bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An Ultrasensitive Electrochemical Immunosensor for Nonylphenol Leachate from Instant Noodle Containers in Southeast Asia
Authors: Lu Meiru , Wu Xiaoling , Hao Changlong , Xu Chuanlai , Kuang Hua 
Published: March 2019

AbstractNonylphenols (NPNs) are persistent endocrine disruptors and their release into the environment is causing increasing concern about their impact on human health. Herein, an ultrasensitive electrochemical immunosensor was developed for the detection of NPNs in the leachates from 61 instant noodle containers (INCs) from 8 countries across Southeast Asia. Gold nanoclusters (AuNCs) were self‐assembled with reduced graphene oxide (rGO; polyethylenimine–rGO) and used to modify a glassy carbon electrode (GCE), which showed excellent electrical conductivity. An anti‐NPN antibody was then immobilized on the AuNCs and, if it specifically bound NPN, the reduction in conductivity of the GCE was remarkable. The designed immunosensor has a low detection limit (5.25 ng L−1) and high sensitivity for NPNs in the leachates of INCs. Remarkably, the leaching of estrogen‐like compounds from different plastics of INCs and the correlation between NPN content and total estrogenic activity were thoroughly investigated. High temperatures caused polyethylene and polystyrene INCs to release more estrogen‐like compounds than that of polypropylene INCs; this increased release of NPNs was associated with higher estrogen activity in living cells. These data fill the gap in human and environmental exposure to estrogen‐like compounds through INCs.
Seeded Polymerization of an Amide‐Functionalized Diketopyrrolopyrrole Dye in Aqueous Media
Authors: Ogi Soichiro , Fukaya Natsumi , Arifin  , Skjelstad Bastian Bjerkem , Hijikata Yuh , Yamaguchi Shigehiro 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe self‐assembly of an amide‐functionalized dithienyldiketopyrrolopyrrole (DPP) dye in aqueous media was achieved through seed‐initiated supramolecular polymerization. Temperature‐ and time‐dependent studies showed that the spontaneous polymerization of the DPP derivative was temporally delayed upon cooling the monomer solution in a methanol/water mixture. Theoretical calculations revealed that an amide‐functionalized DPP derivative adopts an energetically favorable folded conformation in the presence of water molecules due to hydration. This conformational change is most likely responsible for the trapping of monomers in the initial stage of the cooperative supramolecular polymerization in aqueous media. However, the monomeric species can selectively interact with externally added fragmented aggregates as seeds through concerted π‐stacking and hydrogen‐bonding interactions. Consequently, the time course of the supramolecular polymerization and the morphology of the aggregated state can be controlled, and one‐dimensional fibers that exhibit a J‐aggregate‐like bathochromically shifted absorption band can be obtained.
Elevated serum insulin‐like growth factor 1 in recurrent aphthous stomatitis
Authors: Baccaglini Lorena , Shuster Jonathan J. , Theriaque Douglas W. , Naveed Zaeema 
Published: March 2019

AbstractOver 100 million Americans experience recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) at some point in life. To develop targeted drugs for RAS treatment, it is critical to identify its etiology. We determined if serum insulin‐like growth factor 1 (IGF‐1) and related factors are associated with RAS, because both RAS prevalence and IGF‐1 are highest during puberty. We analyzed data from 1,480 Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey participants aged 20–40 years. Participants with a history of diabetes or lupus, cotinine levels 6 ng/ml or higher or glycemia 110 mg/dl or higher were excluded. We compared levels of IGF‐1, IGFBP‐3, leptin, and insulin in participants with a positive vs. negative RAS history in the prior 12 months. We used logistic regression in SAS/SUDAAN to account for the complex sampling design. The odds of a positive RAS history were 1.31 times higher for every 100 ng/ml increase in serum IGF‐1. This association persisted after adjustment for age, race/ethnicity, medication intake, body mass index, insulin, leptin, glycemia, and income (adjusted OR = 1.30, 95% CI [1.06, 1.60]; p = 0.013). The odds of a positive RAS history were also higher among non‐Hispanic white compared with non‐Hispanic black participants (adjusted OR = 4.37, 95% CI [3.00, 6.38]). Leptin, IGFBP‐3, and insulin levels did not differ by RAS status. The significantly higher IGF‐1 levels in participants with a positive RAS history compared with controls suggest a possible role of the IGF‐1 pathway in RAS etiology.
