bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Nicotine promotes atherosclerosis via ROS-NLRP3-mediated endothelial cell pyroptosis
Authors: Wu Xianxian , Zhang Haiying , Qi Wei , Zhang Ying , Li Jiamin , Li Zhange , Lin Yuan , Bai Xue , Liu Xin , Chen Xiaohui , Yang Huan , Xu Chaoqian , Zhang Yong , Yang Baofeng 
Published: February 2018

AbstractCigarette smoking is a major risk factor for atherosclerosis and other cardiovascular diseases. Increasing evidence has demonstrated that nicotine impairs the cardiovascular system by targeting vascular endothelial cells, but the underlying mechanisms remain obscure. It is known that cell death and inflammation are crucial processes leading to atherosclerosis. We proposed that pyroptosis may be implicated in nicotine-induced atherosclerosis and therefore conducted the present study. We found that nicotine resulted in larger atherosclerotic plaques and secretion of inflammatory cytokines in ApoE−/− mice fed with a high-fat diet (HFD). Treatment of human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) with nicotine resulted in NLRP3-ASC inflammasome activation and pyroptosis, as evidenced by cleavage of caspase-1, production of downstream interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18, and elevation of LDH activity and increase of propidium iodide (PI) positive cells, which were all inhibited by caspase-1 inhibitor. Moreover, silencing NLRP3 or ASC by small interfering RNA efficiently suppressed nicotine-induced caspase-1 cleavage, IL-18 and IL-1β production, and pyroptosis in HAECs. Further experiments revealed that the nicotine-NLRP3-ASC-pyroptosis pathway was activated by reactive oxygen species (ROS), since ROS scavenger (N-acetyl-cysteine, NAC) prevented endothelial cell pyroptosis. We conclude that pyroptosis is likely a cellular mechanism for the pro-atherosclerotic property of nicotine and stimulation of ROS to activate NLRP3 inflammasome is a signaling mechanism for nicotine-induced pyroptosis.
Magnetic resonance temporal diffusion tensor spectroscopy of disordered anisotropic tissue
Authors: Nielsen Jonathan Scharff , Dyrby Tim B. , Lundell Henrik 
Published: February 2018

AbstractMolecular diffusion measured with diffusion weighted MRI (DWI) offers a probe for tissue microstructure. However, inferring microstructural properties from conventional DWI data is a complex inverse problem and has to account for heterogeneity in sizes, shapes and orientations of the tissue compartments contained within an imaging voxel. Alternative experimental means for disentangling the signal signatures of such features could provide a stronger link between the data and its interpretation. Double diffusion encoding (DDE) offers the possibility to factor out variation in compartment shapes from orientational dispersion of anisotropic domains by measuring the correlation between diffusivity in multiple directions. Time dependence of the diffusion is another effect reflecting the dimensions and distributions of barriers. In this paper we extend on DDE with a modified version of the oscillating gradient spin echo (OGSE) experiment, giving a basic contrast mechanism closely linked to both the temporal diffusion spectrum and the compartment anisotropy. We demonstrate our new method on post mortem brain tissue and show that we retrieve the correct temporal diffusion tensor spectrum in synthetic data from Monte Carlo simulations of random walks in a range of disordered geometries of different sizes and shapes.
Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection leads to impaired reference memory and myeloid cell interference
Authors: Brombacher T. M. , De Gouveia K. S. , Cruywagen L. , Makena N. , Booley F. , Tamgue O. , Brombacher F. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHookworm infection is endemic in developing countries, leading to poor cognitive function—among other disruptions. In this study, the effects of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection (a murine model of Necator Americanus) on cognitive function were investigated. Though impaired cognition has been extensively reported, the exact domain of cognition affected is still unknown, hence requiring investigation. The objective of this study was to identify possible cognitive changes during Nippostrongylus brasiliensis infection in mice, using the Morris water maze. Here, we show for the first time that mice infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis were able to learn the Morris water maze task, but demonstrated impaired reference memory. Anxiety measured by thigmotaxis in the maze, did not play a role for the observed cognitive impairment. Of further interest, an increase in the number of hippocampal macrophages and microglia with training and/or infection suggested a significant role of these cell types during spatial learning. Together, these experimental mouse studies suggest that helminth infections do have an impact on cognition. Further experimental animal studies on cognition and infection might open new approaches for a better understanding and impact of pathogen infections.
Pyroptosis induced by enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus B3 infection affects viral replication and host response
Authors: Wang Yan , Qin Ying , Wang Tianying , Chen Yang , Lang Xiujuan , Zheng Jia , Gao Shuoyang , Chen Sijia , Zhong Xiaoyan , Mu Yusong , Wu Xiaoyu , Zhang Fengming , Zhao Wenran , Zhong Zhaohua 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEnterovirus 71 (EV71) is the primary causative pathogen of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), affecting children with severe neurological complications. Pyroptosis is a programmed cell death characterized by cell lysis and inflammatory response. Although proinflammatory response has been implicated to play important roles in EV71-caused diseases, the involvement of pyroptosis in the pathogenesis of EV71 is poorly defined. We show that EV71 infection induced caspase-1 activation. Responding to the activation of caspase-1, the expression and secretion of both IL-1β and IL-18 were increased in EV71-infected cells. The treatment of caspase-1 inhibitor markedly improved the systemic response of the EV71-infected mice. Importantly, caspase-1 inhibitor suppressed EV71 replication in mouse brains. Similarly, pyroptosis was activated by the infection of coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3), an important member of the Enterovirus genus. Caspase-1 activation and the increased expression of IL-18 and NLRP3 were demonstrated in HeLa cells infected with CVB3. Caspase-1 inhibitor also alleviated the overall conditions of virus-infected mice with markedly decreased replication of CVB3 and reduced expression of caspase-1. These results indicate that pyroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of both EV71 and CVB3 infections, and the treatment of caspase-1 inhibitor is beneficial to the host response during enterovirus infection.
Limited accuracy of conduction band effective mass equations for semiconductor quantum dots
Authors: Mielnik-Pyszczorski Adam , Gawarecki Krzysztof , Machnikowski Paweł 
Published: February 2018

