bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide for the early detection of non‐acute heart failure
Authors: Gohar Aisha , Rutten Frans H. , den Ruijter Hester , Kelder Johannes C. , von Haehling Stephan , Anker Stefan D. , Möckel Martin , Hoes Arno W. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBackgroundDiagnosing non‐acute heart failure (HF) remains challenging, notably in the early stages of the syndrome. The diagnostic value of mid‐regional pro‐atrial natriuretic peptide (MR‐proANP) has been proven in acute onset HF, but its role in early non‐acute HF is unknown. We aimed to determine the diagnostic value of MR‐proANP in suspected non‐acute HF.Methods and resultsIn total, 721 people suspected of non‐acute HF in primary care underwent standardised diagnostic work‐up including chest X‐ray, electrocardiogram, N‐terminal pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide (NT‐proBNP) measurement and echocardiography. Of these, 245 people underwent additional MR‐proANP measurements. The outcome of HF was assessed by an expert panel comprised of two cardiologists and one expert physician, who used all available diagnostic information including echocardiography, but were blinded to biomarker results. Of the 245 people (mean age 71.0 years, 62.9% female), 72 (29.4%) were diagnosed with HF. The c‐statistics of MR‐proANP and NT‐proBNP as single diagnostic test were 0.77 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.70–0.84] and 0.79 (95% CI 0.73–0.86), respectively. The cut‐point with the highest accuracy for MR‐proANP was 120 pmol/L [sensitivity/specificity/positive predictive value (PPV)/negative predictive value (NPV) 0.72, 0.69, 0.46, and 0.86, respectively], and the best exclusionary cut‐point was 40 pmol/L (sensitivity/specificity/PPV/NPV 0.99, 0.06, 0.30, and 0.92, respectively). After addition of MR‐proANP on top of a previously validated clinical model, the c‐statistic rose from 0.82 (95% CI 0.76–0.88) to 0.86 (95% CI 0.80–0.92), and with the addition of NT‐proBNP to 0.87 (95% CI 0.81–0.92). No sex interactions between the biomarkers and HF were found in the multivariable models.ConclusionMR‐proANP provides added diagnostic value in suspected non‐acute HF, similar to NT‐proBNP.
Performance measurements of communication access technologies and improved cognitive radio model for smart grid communication
Authors: Ogbodo Emmanuel U. , Dorrell David G. , Abu‐Mahfouz Adnan M. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractTraditional power grids have unidirectional power flow and often information transfer, this limits their capacity for scalability, efficiency, and renewable energy integration. Smart grids (SGs) are being developed as more intelligent power grids with bidirectional power flow and information interchange. A reliable communication network is required in order to realize some important SG features, such as renewable energy integration, distributed energy resources, scalability, self‐healing and efficient holistic monitoring, and control capability. However, this communication network needs to comply with critical requirements. Cognitive radio (CR) has been projected as a possible solution to common problems in conventional wireless systems such as spectrum scarcity and interference. The CR accesses a greater range of spectra via dynamic spectrum access capability. This paper focuses on the evaluation of communication access technologies performance measurements and improved CR model for SG communications. This paper employs the National Institute of Standard framework for SG interoperability, the low power wide area network (LPWAN), multihoming, and a CR device such as TV white space band devices (TVBDs). The results from simulation analysis show that the performance of TVBDs outperforms the legacy Wi‐Fi in terms of latency; also, LPWA devices, such as LTE Cat1/LTE‐M devices, outperform the legacy cellular, such as CDMA 1x‐EVDO, in terms of latency and throughput. In addition, the improved CR model, which involves a proposed channel fragmentation strategy–based Alamouti scheme, outperforms legacy CR in terms of blocking probability and throughput in the harsh SG environment.
