bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Inhibitory Effect of Eugenol and trans‐Anethole Alone and in Combination with Antifungal Medicines on Candida albicans Clinical Isolates
Authors: Dąbrowska Marta , Zielińska‐Bliźniewska Hanna , Kwiatkowski Paweł , Łopusiewicz Łukasz , Pruss Agata , Kostek Mateusz , Kochan Ewa , Sienkiewicz Monika 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOne of the most common pathogens among yeasts is Candida albicans, which presents a serious health threat. The study aimed to check the antifungal properties of trans‐anethole and eugenol with selected antifungal medicines (AMs) against C. albicans clinical isolates. The checkerboard method was used to tests of interactions between these compounds. Achieved results indicated that eugenol showed synergistic and additive activities with miconazole and econazole against investigated clinical isolates, respectively. Moreover, the combination – trans‐anethole – miconazole also showed an additive effect against two clinical isolate. We tried to relate the results to changes in C. albicans cell sheaths under the influence of essential oils compounds (EOCs) performing the Fourier transform infrared spectra analysis to confirm the presence of particular chemical moieties in C. albicans cells. Nevertheless, no strong relationships was observed between synergistic and additive actions of used EOC‐AMs combinations and chemical moieties in C. albicans cells.
Two‐dimensional drift solitary structures in inhomogeneous magnetized OH ion plasmas with generalized (r, q) distributed electrons
Authors: Ali Gul‐e , Masood W. , Malik M. Usman , Ahmad Ali , Nasir Rubina 
Published: March 2021

AbstractIn this paper, the effect of generalized (r, q) distributed electrons on the linear and nonlinear coupling of drift and ion acoustic waves in a nonuniform plasma containing Hydrogen and Oxygen ions is investigated. In the linear regime, it is observed that increasing the percentage of flat‐topped (i.e. r > 0) electrons enhances the frequency of the coupled drift‐ion acoustic waves, whereas the increasing values of the spectral index q mitigates it. In the nonlinear regime, one‐ and two‐dimensional Korteweg de Vries‐like and Kadomtsev‐Petviashvili‐like equations are derived and their solutions are plotted for different ratios of ion number densities and for different values of double spectral indices r and q of the generalized distribution of electrons. It is found that only rarefactive structures exist for two‐dimensional solitons, however, both rarefactive and compressive structures are observed for the one‐dimensional case. The limiting cases of kappa and Maxwellian distributions are also discussed and their comparison with the generalized (r, q) distribution is thoroughly investigated. Spatial scales for the formation of rarefactive and compressive solitary structures are also discussed with reference to the changing electron distribution functions. The possible applications of the present study are also spelled out with special reference to space plasmas.
BOC‐PLAG1, a new fusion gene of pleomorphic adenoma: Identified in a fine‐needle aspirate by RNA next‐generation sequencing
Authors: Pei Jianming , Liu Jeffrey C. , Ehya Hormoz , Wei Shuanzeng 
Published: March 2021

AbstractPleomorphic adenoma (PA) is the most common benign salivary gland tumor. Fine‐needle aspiration (FNA) of PA exhibits variable combinations of bland ductal epithelial cells, myoepithelial cells, and characteristic magenta fibrillary stroma on Diff–Quik/Romanowsky stain. However, a cellular PA with scant chondromyxoid stroma can be a diagnostic challenge on FNA. Around 70% of PAs have a translocation involving PLAG1 or HMGA2. The presence of either PLAG1 or HMGA2 fusion gene can be used to diagnose PA since they have not been reported in other salivary gland tumors except for carcinoma ex PA. In this case report, we describe a case of cellular PA initially diagnosed on FNA as a “low grade salivary gland neoplasm, favor PA.” RNA next‐generation sequencing performed on the cell block showed a BOC‐PLAG1 fusion gene. The presence of PLAG1 fusion gene in conjunction with cytomorphology supported a diagnosis of PA. The mass was surgically removed and proved to be a cellular PA with scattered foci of chondromyxoid and collagenous stroma. To our knowledge, this is the first reported PA bearing BOC‐PLAG1. RNA next‐generation sequencing performed on cytology specimens can be helpful in achieving a more specific diagnosis of salivary gland tumors.
Measuring temporal patterns in ecology: The case of mast seeding
Authors: Fernández‐Martínez Marcos , Peñuelas Josep 
Published: March 2021

Abstract

Properly assessing temporal patterns is a central issue in ecology in order to understand ecosystem processes and their mechanisms. Mast seeding has traditionally been described as a reproductive behavior consisting of highly variable and synchronized reproductive events. The most common metric used to measure temporal variability and thus infer masting behavior, the coefficient of variation (CV), however, has been repeatedly suggested to improperly estimate temporal variability. Biases of CV estimates are especially problematic for non‐normally distributed data and/or data sets with a high number of zeros.

