bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
IL‐10 lentivirus‐laden hydrogel tubes increase spinal progenitor survival and neuronal differentiation after spinal cord injury
Authors: Ciciriello Andrew J. , Smith Dominique R. , Munsell Mary K. , Boyd Sydney J. , Shea Lonnie D. , Dumont Courtney M. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA complex cellular cascade characterizes the pathophysiological response following spinal cord injury (SCI) limiting regeneration. Biomaterial and stem cell combination therapies together have shown synergistic effects, compared to the independent benefits of each intervention, and represent a promising approach towards regaining function after injury. In this study, we combine our polyethylene glycol (PEG) cell delivery platform with lentiviral‐mediated overexpression of the anti‐inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)−10 to improve mouse embryonic Day 14 (E14) spinal progenitor transplant survival. Immediately following injury in a mouse SCI hemisection model, five PEG tubes were implanted followed by direct injection into the tubes of lentivirus encoding for IL‐10. Two weeks after tube implantation, mouse E14 spinal progenitors were injected directly into the integrated tubes, which served as a soft substrate for cell transplantation. Together, the tubes with the IL‐10 encoding lentivirus improved E14 spinal progenitor survival, assessed at 2 weeks posttransplantation (4 weeks postinjury). On average, 8.1% of E14 spinal progenitors survived in mice receiving IL‐10 lentivirus‐laden tubes compared with 0.7% in mice receiving transplants without tubes, an 11.5‐fold difference. Surviving E14 spinal progenitors gave rise to neurons when injected into tubes. Axon elongation and remyelination were observed, in addition to a significant increase in functional recovery in mice receiving IL‐10 lentivirus‐laden tubes with E14 spinal progenitor delivery compared to the injury only control by 4 weeks postinjury. All other conditions did not exhibit increased stepping until 8 or 12 weeks postinjury. This system affords increased control over the transplantation microenvironment, offering the potential to improve stem cell‐mediated tissue regeneration.
A configurable evaluation system for PLC experiments deployed on cloud
Authors: Zhang Shirong , Tang Yuling 
Published: April 2021

AbstractProgrammable logic controller (PLC) is always set as a professional course of automation‐related majors in Chinese universities and colleges. Abundant experiments are required to ensure that the students are sufficiently trained to get qualified practical skills and engineering abilities. The evaluation of abundant PLC experiments is a heavy and time‐consuming task, and it is hard to grade an experiment result precisely and fairly. In this paper, a cloud‐based automatic evaluation system for PLC experiments is accordingly proposed to deal with the above problems. Aliyun is employed to build the system platform. During experiments, client threads on the cloud will be scheduled to accesses the on‐site S7‐1500 PLCs through OLE for process control (OPC) UA protocol. Further, an innovative section‐based experiment management method is proposed to make the system open, configurable, and thus extendable. The system relieves the hard work of the teachers on experiment evaluation and provides accurate evaluation conclusions. In contrast, the students can get more comprehensive feedback information and advice from the system to better understand the experiments and the behind principles. The cloud‐based framework, the standard protocol as OPC UA, and the configurability of the system can be good references for other relevant systems.
Germacrone improves liver fibrosis by regulating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway
Authors: Ji De , Zhao Qi , Qin Yuwen , Tong Huangjin , Wang Qiaohan , Yu Mengting , Mao Chunqin , Lu Tulin , Qiu Jinchun , Jiang Chengxi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLiver fibrosis is a primary threat to public health, owing to limited therapeutic options. Germacrone (GM) has been shown to exert various curative effects against human diseases, including liver injury. The aim of this study was to investigate the pharmacological effects of GM in the pathophysiology of hepatic fibrosis and determine its potential mechanisms of action. A liver fibrosis rat model was established via carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) treatment, and LX‐2 cells were stimulated with TGF‐β1. The effects of GM on liver fibrosis and its relationship with the phosphatidylinositol 3‐kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signalling pathway were investigated. In the CCl4 fibrosis‐induced rat model, GM improved histological damage, inhibited the activity of hepatic α‐smooth muscle actin and improved serum alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase levels in a dose‐dependent manner. GM potently inhibited hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) growth and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) progression, as reflected by the altered expression of proliferative (Ki‐67, PCNA and cleaved caspase‐3) and EMT‐related (E‐cadherin and vimentin) proteins. In TGF‐β1‐stimulated LX‐2 cells, GM significantly inhibited the survival and activation of HSCs and induced cell apoptosis. GM also suppressed the migration ability and reversed the EMT process in HSCs. Following GM treatment, the phosphorylation of the PI3K, AKT and mTOR proteins was reduced in the liver of CCl4‐treated rats and TGF‐β1‐stimulated LX‐2 cells, indicating that GM may attenuate hepatic fibrosis via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway. These outcomes highlight the anti‐fibrotic effects of GM and suggest that it is a potential therapeutic agent for the treatment of liver fibrosis.
