| 1. |
- Dong, Lili, et al.
(author)
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Effects of different forms of N deposition on leaf litter decomposition and extracellular enzyme activities in a temperate grassland
- 2019
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In: Soil Biology and Biochemistry. - : Elsevier. - 0038-0717 .- 1879-3428. ; 134, s. 78-80
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Despite the importance of decomposition for biogeochemical cycles, it is still not clear how this process is affected by different forms of nitrogen (N). Equal amounts of N with different ratios of inorganic N: organic N (0 : 0, 10 : 0, 7 : 3, 5 : 5, 3 : 7, and 0 : 10) were added to the soil in a steppe. We studied the response of litter decomposition to different forms of N enrichment. The treatment with 30% organic N resulted in the fastest decomposition, which was higher than with inorganic N or organic N addition alone. Our results highlight the need for studies of N deposition on carbon cycles that consider different components in N deposition.
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| 2. |
- Kato, Norihiro, et al.
(author)
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Trans-ancestry genome-wide association study identifies 12 genetic loci influencing blood pressure and implicates a role for DNA methylation
- 2015
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In: Nature Genetics. - : Nature Publishing Group. - 1061-4036 .- 1546-1718. ; 47:11, s. 1282-1293
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- We carried out a trans-ancestry genome-wide association and replication study of blood pressure phenotypes among up to 320,251 individuals of East Asian, European and South Asian ancestry. We find genetic variants at 12 new loci to be associated with blood pressure (P = 3.9 × 10−11 to 5.0 × 10−21). The sentinel blood pressure SNPs are enriched for association with DNA methylation at multiple nearby CpG sites, suggesting that, at some of the loci identified, DNA methylation may lie on the regulatory pathway linking sequence variation to blood pressure. The sentinel SNPs at the 12 new loci point to genes involved in vascular smooth muscle (IGFBP3, KCNK3, PDE3A and PRDM6) and renal (ARHGAP24, OSR1, SLC22A7 and TBX2) function. The new and known genetic variants predict increased left ventricular mass, circulating levels of NT-proBNP, and cardiovascular and all-cause mortality (P = 0.04 to 8.6 × 10−6). Our results provide new evidence for the role of DNA methylation in blood pressure regulation.
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| 3. |
- Parmar, Priyanka, et al.
(author)
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Association of maternal prenatal smoking GFI1-locus and cardiometabolic phenotypes in 18,212 adults
- 2018
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In: EBioMedicine. - : Elsevier BV. - 2352-3964. ; 38, s. 206-216
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus has been repeatedly associated with exposure to smoking from the foetal period onwards. We explored whether DNA methylation may be a mechanism that links exposure to maternal prenatal smoking with offspring's adult cardio-metabolic health. Methods: We meta-analysed the association between DNA methylation at GFI1-locus with maternal prenatal smoking, adult own smoking, and cardio-metabolic phenotypes in 22 population-based studies from Europe, Australia, and USA (n= 18,212). DNA methylation at the GFI1-locus was measured in whole-blood. Multivariable regression models were fitted to examine its association with exposure to prenatal and own adult smoking. DNA methylation levels were analysed in relation to body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), fasting glucose (FG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), triglycerides (TG), diastolic, and systolic blood pressure (BP). Findings: Lower DNA methylation at three out of eight GFI1-CpGs was associated with exposure to maternal prenatal smoking, whereas, all eight CpGs were associated with adult own smoking. Lower DNA methylation at cg14179389, the strongest maternal prenatal smoking locus, was associated with increased WC and BP when adjusted for sex, age, and adult smoking with Bonferroni-corrected P < 0.012. In contrast, lower DNA methylation at cg09935388, the strongest adult own smoking locus, was associated with decreased BMI, WC, and BP (adjusted 1 x 10(-7) < P < 0.01). Similarly, lower DNA methylation at cg12876356, cg18316974, cg09662411, and cg18146737 was associated with decreased BMI and WC (5 x 10(-8) < P < 0.001). Lower DNA methylation at all the CpGs was consistently associated with higher TG levels. Interpretation: Epigenetic changes at the GFI1 were linked to smoking exposure in-utero/in-adulthood and robustly associated with cardio-metabolic risk factors. Fund: European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement no. 633595 DynaHEALTH.
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| 4. |
- Ding, Yunmei, et al.
