bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
α2A-adrenergic blockade attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by increasing cardiac norepinephrine concentration and inhibiting cardiac endothelial activation
Authors: Yu Xiaohui , Wang Yuan , Yang Duomeng , Tang Xiangxu , Li Hongmei , Lv Xiuxiu , Qi Renbin , Hu Chaofeng , Lu Daxiang , Lv Ben , Wang Huadong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCardiomyopathy is a common complication associated with increased mortality in sepsis, but lacks specific therapy. Here, using genetic and pharmacological approaches, we explored the therapeutic effect of α2A-adrenergic receptor (AR) blockade on septic cardiomyopathy. CLP-induced septic rats were treated with BRL44408 (α2A-AR antagonist), prazosin (α1-AR antagonist) and/or reserpine. CLP-induced cardiomyopathy, indicated by reduced dP/dt and increased cardiac troponin I phosphorylation, was attenuated by BRL44408, this was associated with reduced cardiac TNF-α and endothelial VCAM-1 expression, cardiomyocyte apoptosis and related signal molecule phosphorylation. BRL44408 increased cardiac norepinephrine (NE) concentration in CLP rats. Pretreatment with reserpine that exhausts cardiac NE without affecting the circulating NE concentration or with prazosin partially abolished the cardioprotection of BRL44408 and reversed its inhibitory effects on myocardial TNF-α, apoptosis and related signal molecule phosphorylation, but not on VCAM-1 expression in septic rats. These effects of BRL44408 were confirmed by α2A-AR gene deletion in septic mice. Furthermore, α2-AR agonist not only enhanced LPS-induced TNF-α and VCAM-1 expression in cardiac endothelial cells that express α2A-AR, but also enhanced LPS-induced cardiac dysfunction in isolated rat hearts. Our data indicate that α2A-AR blockade attenuates septic cardiomyopathy by promoting cardiac NE release that activates myocardial α1-AR and suppressing cardiac endothelial activation.
Double deletion of tetraspanins CD9 and CD81 in mice leads to a syndrome resembling accelerated aging
Authors: Jin Yingji , Takeda Yoshito , Kondo Yasushi , Tripathi Lokesh P. , Kang Sujin , Takeshita Hikari , Kuhara Hanako , Maeda Yohei , Higashiguchi Masayoshi , Miyake Kotaro , Morimura Osamu , Koba Taro , Hayama Yoshitomo , Koyama Shohei , Nakanishi Kaori , Iwasaki Takeo , Tetsumoto Satoshi , Tsujino Kazuyuki , Kuroyama Muneyoshi , Iwahori Kota , Hirata Haruhiko , Takimoto Takayuki , Suzuki Mayumi , Nagatomo Izumi , Sugimoto Ken , Fujii Yuta , Kida Hiroshi , Mizuguchi Kenji , Ito Mari , Kijima Takashi , Rakugi Hiromi , Mekada Eisuke , Tachibana Isao , Kumanogoh Atsushi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractChronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) has been recently characterized as a disease of accelerated lung aging, but the mechanism remains unclear. Tetraspanins have emerged as key players in malignancy and inflammatory diseases. Here, we found that CD9/CD81 double knockout (DKO) mice with a COPD-like phenotype progressively developed a syndrome resembling human aging, including cataracts, hair loss, and atrophy of various organs, including thymus, muscle, and testis, resulting in shorter survival than wild-type (WT) mice. Consistent with this, DNA microarray analysis of DKO mouse lungs revealed differential expression of genes involved in cell death, inflammation, and the sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) pathway. Accordingly, expression of SIRT1 was reduced in DKO mouse lungs. Importantly, siRNA knockdown of CD9 and CD81 in lung epithelial cells additively decreased SIRT1 and Foxo3a expression, but reciprocally upregulated the expression of p21 and p53, leading to reduced cell proliferation and elevated apoptosis. Furthermore, deletion of these tetraspanins increased the expression of pro-inflammatory genes and IL-8. Hence, CD9 and CD81 might coordinately prevent senescence and inflammation, partly by maintaining SIRT1 expression. Altogether, CD9/CD81 DKO mice represent a novel model for both COPD and accelerated senescence.
