bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Monoamniotic twin pregnancy following the transfer of a single blastocyst resulting from intracytoplasmic sperm injection of a single oocyte: a case report
Authors: Sciorio Romualdo , Esteves Sandro C. , Alahmad Motaz , Angelaki Elisavet , Al-Azemi Naser 
Published: April 2020

SummaryIn this report we present an unusual case of a couple who achieved a twin pregnancy by intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) with a single immature oocyte retrieved. The oocyte was at metaphase I at 39 h post human chorionic gonadotrophin (hCG) administration, which is our standard ICSI time. Extended culture allowed the extrusion of the polar body, and sperm injection was performed at 43 h post-trigger. The fertilized egg underwent embryo biopsy on day 3 and preimplantation genetic assessment for three chromosomes (X, Y and 21). The embryo remained in culture until day 5. Later, the biopsy results reported a transferable embryo, which was replaced to the uterine cavity at blastocyst stage. Pregnancy test gave a positive β-hCG result, and the 6 weeks’ scan, performed to confirm the fetal heart, revealed the presence of one amniotic sac and two fetal heartbeats, which currently have been so far eventless and smooth, ongoing at 18 weeks of gestation.
Germination ecology of hairy fleabane (Conyza bonariensis) and its implications for weed management
Authors: Loura Deepak , Sahil  , Florentine Singarayer , Chauhan Bhagirath Singh 
Published: April 2020

