bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
New 3‐unsubstituted isoxazolones as potent human neutrophil elastase inhibitors: Synthesis and molecular dynamic simulation
Authors: Giovannoni Maria Paola , Crocetti Letizia , Cantini Niccolò , Guerrini Gabriella , Vergelli Claudia , Iacovone Antonella , Teodori Elisabetta , Schepetkin Igor A. , Quinn Mark T. , Ciattini Samuele , Rossi Patrizia , Paoli Paola 
Published: December 2019

AbstractHuman neutrophil elastase (HNE) is a proteolytic enzyme belonging to the serine protease family and is involved in a variety of pathologies. Thus, compounds able to inhibit HNE represent promising therapeutics for the treatment of inflammatory diseases. Here, we report the further elaboration of our previously reported 3‐methylisoxazolone derivatives, synthesizing a new series of 3‐nor‐derivatives bearing different substituents at the 4‐phenyl ring. The most potent compounds 3a, 3g, and 3h, had IC50 values of 16, 11, and 18 nM, respectively. Molecular modeling studies and molecular dynamic (MD) simulations demonstrated no substantial differences between the 3‐methylisoxazole derivatives previously tested and the corresponding 3‐unsubstituted derivatives in the snapshot conformations sampled during the MD simulations, which is consistent with their similar levels of HNE inhibitory activity. Thus, we conclude that the isoxazolone scaffold is a good scaffold for developing HNE inhibitors, as it tolerates several modifications when adhering to basic scaffold requirements, and the resulting derivatives are quite potent HNE inhibitors.
Substituted chloroacetamides as potential cancer stem cell inhibitors: Synthesis and biological evaluation
Authors: Padhariya Komal N. , Athavale Maithili , Srivastava Sangeeta , Kharkar Prashant S. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractCancer kills, irrespective of geographical and cultural origin. Novel modalities for treating cancer are desperately needed. Cancer stem cells (CSCs), main culprits behind chemoresistance and tumor relapse, are one of the few logical choices. Herein, we report the synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecules with chloroacetamide war‐head. These molecules were screened for viability against various breast, prostate, and oral cancer cell lines using MTT and soft‐agar assays. Further, promising hits were screened in sphere‐forming assay with the aim of discovering potential anti‐CSC agents. Our optimism yielded four hits inhibiting self‐renewal of cancer cells with stem‐like characters in vitro. Finally, the hits were evaluated for in vitro toxicity against human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and mouse embryonic fibroblast cell line. Overall, these preliminary investigations yielded three hits exhibiting promising anti‐CSC potential with little or no toxicity against normal cells.
The relationship between social media use and disordered eating in young adolescents
Authors: Wilksch Simon M. , O'Shea Anne , Ho Pheobe , Byrne Sue , Wade Tracey D. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe relationship between social media (SM) use and disordered eating (DE) has not been adequately explored in young adolescents.MethodsData from 996 Grade 7 and 8 adolescents (n = 534 girls; M age = 13.08) was investigated. DE cognitions (Eating Disorder Examination‐Questionnaire [EDE‐Q]), DE behaviors (Project Eating Among Teens), and SM use measures related to Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Tumblr were completed.ResultsDE behaviors were reported by 51.7% of girls and 45.0% of boys, with strict exercise and meal skipping the most common. A total of 75.4% of girls and 69.9% of boys had at least one SM account where Instagram was the most common, used by 68.1% of girls and 61.7% of boys. Global EDE‐Q scores were significantly higher for girls and boys with each type of SM account, except for Facebook and Instagram for girls. A greater number of SM accounts was associated with higher DE scores for both cognitions and behaviors. Girls with Snapchat and Tumblr accounts and boys with Snapchat, Facebook and Instagram were significantly more likely to have both DE behaviors and over‐evaluation of shape and weight in the clinical range. Greater daily time spent using Instagram was associated with significantly higher Global EDE‐Q scores and DE behaviors for girls, while this pattern was also found for Snapchat usage and DE behaviors for girls.ConclusionsA clear pattern of association was found between SM usage and DE cognitions and behaviors with this exploratory study confirming that these relationships occur at younger‐age than previously investigated.
Intrinsic biotic factors and microsite conditions drive seedling survival in a species with masting reproduction
Authors: Martini Francesco , Zou Chaobo , Goodale Uromi Manage 
Published: December 2019

