bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
DNA damage induced by exposure to pesticides in children of rural areas in Paraguay
Authors: Leite Stela Benitez , Franco de Diana Deidamia Mercedes , Segovia Abreu Jaime Alfredo , Avalos Domingo Santiago , Denis Marta Almada , Ovelar Cristina Coronel , Samaniego Royg María José , Thielmann Arbo Boris Alexei , Corvalan Ramón 
Published: November 2019

Background & objectives:
Chronic exposure to pesticides can damage DNA and lead to cancer, diabetes, respiratory diseases and neurodegenerative and neurodevelopment disorders. The objective of this study was to determine the frequency of DNA damage through the comet assay and micronucleus (MN) test in two groups of children, under 10 yr of age living in rural Paraguay and in relation to pesticide exposure.

Methods:
Two groups of 5 to 10 yr old children were formed; the exposed group (group A, n=43), born and currently living in a community dedicated to family agriculture and surrounded by transgenic soybean crops, and the control group (group B, n=41), born and living in a community dedicated to family agriculture with biological control of pests. For each child, 2000 cells were studied for the MN test and 200 cells for the comet assay.

Results:
The comparison between exposed and control children revealed significant differences in biomarkers studied for the measurement of genetic damage (cell death and DNA damage). The median of MN was higher in the exposed group (6 vs. 1) (P<0.001). Binucleated cells (2.9 vs. 0.5, P<0.001); broken eggs (5.5 vs. 1.0, P<0.001); karyorrhexis (6.7 vs. 0.5, P<0.001); kariolysis (14.0 vs. 1.0, P<0.001); pyknosis (7.4 vs. 1.2, P<0.001) and condensed chromatin (25.5 vs. 7.0, P<0.001) were significantly higher in the exposed group. The values of tail length (59.1 vs 37.2 μm); tail moment (TM) (32.8 vs. 14.4 μm); TM olive (15.5 vs. 6); % DNA tail (45.2 vs. 27.6) and % DNA head (54.8 vs. 72.4), were significantly different between the two groups.

Interpretations & conclusions:
In children exposed to pesticides, a greater genotoxic and cytotoxic effect was observed compared to non-exposed children. Our findings suggest that monitoring of genetic toxicity in population exposed to pesticides and agrochemicals should be done.
Development & cross-validation of anthropometric predictive models to estimate the appendicular skeletal muscle mass in middle-aged women in Sri Lanka
Authors: Rathnayake Nirmala , Alwis Gayani , Lenora Janaka , Lekamwasam Sarath 
Published: November 2019

Background & objectives:
Attempts have been made to estimate appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASMM) using anthropometric indices and most of these are country specific. This study was designed to develop and cross-validate simple predictive models to estimate the ASMM based on anthropometry in a group of healthy middle-aged women in Sri Lanka.

Methods:
The study was conducted on a randomly selected group of community-dwelling women aged 30-60 years. ASMM (kg) quantified with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) (ASMMDXA) was used as the reference standard. Anthropometric measurements such as body weight (kg), height (m), limb circumferences (cm) and skinfold thickness (mm) which showed significant correlations with ASMMDXA, were used to develop the models. The models were developed using a group of 165 women (aged 30-60 yr) and were cross-validated using a separate sample of women (n=167) (mean age: 48.9±8.56 yr), selected randomly.

Results:
Nine anthropometry-based models were developed using weight, height, skinfold thicknesses, circumferences, body mass index, menopausal status (MS) and age as independent variables. Four models which were based on height, weight, triceps skinfold thickness (TSFT), age and MS met all the validation criteria with high correlations (ranged 0.89-0.92) and high predictive values explaining high variance (80-84%) with low standard error of estimate (1.10-1.24 kg).

Interpretation & conclusions:
The four models (ASMM 1-ASMM 4) developed based on height, weight, TSFT, age and MS showed a high accuracy in estimating the ASMM in middle-aged women.
Targeted sequencing of the DMD locus
Authors: Aravind Sankaramoorthy , Ashley Berty , Mannan Ashraf , Ganapathy Aparna , Ramesh Keerthi , Ramachandran Aparna , Nongthomba Upendra , Shastry Arun 
Published: November 2019

Background & objectives:
Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is an X-linked recessive disorder and is caused mainly by deletion, duplication and point mutations in the DMD gene. Diagnosis of DMD has been a challenge as the mutations in the DMD gene are heterogeneous and require more than one diagnostic strategy for the validation of the mutation. This study was planned to evaluate the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) as a single platform to detect all types of mutations in the DMD gene, thereby reducing the time and costs compared to conventional sequential testing and also provide precise genetic information for emerging gene therapies.

