bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Parkinson's disease‐associated PINK1G309D mutation increases abnormal phosphorylation of Tau
Authors: Ye Ming , Zhou Dai , Zhou Youxin , Sun Chunming 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMutations in PINK1 gene have been considered the second most common cause of Autosomal Recessive Parkinsonism (ARP). So far, different homozygous PINK1 mutations have been identified in different ARP patients. Abnormal hyperphosphorylation of tau leads to the loss of its biological activity. Multiple lines of evidence have demonstrated that hyperphosphorylated tau is associated with Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, the effects of PD associated PINK1 mutations in tau phosphorylation are unknown. In this study, we investigated the effect of G309D PINK1 mutation in tau phosphorylation. Cells transfected with mutant G309D PINK1 exhibited a significant increase in the phosphorylation of tau protein at the PHF‐1 (ser396/404) site. The levels of CDK5, an important activator of tau phosphorylation, did not change in mutant G309D PINK1 transfected cells, suggesting that CDK5 is not involved in tau phosphorylation induced by mutant G309D PINK1. Notably, we found that mutant G309D PINK1 significantly reduced phosphorylation of GSK3β at serine 9, suggesting that alterations in GSK3β activity play an essential role in mutant G309D PINK1‐induced tau phosphorylation at the PHF‐1 site. PP2A activity maintained consistent in mutant G309D PINK1 transfected cells, suggesting that the increased tau hyperphosphorylation is not ascribed to reduction in PP2A activity. © 2015 IUBMB Life, 67(4):286–290, 2015
Label‐free in vivo imaging of peripheral nerve by multispectral photoacoustic tomography
Authors: Li Rui , Phillips Evan , Wang Pu , Goergen Craig J. , Cheng Ji‐Xin 
Published: April 2015

Unintentional surgical damage to nerves is mainly due to poor visualization of nerve tissue relative to adjacent structures. Multispectral photoacoustic tomography can provide chemical information with specificity and ultrasonic spatial resolution with centimeter imaging depth, making it a potential tool for noninvasive neural imaging. To implement this label‐free imaging approach, a multispectral photoacoustic tomography platform was built. Imaging depth and spatial resolution were characterized. In vivo imaging of the femoral nerve that is 2 mm deep in a nude mouse was performed. Through multivariate curve resolution analysis, the femoral nerve was discriminated from the femoral artery and chemical maps of their spatial distributions were generated.
The femoral nerve was discriminated from the femoral artery by multivariate curve resolution analysis.magnified imageThe femoral nerve was discriminated from the femoral artery by multivariate curve resolution analysis.
Osteogenesis around CaP‐coated titanium implants visualized using 3D histology and micro‐computed tomography
Authors: Cuijpers Vincent M. J. I. , Alghamdi Hamdan S. , Van Dijk Natasja W. M. , Jaroszewicz Jakub , Walboomers X. Frank , Jansen John A. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCalcium phosphate (CaP) coatings can enhance the performance of bone implants in compromised conditions, such as osteoporosis. Therefore, this study compared non‐coated vs. CaP‐coated (n = 8) titanium implants in osteoporotic ovariectomized (OVX) rats. Bone volume (BV) was assessed using micro‐computer tomography (micro‐CT) and three‐dimensional (3D) histology, in three zones from the implant surface. Bone remodeling was assessed using fluorochrome labels and osteoclast staining. Micro‐CT and 3D histology showed a BV reduction in OVX animals, of respectively 22.4 and 10.5%. BV was significantly increased inside all zones around CaP coatings, especially in the inner zone of the OVX animals. Fluorochrome labels were predominantly seen when the coating was applied. Osteoclasts were mainly found in the area remote from the surface of non‐coated implants in control animals. For the coated implants, osteoclasts were distributed evenly, and present in direct vicinity of the surface. In conclusion, 3D histology is a suitable technique to obtain data and insight into bone architecture around implants at relatively high resolution. Bone formation was significantly reduced in osteoporotic animals. CaP coatings resulted in a higher BV directly around implants installed in osteoporotic animals, enhanced turnover, and a shift of remodeling activity toward the implant surface. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3463–3473, 2015.
Cultures of Schwann–like cells differentiated from adipose‐derived stem cells on PDMS/MWNT sheets as a scaffold for peripheral nerve regeneration
Authors: Han In Ho , Sun Fangfang , Choi Yoon Ji , Zou Fengming , Nam Kyoung Hyup , Cho Won Ho , Choi Byung Kwan , Song Geun Sung , Koh Kwangnak , Lee Jaebeom 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCarbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising candidates as novel scaffolds for peripheral nerve regeneration. Schwann cells (SCs) are attractive therapeutic targets due to their pivotal role in peripheral nerve regeneration, but primary SCs have limitations for clinical application. However, adipose‐derived stem cells (ASCs) may differentiate into Schwann‐like cells. The present study assesses the potential applicability of multiwall CNTs (MWNTs) composited with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), which were then seeded with differentiated adipose‐derived stem cells (dASCs) to promote neuronal differentiation and growth. Aqueous MWNT dispersion was filtered, and the PDMS/MWNT sheets were prepared using a simple printing‐transfer method. Characterization of PDMS/MWNT sheets indicated their unique physical properties, such as superior mechanical strength and electroconductivity, compared with bare PDMS sheets. ASCs were differentiated into Schwann‐like cells using a mixture of glial growth factors. Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons were co‐cultured with SCs and dASCs on PDMS/MWNTs sheets or noncoated dishes. An alamar blue proliferation assay of dASC and SCs showed significantly more dASC and SCs cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets at 48 h and 72 h than when cultured on noncoated dishes (p < 0.05). Additionally, when DRG were cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets seeded with dASCs, the proliferation of DRG neurons and the longest neurite outgrowth length per neuron were significantly greater than when DRG were cultured on PDMS/MWNT sheets alone or on noncoated dishes seeded with SCs or dASCs (p < 0.05). Overall, PDMS/MWNT sheets exhibited excellent biocompatibility for culturing Schwann‐like cells differentiated from ASCs. Seeding the dASCs on PDMS/MWNT sheets may produce synergistic effects in peripheral nerve regeneration, similarly to SCs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3642–3648, 2015.
Multifunctional nanoparticles for gene delivery and spinal cord injury
Authors: Gwak So‐Jung , Koo Heebeom , Yun Yeomin , Yhee Ji Young , Lee Hye Yeong , Yoon Do Heum , Kim Kwangmeyung , Ha Yoon 
Published: April 2015

