bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Assessment of Toxicological Effects of Selected Popular Antidiabetic Drugs in Type II Diabetes Mellitus within Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria
Authors: Olujoke Ogunlana Olubanke , Grace Oyebanji Olufisayo , Ebenezer Ogunlana Oluseyi , Temitope Adekeye Bosede , Oladipupo Adeyemi Alaba , Dokunmu Titilope M. , Rotimi Oluwakemi Anuoluwapo , Rotimi Solomon Oladapo , Ogi E. Okwumabua
Published: September 2019

Aim: The complications associated with diabetes and the new trend of using combination therapy in the management of the disease gave birth to this work, aimed at assessing the hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic effects of selected popularly used antidiabetic medications in type 2 diabetic patients within Ota, Ogun State, Nigeria.

Study Design: The participants, diabetic (n=195) and non-diabetic (n=30) were divided into the following groups based on their medications: 1 (Non Diabetic control), 2 (Metformin), 3 (Glimepiride), 4 (Glibenclamide), 5 (Metformin and Glimepiride), 6 (Meformin and Glibenclamide), 7 (Metformin, Glimepiride and Glibenclamide) and 8 (Diabetic Dietary control).

Methodology: Serum protein expression profiling, liver and kidney function parameters were assessed in participant’s blood using Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and standard laboratory methods respectively.

Results: Glyceamic control within the diabetic groups was 29.23%. Urea concentration was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in groups 5 and 7 compared with groups 1 and 8 while the serum creatinine levels in the different groups showed no significant difference. Activities of alkaline phosphatase and aspartate aminotransferase increased significantly (p < 0.05) in group 5 compared with groups 1 and 8. A low molecular weight protein likely to be Leptin (molecular weight 18 kDa) was over-expressed in all the diabetic groups.

Conclusion: This study shows that use of multiple rather than single drugs caused significant functional changes in the liver and kidney. The control of diabetes may best be carried out with dietary control and lifestyle modification as well as good therapeutic drug monitoring for safe assessment of baseline organ function.
Spatial and Temporal Distribution of Modified Radio Refractivity Gradient at 875 hPa and 700 hPa over Nigeria
Authors: Falodun S. E. , Ojo J. S. , Oviangbede V. O.
Published: September 2019

The meteorological effects on radio wave signals propagating through the troposphere are of great concerns in the design and performance of radio communication systems. Often, the effect can lead to anomalous propagation conditions such as ducting, super refraction and sub refraction. In this paper, the spatial-temporal distribution of modified radio refractivity gradient and the effects on radio waves propagating at 875 hPa and 700 hPa pressure levels over sixteen selected locations aloft the four climatic regions of Nigeria are investigated. Five (5) years (2013-2017) meteorological parameters namely: air temperature, relative humidity and atmospheric pressure at ground level and 1 km above ground level were obtained from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) at four synopses hours of the day. Modified radio refractivity and its gradient at the two pressure levels were computed using ITU- model. Results on a daily and seasonal basis shows similar trends at both 875 hPa and 700 hPa pressure levels, with higher values of modified radio refractivity gradient recorded at 700 hPa heights at the morning and night hours of the day. Results on seasonal basis shows that during the rainy season, modified radio refractivity gradients were high. On location basis, Port Harcourt (coastal region) recorded the highest value of modified radio refractivity gradient of about 115.5 M-units/km in the night time (00:00 hr. LT). The value depicts the occurrence of normal refraction in this location. The overall results will be useful for microwave links budgeting and design in Nigeria.
Estimation of Growth Rate of Electromagnetic Plasma Wave through Vlasov-Maxwell Mathematical Frame in Ionospheric Plasma
Authors: Gogoi S. J. , Deka P. N.
Published: September 2019

Unique forms of nonlinear wave energy exchange phenomena are observed in the Earth’sionosphere region. Energy upconversion of nonresonant plasma waves in the top ionospheric and auroral zone are noticed.Origin of these phenomena are tried to explained by linear andnonlinear theoretical approach.Wave-wave and wave-particle-wave interaction processes may be possible role takes place here.In this theoretical investigation we wish to derive probable growthrate expression of high frequency electromagnetic O-mode wave in the presence of low frequency electrostatic ion sound wave through wave-particle interaction process known as plasma maserinstability and estimate its value by using observational data.
Validation of the Job Content Questionnaire among hospital nurses in Vietnam
Authors: Sasaki Natsu , Imamura Kotaro , Thuy Tran T T , Watanabe Kazuhiro , Huong Nguyen T , Kuribayashi Kazuto , Sakuraya Asuka , Thu Bui M , Quynh Nguyen T , Kien Nguyen T , Nga Nguyen T , Giang Nguyen T H , Tien Truong Q , Minas Harry , Zhang Melvyn , Tsutsumi Akizumi , Kawakami Norito
Published: September 2019

Objectives

The aim of this study was to examine the reliability and validity of the Job Content Questionnaire (JCQ) in Vietnamese among hospital nursing staff.

Methods

The 22-items version of the JCQ was used. This includes four scales: (a) psychological demands (5 items); (b) job control (9 items); (c) supervisor support (4 items); and (d) coworker support (4 items). All 1258 nurses in a general hospital in Vietnam, excluding 11 who were due to retire, were invited to complete the cross-sectional survey. The internal consistency reliability was estimated using Cronbach’s α. Construct validity was examined using exploratory factor analysis (EFA). Convergent validity was evaluated by calculating correlations between the JCQ scores and DASS 21 and overtime work.

