bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Germline-dependent transmission of male reproductive traits induced by an endocrine disruptor, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate, in future generations
Authors: Barakat Radwa , Lin Po-Ching , Park Chan Jin , Zeineldin Mohamed , Zhou Sherry , Rattan Saniya , Brehm Emily , Flaws Jodi A. , Ko CheMyong J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIn males, defective reproductive traits induced by an exposure to an endocrine disruptor are transmitted to future generations via epigenetic modification of the germ cells. Interestingly, the impacted future generations display a wide range of heterogeneity in their reproductive traits. In this study, the role that the Y chromosome plays in creating such heterogeneity is explored by testing the hypothesis that the Y chromosome serves as a carrier of the exposure impact to future generations. This hypothesis implies that a male who has a Y chromosome that is from a male that was exposed to an endocrine disruptor will display a more severe reproductive phenotype than a male whose Y chromosome is from an unexposed male. To test this hypothesis, we used a mouse model in which F1 generation animals were exposed prenatally to an endocrine disruptor, di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP), and the severity of impacted reproductive traits was compared between the F3 generation males that were descendants of F1 males (paternal lineage) and those from F1 females (maternal lineage). Pregnant dams (F0 generation) were exposed to the vehicle or 20 or 200 μg/kg/day of DEHP from gestation day 11 until birth. Paternal lineage F3 DEHP males exhibited decreased fertility, testicular steroidogenic capacity, and spermatogenesis that were more severely impaired than those of maternal lineage males. Indeed, testicular transcriptome analysis found that a number of Y chromosomal genes had altered expression patterns in the paternal lineage males. This transgenerational difference in the DEHP impact can be attributed specifically to the Y chromosome.
The influence of phonon softening on the superconducting critical temperature of Sn nanostructures
Authors: Houben Kelly , Jochum Johanna K. , Couet Sebastien , Menéndez Enric , Picot Thomas , Hu Michael Y. , Zhao Jiyong Y. , Alp E. Ercan , Vantomme André , Temst Kristiaan , Van Bael Margriet J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe increase in superconducting transition temperature (TC) of Sn nanostructures in comparison to bulk, was studied. Changes in the phonon density of states (PDOS) of the weakly coupled superconductor Sn were analyzed and correlated with the increase in TC measured by magnetometry. The PDOS of all nanostructured samples shows a slightly increased number of low-energy phonon modes and a strong decrease in the number of high-energy phonon modes in comparison to the bulk Sn PDOS. The phonon densities of states, which were determined previously using nuclear resonant inelastic X-ray scattering, were used to calculate the superconducting transition temperature using the Allen-Dynes-McMillan (ADMM) formalism. Both the calculated as well as the experimentally determined values of TC show an increase compared to the bulk superconducting transition temperature. The good agreement between these values indicates that phonon softening has a major influence on the superconducting transition temperature of Sn nanostructures. The influence of electron confinement effects appears to be minor in these systems.
A Comparative Study of ECG-derived Respiration in Ambulatory Monitoring using the Single-lead ECG
Authors: Varon Carolina , Morales John , Lázaro Jesús , Orini Michele , Deviaene Margot , Kontaxis Spyridon , Testelmans Dries , Buyse Bertien , Borzée Pascal , Sörnmo Leif , Laguna Pablo , Gil Eduardo , Bailón Raquel 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCardiorespiratory monitoring is crucial for the diagnosis and management of multiple conditions such as stress and sleep disorders. Therefore, the development of ambulatory systems providing continuous, comfortable, and inexpensive means for monitoring represents an important research topic. Several techniques have been proposed in the literature to derive respiratory information from the ECG signal. Ten methods to compute single-lead ECG-derived respiration (EDR) were compared under multiple conditions, including different recording systems, baseline wander, normal and abnormal breathing patterns, changes in breathing rate, noise, and artifacts. Respiratory rates, wave morphology, and cardiorespiratory information were derived from the ECG and compared to those extracted from a reference respiratory signal. Three datasets were considered for analysis, involving a total 59 482 one-min, single-lead ECG segments recorded from 156 subjects. The results indicate that the methods based on QRS slopes outperform the other methods. This result is particularly interesting since simplicity is crucial for the development of ECG-based ambulatory systems.