Abstract

Seedling recruitment following a masting event, where more fruits are produced in synchrony and intermittently compared with other species, plays a crucial role in determining species diversity and community structure. Such seedling recruitment can be superabundant, but followed by high mortality shortly thereafter. Differences in biotic factors such as seedling characteristics, competition, and herbivory, and microsite‐specific abiotic factors could determine seedling fate in space and time.

In a subtropical forest in south China, for 2 years using censuses conducted every 1–2 months, we monitored 40 seed traps and 120, 1 m2 quadrats in five 1‐ha plots located from 1,400 to 1,850 m asl for the masting maple species, Acer campbellii subsp. sinense (Pax) P.C.DeJong. We measured biotic—conspecific and heterospecific seedling density, species richness, herbivory, seedling height, and leaf number—and abiotic—canopy openness, slope, and aspect—factors to assess drivers of seedling survival and evaluated A. campbellii subsp. sinense presence in the soil seed bank (SSB).

The masting seed dispersal peak and seedling emergence peak occurred between October 2017 and January 2018, and May 2018, respectively. Of 688 selected seedlings, mortality was 92.7% within one year. No seeds were observed in the SSB. Seedling height and leaf number positively affected seedling survival, while seed placement as measured by aspect also showed effects on survival. Conspecific and heterospecific density and herbivory did not show any clear effect. Higher probabilities of seedling survival were found in areas with larger canopy openness (≥12% canopy gap size) and in steeper microsites (≥35°).

Synthesis. Masting is mainly studied as a population‐level phenomenon from the fruiting tree perspective. Our study of individual seedling fate revealed that intrinsic biotic factors and seed placement were key drivers of survival. Although biotic determinants such as competition from conspecifics or heterospecifics or herbivory did not determine survival, their ubiquitous presence may be an underlying equalizer in community dynamics where seedlings that overcome biotic pressures, if placed at the right microsite, are at better odds at being recruited to the next life history stages.
Biodiversity assessment of tropical shelf eukaryotic communities via pelagic eDNA metabarcoding
Authors: Bakker Judith , Wangensteen Owen S. , Baillie Charles , Buddo Dayne , Chapman Demian D. , Gallagher Austin J. , Guttridge Tristan L. , Hertler Heidi , Mariani Stefano 
Published: December 2019

