bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Circulating asymmetric dimethylarginine and cognitive decline: A 4‐year follow‐up study of the 1936 Aberdeen Birth Cohort
Authors: Malden Deborah E. , Mangoni Arduino A. , Woodman Richard J. , Thies Frank , McNeil Chris , Murray Alison D. , Soiza Roy L. 
Published: May 2020

BackgroundThe underlying mechanisms leading to dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are unclear. Asymmetric dimethylarginine (ADMA), an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase, may be associated with cognitive decline, but population‐based evidence is lacking.MethodsChange in cognitive performance was assessed in participants of the Aberdeen Birth Cohort of 1936 using longitudinal Raven's progressive matrices (RPM) between 2000 and 2004. Multiple linear regression was used to estimate the association between ADMA concentrations in 2000 and change in cognitive performance after adjustment for potential confounders.ResultsA total of 93 participants had complete information on cognitive performance between 2000 and 2004. Mean plasma ADMA concentrations were approximately 0.4 μmol/L lower in those participants with stable or improved RPM scores over follow‐up compared with participants whose cognitive performance worsened. In confounder‐adjusted analysis, one SD (0.06 μmol/L) increase in ADMA at 63 years of age was associated with an average reduction in RPM of 1.26 points (95% CI 0.14‐2.26) after 4 years.ConclusionRaised plasma ADMA concentrations predicted worsening cognitive performance after approximately 4 years in this cohort of adults in late‐middle age. These findings have implications for future research, including presymptomatic diagnosis or novel therapeutic targets for dementia and AD.
Unraveling the Relationship Between Itching, Scratch Scales, and Biomarkers in Children With Alagille Syndrome
Authors: Kamath Binita M. , Spino Cathie , McLain Richard , Magee John C. , Fredericks Emily M. , Setchell Kenneth D. , Miethke Alexander , Molleston Jean P. , Mack Cara L. , Squires Robert H. , Alonso Estella M. , Murray Karen F. , Loomes Kathleen M. , Kyle Jensen M. , Karpen Saul J. , Rosenthal Philip , Thomas Danny , Sokol Ronald J. , Shneider Benjamin L. ,   for the Childhood Liver Disease Research Network (ChiLDReN)
Published: May 2020

Pruritus is a debilitating symptom for patients with Alagille syndrome (ALGS). In a previously reported trial of maralixibat, an investigational antipruritic agent, itching was assessed using a digital diary based on twice‐daily caregiver observation of itching severity (Itch Reported Outcome, ItchRO[Observer]). The goal of this study was to characterize pruritus in participants with ALGS at baseline in this trial, as assessed by the ItchRO instrument and the physician‐observed clinician scratch scale (CSS), relative to biomarkers putatively associated with pruritus and health‐related quality of life assessment. Thirty‐seven participants with ALGS (median age of 6 years; range 1‐17 years) were enrolled. No association was identified between CSS and ItchRO(Obs) (r = 0.22, P = 0.2). Neither CSS nor ItchRO were associated with serum bile acids (r = −0.08, P = 0.6 for both) or autotaxin (r = 0.22, P = 0.2; r = 0.28, P = 0.12). There was no significant association between Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory total parent scores and CSS or ItchRO (r = −0.23, P = 0.2; r = −0.16, P = 0.36). There was a significant association between ItchRO and Multidimensional Fatigue Scale and Family Impact Module total scores (Pearson correlation coefficient −0.575, P = 0.0005; 0.504, P = 0.002). In exploratory analysis, selected questions relating to fatigue and sleep disturbance (n = 12) from Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory, Multidimensional Fatigue Scale, and Family Impact Module were correlated with pruritus scores; positive associations were identified. Conclusion: Itching scores did not correlate with each other, nor with putative serum biomarkers of pruritus, and further, did not correlate with quality of life. Hypothesis‐generating analyses implicate sleep disturbance and fatigue as key associations with caregiver observations of itching. This is highly relevant to the selection of surrogate endpoints for clinical trials of pruritus therapies.
Entropy and exergy analysis on peristaltic pumping in a curved narrow channel
Authors: Narla V. K. , Tripathi Dharmendra 
Published: May 2020

