bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Templateless Electropolymerization for Controlled Growth of Polymeric Nanotubes on Micropatterned Surfaces
Authors: Bombera Radoslaw , Ramos Chagas Gabriela , Valsesia Andrea , Colpo Pascal , Guittard Frédéric , Darmanin Thierry 
Published: July 2019

AbstractControlling the growth of nanostructures on surfaces is fundamental to develop new materials for various fields of applications such as sensing or biomedical applications. Here, we study for the first time the influence of micropatterned substrates on the growth of nanotubes using a templateless electropolymerization approach. The influence of both the nature of the monomer and the deposition charge used in the polymerization process is assessed along with geometric parameters of the microstructured surfaces composed of bidimensionally distributed squared micropillars. First, we show that the formation of nanotubes is always favored at the basis of the microfeatures rather than on their top surface. As a consequence, it is preferable to avoid using monomers which lead to mono‐directional (1D) nanotube growth which would be only generated at the basis of the micropillars. By contrast, monomers leading to extremely short nanotubes (nanocups) are preferred. In addition, we hereby demonstrate that the surface coverage with the nanotubes is highly dependent on the geometric parameters of micropatterned substrates. Indeed, the growth of the nanostructures over the micropillars requires a significant energy and thus micropillars of lower height give optimal results. We demonstrate that it is possible to obtain a complete coverage of the microstructured substrate at even very low deposition charge applied during the electropolymerization step.
Optimizing the setup of a flatbed color scanner for color measurement using full factorial design
Authors: Hasanlou Elham , Shams‐Nateri Ali , Izadan Hossein 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe application of flatbed color scanners for the measurement of color in various industries, especially textile industry, has received a great deal of attention. The initial setup of a scanner and the investigation of factors with a significant effect on scanner outputs are necessary to measure a reliable color using the scanner. In the present study, the setup of a flatbed color scanner was optimized using a full factorial design technique. Three factors, including the scanning position on the glass surface of the scanner (A), cutting size of an image in pixels (B), and bit depth (C), at different levels as input factors, and signal‐to‐noise ratio and variance of the scanned image as the responses were considered for the evaluation of the reliability of the scanner color measurement. The results of analyzing the factorial design indicate that each of the three factors played a significant role in the scanner setup for the color measurement so that factor A demonstrated the most significant impact on the responses.
Subjective evaluation of natural high‐saturated images on a wide gamut display
Authors: Kumakura Erika , Schmid Katja , Yokosawa Kazuhiko , Werner Annette 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn previous studies of image evaluation using wide color gamut displays, it is unclear to what degree people prefer the chroma‐varying images, especially the images that are more saturated than the most preferred image. Here, we present a study using a wide color gamut display, which measured viewers' most preferred level of image chroma (experiment 1) and their subjective evaluation of images that were less or more saturated than the previously most preferred one (experiment 2). The results showed that (a) the subjects' preferences for the original or for more saturated images depended on the images' original chroma and (b) the subjective evaluation of the images, that is, Valence and Arousal, did not deteriorate when the chroma of images increased more than the most preferred level. Such results indicate that the increase of the image chroma in wider color gamut displays can have a substantial influence on the impression images have on viewers.
Controlling the Three‐Phase Boundary in Na–Oxygen Batteries: The Synergy of Carbon Nanofibers and Ionic Liquid
Authors: Pozo‐Gonzalo Cristina , Zhang Yafei , Ortiz‐Vitoriano Nagore , Fang Jian , Enterría Marina , Echeverría María , López del Amo Juan Miguel , Rojo Teófilo , MacFarlane Douglas R. , Forsyth Maria , Howlett Patrick C. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractA series of electrospun binder‐free carbon nanofiber (CNF) mats have been studied as air cathodes for Na–oxygen batteries using a pyrrolidinium‐based electrolyte and compared with the commercial air cathode Toray 090. A tenfold increase in the discharge capacity is attained when using CNFs in comparison with Toray 090, affording a discharge capacity of 1.53 mAh cm−2 at a high discharge rate of 0.63 mA cm−2. The good specific discharge and charge capacities of these CNFs are determined by the void space and the highly accessible surface of the carbon fiber. Furthermore, a threefold increase has been attained in terms of specific capacity by controlling the flooding of the air cathode and hence the location of the three‐phase boundary within the CNF mat. The enhancement in performance has been correlated to the morphology, composition, distribution, and location of the discharge products. Sodium superoxide and peroxide were identified as the discharge products and, more importantly, the common side reaction discharge products, which are known to be detrimental to battery performance (including sodium fluoride, sodium hydroxide, and formate), were not observed, exemplifying the stability of the pyrrolidinium‐based electrolyte and these binder‐free CNF air cathodes.
