bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
α‐ and β‐Lapachone Isomerization in Acidic Media: Insights from Experimental and Implicit/Explicit Solvation Approaches
Authors: Delarmelina Maicon , Nicoletti Caroline D. , de Moraes Marcela C. , Futuro Debora O. , Bühl Michael , de C. da Silva Fernando , Ferreira Vitor F. , de M. Carneiro José W. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCombined experimental and mixed implicit/explicit solvation approaches were employed to gain insights into the origin of switchable regioselectivity of acid‐catalyzed lapachol cyclization and α‐/β‐lapachone isomerization. It was found that solvating species under distinct experimental conditions stabilized α‐ and β‐lapachone differently, thus altering the identity of the thermodynamic product. The energy profile for lapachol cyclization revealed that this process can occur with low free‐energy barriers (lower than 8.0 kcal mol−1). For α/β isomerization in a dilute medium, the computed enthalpic barriers are 15.1 kcal mol−1 (α→β) and 14.2 kcal mol−1 (β→α). These barriers are lowered in concentrated medium to 11.5 and 12.6 kcal mol−1, respectively. Experimental determination of isomers ratio was quantified by HPLC and NMR measurements. These findings provide insights into the chemical behavior of lapachol and lapachone derivatives in more complex environments.
BrdU incorporation in multiparameter flow cytometry: A new cell cycle assessment approach in multiple myeloma
Authors: Requirand Guilhem , Robert Nicolas , Boireau Stéphanie , Vincent Laure , Seckinger Anja , Bouhya Salaheddine , Ceballos Patrice , Cartron Guillaume , Hose Dirk , Klein Bernard , Moreaux Jérôme 
Published: November 2018

BackgroundMutiple myeloma (MM) is a neoplasia characterized by the accumulation of malignant plasma cells (PC) in the bone marrow. Although proliferation markers have been studied in MM, none of the current staging systems include them. Moreover, approaches used to analyze proliferation do not separate MM cells (MMCs) from normal PC.MethodsIn this study, we combined multiparameter flow cytometry and BrdU incorporation or Ki67 staining to analyze MM cell proliferation in 44 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), 153 newly diagnosed MM patients and 69 MM patients at relapse. The prognostic value of proliferation assessment was analyzed in 60 newly diagnosed patients treated with high‐dose chemotherapy supported by autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.ResultsThe median number of proliferating malignant PC significantly increases during MM disease progression. MM patients with a percentage of proliferating MMCs greater than 1.42% using BrdU/DAPI or greater than 1.1% using ki67/DAPI, are associated with a significantly shorter event free survival compared with patients with a lower percentage of proliferating MMCs.ConclusionsCombination of flow cytometry with BrdU or ki67/DAPI staining could become a standard for the determination of MM cell proliferation. Furthermore, in the context of new effective myeloma treatment options, assessment of MM cell proliferation may be valuable, in clinical trials, to identify novel agents that could significantly affect the small proliferative compartment of MM cells. © 2018 International Clinical Cytometry Society.
Variation in three community features across habitat types and scales within a 15‐ha subtropical evergreen‐deciduous broadleaved mixed forest dynamics plot in China
Authors: Feng Guang , Li Jun‐Qing , Zang Run‐Guo , Ding Yi , Ai Xun‐Ru , Yao Lan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe evergreen and deciduous broadleaved mixed forests (EDBMFs) belong to one of the ecosystems most sensitive to environmental change, however, little is known about the environmental determinants for their plant diversity and forest structure at different habitat types and spatial scales. Here, we used data from a 15‐ha (300 × 500 m) forest dynamic plot (FDP) of an old‐growth EDBMF to examine the patterns and determinants of the three community features (stem abundance, rarefied species richness and basal area [BA]) in three habitat types (ridge, hillside and foothill) and at three spatial scales (20 × 20 m, 50 × 50 m, and 100 × 100 m). We found that the three community features significantly changed with habitat type, but only one of them (rarefied richness) changed with scale. Among spatial scales, the principle environmental factors that widely affected community features were pH, soil organic matter, and total phosphorus, while these effects only taken place at certain habitat. Variations in the three community features explained by soil conditions were generally greater than those explained by topographical conditions. With changes in habitat type, the proportion of variations explained by environmental conditions was 31%–53%, 8%–25%, and 18%–26% for abundance, rarefied richness, and BA, respectively. With increasing spatial scale, the variations explained by environmental conditions were 44%–75% for abundance, 28%–95% for rarefied richness, and 18%–86% for BA. Our study demonstrated that environmental factors had great impacts on the plant diversity and forest structure in the EDBMFs, especially the soil factors such as pH. In addition, the importance of the environmental determinants on these community features was highly related to the spatial scale.