AbstractHairy fleabane [Conyza bonariensis (L.) Cronquist] is a problematic weed in Australian no-till cropping systems. Consequently, a study was conducted to examine the effect of temperature, light, salt stress, osmotic stress, burial depth, and sorghum crop residue on germination and emergence in two populations (C and W: collected from chick pea [Cicer arietinum L.] and wheat [Triticum aestivum L.] fields, respectively) of C. bonariensis. Both populations were able to germinate over a wide range of alternating day/night temperatures (15/5 to 35/25 C); however, the C population had optimum (and similar) germination over the range of 20/10 and 30/20 C, while the W population showed maximum germination at 25/15 C. A negative relationship was observed between osmotic potential and germination, with 31% and 14% germination of the C and W populations at −0.6 MPa, respectively. These observations suggest that population C was more tolerant to higher osmotic potentials than population W. Seeds of both populations germinated when exposed to a wide range of sodium chloride levels (NaCl, 0 to 200 mM); however, beyond 200 mM NaCl, no germination was observed in either population. Maximum germination of the C (70%) and W (41%) populations was observed on the soil surface with no emergence from a burial depth of 1 cm. The application of sorghum residue at an amount of 6,000 kg ha−1 reduced emergence of the C and W populations by 55% and 58%, respectively, compared with the no-residue treatment. Knowledge gained from this study suggests that the following strategies could be used for more efficacious management of C. bonariensis: (1) a shallow-tillage operation to bury weed seeds in conventional tillage systems, and (2) retention of sorghum residue on the soil surface in no-till systems.
Influence of He++and Shock Geometry on Interplanetary Shocks in the Solar Wind: 2D Hybrid Simulations
Authors: Preisser L. , Blanco‐Cano X. , Trotta D. , Burgess D. , Kajdič P. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAfter protons, alpha particles (He++) are the most important ion species in the solar wind, constituting typically about 5% of the total ion number density. Due to their different charge‐to‐mass ratio, protons and He++particles are accelerated differently when they cross the electrostatic potential in a collisionless shock. This behavior can produce changes in the velocity distribution function (VDF) for both species generating anisotropy in the temperature, which is considered to be the energy source for various phenomena such as ion cyclotron and mirror mode waves. How these changes in temperature anisotropy and shock structure depend on the percentage of He++particles and the geometry of the shock is not completely understood. In this paper, we have performed various 2D local hybrid simulations (particle ions, massless fluid electrons) with similar characteristics (e.g., Mach number) to interplanetary shocks for both quasi‐parallel and quasi‐perpendicular geometries self‐consistently including different percentages of He++particles. We have found changes in the shock transition behavior as well as in the temperature anisotropy as functions of both the shock geometry and He++particle abundance: The change of the initialθBnleads to variations of the efficiency with which particles can escape to the upstream region facilitating or not the formation of compressive structures in the magnetic field that will produce increments in perpendicular temperature. The regions where both temperature anisotropy and compressive fluctuations appear tend to be more extended and reach higher values as the He++content in the simulations increases.
Effects of Groundwater Pumping on Ground Surface Temperature: A Regional Modeling Study in the North China Plain
Authors: Yang Chen , Li Hong‐Yi , Fang Yilin , Cui Chixiao , Wang Tianye , Zheng Chunmiao , Leung L. Ruby , Maxwell Reed M. , Zhang You‐Kuan , Yang Xiaofan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractOverexploitation of groundwater (GW) in the North China Plain (NCP) since the 1960s has many environmental consequences. However, mechanistic understanding of this perturbation remains limited, particularly at the regional scale. In this study, the coupled ParFlow.CLM model representing subsurface and land surface processes and their interactions was applied in the NCP at high spatiotemporal resolutions. The model was validated using the water and energy fluxes reported in previous studies and from the JRA‐55 reanalysis. Numerical experiments were designed to examine the impacts of GW pumping and irrigation on the ground surface temperature (GST). Results show significant effects of GW pumping on GST in the NCP. Generally, the subsurface acts as a buffer to temporal variations in heat fluxes at the land surface, but long‐term pumping can gradually weaken this buffer, leading to increases in the spatiotemporal variability of GST, as exemplified by hotter summers and colder winters. Considering that changes of water table depth (WTD) can significantly affect land surface heat fluxes when WTD ranges roughly between 0.01 and 10 m, the 0.5‐m/yr increase of WTD simulated by the model due to pumping can continue to increase the regional averaged WTD and hence, perturb GST for about 20 years after GW pumping began in the NCP, before WTD exceeds 10 m. The variations of GST are expected to increase faster initially and gradually slow down due to the nonlinear behaviors of GST with WTD. The findings from this study in the NCP may also have implications for other regions with GW depletion.
Predictive Capabilities and Limitations of Stream Interaction Region Observations at Different Solar Longitudes
Authors: Allen R. C. , Ho G. C. , Jian L. K. , Mason G. M. , Vines S. K. , Lario D. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAdvanced warning of a stream interaction region (SIR) or corotating interaction region (CIR) impinging upon the magnetosphere of Earth is important for space weather forecasting, due to the ability of SIRs/CIRs to trigger geomagnetic storms and affect ionospheric composition and winds. However, a focused investigation of the likelihood that either an L5 monitor or Earth‐trailing “string‐of‐pearl” constellation of satellites would be able to serve as an effective warning buoy for SIRs/CIRs that will affect the near‐Earth space environment has yet to be extensively performed. Through comparing 10 years of SIRs/CIRs observed at L1 and at STEREO, we have investigated the probability of sequentially detecting SIRs/CIRs at two locations as a function of the difference in heliospheric longitude and latitudinal separation between the two spacecraft. By examining the probability of repeat detection of SIRs/CIRs using variable separation distances between two observing points, we explore the utility of an Earth‐trailing monitor for SIR/CIR predictability (i.e., 74.6% of SIRs observed at L5 reach L1 within ±3 days of rigid corotation). While the probability of predicting the occurrence of SIRs/CIRs at another spacecraft decreases with longitudinal separation, there is no significant dependence on latitude. The primary source of error in reliably predicting the arrival time of an SIR/CIR is uncertainty in the rotational speed of the structure. While an L5 monitor would be an advancement in our operational warning ability, an Earth‐trailing “string‐of‐pearls” constellation utilizing multiple point of measurements would engender much more certainty in predicting the arrival time of SIRs/CIRs.
Pleiotropic tumor suppressor functions of WWOX antagonize metastasis
Authors: Khawaled Saleh , Nigita Giovanni , Distefano Rosario , Oster Sara , Suh Sung-Suk , Smith Yoav , Khalaileh Abed , Peng Yong , Croce Carlo M. , Geiger Tamar , Seewaldt Victoria L. , Aqeilan Rami I. 
Published: April 2020