(author)
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Factors influencing self-management behavior during the “Blanking Period” in patients with atrial fibrillation : A cross-sectional study based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills model
- 2023
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In: Heart and Lung. - : Elsevier BV. - 0147-9563. ; 58, s. 62-68
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is becoming increasingly common. Effective self-management during the “Blanking Period” is critical. The Information-Motivation-Behavioral skills (IMB) model can be used to study health behaviors in chronic disease patients, but it has not been studied in AF patients. Objective: The goal of this study was to explore the influencing factors and interaction pathways of self-management behavior in AF patients during the "Blanking Period" using the IMB model. Methods: From June to December 2021, a cross-sectional design was conducted. Patients with AF during the "Blanking Period" (N=220) were recruited. They filled out several quantitative questionnaires, including the Jessa Atrial Fibrillation Knowledge Questionnaire, the Confidence in Atrial Fibrillation Management Scale, the Perceived Social Support Scale, the All Aspects of Health Literacy Scale, and the Self-care Scale for Chronic Atrial Fibrillation Patients. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis, multiple regression analysis, and path analysis. Results: Total score of self-management behavior was (33.83 ± 10.66). AF knowledge (β = 0.252, P < 0.001), self-management confidence (β = 0.219, P < 0.001), social support (β = 0.291, P < 0.001), and health literacy (β = 0.262, P < 0.001) were all positively correlated with patients' self-management behavior, accounting for 66.50 percent of the total variance. Conclusions: During the "Blanking Period", the IMB model can be used to predict the factors that influence self-management behavior in AF patients. By using IMB model, interventions targeting patient-specific influencing factors could improve self-management behavior and quality of life in AF patients.
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| 5. |
- Ding, Yun Mei, et al.
(author)
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Effect of social support on illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation during “Blanking Period” : Mediating role of sense of mastery
- 2023
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In: Nursing Open. - : Wiley. - 2054-1058. ; 10:1, s. 115-122
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Aim: To explore whether sense of mastery can mediate the relationship between social support and illness perception in patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) who were at the “Blanking Period.”. Design: A cross-sectional design. Methods: 405 patients with AF who were at the “Blanking Period” in the Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were recruited; they completed a set of questionnaires, including the Perceived Social Support Scale, the Personal Mastery Scale and the Brief Illness Perception Questionnaire. Results: Social support and sense of mastery were both adversely connected to illness perception. The indirect effect of social support on illness perception through sense of mastery was negative, accounting for 86.04% of the total effect. Conclusion: During the “Blanking Period,” better social support and sense of mastery contribute to a positive illness perception of AF patients. Social support also can influence patients' illness perception indirectly via the mediator of sense of mastery.
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| 6. |
- Ji, Zhong-Hai, et al.
(author)
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High-throughput screening and machine learning for the efficient growth of high-quality single-wall carbon nanotubes
- 2021
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In: Nano Reseach. - : Tsinghua University Press. - 1998-0124 .- 1998-0000. ; 14, s. 4610-4615
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- It has been a great challenge to optimize the growth conditions toward structure-controlled growth of single-wall carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs). Here, a high-throughput method combined with machine learning is reported that efficiently screens the growth conditions for the synthesis of high-quality SWCNTs. Patterned cobalt (Co) nanoparticles were deposited on a numerically marked silicon wafer as catalysts, and parameters of temperature, reduction time and carbon precursor were optimized. The crystallinity of the SWCNTs was characterized by Raman spectroscopy where the featured G/D peak intensity (IG/ID) was extracted automatically and mapped to the growth parameters to build a database. 1,280 data were collected to train machine learning models. Random forest regression (RFR) showed high precision in predicting the growth conditions for high-quality SWCNTs, as validated by further chemical vapor deposition (CVD) growth. This method shows great potential in structure-controlled growth of SWCNTs. [Figure not available: see fulltext.].
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| 7. |
- Li, Lili, et al.
