bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An eye on the dog as the scientist's best friend for translational research in ophthalmology: Focus on the ocular surface
Authors: Sebbag Lionel , Mochel Jonathan P. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractPreclinical animal studies provide valuable opportunities to better understand human diseases and contribute to major advances in medicine. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ocular parameters in humans and selected animals, with a focus on the ocular surface, detailing species differences in ocular surface anatomy, physiology, tear film dynamics and tear film composition. We describe major pitfalls that tremendously limit the translational potential of traditional laboratory animals (i.e., rabbits, mice, and rats) in ophthalmic research, and highlight the benefits of integrating companion dogs with clinical analogues to human diseases into preclinical pharmacology studies. This One Health approach can help accelerate and improve the framework in which ophthalmic research is translated to the human clinic. Studies can be conducted in canine subjects with naturally occurring or noninvasively induced ocular surface disorders (e.g., dry eye disease, conjunctivitis), reviewed herein, and tear fluid can be easily retrieved from canine eyes for various bioanalytical purposes. In this review, we discuss common tear collection methods, including capillary tubes and Schirmer tear strips, and provide guidelines for tear sampling and extraction to improve the reliability of analyte quantification (drugs, proteins, others).
Methionine Restriction Regulates Cognitive Function in High‐Fat Diet‐Fed Mice: Roles of Diurnal Rhythms of SCFAs Producing‐ and Inflammation‐Related Microbes
Authors: Wang Luanfeng , Ren Bo , Hui Yan , Chu Chuanqi , Zhao Zhenting , Zhang Yuyu , Zhao Beita , Shi Renjie , Ren Junli , Dai Xiaoshuang , Liu Zhigang , Liu Xuebo 
Published: July 2020

ScopeMethionine restriction (MR) is known to potently alleviate inflammation and improve gut microbiome in obese mice. The gut microbiome exhibits diurnal rhythmicity in composition and function, and this, in turn, drives oscillations in host metabolism. High‐fat diet (HFD) strongly altered microbiome diurnal rhythmicity, however, the role of microbiome diurnal rhythmicity in mediating the improvement effects of MR on obesity‐related metabolic disorders remains unclear.Methods and results10‐week‐old male C57BL/6J mice are fed a low‐fat diet or HFD for 4 weeks, followed with a full diet (0.86% methionine, w/w) or a methionine‐restricted diet (0.17% methionine, w/w) for 8 weeks. Analyzing microbiome diurnal rhythmicity at six time points, the results show that HFD disrupts the cyclical fluctuations of the gut microbiome in mice. MR partially restores these cyclical fluctuations, which lead to time‐specifically enhance the abundance of short‐chain fatty acids producing bacteria, increases the acetate and butyric, and dampens the oscillation of inflammation‐related Desulfovibrionales and Staphylococcaceae over the course of 1 day. Notably, MR, which protects against systemic inflammation, influences brain function and synaptic plasticity.ConclusionMR could serve as a potential nutritional intervention for attenuating obesity‐induced cognitive impairments by balancing the circadian rhythm in microbiome‐gut‐brain homeostasis.
Propagule Powder of Japanese Yam (Dioscorea Japonica) Reduces High‐Fat Diet‐Induced Metabolic Stress in Mice through the Regulation of Hepatic Gene Expression
Authors: Shinozaki Fumika , Kamei Asuka , Watanabe Yuki , Yasuoka Akihito , Shimada Kousuke , Kondo Kaori , Arai Soichi , Kondo Takashi , Abe Keiko 
Published: July 2020

ScopeJapanese yam propagules are supposed to have high potential as a functional food. However, there are almost no studies examining their physiological function. This study aims to elucidate the physiological function of Japanese yam propagules that are heated, freeze‐dried, and powdered.Methods and resultsA high‐fat diet with Japanese yam propagules is administered to mice for 4 weeks. High‐fat loading induces a decline in respiratory quotient, and a high‐fat diet with propagules reduces it more. This result suggests that propagules increase fat oxidation, indicating fat utilization. The hepatic transcriptome is analyzed using a DNA microarray. Some of the genes affected by high‐fat loading are reversed by simultaneous ingestion of propagules. Such genes are mainly involved in the immune system and fat metabolism. High‐fat loading induces hepatic inflammation, which is repressed by simultaneous ingestion of propagules. For lipid metabolism, propagules repress an increase in cholesterol biosynthesis and catabolism by high‐fat loading. Regarding carbohydrate metabolism, propagules decrease glycolysis and glycogen synthesis and increase gluconeogenesis. Moreover, amino acids are converted into pyruvate and then used for gluconeogenesis.ConclusionPropagules act to delay the occurrence of hepatic disease by suppressing carbohydrate and fat metabolism disorders in high‐fat loaded mice.