Nanotherapeutics as promising approaches to combat fungal infections
Authors: Kamel Rabab 
Published: March 2019

AbstractFungal infections are a serious and growing public health problem. Invasive fungal infections can increase the rate of morbidity and mortality of immune‐compromised patients. Nowadays, there are a great number of antifungal agents; however, the control of fungal diseases is unsatisfactory due to lack of treatment efficiency, low drug biovailability, high drug toxicity, and emergence of fungal resistance. The use of advanced drug delivery systems can hopefully revolutionize the treatment of fungal diseases. This article comprises an overview on antifungal drugs, plant‐derived moieties with antifungal activity, together with the encountered problems. The nanoencapsulation of antifungal agents is proposed as a potential successful therapeutic approach by enhancing the solubility and stability of the active constituents, extending the biological effect, improving the absorption, and adjusting the degree of hydrophilicity/lipophilicity. In addition, some antifungal market products based on the nanotechnology are displayed.
Adult Hippocampal Neurogenesis in Mammals (and Humans): The Death of a Central Dogma in Neuroscience and its Replacement by a New Dogma
Authors: Oppenheim Ronald W. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe review is a critical appraisal of the history and present status of the phenomenon of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN) in the mammalian and human brain. Previous as well as most current studies of AHN have focused on highly inbred domestic mice and rats that are examined in rigorously controlled laboratory environments using psychology‐based behavioral tests. However, this approach cannot reveal the adaptive significance of AHN, a key unresolved question in the field. After the publication of several thousand articles in the field over the last 20 years, little progress has been made in our understanding of the biological utility of AHN in the real world. To accomplish this will require comparative studies employing a greater diversity of species and species‐specific behaviors that are investigated in a more naturalistic, evolutionary context. Although efforts along these lines are on the rise, they remain “voices in the wilderness.” This review is an attempt to hasten and increase those efforts.
Dynamic Alterations of Retinal EphA5 Expression in Retinocollicular Map Plasticity
Authors: Cheng Qi , Graves Mark D. , Pallas Sarah L. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe topographically ordered retinocollicular projection is an excellent system for studying the mechanism of axon guidance. Gradients of EphA receptors in the retina and ephrin‐As in the superior colliculus (SC) pattern the anteroposterior axis of the retinocollicular map, but whether they are involved in map plasticity after injury is unknown. Partial damage to the caudal SC at birth creates a compressed, complete retinotopic map in the remaining SC without affecting visual response properties. Previously, we found that the gradient of ephrin‐A expression in compressed maps is steeper than normal, suggesting an instructive role in compression. Here we measured EphA5 mRNA and protein levels after caudal SC damage in order to test the hypothesis that changes in retinal EphA5 expression occur that are complementary to the changes in collicular ephrin‐A expression. We find that the nasotemporal gradient of EphA5 receptor expression steepens in the retina and overall expression levels change dynamically, especially in temporal retina, supporting the hypothesis. This change in receptor expression occurs after the change in ephrin‐A ligand expression. We propose that changes in the retinal EphA5 gradient guide recovery of the retinocollicular projection from early injury. This could occur directly through the change in EphA5 expression instructing retino‐SC map compression, or through ephrin‐A ligand signaling instructing a change in EphA5 receptor expression that in turn signals the retinocollicular map to compress. Understanding what molecular signals direct compensation for injury is essential to developing rehabilitative strategies and maximizing the potential for recovery.
The effects of pulsed fertilization and chronic herbivory by periodical cicadas on tree growth
Authors: Yang Louie H. , Karban Richard 
Published: March 2019

AbstractAlthough many studies have investigated plant growth in the context of episodic herbivory and pressed resource availability, relatively few have examined how plant growth is affected by pulsed resources and chronic herbivory. Periodical cicada (Magicicada spp.) adults represent a pulsed detrital subsidy that fertilizes plants, and live cicada nymphs are long‐lived root‐feeding herbivores. Previous studies of cicada herbivory effects have been inconclusive, and previous studies of cicada‐mediated fertilization did not examine effects on trees, or on a multiyear timescale. Here, we describe the results of a 3‐yr experiment that factorially manipulated the presence and absence of cicada fertilization and herbivory in a population of 100 American sycamore (Platanus occidentalis) trees. We found that cicada fertilization strongly increased tree growth in the year of emergence, creating differences in tree size that persisted at least 2 yr later. By comparison, we did not detect reductions in tree growth associated with cicada herbivory in any year of this experiment. However, cicada herbivory reduced the densities of, and damage from, other aboveground herbivores. These results suggest that cicadas affect the size structure of forests over multiple years, and raise questions about how cicada‐mediated fertilization and herbivory will affect tree growth over longer timescales.
