bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Increased asymmetric dimethylarginine in vitamin B12 deficient adolescents
Authors: Dündar Mehmet Akif , Torun Yasemin Altuner , Çelik Serkan Fazlı , Tartıcı Emine Kaygı , Karakükçü Çiğdem 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveVitamin B12 deficiency induces hyper-hyperhomocysteinemia by inhibiting intracellular methionine re-methylation. Hyper-hyperhomocysteinemia increases the risk of atherosclerosis. Asymmetric dimethylarginine is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase and its level elevates in cardiovascular diseases. In this study, we aimed to examine the relationship between asymmetric dimethylarginine and arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis in adolescents with vitamin B12 deficiency.MethodsA total of 88 adolescents with age ranging between 11 and 17 years of age were enrolled for this study. Among them, 50 patients had vitamin B12 deficiency <130 pg/ml and 38 healthy controls had B12 >200 pg/ml. In all cases, the levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine were measured with high performance liquid chromatography method. The carotid artery intima media thickness and left ventricular mass index were measured using echocardiography. All these measurements of the study groups were compared.ResultsBoth plasma levels of asymmetric dimethylarginine and carotid artery intima media thickness were significantly higher in the vitamin B12 deficiency group than in the control group. Correlation analysis showed significant negative correlation of vitamin B12 with homocysteine, asymmetric dimethylarginine, and carotid artery intima media thickness (p<0.05).ConclusionOur results suggest that endothelial dysfunction starts in the early stage of adolescent vitamin B12 deficiency, and vitamin B12-deficient adolescents have increased circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine, showing that endothelial dysfunction and increased carotid artery intima media thickness be related to atherosclerosis.
Healthy and sustainable diets that meet greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and are affordable for different income groups in the UK
Authors: Reynolds Christian J , Horgan Graham W , Whybrow Stephen , Macdiarmid Jennie I 
Published: February 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo model dietary changes required to shift the UK population to diets that meet dietary recommendations for health, have lower greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and are affordable for different income groups.DesignLinear programming was used to create diets that meet dietary requirements for health and reduced GHGE (57 and 80 % targets) by income quintile, taking account of food budgets and foods currently purchased, thereby keeping dietary change to a minimum.Setting/ParticipantsNutrient composition, GHGE and price data were mapped to 101 food groups in household food purchase data (UK Living Cost and Food Survey (2013), 5144 households).ResultsCurrent diets of all income quintiles had similar total GHGE, but the source of GHGE differed by types of meat and amount of fruit and vegetables. It was possible to create diets with a 57 % reduction in GHGE that met dietary and cost restraints in all income groups. In the optimised diets, the food sources of GHGE differed by income group due to the cost and keeping the level of deviation from current diets to a minimum. Broadly, the changes needed were similar across all groups; reducing animal-based products and increasing plant-based foods but varied by specific foods.ConclusionsHealthy and lower-GHGE diets could be created in all income quintiles but tailoring changes to income groups to minimise deviation may make dietary changes more achievable. Specific attention must be given to make interventions and policies appropriate for all income groups.
Estimation of Fracture Compliance From Attenuation and Velocity Analysis of Full‐Waveform Sonic Log Data
Authors: Barbosa Nicolás D. , Caspari Eva , Rubino J. Germán , Greenwood Andrew , Baron Ludovic , Holliger Klaus 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn fractured rocks, the amplitudes of propagating seismic waves decay due to various mechanisms, such as geometrical spreading, solid friction, displacement of pore fluid relative to the solid frame, and transmission losses due to energy conversion to reflected and transmitted waves at the fracture interfaces. In this work, we characterize the mechanical properties of individual fractures from P wave velocity changes and transmission losses inferred from static full‐waveform sonic log data. The methodology is validated using synthetic full‐waveform sonic logs and applied to data acquired in a borehole penetrating multiple fractures embedded in a granodioritic rock. To extract the transmission losses from attenuation estimates, we remove the contributions associated with other loss mechanisms. The geometrical spreading correction is inferred from a joint analysis of numerical simulations that emulate the borehole environment and the redundancy of attenuation contributions other than geometrical spreading in multiple acquisitions with different source‐receiver spacing configurations. The intrinsic background attenuation is estimated from measurements acquired in the intact zones. In the fractured zones, the variations with respect to the background attenuation are attributed to transmission losses. Once we have estimated the transmission losses associated with a given fracture, we compute the transmission coefficient, which, on the basis of the linear slip theory, can then be related to the mechanical normal compliance of the fracture. Our results indicate that the estimated mechanical normal compliance ranges from 1 × 10−13 to 1 × 10−12 m/Pa, which, for the size of the considered fractures, is consistent with the experimental evidence available.
