bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Functional cyclophilin D moderates platelet adhesion, but enhances the lytic resistance of fibrin
Authors: Varjú Imre , Farkas Veronika Judit , Kőhidai László , Szabó László , Farkas Ádám Zoltán , Polgár Lívia , Chinopoulos Christos , Kolev Krasimir 
Published: March 2018

AbstractIn the course of thrombosis, platelets are exposed to a variety of activating stimuli classified as ‘strong’ (e.g. thrombin and collagen) or ‘mild’ (e.g. ADP). In response, activated platelets adhere to injured vasculature, aggregate, and stabilise the three-dimensional fibrin scaffold of the expanding thrombus. Since ‘strong’ stimuli also induce opening of the mitochondrial permeability transition pore (MPTP) in platelets, the MPTP-enhancer Cyclophilin D (CypD) has been suggested as a critical pharmacological target to influence thrombosis. However, it is poorly understood what role CypD plays in the platelet response to ‘mild’ stimuli which act independently of MPTP. Furthermore, it is unknown how CypD influences platelet-driven clot stabilisation against enzymatic breakdown (fibrinolysis). Here we show that treatment of human platelets with Cyclosporine A (a cyclophilin-inhibitor) boosts ADP-induced adhesion and aggregation, while genetic ablation of CypD in murine platelets enhances adhesion but not aggregation. We also report that platelets lacking CypD preserve their integrity in a fibrin environment, and lose their ability to render clots resistant against fibrinolysis. Our results indicate that CypD has opposing haemostatic roles depending on the stimulus and stage of platelet activation, warranting a careful design of any antithrombotic strategy targeting CypD.
Effects of smoking habit change on all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes in Korea
Authors: Cho Mi Hee , Lee Kiheon , Park Sang Min , Chang Jooyoung , Choi Seulggie , Kim Kyuwoong , Koo Hye-Yeon , Jun Ji-Hye , Kim Sung Min 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate the effects of smoking habit change on the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes using the Korean National Sample Cohort data. Survival regression analyses for the risks of all-cause mortality and CVDs were performed. Quitters without body mass index (BMI) change (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.68; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46–1.00) and quitters with BMI loss (aHR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.13–2.73) showed significantly reduced and substantially the increased risk of all-cause mortality, respectively, compared with sustained smokers. Smoking reduction after diabetes diagnosis may have potential positive effects. However, definite benefits on the health outcomes were not identified in this study. Participants who started smoking after diabetes diagnosis had higher risks of all-cause mortality and CVDs than those who were never smokers or ex-smokers, although not statistically significant. In conclusion, smoking cessation after diabetes diagnosis could reduce the risks of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular events among patients with newly diagnosed diabetes when accompanied by proper weight management. Therefore, physicians should advice patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes on the importance of smoking cessation in combination with long-term weight management to maximize the benefits of smoking cessation.
A new artificial diet for western corn rootworm larvae is compatible with and detects resistance to all current Bt toxins
Authors: Ludwick Dalton C. , Meihls Lisa N. , Huynh Man P. , Pereira Adriano E. , French B. Wade , Coudron Thomas A. , Hibbard Bruce E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractInsect resistance to transgenic crops is a growing concern for farmers, regulatory agencies, the seed industry, and researchers. Since 2009, instances of field-evolved Bt resistance or cross resistance have been documented for each of the four Bt proteins available for western corn rootworm (WCR), a major insect pest. To characterize resistance, WCR populations causing unexpected damage to Bt maize are evaluated in plant and/or diet toxicity assays. Currently, it is not possible to make direct comparisons of data from different Bt proteins due to differing proprietary artificial diets. Our group has developed a new, publicly available diet (WCRMO-1) with improved nutrition for WCR larvae. For the current manuscript, we tested the compatibility of all Bt proteins currently marketed for WCR on the WCRMO-1 diet and specific proprietary diets corresponding to each toxin using a susceptible colony of WCR. We also tested WCR colonies selected for resistance to each protein to assess the ability of the diet toxicity assay to detect Bt resistance. The WCRMO-1 diet is compatible with each of the proteins and can differentiate resistant colonies from susceptible colonies for each protein. Our diet allows researchers to monitor resistance without the confounding nutritional differences present between diets.
Environmental DNA (eDNA) detects the pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae) at times when traditional monitoring methods are insensitive
Authors: Eiler Alexander , Löfgren Anders , Hjerne Olle , Nordén Sara , Saetre Peter 
Published: March 2018

