bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating myocardial microRNAs from infarcted hearts are carried in exosomes and mobilise bone marrow progenitor cells
Authors: Cheng Min , Yang Junjie , Zhao Xiaoqi , Zhang Eric , Zeng Qiutang , Yu Yang , Yang Liu , Wu Bangwei , Yi Guiwen , Mao Xiaobo , Huang Kai , Dong Nianguo , Xie Min , Limdi Nita A. , Prabhu Sumanth D. , Zhang Jianyi , Qin Gangjian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMyocardial microRNAs (myo-miRs) are released into the circulation after acute myocardial infarction (AMI). How they impact remote organs is however largely unknown. Here we show that circulating myo-miRs are carried in exosomes and mediate functional crosstalk between the ischemic heart and the bone marrow (BM). In mice, we find that AMI is accompanied by an increase in circulating levels of myo-miRs, with miR-1, 208, and 499 predominantly in circulating exosomes and miR-133 in the non-exosomal component. Myo-miRs are imported selectively to peripheral organs and preferentially to the BM. Exosomes mediate the transfer of myo-miRs to BM mononuclear cells (MNCs), where myo-miRs downregulate CXCR4 expression. Injection of exosomes isolated from AMI mice into wild-type mice downregulates CXCR4 expression in BM-MNCs and increases the number of circulating progenitor cells. Thus, we propose that myo-miRs carried in circulating exosomes allow a systemic response to cardiac injury that may be leveraged for cardiac repair.
Prospects for low-toxicity lead-free perovskite solar cells
Authors: Ke Weijun , Kanatzidis Mercouri G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSince the 2012 breakthroughs1–3, it is now very much accepted that halide perovskite solar cells may have a strong practical impact in next-generation solar cells. The most efficient solar cells are using Pb-based halide perovskites. The presence of Pb in these devices, however, has caused some concerns due to the high perceived toxicity of Pb, which may slow down or even hinder the pace of commercialization. Therefore, the science community has been searching for lower-toxicity perovskite-type materials as a back-up strategy. The community is paying significant attention to Pb-free materials and has achieved promising results albeit not yet approaching the spectacular performance of APbI3 materials. In this comment, we summarize the present status and future prospects for Pb-free perovskite materials and their devices.
Electric and Magnetic Hotspots via Hollow InSb Microspheres for Enhanced Terahertz Spectroscopy
Authors: Sadrara Mahdiyeh , Miri MirFaez 
Published: February 2019

AbstractWe study electric and magnetic hotspots in the gap between hollow InSb microspheres forming dimers and trimers. The outer radius, core volume fraction, distance, and temperature of the microspheres can be chosen to achieve field enhancement at a certain frequency corresponding to the transition between energy levels of a molecule placed in the gap. For example, utilizing 80 μm radius spheres at a gap of 2 μm held at a temperature of 295 K, allow electric field intensity enhancements of 10–2880 and magnetic field intensity enhancements of 3–61 in the frequency window 0.35–1.50 THz. The core volume fraction and the ambient temperature affect the enhancements, particularly in the frequency window 1.5–2 THz. Electric and magnetic hotspots are promising for THz absorption and circular dichroism spectroscopy.
Determination of non-metallic inclusions in a continuous casting slab of ultra-low carbon interstitial free steel by applying of metallographic method, electrolytic method and RTO technique
Authors: Guo Jing , Cheng Shu-sen , Guo Hanjie , Mei Yaguang 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMetallographic, electrolytic method and RTO(room temperature organic) technique were applied in the present study to more accurately determine non-metallic inclusion in a ultra-low carbon interstitial free(IF) steel and further to confirm their origination in a Compact Strip Production Process (CSP Process) continuous casting (CC) slab. Results show that inclusions detected by metallographic method usually appear relative smaller size and are mainly Al2O3 based or TiN based in composition, whereas those extracted by electrolytic method usually have larger size and are much more calcium-silicate based in composition. In addition, inner structures of extracted inclusions were detected by applying of RTO technique. The large size calcium-silicate based inclusions are confirmed high possibilities originating from mold flux and/or tundish flux entrapment, which are less affected by the liquid steel composition; while the smaller ones are generally endogenous inclusion precipitating during the refining or solidification process that strongly depending on the liquid steel composition and temperature.
