bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Assessing Field-Scale Risks of Foliar Insecticide Applications to Monarch Butterfly (Danaus plexippus) Larvae
Authors: Krishnan Niranjana , Zhang Yang , Bidne Keith G. , Hellmich Richard L. , Coats Joel R. , Bradbury Steven P. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Establishment and maintenance of milkweed plants (Asclepias spp.) in agricultural landscapes of the north central United States are needed to reverse the decline of North America's eastern monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) population. Because of a lack of toxicity data, it is unclear how insecticide use may reduce monarch productivity when milkweed habitat is placed near maize and soybean fields. To assess the potential effects of foliar insecticides, acute cuticular and dietary toxicity of 5 representative active ingredients were determined: beta-cyfluthrin (pyrethroid), chlorantraniliprole (anthranilic diamide), chlorpyrifos (organophosphate), and imidacloprid and thiamethoxam (neonicotinoids). Cuticular median lethal dose values for first instars ranged from 9.2 × 10–3 to 79 μg/g larvae for beta-cyfluthrin and chlorpyrifos, respectively. Dietary median lethal concentration values for second instars ranged from 8.3 × 10–3 to 8.4 μg/g milkweed leaf for chlorantraniliprole and chlorpyrifos, respectively. To estimate larval mortality rates downwind from treated fields, modeled insecticide exposures to larvae and milkweed leaves were compared to dose–response curves obtained from bioassays with first-, second-, third-, and fifth-instar larvae. For aerial applications to manage soybean aphids, mortality rates at 60 m downwind were highest for beta-cyfluthrin and chlorantraniliprole following cuticular and dietary exposure, respectively, and lowest for thiamethoxam. To estimate landscape-scale risks, field-scale mortality rates must be considered in the context of spatial and temporal patterns of insecticide use. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:923–941. © 2020 SETAC
The Effect of Membrane Casting Irregularities on Initial Fuel Cell Performance
Authors: Phillips A. , Ulsh M. , Mackay J. , Harris T. , Shrivastava N. , Chatterjee A. , Porter J. , Bender G. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMembrane electrode assemblies (MEA) for polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cells (PEMFC) may possess as‐manufactured non‐uniformities in any of its constituent components. This work studies casting irregularities located within the PEM to understand their potential impact on MEA initial performance. Membrane material was cast on a lab‐scale polymer casting line operating either within or at the boundaries of the process window. The resulting membrane material was either pristine in the former case, or, in the latter case, contained air bubbles, cracks, and other irregularities, ranging in size from about 0.6 to 3 mm. Spatial polarization experiments were conducted using a 121‐channel segmented fuel cell system, and thermal imaging was performed subsequently to map hydrogen crossover to spatial performance. While total‐cell polarization data was minimally impacted by the irregularities, the spatial diagnostics showed local performance impacts that, in operation over time, could cause degradation in performance or earlier failure of the MEA. Such impacts could lead to these irregularities being classified as defects, i.e., manufacturing variations that should be identified and not included in a fuel cell stack. Classification of irregularities as defects will ultimately assist the industry by contributing to the development of threshold detection limits for in‐line quality control diagnostics.
A sales tax is better at promoting healthy diets than the fat tax and the thin subsidy
Authors: Kalamov Zarko 
Published: January 2020

SummaryWe analyze how a sales tax levied on all food products impacts the consumption of healthy food, unhealthy food, and obesity. The sales tax can stimulate the consumption of healthy meals by lowering the time costs of food preparation. Moreover, the sales tax lowers obesity under more general conditions than a tax on unhealthy food (fat tax) and a subsidy on healthy food (thin subsidy). We calibrate the model using recent consumption and time use data from the US. The thin subsidy is counterproductive and increases weight. While both the sales tax and the fat tax mitigate obesity, the former imposes a lower excess burden on consumers.