A unified concept of dominance applicable at both community and species scales
Authors: Ma Zhanshan (Sam) , Ellison Aaron M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractDominance and evenness can be two sides of the same coin or opposite ends of a spectrum. Although evenness and diversity are community‐level concepts, dominance can be applied at both community and species scales. Nevertheless, there is not a metric applicable at both these scales that are unified with a single mathematical framework in the existing literature. Here, by extending Lloyd's meaning crowding concept from the population to community scale, we propose a dominance concept and associated metrics that are applicable at both scales. Such metrics can act as proxies for diversity in diversity–stability and diversity–ecosystem service analyses or for population abundance in species interaction network analysis and population stability analysis, with advantages in cross‐scale and unified analyses. Our concept of dominance includes three measures (metrics) that link communities and species. The metrics have the same mathematical form, but different interpretations at the community and species scales. Our community‐level metric is a function of Simpson's () diversity index, for which we present a rigorous mathematical proof. Our species‐level metrics quantify the difference between community dominance and the dominance of a virtual community whose mean population size, per species, equals the population size of the focal species. We demonstrate the use of these metrics using data from a longitudinal study of the human vaginal microbiome and provide new insights relevant for microbiome stability and disease etiology at the community scale. The new metrics also can be used for species dominance network (SDN) analysis at the species scale. Since the species dominance is a function of both species (population) abundance and community dominance, it has an advantage of capturing both community‐scale global and species‐scale local information, which becomes even more evident when it is used to construct SDNs. These results demonstrate the significance and applications of our unified dominance concept and metrics.
Disposable Microfluidic Sensor Based on Nanocellulose for Glucose Detection
Authors: Uddin Khan Mohammad Ahsan , Jokinen Ville , Jahangiri Farzin , Franssila Sami , Rojas Orlando J. , Tuukkanen Sampo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractPoint‐of‐care devices that are inexpensive, disposable, and environmentally friendly are becoming increasingly predominant in the field of biosensing and biodiagnostics. Here, microfluidics is a suitable option to endow portability and minimal reagent and material consumption. Nanocellulose is introduced to manufacture microfluidic channels and as a storage and immobilization compartment of glucose oxidase. Improved enzymatic activity retention is demonstrated in a simple and disposable point‐of‐care diagnostic unit that is able to detect glucose from fluid matrices at 0.1 × 10−3m concentration and in less than 10 min. It is concluded that the patterning and fluidic technologies that are possible with nanocellulose enable easily scalable multianalyte designs.
Does global drug innovation correspond to burden of disease? The neglected diseases in developed and developing countries
Authors: Barrenho Eliana , Miraldo Marisa , Smith Peter C. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAlthough it is commonly argued that there is a mismatch between drug innovation and disease burden, there is little evidence on the magnitude and direction of such disparities. In this paper, we measure inequality in innovation, by comparing research and development activity with population health and gross domestic product data across 493 therapeutic indications to globally measure: (a) drug innovation, (b) disease burden, and (c) market size.We use concentration curves and indices to assess inequality at two levels: (a) broad disease groups and (b) disease subcategories for both 1990 and 2010.For some top burden disease subcategories (i.e., cardiovascular and circulatory diseases, neoplasms, and musculoskeletal disorders), innovation is disproportionately concentrated in diseases with high disease burden and large market size, whereas for others (i.e., mental and behavioral disorders, neonatal disorders, and neglected tropical diseases) innovation is disproportionately concentrated in low burden diseases.These inequalities persisted over time, suggesting inertia in pharmaceutical research and development in tackling the global health challenges.Our results confirm quantitatively assertions about the mismatch between disease burden and pharmaceutical innovation in both developed and developing countries and highlight the disease areas for which morbidity and mortality remain unaddressed.
