bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Wash-free, label-free immunoassay for rapid electrochemical detection of PfHRP2 in whole blood samples
Authors: Dutta Gorachand , Lillehoj Peter B. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCurrently, the diagnosis of many diseases relies on laboratory-based immunoassays (ELISA, Western Blot), which are laborious, time-consuming and expensive. To address these limitations, we report a wash-free and label-free electrochemical immunoassay for rapid measurements of protein biomarkers in blood samples. This immunosensor employs a unique detection scheme based on electrochemical-chemical (EC) redox cycling for signal amplification combined with an affinity-based protein quantification strategy. All of the reagents required for this assay are dried and stored on a stacked membrane assembly, consisting of a Vivid Plasma Separation membrane and two cellulose membranes situated above the sensor, enabling excellent stability at room temperature for up to 2 months. Proof of concept was carried out by performing measurements of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) in whole blood samples, which could be detected from 100 ng/mL to 100 µg/mL with excellent specificity and reproducibility. Each measurement requires only two liquid dispensing steps and can completed in 5 min, making this diagnostic platform promising for point-of-care testing in resource-limited settings.
Regulation and overexpression studies of YidC in Mycobacterium tuberculosis
Authors: Thakur Preeti , Choudhary Eira , Pareek Madhu , Agarwal Nisheeth 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe preprotein translocase, YidC is an envelope protein which controls respiratory metabolism inMycobacterium tuberculosis. Previously, we have established that depletion ofyidCis deleterious for both extra- and intracellular proliferation ofM.tuberculosis; however, it remains unclear how YidC expression is regulated under different growth conditions and whether its altered expression impact mycobacterial physiology. Herein, we show thatyidCis expressed as an operon with upstream genes. Interestingly, expression analysis under various stress conditions reveals a distinct paradox in the profile of theyidCmRNA transcripts and the YidC protein. While YidC protein level is moderately elevated upon bacterial exposure to cell surface stresses, the corresponding mRNA transcript levels are significantly repressed under these conditions. In contrast, overexpression ofM.tuberculosis yidCunder a strong anhydrotetracycline-inducible promoter results in significant induction of YidC protein. Additionally, we also observe that overexpression ofM.tuberculosis yidC, and not of its counterpart from fast-growingM.smegmatis, results in alteredin vitrogrowth of bacteria, compromised integrity of bacterial cell envelope and differential expression of a small set of genes including those which are regulated under detergent stress. Overall findings of our study suggest that YidC proteins of slow- and fast-growing mycobacteria are functionally distinct despite exhibiting a great deal of identity.
Morphological evolution of upconversion nanoparticles and their biomedical signal generation
Authors: Rafique Rafia , Baek Seung Hoon , Park Chan Yeong , Chang Sung-Jin , Gul Anam Rana , Ha Siyoung , Nguyen Thang Phan , Oh Hyeongyeol , Ham Seungwook , Arshad Muhammad , Lee Hohjai , Park Tae Jung 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAdvancements in the fabrication of upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) for synthetic control can enable a broad range of applications in biomedical systems. Herein, we experimentally verified the role of the hydrothermal reaction (HR) time in the synthesis of NaYF4:20%Yb3+/3%Er3+ UCNPs on their morphological evolution and phase transformation at different temperatures. Characterizations of the as-prepared UCNPs were conducted using X-ray diffraction (XRD), electron microscopy and spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and upconversion (UC) luminescence analysis. We demonstrated that determining the optimal HR time, also referred to here as the threshold time, can produce particles with good homogeneity, hexagonal phase, and UC luminescence efficiency. Subsequently, the polymer coated UCNPs maintained their original particle size distribution and luminescence properties, and showed improved dispersibility in a variety of solvents, cellular nontoxicity, in vitro bioimaging, and biocompatibility as compared to the bare UCNP. Besides this, polyacrylic acid conjugated UCNPs (UCNP@PAA) also revealed the strong anticancer effect by conjugating with doxorubicin (DOX) as compared to the free DOX. Based on these findings, we suggest that these particles will be useful in drug-delivery systems and as in vivo bioimaging agents synchronously.
Whole-Transcriptome Profiling of Canine and Human in Vitro Models Exposed to a G-Quadruplex Binding Small Molecule
Authors: Zorzan Eleonora , Elgendy Ramy , Giantin Mery , Dacasto Mauro , Sissi Claudia 
Published: November 2018

