bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Improvement in the physical and mechanical properties of the cement-based composite with the addition of nanostructured BN–Fe3O4 reinforcement
Authors: Ghazanlou Siavash Imanian , Ghazanlou Siamak Imanian , Ashraf Warda 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn this work, the performance of modified cement by nanostructures consisting of boron nitride (BN) and iron oxide inorganic nanoparticles (Fe3O4) was analyzed. The mechanical strength, electrical resistivity, and the degree of cement hydration as well as the microstructure were investigated in detail. A hybrid filler boron nitride-iron oxide (BN–F) composed of Fe3O4and BN was successfully synthesized using a chemical reaction. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) results showed proper binding of BN–F nanostructures. Addition of the hybrid nanostructured BN–F5 (containing 0.5 wt.% Fe3O4and 0.5 wt.% BN) into the cement matrix increased the compressive strength and flexural strength by 65%, and 74%, respectively, after 28 days of curing. The improvement in mechanical strength is attributed to the increased surface friction induced by the Fe3O4nanoparticles on the BN surfaces, resulting in increased interaction with the matrix. Microstructural studies, such as scanning electron microscope (SEM), showed the formation of a dense structure due to improved dispersion in the cement environment and hybrid performance in preventing crack growth, which is the main reason for the overall improvement in mechanical properties. The concrete resistance gauge (RCON, Giatec) and simultaneous thermal analysis (STA) tests revealed a significant increase in thermal and electrical conductivity in composite reinforced with nanostructured BN–F.
Development of coronary dysfunction in adult progeny after maternal engineered nanomaterial inhalation during gestation
Authors: Fournier Sara B. , Lam Vincent , Goedken Michael J. , Fabris Laura , Stapleton Phoebe A. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMaternal exposure to environmental contaminants during pregnancy can profoundly influence the risk of developing cardiovascular disease in adult offspring. Our previous studies have demonstrated impaired cardiovascular health, microvascular reactivity, and cardiac function in fetal and young adult progeny after maternal inhalation of nano-sized titanium dioxide (nano-TiO2) aerosols during gestation. The present study was designed to evaluate the development of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases later in adulthood. Pregnant Sprague–Dawley rats were exposed to nano-TiO2 aerosols (~ 10 mg/m3, 134 nm median diameter) for 4 h per day, 5 days per week, beginning on gestational day (GD) 4 and ending on GD 19. Progeny were delivered in-house. Body weight was recorded weekly after birth. After 47 weeks, the body weight of exposed progeny was 9.4% greater compared with controls. Heart weight, mean arterial pressure, and plasma biomarkers of inflammation, dyslipidemia, and glycemic control were recorded at 3, 9 and 12 months of age, with no significant adaptations. While no clinical risk factors (i.e., hypertension, dyslipidemia, or systemic inflammation) emerged pertaining to the development of cardiovascular disease, we identified impaired endothelium-dependent and -independent arteriolar dysfunction and cardiac morphological alterations consistent with myocardial inflammation, degeneration, and necrosis in exposed progeny at 12 months. In conclusion, maternal inhalation of nano-TiO2 aerosols during gestation may promote the development of coronary disease in adult offspring.
The importance of input data on landslide susceptibility mapping
Authors: Gaidzik Krzysztof , Ramírez-Herrera María Teresa 
Published: September 2021

AbstractLandslide detection and susceptibility mapping are crucial in risk management and urban planning. Constant advance in digital elevation models accuracy and availability, the prospect of automatic landslide detection, together with variable processing techniques, stress the need to assess the effect of differences in input data on the landslide susceptibility maps accuracy. The main goal of this study is to evaluate the influence of variations in input data on landslide susceptibility mapping using a logistic regression approach. We produced 32 models that differ in (1) type of landslide inventory (manual or automatic), (2) spatial resolution of the topographic input data, (3) number of landslide-causing factors, and (4) sampling technique. We showed that models based on automatic landslide inventory present comparable overall prediction accuracy as those produced using manually detected features. We also demonstrated that finer resolution of topographic data leads to more accurate and precise susceptibility models. The impact of the number of landslide-causing factors used for calculations appears to be important for lower resolution data. On the other hand, even the lower number of causative agents results in highly accurate susceptibility maps for the high-resolution topographic data. Our results also suggest that sampling from landslide masses is generally more befitting than sampling from the landslide mass center. We conclude that most of the produced landslide susceptibility models, even though variable, present reasonable overall prediction accuracy, suggesting that the most congruous input data and techniques need to be chosen depending on the data quality and purpose of the study.
Time-of-day dependent changes in guinea pig bladder afferent mechano-sensitivity
Authors: Christie Stewart , Zagorodnyuk Vladimir 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe voiding of urine has a clear circadian rhythm with increased voiding during active phases and decreased voiding during inactive phases. Bladder spinal afferents play a key role in the regulation of bladder storage and voiding, but it is unknown whether they exhibit themselves a potential circadian rhythm. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the mechano- and chemo- sensitivity of three major bladder afferent classes at two opposite day-night time points. Adult female guinea pigs underwent conscious voiding monitoring and bladder ex vivo single unit extracellular afferent recordings at 0300 h and 1500 h to determine day-night modulation of bladder afferent activity. All guinea pigs voided a higher amount of urine at 1500 h compared to 0300 h. This was due to an increased number of voids at 1500 h. The mechano-sensitivity of low- and high-threshold stretch-sensitive muscular-mucosal bladder afferents to mucosal stroking and stretch was significantly higher at 1500 h compared to 0300 h. Low-threshold stretch-insensitive mucosal afferent sensitivity to stroking was significantly higher at 1500 h compared to 0300 h. Further, the chemosensitivity of mucosal afferents to N-Oleoyl Dopamine (endogenous TRPV1 agonist) was also significantly increased at 1500 h compared to 0300 h. This data indicates that bladder afferents exhibit a significant time-of-day dependent variation in mechano-sensitivity which may influence urine voiding patterns. Further studies across a 24 h period are warranted to reveal potential circadian rhythm modulation of bladder afferent activity.
Developmental models of the carrion beetle Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Coleoptera: Silphidae)
Authors: Montoya-Molina S. , Jakubec P. , Qubaiová J. , Novák M. , Šuláková H. , Růžička J. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractColeoptera are currently considered a fundamental tool to help solve criminal investigations, allowing forensic entomologists to estimate post-mortem intervals and obtain other ecology-related information. Thanatophilus rugosus (Linnaeus, 1758) is an important necrophagous beetle distributed through most of the Palaearctic region, where it is readily found on human bodies and animal carcasses. In this study, the new thermal summation models for all the developmental stages of Thanatophilus rugosus are provided. Beetles were reared at six different constant and ecologically relevant temperatures (12, 14, 16, 18, 20, and 22 °C), and their developmental times were measured. Thermal summation constants were calculated for each developmental stage (egg, three larval instars, post-feeding stage, and pupa).
Bovine NK-lysin peptides exert potent antimicrobial activity against multidrug-resistant Salmonella outbreak isolates
Authors: Dassanayake Rohana P. , Atkinson Briony M. , Mullis Adam S. , Falkenberg Shollie M. , Nicholson Eric M. , Casas Eduardo , Narasimhan Balaji , Bearson Shawn M. D. 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMultidrug-resistant (MDR)Salmonellais a threat to public health. Non-antibiotic therapies could serve as important countermeasures to control MDRSalmonellaoutbreaks. In this study, antimicrobial activity of cationic α-helical bovine NK-lysin-derived antimicrobial peptides was evaluated against MDRSalmonellaoutbreak isolates. NK2A and NK2B strongly inhibited MDRSalmonellagrowth while NK1 and NK2C showed minimum-to-no growth inhibition. Scrambled-NK2A, which is devoid of α-helicity but has the same net positive charge as NK2A, also failed to inhibit bacterial growth. Incubation of negatively charged MDRSalmonellawith NK2A showed increased Zeta potential, indicating bacterial-peptide electrostatic attraction. Confocal and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed NK2A-mediated damage to MDRSalmonellamembranes. LPS inhibited NK2A-mediated growth suppression in a dose-dependent response, suggesting irreversible NK2A-LPS binding. LPS-NK2A binding and bacterial membrane disruption was also confirmed via electron microscopy using gold nanoparticle-NK2A conjugates. Finally, NK2A-loaded polyanhydride nanoparticles showed sustained peptide delivery and anti-bacterial activity. Together, these findings indicate that NK2A α-helicity and positive charge are prerequisites for antimicrobial activity and that MDRSalmonellakilling is mediated by direct interaction of NK2A with LPS and the inner membrane, leading to bacterial membrane permeabilization. With further optimization using nano-carriers, NK2A has the potential to become a potent anti-MDRSalmonellaagent.
Sex and grooming as exchange commodities in female bonobos’ daily biological market
Authors: Anzà Simone , Demuru Elisa , Palagi Elisabetta 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe Biological Market Theory (BMT) posits that cooperation between non-human animals can be seen as a mutually beneficial exchange of commodities similarly to what observed in human economic markets. Positive social interactions are commodities in non-human animals, and mutual exchanges fulfilling the criteria of the BMT have been shown in several species. However, the study of biological markets suffers from methodological limitations that are mainly linked to the difficulty of clearly identifying the currencies and their exchanges in the short-term. Here, we test whether bonobo females are more attractive during their maximum swelling phase, whether they exchange grooming and Genito-Genital Rubbing (GGR) on a daily level of analysis, and whether these daily exchanges fulfil the BMT criteria. Females engaged more in GGR when their sexual swelling was in the maximum phase. Moreover, they exchanged grooming and sex according to the daily “market fluctuations” associated with swelling status. Females in the minimum phase (low-value) increased their probability to engage in GGR with females in the maximum phase (high-value) by grooming them preferentially. In line with the supply/demand law, the female grooming strategy varied depending on the daily number of swollen females present: the higher the number of swollen females, the lower the individual grooming preference. As a whole, our study confirms BMT as a valid model to explain daily commodity exchanges as a function of the temporary value of traders, and underlines the importance of a day-by-day approach to unveil the presence of a biological market when the value of traders frequently changes.
Using ex vivo culture to assess dynamic phenotype changes in human prostate macrophages following exposure to therapeutic drugs
Authors: Boibessot Clovis , Joncas France-Hélène , Park Aerin , Berrehail Zohra , Pelletier Jean-François , Gris Typhaine , Bergeron Alain , Toren Paul 
Published: September 2021

AbstractWithin the prostate tumor microenvironment (TME) there are complex multi-faceted and dynamic communication occurring between cancer cells and immune cells. Macrophages are key cells which infiltrate and surround tumor cells and are recognized to significantly contribute to tumor resistance and metastases. Our understanding of their function in the TME is commonly based on in vitro and in vivo models, with limited research to confirm these model observations in human prostates. Macrophage infiltration was evaluated within the TME of human prostates after 72 h culture of fresh biopsies samples in the presence of control or enzalutamide. In addition to immunohistochemistry, an optimized protocol for multi-parametric evaluation of cellular surface markers was developed using flow cytometry. Flow cytometry parameters were compared to clinicopathological features. Immunohistochemistry staining for 19 patients with paired samples suggested enzalutamide increased the expression of CD163 relative to CD68 staining. Techniques to validate these results using flow cytometry of dissociated biopsies after 72 h of culture are described. In a second cohort of patients with Gleason grade group ≥ 3 prostate cancer, global macrophage expression of CD163 was unchanged with enzalutamide treatment. However, exploratory analyses of our results using multi-parametric flow cytometry for multiple immunosuppressive macrophage markers suggest subgroup changes as well as novel associations between circulating biomarkers like the neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (NLR) and immune cell phenotype composition in the prostate TME. Further, we observed an association between B7–H3 expressing tumor-associated macrophages and the presence of intraductal carcinoma. The use of flow cytometry to evaluate ex vivo cultured prostate biopsies fills an important gap in our ability to understand the immune cell composition of the prostate TME. Our results highlight novel associations for further investigation.
Enhanced proliferation of rabbit chondrocytes by using a well circulated nanoshock system
Authors: Nanda Sitansu Sekhar , Wang Tuntun , Yoon Hong Yeol , An Seong Soo A. , Hembram K. P. S. S. , Kim Kwangmeyung , Yi Dong Kee 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe gold nanorods (GNRs) embedded alginate-chitosan (scaffold), which was designed and fabricated to produce efficient handling of the cell proliferations. Scaffold embedded GNR (SGNR) and NIR (near infrared) irradiations are developing into an interesting medical prognosis tool for rabbit chondrocyte (RC) proliferation. SGNR contained a pattern of uniform pores. Biocompatibility and cellular proliferation achieved by disclosures to NIR irradiations, providing high cell survival. SGNR and NIR irradiations could produce mechanical and biochemical cues for regulating RCs proliferations. To determine the thermal stress, it exposed RCs to 39–42 °C for 0–240 min at the start point of the cell culture cycle. It produced photothermal stress in cellular surrounding (cells located adjacent to and within scaffold) and it deals with the proliferation behavior of RC. All the processes were modeled with experimental criteria and time evolution process. Our system could help the cell proliferation by generating heat for cells. Hence, the present strategy could be implemented for supporting cell therapeutics after transplantation. This implementation would open new design techniques for integrating the interfaces between NIR irradiated and non-irradiated tissues.
Hydrogenation treatment under several gigapascals assists diffusionless transformation in a face-centered cubic steel
Authors: Koyama Motomichi , Saitoh Hiroyuki , Sato Toyoto , Orimo Shin-ichi , Akiyama Eiji 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe use of hydrogen in iron and steel has the potential to improve mechanical properties via altering the phase stability and dislocation behavior. When hydrogen is introduced under several gigapascals, a stoichiometric composition of hydrogen can be introduced for steel compositions. In this study, a face-centered cubic (fcc) stainless steel was hydrogenated under several gigapascals. When the steel was not hydrogenated, the microstructure after depressurization was an fcc with a hexagonal close-packed (hcp) structure. In contrast, the hydrogenation treatment resulted in a fine lath body-centered cubic (bcc) structure arising from diffusionless transformation. In particular, the bcc phase formed through the following transformation sequence: fcc → hcp → dhcp (double hexagonal close-packed phase) → bcc. That is, the use of hydrogenation treatment realized fine microstructure evolution through a new type of diffusionless transformation sequence, which is expected to be used in future alloy design strategies for developing high-strength steels.
Tanshinone IIA affects the malignant growth of Cholangiocarcinoma cells by inhibiting the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway
Authors: Liu Huayuan , Liu Caiyun , Wang Mengya , Sun Dongxu , Zhu Pengcheng , Zhang Ping , Tan Xueying , Shi Guangjun 
Published: September 2021

AbstractIn the present study, we aimed to find the target of Tanshinone IIA (Tan-IIA) in Cholangiocarcinoma by network pharmacology-based prediction and investigate the possible mechanism through experimental verification. In this study, we combined Tan-IIA-specific and Cholangiocarcinoma-specific targets with protein–protein interactions (PPI) to construct a Tan-IIA targets-Cholangiocarcinoma network, and network pharmacology approach was applied to identify potential targets and mechanisms of Tan-IIA in the treatment of Cholangiocarcinoma. The anti-cancer effects of Tan-IIA were investigated by using subcutaneous tumorigenic model in nude mice and in the human Cholangiocarcinoma cell lines in vitro. Our results showed that Tan-IIA treatment considerably suppressed the proliferation and migration of Cholangiocarcinoma cells while inducing apoptosis of Cholangiocarcinoma cells. Western blot results demonstrated that the expression of PI3K, p-Akt, p-mTOR, and mTOR were inhibited by Tan-IIA. Meanwhile, After treatment with Tan-IIA, the level of Bcl2 was downregulated and cleaved caspase-3 expression increased. Further studies revealed that the anticancer effects of Tan-IIA were severely mitigated by pretreatment with a PI3K agonist. Our research provides a new anticancer strategy and strengthens support for the use of Tan-IIA as an anticancer drug for the treatment of CCA.
Vacuolar-type proton ATPase is required for maintenance of apicobasal polarity of embryonic visceral endoderm
Authors: Sun-Wada Ge-Hong , Tabata Hiroyuki , Wada Yoh 
Published: September 2021

AbstractThe endocytic compartments keep their interior acidic through the inward flow of protons and anions from the cytosol. Acidification is mediated by a proton pump known as vacuolar-type ATPase (V-ATPase) and transporters conferring anion conductance to the organellar membrane. In this study, we analysed the phenotype of mouse embryos lacking the V-ATPase c-subunit. The mutant embryos differentiated embryonic epithelial tissues, primitive endoderm, epiblast, and extraembryonic ectoderm; however, the organisation of these epithelia was severely affected. The apical-basal polarity in the visceral endoderm layer was not properly established in the mutant embryos, resulting in abnormal epithelial morphology. Thus, the function of V-ATPase is imperative for the establishment and/or maintenance of epithelial cell polarity, which is required for early embryogenesis.
SALM4 negatively regulates NMDA receptor function and fear memory consolidation
Authors: Lie Eunkyung , Yeo Yeji , Lee Eun-Jae , Shin Wangyong , Kim Kyungdeok , Han Kyung Ah , Yang Esther , Choi Tae-Yong , Bae Mihyun , Lee Suho , Um Seung Min , Choi Se-Young , Kim Hyun , Ko Jaewon , Kim Eunjoon 
Published: September 2021

AbstractMany synaptic adhesion molecules positively regulate synapse development and function, but relatively little is known about negative regulation. SALM4/Lrfn3 (synaptic adhesion-like molecule 4/leucine rich repeat and fibronectin type III domain containing 3) inhibits synapse development by suppressing other SALM family proteins, but whether SALM4 also inhibits synaptic function and specific behaviors remains unclear. Here we show that SALM4-knockout (Lrfn3−/−) male mice display enhanced contextual fear memory consolidation (7-day post-training) but not acquisition or 1-day retention, and exhibit normal cued fear, spatial, and object-recognition memory. The Lrfn3−/− hippocampus show increased currents of GluN2B-containing N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptors (GluN2B-NMDARs), but not α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptors (AMPARs), which requires the presynaptic receptor tyrosine phosphatase PTPσ. Chronic treatment of Lrfn3−/− mice with fluoxetine, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor used to treat excessive fear memory that directly inhibits GluN2B-NMDARs, normalizes NMDAR function and contextual fear memory consolidation in Lrfn3−/− mice, although the GluN2B-specific NMDAR antagonist ifenprodil was not sufficient to reverse the enhanced fear memory consolidation. These results suggest that SALM4 suppresses excessive GluN2B-NMDAR (not AMPAR) function and fear memory consolidation (not acquisition).
Alpha-synuclein alters the faecal viromes of rats in a gut-initiated model of Parkinson’s disease
Authors: Stockdale Stephen R. , Draper Lorraine A. , O’Donovan Sarah M. , Barton Wiley , O’Sullivan Orla , Volpicelli-Daley Laura A. , Sullivan Aideen M. , O’Neill Cora , Hill Colin 
Published: September 2021

AbstractParkinson’s disease (PD) is a chronic neurological disorder associated with the misfolding of alpha-synuclein (α-syn) into aggregates within nerve cells that contribute to their neurodegeneration. Recent evidence suggests α-syn aggregation may begin in the gut and travel to the brain along the vagus nerve, with microbes potentially a trigger initiating α-syn misfolding. However, the effects α-syn alterations on the gut virome have not been investigated. In this study, we show longitudinal faecal virome changes in rats administered either monomeric or preformed fibrils (PFF) of α-syn directly into their enteric nervous system. Differential changes in rat viromes were observed when comparing monomeric and PFF α-syn, with alterations compounded by the addition of LPS. Changes in rat faecal viromes were observed after one month and did not resolve within the study’s five-month observational period. These results suggest that virome alterations may be reactive to host α-syn changes that are associated with PD development.