bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Periodic expression of cell‐cycle regulators: A laboratory experiment proposal for students in molecular and cell biology
Authors: Quilis Inma , Igual J. Carlos 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis article describes a laboratory exercise designed for undergraduate students in the subject of “Regulation of cell proliferation” which allows the students to carry out a research experiment in an important field such as cell cycle control, and to be introduced to a widely used technique in molecular biology laboratories such as the western blot. The cell cycle is regulated by the succession of cyclin‐CDK kinase activities. Activation and inactivation of different cyclin‐CDK complexes depend on the control of their positive and negative regulators, cyclins and CDK inhibitors (CKIs), respectively. In this experiment, fluctuations in the level of mitotic cyclin Clb2 and CDK inhibitor Sic1 throughout the cell cycle of Saccharomyces cerevisiae are analyzed, particularly in the context of the control of mitotic exit and Start, two of the most important cell cycle transitions. In order to do this, a cdc15 mutant strain is used to block cells in telophase and, upon release from this blocking, the variation in the levels of Clb2 and Sic1 proteins are analyzed by western blot. Progress along the cell cycle is also evaluated by microscopic analysis of cell morphology and nuclear staining. This practical illustrates the experimental basis of theoretical concepts worked in the classroom and it is a good framework for an in‐depth discussion of these concepts based on experimental data analysis. © 2018 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 46(5):527–535, 2018.
Differentiating factitious psychological presentations from malingering: Implications for forensic practice
Authors: Velsor Sarah , Rogers Richard 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPractitioners and researchers have long been challenged with identifying deceptive response styles in forensic contexts, particularly when differentiating malingering from factitious presentations. The origins and the development of factitious disorders as a diagnostic classification are discussed, as well as the many challenges and limitations present with the current diagnostic conceptualization. As an alternative to a formal diagnosis, forensic practitioners may choose to consider most factitious psychological presentations (FPPs) as a dimensional construct that are classified like malingering as a V code. Building on Rogers' central motivations for malingering, the current article provides four explanatory models for FPPs; three of these parallel malingering (pathogenic, criminological, and adaptational) but differ in their central features. In addition, the nurturance model stresses how patients with FPPs attempt to use their relationship with treating professionals to fulfill their unmet psychological needs. Relying on these models, practical guidelines are recommended for evaluating FPPs in a forensic context.
Disassembling a 3D mechanism for efficient packing
Authors: Li Mingyuan , Jiang Xiaoheng , Gu Ningbo , Xu Weiwei , Xue Junxiao , Zhou Bing , Xu Mingliang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThis paper introduces a disassemble‐and‐pack algorithm to disassemble a mechanical 3D model in groups that can be efficiently packed within a box, with the objective of reassembling them easily after delivery. Its key feature is that, mostly, the mechanism can be disassembled at the joint and each part can be an adjusted motion structure based on its joint type. Our system consists of two steps: disassembling the mechanical object into a group set and packing them within a box efficiently. The first step consists in the creation of a hierarchy of possible group set of parts that can be tightly packed within their minimum bounding boxes. Use the breadth‐first search algorithm to traverse the hierarchy of possible group set in order to disconnect the joints and get the group set. In the second step, according to the reverse order of volume, each group in the set is inserted into the specified box. The fact that mechanism disassembly and shape packing are both an NP‐complete problem justifies finding approximated solutions according to efficacy and efficiency. Experimental results show that our approach can really efficiently pack a range of mechanisms from a simple model to complex objects.
Predictive value of angiogenic proteins in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with bevacizumab monotherapy
Authors: Schuster Cornelia , Akslen Lars A , Stokowy Tomasz , Straume Oddbjørn 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe incidence of malignant melanoma is rising worldwide and survival for metastatic disease is still poor. Recently, new treatment options have become available. Still, predictive biomarkers are needed to optimise treatment for this patient group. In this study, we investigated the predictive value of 60 angiogenic factors in patients with metastatic melanoma treated with the anti‐vascular endothelial growth factor A antibody bevacizumab. Thirty‐five patients were included in a clinical phase II trial and baseline serum samples were analysed by multiplex protein array. High‐serum concentration of Activin A was significantly associated with objective response (OR) to treatment (p = 0.014). Candidate proteins that indicated a borderline association with treatment response were further investigated by immunohistochemistry. Strong expression of Activin A, interleukin‐1β, and urokinase‐type plasminogen activator receptor in metastases was significantly associated with OR (p = 0.011, p = 0.003, and p = 0.007, respectively), as well as with markers of activated angiogenesis, such as higher number of proliferating vessels and the presence of glomeruloid microvascular proliferations. Our findings indicate that these proteins may be potential predictive markers for treatment with bevacizumab monotherapy.
