bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Core Eudicot Boom Registered in Myanmar Amber
Authors: Liu Zhong-Jian , Huang Diying , Cai Chenyang , Wang Xin 
Published: November 2018

AbstractA perfect flower in a mid-Cretaceous (early Cenomanian) Myanmar amber is described as Lijinganthus revoluta gen. et sp. nov. The fossil flower is actinomorphic and pentamerous, including calyx, corolla, stamens, and gynoecium. The sepals are tiny, while the petals are large and revolute. The stamens are dorsifixed, filamentous, and each has a longitudinally dehiscing bisporangiate anther. The gynoecium is in the centre of the flower, composed of three fused carpels with a stout style. Lijinganthus revoluta gen. et sp. nov. demonstrates a great resemblance to the flowers of Pentapetalae (Eudicots), adding new information to the enigmatic early evolutionary history of Pentapetalae and Eudicots.
Comparative study of catalytic activities among transition metal-doped IrO2 nanoparticles
Authors: Lee Hangil , Kim Joo Yeon , Lee Si Young , Hong Jung A. , Kim Namdong , Baik Jaeyoon , Hwang Yun Jeong 
Published: November 2018

AbstractCatalytic activities of transition metal-doped IrO2 nanoparticles (TM-IrO2 NPs; TM = Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, or Ni) are compared for various oxidation reactions such as electrochemical oxygen evolution reaction (OER), gas-phase photo-oxidation of thiol function group, and CO oxidative conversion. Here, we discovered a series of TM-IrO2 catalysts have a common activity trend for these oxidation reactions, and their activities are closely related with modified electronic states of IrO2, strongly affected by the types of the transition metal across the periodic table. For all oxidation reactions, Cr- and Mn-IrO2 achieved the highest oxidation catalytic activity, and sequentially decreased activities were obtained with Fe, Co, and Ni doped IrO2. For instance, the highest OER activity was achieved by Cr or Mn doping exhibiting the smallest overpotential η = 275~230 mV at 10 mA/cm2, while Ni-IrO2 showed rather larger overpotential (η = 347 mV) even compared with non-doped IrO2 (η = 314 mV). Scanning transmission X-ray microscopy and high-resolution photoemission spectra of TM-IrO2 indicated dopant metals modified the Ir-O interaction and thus increasing oxygen vacancy defects in IrO2. Strongly positive correlation was observed between the catalytic activities and vacancy states. The amount of defect related signals was observed the most for Cr- or Mn-IrO2, less so for Fe- or Co-IrO2, and unnoted for Ni-IrO2 compared with bare IrO2. Based on these catalytic activities and surface spectroscopic analysis results, vacancy defects induced by doping in TM-IrO2 NPs are proposed to contribute to enhance the oxidation activities.
Highly Improved Solar Energy Harvesting for Fuel Production from CO2 by a Newly Designed Graphene Film Photocatalyst
Authors: Yadav Rajesh K. , Lee Jeong-O , Kumar Abhishek , Park No-Joong , Yadav Dolly , Kim Jae Young , Baeg Jin-Ook 
Published: November 2018

AbstractOur growing energy demands must be met by a sustainable supply with reduced carbon intensity. One of the most exciting prospects to realize this goal is the photocatalyst-biocatalyst integrated artificial photosynthesis system which affords solar fuel/chemicals in high selectivity from CO2. Graphene based photocatalysts are highly suitable for the system, but their industrial scale use requires immobilization for improved separation and recovery of the photocatalyst. Therefore for practical purposes, design and fabrication of film type graphene photocatalyst with higher solar energy conversion efficiency is an absolute necessity. As a means to achieve this, we report herein the successful development of a new type of flexible graphene film photocatalyst that leads to >225% rise in visible light harvesting efficiency of the resultant photocatalyst-biocatalyst integrated artificial photosynthesis system for highly selective solar fuel production from CO2 compared to conventional spin coated graphene film photocatalyst. It is an important step towards the design of a new pool of graphene film based photocatalysts for artificial photosynthesis of solar fuels from CO2.
Pulsed interleaved excitation-based line-scanning spatial correlation spectroscopy (PIE-lsSCS)
Authors: Gao Xiang , Gao Peng , Prunsche Benedikt , Nienhaus Karin , Nienhaus Gerd Ulrich 
Published: November 2018