Some recent studies have already adopted new metrics to measure temporal variability, but most continue to use CV. This controversy has started a strong debate about what metrics to use.

We here summarize the problems of CV when assessing temporal variability, particularly across data sets containing a large number of zeros, and highlight the benefits of using other metrics of temporal variability, such as proportional variability (PV) and consecutive disparity (D). We also suggest a new way to look at reproductive behavior, by separating temporal variability from frequency of reproduction, to allow better comparison of data sets with different characteristics.

We suggest future studies to properly describe the temporal patterns in fully scientific and measurable terms that do not lead to confusion, such as variability and frequency of reproduction, using robust and fully comparable metrics.
A New Nanocomposite Based on Pt‐rGO Embedded Polymelamine Formaldehyde Nanocomposite for Reduction of Carbon Dioxide
Authors: Alinajafi Hossein A. , Ensafi Ali A. , Rezaei B. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractHere, polymelamine formaldehyde was decorated on the surface of reduced graphene oxide whose surface was then electrodeposited with a sub‐monolayer of platinum nanoparticles. The nanocomposite thus prepared was characterized using several spectroscopic methods. Using the nanocomposite as a potential electrocatalyst for carbon dioxide reduction, the products were detected by Raman spectroscopy, gas chromatography, 13C‐NMR spectroscopy, and gas chromatography‐mass spectrometry. The analytical results identified methanol as the main product of CO2 reduction. Moreover, analysis of the liquid products confirmed methanol as the predominant product with a current density of 0.4 mA/cm and a Faradaic efficiency of 93 %.
Identifying i‐motif formation using capillary electrophoresis
Authors: Wang Bin , Chatterton Eric 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOver the past few years, intercalated motifs (i‐motifs) have attracted attention due to the direct visualization of their existence in the nuclei of human cells. Traditionally, i‐motifs have been studied using expensive and complicated NMR, and/or relatively inexpensive but less common circular dichroism spectrometry. The aim of this study was to investigate the feasibility of using less expensive, less complicated, and more widely available CE as an alternative for i‐motif related research. The mobilities of two DNA and RNA i‐motifs in CE were determined under different pH conditions. Our results demonstrate that CE is able to identify and differentiate mostly folded, partially folded, and mostly unfolded DNA and RNA i‐motifs through changes in peak shape and migration time, thus providing a new method to study both i‐motif conformation and the interactions between i‐motifs and their ligands.
Approaching four decades of forest watershed research at Upper Penticton Creek, British Columbia: A synthesis
Authors: Winkler Rita D. , Allen Diana M. , Giles Tim R. , Heise Brian A. , Moore R. Dan , Redding Todd E. , Spittlehouse Dave L. , Wei Xiaohua 
Published: March 2021