(author)
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UV-protection and fluorescence properties of the exoskeleton obtained from a living diatom modified by an Eu3+-complex
- 2021
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In: Journal of Materials Chemistry C. - : ROYAL SOC CHEMISTRY. - 2050-7526 .- 2050-7534. ; 9:31, s. 10005-10012
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- In this article, a natural biological porous material, from living diatoms, is used to prepare new UV-protection hybrid materials with an Eu3+-complex. By removing the organic protoplasm of living diatoms, the exoskeleton with a regular pore structure arrangement was obtained. The Eu3+-complex was chemically bonded to the exoskeleton modified by the silane coupling agent (3-aminopropyl)trimethoxy silane (APTMS). Compared with pure Eu3+-complexes, the fluorescence intensity of this hybrid material was increased by approximately 10 times. For illustrating its applications in the field of UV-protection, we mixed the USDU with polyacrylonitrile to produce flexible and transparent polymer films. The hybrid composite film (USDU@PAN) achieved partial absorption of ultraviolet light between 200 and 400 nm. At the same time, it also emits visible fluorescence and the intensity of the fluorescence is greatly increased. Therefore, the USDU@PAN film has wide application prospects in areas such as photoelectric sensors and UV-protection devices. More importantly, we transform natural organisms into materials with excellent optical properties. Therefore, it can be used in the field of UV-protection.
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| 8. |
- Locke, Adam E, et al.
(author)
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Genetic studies of body mass index yield new insights for obesity biology.
- 2015
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 518:7538, s. 197-401
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Obesity is heritable and predisposes to many diseases. To understand the genetic basis of obesity better, here we conduct a genome-wide association study and Metabochip meta-analysis of body mass index (BMI), a measure commonly used to define obesity and assess adiposity, in up to 339,224 individuals. This analysis identifies 97 BMI-associated loci (P < 5 × 10(-8)), 56 of which are novel. Five loci demonstrate clear evidence of several independent association signals, and many loci have significant effects on other metabolic phenotypes. The 97 loci account for ∼2.7% of BMI variation, and genome-wide estimates suggest that common variation accounts for >20% of BMI variation. Pathway analyses provide strong support for a role of the central nervous system in obesity susceptibility and implicate new genes and pathways, including those related to synaptic function, glutamate signalling, insulin secretion/action, energy metabolism, lipid biology and adipogenesis.
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| 9. |
- Shungin, Dmitry, et al.
(author)
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New genetic loci link adipose and insulin biology to body fat distribution.
- 2015
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In: Nature. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0028-0836 .- 1476-4687. ; 518:7538, s. 187-378
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Body fat distribution is a heritable trait and a well-established predictor of adverse metabolic outcomes, independent of overall adiposity. To increase our understanding of the genetic basis of body fat distribution and its molecular links to cardiometabolic traits, here we conduct genome-wide association meta-analyses of traits related to waist and hip circumferences in up to 224,459 individuals. We identify 49 loci (33 new) associated with waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for body mass index (BMI), and an additional 19 loci newly associated with related waist and hip circumference measures (P < 5 × 10(-8)). In total, 20 of the 49 waist-to-hip ratio adjusted for BMI loci show significant sexual dimorphism, 19 of which display a stronger effect in women. The identified loci were enriched for genes expressed in adipose tissue and for putative regulatory elements in adipocytes. Pathway analyses implicated adipogenesis, angiogenesis, transcriptional regulation and insulin resistance as processes affecting fat distribution, providing insight into potential pathophysiological mechanisms.
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| 10. |
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| 11. |
- Wei, Jiang, et al.
(author)
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Estrogen upregulates hepatic apolipoprotein M expression via the estrogen receptor
- 2011
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In: Biochimica et Biophysica Acta - Molecular and Cell Biology of Lipids. - : Elsevier BV. - 1388-1981. ; 1811:12, s. 1146-1151
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Apolipoprotein M (apoM) is present predominantly in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in human plasma, thus possibly involved in the regulation of HDL metabolism and the process of atherosclerosis. Although estrogen replacement therapy increases serum levels of apoAl and HDL, it does not seem to reduce the cardiovascular risk in postmenopausal women. Therefore, we investigated the effects of estrogen on apoM expression in vitro and in vivo. HepG2 cells were incubated with different concentrations of estrogen with or without the estrogen receptor antagonist, fulvestrant, and apoM expression in the cells was determined. Hepatic apoM expression and serum levels of apoM were also determined in normal and in ovariectomized rats treated with either placebo or estradiol benzoate, using sham operated rats as controls. Estrogen significantly increased mRNA levels of apoM and apoAl in HepG2 cell cultures in a dose- and time-dependent manner; the upregulation of both apolipoproteins was fully abolished by addition of estrogen receptor antagonist In normal rats, estrogen treatment led to an increase in plasma lipid levels including HDL cholesterol, a marked upregulation of apoM mRNA and a significant increase in serum levels of apoM. The same pattern of regulation was found in ovariectomized rats treated with estrogen. Thus, estrogen upregulates apoM expression both in vivo and in vitro by mechanism(s) involving the estrogen receptor. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
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| 12. |
- Xiang, Yusen, et al.