AbstractWe report pulsed interleaved excitation (PIE) based line-scanning spatial correlation spectroscopy (PIE-lsSCS), a quantitative fluorescence microscopy method for the study of dynamics in free-standing lipid bilayer membranes. Using a confocal microscope, we scan multiple lines perpendicularly through the membrane, each one laterally displaced from the previous one by several ten nanometers. Scanning through the membrane enables us to eliminate intensity fluctuations due to membrane displacements with respect to the observation volume. The diffusion of fluorescent molecules within the membrane is quantified by spatial correlation analysis, based on the fixed lag times between successive line scans. PIE affords dual-color excitation within a single line scan and avoids channel crosstalk. PIE-lsSCS data are acquired from a larger membrane region so that sampling is more efficient. Moreover, the local photon flux is reduced compared with single-point experiments, resulting in a smaller fraction of photobleached molecules for identical exposure times. This is helpful for precise measurements on live cells and tissues. We have evaluated the method with experiments on fluorescently labeled giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) and membrane-stained live cells.
Compound heterozygous splice site variants in the SCLT1 gene highlight an additional candidate locus for Senior-Løken syndrome
Authors: Katagiri Satoshi , Hayashi Takaaki , Yoshitake Kazutoshi , Murai Noriyuki , Matsui Zenichi , Kubo Hiroyuki , Satoh Hiroyuki , Matsufuji Senya , Takamura Tsuyoshi , Yokoo Takashi , Omori Yoshihiro , Furukawa Takahisa , Iwata Takeshi , Nakano Tadashi 
Published: November 2018

AbstractSenior Løken syndrome (SLS) is a heterogeneous disorder characterized by severe retinal degenerations and juvenile-onset nephronophthisis. Genetic variants in ten different genes have been reported as the causes of SLS. Clinical evaluation of a patient with SLS and her unaffected parents revealed that the patient had infantile-onset retinal dystrophy and juvenile-onset nephronophthisis. Other systemic abnormalities included hepatic dysfunction, megacystis, mild learning disability, autism, obesity, and hyperinsulinemia. Whole-exome sequencing identified compound heterozygous SCLT1 variants (c.1218 + 3insT and c.1631A > G) in the patient. The unaffected parents were heterozygous for each variant. Transcript analysis using reverse transcription PCR demonstrated that the c.1218 + 3insT variant leads to exon 14 skipping (p.V383_M406del), while the other variant (c.1631A > G) primarily leads to exon 17 skipping (p.D480EfsX11) as well as minor amounts of two transcripts (6 bps deletion in the last of exon 17 [p.V543_K544del] and exons 17 and 18 skipping [p.D480E, S481_K610del]). Immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that the Sclt1 protein was localized to the distal appendage of the photoreceptor basal body, indicating a ciliary protein. In conclusion, we identified compound heterozygous splice site variants of SCLT1 in a patient with a new form of ciliopathies that exhibits clinical features of SLS.
Effect of fenofibrate on uric acid level in patients with gout
Authors: Jung Ju-Yang , Choi Young , Suh Chang-Hee , Yoon Dukyong , Kim Hyoun-Ah 
Published: November 2018