AbstractEffective mass equations are the simplest models of carrier states in a semiconductor structures that reduce the complexity of a solid-state system to Schrödinger- or Pauli-like equations resempling those well known from quantum mechanics textbooks. Here we present a systematic derivation of a conduction-band effective mass equation for a self-assembled semiconductor quantum dot in a magnetic field from the 8-band k · p theory. The derivation allows us to classify various forms of the effective mass equations in terms of a hierarchy of approximations. We assess the accuracy of the approximations in calculating selected spectral and spin-related characteristics. We indicate the importance of preserving the off-diagonal terms of the valence band Hamiltonian and argue that an effective mass theory cannot reach satisfactory accuracy without self-consistently including non-parabolicity corrections and renormalization of k · p parameters. Quantitative comparison with the 8-band k · p results supports the phenomenological Roth-Lax-Zwerdling formula for the g-factor in a nanostructure.
Chronic exposure to low dose of bisphenol A impacts on the first round of spermatogenesis via SIRT1 modulation
Authors: Chianese Rosanna , Viggiano Andrea , Urbanek Konrad , Cappetta Donato , Troisi Jacopo , Scafuro Marika , Guida Maurizio , Esposito Grazia , Ciuffreda Loreta Pia , Rossi Francesco , Berrino Liberato , Fasano Silvia , Pierantoni Riccardo , De Angelis Antonella , Meccariello Rosaria 
Published: February 2018

AbstractSpermatogenesis depends on endocrine, autocrine and paracrine communications along the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonad axis. Bisphenol A (BPA), an estrogen-mimic endocrine disrupting chemical, is an environmental contaminant used to manufacture polycarbonate plastics and epoxy resins with toxic effects for male reproduction. Here we investigated whether the chronic exposure to low BPA doses affects spermatogenesis through the modulation of SIRT1, a NAD+-dependent deacetylase involved in the progression of spermatogenesis, with outcomes on apoptosis, oxidative stress, metabolism and energy homeostasis. BPA exposureviaplacenta first, and lactation and drinking water later, affected the body weight gain in male offspring at 45 postnatal days and the first round of spermatogenesis, with impairment of blood testis barrier, reactive oxygen species production, DNA damage and decreased expression of SIRT1. The analysis of SIRT1 downstream molecular pathways revealed the increase of acetyl-p53Lys370, γH2AX foci, the decrease of oxidative stress defenses and the higher apoptotic rate in the testis of treated animals, with partial rescue at sex maturation. In conclusion, SIRT1 pathways disruption after BPA exposure can have serious consequences on the first round of spermatogenesis.
Folic Acid Exposure Rescues Spina Bifida Aperta Phenotypes in Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell Model
Authors: Sahakyan Vardine , Duelen Robin , Tam Wai Long , Roberts Scott J. , Grosemans Hanne , Berckmans Pieter , Ceccarelli Gabriele , Pelizzo Gloria , Broccoli Vania , Deprest Jan , Luyten Frank P. , Verfaillie Catherine M. , Sampaolesi Maurilio 
Published: February 2018

