bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Electrical stimulation promotes the angiogenic potential of adipose-derived stem cells
Authors: Beugels Jip , Molin Daniel G. M. , Ophelders Daan R. M. G. , Rutten Teun , Kessels Lilian , Kloosterboer Nico , Grzymala Andrzej A. Piatkowski de , Kramer Boris W. W. , van der Hulst René R. W. J. , Wolfs Tim G. A. M. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAutologous fat transfer (AFT) is limited by post-operative volume loss due to ischemia-induced cell death in the fat graft. Previous studies have demonstrated that electrical stimulation (ES) promotes angiogenesis in a variety of tissues and cell types. In this study we investigated the effects of ES on the angiogenic potential of adipose-derived stem cells (ASC), important progenitor cells in fat grafts with proven angiogenic potential. Cultured human ASC were electrically stimulated for 72 hours after which the medium of stimulated (ES) and non-stimulated (control) ASC was analysed for angiogenesis-related proteins by protein array and ELISA. The functional effect of ES on angiogenesis was then assessed in vitro and in vivo. Nine angiogenesis-related proteins were detected in the medium of electrically (non-)stimulated ASC and were quantified by ELISA. The pro-angiogenic proteins VEGF and MCP-1 were significantly increased following ES compared to controls, while the anti-angiogenic factor Serpin E1/PAI-1 was significantly decreased. Despite increased levels of anti-angiogenic TSP-1 and TIMP-1, medium of ES-treated ASC significantly increased vessel density, total vessel network length and branching points in chorio-allantoic membrane assays. In conclusion, our proof-of-concept study showed that ES increased the angiogenic potential of ASC both in vitro and in vivo.
Micronutrients decline under long-term tillage and nitrogen fertilization
Authors: Shiwakoti Santosh , Zheljazkov Valtcho D. , Gollany Hero T. , Kleber Markus , Xing Baoshan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractTillage and nitrogen (N) fertilization can be expected to alter micronutrient dynamics in the soil and in plants over time. However, quantitative information regarding the effects of tillage and N application rates on micronutrient dynamics is limited. The objectives of this study were (a) to determine the long-term effect of different tillage methods as well as variation in N application rates on the distribution of Mehlich III extractable manganese, copper, zinc, boron, and iron in soils and (b) to assess accumulation of the same nutrients in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) tissues. The system studied was under a dryland winter wheat-fallow (WW-F) rotation. Tillage methods included moldboard (MP), disk (DP) and sweep (SW), and the N application rates were 0, 45, 90, 135, and 180 kg ha−1. The concentration of soil manganese was greater under DP (131 mg kg−1) than under MP (111 mg kg−1). Inorganic N application reduced extractable soil copper while, it increased manganese accumulation in wheat grain over time. Comparison of micronutrients with adjacent long-term (since 1931) undisturbed grass pasture revealed that the WW-F plots had lost at least 43% and 53% of extractable zinc and copper, respectively, after 75 years of N fertilization and tillage. The results indicate that DP and inorganic N application could reduce the rate of micronutrient decline in soil and winter wheat grain over time compared to MP and no N fertilization.
Optimisation and validation of hydrogel-based brain tissue clearing shows uniform expansion across anatomical regions and spatial scales
Authors: Tyson Adam L. , Akhtar Ayesha M. , Andreae Laura C. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractImaging of fixed tissue is routine in experimental neuroscience, but is limited by the depth of tissue that can be imaged using conventional methods. Optical clearing of brain tissue using hydrogel-based methods (e.g. CLARITY) allows imaging of large volumes of tissue and is rapidly becoming commonplace in the field. However, these methods suffer from a lack of standardized protocols and validation of the effect they have upon tissue morphology. We present a simple and reliable protocol for tissue clearing along with a quantitative assessment of the effect of tissue clearing upon morphology. Tissue clearing caused tissue swelling (compared to conventional methods), but this swelling was shown to be similar across spatial scales and the variation was within limits acceptable to the field. The results of many studies rely upon an assumption of uniformity in tissue swelling, and by demonstrating this quantitatively, research using these methods can be interpreted more reliably.
