bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Distribution, habitat associations, and conservation status updates for the pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852) and Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) of the western United States
Authors: Egly Rachel M. , Larson Eric R. 
Published: September 2018

Our study evaluates the distribution, habitat associations, and current conservation status of the Snake River pilose crayfish Pacifastacus connectens (Faxon, 1914) and pilose crayfish Pacifastacus gambelii (Girard, 1852), two little-studied and data-deficient species endemic to the western United States. We first developed a species distribution model (SDM) for the pilose crayfishes based on their historical occurrence records using boosted regression trees and freshwater GIS data layers. We then sampled 163 sites in the summers of 2016 and 2017 within the distribution of these crayfishes, including 50 where these species were observed historically. We next compared our field results to modeled predictions of suitable habitat from the SDM. Our SDM predicted 73 sites (45%) we sampled as suitable for the pilose crayfishes, with a moderate AUC value of 0.824. The pilose crayfishes were generally predicted to occur in larger streams and rivers with less extreme upstream temperature and precipitation seasonality. We found the pilose crayfishes at only 20 (12%) of the 163 total sites we sampled, 14 (20%) of the 73 sites predicted as suitable for them by our SDM, and 12 (24%) of 50 historical sites that we sampled. We found the invasive virile crayfish Faxonius virilis (Hagen, 1870) at 22 sites total and 12 (24%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes, and we found the “native invader” signal crayfish Pacifastacus leniusculus (Dana, 1852) at 29 sites total and 6 (12%) historical sites for the pilose crayfishes. We subsequently used a single classification tree to identify factors associated with our high rate of false positives for contemporary pilose crayfish distributions relative to our SDM. This classification tree identified the presence of invasive crayfishes, impairment of the benthic community, and sampling method as some of the factors differentiating false positives relative to true positives for the pilose crayfishes. Our study identified the historical distribution and habitat associations for P. connectens and P. gambelii using an SDM and contrasted this prediction to results of contemporary field sampling. We found that the pilose crayfishes have seemingly experienced substantial range declines, attributable to apparent displacement by invasive crayfishes and impairment or change to stream communities and habitat. We recommend increased conservation and management attention to P. connectens and P. gambelii in response to these findings.
Post‐transcriptional regulation of PIAS3 expression by miR‐18a in malignant mesothelioma
Authors: He Tian , McColl Karen , Sakre Nneha , Chen Yanwen , Wildey Gary , Dowlati Afshin 
Published: September 2018

Protein inhibitor of activated STAT3 (PIAS3) is an endogenous suppressor of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) signaling. By directly interacting with phosphorylated STAT3, PIAS3 can block the downstream transcriptional activity of STAT3, which is hyper‐activated in various cancers. We previously reported that in malignant mesothelioma (MM), low PIAS3 expression is associated with increased STAT3 activation and correlates with poor patient survival, yet the regulatory mechanism(s) governing PIAS3 expression in MM remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PIAS3 protein expression does not correlate with its mRNA level in MM cell lines, indicating that PIAS3 expression is regulated at a post‐transcriptional level. Inhibition of proteasomal degradation with MG132 (10 μm) or bortezomib (1 μm), alone and in combination, did not increase PIAS3 protein levels; furthermore, inhibition of protein synthesis by cycloheximide treatment did not decrease PIAS3 levels within 48 h, suggesting that PIAS3 expression is not actively regulated at a post‐translational level. To determine whether miRNA (miRs) can translationally regulate PIAS3 expression, we combined miR microarray analysis with bioinformatic screening to identify candidate miRs, in MM cell lines with low PIAS3 expression, followed by luciferase reporter assays to validate miR regulation of the PIAS3 3′UTR. We identified miR‐18a as a suppressor of PIAS3 expression that is upregulated in MM cells and whose inhibition can increase PIAS3 expression and suppress STAT3 activity. Moreover, we showed that miR‐18a inhibition can decrease MM cell viability and that its expression is negatively correlated with MM patient survival. Taken together, these results suggest that targeting miR‐18a may have therapeutic benefit in MM.
Role of TGF‐β1/miR‐382‐5p/SOD2 axis in the induction of oxidative stress in CD34+ cells from primary myelofibrosis
Authors: Rossi Chiara , Zini Roberta , Rontauroli Sebastiano , Ruberti Samantha , Prudente Zelia , Barbieri Greta , Bianchi Elisa , Salati Simona , Genovese Elena , Bartalucci Niccolò , Guglielmelli Paola , Tagliafico Enrico , Rosti Vittorio , Barosi Giovanni , Vannucchi Alessandro M. , Manfredini Rossella ,   the AGIMM (AIRC‐Gruppo Italiano Malattie Mieloproliferative) investigators
Published: September 2018

