bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Characterizing bumble bee (Bombus) communities in the United States and assessing a conservation monitoring method
Authors: Strange James P. , Tripodi Amber D. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractAimBumble bees (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Bombus) are economically and ecologically important pollinators in agroecosystems and wildland habitats. In the Nearctic region, there are approximately 41 species, of which the IUCN lists twelve species as vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. We conducted a standardized faunal survey to inform ongoing conservation efforts including petitions under review for the Endangered Species Act. Furthermore, we test the appropriateness of a methodology for accurately sampling bumble bee communities.LocationThe United States of America, including 31 sites in 15 states.MethodsWe surveyed 15 states in the summer of 2015 to assess community composition and relative species abundance at agricultural and seminatural sites throughout the United States. We collected approximately 100 bees, using aerial nets, from each of 31 sites and identified specimens to species, totaling 3,252 bees. We assessed our survey methodology to understand whether it accurately sampled the potential community of bumble bees at each site for utility in future monitoring efforts.ResultsAverage site species richness was 5.1 ± 2.05, and we detected 30 of the 41 species documented historically within the contiguous United States. Sampling a site beyond 100 bees rarely added additional species detections, whereas adding additional sampling sites within an ecoregion frequently increased the species richness for the ecoregion. Thirteen of the 30 species we detected each accounted for <1% of the total fauna, and two species accounted for 49.02% of all bees captured. Species richness and evenness increased with increasing latitude across communities.Main ConclusionsSpecies diversity and evenness in bumble bees increases in northern latitudes and increasing elevation in the United States; however, a few common species tend to dominate communities while many species occur only in low numbers. The results of this survey effort can inform current conservation evaluations and planning.
Plasma mammalian leptin analogue predicts reproductive phenology, but not reproductive output in a capital‐income breeding seaduck
Authors: Hennin Holly L. , Legagneux Pierre , Gilchrist H. Grant , Bêty Joël , McMurtry John P. , Love Oliver P. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractTo invest in energetically demanding life history stages, individuals require a substantial amount of resources. Physiological traits, particularly those related to energetics, can be useful for examining variation in life history decisions and trade‐offs because they result from individual responses to environmental variation. Leptin is a protein hormone found in mammals that is proportional to the amount of endogenous fat stores within an individual. Recently, researchers have confirmed that a mammalian leptin analogue (MLA), based on the mammalian sequence of leptin, is present with associated receptors and proteins in avian species, with an inhibitory effect on foraging and body mass gain at high circulating levels. While MLA has been both quantified and manipulated in avian species, little is currently known regarding whether plasma MLA in wild‐living species and individuals is associated with key reproductive decisions. We quantified plasma MLA in wild, Arctic‐nesting female common eiders (Somateria mollissima) at arrival on the breeding grounds and followed them to determine subsequent breeding propensity, and reproductive phenology, investment, and success. Common eiders are capital‐income breeding birds that require the accumulation of substantial fat stores to initiate laying and successfully complete incubation. We found that females with lower plasma MLA initiated breeding earlier and in a shorter period of time. However, we found no links between plasma MLA levels and breeding propensity, clutch size, or reproductive success. Although little is still known about plasma MLA, based on these results and its role in influencing foraging behaviors and condition gain, plasma MLA appears to be closely linked to reproductive timing and is therefore likely to underlie trade‐offs surrounding life history decisions.
Blockchain technology outline and its application to field of power and energy system
Authors: Sawa Toshiyuki 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBlockchains were developed as a technology used for transactions of Bitcoins (cryptocurrency). Blockchains have several features such as decentralized transaction without third parties, tolerance network, prevention of data manipulation, and operational cost reduction. This technology is gaining attention in the world, and by adding extensions, improvements, or new technologies, it is expected to be used not only in cryptocurrency and fintech but also in the power and energy system field. This technical note explains the outline of the blockchain technology and its application to the field of power and energy system.
UVCB substances II: Development of an endpoint-nonspecific procedure for selection of computationally generated representative constituents
Authors: Kutsarova Stela S. , Yordanova Darina G. , Karakolev Yordan H. , Stoeva Stoyanka , Comber Mike , Hughes Christopher B. , Vaiopoulou Eleni , Dimitrov Sabcho D. , Mekenyan Ovanes G. 
Published: January 2019