Nitrogen uptake kinetics and saltmarsh plant responses to global change
Authors: Cott Grace M. , Caplan Joshua S. , Mozdzer Thomas J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractCoastal wetlands are important carbon sinks globally, but their ability to store carbon hinges on their nitrogen (N) supply and N uptake dynamics of dominant plant species. In terrestrial ecosystems, uptake of nitrate (NO3−) and ammonium (NH4+) through roots can strongly influence N acquisition rates and their responses to environmental factors such as rising atmospheric CO2and eutrophication. We examined the15N uptake kinetics of three dominant plant species in North American coastal wetlands (Spartina patens, C4grass;Phragmites australis, C3grass;Schoenoplectus americanus, C3sedge) under ambient and elevated CO2conditions. We further related our results to the productivity response of these species in two long-term field experiments.S. patenshad the greatest uptake rates for NO3−and NH4+under ambient conditions, suggesting that N uptake kinetics may underlie its strong productivity response to N in the field. Elevated CO2increased NH4+and NO3−uptake rates forS. patens, but had negative effects on NO3−uptake rates inP. australisand no effects onS. americanus. We suggest that N uptake kinetics may explain differences in plant community composition in coastal wetlands and that CO2-induced shifts, in combination with N proliferation, could alter ecosystem-scale productivity patterns of saltmarshes globally.
Trends in stroke subtypes and vascular risk factors in a stroke center in China over 10 years
Authors: Tian Danyang , Yang Qiong , Dong Quan , Li Nan , Yan Bernard , Fan Dongsheng 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRapid economic development in China has caused marked changes in people’s lifestyles and medical technology. Exploration of stroke subtype trends is necessary to provide physicians with vital insight for early diagnosis and treatment. We included stroke patients admitted from 2006 to 2015. Trends in stroke subtypes and vascular risk factors were investigated. There were 5521 patients, including 4534 (82.1%) ischemic stroke (IS), 813 (14.7%) intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and 174 (3.2%) subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) patients. The proportion of IS was increasing and proportions of ICH and SAH were decreasing (P < 0.001). Onset age and hypertension remained stable in stroke subtypes. In IS patients, large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) strokes increased from 17.0% to 30.8% in the first 7 years and ultimately decreased to 24.1%. Small vessel disease (SVD) strokes increased from 15.5% to 39.6%, undetermined etiology (UE) strokes decreased from 52.7% to 26.0%, others remained stable. The levels of low-density lipoprotein declined significantly, and an increased number of patients underwent intracranial artery examinations (P < 0.001). In conclusion, proportions of stroke subtypes changed significantly. Anti-hypertension therapy needs to be reinforced to control ICH, SAH and SVD ischemic stroke incidences. The etiologic detection of IS increased and lipid-lowing therapy was effective, cardioembolism detections should be reinforced.
A Critical Domain of Ebolavirus Envelope Glycoprotein Determines Glycoform and Infectivity
Authors: Fujihira Haruhiko , Usami Katsuaki , Matsuno Keita , Takeuchi Hideyuki , Denda-Nagai Kaori , Furukawa Jun-ichi , Shinohara Yasuro , Takada Ayato , Kawaoka Yoshihiro , Irimura Tatsuro 
Published: March 2018

AbstractEbolaviruses comprises 5 species that exert varying degrees of mortality/infectivity in humans with Reston ebolaviruses (REBOV) showing the lowest and Zaire ebolaviruses (ZEBOV) showing the highest. However, the molecular basis of this differential mortality/infectivity remains unclear. Here, we report that the structural features of ebolavirus envelope glycoproteins (GPs) and one of their counter receptors, macrophage galactose-type calcium-type lectin (MGL/CD301), play crucial roles in determining viral infectivity. The low infectivity of REBOV mediated by the interaction between GPs and MGL/CD301 dramatically increased when the N-terminal 18 amino acids (33rd through 50th) of GPs were replaced with that of ZEBOV. Furthermore, structural analysis of glycans of GPs revealed thatN-glycans were more extended in REBOV than in ZEBOV.N-glycan extension was reversed by the replacement of aforementioned N-terminal 18 amino acid residues. Therefore, these data strongly suggest that extendedN-glycans on GPs reduce MGL/CD301-mediated viral infectivity by hindering the interaction between GPs and MGL/CD301 preferentially bindsO-glycans.
