bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Effects of human‐induced prey depletion on large carnivores in protected areas: Lessons from modeling tiger populations in stylized spatial scenarios
Authors: Carter Neil H. , Levin Simon A. , Grimm Volker
Published: September 2019

Prey depletion is a major threat to the conservation of large carnivore species globally. However, at the policy‐relevant scale of protected areas, we know little about how the spatial distribution of prey depletion affects carnivore space use and population persistence. We developed a spatially explicit, agent‐based model to investigate the effects of different human‐induced prey depletion experiments on the globally endangered tiger (Panthera tigris) in isolated protected areas—a situation that prevails throughout the tiger's range. Specifically, we generated 120 experiments that varied the spatial extent and intensity of prey depletion across a stylized (circle) landscape (1,000 km2) and Nepal's Chitwan National Park (~1,239 km2). Experiments that created more spatially homogenous prey distributions (i.e., less prey removed per cell but over larger areas) resulted in larger tiger territories and smaller population sizes over time. Counterintuitively, we found that depleting prey along the edge of Chitwan National Park, while decreasing tiger numbers overall, also decreased female competition for those areas, leading to lower rates of female starvation. Overall our results suggest that subtle differences in the spatial distributions of prey densities created by various human activities, such as natural resource‐use patterns, urban growth and infrastructure development, or conservation spatial zoning might have unintended, detrimental effects on carnivore populations. Our model is a useful planning tool as it incorporates information on animal behavioral ecology, resource spatial distribution, and the drivers of change to those resources, such as human activities.
Acid‐Catalyzed Regiodivergent Annulation of 4‐Hydroxycoumarins with Isoprene: Entry to Pyranocoumarins and Pyranochromones
Authors: Li Ying , Hu Yan‐Cheng , Zheng Hao , Ji Ding‐Wei , Cong Yu‐Feng , Chen Qing‐An
Published: September 2019

An acid‐catalyzed regiodivergent formal [3+3] annulation of 4‐hydroxycoumarins with isoprene is developed. A variety of pyranocoumarins were obtained exclusively in the presence of strong Brønsted acid, while varying to Lewis acid delivered pyranochromones as main products. The protocol also features high atom‐economy, wide substrate scope, easy scale‐up, and good applications in natural product synthesis.
Comparative assessment of chemical treatments on extraction potential of commercial grade silica from rice husk
Authors: Nayak Puja Priyadarshini , Nandi Sujosh , Datta Ashish Kumar
Published: September 2019

In the present study, an attempt has been made to extract commercial grade amorphous silica nanoparticles from rice husk (RH) using four different chemicals (NaOH, KOH, Na2CO3, and K2CO3) and two washing solvents (water and ethanol). The elemental, structural, and morphological characterizations of the silica samples were carried out using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy (SEM‐EDS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The combined NaOH and water treatment was found to be the most efficient method in terms of recovery of silica sample, while combined Na2CO3 and water treatment was more suitable for obtaining pure silica. No significant difference in the percentage recovery of silica was observed between the two washing treatments at p < 0.05. Scanning electron micrographs of the Na2CO3‐cum‐water and K2CO3‐cum‐water treated samples showed nonagglomerated silica nanoparticles. The XRD analysis of silica obtained from these two treatments was also free from any sharp peaks illustrating pure amorphous structure of silica. EDS and AAS study of K2CO3‐cum‐water treated samples showed higher mineral impurities compared to Na2CO3‐cum‐water treated sample. It could be inferred that silica obtained from Na2CO3 and water washing treatment can be used for extraction of metallurgical grade silicon.
An examination of the interpersonal model of binge eating over the course of treatment
Authors: Karam Anna M. , Eichen Dawn M. , Fitzsimmons‐Craft Ellen E. , Wilfley Denise E.
Published: September 2019

The current study examined the interpersonal model of binge eating, which posits that interpersonal problems lead to negative affect, which results in binge eating, over the course of two psychotherapy treatments (interpersonal psychotherapy and cognitive behavioural therapy) in 162 adults with binge‐eating disorder. A series of longitudinal simple mediation analyses preliminarily showed that treatment addresses the mechanisms of the interpersonal model of binge eating as theoretically proposed in predicting reductions in binge eating, the primary dependent variable, and the secondary dependent variables including global eating disorder psychopathology, shape concern, and weight concern, but not reductions in restraint or eating concern. Moderated mediation analyses did not fully support treatment differences, as changes in the mechanisms of the interpersonal model occurred in both treatments and suggest both treatments addressed negative affect and interpersonal precipitants of eating disorder symptomatology. Future research should replicate this study using variables that do not overlap in time to investigate causation of the model, and more generally, further examine theoretical treatment models and treatment mediators as this research could help improve efficacy of treatment for binge‐eating disorder.
Soil Organic Carbon and Carbonates are Binding Phases for Simultaneously Extractable Metals in Calcareous Saltmarsh Soils
Authors: Pellegrini Elisa , Contin Marco , Vittori Antisari Livia , Ferronato Chiara , De Nobili Maria
Published: September 2019

