bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Scaling the productivity of laser structuring processes using picosecond laser pulses at average powers of up to 420 W to produce superhydrophobic surfaces on stainless steel AISI 316L
Authors: Faas Sebastian , Bielke Uwe , Weber Rudolf , Graf Thomas 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe investigate the approach to scale up the productivity of the laser-based generation of superhydrophobic surfaces by means of increased average laser powers to enhance the surface structuring rates. Polished surfaces (mean roughness depth SRz = 0.076 μm) of stainless steel AISI 316L were processed with a laser delivering 8 ps long pulses with a constant pulse energy of 1.4 mJ at pulse repetition rates of 100 kHz or 300 kHz corresponding to average laser powers of 140 W or 420 W, respectively. When the feed rate for the corresponding pulse repetition rate is adjusted in a way to result in a similar temperature increase due to heat accumulation effects and the re-deposition of nanoparticles formed during processing is avoided, comparable surface structures with similar wetting behavior are obtained.
Novel Insights reveal Anti-microbial Gene Regulation of Piglet Intestine Immune in response to Clostridium perfringens Infection
Authors: Huang Xiao Yu , Sun Wen Yang , Yan Zun Qiang , Shi Hai Ren , Yang Qiao Li , Wang Peng Fei , Li Sheng Gui , Liu Li Xia , Zhao Sheng Guo , Gun Shuang Bao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLncRNA play important roles in regulation of host immune and inflammation responses in defending bacterial infection. Clostridium perfringens (C. perfringens) type C is one of primary bacteria leading to piglet diarrhea and other intestinal inflammatory diseases. For the differences of host immune capacity, individuals usually show resistance and susceptibility to bacterial infection. However, whether and how lncRNAs involved in modulating host immune resistance have not been reported. We have investigated the expression patterns of ileum lncRNAs of 7-day-old piglets infected by C. perfringens type C through RNA sequencing. A total of 16 lncRNAs and 126 mRNAs were significantly differentially expressed in resistance (IR) and susceptibility (IS) groups. Many lncRNAs and mRNAs were identified to regulate resistance and susceptibility of piglets through immune related pathways. Five lncRNAs may have potential function on regulating the expressions of cytokines, these lncRNAs and cytokines work together to co-regulated piglet immune response to C. perfringens, affecting host resistance and susceptibility. These results provide valuable information for understanding the functions of lncRNA and mRNA in affecting piglet diarrhea resistance of defensing to C. perfringens type C, these lncRNAs and mRNAs may be used as the important biomarkers for decreasing C. perfringens spread and diseases in human and piglets.
Effects of high intensity speed-based treadmill training on ambulatory function in people with chronic stroke: A preliminary study with long-term follow-up
Authors: Madhavan Sangeetha , Lim Hyosok , Sivaramakrishnan Anjali , Iyer Pooja 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHigh intensity treadmill training has shown to be beneficial for stroke survivors, yet the feasibility and long-term effects remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine whether a 4-week high intensity speed-based treadmill training (HISTT) is feasible for chronic stroke survivors, and we examined its effects on ambulatory function, and long-term retention. Sixteen individuals post-stroke participated in 40 minutes of HISTT for four weeks at a frequency of three sessions per week. Gait speed was measured using the 10-meter walk test, endurance was measured using the 6-minute walk test, and quality of life was assessed using the Stroke Impact Scale (SIS) at baseline, post-training, and at 3-month follow-up. All participants successfully completed the training without any serious adverse events. Participants significantly increased fastest walking speed by 19%, self-selected walking speed by 18%, and walking endurance by 12% after the training. These improvements were maintained for 3 months after the intervention. Our results indicate that this modified speed-based high intensity walking program has the potential to be a feasible and effective method of gait training for stroke survivors. However, the small sample size and lack of a control group warrant caution in interpretation of results. Further studies are recommended to better understand effectiveness of this protocol in combination with other physical therapy interventions for functional recovery after stroke.