A Quality‐of‐Things model for assessing the Internet‐of‐Things' nonfunctional properties
Authors: Qamar Ayesha , Asim Muhammad , Maamar Zakaria , Saeed Saad , Baker Thar 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe Internet of Things (IoT) is in a “desperate” need for a practical model that would help in differentiating things according to their nonfunctional properties. Unfortunately, despite IoT growth, such properties either lack or ill‐defined resulting into ad hoc ways of selecting similar functional things. This paper discusses how things' nonfunctional properties are combined into a Quality‐of‐Things (QoT) model. This model includes properties that define the performance of things' duties related to sensing, actuating, and communicating. Since the values of QoT properties might not always be available or confirmed, providers of things can tentatively define these values and submit them to an Independent Regulatory Authority (IRA) whose role is to ensure fair competition among all providers. The IRA assesses the values of nonfunctional properties of things prior to recommending those that could satisfy users' needs. To evaluate the technical doability of the QoT model, a set of comprehensive experiments are conducted using real data sets. The results depict an acceptable level of the QoT estimation accuracy.
Four tillage method assessments on soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, biological activities, and maize grain yield in Southern China
Authors: Asenso Evans , Hu Lian , Issaka Fuseini , Tian Kai , Zhang Lina , Zhang Luyong , Zeng Jiefeng , Zhu Yan‐Fei , Li Jiuhao 
Published: June 2019

AbstractCreating a soil habitat is the first step to manage soil health for long‐term soil quality and output. This means using soil management methods that lessen the soil uproar. An experiment was established in 2016 and 2017 on a middle term (7 years) consistent tillage method in typical Latosolic red soil of Southern China to access the effects of four treatments: subsoiling (SS), two passes of rotary tillage (2RT), two passes of rotary tillage + subsoiling (2RTSS), and zero tillage (ZT), on soil organic carbon, soil total nitrogen, soil biological activities (bacteria, fungi, actinomycetes, urease, catalase, and phosphatase), and maize grain yield. The results showed that mean SOC, total N, biological activities, and maize grain yields were affected significantly (p < 0.05) by tillage methods. Compared with SS, 2RT, and 2RTSS, ZT had higher SOC, total N, soil bacteria, and soil actinomycetes in the 0–40 cm soil depth. The highest levels of fungi, urease, catalase, and phosphatase were recorded under SS in the 0–40 cm soil depth. Average maize grain yield of 7.37 ton/ha (9.81%) was recorded under SS compared to under ZT. Overall, we conclude that SS could be adopted as a promising soil management method for soil health, quality, and productivity resulting in a sustainable agricultural system.
Ancillary economic activities in a Classic Maya regal palace: A multiproxy approach
Authors: Lamoureux‐St‐Hilaire Maxime , Canuto Marcello A. , Wells E. Christian , Cagnato Clarissa , Barrientos Tomás 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThis paper presents the results of a multiproxy approach to the ancillary activities which supported the ancient Maya royal court of the center of La Corona (750–900 CE). This approach sampled both the plaster floors and their overlaying soil matrix from areas of the palace of La Corona, resulting in a data set comprised of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry geochemical, soil‐flotation derived microartifactual, and macrobotanical data. These data complemented the architectural and artifactual record, documenting elusive aspects of the economic, ancillary functions of the Northwest Group of the La Corona regal palace. Specifically, this approach revealed that distinct portions of this architectural group were regularly used for preparing foods and craft objects, carrying products and items, discarding ash, using and/or grinding cinnabar‐based pigments, and illuminating nighttime activities. These results not only revealed activity areas in patios, but also provided evidence regarding the functions of adjacent buildings. This paper significantly contributes to our understanding of the pragmatic economic functions of ancient Maya royal courts. In addition, the presented data sets are methodologically valuable for students of archaeological activity areas.