Abstract

Substances of unknown or variable composition, complex reaction products, and biological materials (UVCBs) comprise approximately 40% of all registered substances submitted to the European Chemicals Agency. One of the main characteristics of UVCBs is that they have no unique representation. Industry scientists who are part of the scientific community have been working with academics and consultants to address the problem of a lack of a defined structural description. It has been acknowledged that one of the obstacles is the large number of possible structural isomers. We have recently proposed and published a methodology, based on the generic substance identifiers, to address this issue. The methodology allows for the coding of constituents, their generation, calculation of important characteristics of UVCB constituents, and selection of representative constituents. In the present study we introduce a statistical selection of the minimum number of generated constituents representing a UVCB. This representative sample was selected in such a way that the structural variability and the properties of concern of the UVCB were approximated within a predefined tolerable error. The aim of the statistical selection was to enable the assessment of UVCB substances by decreasing the number of constituents that need to be evaluated. The procedure, which was shown to be endpoint-independent, was validated theoretically and on real case studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:682–694. © 2019 SETAC
Lysophosphatidic acid activates satellite glia cells and Schwann cells
Authors: Robering Jan W. , Gebhardt Lisa , Wolf Katharina , Kühn Helen , Kremer Andreas E. , Fischer Michael J. M. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractPruritus is a common and disabling symptom in patients with hepatobiliary disorders, particularly in those with cholestatic features. Serum levels of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and its forming enzyme autotaxin were increased in patients suffering from hepatic pruritus, correlated with itch severity and response to treatment. Here we show that in a culture of dorsal root ganglia LPA 18:1 surprisingly activated a large fraction of satellite glia cells, and responses to LPA 18:1 correlated inversely with responses to neuronal expressed transient receptor potential channels. LPA 18:1 caused only a marginal activation of heterologously expressed TRPV1, and responses in dorsal root ganglion cultures from TRPV1‐deficient mice were similar to controls. LPA 18:1 desensitized subsequent responsiveness to chloroquine and TGR5 agonist INT‐777. The LPA 18:1‐induced increase in cytoplasmatic calcium stems from the endoplasmatic reticulum. LPA receptor expression in dorsal root ganglia and Schwann cells, LPAR1 immunohistochemistry, and pharmacological results indicate a signaling pathway through LPA receptor 1. Peripheral rat Schwann cells, which are of glial lineage as the satellite glia cells, were also responsive to LPA 18:1. Summarizing, LPA 18:1 primarily activates rather glial cells than neurons, which may subsequently modulate neuronal responsiveness and sensory sensations such as itch and pain.
Identifying the neural correlates of doorway freezing in Parkinson's disease
Authors: Matar Elie , Shine James M. , Gilat Moran , Ehgoetz Martens Kaylena A. , Ward Philip B. , Frank Michael J. , Moustafa Ahmed A. , Naismith Sharon L. , Lewis Simon J. G. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractFreezing of gait (FOG) in Parkinson's disease (PD) is frequently triggered upon passing through narrow spaces such as doorways. However, despite being common the neural mechanisms underlying this phenomenon are poorly understood. In our study, 19 patients who routinely experience FOG performed a previously validated virtual reality (VR) gait paradigm where they used foot‐pedals to navigate a series of doorways. Patients underwent testing randomised between both their “ON” and “OFF” medication states. Task performance in conjunction with blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) signal changes between “ON” and “OFF” states were compared within each patient. Specifically, as they passed through a doorway in the VR environment patients demonstrated significantly longer “footstep” latencies in the OFF state compared to the ON state. As seen clinically in FOG this locomotive delay was primarily triggered by narrow doorways rather than wide doorways. Functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that footstep prolongation on passing through doorways was associated with selective hypoactivation in the presupplementary motor area (pSMA) bilaterally. Task‐based functional connectivity analyses revealed that increased latency in response to doorways was inversely correlated with the degree of functional connectivity between the pSMA and the subthalamic nucleus (STN) across both hemispheres. Furthermore, increased frequency of prolonged footstep latency was associated with increased connectivity between the bilateral STN. These findings suggest that the effect of environmental cues on triggering FOG reflects a degree of impaired processing within the pSMA and disrupted signalling between the pSMA and STN, thus implicating the “hyperdirect” pathway in the generation of this phenomenon.
A case report of the long treatment experience of a Sézary syndrome responder patient: 16 years through all the systemic and innovative therapies
Authors: Nanni Laura , Morigi Alice , Casadei Beatrice , Broccoli Alessandro , Stefoni Vittorio , Argnani Lisa , Cavo Michele , Zinzani Pier Luigi 
Published: January 2019

