bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dual-functional transdermal drug delivery system with controllable drug loading based on thermosensitive poloxamer hydrogel for atopic dermatitis treatment
Authors: Wang Wenyi , Wat Elaine , Hui Patrick C. L. , Chan Ben , Ng Frency S. F. , Kan Chi-Wai , Wang Xiaowen , Hu Huawen , Wong Eric C. W. , Lau Clara B. S. , Leung Ping-Chung 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) has long been viewed as a problematic issue by the medical profession. Although a wide variety of complementary therapies have been introduced, they fail to combine the skin moisturizing and drug supply for AD patients. This study reports the development of a thermo-sensitive Poloxamer 407/Carboxymethyl cellulose sodium (P407/CMCs) composite hydrogel formulation with twin functions of moisture and drug supply for AD treatment. It was found that the presence of CMCs can appreciably improve the physical properties of P407 hydrogel, which makes it more suitable for tailored drug loading. The fabricated P407/CMCs composite hydrogel was also characterized in terms of surface morphology by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), rheological properties by a rheometer, release profilein vitroby dialysis method and cytotoxicity test. More importantly, the findings from transdermal drug delivery behavior revealed that P407/CMCs showed desirable percutaneous performance. Additionally, analysis of cytotoxicity test suggested that P407/CMCs composite hydrogel is a high-security therapy for clinical trials and thus exhibits a promising way to treat AD with skin moisturizing and medication.
Steady-state mechanical squeezing in a hybrid atom-optomechanical system with a highly dissipative cavity
Authors: Wang Dong-Yang , Bai Cheng-Hua , Wang Hong-Fu , Zhu Ai-Dong , Zhang Shou 
Published: April 2016

AbstractQuantum squeezing of mechanical resonator is important for studying the macroscopic quantum effects and the precision metrology of weak forces. Here we give a theoretical study of a hybrid atom-optomechanical system in which the steady-state squeezing of the mechanical resonator can be generated via the mechanical nonlinearity and cavity cooling process. The validity of the scheme is assessed by simulating the steady-state variance of the mechanical displacement quadrature numerically. The scheme is robust against dissipation of the optical cavity and the steady-state squeezing can be effectively generated in a highly dissipative cavity.
Bioprinting three-dimensional cell-laden tissue constructs with controllable degradation
Authors: Wu Zhengjie , Su Xin , Xu Yuanyuan , Kong Bin , Sun Wei , Mi Shengli 
Published: April 2016

AbstractAlginate hydrogel is a popular biologically inert material that is widely used in 3D bioprinting, especially in extrusion-based printing. However, the printed cells in this hydrogel could not degrade the surrounding alginate gel matrix, causing them to remain in a poorly proliferating and non-differentiating state. Here, we report a novel study of the 3D printing of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs)/collagen/gelatin/alginate hydrogel incubated with a medium containing sodium citrate to obtain degradation-controllable cell-laden tissue constructs. The 3D-printed hydrogel network with interconnected channels and a macroporous structure was stable and achieved high cell viability (over 90%). By altering the mole ratio of sodium citrate/sodium alginate, the degradation time of the bioprinting constructs can be controlled. Cell proliferation and specific marker protein expression results also revealed that with the help of sodium citrate degradation, the printed HCECs showed a higher proliferation rate and greater cytokeratin 3(CK3) expression, indicating that this newly developed method may help to improve the alginate bioink system for the application of 3D bioprinting in tissue engineering.
The Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus) genome provides new insights into the evolution of an early lineage of teleosts
Authors: Bian Chao , Hu Yinchang , Ravi Vydianathan , Kuznetsova Inna S. , Shen Xueyan , Mu Xidong , Sun Ying , You Xinxin , Li Jia , Li Xiaofeng , Qiu Ying , Tay Boon-Hui , Thevasagayam Natascha May , Komissarov Aleksey S. , Trifonov Vladimir , Kabilov Marsel , Tupikin Alexey , Luo Jianren , Liu Yi , Song Hongmei , Liu Chao , Wang Xuejie , Gu Dangen , Yang Yexin , Li Wujiao , Polgar Gianluca , Fan Guangyi , Zeng Peng , Zhang He , Xiong Zijun , Tang Zhujing , Peng Chao , Ruan Zhiqiang , Yu Hui , Chen Jieming , Fan Mingjun , Huang Yu , Wang Min , Zhao Xiaomeng , Hu Guojun , Yang Huanming , Wang Jian , Wang Jun , Xu Xun , Song Linsheng , Xu Gangchun , Xu Pao , Xu Junmin , O’Brien Stephen J. , Orbán László , Venkatesh Byrappa , Shi Qiong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe Asian arowana (Scleropages formosus), one of the world’s most expensive cultivated ornamental fishes, is an endangered species. It represents an ancient lineage of teleosts: the Osteoglossomorpha. Here, we provide a high-quality chromosome-level reference genome of a female golden-variety arowana using a combination of deep shotgun sequencing and high-resolution linkage mapping. In addition, we have also generated two draft genome assemblies for the red and green varieties. Phylogenomic analysis supports a sister group relationship between Osteoglossomorpha (bonytongues) and Elopomorpha (eels and relatives), with the two clades together forming a sister group of Clupeocephala which includes all the remaining teleosts. The arowana genome retains the full complement of eight Hox clusters unlike the African butterfly fish (Pantodon buchholzi), another bonytongue fish, which possess only five Hox clusters. Differential gene expression among three varieties provides insights into the genetic basis of colour variation. A potential heterogametic sex chromosome is identified in the female arowana karyotype, suggesting that the sex is determined by a ZW/ZZ sex chromosomal system. The high-quality reference genome of the golden arowana and the draft assemblies of the red and green varieties are valuable resources for understanding the biology, adaptation and behaviour of Asian arowanas.
Dynamic Changes of Functional Pain Connectome in Women with Primary Dysmenorrhea
Authors: Wu Ting-Hsuan , Tu Cheng-Hao , Chao Hsiang-Tai , Li Wei-Chi , Low Intan , Chuang Chih-Ying , Yeh Tzu-Chen , Cheng Chou-Ming , Chou Chih-Che , Chen Li-Fen , Hsieh Jen-Chuen 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPrimary dysmenorrhea (PDM) is the most prevalent gynecological problem. Many key brain systems are engaged in pain processing. In light of dynamic communication within and between systems (or networks) in shaping pain experience and behavior, the intra-regional functional connectivity (FC) in the hub regions of the systems may be altered and the functional interactions in terms of inter-regional FCs among the networks may be reorganized to cope with the repeated stress of menstrual pain in PDM. Forty-six otherwise healthy PDM subjects and 49 age-matched, healthy female control subjects were enrolled. Intra- and inter-regional FC were assessed using regional homogeneity (ReHo) and ReHo-seeded FC analyses, respectively. PDM women exhibited a trait-related ReHo reduction in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, part of the default mode network (DMN), during the periovulatory phase. The trait-related hypoconnectivity of DMN-salience network and hyperconnectivity of DMN-executive control network across the menstrual cycle featured a dynamic transition from affective processing of pain salience to cognitive modulation. The altered DMN-sensorimotor network may be an ongoing representation of cumulative menstrual pain. The findings indicate that women with long-term PDM may develop adaptive neuroplasticity and functional reorganization with a network shift from affective processing of salience to the cognitive modulation of pain.
Clinicopathological Analysis and Multipronged Quantitative Proteomics Reveal Oxidative Stress and Cytoskeletal Proteins as Possible Markers for Severe Vivax Malaria
Authors: Ray Sandipan , Patel Sandip K. , Venkatesh Apoorva , Bhave Amruta , Kumar Vipin , Singh Vaidhvi , Chatterjee Gangadhar , Shah Veenita G. , Sharma Sarthak , Renu Durairaj , Nafis Naziya , Gandhe Prajakta , Gogtay Nithya , Thatte Urmila , Sehgal Kunal , Verma Sumit , Karak Avik , Khanra Dibbendhu , Talukdar Arunansu , Kochar Sanjay K. , S. B Vijeth , Kochar Dhanpat K. , Rojh Dharmendra , Varma Santosh G. , Gandhi Mayuri N. , Srikanth Rapole , Patankar Swati , Srivastava Sanjeeva 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn Plasmodium vivax malaria, mechanisms that trigger transition from uncomplicated to fatal severe infections are obscure. In this multi-disciplinary study we have performed a comprehensive analysis of clinicopathological parameters and serum proteome profiles of vivax malaria patients with different severity levels of infection to investigate pathogenesis of severe malaria and identify surrogate markers of severity. Clinicopathological analysis and proteomics profiling has provided evidences for the modulation of diverse physiological pathways including oxidative stress, cytoskeletal regulation, lipid metabolism and complement cascades in severe malaria. Strikingly, unlike severe falciparum malaria the blood coagulation cascade was not found to be affected adversely in acute P. vivax infection. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first comprehensive proteomics study, which identified some possible cues for severe P. vivax infection. Our results suggest that Superoxide dismutase, Vitronectin, Titin, Apolipoprotein E, Serum amyloid A, and Haptoglobin are potential predictive markers for malaria severity.