Leaf Disc Assays for Rapid Measurement of Antioxidant Activity
Authors: Kasote Deepak M. , Jayaprakasha Guddadarangavvanahally K. , Patil Bhimanagouda S. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAntioxidant levels are key parameters for studies of food quality, stress responses, and plant health. Herein, we have demonstrated that excised leaf disc has both radical scavenging activity and reducing power, and used this concept to develop 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), and potassium permanganate reduction (PPR) leaf disc assays. Reaction time and reagent concentration for these assays were optimized using leaves from spinach, kale, collards, mustard, and watermelon. Further, these assays were validated for linearity and intra-assay precision. Ultra-high performance liquid chromatography coupled to an electrospray quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometer (UPLC/ESI-HR-QTOFMS) was used for phytochemical profiling and studying relative abundances of certain phenolic compounds in various leaf discs suspended and cell-free extracts. The mass spectral analysis showed that leaf disc suspended methanolic extracts had almost same phytochemical profiles to those of cell-free extracts. The DPPH leaf disc assay demonstrated better radical scavenging potential than the conventional cell-free extract method. By contrast, the observed antioxidant activity values in ABTS and PPR leaf disc assays were lower than those of conventional cell-free extract-based methods. In conclusion, the developed leaf disc assays are simple and rapid for the qualitative and comparative assessment of the antioxidant potential of leaf samples, as well as can be a good alternative to conventional cell-free extract based methods.
The monoclonal antibody EPR1614Y against the stem cell biomarker keratin K15 lacks specificity and reacts with other keratins
Authors: Aldehlawi Hebah , Niemiec Katarzyna A. , Avisetti Deepa R. , Lalli Anand , Teh Muy-Teck , Waseem Ahmad 
Published: February 2019

AbstractKeratin 15 (K15), a type I keratin, which pairs with K5 in epidermis, has been used extensively as a biomarker for stem cells. Two commercial antibodies, LHK15, a mouse monoclonal and EPR1614Y, a rabbit monoclonal, have been widely employed to study K15 expression. Here we report differential reactivity of these antibodies on epithelial cells and tissue sections. Although the two antibodies specifically recognised K15 on western blot, they reacted differently on skin sections and cell lines. LHK15 reacted in patches, whereas EPR1614Y reacted homogenously with the basal keratinocytes in skin sections. In cultured cells, LHK15 did not react with K15 deficient NEB-1, KEB-11, MCF-7 and SW13 cells expressing only exogenous K8 and K18 but reacted when these cells were transduced with K15. On the other hand, EPR1614Y reacted with these cells even though they were devoid of K15. Taken together these results suggest that EPR1614Y recognises a conformational epitope on keratin filaments which can be reconstituted by other keratins as well as by K15. In conclusion, this report highlights that all commercially available antibodies may not be equally specific in identifying the K15 positive stem cell.
Evaluation of novel nanoscaled metal fluorides on their ability to remineralize enamel caries lesions
Authors: Zirk Matthias , Schievelkamp Sandra , Kemnitz Erhard , Lausch Julian , Wierichs Richard J. , Esteves-Oliveira Marcella , Meyer-Lueckel Hendrik 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the ability of two nanoscaled metal fluorides (NMF) to remineralize shallow (SL) and deep (DL) artificial enamel caries lesions. NMF are synthesized via a non-aqueous fluorolytic sol-gel-synthesis and dissolve low fluoride concentration in aqueous solutions (n-CaF2: 7 ppm, n-MgF2: 70 ppm), whilst containing a nominal fluoride concentration of 3,400 ppm. For comparison, an aqueous sodium fluoride solution (NaF: 3,400 ppm), a sodium fluoride containing varnish (Duraphat: 22,600 ppm) and a fluoride-free negative control were investigated. Bovine enamel specimens with SL (n = 86, 4649–4795 vol%xμm) or DL (n = 145, 9091–9304 vol%xμm) were prepared and allocated to five groups each. In each group the respective agent was applied and pH-cycling was performed for 14 days (SL) and 90 days (DL), respectively. Mineral loss and lesion depth were assessed by transversal microradiography. For SL, all fluoride agents significantly remineralized the specimens compared to baseline (p > 0.05; Mann-Whitney test) to a similar extent. For DL, both NMF showed significantly higher mineral gain compared to the other fluoride agents (p < 0.05). In conclusion, the novel NMF- showing relatively low free fluoride concentrations- bear at least the similar potential for remineralization of early caries lesions as highly fluoridated agents being commonly used.