Statistical modeling of patterns in annual reproductive rates
Authors: Brooks Mollie E. , Kristensen Kasper , Darrigo Maria Rosa , Rubim Paulo , Uriarte María , Bruna Emilio , Bolker Benjamin M. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractReproduction by individuals is typically recorded as count data (e.g., number of fledglings from a nest or inflorescences on a plant) and commonly modeled using Poisson or negative binomial distributions, which assume that variance is greater than or equal to the mean. However, distributions of reproductive effort are often underdispersed (i.e., variance < mean). When used in hypothesis tests, models that ignore underdispersion will be overly conservative and may fail to detect significant patterns. Here we show that generalized Poisson (GP) and Conway‐Maxwell‐Poisson (CMP) distributions are better choices for modeling reproductive effort because they can handle both overdispersion and underdispersion; we provide examples of how ecologists can use GP and CMP distributions in generalized linear models (GLMs) and generalized linear mixed models (GLMMs) to quantify patterns in reproduction. Using a new R package, glmmTMB, we construct GLMMs to investigate how rainfall and population density influence the number of fledglings in the warbler Oreothlypis celata and how flowering rate of Heliconia acuminata differs between fragmented and continuous forest. We also demonstrate how to deal with zero‐inflation, which occurs when there are more zeros than expected in the distribution, e.g., due to complete reproductive failure by some individuals.
Low‐voltage efficient electroosmotic pumps with ultrathin silica nanoporous membrane
Authors: Yang Qian , Su Bin , Wang Yafeng , Wu Wanhao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractIn this work, an efficient electroosmotic pump (EOP) based on the ultrathin silica nanoporous membrane (u‐SNM), which can drive the motion of fluid under the operating voltage as low as 0.2 V, has been fabricated. Thanks to the ultrathin thickness of u‐SNM (∼75 nm), the effective electric field strength across u‐SNM could be as high as 8.27 × 105 V m−1 in 0.4 M KCl when 1.0 V of voltage was applied. The maximum normalized electroosmotic flow (EOF) rate was as high as 172.90 mL/min/cm2/V, which was larger than most of other nanoporous membrane based EOPs. In addition to the ultrathin thickness, the high porosity of this membrane (with a pore density of 4 × 1012 cm−2, corresponding to a porosity of 16.7%) also contribute to such a high EOF rate. Moreover, the EOF rate was found to be proportional to both the applied voltage and the electrolyte concentration. Because of small electrokinetic radius of u‐SNM arising from its ultrasmall pore size (ca. 2.3 nm in diameter), the EOF rate increased with increasing the electrolyte concentration and reached the maximum at a concentration of 0.4 M. This dependence was rationalized by the variations of both zeta potential and electrokinetic radius with the electrolyte concentration.
To block or not to block: The adaptive manipulation of plague transmission
Authors: Gandon Sylvain , Heitzmann Louise , Sebbane Florent 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe ability of the agent of plague, Yersinia pestis, to form a biofilm blocking the gut of the flea has been considered to be a key evolutionary step in maintaining flea-borne transmission. However, blockage decreases dramatically the life expectancy of fleas, challenging the adaptive nature of blockage. Here, we develop an epidemiological model of plague that accounts for its different transmission routes, as well as the within-host competition taking place between bacteria within the flea vector. We use this theoretical framework to identify the environmental conditions promoting the evolution of blockage. We also show that blockage is favored at the onset of an epidemic, and that the frequencies of bacterial strains exhibiting different strategies of blockage can fluctuate in seasonal environments. This analysis quantifies the contribution of different transmission routes in plague and makes testable predictions on the adaptive nature of blockage.