AbstractExisting therapies for Sézary syndrome (SS) are limited in efficacy and in disease control, and patients have very poor prognosis. Here, we report a case report of a patient who has a 16‐year history of SS and related treatments (both standard and experimental). In particular, two drugs, one conventional (gemcitabine) and one experimental (mogamulizumab), were able to induce long lasting response. Patient refused to undergo allogeneic stem cell transplantation. After eleven lines of therapeutic approaches, the patient is in very good partial response and free of therapy at the latest available follow‐up.
Higher hydration performance and bioactive response of the new endodontic bioactive cement MTA HP repair compared with ProRoot MTA white and NeoMTA plus
Authors: Jiménez‐Sánchez María del Carmen , Segura‐Egea Juan José , Díaz‐Cuenca Aránzazu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractThe aim of this study was to characterize the hydration performance and the bioactive response of the new bioactive endodontic cement MTA HP repair (HP), comparing its physicochemical parameters with those of ProRoot MTA White (Pro) and NeoMTA Plus (Neo). Un‐hydrated precursor materials were characterized by X‐ray fluorescence, laser diffraction, N2 physisorption and field emission gun scanning electron microscopy (FEG‐SEM). Setting time was assessed according to ASTM specification C 266. Hydrated materials were analyzed by X‐ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and (FEG‐SEM). Bioactivity evaluation in vitro was carried out, by soaking processed cement disk in simulated body fluid (SBF) during 168 h. The cements surface was studied by FT‐IR, FEG‐SEM, and energy dispersive X‐ray. Release to the SBF media of ionic degradation products was monitored using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy. HP showed shorter initial setting time compared to Pro and Neo and produce a quick and effective bioactive response in vitro in terms of phosphate phase surface coating formation. This higher bioactive response for HP is correlated with increasing calcium aluminate content, increasing surface area of un‐hydrated powder precursor and the increasing release capacity of Si ionic products of the final hydrated product. The higher bioactive response of MTA HP repair highlights this material, as very interesting to further investigate its performance to improve the outcome of vital pulp therapy procedures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B: 2109–2120, 2019.
Overexpression of periostin is positively associated with gastric cancer metastasis through promoting tumor metastasis and invasion
Authors: Zhong Hai , Li Xiang , Zhang Junhua , Wu Xu 
Published: January 2019

AbstractBackgroundGastric tumors generally have a poor prognosis and molecular markers to improve early detection and predict outcomes are greatly needed. The present study reports that periostin (POSTN), a secretory protein that can alter the remodeling of the extracellular matrix, is highly expressed in gastric tumors.Materials and MethodsGastric tissues were collected from patients at the Department of Thoracic Surgery/Huiqiao Medical Center, Nanfang Hospital, Southern Medical University. These patients provided an informed consent and were approved by the institute. Normal, cancer, and metastatic gastric tissues from lymph nodes and tissues adjacent to the tumor were collected from patients diagnosed with gastric cancer.ResultsPeriostin expression gradually increased as the risk grade of the NIH classification increased, and this was closely correlated with disease‐free survival and overall survival. Compared with adjacent normal gastric mucosa tissues, protein expression of POSTN in gastric cancer tissues and metastases was significantly higher by immunohistochemistry and Western blot analysis. In addition, POSTN was upregulated in advanced gastric cancer tissues than in early gastric cancer tissues. Moreover, the ectopic expression of POSTN in the immortalized human gastric cell line could increase the metastasis and invasion of gastric cancer cells.ConclusionThe present results could establish the significance of POSTN in driving oncogenesis and metastasis in gastric tumors, with implications for its potential use as a diagnostic or prognostic biomarker, and as a candidate therapeutic target.
Upregulation of microRNA‐424 relieved diabetic nephropathy by targeting Rictor through mTOR Complex2/Protein Kinase B signaling
Authors: Wang Guofeng , Yan Yongxin , Xu Ning , Hui Yuan , Yin Dong 
Published: January 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate the role of miR‐424 in diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its relationship with Rictor in mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) C2/Akt signaling.MethodsThe western blot analysis and real‐time polymerase chain reaction were used to determine the differential expression of Rictor, mTOR, and miR‐424 in DN rats. The upregulation of miR‐424 was achieved by caudal vein injection of miR‐424 mimics. The renal lesion was evaluated by hematoxylin‐eosin staining (H&E) and periodic acid schiff staining. The dual‐luciferase reporter assay was conducted to determine the binding target of miR‐424. The effect of miR‐424 upregulation on apoptosis was detected by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase‐mediated 2‐Deoxyuridine‐5‐Triphosphate (dUTP) nick‐end labeling assay and western blot analysis.ResultsA significantly lower expression of miR‐424 and a significantly higher expression of Rictor and mTOR were found in renal tissues of DN rats. The upregulation of miR‐424 improved renal lesion and DN symptoms of blood glucose level, urine protein level, body weight, creatinine level, blood urea nitrogen, and KW/BW ratio. The upregulation of miR‐424 could significantly reduce apoptosis rates of tissue cells by decreasing the expression levels of caspase‐3 and Bax as well as increasing the level of Bcl‐2. Furthermore, Rictor was the direct target for miR‐424, and upregulation of miR‐424 inhibited Rictor through Akt signaling in renal tissue of DN rats and high‐glucose‐treated human glomerular mesangial cells.ConclusionmiR‐424 contributes to alleviating the symptoms in DN rat models by targeting Rictor through mTORC2/Akt signaling.
Vaccarin prevents titanium particle‐induced osteolysis and inhibits RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis by blocking NF‐κB and MAPK signaling pathways
Authors: Liu Yun , Song Fang‐Ming , Ma Shi‐Ting , Moro Abu , Feng Wen‐Yu , Liao Shi‐Jie , Lin Xi‐Xi , Zhao Jin‐Min , Wang Zi‐yi , Xu Jiake , Zhan Xin‐Li , Liu Qian 
Published: January 2019

