bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Desmoglein 2 Functions as a Receptor for Fatty Acid Binding Protein 4 in Breast Cancer Epithelial Cells
Authors: Chen Dongmei , Wirth Keith M. , Kizy Scott , Muretta Joseph M. , Markowski Todd W. , Yong Peter , Sheka Adam , Abdelwahab Hisham , Hertzel Ann V. , Ikramuddin Sayeed , Yamamoto Masato , Bernlohr David A. 
Published: April 2023

Abstract

Fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4) is a secreted adipokine linked to obesity and progression of a variety of cancers. Obesity increases extracellular FABP4 (eFABP4) levels in animal models and in obese breast cancer patients compared with lean healthy controls. Using MCF-7 and T47D breast cancer epithelial cells, we show herein that eFABP4 stimulates cellular proliferation in a time and concentration dependent manner while the non-fatty acid-binding mutant, R126Q, failed to potentiate growth. When E0771 murine breast cancer cells were injected into mice, FABP4 null animals exhibited delayed tumor growth and enhanced survival compared with injections into control C57Bl/6J animals. eFABP4 treatment of MCF-7 cells resulted in a significant increase in phosphorylation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (pERK), transcriptional activation of nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (NRF2) and corresponding gene targets ALDH1A1, CYP1A1, HMOX1, SOD1 and decreased oxidative stress, while R126Q treatment did not show any effects. Proximity-labeling employing an APEX2–FABP4 fusion protein revealed several proteins functioning in desmosomes as eFABP4 receptor candidates including desmoglein (DSG), desmocollin, junction plankoglobin, desomoplankin, and cytokeratins. AlphaFold modeling predicted an interaction between eFABP4, and the extracellular cadherin repeats of DSG2 and pull-down and immunoprecipitation assays confirmed complex formation that was potentiated by oleic acid. Silencing of DSG2 in MCF-7 cells attenuated eFABP4 effects on cellular proliferation, pERK levels, and ALDH1A1 expression compared with controls.

Implications:
These results suggest desmosomal proteins, and in particular desmoglein 2, may function as receptors of eFABP4 and provide new insight into the development and progression of obesity-associated cancers.
The Processability, Electrical and Mechanical Properties of EMI Shielding ABS Composites
Authors: Ma Chen-Chi M. , Hu A.T. , Chen D.K. 
Published: April 2023

Conducting composite materials based on acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) compounded with conductive fillers, i.e. carbon black and aluminium flakes were prepared. The effectiveness of such composite materials with regard to shielding against electromagnetic interference (EMI) was studied, and the relationships among electrical conductivity, processability and mechanical properties were explored. Effects of modifying the filler surface with coupling agents on various properties were also investigated. Results show that the threshold for conductivity is about 5 vol% (20wt%) of conductive carbon black or 5 – 10 vol% (20–40wt%) of Al-flake in composites. The most optimised shielding effectiveness reaching 25dB and 30 dB when the ABS matrix contains 20 wt% of carbon black or 40 wt% of Al-flake. This performance is comparable with that of 1 mm thickness of copper sheet, or that of nickel coating. In addition, both mechanical and rheological properties of the conductive composites were studied.
Biocompatibility and Biofunctionality of a Gelatin Impregnated Polyester Arterial Prosthesis
Authors: Chakfé Nabil , Marois Yves , Guidoin Robert , Deng Xiaoyan , Marois Michel , Roy Raynald , King Martin , Douville Yvan 
Published: April 2023