Results

In total, 949 (75%) of the 1258 eligible nurses completed the survey. Cronbach’s α values demonstrated acceptable internal consistency in two scales (supervisor support α = .87; coworker support α = .86), while Cronbach’s α was below the acceptable threshold of 0.70 for job control (α = .45) and job demand (α = .50). EFA assuming a four-factor structure showed a factor structure that was almost identical to the original JCQ, with two items loading on other scales. The subscales of depression, anxiety, and stress response of DASS 21 and the subscales of JCQ were significantly correlated, as expected.

Conclusion

The results suggest that the JCQ in Vietnamese can be used with some reliability and validity for examining psychosocial work environment among nurses. Further studies should be done to confirm and expand our findings in a variety of occupational groups and in other Asian low- and middle-income countries.
Formulation of a Composite System of Liquid Crystals and Light‐Emitting Semiconductor Quantum Rods: From Assemblies in Solution to Photoaligned Films
Authors: Dudka Tetiana , Zhang Wanlong , Schneider Julian , Gupta Swadesh K. , Prodanov Maksym F. , Vashchenko Valerii V. , Srivastava Abhishek K. , Rogach Andrey L.
Published: September 2019

The ability of strongly emitting semiconductor quantum rods (QRs), when macroscopically aligned, to emit linearly polarized light makes them the perfect candidate for liquid crystal (LC) display backlights. Macroscopic QR ordering is previously demonstrated by photoalignment of QR composites with polymerizable LC monomers. In this study, it is demonstrated that the optimum concentration of LC monomers and core/shell CdSe/CdS QRs enabling someone to achieve their uniform homogeneous orientation in photoaligned films strongly depends on the lengths and aspect ratios of the QRs. By aligning QRs with different aspect ratios ranging from 3 to 10, the best performance is achieved for shorter QRs with lengths of 11 and 31 nm as compared to longer QRs with a length of 50 nm. While high‐aspect‐ratio QRs are expected to show higher emission anisotropy, formulation of such QRs in composite films is challenging, due to the increasing effect of clustering, resulting in QR films with poorly polarized emission. This study provides insights into the challenges and underlying forces governing the fabrication of composite LC/QR films with homogeneous distribution of QRs and uniform alignment of these emitters, which is important for development of energy‐efficient LC displays.
Worldwide relationships in the fern genus Pteridium (bracken) based on nuclear genome markers
Authors: Wolf Paul G. , Rowe Carol A. , Kinosian Sylvia P. , Der Joshua P. , Lockhart Peter J. , Shepherd Lara D. , McLenachan Patricia A. , Thomson John A.
Published: September 2019

Premise

Spore‐bearing plants are capable of dispersing very long distances. However, it is not known if gene flow can prevent genetic divergence in widely distributed taxa. Here we address this issue, and examine systematic relationships at a global geographic scale for the fern genus Pteridium.

Methods

We sampled plants from 100 localities worldwide, and generated nucleotide data from four nuclear genes and two plastid regions. We also examined 2801 single nucleotide polymorphisms detected by a restriction site‐associated DNA approach.

Results

We found evidence for two distinct diploid species and two allotetraploids between them. The “northern” species (Pteridium aquilinum) has distinct groups at the continental scale (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America). The northern European subspecies pinetorum appears to involve admixture among all of these. A sample from the Hawaiian Islands contained elements of both North American and Asian P. aquilinum. The “southern” species, P. esculentum, shows little genetic differentiation between South American and Australian samples. Components of African genotypes are detected on all continents.

Conclusions

We find evidence of distinct continental‐scale genetic differentiation in Pteridium. However, on top of this is a clear signal of recent hybridization. Thus, spore‐bearing plants are clearly capable of extensive long‐distance gene flow; yet appear to have differentiated genetically at the continental scale. Either gene flow in the past was at a reduced level, or vicariance is possible even in the face of long‐distance gene flow.
Selective Autonomous Molecular Transport and Collection by Hydrogel‐Embedded Supramolecular Chemical Gradients
Authors: Zhang Shiyan , Zhang Chunjie , Chen Hao , Kieffer Spencer J. , Neubrech Frank , Giessen Harald , Alleyne Andrew G. , Braun Paul V.
Published: September 2019

Selective transport and concentration of molecules to specified regions on a substrate both enhances the potential to detect such molecules and provides a path to spatially localize such molecules prior to initiation of subsequent chemical reactions. Here, we first embed radially symmetric α‐, β‐, and γ‐cyclodextrin gradients in a hydrogel matrix. Driven by host‐guest interactions between the cyclodextrins and the target molecule, we observe these gradients can serve to direct 2D molecular transport. Using xanthene dyes and organophosphates as target molecules, we found the transport metrics, e.g., selectivity, rate, and concentration limits, are strongly dependent on the specific cyclodextrin forming the gradient. In all cases, as the concentrating power of the gradient increased, the rate of target concentration slowed, which we hypothesize is because stronger interactions between the target and the cyclodextrin decrease the rate of target diffusion. The concentration enhancement for the nerve agent simulant 4‐methylumbelliferyl phosphate (15.8) is the greatest when the gradient is formed using β‐cyclodextrin while directed concentration of cyanomethyl phosphonate, a smaller non‐aromatic organophosphate, is observed only for the smaller α‐CD. To provide a near real‐time read‐out of the concentration of the analyte, we used an array of IR resonant metallic nanoantennas tuned to a specific IR absorption band of the analyte to enhance the IR signal generated by the analyte.
Achieving Balanced Energetics through Cocrystallization
Authors: Bellas Michael K. , Matzger Adam J.
Published: September 2019