Assessing DOC export from a Sphagnum‐dominated peatland using δ13C and δ18O–H2O stable isotopes
Authors: Buzek Frantisek , Novak Martin , Cejkova Bohuslava , Jackova Ivana , Curik Jan , Veselovsky Frantisek , Stepanova Marketa , Prechova Eva , Bohdalkova Leona 
Published: June 2019

AbstractDissolved organic carbon (DOC) originating in peatlands can be mineralized to carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4), two potent greenhouse gases. Knowledge of the dynamics of DOC export via run‐off is needed for a more robust quantification of C cycling in peatland ecosystems, a prerequisite for realistic predictions of future climate change. We studied dispersion pathways of DOC in a mountain‐top peat bog in the Czech Republic (Central Europe), using a dual isotope approach. Although δ13CDOC values made it possible to link exported DOC with its within‐bog source, δ18OH2O values of precipitation and run‐off helped to understand run‐off generation. Our 2‐year DOC–H2O isotope monitoring was complemented by a laboratory peat incubation study generating an experimental time series of δ13CDOC values. DOC concentrations in run‐off during high‐flow periods were 20–30 mg L−1. The top 2 cm of the peat profile, composed of decaying green moss, contained isotopically lighter C than deeper peat, and this isotopically light C was present in run‐off in high‐flow periods. In contrast, baseflow contained only 2–10 mg DOC L−1, and its more variable C isotope composition intermittently fingerprinted deeper peat. DOC in run‐off occasionally contained isotopically extremely light C whose source in solid peat substrate was not identified. Pre‐event water made up on average 60% of the water run‐off flux, whereas direct precipitation contributed 40%. Run‐off response to precipitation was relatively fast. A highly leached horizon was identified in shallow catotelm. This peat layer was likely affected by a lateral influx of precipitation. Within 36 days of laboratory incubation, isotopically heavy DOC that had been initially released from the peat was replaced by isotopically lighter DOC, whose δ13C values converged to the solid substrate and natural run‐off. We suggest that δ13C systematics can be useful in identification of vertically stratified within‐bog DOC sources for peatland run‐off.
Activation of LXRβ inhibits proliferation, promotes apoptosis, and increases chemosensitivity of gastric cancer cells by upregulating the expression of ATF4
Authors: Liu Jie , Qi Ya‐Bin 
Published: June 2019

AbstractRecently, great advances have been achieved in both surgery and chemotherapy for the treatment of gastric cancer, but there is still poor prognosis for this disease. The aim of this study is to investigate the role of liver X receptor β (LXRβ) in chemosensitivity of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells. From 171 patients with gastric cancer, the gastric cancer and paracancerous tissues were selected to measure the expression of LXRβ and ATF4. Gastric cancer cell lines were cultured and screened to figure out the proliferation and apoptosis of gastric cancer SGC7901 cells with the treatment of LXRβ agonist (GW3965), ATF4 short hairpin RNA (shRNA), and chemotherapy drug paclitaxel. The expression of apoptosis‐related gene cleaved caspase‐3 was detected by Western blot analysis. First, we found that the expressions of LXRβ and ATF4 in gastric cancer tissues and cells were significantly lower than those in their paracancerous tissues and gastric mucosal epithelial cells. In addition, activation of LXRβ and paclitaxel treatment suppressed proliferation of SGC7901 cells, and the expression of ATF4 was upregulated in a concentration‐dependent manner. Furthermore, shRNA significantly inhibited the expression of ATF4 and blocked the chemosensitivity of SGC7901 cells to LXRβ activation. Our study demonstrates that the expression of LXRβ was low in gastric cancer. In addition, activation of LXRβ may inhibit the proliferation of gastric cancer cells, promote apoptosis, and increase chemosensitivity by upregulating the expression of ATF4.
