bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Participant and Study Partner Reported Impact of Cognition on Functional Activities in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Cholerton Brenna , Poston Kathleen L. , Tian Lu , Quinn Joseph F. , Chung Kathryn A. , Hiller Amie L. , Hu Shu‐Ching , Specketer Krista , Montine Thomas J. , Edwards Karen L. , Zabetian Cyrus P. 
Published: November 2019

ABSTRACTIntroductionCognitive dysfunction is common in Parkinson's disease (PD) and associated with reduced functional abilities and increased dependence. To date, however, little is known about the relationship between performance of instrumental activities of daily living (IADLs) and cognitive stages in PD, and there are conflicting reports as to whether declines in specific cognitive domains predict IADL impairment.MethodsParticipants with PD were drawn from the Pacific Udall Center and included in the study if both participant and study partner IADL ratings and cognitive tests were completed (n = 192). Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine whether participant and/or study partner rating predicted mild cognitive impairment or dementia. Correlations are reported for the relationship between participant/study partner IADL reports as well as for specific cognitive tests.ResultsAlthough both participant and study partner ratings of IADL performance were associated with a diagnosis of PD with dementia, only participant self‐rating of functional ability was significantly associated with a diagnosis of PD with mild cognitive impairment. Functional ability correlated most strongly with measures of processing speed, auditory working memory, and immediate verbal recall for both the participant and study partner ratings.ConclusionFor participants with PD in the early stages of cognitive decline, self‐rating may be more sensitive to the impact of cognitive changes on IADL function than ratings made by a knowledgeable study partner. Changes in executive function, processing speed, and learning may indicate a higher likelihood of IADL impairment. Careful assessment of cognition and IADL performance is recommended to permit individualized interventions prior to significant disability.
The chemical and chemo‐ecological studies on Weizhou nudibranch Glossodoris atromarginata
Authors: Li Xiao‐Lu , Li Song‐Wei , Yao Li‐Gong , Mollo Ernesto , Gavagnin Margherita , Guo Yue‐Wei 
Published: November 2019

AbstractA detailed chemical investigation of the nudibranch Glossodoris atromarginata collected from Weizhou Island, South China Sea, yielded a new spongian‐type diterpene 1, together with the four known‐related compounds 2–5. The structure of the new compound 1 was elucidated by the detailed spectroscopic analysis, the comparison of the spectroscopic data with the known diterpene isoagatholactone, and the 13C chemical shift calculation. In addition, evidence for the absolute stereochemistry of the known compound 2 was, for the first time, provided by the application of time‐dependent density functional theory electronic circular dichroism calculation.
MRI method for labeling and imaging decellularized extracellular matrix scaffolds for tissue engineering
Authors: Szulc Daniel Andrzej , Ahmadipour Mohammadali , Aoki Fabio Gava , Waddell Thomas K. , Karoubi Golnaz , Cheng Hai‐Ling Margaret 
Published: November 2019

