bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Serum Amyloid A Activates the NLRP3 Inflammasome via P2X7 Receptor and a Cathepsin B-Sensitive Pathway
Authors: Niemi Katri , Teirilä Laura , Lappalainen Jani , Rajamäki Kristiina , Baumann Marc H. , Öörni Katariina , Wolff Henrik , Kovanen Petri T. , Matikainen Sampsa , Eklund Kari K. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Serum amyloid A (SAA) is an acute-phase protein, the serum levels of which can increase up to 1000-fold during inflammation. SAA has a pathogenic role in amyloid A-type amyloidosis, and increased serum levels of SAA correlate with the risk for cardiovascular diseases. IL-1β is a key proinflammatory cytokine, and its secretion is strictly controlled by the inflammasomes. We studied the role of SAA in the regulation of IL-1β production and activation of the inflammasome cascade in human and mouse macrophages, as well as in THP-1 cells. SAA could provide a signal for the induction of pro–IL-1β expression and for inflammasome activation, resulting in secretion of mature IL-1β. Blocking TLR2 and TLR4 attenuated SAA-induced expression of IL1B, whereas inhibition of caspase-1 and the ATP receptor P2X7 abrogated the release of mature IL-1β. NLRP3 inflammasome consists of the NLRP3 receptor and the adaptor protein apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing CARD (a caspase-recruitment domain) (ASC). SAA-mediated IL-1β secretion was markedly reduced in ASC−/− macrophages, and silencing NLRP3 decreased IL-1β secretion, confirming NLRP3 as the SAA-responsive inflammasome. Inflammasome activation was dependent on cathepsin B activity, but it was not associated with lysosomal destabilization. SAA also induced secretion of cathepsin B and ASC. In conclusion, SAA can induce the expression of pro–IL-1β and activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome via P2X7 receptor and a cathepsin B-sensitive pathway. Thus, during systemic inflammation, SAA may promote the production of IL-1β in tissues. Furthermore, the SAA-induced secretion of active cathepsin B may lead to extracellular processing of SAA and, thus, potentially to the development of amyloid A amyloidosis.
Dual Protective Mechanisms of Matrix Metalloproteinases 2 and 9 in Immune Defense against Streptococcus pneumoniae
Authors: Hong Jeong-Soo , Greenlee Kendra J. , Pitchumani Ramanan , Lee Seung-Hyo , Song Li-zhen , Shan Ming , Chang Seon Hee , Park Pyong Woo , Dong Chen , Werb Zena , Bidani Akhil , Corry David B. , Kheradmand Farrah 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
A localized and effective innate immune response to pathogenic bacterial invasion is central to host survival. Identification of the critical local innate mediators of lung defense against such pathogens is essential for a complete understanding of the mechanism(s) underlying effective host defense. In an acute model of Streptococcus pneumoniae lung infection, deficiency in matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)2 and MMP9 (Mmp2/9−/−) conferred a survival disadvantage relative to wild-type mice treated under the same conditions. S. pneumoniae-infected Mmp2/9−/− mice recruited more polymorphonuclear leukocytes to the lung but had higher bacterial burdens. Mmp2/9−/− mice showed significantly higher levels of IL-17A, IP-10, and RANTES in the lung. Although MMP2-dependent cleavage partially inactivated IL-17A, MMP9 was critical for effective bacterial phagocytosis and reactive oxygen species generation in polymorphonuclear neutrophils. These data demonstrate critical nonredundant and protective roles for MMP2 and MMP9 in the early host immune response against S. pneumoniae infection.
Pannexin-1 Is Required for ATP Release during Apoptosis but Not for Inflammasome Activation
Authors: Qu Yan , Misaghi Shahram , Newton Kim , Gilmour Laurie L. , Louie Salina , Cupp James E. , Dubyak George R. , Hackos David , Dixit Vishva M. 
Published: April 2011