The Odor Value Concept in the Formal Analysis of Olfactory Art
Authors: Kraft Philip 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn the past 15 years, there has been a tremendous increase in the emergence of olfactory artworks despite the traditional skepticism with respect to scents as subjects of art. This essay submits that this skepticism lacks aesthetic justification; art is what is accepted as such, and olfactory art is in fact already well accepted as an art form by the general public. However, there exists no methodological tool for the formal analysis of olfactory artworks. The essay suggests such a method, based on odor values; this is elaborated using the fragrance‘Dune’ (Dior, 1991), and is compared with a purely visual approach to the same subject. This new concept allows for the derivation of simple compositional sketches and is then exemplified by the formal analysis of three more recent olfactory artworks:Elodie Pong/Roman Kaiser, ‘White‘ (2016),Martynka Wawrzyniak/Yann Vasnier, ‘Tears (T6)’ (2012), andChristophe Laudamiel, ‘heat’ (2003).
Effectiveness of a dissemination strategy on the uptake of an online menu planning program: A controlled trial
Authors: Grady Alice , Wolfenden Luke , Rissel Chris , Green Sue , Reilly Kathryn , Yoong Sze Lin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIssue addressedOnline systems offer opportunities to provide effective, ongoing support to childcare services to implement dietary guidelines. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of a dissemination strategy on childcare service: (i) adoption; and (ii) use of an online menu planning program designed to increase compliance with dietary guidelines.MethodsA nonrandomised controlled trial was conducted with long day care services across Australia. All services received an email invitation to access an online evidence‐based menu planning program. Services in the intervention also received training, telephone contact and provision of a portable computer tablet to encourage program adoption and use. Outcomes were assessed at the 6‐month follow‐up using analytics data recorded by the online program. Outcomes included the proportion of services having accessed the program (adoption) and the proportion of services with a current menu entered in the program (use as intended).ResultsTwenty‐seven interventions and 19 control services took part. At the 6‐month follow‐up, 100% vs 58% of services had adopted the online menu planning program (OR: 14.67, 95% CI: 2.43‐infinity; P < 0.01) and 41% vs 5% of services had a current menu entered in the program (OR: 9.99, 95% CI: 1.01‐534.57; P < 0.01) in the intervention and control arms respectively.ConclusionsThis study highlights the need for strategies to support adoption and use of an online menu planning program in childcare services if the potential benefits of such a program are to be achieved. Future research should explore the effectiveness of differing strategies to increase adoption and use of online programs at scale.So what?Strategies to support childcare service uptake and use of online programs are required in order for the potential public health benefits of such technologies to be realised.
Remarkable response to abiraterone acetate in castration‐resistant prostate cancer patient with aggressive liver metastasis
Authors: Katsui Masahiro , Ohigashi Takashi , Kosaka Takeo , Bessho Hideharu , Arakawa Takashi 
Published: November 2018

IntroductionThe number of treatment options for metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer has increased in recent years. Abiraterone, which selectively inhibits CYP17 in the androgen synthesis pathway, is widely used. Liver metastasis is one of the worst prognostic factors in metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer. Only a few case reports have shown abiraterone successfully treated the liver metastasis of metastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer.Case presentationA 62‐year‐old man with prostate‐specific antigen of 16.69 ng/mL was diagnosed with Gleason 8 (3 + 5) poorly differentiated prostate adenocarcinoma. Androgen deprivation therapy and sequential anti‐androgen replacement were performed; however, the disease advanced to castration‐resistant prostate cancer with liver metastasis. Prior to docetaxel, abiraterone achieved marked improvements in liver metastasis and prostate‐specific antigen.ConclusionMetastatic castration‐resistant prostate cancer patients with visceral metastasis were excluded from COU‐AA‐302, which is phase III trial on abiraterone prior to docetaxel. Although docetaxel is the recommended treatment for the visceral metastasis of castration‐resistant prostate cancer according to the European Association of Urology guidelines, abiraterone also has potential as a treatment option.