The gelatin-impregnated vascular graft Gelseal® and its parent Triaxial® graft were evaluated in terms of biocompatibility in rats and in vivo biofunctionality as a thoraco-abdominal bypass in dogs. The biocompatibility study was performed by implantation of small segments of graft in the peritoneal cavity of rats for scheduled periods of upto 4 weeks. Peripheral total T cells (CD3), T helper cells (CD4) and T suppressor cells (CD8) and activated T cells expressing IL-2 receptors were quantified by cytofluorometry. Enzymatic and histopathological analyses of the tissue at the implant site were also performed. In the rat, the Gelseal® graft induced a significant reduction of CD4 cells at 3 days, 1 and 4 weeks post-implantation when compared to the control group (wounded rats without prosthesis). On the other hand, the Triaxial® graft showed similar results to the control group except for a significant reduction of CD4 cells after 1 week. The percentage of CD3, CD8 and activated T cells expressing IL-2 receptors were similar to the control group. There was no statistical difference in acid phosphatase activity in the tissue surrounding the Gelseal® and the Triaxial® grafts. Histological studies of the impregnated graft have revealed an inflammatory reaction with polymorphonuclear cells which lasted slightly longer than the 2 weeks observed for the non-impregnated polyester control. Thereafter, the inflammatory response of both grafts became chronic and moderate. The investigation of in vivo biofunctionality was carried out by implanting the grafts as a thoraco-abdominal bypass in dogs for prescheduled periods of up to 6 months. The grafts were investigated for patency, morphology, healing sequerice, fibrin and platelet uptake and prostaglandin secretion. The healing characteristics of the Gelseal® graft were similar to the preclotted control. All grafts remained patent, and the small differences in platelet and fibrin uptake on the luminal surface between the impregnated and non-impregnated grafts were not statistically significant. The two healing sequences were also similar with the development of a collagenous internal capsule at 2 weeks post-implantation followed by the laying-down of endothelial-like cells at 1 month. The gelatin coating had completely eroded within the first month, at which time the PGI 2/ TXA 2 ratios determined on whole segments of grafts was higher than one. The Gelseal® graft has shown good biocompatibility and excellent healing characteristics as a thoraco-abdominal bypass in dogs and compares favourably with its parent graft the Triaxial® polyester prosthesis.
Amorphous and Semi-Crystalline Nylon-6: Processing and Properties
Authors: Avramova Nadka 
Published: April 2023

The influence of processing conditions on the structure and properties of nylon-6 are investigated. Amorphous nylon-6 is obtained and its properties are compared with those of semi-crystalline nylon-6. The kinetics of crystallization of nylon-6 depends strongly on the previous thermal prehistory of the melt. The recently observed cumulative character in the structural memory of nylon-6 is successfully applied for obtaining this polymer in a pure amorphous state. It was demonstrated that a critical temperature exists above which the “memory” of this polymer can be erased, and this critical temperature is close to the equilibrium melting temperature T m°. The value of T m ° ≍280°C was evaluated using an independent technique. Melt annealing above this temperature suppresses the crystallization process due to destruction of all crystal nuclei. Amorphous nylon-6 was obtained by ultraquenching of its melt, previously treated at a temperature above T m °, to a temperature well below the glass transition region. The ultraquenched nylon-6 is characterized by amorphous initial structure and improved mechanical properties. The thermal behaviour, crystallization and mechanical properties are investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), wide angle X ray scattering (WAXS) and mechanical testing. After drawing and annealing, the tensile strength and elasticity modulus of initially amorphous nylon-6 increase three times and the elongation at break decreases by half as compared with conventionally quenched samples. The thermal treatment in vacuum of semi-crystalline nylon-6 affects both the structure and the molecular weight. It is demonstrated that the most important factor for the improvement of mechanical properties is the orientation in the amorphous regions. The lower die initial degree of crystallinity, the better are the orientation and the mechanical properties of nylon-6. The best mechanical properties of initially amorphous nylon-6 are explained by achievement of better orientation of molecules in the amorphous regions.
Predicting the Operating Characteristics and Play of Machine Sliding Bearings Made from Composite Materials
Authors: Levin Eng A.L. , Kacevman Eng 
Published: April 2023