Deformation of amphibolites from the Paleoproterozoic Liaohe Group, Liaodong Peninsula, China: Implications to the crustal structure of the Jiao‐Liao‐Ji mobile belt in the eastern block, North China Craton
Authors: Wang Kai , Liu Junlai , Yang Hongxiang , Liang Sixi 
Published: March 2019

Structural evolution of the Paleoproterozoic Jiao‐Liao‐Ji orogenic belt in eastern North China Craton has been a subject of extensive study in the past decades. Studies of the characteristics of the crustal structure during orogenesis are essential to the understanding of the formation and evolution of the orogenic belt. In this paper, we present detailed studies of deformed amphibolites in the southern part of the orogenic belt to illustrate the changes of deformation conditions and variation of deformation mechanisms during the orogenic processes. Based on differences in structural characteristics of foliations, amphibolites from the Paleoproterozoic South Liaohe Group at Caohekou–Jiguanshan area are subdivided into four types (massive, weak‐gneissic, moderate‐gneissic, and strong‐gneissic). Our study shows that the different characteristics in microstructures, rock fabrics, and deformation mechanisms of the amphibolites were resulted from varying temperatures and pressures in relation to the tectonic deformation. The widely distributed massive amphibolites (P = 0.39 GPa, T = 639°C) display no or weak deformation, which is inferred to represent steady‐state crystallization. Weak‐gneissic amphibolites (P = 0.52 GPa, T = 753°C) were resulted from stress‐controlled grain growth. Amphiboles in such rocks show obvious (100) LPOs but minor evidence for crystal plastic deformation. Evidences for crystal plastic deformation of amphibole grains are common in moderate‐gneissic amphibolites (P = 0.61 GPa, T = 771°C). The amphibole grains have strong (100) and (001) LPOs. Dislocation slip is considered as the main deformation mechanism of the amphibole grains in the rocks. Both subgrains and mechanical twins of amphiboles from strong‐gneissic amphibolites (P = 0.77 GPa, T = 686°C) are long‐columnar shaped and show the same orientation as their host crystals. They are resulted from reactivation of (100)(001) slip system controlled by dynamic recrystallization, twinning, and twinning nucleation recrystallization. The evident pressure difference from 0.39 to 0.77 GPa during the formation of the various types of amphibolites may be related to the tectonic thickening during contractional orogenesis.
Cardiovascular mortality among patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma: Differences according to lymphoma subtype
Authors: Abuamsha Hasan , Kadri Amer N. , Hernandez Adrian V. 
Published: March 2019

AbstractSurvival rates of patients with non‐Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) have improved over the last decade. However, cardiotoxicities remain important adverse consequences of treatment with chemotherapy and radiation, although the burden of cardiovascular mortality (CVM) in such patients remains unknown. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients greater than or equal to 20 years of age diagnosed with diffuse large B‐cell lymphoma (DLBCL), follicular lymphoma (FL), and chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) between 2000 and 2013 using data extracted from the United States Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. Our primary endpoint was CVM. The association between NHL and CVM was evaluated using multivariable Cox regression analysis after adjusting for other patient characteristics. We calculated standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for CVM, comparing NHL patients with the general population. We identified 153 983 patients who met the inclusion criteria (69 329 with DLBCL, 48 650 with CLL/SLL, and 36 004 with FL). The median follow‐up was 37 months (interquartile range, 10‐78 months); the mean patient age was 66.24 (±14.69) years; 84 924 (55.2%) were men; 134 720 (87.5%) were White, and 131 912 (85.7%) did not receive radiation therapy. Overall, 9017 patients (5.8%) died from cardiovascular disease, and we found that NHL patients had a higher risk of CVM than the general population, after adjusting for age (SMR 15.2, 95% confidence interval: 14.89‐15.52). The rates of CVM were 5.1%, 8%, and 4.4% in patients with DLBCL, CLL/SLL, and FL, respectively. Furthermore, across all NHL subtypes, older age, higher stage at the time of diagnosis (particularly stage 4), male sex, and living in the south were associated with higher risks of CVM. Our data suggest that risk assessment and careful cardiac monitoring are recommended for NHL patients, particularly those with the CLL/SLL subtypes.