Urticarial vasculitis: A Complication of SMZ‐TMP therapy
Authors: Bhasin Arveen K. , Sluzevich Jason C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractRecognize that delayed hypersensitivity reactions to sulfonamides may present as urticated plaques with hyperpigmentation and purpura for which a diagnosis of urticarial vasculitis should be considered.
Electrochemical Behavior Promotion of Polysulfides by Cobalt Selenide/Carbon Cloth Interlayer in Lithium−Sulfur Batteries
Authors: Ren Zhaowei , Zhao Zhenxin , Zhang Kun , Wang Xiaomin , Wang Yongzhen 
Published: April 2021

AbstractLithium−sulfur batteries have been regarded as the next generation of competitive batteries because of their high theoretical capacity and energy density. However, the commercial development of lithium−sulfur batteries is restricted by the shuttle action of polysulfides and volumetric expansion of sulfur. Herein, we developed cobalt selenide/carbon cloth composites (CoSe2/CC) as the interlayer. CoSe2 can not only limit the shuttling of polysulfides by Co−S bonds and accelerate the catalytic conversion kinetics of sulfur chemistry, but also increases the electrical conductivity of materials, leading to an excellent cycle stability. As a result, the cell with CoSe2/CC interlayer has a high initial capacity of 1420 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C and keeps high‐capacity retention of 596 mAh g−1 after 500 cycles at 1 C rate (70 %). Subsequent electrochemical tests show that CoSe2/CC enhance the electrochemical behavior of the polysulfides. Therefore, the hierarchical CoSe2/CC composites have promising application potential in lithium−sulfur batteries.
Facile synthesis of N doped ZnO Coral bundles for enhanced photocatalytic and antimicrobial activity
Authors: Suganya Josephine Gali Anthoni , Arumugam Sivasamy 
Published: April 2021

AbstractAn efficient single‐step facile synthesis of coral bundle‐like nanocrystalline N‐doped ZnO was developed using (NH4)2CO3 as a source of nitrogen. The method of zinc nitrate addition and concentration of ammonium carbonate (3.5 mol/L) played a pivotal role in the formation of coral bundle‐like morphology along with nitrogen doping and change in color of the prepared nanomaterial. XPS, Raman, and the peak broadening in XRD confirmed the presence of nitrogen in the crystal lattice. An enhanced absorbance in the UV‐visible DRS spectrum predicts the visible light‐ and UV light‐induced photocatalytic activities for the degradation of organics via a radical mediated mechanism as evidenced by EPR analysis. The results evidence the particle size (9‐12 nm), morphology (coral bundle like), surface roughness (33.87 nm), and surface area (44.028 m2/g) of the prepared coral bundle‐shaped nitrogen‐doped zinc oxide (CBSNZ) photocatalyst. CBSNZ showed a twofold increase in visible light photocatalytic activity when compared to ZnO and excellent antimicrobial properties when compared to the standard streptomycin and ketoconazole. The MIC for CBSNZ was very less when compared to the standards for “Salmonella typhimurium, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter aerogenes.” This provides a wider application of CBSNZ as an environmentally benign nanomaterial.
Confinement inside a Crystalline Sponge Induces Pyrrole To Form N−H⋅⋅⋅π Bonded Tetramers
Authors: Wu Mengling , Zhang Junle , Yuan Liangqian , Rissanen Kari , Pan Fangfang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractBased on the DFT‐level‐calculated molecular volume (Vmol) of pyrrole and its liquid density, pyrrole manifests the highest liquid density coefficient LDc (defined as [Vmol×density ×0.6023]/FW) value of 0.7. Normal liquids have LDc <0.63. This very high LDc is due to the strong N−H⋅⋅⋅π interactions in solution, and hence pyrrole can be considered to be a pseudo‐crystalline liquid. When trapped inside the confined space of a crystalline sponge, a reorientation of the N−H⋅⋅⋅π interaction is observed leading to specific cyclic N−H⋅⋅⋅π tetramers and N−H⋅⋅⋅π dimers, as verified by single‐crystal X‐ray crystallographic and computational methods. These tetramers are of the same size as four pyrrole molecules in the solid‐state of pyrrole, yet the cyclic N−H⋅⋅⋅π intermolecular interactions are circularly oriented instead of being in the linear zigzag structure found in the X‐ray structure of a solid pyrrole. The confinement thus acts as an external driving force for tetramer formation.
