bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Enhancing thermoelectric properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes using halide compounds at room temperature and above
Authors: Kumanek Bogumiła , Stando Grzegorz , Stando Paweł , Matuszek Karolina , Milowska Karolina Z. , Krzywiecki Maciej , Gryglas-Borysiewicz Marta , Ogorzałek Zuzanna , Payne Mike C. , MacFarlane Douglas , Janas Dawid 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are materials with exceptional electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. Ever since it was demonstrated that they also possess interesting thermoelectric properties, they have been considered a promising solution for thermal energy harvesting. In this study, we present a simple method to enhance their performance. For this purpose, thin films obtained from high-quality single-walled CNTs (SWCNTs) were doped with a spectrum of inorganic and organic halide compounds. We studied how incorporating various halide species affects the electrical conductivity, the Seebeck coefficient, and the Power Factor. Since thermoelectric devices operate under non-ambient conditions, we also evaluated these materials' performance at elevated temperatures. Our research shows that appropriate dopant selection can result in almost fivefold improvement to the Power Factor compared to the pristine material. We also demonstrate that the chemical potential of the starting CNT network determines its properties, which is important for deciphering the true impact of chemical and physical functionalization of such ensembles.
The emerging plasma biomarker Dickkopf-3 (DKK3) and its association with renal and cardiovascular disease in the general population
Authors: Piek Arnold , Smit Leonie , Suthahar Navin , Bakker Stephan J. L. , de Boer Rudolf A. , Silljé Herman H. W. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractDickkopf-3 (DKK3) is an emerging biomarker for cardiovascular disease (CVD) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Herein, baseline DKK3 plasma levels were measured in 8420 subjects from the Prevention of Renal and Vascular ENd-stage Disease (PREVEND) cohort, a large general population cohort, using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. Associations with clinical variables and outcomes were analysed. Median DKK3 level was 32.8 ng/ml (28.0–39.0). In multivariable linear regression analysis, the strongest correlates for plasma DKK3 were age, body mass index and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). At baseline, 564 (6.7%) subjects had CVD (defined as a myocardial infarction and/or cerebrovascular accident) and 1361 (16.2%) subjects had CKD (defined as eGFR < 60 ml/min/1.73m2 and/or urinary albumin excretion (UAE) > 30 mg/24 h). Of subjects with known CVD and CKD follow-up status (respectively 7828 and 5548), 669 (8.5%) developed CVD and 951 (17.1%) developed CKD (median follow-up respectively 12.5 and 10.2 years). Crude logistic regression analysis revealed that DKK3 levels were associated with prevalent CVD (Odds ratio: 2.14 [1.76–2.61] per DKK3 doubling, P < 0.001) and CKD (Odds ratio: 1.84 [1.59–2.13] per DKK3 doubling, P < 0.001). In crude Cox proportional hazard regression analysis, higher DKK3 levels were associated with higher risk for new-onset CVD (Hazard ratio: 1.47 [1.13–1.91] per DKK3 doubling, P = 0.004) and CKD (Hazard ratio: 1.45, [1.25–1.69] per DKK3 doubling, P < 0.001). However, these associations remained no longer significant after correction for common clinical variables and risk factors, though independently predicted for new-onset CKD in a subgroup of subjects with the lowest UAE values. Together, DKK3 plasma levels are associated with cardiovascular risk factors, but are generally not independently associated with prevalent and new-onset CVD and CKD and only predicted for new-onset CKD in those subjects with the lowest UAE values.
First in situ 3D visualization of the human cardiac conduction system and its transformation associated with heart contour and inclination
Authors: Kawashima Tomokazu , Sato Fumi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractCurrent advanced imaging modalities with applied tracing and processing techniques provide excellent visualization of almost all human internal structures in situ; however, the actual 3D internal arrangement of the human cardiac conduction system (CCS) is still unknown. This study is the first to document the successful 3D visualization of the CCS from the sinus node to the bundle branches within the human body, based on our specialized physical micro-dissection and its CT imaging. The 3D CCS transformation by cardiac inclination changes from the standing to the lying position is also provided. Both actual dissection and its CT image-based simulation identified that when the cardiac inclination changed from standing to lying, the sinus node shifted from the dorso-superior to the right outer position and the atrioventricular conduction axis changed from a vertical to a leftward horizontal position. In situ localization of the human CCS provides accurate anatomical localization with morphometric data, and it indicates the useful correlation between heart inclination and CCS rotation axes for predicting the variable and invisible human CCS in the living body. Advances in future imaging modalities and methodology are essential for further accurate in situ 3D CCS visualization.
Overexpression of the transcribed ultraconserved region Uc.138 accelerates colon cancer progression
Authors: Kuwano Yuki , Nishida Kensei , Rokutan Kazuhito 
Published: April 2021