Primary myelofibrosis (PMF) is a myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by an excessive production of pro‐inflammatory cytokines resulting in chronic inflammation and genomic instability. Besides the driver mutations in JAK2, MPL, and CALR genes, the deregulation of miRNA expression may also contribute to the pathogenesis of PMF. To this end, we recently reported the upregulation of miR‐382‐5p in PMF CD34+ cells. In order to unveil the mechanistic details of the role of miR‐382‐5p in pathogenesis of PMF, we performed gene expression profiling of CD34+ cells overexpressing miR‐382‐5p. Among the downregulated genes, we identified superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2), which is a predicted target of miR‐382‐5p. Subsequently, we confirmed miR‐382‐5p/SOD2 interaction by luciferase assay and we showed that miR‐382‐5p overexpression in CD34+ cells causes the decrease in SOD2 activity leading to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and oxidative DNA damage. In addition, our data indicate that inhibition of miR‐382‐5p in PMF CD34+ cells restores SOD2 function, induces ROS disposal, and reduces DNA oxidation. Since the pro‐inflammatory cytokine transforming growth factor‐β1 (TGF‐β1) is a key player in PMF pathogenesis, we further investigated the effect of TGF‐β1 on ROS and miR‐382‐5p levels. Our data showed that TGF‐β1 treatment enhances miR‐382‐5p expression and reduces SOD2 activity leading to ROS accumulation. Finally, inhibition of TGF‐β1 signaling in PMF CD34+ cells by galunisertib significantly reduced miR‐382‐5p expression and ROS accumulation and restored SOD2 activity. As a whole, this study reports that TGF‐β1/miR‐382‐5p/SOD2 axis deregulation in PMF cells is linked to ROS overproduction that may contribute to enhanced oxidative stress and inflammation. Our results suggest that galunisertib may represent an effective drug reducing abnormal oxidative stress induced by TGF‐β1 in PMF patients.Database linkingGEO: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/geo/query/acc.cgi?acc=GSE103464.
Deep brain stimulation in five patients with severe disorders of consciousness
Authors: Lemaire Jean‐Jacques , Sontheimer Anna , Pereira Bruno , Coste Jérôme , Rosenberg Sarah , Sarret Catherine , Coll Guillaume , Gabrillargues Jean , Jean Betty , Gillart Thierry , Coste Aurélien , Roche Basile , Kelly Antony , Pontier Bénédicte , Feschet Fabien 
Published: September 2018

AbstractObjectiveThe efficacy of deep brain stimulation in disorders of consciousness remains inconclusive. We investigated bilateral 30‐Hz low‐frequency stimulation designed to overdrive neuronal activity by dual pallido‐thalamic targeting, using the Coma Recovery Scale Revised (CRS‐R) to assess conscious behavior.MethodsWe conducted a prospective, single center, observational 11‐month pilot study comprising four phases: baseline (2 months); surgery and titration (1 month); blind, random, crossover, 1.5‐month ON and OFF periods; and unblinded, 5‐month stimulation ON. Five adult patients were included: one unresponsive‐wakefulness‐syndrome male (traumatic brain injury); and four patients in a minimally conscious state, one male (traumatic brain injury) and three females (two hemorrhagic strokes and one traumatic brain injury). Primary outcome measures focused on CRS‐R scores. Secondary outcome measures focused notably on baseline brain metabolism and variation in activity (stimulation ON – baseline) using normalized fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography maps. Statistical analysis used random‐effect models.ResultsThe two male patients (one minimally conscious and one unresponsive wakefulness syndrome) showed improved mean CRS‐R scores (stimulation ON vs. baseline), in auditory, visual and oromotor/verbal subscores, and visual subscores respectively. The metabolism of the medial cortices (low at baseline in all five patients) increased specifically in the two responders.InterpretationOur findings show there were robust but limited individual clinical benefits, mainly in visual and auditory processes. Overall modifications seem linked to the modulation of thalamo‐cortico‐basal and tegmental loops activating default mode network cortices. Specifically, in the two responders there was an increase in medial cortex activity related to internal awareness.
Profiling Heterogeneous Circulating Tumor Cells (CTC) Populations in Pancreatic Cancer Using a Serial Microfluidic CTC Carpet Chip
Authors: Zeinali Mina , Murlidhar Vasudha , Fouladdel Shamileh , Shao Shimeng , Zhao Lili , Cameron Heather , Bankhead Armand , Shi Jiaqi , Cuneo Kyle C. , Sahai Vaibhav , Azizi Ebrahim , Wicha Max S. , Hafner Mathias , Simeone Diane M. , Nagrath Sunitha 
Published: September 2018

