bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Si permeability of a deficient Lsi1 aquaporin in tobacco can be enhanced through a conserved residue substitution
Authors: Coskun Devrim , Deshmukh Rupesh , Sonah Humira , Shivaraj Sheelavanta Matha , Frenette‐Cotton Rachelle , Tremblay Laurence , Isenring Paul , Bélanger Richard R. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractSilicon (Si) is a beneficial substrate for many plants, conferring heightened resilience to environmental stress. A plant's ability to absorb Si is primarily dependent on the presence of a Si‐permeable Lsi1 (NIP2‐1) aquaporin in its roots. Structure‐function analyses of Lsi1 channels from higher plants have thus far revealed two key molecular determinants of Si permeability: (a) the amino acid motif GSGR in the aromatic/arginine selectivity filter and (b) 108 amino acids between two highly conserved NPA domains. Curiously, tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris) stands as a rare exception as it possesses an Lsi1 (NsLsi1) with these molecular signatures but is reported as a low Si accumulator. The aim of this study was therefore to identify whether additional determinants influence Si permeability via Lsi1 channels, focusing on the role of residues that differ uniquely in NsLsi1 relative to functional Lsi1 homologs. We observed tobacco indeed absorbed Si poorly (0.1% dw), despite NsLsi1 being expressed constitutively in planta. Si influx measured in NsLsi1‐expressing Xenopus oocytes was very low (<13% that of OsLsi1 from rice (Oryza sativa) over a 3‐hr time course), which likely explains why tobacco is a low Si accumulator. Interestingly, NsLsi1P125F displayed a significant gain of function (threefold increase in Si influx relative to NsLsi1WT), which coincided with a threefold increase in plasma membrane localization in planta, as measured by transient expression of GFP constructs in Nicotiana benthamiana leaves. These findings thus reveal a novel molecular determinant of Si transport in plants and inform breeding, biotechnological, and agricultural practices to effectively utilize Si in the context of plant resilience to environmental stress.
Anionic hydrogen‐transfer polymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide under microwave irradiation
Authors: Iwamura Takeru , Ashizawa Kazufumi , Adachi Kaoru , Takasaki Masato 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTAnionic hydrogen‐transfer homopolymerization of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was carried out using t‐BuOK as an initiator in DMF under microwave irradiation. After 100 W of microwave was irradiated to the reaction mixture at 140°C for 6 h in the temperature control mode, corresponding polymer was obtained in 10% yield. In the case of conventional oil bath heating, by contrast, corresponding polymer was not obtained in similar anionic polymerization conditions. With 100 W and 2.45 GHz of microwave irradiation, formation of the polymer was obtained. Microwave‐assisted anionic hydrogen‐transfer copolymerization of NIPPAm and acrylamide (AAm) led to the formation of thermo‐sensitive copolymers whose thermo‐sensitivity was controlled by the NIPAAm/AAm unit ratio. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2019, 57, 2415–2419
Study on atmospheric air glow discharge plasma generation based on multiple potentials and aramid fabric surface modification
Authors: Zhao Luxiang , Liu Wenzheng , Xu Min , Huang Ye , Zheng Qingtian , Sun Sijia , Wang Yiqing 
Published: August 2019