(author)
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Ginkgolic acids inhibit SARS-CoV-2 and its variants by blocking the spike protein/ACE2 interplay
- 2023
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In: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules. - : Elsevier. - 0141-8130 .- 1879-0003. ; 226, s. 780-792
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Targeting the interaction between the spike protein receptor binding domain (S-RBD) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) and angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) is a potential therapeutic strategy for treating coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, we still lack small-molecule drug candidates for this target due to the missing knowledge in the hot spots for the protein-protein interaction. Here, we used NanoBiT technology to identify three Ginkgolic acids from an in-house traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) library, and they interfere with the S-RBD/ACE2 interplay. Our pseudovirus assay showed that one of the compounds, Ginkgolic acid C17:1 (GA171), significantly inhibits the entry of original SARS-CoV-2 and its variants into the ACE2-overexpressed HEK293T cells. We investigated and proposed the binding sites of GA171 on S-RBD by combining molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations. Site-directed mutagenesis and surface plasmon resonance revealed that GA171 specifically binds to the pocket near R403 and Y505, critical residues of S-RBD for S-RBD interacting with ACE2. Thus, we provide structural insights into developing new small-molecule inhibitors and vaccines against the proposed S-RBD binding site.
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| 13. |
- Xu, Bo, et al.
(author)
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Integrated Design of Organic Hole Transport Materials for Efficient Solid-State Dye-Sensitized Solar Cells
- 2015
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In: Advanced Energy Materials. - : Wiley. - 1614-6832 .- 1614-6840. ; 5:3
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A series of triphenylamine-based small molecule organic hole transport materials (HTMs) with low crystallinity and high hole mobility are systematically investigated in solid-state dye-sensitized solar cells (ssDSCs). By using the organic dye LEG4 as a photosensitizer, devices with X3 and X35 as the HTMs exhibit desirable power conversion efficiencies (PCEs) of 5.8% and 5.5%, respectively. These values are slightly higher than the PCE of 5.4% obtained by using the state-of-the-art HTM Spiro-OMeTAD. Meanwhile, transient photovoltage decay measurement is used to gain insight into the complex influences of the HTMs on the performance of devices. The results demonstrate that smaller HTMs induce faster electron recombination in the devices and suggest that the size of a HTM plays a crucial role in device performance, which is reported for the first time.
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| 14. |
- Yang, Zhenzhou, et al.
(author)
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Integrated Utilization of Sewage Sludge and Coal Gangue for Cement Clinker Products : Promoting Tricalcium Silicate Formation and Trace Elements Immobilization
- 2016
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In: Materials. - : MDPI. - 1996-1944. ; 9:4
-
Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The present study firstly proposed a method of integrated utilization of sewage sludge (SS) and coal gangue (CG), two waste products, for cement clinker products with the aim of heat recovery and environment protection. The results demonstrated that the incremental amounts of SS and CG addition was favorable for the formation of tricalcium silicate (C3S) during the calcinations, but excess amount of SS addition could cause the impediment effect on C3S formation. Furthermore, it was also observed that the C3S polymorphs showed the transition from rhombohedral to monoclinic structure as SS addition was increased to 15 wt %. During the calcinations, most of trace elements could be immobilized especially Zn and cannot be easily leached out. Given the encouraging results in the present study, the co-process of sewage sludge and coal gangue in the cement kiln can be expected with a higher quality of cement products and minimum pollution to the environment.
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| 15. |
- Yu, Xiaoshuang, et al.