AbstractUltraconserved regions (UCRs) are 481 genomic sequences with 100% identity across humans, rats, and mice. Increasing evidence suggests that non-coding RNAs transcribed from UCRs are involved in various diseases, especially cancers. The human transformer 2β gene (TRA2B) encodes a UCR (uc.138) that spans exon 2 and its neighboring introns. TRA2B4 RNA is the only transcript that contains the whole exon 2 among five spliced TRA2B RNA variants (TRA2B1-5). TRA2B4 is upregulated in colon cancer cell lines, although it is not translated to Tra2β protein because of its nuclear retention. Nevertheless, the clinical significance and biological functions of uc.138 in colon cancer cells remain unclear. In this study, RNA in situ hybridization showed that TRA2B4 was predominantly overexpressed in the nucleus of colon adenocarcinoma and adenoma. Overexpression of TRA2B4 in colon cancer HCT116 cells promoted cell proliferation by changing the expression of G2/M-related cell cycle regulators. Moreover, TRA2B4 increased migration and cell viability in a uc.138 sequence-dependent manner. TRA2B4 significantly enhanced tumorigenesis in vivo. Taken together, uc.138 encoded in TRA2B4 plays an oncogenic role in tumor progression and may become a potential biomarker and therapeutic target in colon cancer.
Identification and selection of reference genes for gene expression analysis by quantitative real-time PCR in Suaeda glauca’s response to salinity
Authors: Wang Meng , Ren Tingting , Marowa Prince , Du Haina , Xu Zongchang 
Published: April 2021

AbstractQuantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) using a stable reference gene is widely used for gene expression research.Suaeda glaucaL. is a succulent halophyte and medicinal plant that is extensively used for phytoremediation and extraction of medicinal compounds. It thrives under high-salt conditions, which promote the accumulation of high-value secondary metabolites. However, a suitable reference gene has not been identified for gene expression standardization inS. glaucaunder saline conditions. Here, 10 candidate reference genes,ACT7,ACT11,CCD1,TUA5,UPL1,PP2A,DREB1D,V-H+-ATPase,MPK6, andPHT4;5, were selected fromS. glaucatranscriptome data. Five statistical algorithms (ΔCq, geNorm, NormFinder, BestKeeper, and RefFinder) were applied to determine the expression stabilities of these genes in 72 samples at different salt concentrations in different tissues.PP2AandTUA5were the most stable reference genes in different tissues and salt treatments, whereasDREB1Dwas the least stable. The two reference genes were sufficient to normalize gene expression across all sample sets. The suitability of identified reference genes was validated withMYBandAP2in germinating seeds ofS. glaucaexposed to different NaCl concentrations. Our study provides a foundational framework for standardizing qPCR analyses, enabling accurate gene expression profiling inS. glauca.
GLUT1 overexpression enhances glucose metabolism and promotes neonatal heart regeneration
Authors: Fajardo Viviana M. , Feng Iris , Chen Bao Ying , Perez-Ramirez Cesar A. , Shi Baochen , Clark Peter , Tian Rong , Lien Ching-Ling , Pellegrini Matteo , Christofk Heather , Nakano Haruko , Nakano Atsushi 
Published: April 2021

AbstractThe mammalian heart switches its main metabolic substrate from glucose to fatty acids shortly after birth. This metabolic switch coincides with the loss of regenerative capacity in the heart. However, it is unknown whether glucose metabolism regulates heart regeneration. Here, we report that glucose metabolism is a determinant of regenerative capacity in the neonatal mammalian heart. Cardiac-specific overexpression of Glut1, the embryonic form of constitutively active glucose transporter, resulted in an increase in glucose uptake and concomitant accumulation of glycogen storage in postnatal heart. Upon cryoinjury, Glut1 transgenic hearts showed higher regenerative capacity with less fibrosis than non-transgenic control hearts. Interestingly, flow cytometry analysis revealed two distinct populations of ventricular cardiomyocytes: Tnnt2-high and Tnnt2-low cardiomyocytes, the latter of which showed significantly higher mitotic activity in response to high intracellular glucose in Glut1 transgenic hearts. Metabolic profiling shows that Glut1-transgenic hearts have a significant increase in the glucose metabolites including nucleotides upon injury. Inhibition of the nucleotide biosynthesis abrogated the regenerative advantage of high intra-cardiomyocyte glucose level, suggesting that the glucose enhances the cardiomyocyte regeneration through the supply of nucleotides. Our data suggest that the increase in glucose metabolism promotes cardiac regeneration in neonatal mouse heart.
Optimal allogeneic islet dose for transplantation in insulin-dependent diabetic Macaca fascicularis monkeys
Authors: Kim Geun Soo , Cho Chan Woo , Lee Jong Hyun , Shin Du Yeon , Lee Han Sin , Lee Kyo Won , Kwon Yeongbeen , Kim Jae Sung , Yang Heung-Mo , Kim Sung Joo , Park Jae Berm 
Published: April 2021