The ability of the simultaneously extracted metals/acid volatile sulfides (∑SEM/AVS) index to ascertain environmental risk from potentially toxic elements in calcareous saltmarsh soils was tested using structural equation modeling. This technique allows the detection of both direct and indirect relationships among AVS, SEM, and other soil variables, representing results in a graphical view. The dataset included 90 soil samples from 21 different sites belonging to 6 different saltmarshes and featured a wide range of soil chemicophysical properties. Variables included in the a priori model were hydroperiod, pH, soil redox potential, labile organic carbon, carbonates, total iron, and total amount of potentially toxic elements (PTEs). The best optimized model pointed out the main soil properties that affect AVS accumulation and SEM speciation in these soils. Effect plots of AVS and SEM calculated with the partial linear mixed-effects models included in the piecewise structural equation modeling showed a significant and positive influence of pH and carbonates on AVS and a highly significant effect of carbonates and labile organic carbon on SEM. Single SEM components were also considered separately, to define the potential contributions of labile organic carbon or carbonates as alternative binding phases. Simultaneously extracted Cu, Ni, and Zn were preferentially bound to carbonates, followed by labile organic carbon, whereas Pb and Cd were easily bound to labile organic carbon. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2688–2697. © 2019 SETAC
An adaptive approach to vehicle trajectory prediction using multimodel Kalman filter
Authors: Abbas Muhammad Tahir , Jibran Muhammad Ali , Afaq Muhammad , Song Wang‐Cheol
Published: September 2019

With the aim to improve road safety services in critical situations, vehicle trajectory and future location prediction are important tasks. An infinite set of possible future trajectories can exit depending on the current state of vehicle motion. In this paper, we present a multimodel‐based Extended Kalman Filter (EKF), which is able to predict a set of possible scenarios for vehicle future location. Five different EKF models are proposed in which the current state of a vehicle exists, particularly, a vehicle at intersection or on a curve path. EKF with Interacting Multiple Model framework is explored combinedly for mathematical model creation and probability calculation for that model to be selected for prediction. Three different parameters are considered to create a state vector matrix, which includes vehicle position, velocity, and distance of the vehicle from the intersection. Future location of a vehicle is then used by the software‐defined networking controller to further enhance the safety and packet delivery services by the process of flow rule installation intelligently to that specific area only. This way of flow rule installation keeps the controller away from irrelevant areas to install rules, hence, reduces the network overhead exponentially. Proposed models are created and tested in MATLAB with real‐time global positioning system logs from Jeju, South Korea.
A machine learning based framework for IoT device identification and abnormal traffic detection
Authors: Salman Ola , Elhajj Imad H. , Chehab Ali , Kayssi Ayman
Published: September 2019

Network security is a key challenge for the deployment of Internet of Things (IoT). New attacks have been developed to exploit the vulnerabilities of IoT devices. Moreover, IoT immense scale will amplify traditional network attacks. Machine learning has been extensively applied for traffic classification and intrusion detection. In this paper, we propose a framework, specifically for IoT devices identification and malicious traffic detection. Pushing the intelligence to the network edge, this framework extracts features per network flow to identify the source, the type of the generated traffic, and to detect network attacks. Different machine learning algorithms are compared with random forest, which gives the best results: Up to 94.5% accuracy for device‐type identification, up to 93.5% accuracy for traffic‐type classification, and up to 97% accuracy for abnormal traffic detection.
Aluminum contamination of food during culinary preparation: Case study with aluminum foil and consumers’ preferences
Authors: Dordevic Dani , Buchtova Hana , Jancikova Simona , Macharackova Blanka , Jarosova Monika , Vitez Tomas , Kushkevych Ivan
Published: September 2019

The aim of the work was to estimate the degree of aluminum leakage from aluminum foil during baking process of selected food/meals. The experiment included 11 different types of food (Atlantic salmon Salmo salar, mackerel Scomber scombrus, duck breasts, cheese Hermelín, tomato, paprika, Carlsbad dumplings, pork roast, pork neck, chicken breasts, and chicken thighs) baked both marinated and not marinated. The aluminum content was measured by AAS and ICP/MS methods. The highest aluminum increase was observed in the samples of marinated Salmo salar (41.86 ± 0.56 mg/kg), Scomber scombrus (49.34 ± 0.44 mg/kg), and duck breast (117.26 ± 1.37 g/kg). The research was also supported by the survey that consisted of 784 respondents with different sociodemographic characteristics. The study clearly showed the occurrence of aluminum contamination of food when it is prepared by baking in aluminum foil. It cannot be concluded that aluminum leakage will occur with each type of food. The aluminum contents found among investigated samples are not alarming, though the increase was measured up to 40 times. On the other hand, revealed aluminum contents can represent a risk for younger/smaller children and for individuals with diagnosed certain ailments.
Multivariate realized volatility forecasts of agricultural commodity futures
Authors: Luo Jiawen , Chen Langnan
Published: September 2019

We forecast the multivariate realized volatility of agricultural commodity futures by constructing multivariate heterogeneous autoregressive (MHAR) models with flexible heteroscedastic error structures that allow for non‐Gaussian distribution, stochastic volatility, and heteroscedastic and serial dependence. We evaluate the forecast performances of various models based on both statistical and economic criteria. The in‐sample and out‐of‐sample results suggest that the proposed MHAR models allowing for flexible heteroscedastic covariance structures outperform the benchmark MHAR models. In addition, the proposed Bayesian MHAR models allowing for t innovations improve both in‐sample and out‐of‐sample forecast performance of the corresponding MHAR models with Gaussian innovations.
A modified flavonoid accelerates oligodendrocyte maturation and functional remyelination
Authors: Su Weiping , Matsumoto Steven , Banine Fatima , Srivastava Taasin , Dean Justin , Foster Scott , Pham Peter , Hammond Brian , Peters Alec , Girish Kesturu S. , Rangappa Kanchugarakoppal S. , Basappa  , Jose Joachim , Hennebold Jon D. , Murphy Melinda J. , Bennett‐Toomey Jill , Back Stephen A. , Sherman Larry S.
Published: September 2019