PurposeTo develop a facile method for labeling and imaging decellularized extracellular matrix (dECM) scaffolds intended for regenerating 3D tissues.MethodsA small molecule manganese porphyrin, MnPNH2, was synthesized and used to label dECM scaffolds made from porcine bladder and trachea and murine whole lungs. The labeling protocol was optimized on bladder dECM, and imaging on a 3T clinical scanner was performed to assess reductions in T1 and T2 relaxation times. In vivo MRI was performed on dECM injected in the rat dorsum to verify sensitivity of detection. Toxicity assays for cell viability, metabolism, and proliferation were performed on human umbilical vein endothelial cells. The incorporation of MnPNH2 and its long‐term retention in dECM were assessed on transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet absorbance of eluted MnPNH2 over time.ResultsAll tissues, including thick whole 3D organs, were uniformly labeled and demonstrated high signal‐to‐noise on MRI. A nearly 10‐fold reduction in T1 was consistently obtained at a labeling dose of 0.4 mM, and even 0.2 mM provided sufficient contrast in vivo and ex vivo. No toxicity was observed up to 0.4 mM, the maximum tested. Binding studies suggested nonspecific association, and retention studies in the labeled whole decellularized lungs revealed less than 20% MnPNH2 loss over 30 days, the majority occurring in the first 3 days after labeling.ConclusionThe proposed labeling method is the first report for visualizing dECM on MRI and has the potential for long‐term monitoring and optimization of dECM‐based organ tissue engineering.
Cannabinoid receptor 2 activation decreases severity of cyclophosphamide‐induced cystitis via regulating autophagy
Authors: Liu Qinggang , Wu Zonglong , Liu Yaxiao , Chen Lipeng , Zhao Hongda , Guo Hongda , Zhu Kejia , Wang Wenfu , Chen Shouzhen , Zhou Nan , Li Yan , Shi Benkang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPurposeCannabinoids have been shown to exert analgesic and anti‐inflammatory effects, and the effects of cannabinoids are mediated primarily by cannabinoid receptors 1 and 2 (CB1 and CB2). The objective of this study was to determine efficacy and mechanism of CB2 activation on cyclophosphamide (CYP)‐induced cystitis in vivo.MethodsCystitis was induced by intraperitoneal (IP) injection of CYP in female C57BL/6J mice. Mice were pretreated with CB2 agonist JWH‐133 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally), CB2 antagonist AM‐630 (1 mg/kg, intraperitoneally) or autophagy inhibitor 3‐methyladenine (3‐MA) (50 mM, intraperitoneally) before IP injection of CYP. Peripheral nociception and spontaneous voiding were investigated in these mice. Bladders were collected, weighed, and processed for real‐time polymerase chain reaction, immunoblotting analysis, histological and immunohistochemical analysis.ResultsTwenty‐four hours after IP injection of CYP, the bladder of CYP‐treated mice showed histological evidence of inflammation. The expression of CB2 in bladder was significantly increased in CYP‐treated mice. Mechanical sensitivity was significantly increased in CYP‐treated mice and CB2 agonist JWH‐133 attenuated this effect (P < .05). The number of urine spots was significantly increased after CYP treatment and it was decreased in JWH‐133 treated mice (P < .05). Activating CB2 with JWH‐133 significantly alleviated bladder tissue inflammatory responses and oxidative stress induced by CYP. Activation of CB2 by JWH‐133 increased the expression of LC3‐II/LC3‐I ratio, and decreased the expression of SQSTM1/p62 in the bladder of cystitis mice, whereas AM‐630 induced inverse effects. Further study indicated that JWH‐133 could promote autophagy and blocking autophagy by 3‐MA dismissed the effort of CB2 in alleviating bladder tissue inflammatory responses and oxidative stress injury. Furthermore, treatment with 3‐MA decreased the expression of p‐AMPK and induced the phosphorylation of mTOR in the presence of JWH‐133 stimulation in cystitis model.ConclusionsActivation of CB2 decreased severity of CYP‐induced cystitis and ameliorated bladder inflammation. CB2 activation is protective in cystitis through the activation of autophagy and AMPK‐mTOR pathway may be involved in the initiation of autophagy.
Stage life testing
Authors: Laumen Benjamin , Cramer Erhard 
Published: November 2019

AbstractIn progressive censoring, items are removed at certain times during the life test. Commonly, it is assumed that the removed items are used for further testing. In order to take into account information about these additional testing in inferential procedures, we propose a two‐step model of stage life testing with one fixed stage‐change time which incorporates information about both the removed items (further tested under different conditions) and those remaining in the current life test. We show that some marginal distributions in our model correspond either to progressive censoring with a fixed censoring time or to a simple‐step stress model. Furthermore, assuming a cumulative exposure model, we establish exact inferential results for the distribution parameters when the lifetimes are exponentially distributed. An extension to Weibull distributed lifetimes is also discussed.
Variational eigenerosion for rate‐dependent plasticity in concrete modeling at small strain
Authors: Qinami Aurel , Pandolfi Anna , Kaliske Michael 
Published: November 2019

