bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A specifically designed nanoconstruct associates, internalizes, traffics in cardiovascular cells, and accumulates in failing myocardium: a new strategy for heart failure diagnostics and therapeutics
Authors: Ruiz‐Esparza Guillermo U. , Segura‐Ibarra Victor , Cordero‐Reyes Andrea M. , Youker Keith A. , Serda Rita E. , Cruz‐Solbes Ana S. , Amione‐Guerra Javier , Yokoi Kenji , Kirui Dickson K. , Cara Francisca E. , Paez‐Mayorga Jesus , Flores‐Arredondo Jose H. , Guerrero‐Beltrán Carlos E. , Garcia‐Rivas Gerardo , Ferrari Mauro , Blanco Elvin , Torre‐Amione Guillermo 
Published: January 2016

AimsOngoing inflammation and endothelial dysfunction occurs within the local microenvironment of heart failure, creating an appropriate scenario for successful use and delivery of nanovectors. This study sought to investigate whether cardiovascular cells associate, internalize, and traffic a nanoplatform called mesoporous silicon vector (MSV), and determine its intravenous accumulation in cardiac tissue in a murine model of heart failure.Methods and resultsIn vitro cellular uptake and intracellular trafficking of MSVs was examined by scanning electron microscopy, confocal microscopy, time‐lapse microscopy, and flow cytometry in cardiac myocytes, fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. The MSVs were internalized within the first hours, and trafficked to perinuclear regions in all the cell lines. Cytotoxicity was investigated by annexin V and cell cycle assays. No significant evidence of toxicity was found. In vivo intravenous cardiac accumulation of MSVs was examined by high content fluorescence and confocal microscopy, with results showing increased accumulation of particles in failing hearts compared with normal hearts. Similar to observations in vitro, MSVs were able to associate, internalize, and traffic to the perinuclear region of cardiomyocytes in vivo.ConclusionsResults show that MSVs associate, internalize, and traffic in cardiovascular cells without any significant toxicity. Furthermore, MSVs accumulate in failing myocardium after intravenous administration, reaching intracellular regions of the cardiomyocytes. These findings represent a novel avenue to develop nanotechnology‐based therapeutics and diagnostics in heart failure.
LCZ696, an angiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitor, improves cardiac function with the attenuation of fibrosis in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice
Authors: Suematsu Yasunori , Miura Shin‐ichiro , Goto Masaki , Matsuo Yoshino , Arimura Tadaaki , Kuwano Takashi , Imaizumi Satoshi , Iwata Atsushi , Yahiro Eiji , Saku Keijiro 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAimsAngiotensin receptor–neprilysin inhibitors (ARNis) acts an ARB and neprilysin inhibitor. Diabetes mellitus significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and heart failure (HF). Therefore, we evaluated the effects and mechanisms of ARNi in HF with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF) in streptozotocin‐induced diabetic mice.Methods and resultsMale C57BL/6J mice were injected with streptozotocin to produce diabetic mice. After myocardial reperfusion injury, diabetic mice were randomized to treatment for 4 weeks with LCZ696 (60 mg/kg), valsartan (30 mg/kg), or no treatment (n = 26–28 in each group). Cardiac function was assessed by a pressure–volume Millar catheter. The ratios of heart weight to body weight in the valsartan (P = 0.02) and LCZ696 (P = 0.005) groups were significantly less than that in the control group. Treatment with LCZ696 improved LVEF (43 ± 3.4%) with a significantly reduction of atrial natriuretic peptide mRNA in the left ventricle compared with that in the control group (29 ± 3.2%) (P = 0.006). The fibrotic area in the LCZ696 group was significantly suppressed compared with those in the control (P = 0.003) and valsartan (P = 0.04) groups. Moreover, the mRNA level of transforming growth factor‐β (TGF‐β) in the left ventricle was suppressed in the LCZ696 group compared with that in the control (P = 0.002) group.ConclusionThe ARNi LCZ696 improved cardiac function with the reduction of fibrosis in an HF‐rEF model in diabetic mice, by suppressing TGF‐β. This effect may be due to the specific inhibition of neprilysin, beyond the ARB effect of LCZ696.
Fluorescence Quenching of Sulfo­rhodamine Dye over Graphene Oxide and Boron Nitride Nanosheets
Authors: Thangaraj Vidhyadevi , Bussiere Jules , Janot Jean‐Marc , Bechelany Mikhael , Jaber Maguy , Subramanian Sivanesan , Miele Philippe , Balme Sebastien 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWe report the fluorescence quenching of sulforhodamine 640 (SR 640) supported on graphene oxide (GO) and boron nitride (BN) nanosheets (NSs). The synthesis and characterization of both materials are described. X‐ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission and scanning electron microscopy (TEM and SEM), and the Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) method were used. The photophysical properties, such as the fluorescence lifetime and anisotropy of the SR dye over the synthesized materials, are reported. The observed fluorescence quenching of the SR dye over GO and BN occurs through an electron‐transfer process. Fluorescence decay analysis of SR revealed different behavior in the presence of GO and BN NSs. Adsorption of the dye on GO NSs leads to a non‐fluorescent complex, whereas adsorption of the dye on BN NSs results in quenching induced by a decrease in the fluorescence lifetime of the dye.
Electrocatalytic Properties of a Gold Nanoseed Particle‐modified Indium Tin Oxide Electrode: Comparison of the Shape and Preparation Methods
Authors: Aziz Md. Abdul , Sohail Manzar , Shaikh M. Nasiruzzaman , Oyama Munetaka 
Published: January 2016