AbstractOver the past 35 years, the Upper Penticton Creek (UPC) Watershed Experiment has supported forest hydrology research in south‐central British Columbia (BC), Canada. This paper provides a synthesis of research results, highlights the challenges facing UPC and identifies new research directions. Clearcutting approximately 50% of two small, snow‐dominated (Dfb Koppen classification) watersheds advanced the timing of snowmelt‐generated high flows and decreased late‐summer low flows, relative to predictions based on pre‐treatment regressions. Changes in high flows did not have a significant effect on stream channels due to low stream power, coarse substrate, and limited riparian disturbance. Changes in summer low flows reduced modelled useable fish habitat by 20%–50%. Evaporation averaged 52% of the annual precipitation in the mature forest, was reduced to 30% in a clearcut, and recovered to 40% and 47% in a 10 and 25 year‐old stand, respectively. Groundwater recharge to the bedrock was estimated at 19% of annual precipitation, indicating that, even with the large uncertainty associated with this estimate, deep groundwater should not be ignored in the water balance. Suspended sediment, turbidity, and colour increased post‐logging; however, chemical surface water quality did not change. Aquatic community structure changed post‐logging; and although this affected the processing of organic matter, the effects on habitat quality were considered minimal. The information gained at UPC has supported provincial policies, management guidelines, forest stewardship plans and watershed risk assessments. The undisturbed control watershed, re‐growing treatment watersheds and ongoing long‐term hydrometric monitoring continue to provide opportunities for future research addressing issues such as the effects of young forests on streamflow and hydrologic recovery, and the influence of climate change on the hydrologic regime.
Periodontitis, assessed using periodontal treatment as a surrogate marker, has no association with a first myocardial infarction in a Swedish population
Authors: Nordendahl Eva , Fored Michael , Kjellström Barbro , Ekbom Anders , Norhammar Anna , Gustafsson Anders 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundPeriodontitis is suggested to be associated with a risk of cardiovascular events. Using periodontal treatment recorded in Swedish national registries as a surrogate marker, we aimed to investigate whether periodontitis was associated with a first myocardial infarction.MethodsThis nationwide case‐control study, with data from national registries, involved 51,880 individuals with a first myocardial infarction in 2011 to 2013 (index date) and 246,978 controls matched 5:1 for age, gender, and geographic area. Periodontal treatment in the 3 years preceding the index date was classified as (1) no dental treatment, (2) no periodontal treatment, (3) one or more supragingival curettages, or (4) one or more treatments with scaling/root planing and/or periodontal surgery. Annual frequencies of treatment with scaling/root planing and/or periodontal surgery were also calculated. In all analyses, conditional logistic regression analyses estimated ORs for myocardial infarction with 95% CIs, adjusted for matched variables, income, education, and diabetes.ResultsAlthough fewer cases than controls received treatment with scaling/root planing and/or periodontal surgery (19.2% versus 19.8%, P < 0.001), annual frequencies for cases were higher. We found no association of scaling/root planing and/or periodontal surgery with a first myocardial infarction (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.05). We did observe a non‐significant trend, however, between risk of a first myocardial infarction and a high frequency of scaling/root planing and/or periodontal surgery (OR 1.14; 95% CI: 1.00, 1.29).ConclusionIn the contemporary Swedish nationwide setting, no association between a first myocardial infarction and periodontitis, assessed as periodontal treatment, was found.
A novel ammoniation treatment of barley as a strategy to optimize rumen pH, feed degradability and microbial protein synthesis in sheep
Authors: Belanche Alejandro , Martín‐García Ignacio , Jiménez Elisabeth , Jonsson Nicholas N , Yañez‐Ruiz David R 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBACKGROUNDMeeting the energy and nitrogen (N) requirements of high‐performing ruminants at the same time as avoiding digestive disturbances (i.e. rumen acidosis) is a key priority in ruminant nutrition. The present study evaluated the effect of a cereal ammoniation treatment, in which barley grains are combined with urea and enzymes that catalyze the conversion of urea to ammonia to optimize rumen function. Twelve rumen cannulated sheep were randomly divided into two groups and fed a diet containing 60% of ammoniated barley (AMM) or untreated barley supplemented with urea (CTL) to investigate the impact on rumen fermentation and feed utilization.RESULTSAMM had higher total N content and effective rumen degradable N than untreated barely. AMM sheep had a consistently higher rumen pH throughout the day (6.31 versus 6.03) and tended to have a lower post‐prandial ammonia peak and higher acetate molar proportion (+5.1%) than CTL sheep. The rumen environment in AMM sheep favored the colonization and utilization of agro‐industrial by‐products (i.e. orange pulp) by the rumen microbes leading to a higher feed degradability. AMM sheep also had higher total tract apparent N digestibility (+21.7%) and urinary excretion of purine derivatives (+34%), suggesting a higher N uptake and microbial protein synthesis than CTL sheep.CONCLUSIONThe inclusion of AMM in the diet of ruminants represents a valid strategy for maintaining rumen pH within a physiological range and improving N utilization by the rumen microbes, which could have positive effects on the health and productivity of animals in intensive production systems. These findings warrant further studies under conventional farm conditions. © 2021 The Authors. Journal of The Science of Food and Agriculture published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.
Contralateral Rerouting of Hypoglossal Nerve Implant Pulse Generator and Stimulation Lead
Authors: Macielak Robert J. , Olson Eric J. , Junna Mithri R. , Olson Michael D. 
Published: March 2021