AbstractAlthough isolation of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) from pancreatic adenocarcinoma patients is feasible, investigating their clinical utility has proven less successful than other cancers due to the limitations of epithelial cellular adhesion molecule (EpCAM)‐only based CTC assays. An integrated technology‐ and biology‐based approach using a microfluidic “Carpet Chip” is presented to study the biological relevance of heterogeneous CTC populations. Both epithelial CTCs (EpCs) and epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐like CTCs (EMTCs) are isolated simultaneously from the whole blood of pancreatic cancer (PaCa) patients (n = 35) by separately targeting two surface markers: EpCAM and CD133. Recovery of cancer cell lines spiked into whole blood is ≥97% with >76% purity. Thirty‐four patients had ≥5 EpCs mL−1 and 35 patients had ≥15 EMTCs mL−1. Overall, significantly higher numbers of EMTCs than EpCs are recovered, reflecting the aggressive nature of PaCa. Furthermore, higher numbers of EMTCs are observed in patients with lymph node involvement compared to patients without. Gene expression profiling of CTCs from 17 patients reveals that CXCR1 is significantly upregulated in EpCs, while known stem cell markers POU5F1/Oct‐4 and MYC are upregulated in EMTCs. In conclusion, successful isolation and genomic profiling of heterogeneous CTC populations are demonstrated, revealing genetic signatures relevant to patient outcomes.
Synthesis and Applications of Graphdiyne‐Based Metal‐Free Catalysts
Authors: Zuo Zicheng , Wang Dan , Zhang Jin , Lu Fushen , Li Yuliang 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe development of carbon materials offers the hope for obtaining inexpensive and high‐performance alternatives to substitute noble‐metal catalysts for their sustainable application. Graphdiyne, the rising‐star carbon allotrope, is a big family with many members, and first realized the coexistence of sp‐ and sp2‐hybridized carbon atoms in a 2D planar structure. Different from the prevailing carbon materials, its nonuniform distribution in the electronic structure and wide tunability in bandgap show many possibilities and special inspirations to construct new‐concept metal‐free catalysts, and provide many opportunities for achieving a catalytic activity comparable with that of noble‐metal catalysts. Herein, the recent progress in synthetic methodologies, theoretical predictions, and experimental investigations of graphdiyne for metal‐free catalysts is systematically summarized. Some new perspectives of the opportunities and challenges in developing high‐performance graphdiyne‐based metal‐free catalysts are demonstrated.
An Insulin Microneedle Pen (IMP) for Self‐Subcutaneous Insulin Injection
Authors: Ma Yonghao , Li Cheng Guo , Kim Suyong , Fakhraei Lahiji Shayan , Lee Chisong , Jung Hyungil 
Published: September 2018