Narciclasine, an isocarbostyril alkaloid, has preferential activity against primary effusion lymphoma
Authors: Gopalakrishnan Ramakrishnan , Matta Hittu , Choi Sunju , Chaudhary Preet M. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractPrimary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a subtype of non-Hodgkin lymphoma associated with infection by Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpes virus (KSHV). PEL is an aggressive disease with extremely poor prognosis when treated with conventional chemotherapy. Narciclasine, a natural product present in Amaryllidaceae family of flowering plants including daffodils, belongs to a class of molecules termed ‘isocarbostyril alkaloid’. We have found that narciclasine displays preferential cytotoxicity towards PEL at low nanomolar concentrations and is approximately 10 and 100-fold more potent than its structural analogs lycoricidine and lycorine, respectively. Narciclasine arrested cell-cycle progression at the G1 phase and induced apoptosis in PEL, which is accompanied by activation of caspase-3/7, cleavage of PARP and increase in the surface expression of Annexin-V. Although narciclasine treatment resulted in a marked decrease in the expression of MYC and its direct target genes,time-course experiments revealed that MYC is not a direct target of narciclasine. Narciclasine treatment neither induces the expression of KSHV-RTA/ORF50 nor the production of infectious KSHV virions in PEL. Finally, narciclasine provides dramatic survival advantages to mice in two distinct mouse xenograft models of PEL. In conclusion, our results suggest that narciclasine could be a promising agent for the treatment of PEL.
Isothermal confined pyrolysis on source rock and kerogens in the presence and absence of water: Implication in isotopic rollover in shale gases
Authors: Xu Hao , Pan Changchun , Zeng Lifei , Huang Wenkui , Zhou Chenxi , Yu Shuang , Liu Jinzhong , Zou Yanrong , Peng Ping’an 
Published: March 2020

AbstractIsotopic rollover refers to that δ13C value of a gas component decreases with maturity. Its occurrence is closely related to high productivity of shale gas. Isothermal confined pyrolysis experiments (gold capsules) were performed to simulate this phenomenon on whole rock Lucaogou and kerogens Saergan, Wuerhe and Fengcheng in the absence (anhydrous) and presence of added water (hydrous) at 50 MPa, 372 °C and heating duration 0–672 h, corresponding to 0.96–1.85 EASY%Ro. For kerogen Saergan isolated from source rock with hydrogen index (HI) 159 mg/g TOC and 1.10–1.30% Ro equivalent, none of δ13C1, δ13C2 and δ13C3 showed any rollover in both anhydrous and hydrous experiments. For Lucaogou whole rock with HI 856 mg/g TOC and 0.50–0.60%Ro, both δ13C2 and δ13C3 showed rollover in anhydrous experiments while all δ13C1, δ13C2 and δ13C3 showed rollover with greater magnitude in hydrous experiments starting at 1.49–1.64 EASY%Ro. For kerogens Wuerhe and Fengcheng isolated from source rocks with HI of 550 and 741 mg/g TOC, and 1.18 and 0.96%Ro respectively, both δ13C2 and δ13C3 demonstrated rollover in anhydrous experiments while only δ13C2 showed rollover with minor magnitude in hydrous experiments starting at 1.47–1.53 EASY%Ro. The different effects of water on isotopic rollover among samples Lucaogou, Wuerhe and Fengcheng can be ascribed to rate related isotopic fractionation. Higher generation rate leads to minor isotopic fractionation and rollover magnitude. It was suggested that isotopic rollover likely occurs in a source rock having higher amount of initial retained oil prior to bulk oil cracking and currently within the major stage of oil-cracking to gas (1.50–2.00%Ro).
Dynamic plasticity of the lipid antigen-binding site of CD1d is crucially favoured by acidic pH and helper proteins
Authors: Cuevas-Zuviría Bruno , Mínguez-Toral Marina , Díaz-Perales Araceli , Garrido-Arandia María , Pacios Luis F. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractCD1 molecules present lipid antigens for recognition by T-cell receptors (TCRs). Although a reasonably detailed picture of the CD1-lipid-TCR interaction exists, the initial steps regarding lipid loading onto and exchange between CD1 proteins remain elusive. The hydrophobic nature of lipids and the fact that CD1 molecules are unable to extract lipids from membranes raise the need for the assistance of helper proteins in lipid trafficking. However, the experimental study of this traffic in the endosomal compartments at which it occurs is so challenging that computational studies can help provide mechanistic insight into the associated processes. Here we present a multifaceted computational approach to obtain dynamic structural data on the human CD1d isotype. Conformational dynamics analysis shows an intrinsic flexibility associated with the protein architecture. Electrostatic properties together with molecular dynamics results for CD1d complexes with several lipids and helper proteins unravel the high dynamic plasticity of the antigen-binding site that is crucially favoured by acidic pH and the presence of helper proteins.