Effects of socioeconomic status on clinical outcomes with ventricular assist devices
Authors: Ahmed Mustafa M. , Magar Stephen M. , Jeng Eric I. , Arnaoutakis George J. , Beaver Thomas M. , Vilaro Juan , Klodell Charles T. , Aranda Juan M. 
Published: September 2018

BackgroundLower socioeconomic status (SES) is a known risk factor for worse outcomes after major cardiovascular interventions. Furthermore, individuals with lower SES face barriers to evaluation for advanced heart failure therapies, including ventricular assist device (VAD) implantation.HypothesisExamination of the effects of individual determinants of SES on VAD outcomes will show similar survival benefit in patients with lower compared with higher SES.MethodsAll VAD implants at the University of Florida from January 2008 to December 2015 were reviewed. Patient‐level determinants of SES included place of residence, education level, marital status, insurance status, and financial resources stratified by percent federal poverty level. Survival or transplantation at 1 year, 30‐day readmission, implant length of stay (LOS), and an aggregate of VAD‐related complications were assessed in univariate fashion and multivariable regression modeling.ResultsA total of 111 patients were included (mean age at the time of implant 57.6 years, 82.8% men). More than half received destination therapy. At 1 year, 78.3% were alive on device support or had undergone successful transplantation. There were no differences in survival, 30‐day readmission, or aggregate VAD complications by the SES category. Although patients with lower levels of education had longer LOS in univariate analysis, on multivariable ordinal regression modeling, this relationship was no longer seen.ConclusionsPatients with lower SES receive the same survival benefit from VAD implantation and are not more likely to have 30‐day readmissions, complications of device support, or prolonged implant LOS. Therefore, VAD implantation should not be withheld based on these parameters alone.
Full: Ontogenesis and development of the nonhuman primate pulvinar
Authors: Homman‐Ludiye Jihane , Kwan William C. , de Souza Mitchell J. , Bourne James A. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractRecent evidence demonstrates that the pulvinar nuclei play a critical role in shaping the connectivity and function of the multiple cortical areas they connect. Surprisingly, however, little is known about the development of this area, the largest corpus of the thalamic nuclei, which go on to occupy 40% of the adult thalamus in the human. It was proposed that the nonhuman primate and the human pulvinar develop according to very different processes, with a greatly reduced neurogenic period in nonhuman primate compared to human and divergent origins. In the marmoset monkey, we demonstrate that neurons populating the pulvinar are generated throughout gestation, suggesting that this aspect of development is more similar to the human than first predicted. While we were able to confirm the diencephalic source of pulvinar neurons, we provide new evidence contesting the presence of an additional niche in the telencephalon. Finally, our study defines new molecular markers that will simplify future investigations in the development and evolution of the pulvinar.
The relationship between the claustrum and endopiriform nucleus: A perspective towards consensus on cross‐species homology
Authors: Smith Jared B. , Alloway Kevin D. , Hof Patrick R. , Orman Rena , Reser David H. , Watakabe Akiya , Watson Glenn D. R. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWith the emergence of interest in studying the claustrum, a recent special issue of theJournal of Comparative Neurologydedicated to the claustrum (Volume 525, Issue 6, pp. 1313–1513) brought to light questions concerning the relationship between the claustrum (CLA) and a region immediately ventral known as the endopiriform nucleus (En). These structures have been identified as separate entities in rodents but appear as a single continuous structure in primates. During the recent Society for Claustrum Research meeting, a panel of experts presented data pertaining to the relationship of these regions and held a discussion on whether the CLA and En should be considered (a) separate unrelated structures, (b) separate nuclei within the same formation, or (c) subregions of a continuous structure. This review article summarizes that discussion, presenting comparisons of the cytoarchitecture, neurochemical profiles, genetic markers, and anatomical connectivity of the CLA and En across several mammalian species. In rodents, we conclude that the CLA and the dorsal endopiriform nucleus (DEn) are subregions of a larger complex, which likely performs analogous computations and exert similar effects on their respective cortical targets (e.g., sensorimotor versus limbic). Moving forward, we recommend that the field retain the nomenclature currently employed for this region but should continue to examine the delineation of these structures across different species. Using thorough descriptions of a variety of anatomical features, this review offers a clear definition of the CLA and En in rodents, which provides a framework for identifying homologous structures in primates.