Methods:
The study included 20 unrelated families and 22 patients from an Indian population who were screened for DMD based on phenotypes such as scoliosis, toe walking and loss of ambulation. Peripheral blood DNA was isolated and subjected to multiplex ligation-dependent probe amplification (MLPA) and targeted NGS of the DMD gene to identify the nature of the mutation.

Results:
In the study patients, 77 per cent of large deletion mutations and 23 per cent single-nucleotide variations (SNVs) were identified. Novel mutations were also identified along with reported deletions, point mutations and partial deletions within the exon of the DMD gene.

Interpretation & conclusions:
Our findings showed the importance of NGS in the routine diagnostic practice in the identification of DMD mutations over sequential testing. It may be used as a single-point diagnostic strategy irrespective of the mutation type, thereby reducing the turnaround time and cost for multiple diagnostic tests such as MLPA and Sanger sequencing. Though MLPA is a sensitive technique and is the first line of a diagnostic test, the targeted NGS of the DMD gene may have an advantage of having a single diagnostic test. A study on a larger number of patients is needed to highlight NGS as a single, comprehensive platform for the diagnosis of DMD.
Estranhas telas de sentido: a escrita de si e do outro na/pela linguagem
Authors: Lima Carlos Henrique Lucas , Nascimento Clebemilton Gomes do , Fernandes Fábio 
Published: November 2019

Como um exercício de escrita rebelde, aliás, como toda escritura deve ser em sua potência, este ensaio pretende encetar, a partir da peculiar visão autoral dos que assinam este texto, alguns conceitos-chave para cursos de leitura e produção de textos e outros cursos correlatos que são ofertados nas Universidades brasileiras. Sem pretender ser exaustivo, posto que ensaiamos, os autores, todos eles docentes-pesquisadores-escritores, povo de Letras e da Cultura, tecem suas compreensões acerca da língua\linguagem, da interface entre leitura e escrita, da formação docente na/para a escrita, do discurso, do(s) poder(es), da criação, da pesquisa, da ciência, da universidade, dentre outros desdobramentos e tópicos não menos relevantes. A metodologia é autoetnográfica - por falta de nome melhor, multirreferenciada e experimental valendo-se de memórias, digressões e, acima de tudo, da coragem, que entendemos indissociável da prática do pensar, para criar, teorizar e tensionar a partir de uma produção de conhecimento cujos horizontes epistemológicos permitem deslocar o que se queria findo, assentado, pronto.
Output feedback adaptive fault‐tolerant compensation tracking control for linear systems based on the closed‐loop reference model
Authors: Xiao Shuyi , Dong Jiuxiang 
Published: November 2019

SummaryThis paper investigates the problem of output feedback adaptive compensation tracking control for linear systems subject to external disturbances and actuator failures including loss of effectiveness faults and bias faults. The impact of actuator faults on the transient performance of systems can be mitigated predicated on the closed‐loop reference model with an additional degrees of design freedom. Using the estimation information provided by the adaptive mechanism, an output feedback adaptive fault‐tolerant control strategy is developed to track closed‐loop reference model systems. It is shown that all the signals of the resulting closed‐loop system are bounded. Finally, simulation results are given to demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed fault‐tolerant tracking control method.
Electrospinning Piezoelectric Fibers for Biocompatible Devices
Authors: Azimi Bahareh , Milazzo Mario , Lazzeri Andrea , Berrettini Stefano , Uddin Mohammed Jasim , Qin Zhao , Buehler Markus J. , Danti Serena 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe field of nanotechnology has been gaining great success due to its potential in developing new generations of nanoscale materials with unprecedented properties and enhanced biological responses. This is particularly exciting using nanofibers, as their mechanical and topographic characteristics can approach those found in naturally occurring biological materials. Electrospinning is a key technique to manufacture ultrafine fibers and fiber meshes with multifunctional features, such as piezoelectricity, to be available on a smaller length scale, thus comparable to subcellular scale, which makes their use increasingly appealing for biomedical applications. These include biocompatible fiber‐based devices as smart scaffolds, biosensors, energy harvesters, and nanogenerators for the human body. This paper provides a comprehensive review of current studies focused on the fabrication of ultrafine polymeric and ceramic piezoelectric fibers specifically designed for, or with the potential to be translated toward, biomedical applications. It provides an applicative and technical overview of the biocompatible piezoelectric fibers, with actual and potential applications, an understanding of the electrospinning process, and the properties of nanostructured fibrous materials, including the available modeling approaches. Ultimately, this review aims at enabling a future vision on the impact of these nanomaterials as stimuli‐responsive devices in the human body.
Differential Adsorption of l‐ and d‐Lysine on Achiral MFI Zeolites as Determined by Synchrotron X‐Ray Powder Diffraction and Thermogravimetric Analysis
Authors: Chen Tianxiang , Huang Bolong , Day Sarah , Tang Chiu Chung , Tsang Shik Chi Edman , Wong Kwok‐yin , Lo Tsz Woon Benedict 
Published: November 2019