Insights into physiological roles of unique metabolites released from Plasmodium-infected RBCs and their potential as clinical biomarkers for malaria
Authors: Beri Divya , Ramdani Ghania , Balan Balu , Gadara Darshak , Poojary Mukta , Momeux Laurence , Tatu Utpal , Langsley Gordon 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPlasmodium sp. are obligate intracellular parasites that derive most of their nutrients from their host meaning the metabolic circuitry of both are intricately linked. We employed untargeted, global mass spectrometry to identify metabolites present in the culture supernatants of P. falciparum-infected red blood cells synchronized at ring, trophozoite and schizont developmental stages. This revealed a temporal regulation in release of a distinct set of metabolites compared with supernatants of non-infected red blood cells. Of the distinct metabolites we identified pipecolic acid to be abundantly present in parasite lysate, infected red blood cells and infected culture supernatant. Further, we performed targeted metabolomics to quantify pipecolic acid concentrations in both the supernatants of red blood cells infected with P. falciparum, as well as in the plasma and infected RBCs of P. berghei-infected mice. Measurable and significant hyperpipecolatemia suggest that pipecolic acid has the potential to be a diagnostic marker for malaria.
Critical Functionality Effects from Storage Temperature on Human Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Retinal Pigment Epithelium Cell Suspensions
Authors: Kitahata Shohei , Tanaka Yuji , Hori Kanji , Kime Cody , Sugita Sunao , Ueda Hiroshi , Takahashi Masayo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractHuman induced pluripotent stem cell (hiPSC)-derived retinal pigment epithelium (hiPSC-RPE) cells suspension have the potential for regenerative treatment. However, practical regenerative applications with hiPSC-RPE cells require the development of simple and cost-effective non-freezing preservation methods. We investigated the effect of non-freezing temperatures on suspended hiPSC-RPE cells in various conditions and analysed mechanisms of cell death, anoikis, Rho GTPases, hypoxia, microtubule destruction, and cell metabolism. Cells stored at 37 °C had the lowest viability due to hypoxia from high cell metabolism and cell deposits, and cells preserved at 4 °C were damaged via microtubule fragility. Cell suspensions at 16 °C were optimal with drastically reduced apoptosis and negligible necrosis. Moreover, surviving cells proliferated and secreted key proteins normally, compared to cells without preservation. hiPSC-RPE cell suspensions were optimally preserved at 16 °C. Temperatures above or below the optimal temperature decreased cell viability significantly yet differentially by mechanisms of cell death, cellular metabolism, microtubule destruction, and oxygen tension, all relevant to cell conditions. Surviving cells are expected to function as grafts where high cell death is often reported. This study provides new insight into various non-freezing temperature effects on hiPSC-RPE cells that are highly relevant to clinical applications and may improve cooperation between laboratories and hospitals.
Peculiar elastic behavior of mechanical metamaterials with various minimal surfaces
Authors: Park Jun-Hyoung , Lee Jae-Chul 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMolecular dynamics simulations were performed on nanostructured metamaterials (NMs) with gyroid, diamond, and primitive structures to evaluate their mechanical behavior, especially elastic properties. Unlike the constant nature of Young’s (E) and shear (μ) moduli of bulk materials, the values of both E and μ of NMs change with relative density and cell size but at different rates depending on the morphologies of the structure. This is particularly the case for μ; for a given relative density and cell size of NMs, the μ values differ greatly, depending on the types of structure, causing the NMs to display differing μ/E values and thus resistance to shear deformation. The mechanistic origin of this observation was analyzed by resolving the morphologies of the NMs in terms of the numbers and orientations of the fundamental structural motifs for constructing metamaterials.
