bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Internal Extractive Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Quantitative Determination of Fluoroquinolones Captured by Magnetic Molecularly Imprinted Polymers from Raw Milk
Authors: Zhang Hua , Kou Wei , Bibi Aisha , Jia Qiong , Su Rui , Chen Huanwen , Huang Keke 
Published: November 2017

AbstractAntibiotics contamination in food products is of increasing concern due to their potential threat on human health. Herein solid-phase extraction based on magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers coupled with internal extractive electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (MMIPs-SPE-iEESI-MS) was designed for the quantitative analysis of trace fluoroquinolones (FQs) in raw milk samples. FQs in the raw milk sample (2 mL) were selectively captured by the easily-lab-made magnetic molecularly imprinted polymers (MMIPs), and then directly eluted by 100 µL electrospraying solvent biased with +3.0 kV to produce protonated FQs ions for mass spectrometric characterization. Satisfactory analytical performance was obtained in the quantitative analysis of three kinds of FQs (i.e., norfloxacin, enoxacin, and fleroxacin). For all the samples tested, the established method showed a low limit of detection (LOD ≤ 0.03 µg L−1) and a high analysis speed (≤4 min per sample). The analytical performance for real sample analysis was validated by a nationally standardized protocol using LC-MS, resulting in acceptable relative error values from −5.8% to +6.9% for 6 tested samples. Our results demonstrate that MMIPs-SPE-iEESI-MS is a new strategy for the quantitative analysis of FQs in complex biological mixtures such as raw milk, showing promising applications in food safety control and biofluid sample analysis.
Novel electrical and mechanical characteristics of composites composed of electrically conducting Ni-Cr alloy particles in non-conducting soda-lime glass
Authors: Waku Yoshiharu , Yamashita Teruyuki , Kitagawa Hiroyuki , Yoshinobu Masahiro , Katsuyama Hiromichi , Hamano Daiki , Harui Shinji 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe bulk resistivity of Ni-Cr alloys is inherently constant. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the cross-section and length of Ni-Cr alloys to achieve the desired electrical resistance. Here, we describe a composite, comprising a soda-lime glass matrix and disk-like Ni-Cr alloy particles, that has variable bulk resistivity. The bulk resistivity of the composite can be controlled accurately by adjusting the volume fraction (30–80 vol% Ni-Cr alloy) and aspect ratio of the particles. Furthermore, the composite’s strength and fracture toughness are both improved by microdispersion of the disk-like Ni-Cr alloy particles. A 1/100-scale model resistor based on this composite was found to have attractive properties for electrical power applications, such as an approximately 50% reduction in volume, a 65% reduction in weight, and a 95% reduction in inductance in comparison with a conventional neutral grounding resistor made from special cast iron. Clearly, use of this composite material for fabrication of ubiquitous electrical components would greatly reduce the demand and consumption of Ni and Cr for this application. Several benefits are envisioned from this development, including the fabrication of downsized devices and the availability of lower-cost home appliances and industrial products.
Bioinspired Synthesis of Mesoporous Gold-silica Hybrid Microspheres as Recyclable Colloidal SERS Substrates
Authors: Son Ho Yeon , Kim Kyeong Rak , Lee Jun Bae , Le Kim Trang Huyen , Jang Jihui , Kim Su Ji , Yoon Moung Seok , Kim Jin Woong , Nam Yoon Sung 
Published: November 2017