AbstractGold nanostructures are the most commonly used nanostructures for fabricating electrochemical sensors and biosensors. In this study, we compared the catalytic performances of three types of gold nanoseed particles having two different morphologies, upon attachment to an amino‐functionalized ITO electrode surface. The ITO electrode surface was modified with 3‐aminopropyltrimethoxysilane (APTMS) and (1) gold nanoseed spheres (AuNSS), prepared using the ion capture and successive reduction method (ICR), (2) commercially available 5 nm AuNSS, and (3) a newly synthesized gold nanoseed wire (AuNSW). The electrocatalytic properties of the three electrodes were evaluated. Among the three electrodes, the AuNSW/APTMS/ITO was found to be the electrode of choice and exhibited excellent electrocatalytic properties toward the biologically important analytes glucose, uric acid, and serotonin.
Electrochemical Immunoassay for Cytomegalovirus Antigen Detection with Multiple Signal Amplification Using HRP and Pt‐Pd Nanoparticles Functionalized Single‐walled Carbon Nanohorns
Authors: Huang Weiwei , Xiang Guiming , Jiang Dongneng , Liu Linlin , Liu Chang , Liu Fei , Pu Xiaoyun 
Published: January 2016

AbstractCytomegalovirus is typically associated with immunocompromised hosts, pregnant women and transplant patients, who require a timely diagnosis. In this work, a sensitive and highly specific electrochemical amplification immunosensor was established for detecting Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen based on Pt‐PdNPs@SWCNHs with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) as a signal enhancer and thionine as a signal probe. First, Pt nanoparticle (PtNP) and Pd nanoparticle (PdNP) functionalized single‐walled carbon nanohorn (SWCNH) nanocomposites, i.e. Pt‐PdNPs@SWCNHs, was used as a carrier for immobilization of antibody through the Pt‐N bond and the Pd‐N bond. Next, HRP was used to block the rest of the binding‐sites. Signal amplification was obtained by the cooperative catalytic activities of Pt‐PdNPs and HRP to H2O2. SWCNHs loaded with a large amount of Pt‐PdNPs further amplified the signal due to the excellent surface area. The fabricated immunosensor was used to detect different concentrations of Cytomegalovirus pp65 antigen under optimized conditions. The tests showed a linear range from 0.1 to 80 ng mL−1 with a low detection limit of 30 pg mL−1, and exhibited excellent selectivity, stability and reproducibility. Therefore, this project presented a potential approach for the early diagnosis of Cytomegalovirus infection in clinical trials.
Recent Advances in Electrochemical Sensors for Detecting Weapons of Mass Destruction. A Review
Authors: Singh Virendra V. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractThe detection of chemical warfare agents (CWA) has become a worldwide security concern in light of the many recent international threats utilizing nerve agents. Among a variety of detection methods that have been developed for CWA, electrochemical sensors offer the unrivaled merits of high sensitivity, specificity and operational simplicity. Recent insights into novel fabrication methodologies and electrochemical techniques have resulted in the demonstration of electrochemical sensors able to address many of the limitations of conventional methodologies. This article reviews recent advances and developments in the field of electrochemical biosensors based detection of nerve agent and their utility for decentralized threat detection. With continued innovations and attention to key challenges, it is expected that electrochemical sensors will play a pivotal role in the CWA detection scenario. This review concludes with the implications of the electrochemical sensing platforms along with future prospects and challenges.
Enhanced Cyclic Stability of Spinel LiMn2O4 for Lithium‐Ion Batteries by Surface Coating with WO3
Authors: Feng Xiaoyu , Zhang Jianxin , Yin Longwei 
Published: January 2016