Composite right/left‐handed ultra‐wideband metamaterial antenna with improved gain
Authors: Kumar Sandeep , Kumari Runa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractA coplanar waveguide‐fed ultra‐wideband (UWB) composite right/left‐handed (CRLH) antenna is presented. It is designed by embedding CRLH unit‐cell on the top side and split‐ring resonator (SRR) on the bottom side of FR4 epoxy substrate. The UWB response is obtained by merging the resonances of CRLH unit‐cell and SRR with two additional resonances due to patch feed‐line and ground plane, respectively. Subsequently, the gain of UWB CRLH antenna is enhanced by loading two partial reactive impedance surfaces (PRISs) on the double layer FR4 substrate. First PRIS is embedded directly on the rear side of CRLH antenna (upper layer substrate) whereas the second PRIS is designed on the backside of the lower layer substrate. A considerable improvement in gain is observed over the frequency range from 6.2 to 10.6 GHz with peak enhancement of 1.75 dB. The proposed antenna is fabricated and measured. The measured results indicate −10 dB fractional bandwidth of 126.15% (3‐13.25 GHz) with realized gains of 2.2, 5.25, 5.5, and 7.3 dBi at 3.57, 7.46, 8.92, and 10.59 GHz, respectively. The simulated radiation efficiency is above 61% with a peak value of 86.21%. All measured and simulated results match reasonably well.
Reactivity Ratios Estimation of the Free‐Radical Polymerization of Itaconic Acid and N‐Vinyl‐2‐Pyrrolidone by the Error‐in‐Variables Methodology
Authors: Krieger Bruno Vasconcellos , de Araujo Pedro Henrique Hermes , Sayer Claudia 
Published: July 2020

AbstractDesigned copolymers require an understanding of the relative reactivity ratios of the monomer pair and a proper regression technique that can extract this data from the experiments. An implementation of the error‐in‐variables method previously describes in the literature is written and made available for use, along with an high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) methodology for acquiring the kinetic data for the regression analysis of the itaconic acid and N‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone (IA/NVP) free‐radical copolymerization system. From the data, it is observed that higher initial mole fractions of IA in the reaction medium change the reaction kinetics, limiting the validity of the Mayo–Lewis model to a narrow range of initial mole fractions of IA. This effect is not observed at molar fractions below 10%, enabling the parameters to be estimated. The performance of the developed algorithm is satisfactory, and within less than 5% error when applied to data found in the literature. The parameters estimated by the algorithm for the IA/NVP system are r1 = 0.3046 and r2 = 0.0170, with IA as compound 1. A rather large deviation is observed for r1 and this is attributed to measurement errors associated with the low IA concentrations and high initial reaction rates.
Are common delirium assessment tools appropriate for evaluating delirium at the end of life in cancer patients?
