bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Convergence in reduced body size, head size, and blood glucose in three island reptiles
Authors: Sparkman Amanda M. , Clark Amanda D. , Brummett Lilly J. , Chism Kenneth R. , Combrink Lucia L. , Kabey Nicole M. , Schwartz Tonia S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMany oceanic islands harbor diverse species that differ markedly from their mainland relatives with respect to morphology, behavior, and physiology. A particularly common morphological change exhibited by a wide range of species on islands worldwide involves either a reduction in body size, termed island dwarfism, or an increase in body size, termed island gigantism. While numerous instances of dwarfism and gigantism have been well documented, documentation of other morphological changes on islands remains limited. Furthermore, we lack a basic understanding of the physiological mechanisms that underlie these changes, and whether they are convergent. A major hypothesis for the repeated evolution of dwarfism posits selection for smaller, more efficient body sizes in the context of low resource availability. Under this hypothesis, we would expect the physiological mechanisms known to be downregulated in model organisms exhibiting small body sizes due to dietary restriction or artificial selection would also be downregulated in wild species exhibiting dwarfism on islands. We measured body size, relative head size, and circulating blood glucose in three species of reptiles—two snakes and one lizard—in the California Channel Islands relative to mainland populations. Collating data from 6 years of study, we found that relative to mainland population the island populations had smaller body size (i.e., island dwarfism), smaller head sizes relative to body size, and lower levels of blood glucose, although with some variation by sex and year. These findings suggest that the island populations of these three species have independently evolved convergent physiological changes (lower glucose set point) corresponding to convergent changes in morphology that are consistent with a scenario of reduced resource availability and/or changes in prey size on the islands. This provides a powerful system to further investigate ecological, physiological, and genetic variables to elucidate the mechanisms underlying convergent changes in life history on islands.
Cu(II) complex of phenylthiosemicarbazone: An in situ catalyst for formation of C‐N bond between different N‐based neucleophiles with arylboronic acids at room temperature
Authors: Gogoi Nibedita , Borah Geetika , Gogoi Pradip K. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe have reported here a new synthetic protocol for the formation of C‐N bond catalyzed by a thiosemicarbazone complex of copper. This in situ complex has been found to be very effective for Chan‐Lam C‐N cross‐coupling reaction of anilines and various imidazoles at room temperature. Pyrazole and 4‐bromoindole were also activated for C‐N bond formation by using this protocol at room temperature. This catalytic system gave good‐to‐excellent yield using a mixture of DMF and water as solvent in a 1:1 proportion.
Consumer price sensitivity and health plan choice in a regulated competition setting
Authors: Bischof Tamara , Schmid Christian P.R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractWe estimate premium elasticities in a regulated competition market based on a quasi‐exogenous premium increase for young adults in Switzerland. We exploit that individuals born before the turn of the year (“treatment group”) face a larger increase in premiums than individuals born after the turn of the year (“control group”). We find that the treatment group is 1.5 times more likely to switch their health plan than the control group. Overall, individuals respond to premium increases by choosing more frequently health plans with managed care features, increasing the deductible, and by switching the insurer. Regarding health plan choice, we find an average elasticity of −0.56 with regard to the relative premium difference of any plan to the status quo contract. The elasticity is up to 5 times larger for the treated (−1.03) than for the controls (−0.19). Our results are not driven by health status as measured by health care expenditures and chronic conditions. Rather, our findings suggest that the difference in the premium elasticity is driven by the salience of the premium increase. We argue that this finding is of high relevance for health care policies that aim at fostering health plan competition.
