bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Theoretical Contribution towards Understanding Specific Behaviour of “Simple” Protein‐film Reactions in Square‐wave Voltammetry
Authors: Gulaboski Rubin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSurface reactions of uniformly adsorbed redox molecules at working electrode surface are seen as adequate models to studying chemical reactivity of many lipophilic enzymes. When considered under pulse voltammetric techniques, these systems show several uncommon features, whose origin is still not completely clear. The phenomena of “quasireverible maximum”, “splitting” of the net peak in square‐wave voltammetry, and the very steep descent of Faradaic currents of simple surface redox reactions exhibiting fast electron transfer are just some of the features that make these systems quite interesting for further elaborations. In this work, we present a set of theoretical calculations under conditions of square‐wave voltammetry in order try to explain some of aforementioned phenomena. The major goal of our work is to get insight to some voltammetric and chrono‐amperometric features of two considered surface reactions, i. e. (1) the “simple” surface redox reaction, and (2) surface redox reaction coupled to follow‐up irreversible chemical reaction of electrochemically generated redox species (or surface ECirr). We focus on the role of created Red(ads) (here in the reduction pulses only) to the current components of calculated square‐wave voltammograms exhibiting fast electrode reaction. We show that the irreversible chemical removal of electrochemically generated Red(ads) species, created in the potential pulses where half‐reaction of reduction Ox(ads)+ne‐−→Red(ads) is “defined” to take place, causes significant increase of all square‐wave current components. The results presented in this work show how complex the chrono‐amperometric features of surface redox reactions under pulse voltammetric conditions might be. In addition, we point out that both half reactions of a given simple surface redox process can occur, at both, “only reduction” and “only oxidation” potential pulses in square‐wave voltammetry. This, in turn, contributes to the occurrence of many phenomena observed in simple protein‐film voltammetry reactions. The effects of chemical reaction rate to the features of calculated square‐wave voltammograms of surface ECirr systems with fast electrode reaction are reported for the first time in this work.
Spatiotemporal expression and inhibition of prolyl oligopeptidase contradict its involvement in key pathologic mechanisms of kainic acid–induced temporal lobe epilepsy in rats
Authors: Ali Idrish , Van Eetveldt Annemie , Van Elzen Roos , Kalathil Raju Tom , Van Der Veken Pieter , Lambeir Anne‐Marie , Dedeurwaerdere Stefanie 
Published: December 2018

SummaryObjectiveProlyl oligopeptidase (PREP) has been implicated in neuroinflammatory processes and neuroplasticity and has been suggested as a target for the treatment of neurodegenerative disease. The aim of this investigation was to explore the involvement of PREP in the neuropathologic mechanisms relevant to temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) using a PREP inhibitor in a well‐established rat model.MethodsPREP activity and expression was studied in Sprague‐Dawley rats 2 and 12 weeks following kainic acid–induced status epilepticus (KASE). Continuous video‐electroencephalography monitoring was performed for 2 weeks in the 12‐week cohort to identify a relationship of PREP expression/activity with epileptic seizures. In addition, the animals included in the 2‐week time point were treated with a specific inhibitor of PREP, KYP‐2047, or saline continuously, starting immediately after SE. PREP activity and its expression were analyzed in rat brain by using enzyme kinetics and western blot. In addition, markers for microglial activation, astrogliosis, cell loss, and cell proliferation were evaluated.ResultsEnzymatic activity of PREP was unchanged following induction of SE after 2 and 12 weeks in rats. PREP activity in epileptic rats did not relate to the number of seizures/day at the 12‐week time point. Moreover, continuous inhibition of PREP for 2 weeks after KASE did not alter the SE‐mediated neuroinflammatory response, cell loss, or cell proliferation in the hippocampal subgranule zone measured at the 2‐week time point.SignificancePREP inhibition does not affect key pathologic mechanisms, including activation of glial cells, cell loss, and neural progenitor cell proliferation, in this KASE model of TLE. The results do not support a direct role of PREP in seizure burden during the chronic epilepsy period in this model.