AbstractAs use of hypoglossal nerve stimulators has become more widespread in the treatment of obstructive sleep apnea, certain scenarios have dictated alterations to the previously described surgical technique. This report describes a situation in which revision of a hypoglossal nerve stimulator implant was required given the need for breast cancer surgery. It serves as the first description of the contralateral rerouting of a stimulation lead to a left‐sided impulse generator and the first description of respiratory sensing lead placement within the left second intercostal space for such a device. Laryngoscope, 131:E2409–E2412, 2021
Pulmonary manifestations of immune dysregulation in CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency and LRBA deficiency
Authors: Krone Katie A. , Winant Abbey J. , Vargas Sara O. , Platt Craig D. , Bartnikas Lisa M. , Janssen Erin , Lillehei Craig , Lee Edward Y. , Fishman Martha P. , Casey Alicia 
Published: March 2021

AbstractObjectiveThe primary immunodeficiency syndromes of cytotoxic T lymphocyte‐associated protein 4 (CTLA‐4) haploinsufficiency and lipopolysaccharide‐responsive and beige‐like anchor protein (LRBA) deficiency present with multisystem immune dysregulation. The aim of this study was to characterize and compare the pulmonary manifestations of these two diseases.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed the pulmonary clinical, radiologic, and histopathologic characteristics of six patients with CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency and four patients with LRBA deficiency with pulmonary involvement followed at a large tertiary care center.ResultsChronic respiratory symptoms were more frequent in patients with LRBA deficiency versus CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency (3/4 vs. 1/6). Cough was the most common respiratory symptom. Abnormalities in pulmonary exam and pulmonary function testing were more frequent in LRBA deficiency (4/4, 2/4) compared to CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency (1/6, 2/6). Chest computed tomography (CT) findings included mediastinal lymphadenopathy (4/4 in LRBA deficiency vs. 1/4 in CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency), pulmonary nodules (4/4, 3/4), ground‐glass opacification (4/4, 3/4), and bronchiectasis (3/4, 1/4). Lymphocytic inflammation, concentrated bronchovasculocentrically and paraseptally, was the predominant pathologic finding and was observed in all patients who had lung biopsies (N = 3 with LRBA deficiency; N = 3 with CTLA‐4 haploinsufficiency).ConclusionDespite phenotypic overlap amongst these diseases, LRBA deficiency demonstrated greater severity of pulmonary disease, indicated by respiratory symptoms, pulmonary exam, and intrathoracic radiologic findings. Chest CT was the most sensitive indicator of pulmonary involvement in both disorders. Lymphocytic inflammation is the key histologic feature of both disorders. Pediatric pulmonologists should consider these disorders of immune dysregulation in the relevant clinical context to provide earlier diagnosis, comprehensive pulmonary evaluation and treatment.
Vinculin orchestrates prostate cancer progression by regulating tumor cell invasion, migration, and proliferation
Authors: Zheng Xiaonan , Xu Hang , Gong Lina , Cao Dehong , Jin Tao , Wang Yan , Pi Jinkui , Yang Yang , Yi Xianyanling , Liao Dazhou , Jin Xi , Wei Qiang , Yang Lu , Li Hong , Ai Jianzhong 
Published: March 2021

AbstractBackgroundProstate cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of death in men, and effective treatment of PCa requires further development. Our study aimed to investigate the potential role of vinculin (VCL) in PCa progression in vitro and in vivo.MethodsWe investigated the methylation level of the VCL promoter based on the TCGA database. The knockdown efficacy of VCL gene expression was confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction, Western blot analysis, and immunofluorescence. Furthermore, morphological changes in PCa cells were detected using phalloidin staining. The mobility of PCa cells was measured using transwell assays and high‐content analysis. Moreover, cell growth and viability were determined using the colony formation and cell counting kit‐8 assays. The role of VCL in tumor growth in vivo was investigated using a subcutaneous xenograft model generated by injecting tumor cells into the right flank of BALB/c nude mice.ResultsThe methylation level of the VCL promoter in PCa was significantly downregulated concomitant with age and the progression of nodal metastasis. VCL expression was markedly decreased by shRNA. Importantly, VCL knockdown significantly changed the cell morphology; inhibited the migration, invasion, and movement; and repressed colony formation and viability of PCa cells in vitro. Furthermore, downregulation of VCL suppressed tumor growth in vivo.ConclusionsOur study comprehensively evaluated the role of VCL in PCa progression in vivo and in vitro. The findings of the present study suggest that VCL can be a potential target for PCa prognosis and treatment.
Finite‐gain event‐triggered interval observers design for continuous‐time linear systems
Authors: Rabehi Djahid , Meslem Nacim , Ramdani Nacim 
Published: March 2021

