bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Optimized skin optical clearing for optical coherence tomography monitoring of encapsulated drug delivery through the hair follicles
Authors: Zaytsev Sergey M. , Svenskaya Yulia I. , Lengert Ekaterina V. , Terentyuk Georgy S. , Bashkatov Alexey N. , Tuchin Valery V. , Genina Elina A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHair follicles (HF) represent a drug delivery reservoir for improved treatment of skin disorders. Although various particulate systems play an important role in HF‐targeting, their optical monitoring in skin is challenging due to strong light scattering. Optical clearing is an effective approach allowing the increasing of particle detection depth in skin. The enhancement of optical probing depth (OPD) and optical detection depth (ODD) of particle localization using optical coherence tomography (OCT) was evaluated under application of various optical clearing agents (OCAs) together with skin permeability enhancers ex vivo in rats. Efficient OPD increasing was demonstrated for all investigated OCAs. However, skin dehydration under action of hyperosmotic agents led to the worsening of OCT‐contrast in dermis decreasing the ODD. Lipophilic agents provided optical clearing of epidermis without its dehydration. The highest ODD was obtained at application of a PEG‐400/oleic acid mixture. This OCA was tested in vivo showing beneficial ODD and OPD enhancement.
Sclerostin antibody treatment rescues the osteopenic bone phenotype of TGFβ inducible early gene‐1 knockout female mice
Authors: Gingery Anne , Subramaniam Malayannan , Pitel Kevin S. , Li Xiaodong , Ke Hua Z. , Turner Russell T. , Iwaniec Urszula T. , Hawse John R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDeletion of TGFβ inducible early gene‐1 (TIEG) in mice results in an osteopenic phenotype that exists only in female animals. Molecular analyses on female TIEG knockout (KO) mouse bones identified increased expression of sclerostin, an effect that was confirmed at the protein level in serum. Sclerostin antibody (Scl‐Ab) therapy has been shown to elicit bone beneficial effects in multiple animal model systems and human clinical trials. For these reasons, we hypothesized that Scl‐Ab therapy would reverse the low bone mass phenotype of female TIEG KO mice. In this study, wildtype (WT) and TIEG KO female mice were randomized to either vehicle control (Veh, n = 12/group) or Scl‐Ab therapy (10 mg/kg, 1×/wk, s.c.; n = 12/group) and treated for 6 weeks. Following treatment, bone imaging analyses revealed that Scl‐Ab therapy significantly increased cancellous and cortical bone in the femur of both WT and TIEG KO mice. Similar effects also occurred in the vertebra of both WT and TIEG KO animals. Additionally, histomorphometric analyses revealed that Scl‐Ab therapy resulted in increased osteoblast perimeter/bone perimeter in both WT and TIEG KO animals, with a concomitant increase in P1NP, a serum marker of bone formation. In contrast, osteoclast perimeter/bone perimeter and CTX‐1 serum levels were unaffected by Scl‐Ab therapy, irrespective of mouse genotype. Overall, our findings demonstrate that Scl‐Ab therapy elicits potent bone‐forming effects in both WT and TIEG KO mice and effectively increases bone mass in female TIEG KO mice.
Testin regulates the blood‐testis barrier via disturbing occludin/ZO‐1 association and actin organization
Authors: Su Linlin , Wang Zhaohua , Xie Songtao , Hu Dahai , Cheng Yan C. , Mruk Dolores D. , Guan Yongjun 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe blood‐testis barrier (BTB) separates the seminiferous epithelium into the apical and basal compartments. The BTB has to operate timely and accurately to ensure the correct migration of germ cells, meanwhile maintaining the immunological barrier. Testin was first characterized from primary Sertoli cells, it is a secretory protein and a sensitive biomarker to monitor junctions between Sertoli and germ cells. Till now, the functions of testin on BTB dynamics and the involving mechanisms are unknown. Herein, testin acts as a regulatory protein on BTB integrity. In vitro testin knockdown by RNAi caused significant damage to the Sertoli cell barrier with no apparent changes in the protein levels of several major tight junction (TJ), adhesion junction, and gap junction proteins. Also, testin RNAi caused the diffusion of two TJ structural proteins, occludin and ZO‐1, diffusing away from the Sertoli cell surface into the cytoplasm. Association and colocalization between ZO‐1 and occludin were decreased after testin RNAi, examined by Co‐IP and coimmunofluorescent staining, respectively. Furthermore, testin RNAi induced a dramatic disruption on the arrangement of actin filament bundles and a reduced F‐actin/G‐actin ratio. The actin regulatory protein ARP3 appeared at the Sertoli cell interface after testin RNAi without its protein level change, whereas overexpressing testin in Sertoli cells showed no effect on TJ barrier integrity. The above findings suggest that besides as a monitor for Sertoli‐germ cell junction integrity, testin is also an essential molecule to maintain Sertoli–Sertoli junctions.