AbstractGout is a chronic disease associated with deposition of monosodium urate crystals and accompanied by diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Hypertriglyceridemia is common among patients with gout, and fenofibrate is usually used to reduce triglyceride levels. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of uric acid reduction by fenofibrate in patients with gout administered uric acid lowering agents (viz., the xanthine oxidase inhibitors allopurinol and febuxostat). Data from 863 patients with gout were collected from electronic medical records comprising information on underlying diseases, laboratory findings, and drug histories. Among all the patients, 70 (8.11%) took fenofibrate with allopurinol or febuxostat. Male and young patients took fenofibrate more frequently, and hypertension was less frequent in patients administered xanthine oxidase inhibitors and fenofibrate than in those administered only xanthine oxidase inhibitors. After the treatment, serum uric acid levels more significantly decreased (−1.81 ± 2.41 vs. −2.40 ± 2.28 mg/dL, p = 0.043) in patients with fenofibrate cotreatment, than in those administered allopurinol or febuxostat alone. The effect of uric acid reduction was larger (b = −1.098, p < 0.001) in patients taking glucocorticoids than in those administered other treatments. There was no difference in the levels of creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and aminotransferases between patients treated with and without fenofibrate. Fenofibrate additionally reduced uric acid levels without showing any change in the results of renal or liver function tests, suggesting that the addition of fenofibrate is a reasonable option for treating gout in patients having high triglyceride levels.
Comprehensive molecular and cellular studies suggest avian scutate scales are secondarily derived from feathers, and more distant from reptilian scales
Authors: Wu Ping , Lai Yung-Chih , Widelitz Randall , Chuong Cheng-Ming 
Published: November 2018