Increased frequency of social interaction is associated with enjoyment enhancement and reward system activation
Authors: Kawamichi Hiroaki , Sugawara Sho K. , Hamano Yuki H. , Makita Kai , Kochiyama Takanori , Sadato Norihiro 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPositive social interactions contribute to the sense that one’s life has meaning. Enjoyment of feelings associated through social interaction motivates humans to build social connections according to their personal preferences. Therefore, we hypothesized that social interaction itself activates the reward system in a manner that depends upon individual interaction preferences. To test this hypothesis, we conducted a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) study in which 38 participants played a virtual ball-toss game in which the number of ball tosses to the participant was either similar to (normal-frequency condition) or higher than (high-frequency condition) the number of tosses to the other players. Participants reported greater-than-anticipated enjoyment during the high-frequency condition, suggesting that receiving a social reward led to unexpected positive feelings. Consistent with this, the high-frequency condition produced stronger activation in the ventral striatum, which is part of the reward system, and the precuneus, representing positive self-image, which might be translated to social reward. Furthermore, ventral striatal activation covaried with individual participants’ preference for interactions with others. These findings suggest that an elevated frequency of social interaction is represented as a social reward, which might motivate individuals to promote social interaction in a manner that is modulated by personal preference.
Disorder prediction-based construct optimization improves activity and catalytic efficiency of Bacillus naganoensis pullulanase
Authors: Wang Xinye , Nie Yao , Mu Xiaoqing , Xu Yan , Xiao Rong 
Published: April 2016

AbstractPullulanase is a well-known starch-debranching enzyme. However, the production level of pullulanase is yet low in both wide-type strains and heterologous expression systems. We predicted the disorder propensities of Bacillus naganoensis pullulanase (PUL) using the bioinformatics tool, Disorder Prediction Meta-Server. On the basis of disorder prediction, eight constructs, including PULΔN5, PULΔN22, PULΔN45, PULΔN64, PULΔN78 and PULΔN106 by deleting the first 5, 22, 45, 64, 78 and 106 residues from the N-terminus and PULΔC9 and PULΔC36 by deleting the last 9 and 36 residues from the C-terminus, were cloned into the recombinant expression vector pET-28a-PelB and auto-induced in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. All constructs were evaluated in production level, specific activities and kinetic parameters. Both PULΔN5 and PULΔN106 gave higher production levels of protein than the wide type and displayed increased specific activities. Kinetic studies showed that substrate affinities of the mutants were improved in various degrees and the catalytic efficiency of PULΔN5, PULΔN45, PULΔN78, PULΔN106 and PULΔC9 were enhanced. However, the truncated mutations did not change the advantageous properties of the enzyme involving optimum temperature and pH for further application. Therefore, Disorder prediction-based truncation would be helpful to efficiently improve the enzyme activity and catalytic efficiency.
Predictability of uncontrollable multifocal seizures – towards new treatment options
Authors: Lehnertz Klaus , Dickten Henning , Porz Stephan , Helmstaedter Christoph , Elger Christian E. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractDrug-resistant, multifocal, non-resectable epilepsies are among the most difficult epileptic disorders to manage. An approach to control previously uncontrollable seizures in epilepsy patients would consist of identifying seizure precursors in critical brain areas combined with delivering a counteracting influence to prevent seizure generation. Predictability of seizures with acceptable levels of sensitivity and specificity, even in an ambulatory setting, has been repeatedly shown, however, in patients with a single seizure focus only. We did a study to assess feasibility of state-of-the-art, electroencephalogram-based seizure-prediction techniques in patients with uncontrollable multifocal seizures. We obtained significant predictive information about upcoming seizures in more than two thirds of patients. Unexpectedly, the emergence of seizure precursors was confined to non-affected brain areas. Our findings clearly indicate that epileptic networks, spanning lobes and hemispheres, underlie generation of seizures. Our proof-of-concept study is an important milestone towards new therapeutic strategies based on seizure-prediction techniques for clinical practice.