Engineered Dendritic Cell-Directed Concurrent Activation of Multiple T cell Inhibitory Pathways Induces Robust Immune Tolerance
Authors: Gudi Radhika R. , Karumuthil-Melethil Subha , Perez Nicolas , Li Gongbo , Vasu Chenthamarakshan 
Published: August 2019

AbstractInhibitory/repressor-receptors are upregulated significantly on activated T cells, and have been the molecules of attention as targets for inducing immune tolerance. Induction of effective antigen specific tolerance depends on concurrent engagement of the TCR and one or more of these inhibitory receptors. Here, we show, for the first time that dendritic cells (DCs) can be efficiently engineered to express multiple T cell inhibitory ligands, and enhanced engagement of T cell inhibitory receptors, upon antigen presentation, by these DCs can induce effective CD4+ T cell tolerance and suppress autoimmunity. Compared to control DCs, antigen presentation by DCs that ectopically express CTLA4, PD1 and BTLA selective ligands (B7.1wa, PD-L1, and HVEM-CRD1 respectively) individually (mono-ligand DCs) or in combination (multi-ligand DCs) causes an inhibition of CD4+ T cell proliferation and pro-inflammatory cytokine response, as well as increase in Foxp3+ Treg frequency and immune regulatory cytokine production. Administration of self-antigen (mouse thyroglobulin; mTg) loaded multi-ligand DCs caused hyporesponsiveness to mTg challenge, suppression of autoantibody production, and amelioration of experimental autoimmune thyroiditis. Overall, this study shows that engineered DC-directed enhanced concurrent activation of multiple T cell coinhibitory pathways is an effective way to induce self-antigen specific T cell tolerance to suppress ongoing autoimmunity.
Enhancing the photovoltaic performance of hybrid heterojunction solar cells by passivation of silicon surface via a simple 1-min annealing process
Authors: Xie Rongbin , Ishijima Naoya , Sugime Hisashi , Noda Suguru 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSolution-based heterojunction technology is emerging for facile fabrication of silicon (Si)-based solar cells. Surface passivation of Si substrate has been well established to improve the photovoltaic (PV) performance for the conventional bulk Si cells. However, the impact is still not seen for the heterojunction cells. Here, we developed a facile and repeatable method to passivate the Si surface by a simple 1-min annealing process in vacuum, and integrated it into the heterojunction cells with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene): poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS) or carbon nanotube (CNT). A thin and dense oxide layer was introduced on the Si surface to provide a high-quality hole transport layer and passivation layer. The layer enhanced the power conversion efficiency from 9.34% to 12.87% (1.38-times enhancement) for the PEDOT:PSS/n-Si cells and from 6.61% to 8.52% (1.29-times enhancement) for the CNT/n-Si cells. The simple passivation is a promising way to enhance the PV performance of the Si cells with various solution-based heterojunctions.
Simultaneous detection of five flavoring agents in chewing gum by ultrasound-microwave synergistic extraction coupled with gas chromatography
Authors: Li Junde , Liu Xiaojuan , Liang Xin , Zhang Manman , Han Lei , Song Jiying 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSo far, the identification and determination of flavor additives in food has gained extensive attention in the area of food safety. However, it remains a big challenge for simultaneous detection of diverse flavor agents. In this work, a novel gas chromatography method coupled with ultrasound-microwave synergistic extraction was developed for simultaneous detection of five flavor compounds, including butyl butyrate, menthol, methyl salicylate, eugenol and vanilline. In this strategy, ultrasound-microwave synergistic extraction was used to extract the five flavoring agents from chewing gum. The effects of extractants, solid-liquid ratio, extraction time and microwave power on extraction yield were researched by using orthogonal test. After the optimization of programme temperature and splitless injection, the five flavoring agents were well separated and simultaneously detected with wide linear ranges, low limits of detection, high accuracy and good repeatability. Therefore, this proposed method would hold great promise for assay application on the food safety.