AbstractG-quadruplexes (G4) are secondary nucleic acid structures that have been associated with genomic instability and cancer progression. When present in the promoter of some oncogenes, G4 structures can affect gene regulation and, hence, represent a possible therapeutic target. In this study, RNA-Seq was used to explore the effect of a G4-binding anthraquinone derivative, named AQ1, on the whole-transcriptome profiles of two common cell models for the study of KIT pathways; the human mast cell leukemia (HMC1.2) and the canine mast cell tumor (C2). The highest non-cytotoxic dose of AQ1 (2 µM) resulted in 5441 and 1201 differentially expressed genes in the HMC1.2 and C2 cells, respectively. In both cell lines, major pathways such as cell cycle progression, KIT- and MYC-related pathways were negatively enriched in the AQ1-treated group, while other pathways such as p53, apoptosis and hypoxia-related were positively enriched. These findings suggest that AQ1 treatment induces a similar functional response in the human and canine cell models, and provide news insights into using dogs as a reliable translational model for studying G4-binding compounds.
The paracrine effects of human induced pluripotent stem cells promote bone-like structures via the upregulation of BMP expression in a mouse ectopic model
Authors: Oudina Karim , Paquet Joseph , Moya Adrien , Massourides Emmanuelle , Bensidhoum Morad , Larochette Nathanaël , Deschepper Mickael , Pinset Christian , Petite Hervé 
Published: November 2018

AbstractUse of human induced pluripotent stem cells (h-iPSCs) for bone tissue engineering is most appealing, because h-iPSCs are an inexhaustible source of osteocompetent cells. The present study investigated the contribution of undifferentiated h-iPSCs and elucidated aspects of the underlying mechanism(s) of the involvement of these cells to new bone formation. Implantation of undifferentiated h-iPSCs seeded on coral particles in ectopic sites of mice resulted in expression of osteocalcin and DMP-1, and in mineral content similar to that of the murine bone. The number of the implanted h-iPSCs decreased with time and disappeared by 30 days post-implantation. In contrast, expression of the murine osteogenic genes at day 15 and 30 post-implantation provided, for the first time, evidence that the implanted h-iPSCs affected the observed outcomes via paracrine mechanisms. Supporting evidence was provided because supernatant conditioned media from h-iPSCs (h-iPSC CM), promoted the osteogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells (h-MSCs) in vitro. Specifically, h-iPSC CM induced upregulation of the BMP-2, BMP-4 and BMP-6 genes, and promoted mineralization of the extracellular matrix. Given the current interest in the use of h-iPSCs for regenerative medicine applications, our study contributes new insights into aspects of the mechanism underlying the bone promoting capability of h-iPSCs.
Sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of βeff for MYRRHA using a Monte Carlo technique
Authors: Iwamoto Hiroki , Stakovskiy Alexey , Fiorito Luca , Van den Eynde Gert 
Published: November 2018

This paper presents a nuclear data sensitivity and uncertainty analysis of the effective delayed neutron fraction βeff for critical and subcritical cores of the MYRRHA reactor using the continuous-energy Monte Carlo N-Particle transport code MCNP. The βeff sensitivities are calculated by the modified k-ratio method proposed by Chiba. Comparing the βeff sensitivities obtained with different scaling factors a introduced by Chiba shows that a value of a = 20 is the most suitable for the uncertainty quantification of βeff. Using the calculated βeff sensitivities and the JENDL-4.0u covariance data, the βeff uncertainties for the critical and subcritical cores are determined to be 2.2 ± 0.2% and 2.0 ± 0.2%, respectively, which are dominated by delayed neutron yield of 239Pu and 238U.
Use of integral data assimilation and differential measurements as a contribution to improve 235U and 238U cross sections evaluations in the fast and epithermal energy range
Authors: Huy Virginie , Noguère Gilles , Rimpault Gérald 
Published: November 2018