AbstractDetection of endangered species is invaluable for conservation efforts, yet many traditional sampling techniques are ineffective at low population abundances or during certain periods of the year. Here, we compared results from a newly developed eDNA approach and the traditional observational method for the endangered pool frog (Pelophylax lessonae). Analysis using an occupancy-modeling framework indicated that the probability of pools being occupied using eDNA (0.93) was higher than for the traditional method of counting calling males and silent observed individuals (0.72). Detailed analysis revealed complementarity among the methods. That is, the traditional method gave a high rate of observation in June, whereas eDNA gave at least as many or more observations during other parts of the year. Discrepancies among the methods depended on the dominant lifecycle stage, and eDNA concentrations were higher when juveniles were present than at times when spawning occurred. eDNA concentrations were also positively related to P. lessonae observations. Our study demonstrates that an eDNA protocol for monitoring of endangered amphibian species can be particularly valuable during periods when individuals are hard to detect by observational methods, and provides guidance to sampling efforts for research and monitoring programs in other regions and systems.
Developing transmission line equations of oxygen transport for predicting oxygen distribution in the arterial system
Authors: Yan Fei , Jiang Wen-Tao , Xu Zhi , Wang Qing-Yuan , Fan Yu-Bo , Zhang Ming 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe oxygen content in the arterial system plays a significant role in determining the physiological status of a human body. Understanding the oxygen concentration distribution in the arterial system is beneficial for the prevention and intervention of vascular disease. However, the oxygen concentration in the arteries could not be noninvasively monitored in clinical research. Although the oxygen concentration distribution in a vessel could be obtained from a three-dimensional (3D) numerical simulation of blood flow coupled with oxygen transport, a 3D numerical simulation of the systemic arterial tree is complicated and requires considerable computational resources and time. However, the lumped parameter model of oxygen transport derived from transmission line equations of oxygen transport requires fewer computational resources and less time to numerically predict the oxygen concentration distribution in the systemic arterial tree. In this study, transmission line equations of oxygen transport are developed according to the theory of oxygen transport in the vessel, and fluid transmission line equations are used as the theoretical reference for the development. The transmission line equations of oxygen transport could also be regarded as the theoretical basis for developing lumped parameter models of other substances in blood.
Water-Soluble Metalated Covalent Organic Nanobelts with Improved Bioavailability for Protein Transportation
Authors: Kong Weifu , Wan Jiaxun , Namuangruk Supawadee , Guo Jia , Wang Changchun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractAn available pathway to prepare the ionized covalent organic nanosheets (iCONs) has been proposed by a metal-assisted aqueous-phase exfoliation route from covalent organic frameworks. The soluble and belt-shaped iCONs could immobilize a large quantity of proteins (2.73 mg/mg, BSA/iCONs) and hence serve as transporters to enhance the protein uptake by cancer cells. Meanwhile, their energy-dependent endocytosis pathway via clathrin-coated pits has been proved as well.
Involvement of RSK1 activation in malformin-enhanced cellular fibrinolytic activity
Authors: Koizumi Yukio , Nagai Kenichiro , Gao Lina , Koyota Souichi , Yamaguchi Tomokazu , Natsui Miyuki , Imai Yumiko , Hasumi Keiji , Sugiyama Toshihiro , Kuba Keiji 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPharmacological interventions to enhance fibrinolysis are effective for treating thrombotic disorders. Utilizing the in vitro U937 cell line-based fibrin degradation assay, we had previously found a cyclic pentapeptide malformin A1 (MA1) as a novel activating compound for cellular fibrinolytic activity. The mechanism by which MA1 enhances cellular fibrinolytic activity remains unknown. In the present study, we show that RSK1 is a crucial mediator of MA1-induced cellular fibrinolysis. Treatment with rhodamine-conjugated MA1 showed that MA1 localizes mainly in the cytoplasm of U937 cells. Screening with an antibody macroarray revealed that MA1 induces the phosphorylation of RSK1 at Ser380 in U937 cells. SL0101, an inhibitor of RSK, inhibited MA1-induced fibrinolytic activity, and CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockout of RSK1 but not RSK2 suppressed MA1-enhanced fibrinolysis in U937 cells. Synthetic active MA1 derivatives also induced the phosphorylation of RSK1. Furthermore, MA1 treatment stimulated phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and MEK1/2. PD98059, an inhibitor of MEK1/2, inhibited MA1-induced phosphorylation of RSK1 and ERK1/2, indicating that MA1 induces the activation of the MEK-ERK-RSK pathway. Moreover, MA1 upregulated the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and increased uPA secretion. These inductions were abrogated in RSK1 knockout cells. These results indicate that RSK1 is a key regulator of MA1-induced extracellular fibrinolytic activity.
Centrifugation-free extraction of circulating nucleic acids using immiscible liquid under vacuum pressure
Authors: Lee Hoyoon , Na Wonhwi , Park Chanhee , Park Kyong Hwa , Shin Sehyun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractExtraction of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), which exists at an extremely low concentration in plasma, is a critical process for either targeted-sensing or massive sequencing of DNAs. However, such small amount of DNA cannot be fully obtained without high-speed centrifugation (<20,000 g). Here, we developed a centrifugation-free cfDNA extraction method and system that utilizes an immiscible solvent under single low vacuum pressure throughout the entire process. It has been named Pressure and Immiscibility-Based EXtraction (PIBEX). The amounts of extracted cfDNA by PIBEX were compared with those extracted by the conventional gold standards such as QIAGEN using quantitative PCR (qPCR). The PIBEX system showed equal performance regarding extraction amount and efficiency compared to the existing method. Because the PIBEX eliminates the troublous and repetitive centrifugation processes in DNA extraction, it can be further utilized in microfluidic-sample preparation systems for circulating nucleic acids, which would lead to an integrated sample-to-answer system in liquid biopsies.
Source reconstruction of airborne toxics based on acute health effects information
Authors: Argyropoulos Christos D. , Elkhalifa Samar , Fthenou Eleni , Efthimiou George C. , Andronopoulos Spyros , Venetsanos Alexandros , Kovalets Ivan V. , Kakosimos Konstantinos E. 
Published: March 2018

