bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
α2A‐AR antagonism by BRL‐44408 maleate attenuates acute lung injury in rats with downregulation of ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and p65 pathway
Authors: Cong Zhukai , Li Dan , Tao Yifan , Lv Xiangpeng , Zhu Xi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractAcute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), characterized by acute hypoxic respiratory dysfunction or failure, is a manifestation of multiple organ failure in the lung, and the most common risk factor is sepsis. We previously showed that blocking α2‐adrenoceptor (α2‐AR) could attenuate lung injury induced by endotoxin in rats. α2A‐adrenoceptor (α2A‐AR), a subtype of α2‐AR plays a key role in inflammatory diseases, but the mechanism remains unknown. Here, we explored the effect of BRL‐44408 maleate (BRL), a specific α2A‐AR antagonist, on cecal ligation puncture (CLP)‐induced ARDS in rats and the underlying mechanism. Preadministration of BRL‐44408 maleate significantly alleviated CLP‐induced histological injury, macrophage infiltration, inflammatory response, and wet/dry ratio in lung tissue. However, there was no statistical difference in survival rate between the CLP and CLP+BRL groups. Extracellular regulated protein kinase (ERK1/2), p38MAPK, and p65 were activated in the CLP group, and BRL‐44408 maleate inhibited the activation of these signal molecules, c‐Jun N‐terminal kinase (JNK) and protein kinase A (PKA) showed no changes in activation between these two groups. BRL‐44408 maleate decreased lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced expression of cytokines in NR8383 rat alveolar macrophages and reduced phosphorylation of ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and p65. JNK and PKA were not influenced by LPS. Together, these findings suggest that antagonism of α2A‐AR improves CLP‐induced acute lung injury and involves the downregulation of ERK1/2, p38MAPK, and p65 pathway independent of the activation of JNK and PKA.
OM, SEM–EDX, and micro‐FTIR analysis of the Bronze Age pottery from the Băile Figa salt production site (Transylvania, Romania)
Authors: Vasilache Viorica , Kavruk Valerii , Tencariu Felix‐Adrian 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThis article presents the results of analyses carried out on a lot of 11 fragments of Bronze Age ceramics discovered in the site from Băile Figa (Beclean town, Transylvania, Romania), where salt exploitation occurred. The samples were analyzed by means of optical microscopy, on the basis of which the morphology and distribution of the inclusions in the ceramic paste was established. Likewise, the samples were analyzed by scanning electron microscopy with energy‐dispersive X‐ray spectrometry, producing microphotographs for each sample, and on the basis of the X‐ray spectra, the elemental composition in gravimetric percentages was established. Through the micro‐Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, on the basis of characteristic group vibrations, it was possible to ascertain the nature of the compounds from the ceramic samples. These analyses will contribute to the reconstruction of the prehistoric technologies for salt exploitation.
Parapodial glandular organs in Owenia borealis (Annelida: Oweniidae) and their possible relationship with nephridia
Authors: Rimskaya‐Korsakova Nadezda , Dyachuk Vyacheslav , Temereva Elena 
Published: January 2020