Unique CdS@MoS2 Core Shell Heterostructure for Efficient Hydrogen Generation Under Natural Sunlight
Authors: Kadam Sunil R. , Gosavi Suresh W. , Kale Bharat B. , Suzuki Norihiro , Terashima Chiaki , Fujishima Akira 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe hierarchical nanostructured CdS@MoS2 core shell was architectured using template free facile solvothermal technique. More significantly, the typical hexagonal phase of core CdS and shell MoS2 has been obtained. Optical study clearly shows the two steps absorption in the visible region having band gap of 2.4 eV for CdS and 1.77 eV for MoS2. The FESEM of CdS@MoS2 reveals the formation of CdS microsphere (as a core) assemled with 40–50 nm nanoparticles and covered with ultrathin nanosheets of MoS2 (Shell) having size 200–300 nm and the 10–20 nm in thickness. The overall size of the core shell structure is around 8 µm. Intially, there is a formation of CdS microsphre due to high affinity of Cd ions with sulfur and further growth of MoS2 thin sheets on the surface. Considering band gap ideally in visible region, photocatalytic hydrogen evolution using CdS@MoS2 core shell was investigated under natural sunlight. The utmost hydrogen evolution rate achieved for core shell is 416.4 µmole h−1 with apparent quantum yield 35.04%. The photocatalytic activity suggest that an intimate interface contact, extended visible light absorption and effective photo generated charge carrier separation contributed to the photocatalytic enhancement of the CdS@MoS2 core shell. Additional, the enhanced hole trapping process and effective electrons transfer from CdS to MoS2 in CdS@MoS2 core shell heterostructures can significantly contribute for photocatalytic activity. Such core shell heterostructure will also have potential in thin film solar cell and other microelectronic devices.
Blockade of α4 integrins reduces leukocyte–endothelial interactions in cerebral vessels and improves memory in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease
Authors: Pietronigro Enrica , Zenaro Elena , Bianca Vittorina Della , Dusi Silvia , Terrabuio Eleonora , Iannoto Giulia , Slanzi Anna , Ghasemi Somayehsadat , Nagarajan Rajasekar , Piacentino Gennj , Tosadori Gabriele , Rossi Barbara , Constantin Gabriela 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline associated with the deposition of amyloid-β (Aβ) plaques, hyperphosphorylation of tau protein, and neuronal loss. Vascular inflammation and leukocyte trafficking may contribute to AD pathogenesis, and a better understanding of these inflammation mechanisms could therefore facilitate the development of new AD therapies. Here we show that T cells extravasate in the proximity of cerebral VCAM-1+vessels in 3xTg-AD transgenic mice, which develop both Aβ and tau pathologies. The counter-ligand of VCAM-1 – α4β1 integrin, also known as very late antigen-4 (VLA-4) – was more abundant on circulating CD4+T cells and was also expressed by a significant proportion of blood CD8+T cells and neutrophils in AD mice. Intravital microscopy of the brain microcirculation revealed that α4 integrins control leukocyte–endothelial interactions in AD mice. Therapeutic targeting of VLA-4 using antibodies that specifically block α4 integrins improved the memory of 3xTg-AD mice compared to an isotype control. These antibodies also reduced neuropathological hallmarks of AD, including microgliosis, Aβ load and tau hyperphosphorylation. Our results demonstrate that α4 integrin-dependent leukocyte trafficking promotes cognitive impairment and AD neuropathology, suggesting that the blockade of α4 integrins may offer a new therapeutic strategy in AD.
Filamentation in Atmospheric Air with Tunable 1100–2400 nm Near-Infrared Femtosecond Laser Source
Authors: O’Connor Sean P. , Marble Christopher B. , Nodurft Dawson T. , Noojin Gary D. , Boretsky Adam R. , Wharmby Andrew W. , Scully Marlan O. , Yakovlev Vladislav V. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractIntense femtosecond pulse filamentation in open-air has been utilized for long distance optical communication and remote sensing, but it results in nonlinear-effect driven eye hazards which are not addressed by current eye safety standards. A systematic study of filamentation in atmospheric air was performed using a tunable 100 fs near-infrared laser (1100 nm–2400 nm). While undergoing filamentation, each source wavelength was spectrally broadened resulting in supercontinuum and third harmonic generation in the visible and near-IR spectrum. We record the spectra at the center and fringes of the supercontinuum as it is imaged onto a planar surface. In a full beam collection regime, we report the energy of the sub-1000 nm light generation for source wavelengths from 1100 nm to 1600 nm and compare the energy density to the maximum permissible exposure values under the ANSI Z136.1 laser safety standard.
