bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Dickkopf‐4 gene expression is associated with differentiation and lymph node metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Tsukui Yuya , Yamaguchi Tatsuya , Maekawa Shinya , Takano Shinichi , Sato Tadashi , Enomoto Nobuyuki 
Published: April 2019

Background and AimAlthough high expression of Dickkopf‐4 (DKK‐4) in colorectal cancer has been reported in previous studies, its impact on clinicopathological features, including the prognosis and mechanism of expression, has not been well clarified to date.Methods(i) DKK‐4 protein expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining with anti‐DKK‐4 antibody using archived formalin‐fixed paraffin‐embedded specimens obtained at surgery from 122 patients with colorectal cancer, and its association with clinicopathological findings was also investigated. (ii) The association between intratumoral DKK‐4 protein expression and somatic hotspot mutations in cancer‐associated genes in 40 patients was investigated using a next‐generation sequencer.ResultsIn cross‐section, DKK‐4 protein expression in colorectal tissue was related to an adenocarcinoma of a histologically differentiated type (tub1/tub2, P = 0.032) and distant metastasis (P = 0.012). Longitudinally, however, DKK‐4 was not an independent prognostic factor determining overall survival (OS). On the other hand, in patients with metastasis, high DKK‐4 protein was independently associated with short OS (P = 0.013). In addition, colorectal cancer tissue with high DKK‐4 protein expression was associated with hotspot mutations in Wnt/β catenin‐signaling molecules (APC, CTNNB1, and FBXW7, P = 0.03).ConclusionIntratumoral DKK‐4 expression, by partly reflecting the Wnt/β catenin pathway, is strongly associated with the advancement of colorectal cancer and OS in colorectal cancer patients with metastasis, although further studies are needed.
Wave climate projections along the Indian coast
Authors: Chowdhury Piyali , Behera Manasa Ranjan , Reeve Dominic E. 
Published: April 2019

AbstractFuture changes in wave climate will influence the marine ecosystem, coastal erosion, design of coastal defences, operation of near‐ and off‐shore structures, and coastal zone management policies and may further add to the potential vulnerabilities of coastal regions to projected sea level rise. Many studies have reported changes in the global wave characteristics under climate change scenarios, but it is important to project future changes in local/regional wave climate for smooth implementation of policies and preventing severe coastal erosion and flooding. In this study the regional wave climate along the Indian coast for two time slices, 2011–2040 and 2041–2070, is reported using an ensemble of near‐surface winds generated by four different CMIP5 general circulation models (GCMs), under RCP4.5 scenario. Comparison of the wave climate for the two time slices shows an increase in wave heights and periods along much of the Indian coast, with the maximum wave heights increasing by more than 30% in some locations. An important finding is that at most locations along the east coast, wave periods are expected to increase by almost 20%, whereas along the west coast an increase of around 10% is expected. This will alter the distribution of wave energy at the shoreline through changes in wave refraction and diffraction, with potential implications for the performance and design of coastal structures and swash‐aligned beaches. Furthermore, the computations show material changes in the directional distribution of waves. This is particularly important in determining the longshore transport of sediments and can lead to realignment of drift‐aligned beaches, manifesting itself as erosion and/or siltation problems. This study is a preliminary contribution towards regional climate projections for the Indian Ocean region which are needed to plan and mitigate the impacts of future climate change.