Chronic CagA‐positive Helicobacter pylori infection with MNNG stimulation synergistically induces mesenchymal and cancer stem cell‐like properties in gastric mucosal epithelial cells
Authors: Lin Li , Wei Hulai , Yi Juan , Xie Bei , Chen Jing , Zhou Cunmin , Wang Li , Yang Yue 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA CagA‐positive Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection can cause malignant transformation of human gastric mucosal epithelial cells, and N‐methyl‐N’‐nitro‐N‐nitrosoguanidine (MNNG) is a chemical carcinogen that induces gastric carcinogenesis. Whether this environmental chemocarcinogen may synergistically enhance the risk of H. pylori‐infected gastric cancer remains unclear. In this study, we adopted a chronic CagA‐positive H. pylori infection with or without MNNG coinduction to establish a cellular model in GES‐1 cells and an animal model in C57BL/6J mice. The proliferation, cell phenotype, apoptosis, epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT), stemness and tumorigenicity of gastric mucosal epithelial cells were analyzed in vitro and in vivo. The results showed that chronic H. pylori‐infected GES‐1 cells displayed inhibited apoptosis, abnormal proliferation, enhanced invasion, and migration, increased EMT/mesenchymal phenotype, colony formation and stem cell‐like properties, and enhanced tumorsphere‐formatting efficiency as well as CD44 expression, a known gastric cancer stem cell (CSC) marker. MNNG synergistically promoted the above actions of chronic H. pylori infection. Further studies in chronic H. pylori‐infected C57BL/6J mice models showed that an increased incidence of premalignant lesions in the gastric mucosa tissue of the H. pylori‐infected mice had occurred, the mouse gastric mucosa cells exhibited similar mesenchymal and CSC‐like properties in the above GES‐1 cells, and precancerous lesions and EMT/CSC‐like phenotypes were reinforced by the synergistic action of MNNG stimulation. H. pylori infection and/or MNNG induction were capable of causing enhanced expression and activation of Wnt2 and β‐catenin, indicating that the Wnt/β‐catenin pathway is involved in the actions of H. pylori and MNNG. Taken together, these findings suggest that chronic CagA‐positive H. pylori infection with MNNG stimulation synergistically induces mesenchymal and CSC‐like properties of gastric mucosal epithelial cells.
Upregulation of pluripotent long noncoding RNA ES3 in HER2‐positive breast cancer
Authors: Keshavarz Mostafa , Asadi Malek Hossein , Riahi‐Madvar Ali 
Published: June 2019

AbstractBreast cancer is the second most common cancer and estimates to be responsible for 20% of all cancer patients. Breast cancer has several subtypes including luminal A, luminal B, normal breast‐like, basal‐like, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)‐enriched. HER2‐positive breast cancer cells have higher HER2 expression than other breast cancer subtypes. This subtype is the most aggressive breast cancer subtype and has more ability to metastasis than other breast cancer subtypes. HER2 is a growth‐promoting protein that is overexpressed in approximately 20 to 30% of breast cancers and its overexpression is strongly related to poor prognosis. New studies suggested that HER2 expression is correlated with cancer stem cell (CSC) markers in breast cancer. ES3 transcript as a pluripotency long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) is linked to pluripotency transcriptional networks in human embryonic stem cells, but its function in breast cancer is not clarified. In the current research, we found ES3 upregulation in breast cancer and its diagnostic value in breast cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, our findings revealed that ES3 transcript has a high expression in high‐grade and high‐stage breast tumors. In addition, our data demonstrated that ES3 expression downregulated during neural differentiation. Therefore, its expression may be correlated to breast tumor differentiation status. Notably, a high expression level of ES3 in HER2‐positive breast tumor tissues motivated us to investigate the effect of HER2 on ES3 expression by blocking HER2 activity with lapatinib. The results showed that ES3 expression suppressed when HER2 activity was blocked. In summary, for the first time, we found that lncRNA ES3 was significantly upregulated in HER2‐positive breast tumors and may contribute to breast cancer proliferation as a downstream target of HER2.
Purpose and mastery as predictors of perceived health and substance use problems
Authors: Stoddard Sarah A. , Pierce Jennifer , Hurd Noelle M. , Bauermeister José A. , Zimmerman Marc A. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractWe explored whether purpose in life and mastery predicted perceived physical health and problematic substance use among a sample of emerging adults who reported ever using alcohol or drugs. We examined perceived stress and coping as potential mediators of these associations and explored whether parental support moderated any of these associations. In a sample of emerging adults from across the United States (N = 2,564; M
age = 20.87, standard deviation
= 1.75; 49.6% male), purpose in life and mastery were associated with better‐perceived health and fewer negative consequences of drug use via lower perceived stress and coping. In addition, parental support modified the relationship between purpose in life and stress and coping. The findings suggest potential health benefits associated with a greater purpose in life and mastery and indicate that parental support may enhance these associations.