Polymer sliding materials are being used more and more in combinations of machine parts. The sliding properties and other characteristics of thermoplastics (acetal resins, polyamides) are temperature dependent. The main limitation of thermoplastic sliding bearings is the temperature. Calculation of the load capacity of thermoplastic sliding bearings should therefore form the basis for the thermal calculation of the sub-assembly, the purpose of which is to determine the operating temperature of the sub-assembly or (at a given permissible operating temperature) to determine the permissible operating parameters for the thermoplastic sliding bearing in the sub-assembly in question. Because of the low heat conduction and high thermal expansion coefficients of polymers, there are certain difficulties with heat dissipation through the bearing and the permissible tolerances when using thermoplastic sliding bearings. On the basis of algorithms developed for the purpose, a program package has been developed to calculate the strength and stiffness of thermoplastic sliding bearings made from the most varied of materials. This presentation points out certain graphic dependences, determined with a plotter, of the initial dimensions on material properties and sub-assembly design. Analysis of these relationships together with others determined during these machine experiments leads to the conclusion that the greatest efficiency can be achieved by simultaneously increasing the thermal conduction of the composite material by two to two and a half times and reducing the coefficient of friction to two thirds of the original value. By adding graphite fibres, the coefficient of thermal expansion can be reduced by 35%. This parameter has a decisive effect on the magnitude of the play in the sliding combination.
FRP Corrosion Resistance: The Role of the Glass Fibre Type
Authors: Santrach Drago , Matzeg Rick 
Published: April 2023

The corrosion resistance studies of glass fibre reinforced plastics (RP) have primarily compared the resins and the surfacing veil materials using the ASTM C581 standard test method. As the corrosion barrier has been shown to delay and not stop the acid attack on the structural layers of the laminate, the more recent papers, by several authors, highlight the importance of the reinforcing fibres. In particular, the use of ECRGLAS® fibres is recommended in RP laminates subjected to the simultaneous stresses of mechanical loading and exposure to dilute material acids. A brief overview of the most pertinent literature related to the present work is given. The experimental data on the resistance of RP laminates to corrosion attack in aqueous solutions of both sodium hydroxide and sulphuric acid is discussed. This work comprises a two level fraction factorial experiment design to study five factors: the glass fibre type (E vs. E-CR), the resin type (isophthalic vs. bisphenol A), the laminate construction (mat/mat/mat vs. mat/woven roving/mat), the exposure media type (sodium hydroxide vs. sulphuric acid) and the acid/base ion concentration (IN vs. 2N). The laminates are compared using mechanical properties, and their retention, after exposure to the corrosive environments for up to 4 years. Analysis of this study shows that E-CR glass offers improved performance compared to E glass in both environments. E-CR glass is significantly more resistant to sulphuric acid attack over long term exposure. In sodium hydroxide, E-CR glass performs better than E glass in the short term of up to 10 months. Neither glass type is able to resist sodium hydroxide attack in the long term. The resin type also plays a significant role in the corrosion resistance but mainly in the long run and primarily insodium hydroxide medium. The ion concentration and the laminate type are much less significant. The two glass types are also compared using C581 methodology. Again, E-CR outperforms E glass in the acidic environment and this effect increases with the increase in the exposure time. ECRGLAS® is a registered trademark of Owens-Corning Fiberglas Corporation. Fiberglas Canada Inc. is a registered user.
Styrene Crosslinked Vinylesters II: Water Sorption, Water Diffusion and Cohesive Properties
Authors: Bellenger V. , Verdu J. , Ganem M. , Mortaigne B. 
Published: April 2023

The sorption characteristics (water equilibrium concentration W m and coefficient of diffusion D) were determined gravimetrically for six styrene crosslinked vinylester networks at 30, 40 and 50°C, 95 % RH. The equilibrium water concentration (0.5 -1.8% by weight) is independent of the temperature and appears to be closely related to the concentration of polar groups (especially hydroxyls) in the polymer. It is an increasing function of the solubility parameter. The water diffusivity is of the same order of magnitude as that of unsaturated polyesters but considerably higher than that of hydrophilic amine crosslinked epoxies. There is no apparent correlation between D and volumetric properties such as the packing density, crosslink density or local mobility determined from viscoelastic spectra. In contrast, the fact that D is a decreasing function of the hydrophilicity for all the systems under consideration (including unsaturated polyesters and epoxies) seems to indicate that water diffusion is kinetically controlled by the strength of polymer-water interactions.
Structural Relaxation of Poly(methyl methacrylate)
Authors: Avramov I. , Vassilev Ts. 
Published: April 2023