AbstractA mathematical model is presented to study the thermal characteristics in terms of entropy generation rate and thermodynamic potential of improvement for peristaltic pumping of a viscous fluid in a curved channel. Radial magnetic field effect is also taken into account. Avoidable and unavoidable exergy destruction concepts are further utilized. Computations of the entropy generation rate are evaluated in terms of stream function and temperature field. Avoidable exergy destruction is computed through entropy function and its minimum value. Impacts of parameters like the curvature ratio, Hartmann number, and viscous dissipation parameters on the average entropy generation rate, Bejan number, and avoidable exergy destruction are analyzed through graphs. Contours for the temperature field and entropy generation are also illustrated to examine the effects of curvature effects on thermal characteristics. Computed results indicate that the curvature of the channel and magnetic strength strongly influence the sources of entropy generation rate and avoidable exergy destruction. The observations demonstrate promising features of the bioinspired peristaltic pumping that can be utilized in various thermal systems.
The latent heat recovery from boiler exhaust flue gas using shell and corrugated tube heat exchanger: A numerical study
Authors: Mohammadi Sharare , Mousavi Ajarostaghi Seyed Soheil , Pourfallah Mohsen 
Published: May 2020

AbstractThe excessively increasing environmental concerns along with reducing fossil fuel resources introduce the trend of increasing the efficiency of boiler via implementing waste heat recovery. In the present study, the potential of latent heat recovery is investigated in the middle‐size boiler exhaust flue gas using the shell and corrugated tube heat exchanger. The main purpose of the present study is efficiency growth in flue gases using latent heat recovery of the steam energy. The heat recovery analysis is evaluated by a validated computational fluid dynamics model by a commercial software. For this study, the effect of different tube arrangements, number of tubes, and flow direction in the shell on heat transfer and pressure drop were investigated. The results showed that in‐line arrangement of the tubes in the shell presents better thermal performance and also high pressure drop among the other arrangements. As a result, by considering the thermal performance and pressure drop, radial arrangement shows higher performance. According to the obtained results from Section 2 of the present study, by considering the radial arrangement of tubes in the shell, as the number of tube rises, the thermal performance declines.
Characterizing the variability of transit time distributions and young water fractions in karst catchments using flux tracking
Authors: Zhang Zhicai , Chen Xi , Cheng Qinbo , Soulsby Chris 
Published: May 2020

AbstractHydrological and biogeochemical processes in karst environments are strongly controlled by heterogeneous fracture‐conduit networks. Quantifying the spatio‐temporal variability of water transit time and young water fractions in such heterogeneous hydrogeological systems is fundamental to linking discharge and water quality dynamics in the karst critical zone. We used a tracer‐aided conceptual hydrological model to track the fate of each hour of rain input individually. Using this approach, the variability of transit time distributions and young water fraction were estimated in the main landscape units in a karst catchment of Chenqi in Guizhou Province, Southwest China. The model predicted that the mean young water (i.e., <~2 months old) fraction of ground conduit flow is 0.31. Marked seasonal variabilities in water storage and hydrological connectivity between the conduit network and fractured matrix, as well as between hillslopes and topographic depression, drive the dynamics of young water fraction and travel time distributions in each landscape unit. Especially, the strong hydrological connectivity between the land surface and underground conduits caused by the direct infiltration through large fractures and sinkholes, leads the drastic increasement in young water fraction of runoff after heavy rain. Even though the contribution of young water to runoff is greater, the strong mixing and drainage of small fractures accelerate the old water release during high flows during the wet season. It is notable that the young water may sometimes be the most contaminated component contributing to the underground conduit network in karst catchments, because of the direct transfer of contaminants from the ground surface with rain water via large fractures and sinkholes.
Quantifying the role of karstic groundwater in a snowmelt‐dominated hydrologic system
Authors: Tobin Benjamin W. , Schwartz Benjamin F. 
Published: May 2020