Achieving energetic materials with a balanced ratio of oxidant to fuel is a challenge that has been difficult to meet through molecular synthesis. The alternative approach, composite formulation, fails to achieve intimate association of the components to the detriment of performance. Herein, the energetic oxidizer ammonium dinitramide (ADN) is combined with fuel‐rich pyrazine‐1,4‐dioxide via cocrystallization. The result is a material with a balanced oxidant/fuel ratio in which the components maintain intimate association. The material exhibits desirable physical and energetic properties which are much improved over ADN and comparable to contemporary energetics.
Direct Visualization and Semi‐Quantitative Analysis of Payload Loading in the Case of Gold Nanocages
Authors: Yang Miaoxin , Wang Wenxia , Qiu Jichuan , Bai Meng‐Yi , Xia Younan
Published: September 2019

Upon incubation with Au nanocages, pyrrole (Py) molecules can enter the cavities by diffusing through the porous walls and then be polymerized to generate a polypyrrole (PPy) coating on the inner surface. The thicknesses of the PPy coating can serve as a direct indicator for the amount of Py molecules that diffuse into the cavity. Py molecules are able to diffuse into the cavities throughout the polymerization process, while a prolonged incubation time increases the amount of Py accumulated on both inner and outer surfaces of the nanocages. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the dimensions of the cavity and the size of the pores in the wall are not critical parameters in determining the loading efficiency, as they do not affect the thickness of the PPy coating on the inner surface. These findings offer direct evidence to support the applications of Au nanocages as carriers for drug delivery and controlled release.
A novel five‐step synthetic route to 1,3,4‐oxadiazole derivatives with potent α‐glucosidase inhibitory potential and their in silico studies
Authors: Iftikhar Muhammad , Shahnawaz  , Saleem Muhammad , Riaz Naheed , Aziz‐ur‐Rehman  , Ahmed Ishtiaq , Rahman Jameel , Ashraf Muhammad , Sharif Muhammad S. , Khan Shafi U. , Htar Thet T.
Published: September 2019

A series of new N‐aryl/aralkyl derivatives of 2‐methyl‐2‐{5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2ylthiol}acetamide were synthesized by successive conversions of 4‐chlorobenzoic acid (a) into ethyl 4‐chlorobenzoate (1), 4‐chlorobenzoylhydrazide (2) and 5‐(4‐chlorophenyl)‐1,3,4‐oxadiazole‐2‐thiol (3), respectively. The required array of compounds (6a–n) was obtained by the reaction of 1,3,4‐oxadiazole (3) with various electrophiles (5a–n) in the presence of DMF (N,N‐dimethylformamide) and sodium hydroxide at room temperature. The structural determination of these compounds was done by infrared, 1H‐NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance), 13C‐NMR, electron ionization mass spectrometry, and high‐resolution electron ionization mass spectrometry analyses. All compounds were evaluated for their α‐glucosidase inhibitory potential. Compounds 6a, 6c–e, 6g, and 6i were found to be promising inhibitors of α‐glucosidase with IC50 values of 81.72 ± 1.18, 52.73 ± 1.16, 62.62 ± 1.15, 56.34 ± 1.17, 86.35 ± 1.17, 52.63 ± 1.16 µM, respectively. Molecular modeling and ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion) predictions supported the findings. The current synthesized library of compounds was achieved by utilizing very common raw materials in such a way that the synthesized compounds may prove to be promising drug leads.
Zugtragverhalten von Carbonbeton unter Hochtemperaturbeanspruchung
Authors: Holz Karoline , Curbach Manfred
Published: September 2019

Für die breite Anwendung von Carbonbeton als konstruktiven Baustoff ist die Kenntnis der Materialkennwerte und des Materialverhaltens unter verschiedenen Expositionsbedingungen, also auch unter Hochtemperaturbeanspruchung von großer Bedeutung. Vor allem muss eine ausreichende Sicherheit gegenüber dem Versagen eines Bauteils im Brandfall gewährleistet werden. Hierzu ist der Wissensstand allerdings noch äußerst lückenhaft. Ausgehend von dieser Fragestellung wurde das Zugverhalten der aktuell für die Anwendung aussichtsreichsten Materialkombinationen bis zu einer Temperatur von 600 °C untersucht. Im vorliegenden Beitrag wird ein Überblick über das Versuchsprogramm und die Versuchsdurchführung gegeben. Es wird hierbei auch auf die Möglichkeiten chemischer Untersuchungen am Bewehrungsmaterial unter Hochtemperatur sowie den verwendeten Versuchsaufbau für die Zugprüfung eingegangen. Abschließend werden die erzielten Ergebnisse dargestellt, diskutiert und eingeordnet.
A combined phenolic extraction and fermentation reactor engineering model for multiphase red wine fermentation
Authors: Miller Konrad V. , Noguera Roberto , Beaver Jordan , Oberholster Anita , Block David E.
Published: September 2019