A Novel Rapid Method of Red Blood Cell and Platelet Permeabilization and Staining for Flow Cytometry Analysis
Authors: Fauré Sixtine , Van Agthoven Andreas , Bernot Denis , Altié Alexandre , Grino Michel , Alessi Marie‐Christine , Malergue Fabrice , Canault Matthias 
Published: July 2019

BACKGROUNDFlow cytometry essentially focuses on surface‐expressed proteins, with few protocols being devoted to intracellular components. We evaluated a two‐step procedure using new formaldehyde‐free permeabilization and staining reagents that allow the staining of platelets and red blood cells (RBCs) from whole blood.METHODSCitrated blood was treated with the new staining protocol (NSP) or control reagent (phosphate‐buffered solution bovine serum albumin) and stained with antibodies against surface or intracellular markers. The effects of the NSP on cell integrity, morphology, and content were evaluated.RESULTSThe NSP slightly reduced the cell count (~20%) and changed the RBC morphology with a 42% mean diameter reduction. Conversely, the NSP did not affect platelet discoid morphology and led to a minor size decrease (11%). These morphological changes neither impelled a gating strategy modification nor interfered with the discrimination among populations based on surface markers. The NSP provided intracellular access to all the tested antigens: CD62P, FXIII, and CD63 in platelets and glycated and fetal hemoglobin (HbA1c and HbF) and nucleic acid in RBCs. The NSP gave excellent intra‐assay precision with minimal impact on cell morphology and fluorescence labelling over time (up to 24 h).CONCLUSIONSWith the ability to detect surface and intracellular antigens through a rapid preparation protocol without washing steps or toxic formaldehyde treatment, this NSP designed for research offers a marked improvement in the analysis of platelets and RBCs isolated directly from whole blood. Consequently, the NSP opens new avenues to investigate platelet degranulation and erythrocyte subpopulations. © 2019 International Clinical Cytometry Society
Activation of Nrf2 signaling by sitagliptin and quercetin combination against β‐amyloid induced Alzheimer's disease in rats
Authors: Li Yuping , Tian Qiangyuan , Li Zhe , Dang Minyan , Lin Yukiat , Hou Xunyao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the neuroprotective effect of sitagliptin (Sita), quercetin (QCR) and its combination in β‐amyloid (Aβ) induced Alzheimer's disease (AD). Male Sprague–Dawley rats, weighing between 220 and 280 g were used for experiment. Rats were divided into 5 groups (n = 10) and the groups were as follows: (a) Sham control; (b) Aβ injected; (c) Aβ injected + Sita 100; (d) Aβ injected + QCR 100; and (e) Aβ injected + Sita 100 + QCR 100. Cognitive performance was observed by the Morris water maze (MWM), biochemical markers, for example, MDA, SOD, CAT, GSH, Aβ1‐42 level, Nrf2/HO‐1 expression and histopathological study of rat brain were estimated. Pretreatment with Sita, QCR and their combination showed a significant increase in escape latency in particular MWM cognitive model. Further co‐administration of sita and QCR significantly reduced Aβ1‐42 level when compared with individual treatment. Biochemical markers, for example, increased SOD, CAT and GSH, decreased MDA were seen, and histopathological studies revealed the reversal of neuronal damage in the treatment group. Additionally, Nrf2/HO‐1 pathway in rat's brain was significantly increased by Sita, QCR and their combination. Pretreatment with QCR potentiates the action of Sita in Aβ induced AD in rats. The improved cognitive memory could be because of the synergistic effect of the drugs by decreasing Aβ1‐42 level, antioxidant activity and increased expression of Nrf2/HO‐1 in rat brain.