AbstractRiver discharge in mountainous regions of the world is often dominated by snowmelt, but base flows are sustained primarily by groundwater storage and discharge. Although numerous recent studies have focused on base‐flow discharge in mountain systems, almost no work has explicitly investigated the role of karst groundwater in these systems across a full range of flow conditions. We directly measured groundwater discharge from 48 karst springs in the Kaweah River and its five forks in the Sierra Nevada mountains, California, United States. Relationships between spring and river discharge showed that karst aquifers and springs provide significant storage and delayed discharge to the river. Regression models showed that, of all potential seasonal groundwater storage compartments in the river basin, the area of karst (0.1–4.4%) present provides the best explanation of base‐flow recession in each fork of the Kaweah River (directly measured contributions from karst springs ranged from 3.5 to 16% during high‐flow to 20 to 65% during base‐flow conditions). These results show that, even in settings where karst represents a small portion of basin area, it may play an over‐sized role in seasonal storage and water resources in mountain systems. Karst aquifers are the single most important non‐snow storage component in the Kaweah River basin, and likely provide similar water storage capacities and higher base flows in other mountain river systems with karst when compared with systems without karst.
Constructing Data Ethically
Authors: Johnson Jeffrey Alan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractEthical issues are structurally present in the design and choice of data; the interaction between problem, model, and intervention; and the scientism that supports data analytics’ claims to authority. In this chapter, I argue against three social assumptions behind common implementations of learning analytics: data realism, technological neutrality, and scientism. Recognizing the need to create a mindset of conscious ethical awareness for learning analytics, I challenge institutional researchers to consider learning analytics through three critical lenses: a professional ethics lens, a responsibility lens, and an equity lens.
Privacy, Ethics, and Institutional Research
Authors: Rubel Alan 
Published: May 2020

AbstractDespite widespread agreement that privacy in the context of education is important, it can be difficult to pin down precisely why and to what extent it is important, and it is challenging to determine how privacy is related to other important values. This chapter seeks to better understand the concept of privacy in institutional research, canvas a number of important moral values underlying privacy generally, and examines how those moral values should bear upon institutional research.
Ethical Learning Analytics: “Do No Harm” Versus “Do Nothing”
Authors: Fritz John , Whitmer John 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn this chapter, we explore the obligations for individuals and institutions that emerge from the newfound insights that are enabled through learning analytics. While ethical concerns are raised through learning analytics, a misplaced trend is a “do nothing” approach as a way to assure we “do no harm.” We suggest that this is a misplaced notion that reduces our impact on student success.
On the adsorption kinetics and mechanism of enhanced photocatalytic activity of Fe3O4‐SiO2‐TiO2 core‐multishell nanoparticles against E. coli
Authors: Esfandiari Naeemeh , Kashefi Mehrdad , Mirjalili Mostafa , Afsharnezhad Sima 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the present study, a Fe3O4‐TiO2 (FT) core‐shell and a core‐multishell structure of Fe3O4‐SiO2‐TiO2 (FST) were synthesized, and their bactericidal capability was investigated on Escherichia coli (E. coli). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis), X‐ray diffraction, Brunauer–Emmett–Teller, zeta potential, and fluorimetry were carried out to characterize properties of synthesized nanoparticles. An efficiency of 98% adsorption and harsh bacterial damage was observed when E. coli was put in contact with FST. Weaker adsorption of bacteria in contact with FT demonstrated that heterojunction has destructive effects on nanostructure. Further investigation proved that more OH were produced on the surface of FST, which is a sign of its longer lifetime. Moreover, results revealed that the presence of SiO2 in the structure caused enhanced coverage, surface area, and porosity in TiO2 outer layer, all of which have positive effects on adsorption. However, UV–vis showed smaller band gap for FT. It suggests that although photoactivity of FST is less influenced by light absorption, it possesses more e/h lifetime for generation of reactive oxygen species. Results point to the importance of SiO2 as an obstacle of heterojunction on both adsorption and photoactivity. It was also proposed that increasing band gap in FST can be attributed to the porosity of SiO2 that causes suppression of TiO2 nanocrystallite growth.
Disruption of BMP Signaling Prevents Hyperthyroidism-Induced Bone Loss in Male Mice
Authors: Lademann Franziska , Weidner Heike , Tsourdi Elena , Kumar Ravi , Rijntjes Eddy , Köhrle Josef , Hofbauer Lorenz C , Rauner Martina 
Published: May 2020