AbstractMetallic hollow microneedles (MHMs) are an ideal alternative to traditional insulin pen needles for innocuous self‐administration of insulin into the subcutaneous layer. Nonetheless, MHMs present a number of challenges, including restricted use of biocompatible materials, biohazard issues, and limitations of scale‐up fabrication. Here, a novel MHM‐manufacturing technology that creates a high‐aspect‐ratio microstructure by simple centrifugation is proposed. Instead of thermoplastics, biocompatible polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is used without any biohazardous solvent. The critical hurdle—maintaining the geometric integrity of the water‐soluble PVP microneedle mold during electroplating—is overcome via a waterproof parylene coating. Cost‐effective nickel‐carbon tungsten electroless plating is performed that is suitable for clinical application. For the first time, this MHM is assembled into an insulin pen system for manufacture of an insulin microneedle pen (IMP). Characteristics of the IMP are optimized: length: 8 mm, minimized outer diameter: 125 µm, and a sharp bevel angle: 15°. It is demonstrated that the IMP not only administers insulin with the same accuracy as a traditional insulin pen needle but also produces less tissue damage in a porcine model. The proposed IMP may facilitate clinical application and potentially make the daily treatments necessary and easier for patients with diabetes.
Stretchable CNTs‐Ecoflex Composite as Variable‐Transmittance Skin for Ultrasensitive Strain Sensing
Authors: Jiang Yuting , Wang Yang , Mishra Yogendra Kumar , Adelung Rainer , Yang Ya 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWireless controlled flexible electronic devices are going to be the key components in various technologies toward sustainable advancement of the society in future. However, most of the currently available conventional sensing devices, which usually comprise complex structures and the integration of stretchability, face a lot of difficulties to satisfy the comprehensive demands. Here, a new fabrication method is demonstrated for integration of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and stretchable silicone film into a sandwich structure, in which the transmittance can be significantly controlled via externally applied strain. The transmittance change can, in turn, also be exploited to distinguish the applied strain. The proposed sandwich structure significantly enhances the stretchability of the CNTs networks, endowing the sensor with a strain sensitivity as high as 70.2 and a wide reliable strain sensing range up to 400%. The proposed CNTs based flexible device fabrication concept is simple and cost‐effective which can be easily up scaled toward promising applications in wireless weight sensing, interactive wearable devices, smart robots, and other advanced technologies.
Scalable Elasticoluminescent Strain Sensor for Precise Dynamic Stress Imaging and Onsite Infrastructure Diagnosis
Authors: Liu Linsheng , Xu Chao‐Nan , Yoshida Akihito , Tu Dong , Ueno Naohiro , Kainuma Shigenobu 
Published: September 2018

AbstractPrecise dynamic stress/strain imaging is critical for a broad range of research and engineering analyses ranging from micrometer to meter‐scales, but there is no precise multiscale strain sensor, especially for onsite real‐time structural health monitoring. Here, a scalable elasticoluminescent strain sensor is presented for solving worldwide structural diagnosis problems ranging from micrometer to meter‐scales. Significant progress has recently been made on both highly sensitive elasticoluminescent sensors and quantitative evaluations in dynamic stress/strain imaging. The precise dynamic imaging of stress/strain and onsite fracture inspection and danger‐level (stress concentration) diagnoses on large‐scale infrastructures are demonstrated. The innovative scalable strain sensor would prospectively open a new era in multiscale strain imaging research and contribute to multifield research related precise dynamic stress/strain imaging and healthcare of structures.
Hand‐Driven Gyroscopic Hybrid Nanogenerator for Recharging Portable Devices
Authors: Chung Jihoon , Yong Hyungseok , Moon Haksung , Duong Quang Van , Choi Seung Tae , Kim Dongseob , Lee Sangmin 
Published: September 2018

AbstractWith the rise of portable and wearable electronics, a fast‐charging, long‐lasting power solution is needed; thus, there are attempts to harvest energy from the ambient environment. Mechanical energy harvesting through piezoelectric and triboelectric nanogenerators (PENG and TENG) is a promising approach due to their light weight, low cost, and high‐power density in comparison to other technologies. Both types of generators are capable of charging portable and smart devices on their own by converting mechanical energy into electricity. However, most previous methods have excessive input conditions, such as high rpm and input frequency, that can be only applied with other actuators. Here, a hand‐held gyroscopic generator is presented that uses the gyroscopic principle to reach a rotation rate above 8000 rpm with only hand input. The generator comprises a rotating flywheel inside a casing. Both the flywheel and casing have a TENG, and with a hybrid generator, electrical power is produced from rotation, vibration, and centrifugal force during operation. The device shows a consistent open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 90 V and a closed‐circuit current (ICC) of 11 µA with a frequency of 200 Hz. As a stand‐alone device, this generator can power portable sensors and smartphones through hand rotation.
Magnetic 3d Transition Metal Atomic Chains Modulated by the Intrinsic Valley Structure in MX Monolayer
Authors: Li Shujing , Zhou Mei , Zheng Fawei , Zhang Ping 
Published: September 2018