The kinetics of structural, relaxation of poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) is studied and it is shown that the activation energy of the process depends on the structural temperature Tf. A new method is proposed allowing the measurement experimentally of how the activation energy decreases with increasing Tf. The dependence of the glass transition temperature Tg on the heating rate q+ is investigated for samples that were previously cooled down at a rate q = 12.5 K/min. It is found that the activation energy for structural relaxation is E = (250 ± 10%) kJ/mol at T=386K. On the other hand, the value of the apparent ”activation energy” obtained from the dependence of the structural temperature Tf on the cooling rate q- is considerably higher. This is an indication that the activation energy depends on Tf. We found that the temperature dependence of the activation energy of PMMA in the vitrification interval is E(T) = 250–670* (386/T-1) kJ/mol.
Moisture Absorption and its Influence on the Tensile Properties of Glass-Fibre Reinforced Polyamide 6,6
Authors: Akay M. 
Published: April 2023

The equilibrium amounts of moisture absorbed by a range of grades of glass fibre reinforced polyamide 6,6 were approximately proportional to the weight fraction of the polymer. However, the moisture diffusivity was found to be also a function of variations in specimen preparation and microstructure. The diffusivities of the moulded composite specimens indicated a law of mixtures relationship; whereas those with machined edges differed significantly. Moisture-induced deterioration of tensile strength was most severe up to 1.5% and 3% by weight moisture contents for the glass-fibre containing and unfilled polyamide 6,6, respectively. Moisture ingress, as would be expected, resulted in increased elongations to failure for the unfilled polymer but caused almost no variation in the elongation behaviour of the reinforced polymer.
Thermostabilisation of Polyisoprene by Phenol Grafting in Carbene Synthesis
Authors: Davydov E.Ya. , Pustoshnyi V.P. , Vorotnikov A.P. 
Published: April 2023

The comparison between traditional and grafted antioxidants shows that grafted antioxidants has qualitative advantages. DTBP produces the most promising results in the study. The results suggest that hindered phenols grafted by carbene synthesis on macromolecules will stabilise P.I. and other elastomers.
Effect of Particle Shape on the Mechanical Properties of Particle-Filled PVC
Authors: Nakamura Yoshinobu , Okabe Seiji , Yoshimoto Norihisa , Iida Takeo 
Published: April 2023

The effects of particle volume fraction, size and shape on the yield stress of a particle-filled ductile polymer were investigated. For this purpose, 10–50 parts of glass beads ranging in size from about 50 to 200 μm were mixed with 100 parts of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) as a ductile matrix using a mixing roll, and tensile tests were carried out. The yield stress decreased considerably with an increase in filler content, but only decreased slightly with an increase in particle size. To clarify the effect of particle shape, agglomerates of the glass beads were prepared by treating them with poly(vinyl alcohol), which has poor compatibility with the PVC matrix. It was confirmed by scanning electron microscopy that the agglomerates, consisting of a few beads on the average, were dispersed in the matrix. The decrease in the yield stress was smaller in the agglomerate-filled resin than in the original bead-filled resin. The shape of the particles seems to be important in moderating the decrease in the yield stress of particle-filled ductile polymers. The authors are grateful to Mr. Toshiki Takamatsu, New Metals and Chemicals Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan for measuring the particle size distributions and for his useful suggestions, and also to Bihoku Funka Kogyo Co., Ltd., Okayama, Japan for the CaCO3 particles.
Genome-wide identification and characterization of the chemosensory relative protein genes in Rhus gall aphid Schlechtendalia chinensis
Authors: He Hongli , Crabbe M. James C. , Ren Zhumei 
Published: April 2023