AbstractOur understanding of marine communities and their functions in an ecosystem relies on the ability to detect and monitor species distributions and abundances. Currently, the use of environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is increasingly being applied for the rapid assessment and monitoring of aquatic species. Most eDNA metabarcoding studies have either focussed on the simultaneous identification of a few specific taxa/groups or have been limited in geographical scope. Here, we employed eDNA metabarcoding to compare beta diversity patterns of complex pelagic marine communities in tropical coastal shelf habitats spanning the whole Caribbean Sea. We screened 68 water samples using a universal eukaryotic COI barcode region and detected highly diverse communities, which varied significantly among locations, and proved good descriptors of habitat type and environmental conditions. Less than 15% of eukaryotic taxa were assigned to metazoans, most DNA sequences belonged to a variety of planktonic “protists,” with over 50% of taxa unassigned at the phylum level, suggesting that the sampled communities host an astonishing amount of micro‐eukaryotic diversity yet undescribed or absent from COI reference databases. Although such a predominance of micro‐eukaryotes severely reduces the efficiency of universal COI markers to investigate vertebrate and other metazoans from aqueous eDNA, the study contributes to the advancement of rapid biomonitoring methods and brings us closer to a full inventory of extant marine biodiversity.
The role of cathepsin D in the pathophysiology of heart failure and its potentially beneficial properties: a translational approach
Authors: Hoes Martijn F. , Tromp Jasper , Ouwerkerk Wouter , Bomer Nils , Oberdorf‐Maass Silke U. , Samani Nilesh J. , Ng Leong L. , Lang Chim C. , van der Harst Pim , Hillege Hans , Anker Stefan D. , Metra Marco , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Voors Adriaan A. , van der Meer Peter 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAimsCathepsin D is a ubiquitous lysosomal protease that is primarily secreted due to oxidative stress. The role of circulating cathepsin D in heart failure (HF) is unknown. The aim of this study is to determine the association between circulating cathepsin D levels and clinical outcomes in patients with HF and to investigate the biological settings that induce the release of cathepsin D in HF.Methods and resultsCathepsin D levels were studied in 2174 patients with HF from the BIOSTAT‐CHF index study. Results were validated in 1700 HF patients from the BIOSTAT‐CHF validation cohort. The primary combined outcome was all‐cause mortality and/or HF hospitalizations. Human pluripotent stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes were subjected to hypoxic, pro‐inflammatory signalling and stretch conditions. Additionally, cathepsin D expression was inhibited by targeted short hairpin RNAs (shRNA). Higher levels of cathepsin D were independently associated with diabetes mellitus, renal failure and higher levels of interleukin‐6 and N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (P < 0.001 for all). Cathepsin D levels were independently associated with the primary combined outcome [hazard ratio (HR) per standard deviation (SD): 1.12; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02–1.23], which was validated in an independent cohort (HR per SD: 1.23, 95% CI 1.09–1.40). In vitro experiments demonstrated that human stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes released cathepsin D and troponin T in response to mechanical stretch. ShRNA‐mediated silencing of cathepsin D resulted in increased necrosis, abrogated autophagy, increased stress‐induced metabolism, and increased release of troponin T from human stem cell‐derived cardiomyocytes under stress.ConclusionsCirculating cathepsin D levels are associated with HF severity and poorer outcome, and reduced levels of cathepsin D may have detrimental effects with therapeutic potential in HF.
Improved in vitro rooting in liquid culture using a two piece scaffold system
Authors: Shukla Mukund R. , Piunno Kevin , Saxena Praveen K. , Jones A. Maxwell P. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractPlant tissue culture techniques have been used to propagate horticultural crops at a commercial scale for more than three decades. However, due to the high cost it is generally only used for high value crops. To increase production efficiency and make micropropagation viable for a wider range of species, new approaches to address key steps of the process with high labor inputs need to be evaluated. For this study, a two‐piece scaffold system was designed, prototyped using 3D printing, and tested to physically hold plants upright thereby facilitating liquid based rooting. This system was evaluated with Malus domestica, Betula lenta, and Musa sp. using static liquid culture as well as rocker based temporary immersion system and compared to rooting in semi‐solid based medium as is commonly practiced. Significantly, earlier rooting was observed in all three species in liquid when compared to semi‐solid culture system, and plants cultured in liquid on the rocker generally performed better than those in static liquid. In addition to quicker, more uniform rooting, reducing labor requirements, and preventing root damage. This newly designed system is simple, easy to use, will help to improve efficiency, and reduce the cost of micropropagation.
Neurobiological underpinnings of cyberbullying: A pilot functional magnetic resonance imaging study
Authors: McLoughlin Larisa T. , Shan Zack , Broadhouse Kathryn M. , Winks Natalie , Simcock Gabrielle , Lagopoulos Jim , Hermens Daniel F. 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThere is a dearth of research that has investigated the neural correlates of cyberbullying, using task‐based functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and, specifically, in a real‐time context such as observing cyberbullying scenarios. This article presents pilot data from a novel protocol designed to undertake such research with the overall aim being to elucidate the neurobiological underpinnings of cyberbullying via task‐based fMRI (tb‐fMRI)) in passive cyberbystanders. Young adults (N = 32, 18 to 25 years old) viewed six negative (cyberbullying) and six neutral stimuli from the Cyberbullying Picture Series (CyPicS) while undergoing tb‐fMRI. Our results revealed 12 clusters of significantly greater blood‐oxygenation‐level‐dependent (BOLD) responses (family wise error corrected p
FWE < .05) in participants when viewing cyberbullying stimuli compared to neutral stimuli, across a distributed network of regions including left and right middle temporal gyrus, default mode network hubs, left and right posterior cerebellum/vermis, and putamen. Further analysis also revealed greater BOLD response in females compared to males, as well as in those with no prior experience of cyberbullying compared to those with prior experience (despite gender), when viewing the cyberbullying stimuli compared to the neutral stimuli. These results bring us closer to understanding the neurobiological underpinnings that may be associated with cybervictim/bully status and outcomes.
Scoring system for selective tracheostomy in head and neck surgery with free flap reconstruction
Authors: Cai Tian‐yi , Zhang Wen‐bo , Yu Yao , Wang Yang , Mao Chi , Guo Chuan‐bin , Yu Guang‐yan , Peng Xin 
Published: December 2019