Abstract
Apoptotic cell death is important for embryonic development, immune cell homeostasis, and pathogen elimination. Innate immune cells also undergo a very rapid form of cell death termed pyroptosis after activating the protease caspase-1. The hemichannel pannexin-1 has been implicated in both processes. In this study, we describe the characterization of pannexin-1–deficient mice. LPS-primed bone marrow-derived macrophages lacking pannexin-1 activated caspase-1 and secreted its substrates IL-1β and IL-18 normally after stimulation with ATP, nigericin, alum, silica, flagellin, or cytoplasmic DNA, indicating that pannexin-1 is dispensable for assembly of caspase-1–activating inflammasome complexes. Instead, thymocytes lacking pannexin-1, but not the P2X7R purinergic receptor, were defective in their uptake of the nucleic acid dye YO-PRO-1 during early apoptosis. Cell death was not delayed but, unlike their wild-type counterparts, Panx1−/− thymocytes failed to recruit wild-type peritoneal macrophages in a Transwell migration assay. These data are consistent with pannexin-1 liberating ATP and other yet to be defined “find me” signals necessary for macrophage recruitment to apoptotic cells.
Comparison between Anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy for Myopic Choroidal Neovascularization
Authors: Matsuo Misa , Honda Shigeru , Matsumiya Wataru , Kusuhara Sentaro , Tsukahara Yasutomo , Negi Akira 
Published: April 2011

Purpose To compare the efficacy of anti–vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy versus photodynamic therapy (PDT) for myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV). Methods This study is a retrospective interventional study. Forty-two eyes from 42 patients with mCNV (36 subfoveal, 4 juxtafoveal, and 2 extrafoveal) treated and followed up for more than 6 months were included. Twenty eyes from 20 patients were treated by PDT (PDT group) at 1.5±0.9 months after the symptoms and 22 eyes from 22 patients were treated by anti-VEGF therapy (anti-VEGF group) at 0.9±0.8 months after the symptoms. Photodynamic therapy was performed, followed up, and retreated by standard procedures. Anti-VEGF therapy was repeated as needed. Gender, age, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), greatest linear dimension (GLD), central retinal thickness (CRT), and outer nuclear layer (ONL) thickness at the fovea were then compared between the anti-VEGF and PDT groups. Results No differences were detected in baseline parameters between the anti-VEGF and PDT groups. The mean BCVA (logMAR) at month 3 and 6 after the initial treatment was improved (–0.30 and −0.29) from baseline in the anti-VEGF group, which was statistically significant (p=0.0048 and 0.021, respectively). In the PDT group, modest improvements were observed in the mean BCVA at the same time periods (–0.05 and −0.10) with no statistical significance (p=0.79 and 0.90, respectively). The mean CRT was significantly reduced from baseline to month 6 in the anti-VEGF and PDT groups. The ONL thickness was significantly reduced in both groups, although the magnitude was significantly greater in the PDT group than the anti-VEGF group. Conclusions Treatment with anti-VEGF therapy had significantly better visual outcomes than PDT for mCNV.
Towards Integrated Molecular Electronic Devices: Characterization of Molecular Layer Integrity During Fabrication Processes
Authors: Mahmoud Amr M. , Bergren Adam Johan , Pekas Nikola , McCreery Richard L. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractReproducible carbon/molecule/Cu molecular junctions are made with high yield using diazonium reduction of aromatic molecules on carbon with direct evaporation of Cu as a top contact. This report investigates the stability of these devices in response to fabrication steps. Raman spectroscopy through a transparent support shows that direct deposition of Au or Cu causes little change in molecular layer structure, while Ti and Pt deposition cause significant damage to the molecules. AFM, Raman, and XPS examination of Au, Cu, and Ti devices after removal of deposited metal confirm that Cu and Au have minimal effects on molecular structure. However, the molecular layer is rougher after Au deposition, probably due to partial penetration of Au atoms into the molecular layer. Completed carbon/molecule/Cu devices can be heated to 250 °C without significant changes in electronic behaviour while nitroazobenzene molecular layers on carbon were unaffected by photolithography or by 5 min at 400 °C in vacuum. Completed devices could be sealed with parylene‐N, stabilizing them to aqueous etching solution. The stability of carbon/molecule/Cu junctions is due, in part, to the strong carbon–carbon bonding and aggressive nature of diazonium surface modification. The results significantly expand the range of processing variables compatible with molecular electronic junctions.
Strain‐Based Temperature Memory Effect for Nafion and Its Molecular Origins
Authors: Xie Tao , Page Kirt A. , Eastman Scott A. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA shape memory polymer traditionally refers to a polymer that can memorize one temporary shape and recover to its permanent shape upon exposure to an external stimulus. Although this basic concept has been known for at least half a century, recent advances have led to the discoveriy of previously uncovered memory properties that challenge the traditional concept of shape memory polymers. In particular, a temperature memory effect refers to the capability of a polymer to memorize temperatures instead of shapes. Thus far, the reported temperature memory effect has been established under iso‐strain stress recovery conditions, in which the maximum recovery stress appears at a temperature roughly identical to the deformation temperature. This effect can be called recovery stress based temperature memory effect. In this work, experiments were designed in an attempt to establish a temperature memory effect based on the stress free strain recovery behaviors of Nafion. The results show that, under carefully selected conditions, the temperature at which a maximum strain recovery rate is observed can indeed be quantitatively related to the deformation temperature. In addition, indications that the polymer is capable of memorizing more than one deformation temperature (i.e., multi‐temperature memory effect) are shown. The molecular origin of Nafion’s temperature memory effect is elucidated through small angle neutron scattering study.
Modification of Exciton Lifetime by the Metal Cathode in Phosphorescent OLEDs, and Implications on Device Efficiency and Efficiency Roll‐off Behavior
Authors: Song Dandan , Zhao Suling , Aziz Hany 
Published: April 2011