An Efficient New Process for the Selective Production of Odd-Chain Carboxylic Acids by Simple Carbon Elongation Using Megasphaera hexanoica
Authors: Kim Hyunjin , Jeon Byoung Seung , Sang Byoung-In 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe caproate-producing bacterium, Megasphaera hexanoica, metabolizes fructose to produce C2~C8 carbon-chain carboxylic acids using various electron acceptors. In particular, odd-chain carboxylic acids (OCCAs) such as valerate (C5) and heptanoate (C7), were produced at relatively high concentrations upon propionate supplementation. Using a statistical experimental design method, the optimal culture medium was established for the selective production of OCCAs among the total produced acids. In a medium containing 2.42 g L−1 sodium acetate and 18.91 g L−1 sodium propionate, M. hexanoica produced 9.48 g L−1 valerate, 2.48 g L−1 heptanoate, and 0.12 g L−1 caproate. To clarify the metabolism of the exogenous added propionate for OCCAs production, 13C tracer experiments were performed by supplementing the culture broth with [1,2,3-13C3] propionate. The metabolites analysis based on mass spectrometry showed that the propionate was only used to produce valerate and heptanoate without being participated in other metabolic pathways. Furthermore, the carbon elongation pathway in M. hexanoica was explained by the finding that the incorporation of propionate and acetate in the produced valerate occurred in only one orientation.
Morphology effects on surface chemical properties and lattice defects of Cu/CeO2 catalysts applied for low-temperature CO oxidation
Authors: Dong Fang , Meng Yu , Han Weiliang , Zhao Haijun , Tang Zhicheng 
Published: August 2019

AbstractHere, we synthesized a series of Cu/CeO2 catalysts with different morphology and size, including Cu/CeO2 nanospheres (Cu/CeO2-S), Cu/CeO2 nanoparticles (Cu/CeO2-P), Cu/CeO2 nanorods (Cu/CeO2-R) and flower-like Cu/CeO2 microspheres (Cu/CeO2-F) to systematically explore the structure-activity relationship in CO oxidation. Crucially, the effect of morphology, crystal size, Ce4+/Ce3+ species, oxygen vacancies derived from the removal of lattice oxygen (Olatt) species in CeO2 and lattice defect sites on CO activity was revealed through various characterizations. It was clearly discovered that the activity of these catalysts was as follows: Cu/CeO2-R > Cu/CeO2-P > Cu/CeO2-S > Cu/CeO2-F, and the Cu/CeO2-R catalyst preferentially showed the best catalytic performance with a 90% conversion of CO even at 58 °C, owned the smaller particles size of CeO2 and CuO, and exhibited the higher concentration of Olatt species and oxygen vacancies. Besides, it is also verified that the Cu/CeO2-F sample exhibited the larger CeO2 crystal size (17.14 nm), which led to the lower Cu dispersion and CO conversion, even at 121 °C (T90). Most importantly, we discovered that the amount of surface lattice defect sites was positively related to the reaction rate of CO. Simultaneously, DFT calculation also demonstrated that the introduced oxygen vacancies in CeO2 could accelerate the oxidation of CO by the alteration of CO adsorption energy. Therefore, the morphology, the crystal size, the content of oxygen vacancies, as well as lattice defects of Cu/CeO2 catalyst might work together for CO oxidation reaction.
iTRAQ-based quantitative analysis reveals proteomic changes in Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L.) in response to Plasmodiophora brassicae infection
Authors: Lan Mei , Li Guoliang , Hu Jingfeng , Yang Hongli , Zhang Liqin , Xu Xuezhong , Liu Jiajia , He Jiangming , Sun Rifei 
Published: August 2019

AbstractClubroot disease is one of the major diseases affecting Brassica crops, especially Chinese cabbage (Brassica rapa L. ssp. pekinensis), which is known to be highly susceptible to the disease. In this study, the obligate biotrophic protist Plasmodiophora brassicae Woronin was used to infect the roots of Chinese cabbage seedlings. The disease symptoms were noticeable at 28 and 35 days after inoculation (DAI) in the susceptible (CM) line. Using isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) analysis, a total of 5,003 proteins of differential abundance were identified in the resistant/susceptible lines, which could be quantitated by dipeptide or polypeptide segments. Gene ontology (GO) analysis indicated that the differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) between the susceptible (CM) and resistant (CCR) lines were associated with the glutathione transferase activity pathway, which could catalyze the combination of glutathione and other electrophilic compounds to protect plants from disease. In addition, the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) analysis revealed that the DEPs may be significantly enriched cytokinin signaling or arginine biosynthesis pathways, both of which are responses to stimuli and are plant defense reactions. The cytokinins may facilitate cell division in the shoot, resulting in the hypertrophy and formation of galls and the presentation of typical clubroot symptoms. In this study, the proteomic results provide a new perspective for creating germplasm resistance to P. brassicae, as well as a genetic basis for breeding to improve Chinese cabbage.