Multicenter Validation of Association Between Decline in MRI‐PDFF and Histologic Response in NASH
Authors: Loomba Rohit , Neuschwander‐Tetri Brent A , Sanyal Arun , Chalasani Naga , Diehl Anna Mae , Terrault Norah , Kowdley Kris , Dasarathy Srinivasan , Kleiner David , Behling Cynthia , Lavine Joel , Van Natta Mark , Middleton Michael , Tonascia James , Sirlin Claude ,   for the NASH Clinical Research Network
Published: January 2020

Background and Aims
Emerging data from a single‐center study suggests that a 30% relative reduction in liver fat content as assessed by magnetic resonance imaging–proton density fat fraction (MRI‐PDFF) from baseline may be associated with histologic improvement in nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). There are limited multicenter data comparing an active drug versus placebo on the association between the quantity of liver fat reduction assessed by MRI‐PDFF and histologic response in NASH. This study aims to examine the association between 30% relative reduction in MRI‐PDFF and histologic response in obeticholic acid (OCA) versus placebo‐treated patients in the FLINT (farnesoid X receptor ligand obeticholic acid in NASH trial).

Approach and Results
This is a secondary analysis of the FLINT trial including 78 patients with MRI‐PDFF measured before and after treatment along with paired liver histology assessment. Histologic response was defined as a 2‐point improvement in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease activity score without worsening of fibrosis. OCA (25 mg orally once daily) was better than placebo in improving MRI‐PDFF by an absolute difference of −3.4% (95% confidence interval [CI], −6.5 to −0.2%, P value = 0.04) and relative difference of −17% (95% CI, −34 to 0%, P value = 0.05). The optimal cutoff point for relative decline in MRI‐PDFF for histologic response was 30% (using Youden’s index). The rate of histologic response in those who achieved less than 30% decline in MRI‐PDFF versus those who achieved a 30% or greater decline in MRI‐PDFF (MRI‐PDFF responders) relative to baseline was 19% versus 50%, respectively. Compared with MRI‐PDFF nonresponders, MRI‐PDFF responders demonstrated both a statistically and clinically significant higher odds 4.86 (95% CI, 1.4‐12.8, P value < 0.009) of histologic response, including significant improvements in both steatosis and ballooning.

Conclusion
OCA was better than placebo in reducing liver fat. This multicenter trial provides data regarding the association between 30% decline in MRI‐PDFF relative to baseline and histologic response in NASH.
Identification and characterization of protective CD8+ T‐epitopes in a malaria vaccine candidate SLTRiP
Authors: Quadiri Afshana , Kalia Inderjeet , Kashif Mohammad , Singh Agam P. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIntroductionEfforts are required at developing an effective vaccine that can inhibit malaria prevalence and transmission. Identifying the critical immunogenic antigens and understanding their interactions with host proteins forms a major focus of subunit vaccine development. Previously, our laboratory showed that SLTRiP conferred protection to the liver stage of Plasmodium growth in rodents. In the follow‐up of earlier research, we demonstrate that SLTRiP‐mediated protection is majorly concentrated in specific regions of protein.MethodTo identify particular protective regions of protein, we synthesized multiple nonoverlapping fragments from SLTRiP protein. From this, we designed a panel of 8‐20mer synthetic peptides, which were predicted using T‐epitope‐based prediction algorithm. We utilized the IFN‐γ enzyme‐linked immunosorbent spot assay to identify immunodominant peptides. The latter were used to immunize mice, and these mice were challenged to assess protection.ResultsThe protective polypeptide fragment SLTRiP C3 and SLTRiP C4 were identified, by expressing and testing multiple fragments of PbSLTRiP protein. The immune responses generated by these fragments were compared to identify the immunodominant fragment. The T‐epitopes were predicted from SLTRiP protein using computer‐based algorithms. The in vitro immune responses generated by these peptides were compared with each other to identify the immunodominant T‐epitope. Immunization using these peptides showed significant reduction in parasite numbers during liver stage.ConclusionOur findings show that the protective efficacy shown by SLTRiP is localized in particular protein fragments. The peptides designed from such regions showed protective efficacy equivalent to whole protein. The sequence conservation analysis with human Plasmodium species also showed that these peptides were conserved. In conclusion, these peptides or their equivalent from other Plasmodium species could impart protection against malaria in their respective hosts too. Our studies provide a basis for the inclusion of these peptides in clinical vaccine constructs against malaria.