AbstractTime resolved photoluminescence and electroluminescence measurements are used to study changes in the emission characteristics of materials typically used in phosphorescent organic light emitting devices (PhOLEDs). Studies on archetypical PhOLEDs with phosphorescent material, fac‐tris(2‐phenylpyridine) iridium (Ir(ppy)3), show that the lifetime of triplet exciton is modified when in close proximity to a metal layer. Interactions with a metal layer ∼30–100 nm away, as is typically the case in PhOLEDs, result in an increase in the spontaneous emission decay rate of triplet excitons, and causes the exciton lifetime to become shorter as the distance between the phosphorescent material and the metal becomes smaller. The phenomenon, possibly the result of the confined radiation field by the metal, affects device efficiency and efficiency roll‐off behavior. The results shed the light on phenomena affecting the efficiency behavior of PhOLEDs, and provide new insights for device design that can help enhance efficiency performance.
“Brick‐and‐Mortar” Self‐Assembly Approach to Graphitic Mesoporous Carbon Nanocomposites
Authors: Fulvio Pasquale F. , Mayes Richard T. , Wang Xiqing , Mahurin Shannon M. , Bauer John C. , Presser Volker , McDonough John , Gogotsi Yury , Dai Sheng 
Published: April 2011

AbstractMesoporous carbon materials do not have sufficient ordering at the atomic scale to exhibit good electronic conductivity. To date, mesoporous carbons having uniform mesopores and high surface areas have been prepared from partially‐graphitizable precursors in the presence of templates. High temperature thermal treatments above 2000 °C, which are usually required to increase conductivity, result in a partial or total collapse of the mesoporous structures and reduced surface areas induced by growth of graphitic domains, limiting their applications in electric double layer capacitors and lithium‐ion batteries. In this work, we successfully implemented a “brick‐and‐mortar” approach to obtain ordered graphitic mesoporous carbon nanocomposites with tunable mesopore sizes below 850 °C without using graphitization catalysts or high temperature thermal treatments. Phenolic resin‐based mesoporous carbons act as mortar to highly conductive carbon blacks and carbon onions (bricks). The capacitance and resistivity of final materials can be tailored by changing the mortar to brick ratios.
Asymmetric Supercapacitors Based on Graphene/MnO2 and Activated Carbon Nanofiber Electrodes with High Power and Energy Density
Authors: Fan Zhuangjun , Yan Jun , Wei Tong , Zhi Linjie , Ning Guoqing , Li Tianyou , Wei Fei 
Published: April 2011