ATXN2L upregulated by epidermal growth factor promotes gastric cancer cell invasiveness and oxaliplatin resistance
Authors: Lin Li , Li Xiaoyin , Pan Changqie , Lin Wanying , Shao Ruoyang , Liu Yantan , Zhang Junhao , Luo Yuhao , Qian Kai , Shi Min , Bin Jianping , Liao Yulin , Liao Wangjun 
Published: February 2019

AbstractFor gastric cancer (GC) control, metastasis and chemoresistance are the major challenges, accompanied with various stresses. Ataxin-2-like (ATXN2L) was discovered as a novel regulator of stress granules, yet its function in cancers remained unknown. Hence, we wanted to explore the functions of ATXN2L to see whether it participates in stress-related cancer malignant activities. Clinical follow-up was performed to see the impact of ATXN2L on GC patient survival. As a result, ATXN2L expression was upregulated in GC tissue and indicated adverse prognosis for overall survival and recurrence. In GC cells, ATXN2L expression was knocked down and functional experiments were performed. ATXN2L promoted GC cell migration and invasion via epithelial to mesenchymal transition, yet no influence on proliferation was detected by ATXN2L interference. When adding the chemotherapeutic agent oxaliplatin to induce stress, silencing ATXN2L sensitized GC cells to oxaliplatin. Interestingly, oxaliplatin was found to in turn promote ATXN2L expression and stress granule assembly. Then, two acquired oxaliplatin-resistant strains were generated by long-term oxaliplatin induction. The oxaliplatin-resistant strains presented with elevated ATXN2L levels, while silencing ATXN2L in the strains reversed the oxaliplatin resistance by increasing reactive oxygen species production and apoptosis. These results suggested that ATXN2L was responsible for not only intrinsic but also acquired oxaliplatin chemoresistance. Finally, ATXN2L-related signaling was screened using bioinformatic methods, and epidermal growth factor (EGF) was verified to promote ATXN2L expression via PI3K/Akt signaling activation. Blocking EGFR/ATXN2L signaling reversed GC cell oxaliplatin resistance and inhibited migration. In conclusion, ATXN2L promotes cell invasiveness and oxaliplatin resistance and can be upregulated by EGF via PI3K/Akt signaling. ATXN2L may be an indicator and therapeutic target in GC, especially for oxaliplatin-based chemotherapy.
Observation of parity-time symmetry breaking transitions in a dissipative Floquet system of ultracold atoms
Authors: Li Jiaming , Harter Andrew K. , Liu Ji , de Melo Leonardo , Joglekar Yogesh N. , Luo Le 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOpen physical systems with balanced loss and gain, described by non-Hermitian parity-time $$\left( {{\cal P}{\cal T}} \right)$$

P
T

reflection symmetric Hamiltonians, exhibit a transition which could engender modes that exponentially decay or grow with time, and thus spontaneously breaks the $${\cal P}{\cal T}$$
P
T
-symmetry. Such $${\cal P}{\cal T}$$
P
T
-symmetry-breaking transitions have attracted many interests because of their extraordinary behaviors and functionalities absent in closed systems. Here we report on the observation of $${\cal P}{\cal T}$$
P
T
-symmetry-breaking transitions by engineering time-periodic dissipation and coupling, which are realized through state-dependent atom loss in an optical dipole trap of ultracold 6Li atoms. Comparing with a single transition appearing for static dissipation, the time-periodic counterpart undergoes $${\cal P}{\cal T}$$
P
T
-symmetry breaking and restoring transitions at vanishingly small dissipation strength in both single and multiphoton transition domains, revealing rich phase structures associated to a Floquet open system. The results enable ultracold atoms to be a versatile tool for studying $${\cal P}{\cal T}$$
P
T
-symmetric quantum systems.