AbstractMethylprednisolone (MP) is a glucocorticoid that is used as an anti‐inflammatory agent to the treat spinal cord injury (SCI). A low molecular weight chitosan was used to synthesize chitosan‐MP conjugate, which was used to evaluate the gene therapy, anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects of MP. The cytotoxicity of chitosan‐MP nanoparticles and the transfection efficiency of plasmid DNA were evaluated by MTT and luciferase assays. A chitosan‐MP/pDNA complexes was injected into injured spinal cord to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory and anti‐apoptotic effects of these complexes using terminal deoxynucleotide transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) and ED1 staining, respectively. In addition, to evaluate the distribution of chitosan‐MP/pDNA complexes, pβ‐gal encapsulated chitosan‐MP was injected into the injected site. Cell survival was similar in cells treated with chitosan‐MP conjugate and untreated cells. Luciferase expression was higher in cells treated with the chitosan‐MP/pDNA than cells treated with the chitosan/pDNA. The chitosan‐MP/pDNA complexes also reduced apoptosis and inflammation at the injury site. These results suggest that chitosan‐MP conjugation is an effective gene delivery system to treat SCI. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 103A: 3474–3482, 2015.
Evaluation of the effect of food and gastric pH on the single‐dose pharmacokinetics of cabozantinib in healthy adult subjects
Authors: Nguyen Linh , Holland Jaymes , Mamelok Richard , Laberge Marie‐Kristine , Grenier Julie , Swearingen Dennis , Armas Danielle , Lacy Steven 
Published: April 2015