AbstractWO3‐modified LiMn2O4 was synthesized by using a simple wet‐chemical process followed by solid‐state reaction. After surface coating modification, a high discharge capacity of 125.6 mAh g−1 with retention of 94.8 % was obtained at a current density of 1 C between 3.3 and 4.3 V after 100 cycles. The XRD patterns showed that the crystal structure of LiMn2O4 was not altered by coating WO3 and the HRTEM image showed the solution method had been used to prepare the WO3‐coated LiMn2O4 successfully. From electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry analysis, the WO3 coating was shown to decrease the charge‐transfer resistance and avoid the disproportionation reaction of manganese into the electrolyte solution. The WO3 surface coating is a promising approach to improve the cyclic stability of lithium manganese oxide.
Methanol for Renewable Energy Storage and Utilization
Authors: Räuchle Konstantin , Plass Ludolf , Wernicke Hans‐Jürgen , Bertau Martin 
Published: January 2016

AbstractToday’s efforts to substitute fossil energy carriers by renewable energy sources suffer from fluctuations of wind and sunlight for which there is a lack of appropriate energy storage technologies, in particular for electricity. A promising method in this direction is chemical energy storage, as the energy density of the chemical bond is unrivaled. At present, there are chiefly two alternatives under discussion: power‐to‐gas (PtG) producing methane (synthetic natural gas, SNG) and power‐to‐liquid, which stores electric power in the form of methanol. However, the pros and cons of either technology are typically discussed without regarding the process economy and the overall efficiencies, and the material use of the target compounds has also been neglected. Detailed analyses of operational experiences from existing methane and methanol plants by AirLiquide (formerly Lurgi) revealed significant differences between both approaches, among which methanol has emerged to have the best overall efficiency (44.9 %). In addition, methanol has the additional advantage of being a universal chemical and fuel feedstock, thus representing the ideal candidate for not only chemical energy storage, but also for substituting fossil raw materials.
Highly Reproducible and Efficient Perovskite Solar Cells with Extraordinary Stability from Robust CH3NH3PbI3: Towards Large‐Area Devices
Authors: Gujar Tanaji P. , Thelakkat Mukundan 
Published: January 2016

AbstractOrganic–inorganic hybrid solar cells based on air‐stable CH3NH3PbI3 perovskites are reported. The perovskite layer was synthesized by CH3NH3I (methylammonium iodide, MAI) vapor‐assisted growth on a PbI2 layer. This process is optimized to achieve uniform, pore‐free, compact, and highly stable crystalline perovskite layers. The extraordinary stability of this pristine perovskite layer for about 3 months in air was compared with films obtained by other crystallization methods using X‐ray diffraction (XRD) studies. The effect of the perovskite layer thickness on the photo‐conversion efficiency (PCE) and external quantum efficiency are evaluated. The solar cell optimization reveals that the 370 nm thick perovskite layer delivers highly reproducible devices with a PCE value of 14.8 % (average 13.4 %) and negligible parameter fluctuation as well as high stability (of more than one month) with negligible loss. Additionally, we demonstrate that this MAI vapor‐assisted method is suitable to fabricate devices having an area of 1.05 cm2 and device efficiency of 8.7 %.
Preparation of scale inhibitor by using the waste of refined 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid
Authors: Guo Wenya , Gao Canzhu , Li Qimeng , Cheng Zhongfa , Qi Xiaojing 
Published: January 2016