AbstractTumor progression and metastasis are the major causes of death among cancer associated mortality. Metastatic cells acquire features of migration and invasion and usually undergo epithelia-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Acquirement of these various hallmarks rely on different cellular pathways, including TGF-β and Wnt signaling. Recently, we reported that WW domain-containing oxidoreductase (WWOX) acts as a tumor suppressor and has anti-metastatic activities involving regulation of several key microRNAs (miRNAs) in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). Here, we report that WWOX restoration in highly metastatic MDA-MB435S cancer cells alters mRNA expression profiles; further, WWOX interacts with various proteins to exert its tumor suppressor function. Careful alignment and analysis of gene and miRNA expression in these cells revealed profound changes in cellular pathways mediating adhesion, invasion and motility. We further demonstrate that WWOX, through regulation of miR-146a levels, regulates SMAD3, which is a member of the TGF-β signaling pathway. Moreover, proteomic analysis of WWOX partners revealed regulation of the Wnt-signaling activation through physical interaction with Disheveled. Altogether, these findings underscore a significant role for WWOX in antagonizing metastasis, further highlighting its role and therapeutic potential in suppressing tumor progression.
Efficacy of locally-available cleaning methods in removing biofilms from taps and surfaces of household water storage containers
Authors: String Gabrielle , Domini Marta , Mirindi Patrick , Brodsky Hayes Klemm , Kamal Yarmina , Tatro Tyler , Johnston Miranda , Badr Hanaa , Lantagne Daniele 
Published: April 2020

AbstractBiofilms are aggregates of microorganisms attached to surfaces that can (re)contaminate water by releasing microorganisms. We grew E. coli biofilms on household taps and on storage container coupons, and cleaned them with locally-available agents (bleach, boiled water, soapy water, vinegar) and methods (flowing, scrubbing, or soaking taps; soaking and wiping container coupons). After cleaning, we enumerated surface E. coli and imaged biofilms using epifluorescence microscopy. Biofilms were removed from taps when: soaking assembled for five minutes (bleach, boiled water); and, scrubbing and soaking unassembled for five minutes (bleach, boiled water, vinegar). Only soaking methods removed E. coli from container coupons. To remove biofilms, we recommend soaking assembled taps in boiled water for five minutes. No recommendation for cleaning containers emerged as soaking storage containers is impractical. Results are consistent with biofilm research, and highlight the need for technical research to develop realistic cleaning recommendations for water storage containers in households.
The effects of slit-pore geometry on capacitive properties: a molecular dynamics study
Authors: Biagooi Morad , Nedaaee Oskoee SeyedEhsan 
Published: April 2020

AbstractIonic-liquids (IL) inside conductive porous media can be used to make electrical energy storage units. Many parameters such as the shape of the pores and the type of IL affect the storage performance. In this work, a simple IL model inside two geometrically different slit-pores is simulated and their capacitive properties are measured. The pores were of finite length, one of them was linear and the other had a convex extra space in the center. The molecular dynamics simulations are done for two, qualitatively, low and high molarities. The pores have been simulated for both initially filled or empty conditions. Differential capacitance, induced charge density, and IL dynamics are calculated for all of the systems.
Direct comparison of size-dependent versus EpCAM-dependent CTC enrichment at the gene expression and DNA methylation level in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
Authors: Zavridou Martha , Mastoraki Sophia , Strati Areti , Koutsodontis George , Klinakis Apostolos , Psyrri Amanda , Lianidou Evi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractWe directly compared two different approaches used for Circulating Tumor Cell (CTC) isolation, a size-dependent microfluidic system versus an EpCAM-dependent positive selection for downstream molecular characterization of CTC both at the gene expression and DNA methylation level in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC). A size-dependent microfluidic device (Parsortix, ANGLE) and an EpCAM-dependent positive immune-magnetic isolation procedure were applied in parallel, using 10 mL PB from 50 HNSCC patients and 18 healthy donors. Total RNA was isolated from enriched CTCs and RT-qPCR was used to study the expression levels of CK-19, PD-L1, EGFR, TWIST1, CDH2 and B2M (reference gene). Real time methylation specific PCR (MSP) was used to study the methylation status of RASSF1A and MLL3 genes. In identical blood draws, the label-free size-dependent CTC-isolation system was superior in terms of sensitivity when compared to the EpCAM-dependent CTC enrichment, since a significantly higher percentage of identical PB samples was found positive at the gene expression and DNA methylation level, while the specificity was not affected. Our results indicate that future studies focused on the evaluation of clinical utility of CTC molecular characterization in HNSCC should be based on size-dependent enrichment approaches.
Dietary countermeasure mitigates simulated spaceflight-induced osteopenia in mice
Authors: Steczina Sonette , Tahimic Candice G. T. , Pendleton Megan , M’Saad Ons , Lowe Moniece , Alwood Joshua S. , Halloran Bernard P. , Globus Ruth K. , Schreurs Ann-Sofie 
Published: April 2020