SummaryIn the context of eigenfracture scheme, the work at hand introduces a variational eigenerosion approach for inelastic materials. The theory seizes situations where the material accumulates large amounts of plastic deformations. For these cases, the surface energy entering the energy balance equation is rescaled to favor fracture, thus energy minimization delivers automatically the crack‐tracking solution also for inelastic cases. The minimization approach is sound and preserves the mathematical properties necessary for the Γ‐limit proof, thus the existence of (local) minimizers is guaranteed by the Γ‐convergence theory. Although it is not possible to demonstrate that the obtained minimizers are global, satisfactory results are obtained with the local minimizers provided by the method. Furthermore, with the goal of addressing the constitutive behavior of concrete, a Drucker‐Prager viscoplastic consistency model is introduced in the microplane setting. The model delivers a rate‐dependent three‐surface smooth yield function that requires hardening and hardening‐rate parameters. The independent evolution of viscoplasticity in different microplanes induces anisotropy in the mechanical response. The sound performance of the model is illustrated via numerical examples for both rate‐independent and rate‐dependent plasticity.
Exercise and Dairy Protein have Distinct Effects on Indices of Liver and Systemic Lipid Metabolism
Authors: Townsend Logan K. , Gandhi Shivam , Shamshoum Hesham , Trottier Sarah K. , Mutch David M. , Reimer Raylene A. , Shearer Jane , LeBlanc Paul J. , Wright David C. 
Published: November 2019

ObjectiveThis study aimed to explore the individual and combined effects of skim milk powder (SMP) and exercise on indices of systemic and liver lipid metabolism in male obese rats.MethodsRats were fed a high‐fat (~ 40% kcal from fat), high‐sugar diet for 8 weeks. At 12 weeks of age, rats were assigned to one of four weight‐matched, isocaloric, high‐fat, high‐sugar groups for 6 weeks: (1) casein‐sedentary, (2) casein‐exercise, (3) SMP‐sedentary, and (4) SMP‐exercise. Nonfat SMP or casein was the sole protein source in the dairy and control casein diets, respectively. Exercise training occurred 5 d/wk for 60 minutes on a motorized treadmill. Whole‐body metabolism was assessed by a Comprehensive Lab Animal Monitoring System. Lipidomics, Western blot, and polymerase chain reaction were used to assess markers of hepatic lipid metabolism.ResultsExercise, but not SMP, altered the fatty acid composition of liver triglycerides, reduced indices of lipogenesis, and increased expression of genes linked to oxidative metabolism, in conjunction with increases in whole‐body fat oxidation. SMP and exercise reduced plasma triglycerides in an additive manner.ConclusionsThese findings provide evidence that SMP and exercise exert distinct effects on whole‐body and hepatic carbohydrate and lipid metabolism and that they could work in a synergistic manner to reduce serum triglyceride concentrations.
Spray‐free polypropylene composite reinforced by graphene oxide@short glass fiber
Authors: Zeng Xiao‐Ling , Wu Chao , Tang Bo‐Lin , Shen Xiao‐Jun , Liu Kun , Ye Bei , Jia Yong‐Tang 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPolypropylene (PP) is widely used in the automotive industry due to its excellent mechanical properties, good formability, and low cost. Herein, the spray‐free PP composites reinforced by graphene oxide@short glass fiber (GO@SGF) were fabricated by extrusion compounding and injection molding. Aluminum powder was used as spray‐free filling materials. The microstructure and composition of SGF and GO@SGF are investigated using scanning electron microscopy and X‐ray photoelectron spectrometer. The effect of GO@SGF on the mechanical properties of spray‐free PP composites was studied. The results showed that both tensile strength and modulus were effectively improved by incorporation of GO@SGF. This mainly attributed to the improved interfacial bonding between the reinforcements and matrix.
Run‐in periods and clinical outcomes of antipsychotics in dementia: A meta‐epidemiological study of placebo‐controlled trials
Authors: Hulshof Tessa A. , Zuidema Sytse U. , Gispen‐de Wied Christine C. , Luijendijk Hendrika J. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractPurposeRun‐in periods are used to identify placebo‐responders and washout. Our aim was to assess the association of run‐in periods with clinical outcomes of antipsychotics in dementia.MethodsWe searched randomized placebo‐controlled trials of conventional and atypical antipsychotics for neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in dementia in electronic sources and references of selected articles. We extracted (a) the presence of a run‐in period, use of placebo/investigated drug during run‐in (versus washout only), and run‐in duration (1 week or more) and (b) the reduction in NPS, number of participants with somnolence, extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and deaths per treatment group. We pooled clinical outcomes comparing antipsychotic and placebo groups in trials with and without run‐in.ResultsWe identified 35 trials. Twenty‐nine trials used run‐in. The pooled standardized mean difference in the reduction of NPS was −0.170 (95% CI, −0.227 to −0.112) in trials with run‐in and −0.142 (95% CI, −0.331 to 0.047) in trials without run‐in. The pooled odds ratio for somnolence was 2.8 (95% CI, 2.3‐3.5) in trials with run‐in and 3.5 (95% CI, 1.2‐10.7) in trials without run‐in; for EPS, these ORs were 1.8 (95% CI, 1.4‐2.2) and 2.0 (95% CI, 1.3‐3.1) respectively, and for mortality 1.4 (95% CI, 1.0‐2.0) and 1.6 (95% CI, 0.7‐3.4). The use of placebo/investigated drug during run‐in and run‐in duration did not affect the estimates in a consistent way.ConclusionsThe use of run‐in in trials might have led to overestimated efficacy and especially underestimated risks of side effects of antipsychotics compared with placebo for NPS in dementia.
Exploring alternative assessments for signing deaf candidates
Authors: O'Neill Rachel , Cameron Audrey , Burns Eileen , Quinn Gary 
Published: November 2019