Red wine production begins with a simultaneous fermentation and solid‐phase extraction process. Red wine color and mouthfeel is the result of the extraction of phenolics from grape skins and seeds during fermentation, where extraction is a strong function of temperature and ethanol concentration. During fermentation, grape solids form a porous “cap” at the top of the fermentor, resulting in a heterogeneous fermentation system with significant temperature and concentration gradients. In this work, we present a spatial, time‐variant reactor engineering model for phenolic extraction during red wine fermentation, incorporating fermentation kinetics, mass transfer, heat transfer, compressible fluid flow, and phenolic extraction kinetics. The temperature and ethanol concentration profiles predicted by this model allow for the calculation of phenolic extraction rates over the course of fermentation. Phenolic extraction predictions were validated against prior experimental data to good agreement and compared to a well‐mixed model's predictions to show the utility of a spatial model over well‐mixed models.
Hemolytic anemia after switching from infliximab originator to biosimilar CT‐P13 in a patient with inflammatory bowel disease: A case report
Authors: Strik Anne S. , D’Haens Geert R. , Löwenberg Mark
Published: September 2019

Available data on switching from originator infliximab to CT‐P13 in patients with inflammatory bowel disease are reassuring regarding safety and efficacy outcomes. However, monitoring of such patients, especially in the early phase after switching, is important given the possibility that rare side effects might occur, as illustrated here.
Diastereoselective Synthesis of Polysubstituted Piperidines through Visible‐Light‐Driven Silylative Cyclization of Aza‐1,6‐Dienes: Experimental and DFT Studies
Authors: Cui Wei‐Chen , Zhao Wenxuan , Gao Ming , Liu Wei , Wang Shaozhong , Liang Yong , Yao Zhu‐Jun
Published: September 2019

A visible‐light‐driven radical silylative cyclization of aza‐1,6‐dienes featuring an acrylonitrile or acrylate moiety and an electron‐neutral olefin was developed, which allows for stereoselective synthesis of densely functionalized piperidines in a highly atom‐economical manner. Depending on the substitution pattern of the electron‐neutral olefin, poor‐to‐excellent diastereoselectivity was observed. It was suggested that the 6‐exo‐trig cyclization was initiated by a chemoselective addition of silyl radical toward electron‐deficient olefin and the geometry of the remaining olefin is closely associated with the cis‐stereoselectivity. DFT calculations supported that a transition state with a cyano group locating at the axial position of the forming piperidine ring might be involved, in which either the increase of 1,3‐diaxial repulsion or the lack of hydrogen bonding interaction will diminish diastereoselectivity.
The Structural Basis for Processing of Unnatural Base Pairs by DNA Polymerases
Authors: Marx Andreas , Betz Karin
Published: September 2019

Unnatural base pairs (UBPs) greatly increase the diversity of DNA and RNA, furthering their broad range of molecular biological and biotechnological approaches. Different candidates have been developed whereby alternative hydrogen‐bonding patterns and hydrophobic and packing interactions have turned out to be the most promising base‐pairing concepts to date. The key in many applications is the highly efficient and selective acceptance of artificial base pairs by DNA polymerases, which enables amplification of the modified DNA. In this Review, computational as well as experimental studies that were performed to characterize the pairing behavior of UBPs in free duplex DNA or bound to the active site of KlenTaq DNA polymerase are highlighted. The structural studies, on the one hand, elucidate how base pairs lacking hydrogen bonds are accepted by these enzymes and, on the other hand, highlight the influence of one or several consecutive UBPs on the structure of a DNA double helix. Understanding these concepts facilitates optimization of future UBPs for the manifold fields of applications.
Late‐Stage Diversification of Tryptophan‐Derived Biomolecules
Authors: Gruß Hendrik , Sewald Norbert
Published: September 2019

Pd‐mediated reactions have emerged as a powerful tool for the site‐selective and bioorthogonal late‐stage diversification of amino acids, peptides and related compounds. Indole moieties of tryptophan derivatives are susceptible to C2H‐activation, whereas halogenated aromatic amino acids such as halophenylalanines or halotryptophans provide a broad spectrum of different functionalisations. The compatibility of transition‐metal‐catalysed cross‐couplings with functional groups in peptides, other biologically active compounds and even proteins has been demonstrated. This Review primarily compiles the application of different cross‐coupling reactions to modify halotryptophans, halotryptophan containing peptides or halogenated, biologically active compounds derived from tryptophan. Modern approaches use regio‐ and stereoselective biocatalytic strategies to generate halotryptophans and derivatives on a preparative scale. The combination of bio‐ and chemocatalysis in cascade reactions is given by the biocompatibility and bioorthogonality of Pd‐mediated reactions.
Selenocysteine as a Substrate, an Inhibitor and a Mechanistic Probe for Bacterial and Fungal Iron‐Dependent Sulfoxide Synthases
Authors: Goncharenko Kristina V. , Flückiger Sebastian , Liao Cangsong , Lim David , Stampfli Anja R. , Seebeck Florian P.
Published: September 2019

Sulfoxide synthases are non‐heme iron enzymes that participate in the biosynthesis of thiohistidines, such as ergothioneine and ovothiol A. The sulfoxide synthase EgtB from Chloracidobacterium thermophilum (CthEgtB) catalyzes oxidative coupling between the side chains of N‐α‐trimethyl histidine (TMH) and cysteine (Cys) in a reaction that entails complete reduction of molecular oxygen, carbon–sulfur (C−S) and sulfur–oxygen (S−O) bond formation as well as carbon–hydrogen (C−H) bond cleavage. In this report, we show that CthEgtB and other bacterial sulfoxide synthases cannot efficiently accept selenocysteine (SeCys) as a substrate in place of cysteine. In contrast, the sulfoxide synthase from the filamentous fungus Chaetomium thermophilum (CthEgt1) catalyzes C−S and C−Se bond formation at almost equal efficiency. We discuss evidence suggesting that this functional difference between bacterial and fungal sulfoxide synthases emerges from different modes of oxygen activation.
Participant Engagement in Translational Genomics Research: Respect for Persons—and Then Some
Authors: Childerhose Janet E. , Finnila Candice R. , Yu Joon‐Ho , Koenig Barbara A. , McEwen Jean , Berg Stacey L. , Wilfond Benjamin S. , Appelbaum Paul S. , Brothers Kyle B.
Published: September 2019