AbstractA method of forming large‐area glow discharge plasmas with good diffusivity in atmospheric air based on the composite network‐surface laminated electrode structure with multiple potentials is proposed. This method can enhance the intensity of the space electric field and generate glow discharge plasma under the condition that the voltage is lower than 1 kV. Through the alternating electric field, the charged particles diffuse from the surface of the electrode to the space to enhance the treatment of aramid fabric. According to the changes of surface morphology, contact angle and surface energy of aramid fabric, it can be seen that the surface roughness and surface energy of the material treated by plasma are significantly improved. After 30 s of treatment, the contact angle decreases by 83.85° and the surface energy increases 3.4 times. This method has the advantages of low discharge voltage, good discharge uniformity, good material treatment effect, and so forth. It has good application prospects for the industrialization of aramid fabric surface modification with high efficiency.
Training and standardization of general practitioners in the use of lung ultrasound for the diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia
Authors: Pervaiz Farhan , Hossen Shakir , Chavez Miguel A. , Miele Catherine H. , Moulton Lawrence H. , McCollum Eric D. , Roy Arun D. , Chowdhury Nabidul H. , Ahmed Salahuddin , Begum Nazma , Quaiyum Abdul , Santosham Mathuram , Baqui Abdullah H. , Checkley William 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackgroundPneumonia is a leading cause of death in children of low‐resource settings. Barriers to care include an early and accurate diagnosis. Lung ultrasound is a novel tool for the identification of pediatric pneumonia; however, there is currently no standardized approach to train in image acquisition and interpretation of findings in epidemiological studies. We developed a training program for physicians with limited ultrasound experience on how to use ultrasound for the diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia and how to standardize image interpretation using a panel of readers.MethodsTwenty‐five physicians participating in the training program conducted lung ultrasounds in all children with suspected pneumonia, aged 3 to 35 months, presenting to three subdistrict hospitals in Sylhet, Bangladesh, between June 2015 and September 2017.ResultsA total of 9051 pediatric lung ultrasound assessments were conducted through 27 months of data collection. Study physicians underwent training and all were successfully standardized, achieving 91% agreement and maintained a sensitivity and specificity of 88% and 92%, respectively, when their diagnosis was compared with experts. Overall kappa between two readers was high (0.86, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.84‐0.87), and remained high when a third expert reader was included (0.80, 95% CI, 0.79‐0.81). Agreement and kappa statistics were similarly high when stratified by age, sex, presence of danger signs, or hypoxemia.ConclusionsLung ultrasound is a novel tool for the diagnosis of pediatric pneumonia with evidence supporting its validity and feasibility of implementation. Here we introduced a training program that resulted in a high level of inter‐sonographer agreement.
Does ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate (DA) have any prognostic impact on patients with de novo metastatic prostate cancer?
Authors: Wu Tao , Zhao Jinge , Liu Zhenhua , Shen Pengfei , Zhang Mengni , Sun Guangxi , Liu Jiandong , Liao Banghua , Chen Junru , Zhu Sha , Dai Jindong , Wang Zhipeng , Zhang Haoran , Zhao Peng , Zhang Xingming , Zhu Xudong , Ni Yuchao , Chen Ni , Zeng Hao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractBackground: The prognostic value of ductal adenocarcinoma of the prostate (DA) in nonmetastatic prostate cancer (PCa) has been identified in many studies. However, it remains unknown whether DA is an adverse prognostic factor in metastatic PCa (mPCa).Method: Data from 634 mPCa patients histopathologically documented with DA or/and acinar adenocarcinoma of the prostate in our center between 2012 and 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Propensity score matching (PSM) was used to balance the baseline features. Data from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database were utilized to validate our findings. Castration‐resistant PCa‐free survival (CFS), overall survival (OS), and cancer‐specific survival (CSS) were set as endpoints.Results: DA was confirmed in 35 of 634 (5.5%) patients. Among the DA‐positive patients, 7 of 35 (20%) and 28 of 35 (80%) harbored high (DA ≥ 50%) and low (DA < 50%) DA components, respectively. DA was not associated with poorer median CFS (mCFS) or median OS (mOS) either before PSM (mCFS: 16.9 vs 18.4 month, P = .814; mOS: 42.0 vs 70.1 month, P = .796) or after PSM (mCFS: 16.9 vs 16.9 month, P = .949; mOS: 42.0 vs 79.9 month, P = .960). Likewise, in the SEER data, DA‐positive patients (n = 15 153) shared similar median CSS (25.0 vs 28.0 month, P = .206) and OS (26.0 vs 35.0 month, P = .095) with DA‐negative patients (n = 70). No prognostic difference was found between patients with high and low DA components.Conclusion: We conducted the first study investigating the prognostic value of DA in de novo mPCa. DA was not associated with adverse clinical outcomes in mPCa patients. These findings are helpful for prognostic evaluation, treatment decision making and counseling in mPCa patients.
A three‐gene DNA methylation biomarker accurately classifies early stage prostate cancer
Authors: Patel Palak G. , Wessel Thomas , Kawashima Atsunari , Okello John B. A. , Jamaspishvili Tamara , Guérard Karl‐Philippe , Lee Laura , Lee Anna Ying‐Wah , How Nathan E. , Dion Dan , Scarlata Eleonora , Jackson Chelsea L. , Boursalie Suzanne , Sack Tanya , Dunn Rachel , Moussa Madeleine , Mackie/ Karen , Ellis Audrey , Marra Elizabeth , Chin Joseph , Siddiqui Khurram , Hetou Khalil , Pickard Lee‐Anne , Arthur‐Hayward Vinolia , Bauman Glenn , Chevalier Simone , Brimo Fadi , Boutros Paul C. , Lapointe PhD Jacques , Bartlett John M. S. , Gooding Robert J. , Berman David M. 
Published: August 2019