Mapping soil salinity using electromagnetic conductivity imaging—A comparison of regional and location‐specific calibrations
Authors: Farzamian Mohammad , Paz Maria Catarina , Paz Ana Marta , Castanheira Nádia Luísa , Gonçalves Maria Conceição , Monteiro Santos Fernando A. , Triantafilis John 
Published: April 2019

AbstractSoil salinization limits agricultural productivity and can ultimately cause desertification and land abandonment. One approach to assess soil salinity over large areas efficiently is to use electromagnetic instruments to measure the soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa, mS m−1). ECa data can be then inverted to generate electromagnetic conductivity images (EMCIs), which provide the vertical distribution of the soil electrical conductivity (σ, mS m−1). In this study, we collected ECa data using an EM38 instrument across four locations with different levels of salinity in an important agricultural area of alluvial origin in Portugal. Using an inversion algorithm, we generated EMCIs and evaluated the potential for prediction of the electrical conductivity of the saturated soil paste extract (ECe). The main aim of our study is to compare regional and location‐specific calibrations in terms of ability to predict ECe from EMCIs. The results showed that the regional calibration predicted ECe unbiased, precisely (root mean square error [RMSE] = 2.54 dS m−1), and with strong concordance (0.93). The location‐specific calibration also predicted ECe unbiased, precisely (RMSE = 1.67 dS m−1), and with strong concordance (0.97). We conclude that the location‐specific calibration has slightly better prediction results, but the regional calibration is more practical for mapping soil salinity in the study area because it can be used at any new location without the need for new calibration. The prediction results at locations 3 and 4 show high to severely high soil salinity, which can compromise agricultural productivity. Therefore, monitoring soil salinity is required to conserve and improve agricultural productivity in the south of the study area.
Effects of reclamation and natural changes on coastal wetlands bordering China's Yellow Sea from 1984 to 2015
Authors: Chen Ying , Dong Jinwei , Xiao Xiangming , Ma Zhijun , Tan Kun , Melville David , Li Bo , Lu Haiying , Liu Jinfu , Liu Fengshan 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCoastal wetlands are rapidly disappearing worldwide, which is posing a substantial threat to the integrity of coastal ecosystems. In addition to the direct area reduction caused by reclamation, coastal wetlands experience natural changes due to sediment transport in coastal regions. Arguably, the reclamation rates must be less than the net accretion rate to guarantee the restoration of coastal wetlands. By applying an automatic and replicable shoreline algorithm to all available Landsat imagery from 1984 to 2015 using the Google Earth Engine Cloud Platform, we developed distribution maps of coastal wetlands and reclamation in China's Yellow Sea (CYS) at 4‐ or 5‐year intervals. In addition, we divided coastal wetlands into saltmarshes and mudflats and analysed their trends separately. Over the past 30 years, the area of coastal wetlands decreased by 53% (from 6,463 to 3,036 km2), including a 67% decrease in saltmarshes (from 1,471 to 489 km2) and a 49% decrease in mudflats (from 4,992 to 2,547 km2). Meanwhile, the reclaimed area was 7,696 km2 (including 1,276 km2 of saltmarshes and 3,002 km2 of mudflats), which exceeded the area of newly formed coastal wetlands (852 km2). The natural state of mudflats gradually changed from accretion to erosion, but without considering the natural state of coastal wetlands, reclamation will continue at a high rate in CYS according to China's national marine functional zoning (MFZ) for 2010–2020. In view of their important ecological services, there is an urgent need to revise the national MFZ to achieve ‘no net loss’ of coastal wetlands.
HPMA‐Based Nanocarriers for Effective Immune System Stimulation
Authors: Kramer Stefan , Langhanki Jens , Krumb Matthias , Opatz Till , Bros Matthias , Zentel Rudolf 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe selective activation of the immune system using nanoparticles as a drug delivery system is a promising field in cancer therapy. Block copolymers from HPMA and laurylmethacrylate‐co‐hymecromone‐methacrylate allow the preparation of multifunctionalized core‐crosslinked micelles of variable size. To activate dendritic cells (DCs) as antigen presenting cells, the carbohydrates mannose and trimannose are introduced into the hydrophilic corona as DC targeting units. To activate DCs, a lipophilic adjuvant (L18‐MDP) is incorporated into the core of the micelles. To elicit an immune response, a model antigen peptide (SIINFEKL) is attached to the polymeric nanoparticle—in addition—via a click reaction with the terminal azide. Thereafter, the differently functionalized micelles are chemically and biologically characterized. While the core‐crosslinked micelles without carbohydrate units are hardly bound by DCs, mannose and trimannose functionalization lead to a strong binding. Flow cytometric analysis and blocking studies employing mannan suggest the requirement of the mannose receptor and DC‐SIGN for effective micelle binding. It could be suppressed by blocking with mannan. Adjuvant‐loaded micelles functionalized with mannose and trimannose activate DCs, and DCs preincubated with antigen‐conjugated micelles induce proliferation of antigen‐specific CD8+ T cells.