AbstractBackgroundSelective tracheostomy is an effective but invasive airway management method for patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction. Studies have shown that not all patients need tracheostomy. Several systems evaluating the need for tracheostomy have been proposed, but none is used clinically.MethodsA total of 533 cases underwent head and neck free flap reconstruction at Peking University School of Stomatology were reviewed for system development. Another 131 cases undergone the same surgery were included for system verification. Patients' demographic and surgical‐related information were analyzed.ResultA total of 321 cases in the development cohort and 68 cases in the system cohort underwent tracheostomy. The score was estimated: score = ∑(|log2OR|). Patients scoring >3 required tracheostomy, those scoring <2 should avoid tracheostomy, and those scoring 2 or 3 need further evaluation.ConclusionThis scoring system can help determine the need for selective tracheostomy in patients undergoing head and neck free flap reconstruction.
Stock price prediction using DEEP learning algorithm and its comparison with machine learning algorithms
Authors: Nikou Mahla , Mansourfar Gholamreza , Bagherzadeh Jamshid 
Published: December 2019

SummarySecurity indices are the main tools for evaluation of the status of financial markets. Moreover, a main part of the economy of any country is constituted of investment in stock markets. Therefore, investors could maximize the return of investment if it becomes possible to predict the future trend of stock market with appropriate methods. The nonlinearity and nonstationarity of financial series make their prediction complicated. This study seeks to evaluate the prediction power of machine‐learning models in a stock market. The data used in this study include the daily close price data of iShares MSCI United Kingdom exchange‐traded fund from January 2015 to June 2018. The prediction process is done through four models of machine‐learning algorithms. The results indicate that the deep learning method is better in prediction than the other methods, and the support vector regression method is in the next rank with respect to neural network and random forest methods with less error.
Coordinated UAV For Efficient Field Inspection
Authors: Rajashekharaiah Puneeth Hulikunte , Menon Archana , Subramanian SenthilRajan , Arun Paavai , Murthy Shiksha , Vasavada Arpan 
Published: December 2019