Critical mass calculations of various HEU-fueled fast reactors result in large discrepancies in C/E values, depending on the nuclear data library used and the configuration modeled. Thus, it seems relevant to use integral experiments to try to reassess cross sections that might be responsible for such a dispersion in critical mass results. This work makes use of the Generalized Least Square method to solve Bayes equation, as implemented in the CONRAD code. Experimental database used includes ICSBEP Uranium based critical experiments and benefits from recent re-analyses of MASURCA and FCA-IX criticality experiments (with Monte-Carlo calculations) and of PROFIL irradiation experiments. These last ones provide very specific information on 235U and 238U capture cross sections. Due to high experimental uncertainties associated to fission spectra, we chose to consider either fitting these data or set them to JEFF-3.1.1 evaluations. The work focused on JEFF-3.1.1 235U and 238U evaluations and results presented in this paper for 235U capture and 238U capture, and inelastic cross sections are compared to recent differential experiment or recent evaluations. Our integral experiment assimilation work notably suggests a 30% decrease for 235U capture around 1–2.25 keV, a 10% increase in the unresolved resonance range when using JEFF-3.1.1 as “a priori” data. These results are in agreement with recent microscopic measurements from Danon et al. [Nucl. Sci. Eng. 187, 291 (2017)] and Jandel et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 109, 202506 (2012)]. For 238U cross sections, results are highly dependent on fission spectra.
Surgical technique for biological fixation of closed segmental tibial fractures by the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS)
Authors: Gamal Osama , Shams Ahmed 
Published: November 2018

Introduction: This prospective case series study aimed to assess the value of the Less Invasive Stabilization System (LISS) to treat closed Segmental Tibial Fractures (STFs) using a proposed surgical technique.Materials and methods: Between August 2010 and January 2014, 21 consecutive recently (within 1 week) closed STFs that matched the inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients were treated with the 13-hole LISS plate. All patients were followed up every 2 weeks for the first 2 months, then every month for the rest of the first 6 months and then every 6 months thereafter. Patients were assessed radiologically during the follow-up appointments and clinically at the final visit by the Lower Extremity Functional Scale (LEFS) to evaluate the result.Results: The mean time to union of the proximal fracture was 15.72 ± 2.78 (range: 12–20) weeks and for the distal fracture was 20 ± 2.22 (range: 16–24) weeks, excluding delayed union in three patients. All patients except the three showed radiological observable callus in a mean duration of 4.95 (range: 3–7) weeks. The mean final follow-up LEFS was 72.4 (range: 60–80).Conclusion: The mean time to union of the proximal fracture was shorter than the distal fracture. The use of LISS to treat closed STFs using the proposed surgical technique has proved to give favorable results. Further studies using the described technique are needed to justify the achieved results.Level of evidence: IV (Prospective case series).
Mermaid Syndrome: A Case Report of a Rare Congenital Anomaly in Full-Term Neonate with Thumb Deformity
Authors: Taee Nadereh , Tarhani Fariba , Goodarzi Mojgan , Safdari Mohammad , Bajelan Amir 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe mermaid syndrome (sirenomelia) is an extremely rare anomaly, an incidence of 1 in 100,000 births, in which a newborn born with legs joined together featuring a mermaid-like appearance (head and trunk like humans and tail like fish), and in most cases die shortly after birth. Gastrointestinal and urogenital anomalies and single umbilical artery are clinical outcome of this syndrome. There are two important hypotheses for pathogenesis of mermaid syndrome: vitelline artery steal hypothesis and defective blastogenesis hypothesis. The cause of the mermaid syndrome is unknown, but there are some possible factors such as age younger than 20 years and older than 40 years in mother and exposure of fetus to teratogenics. Here, we introduced 19-year-old mother's first neonate with mermaid syndrome. The mother had gestational diabetes mellitus and neonate was born with single lower limb, ambiguous genitalia, and thumb anomalies, and 4 days after birth, the neonate died due to multiple anomalies and imperforated anus.
An Evidence-Based Tool for Safe Configuration of Electronic Health Records: The eSafety Checklist
Authors: Dhillon-Chattha Pritma , McCorkle Ruth , Borycki Elizabeth 
Published: November 2018