Towards Heteroleptic Dicoordinate CuII Complexes
Authors: Kaiser Michelle , Göttlicher Jörg , Vitova Tonya , Hinz Alexander 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this work we detail our efforts to systematically generate stable dicoordinate CuII complexes. Initial experiments via metathesis reactions of a bulky potassium carbazolide (RK) with copper(II) salts indeed yielded a stable product, RCuOTf (1). However, subsequent attempts to grasp systematic synthetic access to complexes of the type RCuX (X=monoanionic ligand) proved difficult as many of the complexes rapidly decomposed in solution. By using triflate‐related ligands such as ethyl sulfate and bistriflimide, the additional dicoordinate copper complexes RCuOSO3Et (2), [RCu(THF)][Cu(NTf2)2] (3) and RCuNTf2 (4) could be isolated. Spectroscopic indications corroborate more CuI than CuII character in all RCuX derivatives.
Elucidating Halogen‐Assisted Self‐Assembly Enhanced Mechanochromic Aggregation‐Induced Emission
Authors: Miao Xinrui , Cai Zhengkai , Li Jinxing , Liu Liqian , Wu Juntian , Li Bang , Ying Lei , Silly Fabien , Deng Wenli , Cao Yong 
Published: April 2021

AbstractWe present a successful strategy to obtain a self‐assembled material stabilized by halogen bonding with enhanced mechanochromic aggregation‐induced emission (AIE). The meta‐bromophenyl‐substituted tetraphenylethene fluorophore (m‐BrTBE) exhibits an emission which is more red‐shifted compared to the phenyl‐ring‐substituted tetraphenylethene fluorophore (TBE) in film. Remarkably, m‐BrTBE molecules self‐assemble into uniform ball‐like aggregates with high photoluminescence quantum yield up to 85.3 %, which indicates that the molecular conformation and intermolecular interactions are different from those in the crystalline state. Based on single‐crystal analysis, scanning tunneling microscopic observations, and theoretical calculations, the unusual self‐assembly enhanced AIE behavior is attributed to the important effect of meta‐bromide substituents which not only form intermolecular Br⋅⋅⋅π halogen bonding and H⋅⋅⋅Br hydrogen bonding interactions to block nonradiative relaxation pathways effectively but also promote radiative processes.
Avidity optimization of a MAGE‐A1‐specific TCR with somatic hypermutation
Authors: Bassan David , Gozlan Yosi Meir , Sharbi‐Yunger Adi , Tzehoval Esther , Greenstein Erez , Bitan Lidor , Friedman Nir , Eisenbach Lea 
Published: April 2021

AbstractA T‐cell receptor (TCR) with optimal avidity to a tumor antigen can be used to redirect T cells to eradicate cancer cells via adoptive cell transfer. Cancer testis antigens (CTAs) are attractive targets because they are expressed in the testis, which is immune‐privileged, and in the tumor. However, CTAs are self‐antigens and natural TCRs to CTAs have low affinity/avidity due to central tolerance. We previously described a method of directed evolution of TCR avidity using somatic hypermutation. In this study, we made several improvements to this method and enhanced the avidity of the hT27 TCR, which is specific for the cancer testis antigen HLA‐A2‐MAGE‐A1278‐286. We identified eight point mutations with varying degrees of improved avidity. Human T cells transduced with TCRs containing these mutations displayed enhanced tetramer binding, IFN‐γ and IL2 production, and cytotoxicity. Most of the mutations have retained specificity, except for one mutant with extremely high avidity. We demonstrate that somatic hypermutation is capable of optimizing avidity of clinically relevant TCRs for immunotherapy.
Advantages of Covalent Immobilization of Metal‐Salophen on Amino‐Functionalized Mesoporous Silica in Terms of Recycling and Catalytic Activity for CO2 Cycloaddition onto Epoxides
Authors: Balas Matthieu , Beaudoin Sébastien , Proust Anna , Launay Franck , Villanneau Richard 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNiII and MnIII Schiff base complexes (Salophen‐Ni and Salophen‐MnCl) bearing a pending carboxylic group were prepared and characterized. Both complexes were grafted onto a mesoporous amino‐functionalized SBA‐15 silica, by formation of an amide function between the propylamine groups of the support and the carboxylic acid functions of the salophen ligand (corresponding respective to 1.30 wt.% of Ni and 1.06 wt.% of Mn). The co‐catalytic behaviour of the free and grafted complexes was then evaluated in the CO2 cycloaddition reaction onto styrene oxide, using tetra‐butylammonium bromide (n−Bu4NBr) as the main catalyst. In homogeneous conditions, the MnIII Schiff base complex and the NiII one, to a lesser extent, behave as efficient co‐catalysts for this reaction (styrene conversion of 100 % and 65 % respectively after 3 h at 120 °C, under 15 bars of CO2). Upon immobilization at the surface of the amino‐functionalized SBA‐15, we showed that the co‐catalytic activity of the less efficient one, i. e. Ni2+ salophen complex, could be enhanced (reaching a full conversion after 7 h), hence highlighting a potential synergistic effect between the unused amine functions of the support and the Ni2+ salophen co‐catalyst. Both salophen complexes were successfully re‐used in homogeneous conditions or after their immobilization without any appreciable loss of activity. This work is only a first step towards a completely heterogeneous catalytic system, in which the tetraalkylammonium halide catalyst and the metal‐salophen co‐catalyst will both be covalently anchored on the same support.
Sensitive Electrochemical Determination of NADH Using an Electrode Fabricated by Intercalation of Tetrabutylammonium Ions Into Graphite Electrode
Authors: Gorduk Ozge 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn this study, we present a strategy for the specific electrochemical detection of NADH in human blood serums using modified electrode fabricated by intercalation of tetrabutylammonium ions (TBA+) into pencil graphite electrode (TBA+/PGE). In order to implement this protocol, a modification process in the potential range (−0.2) to (−2.75) V was performed in DMSO containing 0.1 M TBAP by CV method. The characterization processes of the prepared sensor were carried out using CV, EIS, FT‐IR, XPS, and SEM methods. The electrode fabricated by intercalation of TBA+ was found to be able to analyze NADH at +0.32 V applied potential by the amperometric method. The LOD was detected as 0.46 μM. The analysis results of human blood serums which are taken from healthy individuals show that TBA+/PGE can be used for real samples. The results indicated that TBA+/PGE can be easily fabricated by one‐step and one‐pot electrochemical method and TBA+/PGE can be used as a potential sensor for the NADH determination.
Effects of several tea extracts on nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice fed with a high‐fat diet
Authors: Mao Qian‐Qian , Li Bang‐Yan , Meng Jin‐Ming , Gan Ren‐You , Xu Xiao‐Yu , Gu Ying‐Ying , Wang Xiao‐Hui , Li Hua‐Bin 
Published: April 2021

AbstractNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is considered as a severe threat to human health. It has been reported that tea has abundant bioactive compounds and beneficial effects. In our study, the effects of 12 tea extracts on NAFLD were assessed and compared at the dose of 200 mg/kg body weight in mice fed with a high‐fat diet (HFD) for 15 weeks. Enshi Yulu Tea, Fenghuang Narcissus Tea, and Yihong Tea showed strong effects in suppressing the accumulation of epididymal and perirenal adipose tissue as well as the increases of body weight and liver weight. The histopathological analysis revealed that hepatic steatosis and adipocyte hypertrophy induced by a HFD could be ameliorated by tea supplementation. In addition, Enshi Yulu Tea and Qing Brick Tea exerted more remarkable functions on decreasing the level of serum triglyceride and preventing hepatic fat accumulation, respectively. Furthermore, Fenghuang Narcissus Tea, Enshi Yulu Tea, and Qing Brick Tea could reverse the abnormal change in the levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase. Moreover, 13 phytoconstituents were detected and quantified in these teas with high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method. The correlation analysis demonstrated that gallic acid might decrease MDA level, and the reduction of liver weight might be attributed to ellagic acid. However, it should be paid attention to some teas that showed hepatotoxicity with elevated levels of aspartate transaminase and alanine aminotransferase. Several teas showed strong effects in the prevention of NAFLD, which could be developed into functional foods against NAFLD.
Sicherheitsbetrachtungen für einen durch eine Massenbewegung beeinträchtigten Speicher
Authors: Marte Roman , Ausweger Georg , Schweiger Helmut F. , Seiwald Stephan , Kainz Florian , Breymann Helfried 
Published: April 2021

AbstractOn the basis of a case history of a pumping storage which is endangered by a slow moving landslide, the interaction of the reservoir operation and the deformation behaviour of the landslide will be discussed in this paper. Comprehensive measurements as well as theoretical investigations, which had been performed to understand the determining factors for the deformation behaviour of the landslide, will be discussed. Based on these investigation results a warn and alarm plan as part of the safety concept for the storage had been developed.
Effect of selectively knocking down key metabolic genes in Müller glia on photoreceptor health
Authors: Shen Weiyong , Lee So‐Ra , Mathai Ashish Easow , Zhang Rui , Du Jianhai , Yam Michelle X. , Pye Victoria , Barnett Nigel L. , Rayner Cassie L. , Zhu Ling , Hurley James B. , Seth Pankaj , Hirabayashi Yoshio , Furuya Shigeki , Gillies Mark C. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe importance of Müller glia for retinal homeostasis suggests that they may have vulnerabilities that lead to retinal disease. Here, we studied the effect of selectively knocking down key metabolic genes in Müller glia on photoreceptor health. Immunostaining indicated that murine Müller glia expressed insulin receptor (IR), hexokinase 2 (HK2) and phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH) but very little pyruvate dehydrogenase E1 alpha 1 (PDH‐E1α) and lactate dehydrogenase A (LDH‐A). We crossed Müller glial cell‐CreER (MC‐CreER) mice with transgenic mice carrying a floxed IR, HK2, PDH‐E1α, LDH‐A, or PHGDH gene to study the effect of selectively knocking down key metabolic genes in Müller glia cells on retinal health. Selectively knocking down IR, HK2, or PHGDH led to photoreceptor degeneration and reduced electroretinographic responses. Supplementing exogenous l‐serine prevented photoreceptor degeneration and improved retinal function in MC‐PHGDH knockdown mice. We unexpectedly found that the levels of retinal serine and glycine were not reduced but, on the contrary, highly increased in MC‐PHGDH knockdown mice. Moreover, dietary serine supplementation, while rescuing the retinal phenotypes caused by genetic deletion of PHGDH in Müller glial cells, restored retinal serine and glycine homeostasis probably through regulation of serine transport. No retinal abnormalities were observed in MC‐CreER mice crossed with PDH‐E1α‐ or LDH‐A‐floxed mice despite Cre expression. Our findings suggest that Müller glia do not complete glycolysis but use glucose to produce serine to support photoreceptors. Supplementation with exogenous serine is effective in preventing photoreceptor degeneration caused by PHGDH deficiency in Müller glia.
How do head coaches brief their athletes? Exploring transformational leadership behaviors in elite team sports
Authors: Macquet Anne‐Claire , Stanton Neville A. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn sports, coaches and athletes consider the briefing function to be particularly important in promoting teamwork, achieving high performance and increasing expertize. Little is known about leadership briefing behaviors by Head Coaches (HCs) in elite sports in the fields of Human Factors and Ergonomics (HFE) and Sports Science. Although both domains play a role in understanding and optimizing performance of athletes and staff, there is a lack of cross‐disciplinary interaction. The present study aimed to facilitate cross‐disciplinary interaction between HFE and Sports Science as well as investigate the briefing process. It explores the behaviors of HCs when briefing a team of players during top‐level competitions (e.g., world championships). Semistructured interviews were held with nine national team sport HCs. Interview data were used to identify briefing behaviors using the taxonomy of the Differentiated Transformational Leadership Inventory. The results elicited briefing behaviors related to six transformational leadership behaviors: (a) individual consideration, (b) inspirational motivation, (c) intellectual stimulation, (d) fostering acceptance of group goals, (e) high‐performance expectations, and (f) appropriate role modeling. Fostering acceptance of group goals was the most frequently exhibited behavior. The data highlighted the multifaceted nature of briefing in elite sports. HCs were shown to be transformational leaders who use various behaviors to promote teamwork and task‐work to achieve team success. This study demonstrates that although traditional teamwork studies are useful and continue to be used, exploring transformational leadership behaviors can also provide insights into ways to improve team performance.
Tail end of the brachycephalic problem: diagnostic and treatment options for spinal malformations
Authors: Gutierrez‐Quintana Rodrigo , De Decker Steven 
Published: April 2021

Background: Vertebral malformations are very common in small brachycephalic breeds, such as French bulldogs, English bulldogs, Boston terriers and pugs. In many cases they are considered incidental findings, but in others they can be associated with progressive neurological deficits. Therefore, it is important to identify which cases will need further investigations, as well as how to interpret the results.Aim of the article: This article reviews the diagnostic approach and treatment options of spinal malformations that affect small brachycephalic breeds.