AbstractCabozantinib is a small molecule tyrosine kinase inhibitor that has been approved for the treatment of patients with progressive, metastatic medullary thyroid cancer. Cabozantinib exhibits a pH‐dependent solubility profile in vitro. Two phase 1 clinical pharmacology studies were conducted in healthy subjects to evaluate whether factors that may affect cabozantinib solubility and gastric pH could alter cabozantinib bioavailability: a food effect study (study 1) and a drug–drug interaction (DDI) study with the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) esomeprazole (study 2). Following a high‐fat meal (study 1), cabozantinib Cmax and AUC were increased (40.5% and 57%, respectively), and the median tmax was delayed by 2 hours. Cabozantinib should thus not be taken with food (patients should not eat for at least 2 hours before and at least 1 hour after administration). In the DDI study (study 2), the 90% confidence intervals (CIs) around the ratio of least‐squares means of cabozantinib with esomeprazole versus cabozantinib alone for AUC0–inf were within the 80%–125% limits; the upper 90%CI for Cmax was 125.1%. Because of the low apparent risk of a DDI, concomitant use of PPIs or weaker gastric pH‐altering agents with cabozantinib is not contraindicated.
Ghrelin prevents tumour‐ and cisplatin‐induced muscle wasting: characterization of multiple mechanisms involved
Authors: Chen Ji‐an , Splenser Andres , Guillory Bobby , Luo Jiaohua , Mendiratta Meenal , Belinova Blaga , Halder Tripti , Zhang Guohua , Li Yi‐Ping , Garcia Jose M. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBackgroundCachexia and muscle atrophy are common consequences of cancer and chemotherapy administration. The novel hormone ghrelin has been proposed as a treatment for this condition. Increases in food intake and direct effects on muscle proteolysis and protein synthesis are likely to mediate these effects, but the pathways leading to these events are not well understood.MethodsWe characterized molecular pathways involved in muscle atrophy induced by Lewis lung carcinoma (LLC) tumour implantation in c57/bl6 adult male mice and by administration of the chemotherapeutic agent cisplatin in mice and in C2C12 myotubes. The effects of exogenous ghrelin administration and its mechanisms of action were examined in these settings.ResultsTumour implantation and cisplatin induced muscle atrophy by activating pro‐inflammatory cytokines, p38‐C/EBP‐β, and myostatin, and by down‐regulating Akt, myoD, and myogenin, leading to activation of ubiquitin‐proteasome‐mediated proteolysis and muscle weakness. Tumour implantation also increased mortality. In vitro, cisplatin up‐regulated myostatin and atrogin‐1 by activating C/EBP‐β and FoxO1/3. Ghrelin prevented these changes in vivo and in vitro, significantly increasing muscle mass (P < 0.05 for LLC and P < 0.01 for cisplatin models) and grip strength (P = 0.038 for LLC and P = 0.001 for cisplatin models) and improving survival (P = 0.021 for LLC model).ConclusionGhrelin prevents muscle atrophy by down‐regulating inflammation, p38/C/EBP‐β/myostatin, and activating Akt, myogenin, and myoD. These changes appear, at least in part, to target muscle cells directly. Ghrelin administration in this setting is associated with improved muscle strength and survival.
Inhibitory effect of silver on activated sludge: effect of organic substrate and the carbon to nitrogen ratio
Authors: Çeçen Ferhan , Kılıç Başak 
Published: April 2015

AbstractBACKGROUNDSensitivity of activated sludge to heavy metals may depend on the strength and type of organics in the feed. However, literature data are usually derived from systems with an unknown or variable composition. To fill this gap, this study examined whether in activated sludge systems the inhibitory effect of Ag+ depended on the carbon to nitrogen (COD/TKN) ratio and the type of organic matter in the feed.RESULTSDifferent activated sludges reactors were operated at steady‐state conditions. Regularly, sludge samples taken from reactors were contacted with Ag+ in a respirometer and the inhibitory effect was determined by the relative decreases in O2 consumption and CO2 generation. The inhibitory property of Ag+ drastically increased as the COD/TKN ratio became lower. While sludges fed with acetate, glucose and peptone or glucose alone were equally inhibited when exposed to Ag+, the peptone‐fed sludge proved to be much more resistant. It was also clarified whether indicated Ag+ doses had an effect on nitrification, organic carbon removal or both processes.CONCLUSIONTo date, comparative evaluations have rarely been made between different activated sludge systems in understanding the response to silver input. Overall, this study pointed to the need to consider the characteristics of the feed to explain the discrepancies between different activated sludge systems. © 2015 Society of Chemical Industry
Circuit models of multiconductor shielded cables: incident plane wave effect
Authors: Mohamed Saih , Hicham Rouijaa , Ghammaz Abdelilah 
Published: April 2015