AbstractNeural tube defects (NTDs) are severe congenital abnormalities, caused by failed closure of neural tube during early embryonic development. Periconceptional folic acid (FA) supplementation greatly reduces the risk of NTDs. However, the molecular mechanisms behind NTDs and the preventive role of FA remain unclear. Here, we use human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) derived from fetuses with spina bifida aperta (SBA) to study the pathophysiology of NTDs and explore the effects of FA exposure. We report that FA exposure in SBA model is necessary for the proper formation and maturation of neural tube structures and robust differentiation of mesodermal derivatives. Additionally, we show that the folate antagonist methotrexate dramatically affects the formation of neural tube structures and FA partially reverts this aberrant phenotype. In conclusion, we present a novel model for human NTDs and provide evidence that it is a powerful tool to investigate the molecular mechanisms underlying NTDs, test drugs for therapeutic approaches.
Enhanced nonlinear characteristics with the assistance of a $$\mathscr{PT}$$-symmetric trimer system
Authors: Du Lei , Zhang Yan , Fan Chu-Hui , Liu Yi-Mou , Gao Feng , Wu Jin-Hui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractWe study the parity-time (PT) symmetry characteristics and the applications to nonlinear optics in an optical trimer system consisting of two indirectly coupled standing-mode micro-cavities and a two-level quantum emitter (QE) placed at the intersection of two cavities. We find this trimer system can exhibit analogical phenomena as those in typical $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric dimer systems composed of a passive cavity directly coupled to an active cavity. This system, whose $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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symmetry is demonstrated by our analytic results, can be transformed between the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric phase and the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-broken phase by adjusting relevant system parameters. Then, with this system, we observe both the linear and nonlinear parts of the transmission field become remarkably enhanced and can further reach peak values around the $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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breaking point. In addition, we show the negative correlation between the gain degree of the linear (nonlinear) transmission part and decay rate of the QE. This trimer proposal is feasible for experiments and may provide a promising platform for $$\mathscr{PT}$$

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-symmetric optics of low-light levels. Moreover, novel phenomena arising from the QE-cavity-coupling induced nonlinearity gain could be explored to fabricate photonic devices and controllable nonlinear optical media for quantum information process and communication of photons.
Highly variable contractile performance correlates with myocyte content in trabeculae from failing human hearts
Authors: Munro Michelle L. , Shen Xin , Ward Marie , Ruygrok Peter N. , Crossman David J. , Soeller Christian 
Published: February 2018

AbstractHeart failure (HF) is defined by compromised contractile function and is associated with changes in excitation-contraction (EC) coupling and cardiomyocyte organisation. Tissue level changes often include fibrosis, while changes within cardiomyocytes often affect structures critical to EC coupling, including the ryanodine receptor (RyR), the associated protein junctophilin-2 (JPH2) and the transverse tubular system architecture. Using a novel approach, we aimed to directly correlate the influence of structural alterations with force development in ventricular trabeculae from failing human hearts. Trabeculae were excised from explanted human hearts in end-stage failure and immediately subjected to force measurements. Following functional experiments, each trabecula was fixed, sectioned and immuno-stained for structural investigations. Peak stress was highly variable between trabeculae from both within and between failing hearts and was strongly correlated with the cross-sectional area occupied by myocytes (MCSA), rather than total trabecula cross-sectional area. At the cellular level, myocytes exhibited extensive microtubule densification which was linked via JPH2 to time-to-peak stress. Trabeculae fractional MCSA variability was much higher than that in adjacent free wall samples. Together, these findings identify several structural parameters implicated in functional impairment in human HF and highlight the structural variability of ventricular trabeculae which should be considered when interpreting functional data.
Rapid removal of ammonium from domestic wastewater using polymer hydrogels
Authors: Cruz Heidy , Luckman Paul , Seviour Thomas , Verstraete Willy , Laycock Bronwyn , Pikaar Ilje 
Published: February 2018