AbstractSpaceflight is a unique environment that includes at least two factors which can negatively impact skeletal health: microgravity and ionizing radiation. We have previously shown that a diet supplemented with dried plum powder (DP) prevented radiation-induced bone loss in mice. In this study, we investigated the capacity of the DP diet to prevent bone loss in mice following exposure to simulated spaceflight, combining microgravity (by hindlimb unloading) and radiation exposure. The DP diet was effective at preventing most decrements in bone micro-architectural and mechanical properties due to hindlimb unloading alone and simulated spaceflight. Furthermore, we show that the DP diet can protect osteoprogenitors from impairments resulting from simulated microgravity. Based on our findings, a dietary supplementation with DP could be an effective countermeasure against the skeletal deficits observed in astronauts during spaceflight.
Rhythms of Transcription in Field-Grown Sugarcane Are Highly Organ Specific
Authors: Dantas Luíza Lane de Barros , Almeida-Jesus Felipe Marcelo , de Lima Natalia Oliveira , Alves-Lima Cícero , Nishiyama-Jr Milton Yutaka , Carneiro Monalisa Sampaio , Souza Glaucia Mendes , Hotta Carlos Takeshi 
Published: April 2020

AbstractCircadian clocks improve plant fitness in a rhythmic environment. As each cell has its own circadian clock, we hypothesized that sets of cells with different functions would have distinct rhythmic behaviour. To test this, we investigated whether different organs in field-grown sugarcane follow the same rhythms in transcription. We assayed the transcriptomes of three organs during a day: leaf, a source organ; internodes 1 and 2, sink organs focused on cell division and elongation; and internode 5, a sink organ focused on sucrose storage. The leaf had twice as many rhythmic transcripts (>68%) as internodes, and the rhythmic transcriptomes of the internodes were more like each other than to those of the leaves. Among the transcripts expressed in all organs, only 7.4% showed the same rhythmic pattern. Surprisingly, the central oscillators of these organs — the networks that generate circadian rhythms — had similar dynamics, albeit with different amplitudes. The differences in rhythmic transcriptomes probably arise from amplitude differences in tissue-specific circadian clocks and different sensitivities to environmental cues, highlighted by the sampling under field conditions. The vast differences suggest that we must study tissue-specific circadian clocks in order to understand how the circadian clock increases the fitness of the whole plant.
Associations between self-reported sleep characteristics and incident mild cognitive impairment: The Heinz Nixdorf Recall Cohort Study
Authors: Brachem Christian , Winkler Angela , Tebrügge Sarah , Weimar Christian , Erbel Raimund , Jöckel Karl-Heinz , Stang Andreas , Dragano Nico , Moebus Susanne , Kowall Bernd , Jokisch Martha 
Published: April 2020