Orthogonal Molecular Recognition of Chaotropic and Hydrophobic Guests Enables Supramolecular Architectures
Authors: Wang Wenjing , Wang Xiaoqiang , Xiang Changjun , Zhou Xiaohai , Gabel Detlef , Nau Werner M. , Assaf Khaleel I. , Zhang Haibo 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe hydrophobic and chaotropic effects can be used as orthogonal assembly motifs in water. Cucurbit[7]uril, a water‐soluble macrocyclic host, and a ditopic guest molecule, carrying an organic‐hydrophobic (adamantane) and an inorganic‐chaotropic (dodecahydro‐closo‐dodecaborate dianion) binding site, have been used to construct hybrid supramolecular architectures. The hydrophobic effect drives the adamantane moiety into the host cavity, while the chaotropic effect allows the association of the dodecaborate cluster onto the host exterior surface. This new strategy facilitates potential applications in surface modification, separation, and purification.
Re‐Dispersible 1D and 2D Nanoparticle Solid Powders without any Surfactant
Authors: Wang Dexiu , Li Jinyang , Zhang Jinming , Yu Jian , Zhang Jun 
Published: September 2018

AbstractNanoparticles possess unique size‐dependent physical and chemical properties and hold considerable interest as ideal, defect‐free building blocks for nanostructured materials. However, due to irreversible and intrinsic self‐aggregation, it is challenging to obtain dried nanoparticle powders with good redispersibility. In this work, we propose a general method to increase the dispersibility of typical 1D and 2D nanoparticles, including cellulose nanowhiskers, graphene, Laponite and montmorillonite, by combining sol‐gel transitions and supercritical CO2 drying. In the resulting dried powders, the nanoparticles adopt a non‐full‐contact mode and maintain a loose packing structure formed during the gelation process; thus, they can be perfectly redispersed in water and some organic solvents under mild conditions. Such a promising strategy, without using a surfactant, deliberate surface‐modification and high energy consumption, provides a practical solution to the transportation, storage and large‐scale industrial applications of nanoparticles.
Specific MHC class I supertype associated with parasite infection and color morph in a wild lizard population
Authors: Hacking Jessica D. , Stuart‐Fox Devi , Godfrey Stephanie S. , Gardner Michael G. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is a large gene family that plays a central role in the immune system of all jawed vertebrates. Nonavian reptiles are underrepresented within the MHC literature and little is understood regarding the mechanisms maintaining MHC diversity in this vertebrate group. Here, we examined the relative roles of parasite‐mediated selection and sexual selection in maintaining MHC class I diversity of a color polymorphic lizard. We discovered evidence for parasite‐mediated selection acting via rare‐allele advantage or fluctuating selection as ectoparasite load was significantly lower in the presence of a specific MHC supertype (functional clustering of alleles): supertype four. Based on comparisons between ectoparasite prevalence and load, and assessment of the impact of ectoparasite load on host fitness, we suggest that supertype four confers quantitative resistance to ticks or an intracellular tickborne parasite. We found no evidence for MHC‐associated mating in terms of pair genetic distance, number of alleles, or specific supertypes. An association was uncovered between supertype four and male throat color morph. However, it is unlikely that male throat coloration acts as a signal of MHC genotype to conspecifics because we found no evidence to suggest that male throat coloration predicts male mating status. Overall, our results suggest that parasite‐mediated selection plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in this population via rare‐allele advantage and/or fluctuating selection. Further work is required to determine whether sexual selection also plays a role in maintaining MHC diversity in agamid lizards.
Formulation of Pomegranate Seed Oil: A Promising Approach of Improving Stability and Health‐Promoting Properties
Authors: Adu‐Frimpong Michael , Omari‐Siaw Emmanuel , Mukhtar Yusif Mohammed , Xu Ximing , Yu Jiangnan 
Published: September 2018

Emerging evidence has suggested that nutraceutical ingredients like pomegranate seed oil (PSO) possesses health‐promoting effects in cell and animal models. However, these health benefits (anticancer, antioxidant, anti‐inflammatory, anti‐diabetic, and so on) are limited by low physicochemical stability, slow intestinal absorption, and rapid metabolism of PSO. In order to overcome these drawbacks, some carriers viz., nanoemulsion, encapsulation, and nanoparticles are developed recently. This paper assesses the chemical compositions and physicochemical properties of PSO, as well as biological activities and possible mechanisms. It also discusses the formulation of PSO for improved stability and health‐promoting activities.Practical Applications: This review highlights the prospects of PSO formulation. The relevance of this study is that the stability and biological properties of PSO could be enhanced through nanocarriers. A formulated PSO has a potential use in nutraceutical, functional foods, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.PSO, a source of various nutrients and antioxidants with immense benefits to human health is incorporated into nanocarriers such as microencapsulation, nanoemulsion and nanoparticle. This improved the health‐promoting benefits of the oil.