Delayed injury of hippocampal interneurons after neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia and therapeutic hypothermia in a murine model
Authors: Chavez‐Valdez Raul , Emerson Paul , Goffigan‐Holmes Janasha , Kirkwood Alfredo , Martin Lee J. , Northington Frances J. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractDelayed hippocampal injury and memory impairments follow neonatal hypoxia‐ischemia (HI) despite the use of therapeutic hypothermia (TH). Death of hippocampal pyramidal cells occurs acutely after HI, but characterization of delayed cell death and injury of interneurons (INs) is unknown. We hypothesize that injury of INs after HI is: (i) asynchronous to that of pyramidal cells, (ii) independent of injury severity, and (iii) unresponsive to TH. HI was induced in C57BL6 mice at p10 with unilateral right carotid ligation and 45 min of hypoxia (FiO2 = 0.08). Mice were randomized to normothermia (36 °C, NT) or TH (31 °C) for 4 hr after HI and anesthesia‐exposed shams were use as controls. Brains were studied at 24 hr (p11) or 8 days (p18) after HI. Vglut1, GAD65/67, PSD95, parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin‐1 (Calb1) were measured. Cell death was assessed using cresyl violet staining and TUNEL assay. Hippocampal atrophy and astroglyosis at p18 were used to assess injury severity and to correlate with number of PV + INs. VGlut1 level decreased by 30% at 24 hr after HI, while GAD65/67 level decreased by ∼50% in forebrain 8 days after HI, a decrease localized in CA1 and CA3. PSD95 levels decreased in forebrain by 65% at 24 hr after HI and remained low 8 days after HI. PV + INs increased in numbers (per mm2) and branching between p11 and p18 in sham mice but not in NT and TH mice, resulting in 21–52% fewer PV + INs in injured mice at p18. Calb1 protein and mRNA were also reduced in HI injured mice at p18. At p18, somatodendritic attrition of INs was evident in all injured mice without evidence of cell death. Neither hippocampal atrophy nor astroglyosis correlated with the number of PV + INs at p18. Thus, HI exposure has long lasting effects in the hippocampus impairing the development of the GABAergic system with only partial protection by TH independent of the degree of hippocampal injury. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Informal caregivers in hospitals: Opportunities and threats
Authors: Amiresmaili Mohammadreza , Emrani Zahra 
Published: May 2018

SummaryObjectiveHigh hospital costs are a challenge that health system face. Additionally, studies identified manpower deficiency as a problem in health system. Hospital is a place where patients with different physical and mental conditions come to. Their families and friends' companionship can facilitate this situation for them. This study illustrates the roles of informal caregivers in hospital.MethodThis is a phenomenological qualitative study. Data were gathered through semistructured interviews. We interviewed 22 informal caregivers and 9 nurse staffs from different departments of hospital. They were selected through purposeful and snowball sampling approach. The framework method was used for data analysis.ResultsWe found 3 main themes including (a) roles of informal caregivers, (b) opportunities of presence of the informal caregivers in the hospital, and (c) threats of presence of informal caregivers.ConclusionsThis study shows some roles for informal caregivers including mental supports, consultation, decision‐making, and care roles. Concerning the shortage of manpower in Iran's hospitals, nurses have less time to take care of each patient; therefore, using informal caregivers as an implicit strategy to overcome nursing shortage and to reduce hospital costs seems to be beneficial. We suggest that an appropriate plan is necessary to make use of them for filling this gap to some extent, as well as providing training sessions and facilities for companions acting as informal caregivers.
Development and evaluation of screening dysphagia tools for observational studies and routine care in cancer patients
Authors: Borean Michael , Shani Kishan , Brown M. Catherine , Chen Judy , Liang Mindy , Karkada Joel , Kooner Simranjit , Doherty Mark K. , O'Kane Grainne M. , Jang Raymond , Elimova Elena , Wong Rebecca K. , Darling Gail E. , Xu Wei , Howell Doris , Liu Geoffrey 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBackground and aimsDysphagia can be associated with significant morbidity in cancer patients. We aimed to develop and evaluate dysphagia screener tools for use in observational studies (phase 1) and for routine symptom monitoring in clinical care (phase 2).MethodsVarious dysphagia or odynophagia screening questions, selected after an expert panel reviewed the content, criterion, and construct validity, were compared with either functional assessment of cancer therapy ‐ esophageal cancer (FACT‐E) Swallowing Index Cut‐Off Values or to questions adapted from the Patient Reported Outcomes for Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events. Sensitivity, specificity, and patient acceptability were assessed.ResultsIn Phase 1 (n = 178 esophageal cancer patients), the screening question “How are you currently eating?” had the highest sensitivities and specificities against various Swallowing Index Cut‐Off Value cut‐offs, with the best optimal cutoff associated with weight loss (80% sensitivity and 75% specificity). In phase 2 (255 head and neck, gastro‐esophageal, and thoracic cancer patients), a single question screener (“Do you experience any difficulty or pain upon swallowing?”) versus a Patient Reported Outcomes for Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events–like gold standard generated sensitivities between 86% and 94% and specificities between 93% and 100%. This screening question (+/− follow‐up questions) had a median completion time of under 2 minutes, and >90% of patients were willing to complete the survey electronically, did not feel that survey made clinic visit more difficult, and did not find the questions upsetting or distressful.ConclusionOur results demonstrate that these screener tools (“How are you currently eating?”, “Do you experience any difficulty or pain upon swallowing?”) can effectively screen dysphagia symptoms without increasing cancer outpatient clinic burden, both in observational studies and for routine clinical monitoring.