AbstractThe intentional or accidental release of airborne toxics poses great risk to the public health. During these incidents, the greatest factor of uncertainty is related to the location and rate of released substance, therefore, an information of high importance for emergency preparedness and response plans. A novel computational algorithm is proposed to estimate, efficiently, the location and release rate of an airborne toxic substance source based on health effects observations; data that can be readily available, in a real accident, contrary to actual measurements. The algorithm is demonstrated by deploying a semi-empirical dispersion model and Monte Carlo sampling on a simplified scenario. Input data are collected at varying receptor points for toxics concentrations (C; standard approach) and two new types: toxic load (TL) and health effects (HE; four levels). Estimated source characteristics are compared with scenario values. The use ofTLrequired the least number of receptor points to estimate the release rate, and demonstrated the highest probability (>90%).HErequired more receptor points, thanC, but with lesser deviations while probability was comparable, if not better. Finally, the algorithm assessed very accurately the source location when usingCandTLwith comparable confidence, butHEdemonstrated significantly lower confidence.
Involvement of AMP-activated protein kinase and Death Receptor 5 in TRAIL-Berberine-induced apoptosis of cancer cells
Authors: Ke Rong , Vishnoi Kanchan , Viswakarma Navin , Santha Sreevidya , Das Subhasis , Rana Ajay , Rana Basabi 
Published: March 2018

AbstractOur previous studies indicated that combination of Tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) and PPARγ ligand Troglitazone (TZD), can induce significant apoptosis in various TRAIL-resistant prostate and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. These also suggested serine/threonine kinase AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) to be a mediator of TRAIL-TZD-induced apoptosis. To further validate AMPK’s role in TRAIL sensitization, we determined the apoptotic potential of TRAIL in combination with the natural compound Berberine (BBR), the latter being a potent activator of AMPK. These demonstrated a significant reduction of cell viability and induction of apoptosis (increased cleavage of caspase 3, 8, 9) when treated with TRAIL-BBR combination. This apoptosis is attenuated in cells overexpressing AMPKα-dominant negative (DN) or following AMPKα knockdown, confirming involvement of AMPK. To identify potential downstream mediators involved, an apoptosis RT2 PCR array analysis was performed. These showed induction of several genes including TNFRSF10B (expresses DR5) and Harakiri following BBR treatment, which were further validated by qPCR analysis. Furthermore, knocking down DR5 expression significantly attenuated TRAIL-BBR-induced apoptosis, suggesting DR5 to be a mediator of this apoptosis. Our studies indicate that combination of TRAIL and AMPK activator BBR might be an effective means of ameliorating TRAIL-resistance involving DR5 in advanced cancer.
Enhanced Ti0.84Ta0.16N diffusion barriers, grown by a hybrid sputtering technique with no substrate heating, between Si(001) wafers and Cu overlayers
Authors: Mühlbacher Marlene , Greczynski Grzegorz , Sartory Bernhard , Schalk Nina , Lu Jun , Petrov Ivan , Greene J. E. , Hultman Lars , Mitterer Christian 
Published: March 2018