AbstractBackgroundTheRhusgall aphidSchlechtendalia chinensisspecially uses the only speciesRhus chinensisand certain moss species (Mniaceae) as its primary host plant and secondary host plants, respectively.Rhusgalls are formed on the primary host by the sucking of aphids, and used in traditional medicine as well as other various areas due to their high tannin contents. Chemoreception is critical for insect behaviors such as host searching, location and identification of mates and reproductive behavior. The process of chemoreception is mediated by a series of protein gene families, including odorant-binding proteins (OBPs), chemosensory proteins (CSPs), olfactory receptors (ORs), gustatory receptors (GRs), ionotropic receptors (IRs), and sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). However, there have been no reports on the analysis of molecular components related to the chemoreception system ofS. chinensisat the genome level.ResultsWe examined the genes of eight OBPs, nine CSPs, 24 ORs, 16 GRs, 22 IRs, and five SNMPs in theS. chinensisgenome using homological searches, and these chemosensory genes appeared mostly on chromosome 1. Phylogenetic and gene number analysis revealed that the gene families, e.g., ORs, GRs, CSPs and SNMPs inS. chinensis, have experienced major contractions by comparing toMyzus persicae,while the two gene families OBPs and IRs had slight expansion. The current results might be related to the broader host range ofM. persicaeversus the specialization ofS. chinensison only a host plant. There were 28 gene pairs between genomes ofS. chinensisandAcyrthosiphon pisumin the chemoreceptor gene families by collinear comparison. Ka/Ks ratios (< 1) indicated that the genes ofS. chinensiswere mainly affected by purification selection during evolution. We also found the lower number and expression level of chemoreception genes inS. chinensisthan in other 11 aphid species, such as ORs, GRs and IRs, which play an important role in host search.ConclusionOur study firstly identified the genes of the different chemosensory protein gene families in theS. chinensisgenome, and analyzed their general features and expression profile, demonstrating the importance of chemoreception in the aphid and providing new information for further functional research.
Diagnostic accuracy of left atrial function and strain for differentiating between acute and chronic myocardial infarction
Authors: Jiang Xiaofeng , Yan Yi , Yang Zhi , Wen Miao , Long Yitian , Fu Bing , Jiang Jian 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
The cardiac magnetic resonance tissue tracking (CMR-TT) technique was used to obtain left atrial strain and strain rate in patients with myocardial infarction (MI) and to evaluate the utility of this technique in the quantitative assessment of myocardial infarction for distinguishing acute from chronic myocardial infarction.

Methods
We retrospectively analyzed 36 consecutive patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI) and 29 patients with chronic myocardial infarction (CMI) who underwent CMR and 30 controls. Left atrial (LA) and ventricular functions were quantified by volumetric, and CMR-TT derived strain analysis from long and short left ventricular view cines. Receiver Operating Characteristics (ROC) analysis was used to determine the diagnostic accuracy of CMR-TT strain parameters for discriminating between acute and chronic myocardial infarction.

Results
AMI and CMI participants had impaired LA reservoir function, conduit function and LA booster pump dysfunction compared to the controls. LA strain was more sensitive than LV global strain for the assessment of the MI stage. Peak late-negative SR yielded the best areas under the ROC curve (AUC) of 0.879, showing differentiation between acute and chronic myocardial infarction of all the LA strain parameters obtained. The highest significant differences between chronic myocardial infarction and normal myocardium were also found in the LV strain (p < 0.001) and LA functional parameters (p < 0.001), but there was no difference between AMI and normals.

Conclusions
CMR-TT-derived LA strain is a potential and robust tool in demonstrating impaired LA mechanics and quantifying LA dynamics, which have high sensitivity and specificity in the differential diagnosis of acute versus chronic myocardial infarction. Their use is thus worth popularizing in clinical application.
Intense pulsed-light treatment improves objective optical quality in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction
Authors: Whang Woong-Joo , Yun Jeongseop , Koh Kyungmin 
Published: April 2023

Abstract
Background
To evaluate changes in objective optical quality following intense pulsed light (IPL) treatment combined with meibomian gland (MG) expression (MGX) in patients with MG dysfunction (MGD).

Methods
This retrospective cross-sectional study included MGD-related dry eye disease (DED) patients who received IPL treatment between March and December 2021 at Kim’s Eye Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea. Each patient underwent four sessions of IPL treatment using Lumenis M22 (Lumenis Ltd., Yokneam, Israel) and MGX at three-week intervals.

Results
This study included 90 eyes from 45 patients with MGD. The mean age was 52.3 ± 16.1 years (range, 20–75 years), and 53.3% (24/45) of patients were female. Compared with the baseline, all clinical symptoms and signs significantly improved after IPL treatment combined with MGX. All optical quality parameters obtained with an optical quality analysis system (OQAS: Visiometrics, Castelldefels, Spain) have improved significantly over the baseline (p < 0.001).

Conclusions
In patients with MGD, IPL treatment combined with MGX improved the objective optical quality and clinical signs and symptoms of DED.