AbstractNoble metal nanostructures have been intensively investigated as active substrates for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) from visible to near-IR wavelengths. However, metal nanoparticle-based SERS analysis in solutions is very challenging due to uncontrollable and irreproducible colloid aggregation. Here we report the templated synthesis of porous gold-silica hybrid microspheres and their application as reusable colloidal SERS substrates. Mesoporous polymer microspheres are synthesized and used as templates for the synthesis of non-aggregated gold nanoparticles, followed by polydopamine-mediated silicification to fabricate mesoporous gold-silica hybrid microspheres. The mesoporous hybrid particles detect crystal violet in the order of 10–8 M and provide the structural durability of the immobilized gold nanoparticles, allowing them to be recycled for repeated SERS analyses for analytes in a solution with the similar sensitivity. This work suggests that the mesoporous gold-silica hybrid microspheres are attractive SERS substrates in terms of reusability, sensitivity, and stability.
Iodide capped PbS/CdS core-shell quantum dots for efficient long-wavelength near-infrared light-emitting diodes
Authors: Yang Xuyong , Ren Fuqiang , Wang Yue , Ding Tao , Sun Handong , Ma Dongling , Sun Xia Wei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPbS based quantum dots (QDs) have been studied in great detail for potential applications in electroluminescent devices operating at wavelengths important for telecommunications (1.3–1.6 μm). Despite the recent advances in field of quantum dot light-emitting diode (QLED), further improvements in near-infrared (NIR) emitting device performance are still necessary for the widespread use and commercialization of NIR emitting QLED technology. Here, we report a high-performance 1.51-μm emitting QLED with inverted organic–inorganic hybrid device architecture and PbS/CdS core-shell structured quantum dots as emitter. The resultant QLEDs show a record device performance for the QLEDs in 1.5 μm emission window, with a maximum radiance of 6.04 Wsr−1 m−2 and peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.12%, respectively.
Vascular endothelial growth factor signaling requires glycine to promote angiogenesis
Authors: Guo Dongqing , Murdoch Colin E. , Xu Hao , Shi Hui , Duan Dayue Darrel , Ahmed Asif , Gu Yuchun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPeripheral vascular occlusive disease (PVOD) is a common manifestation of atherosclerosis, and it has a high rate of morbidity. Therapeutic angiogenesis would re-establish blood perfusion and rescue ischemic tissue. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) induces angiogenesis and can potentially be used to treat ischemic diseases, yet in clinical trials VEGF has not fulfilled its full potential with side effects. Whether amino acids promote angiogenesis and the molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. Here we showed that (1) Glycine significantly promoted angiogenesis both in vitro and in vivo and effectively protected mitochondrial function. (2) Activation of glycine transporter 1(GlyT1) induced by VEGF led to an increase in intracellular glycine. (3) Glycine directly bounded to voltage dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) on the mitochondrial outer membrane and inhibited its opening. These original results highlight glycine as a necessary mediator in VEGF signalling via the GlyT1-glycine-mTOR-VDAC1 axis pathway. Therefore, the findings in this study are of significance providing new mechanistic insights into angiogenesis and providing better understanding of glycine function in angiogenesis, which may provide valuable information for development of novel therapeutic targets for the treatment of angiogenic vascular disorders.
Evaluation of a range of mammalian and mosquito cell lines for use in Chikungunya virus research
Authors: Roberts Grace C. , Zothner Carsten , Remenyi Roland , Merits Andres , Stonehouse Nicola J. , Harris Mark 
Published: November 2017

AbstractChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is becoming an increasing global health issue which has spread across the globe and as far north as southern Europe. There is currently no vaccine or anti-viral treatment available. Although there has been a recent increase in CHIKV research, many of these in vitro studies have used a wide range of cell lines which are not physiologically relevant to CHIKV infection in vivo. In this study, we aimed to evaluate a panel of cell lines to identify a subset that would be both representative of the infectious cycle of CHIKV in vivo, and amenable to in vitro applications such as transfection, luciferase assays, immunofluorescence, western blotting and virus infection. Based on these parameters we selected four mammalian and two mosquito cell lines, and further characterised these as potential tools in CHIKV research.
Valid gene expression normalization by RT-qPCR in studies on hPDL fibroblasts with focus on orthodontic tooth movement and periodontitis
Authors: Kirschneck Christian , Batschkus Sarah , Proff Peter , Köstler Josef , Spanier Gerrit , Schröder Agnes 
Published: November 2017

AbstractMeaningful, reliable and valid mRNA expression analyses by real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) can only be achieved, if suitable reference genes are chosen for normalization and if appropriate RT-qPCR quality standards are met. Human periodontal ligament (hPDL) fibroblasts play a major mediating role in orthodontic tooth movement and periodontitis. Despite correspondingin-vitrogene expression studies being a focus of interest for many years, no information is available for hPDL fibroblasts on suitable reference genes, which are generally used in RT-qPCR experiments to normalize variability between samples. The aim of this study was to identify and validate suitable reference genes for normalization in untreated hPDL fibroblasts as well as experiments on orthodontic tooth movement or periodontitis (Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans). We investigated the suitability of 13 candidate reference genes using four different algorithms (geNorm, NormFinder, comparative ΔCqand BestKeeper) and ranked them according to their expression stability. Overall PPIB (peptidylprolyl isomerase A), TBP (TATA-box-binding protein) and RPL22 (ribosomal protein 22) were found to be most stably expressed with two genes in conjunction sufficient for reliable normalization. This study provides an accurate tool for quantitative gene expression analysis in hPDL fibroblasts according to the MIQE guidelines and shows that reference gene reliability is treatment-specific.
Leptin regulates Granzyme-A, PD-1 and CTLA-4 expression in T cell to control visceral leishmaniasis in BALB/c Mice
Authors: Dayakar Alti , Chandrasekaran Sambamurthy , Veronica Jalaja , Bharadwaja Vadloori , Maurya Radheshyam 
Published: November 2017