AbstractAmniote skin appendages such as feathers, hairs and scales, provide thermoregulation, physical protection and display different color patterns to attract a mate or frighten an adversary. A long-standing question is whether “reptile scale” and “avian leg scales” are of the same origin. Understanding the relation between avian feathers, avian scales and reptilian scales will enhance our understanding of skin appendage evolution. We compared the molecular and cellular profiles in chicken feather, chicken scales and alligator scales and found that chicken scutate scales are similar to chicken feathers in morphogenesis at the early placode stage. When we compared the expression of the recently identified feather-specific genes and scale-specific genes in these skin appendages, we found that at the molecular level alligator scales are significantly different from both chicken feathers and chicken scales. Furthermore, we identified a similarly diffuse putative stem cell niche in morphologically similar chicken and alligator scales. These putative stem cells participate in alligator scale regeneration. In contrast, avian feathers have a more condensed stem cell niche, which may be responsible for cycling. Thus, our results suggest that chicken and alligator scales formed independently through convergent evolution.
Blocking drug activation as a therapeutic strategy to attenuate acute toxicity and physiological effects of heroin
Authors: Zhang Ting , Zheng Xirong , Kim Kyungbo , Zheng Fang , Zhan Chang-Guo 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHeroin is a growing national crisis in America. There is an increasing frequency of heroin overdoses. All of the currently used therapeutic approaches to treatment of heroin abuse and other opioid drugs of abuse focus on antagonizing a brain receptor (particularly µ-opiate receptors). However, it has been known that the therapeutic use of certain µ-opiate receptor antagonist may actually increase heroin overdose. Once overdosed, heroin addicts may continue to get overdosed again and again until fatal. Here we report our design and validation of a novel therapeutic strategy targeting heroin activation based on our analysis of the chemical transformation and functional change of heroin in the body. An effective blocker of heroin activation, such as ethopropazine tested in this study, may be used as a standalone therapy or in combination with a currently available, traditional medications targeting µ-opiate receptors (e.g. naltrexone or its extended-release formulation Vivitrol). The combination therapy would be ideal for heroin abuse treatment as the effects of two therapeutic agents targeting two independent mechanisms are cooperative.
Development of local strontium ranelate delivery systems and long term in vitro drug release studies in osteogenic medium
Authors: Loca Dagnija , Smirnova Anastasija , Locs Janis , Dubnika Arita , Vecstaudza Jana , Stipniece Liga , Makarova Elina , Dambrova Maija 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIt has been recognized that the operative stabilization of osteoporotic fractures should be followed up with an appropriate osteoporosis treatment in order to decrease the risk of repeated fractures. Despite the good clinical results of strontium ranelate (SrRan) towards the osteoporosis treatment, high drug doses and long treatment period cause an increased risk of serious side effects. Novel local SrRan/poly(lactic acid) (SrRan/PLA) delivery systems containing from 3.57 ± 0.28 wt% to 24.39 ± 0.91 wt% of active substance were developed. In order to resemble the naturally occurring processes, osteogenic media (OM) was used as a release medium for long term (121 days) in vitro drug release studies and UV/VIS method for the determination of SrRan content in OM was developed and validated. Biomimetic calcium phosphate precipitates were found on the surface and in the pores of prepared delivery system after microcapsule exposure to OM for 121 days as well as SrRan particles, indicating that the release of the drug have not been completed within 121 days. In vitro cell viability evaluation approved no cytotoxic effects of microcapsule suspensions and extracts.
Development of ultra-low volume, multi-bio fluid, cortisol sensing platform
Authors: Upasham Sayali , Tanak Ambalika , Jagannath Badrinath , Prasad Shalini 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe development of a non-faradaic electrochemical sensor for screening across multiple bio-fluids that demonstrate the expression of cortisol using a gold microelectrode-based sensor is reported in this paper. Room temperature ionic liquid (RTIL), BMIM[BF4] was used as the buffer to modulate the electrical double layer (EDL) to enhance the electrochemical signal response of the sensor. The sensor design and the surface chemistry was optimized using COMSOL Multiphysics software simulations and FTIR respectively. The sensor was designed so that it uses ultra-low volumes between 3–5 µL of bio-fluid for detection. Cortisol detection was achieved in the physiologically relevant ranges when tested in serum, blood, sweat, and, saliva using non-faradaic Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) and performance parameters of the sensor were determined. Sensor’s response was tested against the only commercially available salivary cortisol point-of-care kit using regression analysis. Cross-reactive studies using prednisone indicated that the sensor is specific for cortisol. The sensor displayed a correlation value i.e. R2 > 0.95 between the signal response and the concentration of cortisol present in the system. Dynamic range of the sensor was across the physiologically relevant range of cortisol i.e. 50–200 ng/ml for serum/blood, 1–40 ng/ml for saliva, and 10–150 ng/ml for sweat. Limit of detection for serum and sweat was 10 ng/ml and 1 ng/ml for saliva.
Risk factors for the presence of dental black plaque
Authors: Ortiz-López Claudia S. , Veses Veronica , Garcia-Bautista Jose A. , Jovani-Sancho Maria del Mar 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn order to evaluate risk factors related to the presence of extrinsic dental black stain, a total of 94 orally healthy volunteers (47 individuals with dental black stain and 47 individuals without dental black stain) were recruited from ten different dental clinics in Valencia and Castellón (Spain). Data regarding their oral hygiene, dietary habits, and oral health status were gathered by questionnaire. Samples of dental plaque, saliva and drinking water were collected for chemical analysis. Three factors were found to be statistically significantly associated with dental black stain, (i) consuming water with high iron content, (ii) consuming water with high pH, and (iii) having a high salivary pH. Other factors such as smoking, taking iron supplements or consuming caffeinated drinks were not found to be risk factors for the presence of black stain. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that drinking tap or osmosis-purified water and lower levels of salivary iron increase the risk of having dental black stain. Overall, several risk factors for the presence of dental black stain have been identified. The main modifiable risk factor identified in this study was the consumption of tap or osmosis drinking water.
Quadratic relationships between group size and foraging efficiency in a herbivorous primate
Authors: Grueter Cyril C. , Robbins Andrew M. , Abavandimwe Didier , Vecellio Veronica , Ndagijimana Felix , Stoinski Tara S. , Robbins Martha M. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractThe effect of feeding competition on foraging efficiency is an important link between ecological factors and the social organization of gregarious species. We examined the effects of group size on daily travel distances, activity budgets, and energy intake of mountain gorillas in Rwanda. We measured daily travel distances of five groups, activity budgets of 79 gorillas in nine groups, and energy intake data for 23 adult females in three groups over a 16-month period. Travel distances and the proportion of time spent traveling increased with size for most groups, which would be expected if their foraging efficiency is limited by intragroup feeding competition. However, travel distances and times decreased for the largest group, which also had higher energy intake rates than intermediate sized groups. The improved foraging efficiency of the largest group may be explained by advantages in intergroup contest competition. The largest group had much lower home range overlap than the other study groups which may be due to groups avoiding one another as a result of male mating competition. Collectively, our results indicate that intermediate sized groups had the lowest foraging efficiency and provide a new twist on the growing evidence of non-linear relationships between group size and foraging efficiency in primates.
CETP genetic variant rs1800777 (allele A) is associated with abnormally low HDL-C levels and increased risk of AKI during sepsis
Authors: Genga Kelly Roveran , Trinder Mark , Kong HyeJin Julia , Li Xuan , Leung Alex K. K. , Shimada Tadanaga , Walley Keith R. , Russell James A. , Francis Gordon A. , Brunham Liam R. , Boyd John H. 
Published: November 2018