Background Electronic health records (EHRs) are transforming the way health care is delivered. They are central to improving the quality of patient care and have been attributed to making health care more accessible, reliable, and safe. However, in recent years, evidence suggests that specific features and functions of EHRs can introduce new, unanticipated patient safety concerns that can be mitigated by safe configuration practices.
Objective This article outlines the development of a detailed and comprehensive evidence-based checklist of safe configuration practices for use by clinical informatics professionals when configuring hospital-based EHRs.
Methods A literature review was conducted to synthesize evidence on safe configuration practices; data were analyzed to elicit themes of common EHR system capabilities. Two rounds of testing were completed with end users to inform checklist design and usability. This was followed by a four-member expert panel review, where each item was rated for clarity (clear, not clear), and importance (high, medium, low).
Results An expert panel consisting of three clinical informatics professionals and one health information technology expert reviewed the checklist for clarity and importance. Medium and high importance ratings were considered affirmative responses. Of the 870 items contained in the original checklist, 535 (61.4%) received 100% affirmative agreement among all four panelists. Clinical panelists had a higher affirmative agreement rate of 75.5% (656 items). Upon detailed analysis, items with 100% clinician agreement were retained in the checklist with the exception of 47 items and the addition of 33 items, resulting in a total of 642 items in the final checklist.
Conclusion Safe implementation of EHRs requires consideration of both technical and sociotechnical factors through close collaboration of health information technology and clinical informatics professionals. The recommended practices described in this checklist provide systems implementation guidance that should be considered when EHRs are being configured, implemented, audited, or updated, to improve system safety and usability.
The Influence of Light Exposure in Ambiance during Pregnancy in Maternal and Fetal Outcomes: An Experimental Study
Authors: Sarri Vitor Coca , Ferrari Beatriz Maria , Magalhães Larissa Fernandes , Rodrigues Paula Almeida , Rezende Almir Coelho , Brunherotti Marisa Afonso Andrade 
Published: November 2018

Objective The aim of this study is to evaluate whether exposure to different environmental lighting conditions affects the reproductive parameters of pregnant mice and the development of their offspring.
Methods Fifteen pregnant albino mice were divided into three groups: light/dark, light, and dark. The animals were euthanized on day 18 of pregnancy following the Brazilian Good Practice Guide for Euthanasia of Animals. Maternal and fetal specimens were measured and collected for histological evaluation. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) test was used for comparison of the groups considering p ≤ 0.05 to be statistically significant.
Results There was no significant difference in the maternal variables between the three groups. Regarding fetal variables, significant differences were observed in the anthropometric measures between the groups exposed to different environmental lighting conditions, with the highest mean values in the light group. The histological evaluation showed the same structural pattern of the placenta in all groups, which was within the normal range. However, evaluation of the uterus revealed a discrete to moderate number of endometrial glands in the light/dark and light groups, which were poorly developed in most animals. In the fetuses, pulmonary analysis revealed morphological features consistent with the transition from the canalicular to the saccular phase in all groups.
Conclusion Exposure to different environmental lighting conditions had no influence on the reproductive parameters of female mice, while the offspring of mothers exposed to light for 24 hours exhibited better morphometric features.
Epstein–Barr virus enhances genome maintenance of Kaposi sarcoma-associated herpesvirus
Authors: Bigi Rachele , Landis Justin T. , An Hyowon , Caro-Vegas Carolina , Raab-Traub Nancy , Dittmer Dirk P. 
Published: November 2018

Significance
Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) is a B cell lymphoma; the prognosis is poor, with a median survival around 6 months. PEL is always associated with the presence of Kaposi’s sarcoma-associated herpesvirus and in most cases is coinfected with Epstein–Barr virus (EBV); however, the role of EBV in the pathogenesis of the tumor is still not clear. This study demonstrates the intricate interaction between the two herpesviruses, which exacerbate tumorigenesis by mutually reinforcing the persistence of each latent genome and by altering cell proliferation. It establishes curing EBV and inhibiting Epstein–Barr nuclear antigen 1 as a potential treatment for PEL.
Episodic organic carbon fluxes from surface ocean to abyssal depths during long-term monitoring in NE Pacific
Authors: Smith Kenneth L. , Ruhl Henry A. , Huffard Christine L. , Messié Monique , Kahru Mati 
Published: November 2018