AbstractVisceral leishmaniasis (VL) is responsible for several deaths in malnourished children accompanied by diminished circulating leptin and impaired cell-mediated immunity. Typically, leptin deficiency is associated with the Th2 polarization that markedly coincides with the pathogenesis of VL. The aim of the present study was to unravel the prophylactic role of leptin in malnutrition-coupled VL mice. Interestingly, we observed thatL. donovaniinfection itself reduces the serum leptin levels in malnutrition. Exogenous leptin restored severe body weight loss and parasite load in the spleen and liver of malnourished infected mice compared to controls. Leptin increases functional CD8+ T-cell population, Granzyme-A expression down-regulates anergic T-cell markers such as PD-1 and CTLA-4. It was also noticed that, leptin suppresses GM-CSF mRNA expression in parasite favored monocytes and reduced arginase activity in bone marrow derived macrophage indicate macrophages dependent T-cell activation and proliferation. Leptin-induced IFN-γ, IL-2, and TNF-α cytokines in the culture supernatant of splenocytes upon soluble leishmanial antigen (SLA) stimulation and significantly up-regulates serum IgG2a titers, which help to generate Th1 immune response in VL. Furthermore, leptin induced a granulomatous response and restoredL. donovaniinduced tissue degeneration in the liver. Altogether, our findings suggest the exogenous leptin can restore T cell mediated immunity in malnourished VL mice.
Grassland Carbon Budget and Its Driving Factors of the Subtropical and Tropical Monsoon Region in China During 1961 to 2013
Authors: Zhang Li , Zhou GuangSheng , Ji YuHe , Bai YongFei 
Published: November 2017

AbstractThe southern grasslands are an integral part of the grassland ecosystems of China and play an essential role in the terrestrial carbon cycle of the country. We reproduced the spatiotemporal dynamics of the carbon budget of southern grasslands from 1961 to 2013 using the Terrestrial Ecosystem Model and our results showed that the annual carbon budget varied from −8.12 to 6.16 Tg C y−1with an annual average of 0.45 Tg C y−1during the study period. Overall, southern grasslands acted as a weak carbon sink and sequestrated 23.83 Tg C from 1961 to 2013. At the seasonal scale, southern grasslands acted as a carbon sink in wet seasons but as a carbon source in dry seasons. During the study period, temperature and precipitation were the main factors driving carbon budget dynamics at the seasonal scale, while soil moisture was the main driving factor at the annual scale. Over the entire study region, 71.81% of the area switched to being a carbon sink while only 5.90% remained stable and the strong carbon sinks were mainly found in the southern, northern and western areas of the southern grasslands.
Harvesting the Energy of Multi-Polarized Electromagnetic Waves
Authors: Almoneef Thamer S. , Erkmen Faruk , Ramahi Omar M. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWe present the idea and design of a dual polarized metasurface for electromagnetic energy harvesting. A 4 × 4 super cell with alternating vias between adjacent cells was designed to allow for capturing the energy from various incident angles at an operating frequency of 2.4 GHz. The collected energy is then channeled to a feeding network that collects the AC power and feeds it to a rectification circuitry. The simulation results yielded a radiation to AC and an AC to DC conversion efficiencies of around 90% and 80%, respectively. As a proof of concept, an array consisting of 9 super cells was fabricated and measured. The experimental results show that the proposed energy harvester is capable of capturing up to 70% of the energy from a planewave having various polarizations and converting it to usable DC power.
Causes of Death in Patients with Severe Aortic Stenosis: An Observational study
Authors: Minamino-Muta Eri , Kato Takao , Morimoto Takeshi , Taniguchi Tomohiko , Shiomi Hiroki , Nakatsuma Kenji , Shirai Shinichi , Ando Kenji , Kanamori Norio , Murata Koichiro , Kitai Takeshi , Kawase Yuichi , Miyake Makoto , Izumi Chisato , Mitsuoka Hirokazu , Kato Masashi , Hirano Yutaka , Matsuda Shintaro , Nagao Kazuya , Inada Tsukasa , Murakami Tomoyuki , Takeuchi Yasuyo , Yamane Keiichiro , Toyofuku Mamoru , Ishii Mitsuru , Inoko Moriaki , Ikeda Tomoyuki , Komasa Akihiro , Tada Eiji , Ishii Katsuhisa , Hotta Kozo , Higashitani Nobuya , Jinnai Toshikazu , Kato Yoshihiro , Inuzuka Yasutaka , Maeda Chiyo , Morikami Yuko , Saito Naritatsu , Sakata Ryuzo , Minatoya Kenji , Kimura Takeshi 
Published: November 2017