AbstractMany groups are working to improve the results of clinical allogeneic islet transplantation in a primate model. However, few studies have focused on the optimal islet dose for achieving normal glycemia without exogenous insulin after transplantation in primate models or on the relationship between rejection and islet amyloid polypeptide (IAPP) expression. We evaluated the dose (10,000, 20,000, and > 25,000 islet equivalents (IEQ)/kg) needed to achieve normal glycemia without exogenous insulin after transplantation using eleven cynomolgus monkeys, and we analyzed the characteristics exhibited in the islets after transplantation. 10,000 IEQ/kg (N = 2) failed to control blood glucose level, despite injection with the highest dose of exogenous insulin, and 20,000 IEQ/kg group (N = 5) achieved unstable control, with a high insulin requirement. However, 25,000 IEQ/kg (N = 4) achieved normal glycemia without exogenous insulin and maintained it for more than 60 days. Immunohistochemistry results from staining islets found in liver biopsies indicated that as the number of transplanted islets decreased, the amount of IAPP accumulation within the islets increased, which accelerated CD3+ T cell infiltration. In conclusion, the optimal transplantation dose for achieving a normal glycemia without exogenous insulin in our cynomolgus monkey model was > 25,000 IEQ/kg, and the accumulation of IAPP early after transplantation, which depends on the transplanted islet dose, can be considered one factor in rejection.
Effects of imperatorin on apoptosis and synaptic plasticity in vascular dementia rats
Authors: Huang Ying , Liao Xiangping , Wang Huaiwei , Luo Jianghong , Zhong Shanquan , Zhang Ziliang , zhang Fang , Chen Jianping , Xie Fuhua 
Published: April 2021

AbstractIn view of the complicated pathophysiological process of vascular dementia (VD), drugs for the clinical treatment of VD mainly target related risk factors, while drugs with excellent efficacy in cognitive function are still relatively lacking. Imperatorin (IMP), an active constituent extracted from angelica dahuricae and notopterygium Notopterygii, which has anti-inflammatory, vasodilator, anticoagulant, block calcium channel, anticonvulsant, and anti oxygen free radical injury properties. Therefore,the present study examined its effects on VD rats and the underlying molecular mechanisms, in order to provide promising therapeutic methods. VD was established by modified ligation of perpetual two-vessel occlusion (2VO). After 2VO surgery, IMP (2.5, 5, and 10 mg/kg) was administered by intraperitoneal injection for 12 consecutive weeks to evaluate therapeutic effects. Cognitive function was verified by the Morris water maze. The neuronal morphological changes were examined via Hematoxylin–Eosin staining. Real-Time PCR and Western blot were used for detecting pro- and antiapoptotic biomarkers, and the hippocampus synaptic damage was examined by Transmission electron microscope. We revealed that 2VO-induced cognitive impairment, hippocampus CA1 neuron damage, apoptosis and synaptic damage. IMP-treatment significantly improved 2VO-induced cognitive deficits and hippocampus neuron damage. Molecular analysis revealed that IMP inhibited apoptosis through the down regulation of Bax, Caspase-3 and upregulation of Bcl-2. Meanwhile, IMP-treatment markedly improved synaptic ultrastructure morphology, increased the SAZ length, PSD thickness and up-regulated PSD-95 expression. Collectively, our findings demonstrated that IMP was effective in the treatment of 2VO-induced VD via inhibiting apoptosis of hippocampus neurons and reducing the synaptic plasticity destroy.
Terrestrial sources of summer arctic moisture and the implication for arctic temperature patterns
Authors: Harrington Tyler S. , Zhu Jiang , Skinner Christopher B. 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSea ice melt and ocean heat accumulation in the Arctic are strongly influenced by the presence of atmospheric water vapor during summer. While the relationships between water vapor concentration, radiation, and surface energy fluxes in the Arctic are well understood, the sources of summer Arctic water vapor are not, inhibiting understanding and prediction of Arctic climate. Here we use the Community Earth System Model version 1.3 with online numerical water tracers to determine the geographic sources of summer Arctic water vapor. We find that on average the land surface contributes 56% of total summer Arctic vapor with 47% of that vapor coming from central and eastern Eurasia. Given the proximity to Siberia, near-surface temperatures in the Arctic between 90°E-150°E, including the Laptev Sea, are strongly influenced by concentrations of land surface-based vapor. Years with anomalously large concentrations of land surface-based vapor in the Arctic, and especially in the Laptev Sea region, often exhibit anomalous near-surface poleward flow from the high latitudes of Siberia, with links to internal variability such as the Arctic Dipole anomaly.
Supramolecular cocrystals built through redox-triggered ion intercalation in π-conjugated polymers
Authors: Yamashita Yu , Tsurumi Junto , Kurosawa Tadanori , Ueji Kan , Tsuneda Yukina , Kohno Shinya , Kempe Hideto , Kumagai Shohei , Okamoto Toshihiro , Takeya Jun , Watanabe Shun 
Published: April 2021