Interfacial Hydrolysis of Acetals on Protonated TEMPO-oxidized Cellulose Nanofibers
Authors: Tamura Yuya , Kanomata Kyohei , Kitaoka Takuya 
Published: March 2018

Abstract2,2,6,6-Tetramethylpiperidine-1-oxyl (TEMPO)-oxidized cellulose nanofibers (TOCNs), which have a high-density of exposed carboxylic acid groups on their crystalline surfaces, effectively act as acid catalysts in acetal hydrolysis. Carboxy-free cellulose nanofibers, polymeric carboxylic acids, and homogeneous acetic acid do not show significant catalytic activity under the same reaction conditions. Mercerized TOCNs differing from the original TOCNs in a crystalline structure were also ineffective, which suggests that the unique nanoarchitectural features of TOCNs, such as regularly aligned carboxylic acid groups, large specific surface areas, and structural rigidity, must be major factors in the acceleration of acetal hydrolysis. Kinetic analysis suggested that substrates and/or acid catalyst species were concentrated on the TOCN crystalline surfaces, which significantly enhanced the catalytic activity.
Exact results of the limited penetrable horizontal visibility graph associated to random time series and its application
Authors: Wang Minggang , Vilela André L. M. , Du Ruijin , Zhao Longfeng , Dong Gaogao , Tian Lixin , Stanley H. Eugene 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe limited penetrable horizontal visibility algorithm is an analysis tool that maps time series into complex networks and is a further development of the horizontal visibility algorithm. This paper presents exact results on the topological properties of the limited penetrable horizontal visibility graph associated with independent and identically distributed (i:i:d:) random series. We show that the i.i.d: random series maps on a limited penetrable horizontal visibility graph with exponential degree distribution, independent of the probability distribution from which the series was generated. We deduce the exact expressions of mean degree and clustering coefficient, demonstrate the long distance visibility property of the graph and perform numerical simulations to test the accuracy of our theoretical results. We then use the algorithm in several deterministic chaotic series, such as the logistic map, H´enon map, Lorenz system, energy price chaotic system and the real crude oil price. Our results show that the limited penetrable horizontal visibility algorithm is efficient to discriminate chaos from uncorrelated randomness and is able to measure the global evolution characteristics of the real time series.
Drivers of solar radiation variability in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica
Authors: Obryk M. K. , Fountain A. G. , Doran P. T. , Lyons W. B. , Eastman R. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAnnually averaged solar radiation in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, Antarctica has varied by over 20 W m−2 during the past three decades; however, the drivers of this variability are unknown. Because small differences in radiation are important to water availability and ecosystem functioning in polar deserts, determining the causes are important to predictions of future desert processes. We examine the potential drivers of solar variability and systematically eliminate all but stratospheric sulfur dioxide. We argue that increases in stratospheric sulfur dioxide increase stratospheric aerosol optical depth and decrease solar intensity. Because of the polar location of the McMurdo Dry Valleys (77–78°S) and relatively long solar ray path through the stratosphere, terrestrial solar intensity is sensitive to small differences in stratospheric transmissivity. Important sources of sulfur dioxide include natural (wildfires and volcanic eruptions) and anthropogenic emission.
Antioxidant and prebiotic activity of five peonidin-based anthocyanins extracted from purple sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.)
Authors: Sun Hanju , Zhang Pingping , Zhu Yongsheng , Lou Qiuyan , He Shudong 
Published: March 2018

AbstractTwelve kinds of anthocyanins from the Chinese purple sweet potato cultivar (Ipomoea batatas (L.) Lam.) were extracted and identified using LC-MS/MS, which had a high content of peonidin-based anthocyanins. Five peonidin-based anthocyanin monomers (P1, P2, P3, P4 and P5) were isolated by preparative liquid chromatography with structural analyses using an Impact II Q-TOF MS/MS. Then, the functional properties of the anthocyanin monomers, such as the antioxidant activities, proliferative effects on probiotics, and their inhibition on harmful bacteria in vitro, were investigated. The peonidin-based components in purple sweet potato anthocyanins (PSPAs) showed good properties regarding scavenging 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radicals and superoxide anions, and had good potential in reducing the total power activity and Fe2+ chelating ability. While the order of the antioxidant abilities was as follows: P4 > P5 > P3 > P2 > P1 > PSPAs. Microbial cultivations showed that P1, P2, P3, P4, P5 and PSPAs could induce the proliferation of Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium adolescentis, Bifidobacterium infantis and Lactobacillus acidophilus, and they inhibited the growth of Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella typhimurium, suggesting the anthocyanins might have prebiotic-like activity through the modulation of the intestinal microbiota. Our results indicate that peonidin-based anthocyanins could be further utilized in health foods and pharmaceutical developments.