Strategies to improve the explanatory power of a dynamic slope stability model by enhancing land cover parameterisation and model complexity
Authors: Schmaltz Elmar M. , Van Beek L.P.H. , Bogaard Thom A. , Kraushaar Sabine , Steger Stefan , Glade Thomas 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDespite the importance of land cover on landscape hydrology and slope stability, the representation of land cover dynamics in physically based models and their associated ecohydrological effects on slope stability is rather scarce. In this study, we assess the impact of different levels of complexity in land cover parameterisation on the explanatory power of a dynamic and process‐based spatial slope stability model. Firstly, we present available and collected data sets and account for the stepwise parameterisation of the model. Secondly, we present approaches to simulate land cover: 1) a grassland landscape without forest coverage; 2) spatially static forest conditions, in which we assume limited knowledge about forest composition; 3) more detailed information of forested areas based on the computation of leaf area development and the implementation of vegetation‐related processes; 4) similar to the third approach but with the additional consideration of the spatial expansion and vertical growth of vegetation. Lastly, the model is calibrated based on meteorological data sets and groundwater measurements. The model results are quantitatively validated for two landslide‐triggering events that occurred in Western Austria. Predictive performances are estimated using the Area Under the receiver operating characteristic Curve (AUC). Our findings indicate that the performance of the slope stability model was strongly determined by model complexity and land cover parameterisation. The implementation of leaf area development and land cover dynamics further yield an acceptable predictive performance (AUC ~0.71‐0.75) and a better conservativeness of the predicted unstable areas (FoC ~0.71). The consideration of dynamic land cover expansion provided better performances than the solely consideration of leaf area development. The results of this study highlight that an increase of effort in the land cover parameterisation of a dynamic slope stability model can increase the explanatory power of the model. © 2018 The Authors. Earth Surface Processes and Landforms published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Impacts of the EU GMO regulatory framework for plant genome editing
Authors: Hundleby Penny A. C. , Harwood Wendy A. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractNew plant breeding technologies, such as genome editing, are enabling new crop varieties to be developed far quicker and with greater precision and scope than achievable using conventional methods. These advances could help farmers address the challenges of climate change, sustainability, and global food security. However, despite their potential, the uptake of these new technologies has been slowed down due to the uncertainty associated with the regulation of genome edited crops. For many European consumers, their view of new breeding technologies is influenced by many factors. Those who have never faced a major food crisis may not sufficiently appreciate the challenges posed by a projected rise of 2 billion in the human population by 2050. In addition, consumers with a regular and plentiful supply of food may not have to consider how their food is produced, or appreciate the challenges EU farmers are already facing to meet future demand. Misleading online articles, questioning the safety and ethics of these “new” biotech foods, can also lead consumers to be reluctant to accept them. Consequently, Europe's mixed view on biotech crops may also be hindering their adoption in countries who have even more to gain from the technology. In this review, we discuss the current data on global and EU GM crop adoption and the potential impact a new wave of crop development may have for agriculture. We reflect on how the EU has viewed GM crops, and we consider the future of both genetic modification (GM) and genome editing (GE) in the EU. We explore lessons learnt from the adoption of GM crops and examine the potential impact the recent decision not to exempt genome edited crops from the EU GMO Directive, will have on EU farmers, scientists, consumers, trading countries, and the rest of the world.