Effectiveness of nalbuphine, a κ‐opioid receptor agonist and μ‐opioid receptor antagonist, in the inhibition of INa, IK(M), and IK(erg) unlinked to interaction with opioid receptors
Authors: Liu Yuan‐Yuarn , Hsiao Hung‐Tsung , Wang Jeffery C.‐F. , Liu Yen‐Chin , Wu Sheng‐Nan 
Published: July 2019

AbstractNalbuphine (NAL) is recognized as a mixer with the κ‐opioid receptor agonist and the μ‐opioid receptor antagonist. However, whether this drug causes any modifications in neuronal ionic currents is unclear. The effects of NAL on ionic currents in mHippoE‐14 hippocampal neurons were investigated. In the whole‐cell current recordings, NAL suppressed the peak amplitude of voltage‐gated Na+ current (INa) with an IC50 value of 1.9 μM. It shifted the steady‐state inactivation curve of peak INa to the hyperpolarized potential, suggesting that there is the voltage dependence of NAL‐mediated inhibition of peak INa. In continued presence of NAL, subsequent application of either dynorphin A1‐13 (1 μM) or naloxone (30 μM) failed to modify its suppression of peak INa. Tefluthrin (Tef; 10 μM), a pyrethroid known to activate INa, increased peak INa with slowed current inactivation; however, further application of NAL suppressed Tef‐mediated suppression of peak INa followed by an additional slowing of current inactivation. In addition, NAL suppressed the amplitude of M‐type K+ current [IK(M)] with an IC50 value of 5.7 μM, while it slightly suppressed erg‐mediated and delayed‐rectifier K+ currents. In the inside‐out current recordings, NAL failed to modify the activity of large‐conductance Ca2+‐activated K+ channels. In differentiated NG108‐15 neuronal cells, NAL also suppressed the peak INa, and subsequent addition of Tef reversed NAL‐induced suppression of INa. Our study highlights the evidence that in addition to modulate opioid receptors, NAL has the propensity to interfere with ionic currents including INa and IK(M), thereby influencing the functional activities of central neurons.
Novel steroid sulfatase inhibitors based on N‐thiophosphorylated 3‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐coumarin‐7‐O‐sulfamates
Authors: Daśko Mateusz , Demkowicz Sebastian , Biernacki Karol , Harrous Amira , Rachon Janusz , Kozak Witold , Martyna Aleksandra , Masłyk Maciej , Kubiński Konrad , Boguszewska‐Czubara Anna 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIn the present work, we described convenient methods for the synthesis of N‐thiophosphorylated 3‐(4‐aminophenyl)‐coumarin‐7‐O‐sulfamates as steroid sulfatase (STS) inhibitors. To design the structures of the potential STS inhibitors, molecular modeling techniques were used. A computational docking method was used to determine the binding modes of the synthesized inhibitors as well as to identify potential interactions between specified functional groups on the inhibitors and the amino acid residues present in the active site of the enzyme. The inhibitory activities of the synthesized compounds were tested in an enzymatic assay with STS isolated from a human placenta. Within the set of newly synthesized compounds, 9e demonstrated the highest inhibitory activity in the enzymatic assay with an IC50 value of 0.201 μM (the IC50 value of 667‐COUMATE in the same test was 0.062 μM). Furthermore, we tried to verify if the obtained STS inhibitors are able to pass through the cellular membrane effectively in cell line experiments. In the course of our study, we determined the STS activity in the MCF‐7 cell line after incubation in the presence of the inhibitors (at 100 nM concentration). For this evaluation, we included newly synthesized compounds 9a‐g and their N‐phosphorylated analogs 6a‐h, whose synthesis has been previously described. We found that the lowest STS activities were measured in the presence of N‐phosphorylated derivatives 6e (0.1% of STS activity) and 6f (0.2% of STS activity). The measured STS activity in the presence of 667‐COUMATE (used as a reference) was 0.1%. Moreover, at concentrations up to 1 μM, the most active compounds (6e, 6f, 9b, and 9e) did not exert any toxic effects on zebrafish embryos.