SummaryThe present study examines the variation effects of incident plane wave on multiconductor shielded cables in frequency domains using Branin's method, which is referred to as the method of characteristics. The model operates in frequency and time domains with linear and nonlinear loads, respectively, which allows it to be easily introduced into circuit simulators, such as SPICE, Sabar, and ESACAP. Two examples are studied: coaxial shielded cables and shielded cables with two parallel wires (i.e., twinax cables), and they are both excited by an incident plane wave. The results obtained by this method are in agreement with those obtained by other methods. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aluminium AlSi12 alloy matrix composites reinforced by mullite porous preforms
Authors: Tomiczek B. , Kujawa M. , Matula G. , Kremzer M. , Tański T. , Dobrzański L. A. 
Published: April 2015

The purpose of this work was to elaborate the method of manufacturing of composite materials based on porous mullite preforms infiltrated by AlSi12 aluminium alloy. The process of manufacturing the metal matrix composites by pressure infiltration is the subject of many scientific studies because it is characterized by high efficiency and allows for accurate mapping of elements of shape and surface of elements, while the structure and properties of the composites are determined by ceramic skeletons. The eutectic aluminium alloy AlSi12 was used as a matrix while as a reinforcement were used ceramic preforms fabricated by sintering of halloysite nanotubes (HNT) powder with an addition of carbon fibres as pore forming agents. The observations of the structure were made on the light microscope and in the scanning electron microscope. The developed technology of manufacturing of composite materials with the pore ceramic mullite infiltration ensures the expected structure and can be used in practice. The composite materials made by the developed method can find application as an alternative material for elements fabricated from light metal matrix composite material reinforced with ceramic fibrous preforms.
Fundamental research on power train systems for electric vehicles
Authors: Kim K. J. , Lee Y.‐C. , Park J.‐H. 
Published: April 2015

The case of an electric vehicle, where a motor and a battery system can be substituted for an engine and a transmission system, comprises a very fascinating power source. However, due to the low power performance of the motor system, the weight reduction of the electric vehicle for the increase of the efficiency is necessary. For the research of the new vehicle, the benchmarking of developments leading companies about the electric vehicle was considerably surveyed first. Then the CAE (computer aided engineering) simulation of the full vehicle (Metro by Geo Co.) model was performed. Among these systems, as the weight of the batteries are comparably high (200 ∼ 300 kg or over), the problem of the safety performance can occur where the motor and the battery are situated in the vehicle location (in the front engine room, center floor or rear trunk position). In addition, the reinforcement degree can differ following as the motor and the battery position in the vehicle in order to satisfy the vehicle safety and it can induce the weight variation of the vehicle. Therefore, the effect of strength performance on the layout of the power train system (mainly battery) was clarified by using CAE (computer aided engineering) and the optimized position of the power train system considering weight balancing of the electric vehicle was suggested in the present study.
Design of a subframe to integrate an electric drivetrain in existing vehicles
Authors: Hitzler L. , Merkel M. , Freytag P. 
Published: April 2015

The global efforts on CO2 emission reduction reflect the importance of a change in personal mobility. Nowadays there is a need in the automotive sector to focus more and more on ecological energy sources. One key to approach this intention is to transfer the modular manufacturing, as known in the conventional car design, to the design of electric powered vehicles. Taking into account that renewable energy sources, for example hydrogen, green electric power or fuel produced out of plants, are able to be combined with an electrical drivetrain, which is able to handle all of them in once. The impressive opportunity is that all those energy sources have a commonality. All of them can be used to produce electrical power onboard. The easiest way seems to be the storage of electrical power in rechargeable batteries; however there are various different options. Hydrogen can be utilized in a fuel cell to produce electrical power and every hydrocarbon fuel can also be used to power a fuel cell in combination with a previous steam reformation. Considering hydrocarbon fuel, there is further the alternative to burn it in combustion engines and to combine it with a generator. The perspective of this short excursus is that it does not depend on the chosen energy resource, because there is always the option to use the energy, to power an electrical drivetrain.This assumption leads to the encouragement to develop a modular and scalable electric driven axle, which is easily adaptable to ensure a compatibility with a brought field of vehicles.
Efficient combination of circulating ultrasound‐assisted extraction and centrifugal partition chromatography for extraction and on‐line separation of chemical constituents from Stellera chamaejasme L.
Authors: Zhang Yuchi , Liu Chunming , Qi Yanjuan , Li Yuchun , Li Sainan , Wang Yuqi , Ren Junqi , Tang Ying 
Published: April 2015