Resveratrol relieves particulate matter (mean diameter < 2.5 μm)‐induced oxidative injury of lung cells through attenuation of autophagy deregulation
Authors: Li Yuan , Qian Weiwei , Wang Dengdian , Meng Yu , Wang Xiaoqian , Chen Yue , Li Xiaoting , Xie Chunfeng , Zhong Caiyun , Fu Suming 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOxidative stress and inflammation are critically implicated in ambient fine particulate matter (mean diameter < 2.5 μm; PM2.5)‐induced lung injury. Autophagy, playing a crucial role in various physiopathological conditions, modulates cellular homeostasis and stress adaptation. Resveratrol is a phytoalexin that exerts potent antioxidant effects on cardiopulmonary diseases. To date, the mechanisms by which resveratrol protects against PM2.5 remain to be elucidated. In the present study, we investigated the effect of resveratrol on PM2.5‐induced oxidative injury. The potential role of nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 and autophagy in this progress was explored. Human bronchial epithelial cells were treated with PM2.5 and the cytotoxicity and oxidative stress markers were determined. The results showed that PM2.5 decreased cell viability and elevated the level of lactate dehydrogenase. The levels of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species were increased by PM2.5 exposure. PM2.5 also induced a significant increase of the inflammatory cytokines including interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐8, IL‐1β and tumor necrosis factor α. Meanwhile, PM2.5 triggered autophagy formation and alteration of the nuclear factor erythroid‐2‐related factor 2 pathway. Furthermore, human bronchial epithelial cells were co‐treated with PM2.5 and resveratrol in the presence or absence of 3‐methylamphetamine, an inhibitor of autophagic formation. It was revealed that resveratrol intervention abolished PM2.5‐induced oxidative injury partially through the suppression of autophagy deregulation. Findings from this study could provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms of pulmonary intervention during PM2.5 exposure.
MicroRNA‐508 suppresses epithelial‐mesenchymal transition, migration, and invasion of ovarian cancer cells through the MAPK1/ERK signaling pathway
Authors: Hong Lan , Wang Yifeng , Chen Wangsheng , Yang Shuying 
Published: May 2018

AbstractOvarian cancer (OC) is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide. Despite advances in detection and therapies, it still represents the most lethal gynecologic malignancy in the industrialized countries. Unfortunately, the molecular events that lead to the development of this highly aggressive disease remain largely unknown. The study explored the ability of microRNA‐508 (miR‐508) to influence proliferation, migration, invasion, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in OC cells. We quantified the level of miR‐508 cancer tissues with corresponding adjacent normal tissues collected from 84 patients with OC. Human OC cells SKOV3 and A2780 were treated with negative control (NC), miR‐508 mimics, miR‐508 inhibitors, and miR‐508 inhibitors + a specific MAPK/ERK kinase inhibitor (PD98059) to validate the interaction between miR‐508 and MAPK/ERK signaling. The miR‐508 expression level was lower while MAPK1 and ERK expression levels were higher in the cancer tissues than in the adjacent normal tissues. Dual‐luciferase reporter assay indicated MAPK1 as a target gene of miR‐508. The miR‐508 mimics reduced the expression of MAPK1, p‐MAPK1, ERK, p‐ERK and Vimentin, inhibited cell proliferation, migration and invasion, and increased the expression of E‐cadherin, while the miR‐508 inhibitors resulted in an opposed trend in OC cells. The effects of miR‐508 inhibitors on OC cells were lost when the MAPK1/ERK signaling pathway was inhibited by PD98059. Collectively, our data indicate that miR‐508 plays a tumor suppressor role in the development and progression of OC and may be a novel therapeutic target against OC.