Heterospecific eavesdropping on an anti-parasitic referential alarm call
Authors: Lawson Shelby L. , Enos Janice K. , Mendes Niko C. , Gill Sharon A. , Hauber Mark E. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractReferential alarm calls occur across taxa to warn of specific predator types. However, referential calls may also denote other types of dangers. Yellow warblers (Setophaga petechia) produce “seet” calls specifically to warn conspecifics of obligate brood parasitic brown-headed cowbirds (Molothrus ater), which lay their eggs in the warblers’ and other species’ nests. Sympatric hosts of cowbirds that do not have referential alarm calls may eavesdrop on the yellow warbler’s seet call as a warning system for brood parasites. Using playback presentations, we found that red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) eavesdrop on seet calls of yellow warblers, and respond as much to seet calls as to cowbird chatters and predator calls. Red-winged blackbirds appear to eavesdrop on seets as warning system to boost frontline defenses on their territories, although they do not seem to perceive the warblers’ seets as a cue for parasitism per se, but rather for general danger to the nest.
Analysis of an efficient interleaved ultra‐large gain DC–DC converter for DC microgrid applications
Authors: Kurdkandi Naser Vosoughi , Nouri Tohid 
Published: March 2020

This study deals with steady‐state analysis and control of a step‐up interleaved winding cross‐coupled inductor DC–DC converter with high voltage gain and reduced voltage stress across semiconductors using voltage multiplier cells (VMCs). Because of the interleaved scheme, the thermal stress is reduced and the input current ripple is minimised. The leakage energy is recycled by passive lossless clamp circuit to the output. Meanwhile, the voltage stress across the semiconductors is substantially low. Hence, MOSFETs with less ON‐state resistances and diodes with a less forward voltage drop can be utilised that improves the circuit performance. The operation principle and the steady state are discussed. Small‐signal modelling of the proposed converter is derived via state‐space averaging technique and a dual loop controller for output voltage regulation is designed. The adopted strategy utilises a fast dynamical inner loop to control the input current and an outer loop for the output voltage regulation. Finally, a 1 kW prototype with 60 V–1 kV voltage conversion is fabricated and tested to probe the carried analysis.
Psychosoziale Grundversorgung in Afghanistan: ein Beispiel für eine kultursensible Umsetzung von universellen Menschenrechten in einer Gesellschaft im Umbruch
Authors: Missmahl Inge 
Published: March 2020

ZusammenfassungDie psychosoziale Versorgung in Afghanistan steht vor großen Herausforderungen, da sich die konfliktreiche Geschichte des Landes erheblich auf die psychische Gesundheit der Menschen ausgewirkt hat. Das Land erlebt derzeit einen dramatischen Wandel in seinen systemischen kulturellen Werten, die zu Konflikten innerhalb von Familien und darüber hinaus führen können. Psychosoziale Versorgung erfordert einen kulturell sensiblen Ansatz und hat sich als besonders erfolgreich erwiesen, wenn Berater*innen Klient*innen auf Augenhöhe begegnen und sich nicht nur auf die Selbstwirksamkeit des oder der Einzelnen konzentrieren, sondern auch auf das soziale Umfeld, um Muster der Viktimisierung zu durchbrechen.
Evaluation of Surgical Freedom for One-and-a-Half Nostril, Mononostril, and Binostril Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approaches
Authors: Yang Jin , Wen Guodao , Tang Chao , Zhong Chunyu , Zhu Junhao , Cong Zixiang , Ma Chiyuan 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective This article determines which of the one-and-a-half nostril, mononostril, and binostril endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approaches provide a superior manipulation during surgery.
Methods The three approaches were orderly performed on 10 silicon-injected cadaveric heads to quantitatively assess surgical freedom and attack angle for sella. Measurements were determined with a standardized method under neuronavigation system using data of computed tomography.