AbstractSelf-organization in π-conjugated polymers gives rise to a highly ordered lamellar structure, in which inter-chain stacking spontaneously forms two-dimensional conjugated sheets. This multi-layer stacked nature of semicrystalline polymers allows the inclusion of various functional molecules. In particular, redox-triggered ion-intercalation is an ideal system for molecular doping, for which extremely high charge carrier density has been achieved. Here, we conducted a detailed structural analysis and electron density simulation to pinpoint exactly where the guest dopants are located periodically in the void space in a polymer’s lamellae. Our findings are indicative of an intercalation compound of layered polymers and a guest intercalant. We show that a homogeneous cocrystal structure can be realized throughout the host polymer medium, which is proved by the observation of coherent carrier transport. The intercalation cocrystal nature gives the best achievable doping level in semicrystalline polymers and excellent environmental stability. These findings should open up possibilities for tuning the collective dynamics of functional molecules through intercalation phenomena.
Angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors and angiotensin II receptor blockers: potential allies in the COVID-19 pandemic instead of a threat?
Authors: Simko Fedor , Baka Tomas 
Published: April 2021

Abstract
Angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is the leading player of the protective renin–angiotensin system (RAS) pathway but also the entry receptor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). RAS inhibitors seemed to interfere with the ACE2 receptor, and their safety was addressed in COVID-19 patients. Pedrosa et al. (Clin. Sci. (Lond.) (2021), 135, 465–481) showed in rats that captopril and candesartan up-regulated ACE2 expression and the protective RAS pathway in lung tissue. In culture of pneumocytes, the captopril/candesartan-induced ACE2 up-regulation was associated with inhibition of ADAM17 activity, counterbalancing increased ACE2 expression, which was associated with reduced SARS-CoV-2 spike protein entry. If confirmed in humans, these results could become the pathophysiological background for justifying RAS inhibitors as cornerstone cardiovascular protectives even during COVID-19 pandemic.
Host galaxy and orientation differences between different AGN types
Authors: Gkini Anamaria , Plionis Manolis , Chira Maria , Koulouridis Elias 
Published: April 2021

Aims. The main purpose of this study is to investigate aspects regarding the validity of the active galactic nucleus (AGN) unification paradigm (UP). In particular, we focus on the AGN host galaxies, which according to the UP should show no systematic differences depending on the AGN classification.
Methods. For the purpose of this study, we used (a) the spectroscopic Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS) Data Release 14 catalogue, in order to select and classify AGNs using emission line diagnostics, up to a redshift of z = 0.2, and (b) the Galaxy Zoo Project catalogue, which classifies SDSS galaxies in two broad Hubble types: spirals and ellipticals.
Results. We find that the fraction of type 1 Seyfert nuclei (Sy1) hosted in elliptical galaxies is significantly larger than the corresponding fraction of any other AGN type, while there is a gradient of increasing spiral-hosts from Sy1 to LINER, type 2 Seyferts (Sy2) and composite nuclei. These findings cannot be interpreted within the simple unified model, but possibly by a co-evolution scheme for supermassive black holes and galactic bulges. Furthermore, for the case of spiral host galaxies we find the Sy1 population to be strongly skewed towards face-on configurations, while the corresponding Sy2 population range in all host galaxy orientation configurations has a similar, but not identical, orientation distribution to star-forming galaxies. These results also cannot be interpreted by the standard unification paradigm, but point towards a significant contribution of the galactic disc to the obscuration of the nuclear region. This is also consistent with the observed preference of Sy1 nuclei to be hosted by ellipticals, that is, the dusty disc of spiral hosts contributes to the obscuration of the broad-line region, and thus relatively more ellipticals are expected to appear hosting Sy1 nuclei.
Welche Pflanzen können bei Leber-/Galleleiden helfen?
Authors: Zündorf Ilse , Fürst Robert 
Published: April 2021