Conical Refraction Bottle Beams for Entrapment of Absorbing Droplets
Authors: Esseling Michael , Alpmann Christina , Schnelle Jens , Meissner Robert , Denz Cornelia 
Published: March 2018

AbstractConical refraction (CR) optical bottle beams for photophoretic trapping of airborne absorbing droplets are introduced and experimentally demonstrated. CR describes the circular split-up of unpolarised light propagating along an optical axis in a biaxial crystal. The diverging and converging cones lend themselves to the construction of optical bottle beams with flexible entry points. The interaction of single inkjet droplets with an open or partly open bottle beam is shown implementing high-speed video microscopy in a dual-view configuration. Perpendicular image planes are visualized on a single camera chip to characterize the integral three-dimensional movement dynamics of droplets. We demonstrate how a partly opened optical bottle transversely confines liquid objects. Furthermore we observe and analyse transverse oscillations of absorbing droplets as they hit the inner walls and simultaneously measure both transverse and axial velocity components.
Biological characterization of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Argentina: implications for arbovirus transmission
Authors: Chuchuy Ailen , Rodriguero Marcela S. , Ferrari Walter , Ciota Alexander T. , Kramer Laura D. , Micieli María V. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) is an invasive mosquito, native to Asia, that has expanded its range worldwide. It is considered to be a public health threat as it is a competent vector of viruses of medical importance, including dengue, chikungunya, and Zika. Despite its medical importance there is almost no information on biologically important traits of Ae. albopictus in Argentina. We studied life cycle traits, demographic parameters and analyzed the competence of this mosquito as a virus vector. In addition, we determined the prevalence of Wolbachia strains in Ae. albopictus as a first approach to investigate the potential role of this bacteria in modulating vector competence for arboviruses. We observed low hatch rates of eggs, which led to a negative growth rate. We found that Ae. albopictus individuals were infected with Wolbachia in the F1 but while standard superinfection with wAlbA and wAlbB types was found in 66.7% of the females, 16.7% of the females and 62.5% of the males were single-infected with the wAlbB strain. Finally, despite high levels of infection and dissemination, particularly for chikungunya virus, Ae. albopictus from subtropical Argentina were found to be relatively inefficient vectors for transmission of both chikungunya and dengue viruses.
Tibial Osteotomy as a Mechanical Model of Primary Osteoarthritis in Rats
Authors: Britzman David , Igah Ibidumo , Eftaxiopoulou Theofano , Macdonald Warren , Bull Anthony M. J. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study has presented the first purely biomechanical surgical model of osteoarthritis (OA) in rats, which could be more representative of the human primary disease than intra-articular techniques published previously. A surgical tibial osteotomy (TO) was used to induce degenerative cartilage changes in the medial knee of Sprague-Dawley rats. The presence of osteoarthritic changes in the medial knee compartment of the operated animals was evaluated histologically and through analysis of serum carboxy-terminal telepeptides of type II collagen (CTX-II). In-vivo biomechanical analyses were carried out using a musculoskeletal model of the rat hindlimb to evaluate the loading conditions in the knee pre and post-surgically. Qualitative and quantitative medial cartilage degeneration consistent with OA was found in the knees of the operated animals alongside elevated CTX-II levels and increased tibial compressive loading. The potential avoidance of joint inflammation post-surgically, the maintenance of internal joint biomechanics and the ability to quantify the alterations in joint loading should make this model of OA a better candidate for modeling primary forms of the disease in humans.