AbstractWearing titanium particle‐induced osteoclastogenesis, accompanied by peri‐implant osteolysis, is the main cause of long‐term failure of hip prosthesis. Currently, medications used for the prevention and treatment of peri‐implant osteolysis show serious side effects. Therefore, development for more effective new drugs with less side effects is extremely urgent. Vaccarin is a natural flavonoid extracted from Vaccaria segetalis, with various biological functions, including antioxidantory, anti‐inflammatory, and promotion of angiogenesis. However, the putative role of vaccarin in the inhibition of titanium particle‐induced osteolysis has not been reported. In this study, it was indicated that vaccarin could effectively inhibit RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis, fusion of F‐actin rings, bone resorption, and expression of osteoclast marker genes in a dose‐dependent manner in vitro. Moreover, vaccarin could also inhibit RANKL‐induced osteoclastogenesis via the inhibition of NF‐κB and MAPK (p38, ERK, and JNK) signaling pathways, and inhibit the transcription of downstream transcription factors, such as c‐Fos and NFATc1. Consistent with in vitro results, this in vivo study showed that vaccarin exhibited an inhibitory effect on titanium particle‐induced osteolysis by antiosteoclastogenesis. In conclusion, vaccarin could be a promising agent for preventing and treating peri‐implant osteolysis.
Rn7SK small nuclear RNA is involved in cellular senescence
Authors: Musavi Maryam , Kohram Fatemeh , Abasi Mozhgan , Bolandi Zohreh , Ajoudanian Mohammad , Mohammadi‐Yeganeh Samira , Hashemi Seyed Mahmoud , Sharifi Kazem , Fathi Hamid reza , Ghanbarian Hossein 
Published: January 2019

AbstractRn7SK is a conserved small nuclear noncoding RNA which its function in aging has not been studied. Recently, we have demonstrated that Rn7SK overexpression reduces cell viability and is significantly downregulated in stem cells, human tumor tissues, and cell lines. In this study, we analyzed the role of Rn7SK on senescence in adipose tissue‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (AD‐MSCs). For this purpose, Rn7SK expression was downregulated and upregulated via transfection and transduction, respectively, in AD‐MSCs and subsequently, various distinct characteristics of senescence including cell viability, proliferation, colony formation, senescence‐associated β galactosidase activity, and differentiation potency was analyzed. Our results demonstrated the transient knockdown of Rn7SK in MSCs leads to delayed senescence, while its overexpressions shows opposite effects. When osteogenic differentiation was started, however, they exhibited a greater differentiation potential than the original MSCs, suggesting a potential tool for stem cell‐based regenerative medicine.
Critical limb ischemia: Current and novel therapeutic strategies
Authors: Hassanshahi Mohammadhossein , Khabbazi Samira , Peymanfar Yaser , Hassanshahi Alireza , Hosseini‐Khah Zahra , Su Yu‐Wen , Xian Cory J. 
Published: January 2019

AbstractCritical limb ischemia (CLI) is the advanced stage of peripheral artery disease spectrum and is defined by limb pain or impending limb loss because of compromised blood flow to the affected extremity. Current conventional therapies for CLI include amputation, bypass surgery, endovascular therapy, and pharmacological approaches. Although these conventional therapeutic strategies still remain as the mainstay of treatments for CLI, novel and promising therapeutic approaches such as proangiogenic gene/protein therapies and stem cell‐based therapies have emerged to overcome, at least partially, the limitations and disadvantages of current conventional therapeutic approaches. Such novel CLI treatment options may become even more effective when other complementary approaches such as utilizing proper bioscaffolds are used to increase the survival and engraftment of delivered genes and stem cells. Therefore, herein, we address the benefits and disadvantages of current therapeutic strategies for CLI treatment and summarize the novel and promising therapeutic approaches for CLI treatment. Our analyses also suggest that these novel CLI therapeutic strategies show considerable advantages to be used when current conventional methods have failed for CLI treatment.