The expansion of both formal and informal frameworks of “engaged” research in translational research settings raises emerging and substantial normative concerns. In this article, we draw on findings from a focus group study with members of a national consortium of translational genomic research sites. The goals were to catalog informal participant engagement practices, to explore the perceived roots of these practices and the motivations of research staff members for adopting them, and to reflect on their ethical implications. We learned that participant engagement is a deliberate strategy by research staff members both to achieve instrumental research goals and to “do research differently” in response to past research injustices. While many of the participant engagement practices used in translational genomic research are not new, important insights can be gained through a closer examination of the specific contours of participant engagement in this context. These practices appear to have been shaped by the professional training of genetic counselors and by the interests and needs of participants who enroll in clinical genomics studies. The contours of this contemporary application of engaged research principles have relevance not only to clinical genomics research but also to translational research broadly, particularly for how communities of clinical researchers are interpreting the principle of respect for persons. Our findings invite normative questions about the governance of these practices and sociological questions about whether and how clinical researchers in other professions are also engaging participants in translational research settings.
Passive rewilding may (also) restore phylogenetically rich and functionally resilient forest plant communities
Authors: Morel Loïs , Barbe Lou , Jung Vincent , Clément Bernard , Schnitzler Annik , Ysnel Frédéric
Published: September 2019

Passive rewilding is increasingly seen as a promising tool to counterbalance biodiversity losses and recover native forest ecosystems. One key question, crucial to understanding assembly processes and conservation issues underlying land‐use change, is the extent to which functional and phylogenetic diversity may recover in spontaneous recent woodlands. Here, we compared understorey plant communities of recent woodlands (which result from afforestation on agricultural lands during the 20th century) with those of ancient forests (uninterrupted for several centuries) in a hotspot of farmland abandonment in western Europe. We combined taxonomic, functional, and phylogenetic diversity metrics to detect potential differences in community composition, structure (richness, divergence), conservation importance (functional originality and specialization, evolutionary distinctiveness) and resilience (functional redundancy, response diversity). The recent and ancient forests harbored clearly distinct compositions, especially regarding the taxonomic and phylogenetic facets. Recent woodlands had higher taxonomic, functional and phylogenetic richness and a higher evolutionary distinctiveness, whereas functional divergence and phylogenetic divergence were higher in ancient forests. On another hand, we did not find any significant differences in functional specialization, originality, redundancy, or response diversity between recent and ancient forests. Our study constitutes one of the first empirical pieces of evidence that recent woodlands may spontaneously regain plant communities phylogenetically rich and functionally resilient, at least as much as those of ancient relict forests. As passive rewilding is the cheapest restoration method, we suggest that it should be a very useful tool to restore and conserve native forest biodiversity and functions, especially when forest areas are restricted and fragmented.
Ionic current in nanochannels grafted with pH‐responsive polyelectrolyte brushes modeled using augmented strong stretching theory
Authors: Sachar Harnoor Singh , Sivasankar Vishal Sankar , Etha Sai Ankit , Chen Guang , Das Siddhartha
Published: September 2019

In this paper, we provide a theory to quantify the ionic current () in nanochannels grafted with pH‐responsive polyelectrolyte (PE) brushes. We consider the PE brushes to be modeled by our recently proposed augmented strong stretching theory (SST) model that improves the existing SST models by incorporating the effects of excluded volume interactions and an extended mass action law. Use of such augmented SST for this problem implies that this is the first study on computing in PE brush–grafted nanochannels accounting for the appropriate coupled configuration‐electrostatic description of the PE brushes. is obtained as functions of PE brush grafting density, medium pH and salt concentration (), and the density of polyelectrolyte chargeable sites (PECS). For large , increases linearly with (as for such , becomes independent of the PE charge and is dominated by the bulk mobility and number density of the electrolyte ions), whereas is independent of at small (where the electric double layer electrostatics and the total number of ions in the system is dominated by the hydrogen ions). We further witness an enhancement of for smaller pH and larger grafting density at low and moderate , while there is little to no effect of the PECS density on the ionic current except for weakly grafted brushes at low . We anticipate that this study will serve as a theoretical foundation for a large number of applications that are based on the brush‐induced modification of the ionic current in a nanochannel.
Detecting Amphibians in Agricultural Landscapes Using Environmental DNA Reveals the Importance of Wetland Condition
Authors: Ruso Gabrielle E. , Morrissey Christy A. , Hogan Natacha S. , Sheedy Claudia , Gallant Melanie J. , Jardine Timothy D.
Published: September 2019