AbstractOweniidae is a basal group of recent annelids and nowadays it attracts the attention of researchers of many biological fields. Surprisingly, details of their anatomy, like the adult excretory system, remain obscure. Researchers recently suggested that the paired organs of tubeworms in the family Oweniidae are related to nephridia. In the current study of Owenia borealis adults, we determined that these structures are parapodial glandular organs (PGOs) and are located in the first two segments of adults. The PGOs are complex subepidermal multicellular glands that contain secretory cells, that is, goblet cells, which are differentiated by the type of the producing tube matter. The goblet cells are surrounded by muscles that are used to extrude material stored in the PGO's lumen into the external environment. The anterior pair of PGOs have very well‐developed rough endoplasmatic reticulum in the proximal cells, spacious Golgi complexes, numerous nail‐shaped microvilli, and apocrine secretory processes in the goblet cells of the distal parts. The posterior pair of PGOs only consists of cells, which probably produce proteinaceous fibrils. We discuss the homology of goblet cells with specific nail‐shaped microvilli that produce β‐chitin within annelids. We also discuss the possibility that PGOs and nephridia have a common origin. This study provides new information on the ultrastructure of cells that secrete the organic material used to form the tubes inhabited by tube‐dwelling annelids.
The association of coloniality with parental care of embryos
Authors: Strathmann Richard R. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractMany colonial marine animals care for embryos by brooding them on or in their bodies. For brooding to occur, features of the animals must allow it, and brooding must be at least as advantageous as releasing gametes or zygotes. Shared features of diverse colonial brooders are suspension feeding and a body composed of small modules that are indefinitely repeated and can function semi‐autonomously, such as polyps or zooids. Suspension feeding permits capture of sperm for fertilization of ova that are retained by the parent. Distribution of broods among numerous small polyps, zooids, or other small modules facilitates supply of oxygen to embryos that are retained and protected by the parent. Brooding increases survival of offspring, controls dispersal, and can provide other developmental advantages. Colonial ascidians, pterobranch hemichordates, and entoprocts brood; most bryozoans and many colonial cnidarians brood. An unanswered question is why so many colonial anthozoans do not brood. Sponges share with colonies capacities for capturing sperm and separating numerous retained embryos yet many do not brood. Hypotheses for nonbrooding by colonies and sponges necessarily must apply to particular taxa. Few have been tested.
Influence of selenium yeast on the growth, selenium uptake and mineral composition of Coriolus versicolor mushroom
Authors: Miletić Dunja , Pantić Milena , Sknepnek Aleksandra , Vasiljević Ivana , Lazović Milana , Nikšić Miomir 
Published: January 2020

AbstractThe ability of Coriolus versicolor medicinal mushroom to grow and accumulate selenium during submerged cultivation in a selenium‐fortified medium is examined in this paper. For selenium supplementation, commercial selenium yeast was used. Control, nonenriched sample and reference cultures cultivated in the medium enriched with commercial yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae were also prepared. The mushroom demonstrated a high ability to accumulate selenium from the added source (around 970 and 1,300 µg/g of dry mycelium weight for samples enriched with selenium in a concentration of 10 and 20 mg Se/L, respectively). The addition of selenium significantly (p ≤ .05) increased the biomass yield, whereas the addition of nonenriched yeast had no significant (p ≤ .05) impact. Furthermore, regression analysis showed statistically significant (p ≤ .05) and positive correlations between the content of Se and Fe (r = .92), Se and Cu (r = .92), Se and Mn (r = .98), and Se and Sr (r = .96), suggesting that selenium incorporation was followed by incorporation of these elements, and led to mineral enrichment of the obtained mycelium. Methanol extracts prepared from mycelium biomass demonstrated a better inhibitory effect on Gram‐positive bacterial strains with minimal inhibitory concentrations between <0.3125 and 40 mg/ml. The obtained results showed that selenium yeast could be used for obtaining a potential novel food supplement: mushroom biomass with high selenium content and enhanced mineral composition.
Recent advances in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis
Authors: Begum Jubeda , Mir Nasir A. , Lingaraju Madhu C. , Buyamayum Bidyarani , Dev Kapil 
Published: January 2020

AbstractDermatophytosis is a disease of global significance caused by pathogenic keratinolytic fungi called dermatophytes in both animals and humans. The recent taxonomy of dermatophytes classifies them into six pathogenic genera, namely Microsporum, Trichophyton, Epidermophyton, Nannizzia, Lophophyton and Arthroderma. It is because of the delayed diagnostic nature and low accuracy of dermatophyte detection by conventional methods that paved the path for the evolution of molecular diagnostic techniques, which provide the accurate and rapid diagnosis of dermatophytosis for an appropriate, timely antifungal therapy that prevents the nonspecific over‐the‐counter self‐medication. This review focuses on the importance of rapid and accurate diagnosis of dermatophytosis, limitations of conventional methods, selection of targets in diagnosis, and factors affecting sensitivity and specificity of various molecular diagnostic technologies in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis. Generally, all the molecular techniques have a significant edge over the conventional methods of culture and microscopy in the dermatophytosis diagnosis. However, in mycology laboratory, the suitability of any molecular diagnostic technique in the diagnosis of dermatophytosis is driven by the requirement of time, economy, complexity, the range of species spectrum detected and the scale of diagnostic output required. Thus, various choices involved in the pursuit of a diagnosis of dermatophytosis are determined by the available conditions and the facilities in the laboratory.
Quantifying Levator Ani Muscle Elasticity Under Normal and Prolapse Conditions by Shear Wave Elastography
Authors: Tang Jin‐hua , Zhong Chen , Wen Wei , Wu Rong , Liu Yang , Du Lian‐fang 
Published: January 2020