Authors: Uchida Megumi , Morita Tatsuya , Akechi Tatsuo , Yokomichi Naosuke , Sakashita Akihiro , Hisanaga Takayuki , Matsui Takashi , Ogawa Asao , Yoshiuchi Kazuhiro , Iwase Satoru ,   the Phase‐R Delirium Study Group
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectivesThe objectives of this study are to investigate how many advanced cancer patients became unconscious or non‐communicative after pharmacological treatment for delirium, and to explore whether existing delirium assessment tools can successfully evaluate its severity at the end of life.MethodsThis was a secondary analysis of a registry study that examined the efficacy and safety of antipsychotics for advanced cancer patients with delirium. A total of 818 patients were recruited from 39 specialized palliative care services in Japan. The severity of delirium was measured using the Richmond Agitation‐Sedation Scale‐Palliative care version, the Delirium Rating Scale‐Revised‐98 (DRS‐R‐98), and the Nursing Delirium Screening Scale (Nu‐DESC) on Day 3. Data from 302 patients with motor anxiety with an Agitation Distress Scale score ≥2 on Day 0 were analyzed for this study. The patients were categorized into four treatment response groups: complete response (CR: no agitation and fully communicative), partial response (PR: no/mild agitation and partially communicative), unconscious/non‐communicative (UC), and no change (NC).ResultsOn Day 3, 29 (10%; 95% confidence intervals [CI], 7‐13) and 2 (1%; 95% CI, 0‐2) patients became unconscious and non‐communicative, respectively. Forty‐four patients were categorized as CR, 97 as PR, 31 as UC, and 96 as NC. The scores of the DRS‐R‐98 and Nu‐DESC in the UC group were rated higher than patients in the NC group were.Conclusions: A considerable number of cancer patients with delirium became unconscious or non‐communicative. Existing delirium assessment tools may be inappropriate for measuring the severity of delirium in end‐of‐life.
Coassembled Nanoparticles Composed of Functionalized Mesoporous Silica and Pillar[5]arene‐Appended Gold Nanoparticles as Mitochondrial‐Selective Dual‐Drug Carriers
Authors: Ahn Junho , Jin Hanyong , Park Jaehyeon , Lee Boeun , Ok Mirae , Lee Ji Ha , Bae Jeehyeon , Jung Jong Hwa 
Published: July 2020

AbstractCoassembled nanoparticles composed of functionalized mesoporous silica and pillar[5]arene‐appended Au nanoparticles obtained through the formation of a host–guest complex are designed and synthesized as a mitochondrial‐selective dual‐drug delivery system. A pyridinium‐based ligand and fluorescein isothiocyanate are immobilized onto mesoporous silica to act as the mitochondria‐targeting ligand and fluorescence tracker, respectively, of a material dubbed NP‐3. Carboxylated pillar[5]arene‐capped Au nanoparticles (CP‐AuNPs) are fabricated by the templated reduction of Au3+. Interestingly, coassembled nanoparticles (NP‐1) composed of doxorubicin (DOX) loaded NP‐3 and CP‐AuNPs are then prepared via the formation of a host–guest complex between the pyridinium‐based ligand of NP‐3 and the pillar[5]arene of CP‐AuNPs. To demonstrate the effectiveness of NP‐2 and NP‐1 as mitochondrial targeting drug delivery systems, DOX and F16 are employed as model drugs. These drugs loaded onto NP‐2 and CP‐AuNPs, respectively, are selectively delivered to mitochondria, indicating the usefulness of NP‐2 and CP‐AuNPs as mitochondrial‐specific drug‐delivery carriers in cancer cells. More interestingly, the use of NP‐1 is also associated with the selective accumulation of DOX and F16 in mitochondria. The selective mitochondrial‐targeting of NP‐1 is possible by NP‐2 and F16 exposed to the cytoplasm, allowing the codelivery of the two drugs to the mitochondria.
Cost‐utility analysis of an integrated care program for children with asthma in a medium‐income country
Authors: Duenas‐Meza Elida , Giraldo‐Cadavid Luis F. , Karpf Elizabeth , Afanador Felipe , Angarita Olga L. , Barón Oscar , Medina Maria S. , Pachón Angelica , Gonzalez Angelica , Jurado Jenny , Torres‐Duque Carlos A. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the cost‐utility of an integrated care program (ASMAIRE Infantil Program [PAI]) for children with asthma compared with standard of care.MethodsA decision‐analytic model was used to compare an integrated care program compared to the standard of care in children with asthma in Bogota, Colombia. Baseline characteristics of the patients were established according to the distribution of patients in the PAI database. Other inputs were obtained from published meta‐analysis, local registries, medical bills, general mortality data, and expert opinion. Costs were presented in 2017 Colombian pesos.Outcomes included quality‐adjusted life‐years (QALYs). Costs and outcomes were discounted by 5% per year. Incremental cost‐utility ratios were presented for PAI compared with standard of care. Univariate and multivariate probabilistic sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess model robustness to parameter uncertainty.ResultsThe model predicted that patients that are part of the PAI would accrue more QALYs than patients on standard of care. The incremental results suggest that the PAI is a cost‐effective treatment (incremental cost‐utility ratio of Colombian pesos $33 753 817/QALY) compared with standard of care. Sensitivity analyses suggest that results are most sensitive to cost of care (with and without PAI) and costs of severe exacerbation. However, the PAI is cost‐effective irrespective of variation in any of the input parameters.ConclusionOur model predicted that an integrated intervention for the management of asthma in pediatric patients improves QALYs, reduces number of disease related exacerbations compared to standard therapy and is cost‐effective for the long‐term control of the disease in Colombia.