BackgroundWe identify and validate accurate diagnostic biomarkers for prostate cancer through a systematic evaluation of DNA methylation alterations.Materials and methodsWe assembled three early prostate cancer cohorts (total patients = 699) from which we collected and processed over 1300 prostatectomy tissue samples for DNA extraction. Using real‐time methylation‐specific PCR, we measured normalized methylation levels at 15 frequently methylated loci. After partitioning sample sets into independent training and validation cohorts, classifiers were developed using logistic regression, analyzed, and validated.ResultsIn the training dataset, DNA methylation levels at 7 of 15 genomic loci (glutathione S‐transferase Pi 1 [GSTP1], CCDC181, hyaluronan, and proteoglycan link protein 3 [HAPLN3], GSTM2, growth arrest‐specific 6 [GAS6], RASSF1, and APC) showed large differences between cancer and benign samples. The best binary classifier was the GAS6/GSTP1/HAPLN3 logistic regression model, with an area under these curves of 0.97, which showed a sensitivity of 94%, and a specificity of 93% after external validation.ConclusionWe created and validated a multigene model for the classification of benign and malignant prostate tissue. With false positive and negative rates below 7%, this three‐gene biomarker represents a promising basis for more accurate prostate cancer diagnosis.
Functional 2D Germanene Fluorescent Coating of Microrobots for Micromachines Multiplexing
Authors: Maric Tijana , Beladi‐Mousavi Seyyed Mohsen , Khezri Bahareh , Sturala Jiri , Nasir Muhammad Zafir Mohamad , Webster Richard D. , Sofer Zdeneˇk , Pumera Martin 
Published: August 2019

AbstractMicromachines are at the forefront of materials research as they are self‐propelled, smart autonomous systems capable of acting as an intelligent matter. One of the obstacles the field faces is tracking individual micromachines carrying molecular cargo from the rest of the micromachines. Highly stable fluorescent markers based on chemically modified 2D germanene compounds are developed. Two different 2D germanene derivatives, 4‐fluorophenylgermanane (2D‐Ph‐Ge) and methylgermanane (2D‐Me‐Ge), exhibit different fluorescence under UV light irradiation (excitation at 365 nm), which allows one particular micromotor to be easily distinguished in a mixture of micromotors. This offers a paradigm shift toward a new approach of multiplex detection of self‐propelled micromachines. The utility is demonstrated on a drug delivery system, where micromachines carrying a drug are labeled with 2D‐Ph‐Ge with blue emission while bare micromachines are labeled by 2D‐Me‐Ge with red emission. This approach of functional fluorescent labeling will pave the way to multiple simultaneous functionalized micromachines identification in complex environments.
“I am a young immigrant woman doing physics and on top of that I am Muslim”: Identities, intersections, and negotiations
Authors: Avraamidou Lucy 
Published: August 2019