Capacitive-coupled Series Spoof Surface Plasmon Polaritons
Authors: Yin Jia Yuan , Ren Jian , Zhang Hao Chi , Zhang Qian , Cui Tie Jun 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA novel method to realize stopband within the operating frequency of spoof surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) is presented. The stopband is introduced by a new kind of capacitive-coupled series spoof SPPs. Two conventional H-shaped unit cells are proposed to construct a new unit cell and every two new unit cells are separated by a gap with certain distance, which is designed to implement capacitive coupling. The original surface impedance matching is disturbed by the capacitive coupling, leading to the stopband during the transmission of SPPs. The proposed method is verified by both numerical simulations and experiments and the simulated and measured results have good agreements. It is shown that the proposed structure exhibits a stopband in 9–9.5 GHz while the band-pass feature maintains in 5–9 GHz and 9.5–11 GHz. In the passband, the reflection coefficient is less than −10 dB and the transmission loss is around 3 dB; in the stopband, the reflection coefficient is −2 dB and the transmission coefficient is less than −30 dB. The compact size, easy fabrication and good band-pass and band-stop features make the proposed structure a promising plasmonic device in SPP communication systems.
Cardiac troponin T and echocardiographic dimensions after repeated sprint vs. moderate intensity continuous exercise in healthy young males
Authors: Weippert Matthias , Divchev Dimitar , Schmidt Paul , Gettel Hannes , Neugebauer Antina , Behrens Kristin , Wolfarth Bernd , Braumann Klaus-Michael , Nienaber Christoph A. 
Published: April 2016

AbstractRegular physical exercise can positively influence cardiac function; however, investigations have shown an increase of myocardial damage biomarkers after acute prolonged endurance exercises. We investigated the effect of repeated sprint vs. moderate long duration exercise on markers of myocardial necrosis, as well as cardiac dimensions and functions. Thirteen healthy males performed two different running sessions (randomized, single blinded cross-over design): 60 minutes moderate intensity continuous training (MCT, at 70% of peak heart rate (HRpeak)) and two series of 12 × 30-second sprints with set recovery periods in-between (RST, at 90% HRpeak). Venous blood samples for cardiac troponin T (cTnT), creatine kinase (CK) and MB isoenzyme (CK-MB) were taken 1 and 4 hours after exercise sessions. After each session electrocardiographic (ECG) and transthoracic echocardiographic (TTE) data were recorded. Results showed that all variables - average heart rate, serum lactate concentration during RST, subjective exertion and cTnT after RST - were significantly higher compared to MCT. CK and CK-MB significantly increased regardless of exercise protocol, while ECG and TTE indicated normal cardiac function. Our results provide evidence that RST contributes significantly to cTnT and CK release. This biomarker increase seems to reflect a physiological rather than a pathological phenomenon in healthy, exercising subjects.
Rate-dependent interface capture beyond the coffee-ring effect
Authors: Li Yanan , Yang Qiang , Li Mingzhu , Song Yanlin 
Published: April 2016

AbstractThe mechanism of droplet drying is a widely concerned fundamental issue since controlling the deposition morphology of droplet has significant influence on printing, biology pattern, self-assembling and other solution-based devices fabrication. Here we reveal a striking different kinetics-controlled deposition regime beyond the ubiquitous coffee-ring effect that suspended particles tend to kinetically accumulate at the air-liquid interface and deposit uniformly. As the interface shrinkage rate exceeds the particle average diffusion rate, particles in vertical evaporation flow will be captured by the descending surface, producing surface particle jam and forming viscous quasi-solid layer, which dramatically prevents the trapped particles from being transported to drop edge and results in uniform deposition. This simple, robust drying regime will provide a versatile strategy to control the droplet deposition morphology, and a novel direction of interface assembling for fabricating superlattices and high quality photonic crystal patterns.