MicroRNA‐98 attenuates cardiac ischemia‐reperfusion injury through inhibiting DAPK1 expression
Authors: Zhai Chang‐Lin , Tang Guan‐Min , Qian Gang , Hu Hui‐Lin , Wang Shi‐Jun , Yin Dong , Zhang Song 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCardiovascular ischemic disease is a large class of diseases that are harmful to human health. The significant role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in terms of controlling cardiac injury has been reported in latest studies. MiR‐98 is very important in regulating the apoptosis, the differentiation, the growth as well as the metastasis of cells. Nevertheless, the effect of miR‐98 in the cardiac ischemia reperfusion (I/R) injury has rarely been investigated. In the current research, we found that the miR‐98 expression was down‐regulated in the cardiomyocytes subjected to hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) and in the myocardium of the I/R rats. In addition, over‐expression of miR‐98 could significantly reduce the myocardial oxidative stress and ischemic injury as well as cell apoptosis. In agreement, similar findings were demonstrated in H9c2 cells subjected to H/R injury. Bioinformatic analysis using MiRanda and TargetScan and luciferase activity assay confirmed death‐associated protein kinase 1 (DAPK1) as a direct target of miR‐98. These findings suggest that miR‐98 may be exploited as a novel molecular marker or therapeutic target for myocardial I/R injury. © 2018 IUBMB Life, 71(1):166–176, 2019
Whole‐mount in situ hybridization of mouse brain to precisely locate mRNAs via fluorescence tomography
Authors: Guo Wenyan , Liu Xiuli , Hu Qinglei , Huang Fei , Li Ning , Zhang Qi , Li Yuxin , Xiong Feng , Luo Qingming , Zeng Shaoqun 
Published: November 2018

AbstractNucleic acids of intact biological tissues are rich in biological information. Whole‐mount in situ hybridization is a powerful technique to mine the wealth of data contained in DNAs or RNAs, especially mRNAs. However, there are no simple, rapid approaches to precisely locate mRNAs in whole‐mount tissues such as intact brains. By combining the penetration procedures of iDISCO with the signal amplification approach termed hybridization chain reaction, we herein developed a method for whole‐brain in situ hybridization at cellular resolution. Based on fluorescence tomography instead of tissue clearing, this method provides a simple, rapid way to precisely locate mRNAs in the whole brain with cytoarchitectonic landmarks. As a proof of principle, we investigated the exact distribution of Cre mRNA in a Thy1‐Cre mouse brain. We found high levels of Cre mRNA in most regions of the subcortical nuclei and the brain stem but comparatively low levels in major areas of the cerebral cortex. This method may have broad applications in studies of RNA function and its relations with diseases.
On the analysis of microrheological responses of self‐assembling RADA16‐I peptide hydrogel
Authors: Seyedkarimi Mansooreh‐Sadat , Mirzadeh Hamid , Bagheri‐Khoulenjani Shadab 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThis work aims to obtain a hydrogel based on self‐assembling RADA16‐I with proper rheological properties for hemostasis application. Response surface methodology (RSM) was performed to predict the gelation and stiffness of the hydrogel in different concentrations of peptide and NaCl in water and blood serum milieus. Particle tracking microrheology technique was used to evaluate Brownian motion of polystyrene particles in the peptide solutions to obtain their trajectories and measure the viscoelastic properties (G′′, G″, and tanδ). Formation of gel was influenced by the concentrations of peptide and salt and their interactions. Optimum response for maximizing elastic modulus was obtained in the presence of blood serum in comparison with water. Negative effect of excess amount of NaCl was predicted by RSM model and confirmed by animal study. Circular dichroism (CD) analysis showed formation of β‐sheet secondary structure in water. On the other hand, in the presence of blood serum, tertiary structure was formed. Dimensional characterization of peptide fibers was performed by means of AFM. Peptide self‐assembly in blood serum (pH around 7) which contains different ions, led to enhancing bonds between fibers, caused increasing the fiber diameter and length by 20 and 10 times, respectively. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 330–338, 2019.