Accessing free quality health care services and premature death
Authors: Habibzadeh Farrokh , Yadollahie Mahboobeh , Simi Ashraf , Saeidimehr Saeid , Nasihatkon Ali‐Asghar , Shamsollahi Mohammad Sadegh , Javidi Hojjatollah , Kucheki Maryam , Hashemiasl Kourosh , Jamali Heidarali , Rafiei Mohammad , Mahmoudi Hamidreza , Kalantari Farhad , Azadi Safdar , Maleki Vahid , Asnaashari Abbas , Hosseinzadeh Mehrdad , Sami Habibollah 
Published: December 2018

SummaryBackgroundThe type of health insurance may affect the likelihood of mortality of insured people. We conducted this study to determine if accessing free quality health care services could decrease the premature mortality of people in a developing country.MethodsIn a multicenter cross sectional study, “years‐life‐lost” (YLL) due to premature death was evaluated in 202 671 insured people residing in six large regions in Iran. The participants had access to free quality health care services. The number of insured people that died in the six regions during March 20, 2014, to March 20, 2015, as well as their sex, age, and cause of the death, were collected, and the YLL was calculated based on assumptions made in Global Burden of Disease Study 2010 (GBD2010).ResultsThe crude mortality rate was 2.3 per 1000, significantly lower than the overall rate of 4.6 per 1000 people in general population of Iran. The average YLL was 47 years per 1000 persons, significantly lower than that in general population of Iran and many industrialized countries. The most common causes of death (and YLL) were cardiovascular diseases and malignancies.ConclusionHaving access to free quality health care services is associated with a significant decrease in premature death.
microRNA‐148a‐3p inhibited the proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition progression of non‐small‐cell lung cancer via modulating Ras/MAPK/Erk signaling
Authors: Xie Qiong , Yu Zipu , Lu Yuan , Fan Jingya , Ni Yiming , Ma Liang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSon of sevenless (SOS) is one of the guanine nucleotide exchange factors that can regulate the mitogen‐activated protein kinase/extracellular signal regulated kinase signal pathway via controlling the activation of Ras. microRNAs are key regulon of gene expression and would be treated as tumor biomarkers or therapeutic targets. In this study, we find that miR‐148a‐3p acts as a tumor‐suppressor in the development and progression of non‐small‐cell lung cancer (NSCLC). miR‐148a‐3p inhibits NSCLC cells proliferation and epithelial–mesenchymal transition by reducing the expression of SOS2, which refers Ras activating. Our findings demonstrate that the miR‐148a‐3p may play a significant role in NSCLC including the kind of lung cancer with K‐Ras gene mutation, and it exerted the tumor inhibitor function by targeting SOS2. Because of that, miR‐148a‐3p and SOS2 may be an efficient target in developing more useful therapies against NSCLC.
Galectin‐3 exacerbates ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury by inducing inflammation via integrin β1‐RhoA‐JNK signaling activation
Authors: Chen Xiumei , Lin Jianzhong , Hu Tingting , Ren Zhiyun , Li Linnan , Hameed Irbaz , Zhang Xiaoyu , Men Chen , Guo Yan , Xu Di , Zhan Yiyang 
Published: December 2018

AbstractOxidized low‐density lipoprotein (Ox‐LDL)‐induced endothelial cell injury plays a crucial role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis (AS). Plasma galectin‐3 (Gal‐3) is elevated inside and drives diverse systemic inflammatory disorders, including cardiovascular diseases. However, the exact role of Gal‐3 in ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury remains unclear. This study explores the effects of Gal‐3 on ox‐LDL‐induced endothelial dysfunction and the underlying molecular mechanisms. In this study, Gal‐3, integrin β1, and GTP‐RhoA in the blood and plaques of AS patients were examined by ELISA and western blot respectively. Their levels were found to be obviously upregulated compared with non‐AS control group. CCK8 assay and flow cytometry analysis showed that Gal‐3 significantly decreased cell viability and promoted apoptosis in ox‐LDL‐treated human umbilical vascular endothelial cells (HUVECs). The upregulation of integrinβ1, GTP‐RhoA, p‐JNK, p‐p65, p‐IKKα, and p‐IKKβ induced by ox‐LDL was further enhanced by treatment with Gal‐3. Pretreatment with Gal‐3 increased expression of inﬂammatory factors (interleukin [IL]‐6, IL‐8, and IL‐1β), chemokines(CXCL‐1 and CCL‐2) and adhesion molecules (VCAM‐1 and ICAM‐1). Furthermore, the promotional effects of Gal‐3 on NF‐κB activation and inflammatory factors in ox‐LDL‐treated HUVECs were reversed by the treatments with integrinβ1‐siRNA or the JNK inhibitor. We also found that integrinβ1‐siRNA decreased the protein expression of GTP‐RhoA and p‐JNK, while RhoA inhibitor partially reduced the upregulated expression of p‐JNK induced by Gal‐3. In conclusion, our finding suggests that Gal‐3 exacerbates ox‐LDL‐mediated endothelial injury by inducing inflammation via integrin β1‐RhoA‐JNK signaling activation.