AbstractAttitudes to sign languages or language policies are often not overtly discussed or recorded but they influence deaf young people's educational opportunities and outcomes. Two qualitative studies from Scotland investigate the provision of British Sign Language as accommodation in public examinations. The first explores the views of deaf pupils and staff about the official system for face‐to‐face interpretation of exam papers. The second investigates a centrally translated digital paper with embedded video questions. Discussion focuses on contrasts between the USA and UK approaches to accommodations, raising issues of standardized technical terms in signed languages, the right to respond in sign, and candidate choice.
Deep Profiling of Cellular Heterogeneity by Emerging Single‐Cell Proteomic Technologies
Authors: Yang Liwei , George Justin , Wang Jun 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe ability to comprehensively profile cellular heterogeneity in functional proteome is crucial in advancing the understanding of cell behavior, organism development, and disease mechanisms. Conventional bulk measurement by averaging the biological responses across a population often loses the information of cellular variations. Single‐cell proteomic technologies are becoming increasingly important to understand and discern cellular heterogeneity. The well‐established methods for single‐cell protein analysis based on flow cytometry and fluorescence microscopy are limited by the low multiplexing ability owing to the spectra overlap of fluorophores for labeling antibodies. Recent advances in mass spectrometry (MS), microchip, and reiterative staining‐based techniques for single‐cell proteomics have enabled the evaluation of cellular heterogeneity with high throughput, increased multiplexity, and improved sensitivity. In this review, the principles, developments, advantages, and limitations of these advanced technologies in analysis of single‐cell proteins, along with their biological applications to study cellular heterogeneity, are described. At last, the remaining challenges, possible strategies, and future opportunities that will facilitate the improvement and broad applications of single‐cell proteomic technologies in cell biology and medical research are discussed.
RELA is sufficient to mediate interleukin‐1 repression of androgen receptor expression and activity in an LNCaP disease progression model
Authors: Thomas‐Jardin Shayna E. , Dahl Haley , Kanchwala Mohammed S. , Ha Freedom , Jacob Joan , Soundharrajan Reshma , Bautista Monica , Nawas Afshan F. , Robichaux Dexter , Mistry Ragini , Anunobi Vanessa , Xing Chao , Delk Nikki A. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe androgen receptor (AR) nuclear transcription factor is a therapeutic target for prostate cancer (PCa). Unfortunately, patients can develop resistance to AR‐targeted therapies and progress to lethal disease, underscoring the importance of understanding the molecular mechanisms that underlie treatment resistance. Inflammation is implicated in PCa initiation and progression and we have previously reported that the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin‐1 (IL‐1), represses AR messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and activity in AR‐positive (AR+) PCa cell lines concomitant with the upregulation of prosurvival biomolecules. Thus, we contend that IL‐1 can select for AR‐independent, treatment‐resistant PCa cells.MethodsTo begin to explore how IL‐1 signaling leads to the repression of AR mRNA levels, we performed comprehensive pathway analysis on our RNA sequencing data from IL‐1‐treated LNCaP PCa cells. Our pathway analysis predicted nuclear factor kappa B (NF‐κB) p65 subunit (RELA), a canonical IL‐1 signal transducer, to be significantly active and potentially regulate many genes, including AR. We used small interfering RNA (siRNA) to silence the NF‐κB family of transcription factor subunits, RELA, RELB, c‐REL, NFKB1, or NFKB2, in IL‐1‐treated LNCaP, C4‐2, and C4‐2B PCa cell lines. C4‐2 and C4‐2B cell lines are castration‐resistant LNCaP sublines and represent progression toward metastatic PCa disease, and we have previously shown that IL‐1 represses AR mRNA levels in C4‐2 and C4‐2B cells.ResultssiRNA revealed that RELA alone is sufficient to mediate IL‐1 repression of AR mRNA and AR activity. Intriguingly, while LNCaP cells are more sensitive to IL‐1‐mediated repression of AR than C4‐2 and C4‐2B cells, RELA siRNA led to a more striking derepression of AR mRNA levels and AR activity in C4‐2 and C4‐2B cells than in LNCaP cells.ConclusionsThese data indicate that there are RELA‐independent mechanisms that regulate IL‐1‐mediated AR repression in LNCaP cells and suggest that the switch to RELA‐dependent IL‐1 repression of AR in C4‐2 and C4‐2B cells reflects changes in epigenetic and transcriptional programs that evolve during PCa disease progression.
Theoretical investigation of von Braun and von Braun‐like reactions
Authors: Couty François , Burov Oleg N. , Kletskii Mikhail E. , Lisovin Anton V. , Wright Karen , Drouillat Bruno , Kurbatov Sergey V. 
Published: November 2019