ABSTRACT
Thyroid hormones (TH) are key regulators of bone health, and TH excess in mice causes high bone turnover–mediated bone loss. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of TH actions on bone remain poorly defined. Here, we tested the hypothesis whether TH mediate their effects via the pro-osteogenic bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) signaling pathway in vitro and in vivo. Primary murine osteoblasts treated with 3,3′,5-triiodo-L-thyronine (T3) showed an enhanced differentiation potential, which was associated with activated canonical BMP/SMAD signaling reflected by SMAD1/5/8 phosphorylation. Blocking BMP signaling at the receptor (LDN193189) and ligand level (noggin, anti-BMP2/BMP4 neutralizing antibodies) inhibited T3-induced osteogenic differentiation. In vivo, TH excess over 4 weeks in male C57BL/6JRj mice led to severe trabecular bone loss with a high bone turnover that was completely prevented by treatment with the BMP ligand scavenger ALK3-Fc. Thus, TH activate the canonical BMP pathway in osteoblasts to promote their differentiation and function. Importantly, this study indicates that blocking the BMP pathway may be an effective strategy to treat hyperthyroidism-induced bone loss. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
S‐allyl cysteine, an active ingredient of garlic, attenuates acute liver dysfunction induced by lipopolysaccharide/d‐galactosamine in mouse: Underlying mechanisms
Authors: Rousta Ali‐Mohammad , Mirahmadi Seyed‐Mohamad‐Sadegh , Shahmohammadi Alireza , Ramzi Samira , Baluchnejadmojarad Tourandokht , Roghani Mehrdad 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn the present study, beneficial effect of S‐allyl cysteine (SAC) was evaluated in the lipopolysaccharide/d‐galactosamine (LPS/d‐Gal) model of acute liver injury (ALI). To mimic ALI, LPS and d‐Gal (50 μg/kg and 400 mg/kg, respectively) were intraperitoneally administered and animals received SAC per os (25 or 100 mg/kg/d) for 3 days till 1 hour before LPS/d‐Gal injection. Pretreatment of LPS/d‐Gal group with SAC‐lowered activities of alkaline phosphatase, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase and partially reversed inappropriate alterations of hepatic oxidative stress‐ and inflammation‐related biomarkers including liver reactive oxygen species, malondialdehyde, and hepatic activity of the defensive enzyme superoxide dismutase, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), toll‐like receptor‐4 (TLR4), cyclooxygenase 2, NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3), caspase 1, nuclear factor κB (NF‐κB), interleukin 1β (IL‐1β), IL‐6, tumor necrosis factor‐α, and myeloperoxidase activity. Additionally, SAC was capable to ameliorate apoptotic biomarkers including caspase 3 and DNA fragmentation. In summary, SAC can protect liver against LPS/d‐Gal by attenuation of neutrophil infiltration, oxidative stress, inflammation, apoptosis, and pyroptosis which is partly linked to its suppression of TLR4/NF‐κB/NLRP3 signaling.
COVID‐19 under spotlight: A close look at the origin, transmission, diagnosis, and treatment of the 2019‐nCoV disease
Authors: Sheervalilou Roghayeh , Shirvaliloo Milad , Dadashzadeh Nahid , Shirvalilou Sakine , Shahraki Omolbanin , Pilehvar‐Soltanahmadi Younes , Ghaznavi Habib , Khoei Samideh , Nazarlou Ziba 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMonths after the outbreak of a new flu‐like disease in China, the entire world is now in a state of caution. The subsequent less‐anticipated propagation of the novel coronavirus disease, formally known as COVID‐19, not only made it to headlines by an overwhelmingly high transmission rate and fatality reports, but also raised an alarm for the medical community all around the globe. Since the causative agent, SARS‐CoV‐2, is a recently discovered species, there is no specific medicine for downright treatment of the infection. This has led to an unprecedented societal fear of the newly born disease, adding a psychological aspect to the physical manifestation of the virus. Herein, the COVID‐19 structure, epidemiology, pathogenesis, etiology, diagnosis, and therapy have been reviewed.
The role of HSP90 molecular chaperones in hepatocellular carcinoma
Authors: Nouri‐Vaskeh Masoud , Alizadeh Leila , Hajiasgharzadeh Khalil , Mokhtarzadeh Ahad , Halimi Monireh , Baradaran Behzad 
Published: May 2020