Evaluating sense of community in the residential environment from the perspectives of symbolic interactionism and architectural design
Authors: Molana Hanieh H. , Adams Richard E. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractThe paper fills the gap between the design and the actuality of how buildings, and its surroundings, urban design, and the built environment influence its occupants’ behavior and interactions. We assess how the built environments can be influenced by humans and their control, both physical and symbolically, of the urban landscapes. In this regard, our paper merges symbolic interactionism, sense of community, and architectural design to aid our understanding of the man–environment relationship. Specifically, we assess qualitative data on Ekbatan Residential Complex in Tehran. We use Ekbatan as a case study to see how a sense of community among residents reflects both physical features of the complex and the symbolic meaning attached to these features by residents and those living outside the community. We conclude by suggesting that combining the interests of urban sociologist, community psychology, and architects via symbolic interactionist concepts may be a fruitful avenue for studying factors affecting sense of community and larger urban processes.
The key microRNA on lipid droplet formation during adipogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells
Authors: Yi Xia , Liu Jianyun , Wu Ping , Gong Ying , Xu Xiaoyuan , Li Weidong 
Published: June 2019

AbstractMicroRNAs (miRNAs), the potential regulator of adipogenesis, markedly characterized by lipid droplet (LD) formation, play an important role in progenitor‐cell differentiation into adipocytes. In recent years, it has excited interests in regulation of miRNAs in adipogenesis. However, no study is available, to our knowledge, regarding the expression of miRNAs on LD formation. Our study provides the first insight into the expression profiling of the miRNA targeting messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involving with LD formation during adipogenesis from human mesenchymal stem cells by RNA‐Seq transcriptome technique. It showed that 39, 105, 194, and 112 differentially expressed miRNA appeared at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days, respectively, for LD formation during adipogenesis. Nineteen miRNAs targeted 35 mRNA associated with LDs formation. Except for the known miRNA hsa‐miR‐1908 regulating adipogenesis, five miRNAs, including hsa‐miR‐146a‐3p, hsa‐miR‐4495, hsa‐miR‐4663, hsa‐miR‐6069, and hsa‐miR‐675‐3p are the latest potential biomarkers for LD formation, targeting ACSL1, APOB, METTL7A, PLIN1, and PLIN4. A comprehensive transcriptome profiling of miRNA reveals the regulatory relationship between miRNA and mRNA relating to LD formation during adipogenesis. Such candidates may represent biomarkers and therapeutic targets for metabolic syndromes like obesity, type‐2 diabetes, steatosis, atherosclerosis, and osteoporosis.
Resilience to oxidative and nitrosative stress is mediated by the stressosome, RsbP and SigB in Bacillus subtilis
Authors: Tran Vina , Geraci Kara , Midili Giovanni , Satterwhite William , Wright Rachel , Bonilla Carla Y. 
Published: June 2019

AbstractA bacterium's ability to thrive in the presence of multiple environmental stressors simultaneously determines its resilience. We showed that activation of the SigB‐controlled general stress response by mild environmental or energy stress provided significant cross‐protection to subsequent lethal oxidative, disulfide and nitrosative stress in Bacillus subtilis. SigB activation is mediated via the stressosome and RsbP, the main conduits of environmental and energy stress, respectively. Cells exposed to mild environmental stress while lacking the major stressosome components RsbT or RsbRA were highly sensitive to subsequent oxidative stress, whereas rsbRB, rsbRC, rsbRD, and ytvA null mutants showed a spectrum of sensitivity, confirming their redundant roles and suggesting they could modulate the signals generated by environmental or oxidative stress. By contrast, cells encountering stationary phase stress required RsbP but not RsbT to survive subsequent oxidative stress. Interestingly, optimum cross‐protection against nitrosative stress caused by sodium nitropruside required SigB but not the known regulators, RsbT and RsbP, suggesting an additional and as yet uncharacterized route of SigB activation independent of the known regulators. Together, these results provide mechanistic information on how B. subtilis promotes enhanced resistance against lethal oxidative stress during mild environmental and energy stress conditions.