Planning and implementation of a FIGO postpartum intrauterine device initiative in six countries
Authors: de Caestecker Linda , Banks Laura , Bell Eliza , Sethi Maya , Arulkumaran Sabaratnam 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo describe the process of planning and implementing a program of counselling and delivery of postpartum intrauterine devices (PPIUD) in 48 hospitals across six countries in Africa and Asia.MethodsThe process of planning the FIGO PPIUD initiative, selection of countries and hospitals, model of implementation, and lessons for the future are described.ResultsCountry‐level and hospital‐based leadership were essential and training‐the‐trainer models were successful. There was a need for consistency of competency standards allowing for national variations. As the project progressed, additional steps were necessary for steady implementation of the initiative, specifically: establishment of a project steering committee and a data safety monitoring committee, audits of structure and process, and regular feedback of each center's performance to stimulate maintenance and enhancement of activities. Postnatal follow‐up was challenging in many countries with fragmented maternity systems.ConclusionThe importance of professional leadership and commitment backed by robust data for monitoring and feedback are essential for success.
Factors influencing the likelihood of acceptance of postpartum intrauterine devices across four countries: India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania
Authors: Makins Anita , Taghinejadi Neda , Sethi Maya , Machiyama Kazuyo , Thapa Kusum , Perera Gamini , Munganyizi Projestine S. , Bhardwaj Ajey , Arulkumaran Sabaratnam 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo examine the factors that positively influenced the likelihood of accepting provision of postpartum intrauterine devices (PPIUDs) across four countries: Sri Lanka, Nepal, Tanzania, and India.MethodsHealthcare providers were trained across 24 facilities in counselling and insertion of PPIUDs as part of a large multicountry study. Women delivered were asked to take part in a 15‐minute face‐to‐face structured interview conducted by in‐country data collection officers prior to discharge. Univariate analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with acceptance.ResultsFrom January 2016 to November 2017, 6477 health providers were trained, 239 033 deliveries occurred, and 219 242 interviews were conducted. Of those interviewed, 68% were counselled on family planning and 56% on PPIUD, with 20% consenting to PPIUD. Multiple counselling sessions was the only factor resulting in higher consent rates (OR 1.30–1.39) across all countries. Odds ratios for women's age, parity, and cadre of provider counselling varied between countries.ConclusionConsent for contraception, specifically PPIUD, is such a culturally specific topic and generalization across countries is not possible. When planning contraceptive policy changes, it is important to have an understanding of the sociocultural factors at play.
Institutionalizing postpartum family planning and postpartum intrauterine device services in Nepal: Role of training and mentorship
Authors: Thapa Kusum , Dhital Rolina , Karki Yagya B. , Rajbhandari Sameena , Amatya Sapana , Pande Saroja , Tunnacliffe Emily‐Anne 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo explore the perceptions of key stakeholders on different modalities of training and mentoring activities for healthcare providers of postpartum family planning and postpartum intrauterine devices (PPFP/PPIUD).MethodsIn this qualitative study, data were collected from 40 participants in December 2017 via focus group discussions (FGD) and in‐depth interviews (IDI) in three hospitals implementing PPFP/PPIUD services and government line agencies in Nepal. Data were analyzed through content analysis and grouped into themes and categories.ResultsThe majority of participants reported that PPFP/PPIUD training and mentoring was useful and contributed to their professional development. Most found that on‐the‐job training (OJT) was more effective than group‐based training (GBT).ConclusionTraining and mentoring activities were perceived to be useful by health providers and OJT was the approach preferred by the majority. Further studies are necessary to explore the existing challenges and long‐term effects of each modality of training and mentoring on health providers’ competency and attitudes and on the uptake of PPIUD by postpartum mothers.
Impact of contraceptive counselling training among counsellors participating in the FIGO postpartum intrauterine device initiative in Bangladesh
Authors: Fatima Parveen , Antora Arefa Hossain , Dewan Farhana , Nash Stephen , Sethi Maya 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the impact of structured training given to dedicated family planning counsellors on postpartum intrauterine device (PPIUD) services across six tertiary hospitals in Bangladesh.MethodsFamily planning counsellors underwent structured training on postpartum family planning, PPIUD in particular, over a four‐day period. Impact of training was evaluated by comparing PPIUD counselling rates, consent rates, insertion rates, and removal rates five months before and five months after the training, using data from women delivering in the participating facilities.ResultsA total of 27 622 women were included in this analysis: 11 263 (40.8%) before the training intervention and 16 359 (59.2%) after it. There was an increase in the proportion of women who were counselled (from 75.3% to 83.8%, P<0.001), and a small decrease in the proportion of women agreeing to have a PPIUD inserted following counselling (13.7% vs 12.9%, P=0.03). Overall insertion rate was similar before and after training (9.5% vs 9.8%, P=0.42), while removal rate reduced from 2.8% to 1.8% (P=0.41).ConclusionStructured training had no impact on overall PPIUD insertion rate. However, it did impact numbers of women receiving counselling, perceived quality of the counselling received, and overall removal rates.