Amphibians are declining worldwide, in part because of large-scale degradation of habitat from agriculture and pervasive pathogens. Yet a common North American amphibian, the wood frog (Lithobates sylvaticus), ranges widely and persists in agricultural landscapes. Conventional survey techniques rely on visual encounters and dip-netting efforts, but detectability limits the ability to test for the effects of environmental variables on amphibian habitat suitability. We used environmental DNA to determine the presence of wood frogs and an amphibian pathogen (ranavirus) in Prairie Pothole wetlands and investigated the effects of 32 water quality, wetland habitat, and landscape-level variables on frog presence at sites representing different degrees of agricultural intensity. Several wetland variables influenced wood frog presence, the most influential being those associated with wetland productivity (i.e., nutrients), vegetation buffer width, and proportion of the surrounding landscape that is comprised of other water bodies. Wood frog presence was positively associated with higher dissolved phosphorus (>0.4 mg/L), moderate dissolved nitrogen (0.1–0.2 mg/L), lower chlorophyll a (≤15 µg/L), wider vegetation buffers (≥10 m), and more water on the landscape (≥0.25). These results highlight the effects of environmental factors at multiple scales on the presence of amphibians in this highly modified landscape—namely the importance of maintaining wetland water quality, vegetation buffers, and surrounding habitat heterogeneity. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2750–2763. © 2019 SETAC

Abstract

A graphical summary illustrating that, although detection of wood frogs did not differ between site types (grassland or cropland), a number of factors at different scales influenced detection likelihood (shown as more or fewer frogs). Positive wood frog detection was associated with greater proportion of water and wetlands on the landscape, larger vegetation buffers, higher dissolved phosphorus, a narrow range of dissolved nitrogen, and lower chlorophyll a concentrations. Water bottle image obtained from MindtheGraph.com. Chl. a = chlorophyll a; DN = dissolved nitrogen; DP = dissolved phosphorus.
BitMEX bitcoin derivatives: Price discovery, informational efficiency, and hedging effectiveness
Authors: Alexander Carol , Choi Jaehyuk , Park Heungju , Sohn Sungbin
Published: September 2019

BitMEX is the largest unregulated bitcoin derivatives exchange, listing contracts suitable for leverage trading and hedging. Using minute‐by‐minute data, we examine its price discovery and hedging effectiveness. We find that BitMEX derivatives lead prices on major bitcoin spot exchanges. Bid–ask spreads, interexchange spreads, and relative trading volumes are important determinants of price discovery. Further analysis shows that BitMEX derivatives have positive net spillover effects, are informationally more efficient than bitcoin spot prices, and serve as effective hedges against spot price volatility. Our evidence suggests that regulators prioritize the investigation of the legitimacy of BitMEX and its contracts.
Joint analysis of multiple phenotypes using a clustering linear combination method based on hierarchical clustering
Authors: Li Xueling , Zhang Shuanglin , Sha Qiuying
Published: September 2019

Emerging evidence suggests that a genetic variant can affect multiple phenotypes, especially in complex human diseases. Therefore, joint analysis of multiple phenotypes may offer new insights into disease etiology. Recently, many statistical methods have been developed for joint analysis of multiple phenotypes, including the clustering linear combination (CLC) method. Due to the unknown number of clusters for a given data, a simulation procedure must be used to evaluate the p‐value of the final test statistic of CLC. This makes the CLC method computationally demanding. In this paper, we use a stopping criterion to determine the number of clusters in the CLC method. We have named our method, hierarchical clustering CLC (HCLC). HCLC has an asymptotic distribution, which is very computationally efficient and makes it applicable for genome‐wide association studies. Extensive simulations together with the COPDGene data analysis have been used to assess the type I error rates and power of our proposed method. Our simulation results demonstrate that the type I error rates of HCLC are effectively controlled in different realistic settings. HCLC either outperforms all other methods or has statistical power that is very close to the most powerful method with which it has been compared.
Deacetylation of LAMP1 drives lipophagy‐dependent generation of free fatty acids by Abrus agglutinin to promote senescence in prostate cancer
Authors: Panda Prashanta Kumar , Patra Srimanta , Naik Prajna Paramita , Praharaj Prakash Priyadarshi , Mukhopadhyay Subhadip , Meher Biswa Ranjan , Gupta Piyush Kumar , Verma Rama S. , Maiti Tapas K. , Bhutia Sujit K.
Published: September 2019

Therapy‐induced senescence in cancer cells is an irreversible antiproliferative state, which inhibits tumor growth and is therefore a potent anti‐neoplastic mechanism. In this study, low doses of Abrus agglutinin (AGG)‐induced senescence through autophagy in prostate carcinoma cells (PC3) and inhibited proliferation. The inhibition of autophagy with 3‐methyl adenine reversed AGG‐induced senescence, thus confirming that AGG‐triggered senescence required autophagy. AGG treatment also led to lipophagy‐mediated accumulation of free fatty acids (FFAs), with a concomitant decrease in the number of lipid droplets. Lalistat, a lysosomal acid lipase inhibitor, abrogated AGG‐induced lipophagy and senescence in PC3 cells, indicating that lipophagy is essential for AGG‐induced senescence. The accumulation of FFAs increased reactive oxygen species generation, a known facilitator of senescence, which was also reduced in the presence of lalistat. Furthermore, AGG upregulated silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT1), while the presence of sirtinol reduced autophagy flux and the senescent phenotype in the AGG‐treated cells. Mechanistically, AGG‐induced cytoplasmic SIRT1 deacetylated a Lys residue on the cytoplasmic domain of lysosome‐associated membrane protein 1 (LAMP1), an autolysosomal protein, resulting in lipophagy and senescence. Taken together, our findings demonstrate a novel SIRT1/LAMP1/lipophagy axis mediating AGG‐induced senescence in prostate cancer cells.
PLZF suppresses differentiation of mouse spermatogonial progenitor cells via binding of differentiation associated genes
Authors: Song Weixiang , Shi Xinglong , Xia Qin , Yuan Min , Liu Jiaxi , Hao Kunying , Qian Yinjuan , Zhao Xiaodong , Zou Kang
Published: September 2019