AbstractAsymmetric supercapacitor with high energy density has been developed successfully using graphene/MnO2 composite as positive electrode and activated carbon nanofibers (ACN) as negative electrode in a neutral aqueous Na2SO4 electrolyte. Due to the high capacitances and excellent rate performances of graphene/MnO2 and ACN, as well as the synergistic effects of the two electrodes, such asymmetric cell exhibits superior electrochemical performances. An optimized asymmetric supercapacitor can be cycled reversibly in the voltage range of 0–1.8 V, and exhibits maximum energy density of 51.1 Wh kg−1, which is much higher than that of MnO2//DWNT cell (29.1 Wh kg−1). Additionally, graphene/MnO2//ACN asymmetric supercapacitor exhibits excellent cycling durability, with 97% specific capacitance retained even after 1000 cycles. These encouraging results show great potential in developing energy storage devices with high energy and power densities for practical applications.
Functionalization and Patterning of Protein‐Based Materials Using Active Ultrabithorax Chimeras
Authors: Huang Zhao , Salim Taha , Brawley Autumn , Patterson Jan , Matthews Kathleen S. , Bondos Sarah E. 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA key advantage of protein‐based materials is the potential to directly incorporate novel functions via gene fusion to produce a single chimeric polypeptide capable of both self‐assembly and the desired activity. However, facile production of functionalized protein materials is frequently hampered by the need to trigger materials assembly using conditions that will not irreversibly damage the functional protein. In contrast, the recombinant Drosophila melanogaster transcription factor Ultrabithorax (Ubx) rapidly self‐assembles under mild, aqueous conditions to form highly extensible materials with a variety of morphologies. Here, it is demonstrated that materials composed of Ubx chimeras with Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein (EGFP), mCherry, luciferase, or myoglobin display the functions of the appended proteins, indicating that these activities are neither impaired by the assembly process nor by confinement within the materials. Finally, methods are established that combine EGFP‐Ubx and mCherry‐Ubx monomers to self‐assemble materials patterned on the microscale to macroscale. The self‐adhesive properties of Ubx materials also permit manual construction and patterning of more complex forms. The ability to easily functionalize and pattern protein‐based materials greatly expands their potential utility in a wide variety of applications.
Direct Writing of Metal Nanoparticles by Localized Plasma Electrochemical Reduction of Metal Cations in Polymer Films
Authors: Lee Seung Whan , Liang Dong , Gao Xuan P. A. , Sankaran R. Mohan 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA non‐lithographic, dry approach to patterning metal nanoparticles is presented. Solutions of metal salt and polymer are spin‐coated onto a substrate, dried, and exposed to a rastered microscale plasma operated at atmospheric pressure and room temperature. Interaction of the electrons in the plasma with the film results in electrochemical reduction of the metal cations to crystalline metal nanoparticles. The process is highly localized, making it possible to obtain microscale patterns of metal nanoparticles with line widths as small as ∼30 μm. We have applied this technique to a wide range of metals such as Ag, Au, Pt, Ir, and Ru, in various polymeric systems such as polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). Overall, the approach allows the fabrication of transparent, flexible, patterned films of metal nanoparticles at low cost and high throughput for applications ranging from plasmonics to catalysis.
Engineering of Ultra‐Hydrophobic Functional Coatings Using Controlled Aggregation of Bicomponent Core/Shell Janus Particles
Authors: Berger Sebastian , Ionov Leonid , Synytska Alla 
Published: April 2011

AbstractThe morphology and wetting properties of coatings prepared using fully‐ covered, mono‐ and bicomponent polymeric Janus particles are investigated and compared. The particles are adsorbed on silica wafers, which were preliminarily coated by thin layers of chemically grafted polymer. The fully‐covered particles form hexagonally packed layers with very hydrophobic wetting properties. In contrast, the Janus particles tend to form aggregates. This is possible due to their ability to self‐assemble and form hierarchical structured aggregates in dispersions. The deposition of these agglomerates on the substrate leads to the formation of hierarchical rough layers which possess a certain level of fractality. The obtained layers are either very hydrophobic or ultra‐hydrophobic, depending on the chemical structure of the polymers grafted to the Janus particles, on the nature of supported substrate, and on the level of aggregation of Janus particles into hierarchical structures. The obtained findings could be very important for design of novel materials with advanced properties.
Controlling Interface Intermixing and Properties of SrTiO3‐Based Superlattices
Authors: Mizoguchi Teruyasu , Ohta Hiromichi , Lee Hak‐Sung , Takahashi Nobuaki , Ikuhara Yuichi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractBy combining state‐of‐the‐art microscopy, spectrosccopy, and first‐principles calculations, atomic‐scale intermixing behavior at heterointerfaces in SrTiO3‐based superlattices is investigated. It is found that Nb is confined to a unit‐cell thickness without intermixing, whereas Ba diffuses only to the adjoining Nb‐doped SrTiO3 layer. It is revealed that the intermixing behaviors at the heterointerfaces are determined by not only the migration energy, but also by the vacancy‐formation energy and the Fermi energy of each layer. Based on these results, we find a method to control the atomic‐scale intermixing at the nonpolar heterointerfaces and clearly demonstrate the property improvements obtained by constructing an abrupt heterointerface.
Bifunctional cobalt Salen complex: a highly selective catalyst for the coupling of CO2 and epoxides under mild conditions
Authors: Li Hongchun , Niu Yongsheng 
Published: April 2011