Patient characteristics and pregnancy outcomes among Zika‐infected pregnant women: Epidemiologic surveillance data from two cities in Colombia, 2015–2016
Authors: Ocampo Cañas Jovana A. , Caviedes Combita David , Molina Leon Helvert F. , Garcia Sierra Andrés M. , Hernández Florez Luis J. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectivesTo describe the characteristics of pregnant women infected with Zika virus in two representative regions of Colombia, examine their pregnancy outcomes, and outline findings of the epidemiologic surveillance program established during the peak of the 2015–2016 epidemic.MethodsA cohort study conducted in the municipalities of Cali and Villavicencio using data from the National Public Health Surveillance System (SIVIGILA) and clinical follow‐up data from pregnant women. We describe sociodemographic characteristics, health insurance status, Zika virus, pregnancy‐related characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes.ResultsA total of 1259 Zika‐infected pregnant women were identified in Cali; of these, 2.3% (n=27) experienced pregnancy loss, 9.5% (n=113) had preterm birth, and 7.9% (n=91) had a low birthweight neonate. In Villavicencio, 3.0% (n=13) experienced pregnancy loss, 6.9% (n=30) had preterm birth, and 6.7% (n=28) had a low birthweight neonate. Compared with the general population, this population of Zika‐infected pregnant women did not experience an increased frequency of preterm birth or low birthweight (relative risk of prematurity and low birthweight infant <1).ConclusionsEpidemiologic surveillance data showed that most neonates of Zika‐infected pregnant women were born at term, and that the frequency of low birthweight neonates was low. Good quality data were obtained from the surveillance registries.
How do mothers feel? Life with children with congenital Zika syndrome
Authors: Freitas Paula S.S. , Soares Gabriella B. , Mocelin Helaine J.S. , Lamonato Larissa C.X.L. , Sales Carolina M.M. , Linde‐Arias Ana R. , Bussinger Elda C.A. , Maciel Ethel L.N. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the repercussions, from the perspectives of caregiver mothers, of confirmed congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) in their offspring.MethodsA descriptive‐exploratory study with a qualitative approach was carried out in the state of Espírito Santo in southeastern Brazil, with 25 women who had a child diagnosed with CZS.ResultsEmerging themes from the content analysis were grouped into two categories: (1) inequalities experienced by mothers, including social inequality, poverty, and gender inequality; (2) the impact of a child with CZS on mothering, including feelings at the time of diagnosis, maternal isolation and mental health, experiences of stigma and prejudice, and exhausting itineraries searching for therapeutic care.ConclusionThe repercussions of CZS were a huge burden on already vulnerable women, and social inequalities and poverty were important markers in the mothers’ reports. Many of the families affected by CZS already lived in precarious social conditions and these conditions were exacerbated further. Robust public and social policies to support these mothers need effective implementation given that babies born with CZS need long‐term care and support.
A prospective pilot study of the T‐lymphocyte response to fine particulate matter exposure
Authors: Al Zallouha Margueritta , Landkocz Yann , Méausoone Clémence , Ledoux Fréderic , Visade Fabien , Cazier Fabrice , Martin Perrine J. , Borgie Mireille , Vitagliano Jean‐Jacques , Trémolet Gauthier , Cailliez Jean‐Charles , Gosset Pierre , Courcot Dominique , Billet Sylvain 
Published: January 2020

AbstractExposure to air pollution is associated with increased morbidity and mortality. Once the fine atmospheric particulate matter (FP) is inhaled, some of its compounds can pass through the lungs and reach the bloodstream where they can come into contact with immune cells. Exposure to FP particularly affects sensitive populations such as the elderly. Aging affects the immune system, making the elderly more vulnerable. The project aims to determine the effects of FP exposure on human T cells while looking for biomarkers associated with exposure. Blood samples from 95 healthy subjects in three different age groups (20‐30, 45‐55 and 70‐85 years) were collected to determine a potential age effect. T lymphocytes were isolated to be exposed ex vivo for 72 hours to 45 μg/mL of FP collected in Dunkirk and chemically characterized. Overexpression of the CYP1A1, CYP1B1 and CYP2S1 genes was therefore measured after exposure of the T cells to FP. These genes code for enzymes known to be involved in the metabolic activation of organic compounds such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons detected in the FP sample. T‐cell profiling allowed us to suggest a mixed T‐helper 1/2 profile caused by exposure to FP. With regard to the influence of age, we have observed differences in the expression of certain genes, as well as an increase in interleukin‐4 and ‐13 concentrations in the elderly. These results showed that exposure of T lymphocytes to FP causes effects on both transcriptomic and cytokine secretion levels.