Promyelocytic leukaemia zinc finger (PLZF) is a key factor in inhibiting differentiation of spermatogonial progenitor cells (SPCs), but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unknown. In this study, the regulation of PLZF on Kit, Stra8, Sohlh2, and Dmrt1 (SPCs differentiation related genes) was investigated. We found some PLZF potential binding sites existed in the promoters of Kit, Stra8, Sohlh2, and Dmrt1. Additionally, the expressions of KIT, STRA8, SOHLH2, and DMRT1 were upregulated when PLZF was knockdown in SPCs. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation quantitative polymerase chain reaction revealed PLZF directly bound to the promoters of Kit, Stra8, Sohlh2, and Dmrt1. Besides, dual luciferase assay verified PLZF repressed those gene expressions. Collectively, our finding indicate that PLZF binds to the promoter regions of Kit, Stra8, Sohlh2, and Dmrt1 to regulate SPCs differentiation, which facilitate us to further understand the regulatory mechanism of PLZF in SPCs fates.
Hydrodynamics of the bladderwort feeding strike
Authors: Berg Otto , Brown Matthew D. , Schwaner M. Janneke , Hall Maxwell R. , Müller Ulrike K.
Published: September 2019

The aquatic bladderwort Utricularia gibba captures zooplankton in mechanically triggered underwater traps. With characteristic dimensions <1 mm, the trapping structures are among the smallest known that work by suction—a mechanism that would not be effective in the creeping‐flow regime. To understand the adaptations that make suction feeding possible on this small scale, we have measured internal flow speeds during artificially triggered feeding strikes in the absence of prey. These data are compared with complementary analytical models of the suction event: an inviscid model of the jet development in time and a steady‐state model incorporating friction. The initial dynamics are well described by a time‐dependent Bernoulli equation in which the action of the trap door is represented by a step increase in driving pressure. According to this model, the observed maximum flow speed (5.2 m/s) depends only on the pressure difference, whereas the initial acceleration (3 × 104 m/s2) is determined by pressure difference and channel length. Because the terminal speed is achieved quickly (~0.2 ms) and the channel is short, the remainder of the suction event (~2.0 ms) is effectively an undeveloped viscous steady state. The steady‐state model predicts that only 17% of power is lost to friction. The energy efficiency and steady‐state fluid speed decrease rapidly with decreasing channel diameter, setting a lower limit on practical bladderwort size.
Estuarine fish assemblages present a species‐specific difference in the multixenobiotics resistance activity
Authors: Macêdo Anderson Kelvin Saraiva , da Silva Jicaury Roberta Pereira , dos Santos Helio Batista , Thomé Ralph Gruppi , Vendel Ana Lúcia , Amado Enelise Marcelle
Published: September 2019

We investigated the activity of the multixenobiotic resistance (MXR) phenotype, a biological defense system in aquatic organisms, in the fish assemblages of two tropical estuaries with different degrees of environmental impacts, the Paraiba River and Mamanguape River Estuaries. The aim of this work was to compare the activity of the MXR phenotype of different fishes to test the hypothesis that each species has an inherent activity level and to use this activity as a bioindicator of aquatic contamination. We assessed the MXR activity of the gills, using rhodamine B (RB) accumulation assay. The results demonstrated a species‐specific difference in the MXR activity of fishes caught in the same estuarine zone. Also, the pelagic species Eucinostomus melanopterus, Eucinostomus argenteus, and Lutjanus jocu had higher RB accumulation, while the demersal species Sphoeroides testudineus and Sphoeroides greeleyi had the lowest RB accumulation, suggesting that the ecological characteristic of fish in the water column exerts an influence on MXR activity. Besides, we demonstrated the potential of using the gill MXR activity of the key estuarine species, the Brazilian silversides Atherinella brasiliensis, as a tool for biomonitoring estuaries.
Greater neurodegeneration and behavioral deficits after single closed head traumatic brain injury in adolescent versus adult male mice
Authors: Guilhaume‐Correa Fernanda , Cansler Shelby M. , Shalosky Emily M. , Goodman Michael D. , Evanson Nathan K.
Published: September 2019

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major public health concern affecting 2.8 million people per year in the United States, of whom about 1 million are children under 19 years old. Animal models of TBI have been developed and used in multiple ages of animals, but direct comparisons of adult and adolescent populations are rare. The current studies were undertaken to directly compare outcomes between adult and adolescent male mice, using a closed head, single‐impact model of TBI. Six‐week‐old adolescent and 9‐week‐old adult male mice were subjected to mild–moderate TBI. Histological measures for neurodegeneration, gliosis, and microglial neuroinflammation, and behavioral tests of locomotion and memory were performed. Adolescent TBI mice have increased mortality (Χ2 = 20.72, p < 0.001) compared to adults. There is also evidence of hippocampal neurodegeneration in adolescents that is not present in adults. Hippocampal neurodegeneration correlates with histologic activation of microglia, but not with increased astrogliosis. Adults and adolescents have similar locomotion deficits after TBI that recover by 16 days postinjury. Adolescents have memory deficits as evidenced by impaired novel object recognition between 3–4 and 4–16 days postinjury (F1,26 = 5.23, p = 0.031) while adults do not. In conclusion, adults and adolescents within a close age range (6–9 weeks) respond to TBI differently. Adolescents are more severely affected by mortality, neurodegeneration, and inflammation in the hippocampus compared to adults. Adolescents, but not adults, have worse memory performance after TBI that lasts at least 16 days postinjury.
Medicaid managed care enrollees report numerous problems in mandated support
Authors: Enos Gary
Published: September 2019