AbstractReported here is the first crystallographic observation of stereospecific bindings of l‐ and d‐lysine (Lys) in achiral MFI zeolites. The MFI structure offers inherent geometric and internal confinement effects for the enantiomeric difference in l‐ and d‐Lys adsorption. Notable differences have been observed by circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Distinct l‐ and d‐Lys adsorption behaviours on the H‐ZSM‐5 framework have been revealed by the Rietveld refinement of high‐resolution synchrotron X‐ray powder diffraction (SXRD) data and the density‐functional theory (DFT) calculations. Despite demonstrating the approach for l‐ and d‐Lys over MFI zeolites at an atomistic resolution, the differential adsorption study sheds light on the rational engineering of molecular interaction(s) with achiral microporous materials for chiral separation purposes.
Discovery of a Cryptic Intermediate in Late Steps of Mithramycin Biosynthesis
Authors: Wheeler Ryan , Yu Xia , Hou Caixia , Mitra Prithiba , Chen Jhong‐Min , Herkules Frank , Ivanov Dmitri N. , Tsodikov Oleg V. , Rohr Jürgen 
Published: November 2019

AbstractMtmOIV and MtmW catalyze the final two reactions in the mithramycin (MTM) biosynthetic pathway, the Baeyer–Villiger opening of the fourth ring of premithramycin B (PMB), creating the C3 pentyl side chain, strictly followed by reduction of the distal keto group on the new side chain. Unexpectedly this results in a C2 stereoisomer of mithramycin, iso‐mithramycin (iso‐MTM). Iso‐MTM undergoes a non‐enzymatic isomerization to MTM catalyzed by Mg2+ ions. Crystal structures of MtmW and its complexes with co‐substrate NADPH and PEG, suggest a catalytic mechanism of MtmW. The structures also show that a tetrameric assembly of this enzyme strikingly resembles the ring‐shaped β subunit of a vertebrate ion channel. We show that MtmW and MtmOIV form a complex in the presence of PMB and NADPH, presumably to hand over the unstable MtmOIV product to MtmW, yielding iso‐MTM, as a potential self‐resistance mechanism against MTM toxicity.
An Exceptionally Stable and Scalable Sugar–Polyolefin Frank–Kasper A15 Phase
Authors: Lachmayr Kätchen K. , Wentz Charlotte M. , Sita Lawrence R. 
Published: November 2019