AbstractFramed within intersectionality and using science identity as a unit of analysis, in this single case study I explore the barriers, difficulties, and conflicts that Amina, a young Muslim woman, immigrant in Western Europe confronted throughout her trajectory in physics and the ways in which her multiple identities intersected. The main sources of data consisted of three long biographical interviews, which were analyzed through a constant comparative method. The analysis of the data provided insights into how intrapersonal, interpersonal, sociocultural factors, alongside a myriad of experiences nurtured Amina's intersectional identities and what this may mean for Muslim women's participation in physics. The findings are summarized in two main assertions: (a) Amina was confronted with various barriers across her journey in physics with the intersection of religion and gender being the major barrier to her perceived recognition due to cultural expectations, sociopolitical factors, and negative stereotypes and (b) Amina's social class, religion, gender performance, and ethnic status positioned her as Other in various places throughout her trajectory in physics, and consequently hindered her sense of belonging. These findings suggest the urgency and importance of: (a) examining the intersection of science identity with other identities, especially, religion, gender, and ethnicity for the purpose of extrapolating a more comprehensive understanding of how minoritized groups participate in science; (b) rethinking recognition through an explicit intersectionality lens across various geographical and sociopolitical contexts; and (c) transforming physics into a diverse world where multiple ways of being are recognized, where minoritized groups will not have to compartmentalize parts of their identities to exist, and where they can perform their authentic and intersectional identities.
Resveratrol protects against cadmium chloride‐induced hippocampal neurotoxicity by inhibiting ER stress and GAAD 153 and activating sirtuin 1/AMPK/Akt
Authors: Shati Ali A. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis study investigated whether the apoptotic effect induced by cadmium chloride (CdCl2) in rat's hippocampi and neuroprotection afforded by resveratrol (RES) are mediated by modulation of ER stress and involve sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/AMPK/Akt axis. Adult male Wistar rats were divided into four groups (n = 24/group) as control, control + RES (300 mg/kg), CdCl2 (5 mg/kg), and CdCl2 + RES. All treatments were conducted orally for 45 days. Also, cultured hippocampal cells were treated with CdCl2 in the presence or absence of RES and with or without preincubation with SIRT1, AMPK, or PI3K inhibitors. CdCl2 impaired retention and spatial memories of rats and reduced levels and activities of SIRT1 and inhibited AMPK/Akt axis in their hippocamapi where SIRT1 was the upstream regulator. It also enahnced hippocampal levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and expression of caspase‐12 and caspase‐3, depleted glutathione (GSH) levels, and activated GRP78, activating transcription factor‐6, GAAD 153, X‐box binding protein‐1 arms of ER stress. On the contrary, RES coadminsitration completley abolished all these events. Interstingly and in control rats, RES not only increased levels of GSH, but also enhenced protein levels of B‐cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl‐2) and dwonregulated GAAD 153. In both control and CdCl2‐treated rats, pharmacological inhibtion of SIRT1, AMPK, and Akt compleltely abolished all effects afforded by RES. In conclusion, CdCl2‐induced hippocampal apopotis is associated with reduction of SIRT1/AMPK/Akt activity levels, ROS generation, downregulation of Bcl‐2, and activities, activation of ER stress, and GAAD 153, whereas RES is able to reverse these effects through activation of SIRT1/AMPK/Akt.
Supporting Disciplinary Literacy and Science Learning in Grades 3–5
Authors: Grysko Rebeca A. , Zygouris‐Coe Vassiliki (Vicky) I. 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThe elementary grades provide a rich context for literacy and science learning. Reading, writing, and talk support students’ conceptual understanding of and engagement with science. The authors provide theoretical and research evidence to support the teaching of five instructional strategies that can facilitate literacy and science learning in tandem in the intermediate science classroom. The authors connect each strategy to a current need in science teaching and learning and provide step‐by‐step instructions about how to use this strategy in the classroom. An authentic example of a fourth‐grade lesson is included to show how the five strategies connect with students’ literacy and science learning in the elementary science classroom and beyond.
Cervical pessary vs vaginal progesterone for prevention of preterm birth in women with twin pregnancy and short cervix: economic analysis following randomized controlled trial
Authors: Le K. D. , Nguyen L. K. , Nguyen L. T. M. , Mol B. W. J. , Dang V. Q. 
Published: August 2019