Eco‐friendly synthesis of novel pyrimidine derivatives as potential anticancer agents
Authors: Abbass Eslam M. , Khalil Ali Kh. , El‐Naggar Abeer M. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHerein, a rapid and highly efficient method for the synthesis of a new series of pyrimidine derivatives was demonstrated. The strategy was emanated from the reaction of hydrazinyl pyrimidine derivative (1) with different electrophilic species such as ethyl acetoacetate, ethyl 4,4,4‐trifluoro acetoacetate, and phenyl isothiocyanate following cyclocondensation mechanism to afford the corresponding derivatives (2‐6). Furthermore, condensation of hydrazine derivative (1) with different carbonyl compounds via conventional heating and microwave irradiation conditions was employed as a source of Schiff base derivatives bearing pyrimidine moiety (7‐12). The structural features of all newly synthesized compounds were characterized by elemental and spectroscopic evidences. Some of the synthesized compounds were evaluated for in vitro cytotoxicity. The preliminary screening results showed that most of the tested compounds have moderate cytotoxic activity against HepG2 and HCT‐116 cell lines. Finally, a molecular docking study was conducted to reveal the probable interaction with the thymidylate synthase enzyme.
Self‐Assembly of Lipoaminoacids‐DNA Based on Thermodynamic and Aggregation Properties
Authors: Faustino Célia , Martins Tiago , Duarte Noélia , Ribeiro Maria H. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLipoamino acids (LAA) are biocompatible and biodegradable biosurfactants, a promising alternative to viral vectors in gene delivery. LAA are constituted by a polar head, the amino acid, and a hydrocarbon (alkyl) chain usually from a fatty acid or fatty acid derivative, such as a fatty amine or a fatty alcohol. In this work, dodecyl LAA was produced from dodecylamine and natural l‐amino acids cystine (Cys), lysine (Lys), and phenylalanine (Phe) using an enzyme‐based approach with porcine pancreatic lipase. The self‐assembly behavior of LAA solutions, in the absence or presence of DNA, was studied by conductivity and fluorescence regarding the application as transfection agents. Conductivity measurements yielded important system parameters, including critical micelle concentration (CMC) and standard Gibbs energy of micellization (ΔG°mic) for pure LAA systems, and apparent critical aggregation concentration (CACapp) and apparent standard Gibbs energy of aggregation (ΔG°agg) for the mixed LAA‐DNA systems. The CMC increased in the order of decreasing lipophilicity: (C12Cys)2 < C12Phe < C12Lys, CMC values were higher in the presence of DNA, suggesting the formation of a LAA‐DNA complex responsible for hindering the micellization process. Binding of the LAA with DNA was confirmed from fluorescence measurements for the ethidium bromide exclusion assay. Results suggest a weak interaction of the LAA with DNA which can be attributed to their relatively short dodecyl chains and/or the ionic strength of the buffer solution, supporting the role of hydrophobic interactions in complex formation between DNA and the oppositely charged surfactant in combination with electrostatic interactions. The CACapp values decreased with increasing LAA hydrophobicity, reflecting the relevance of hydrophobic interactions in complex coacervation.