Dual‐ and single‐shot susceptibility ratio measurements with circular polarizations in second‐harmonic generation microscopy
Authors: Golaraei Ahmad , Kontenis Lukas , Karunendiran Abiramy , Stewart Bryan A. , Barzda Virginijus 
Published: January 2020

AbstractPolarization‐resolved second‐harmonic generation (P‐SHG) microscopy is a technique capable of characterizing nonlinear optical properties of noncentrosymmetric biomaterials by extracting the nonlinear susceptibility tensor components ratio , with z‐axis parallel and x‐axis perpendicular to the C6 symmetry axis of molecular fiber, such as a myofibril or a collagen fiber. In this paper, we present two P‐SHG techniques based on incoming and outgoing circular polarization states for a fast extraction of : A dual‐shot configuration where the SHG circular anisotropy generated using incident right‐ and left‐handed circularly‐polarized light is measured; and a single‐shot configuration for which the SHG circular anisotropy is measured using only one incident circular polarization state. These techniques are used to extract the of myosin fibrils in the body wall muscles of Drosophila melanogaster larva. The results are in good agreement with values obtained from the double Stokes‐Mueller polarimetry. The dual‐ and single‐shot circular anisotropy measurements can be used for fast imaging that is independent of the in‐plane orientation of the sample. They can be used for imaging of contracting muscles, or for high throughput imaging of large sample areas.
Theoretical background of light‐emitting diode total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy and photobleaching lifetime analysis of membrane‐associated proteins—Part II
Authors: Schaefer Michael , Kalwa Hermann 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe selective microscopic imaging of the plasma membrane and adjacent structures by total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy is a versatile and frequently used technique in cell biology. A reduction of imaging artifacts in objective‐type TIRF microscopy can be achieved by circular or multi‐spot laser illumination or by using noncoherent light sources that are projected into the back focal plane as a light annulus. Light‐emitting diode (LED)‐based TIRF excitation is a recent advancement of the latter strategy. While some basic principles of LED‐TIRF remain the same as in laser‐based methods, the calculation of penetration depth, the flatness of illumination and the amount of available illumination power differ. This study provides the theoretical framework for the construction and adjustment of LED‐TIRF. Using state‐of‐the art high power LED emitters, LED‐TIRF achieves excitation efficiencies that are comparable to laser‐based systems and homogenously illuminate the entire field of view, thus, allowing variation of the penetration depth or quantitative photobleaching‐assisted imaging protocols. Using autofluorescent transmembrane, soluble and membrane‐attached fusion proteins, we provide examples for a photobleaching‐based assessment of the exchange kinetics of proteins within living human endothelial cells.
Radioprotection and cross‐linking of allograft bone in the presence of vitamin E
Authors: Suhardi Jeremy V. , Morgan David F. A. , Muratoglu Orhun K. , Oral Ebru 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBone allografts are the preferred method for bone augmentation in over 500,000 orthopedic surgical procedures in the US. Sterilization by ionizing radiation is the most effective method of minimizing the bioburden of bone allografts; however, radiation causes chain scission of collagen, resulting in the reduction of the allografts’ mechanical strength. In this study, we doped bone allografts with vitamin E as radioprotectant using a novel two‐step process to protect the collagen architecture against radiation damage and to preserve the mechanical strength of the construct. In addition, combining the radioprotectant with a cross‐linking agent further minimized collagen degradation and further preserved the mechanical strength of the allografts. Both vitamin E and combined vitamin E/genipin‐treated allograft were less cytotoxic to both osteoblasts and osteoclasts when compared to irradiated‐only allografts. Host bone‐allograft unionization was faster in a rat calvaria defect model with vitamin E‐treated and combined vitamin E and genipin‐treated allograft when compare to irradiated‐only allografts. This method can enable the efficient and uniform radioprotective treatment of bone allograft of desired shapes for sterilization with improved mechanical strength and biointegration.