The mechanism of bensulfuron-methyl complexation with β-cyclodextrin and 2-hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin and effect on soil adsorption and bio-activity
Authors: Geng Qianqian , Li Tian , Wang Xin , Chu Weijing , Cai Mengling , Xie Jingchan , Ni Hanwen 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this work, the inclusion complexes of hydrophobic herbicide bensulfuron-methyl (BSM) with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD) and (2-hydroxypropyl)-β-CD (2-HP-β-CD) were prepared and characterized. Phase solubility study showed that both β-CD and 2-HP-β-CD increased the solubility of BSM. Three-dimensional structures of the inclusion complexes were simulated by the molecular docking method. The docking results indicated that guest BSM could enter into the cavities of host CDs, folded, and centrally aligned inside the inclusion complexes. The benzene ring of the guest molecule was close to the wide rim of the host molecules; the pyrimidine ring and side chains of the guest molecule were oriented toward the narrow rim of the host molecule. The inclusion complexes were successfully prepared by the coprecipitation method. The physiochemical characterization data of 1H NMR, FT-IR, XRD, and DSC showed that the guest and host molecules were well included. BSM had lower soil adsorption and higher herbicidal activity in the complexation form with β-CD or 2-HP-β-CD than in the pure form. The present study provides an approach to develop a novel CDs-based formulation for hydrophobic herbicides.
Attenuated Lymphatic Proliferation Ameliorates Diabetic Nephropathy and High-Fat Diet-Induced Renal Lipotoxicity
Authors: Kim Yaeni , Hwang Seun Deuk , Lim Ji Hee , Kim Min Young , Kim Eun Nim , Choi Bum Soon , Kim Yong-Soo , Kim Hye Won , Park Cheol Whee 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLymphangiogenesis occurs in response to renal injury and is correlated with interstitial fibrosis. Diabetes- and high-fat diet (HFD)-induced intrarenal lipotoxicity and their relationships with lymphangiogenesis are not established. We used PPARα agonist, fenofibrate, to unravel the linkage between lipotoxicity and lymphangiogenesis. Eight-week-old male C57BLKS/J db/db mice and HFD Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs) were fed fenofibrate for 12 weeks. HK-2 and RAW264.7 cells were used to investigate their lymphangiogenic capacity in relation to lipotoxicity. Fenofibrate improved intrarenal lipotoxicity by increasing expression of PPARα and phosphorylation of AMPK. Lymphatic proliferation was attenuated; expression of lymphatic endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE-1), podoplanin, vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) was decreased. In parallel, extent of tubulointerstitial fibrosis, apoptosis and inflammatory cell infiltration was reduced. In HK2 cells, palmitate- and high glucose-induced over expression of lymphatic makers was diminished by fenofibrate via activation of PPARα-AMPK-pACC signaling. Enhanced expression of M1 phenotype in RAW264.7 cells correlated with increased lymphatic growth. A causal relationship between lipotoxicity and lymphatic proliferation with a cellular link to macrophage activation can be speculated; pro-inflammatory M1 type macrophage is involved in the development of lymphangiogenesis through stimulation of VEGF-C and by its transdifferentiation into lymphatic endothelial cells.
Nanostructured TiO2 anatase-rutile-carbon solid coating with visible light antimicrobial activity
Authors: Krumdieck Susan P. , Boichot Raphaël , Gorthy Rukmini , Land Johann G. , Lay Sabine , Gardecka Aleksandra J. , Polson Matthew I. J. , Wasa Alibe , Aitken Jack E. , Heinemann Jack A. , Renou Gilles , Berthomé Grégory , Charlot Frédéric , Encinas Thierry , Braccini Muriel , Bishop Catherine M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTiO2photocatalyst is of interest for antimicrobial coatings on hospital touch-surfaces. Recent research has focused on visible spectrum enhancement of photocatalytic activity. Here, we report TiO2with a high degree of nanostructure, deposited on stainless steel as a solid layer more than 10 μm thick by pulsed-pressure-MOCVD. The TiO2coating exhibits a rarely-reported microstructure comprising anatase and rutile in a composite with amorphous carbon. Columnar anatase single crystals are segmented into 15–20 nm thick plates, resulting in amille-feuillesnanostructure. Polycrystalline rutile columns exhibit dendrite generation resembling pine treestrobili. We propose that high growth rate and co-deposition of carbon contribute to formation of the unique nanostructures. High vapor flux produces step-edge instabilities in the TiO2, and solid carbon preferentially co-deposits on certain high energy facets. The equivalent effective surface area of the nanostructured coating is estimated to be 100 times higher than standard TiO2coatings and powders. The coatings prepared on stainless steel showed greater than 3-log reduction in viableE coliafter 4 hours visible light exposure. The pp-MOCVD approach could represent an up-scalable manufacturing route for supported catalysts of functional nanostructured materials without having to make nanoparticles.