Magnesium accumulation, partitioning and remobilization in spring maize (Zea mays L.) under magnesium supply with straw return in northeast China
Authors: Zhang Meiling , Geng Yuhui , Cao Guojun , Wang Lichun , Wang Meng , Stephano Mabagala F 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDMagnesium (Mg) has important effects on maize growth, and the application of Mg fertilizer with straw return inevitably has an impact on Mg absorption in maize.RESULTSA two‐year field trial was conducted to investigate the effects of Mg fertilizers with straw return on Mg accumulations, partitioning and remobilization in maize (Zea mays L.) in northeast China. The treatments included: (i) JM3 (straw + Mg fertilizer), (ii) JM0 (straw + no Mg fertilizer), (iii) WM3 (no straw + Mg fertilizer), and (iv) WM0 (no Mg fertilizer + no straw). The results showed that the highest Mg accumulation stage in maize was prominent between the tasseling stage (VT) and blister stage (R2), and JM3 treatment accumulated 13.3% and 26.6% more Mg on average than those of the WM3 and WM0, respectively. Magnesium remobilization in distinct organs was highest in JM3 and there were significant differences between treatments. The total contribution to the grain for the JM3 treatment was higher by 6.0% and 17.9% on average than those for the WM3 and WM0, respectively. The grain yield of JM3 treatment was 0.5% and 5.3% higher than that of WM3 and WM0, respectively.CONCLUSIONGenerally, these outcomes indicated that there was an interaction between Mg fertilizer and maize straw. The application of Mg fertilizer significantly promoted the accumulation, distribution to the maize organs, and the remobilization of Mg. The combination of straw return and Mg application further increased the accumulation of Mg in the grain. And all these lead to an increase in yield. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
In vitro digestibility of proteins from historical and modern wheat cultivars
Authors: Gulati Paridhi , Brahma Sandrayee , Graybosch Robert A , Chen Yuanhong , Rose Devin J 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDPrevious research has suggested that proteins and other quality parameters of wheats may have changed over a century of wheat breeding. These changes may affect protein digestibility. The in vitro protein digestibility of breads made with 21 cultivars of wheat introduced or released in the USA between 1870 and 2013 was therefore evaluated.RESULTSProtein digestibility increased with release year, but was not normally distributed; three older cultivars had significantly lower digestibility than the other cultivars: 42.0 ± 0.3 mol% (primary amino N/total N) versus 34.7 ± 0.7 mol%; P < 0.001. High molecular weight (MW) protein fractions increased and low MW protein fractions decreased with release year, but these changes were not related to protein digestibility. Thus, other differences in protein composition or other flour components may contribute to diminished digestibility of the three older cultivars.CONCLUSIONSThis study identified differences in protein digestibility among wheat cultivars that may have important implications for human nutrition. Further investigation is required to determine the specific characteristics that differentiate high‐ and low‐digestibility wheat cultivars. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Yak (Bos grunniens) bones collagen‐derived peptides stimulate osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation via the activation of Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway
Authors: Ye Mengliang , Zhang Chunhui , Zhu Lingyu , Jia Wei , Shen Qingshan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDAs the world's population is transitioning gradually to an ageing stage, the incidence of osteoporosis is increasing annually. Yak bone is one of the major components of Tibetan medicine and it has mainly been associated with an improvement in bone health, for example against osteoporosis. However, the functional bioactive ingredients and the underlying mechanisms are still unclear.RESULTSSequential purification of yak‐bone hydrolysates was achieved by ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography, and semi‐preparative reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography. After this, 35 novel peptides were identified by mass spectrometry analysis, of which peptide GPAGPPGPIGNV (GP‐12) displayed the highest osteoblast proliferation‐promoting activity, with an increase of 42.7% in cell growth. An in vitro stability study demonstrated that GP‐12 was digested into smaller peptides (GP‐9, GV‐9, AV‐10 and GP‐11) after simulated gastrointestinal digestion and absorption (Caco‐2 cell monolayers) experiments. However, some of them still can be absorbed intact through the (Caco‐2 cell monolayers by a paracellular route (Papp: 5.36 ± 0.34 cm s−1). Flow cytometry results indicated that GP‐12 enhanced osteoblastic proliferation by inducing the alteration of the cell‐cycle progression both from the G0/G1 to the S phase and from the S to the G2/M phase. Quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and western blot results revealed that GP‐12 induced osteoblastic proliferation and differentiation in a dose–response manner through the activation of a Wnt/β‐catenin signaling pathway.CONCLUSIONThese findings highlighted that such peptides hold the promise of discovering candidates for functional and health‐promoting foods, which could be potentially used for the treatment of osteoporosis. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry
Rapid elimination of foodborne and environmental fungal contaminants by benzo analogs
Authors: Kim Jong H , Chan Kathleen L , Mahoney Noreen , Cheng Luisa W , Tautges Nicole , Scow Kate 
Published: January 2020

AbstractBACKGROUNDContamination of food or the environment by fungi, especially those resistant to conventional fungicides or drugs, represents a hazard to human health. The objective of this study is to identify safe, natural antifungal agents that can remove fungal pathogens or contaminants rapidly from food and / or environmental sources.RESULTSFifteen antifungal compounds (nine benzo derivatives as candidates; six conventional fungicides as references) were investigated. Three benzo analogs, namely octyl gallate (OG), trans‐cinnamaldehyde (CA), and 2‐hydroxy‐5‐methoxybenzaldehyde (2H5M), at 1 g L−1 (3.54 mmol), 1 mL L−1 (7.21 mmol), 1 mL L−1 (5.39 mmol), respectively, achieved ≥99.9% fungal death after 0.5, 2.5 or 24 h of treatments, respectively, in in vitro phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) bioassay. However, when OG, CA, and 2H5M were examined in commercial food matrices, organic apple, or grape juices, only CA maintained a similar level of antifungal activity, compared with a PBS bioassay. trans‐Cinnamaldehyde showed higher antifungal activity at pH 3.5, equivalent to that of commercial fruit juices, than at pH 5.6. In soil sample tests, the application of 1 mL L−1 (7.21 mmol) CA to conventional maize / tomato soil samples (pH 6.8) for 2.5 h resulted in ≥99.9% fungal death, indicating CA could also eliminate fungal contaminants in soil. While the conventional fungicide thiabendazole exerted antifungal activity comparable to CA, thiabendazole enhanced the production of carcinogenic aflatoxins by Aspergillus flavus, an undesirable side effect.CONCLUSIONtrans‐Cinnamaldehyde could be developed as a potent antifungal agent in food processing or soil sanitation by reducing the time / cost necessary for fungal removal. Published 2020. This article is a U.S. Government work and is in the public domain in the USA.
Polarisation independent liquid crystal lenses and contact lenses using embossed reactive mesogens
Authors: Jones J. Cliff , Wahle Markus , Bailey James , Moorhouse Tom , Snow Benjamin , Sargent Joe 
Published: January 2020

AbstractLiquid crystal lenses have promise in optical systems owing to their tunability combined with low electrical power, cost, and weight. A good example of such a system is switchable contact lenses for the correction of age‐related presbyopia. Sufficiently large phase modulation can be done using nematic liquid crystals in a meniscus lens configuration. However, the birefringent materials are inherently polarisation dependent, usually requiring orthogonal polarisations to be focussed separately. A novel method is presented for producing polarisation independent lenses based on reactive mesogens. Results are presented for a 2‐level and 3‐level diffractive Fresnel lenses, and the promise of the technique for use in refractive lenses such as contact lenses is discussed.
Determining When Bobolink Finish Breeding to Time Agricultural Activity in Nesting Refuges
Authors: Put Julia E. , Campomizzi Andrew J. , Lebrun‐Southcott Zoé M. 
Published: January 2020

ABSTRACTConservation actions are ongoing for the federally and provincially threatened bobolink (Dolichonyx oryzivorus) in Ontario, Canada because of population declines. One conservation action being implemented in agricultural grasslands is the delay of hay harvesting and livestock grazing until 15 July, a general guideline for when bobolink finish breeding. Efficient methods to assess when breeding ceases could benefit bobolink and farmers engaged in conservation by ensuring nesting is finished before agricultural activity occurs and enabling agricultural activity earlier when breeding is finished before 15 July. We conducted field surveys to assess if low‐intensity surveys (i.e., transect surveys, point counts, roadside counts) could accurately detect when bobolink finish breeding compared to intensive monitoring (i.e., spot mapping and nest monitoring). We monitored 29 pastures in 2017 in eastern Ontario and 9 hay fields, 10 restored grasslands, and 6 fallow fields in 2018 in southern Ontario. The date breeding finished varied across fields in 2017 from 13 June to 29 July and in 2018 from 24 June to 30 July, based on spot mapping and nest monitoring. Transect surveys and point counts were good predictors of breeding in a field, as confirmed through spot mapping and nest monitoring, based on generalized linear mixed models. We recommend using transect surveys or point counts as an efficient field method to assess when bobolink finish breeding in a field targeted for bobolink conservation. Our results suggest that 2 consecutive visits that fail to detect evidence of breeding in early July are needed to reasonably infer that breeding has likely finished, leaving a small probability (i.e., <0.01) that breeding may still be occurring. Determining when bobolink finish breeding in fields intended to provide nesting refuges can help maximize conservation benefits and minimize negative effects on agricultural production. © 2020 The Wildlife Society.