Outcomes of controlled human malaria infection after BCG vaccination
Authors: Walk Jona , de Bree L. Charlotte J. , Graumans Wouter , Stoter Rianne , van Gemert Geert-Jan , van de Vegte-Bolmer Marga , Teelen Karina , Hermsen Cornelus C. , Arts Rob J. W. , Behet Marije C. , Keramati Farid , Moorlag Simone J. C. F. M. , Yang Annie S. P. , van Crevel Reinout , Aaby Peter , de Mast Quirijn , van der Ven André J. A. M. , Stabell Benn Christine , Netea Mihai G. , Sauerwein Robert W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractRecent evidence suggests that certain vaccines, including Bacillus-Calmette Guérin (BCG), can induce changes in the innate immune system with non-specific memory characteristics, termed ‘trained immunity’. Here we present the results of a randomised, controlled phase 1 clinical trial in 20 healthy male and female volunteers to evaluate the induction of immunity and protective efficacy of the anti-tuberculosis BCG vaccine against a controlled human malaria infection. After malaria challenge infection, BCG vaccinated volunteers present with earlier and more severe clinical adverse events, and have significantly earlier expression of NK cell activation markers and a trend towards earlier phenotypic monocyte activation. Furthermore, parasitemia in BCG vaccinated volunteers is inversely correlated with increased phenotypic NK cell and monocyte activation. The combined data demonstrate that BCG vaccination alters the clinical and immunological response to malaria, and form an impetus to further explore its potential in strategies for clinical malaria vaccine development.
Additively manufacturable micro-mechanical logic gates
Authors: Song Yuanping , Panas Robert M. , Chizari Samira , Shaw Lucas A. , Jackson Julie A. , Hopkins Jonathan B. , Pascall Andrew J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEarly examples of computers were almost exclusively based on mechanical devices. Although electronic computers became dominant in the past 60 years, recent advancements in three-dimensional micro-additive manufacturing technology provide new fabrication techniques for complex microstructures which have rekindled research interest in mechanical computations. Here we propose a new digital mechanical computation approach based on additively-manufacturable micro-mechanical logic gates. The proposed mechanical logic gates (i.e., NOT, AND, OR, NAND, and NOR gates) utilize multi-stable micro-flexures that buckle to perform Boolean computations based purely on mechanical forces and displacements with no electronic components. A key benefit of the proposed approach is that such systems can be additively fabricated as embedded parts of microarchitected metamaterials that are capable of interacting mechanically with their surrounding environment while processing and storing digital data internally without requiring electric power.
Making silver a stronger n-dopant than cesium via in situ coordination reaction for organic electronics
Authors: Bin Zhengyang , Dong Guifang , Wei Pengcheng , Liu Ziyang , Zhang Dongdong , Su Rongchuan , Qiu Yong , Duan Lian 
Published: February 2019

AbstractN-doping is an effective way to increase the electron conductivity of organic semiconductors and achieve ohmic cathode contacts in organic electronics. To avoid the use of difficult-to-handle highly reactive n-dopants, air-stable precursors are widely used nowadays, which could decompose to release reactive species in a subtractive way though always with unwanted and even harmful byproducts during processing. Here, we show that air-stable metals, such as copper, silver and gold, could release free electrons readily in the presence of chelating ligands, as the irreversible coordination reaction between metal ions and the ligands would push the equilibrium between metals and metal ions to the forward direction. By using a well-designed multi-functional electron transport material with a strong nucleophilic quality, 4,7-dimethoxy-1,10-phenanthroline (p-MeO-Phen), silver could function as an n-dopant stronger than cesium and could be used to fabricate organic light-emitting diodes with higher performance than the cesium-doped control device.