(author)
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Organic Eu3+-complex-anchored porous diatomite channels enable UV protection and down conversion in hybrid material
- 2020
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In: Science and Technology of Advanced Materials. - : TAYLOR & FRANCIS LTD. - 1468-6996 .- 1878-5514. ; 21:1, s. 726-736
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The organic Eu3+-complex [Eu(TTA)(3)Phen] has been incorporated into the channels of surface-modified frustules from diatoms as a key material to absorb and convert UV-photons to visible luminescence. Systematic investigation results indicate that the organic Eu3+-complex encapsulated in the functionalized diatomite channels exhibits enhanced luminescence and longer lifetime, owning to the Eu(TTA)(3)Phen complex interacting with its surrounding silylating agents. The organic Eu3+-complex-anchored porous diatomite hybrid luminescent material was compounded with polyethylene terephthalate (PET) by using a mini-twin screw extruder to prepare a self-supporting film of the hybrid material. Besides, the UV absorption properties of the composite films were investigated. These films will potentially be related to the UV protection of photovoltaic devices.
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| 16. |
- Yu, Yang, et al.
(author)
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Apolipoprotein M gene single nucleotide polymorphisms discovery in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and determined by the base-quenched probe technique
- 2017
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In: Gene. - : Elsevier BV. - 0378-1119. ; 637, s. 9-13
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Background It has been reported increased serum apoM levels seen in the patients suffered from obstructive sleep apnoea and chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases. In the present, we further examine the prevalence of apoM gene SNPs in COPD patients. And a new method base-quenched probe technique is established. Methods In the present study, we first used the Roche 454 GS Junior high-throughput sequencer to analyze 6 COPD samples and 6 control samples, in these samples we found 3 interesting SNPs (rs805264, rs707922 and rs707921) and then we designed primers and probes to establish a simple and quick screening method that is a base-quench probe technique and the genotype was confirmed by melting curves. With this new technique, we further determined 252 COPD samples and 248 normal subjects were applied as controls. Results A total of 19 high-confidence mutations were detected in the Roche 454, 6 mutations among them were not been reported in NCBI, but the mutation frequency was < 20%. Four mutations occurred only in COPD patients, rs751064723 is located in the first exon of transcript 1 and the rest are located in either apoM gene promoter or intron region. The results of melting curve showed that the wild-type and homozygous mutants of rs805264, rs707922 and rs707921 presented melting valley at two different melting temperatures, and the results were consistent with those of DNA sequencing (K = 1, P = 0.000). Conclusions The detection of apoM gene SNPs laid the foundation for the study of the relationship between COPD and apoM, and the base-quenched probe technique is simple, economic and accurate, and it is suitable for a large number of apoM genotyping studies.
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| 17. |
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| 18. |
- Zhang, Lei, et al.
(author)
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Selective mercury(ii) detection in aqueous solutions upon the absorption changes corresponding to the transition moments polarized along the short axis of an azobenzene chemosensor
- 2020
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In: The Analyst. - : Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). - 0003-2654 .- 1364-5528. ; 145:5, s. 1641-1645
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- A completely water soluble azobenzene chemosensor 1 for selective detection of Hg2+ was synthesized. Taking advantage of the absorption changes corresponding to the transition moments polarized along the short axis of an azobenzene, 1 showed characteristic UV-Vis signal changes in the band around 240 nm for Hg2+ in wide pH ranges, which also showed good tolerance to various metal ions and photoirradiation. Upon addition of Hg2+ into the solution of 1, a favored formation of trans-1 was observed, which is attributed to an intramolecular coordination of the PEG chain and Nβ to Hg2+ confirmed by a control experiment test. © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2020.
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| 19. |
- Zhang, Xiaolin, et al.