AbstractAssociations of sleep characteristics with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) have been examined in cross-sectional, but rarely in longitudinal studies. Incident MCI and sleep characteristics were assessed in 1,890 participants of the first and second follow-up of the Heinz Nixdorf Recall study, a population-based cohort study in Germany (age at first follow-up 50−80 years, mean follow-up 5.2 years). MCI was assessed with extensive cognitive tests. Sleep questionnaires including PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index) were used to assess sleep quality, sleep disturbances, time asleep, and time in bed. Relative risks (RR) of developing MCI when exposed to sleep characteristics were assessed in regression models adjusted for sociodemographic and cardiovascular risk factors. Poor sleep quality (PSQI > 5) (RR = 1.43, 95% CI: 1.12−1.82, fully adjusted, reference: PSQI ≤ 5) and difficulties initiating sleep (almost nightly versus never) (RR = 1.40, 0.94−2.08) were associated with incident MCI. For time in bed, the risk of MCI was increased for ≤ 5 hours (RR = 2.86, 1.24─6.60, reference:7 to <8 hours). In this longitudinal study with older participants, MCI risk was increased in persons with poor sleep quality, difficulties initiating sleep, and short time in bed.
Decreased Serum EGF in First-episode and Chronic Schizophrenia Patients: Negative Correlation with Psychopathology
Authors: Zhang Xiaobin , Xiao Wenhuan , Chen KuanYu , Zhao Yaqin , Ye Fei , Tang Xiaowei , Du Xiangdong 
Published: April 2020

AbstractPrevious studies have demonstrated that neurotrophic factors may play a critical role in the severity of clinical symptoms in schizophrenia. However, it remains unknown whether serum levels of epidermal growth factor (EGF) in schizophrenia are similar to those observed in the case of other neurotrophic factors. Therefore, we compared serum EGF concentrations in first-episode drug-naive (FEP) patients and medicated chronic schizophrenic patients with healthy controls in order to explore whether EGF levels are related to psychopathological symptoms. We measured the serum levels of EGF in 78 first-episode medication-naive schizophrenia patients, 76 medicated chronic schizophrenic patients, and 75 healthy controls using the sandwich ELISA method. Disease severity were measured using the positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS). Serum EGF levels showed a significant decrease in schizophrenia patients in comparison to healthy subjects. Serum EGF levels in FEP patients are indistinguishable from chronic cases. EGF levels were related to PANSS general symptom subscales in both FEP never-medicated and medicated patients. It is interesting that serum EGF levels were negatively correlated with the PANSS cognitive subscales, with the exception of the patients with chronic schizophrenia. Our preliminary results indicated that EGF may play a role in this illness and that it could be used as a potential biomarker of disease severity. Moreover, EGF may be associated with cognitive subscales of PANSS in FEP patients. Future studies should investigate the relationship between EGF and cognitive function as measured using standardized neuropsychological assessments to identify potential biomarkers related with cognition.
Bio-assisted synthesized Pd nanoparticles supported on ionic liquid decorated magnetic halloysite: an efficient catalyst for degradation of dyes
Authors: Sadjadi Samahe , Mohammadi Pourya , Heravi Majid 
Published: April 2020

AbstractUsing natural materials, i.e. halloysite nanoclay that is a biocompatible naturally occurring clay and Heracleum persicum extract that can serve as a green reducing agent, a novel magnetic catalyst, Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd, has been designed and fabricated. To prepare the catalyst, halloysite was first magnetized (magnetic particles with mean diameter of 13.06 ± 3.1 nm) and then surface functionalized with melamine, 1,4 dibromobutane and triethanolamine to provide ionic liquid on the halloysite surface (5 wt%). The latter was then used as a support to immobilize Pd nanoparticles that were reduced by Heracleum persicum extract. The characterization of the catalyst established that the loading of Pd in Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd was very low (0.93 wt%) and its specific surface area was 63 m2g−1. Moreover, the catalyst showed magnetic property (Ms = 19.75 emu g−1) and could be magnetically separated from the reaction. The catalytic performance of the magnetic catalyst for reductive degradation of methyl orange and rhodamine B in the presence of NaBH4 in aqueous media was investigated. The activation energy, enthalpy, and entropy for the reduction of methyl orange were estimated as 42.02 kJ mol−1, 39.40 kJ mol−1, and −139.06 J mol−1 K−1, respectively. These values for rhodamine B were calculated as 39.97 kJ mol−1, 34.33 kJ mol−1, and −155.18 Jmol−1K−1, respectively. Notably, Fe3O4/Hal-Mel-TEA(IL)-Pd could be reused for eight reaction runs with negligible loss of the catalytic activity (~3%) and Pd leaching (0.01 wt% of the initial loading).