CoRest1 regulates neurogenesis in a stage‐dependent manner
Authors: Monestime Camillia M. , Taibi Andrew , Gates Keith P. , Jiang Karen , Sirotkin Howard I. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundDevelopmental processes, including neuronal differentiation, require precise regulation of transcription. The RE‐1 silencing transcription factor (Rest), is often called a “master neuronal regulator” due to its large number of neural‐specific targets. Rest recruits CoRest (Rcor) and Sin3 corepressor complexes to gene regulatory sequences. CoRest not only associates with Rest, but with other transcription regulators. In this study, we generated zebrafish rcor1 mutants using transcription activator‐like effector nucleases (TALENS), to study its requisite role in repression of Rest target genes as well as Rest‐independent Rcor1 developmental functions.ResultsWhile rcor1 mutants have a slight decrease in fitness, most survived and produced viable offspring. We examined expression levels of RE1‐containing genes in maternal zygotic rcor1 (MZrcor1) mutants and found that Rcor1 is generally not required for the repression of Rest target genes at early stages. However, MZrcor1 mutants undergo more rapid neurogenesis compared to controls. We found that at gastrula stages, Rcor1 acts as a repressor of her gene family, but at later stages, her6 decreased in the MZrcor1 mutant.ConclusionsBased on these findings, the central role of CoRest1 in neurogenesis is likely due to a Rest‐independent role rather than as a Rest corepressor.
Temporal regulation of Lin28a during mammalian neurulation contributes to neonatal body size control
Authors: Miyazawa Hidenobu , Muramatsu Yukiko , Makino Hatsune , Yamaguchi Yoshifumi , Miura Masayuki 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe timing of developmental events is tightly regulated along a time axis for normal development. Although the RNA‐binding protein Lin28a plays a crucial role in the regulation of developmental timing in Caenorhabditis elegans, how the timing of Lin28a expression affects the rate and/or duration of developmental events during mammalian development remains to be addressed.ResultsIn this study, we discovered that the timing and the duration of Lin28a expression affect embryonic growth. During the neurulation stage of mouse development, endogenous Lin28a levels start to drop. When Lin28a expression was maintained transiently using the inducible tetracycline‐regulated gene expression (Tet‐ON) system [doxycycline (Dox)‐inducible Lin28a transgenic (iLin28a Tg) mice] with Dox administration at E8.5 and E9.5, it resulted in neonatal lethality, increased body weight (organomegaly), and an increased number of caudal vertebrae at birth. On the other hand, Lin28a induction only at E8.5 caused neonatal lethality and organomegaly, but did not affect the caudal vertebra number. Of note, although Dox treatment before or after neurulation still caused neonatal lethality, it neither caused organomegaly nor the increased caudal vertebra number in iLin28a Tg neonates.ConclusionsTemporal regulation of Lin28a expression during neurulation affects developmental events such as cessation of axial elongation and embryonic growth in mice.
Where to forage when afraid: Does perceived risk impair use of the foodscape?
Authors: Dwinnell Samantha P. H. , Sawyer Hall , Randall Jill E. , Beck Jeffrey L. , Forbey Jennifer S. , Fralick Gary L. , Monteith Kevin L. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThe availability and quality of forage on the landscape constitute the foodscape within which animals make behavioral decisions to acquire food. Novel changes to the foodscape, such as human disturbance, can alter behavioral decisions that favor avoidance of perceived risk over food acquisition. Although behavioral changes and population declines often coincide with the introduction of human disturbance, the link(s) between behavior and population trajectory are difficult to elucidate. To identify a pathway by which human disturbance may affect ungulate populations, we tested the Behaviorally Mediated Forage‐Loss Hypothesis, wherein behavioral avoidance is predicted to reduce use of available forage adjacent to disturbance. We used GPS collar data collected from migratory mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) to evaluate habitat selection, movement patterns, and time‐budgeting behavior in response to varying levels of forage availability and human disturbance in three different populations exposed to a gradient of energy development. Subsequently, we linked animal behavior with measured use of forage relative to human disturbance, forage availability, and quality. Mule deer avoided human disturbance at both home range and winter range scales, but showed negligible differences in vigilance rates at the site level. Use of the primary winter forage, sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), increased as production of new annual growth increased but use decreased with proximity to disturbance. Consequently, avoidance of human disturbance prompted loss of otherwise available forage, resulting in indirect habitat loss that was 4.6‐times greater than direct habitat loss from roads, well pads, and other infrastructure. The multiplicative effects of indirect habitat loss, as mediated by behavior, impaired use of the foodscape by reducing the amount of available forage for mule deer, a consequence of which may be winter ranges that support fewer animals than they did before development.