Phencynonate S-isomer as a eutomer is a novel central anticholinergic drug for anti-motion sickness
Authors: Xu Pingxiang , Liu Ying , Wang Liyun , Wu Yi , Zhou Xuelin , Xiao Junhai , Zheng Jianquan , Xue Ming 
Published: February 2019

AbstractTo compare and evaluate the differences of stereoselective activity, the binding affinity, metabolism, transport and molecular docking of phencynonate isomers to muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (mAChR) were investigated in this study. The rotation stimulation and locomotor experiments were used to evaluate anti-motion sickness effects. The competitive affinity with [3H]-QNB and molecular docking were used for studying the interactions between the two isomers and mAChR. The stereoselective mechanism of isomers was investigated by incubation with rat liver microsomes, a protein binding assay and membrane permeability assay across a Caco-2 cell monolayer using a chiral column HPLC method. The results indicated that S-isomer was more effective against motion sickness and had not anxiogenic action at therapeutic doses. S-isomer has the higher affinity and activity for mAChR in cerebral cortex and acted as a competitive mAChR antagonist. The stereoselective elimination of S-isomer was primarily affected by CYP1B1 and 17A1 enzymes, resulting in a higher metabolic stability and slower elimination. Phencynonate S isomer, as a eutomer and central anticholinergic chiral drug, is a novel anti-motion sickness drug with higher efficacy and lower central side effect. Our data assisted the development of a novel drug and eventual use of S-isomer in clinical practice.
Establishment, molecular and biological characterization of HCB-514: a novel human cervical cancer cell line
Authors: Rosa Marcela Nunes , Evangelista Adriane Feijó , Leal Letícia Ferro , De Oliveira Cristina Mendes , Silva Viviane Aline Oliveira , Munari Carla Carolina , Munari Fernanda Franco , Matsushita Graziela De Macêdo , Dos Reis Ricardo , Andrade Carlos Eduardo , Souza Cristiano de Pádua , Reis Rui Manuel 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer in women. Although cure rates are high for early stage disease, clinical outcomes for advanced, metastatic, or recurrent disease remain poor. To change this panorama, a deeper understanding of cervical cancer biology and novel study models are needed. Immortalized human cancer cell lines such as HeLa constitute crucial scientific tools, but there are few other cervical cancer cell lines available, limiting our understanding of a disease known for its molecular heterogeneity. This study aimed to establish novel cervical cancer cell lines derived from Brazilian patients. We successfully established one (HCB-514) out of 35 cervical tumors biopsied. We confirmed the phenotype of HCB-514 by verifying its’ epithelial and tumor origin through cytokeratins, EpCAM and p16 staining. It was also HPV-16 positive. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) showed relevant somatic mutations in several genes includingBRCA2,TGFBR1andIRX2. A copy number variation (CNV) analysis by nanostring and WES revealed amplification of genes mainly related to kinases proteins involved in proliferation, migration and cell differentiation, such asEGFR,PIK3CA, andMAPK7. Overexpression of EGFR was confirmed by phospho RTK-array and validated by western blot analysis. Furthermore, the HCB-514 cell line was sensitive to cisplatin. In summary, this novel Brazilian cervical cancer cell line exhibits relevant key molecular features and constitutes a new biological model for pre-clinical studies.