Myelination delay and remyelination failure following insults to the central nervous system (CNS) impede axonal conduction and lead to motor, sensory and cognitive impairments. Both myelination and remyelination are often inhibited or delayed due to the failure of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) to mature into myelinating oligodendrocytes (OLs). Digestion products of the glycosaminoglycan hyaluronan (HA) have been implicated in blocking OPC maturation, but how these digestion products are generated is unclear. We tested the possibility that hyaluronidase activity is directly linked to the inhibition of OPC maturation by developing a novel modified flavonoid that functions as a hyaluronidase inhibitor. This compound, called S3, blocks some but not all hyaluronidases and only inhibits matrix metalloproteinase activity at high concentrations. We find that S3 reverses HA‐mediated inhibition of OPC maturation in vitro, an effect that can be overcome by excess recombinant hyaluronidase. Furthermore, we find that hyaluronidase inhibition by S3 accelerates OPC maturation in an in vitro model of perinatal white matter injury. Finally, blocking hyaluronidase activity with S3 promotes functional remyelination in mice with lysolecithin‐induced demyelinating corpus callosum lesions. All together, these findings support the notion that hyaluronidase activity originating from OPCs in CNS lesions is sufficient to prevent OPC maturation, which delays myelination or blocks remyelination. These data also indicate that modified flavonoids can act as selective inhibitors of hyaluronidase activity and can promote OPC maturation, making them excellent candidates to accelerate myelination or promote remyelination following perinatal and adult CNS insults.
Neural oscillations and connectivity characterizing the state of tonic experimental pain in humans
Authors: Nickel Moritz M. , Ta Dinh Son , May Elisabeth S. , Tiemann Laura , Hohn Vanessa D. , Gross Joachim , Ploner Markus
Published: September 2019

Pain is a complex phenomenon that is served by neural oscillations and connectivity involving different brain areas and frequencies. Here, we aimed to systematically and comprehensively assess the pattern of neural oscillations and connectivity characterizing the state of tonic experimental pain in humans. To this end, we applied 10‐min heat pain stimuli consecutively to the right and left hand of 39 healthy participants and recorded electroencephalography. We systematically analyzed global and local measures of oscillatory brain activity, connectivity, and graph theory‐based network measures during tonic pain and compared them to a nonpainful control condition. Local measures showed suppressions of oscillatory activity at alpha frequencies together with stronger connectivity at alpha and beta frequencies in sensorimotor areas during tonic pain. Furthermore, sensorimotor areas contralateral to stimulation showed significantly increased connectivity to a common area in the medial prefrontal cortex at alpha frequencies. Together, these observations indicate that the state of tonic experimental pain is associated with a sensorimotor‐prefrontal network connected at alpha frequencies. These findings represent a step further toward understanding the brain mechanisms underlying long‐lasting pain states in health and disease.
Differential developmental refinement of the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons from the rat dorsal and ventral hippocampus
Authors: Dougherty Kelly A.
Published: September 2019

The dorsal and ventral regions of the rat longitudinal hippocampal axis are functionally distinct. That is, each region is associated with different behavioral tasks and disease susceptibilities due to underlying anatomical, and physiological differences. These differences are especially pronounced in area CA1, where significant differences in morphology, synaptic physiology, intrinsic excitability, and gene expression have been reported between CA1 pyramidal neurons from the dorsal (DHC) and ventral hippocampus (VHC). However, despite a significant amount of recent attention, a cogent picture of the intrinsic electrophysiological profile of DHC and VHC neurons has remained elusive, due, in part, to experiments performed on rats at different developmental time points. Moreover, the resulting intrinsic electrophysiological profiles are sufficiently different as to warrant a thorough investigation of the spatial and temporal changes in the intrinsic excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons across developmental time. Accordingly, in this study, I have characterized the intrinsic electrophysiological properties of CA1 pyramidal neurons from acute hippocampal slices prepared from the DHC and VHC throughout an approximately 3‐week developmental period (P14–P37). DHC and VHC neurons exhibited distinct intra‐region changes (DHC or VHC) and inter‐region differences (DHC versus VHC) in their intrinsic electrophysiological properties, which yielded two developmental timelines: (a) a common developmental timeline describing changes observed in both DHC and VHC neurons, and (b) a differential developmental timeline highlighting unique features observed in DHC neurons. Specifically, DHC neurons exhibited significant inter‐region differences in RMP, input resistance, threshold, and spike frequency adaptation relative to VHC neurons, as well as an intra‐region change in the rebound slope (a proxy for Ih). These observations both integrate and reconcile previous work performed with rats at different developmental stages and suggest a distinct developmental trajectory for DHC neurons that might shed light on the normal physiological functions and disease susceptibility of the DHC.
Human RECQL4 represses the RAD52‐mediated single‐strand annealing pathway after ionizing radiation or cisplatin treatment
Authors: Kohzaki Masaoki , Ootsuyama Akira , Sun Lue , Moritake Takashi , Okazaki Ryuji
Published: September 2019