Results The one-and-a-half nostril endoscopic transsphenoidal approach (OETA) offered superior exposed area than that of the mononostril approach (META), and similar to that of the binostril approach (BETA). For surgical freedom at anatomic targets, the OETA showed greater surgical flexibility at pituitary center, the right medial optic carotid recess (R-mOCR), the left mOCR, the medial intersection of the right cavernous internal carotid artery, and extension line of upper margin of the clivus (R-mICC) than those of the META, and similar to those of the BETA.For sagittal angle of attack to the R-mOCR, R-mICC, and L-mOCR, the OETA can provide better angular freedom for surgeon than that of the META, and similar to that of the BETA. The OETA had the same axial attack to the pituitary center with the BETA. The OETA and the META had limited surgical freedom at L-mICC, and both inferior to the BETA.
Conclusion The OETA has similar exposed area, surgical freedom, and attack angle for most anatomic targets to the BETA without resecting contralateral nasal septal mucosa, and obviously superior to the META.
CT-MRI Image Fusion-Based Computer-Assisted Navigation Management of Communicative Tumors Involved the Infratemporal-Middle Cranial Fossa
Authors: Yang Rong , Lu Han , Wang Yang , Peng Xin , Mao Chi , Yi Zhiqiang , Guo Yuxing , Guo Chuanbin 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are crucial for preoperative assessment of the three-dimensional (3D) spatial position relationships of tumor, vital vessels, brain tissue, and craniomaxillofacial bones precisely. The value of CT-MRI-based image fusion was explored for the preoperative assessment, virtual planning, and navigation surgery application during the treatment of communicative tumors involved the infratemporal fossa (ITF) and middle cranial fossa.
Methods Eight patients with infratemporal-middle cranial fossa communicative tumors (ICFCTs) were enrolled in this retrospective study. Plain CT, contrast CT, and MRI image data were imported into a workstation for image fusion, which were used for 3D image reconstruction, virtual surgical planning, and intraoperative navigation sequentially. Therapeutic effect was evaluated through the clinical data analysis of ICFCT patients after CT-MRI image fusion-based navigation-guided biopsy or surgery.
Results High-quality CT-MRI image fusion and 3D reconstruction were obtained in all eight cases. Image fusion combined with 3D image reconstruction enhanced the preoperative assessment of ICFCT, and improved the surgical performance via virtual planning. Definite pathological diagnosis was obtained in all four navigation-guided core needle biopsies. Complete removal of the tumor was achieved with one exception among the seven navigation-guided operations. Postoperative cerebrospinal fluid leakage occurred in one patient with recurrent meningioma.
Conclusion CT-MRI image fusion combined with computer-assisted navigation management, optimized the accuracy, safety, and surgical results for core needle biopsy and surgery of ICFCTs.
Etiologies, Cerebral Vasomotion, and Endothelial Dysfunction in the Pathophysiology of Posterior Reversible Encephalopathy Syndrome in Pediatric Patients
Authors: Ghali Michael G. Z. , Styler Michael J. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractThe posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome was characterized by Hinchey and colleagues in the 1990s. The condition frequently afflicts patients suffering from hematologic and solid organ malignancy and individuals undergoing transplantation. Cases are more frequently described in the adult population compared with children. In the pediatric population, malignancy, transplantation, renal disease, and hypertension represent the most common etiologies. Theories on pathogenesis have centered upon cerebrovascular dysautoregulation with increases in blood–brain barrier permeability. This generates vasogenic edema of the cerebral parenchyma and consequent neurologic deficits. The parietal and occipital lobes are affected with greatest prevalence, though frontal and temporal lobe involvement is frequent, and that of the contents of the infratentorial posterior cranial fossa are occasionally described. The clinical presentation involves a characteristic constellation of neurologic signs and symptoms, most typically inclusive of headache, visual-field disturbances, abnormalities of visual acuity, and seizures. Supportive care, withdrawal of the offending agent, antihypertensive therapy, and prophylactic anticonvulsants affect convalescence in majority of cases. The principal challenge lies in identifying the responsible agent precipitating the condition in patients with malignancy and those having undergone transplantation and thus deciding which medication among a multidrug treatment regimen to withhold, the duration of drug cessation required to effect clinical resolution, and the safety of resuming treatment with the compound. We accordingly reviewed and evaluated the literature discussing the posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome in children.