Full-color laser displays based on organic printed microlaser arrays
Authors: Zhao Jinyang , Yan Yongli , Gao Zhenhua , Du Yuxiang , Dong Haiyun , Yao Jiannian , Zhao Yong Sheng 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLaser displays, which exploit characteristic advantages of lasers, represent a promising next-generation display technology based on the ultimate visual experience they provide. However, the inability to obtain pixelated laser arrays as self-emissive full-color panels hinders the application of laser displays in the flat-panel sector. Due to their excellent optoelectronic properties and processability, organic materials have great potential for the production of periodically patterned multi-color microlaser arrays. Here, we demonstrate for the first time full-color laser displays on precisely patterned organic red-green-blue (RGB) microlaser matrices through inkjet printing. Individual RGB laser pixels are realized by doping respective luminescent dyes into the ink materials, resulting in a wide achievable color gamut 45% larger than the standard RGB space. Using as-prepared microlaser arrays as full-color panels, we achieve dynamic laser displays for video playing through consecutive beam scanning. These results represent a major step towards full-color laser displays with outstanding color expression.
Tailoring vertical phase distribution of quasi-two-dimensional perovskite films via surface modification of hole-transporting layer
Authors: Liu Tiefeng , Jiang Youyu , Qin Minchao , Liu Junxue , Sun Lulu , Qin Fei , Hu Lin , Xiong Sixing , Jiang Xueshi , Jiang Fangyuan , Peng Ping , Jin Shengye , Lu Xinhui , Zhou Yinhua 
Published: February 2019

AbstractVertical phase distribution plays an important role in the quasi-two-dimensional perovskite solar cells. So far, the driving force and how to tailor the vertical distribution of layer numbers have been not discussed. In this work, we report that the vertical distribution of layer numbers in the quasi-two-dimensional perovskite films deposited on a hole-transporting layer is different from that on glass substrate. The vertical distribution could be explained by the sedimentation equilibrium because of the colloidal feature of the perovskite precursors. Acid addition will change the precursors from colloid to solution that therefore changes the vertical distribution. A self-assembly layer is used to modify the acidic surface property of the hole-transporting layer that induces the appearance of desired vertical distribution for charge transport. The quasi-two-dimensional perovskite cells with the surface modification display a higher open-circuit voltage and a higher efficiency comparing to reference quasi-two-dimensional cells.
Biological Characterization of Computationally Designed Analogs of peptide TVFTSWEEYLDWV (Pep2-8) with Increased PCSK9 Antagonistic Activity
Authors: Lammi Carmen , Sgrignani Jacopo , Arnoldi Anna , Grazioso Giovanni 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe inhibition of the PCSK9/LDLR protein-protein interaction (PPI) is a promising strategy for developing new hypocholesterolemic agents. Recently, new antibodies have been approved for therapy, but the high cost and low patients’ compliance stimulate the development of alternatives. Starting from the structural information available for the complex between PCSK9 and TVFTSWEEYLDWV (Pep2-8) peptide inhibitor and using computational methods, in this work we identified two Pep2-8 analogs as potential inhibitors of the PCSK9/LDLR PPI. Their biological characterization confirmed the theoretical outcomes. Remarkably, the treatment of HepG2 cells with these peptides increased the LDLR protein level on the cellular membrane, with activities that were 100 and 50 times better than the one of Pep2-8 tested at a 50 μM concentration. Moreover, they were 50 and 5 times more active than Pep2-8 in improving the functional ability of HepG2 cells to uptake extracellular LDL.
Revealing the Hippocampal Connectome through Super-Resolution 1150-Direction Diffusion MRI
Authors: Maller Jerome J. , Welton Thomas , Middione Matthew , Callaghan Fraser M. , Rosenfeld Jeffrey V. , Grieve Stuart M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe hippocampus is a key component of emotional and memory circuits and is broadly connected throughout the brain. We tracked the whole-brain connections of white matter fibres from the hippocampus using ultra-high angular resolution diffusion MRI in both a single 1150-direction dataset and a large normal cohort (n = 94; 391-directions). Using a connectomic approach, we identified six dominant pathways in terms of strength, length and anatomy, and characterised them by their age and gender variation. The strongest individual connection was to the ipsilateral thalamus. There was a strong age dependence of hippocampal connectivity to medial occipital regions. Overall, our results concur with preclinical and ex-vivo data, confirming that meaningful in vivo characterisation of hippocampal connections is possible in an individual. Our findings extend the collective knowledge of hippocampal anatomy, highlighting the importance of the spinal-limbic pathway and the striking lack of hippocampal connectivity with motor and sensory cortices.