A comparison between 24‐hour decays and Butler–Volmer Corrosion Rates
Authors: Atkins Chris , Merola Rudi , Lambert Paul 
Published: April 2019

AbstractTwenty‐four‐hr decays are commonly used to assess the performance of cathodic protection on reinforced concrete. This approach has been empirically demonstrated by the performance of systems in the field. More recently an approach has been used to extrapolate corrosion rates from the decays and applied current density. This paper compares the two approaches using laboratory data and field data from a large number of cathodically protected structures to assess the natural variability in potentials and corrosion rates.
Effects of retrogression and reaging heat treatment on the microstructure, exfoliation corrosion, electrical conductivity, and mechanical properties of AA7050
Authors: Özer Gökhan , Kaya Işık , Karaaslan Ahmet 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe effects of different retrogression times and temperatures on the microstructure, electrical conductivity, exfoliation corrosion (EXCO), and hardness of the 7050 aluminium alloy were compared with the T6 and T7451 condition. The EXCO solution was prepared in accordance with ASTM G34‐01 standard and the samples were kept in the solution for 48 hr. Corrosion depths were examined by using scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the cross‐sections microstructure of the samples. The effect of EXCO on the material was investigated using stereo optical microscope images. In microstructure investigations, SEM and energy dispersive X‐ray (EDX) analyses were used to determine the distribution and chemistry of the precipitates at the grain boundaries. The results show that retrogression and reaging (RRA) times and temperatures have significant effects on AA7050 EXCO. Especially after 200°C/30 min RRA process, it has been found that 7050 aluminium alloy has higher mechanical strength than T6 level and high corrosion resistance from T7451 level. According to the results of this study, it has been shown that there is a direct connection between electrical conductivity and EXCO.
Improvement on the pitting corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel via duplex passivation treatment
Authors: Hou Yan , Zhao Jie , Cao Tie‐Shan , Zhang Lei , Meng Xian‐Ming , Zhang Zhi‐Peng , Cheng Cong‐Qian 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA remarkable improvement in the pitting corrosion resistance of 304 stainless steel was attempted using a novel duplex passivation treatment method. First, chemical passivation in nitric acid followed electrochemical passivation via potential polarization of step cycling in sodium nitrate electrolyte. Compared with traditional chemical passivation, breakdown potential was increased from 0.31 VSCE to positive than 0.9 VSCE at 70°C in a solution bearing 0.6 M [Cl−] concentration. The critical pitting temperature was enhanced from 21.5°C to above 70°C in a solution with 6 M [Cl−] concentration. Impedance analysis and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy results show that a more compact passive film with a higher ratio of chromium oxide on iron oxide was achieved by electrochemical passivation compared with chemical passivation. Morphology observation suggested that the potential polarization of step cycling slightly increased the dissolution of inclusions after being subjected to chemical passivation. The probable reason for the improvement on pitting resistance is discussed in detail based on inclusion dissolution and the protectiveness in passive film.
Reductions on equivalence relations generated by universal sets
Authors: Ding Longyun , Yu Ping 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLet X, Y be Polish spaces, , . We say A is universal for Γ provided that each x‐section of A is in Γ and each element of Γ occurs as an x‐section of A. An equivalence relation generated by a set is denoted by , where . The following results are shown:

If A is a set universal for all nonempty closed subsets of Y, then is a equivalence relation and .
If A is a set universal for all countable subsets of Y, then is a equivalence relation, and

and ;
if , then ;
if every set is Lebesgue measurable or has the Baire property, then .
for , if every set has the Baire property, and E is any equivalence relation, then .
Filter‐Through Method of Making Highly Efficient Polymer‐Clay Nanocomposite Membranes
Authors: Zhu Jian , Habel Christoph , Schilling Theresa , Greiner Andreas , Breu Josef , Agarwal Seema 
Published: April 2019

AbstractElectrospun filter with hierarchical pore structure and variable pore diameter is used for the first time in making a flexible, strong, and high gas‐barrier membrane. A versatile, technical, benign processing method for the fabrication of highly filled (>25 wt%) efficient gas‐barrier polymer membrane with perfectly aligned synthetic high‐aspect ratio layered silicate (clay) of variable and considerable thickness (up to 5 µm) is presented. This process combines advantageous features of an electrospun substrate like high porosity, variable pore size (typically <5 µm), thermoplasticity and of an aqueous suspension of a synthetic clay consisting of single 1 nm thick layers with a huge median lateral extension (>10 µm) in a layered structure. By simple and fast filtration, a gas‐barrier self‐assembled layer of variable and appropriate thickness is obtained on a mechanically stable thermoplastic electrospun filter support that subsequently can be laminated adhesively or via hot pressing, even in a multilayer structure, if required. The resulting composite membranes are flexible, strong, transparent, and show enhanced gas‐barrier properties.