AbstractThe von Braun reaction, discovered at the dawn of the past century, consists of the reaction between a tertiary amine and cyanogen bromide. It leads to the cleavage of a C─N bond with the formation of an N‐dialkylcyanamide and an alkyl bromide and has been extensively used in organic synthesis. A detailed in silico study (PCM/density functional theory [DFT]/B3LYP/6‐31++G(d,p) calculations) of this venerable reaction has shown that in the first stage a zwitterionic adduct with a multibonded bromine atom is formed. The widely accepted mechanism involving an SN2 reaction occurs in the second step, thus accounting for its selectivity. Quantum chemical calculations were performed for the von Braun‐like reactions in systems formed by cyclic tertiary amines (N‐alkyl azetidines). In these cases, the first stage is almost the same as in the classical von Braun processes, and selective SN2 mechanisms can occur in the second step.
Direct analysis of bromine and iodine in dried serum spots by laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry
Authors: He Jing , Li A‐Fang , Han Hua‐yun , Su Shuang , Zhang Pei , Zhang Er‐peng 
Published: November 2019

RationaleAccurate quantitative analysis of bromine and iodine in serum is an important aspect of monitoring body condition, but the volatile loss of halogen in sample pretreatment is a troublesome problem. We present a validated and flexible high‐throughput method for quantification of bromine and iodine in dried serum spots (DSS) using laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) and an external aqueous standard calibration curve. The influence of serum matrix and laser ablation (LA) conditions on the analysis of bromine and iodine in DSS was researched systematically.MethodsAqueous standards without matrix matching were used for calibration to analyze bromine and iodine in serum by LA‐ICP‐MS. 5‐μL volumes of the aqueous standard solution and serum samples in 10 times diluted concentration were deposited on the PTFE paper to form dried standard calibration spots (DSCS) and DSS, of less than 2 mm in diameter. LA was performed using a focused Nd:YAG laser beam in raster lineal scan mode.ResultsThe limits of detection (LODs) for bromine and iodine in DSS were 0.23 and 0.03 mg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for this method was less than 10%. The samples were also detected with matrix matching calibration by ICP‐MS. The accuracy of the method was verified by statistical analysis of these results from ICP‐MS and LA‐ICP‐MS. The accuracy is satisfactory with recoveries ranging from 81.5% to 118%.ConclusionsA novel and simple approach for high‐throughput screening of bromine and iodine in DSS has been established by LA‐ICP‐MS. Calibration could be achieved using an aqueous standard solution instead of a matrix‐matching solution. The method allowed analysis of low‐volume biological samples without derivatization and decreased the risk of contamination or loss.