ObjectivesThe primary purpose of this study was to determine whether elasticity quantification of the levator ani muscle (LAM) using shear wave elastography (SWE) is different between women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP) and to determine whether LAM elasticity is associated with the prolapse stage or the dimensions of the levator hiatus. The secondary aim was to evaluate the intraobserver and interobserver reliability of LAM elasticity measurements using SWE.MethodsThe study participants included 20 women with normal pelvic support and 38 women with prolapse (stages I–III). The levator hiatus was imaged by transperineal 3‐dimensional ultrasound, and LAM elasticity and the elastic modulus were measured by SWE at rest and while performing the Valsalva maneuver.ResultsThe elastic modulus increased significantly from rest to during to maximal Valsalva maneuver (29.2 versus 54.1 kPa; P < .05) in all women. Levator ani muscle elasticity was significantly higher under prolapse conditions than under normal conditions at rest (27.9 versus 31 kPa; P < .001) but was lower during the maximal Valsalva maneuver than under normal conditions (57.3 versus 53.1 kPa; P < .05). Levator ani muscle elasticity at rest was associated with the hiatus area during the Valsalva maneuver (Spearman r = 0.608; P < .001) and distensibility of the levator hiatus (r = 0.594; P < .001), and the hiatus area decreased as the LAM elastic modulus increased during the maximal Valsalva maneuver (r = –0.414; P < .05). Moreover, LAM elasticity was associated with the severity of prolapse (P < .001).ConclusionsAs a noninvasive quantitative method, SWE, may be used to assess the biomechanical properties of the pelvic floor muscle, providing some research basis for a thorough understanding of POP and its treatment and prevention.
Atmospheric corrosion of carbon steels in tropical and subtropical climates in Southern China
Authors: Huang Juncong , Meng Xiaobo , Huang Yinhui , Jiang Wubin , Chen Ri , Zheng Zhijun , Gao Yan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractQ235 and Q345 carbon steels were exposed for up to 24 months at three test sites of tropical and subtropical climate. The atmospheric corrosion kinetics of Q235 and Q345 was studied by weight‐loss measurement. The results show that the ranking of the atmospheric corrosivity from weak to strong of the three test sites is Xishuangbanna, Guangzhou, and Wanning. The kinetics of the atmospheric corrosion process presents two stages with an accelerated second stage in marine environments of high chloride ion content and high relative humidity, whereas no second stage appears in the kinetics curves in rural and industrial urban environments. The corrosion acceleration stage in the marine environment of the Wanning site is attributed mainly to the high chloride ion concentration and loose rust layer structure.
Enzyme Responsive Inverse Opal Hydrogels
Authors: Pei Yi , Molley Thomas G. , Kilian Kristopher A. 
Published: January 2020

AbstractStructured color in nature is controlled by nano‐ and micro‐structured interfaces giving rise to a photonic bandgap. This study presents a biomimetic optical material based on polymeric inverse opals that respond to enzyme activity. Polymer colloids provide a template in which acryloyl‐functionalized poly(ethylene glycol) is integrated; dissolution of the colloids leads to a hydrogel inverse opal that can be lithographically patterned using transfer printing. Incorporating enzyme substrates within the voids provides a material that responds to the presence of proteases through a shift in the optical properties.
Butyrate Inhibits Deoxycholic‐Acid‐Resistant Colonic Cell Proliferation via Cell Cycle Arrest and Apoptosis: A Potential Pathway Linking Dietary Fiber to Cancer Prevention
Authors: Zeng Huawei , Safratowich Bryan D. , Wang Thomas T. Y. , Hamlin Stephanie K. , Johnson LuAnn K. 
Published: January 2020

ScopeButyrate, an intestinal microbiota metabolite of dietary fiber, exhibits colon cancer preventive effects. In contrast, a high fat intake increases fecal secondary bile acids, such as deoxycholic acid (DCA, a potential cancer promoter), which selectively enrich mutant epithelial cells with an abnormally high resistance to DCA‐induced apoptosis in the colon. This study is conducted to test the hypothesis that physiological concentrations of butyrate inhibit DCA‐resistant colonic cell proliferation.Methods and resultsWith human HCT‐116 cells as parental colonic cells, a human DCA‐resistant colonic cell line (DCA‐RCL) is developed. DCA treatment increases apoptosis and intracellular reactive oxygen species (an apoptotic trigger) at a rate threefold greater in HCT‐116 cells than in DCA‐RCL cells. Subsequently, 41 apoptosis related genes (including signaling pathways) with greater than onefold (mRNA) change in DCA‐RCL cells are identified compared with HCT‐116 cells. Moreover, butyrate treatment inhibits DCA‐RCL cell proliferation with similar efficacy when compared with HCT116 cells via cellular myelocytomatosis oncogene (c‐Myc)/p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase pathway.ConclusionIt is demonstrated that butyrate inhibits DCA‐RCL cell proliferation at the cellular and molecular level. These data provide a proof of concept that butyrate can protect against colon carcinogenesis through a specific targeting of DCA‐resistant colonic cells.
Data Quality, Data Quantity, and Its Effect on an Applied Stock Assessment of Cisco in Thunder Bay, Ontario
Authors: Fisch Nicholas C. , Bence James R. 
Published: January 2020

Abstract
Stock assessments, or population models developed to support fishery management decisions, require informative data to produce reliable estimates. However, resources available to collect these data are limited. Thus, information relating the effects of different data collection schema on stock assessment performance should be of interest to fishery managers. We used an existing data set on a stock of Cisco Coregonus artedi in Thunder Bay to simulate various degrees of reduction in available data. We considered both cluster subsampling of biological data from the commercial fishery harvest (which determine the observed harvest age composition) and reductions in the frequency of hydroacoustic surveys in order to examine their effect on fits of an age-structured stock assessment model for the stock. Our results indicate that reductions in the frequency of hydroacoustic surveys would have a greater effect on applied stock assessment performance for Thunder Bay Cisco than would reductions in biological sampling to randomly selected temporal clusters of the fishery harvest. Reduction in the frequency of the hydroacoustic survey resulted in different point estimates and larger estimated uncertainty for spawning biomass and natural mortality rate compared with the original assessment model. This was likely largely driven by increases in lag between the final year of the survey and the current year of the assessment. The lower influence of reduced biological sampling may be due to the highly variable nature of Cisco recruitment, where large or “boom” year-classes were still evident in the reduced biological samples, combined with information from survey age compositions. We suggest a priority be placed on performing hydroacoustic surveys with some regularity, such that when they are performed, they are done extensively to minimize uncertainty (measurement error). The data subsampling approach used here could be used in many assessments to determine if a reduction in sampling of various types could be implemented without materially changing assessment results.
Approximation of a fractional power of an elliptic operator
Authors: Vabishchevich P. N. 
Published: January 2020

SummarySome mathematical models of applied problems lead to the need of solving boundary value problems with a fractional power of an elliptic operator. In a number of works, approximations of such a nonlocal operator are constructed on the basis of an integral representation with a singular integrand. In the present article, new integral representations are proposed for operators with fractional powers. Approximations are based on the classical quadrature formulas. The results of numerical experiments on the accuracy of quadrature formulas are presented. The proposed approximations are used for numerical solving a model two‐dimensional boundary value problem for fractional diffusion.
Effect of Al‐SiC nanoparticles and cellulose fiber dispersion on the thermomechanical and corrosion characteristics of polymer nanocomposites
Authors: Hemath Mohit , V Arul Mozhi Selvan 
Published: January 2020