A survey of Medicaid enrollees with serious mental illness (SMI) in a state with significant experience in integrating behavioral health and medical care is pointing out many shortcomings in managed care's response to these individuals' complex needs.
Dementia: Not a mental illness, but boundaries frequently blurred
Authors: Knopf Alison
Published: September 2019

Mental health professionals know dementia is not technically a mental illness. The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) makes this clear. “Although dementia is defined as ‘the loss of cognitive (mental) functioning,’ it is not considered a mental illness,” Lindsey O'Keefe, NIMH press officer, wrote MHW in an email.
What Washington should do to implement true MH reform
Authors: Rosenthal Harvey
Published: September 2019

We only talk about true and substantive mental health policy reforms after a gun‐related tragedy, but the focus inevitably is about control and confinement and not recovery and rehabilitation.
All‐trans retinoic acid exposure increases connexin 43 expression in cumulus cells and improves embryo development in bovine oocytes
Authors: Read Casey C. , Dyce Paul W.
Published: September 2019

In developing follicles, cellular coupling within cumulus–oocyte complexes (COCs) creates a functional syncytium allowing for the passage of small molecules. In many species, intercellular coupling between granulosa cells results from the expression of connexin 43 (CX43 or Gja1) and the formation of gap junctional plaques. Previously, our lab has shown that oocytes with a higher developmental potential had higher CX43 expression in their cumulus cells compared with developmentally incompetent oocytes. All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) has been shown to increase CX43 expression in several different cell types. In this study we investigated the effect of ATRA treatment, during maturation, on CX43 expression and localization in cumulus cells and the developmental competence of bovine oocytes. COCs and granulosa cells exposed to ATRA during maturation had significantly higher CX43 expression and increased gap junctional coupling, respectively. In addition, there was a significant increase in the maturation, cleavage, and blastocyst rates in ATRA treated COCs. Data from these studies suggest that not only can CX43 be used as a biomarker for oocyte health, it can also potentially be manipulated using ATRA to increase the number of oocytes achieving developmental competence.
Accuracy of Water Delivery in Enteral Nutrition Pumps
Authors: Bertagnolli Erin J. , Patterson Mindy A. , Utech Anne , Walker Renee N.
Published: September 2019

Background

Adequate delivery of both enteral formula and water in patients receiving enteral nutrition (EN) is critical. Pump accuracy has been identified as a factor impeding enteral formula delivery; however, rarely is enteral water delivery investigated. The purpose of this study was to explore accuracy of delivering 1 L of water by EN pumps using different flush volumes and hang heights.

Methods

Three EN pumps were used in vitro to flush 1 L of water at 50 mL every hour for 20 hours (50 mL, 20 times per day) and 500 mL every 4 hours for 8 hours (500 mL, 2 times per day) at 0 in. and 18 in. (or 45.72 cm) hang heights. Fifteen runs were conducted at each volume and hang height per pump. Actual delivered enteral water, remaining volume in enteral feeding bags, and volume reported per pump were recorded.

Results

Hang height of 18 in. delivered a mean 3.91% (95% CI, 3.25–4.57) more water than bags hung at 0 in. (P < .0005). When delivering water in 500 mL increments, 1.57% (95% CI, 0.92–2.23) more water was delivered than when delivered in 50 mL increments (P < .005).

Conclusion

Appropriate hang height recommendations improve enteral water delivery in patients receiving EN. The most accurate setting was 500 mL at 18 in., resulting in accurate water delivery in 97.8% of runs, whereas 50 mL at 0 in. delivered accurately 17.8% of the time. Appropriate bag hang height and water delivery volume is critical to maintain hydration status of patients receiving EN.
BMI and Labor Market Participation: A Cohort Study of Transitions Between Work, Unemployment, and Sickness Absence
Authors: Bramming Maja , Jørgensen Maja B. , Christensen Anne I. , Lau Cathrine J. , Egan Kia K. , Tolstrup Janne S.
Published: September 2019

Objective

This study aimed to test the hypotheses that individuals with obesity are at higher risk of unemployment and sickness absence and have a lower chance of getting employed compared with individuals with normal weight.

Methods

Data on weight and height were collected at baseline from 87,796 participants in the Danish National Health Survey 2010. Participants were then followed in national registers for 5 years. Outcome measures were transitions from employment to unemployment and sickness absence and the transitions from unemployment or sickness absence to employment. Data were analyzed by Cox proportional hazards models adjusted for potential confounders.

Results

Hazard ratios for unemployment were 1.18 (95% CI: 1.10‐1.26) for individuals with obesity and 1.27 (95% CI: 1.14‐1.41) for individuals with severe obesity compared with individuals with normal weight. Participants with obesity also had a higher risk of sickness absence. Additionally, participants with obesity who were unemployed at baseline had a lower chance of becoming employed compared with participants with normal weight.

Conclusions

Obesity was associated with a higher risk of unemployment and sickness absence compared with individuals with normal weight. Additionally, obesity was associated with a lower chance of employment.