AbstractWe compare the performance of conventional DC magnetron sputter-deposited (DCMS) TiN diffusion barriers between Cu overlayers and Si(001) substrates with Ti0.84Ta0.16N barriers grown by hybrid DCMS/high-power impulse magnetron sputtering (HiPIMS) with substrate bias synchronized to the metal-rich portion of each pulse. DCMS power is applied to a Ti target, and HiPIMS applied to Ta. No external substrate heating is used in either the DCMS or hybrid DCMS/HiPIMS process in order to meet future industrial thermal-budget requirements. Barrier efficiency in inhibiting Cu diffusion into Si(001) while annealing for 1 hour at temperatures between 700 and 900 °C is investigated using scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, four-point-probe sheet resistance measurements, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy profiling. Ti0.84Ta0.16N barriers are shown to prevent large-scale Cu diffusion at temperatures up to 900 °C, while conventional TiN barriers fail at ≤700 °C. The improved performance of the Ti0.84Ta0.16N barrier is due to film densification resulting from HiPIMS pulsed irradiation of the growing film with synchronized Ta ions. The heavy ion bombardment dynamically enhances near-surface atomic mixing during barrier-layer deposition.
Supervised Learning Classifiers for Electrical Impedance-based Bladder State Detection
Authors: Dunne Eoghan , Santorelli Adam , McGinley Brian , Leader Geraldine , O’Halloran Martin , Porter Emily 
Published: March 2018

AbstractUrinary Incontinence affects over 200 million people worldwide, severely impacting the quality of life of individuals. Bladder state detection technology has the potential to improve the lives of people with urinary incontinence by alerting the user before voiding occurs. To this end, the objective of this study is to investigate the feasibility of using supervised machine learning classifiers to determine the bladder state of ‘full’ or ‘not full’ from electrical impedance measurements. Electrical impedance data was obtained from computational models and a realistic experimental pelvic phantom. Multiple datasets with increasing complexity were formed for varying noise levels in simulation. 10-Fold testing was performed on each dataset to classify ‘full’ and ‘not full’ bladder states, including phantom measurement data. Support vector machines and k-Nearest-Neighbours classifiers were compared in terms of accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity. The minimum and maximum accuracies across all datasets were 73.16% and 100%, respectively. Factors that contributed most to misclassification were the noise level and bladder volumes near the threshold of ‘full’ or ‘not full’. This paper represents the first study to use machine learning for bladder state detection with electrical impedance measurements. The results show promise for impedance-based bladder state detection to support those living with urinary incontinence.
Temperature induced crossing in the optical bandgap of mono and bilayer MoS2 on SiO2
Authors: Park Youngsin , Chan Christopher C. S. , Taylor Robert A. , Kim Yongchul , Kim Nammee , Jo Yongcheol , Lee Seung W. , Yang Woochul , Im Hyunsik , Lee Geunsik 
Published: March 2018

AbstractPhotoluminescence measurements in mono- and bilayer-MoS2 on SiO2 were undertaken to determine the thermal effect of the MoS2/SiO2 interface on the optical bandgap. The energy and intensity of the photoluminescence from monolayer MoS2 were lower and weaker than those from bilayer MoS2 at low temperatures, whilst the opposite was true at high temperatures above 200 K. Density functional theory calculations suggest that the observed optical bandgap crossover is caused by a weaker substrate coupling to the bilayer than to the monolayer.
Foxn1 expression in keratinocytes is stimulated by hypoxia: further evidence of its role in skin wound healing
Authors: Kur-Piotrowska Anna , Bukowska Joanna , Kopcewicz Marta M. , Dietrich Mariola , Nynca Joanna , Slowinska Mariola , Gawronska-Kozak Barbara 
Published: March 2018