(author)
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Non-conjugated natural alginate as electron-transport layer for high performance polymer solar cells after modification
- 2021
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In: Journal of Power Sources. - : ELSEVIER. - 0378-7753 .- 1873-2755. ; 510
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- The search for the alternatives to expensive synthesized conjugated polymers as interfaces in polymer solar cells (PSCs), which could largely decrease the cost and promote the commercialization process of PSCs, is now highly relevant. To introduce natural polymer as the interface layer for the high-efficiency PSCs would be a potential choice. In this study, a purely natural polysaccharide from ocean without any conjugated structure, sodium alginate (SA), is utilized as efficient electron transport layer (ETL) to replace the conjugated star molecule, poly [(9,9-bis(3-(N,NdiMethyl)-NethylaMMoiniuM-propyl)-2,7-fluorene)-alt-2,7-(9,9-dioctylfluorene)]dibroMide (PFN-Br), and modify the aluminum (Al) electrode in conventional PSCs. The reduction of the work function of Al is successfully achieved by SA forming a dipole and keeping the ohmic contact at the interface. Meantime, the ideal charge transfer and exciton dissociation are realized, along with decreasing charge recombination, resulting in a comparable power conversion efficiency (PCE) with devices of PFN-Br as ETL. For poly([2,6-4,8-di(5-ethylhexylthienyebenzo[1,2-b; 3,3-b]dithiophene]3-fluoro-2[(2-ethylhexyl)carbonyl]thieno[3,4-b]thiophenediyl):[6,6]-phenyl-C-71-butyric acid methyl ester (PTB7-Th:PC71BM) system, PCE is increased to 9.5% and for Poly [(2,6-(4,8-bis(5-(2-ethylhexyl-3-fluoro)thiophen-2-yl)-benzo[1,2-b:4,5-b]dithio-phene))-alt-(5,5-(1,3-di-2-thienyl-5,7-bis(2-ethylhexyl)benzo[1,2-c:4,5-c]dithio-phene-4,8-dione)]:3,9-bis(2methylene-((3-(1,1-dicyanomethylene)-6,7-difluoro)-indanone))-5,5,11,11-tetrakis(4-hexylphenyl)-dithieno[2,3-d:2,3-d]-s-inda-ceno[1,2-b:5,6-b] dithiophene (PM6:IT-4F) system, PCE 13.4%, respectively, which illustrates a promising future for photovoltaic research of natural alginate non-conjugated polyelectrolyte in conventional PSCs.
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| 20. |
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| 21. |
- Albertsson, Anna-Maj, et al.
(author)
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The effect of osteopontin and osteopontin-derived peptides on preterm brain injury.
- 2014
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In: Journal of neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundOsteopontin (OPN) is a highly phosphorylated sialoprotein and a soluble cytokine that is widely expressed in a variety of tissues, including the brain. OPN and OPN-derived peptides have been suggested to have potential neuroprotective effects against ischemic brain injury, but their role in preterm brain injury is unknown.MethodsWe used a hypoxia-ischemia (HI)-induced preterm brain injury model in postnatal day 5 mice. OPN and OPN-derived peptides were given intracerebroventricularly and intranasally before HI. Brain injury was evaluated at 7days after the insults.ResultsThere was a significant increase in endogenous OPN mRNA and OPN protein in the mouse brain after the induction of HI at postnatal day 5. Administration of full-length OPN protein and thrombin-cleaved OPN did not affect preterm brain injury. This was demonstrated with both intracerebroventricular and intranasal administration of OPN as well as in OPN-deficient mice. Interestingly, both N134¿153 and C154¿198 OPN-derived peptides increased the severity of brain injury in this HI-induced preterm brain injury model.ConclusionsThe neuroprotective effects of OPN are age-dependent, and, in contrast to the more mature brain, OPN-derived peptides potentiate injury in postnatal day 5 mice. Intranasal administration is an efficient way of delivering drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) in neonatal mice and is likely to be an easy and noninvasive method of drug delivery to the CNS in preterm infants.
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| 22. |
- Albertsson, Anna-Maj, et al.
(author)
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The immune response after hypoxia-ischemia in a mouse model of preterm brain injury.
- 2014
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In: Journal of neuroinflammation. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 1742-2094. ; 11:1
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundPreterm brain injury consists primarily of periventricular leukomalacia accompanied by elements of gray-matter injury, and these injuries are associated with cerebral palsy and cognitive impairments. Inflammation is believed to be an important contributing factor to these injuries. The aim of this study was to examine the immune response in a postnatal day (PND) 5 mouse model of preterm brain injury induced by hypoxia-ischemia (HI) that is characterized by focal white and gray-matter injury.MethodsC57Bl/6 mice at PND 5 were subjected to unilateral HI induced by left carotid artery ligation and subsequent exposure to 10% O2 for 50 minutes, 70 minutes, or 80 minutes. At seven days post-HI, the white/gray-matter injury was examined. The immune responses in the brain after HI were examined at different time points after HI using RT-PCR and immunohistochemical staining.ResultsHI for 70 minutes in PND 5 mice induced local white-matter injury with focal cortical injury and hippocampal atrophy, features that are similar to those seen in preterm brain injury in human infants. HI for 50 minutes resulted in a small percentage of animals being injured, and HI for 80 minutes produced extensive infarction in multiple brain areas. Various immune responses, including changes in transcription factors and cytokines that are associated with a T-helper (Th)1/Th17-type response, an increased number of CD4+ T-cells, and elevated levels of triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells 2 (TREM-2) and its adaptor protein DNAX activation protein of 12 kDa (DAP12) were observed using the HI 70 minute preterm brain injury model.ConclusionsWe have established a reproducible model of HI in PND 5 mice that produces consistent local white/gray-matter brain damage that is relevant to preterm brain injury in human infants. This model provides a useful tool for studying preterm brain injury. Both innate and adaptive immune responses are observed after HI, and these show a strong pro-inflammatory Th1/Th17-type bias. Such findings provide a critical foundation for future studies on the mechanism of preterm brain injury and suggest that blocking the Th1/Th17-type immune response might provide neuroprotection after preterm brain injury.