Acrylic acid‐2‐acrylamido‐2‐methylpropane sulfonic acid (AA‐AMPS) is a kind of copolymer with good scale and corrosion inhibition performance. Refining of AMPS produces refined residue, which belongs to hazardous waste and must be properly treated and disposed. In this work, the refined residue was reused as the raw material to synthesize scale inhibition copolymer with the addition of AA. The chemical construction and thermal properties of copolymers were confirmed by NMR, FTIR, and thermogravimetry analysis (TGA). To achieve a comprehensive and systematic understanding of copolymers, the inhibition behavior of CaCO3, Ca3 (PO4)2, and CaSO4 were examined through static scale inhibition tests. The capability of ferric oxide dispersion was also determined. The results of structural analysis were consistent with the expected structures. Static experiments were observed that scale inhibition of Ca3 (PO4)2 and CaSO4 was excellent and the scale inhibition rate was close to 100% when the concentration of AA‐AMPS was 30 mg L−1. It was noticed that the performance of copolymers synthesized with AMPS residue appeared nearly no different than when AA‐AMPS was synthesized with normal materials. The results show that the refined AMPS residue could be reused as raw material to prepare scale inhibitor copolymer.Significance: Refined residue of AMPS was used to synthesize scale inhibition copolymer in this work. It would bring serious damage to society and environment if the hazardous waste refined residue cannot be properly treated and disposed. This study shows that the reuse of refined residue could achieve the goals of making use of waste and save the resources. This reuse technology develops a new way to reuse the hazardous waste and it would provide both economical and environmental benefits. © 2016 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 35: 833–839, 2016
Multi angle laser light scattering evaluation of field exposed thermoplastic photovoltaic encapsulant materials
Authors: Kempe Michael D. , Miller David C. , Wohlgemuth John H. , Kurtz Sarah R. , Moseley John M. , Nobles Dylan L. , Stika Katherine M. , Brun Yefim , Samuels Sam L. , Shah Qurat (Annie) , Tamizhmani Govindasamy , Sakurai Keiichiro , Inoue Masanao , Doi Takuya , Masuda Atsushi , Vanderpan Crystal E. 
Published: January 2016

AbstractAs creep of polymeric materials is potentially a safety concern for photovoltaic modules, the potential for module creep has become a significant topic of discussion in the development of IEC 61730 and IEC 61215. To investigate the possibility of creep, modules were constructed, using several thermoplastic encapsulant materials, into thin‐film mock modules and deployed in Mesa, Arizona. The materials examined included poly(ethylene)‐co‐vinyl acetate (EVA, including formulations both cross‐linked and with no curing agent), polyethylene/polyoctene copolymer (PO), poly(dimethylsiloxane) (PDMS), polyvinyl butyral (PVB), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The absence of creep in this experiment is attributable to several factors of which the most notable one was the unexpected cross‐linking of an EVA formulation without a cross‐linking agent. It was also found that some materials experienced both chain scission and cross‐linking reactions, sometimes with a significant dependence on location within a module. The TPU and EVA samples were found to degrade with cross‐linking reactions dominating over chain scission. In contrast, the PO materials degraded with chain scission dominating over cross‐linking reactions. Although we found no significant indications that viscous creep is likely to occur in fielded modules capable of passing the qualification tests, we note that one should consider how a polymer degrades, chain scission or cross‐linking, in assessing the suitability of a thermoplastic polymer in terrestrial photovoltaic applications.
Multimedia screening of contaminants of emerging concern (CECS) in coastal urban watersheds in southern California (USA)
Authors: Maruya Keith A. , Dodder Nathan G. , Sengupta Ashmita , Smith Deborah J. , Lyons J. Michael , Heil Ann T. , Drewes Jörg E. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