AbstractTo date, technologies to recover ammonium from domestic wastewater from the mainstream have not found widespread application. This is largely due to the low ammonium concentrations in these wastewater streams. This paper reports on the use of polymer hydrogels for rapid sorption of ammonium from domestic wastewater coupled with efficient regeneration by mild acid washing. The sorption capacity of the hydrogel was 8.8–32.2 mg NH4–N/g, which corresponds to removal efficiencies ranging from 68% to 80% NH4–N, increasing proportionally with the initial ammonium concentration. It was, however, unaffected by changes in pH, as the sorption capacity remained constant from pH 5.0–8.0. Importantly, effective regeneration of the hydrogels under mildly acidic conditions (i.e. pH 4.0) was demonstrated with minimal loss in sorption performance following multiple sorption/desorption cycles. Overall, this study highlights the potential of low-cost polymer hydrogels for achieving mainstream ammonium recovery from domestic wastewater.
A sarcopenia screening test predicts mortality in hospitalized older adults
Authors: Tang Tianjiao , Wu Linna , Yang Ling , Jiang Jiaojiao , Hao Qiukui , Dong Birong , Yang Ming 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe aim of this study is to investigate the validation of a sarcopenia screening test (Ishii’s formula) for predicting long-term mortality among older adult inpatients. A prospective, observational study was conducted in acute geriatric wards at three hospitals in western China. Sarcopenia was estimated using Ishii’s formula. Survival status was assessed at 12, 24, and 36 months after the baseline investigation. Cox proportional-hazard models were applied to calculate the hazard ratio for mortality associated with sarcopenia. Three hundred and eighty participants (100 women) with a mean age of 80.2 ± 7.1 years were included. According to Ishii’s formula, 264 participants (69.5%) were sarcopenic. The prevalence of sarcopenia was similar in men and women (71.1% vs. 65.0%, respectively, P = 0.258). Sixty-seven participants (17.6%) died during the 3-year follow-up period. The all-cause mortality was significantly higher in the sarcopenia group than in the non-sarcopenia group (20.1% vs. 12.1%, respectively, P < 0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified sarcopenia as a significant predictor of 3-year all-cause mortality (adjusted hazard ratio [HR]: 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.02–4.15). In conclusion, sarcopenia, estimated by Ishii’s formula, can predict 3-year all-cause mortality in a study population of hospitalized older adults.
Reliable charge assessment on encapsulated fragment for endohedral systems
Authors: Stasyuk A. J. , Solà M. , Voityuk A. A. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractA simple scheme to determine charge distribution in endohedral complexes is suggested. It is based on comparison of inner-shell atomic orbital energies of the encapsulated species to the corresponding energies in reference systems with unambiguously defined charges on X. This robust approach is applied to endohedral borospherenes X@B39, for which the conventional schemes provide in some cases quite different results. Efficiency of proposed scheme also has been proven for typical fullerene based Sc3N@C80endohedral complex.
Time-reversed magnetically controlled perturbation (TRMCP) optical focusing inside scattering media
Authors: Yu Zhipeng , Huangfu Jiangtao , Zhao Fangyuan , Xia Meiyun , Wu Xi , Niu Xufeng , Li Deyu , Lai Puxiang , Wang Daifa 
Published: February 2018