Feasibility of Leadless Cardiac Pacing Using Injectable Magnetic Microparticles
Authors: Rotenberg Menahem Y. , Gabay Hovav , Etzion Yoram , Cohen Smadar 
Published: April 2016

AbstractA noninvasive, effective approach for immediate and painless heart pacing would have invaluable implications in several clinical scenarios. Here we present a novel strategy that utilizes the well-known mechano-electric feedback of the heart to evoke cardiac pacing, while relying on magnetic microparticles as leadless mechanical stimulators. We demonstrate that after localizing intravenously-injected magnetic microparticles in the right ventricular cavity using an external electromagnet, the application of magnetic pulses generates mechanical stimulation that provokes ventricular overdrive pacing in the rat heart. This temporary pacing consistently managed to revert drug-induced bradycardia, but could only last up to several seconds in the rat model, most likely due to escape of the particles between the applied pulses using our current experimental setting. In a pig model with open chest, MEF-based pacing was induced by banging magnetic particles and has lasted for a longer time. Due to overheating of the electromagnet, we intentionally terminated the experiments after 2 min. Our results demonstrate for the first time the feasibility of external leadless temporary pacing, using injectable magnetic microparticles that are manipulated by an external electromagnet. This new approach can have important utilities in clinical settings in which immediate and painless control of cardiac rhythm is required.
Draft genome sequencing and secretome analysis of fungal phytopathogen Ascochyta rabiei provides insight into the necrotrophic effector repertoire
Authors: Verma Sandhya , Gazara Rajesh Kumar , Nizam Shadab , Parween Sabiha , Chattopadhyay Debasis , Verma Praveen Kumar 
Published: April 2016

AbstractConstant evolutionary pressure acting on pathogens refines their molecular strategies to attain successful pathogenesis. Recent studies have shown that pathogenicity mechanisms of necrotrophic fungi are far more intricate than earlier evaluated. However, only a few studies have explored necrotrophic fungal pathogens. Ascochyta rabiei is a necrotrophic fungus that causes devastating blight disease of chickpea (Cicer arietinum). Here, we report a 34.6 megabase draft genome assembly of A. rabiei. The genome assembly covered more than 99% of the gene space and 4,259 simple sequence repeats were identified in the assembly. A total of 10,596 high confidence protein-coding genes were predicted which includes a large and diverse inventory of secretory proteins, transporters and primary and secondary metabolism enzymes reflecting the necrotrophic lifestyle of A. rabiei. A wide range of genes encoding carbohydrate-active enzymes capable for degradation of complex polysaccharides were also identified. Comprehensive analysis predicted a set of 758 secretory proteins including both classical and non-classical secreted proteins. Several of these predicted secretory proteins showed high cysteine content and numerous tandem repeats. Together, our analyses would broadly expand our knowledge and offer insights into the pathogenesis and necrotrophic lifestyle of fungal phytopathogens.
Effect of the PGD2-DP signaling pathway on primary cultured rat hippocampal neuron injury caused by aluminum overload
Authors: Ma Jie , Yang Qunfang , Wei Yuling , Yang Yang , Ji Chaonan , Hu Xinyue , Mai Shaoshan , Kuang Shengnan , Tian Xiaoyan , Luo Ying , Liang Guojuan , Yang Junqing 
Published: April 2016

AbstractIn the present study, the agonists and antagonists of DP receptor were used to examine whether the PGD2-DP signaling pathway affects neuronal function. Primary cultured hippocampal neuron was prepared and treated with aluminum maltolate (100 μM) to establish the neuronal damage model. PGD2 and cAMP content was detected by ELISA. L-PGDS and DPs mRNA and protein expression were measured by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. The aluminium-load neuron was treated with the DP1 agonist BW245C, the DP1 antagonist BWA868C, the DP2 agonist DK-PGD2, and the DP2 antagonist CAY10471, respectively. Neuronal pathomorphology was observed using H-E staining. The cell viability and the lactate dehydrogenase leakage rates of neurons were measured with MTT and LDH kit, respectively. Ca2+ level was detected by Fluo-3/AM. In the model group, the MTT values obviously decreased; LDH leakage rates and PGD2 content increased significantly; L-PGDS, DP1 mRNA and protein expressions increased and DP2 level decreased. BW245C reduced the Ca2+ fluorescence intensity and protected the neurons. DK-PGD2 increased the intensity of Ca2+ fluorescence, while CAY10471 had the opposite effect. In conclusion, contrary to the effect of DP2, the PGD2-DP1 signaling pathway protects against the primary cultured rat hippocampal neuronal injury caused by aluminum overload.