Lipophagy in nonliver tissues and some related diseases: Pathogenic and therapeutic implications
Authors: Zhou Kebing , Yao Pingbo , He Jun , Zhao Hong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLipid autophagy (lipophagy) is defined as a selective autophagy process in which some intracellular lipid droplets are selectively degraded by autophagic lysosomes pathway. The occurrence of lipophagy was first discovered in liver tissues. Additionally, abundant evidence indicated that the occurrence of hepatic lipophagy has been implicated in many liver diseases including fatty liver diseases, nonalcoholic fatty liver diseases, liver fibrosis, and liver cirrhosis. However, recent studies suggested that hepatic lipophagy occurs not only in liver tissue but also in other nonliver tissues and cells. Furthermore, the occurrence of lipophagy plays a crucial role in nonliver tissues and some related diseases. For instance, lipophagy relieves insulin resistance in adipose tissue from obesity patient with type 2 diabetes. Additionally, lipophagy has the ability to remit neurodegenerative diseases by reducing activity‐dependent neurodegeneration in nervous tissue. Lipophagy decreases muscle lipid accumulation and accordingly improves lipid storage myopathy in muscle tissue. Moreover, lipophagy alleviates the malignancy and metastasis of cancer in clear renal cell carcinoma tissue. Lipophagy is also involved in other processes, such as spermatogenesis, osteoblastogenesis, and mucosal ulceration. In conclusion, targeting lipophagy may be a critical regulator and a new therapeutic strategy for nonliver tissues and some related diseases.
The role of microRNAs in embryonic stem cell and induced pluripotent stem cell differentiation in male germ cells
Authors: Mahabadi Javad Amini , Sabzalipoor Hamed , Nikzad Hossein , Seyedhosseini Elahe , Enderami Seyed Ehsan , Gheibi Hayat Seyed Mohammad , Sahebkar Amirhosein 
Published: December 2018

AbstractNew perspectives have been opened by advances in stem cell research for reproductive and regenerative medicine. Several different cell types can be differentiated from stem cells (SCs) under suitable in vitro and in vivo conditions. The differentiation of SCs into male germ cells has been reported by many groups. Due to their unlimited pluripotency and self‐renewal, embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) can be used as valuable tools for drug delivery, disease modeling, developmental studies, and cell‐based therapies in regenerative medicine. The unique features of SCs are controlled by a dynamic interplay between extrinsic signaling pathways, and regulations at epigenetic, transcriptional and posttranscriptional levels. In recent years, significant progress has been made toward better understanding of the functions and expression of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in the maintenance of SC pluripotency. miRNAs are short noncoding molecules, which play a functional role in the regulation of gene expression. In addition, the important regulatory role of miRNAs in differentiation and dedifferentiation has been recently demonstrated. A balance between differentiation and pluripotency is maintained by miRNAs in the embryo and stem cells. This review summarizes the recent findings about the role of miRNAs in the regulation of self‐renewal and pluripotency of iPSCs and ESCs, as well as their impact on cellular reprogramming and stem cell differentiation into male germ cells.