SummaryVerdauungsprobleme gehören zu den Indikationen, bei denen die Betroffenen gerne zu pflanzlichen Arzneimitteln greifen. Das spiegelt sich auch in den Verkaufszahlen wider: Magen- und verdauungsfördernde Mittel standen im Jahr 2018 mit einem Umsatz von 148 Millionen Euro an vierter Stelle der 10 umsatzstärksten Indikationsgruppen bei Phytopharmaka. Dieser Beitrag beleuchtet die Frage, welche Rationale dahintersteckt und was man genau von den pflanzlichen Präparaten erwarten kann.
Neue Aspekte zur Fournierschen Gangrän – Ein Rapid Review
Authors: Kranz Jennifer , Dräger Desiree L. , Schneidewind Laila 
Published: April 2021

ZusammenfassungDie Fourniersche Gangrän (FG) ist eine sporadische, lebensbedrohliche, nekrotisierende Infektion des Perineums, der Perinealregion und des äußeren Genitales. Aus der Literatur gibt es einige Hinweise darauf, dass die Prognose der Erkrankung in den letzten Jahren nicht wesentlich verbessert werden konnte. Daher wurde eine schnelle Evidenzanalyse mittels Literaturrecherche in MEDLINE aus den aktuellen Publikationen des Jahres 2020 durchgeführt, um mittels neuer Aspekte zu ermöglichen, die Versorgungssituation der betroffenen Patienten zu verbessern und weitere Forschungsvorhaben ideal zu planen. Insgesamt konnten für dieses Review 18 Publikationen berücksichtigt werden. Bei 15 dieser Arbeiten handelt es sich um Orginalarbeiten sowie 3 systematische Reviews. Bez. der Orginalarbeiten handelt es sich um 12 retrospektive Fallserien, 2 epidemiologische und eine prospektive Studie. 2 der systematischen Reviews inkludieren ebenfalls eine Metaanalyse. Die Mehrzahl der Autoren dieser Publikationen kommt unter anderem zu der Schlussfolgerung, dass die FG weiterhin eine ernsthafte Erkrankung mit teils inakzeptablen Mortalitätsraten für die moderne Medizin ist und es in der Therapie weiterhin Optimierungsbedarf gibt. Weiterhin wurden neue Risikofaktoren identifiziert, die mit einer erhöhten Mortalität bei FG Patienten assoziiert sind. Es handelt sich um eine Dyslipoproteinämie, Diabetes mellitus, Herzerkrankungen und akutes sowie chronisches Nierenversagen. 4 der inkludierten Arbeiten untersuchten den Zusammenhang des Auftretens von FG und der Einnahme oraler Antidiabetika, SGLT2- sowie DPP4-Hemmern. Keine Studie konnte dabei einen signifikanten Zusammenhang nachweisen, insbesondere eine Metaanalyse mit 84 Studien nicht. Vielversprechende Konzepte für die Wundbehandlung sind die hyperbare Oxygenierung (HBO), der vakuum-assistierte Wundverschluss und Wundkonditionierung mittels Larven. Zusammenfassend ist die FG ein seltenes, aber immer noch potenziell vital bedrohliches Krankheitsbild. Die Prognose konnte in den letzten Jahren nicht verbessert werden. Daher ist eine weitere Therapieoptimierung dringend erforderlich. Dies kann nur durch weitere Studien erreicht werden. Aufgrund der Seltenheit der Erkrankung sehen wir die Möglichkeit dies mit einer nationalen Registerstudie zu erreichen. Zusätzlich können aus dem Register Risikostratefizierungen erarbeitet werden, welche Patienten z. B. von einer Therapie in einem Zentrum oder bestimmten Wundkonditionierungen profitieren.