To examine the occurrence and fate of contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) and inform future monitoring of CECs in coastal urban waterways, water, sediment, and fish tissue samples were collected and analyzed for a broad suite of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), commercial and/or household chemicals, current use pesticides, and hormones in an effluent-dominated river and multiple embayments in southern California (USA). In the Santa Clara River, which receives treated wastewater from several facilities, aqueous phase CECs were detectable at stations nearest discharges from municipal wastewater treatment plants but were attenuated downstream. Sucralose and the chlorinated phosphate flame retardants tris(1-chloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TCPP), tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl) phosphate (TDCPP), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP) were most abundant in water, with maximum concentrations of 35 μg/L, 3.3 μg/L, 1.4 μg/L, and 0.81 μg/L, respectively. Triclocarban, an antimicrobial agent in use for decades, was more prevalent in water than triclosan or nonylphenol. Maximum concentrations of bifenthrin, permethrin, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), and degradates of fipronil exceeded CEC-specific monitoring trigger levels recently established for freshwater and estuarine sediments by factors of 10 to 1000, respectively. Maximum fish tissue concentrations of PBDEs varied widely (370 ng/g and 7.0 ng/g for the Santa Clara River and coastal embayments, respectively), with most species exhibiting concentrations at the lower end of this range. These results suggest that continued monitoring of pyrethroids, PBDEs, and degradates of fipronil in sediment is warranted in these systems. In contrast, aqueous pharmaceutical concentrations in the Santa Clara River were not close to exceeding current monitoring trigger levels, suggesting a lower priority for targeted monitoring in this medium. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:1986–1994. © 2016 SETAC
The effects of bupropion on hybrid striped bass brain chemistry and predatory behavior
Authors: Sweet Lauren E. , Bisesi Joseph H. , Lei E.N.Y. , Lam Michael H.W. , Klaine Stephen J. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

Increased use of antidepressants has led to an increase in their detection in final treated wastewater effluents and receiving streams. Antidepressants are intended to modify human behavior by altering brain chemistry, and because of the high functional conservation of antidepressant target receptors in vertebrates, aquatic organisms may be at risk. The antidepressant bupropion is designed to alter brain norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations in humans. The objective of the present study was to understand if alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations in the hybrid striped bass (Morone saxatilis × Morone chrysops) brain by bupropion would alter this predator's ability to capture prey. The authors exposed hybrid striped bass to bupropion in a static system for 6 d, followed by a 6-d recovery period. During the present study's 12-d experiment, each hybrid striped bass was fed 4 unexposed fathead minnows every 3 d, and the time it took the hybrid striped bass to consume each of those 4 fathead minnows was quantified. After each feeding event, hybrid striped bass brains were harvested and analyzed for changes in several brain neurotransmitter concentrations, including serotonin, norepinephrine, dopamine, and many of their metabolites. Although bupropion altered the concentration of dopamine and many of the dopaminergic neurotransmitter metabolite concentrations in the brains on day 3 of the exposure, it did not alter the time to capture prey. This suggests that alteration of dopaminergic neurotransmitter concentrations in the hybrid striped bass brain does not alter a predator's ability to capture prey. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2058–2065. © 2016 SETAC
Chronic effects of non-weathered and weathered crude oil and dispersant associated with the Deepwater Horizon incident on development of larvae of the eastern oyster, Crassostrea virginica
Authors: Langdon Chris J. , Stefansson Emily S. , Pargee Suzanne M. , Blunt Susanna M. , Gage Susan J. , Stubblefield William A. 
Published: January 2016

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of chronic exposure of eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica) larvae to the water-accommodated fractions of fresh and weathered oils collected from the Deepwater Horizon incident, with and without additions of the dispersant Corexit 9500A, as well as to solutions of Corexit alone. Both shell growth of larvae exposed to test materials for a period of 10 d and larval settlement after 28 d of exposure were the most sensitive endpoints, with the 10-d growth endpoint being less variable among replicates. Growth and settlement endpoints were more sensitive than larval survival and normal development after 10 d and 28 d. Acute-to-chronic ratios calculated in the present study suggest that acute toxicities of oils and dispersant for oysters are not predictive of chronic effect levels for growth and settlement; therefore, chronic bioassays are necessary to assess these sublethal effects, in addition to standard 48-h acute toxicity tests. Comparison of 10% effective concentration (EC10) values for chronic 10-d growth and 28-d settlement endpoints with concentrations of total polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and dipropylene glycol n-butyl ether (a marker for Corexit) in seawater samples, collected during and after the Deepwater Horizon incident, indicated it was unlikely that elevated concentrations of water-soluble fractions of oil and dispersant in the nearshore environment had significant adverse effects on the growth and settlement of eastern oyster larvae. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:2029–2040. © 2016 SETAC