Novel Chitohexaose Analog Protects Young and Aged mice from CLP Induced Polymicrobial Sepsis
Authors: Das Pragnya , Panda Santosh K. , Agarwal Beamon , Behera Sumita , Ali Syed M. , Pulse Mark E. , Solomkin Joseph S. , Opal Steven M. , Bhandari Vineet , Acharya Suchismita 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn Gram-negative bacterial sepsis, production of excess pro-inflammatory cytokines results in hyperinflammation and tissue injury. Anti-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-10 inhibit inflammation and enhance tissue healing. Here, we report a novel approach to treat septicemia associated with intra-abdominal infection in a murine model by delicately balancing pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines. A novel oligosaccharide compoundAVR-25selectively binds to the TLR4 protein (IC50 = 0.15 µM) in human peripheral blood monocytes and stimulates IL-10 production. Following the cecal ligation and puncture (CLP) procedure, intravenous dosing ofAVR-25(10 mg/kg, 6–12 h post-CLP) alone and in combination with antibioticimipenemprotected both young adult (10–12 week old) and aged (16–18 month old) mice against polymicrobial infection, organ dysfunction, and death. Proinflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, MIP-1, i-NOS) were decreased significantly and restoration of tissue damage was observed in all organs. A decrease in serum C-reactive protein (CRP) and bacterial colony forming unit (CFU) confirmed improved bacterial clearance. Together, these findings demonstrate the therapeutic ability ofAVR-25to mitigate the storm of inflammation and minimize tissue injury with high potential for adjunctive therapy in intra-abdominal sepsis.
Modelling and Analyzing Virus Mutation Dynamics of Chikungunya Outbreaks
Authors: Feng Xiaomei , Huo Xi , Tang Biao , Tang Sanyi , Wang Kai , Wu Jianhong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractChikungunya fever, caused by chikungunya virus (CHIKV) and transmitted to humans by infectedAedesmosquitoes, has posed a global threat in several countries in 2015. Recent outbreaks in La Réunion, Italy and China are related with a new variant of CHIKV with shorter extrinsic incubation period in contaminated mosquitoes, but the role of this new variant on the spread of chikungunya fever is unclear. We develop a mathematical model that incorporates the virus mutation dynamics in the transmission of CHIKV among mosquitoes and humans. Our numerical simulations show that a substantial virus mutation rate combined with high virus transmission probabilities from mosquito to human, could result in sustainable chikungunya fever outbreaks. Further, we apply Markov Chain Monte Carlo sampling method to fit our model to the 2007 chikungunya fever outbreak data in North-Eastern Italy where the mutant strain was detected. We conclude that the basic reproduction number might be underestimated without considering the mutation dynamics, and our estimation shows that the basic reproduction number of the 2007 Italy outbreak was$${\pmb{\mathscr{R}}}_{{\bf{0}}}$$R0 = 2.035[95%Cl: 1.9424 - 2.1366]. Sensitivity analysis shows that the transmission rate of the mutant strain from mosquitoes to human is more influential on$${\pmb{\mathscr{R}}}_{{\bf{0}}}$$R0than the shortened extrinsic incubation period. We conclude that the virus mutation dynamics could play an important role in the transmission of CHIKV, and there is a crucial need to better understand the mutation mechanism.
Iron-polyphenol complexes cause blackening upon grinding Hermetia illucens (black soldier fly) larvae
Authors: Janssen Renske H. , Canelli Greta , Sanders Mark G. , Bakx Edwin J. , Lakemond Catriona M. M. , Fogliano Vincenzo , Vincken Jean-Paul 
Published: February 2019

AbstractInsects are a promising alternative protein source. One of the bottlenecks in applying insects in food is the fast darkening initiated during grinding. Besides enzymatic browning, non-enzymatic factors can cause off-colour formation, which differs between species. This study investigates the impact of iron, phenoloxidase, and polyphenols on off-colour formation in insect larvae. Hermetia illucens showed a blackish colour, whereas Tenebrio molitor turned brown and Alphitobius diaperinus remained the lightest. This off-colour formation appeared correlated with the iron content in the larvae, which was 61 ± 9.71, 54 ± 1.72 and 221 ± 6.07 mg/kg dw for T. molitor, A. diaperinus and H. illucens, respectively. In model systems, the formation of iron-L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA) bis- and tris-complexes were evidenced by direct injection into ESI-TOF-MS, based on their charges combined with iron isotope patterns. The reversibility of the binding of iron to phenolics, and thereby loss of blackening, was confirmed by EDTA addition. Besides complex formation, oxidation of L-DOPA by redox reactions with iron occurred mainly at low pH, whereas auto-oxidation of L-DOPA mainly occurred at pH 10. Tyrosinase (i.e. phenoloxidase) activity did not change complex formation. The similarity in off-colour formation between the model system and insects indicated an important role for iron-phenolic complexation in blackening.