Synthesis of salt-stable fluorescent nanoparticles (quantum dots) by polyextremophile halophilic bacteria
Authors: Bruna N. , Collao B. , Tello A. , Caravantes P. , Díaz-Silva N. , Monrás J. P. , Órdenes-Aenishanslins N. , Flores M. , Espinoza-Gonzalez R. , Bravo D. , Pérez-Donoso J. M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHere we report the biological synthesis of CdS fluorescent nanoparticles (Quantum Dots, QDs) by polyextremophile halophilic bacteria isolated from Atacama Salt Flat (Chile), Uyuni Salt Flat (Bolivia) and the Dead Sea (Israel). In particular, a Halobacillus sp. DS2, a strain presenting high resistance to NaCl (3–22%), acidic pH (1–4) and cadmium (CdCl2 MIC: 1,375 mM) was used for QDs biosynthesis studies. Halobacillus sp. synthesize CdS QDs in presence of high NaCl concentrations in a process related with their capacity to generate S2− in these conditions. Biosynthesized QDs were purified, characterized and their stability at different NaCl concentrations determined. Hexagonal nanoparticles with highly defined structures (hexagonal phase), monodisperse size distribution (2–5 nm) and composed by CdS, NaCl and cysteine were determined by TEM, EDX, HRXPS and FTIR. In addition, QDs biosynthesized by Halobacillus sp. DS2 displayed increased tolerance to NaCl when compared to QDs produced chemically or biosynthesized by non-halophilic bacteria. This is the first report of biological synthesis of salt-stable QDs and confirms the potential of using extremophile microorganisms to produce novel nanoparticles. Obtained results constitute a new alternative to improve QDs properties, and as consequence, to increase their industrial and biomedical applications.
Gram-scale fermentative production of ergothioneine driven by overproduction of cysteine in Escherichia coli
Authors: Tanaka Naoyuki , Kawano Yusuke , Satoh Yasuharu , Dairi Tohru , Ohtsu Iwao 
Published: February 2019

AbstractErgothioneine (ERG), a unique thiol compound, is suggested to function as an antioxidant and cytoprotectant. Despite several recent attempts to produce ERG using various organisms, its yield was still very low and the costs remained high. Since the level of ERG produced depends strictly on the availability of three distinct precursor amino acids (l-cysteine (Cys), l-histidine, and l-methionine (Met)), metabolic engineering for enhancement of the flux toward ERG biosynthesis is required. Herein, we took advantage of a high-Cys production system using Escherichia coli cells, in which Cys biosynthesis and excretion were activated, and applied it to the fermentative production of ERG from glucose. The Cys overproduction in E. coli cells carrying the egtBCDE genes from Mycobacterium smegmatis was effective for ERG production. Furthermore, coexpression of the egtA gene, which encodes γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase that synthesizes the γ-glutamylcysteine used as a sulfur source of ERG biosynthesis, enhanced ERG production even though E. coli intrinsically has γ-glutamylcysteine synthetase. Additionally, disruption of the metJ gene that encodes the transcriptional repressor involved in Met metabolism was effective in further increasing the production of ERG. Finally, we succeeded in the high-level production of 1.31 g/L ERG in a fed-batch culture process using a jar fermenter.
Dysregulation of autophagy in the central nervous system of sheep naturally infected with classical scrapie
Authors: López-Pérez Óscar , Otero Alicia , Filali Hicham , Sanz-Rubio David , Toivonen Janne M. , Zaragoza Pilar , Badiola Juan J. , Bolea Rosa , Martín-Burriel Inmaculada 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAutophagy is a dynamic cellular mechanism involved in protein and organelle turnover through lysosomal degradation. Autophagy regulation modulates the pathologies associated with many neurodegenerative diseases. Using sheep naturally infected with scrapie as a natural animal model of prion diseases, we investigated the regulation of autophagy in the central nervous system (CNS) during the clinical phase of the disease. We present a gene expression and protein distribution analysis of different autophagy-related markers and investigate their relationship with prion-associated lesions in several areas of the CNS. Gene expression of autophagy markers ATG5 and ATG9 was downregulated in some areas of scrapie brains. In contrast, ATG5 protein accumulates in medulla oblongata and positively correlates with prion deposition and scrapie-related lesions. The accumulation of this protein and p62, a marker of autophagy impairment, suggests that autophagy is decreased in the late phases of the disease. However, the increment of LC3 proteins and the mild expression of p62 in basal ganglia and cerebellum, primarily in Purkinje cells, suggests that autophagy machinery is still intact in less affected areas. We hypothesize that specific cell populations of the CNS may display neuroprotective mechanisms against prion-induced toxicity through the induction of PrPSc clearance by autophagy.