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare the cost‐effectiveness of cervical pessary vs vaginal progesterone to prevent preterm birth and neonatal morbidity in women with twin pregnancy and a short cervix.MethodsBetween 4 March 2016 and 3 June 2017, we performed this economic analysis following a randomized controlled trial (RCT), performed at My Duc Hospital, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, that compared cervical pessary to vaginal progesterone in women with twin pregnancy and cervical length < 38 mm between 16 and 22 weeks of gestation. We used morbidity‐free neonatal survival as a measure of effectiveness. Data on pregnancy outcome, maternal morbidity and neonatal complications were collected prospectively from medical files; additional information was obtained via telephone interviews with the patients. The incremental cost‐effectiveness ratio was calculated as the incremental cost required to achieve one extra surviving morbidity‐free neonate in the pessary group compared with in the progesterone group. Probabilistic and one‐way sensitivity analyses were also performed.ResultsDuring the study period, we screened 1113 women with twin pregnancy, of whom 300 fulfilled the inclusion criteria of the RCT and gave informed consent to participate. These women were assigned randomly to receive cervical pessary (n = 150) or vaginal progesterone (n = 150), with two women and one woman, respectively, being lost to follow‐up. The rate of morbidity‐free neonatal survival was significantly higher in the pessary group compared with the progesterone group (n = 241/296 (81.4%) vs 219/298 (73.5%); relative risk, 1.11 (95% CI, 1.02–1.21), P = 0.02). The mean total cost per woman was 3146 € in the pessary group vs 3570 € in the progesterone group (absolute difference, –424 € (95% CI, –842 to –3 €), P = 0.048). The cost per morbidity‐free neonate was significantly lower in the pessary group compared with that in the progesterone group (2492 vs 2639 €; absolute difference, –147 € (95% CI, −284 to 10 €), P = 0.035).ConclusionIn women with twin pregnancy and a short cervix, cervical pessary improves significantly the rate of morbidity‐free neonatal survival while reducing costs, as compared with vaginal progesterone. Copyright © 2019 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Assessing human‐specific CrAssphage recovery after acidification‐filtration concentrating method in environmental water
Authors: Petcharat Thitirat , Kongprajug Akechai , Chyerochana Natcha , Sangkaew Watsawan , Mongkolsuk Skorn , Sirikanchana Kwanrawee 
Published: August 2019

AbstractPinpointing water pollution sources using host‐specific gastrointestinal microbes, known as microbial source tracking (MST), have significant benefits for countries with water quality management issues related to pollution. A recently discovered bacteriophage, crAssphage, shows promise as a human‐specific MST marker. However, loss of genetic materials during the recovery and the detection processes could alter the ability to measure virus quantities in a water sample. This study determined the crAssphage recovery efficiencies in water sources, including seawater, freshwater, and influent and effluent from a wastewater treatment plant, by spiking natural crAssphage concentrates prior to DNA extraction and quantitative PCR analysis. The results showed that river and seawater with no or low crAssphage background experienced no recovery loss. Evaluating recovery efficiencies in samples with high crAssphage backgrounds posed a challenge due to the inability to prepare high crAssphage titers. This study highlights the importance of intra‐laboratory assessment of recovery efficiency in environmental samples for retrieving absolute crAssphage quantification with correction of bias among water samples and increase in data accuracy.Practitioner points

In laboratory assessment of recovery efficiency is crucial for bias correction and data accuracy for absolute crAssphage quantification in water samples.

No loss in crAssphage recovery was observed in river and seawater that contained no or low crAssphage backgrounds.

Inability to prepare high crAssphage spike concentrations remains the major limitation for evaluating recovery in samples with high crAssphage backgrounds.

The results underline the importance of evaluating method recovery in real environmental samples that reflect actual matrix effect.

Absolute crAssphage quantification, as human‐specific pollution marker, could be used for prioritizing water quality restoration and area‐based management plan.
Hazardous waste treatment technologies
Authors: Wang Jianmin , Shih Yujen , Wang Po Yen , Yu Yu Han , Su Jenn Fang , Huang Chin‐pao 
Published: August 2019

AbstractThis is a review of the literature published in 2018 on topics related to hazardous waste management in water, soils, sediments, and air. The review covers treatment technologies applying physical, chemical, and biological principles for contaminated water, soils, sediments, and air.Practitioner points

The management of waters, wastewaters, and soils contaminated by various hazardous chemicals including inorganic (e.g., oxyanions, salts, and heavy metals), organic (e.g., halogenated, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, and persistent organic chemicals) was reviewed according to the technology applied, namely, physical, chemical and biological methods.

Physical methods for the management of hazardous wastes including adsorption, coagulation (conventional and electrochemical), sand filtration, electrosorption (or CDI), electrodialysis, electrokinetics, membrane (RO, NF, MF), photocatalysis, photoelectrochemical oxidation, sonochemical, non‐thermal plasma, supercritical fluid, electrochemical oxidation, and electrochemical reduction processes were reviewed.

Chemical methods including ozone‐based, hydrogen peroxide‐based, persulfate‐based, Fenton and Fenton‐like, and potassium permanganate processes for the management of hazardous were reviewed.

Biological methods such as aerobic, anaerobic, bioreactor, constructed wetlands, soil bioremediation and biofilter processes for the management of hazardous wastes, in mode of consortium and pure culture were reviewed.