The Bio3D packages for structural bioinformatics
Authors: Grant Barry J. , Skjærven Lars , Yao Xin‐Qiu 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBio3D is a family of R packages for the analysis of biomolecular sequence, structure, and dynamics. Major functionality includes biomolecular database searching and retrieval, sequence and structure conservation analysis, ensemble normal mode analysis, protein structure and correlation network analysis, principal component, and related multivariate analysis methods. Here, we review recent package developments, including a new underlying segregation into separate packages for distinct analysis, and introduce a new method for structure analysis named ensemble difference distance matrix analysis (eDDM). The eDDM approach calculates and compares atomic distance matrices across large sets of homologous atomic structures to help identify the residue wise determinants underlying specific functional processes. An eDDM workflow is detailed along with an example application to a large protein family. As a new member of the Bio3D family, the Bio3D‐eddm package supports both experimental and theoretical simulation‐generated structures, is integrated with other methods for dissecting sequence‐structure–function relationships, and can be used in a highly automated and reproducible manner. Bio3D is distributed as an integrated set of platform independent open source R packages available from: http://thegrantlab.org/bio3d/.
AKR1C3 mediates pan‐AR antagonist resistance in castration‐resistant prostate cancer
Authors: Hertzog Jennifer R. , Zhang Zhuming , Bignan Gilles , Connolly Peter J. , Heindl Jason E. , Janetopoulos Christopher J. , Rupnow Brent A. , McDevitt Theresa M. 
Published: July 2020

AbstractBackgroundAntiandrogens are effective therapies that block androgen receptor (AR) transactivation and signaling in over 50% of castration‐resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) patients. However, an estimated 30% of responders will develop resistance to these therapies within 2 years. JNJ‐pan‐AR is a broad‐spectrum AR antagonist that inhibits wild‐type AR as well as several mutated versions of AR that have emerged in patients on chronic antiandrogen treatment. In this work, we aimed to identify the potential underlying mechanisms of resistance that may result from chronic JNJ‐pan‐AR treatment.MethodsThe LNCaP JNJR prostate cancer subline was developed by chronically exposing LNCaP parental cells to JNJ‐pan‐AR. Transcriptomic and proteomic profiling was performed to identify potential drivers and/or biomarkers of the resistant phenotype.ResultsSeveral enzymes critical to intratumoral androgen biosynthesis, Aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), UGT2B15, and UGT2B17 were identified as potential upstream regulators of the JNJ‐pan‐AR resistant cells. While we confirmed the overexpression of all three enzymes in the resistant cells only AKR1C3 expression played a functional role in driving JNJ‐pan‐AR resistance. We also discovered that AKR1C3 regulates UGT2B15 and UGT2B17 expression in JNJ‐pan‐AR resistant cells.ConclusionsThis study supports the rationale to further investigate the benefits of AKR1C3 inhibition in combination with antiandrogens to prevent CRPC disease progression.
Improving the ocean and atmosphere in a coupled ocean–atmosphere model by assimilating satellite sea‐surface temperature and subsurface profile data
Authors: Tang Qi , Mu Longjiang , Sidorenko Dmitry , Goessling Helge , Semmler Tido , Nerger Lars 
Published: July 2020

AbstractAn ensemble‐based data assimilation framework for a coupled ocean–atmosphere model is applied to investigate the influence of assimilating different types of ocean observations on the ocean and atmosphere simulation. The data assimilation is performed with the parallel data assimilation framework (PDAF) for the climate model AWI‐CM. Observations of the ocean, namely satellite sea‐surface temperature (SST) and temperature and salinity profiles, are assimilated into the ocean component. The atmospheric state is only influenced by the model dynamics. Different assimilation scenarios were carried out with different combinations of observations to investigate to what extent the assimilation into the coupled model leads to a better estimation of the state of the ocean as well as the atmosphere. The influence of the data assimilation is assessed by comparing the ocean prediction with dependent and independent ocean observations. For the atmosphere, the assimilation result is compared with the ERA‐Interim atmospheric reanalysis data. The ocean temperature and salinity are improved by all the assimilation scenarios in the coupled system. The assimilation leads to a response of the atmosphere throughout the troposphere and impacts the global atmospheric circulation. Globally the temperature and wind speed are improved in the atmosphere on average.