Unintentional injury mortality among children under age five in urban and rural areas in the Sichuan province of west China, 2009–2017
Authors: Yao Minghong , Wu Gonghua , Zhao Ziling , Luo Min , Zhang Juying 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThis study analysed trends in the unintentional injuries specific mortality rates among children under age five (UI-specific U5MRs) in urban and rural areas in the Sichuan province of western China. Data were obtained from the National Health Statistics Survey System. The Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to analyse the trends in UI-specific U5MRs and the proportion of unintentional injury deaths to total deaths. The Poisson regression model was used to compare the UI-specific U5MRs between rural and urban areas. The overall UI-specific U5MRs decreased from 3.8 to 1.7 per 1,000 live births from 2009 to 2017, with an average annual decline in the rates of 8.78% and 10.05% in urban and rural areas, respectively. The UI risk of death in rural areas was approximately 1.95 times that in urban areas (95% CI: 1.73–2.18; p < 0.01). A total of 49.9% of all the children in the study did not receive any treatment before death caused by UI. The UI-specific U5MRs significantly declined in Sichuan province from 2009 to 2017, but large disparities in UI-specific U5MRs in urban and rural areas still exist. Reducing the U5MRs due to UI should be a major public health concern in western China.
Integrative modeling reveals key chromatin and sequence signatures predicting super-enhancers
Authors: Khan Aziz , Zhang Xuegong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSuper-enhancers (SEs) are clusters of transcriptional enhancers which control the expression of cell identity and disease-associated genes. Current studies demonstrated the role of multiple factors in SE formation; however, a systematic analysis to assess the relative predictive importance of chromatin and sequence features of SEs and their constituents is lacking. In addition, a predictive model that integrates various types of data to predict SEs has not been established. Here, we integrated diverse types of genomic and epigenomic datasets to identify key signatures of SEs and investigated their predictive importance. Through integrative modeling, we found Cdk8, Cdk9, and Smad3 as new features of SEs, which can define known and new SEs in mouse embryonic stem cells and pro-B cells. We compared six state-of-the-art machine learning models to predict SEs and showed that non-parametric ensemble models performed better as compared to parametric. We validated these models using cross-validation and also independent datasets in four human cell-types. Taken together, our systematic analysis and ranking of features can be used as a platform to define and understand the biology of SEs in other cell-types.
Semi-automated fabrication of customized ocular prosthesis with three–dimensional printing and sublimation transfer printing technology
Authors: Ko JaeSang , Kim So Hyun , Baek Seung Woon , Chae Min Kyung , Yoon Jin Sook 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAn ocular prosthesis is a custom-made polymeric insert that can be placed in an anophthalmic socket for cosmetic rehabilitation of patients who have lost their eyes. The process of creating such a custom-made ocular prosthesis is time-consuming and labor-intensive because it involves artistic work that is carried out manually. This paper proposes a novel semi-automated method for fabricating customized ocular prostheses using three-dimensional (3D) printing and sublimation transfer printing. In the proposed method, an impression mold of the patient’s anophthalmic socket is first optically scanned using a 3D scanner to produce a 3D model. The ocular prosthesis is then produced via a digital light processing 3D printer using biocompatible photopolymer resin. Subsequently, an image of the iris and blood vessels of the eye is prepared by modifying a photographed image of the contralateral normal eye, and printed onto the 3D-printed ocular prosthesis using a dye sublimation transfer technique. Cytotoxicity assessments of the base material and fabricated ocular prosthesis indicate that there is no adverse effect on cellular viability and proliferation. The proposed method reduces the time and skill required to fabricate a customized ocular prosthesis, and is expected to provide patients with easier access to quality custom-made ocular prostheses.