AbstractIntroductionSample preparation is a crucial step in medicinal herb analysis because the desired chemical components need to be extracted from the herbal materials for further separation and characterisation. Thus, the development of " modern" sample preparation techniques with significant advantages over conventional methods is very important.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was the development of a new preparation method using circulating ultrasonic‐assisted extraction (CUAE) coupled with centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) for continuous extraction and on‐line isolation of chemical constituents from Stellera chamaejasme L.MethodologyThe stationary or mobile phase was used as the extraction solvent. Extraction parameters, including the ultrasound power, extraction time, temperature, and liquid:solid ratio, were optimised using a response surface methodology.ResultsThe extraction time, temperature, and power considerably affected the extraction yield. The optimised extraction parameters were an ultrasound power of 800 W, extraction time of 30 min, extraction temperature of 70 °C, and liquid:solid ratio of 8 mL/g. The solvent system for CUAE and CPC was optimised using mathematical equations, and the two‐phase solvent system of n‐hexane:ethyl acetate:methanol:water at a volume ratio of 3:5:4:6 was calculated. Four target compounds (daphnoretin, chamaechromone, neochamaejasmin A, and isochamaejasmin) with purities above 96% were successfully extracted and isolated on‐line via CUAE/CPC.ConclusionCompared with the reference extraction methods, the instrumental setup achieved a scientific and systematic extraction and isolation of natural products and has great potential for industrial application. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Structural characterisation of Cu2.04Zn0.91Sn1.05S2.08Se1.92
Authors: Gurieva G. , Dimitrievska M. , Zander S. , Pérez‐Rodríguez A. , Izquierdo‐Roca V. , Schorr S. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractQuaternary Cu2ZnSn(S1‐xSex)4 compounds are promising semiconductor materials for absorber layer in thin film solar cells. Record efficiency devices (12.6%) exhibit an off‐stoichiometric composition of the absorber layer. These deviations from stoichiometry cause intrinsic point defects, which determine the electronic properties of the semiconductor significantly. A structural analysis of a nearly C‐type off‐stoichiometric Cu and Sn rich and Zn poor Cu2ZnSn(S1‐xSex)4 mixed crystal with x=0.48 by a neutron diffraction investigation was performed. The average neutron scattering length method was applied, showing that the mixed crystal adopts the kesterite type structure. A detailed cation distribution analysis revealed the occurrence of ZnCu(2a) and SnZn anti‐site point defects additional to the Cu‐Zn disorder in the planes at z=1/4 and 3/4. (© 2015 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)
Metallic conductivity and weak antilocalization in Bi2Te2.7Se0.3 thin films
Authors: Abdullayev Nadir A. , Kerimova Afet M. , Aliquliyeva Khayala V. , Shim Yong Gu , Mimura Kojiro , Wakita Kazuki , Alekperov Oktay Z. , Mamedov Nazim T. , Zverev Vladimir N. 
Published: April 2015

AbstractSubmicron thin films of Bi2Te2,7Se0,3 solid solution is synthesized by thermal vacuum evaporation. The films are then subjected to after‐growth vacuum annealing and characterized using X‐ray diffraction and confocal laser microscopy techniques. Electron transport in the synthesized films is studied over the temperature range of 1.4‐300 K at magnetic fields up to 8 T. Electron localization due to electron‐electron interaction, along with weak anti‐localization effect at weak magnetic fields and temperatures below 8 K is observed. The latter effect is commonly encountered in thin films of topological insulators grown by molecular beam epitaxy and has therefore been ascribed to the manifestation of the topological surface states. Finally, phase coherence length is estimated.