Bioinspired Polymeric Helical and Superhelical Microfibers via Microfluidic Spinning
Authors: Yang Huili , Guo Mingyu 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe helix and superhelix play critical roles in the achievement of tissue functions. These fascinating structures have attracted increasing interest due to their potential biomimicking applications. However, continuous and controlled fabrication of these structures, especially the superhelical structures, from various polymers for different practical applications still remains a big challenge. Here, a novel and versatile microfluidic spinning strategy is presented for generation of both helical and superhelical microfibers from either hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or amphiphilic polymers. The diameter (d ), wavelength (λ), and amplitude (A) of these microfibers could be highly controlled. The helical microfibers show outstanding elongations and potential applications in magnetic responsive elastic microactuators. It is envisioned that these results will greatly enrich the possibility of generating new multiple‐ordered structures from various polymers for applications in different areas.
HDAC4 mutations cause diabetes and induce β‐cell FoxO1 nuclear exclusion
Authors: Gong Maolian , Yu Yong , Liang Lei , Vuralli Dogus , Froehler Sebastian , Kuehnen Peter , Du Bois Philipp , Zhang Jingjing , Cao Aidi , Liu Yuantao , Hussain Khalid , Fielitz Jens , Jia Shiqi , Chen Wei , Raile Klemens 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundStudying patients with rare Mendelian diabetes has uncovered molecular mechanisms regulating β‐cell pathophysiology. Previous studies have shown that Class IIa histone deacetylases (HDAC4, 5, 7, and 9) modulate mammalian pancreatic endocrine cell function and glucose homeostasis.MethodsWe performed exome sequencing in one adolescent nonautoimmune diabetic patient and detected one de novo predicted disease‐causing HDAC4 variant (p.His227Arg). We screened our pediatric diabetes cohort with unknown etiology using Sanger sequencing. In mouse pancreatic β‐cell lines (Min6 and SJ cells), we performed insulin secretion assay and quantitative RT‐PCR to measure the β‐cell function transfected with the detected HDAC4 variants and wild type. We carried out immunostaining and Western blot to investigate if the detected HDAC4 variants affect the cellular translocation and acetylation status of Forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in the pancreatic β‐cells.ResultsWe discovered three HDAC4 mutations (p.His227Arg, p.Asp234Asn, and p.Glu374Lys) in unrelated individuals who had nonautoimmune diabetes with various degrees of β‐cell loss. In mouse pancreatic β‐cell lines, we found that these three HDAC4 mutations decrease insulin secretion, down‐regulate β‐cell‐specific transcriptional factors, and cause nuclear exclusion of acetylated FoxO1.ConclusionMutations in HDAC4 disrupt the deacetylation of FoxO1, subsequently decrease the β‐cell function including insulin secretion, resulting in diabetes.
Achillea biebersteinni Afan may inhibit scar formation: In vitro study
Authors: Hormozi Maryam , Baharvand Parastoo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundOne of the major problems in wound healing is scar formation; however, there are few ways to prevent or treat it. Different species of Achillea are used to treat wounds in folk medicine from the past but there are few studies on the effect of it on wound healing and inhibition of scar formation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Achillea biebersteinii Afan hydroethanolic extract on the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF as effective growth factors of wound healing in mouse embryonic fibroblast cells.MethodsMouse embryonic fibroblast cells were exposed to different concentrations of Achillea extract at two different time (12 and 24 hr); the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF was performed by real‐time‐PCR and ELISA at the level of gene and protein.ResultsIt was observed that the plant extract at 5 and 10 µg/ml downregulated the expression of TGFβ1 and upregulated the expression of bFGF at the level of gene and protein.ConclusionThe results showed that the pattern of changes in the expression of TGFβ1 and bFGF by Achillea biebersteinni Afan extract may inhibit scar formation.