Ionizing radiation (IR) and cisplatin are frequently used cancer treatments, although the mechanisms of error‐prone DNA repair‐mediated genomic instability after anticancer treatment are not fully clarified yet. RECQL4 mutations mainly in the C‐terminal region of the RECQL4 gene lead to the cancer‐predisposing Rothmund–Thomson syndrome, but the function of RECQL4ΔC (C‐terminus deleted) in error‐prone DNA repair remains unclear. We established several RECQL4ΔC cell lines and found that RECQL4ΔC cancer cells, but not RECQL4ΔC nontumorigenic cells, exhibited IR/cisplatin hypersensitivity. Notably, RECQL4ΔC cancer cells presented increased RPA2/RAD52 foci after cancer treatments. RECQL4ΔC HCT116 cells exhibited increased error‐prone single‐strand annealing (SSA) activity and decreased alternative end‐joining activities, suggesting that RECQL4 regulates the DNA repair pathway choice at double‐strand breaks. RAD52 depletion by siRNA or RAD52 inhibitors (5‐aminoimidazole‐4‐carboxamide‐1‐β‐D‐ribofuranoside [AICAR], (−)‐epigallocatechin [EGC]) or a RAD52‐phenylalanine 79 aptamer significantly restrained the growth of RAD52‐upregulated RECQL4ΔC HCT116 cells in vitro and in mouse xenografts. Remarkably, compared to single‐agent cisplatin or EGC treatment, cisplatin followed by low‐concentration EGC had a significant suppressive effect on RECQL4ΔC HCT116 cell growth in vivo. Together, the regimens targeting the RAD52‐mediated SSA pathway after anticancer treatment may be applicable for cancer patients with RECQL4 gene mutations.
The Journey of Phenolics from the First Spark to Advanced Materials
Authors: Kiskan Baris , Yagci Yusuf
Published: September 2019

The emergence, historical and recent developments of phenolic resins are reviewed. The history of the invention of the first man made plastics and a short bibliography of the inventor Leo H. Baekeland is provided. Moreover, the basic chemistry of phenol‐formaldehyde resins, as synthesis of resol and novolak, their structures, variations, and curing are discussed. Modification of these resins and molecular designs for specific applications in retro perspective are highlighted. This review also provides a comprehensive account on the development of benzoxazine resins as an alternative to classical phenolics. In addition to the benzoxazine synthesis and their curing mechanism, special monomers and polybenzoxazine precursors as curable thermoplastics are reviewed. Besides classical chemicals, the potential of renewables for phenolic resin production is also highlighted. Finally, the relative advantages and disadvantages of these systems are discussed and their future potentials are presented.
Asiaticoside loading into polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid electrospun nanofibers attenuates host inflammatory response and promotes M2 macrophage polarization
Authors: Huang Jia , Zhou Xiaobo , Shen Yanbing , Li Haibo , Zhou Guangdong , Zhang Wenjie , Zhang Yanzhong , Liu Wei
Published: September 2019

Polylactic‐co‐glycolic acid (PLGA) is one of the most promising synthetic materials for tissue engineering due to its excellent biocompatibility, good mechanical properties, and tunable biodegradation time. However, the accumulation of PLGA degradative products could cause significant host inflammatory response, a microenvironment favoring tissue fibrosis that is mainly mediated by M1 subtype macrophage. Drug loading is an emerging technology to modify electrospun nanofibers, and asiaticoside (AS) was demonstrated as an anti‐inflammatory drug. This study investigated the potential effect of AS incorporating into PLGA electrospun nanofibers on modulating host inflammatory response. The results showed that AS co‐electrospun with PLGA nanofibers could significantly reduce the infiltration of inflammatory cells at the implantation site as opposed to the site of regular PLGA nanofibers. In particular, immunohistochemistry demonstrated decreased M1 macrophage infiltration whereas increased M2 macrophage infiltration in the implantation site of AS‐PLGA nanofibers when compared to the PLGA implantation site. In vitro study also revealed that culture of human fibroblasts on PLGA nanofibers resulted in significantly enhanced gene expression of inflammatory cytokines when compared to non‐seeded fibroblasts, but these genes were significantly downregulated when seeded on AS‐PLGA. Furthermore, culture of macrophage on AS‐PLGA led to upregulated M2 marker gene expression and downregulated M1 marker gene expression. Collectively, these results indicate that, AS might be an ideal drug for loading into electrospun polymer nanofibers and thus favoring for tissue regeneration via mediating macrophage polarization.
Circular RNA ciRS‐7 inhibits autophagy of ESCC cells by functioning as miR‐1299 sponge to target EGFR signaling
Authors: Meng Lingjiao , Liu Sihua , Ding Pingan , Chang Sheng , Sang Meixiang
Published: September 2019