P‐doped g‐C3N4 as an efficient photocatalyst for CO2 conversion into value‐added materials: a joint experimental and theoretical study
Authors: Ranjbakhsh Elnaz , Izadyar Mohammad , Nakhaeipour Ali , Habibi‐Yangjeh Aziz 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe photocatalytic yield of g‐C3N4 for CO2 reduction was modified by phosphorus doping. Possible reaction pathways for CO2 reduction on the P‐doped g‐C3N4 (PCN) surface were investigated by density function theory calculations for the first time. The experimental results showed that P doping increases the carriers' lifetime, which improves the production of CH4 through the increase in the driving force of the electrons. The partial density of states of the PCN showed that the valence band maximum and conduction band minimum are composed of px, py, and, s orbitals of the N atoms and pz states of carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, respectively. Mechanism studies confirm that formic acid, formaldehyde, methanol, and methane are the most probable products. Methane, having positive adsorption energy, can be easily desorbed from the PCN surface, and the Gibbs activation energy of the final step is 1.98 eV. The formation of H2COOH is the rate‐determining step.
Metal Nanoparticles Confronted with Foreign Ligands: Mere Ligand Exchange or Further Structural Transformation?
Authors: Yan Nan , Xia Nan , Wu Zhikun 
Published: July 2020

AbstractLigand exchange reactions have attracted extensive interest due to their utility in tailoring the properties and applications of metal nanoparticles, but these techniques are not well understood due to the unclearness of metal nanoparticles at an atomic level. The emerging ultrasmall metal nanoparticles (metal nanoclusters) provide excellent opportunities for investigating this challenging issue. Herein, it is revealed that structurally similar Au25(SC2H4Ph)18, Au24Cd(SC2H4Ph)18, and Au24Hg(SC2H4Ph)18 transform to Au24(SCH2Ph‐tBu)20, Au24Cd(SCH2Ph‐tBu)18 and ≈5 nm gold nanoparticles after reacting with HSCH2Ph‐tBu, respectively. Based on this and some other facts, it is suggested that the intrinsic stability is one key factor that determines the ligand exchange direction, whether by mere ligand exchange or further structure transformation (including aggregation). Single crystal X‐ray crystallography further reveals that the partial surface ligand configuration reverses after ligand exchange, providing structure evidence for the unimolecular nucleophilic substitution (SN1)‐like mechanism.
Tonka, baru and cumaru: Nomenclatural overview, typification and updated checklist of Dipteryx (Leguminosae)
Authors: Silva de Carvalho Catarina , Nicoletti de Fraga Claudio , B.O.S. Cardoso Domingos , C. Lima Haroldo 
Published: July 2020

AbstractThe papilionoid legume trees generally known as tonka, baru and cumaru comprise the taxonomically complex genus Dipteryx. In addition to being ecologically important across the neotropical biomes of rain forests and savannas, Dipteryx species are valuable sources of timber as well as an array of coumarin products. This genus currently comprises 14 accepted species with a convoluted nomenclatural history. Dipteryx is morphologically recognized by the flattened leaf rachis, asymmetrical leaflets, truly papilionate flowers, and drupaceous fruits. The generic name Dipteryx is conserved against Coumarouna and Taralea since Taralea is a heterotypic synonym and is accepted here as a distinct entity. We analyzed 65 names and designations that have been associated with Dipteryx and provide all orthographic variants, type localities, one new combination, 10 new lectotypes, one neotype, and one new synonym. Finally, we present an updated checklist of accepted and excluded names in Dipteryx. By highlighting the nomenclatural problems in Dipteryx, we hope the genus can serve as a model of how the typification process of older names linked primarily to Amazonian species should be treated.