Irbesartan mitigates acute liver injury, oxidative stress, and apoptosis induced by acetaminophen in mice
Authors: Helal Manar G. , Samra Yara A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHepatotoxicity induced by acetaminophen (APAP)‐overdose is a major concern in clinical practice. In the present work, the detoxifying effect of irbesartan (Irb) on the APAP‐induced acute liver injury was evaluated in mice. Induction of acute liver injury in mice was established by a single intraperitoneal (IP) injection of APAP (0.5 g/kg), then mice were injected with Irb (50 or 75 mg/kg, IP), each given twice at 1 and 12 hours post APAP injection. Liver functions, hepatic oxidative and nitrosative stress markers, and liver histopathology were determined after 24 hours. Hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB), tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α), caspase‐3, B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2), and Bcl‐2‐associated X protein (Bax) levels were also estimated. Immunohistochemical evaluations of hepatic expression of phosphorylated NF‐kB and active caspase‐3 were assigned. Irb treatment attenuated APAP‐induced acute liver injury. Irb suppressed APAP‐caused elevation of liver enzymes as well as oxidative and nitrosative stress in liver tissues as evidenced by the decrease in hepatic CYP2E1 expression and hepatic levels of malondialdehyde and nitric oxide in addition to the elevated hepatic superoxide dismutase activity and reduced glutathione concentration. Also, Irb mitigated APAP‐induced inflammation in liver tissues via decreasing the expression of hepatic NF‐κB, phosphorylated NF‐κB and TNF‐α, and attenuated hepatic apoptosis via decreasing Bax/Bcl‐2 ratio and caspase 3 expression and activation. Also, Irb mitigated the APAP‐induced histopathological changes in liver specimens. These data suggested that Irb ameliorates APAP‐induced acute liver injury through antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, and antiapoptotic activities.
Association of the genetic variants (‐794 CATT5‐8 and ‐173 G > C) of macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) with higher soluble levels of MIF and TNFα in women with breast cancer
Authors: Avalos‐Navarro Guadalupe , Del Toro‐Arreola Alicia , Daneri‐Navarro Adrián , Quintero‐Ramos Antonio , Bautista‐Herrera Luis Alberto , Franco Topete Ramon Antonio , Anaya Macias Brian Uriel , Javalera Castro David Israel , Morán‐Mendoza Andrés de Jesús , Oceguera‐Villanueva Antonio , Topete‐Camacho Antonio , Muñoz‐Valle José Francisco 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundFunctional variants ‐173 G > C (rs755622) and ‐794CATT5‐8 (rs5844572) MIF gene have been associated with the risk in several types of cancer, as well as with the increase of soluble levels of MIF and TNFα. However, in previous studies contradictory and uncertain results have been presented on the implication of MIF polymorphisms with the association in cancer, specifically in breast cancer (BC). We investigated whether the variants are associated with the susceptibility to develop BC and the soluble levels of MIF and TNFα in women with BC from western Mexico.Materials and methodsA total of 152 women with BC and 182 control subjects (CS) were enrolled in this study. The determination of genotypes ‐173 G > C and ‐794 CATT5‐8 MIF polymorphisms was performed by PCR‐RFLP and PCR, respectively. In addition, the soluble levels of MIF and TNFα in both studied groups were quantified by ELISA and MILLIPLEX assay, respectively.ResultsThe most frequent allele found in BC was the G (74.3%) and 6 (54%) in the variants ‐173G > C and ‐794 CATT5‐8, respectively, without significant differences in both groups. Nevertheless, the women with BC carriers ‐173*C and ‐794CATT7 have higher levels of MIF in comparison with CS. An increase of MIF (BC: 11.1 ng/mL vs CS: 5.2 ng/mL, P < .001) and TNFα (BC: 24.9 ng/mL vs CS: 9.9 pg/mL, P < .001) was found.ConclusionThe functional variants of MIF are not genetic susceptibility markers for BC. Nevertheless, the alleles ‐173*C and ‐794CATT7 are associated with the increase of MIF circulating in women with BC.