Surfactant‐assisted‐water‐exposed versus surfactant‐aqueous‐solution‐exposed electrospinning of novel super hydrophilic polycaprolactone based fibers: Analysis of drug release behavior
Authors: Zargarian Seyed Shahrooz , Haddadi‐Asl Vahid , Kafrashian Zahra , Azarnia Mojdeh , Mirhosseini Mohammad Masoud , Seyedjafari Ehsan 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSurface hydrophilicity and scaffold integrity determine the drug release behavior of drug loaded electrospun fibrous mats. When mixture miscibility is acceptable, blend electrospinning of hydrophobic with hydrophilic polymers can improve scaffold hydrophilicity while the hydrophobic polymer maintains the mechanical strength of scaffold. Polycaprolactone (PCL) and Pluronic P123 (P123) blend electrospinning has been investigated. In routine blend electrospinning, surface enrichment of Pluronic sets a limit for P123 weight ratio in which exceeding from that limit causes the excess P123 to be accumulated within the electrospun fiber core. To overcome this setback, a method named surfactant assisted water exposed (SAWE) electrospinning was introduced which was proven to be effective for increasing the surface enrichment of Pluronic. In order to test the validity of this method, the electrospinning of solution containing PCL which is exposed to aqueous solution of P123 was investigated. This new method was named surfactant aqueous solution exposed (SASE) electrospinning. Myelin formation at the contact interface of aqueous solution and chloroform solution was studied and it was found that this layer can effectively barricade the migration of Pluronic chains between immiscible phases. For SASE, fiber surface coverage by P123 was uneven and loose. Electrospun scaffolds from SAWE and SASE were loaded with drug to investigate the effect of the exposure time during electrospinning on in vitro drug release. By increasing the exposure time, the abnormal two‐stage phased release profile of SAWE became normal with moderate initial burst. Longer exposure time increased the initial burst of the drug loaded SASE fibers. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 597–609, 2019.
Polymeric ionically conductive composite matrices and electrical stimulation strategies for nerve regeneration: In vitro characterization
Authors: Manoukian Ohan S. , Stratton Scott , Arul Michael R. , Moskow Joshua , Sardashti Naseem , Yu Xiaojun , Rudraiah Swetha , Kumbar Sangamesh G. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractStem cell strategies and the use of electrical stimulation (ES) represent promising new frontiers for peripheral nerve regeneration. Composite matrices were fabricated by coating electrospun polycaprolactone/cellulose acetate micro–nanofibers with chitosan and ionically conductive (IC) polymers including, sulfonated polyaniline, and lignin sulfonate. These composite matrices were characterized for surface morphology, coating uniformity, ionic conductivity, and mechanical strength to explore as scaffold materials for nerve regeneration in conjunction with ES. Composite matrices measured conductivity in the range of 0.0049–0.0068 mS/m due to the uniform coating of sulfonated polymers on the micro–nanofibers. Thin films (2D) and composite fiber matrices (3D) of IC polymers seeded with human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) were electrically stimulated at 0.5 V, 20 Hz for 1 h daily for 14 days to study the changes in cell viability, morphology, and expression of the neuronal‐like phenotype. In vitro ES lead to changes in hMSCs' fibroblast morphology into elongated neurite‐like structures with cell bodies for ES‐treated and positive control growth factor‐treated groups. Immunofluorescent staining revealed the presence of neuronal markers including β3‐tubulin, microtubule‐associated protein 2, and nestin in response to ES. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 1792–1805, 2019.