AbstractA systematic study of 3d transition metal (TM) atomic chains adsorbed on monolayer MX (M = Si/Ge, X = P/As) by using first‐principle calculations is presented. The results demonstrate that all 3d TMs, except for the fullfilled shell Zn atom, will spontaneously adsorb on the top of the bridge site over the (MM)x bond in the intrinsic valleys of MX monolayer forming atomic chains with sizable adsorption energies. For TMs from Sc to Co, the TM–MX systems exhibit nonzero magnetic moments. The ferromagnetic characters of atomic chains are mainly influenced by the interactions between TMs and X atoms and also M atoms in the valleys of monolayer MX. Furthermore, the magnetism of TM–MX systems with TMs varying from Sc to Zn are maintained under moderate external uniaxial or biaxial strains. The work proposes a new possible route exploiting the intrinsic crystal structure of MX to synthesize ferromagnetic atomic chains. The sizable adsorption energy, high spin polarization, and good flexibility promise TM–MX systems rich potential applications in spintronics and magnetoelectric devices.
Small‐Ring Metathesis: Delights and Difficulties
Authors: Panda Biswajit 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe metathetical opening of strained cyclopropene and cyclobutene rings is a well‐established conversion, successfully used in several total syntheses and in the preparation of polymers. Concurrently, it is generally considered that small cyclic products cannot be easily made by ring‐closing metathesis (RCM). The current reports on the preparation of substituted cyclobutenes via 1,5‐enyne RCM changed this scenario. In recent years, there have been significant pieces of work on metathesis of strained three‐ and four‐membered rings reported, which required a thorough review.
Metal‐Free Cross‐Dehydrogenative Coupling (CDC): Molecular Iodine as a Versatile Catalyst/Reagent for CDC Reactions
Authors: Parvatkar Prakash T. , Manetsch Roman , Banik Bimal K. 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe development of ecofriendly methods for carbon–carbon (C−C) and carbon–heteroatom (C−Het) bond formation is of great significance in modern‐day research. Metal‐free cross‐dehydrogenative coupling (CDC) has emerged as an important tool for organic and medicinal chemists as a means to form C−C and C−Het bonds, as it is atom economical and more efficient and greener than transition‐metal catalyzed CDC reactions. Molecular iodine (I2) is recognized as an inexpensive, environmentally benign, and easy‐to‐handle catalyst or reagent to pursue CDCs under mild reaction conditions, with good regioselectivities and broad substrate compatibility. This review presents the recent developments of I2‐catalyzed C−C, C−N, C−O, and C−S/C−Se bond‐forming reactions for the synthesis of various important organic molecules by cross‐dehydrogenative coupling.
Multicomponent spectrofluorimetric method for the assay of carboxymethylflavin and its hydrolytic products: kinetic applications
Authors: Mirza Tania , Anwar Zubair , Ejaz Muhammad Ahsan , Ahmed Sofia , Sheraz Muhammad Ali , Ahmad Iqbal 
Published: September 2018

AbstractThe simultaneous assay of carboxymethylflavin (CMF), an intermediate in the photolysis of riboflavin, and its hydrolytic side‐chain cleavage products, lumichrome (LC) (acid solution) and LC and lumiflavin (LF) as well as isoalloxazine ring cleavage products, 1,2‐dihydro‐1‐methyl‐2‐keto‐3‐quinoxaline carboxylic acid (KA) and 1,2,3,4‐tetrahydro‐1‐methyl‐2,3‐dioxo‐quinoxaline (DQ) (alkaline solution) has been carried out by a multicomponent spectrofluorimetric method. The method is based on the adjustment of pH of the degraded solutions to 2.0 and extraction of LC and LF with chloroform. The chloroform extract is evaporated to dryness under reduced pressure, the residue dissolved in pH 6.5 citro‐phosphate buffer and LC and LF determined at their fluorescence maxima at 478 and 530 nm, respectively. The pH of the aqueous phase is re‐adjusted to 6.5 and the solution used for the determination of CMF, KA and DQ at the wavelengths of 530, 443 and 420 nm, respectively. The proposed method has been validated according to ICH guidelines. The calibration curves for CMF and its hydrolytic products are linear in the concentration range of 0.5–5.0 × 10−6 M. The mean recovery ranges from 99.0–102.0% with relative standard deviation (RSD) of 0.19–0.99%. The limit of detection (LOD) and the limit of quantification (LOQ) are in the range of 1.17–1.78 × 10−7 M and 3.55–5.40 × 10−7 M, respectively. The uniformity of molar balance of CMF and degradation products during hydrolytic reactions indicates the accuracy of the proposed method for the spectrofluorimetric assay of the compounds. It has been applied to study the kinetics of hydrolytic reactions of CMF.