MiR‐1178 regulates mycobacterial survival and inflammatory responses in Mycobacterium tuberculosis‐infected macrophages partly via TLR4
Authors: Shi Ge , Mao Guofeng , Xie Kejie , Wu Dongdong , Wang Wei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractTuberculosis is chronic respiratory infectious disease and is caused by the infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (M.tb). Macrophages play an important role in host immune response against M.tb infection, which is regulated by various factors, including microRNAs (miRNAs). The present study aimed to examine the in vitro functional role of miR‐1178 in mycobacterial survival and inflammatory responses induced by M.tb infection in human macrophages. Our results showed that M.tb infection increased the expression of miR‐1178 in human macrophages (HTP‐1 and U937 cells) in a concentration‐ and time‐dependent manner. Overexpression of miR‐1178 enhanced the intracellular growth of mycobacteria during M.tb infection, while knockdown of miR‐1178 suppressed the mycobacteria survival. Overexpression of miR‐1178 also significantly attenuated the accumulation of proinflammatory cytokines including interferon‐γ (IFN‐γ), interleukin‐6 (IL‐6), interleukin‐1β (IL‐1β), and tumor necrosis factor‐α (TNF‐α) in the M.tb‐infected macrophages, while knockdown of miR‐1178 caused enhancement in these proinflammatory cytokines in the M.tb‐infected macrophage. Bioinformatics analysis and luciferase reporter assay showed that toll‐like receptor 4 (TLR4) was a direct target of miR‐1178, and miR‐1178 negatively regulated the expression of TLR4. In addition, enforced expression of TLR4 attenuated the effects of miR‐1178 overexpression on promoting the production of proinflammatory cytokines including IFN‐γ, IL‐6, IL‐1β, and TNF‐α in the M.tb‐infected macrophages. Collectively, our findings showed that overexpression of miR‐1178 promoted mycobacteria survival and miR‐1178 also modulated the immune response of M.tb‐infected macrophages partly via targeting TLR4.
Respirometric anatomy of the OSA process: microbial basis of enhanced sludge reduction mechanism
Authors: Yağcı Nevin , Pala‐Özkök İlke , Sarıalioğlu Feraye , Allı Buşra , Artan Nazik , Orhon Derin , Sözen Seval 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDExtensive research effort has been devoted to the performance of the OSA system. Despite all studies focused on the assessment of observed sludge yield values, their explanations of the mechanisms causing sludge reduction remained highly speculative.
RESULTSA laboratory‐scale OSA system fed with peptone mixture was operated together with a system consisting only of a sequencing batch reactor. The experimental program focused on the assessment of the nature and characteristics of all streams by calibrating an appropriate model by oxygen uptake rate profiles obtained under different conditions. Results indicated that the interchange stream contained a significant fraction of heterotrophic biomass. Therefore, interpretations of the microbial functions in the OSA/oxic reactor should account for active heterotrophic input through the interchange stream. As also justified by corresponding mass balance expressions, the OSA/oxic reactor sustained a substantially higher active biomass concentration as compared with the control reactor. In this way, the relative magnitude of the endogenous decay was significantly increased with respect to microbial growth and the observed experimental results totally accounting for the excess sludge reduction in the tested lab‐scale OSA system.CONCLUSIONThe experimental results in this study provided conclusive proof that enhanced endogenous decay due to higher active biomass level sustained in the OSA/oxic reactor should be regarded as the major cause of excess sludge reduction in the OSA system. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Ballistic tongue projection in a miniaturized salamander
Authors: Deban Stephen M. , Bloom Segall V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractMiniaturization of body size is often accompanied by peculiarities in morphology that can have functional consequences. We examined the feeding behavior and morphology of the miniaturized plethodontid salamander Thorius, one of the smallest vertebrates, to determine if its performance and biomechanics differ from those of its larger relatives. High‐speed imaging and dynamics analysis of feeding at a range of temperatures show that tongue projection in Thorius macdougalli is ballistic and achieves accelerations of up to 600 G with low thermal sensitivity, indicating that tongue projection is powered by an elastic‐recoil mechanism. Preceding ballistic projection is an unusual preparatory phase of tongue protrusion, which, like tongue retraction, shows lower performance and higher thermal sensitivity that are indicative of movement being powered directly by muscle shortening. The variability of tongue‐projection kinematics and dynamics is comparable to larger ballistic‐tongued plethodontids and reveals that Thorius is capable of modulating its tongue movements in response to prey distance. Morphological examination revealed that T. macdougalli possesses a reduced number of myofibers in the tongue muscles, a large projector muscle mass relative to tongue mass, and an unusual folding of the tongue skeleton, compared with larger relatives. Nonetheless, T. macdougalli retains the elaborated collagen aponeuroses in the projector muscle that store elastic energy and a tongue skeleton that is free of direct myofiber insertion, two features that appear to be essential for ballistic tongue projection in salamanders.