Significance
Ignoring temporal fluctuations in the oceanic carbon budget leads to a significant misrepresentation of the cycling of organic matter from production in surface waters to consumption and sequestration in the abyssal ocean. A 29-year time series (1989 to 2017) of particulate organic carbon (POC) fluxes and sea-floor measurements of sediment community oxygen consumption (SCOC) revealed episodic, high-magnitude events over the past 7 years. Time lags between changes in satellite-estimated export flux, POC flux and SCOC varied from 0 to 70 days. A commonly used model to estimate carbon flux through the water column significantly underestimated the measured carbon fluxes by almost 50%. Episodic pulses of organic carbon into the deep sea must be accounted for to balance the oceanic carbon budget.
Strong Integration in bilingual grammar, formalized
Authors: Hsin Lisa , Legendre Geraldine 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe present elicited production data reflecting cross-linguistic interference effects in the English wh-questions of Spanish-English bilingual children to provide a proof-of-concept for a proposed new formal analysis of such effects across cross-linguistic influence phenomena. The observed interference effects are interpreted as evidence for the Strong Integration hypothesis of bilingual grammatical architecture, in the context of independently documented facilitation and interference effects in a range of bilingual acquisition contexts. Building on an existing Optimality-Theoretic (OT) model of monolingual acquisition and a specific account of the adult grammar of wh-structures across dialects of Spanish, we propose that the individual patterns documented, in particular the sensitivity in child English to distinctions made in Spanish dialects on the basis of an argument/adjunct contrast, find a straightforward explanation in the OT model of acquisition as adapted to bilingual situations. The generalizability of the model as well as effects of exposure and dominance are discussed.
Populism in Southern Africa under liberation movements as governments
Authors: Melber Henning 
Published: November 2018

SUMMARY
Anti-colonial movements secured political power as governments in countries of Southern Africa. Populist discourses, which reinforce the patriotic history and heroic narratives of a ‘big men’ syndrome, are part of their political culture retaining continued legitimacy, not least in South Africa, Namibia and Zimbabwe, where national sovereignty was the result of a negotiated transfer of political power. This briefing presents a critical assessment of such populism as an integral part of the repertoire of former liberation movements as governments.
Simple Whittaker modules over free bosonic orbifold vertex operator algebras
Authors: Hartwig Jonas , Yu Nina 
Published: November 2018

We construct weak (i.e. nongraded) modules over the vertex operator algebra

M
(
1

)
+

M(1)^+

, which is the fixed-point subalgebra of the higher rank free bosonic (Heisenberg) vertex operator algebra with respect to the

−
1

-1

automorphism. These weak modules are constructed from Whittaker modules for the higher rank Heisenberg algebra. We prove that the modules are simple as weak modules over

M
(
1

)
+

M(1)^+

and calculate their Whittaker type when regarded as modules for the Virasoro Lie algebra. Lastly, we show that any Whittaker module for the Virasoro Lie algebra occurs in this way. These results are a higher rank generalization of some results by Tanabe [Proc. Amer. Math. Soc. 145 (2017), no. 10, pp. 4127–4140].
Word Knowledge: Exploring the Relationships and Order of Acquisition of Vocabulary Knowledge Components
Authors: González-fernández Beatriz , Schmitt Norbert 
Published: November 2018

Abstract
This study explores the overall nature of the vocabulary knowledge construct by examining the relationships and order of acquisition of multiple word knowledge components. A total of 144 Spanish learners of English were tested on their recognition and recall knowledge of four word knowledge components: the form–meaning link, derivatives, multiple meanings, and collocations. All word knowledge components were strongly intercorrelated, and implicational scaling analyses showed that there is a consistent pattern of acquisition for these components, with recognition knowledge being acquired before recall knowledge across all the different components. Structural equation modelling (SEM) revealed that all components (both recognition and recall) contribute significantly to the global vocabulary construct. However, SEM also suggested that the recognition and recall masteries of any particular word knowledge component must be seen as separate constructs. Overall, findings suggest that the distinction between recognition and recall knowledge is fundamental to the conceptualization of the development of vocabulary knowledge.