Autophagy is a kind of intracellular degradation pathway which could be regulated by many noncoding RNAs. ciRS‐7, also called CDR1as, is a circular RNA that is relatively well studied at present. In our recent study, we have found that the expression of ciRS‐7 is abnormally increased in the esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), and may function as an oncogene to accelerate ESCC progression through sponging miR‐876‐5p. Meanwhile, another study showed that ciRS‐7 is highly expressed in the triple‐negative breast cancer (TNBC) and may function as a competing endogenous RNA of miR‐1299 to maintain the high migration and invasive capacity of TNBC cells. Of interest, in the present work, we observed that ciRS‐7 could inhibit starvation or rapamycin‐induced autophagy of ESCC cells and miR‐1299 promotes starvation or rapamycin‐induced autophagy of ESCC cells. Mechanically, miR‐1299 could directly bind to the 3′‐untranslated region of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and then affects its downstream Akt‐mTOR pathway in ESCC cells. Consistent with our past findings, ciRS‐7 could also sponge miR‐1299 in ESCC cells. Taken together, this study has shed light on that circular RNA ciRS‐7 inhibits autophagy of ESCC cells by functioning as miR‐1299 sponge to target EGFR signaling.
Bioinformatics prediction and experimental validation of a novel microRNA: hsa‐miR‐B43 within human CDH4 gene with a potential metastasis‐related function in breast cancer
Authors: Rahimi Azadeh , Sedighi Rina , Emadi‐Baygi Modjtaba , Honardoost Mohammad‐Amin , Mowla Seyed‐Javad , Khanahmad Hossein , Nikpour Parvaneh
Published: September 2019

As a class of short noncoding RNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs) play a key role in the modulation of gene expression. Although, the regulatory roles of currently identified miRNAs in various cancer types including breast cancer have been well documented, there are many as yet undiscovered miRNAs. The aim of the current study was to bioinformatically reanalyze a list of 189 potentially new miRNAs introduced in a previously published paper (PMID: 21346806) and experimentally explore the existence and function of a candidate one: hsa‐miR‐B43 in breast cancer cells. The sequences of 189 potential miRNAs were re‐checked in the miRbase database. Genomic location and conservation of them were assessed with the University of California Santa Cruz (UCSC) genome browser. SSC profiler, RNAfold, miRNAFold, MiPred, and FOMmiR bioinformatics tools were furthermore utilized to explore potential hairpin structures and differentiate real miRNA precursors from pseudo ones. hsa‐miR‐B43 was finally selected as one of the best candidates for laboratory verification. The expression and function of hsa‐miR‐B43 were examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction, 3‐(4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide, and wound‐healing assays. DIANA‐microT, RNAhybrid and Enrichr tools were used to predict the miRNA target genes and for further enrichment analysis. We could detect the exogenous and endogenous expression of hsa‐miR‐B43, as a real novel miRNA, in cancer cell lines. Gene Ontology enrichment, pathway analysis and wound‐healing assay results furthermore confirmed that a metastasis‐related function may be assigned to hsa‐miR‐B43. Our results introduced hsa‐miR‐B43, as a novel functional miRNA, which might play a role in the metastatic process. Further studies will be necessary to completely survey the existence and function of hsa‐miR‐B43 in other cancer types.
Circulating microRNA expression profiling and bioinformatics analysis of patients with coronary artery disease by RNA sequencing
Authors: Zhong Zhixiong , Zhong Wei , Zhang Qifeng , Zhang Qunji , Yu Zhikang , Wu Heming
Published: September 2019

Background

MicroRNAs play a vital role in coronary artery disease. Abnormal expression of microRNAs has been found to be associated with the occurrence of CAD.

Methods

We identified significantly differentially expressed microRNAs in plasma between 40 patients with CAD and 10 controls with NCA using RNA sequencing. The differentially expressed microRNAs were analyzed for Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment.

Results

Fifty cDNA libraries were constructed and sequenced, and a total of 1871.82 M raw reads were obtained, and 2135 microRNAs were found. Compared to the expressed microRNAs of NCA controls, 159 microRNAs were differentially expressed in CAD patients, including 119 upregulated microRNAs and 40 downregulated microRNAs. The top 10 upregulated miRNAs were miR‐144‐3p, miR‐34a‐5p, miR‐15b‐3p, miR‐22‐3p, miR‐29b‐3p, miR‐1270, miR‐6891‐5p, miR‐106a‐5p, miR‐15b‐5p, and hsa‐miR‐499b‐3p. The top ten downregulated miRNAs were miR‐4437, miR‐6842‐3p, miR‐4664‐3p, miR‐671‐3p, miR‐219a‐1‐3p, miR‐7848‐3p, miR‐664a‐3p, miR‐1284, miR‐361‐3p, and miR‐6780a‐5p. The target genes of differentially expressed microRNAs were related to many basic biological terms, such as biological process, cellular component, and molecular function. According to the KEGG pathway analysis, the most enriched pathways of the differentially expressed microRNAs were endocytosis, focal adhesion, axon guidance, and so on. Furthermore, six upregulated and two downregulated microRNAs were detected by qRT‐PCR (Quantitative Real‐time PCR) and ROC analysis for diagnosing CAD.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the expression levels of some microRNAs may play a vital role in the physiological and pathological course of CAD. Our study may provide useful information for the diagnosis and treatment of CAD.
Involvement of miR‐145 in the development of aortic dissection via inducing proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells
Authors: Huang Wenhui , Huang Cheng , Ding Huanyu , Luo Jianfang , Liu Yuan , Fan Ruixin , Xiao Fei , Fan Xiaoping , Jiang Zhisheng
Published: September 2019

Aim

The current study aimed to examine miR‐145's contribution to thoracic aortic dissection (AD) development by modulating the biological functions of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs).