Kinetics of a thin‐layer microwave‐assisted infrared drying of lentil seeds
Authors: Heydari Mohamad Mehdi , Kauldhar Baljinder Singh , Meda Venkatesh 
Published: January 2020

AbstractHerein, we report the drying kinetics behavior of tempered lentil seeds (CDC Maxim variety) by utilizing a microwave‐assisted infrared thermal method and thereby presenting a successful mathematical model for it. The drying characteristics of lentils using thin‐layer microwave drying with and without hot air predrying were evaluated in a laboratory scale microwave dryer. The drying experiments were carried out at 300 and 750 W, and the predrying experiment was performed at room temperature (23°C). Out of several thin‐layer mathematical models evaluated with the experimental data, Page model has been found the most appropriate model to predict drying process of lentils with high value of coefficient of determination (0.995), low values of chi‐square (0.0012), root mean square error (0.0343), and mean relative percentage error (4.9997). Further, the influence of bioyield force and changes in the particle density of processed seeds have also been evaluated in the present study. The results showed that combination of low infrared power (0.375 kW) to the different microwave power levels led to a significant reduction of drying time. The results also showed that processing of lentil seeds significantly reduces the bioyield force of raw seeds, providing less firmness to the product and thereby shortening the cooking time. The above findings can facilitate the design and operation of infrared‐assisted microwave drying of other legumes.
Aromatic L‐amino acid decarboxylase deficiency in 17 Mainland China patients: Clinical phenotype, molecular spectrum, and therapy overview
Authors: Dai Weiqian , Lu Deyun , Gu Xuefan , Yu Yongguo ,   the Mainland Chinese League of AADC Rare Disease
Published: January 2020

AbstractBackgroundAromatic L‐amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (AADCD) is a rare, autosomal recessive inherited disorder which is characterized by neurological and vegetative symptoms. To date, only 130 patients with AADCD have been reported worldwide.MethodsWe demonstrated 14 previously undescribed patients together with three reportedly patients in Mainland China. Full clinical information was collected, and disease‐causing variants in the DDC gene were detected.ResultsThe common clinical manifestation of patients, including intermittent oculogyric crises, retarded movement development, and autonomic symptoms. Notably, a patient showed bone‐density loss which have not been reported and two mildly phenotype patients improved psychomotor function after being prescribed medication. The most common genotype of Mainland Chinese AADCD is the splice‐site variant (IVS6+4A> T; c.714+4A> T), which accounts for 58.8%, followed by c.1234C>T variant. Three novel compound heterozygous variants, c. 565G>T, c.170T>C, and c.1021+1G>A, were firstly reported. It is important to recognize the milder phenotypes of the disease as these patients might respond well to therapy. Besides, we discovered that patients may presented with milder if found to be compound heterozygote or homozygote for one of the following variants c.478C>G, c.853C>T, c.1123C>T, c.387G>A, and c.665T>C.DiscussionThe clinical data of the cohort of 17 patients in Mainland China broaden the clinical, molecular, and treatment spectrum of aromatic L‐amino acid decarboxylase deficiency.
Compact circularly polarized triband staired rectangular dielectric resonator antenna using single and dual sections WPD with phase shifter for navigation satellite applications
Authors: Chaudhary Pankaj , Ghodgaonkar D. K. , Gupta Sanjeev , Jyoti Rajeev , Mahajan M. B. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn this paper, compact circularly polarized triband (L5‐, L1‐, and S‐bands) staired rectangular dielectric resonator antenna (RDRA) is designed, analyzed, fabricated, and tested for navigation satellite applications. For triband RDRA, circular polarization is generated in L5‐band (1.164‐1.188 GHz) and L1‐band (1.565‐1.585 GHz) using dual section Wilkinson power divider (WPD) with wideband 90° phase shifter. For S‐band (2.48‐2.5 GHz), circular polarization is obtained by single section WPD with wideband 90° phase shifter. Ground plane footprint area of triband staired RDRA is miniaturized to 0.16λ0 × 0.16λ0 (40 mm × 40 mm) at lowest resonance frequency f1 of 1.176 GHz using high dielectric constant (εr = 38.67) dielectric resonator material and high dielectric constant (εr = 10.2) dielectric substrate (Rogers RO3210). Broadside radiation patterns of triband RDRA are generated for L5‐, L1‐, and S‐bands using , , and modes, respectively. Simulated and measured return loss at port‐1 of RDRA for L5‐, L1‐bands and port‐2 of RDRA for S‐band are better than 10 dB. Simulated and measured isolation between port‐1 and port‐2 of triband RDRA are found to be better than 13 dB for all bands. Peak right hand circular polarization gain is in the range of 0.6 to 4.5 dB over all bands for simulated and measured values. Simulated axial ratio is found to be better than 3 dB of triband RDRA. While measured values it is in the range of 0.91 to 7.02 dB.