Abstract“One‐component” soft material Frank–Kasper (FK) phases are an intriguing structural form of matter that possess periodically ordered structures arising from the self‐reconfiguration and close packing of an initial assembly of identical “deformable” spheres into two or more size‐ or shape‐distinct sets of particles. Significant challenges that must still be addressed to advance the field of soft matter FK phases further, however, include their rare and unpredictable occurrence, uncertain mechanisms of solid‐state assembly, and low thermodynamic stability. Here we show that a readily‐accessible sugar–polyolefin conjugate quantitatively produces an exceptionally stable solid‐state FK A15 phase through a rapid and irreversible thermotropic order–order transition, which contrary to other prevailing proposed mechanisms, does not require mass transfer between particles or large structural reorganization in the bulk to establish unit cell non‐equivalency. Our results provide the basis for a realistic strategy for obtaining practical and scalable quantities of a diverse range of sugar–polyolefin FK A15 phases with unique intrinsic physical properties and chemical reactivities not previously seen in such systems.
Au130−xAgx Nanoclusters with Non‐Metallicity: A Drum of Silver‐Rich Sites Enclosed in a Marks‐Decahedral Cage of Gold‐Rich Sites
Authors: Higaki Tatsuya , Liu Chong , Morris David J. , He Guiying , Luo Tian‐Yi , Sfeir Matthew Y. , Zhang Peng , Rosi Nathaniel L. , Jin Rongchao 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe synthesis and structure of atomically precise Au130−xAgx (average x=98) alloy nanoclusters protected by 55 ligands of 4‐tert‐butylbenzenethiolate are reported. This large alloy structure has a decahedral M54 (M=Au/Ag) core. The Au atoms are localized in the truncated Marks decahedron. In the core, a drum of Ag‐rich sites is found, which is enclosed by a Marks decahedral cage of Au‐rich sites. The surface is exclusively Ag−SR; X‐ray absorption fine structure analysis supports the absence of Au−S bonds. The optical absorption spectrum shows a strong peak at 523 nm, seemingly a plasmon peak, but fs spectroscopic analysis indicates its non‐plasmon nature. The non‐metallicity of the Au130−xAgx nanocluster has set up a benchmark to study the transition to metallic state in the size evolution of bimetallic nanoclusters. The localized Au/Ag binary architecture in such a large alloy nanocluster provides atomic‐level insights into the Au−Ag bonds in bimetallic nanoclusters.
Online Monitoring of Electrochemical Carbon Corrosion in Alkaline Electrolytes by Differential Electrochemical Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Möller Sandra , Barwe Stefan , Masa Justus , Wintrich Daniela , Seisel Sabine , Baltruschat Helmut , Schuhmann Wolfgang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCarbon corrosion at high anodic potentials is a major source of instability, especially in acidic electrolytes and impairs the long‐term functionality of electrodes. In‐depth investigation of carbon corrosion in alkaline environment by means of differential electrochemical mass spectrometry (DEMS) is prevented by the conversion of CO2 into CO32−. We report the adaptation of a DEMS system for online CO2 detection as the product of carbon corrosion in alkaline electrolytes. A new cell design allows for in situ acidification of the electrolyte to release initially dissolved CO32− as CO2 in front of the DEMS membrane and its subsequent detection by mass spectrometry. DEMS studies of a carbon‐supported nickel boride (NixB/C) catalyst and Vulcan XC 72 at high anodic potentials suggest protection of carbon in the presence of highly active oxygen evolution electrocatalysts. Most importantly, carbon corrosion is decreased in alkaline solution.
Exploiting Imine Photochemistry for Masked N‐Centered Radical Reactivity
Authors: Staveness Daryl , Collins James L. , McAtee Rory C. , Stephenson Corey R. J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThis report details the development of a masked N‐centered radical strategy that harvests the energy of light to drive the conversion of cyclopropylimines to 1‐aminonorbornanes. This process employs the N‐centered radical character of a photoexcited imine to facilitate the homolytic fragmentation of the cyclopropane ring and the subsequent radical cyclization sequence that forms two new C−C bonds en route to the norbornane core. Achieving bond‐forming reactivity as a function of the N‐centered radical character of an excited state Schiff base is unique, requiring only violet light in this instance. This methodology operates in continuous flow, enhancing the potential to translate beyond the academic sector. The operational simplicity of this photochemical process and the structural novelty of the (hetero)aryl‐fused 1‐aminonorbornane products are anticipated to provide a valuable addition to discovery efforts in pharmaceutical and agrochemical industries.
Midgut transcriptome analysis of Clostera anachoreta treated with lethal and sublethal Cry1Ac protoxin
Authors: Liu Jie , Wang Liucheng , Zhou Guona , Gao Suhong , Sun Tianhua , Liu Junxia , Gao Baojia 
Published: November 2019

AbstractClostera anachoreta is one of the important Lepidoptera insect pests in forestry, especially in poplars woods in China, Europe, Japan, and India, and so forth, and also the target insect of Cry1Ac toxin and Bt plants. Six genes, HSC70, GNB2L/RACK1, PNLIP, BI1‐like, arylphorin type 2, and PKM were found in this study, and they might be associated with the response to the Cry1Ac toxin, found by analyzing the transcriptome data. And the PI3K‐Akt pathway was highly enriched in differentially expressed unigenes and linked to several crucial pathways, including the B‐cell receptor signaling pathway, toll‐like receptor pathway, and mitogen‐activated protein kinase signaling pathway. They might be involved in the recovery stage of the damaged midgut during the response to sublethal doses of Cry1Ac toxin. This is the first study conducted to specifically investigate C. anachoreta response to Cry toxin stress using large‐scale sequencing technologies, and the results highlighted some important genes and pathways that could be involved in Btcry1Ac resistance development or could serve as targets for biologically based control mechanisms of this insect pest.
Dysregulation of temporal dynamics of synchronous neural activity in adolescents on autism spectrum
Authors: Malaia Evie A. , Ahn Sungwoo , Rubchinsky Leonid L. 
Published: November 2019