Methods

The concentration of circulating miR‐145 was determined in patients with AD and healthy controls using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Aortic specimens were obtained from both individuals with Stanford type A AD undergoing surgical treatment and deceased organ donors (serving as controls) whose causes of death were nonvascular diseases. Then, qPCR and fluorescence in situ hybridization were applied to assess miR‐145 amounts and location, respectively. Furthermore, qPCR and immunoblot were employed to determine SMAD3 (the target gene of miR‐145, involved in the TGF‐β pathway) amounts at the gene and protein levels, respectively. Moreover, in vitro transfection of VSMCs with miR‐145 mimics or inhibitors was conducted. Finally, the 3‐(4,5‐Dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl)‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, Transwell assay and flow cytometry were employed for detecting VSMC proliferation, migration, and apoptosis, respectively.

Results

The amounts of miR‐145 in plasma and aortic specimens were markedly reduced in the AD group in comparison with control values (P < .05). miR‐145 was mostly located in VSMCs. Proliferation and apoptosis of VSMCs were significantly induced in vitro by the downregulation of miR‐145. Also, miR‐145 modulated SMAD3 expression.

Conclusions

miR‐145 was found to be downregulated in patients with AD, which induced the proliferation, migration, and apoptosis of VSMCs by targeting SMAD3. This suggested the involvement of miR‐145 in the pathogenesis of AD.
Understanding of evidence‐based mental health care and the perceived importance of scientific information in a sample of U.S. adults
Authors: Mora Ringle Vanesa A. , Walsh Lucia M. , Maxwell Colleen A. , Smith Ashley M. , Grossman Rebecca A. , Becker Sara J. , Jensen‐Doss Amanda
Published: September 2019

Objectives

This online survey sought to qualitatively ascertain the extent to which a sample of U.S. adults understood the concept of evidence‐based mental health care (EBMHC). Additional goals included assessing the perceived importance of scientific information in EBMHC, and examining whether understanding EBMHC and science values varied as a function of participant factors.

Method

Participants (N = 221) defined EBMHC and rated the importance of scientific information. Open‐ended EBMHC definitions were content‐coded, and binomial logistic and linear regressions examined predictors of accurately defining EBMHC and of the perceived importance of scientific information.

Results

Participants endorsed seven definitions of EBMHC, and only 20% defined it accurately. Having greater knowledge about mental health conditions was associated with understanding EBMHC and with the higher perceived importance of scientific information. Greater help‐seeking efficacy also predicted higher perceived importance of scientific information.

Conclusions

Results support customized strategies to promote basic EBMHC education among U.S. adults.
TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway activates the HAS2–HA system to regulate granulosa cell state
Authors: Li Xinyu , Du Xing , Yao Wang , Pan Zengxiang , Li Qifa
Published: September 2019

Both TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway and HAS2–HA system have been shown to control granulosa cell (GC) state in mammalian ovary. However, the regulatory relationship between TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway and HA system in GCs is not well known. Here, we report that the TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway activates the HAS2–HA system by binding directly to the HAS2 promoter, ultimately controlling the GC state via the CD44–Caspase3 axis. SMAD4‐induced HAS2 expression, HAS2‐driven HA secretion, and HAS2‐mediated GC state (proliferation and apoptosis) by interacting directly with the promoter region of the HAS2 gene. The CD44–Caspase3 axis, located downstream of the HAS2–HA system, was also activated by SMAD4 and the TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway. However, there was no feedback regulation of the TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway by the HAS2–HA system in GCs. In addition, we found that miRNA‐26b attenuated HAS2 expression via SMAD4‐dependent and ‐independent mechanisms. Our findings provide compelling evidence that HAS2 is a direct transcriptional target of SMAD4. They also reveal a novel mechanism by which the TGF‐β/SMAD4 signaling pathway controls the GC state and alters the structural components of GCs in porcine ovaries.
MicroRNA‐26b inhibits oligodendrocyte precursor cell differentiation by targeting adrenomedullin in spinal cord injury
Authors: Cheng Li , Wang Chongchong , Yao Fei , Li Ziyu , Liu Wei , Jing Juehua
Published: September 2019

Oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) serve as a reservoir of newborn oligodendrocytes (OLs) in pathological and homeostatic conditions. After spinal cord injury (SCI), OPCs are activated to generate myelinating OLs, contributing to remyelination and functional recovery; however, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Here, microRNA‐26b (miR‐26b) expression in the spinal cord tissues of SCI rats was examined by real‐time polymerase chain reaction analysis. The influences of miR‐26b on locomotor recovery following SCI were assessed utilizing Basso, Beattie, and Bresnahan (BBB) scores. The effects of miR‐26b on OPC differentiation were explored using immunofluorescence and western blot analyses in vitro and in vivo. The potential targets that are modulated by miR‐26b were identified by bioinformatics, luciferase reporter assays, and western blot analyses. The effects of adrenomedullin (ADM) on OPC differentiation were explored in vitro using immunofluorescence and western blot analyses. We demonstrated that miR‐26b was significantly downregulated after SCI. BBB scores showed that miR‐26b exacerbated the locomotor function deficits induced by SCI. In vitro, miR‐26b inhibited the differentiation of primary rat OPCs. In vivo, miR‐26b suppressed OPC differentiation in SCI rats. Bioinformatics analyses and experimental detection revealed that miR‐26b directly targeted ADM in OPCs. In addition, knockdown of ADM suppressed the differentiation of primary rat OPCs. Our study provides evidence that ADM may mediate miR‐26b‐inhibited OPC differentiation in SCI.
Sodium polyacrylate inhibits fermentative hydrogen production from waste diaper‐like material
Authors: Sotelo‐Navarro Perla X , Poggi‐Varaldo Héctor M , Turpin‐Marion Sylvie J , Rinderknecht Seijas Noemi F
Published: September 2019