AbstractManipulating and focusing light deep inside biological tissue and tissue-like complex media has been desired for long yet considered challenging. One feasible strategy is through optical wavefront engineering, where the optical scattering-induced phase distortions are time reversed or pre-compensated so that photons travel along different optical paths interfere constructively at the targeted position within a scattering medium. To define the targeted position, an internal guidestar is needed to guide or provide a feedback for wavefront engineering. It could be injected or embedded probes such as fluorescence or nonlinear microspheres, ultrasonic modulation, as well as absorption perturbation. Here we propose to use a magnetically controlled optical absorbing microsphere as the internal guidestar. Using a digital optical phase conjugation system, we obtained sharp optical focusing within scattering media through time-reversing the scattered light perturbed by the magnetic microsphere. Since the object is magnetically controlled, dynamic optical focusing is allowed with a relatively large field-of-view by scanning the magnetic field externally. Moreover, the magnetic microsphere can be packaged with an organic membrane, using biological or chemical means to serve as a carrier. Therefore, the technique may find particular applications for enhanced targeted drug delivery, and imaging and photoablation of angiogenic vessels in tumours.
Matrimid-JUC-62 and Matrimid-PCN-250 mixed matrix membranes displaying light-responsive gas separation and beneficial ageing characteristics for CO2/N2 separation
Authors: Prasetya Nicholaus , Teck Anastasia A. , Ladewig Bradley P. 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe performance of two generation-3 light-responsive metal-organic framework (MOF), namely JUC-62 and PCN-250, was investigated in a mixed matrix membrane (MMM) form. Both of them were incorporated inside the matrimid as the polymer matrix. Using our custom-designed membrane testing cell, it was observed that the MMMs showed up to 9% difference in CO2 permeability between its pristine and UV-irradiated condition. This shows that the light-responsive ability of the light-responsive MOFs could still be maintained. Thus, this finding is applicable in designing a smart material. Apart from that, the MMMs also has the potential to be applied for post-combustion carbon capture. At loadings up to 15 wt%, both CO2 permeability and CO2/N2 ideal selectivity could be significantly improved and surpassed the value exhibited by most of the MOF-matrimid MMM. Lastly the long term performance of the MMM was also evaluated and it was observed that both MMM could maintain their performance up to 1 month with only a slight decrease in CO2 permeability observed for 10 wt% PCN-250-matrimid. This study then opens up the possibility to fabricate a novel anti-aging multifunctional membrane material that is applicable as a smart material and also in post combustion carbon capture applications.
Half metal phase in the zigzag phosphorene nanoribbon
Authors: Ren Yi , Cheng Fang , Zhang Z. H. , Zhou Guanghui 
Published: February 2018

AbstractExploring half-metallic nanostructures is a crucial solution for developing high-performance spintronic devices. Black phosphorene is an emerging two-dimensional material possessing strong anisotropic band structure and high mobility. Based on the first principles calculations, we investigated the electronic and magnetic properties of zigzag phosphorene nanoribbons (ZPNRs) with three different functionalization groups (OH/CN, OH/NO2, NH2/NO2) at the edges. We find that the interplay between edge functionalization and edge oxidation can induce the half metal phase in the ZPNRs, and the half metal phase can be controlled by the external transverse in-plane electric field and the proportion of the functional groups and edge oxidation. The results may pave a new way to construst nanoscale spintronic devices based on black phosphorene nanoribbons.
Sperm selection by thermotaxis improves ICSI outcome in mice
Authors: Pérez-Cerezales Serafín , Laguna-Barraza Ricardo , de Castro Alejandro Chacón , Sánchez-Calabuig María Jesús , Cano-Oliva Esther , de Castro-Pita Francisco Javier , Montoro-Buils Luis , Pericuesta Eva , Fernández-González Raúl , Gutiérrez-Adán Alfonso 
Published: February 2018

AbstractThe ejaculate is a heterogeneous pool of spermatozoa containing only a small physiologically adequate subpopulation for fertilization. As there is no method to isolate this subpopulation, its specific characteristics are unknown. This is one of the main reasons why we lack effective tools to identify male infertility and for the low efficiency of assisted reproductive technologies. The aim of this study was to improve ICSI outcome by sperm selection through thermotaxis. Here we show that a specific subpopulation of mouse and human spermatozoa can be selectedin vitroby thermotaxis and that this subpopulation is the one that enters the fallopian tube in mice. Further, we confirm that these selected spermatozoa in mice and humans show a much higher DNA integrity and lower chromatin compaction than unselected sperm, and in mice, they give rise to more and better embryos through intracytoplasmic sperm injection, doubling the number of successful pregnancies. Collectively, our results indicate that a high quality sperm subpopulation is selectedin vitroby thermotaxis and that this subpopulation is also selectedin vivowithin the fallopian tube possibly by thermotaxis.