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| 23. |
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| 24. |
- Chen, Anqi, et al.
(author)
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Highly Sensitive Graphene Oxide-based Fabry-Perot Low-frequency Acoustic Sensor With Low-coherence Polarized Demodulation Using Three-step Phase-Shifting Arctan Algorithms
- 2024
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In: Journal of Lightwave Technology. - 0733-8724 .- 1558-2213. ; In Press
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- Developing low-frequency acoustic senor with high sensitivity is crucial for diverse applications, ranging from seismic monitoring, military operations, to pipeline surveillance. Here, we have proposed a high-sensitivity graphene oxide (GO)-based Fabry-Perot low-frequency sensor, in which a 170 nm thick, large-area and uniformly GO film was prepared by a vacuum filtration method. To enhance the accuracy and stability of the sensor, a low-coherence interference system based on birefringent crystal blocks was designed utilizing a three-step phase-shifting arctangent algorithm. Our sensor exhibited a sensitivity of -93.48 dB re 1 rad/μPa at 6-60 Hz with a fluctuation of 0.6 dB. The minimum detectable pressure of the sensor was measured at 0.37 μPa/Hz1/2 @20 Hz with a signal to noise ratio of 135.41 dB. Overall, this sensor offers simplicity in preparation, high sensitivity, low detectable sound pressure, making it a significant asset for low-frequency acoustic applications.
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| 25. |
- Chen, Jie, et al.
(author)
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Antioxidants, minerals and vitamins in relation to Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis : A Mendelian randomization study
- 2023
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In: Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics. - : John Wiley & Sons. - 0269-2813 .- 1365-2036. ; 57:4, s. 399-408
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Journal article (peer-reviewed)abstract
- BackgroundEvidence for antioxidants, minerals and vitamins in relation to the risk of Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is limited and inconsistent. This mendelian randomization (MR) study aimed to examine the causal associations of circulating levels of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins with CD and UC.MethodsSingle-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with antioxidants (beta-carotene, lycopene and uric acid), minerals (copper, calcium, iron, magnesium, phosphorus, zinc and selenium), and vitamins (folate, vitamins A, B6, B12, C, D, E and K1) were employed as instrumental variables. Genetic associations with CD and UC were extracted from the UK Biobank, the FinnGen study and the International Inflammatory Bowel Disease Genetics Consortium. The inverse variance weighted method and sensitivity analyses were performed.ResultsGenetically predicted higher lycopene (OR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.91–0.97), vitamins D (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.54–0.79) and K1 (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.90–0.97) levels were inversely associated with CD risk, whereas genetically predicted higher magnesium (OR = 1.53, 95% CI: 1.23–1.90) levels were positively associated with CD risk. Higher levels of genetically predicted lycopene (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.88–0.95), phosphorus (OR = 0.69, 95% CI: 0.58–0.82), selenium (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.85–0.97), zinc (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.89–0.94), folate (OR = 0.71, 95% CI: 0.56–0.92) and vitamin E (OR = 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69–0.88) were associated with reduced UC risk, whereas genetically predicted high levels of calcium (OR = 1.46, 95% CI: 1.22–1.76) and magnesium (OR = 1.24, 95% CI: 1.03–1.49) were associated with increased risk of UC.ConclusionsOur study provided evidence that circulating levels of antioxidants, minerals and vitamins might be causally linked to the development of IBD.
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