MtDNA population variation in Myalgic encephalomyelitis/Chronic fatigue syndrome in two populations: a study of mildly deleterious variants
Authors: Venter Marianne , Tomas Cara , Pienaar Ilse S. , Strassheim Victoria , Erasmus Elardus , Ng Wan-Fai , Howell Neil , Newton Julia L. , Van der Westhuizen Francois H. , Elson Joanna L. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMyalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME), also known as Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS) is a debilitating condition. There is growing interest in a possible etiologic or pathogenic role of mitochondrial dysfunction and mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) variation in ME/CFS. Supporting such a link, fatigue is common and often severe in patients with mitochondrial disease. We investigate the role of mtDNA variation in ME/CFS. No proven pathogenic mtDNA mutations were found. We then investigated population variation. Two cohorts were analysed, one from the UK (n = 89 moderately affected; 29 severely affected) and the other from South Africa (n = 143 moderately affected). For both cohorts, ME/CFS patients had an excess of individuals without a mildly deleterious population variant. The differences in population variation might reflect a mechanism important to the pathophysiology of ME/CFS.
Hippocampal neurogenesis regulates recovery of defensive responses by recruiting threat- and extinction-signalling brain networks
Authors: Martínez-Canabal Alonso , López-Oropeza Grecia , Gaona-Gamboa Abril , Ballesteros-Zebadua Paola , de la Cruz Olinca Galvan , Moreno-Jimenez Sergio , Sotres-Bayon Francisco 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSafe exposure to a context that was previously associated with threat leads to extinction of defensive responses. Such contextual fear extinction involves the formation of a new memory that inhibits a previously acquired contextual fear memory. However, fear-related responses often return with the simple passage of time (spontaneous fear recovery). Given that contextual fear and extinction memories are hippocampus-dependent and hippocampal neurogenesis has been reported to modify preexisting memories, we hypothesized that neurogenesis-mediated modification of preexisting extinction memory would modify spontaneous fear recovery. To test this, rats underwent contextual fear conditioning followed by extinction. Subsequently, we exposed rats to an enriched environment or focal X-irradiation to enhance or ablate hippocampal neurogenesis, respectively. Over a month later, rats were tested to evaluate spontaneous fear recovery. We found that enhancing neurogenesis after, but not before, extinction prevented fear recovery. In contrast, neurogenesis ablation after, but not before, extinction promoted fear recovery. Using the neuronal activity marker c-Fos, we identified brain regions recruited in these opposing neurogenesis-mediated changes during fear recovery. Together, our findings indicate that neurogenesis manipulation after extinction learning modifies fear recovery by recruiting brain network activity that mediates the expression of preexisting contextual fear and extinction memories.
Gold-Plated Electrode with High Scratch Strength for Electrophysiological Recordings
Authors: Vafaiee Mohaddeseh , Vossoughi Manouchehr , Mohammadpour Raheleh , Sasanpour Pezhman 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMulti electrode arrays (MEA) have been exploited in different electrophysiological applications. In neurological applications, MEAs are the vital interfaces between neurons and the electronic circuits with dual role; transmitting electric signal to the neurons and converting neural activity to the electric signal. Since the performance of the electrodes has a direct effect on the quality of the recorded neuronal signal, as well as the stimulation, the true choice of electrode material for MEA is crucial. Gold is one of the best candidates for fabrication of MEAs due to its high electrical conductivity, biocompatibility and good chemical stability. However, noble metals such as gold do not adhere well to the glass substrate. Consequently while exposing to the water, gold films are damaged, which impose limitations in the exploiting of gold thin films as the electrode. In this paper, a simple and cost effective method for the fabrication of gold electrode arrays is proposed. Using various mechanical (adhesion test and scratch strength), morphological (AFM and SEM) and electrochemical methods, the fabricated electrodes are characterized. The results show that the fabricated electrode arrays have significantly high scratch strength and stability within the aqueous medium. In addition, the electrical properties of the electrodes have been improved. The proposed electrodes have the potential to be exploited in other applications including electronics, electrochemistry, and biosensors.