BACKGROUND

The inhibitory effect of a moisture‐absorbent sodium polyacrylate (SPA), that is commonly used in disposable diapers, on the bio‐hydrogen (H2) generation from waste diaper‐like material (WDM) was assessed in dark fermentation studies. Three types of treatments were evaluated in batch bioreactors at 37 °C: mixture of bond paper and filter paper (WDM, no SPA), SPA alone (only SPA or control), and WDM spiked with SPA [paper plus sodium polyacrylate hydrogel (WDM‐SPA)]. The WDM simulated the cellulosic fraction of diaper composition.

RESULTS

The units with only SPA did not produce H2. The WDM‐SPA units exhibited H2production 25% lower than those of bioreactors loaded with only WDM but no SPA. Cumulative H2 production was 0.03, 4.22 and 5.50 mmolH2 gTS–1 for the SPA, WDM‐SPA and WDM reactors, respectively (0.04, 5.90 and 8.77 mmolH2 gVS–1; 0.89, 132.19 and 196.45 NmLH2 gVS–1). BioH2 generation was related to predominance of the fermentation route that produces 1 mol L–1 of butyric acid (HBu) plus 2 mol L–1 H2 in the WDM and WDM‐SPA units, as suggested by the ratio A:B (acetic: butyric acids; A:B < 0.79 mg HAc‐COD mg HBu‐COD–1 in both cases).

CONCLUSION

It seems that this is the first documented result on the inhibitory effect of SPA on the bioH2 fermentation of cellulosic wastes. However, further research should be carried out at different levels of SPA to determine, for instance, the half‐inhibition value of SPA, that is, the concentration of SPA that would cause a 50% drop in H2 generation of the non‐SPA treatment. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Franz Joseph Gall's non‐cortical faculties and their organs
Authors: Eling Paul , Finger Stanley
Published: September 2019

Franz Joseph Gall (1758–1828) is remembered for his claims that behavior results from a large number of independent mental faculties, and that these faculties are associated with cortical organs. Apart from the 26 faculties he localized in the cerebrum, he also recognized one faculty (reproductive drive) in the cerebellum. This picture, however, is based on Gall's presentations in his well‐known later works, his four volume Anatomie et Physiologie. These books reflect the outcomes of Gall's thinking. They were steered by the observations and feedback he received in Vienna and while presenting his theories in the German states and neighboring countries between 1805 and 1807. Examining his lists before what he published in Paris shows how his faculties were changing. Notably, and as shown here, he had previously included several faculties associated with brainstem structures, in addition to the cerebellum, which he would continue to associate with some reproductive behaviors.
Th17 cell pathogenicity and plasticity in rheumatoid arthritis
Authors: Yang Pei , Qian Fei-Ya , Zhang Ming-Fei , Xu A-Lan , Wang Xiang , Jiang Bao-Ping , Zhou Ling-Ling
Published: September 2019

CD4+ Th cells play an important role in the development of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) by regulating adaptive immune response. As major subsets of CD4+ Th cells, Th17 cells can produce a large number of hallmark cytokines such as IL-17A and IL-17F, which participate in host defense and immune homeostasis. However, increasing researches have shown that Th17 cells are unstable and exhibit a certain degree of plasticity, which aggravates their pathogenicity. Furthermore, the plasticity and pathogenicity of Th17 cells are closely related with the disease activity in RA. In this paper, the characteristics including phenotype, differentiation, plasticity, and pathogenicity of Th17 cells in RA will be systematically summarized. This will contribute to clarify the immunologic mechanism of RA and further provide a novel strategy for the clinical treatment of autoimmune diseases.
Are the costs worth the benefits? Shared perception and the aggregation of organizational climate ratings
Authors: Kessler Stacey R.
Published: September 2019

A definitional component of organizational climate is the focus on employees' shared perceptions of the focal climate domain. To operationalize the notion of sharedness, researchers typically aggregate employees' domain‐specific climate perceptions to a higher level and justify this aggregation using quantitative indices of agreement. In the current paper, I argue that although accounting for sharedness among employees can provide some valuable insight, our overreliance on sharedness obscures some of the very organizational phenomena of interest. I discuss this issue by focusing on four costs of making unfounded assumptions regarding sharedness: (a) Aggregation assumes individual differences are a function of random error; (b) aggregation assumes that social situations are uniform across employees; (c) aggregation assumes that the unit of analysis is clear‐cut; and (d) aggregation assumes the group mean is meaningful. I argue that researchers carefully need to weigh the costs of violating these assumptions against the expected benefits of aggregating employees' climate perceptions, recognizing that sometimes employees' perceptions (i.e., psychological climate) might provide greater insight into phenomena of interest. Although I discuss these costs within the context of organizational climate research, these arguments apply to other research areas where individual perceptions are aggregated (e.g., research on leadership and teams).
Projected changes in mid–high‐latitude Eurasian climate during boreal spring in a 1.5 and 2°C warmer world
Authors: Chen Shangfeng , Wu Renguang , Chen Wen , Song Linye
Published: September 2019