AbstractThis work introduces a new approach based on an event‐triggered mechanism (ETM) to design finite‐gaininterval observers for linear continuous‐time systems in the presence of unknown‐but‐bounded uncertainties with a priori known bounds on state disturbances and measurement noises. In this setting, aperiodic measurements sampling is controlled in a way to reduce online communication between the sensors and the estimation algorithm. The proposed ETM relies on a dynamic condition that depends on the width of the feasible domain of the system's uncertainties and the width of the estimated state enclosures. Moreover, the proposed approach guarantees the existence of a positive lower bound on the interevent times, which avoids the Zeno phenomenon. On the other hand, although the sensors data are used in an irregular sampling way, the‐stability performance of the estimation error is satisfied. Finally, simulation results are given to illustrate the effectiveness of the proposed method.
A Novel Huntington's Disease Mouse Model to Assess the Role of Neuroinflammation on Disease Progression and to Develop Human Cell Therapies
Authors: Dahlenburg Heather , Cameron David , Yang Sheng , Bachman Angelica , Pollock Kari , Cary Whitney , Pham Missy , Hendrix Kyle , White Jeannine , Nelson Haley , Deng Peter , Anderson Joseph S. , Fink Kyle , Nolta Jan 
Published: March 2021

Abstract
Huntington's disease (HD) is a fatal autosomal-dominant neurodegenerative disease caused by a trinucleotide CAG repeat expansion of the huntingtin gene (HTT) that affects 1 in every 10 000 individuals in the United States. Our lab developed a novel immune deficient HD mouse strain, the YACNSG, from a commonly used line, the YAC128 mouse, to enable transplantation studies using engineered human cells in addition to studying the impact of the immune system on disease progression. The primary goal of this project was to characterize this novel immune deQficient HD mouse model, using behavioral assays and histology to compare this new model to the immune competent YAC128 and immune deficient mice that had engraftment of a human immune system. Flow cytometry was used to confirm that the YACNSG strain lacked immune cells, and in vivo imaging was used to assess human mesenchymal stem/stromal cell (MSC) retention compared with a commonly used immune deficient line, the NSG mouse. We found that YACNSG were able to retain human MSCs longer than the immune competent YAC128 mice. We performed behavioral assessments starting at 4 months of age and continued testing monthly until 12 months on the accelerod and in the open field. At 12 months, brains were isolated and evaluated using immunohistochemistry for striatal volume. Results from these studies suggest that the novel immune deficient YACNSG strain of mice could provide a good model for human stem-cell based therapies and that the immune system appears to play an important role in the pathology of HD.
Antigen‐Presenting Hybrid Colloidal Crystal Clusters for Promoting T cells Expansion
Authors: Shou Xin , Zhang Hui , Wu Dan , Zhong Liping , Ni Dong , Kong Tiantian , Zhao Yongxiang , Zhao Yuanjin 
Published: March 2021

AbstractT cell based‐immunotherapy has been a powerful strategy to eradicate tumor cells in clinical trials. Effectively expanding the therapeutic T cells for clinical demand is still a challenge. Here, artificial antigen‐presenting scaffolds are created for T cell ex vivo expansion. The antigen‐presenting hybrid colloidal crystal clusters (HCCCs) with multiple stimuli are generated by internal encapsulation with prosurvival cytokines and surface decoration with activating antibodies to CD3ε and CD28, respectively. With the large loading capacity endowed by their abundant nanoporous structures, the antigen‐presenting HCCCs can constantly release prosurvival cytokine IL‐2. It is found that following the direct and multiple stimulations, the antigen‐presenting HCCCs can effectively promote the expansion of T cells, which exhibits robust antitumor activity in vitro. Thus, the antigen‐presenting HCCCs provide a novel expansion platform for clinical manufacturing of T cells.