Population Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Decitabine in Pediatric Patients With Acute Myeloid Leukemia
Authors: Zhou Wangda , Parasrampuria Dolly A. , Nemat Sepideh , Nakahara Susumu , Poggesi Italo , Massarella Joseph , Zhang Liping , Appiani Carlos 
Published: December 2018

AbstractDacogen, the formulated product of the pharmaceutically active agent decitabine (5 aza‐2′‐deoxycytidine), is approved for treatment of myelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML). The current analysis was performed to characterize the pharmacokinetics of decitabine in pediatric patients with AML and evaluate their consistency with the PK in adult patients. A population pharmacokinetic model was developed by pooling decitabine concentration‐time data from 5 adult (AML and MDS) and 2 pediatric (AML) studies. A total of 840 concentration‐time data points obtained from 71 adults and 28 pediatric subjects (1 to 16 years old) were available for analysis. A 2‐compartment linear pharmacokinetic (PK) model with allometric scaling using body surface area accounting for body size adequately described the PK of decitabine. After accounting for body size, decitabine pharmacokinetics were not affected by age, sex, race, dosing regimen, renal function (creatinine clearance), bilirubin, or disease type (AML or MDS) and all PK parameters (including clearance, steady‐state volume of distribution, maximum concentration, time to reach maximal concentration, and terminal half‐life) were comparable between adult and pediatric patients. Simulated concentration‐time profiles using the final population PK model suggested that decitabine exposure at steady state was similar in adults and pediatrics for a 20 mg/m2 decitabine dose administered as a 1‐hour infusion once daily. The current analysis suggests that decitabine PK is similar in pediatric AML patients and a combined adult AML and MDS population.
Fitness consequences of delayed mating on reproductive performance of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe)
Authors: Dhillon Mukesh K. , Tanwar Aditya K. , Hasan Fazil 
Published: December 2018

AbstractWe investigated the effects of mating among different‐aged males and females on reproductive physiology, progeny production, and longevity of Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) adults under laboratory conditions. Present studies involved virgin males (M) and females (F) of three different ages namely, on the day of emergence (1D), next day (2D), and further next day (3D), thus comprising of a total of nine mating treatments (1DM × 1DF, 1DM × 2DF, 1DM × 3DF, 2DM × 1DF, 2DM × 2DF, 2DM × 3DF, 3DM × 1DF, 3DM × 2DF, and 3DM × 3DF). The observations were recorded on fecundity, fertility, hatchability, and longevity of male and female adults. We found that mating among old aged males and females significantly reduce fecundity, fertility, and egg hatchability. Further, the fecundity, fertility, and egg hatching were significantly higher when newly emerged females mated with either of the ages of males as compared with other mating treatments. Conversely, the 3‐day‐old females, when mated with either of the ages of males, laid more numbers of unfertilized eggs, thus reduction in egg hatchability. Mating among newly emerged adults significantly reduced the longevity of male and female adults. Kaplan–Meier estimation showed that none of the adults across mating treatments survived more than 6 days. The recovery of spermatophores from the reproductive tract of females from 3DM × 1DF were significantly higher than other mating treatments. However, no association was found between spermatophore recovery and longevity of male and female adults. Findings of present studies will help to devise appropriate techniques to disrupt mating and suppress C. partellus population under field conditions.
Effect of Ginkgo biloba seed exopleura extract and chitosan coating on the postharvest quality of ginkgo seed
Authors: Tian Fang , Chen Weiliang , Fan Gongjian , Li Tingting , Kou Xiaohong , Wu Cai'E , Wu Zhihao 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe effects of Ginkgo biloba seed exopleura extract (GSEE) and chitosan (CH) coating on the preservation of ginkgo seeds were investigated.ResultsResults showed that CH could alleviate the decay rate, and that CH combined with GSEE (CH–GSEE) treatment further inhibited the development of seed decay due to the additional antifungal activity of GSEE. The nutrient contents, including water, starch and soluble protein, were maintained by both CH–GSEE and CH treatments. CH–GSEE treatment led to better restriction on oxidative stress by decreasing superoxide anion production rate, membrane permeability, malondialdehyde content, respiration rate and ethylene production rate. The antioxidant enzyme activities of peroxidase, superoxide dismutase and catalase in ginkgo seeds were maintained by treatment with CH–GSEE at a higher level. These results were consistent with the enhanced visual appearance, qualities and storability of the CH–GSEE‐treated seeds. Principal component analysis provided a global view of the internal relations of the ginkgo seeds with different treatments.ConclusionsThe postharvest qualities of CH–GSEE‐treated seeds were better than those of other treatment groups. Therefore, CH–GSEE is an effective and alternative way for inhibiting decay, maintaining quality and extending the postharvest life of ginkgo seeds. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry