-Pérez David , Herraiz-Romero Isolina , Marco Francisco , Frances Rubén , Ramos-Rincón José-Manuel 
Published: April 2021

AbstractPsoriasis and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are both inflammatory diseases. The study objective was to estimate the risk of NAFLD, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis, and liver fibrosis (by liver stiffness and liver biopsy) in patients with psoriasis and to determine the epidemiological, clinical, immunological (TNF-α, IL-2, IL-6, IL-12, IL-17, IL-23, and TGF-β) characteristics, and bacterial translocation. Of the 215 psoriatic patients included, 91 presented NAFLD (prevalence: 42.3%). Compared to patients with psoriasis alone, those with NAFLD were significantly more likely to have metabolic syndrome, diabetes, dyslipidemia, body mass index ≥ 30 kg/m2, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance ≥ 2.15, and greater psoriasis area severity index. NAFLD patients also had significantly higher levels of TNF-α (p = 0.002) and TGF-β (p = 0.007) and a higher prevalence of bacterial translocation (29.7% vs. 13.7%; p = 0.004). Liver stiffness measurement was over 7.8 kPa in 17.2% (15/87) of NAFLD patients; 13 of these underwent liver biopsy, and 5.7% (5/87) had liver fibrosis, while 1.1% (1/87) had advanced fibrosis or non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In conclusion the prevalence of NAFLD in patients with psoriasis is high and associated with a higher prevalence of metabolic syndrome features, bacterial translocation and a higher pro-inflammatory state. It is worth mentioning that liver fibrosis and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are not frequent in this population of patients.
The removal of anionic and cationic dyes from an aqueous solution using biomass-based activated carbon
Authors: Nizam Nurul Umairah M. , Hanafiah Marlia M. , Mahmoudi Ebrahim , Halim Azhar A. , Mohammad Abdul Wahab 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, two biomass-based adsorbents were used as new precursors for optimizing synthesis conditions of a cost-effective powdered activated carbon (PAC). The PAC removed dyes from an aqueous solution using carbonization and activation by KOH, NaOH, and H2SO4. The optimum synthesis, activation temperature, time and impregnation ratio, removal rate, and uptake capacity were determined. The optimum PAC was analyzed and characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), x-ray diffraction (XRD), a field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), Zeta potential, and Raman spectroscopy. Morphological studies showed single-layered planes with highly porous surfaces, especially PAC activated by NaOH and H2SO4. The results showed that the experimental data were well-fitted with a pseudo-second-order model. Based on Langmuir isotherm, the maximum adsorption capacity for removing methylene blue (MB) was 769.23 mg g−1 and 458.43 mg g−1 for congo red (CR). Based on the isotherm models, more than one mechanism was involved in the adsorption process, monolayer for the anionic dye and multilayer for the cationic dye. Elovich and intraparticle diffusion kinetic models showed that rubber seed shells (RSS) has higher α values with a greater tendency to adsorb dyes compared to rubber seed (RS). A thermodynamic study showed that both dyes’ adsorption process was spontaneous and exothermic due to the negative values of the enthalpy (ΔH) and Gibbs free energy (ΔG). The change in removal efficiency of adsorbent for regeneration study was observed in the seventh cycles, with a 3% decline in the CR and 2% decline in MB removal performance. This study showed that the presence of functional groups and active sites on the produced adsorbent (hydroxyl, alkoxy, carboxyl, and π − π) contributed to its considerable affinity for adsorption in dye removal. Therefore, the optimum PAC can serve as efficient and cost-effective adsorbents to remove dyes from industrial wastewater.
Alternative redox forms of ASNA-1 separate insulin signaling from tail-anchored protein targeting and cisplatin resistance in C. elegans
Authors: Raj Dorota , Billing Ola , Podraza-Farhanieh Agnieszka , Kraish Bashar , Hemmingsson Oskar , Kao Gautam , Naredi Peter 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCisplatin is a frontline cancer therapeutic, but intrinsic or acquired resistance is common. We previously showed that cisplatin sensitivity can be achieved by inactivation of ASNA-1/TRC40 in mammalian cancer cells and in Caenorhabditis elegans. ASNA-1 has two more conserved functions: in promoting tail-anchored protein (TAP) targeting to the endoplasmic reticulum membrane and in promoting insulin secretion. However, the relation between its different functions has remained unknown. Here, we show that ASNA-1 exists in two redox states that promote TAP-targeting and insulin secretion separately. The reduced state is the one required for cisplatin resistance: an ASNA-1 point mutant, in which the protein preferentially was found in the oxidized state, was sensitive to cisplatin and defective for TAP targeting but had no insulin secretion defect. The same was true for mutants in wrb-1, which we identify as the C. elegans homolog of WRB, the ASNA1/TRC40 receptor. Finally, we uncover a previously unknown action of cisplatin induced reactive oxygen species: cisplatin induced ROS drives ASNA-1 into the oxidized form, and selectively prevents an ASNA-1-dependent TAP substrate from reaching the endoplasmic reticulum. Our work suggests that ASNA-1 acts as a redox-sensitive target for cisplatin cytotoxicity and that cisplatin resistance is likely mediated by ASNA-1-dependent TAP substrates. Treatments that promote an oxidizing tumor environment should be explored as possible means to combat cisplatin resistance.
Linking the Wrangellia flood basalts to the Galápagos hotspot
Authors: Shellnutt J. Gregory , Dostal Jaroslav , Lee Tung-Yi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe Triassic volcanic rocks of Wrangellia erupted at an equatorial to tropical latitude that was within 3000 km of western North America. The mafic and ultramafic volcanic rocks are compositionally and isotopically similar to those of oceanic plateaux that were generated from a Pacific mantle plume-type source. The thermal conditions, estimated from the primitive rocks, indicate that it was a high temperature regime (TP > 1550 °C) consistent with elevated temperatures expected for a mantle plume. The only active hotspot currently located near the equator of the eastern Pacific Ocean that was active during the Mesozoic and produced ultramafic volcanic rocks is the Galápagos hotspot. The calculated mantle potential temperatures, trace elemental ratios, and Sr–Nd–Pb isotopes of the Wrangellia volcanic rocks are within the range of those from the Caribbean Plateau and Galápagos Islands, and collectively have similar internal variability as the Hawaii-Emperor island chain. The paleogeographic constraints, thermal estimates, and geochemistry suggests that it is possible that the Galápagos hotspot generated the volcanic rocks of Wrangellia and the Caribbean plateau or, more broadly, that the eastern Pacific (Panthalassa) Ocean was a unique region where anomalously high thermal conditions either periodically or continually existed from ~ 230 Ma to the present day.
Resistance exercise training improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing insulin secretion in C57BL/6 mice
Authors: Bronczek Gabriela Alves , Soares Gabriela Moreira , de Barros Jaqueline Fernandes , Vettorazzi Jean Franciesco , Kurauti Mirian Ayumi , Marconato-Júnior Emílio , Zangerolamo Lucas , Marmentini Carine , Boschero Antonio Carlos , Costa-Júnior José Maria 
Published: April 2021

AbstractResistance exercise exerts beneficial effects on glycemic control, which could be mediated by exercise-induced humoral factors released in the bloodstream. Here, we used C57Bl/6 healthy mice, submitted to resistance exercise training for 10 weeks. Trained mice presented higher muscle weight and maximum voluntary carrying capacity, combined with reduced body weight gain and fat deposition. Resistance training improved glucose tolerance and reduced glycemia, with no alterations in insulin sensitivity. In addition, trained mice displayed higher insulinemia in fed state, associated with increased glucose-stimulated insulin secretion. Islets from trained mice showed reduced expression of genes related to endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress, associated with increased expression of Ins2. INS-1E beta-cells incubated with serum from trained mice displayed similar pattern of insulin secretion and gene expression than isolated islets from trained mice. When exposed to CPA (an ER stress inducer), the serum from trained mice partially preserved the secretory function of INS-1E cells, and prevented CPA-induced apoptosis. These data suggest that resistance training, in healthy mice, improves glucose homeostasis by enhancing insulin secretion, which could be driven, at least in part, by humoral factors.
Large asymmetry in the magnetoresistance loops of ferromagnetic nanostrips induced by Surface Acoustic Waves
Authors: Castilla David , Muñoz Manuel , Sinusía Miguel , Yanes Rocío , Prieto José L. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this work we show that Surface Acoustic Waves (SAW) can induce a very large asymmetry in the magnetoresistance loop of an adjacent ferromagnetic nanostrip, making it look as if it had exchange bias. The Surface Acoustic Wave induces a DC voltage in the ferromagnetic nanostrip. For measurements at constant current, this DC voltage makes the AMR loop asymmetric. In a series of different electrical experiments, we disentangle two different contributions to the induced DC voltage. One of them is independent on the external magnetic field and it is likely due to the acoustoelectric effect. A second contribution depends on the external magnetic field and it is a rectified voltage induced in the piezoelectric substrate as a response to the magnetization dynamics in the magnetostrictive nanostrip. The large asymmetry in the magnetoresistance loop reported in this work is a manifestation of an effective transfer of energy from the SAW to the magnetization dynamics, a mechanism that has been very recently appointed as a possible mean to harvest energy from a heat source.
Design and analysis of a fiber-optic sensing system for shape reconstruction of a minimally invasive surgical needle
Authors: Issatayeva Aizhan , Amantayeva Aida , Blanc Wilfried , Tosi Daniele , Molardi Carlo 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThis paper presents the performance analysis of the system for real-time reconstruction of the shape of the rigid medical needle used for minimally invasive surgeries. The system is based on four optical fibers glued along the needle at 90 degrees from each other to measure distributed strain along the needle from four different sides. The distributed measurement is achieved by the interrogator which detects the light scattered from each section of the fiber connected to it and calculates the strain exposed to the fiber from the spectral shift of that backscattered light. This working principle has a limitation of discriminating only a single fiber because of the overlap of backscattering light from several fibers. In order to use four sensing fibers, the Scattering-Level Multiplexing (SLMux) methodology is applied. SLMux is based on fibers with different scattering levels: standard single-mode fibers (SMF) and MgO-nanoparticles doped fibers with a 35–40 dB higher scattering power. Doped fibers are used as sensing fibers and SMFs are used to spatially separate one sensing fiber from another by selecting appropriate lengths of SMFs. The system with four fibers allows obtaining two pairs of opposite fibers used to reconstruct the needle shape along two perpendicular axes. The performance analysis is conducted by moving the needle tip from 0 to 1 cm by 0.1 cm to four main directions (corresponding to the locations of fibers) and to four intermediate directions (between neighboring fibers). The system accuracy for small bending (0.1–0.5 cm) is 90$$\%$$%and for large bending (0.6–1 cm) is approximately 92$$\%$$%.
Observation of void formation patterns in SnAg films undergoing electromigration and simulation using random walk methods
Authors: Jin Zhi , Shen Yu-An , Zuo Yang , Chan Y. C. , Mannan S. H. , Nishikawa Hiroshi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWith the ever-reducing sizes of electronic devices, the problem of electromigration (EM) has become relevant and requires attention. However, only the EM behavior of Sn–Ag solders within the solder joint structure has been focused on thus far. Therefore, in this study, a thin metallic film composed of Sn–3.5Ag (wt.%) was subjected to a current density of 7.77 × 104 A/cm2 at a temperature of 15 °C to test the ability of existing EM models to predict the nucleation and evolution of voids generated by the resulting atomic migration. A computer simulation was then used to compute the coupled current distribution, thermal distribution, and atomic migration problems. It relied on an original random walk (RW) method, not previously applied to this problem, that is particularly well suited for modelling domains that undergo changes owing to the formation of voids. A comparison of the experimental results and computer simulations proves that the RW method can be applied successfully to this class of problems, but it also shows that imperfections in the film can lead to deviations from predicted patterns.
Contribution of PDGFRα-positive cells in maintenance and injury responses in mouse large vessels
Authors: Kimura Kenichi , Ramirez Karina , Nguyen Tram Anh Vu , Yamashiro Yoshito , Sada Aiko , Yanagisawa Hiromi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe maladaptive remodeling of vessel walls with neointima formation is a common feature of proliferative vascular diseases. It has been proposed that neointima formation is caused by the dedifferentiation of mature smooth muscle cells (SMCs). Recent evidence suggests that adventitial cells also participate in neointima formation; however, their cellular dynamics are not fully understood. In this study, we utilized a lineage tracing model of platelet-derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRa) cells and examined cellular behavior during homeostasis and injury response. PDGFRa marked adventitial cells that were largely positive for Sca1 and a portion of medial SMCs, and both cell types were maintained for 2 years. Upon carotid artery ligation, PDGFRa-positive (+) cells were slowly recruited to the neointima and exhibited an immature SMC phenotype. In contrast, in a more severe wire denudation injury, PDGFRa+ cells were recruited to the neointima within 14 days and fully differentiated into SMCs. Under pressure overload induced by transverse aortic constriction, PDGFRa+ cells developed marked adventitial fibrosis. Taken together, our observations suggest that PDGFRa+ cells serve as a reservoir of adventitial cells and a subset of medial SMCs and underscore their context-dependent response to vascular injuries.
EGFR-dependent tyrosine phosphorylation of integrin β4 is not required for downstream signaling events in cancer cell lines
Authors: te Molder Lisa , Kreft Maaike , Heemskerk Niels , Schuring Joyce , de Pereda Jose M. , Wilhelmsen Kevin , Sonnenberg Arnoud 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn epithelial cancers, the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and integrin α6β4 are frequently overexpressed and found to synergistically activate intracellular signaling pathways that promote cell proliferation and migration. In cancer cells, the β4 subunit is phosphorylated at tyrosine residues not normally recognized as kinase substrates; however, the function of these phosphotyrosine residues in cancer cells is a subject of much debate. In EGFR-overexpressing carcinoma cells, we found that the Src family kinase (SFK) inhibitor PP2 reduces β4 tyrosine phosphorylation following the activation of EGFR. However, siRNA mediated knockdown of the SFKs Src, Fyn, Yes and Lyn, individually or in combination, did not affect the EGF-induced phosphorylation of β4. Using phospho-peptide affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry, we found that PLCγ1 binds β4 at the phosphorylated residues Y1422/Y1440, but were unable to verify this interaction in A431 carcinoma cells that overexpress the EGFR. Furthermore, using A431 cells devoid of β4 or reconstituted with phenylalanine specific mutants of β4, the activation of several downstream signaling pathways, including PLCγ/PKC, MAPK and PI3K/Akt, were not substantially affected. We conclude that tyrosine-phosphorylated β4 does not enhance EGFR-mediated signaling in EGFR-overexpressing cells, despite the fact that this integrin subunit is highly tyrosine phosphorylated in these cells.
Age biases the judgment rather than the perception of an ambiguous figure
Authors: Brouwer Ambroos , Jin Xuxi , Waldi Aisha Humaira , Verheyen Steven 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOlder participants who are briefly presented with the ‘my wife/mother-in-law’ ambiguous figure estimate its age to be higher than young participants do. This finding is thought to be the result of a subconscious social group bias that influences participants’ perception of the figure. Because people are better able to recognize similarly aged individuals, young participants are expected to perceive the ambiguous figure as a young woman, while older participants are more likely to recognize an older lady. We replicate the difference in age estimates, but find no relationship between participants’ age and their perception of the ambiguous figure. This leads us to conclude that the positive relationship between participants’ age and their age estimates of the ambiguous ‘my wife/mother-in-law’ figure is better explained by the own-age anchor effect, which holds that people use their own age as a yard stick to judge the age of the figure, regardless of whether the young woman or the older lady is perceived. Our results disqualify the original finding as an example of cognitive penetrability: the participants’ age biases their judgment of the ambiguous figure, not its perception.
Fiber optic Fabry–Perot sensor that can amplify ultrasonic wave for an enhanced partial discharge detection
Authors: Li Haoyong , Bu Jian , Li Wenli , Lv Jiaming , Wang Xiejun , Hu Kejia , Yu Yiting 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUltrasonic wave is a powerful tool for many applications, such as structural health monitoring, medical diagnosis and partial discharges (PDs) detection. The fiber optic extrinsic Fabry–Perot interferometric (EFPI) sensor has become an ideal candidate for detecting weak ultrasonic signals due to its inherent advantages, and each time with a performance enhancement, it can bring great application potential in broadened fields. Herein, an EFPI ultrasonic sensor for PDs detection is proposed. The sensing diaphragm uses a 5-μm-thickness and beam-supported structure to improve the responsive sensitivity of the sensor at the resonant frequency. Furthermore, the ability of the sensor to detect characteristic ultrasonic signal of PDs is further enhanced by assembling a Fresnel-zone-plate (FZP)-based ultrasonic lens with the sensing probe to amplify the ultrasonic wave before it excites the sensing diaphragm. The final testing results show that the originally developed sensor owns the sensitivity of − 19.8 dB re. 1 V/Pa at resonant frequency. While, when the FZP is assembled with the probe, the sensitivity reaches to − 12.4 dB re. 1 V/Pa, and leads to a narrower frequency band, which indicates that the proposed method has a great potential to enhance the detection ability of sensor to characteristic ultrasonic wave of PDs.
Microwave resonator array with liquid metal selection for narrow band material sensing
Authors: Wiltshire Benjamin D. , Rafi Md Abdur , Zarifi Mohammad H. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA microwave resonator array is integrated with liquid metal to select an individual resonator response within a resonator array, enabling simple and accurate analysis for dielectric sensing. Galinstan, a liquid metal, acts as a multiplexer by inducing a capacitive load to the nearby resonator, lowering its resonant frequency, and thereby isolating its resonant response from other resonators in the array. The liquid metal could be positioned within a fluidic channel to be above any of the resonators, which tuned the resonant frequency from 3.9 to 3.3 GHz where it can be analyzed individually. The resonators showed a consistent response to liquid metal tuning, with tuning error measured below 30 MHz (5%). The sensor also exhibited stable sensitivity to test materials placed on the selected resonator, with a maximum resonant frequency shift of 300 MHz for a dielectric test material (ε = 10.2) and almost no variation in resonant amplitude. The selected resonant response was only sensitive to materials on the selected resonator, and was unaffected by test materials, even when placed on other resonators. The presented design enabled robust and accurate detection of materials using planar microwave resonators that can be controlled at a user’s convenience, specifically for use in systems where multiple parameters or system settings may need to be individually determined.
Development and evaluation of physiologically based pharmacokinetic drug-disease models for predicting captopril pharmacokinetics in chronic diseases
Authors: Rasool Muhammad F. , Ali Shazia , Khalid Sundus , Khalid Ramsha , Majeed Abdul , Imran Imran , Saeed Hamid , Usman Muhammad , Ali Mohsin , Alali Amer S. , AlAsmari Abdullah F. , Ali Nemat , Asiri Ali Mohammed , Alasmari Fawaz , Alqahtani Faleh 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe advancement in the processing speeds of computing machines has facilitated the development of complex physiologically based pharmacokinetic (PBPK) models. These PBPK models can incorporate disease-specific data and could be used to predict pharmacokinetics (PK) of administered drugs in different chronic conditions. The present study aimed to develop and evaluate PBPK drug-disease models for captopril after incorporating relevant pathophysiological changes occurring in adult chronic kidney disease (CKD) and chronic heart failure (CHF) populations. The population-based PBPK simulator Simcyp was used as a modeling and simulation platform. The visual predictive checks and mean observed/predicted ratios (ratio(Obs/pred)) of the PK parameters were used for model evaluation. The developed disease models were successful in predicting captopril PK in all three stages of CKD (mild, moderate, and severe) and CHF, as the observed and predicted PK profiles and the ratio(obs/pred) for the PK parameters were in close agreement. The developed captopril PBPK models can assist in tailoring captopril dosages in patients with different disease severity (CKD and CHF).