Antitubercular Activity and Synergistic Study of Novel Pyrazole Derivatives
Authors: Jadhav Sunil B. , Fatema Samreen , Sanap Gajanan , Farooqui Mazahar 
Published: May 2018

A series of 20 novel pyrazole derivatives were designed and prepared, characterized by 1H‐NMR, mass spectra (ES‐MS), 13C‐NMR, and elemental analysis. The synthesized compounds were then evaluated for their growth inhibitory activity against Mycobacterium smegmatis mc2 155 initially. Rifampicin was used as standard reference. In this screening, derivatives 9, 10, and 11 presented superior inhibition compared with standard. Later, these three compounds were exposed for their Mycobacterium tuberculosis H37Rv inhibitory assay using rifampicin as standard reference. Encouraging M. smegmatis mc2 155 inhibition (9 μg/mL), M. tuberculosis H37Rv inhibition (1.9 μg/mL), and synergism with the first‐line and second‐line antibiotics made compound 10 as lead and safe antitubercular agent among the series.
Characterization of HPC‐based photoreduced SERS substrates and detection of different organic dyes
Authors: Retko Klara , Ropret Polonca , Cerc Korošec Romana , Sanchez‐Cortes Santiago , Cañamares María Vega 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSilver nanoparticles were fabricated in situ in the hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) matrix by irradiation at different wavelengths (365 and 254 nm) following the principles of green chemistry. HPC is involved in the silver reduction process and in the stabilization as well. Characteristics of the dispersions depend on the weight ratio between silver ions and HPC, irradiation time, and energy of the incident irradiation. Interaction at higher energies leads to higher degradation of the HPC matrix, resulting also in lower pH values of the dispersion. The latter is even more pronounced when using lower initial concentrations of silver nitrate. Different formulations were tested as surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates with alizarin solutions and several other probes. Different spectral responses are related to different surface availability and/or to differences in microenvironment or macroenvironment of the nanoparticles. Substrates irradiated at lower energies show superior properties in terms of stability, whereas the substrates with a lower concentration of silver ions and irradiated with higher energies are more suitable for the detection of compounds with acidic properties (such as carminic acid and lac dye) due to lower electrostatic repulsion between the compounds and nanoparticles.
Community social responsibility and the performance of small tourism enterprises: Moderating effects of entrepreneurs' demographics
Authors: Wang Caiping , Xu Honggang , Li Gang , Chen Jason Li 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThis study investigated the two main dimensions of small tourism enterprises' (STEs') community social responsibility and their impact on firms' objective and subjective performance. It also explored the moderating effects of STE owners' demographics on the relationships between the two community social responsibility dimensions and firm performance. By the survey data from STEs in the historical towns in southwestern China, the empirical findings suggested that engaging in socially responsible behavior at the community level contributes to STEs' subjective performance; and the influence of community engagement on STEs' performance is moderated by the owners' demographic characteristics, such as age, gender, ethnicity, and birthplace.