AbstractRecent studies have shown that the transcription factor Foxn1, which is expressed in keratinocytes, is involved in the skin wound healing process, yet how Foxn1 functions remains largely unknown. Our latest data indicate that Foxn1 drives skin healing via engagement in re-epithelization and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) process. In the present study, 2D-DIGE proteomic profiling analysis of in vitro cultured keratinocytes transfected with adenoviral vector carrying Foxn1-GFP or GFP alone (control) revealed forty proteins with differential abundance between the compared groups. Among the proteins with Foxn1-dependent expression, several enable adaptation to hypoxia. Subsequent experiments revealed that hypoxic conditions (1% O2) stimulate endogenous and exogenous (transfected Ad-Foxn1) Foxn1 expression in cultured keratinocytes. A proteomics analysis also identified proteins that can act as a factors controlling the balance between cell proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis in response to Foxn1. We also showed that in C57BL/6 keratinocytes, the stimulation of Foxn1 by hypoxia is accompanied by increases in Mmp-9 expression. These data corroborate the detected co-localization of Foxn1 and Mmp-9 expression in vivo in post-wounding skin samples of Foxn1::Egfp transgenic mice. Together, our data indicate that Foxn1 orchestrates cellular changes in keratinocytes in both physiological (self-renewal) and pathological (skin wound healing) contexts.
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate alleviates bladder overactivity in a rat model with metabolic syndrome and ovarian hormone deficiency through mitochondria apoptosis pathways
Authors: Lee Yi-Lun , Lin Kun-Ling , Wu Bin-Nan , Chuang Shu-Mien , Wu Wen-Jeng , Lee Yung-Chin , Ho Wan-Ting , Juan Yung-Shun 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMetabolic syndrome (MetS) and ovarian hormone deficiency could affect bladder storage dysfunction. Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenolic compound in green tea, has been shown to protect against ovarian hormone deficiency induced overactive bladder (OAB). The present study investigated oxidative stress induced by MetS and bilateral ovariectomy (OVX), and elucidated the mechanism underlying the protective effect of EGCG (10 umol/kg/day) on bladder overactivity. Rats were fed with high fat high sugar (HFHS) diet to induce MetS and received ovariectomy surgery to deprive ovarian hormone. By dieting with HFHS for 6 months, rats developed MetS and OAB. MetS + OVX deteriorated bladder storage dysfunction more profound than MetS alone. MetS and MetS + OVX rats showed over-expression of inflammatory and fibrosis markers (1.7~3.8-fold of control). EGCG pretreatment alleviated storage dysfunction, and protected the bladders from MetS and OVX - induced interstitial fibrosis changes. Moreover, OVX exacerbated MetS related bladder apoptosis (2.3~4.5-fold of control; 1.8~2.6-fold of Mets group), enhances oxidative stress markers (3.6~4.3-fold of control; 1.8~2.2-fold of Mets group) and mitochondrial enzyme complexes subunits (1.8~3.7-fold of control; 1.5~3.4-fold of Mets group). EGCG pretreatment alleviated bladder apoptosis, attenuated oxidative stress, and reduced the mitochondrial and endoplasmic reticulum apoptotic signals. In conclusions, HFHS feeding and ovarian hormone deficiency enhances the generation of oxidative stress mediated through mitochondrial pathway. EGCG reduced the generation of oxidative stress and lessened bladder overactivity.
Exploring the capabilities of monochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy in the infrared regime
Authors: Hachtel Jordan A. , Lupini Andrew R. , Idrobo Juan Carlos 
Published: March 2018

AbstractMonochromated electron energy loss spectroscopy (EELS) is one of the leading techniques to study materials properties that correspond to low (<5 eV) energy losses (i.e. band-gaps, plasmons, and excitons) with nanoscale spatial resolution. Recently a new generation of monochromators have become available, opening regimes and unlocking excitations that were previously unobservable in the electron microscope. The capabilities of these new instruments are still being explored, and here we study the effect of monochromation on various aspects of EELS analysis in the infrared (<1 eV) regime. We investigate the effect of varying levels of monochromation on energy resolution, zero-loss peak (ZLP) tail reduction, ZLP tail shape, signal-to-noise-ratio, and spatial resolution. From these experiments, the new capabilities of monochromated EELS are shown to be highly promising for the future of localized spectroscopic analysis.