AbstractIn the present study, the reinforcing effect of aluminum silicon carbide (Al‐SiC) nanoparticles and chemically treated nanocellulose fiber on thermomechanical and corrosion characteristics of polymer nanocomposites have been investigated. The experimental design was selected as per response surface methodology (RSM) to optimize the effect of Al‐SiC (1.59 to 18.41 wt%), nanocellulose fiber concentration (1.59 to 18.41 wt%) and sonication time (39.55 to 140.45 minutes). From the analysis of variance (ANOVA) results, it was found that the Al‐SiC, nanocellulose fiber concentration and sonication time played a significant role in the mechanical properties. In order to simultaneously maximize the flexural strength, the optimal values of nanocellulose fiber, Al‐SiC nanoparticles, and sonication time was found to be 5 wt%, 5 wt%, and 120 minutes, respectively. From the normal distribution plot, it is found that there is a good agreement between experimental results and developed RSM model. Addition of Al‐SiC (5 wt%) and nanocellulose fiber (5 wt%) in epoxy polymer improved the physical, mechanical, thermal and corrosion resistance properties. The scanning electron microscope analysis on Al‐SiC and nanocellulose fiber reinforced epoxy nanocomposites revealed uniform dispersion of nanocellulose fiber and Al‐SiC in the polymer matrix, which caused for the improved mechanical, and corrosion resistance characteristics.
Microproteomics and Immunohistochemistry Reveal Differences in Aldo‐Keto Reductase Family 1 Member C3 in Tissue Specimens of Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease
Authors: Arafah Karim , Kriegsmann Mark , Renner Marcus , Lasitschka Felix , Fresnais Margaux , Kriegsmann Katharina , von Winterfeld Moritz , Goeppert Benjamin , Kriegsmann Jörg , Casadonte Rita , Kazdal Daniel , Bulet Philippe , Longuespée Rémi 
Published: January 2020

PurposeDifferential diagnosis of ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease (CD) is of utmost importance for the decision making of respective therapeutic treatment strategies but in about 10–15% of cases, a clinical and histopathological assessment does not lead to a definite diagnosis. The aim of the study is to characterize proteomic differences between UC and CD.Experimental DesignMicroproteomics is performed on formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded colonic tissue specimens from 9 UC and 9 CD patients. Protein validation is performed using immunohistochemistry (IHC) (nUC=51, nCD=62, nCTRL=10) followed by digital analysis.ResultsMicroproteomic analyses reveal eight proteins with higher abundance in CD compared to UC including proteins related to neutrophil activity and damage‐associated molecular patterns. Moreover, one protein, Aldo‐keto reductase family 1 member C3 (AKR1C3), is present in eight out of nine CD and absent in all UC samples. Digital IHC analysis reveal a higher percentage and an increased expression intensity of AKR1C3‐positive epithelial cells in CD compared to UC and in controls compared to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).Conclusion and Clinical RelevanceOverall, the results suggest that microproteomics is an adequate tool to highlight protein patterns in IBD. IHC and digital pathology might support future differential diagnosis of UC and CD.
Identifying cytochrome P450s involved in oxidative metabolism of synthetic cannabinoid N‐(adamantan‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxamide (STS‐135)
Authors: Jones Sabrina , Yarbrough Azure L. , Fantegrossi William E. , Prather Paul L. , Bush John M. , Radominska‐Pandya Anna , Fujiwara Ryoichi 
Published: January 2020

AbstractSynthetic cannabinoids (SCBs), designer drugs marketed as legal alternatives to marijuana, act as ligands to cannabinoid receptors; however, they have increased binding affinity and potency, resulting in toxicity symptoms such as cardiovascular incidents, seizures, and potentially death. N‐(adamantan‐1‐yl)‐1‐(5‐fluoropentyl)‐1H‐indole‐3‐carboxamide (STS‐135) is a third generation SCB. When incubated with hepatocytes, it undergoes oxidation, hydrolysis, and glucuronidation, resulting in 29 metabolites, with monohydroxy STS‐135 (M25) and dihydroxy STS‐135 (M21) being the predominant metabolites. The enzymes responsible for this oxidative metabolism were unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the cytochrome P450 (P450s or CYPs) enzymes involved in the oxidative metabolism of STS‐135. In this study, STS‐135 was incubated with liver, intestinal, and brain microsomes and recombinant P450s to determine the enzymes involved in its metabolism. Metabolite quantification was carried out using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography. STS‐135 was extensively metabolized in HLMs and HIMs. Screening assays indicated CYP3A4 and CYP3A5 could be responsible for STS‐135’s oxidation. Through incubations with genotyped HLMs, CYP3A4 was identified as the primary oxidative enzyme. Interestingly, CYP2J2, a P450 isoform expressed in cardiovascular tissues, showed high activity towards the formation of M25 with a Km value of 11.4 μmol/L. Thus, it was concluded that STS‐135 was primarily metabolized by CYP3A4 but may have extrahepatic metabolic pathways as well. Upon exposure to STS‐135, individuals with low CYP3A4 activity could retain elevated blood concentration, resulting in toxicity. Additionally, CYP2J2 may aid in protecting against STS‐135‐induced cardiovascular toxicity.