A Rare Case of Bilateral Tubal Ectopic Pregnancy Following Intracytoplasmic Sperm Injection-Embryo Transfer (ICSI-ET)
Authors: Acet Ferruh , Goker Ege Nazan Tavmergen , Hortu Ismet , Sahin Gulnaz , Tavmergen Erol 
Published: March 2020

AbstractBilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy is a very rare form of ectopic pregnancy. The incidence is higher in women undergoing assisted reproductive techniques or ovulation induction. We report the case of bilateral tubal ectopic pregnancy. The patient was 30 years old and had a 3-year history of infertility; she was referred to the in-vitro fertilization (IVF) program because of tubal factor infertility. A pregnancy resulted from the transfer of two embryos during an artificial cycle. Despite the increase in β-hCG values during the follow-up, 22 days after the embryo transfer, the β-hCG levels were 2,408 U/L and the serum progesterone (P4) level was 10.53 ng/ml. After application with methotrexate, β-hCG levels did not decrease effectively. Moreover, the sonographic screening revealed a suspicious bilateral tubal focus for ectopic pregnancy. A mini-laparotomy was performed and a bilateral tubal pregnancy was found. In the case of unilateral tubal pregnancy after the transfer of two embryos, the situation of the other tube should be systematically checked and β-hCG levels should be monitored.
Association between Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms and Endometriosis in a Brazilian Population
Authors: Viana Paula Coelho Silva , Mendes Ana Carolina Delgado Malvaccini , Delgado Lucas Farah , Tostes Gustavo , Gonçalves Lidiane , Gonçalves Júnior Homero , Raposo Nádia Rezende Barbosa , Vitral Geraldo Sérgio Farinazzo , Gerheim Pamela Souza Almeida Silva 
Published: March 2020

Abstract
Objective To investigate the association between genetic polymorphisms in candidate genes or candidate regions and the development of endometriosis in Brazilian women.
Methods A total of 30 women between 25 and 64 years old with a diagnosis of endometriosis participated in the present study, as well as 30 matched control women from the same age group, asymptomatic and without family history of the disease. The patients genotypic and allelic frequencies of polymorphisms in the GREB1 gene (rs13394619) and in the intergenic region at position 7p15.2 (rs12700667) were analyzed and compared.
Results There was no significant difference in the frequency of genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs13394619) in the GREB1 gene between the two groups. However, the distribution frequencies of the genotypes for the A > G polymorphism (rs12700667) in an intergenic region on chromosome 7 were different for control patients and for patients with endometriosis, with higher frequency of the AG genotype compared to the GG between patients with the disease (odds ratio [OR] = 3.49; confidence interval [CI] = 1.47–8.26).
Conclusion The present study suggests that the polymorphism in the intergenic region of chromosome 7 is associated with the risk of developing endometriosis in a population of Brazilian women from Juiz de Fora.
Applications of Dynamic Mechanical Analysis in the Engineering of Amorphous Solid Dispersions
Authors: Ojo Andrew Toye , Lee Ping I. 
Published: March 2020

AbstractDynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) offers several advantages over prevailing methods in the characterization of amorphous solid dispersions (ASDs) typically used for improving the delivery of poorly water-soluble drugs. This method of analysis, though underutilized in the study of pharmaceutical systems, is particularly attuned to rheological investigations of thermal and mechanical properties of solids such as ASDs. Its ability to determine the viscoelastic properties of systems across a wide range of temperatures and shear conditions provides useful insight for the development and processing of ASDs. The response of materials to an imposed stress, captured by DMA, can help identify proper conditions for preparing homogenous extrudates of the polymer and active pharmaceutical ingredient through hot melt extrusion (HME). As HME continues to gain utility within the pharmaceutical industry, the ability to tailor process conditions will become increasingly important for the efficient design and production of ASD products for poorly water-soluble drugs. Furthermore, DMA can be used to probe molecular mobility and its link to physical stability of ASDs. Establishing the link between molecular mobility and crystallization kinetics is central to predicting the physical stability of ASDs. Therefore, increasing the understanding of material properties through DMA will enable the successful development of more stable amorphous drug products. This review summarizes current characterization tools for ASDs and discusses the potential of utilizing DMA as a robust alternative to traditional methods.