AbstractWhether patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) die because of AS-related causes is an important issue for the management of these patients. We used data from CURRENT AS registry, a Japanese multicenter registry, to assess the causes of death in severe AS patients and to identify the factors associated with non-cardiac mortality. We enrolled 3815 consecutive patients with a median follow-up of 1176 days; the 1449 overall deaths comprised 802 (55.3%) from cardiac and 647 (44.7%) from non-cardiac causes. Heart failure (HF) (25.7%) and sudden death (13.0%) caused the most cardiac deaths, whereas infection (13.0%) and malignancy (11.1%) were the main non-cardiac causes. According to treatment strategies, infection was the most common cause of non-cardiac death, followed by malignancy, in both the initial aortic valve replacement (AVR) cohort (N = 1197), and the conservative management cohort (N = 2618). Both non-cardiac factors (age, male, body mass index <22, diabetes, prior history of stroke, dialysis, anemia, and malignancy) and cardiac factors (atrial fibrillation, ejection fraction <68%, and the initial AVR strategy) were associated with non-cardiac death. These findings highlight the importance of close monitoring of non-cardiac comorbidities, as well as HF and sudden death, to improve the mortality rate of severe AS patients.
Incidence and Prognostic Relevance of Cardiopulmonary Failure in Takotsubo Cardiomyopathy
Authors: El-Battrawy Ibrahim , Lang Siegfried , Ansari Uzair , Sattler Katherine , Behnes Michael , Schramm Katja , Fastner Christian , Tülümen Erol , Zhou Xiaobo , Hoffmann Ursula , Borggrefe Martin , Akin Ibrahim 
Published: November 2017

AbstractRecent studies have indicated that patients with takotsubo cardiomyopathy (TTC) have a higher mortality rate than the general population. There is a distinct possibility that TTC could be associated with adverse life-threatening complications like cardiopulmonary failure. Our institutional database constituted a collective of 114 patients diagnosed with TTC. The frequency, determinants and predictors of cardiopulmonary failure were assessed. The patients were subsequently classified into two groups based on the presence (n = 44, 38.6%) or absence (n = 70, 61.4%) of cardiopulmonary failure. Multivariable logistic-regression analysis identified impaired left ventricular function defined as ≤35% at presentation and life-threatening arrhythmia as a positive significant independent predictor of cardiopulmonary failure. A majority of the patients with cardiopulmonary failure were treated with either non-invasive or invasive ventilator support (88%), while 48% of the patients required treatment with catecholamine. The in-hospital mortality rate was greater in the cardiopulmonary failure group. Cardiopulmonary failure patients were at ongoing increased risk of death with a higher mortality at 30-day, 1-year and at 5 years of follow-up. Cardiopulmonary failure is a frequent complication in TTC with an increased short- and long-term mortality. Patient susceptible to this condition could be identified by a reduced ejection fraction and life-threatening arrhythmia.
Usefulness of 10-2 Matrix Frequency Doubling Technology Perimetry for Detecting Central Visual Field Defects in Preperimetric Glaucoma Patients
Authors: Jung Younhea , Park Hae-Young L. , Park Yi Ryeung , Park Chan Kee 
Published: November 2017