AbstractA bifunctional cobalt Salen complex containing a Lewis acid metal center and two covalent bonded Lewis bases on the ligand was designed and used for the coupling of CO2 and epoxides under mild conditions. The complex exhibited excellent activity (turnover frequency = 673/h) and selectivity (no less than 97%) for polymer formation in the copolymerization of propylene oxide (PO) and CO2 at an appropriate combination of all variables. High molecular weight of 110 200 and yield 99% were achieved at a higher [PO]/[complex] ratio of 6000:1. The complex also worked satisfactorily for the terpolymerization of CO2, PO and cyclohexene oxide (CHO), without formation of cyclic carbonate or ether linkages to give the polycarbonate. High cyclohexene carbonate unit content in the CO2/PO/CHO terpolymers resulted in enhanced thermal stability. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Synthesis and antimicrobial studies of bis(O,O′‐dialkyl and alkylene dithiophosphoric acid) adducts of diphenyl diselenide
Authors: Khaldy A. A. S. El , Abushanab A. M. , Alkhair Emad Abu 
Published: April 2011

AbstractDialkyl and alkylene dithiophoshoric acids react with diphenyl diselenide in a 1:2 molar ratio in refluxing benzene to yield Ph2Se2·2HS2P(OR)2 (R = Et, Pr‐n, Pr‐i, Bu‐i and Ph) and , where G = ‐CH2CMe2CH2‐, ‐CH2CEt2CH2‐ and ‐CMe2CMe2‐. The complexes are yellow solids (in the cyclic chain) and yellow sticky solids (in the open chain), are soluble in common organic solvents and are monomeric in nature. They were characterized on the basis of elemental analyses, molecular weight determinations, IR and NMR (1H, 13C and 31P). The spectral data revealed addition of dithiophosphate moieties to the diselenide. Studies were conducted to assess the growth‐inhibiting potential of some of the synthesized complexes against various bacterial strains. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Process design methodology for high‐energy saving HIDiC based on self‐heat recuperation
Authors: Kansha Yasuki , Kishimoto Akira , Tsutsumi Atsushi 
Published: April 2011

AbstractIn this article, a novel design methodology based on self‐heat recuperation for a heat integrated distillation column (HIDiC) is proposed. HIDiC is a well‐known energy saving distillation process, in which the condensation heat of the rectification section is recovered and exchanged with the vaporization heat of the stripping section. By following self‐heat recuperation technology, the energy input/output of the HIDiC can be analyzed and the whole process heat can be recirculated by pressure change in the process, leading to further reduction of energy consumption. The simulation results demonstrate that the energy consumption for the HIDiC based on the proposed design methodology using self‐heat recuperation is drastically decreased compared with benchmark processes which use external heat sources. Copyright © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Experimental and numerical study of pulverized bituminous coal ignition characteristics in O2/N2 and O2/CO2 atmospheres
Authors: Wu Le , Qiao Yu , Yao Hong 
Published: April 2011

ABSTRACTAn unsteady‐state model of a pulverized coal cloud including the submodels of radiation and convection was used to study the ignition characteristics of a Datong bituminous coal under the conditions of O2/N2 and O2/CO2 atmospheres. An increase in the ignition temperature was calculated for the bituminous coal when air (21% O2 + 79% N2) was replaced with a mixture of 21% O2 + 79% CO2. With the increase of coal concentration, the ignition temperature reduced under O2/CO2 atmosphere. The ignition temperature of a Datong bituminous coal was investigated using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) and a small furnace; experiment results showed a similar trend with the calculated results. Pulverized coal in ignition mode also appears very differently when the atmosphere changes. © 2011 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.