Three-Dimensional Textile Platform for Electrochemical Devices and its Application to Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
Authors: Yun Min Ju , Sim Yeon Hyang , Cha Seung I. , Seo Seon Hee , Lee Dong Yoon 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe demand for easy-to-use portable electric devices that are combined with essential items in everyday life, such as apparel, has increased. Hence, significant research has been conducted into the development of wearable technology by fabrication of electronic devices with a textile structure based on fiber or fabric. However, the challenge to develop a fabrication method for wearable devices based on weaving or sewing technology still remains. In this study, we have proposed and fabricated a 3-D textile with two electrodes and one spacer in a single sheet of fabric, utilizing a commercial weaving machine. The two electrodes fulfil the role of electron transfer and the spacer between the electrodes circulates electrons and prevents electrical shorting. Hence, the 3-D textile could be applied to a wide range of electrochemical devices. In addition, it is possible to control the textile structure, size and quantity and change the electrode or spacer materials by replacing the thread. We applied the 3-D textile to dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) which has distinctive advantages such as low manufacturing cost, esthetic appearance for interior or exterior application and high power output under relatively weak light illuminations. The 3-D textile DSSCs were fabricated through a continuous process, from manufacturing to encapsulation, using a non-volatile electrolyte and demonstrated a specific power of 1.7% (1 sun, 1.5 A.M.). The 3-D textile DSSCs were electrically connected in parallel and series by twisting, stainless steel wires, which were used as the weft, and a light-emitting diode lamp was turned on using 3-D textile DSSCs connected in series. This study represents the first stage in the development and application of wearable textile devices.
CXCR4 signaling regulates metastatic onset by controlling neutrophil motility and response to malignant cells
Authors: Tulotta C. , Stefanescu C. , Chen Q. , Torraca V. , Meijer A. H. , Snaar-Jagalska B. E. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDeveloping tumors interact with the surrounding microenvironment. Myeloid cells exert both anti- and pro-tumor functions and chemokines are known to drive immune cell migration towards cancer cells. It is documented that CXCR4 signaling supports tumor metastasis formation in tissues where CXCL12, its cognate ligand, is abundant. On the other hand, the role of the neutrophilic CXCR4 signaling in driving cancer invasion and metastasis formation is poorly understood. Here, we use the zebrafish xenotransplantation model to study the role of CXCR4 signaling in driving the interaction between invasive human tumor cells and host neutrophils, supporting early metastasis formation. We found that zebrafish cxcr4 (cxcr4b) is highly expressed in neutrophils and experimental micrometastases fail to form in mutant larvae lacking a functional Cxcr4b. We demonstrated that Cxcr4b controls neutrophil number and motility and showed that Cxcr4b transcriptomic signature relates to motility and adhesion regulation in neutrophils in tumor-naïve larvae. Finally, Cxcr4b deficient neutrophils failed to interact with cancer cells initiating early metastatic events. In conclusion, we propose that CXCR4 signaling supports the interaction between tumor cells and host neutrophils in developing tumor metastases. Therefore, targeting CXCR4 on tumor cells and neutrophils could serve as a double bladed razor to limit cancer progression.
Mapping Natural Dyes in Archeological Textiles by Imaging Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Kramell Annemarie Elisabeth , García-Altares María , Pötsch Maria , Kluge Ralph , Rother Annekatrin , Hause Gerd , Hertweck Christian , Csuk René 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOrganic dyes of animal and plant origin have often been used by our ancestors to create textiles with polychromic ornamental patterns, and dyestuff analyses reveal how ancient cultures used these natural colorants. Mass spectrometry can characterize ancient colorants from these textiles, but its combination with separation techniques such as liquid chromatography requires the destruction of the pattern to extract organic dyes from the fabrics. In this study we applied mass spectrometry imaging (MS imaging) on colorful patterned textiles to show the spatial distribution of indigo-type and anthraquinone-type dyes. We evaluated different sample preparation techniques for matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)-MS imaging, e.g. the production of imprints in TLC (thin layer chromatography) aluminum sheets and the embedding of the material in Technovit7100 to produce thin sections. Our protocol enabled the detection of indigo-type dyes directly on a historic textile of more than 2,000 years old embedded in Technovit7100. This is the first-time application of MALDI-TOF-MS imaging to map different organic dyestuffs on archeological remains.