Comprehensive analysis of a ceRNA network reveals potential prognostic cytoplasmic lncRNAs involved in HCC progression
Authors: Bai Yi , Long Junyu , Liu Zhisong , Lin Jianzhen , Huang Hanchan , Wang Dongxu , Yang Xu , Miao Fei , Mao Yilei , Sang Xinting , Zhao Haitao 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThe aberrant expression of long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has drawn increasing attention in the field of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) biology. In the present study, we obtained the expression profiles of lncRNAs, microRNAs (miRNAs), and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) in 371 HCC tissues and 50 normal tissues from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and identified hepatocarcinogenesis‐specific differentially expressed genes (DEGs, log fold change ≥ 2, FDR < 0.01), including 753 lncRNAs, 97 miRNAs, and 1,535 mRNAs. Because the specific functions of lncRNAs are closely related to their intracellular localizations and because the cytoplasm is the main location for competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) action, we analyzed not only the interactions among these DEGs but also the distributions of lncRNAs (cytoplasmic, nuclear or both). Then, an HCC‐associated deregulated ceRNA network consisting of 37 lncRNAs, 10 miRNAs, and 26 mRNAs was constructed after excluding those lncRNAs located only in the nucleus. Survival analysis of this network demonstrated that 15 lncRNAs, 3 miRNAs, and 16 mRNAs were significantly correlated with the overall survival of HCC patients (p < 0.01). Through multivariate Cox regression and lasso analysis, a risk score system based on 13 lncRNAs was constructed, which showed good discrimination and predictive ability for HCC patient survival time. This ceRNA network‐construction approach, based on lncRNA distribution, not only narrowed the scope of target lncRNAs but also provided specific candidate molecular biomarkers for evaluating the prognosis of HCC, which will help expand our understanding of the ceRNA mechanisms involved in the early development of HCC.
Comprehensive analysis of lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA during proliferative phase of rat liver regeneration
Authors: Bai Haijing , Guo Jianlin , Chang Cuifang , Guo Xueqiang , Xu Cunshuan , Jin Wei 
Published: March 2019

AbstractThis study aims to reveal the regulatory mechanism of lncRNAs–miRNAs–mRNAs network during the proliferative phase of liver regeneration (LR). High‐throughput sequencing technology was performed, and a total of 1,738 differentially expressed lncRNAs (DE lncRNAs), 167 known differentially expressed miRNAs (DE miRNAs), and 2,727 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified. Then, the target DE lncRNAs and DE mRNAs regulated by the same miRNAs were screened and a ceRNA regulatory network containing 32 miRNAs, 107 lncRNAs, and 270 mRNAs was constructed. Insulin signaling pathway, pyrimidine metabolism, axon guidance, carbohydrate digestion and absorption, and pyruvate metabolism were significantly enriched in the network. Through literature review and the regulatory relationship between lncRNAs and miRNAs, nine core lncRNAs were identified, which might play important roles during the proliferative phase of rat LR. This study analyzed lncRNA–miRNA–mRNA regulatory network for the first time during the proliferative phase of rat LR, providing clues for exploring the mechanism of LR and the treatment of liver diseases.
Aberrant expression of miR‐29a/29b and methylation level of mouse embryos after in vitro fertilization and vitrification at two‐cell stage
Authors: Movahed Elham , Soleimani Mansooreh , Hosseini Sara , Akbari Sene Azade , Salehi Mohammad 
Published: March 2019

AbstractProper epigenetic modifications during preimplantation embryo development are important for a successful pregnancy. We aim to investigate the putative influence of in vitro fertilization (IVF) and vitrification on DNA methylation in mouse preimplantation embryos. The study groups consisted of blastocyst‐derived vitrified two‐cell embryos, nonvitrified embryos, and a control group of in vivo derived blastocysts. We assessed developmental competence, global DNA methylation, relative expression levels of miR‐29a/29b, and their target genes, Dnmt3a/3b. Vitrified embryos had a lower developmental rate as compared with nonvitrified embryos. There was no significant decrease in blastocyst cell numbers among studied groups, whereas there was a steady decline in DNA methylation after IVF and vitrification. The levels of miR‐29a/29b upregulated in the experimental groups as compared with the control group. IVF and vitrification caused Dnmt3a/3b downregulations in blastocysts. The results of this study have suggested that a relationship exists between IVF and embryo vitrification with methylation interruptions in the blastocysts.