Disappearing Kilimanjaro snow—Are we the last generation to explore equatorial glacier biodiversity?
Authors: Zawierucha Krzysztof , Shain Daniel H. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractGlaciation accompanied our human ancestors in Africa throughout the Pleistocene. Regrettably, equatorial glaciers and snow are disappearing rapidly, and we are likely the last generation who will get to know these peculiar places. Despite the permanently harsh conditions of glacier/snow habitats, they support a remarkable diversity of life ranging from bacteria to animals. Numerous papers have been devoted to microbial communities and unique animals on polar glaciers and high mountains, but only two reports relate to glacial biodiversity in equatorial regions, which are destined to melt completely within the next few decades. Equatorial glaciers constitute “cold islands” in tropics, and discovering their diversity might shed light on the biogeography, dispersal, and history of psychrophiles. Thus, an opportunity to protect biota of equatorial glaciers hinges on ex situ conservation. It is timely and crucial that we should investigate the glacial biodiversity of the few remaining equatorial glaciers.
Transcriptional regulation of homeostatic and disease‐associated‐microglial genes by IRF1, LXRβ, and CEBPα
Authors: Gao Tianwen , Jernigan Janna , Raza Syed Ali , Dammer Eric B. , Xiao Hailian , Seyfried Nicholas T. , Levey Allan I. , Rangaraju Srikant 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMicroglia transform from homeostatic to disease‐associated‐microglia (DAM) profiles in neurodegeneration. Within DAM, we recently identified distinct pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory sub‐profiles although transcriptional regulators of homeostatic and distinct DAM profiles remain unclear. Informed by these studies, we nominated CEBPα, IRF1, and LXRβ as likely regulators of homeostatic, pro‐inflammatory and anti‐inflammatory DAM states and performed in‐vitro siRNA studies in primary microglia to identify roles of each transcriptional factor (TF) in regulating microglial activation, using an integrated transcriptomics, bioinformatics and experimental validation approach. Efficient (>70%) silencing of TFs in microglia revealed reciprocal regulation between each TF specifically following pro‐inflammatory activation. Neuroinflammatory transcriptomic profiling of microglia coupled with qPCR validation revealed distinct gene clusters with unique patterns of regulation by each TF, which were independent of LPS stimulation. While all three TFs (especially IRF1 and LXRβ) positively regulated core DAM genes (Apoe, Axl, Clec7a, Tyrobp, and Trem2) as well as homeostatic and pro‐inflammatory DAM genes, LPS, and IFNγ increased pro‐inflammatory DAM but suppressed homeostatic and anti‐inflammatory DAM gene expression via an Erk1/2‐dependent signaling pathway. IRF1 and LXRβ silencing suppressed microglial phagocytic activity for polystyrene microspheres as well as fAβ42 while IRF1 silencing strongly suppressed production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines in response to LPS. Our studies reveal complex transcriptional regulation of homeostatic and DAM profiles whereby IRF1, LXRβ, and CEBPα positively regulate both pro‐ and anti‐inflammatory DAM genes while activating stimuli independently augment pro‐inflammatory DAM responses and suppress homeostatic and anti‐inflammatory responses via Erk signaling. This framework can guide development of therapeutic immuno‐modulatory strategies for neurodegeneration.