AbstractMisfolded proteins have enhanced formation of toxic oligomers and nonfunctional protein copies lead to recruiting wild‐type protein types. Heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) is a molecular chaperone generated by cells that are involved in many cellular functions through regulation of folding and/or localization of large multi‐protein complexes as well as client proteins. HSP90 can regulate a number of different cellular processes including cell proliferation, motility, angiogenesis, signal transduction, and adaptation to stress. HSP90 makes the mutated oncoproteins able to avoid misfolding and degradation and permits the malignant transformation. As a result, HSP90 is an important factor in several signaling pathways associated with tumorigenicity, therapy resistance, and inhibiting apoptosis. Clinically, the upregulation of HSP90 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is linked with advanced stages and inappropriate survival in cases suffering from this kind of cancer. The present review comprehensively assesses HSP90 functions and its possible usefulness as a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic option for HCC.
MicroRNA‐204‐5p modulates mitochondrial biogenesis in C2C12 myotubes and associates with oxidative capacity in humans
Authors: Houzelle Alexandre , Dahlmans Dennis , Nascimento Emmani B. M. , Schaart Gert , Jörgensen Johanna A. , Moonen‐Kornips Esther , Kersten Sander , Wang Xu , Hoeks Joris 
Published: May 2020

AbstractUsing an unbiased high‐throughput microRNA (miRNA)‐silencing screen combined with functional readouts for mitochondrial oxidative capacity in C2C12 myocytes, we previously identified 19 miRNAs as putative regulators of skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism. In the current study, we highlight miRNA‐204‐5p, identified from this screen, and further studied its role in the regulation of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. Following silencing of miRNA‐204‐5p in C2C12 myotubes, gene and protein expression were assessed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, microarray analysis, and western blot analysis, while morphological changes were studied by confocal microscopy. In addition, miRNA‐204‐5p expression was quantified in human skeletal muscle biopsies and associated with in vivo mitochondrial oxidative capacity. Transcript levels of PGC‐1α (3.71‐fold; p  <  .01), predicted as an miR‐204‐5p target, as well as mitochondrial DNA copy number (p <  .05) and citrate synthase activity (p  =  .06) were increased upon miRNA‐204‐5p silencing in C2C12 myotubes. Silencing of miRNA‐204‐5p further resulted in morphological changes, induced gene expression of autophagy marker light chain 3 protein b (LC3B; q  =  .05), and reduced expression of the mitophagy marker FUNDC1 (q  =  .01). Confocal imaging revealed colocalization between the autophagosome marker LC3B and the mitochondrial marker OxPhos upon miRNA‐204‐5p silencing. Finally, miRNA‐204‐5p was differentially expressed in human subjects displaying large variation in oxidative capacity and its expression levels associated with in vivo measures of skeletal muscle mitochondrial function. In summary, silencing of miRNA‐204‐5p in C2C12 myotubes stimulated mitochondrial biogenesis, impacted on cellular morphology, and altered expression of markers related to autophagy and mitophagy. The association between miRNA‐204‐5p and in vivo mitochondrial function in human skeletal muscle further identifies miRNA‐204‐5p as an interesting modulator of skeletal muscle mitochondrial metabolism.
Mesenchymal stromal cells; a new horizon in regenerative medicine
Authors: Tavakoli Shirin , Ghaderi Jafarbeigloo Hamid Reza , Shariati Ali , Jahangiryan Afsaneh , Jadidi Faezeh , Jadidi Kouhbanani Mohammd Amin , Hassanzadeh Ali , Zamani Majid , Javidi Kamran , Naimi Adel 
Published: May 2020

AbstractIn recent decades, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) biomedical utilizing has attracted worldwide growing attention. After the first report of the human MSCs obtaining from the bone marrow (BM) tissue, these cells were isolated from wide types of the other tissues, ranging from adipose tissue to dental pulp. Their specific characteristics, comprising self‐renewality, multipotency, and availability accompanied by their immunomodulatory properties and little ethical concern denote their importance in the context of regenerative medicine. Considering preclinical studies, MSCs can modify immune reactions during tissue repair and restoration, providing suitable milieu for tissue recovery; on the other hand, they can be differentiated into comprehensive types of the body cells, such as osteoblast, chondrocyte, hepatocyte, cardiomyocyte, fibroblast, and neural cells. Though a large number of studies have investigated MSCs capacities in regenerative medicine in varied animal models, the oncogenic capability of unregulated MSCs differentiation must be more assessed to enable their application in the clinic. In the current review, we provide a brief overview of MSCs sources, isolation, and expansion as well as immunomodulatory activities. More important, we try to collect and discuss recent preclinical and clinical research and evaluate current challenges in the context of the MSC‐based cell therapy for regenerative medicine.