An advanced human in vitro co-culture model for translocation studies across the placental barrier
Authors: Aengenheister Leonie , Keevend Kerda , Muoth Carina , Schönenberger René , Diener Liliane , Wick Peter , Buerki-Thurnherr Tina 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAlthough various drugs, environmental pollutants and nanoparticles (NP) can cross the human placental barrier and may harm the developing fetus, knowledge on predictive placental transfer rates and the underlying transport pathways is mostly lacking. Current available in vitro placental transfer models are often inappropriate for translocation studies of macromolecules or NPs and do not consider barrier function of placental endothelial cells (EC). Therefore, we developed a human placental in vitro co-culture transfer model with tight layers of trophoblasts (BeWo b30) and placental microvascular ECs (HPEC-A2) on a low-absorbing, 3 µm porous membrane. Translocation studies with four model substances and two polystyrene (PS) NPs across the individual and co-culture layers revealed that for most of these compounds, the trophoblast and the EC layer both demonstrate similar, but not additive, retention capacity. Only the paracellular marker Na-F was substantially more retained by the BeWo layer. Furthermore, simple shaking, which is often applied to mimic placental perfusion, did not alter translocation kinetics compared to static exposure. In conclusion, we developed a novel placental co-culture model, which provides predictive values for translocation of a broad variety of molecules and NPs and enables valuable mechanistic investigations on cell type-specific placental barrier function.
Stage-Rocked Electron Channeling for Crystal Orientation Mapping
Authors: Hujsak Karl A. , Myers Benjamin D. , Grovogui Jann , Dravid Vinayak P. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMicrostructural analysis by crystal orientation mapping of bulk functional materials is an essential and routine operation in the engineering of material properties. Far and away the most successfully employed technique, Electron Backscattered Diffraction (EBSD), provides high spatial resolution information at the cost of limited angular resolution and a distorted imaging condition. In this work, we demonstrate a stage-rocked electron channeling approach as a low-cost orientation mapping alternative to EBSD. This is accomplished by automated electron channeling contrast imaging (ECCI) as the microscope stage physically tilts/rotates a sample through a reduced hemisphere of orientations followed by computational reconstruction of electron channeling patterns (ECP). Referred to as Orientation Mapping by Electron Channeling (OMEC), our method offers advantages in terms of local defect analysis, as it combines the advantages of selected area ECP (SACP) and ECCI. We also illustrate dynamic or “adaptive” sampling schemes to increase the throughput of the technique. Finally, we discuss the implications for sample analysis in which large 3D maps of ECCI images can be routinely constructed of challenging crystalline samples. As an electron channeling-based approach to orientation mapping, OMEC may open new routes to characterize crystalline materials with high angular and spatial resolution.
Ocimum flavone Orientin as a countermeasure for thrombocytopenia
Authors: Yadav Marshleen , Song Feifei , Huang Jason , Chakravarti Arnab , Jacob Naduparambil K. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThrombocytopenia or chronic depletion of platelets in blood, could create life-threatening conditions in patients who receive aggressive systemic radiation and chemotherapy. Currently there are no approved agents for the rapid treatment of thrombocytopenia. In the present study, we demonstrate that administration of Orientin, a glycosidic flavonoid or dietary administration of Orientin containing Tulsi (Holy Basil) leaves, results in a significant increase in circulating platelets in a clinically relevant mouse model. No noticeable effects were observed on red blood cells, white blood cells or other hematologic parameters in treated animals indicating that Orientin specificity enhances platelet formation. The gene expression and immunophenotyping of bone marrow revealed that Orientin stimulates megakaryopoiesis specific transcriptional program. A significant increase in colony formation in bone marrow cells from Orientin pretreated mice further complemented the effect of Orientin on progenitor cells. The ex-vivo differentiation of irradiated human peripheral blood CD34+ stem cells demonstrated stimulatory effects of Orientin on megakaryocyte erythrocyte progenitors (MEP). The results show that Orientin, a non-toxic readily available natural product can counter platelet imbalances. Thrombocytopenia also develop as a consequence of multiple hematologic malignancies and side effects of treatments. Dietary supplementation of Orientin containing phytochemicals could be effective as countermeasures and viable therapeutics.