Humic Acid Fertilizer Improved Soil Properties and Soil Microbial Diversity of Continuous Cropping Peanut: A Three-Year Experiment
Authors: Li Yan , Fang Feng , Wei Jianlin , Wu Xiaobin , Cui Rongzong , Li Guosheng , Zheng Fuli , Tan Deshui 
Published: August 2019

AbstractAlthough humic acid has been demonstrated to improve the quality of some soil types, the long-term effects of humic acid on soil under continuous cropping peanut are not fully understood. This study aimed to investigate the continuous effects of humic acid on the physicochemical properties, microbial diversity, and enzyme activities of soil under continuous cropping peanut. In this study, a three-year consecutive experiment of cropping peanut was conducted in the North China Plain. In addition to the equal nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium inputs, humic acid treatment was applied with inorganic fertilizers. Compared with control experiments, humic acid increased the yield and quality of continuous cropping peanut. To elucidate the mechanism of humic acid affecting the soil quality, various soil quality indicators were evaluated and compared in this study. It was found that humic acid increased soil nutrient contents, including the total soil nitrogen, total phosphorus, total potassium, available nitrogen, available phosphorus, available potassium, and organic matter contents, which exhibited the maximum effect in the third year. Meanwhile, the urease, sucrase, and phosphatase activities in the soil significantly increased after treated with humic acid, of which the maturity period increased most significantly. The same results were observed for three consecutive years. Microbial diversity varied considerably according to the high throughput sequencing analysis. Specifically, the number of bacteria decreased while that of fungi increased after humic acid treatment. The abundance of Firmicutes in bacteria, Basidiomycota, and Mortierellomycota in fungi all increased, which have been reported as being beneficial to plant growth. In contrast, the abundance of Ascomycota in fungi was reduced, and most of the related genera identified are pathogenic to plants. In conclusion, humic acid improved the yield and quality of continuous cropping peanut because of improved physicochemical properties, enzymatic activities, and microbial diversity of soil, which is beneficial for alleviating the obstacles of continuous cropping peanut.
The shapes of spiral arms in the S4G survey and their connection with stellar bars
Authors: Díaz-García S. , Salo H. , Knapen J. H. , Herrera-Endoqui M. 
Published: August 2019

Context. Spiral galaxies are very common in the local Universe, but their formation, evolution, and interplay with bars remain poorly understood after more than a century of astronomical research on the topic.
Aims. We use a sample of 391 nearby galaxies from the S4G survey to characterise the winding angle and amplitude of spiral arms as a function of disc properties, such as bar strength, in all kinds of spirals (grand-design, multi-armed, and flocculent).
Methods. We derived global pitch angles in 3.6 μm de-projected images from (i) average measurements of individual logarithmic spiral segments, and (ii) for a subsample of 32 galaxies, from 2D Fourier analyses. The strength of spirals was quantified from the tangential-to-radial force ratio and from the normalised m = 2 Fourier density amplitudes.
Results. In galaxies with more than one measured logarithmic segment, the spiral pitch angle varies on average by ∼10° between segments, but by up to ≳15 − 20°. The distribution of the global pitch angle versus Hubble type (T) is very similar for barred and non-barred galaxies when 1 ≲ T ≲ 5. Most spiral galaxies (> 90%) are barred for T >  5. The pitch angle is not correlated with bar strength, and only weakly with spiral strength. The amplitude of spirals is correlated with bar strength (and less tightly, with bar length) for all types of spirals. The mean pitch angle is hardly correlated with the mass of the supermassive black hole (estimated from central stellar velocity dispersion), with central stellar mass concentration, or with shear, questioning previous results in the literature using smaller samples.
Conclusions. We do not find observational evidence that spiral arms are driven by stellar bars or by invariant manifolds. Most likely, discs that are prone to the development of strong bars are also reactive to the formation of prominent spirals, explaining the observed coupling between bar and spiral amplitudes.
Das sagittale Profil der Wirbelsäule
Authors: Grohs Josef Georg , Urach Florian 
Published: August 2019

ZusammenfassungDas ermüdungsfreie Stehen ist eine zentrale Notwendigkeit des täglichen Lebens. Deformitäten der Wirbelsäule und postoperative Stellungen der Wirbelsäule können dieses Gleichgewicht empfindlich stören. Im letzten Jahrzehnt haben wir vermehrt darauf geachtet, die komplexen Zusammenhänge zu verstehen und das sagittale Profil in die Operationsplanung einzubeziehen.