Autism spectrum disorder is increasingly understood to be based on atypical signal transfer among multiple interconnected networks in the brain. Relative temporal patterns of neural activity have been shown to underlie both the altered neurophysiology and the altered behaviors in a variety of neurogenic disorders. We assessed brain network dynamics variability in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) using measures of synchronization (phase‐locking) strength, and timing of synchronization and desynchronization of neural activity (desynchronization ratio) across frequency bands of resting‐state electroencephalography (EEG). Our analysis indicated that frontoparietal synchronization is higher in ASD but with more short periods of desynchronization. It also indicates that the relationship between the properties of neural synchronization and behavior is different in ASD and typically developing populations. Recent theoretical studies suggest that neural networks with a high desynchronization ratio have increased sensitivity to inputs. Our results point to the potential significance of this phenomenon to the autistic brain. This sensitivity may disrupt the production of an appropriate neural and behavioral responses to external stimuli. Cognitive processes dependent on the integration of activity from multiple networks maybe, as a result, particularly vulnerable to disruption. Autism Res 2020, 13: 24–31. © 2019 International Society for Autism Research, Wiley Periodicals, Inc.Lay SummaryParts of the brain can work together by synchronizing the activity of the neurons. We recorded the electrical activity of the brain in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder and then compared the recording to that of their peers without the diagnosis. We found that in participants with autism, there were a lot of very short time periods of non‐synchronized activity between frontal and parietal parts of the brain. Mathematical models show that the brain system with this kind of activity is very sensitive to external events.
Pretransplant active disease status and HLA class II mismatching are associated with increased incidence and severity of cytokine release syndrome after haploidentical transplantation with posttransplant cyclophosphamide
Authors: Mariotti Jacopo , Taurino Daniela , Marino Fabrizio , Bramanti Stefania , Sarina Barbara , Morabito Lucio , De Philippis Chiara , Di Vito Clara , Mavilio Domenico , Carlo‐Stella Carmelo , Della Porta Matteo , Santoro Armando , Castagna Luca 
Published: November 2019

AbstractCytokine release syndrome (CRS) represents a life‐threatening side effect after haploidentical stem cell transplantation (Haplo‐SCT) with posttransplant cyclophosphamide (PT‐Cy). Factors predictive of CRS development is still a matter of debate. We retrospectively analyzed 102 consecutive patients receiving a bone marrow (BM) (n = 42) or peripheral blood stem cells (PBSC) (n = 60) Haplo‐SCT with PT‐Cy. The two cohorts were similar in main patients’ characteristics besides disease type (P = .02). Cumulative incidence of grades 1, 2, and ≥3 CRS was 80%, 52%, and 15% at a median of 2, 4, and 7 days, respectively. Moderate/High‐grade fever (39°‐41°), grade 1 and grade ≥3 CRS occurred more frequently after PBSC relative to BM grafts (68% vs 33%,P = .0005; 87% vs 71%,P = .009; 20% vs 7%,P = .07). Only patients experiencing grade ≥3 CRS had a worse outcome in terms of 1‐year overall survival (OS) and nonrelapse mortality (NRM): 39% vs 80% (P = .002) and 40% vs 8% (P = .005), respectively. By univariate analysis the only factors associated with the increased risk of ≥3 CRS were pretransplant disease status (8% for complete remission, 11% for partial remission, and 38% for active disease,P = .002), HLA‐DRB1 mismatching (57% vs 14%,P = .007), and PBSC graft (P = .07). By multivariable analysis, only pretransplant disease status (hazard ratio, HR: 6.84,P = .005) and HLA‐DRB1 mismatching (HR: 17.19,P = .003) remained independent predictors of grade ≥3 CRS. Only grade ≥3 CRS is clinically relevant for the final outcome of patients receiving Haplo‐SCT with PT‐Cy, is more frequent after a PBSC graft and is associated with pretransplant active disease and HLA‐DRB1 mismatching.