Prevalence of BRCA1 and BRCA2 gene mutations in Chinese patients with high‐risk breast cancer
Authors: Wang Xiaozhen , Liu Haimeng , Maimaitiaili Amina , Zhao Gang , Li Sijie , Lv Zheng , Wu Di , Shi Aiping , Guan Xin , Jia Hongyao , Li Menghan , Song Dong , Kang Lihua , Han Bing , Fu Tong , Yang Ming , Zhu Zhu , Du Ye , Song Yanqiu , Hong Jinghui , Fan Zhimin 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundBreast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Here, we report the prevalence of BRCA1/2 mutations in patients with high‐risk breast cancer from Inner Mongolia and Jilin, China, which was a part of a nationwide project on the detection of BRCA1/2 mutations in Chinese patients with hereditary breast cancer.MethodsAccording to the criteria, index patients from a total of 245 independent families were initially recruited. All 49 exons of BRCA1 and BRCA2 and adjacent noncoding regions were screened for mutations based on next‐generation sequencing from collected saliva.ResultsWe detected 17 BRCA1/2 variants in 18 of 216 (8.3%) index patients with high‐risk breast cancer. Among these, seven mutations were novel, including four BRCA1 mutations (c.123_124delCAinsAT, c.5093_5096delCTAA, c.5396‐2A>G, and c.2054delinsGAAGAGTAACAAGTAAGAAGAGTAACAAGAAG), and three BRCA2 mutations (c.304A>T, c.7552_7553insT, and c.9548_9549insA). The BRCA1/2 variants were identified in 14% (8/57) of the patients with triple‐negative breast cancer and in 6.3% (10/159) of the patients with non‐triple‐negative breast cancer. There was no significant difference between the two groups (p = 0.07). A higher frequency for BRCA1 mutations was observed in patients with triple‐negative breast cancer than in those with non‐triple‐negative breast cancer (12.3% vs. 2.5%, p = 0.004). The frequencies of the BRCA2 mutations were not significantly different between patients with triple‐negative breast cancer and those with non‐triple‐negative breast cancer (1.8% vs. 3.8%, p = 0.46).ConclusionWe found that patients with triple‐negative breast cancer had a higher frequency of BRCA1 mutations than those with non‐triple‐negative breast cancer. In this study, no significant associations between the BRCA1/2 mutation status and age, family history of breast cancer, ovarian cancer, pancreatic cancer and prostate cancer, number of primary lesions, tumor size, or lymph node metastasis were observed.
Assessments of Algal Toxicity and PBT Behaviour of Pesticides with No Eco‐toxicological Data: Predictive Ability of QSA/(T)R Models
Authors: Gökçe Selen , Saçan Melek Türker 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn the present study, the effect of eight pesticides with no ecotoxicological data on the growth rate of Chlorella vulgaris was measured. The selected pesticides are acetochlor, acetamiprid, boscalid diphenamid, gibberellic acid, ioxynil, diclofop and 2,4,5‐T. The algal toxicity (IC50) of boscalid could not be determined within its solubility limit. Acetamiprid, diphenamid and gibberellic acid revealed IC50 values>100 mg/L. Among the others, the order of 96‐h IC50 of pesticides was found as acetochlor>ioxynil>diclofop>2,4,5‐T. The IC50 values were also predicted by using four Quantitative Structure‐Activity/(Toxicity) Relationship (QSA/(T)R) models selected from the literature. The predictions of the models provided by QSARINS‐Chem module of QSARINS as well as those obtained in our previous studies were compared with the results of experimental algal toxicity tests that were performed in our laboratory. The QSTR model generated for the toxicity of diverse chemicals to freshwater algae was able to correctly predict the toxicity order of the pesticides tested in the present study, confirming the utility of the QSA/(T)R approach. Additionally, Persistence, Bioaccumulation and Toxicity (PBT) Index model provided via the software QSARINS was employed and boscalid and diclofop were found to be PBT chemicals based on the PBT model. The present study will be very helpful when a more holistic approach applied to understand the fate of these chemicals in the environment.