AbstractIt is generally acknowledged that structural loss can precede functional loss in some patients with early glaucoma. However, conventional standard automated perimetry (SAP) has limitations in the detection of functional loss, especially in the macular area. This study explores visual field loss in the macular areas of patients with preperimetric glaucoma exhibiting structural thinning in the area by examining the correlations between the ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) and the results of matrix frequency-doubling technology (FDT) 10-2 tests. The structure-function relationships between the GCIPL thicknesses and the mean sensitivities (MSs) of the corresponding areas based on conventional SAP 24-2, FDT 10-2, and FDT 24-2 were examined in 62 patients. The highest correlation was found for FDT 10-2 (r = 0.544, P < 0.001) followed by FDT 24-2 (r = 0.433, P = 0.002) and SAP (r = 0.346, P = 0.007). The correlation coefficients between each GCIPL sector and the corresponding central MS according to FDT 24-2 and 10-2 were all statistically significant, and the correlations were significantly stronger for FDT 10-2 than 24-2 in the inferior and inferonasal sectors. In conclusion, preperimetric glaucoma patients with structural loss in the macula as indicated by GCIPL thinning also exhibited functional loss as revealed by FDT 10-2, and the functional loss was less evident with conventional SAP.
Ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor based on ferrocene and carbon nanofibers for highly specific detection of tetracycline residues
Authors: Xu Qingcui , Liu Zengning , Fu Jiayun , Zhao Wenping , Guo Yemin , Sun Xia , Zhang Haiyun 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA sensitive and efficient ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor was designed for tetracycline (TET) detection in milk. The ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor was constructed by integrating two aptasensors termed as aptasensor 1 and aptasensor 2. The aptasensor 1 was fabricated that based on ferrocene (Fc) and gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) nanocomposite. Meanwhile, the aptasensor 2 was prepared that based on carbon nanofibers (CNFs) and AuNPs nanocomposite. TET-aptamer was immobilized effectively onto screen-printed carbon electrodes (SPCEs) surface through forming Au-S bond between AuNPs and thiol of aptamer at 5′ end to construct the aptasensor 1 and aptasensor 2. And their detection results were calculated by ratio. Thus, the proposed ratiometric aptasensor solved the problem of low accuracy and large differences between batches. Under the optimized conditions, the TET was detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV). Taken advantage of ratio calculation, the as-prepared ratiometric aptasensor could detect TET quantitatively in the range of 10−8–10−3gL−1, with a detection limit of 3.3 × 10−7gL−1. Moreover, its applicability to TET-contaminated real samples (milk) showed an excellent agreement with the values determined by ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI-MS/MS). With high sensitivity, accuracy and reliability, the developed ratiometric aptasensor held a great potential in TET detection for food safety.
Serotonin drives the acquisition of a profibrotic and anti-inflammatory gene profile through the 5-HT7R-PKA signaling axis
Authors: Domínguez-Soto Ángeles , Usategui Alicia , Casas-Engel Mateo de las , Simón-Fuentes Miriam , Nieto Concha , Cuevas Víctor D. , Vega Miguel A. , Luis Pablos José , Corbí Ángel L. 
Published: November 2017

AbstractPeripheral serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) regulates cell growth and differentiation in numerous cell types through engagement of seven types of cell surface receptors (HTR1–7). Deregulated 5-HT/HTR levels contribute to pathology in chronic inflammatory diseases, with macrophages being relevant targets for the physio-pathological effects of 5-HT. In fact, 5-HT skews human macrophage polarization through engagement of 5-HT2BR and 5-HT7R receptors. We now report that 5-HT primes macrophages for reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine production and IFN type I-mediated signaling, and promotes an anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic gene signature in human macrophages. The acquisition of the 5-HT-dependent gene profile primarily depends on the 5-HT7R receptor and 5-HT7R-initiated PKA-dependent signaling. In line with the transcriptional results, 5-HT upregulates TGFβ1 production by human macrophages in an HTR7- and PKA-dependent manner, whereas the absence of Htr7 in vivo results in diminished macrophage infiltration and collagen deposition in a mouse model of skin fibrosis. Our results indicate that the anti-inflammatory and pro-fibrotic activity of 5-HT is primarily mediated through the 5-HT7R-PKA axis, and that 5-HT7R contributes to pathology in fibrotic diseases.
The Potential of Alkyl Amides as Novel Biomarkers and Their Application to Paleocultural Deposits in China
Authors: Wang Jianjun , Simoneit Bernd R. T. , Sheng Guoying , Chen Liqi , Xu Libin , Wang Xinming , Wang Yuhong , Sun Liguang 
Published: November 2017

AbstractA series of alkyl amides was detected and identified in the sedimentary record from an archaeological site at Yuchisi, Mengcheng, Anhui, China. The alkyl amides profiles change abruptly at the depth corresponding to the transition between two prehistoric cultures, which also corresponds to an abrupt change in the fatty acid ratio C18:2/C18:0. The different patterns of variation of the longer and shorter chain alkyl amides at the depth of the cultural transition may reflect differences in their response to external environmental changes, as well as different sources. This is the first study of the stratigraphic variation of alkyl amides in sediments, and their first application to assess paleoenvironmental changes. We suggest that alkyl amides may have potential as new biomarkers in archeological and paleoenvironmental studies.