This study examines projected changes in surface air temperature (SAT) and precipitation over mid–high latitudes of Eurasia during boreal spring in a 1.5/2°C warmer world (relative to pre‐industrial level) using historical, RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 simulations from 16 climate models of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 5. Results show that spatial patterns of spring SAT and precipitation changes over Eurasia in the 1.5/2°C warmer world relative to the current climate (1979–2005) are similar between the two RCPs, but with a slightly larger amplitude in the RCP8.5. Spring SAT warmings over Eurasia are faster than the global annual mean. Amplitudes of the spring Eurasian SAT warmings are larger over higher latitudes. An additional 0.5°C global warming leads to extra spring Eurasian SAT warmings, with the magnitude larger than 0.5°C. Changes in the spring maximum temperature are comparable to the mean temperature changes both in the 1.5 and 2°C warming targets. Significant increases in the mean and extreme precipitation are only seen over parts of Eurasia. An additional 0.5°C global warming does not lead to obvious changes in the mean and extreme spring precipitation. Further analyses show that there are large uncertainties in the projected changes in the inter‐annual variability of the Eurasian spring SAT and precipitation.
Effect of Aging on the Macrophage Response to Titanium Particles
Authors: Jämsen Eemeli , Pajarinen Jukka , Lin Tzu‐hua , Lo Chi‐Wen , Nabeshima Akira , Lu Laura , Nathan Karthik , Eklund Kari K. , Yao Zhenyu , Goodman Stuart B.
Published: September 2019

Macrophage‐mediated inflammatory reaction to implant wear particles drives bone loss around total joint replacements (TJR). Although most TJR recipients are elderly, studies linking wear particle‐activated macrophages and peri‐implant osteolysis have not taken into account the multiple effects that aging has on the innate immune system and, in particular, on macrophages. To address this, we compared the wear particle responses of bone marrow macrophages obtained from young (2‐month) and aged (18‐month) mice. Macrophages were polarized to M0, M1, or M2 phenotypes in vitro, challenged with titanium particles, and their inflammatory response was characterized at multiple time points by quantitative reverse‐transcription polymerase chain reaction and enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay. In addition, age‐dependent changes in activation of transcription factor nuclear factor‐κB were analyzed by a lentiviral vector‐based luciferase reporter system. The particle stimulation experiment was further repeated using human primary macrophages isolated from blood donors of different ages. We found that the pro‐inflammatory responses were generally higher in macrophages obtained from young mice, but differences between the age groups remained small and of uncertain biological significance. Noteworthily, M2 polarization effectively suppressed the particle‐induced inflammation in both young and aged macrophages. These results suggest that aging of the innate immune system per se plays no significant role in the response of macrophages to titanium particles, whereas induction of M2 polarization appears a promising strategy to limit macrophage‐mediated inflammation regardless of age. © 2019 Orthopaedic Research Society. Published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Orthop Res 38:405‐416, 2020
Nicotine suppresses proliferation and mineralized tissue‐associated gene expressions of cementoblasts
Authors: Bozkurt Serife Buket , Hakki Sema Sezgin
Published: September 2019

Background

Previous studies reported that nicotine, which is the prominent constituent of tobacco, has negative effects on periodontium cells. However, the precise role of nicotine in cementoblast functions remains unclear. In the present study, we investigated the effects of nicotine on the functions of cementoblasts (OCCM‐30) in terms of proliferation, migration, and mineralized tissue‐associated gene expression.

Methods

Immortalized murine cementoblasts were exposed to various concentrations (0, 10−6, 10−5, 10−4, 10−3, 10−2, 10−1, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM) of nicotine, and cementoblast proliferation was then evaluated using a real‐time cell analyzer for 142 hours. Using an in vitro wound healing assay, cell migration was evaluated 2, 4, 6, and 24 hours after exposure to different concentrations of nicotine (1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM). The mRNA expressions of bone sialoprotein (BSP), collagen type I (COL‐I), osteocalcin (OCN), runt‐related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were assessed in the nicotine‐treated (0, 10−3, 10−2, 10−1, 1, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM) OCCM‐30 cells by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction at 8 and 24 hours exposure.

Results

At concentrations of 1 to 10 mM, nicotine significantly reduced cementoblast proliferation (P <0.01). Exposure to nicotine at other concentrations (1, 2.5, and 5 mM) significantly reduced wound healing rates, whereas nicotine at a concentration of 10 mM immediately decreased the viability of OCCM‐30 cells. Similar results were observed in inverted microscopy images at the highest nicotine concentrations. All concentrations of nicotine decreased the transcripts of BSP and COL‐I in a dose‐ and time‐dependent manner (P <0.001). Nicotine concentrations higher than 1 mM reduced the expression of OCN, RunX2, and ALP in a time‐dependent manner (P <0.001).

Conclusions

This study indicated that nicotine inhibited the proliferation, migration, and mineralized tissue‐associated gene expression of OCCM‐30 cells. These findings suggest that nicotine negatively affects cementoblast function and the formation of new cementum, which is critical for new attachment.