AbstractAirborne field inspection services conducted by traditional approach or by a single manual/autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), involves considerable operator work load in flight operations for coverage of very large inspection fields. There is a scope to reduce operational cost, time and operator work load for large scale inspection scenarios. This paper presents a system concept where the coordinated flight of many UAVs, as a Multi‐Agent‐System (MAS) may be used, such that, it is especially, “reconfigurable” based on the nature of inspection. This Multi‐Agent‐System concept is developed with autonomous features, such as self‐organization capabilities to adapt intelligently around the objects of inspection or during navigation. Also, the paper discusses on how coordinated flight contributes to improving the autonomy through iterative navigation planning and re‐distribution of work load into smaller sections, among the agents. Thus, the concept is expected to provide great benefit to the inspection service providers in terms of time, cost, and efforts while leveraging higher levels of autonomy.
A novel in vivo Cerenkov luminescence image‐guided surgery on primary and metastatic colorectal cancer
Authors: Zhang Zeyu , Qu Yawei , Cao Yu , Shi Xiaojing , Guo Hongbo , Zhang Xiaojun , Zheng Sheng , Liu Haifeng , Hu Zhenhua , Tian Jie 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIntraoperative Cerenkov luminescence imaging (CLI) can effectively improve the performance of tumor surgery. Nevertheless, the existing approaches are still unsatisfying to the clinical demands of open surgery. This study develops a novel intraoperative in vivo CLI approach to investigate the potential and value of Cerenkov luminescence (CL) image‐guided surgery. A system characterized with high sensitivity (19.61 kBq mL−1 18F‐FDG) and desirable spatial resolution (88.34 μm) is developed. CL image‐guided surgery is performed on colorectal cancer (CRC) models of mice and swine. Tumor surgery is guided by the static CL images, and the resection quality is evaluated quantitatively and contrasted with other imaging modalities exemplified by bioluminescence imaging (BLI). The in vivo results demonstrated the effectiveness of the proposed intraoperative CLI approach for removing primary and metastatic CRC. Safety of performing in vivo CL image‐guided surgery is verified as well through radiation measurements of related staffs. Overall, the developed intraoperative in vivo CLI approach can efficiently improve the cancer treatment.
Synthesis and in vitro antimicrobial studies of thiodihydropyrimidine derivatives
Authors: Pasupathi Mani , Santhi Namasivayam , Venkatesan Kasi 
Published: December 2019

AbstractIn the present study, a series of thiodihydropyrimidine derivatives were synthesized from different substituted aromatic aldehydes, ethyl acetoacetate, and urea/thiourea using a bimetallic TUD‐1 catalyst. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were characterized by melting point determination, thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared (IR), 1HNMR, and 13C‐NMR values. All the synthesized compounds were screened for their antimicrobial activities against two gram positive bacteria, two‐gram negative bacteria, and two fungal strains.
Population Pharmacokinetic‐Pharmacodynamic Modeling for Propofol Anesthesia Guided by the Bispectral Index (BIS)
Authors: Araújo Ana Maria , Machado Humberto , de Pinho Paula Guedes , Soares‐da‐Silva Patrício , Falcão Amílcar 
Published: December 2019

AbstractThis study aimed to develop a population pharmacokinetic‐pharmacodynamic (PKPD) model for propofol using data prospectively collected from a heterogeneous group of adult, elderly, and obese patients using the bispectral index (BIS) as a pharmacodynamic guide. Adult, obese (body mass index ≥35 kg/m2), and elderly patients (aged >65 years) were included. Propofol infusion was started at 2000 mg/h until loss of consciousness and then guided by target BIS values (40‐60). Measurements of propofol plasma concentration were performed using gas chromatography. A PKPD model was developed using NONMEM. The data set contained 423 propofol concentrations and 483 897 BIS values from 60 patients (20‐92 years, 42‐136 kg). A 3‐compartment model was used to describe the plasma concentrations of propofol. An allometric model using lean body weight calculated by the Janmahasatian formula was found to describe the data better than total body weight for all clearance parameters, V1 and V2. An age effect was found on Q2, Q3, V1, and V3. With respect to the PD model, the use of a 2‐compartment model significantly improved the model fit. Age and total body weight were included as covariates in the final pharmacodynamic model. We propose a PKPD model for propofol anesthesia with acceptable performance accuracy in a heterogeneous group of adult, elderly, and obese patients. A new method to predict propofol induction dose is presented. This method and the possibility to directly change target BIS values in opposition to the assumed target effect‐site concentration constitutes certain advantages to the clinical practice.