AbstractHigh-density cholesterol (HDL-C) levels are influenced by genetic variation in several genes. Low levels of HDL-C have been associated with increased risk of acute kidney injury (AKI). We investigated whether genetic polymorphisms in ten genes known to regulate HDL-C levels are associated with both HDL-C levels and AKI development during sepsis. Two cohorts were retrospectively analyzed: Derivation Cohort (202 patients with sepsis enrolled at the Emergency Department from 2011 to 2014 in Vancouver, Canada); Validation Cohort (604 septic shock patients enrolled into the Vasopressin in Septic Shock Trial (VASST)). Associations between HDL-related genetic polymorphisms and both HDL-C levels, and risk for clinically significant sepsis-associated AKI (AKI KDIGO stages 2 and 3) were evaluated. In the Derivation Cohort, one genetic variant in the Cholesteryl Ester Transfer Protein (CETP) gene, rs1800777 (allele A), was strongly associated with lower HDL-C levels (17.4 mg/dL vs. 32.9 mg/dL, P = 0.002), greater CETP mass (3.43 µg/mL vs. 1.32 µg/mL, P = 0.034), and increased risk of clinically significant sepsis-associated AKI (OR: 8.28, p = 0.013). Moreover, the same allele was a predictor of sepsis-associated AKI in the Validation Cohort (OR: 2.38, p = 0.020). Our findings suggest that CETP modulates HDL-C levels in sepsis. CETP genotype may identify patients at high-risk of sepsis-associated AKI.
Subwavelength Metamaterial Unit Cell for Low-Frequency Electromagnetic Absorber Applications
Authors: Jeong Heijun , Nguyen Toan Trung , Lim Sungjoon 
Published: November 2018

AbstractIn this paper, we propose a subwavelength metamaterial unit cell for low-frequency electromagnetic absorber applications. To realize a periodic array for a metamaterial absorber, the footprint size and thickness of a unit cell must be miniaturized to a subwavelength. We achieved the electrical size of the unit cell as 0.027λ × 0.027λ × 0.043λ at 2.4 GHz by introducing the inductive lump elements to a symmetric square-loop resonator. The performance of the proposed absorber was demonstrated by full-wave simulations and measurements. An inductance tolerance of 2% yielded errors of 1.2% and 1.25% in the absorptivity and absorption frequency, respectively. A prototype with 13 × 27 unit cells was fabricated and its absorptivity was measured to be 99.6% at 2.4 GHz.
Cobalt immobilized on hydroxyapatite as a low-cost and highly effective heterogeneous catalyst for alkenes epoxidation under mild conditions
Authors: Mekrattanachai Pagasukon , Cao Changyan , Li Zhaohua , Li Huining , Song Weiguo 
Published: November 2018

Transition metal Co immobilized on hydroxyapatite even with low loading of 0.05 wt% is a low-cost and highly effective heterogeneous catalyst for alkenes epoxidation at 30 °C with O2 and iso-butyraldehyde as co-oxidant.