bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Can multitrophic interactions and ocean warming influence large‐scale kelp recovery?
Authors: Christie Hartvig , Gundersen Hege , Rinde Eli , Filbee‐Dexter Karen , Norderhaug Kjell Magnus , Pedersen Torstein , Bekkby Trine , Gitmark Janne K. , Fagerli Camilla W. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOngoing changes along the northeastern Atlantic coastline provide an opportunity to explore the influence of climate change and multitrophic interactions on the recovery of kelp. Here, vast areas of sea urchin‐dominated barren grounds have shifted back to kelp forests, in parallel with changes in sea temperature and predator abundances. We have compiled data from studies covering more than 1,500‐km coastline in northern Norway. The dataset has been used to identify regional patterns in kelp recovery and sea urchin recruitment, and to relate these to abiotic and biotic factors, including structurally complex substrates functioning as refuge for sea urchins. The study area covers a latitudinal gradient of temperature and different levels of predator pressure from the edible crab (Cancer pagurus) and the red king crab (Paralithodes camtschaticus). The population development of these two sea urchin predators and a possible predator on crabs, the coastal cod (Gadus morhua), were analyzed. In the southernmost and warmest region, kelp forests recovery and sea urchin recruitment are mainly low, although sea urchins might also be locally abundant. Further north, sea urchin barrens still dominate, and juvenile sea urchin densities are high. In the northernmost and cold region, kelp forests are recovering, despite high recruitment and densities of sea urchins. Here, sea urchins were found only in refuge habitats, whereas kelp recovery occurred mainly on open bedrock. The ocean warming, the increase in the abundance of edible crab in the south, and the increase in invasive red king crab in the north may explain the observed changes in kelp recovery and sea urchin distribution. The expansion of both crab species coincided with a population decline in the top‐predator coastal cod. The role of key species (sea urchins, kelp, cod, and crabs) and processes involved in structuring the community are hypothesized in a conceptual model, and the knowledge behind the suggested links and interactions is explored.
Repeat disturbances have cumulative impacts on stream communities
Authors: Haghkerdar Jessica M. , McLachlan Jack R. , Ireland Alexis , Greig Hamish S. 
Published: February 2019

Abstract

Climate change has altered disturbance regimes in many ecosystems, and predictions show that these trends are likely to continue. The frequency of disturbance events plays a particularly important role in communities by selecting for disturbance‐tolerant taxa.

However, ecologists have yet to disentangle the influence of disturbance frequency per se and time since last disturbance, because more frequently disturbed systems have also usually been disturbed more recently. Our understanding of the effects of repeated disturbances is therefore confounded by differences in successional processes.

We used in‐situ stream mesocosms to isolate and examine the effect of disturbance frequency on community composition. We applied substrate moving disturbances at five frequencies, with the last disturbance occurring on the same day across all treatments. Communities were then sampled after a recovery period of 9 days.

Macroinvertebrate community composition reflected the gradient of disturbance frequency driven by differential vulnerability of taxa to disturbance. Diversity metrics, including family‐level richness, decreased, reflecting a likely loss of functional diversity with increasing disturbance frequency. In contrast, overall abundance was unaffected by disturbance frequency as rapid recovery of the dominant taxon compensated for strong negative responses of disturbance‐vulnerable taxa.

We show that cumulative effects of repeated disturbances—not just the time communities have had to recover before sampling—alter communities, especially by disproportionately affecting rare taxa. Thus, the timing of past disturbances can have knock‐on effects that determine how a system will respond to further change.
Renal function stratified dose comparisons of eplerenone versus placebo in the EMPHASIS‐HF trial
Authors: Ferreira João Pedro , Abreu Paula , McMurray John J.V. , van Veldhuisen Dirk J. , Swedberg Karl , Pocock Stuart J. , Vincent John , Lins Katharina , Rossignol Patrick , Pitt Bertram , Zannad Faiez 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundCurrent heart failure guidelines recommend target eplerenone dose of 50 mg/day. We have examined the effect of different eplerenone doses based on pre‐specified renal function stratification in the Eplerenone in Mild Patients Hospitalization and Survival Study in Heart Failure (EMPHASIS‐HF).Methods and resultsIn EMPHASIS‐HF, the target dose of eplerenone/placebo was stratified at randomization according to estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR): 50 mg/day if eGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 and ≤ 25 mg/day if eGFR 30–49 mL/min/1.73 m2. Patients remained within these dose ranges during the trial (as per stratification). The primary outcome was a composite of heart failure hospitalization or cardiovascular mortality. Eplerenone was superior to placebo within each respective eGFR stratum [eplerenone vs. placebo in the eGFR ≥ 50 mL/min/1.73 m2 stratum: hazard ratio (HR) 0.58, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.45–0.74; and eplerenone vs. placebo in the eGFR 30–49 mL/min/1.73 m2 stratum: HR 0.62, 95% CI 0.49–0.78; Pinteraction = 0.89]. Despite receiving lower eplerenone doses, patients in the eGFR 30–49 mL/min/1.73 m2 stratum more often had hyperkalaemia, renal failure events, and drug discontinuation.ConclusionIn EMPHASIS‐HF the eplerenone dose was stratified according to renal function and the treatment effect was not influenced by renal function: 25 mg/day in patients with eGFR 30–49 mL/min/1.73 m2 was as effective as 50 mg/day in patients with eGFR > =50 mL/min/1.73 m2. However, patients with impaired renal function experienced more adverse events, despite reveiving lower eplerenone doses. Current guidelines do not recommend tailoring the dose of eplereone according to renal function but the current data suggest they should.
RNA sequencing identifies a novel USP9X‐USP6 promoter swap gene fusion in a primary aneurysmal bone cyst
Authors: Blackburn Patrick R. , Davila Jaime I. , Jackson Rory A. , Fadra Numrah , Atiq Mazen A. , Pitel Beth A. , Nair Asha A. , VanDeWalker Todd J. , Hessler Mark G. , Hovel Sara K. , Wehrs Rebecca N. , Fritchie Karen J. , Jenkins Robert B. , Halling Kevin C. , Geiersbach Katherine B. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPrimary aneurysmal bone cyst (ABC) is a benign multiloculated cystic lesion of bone that is defined cytogenetically by USP6 gene rearrangements. Rearrangements involving USP6 are promoter swaps, usually generated by fusion of the noncoding upstream exons of different partner genes with exon 1 or 2 of USP6, thus leading to transcriptional upregulation of full‐length USP6 coding sequence. Testing for USP6 rearrangements is used diagnostically to distinguish it from secondary ABC and other giant cell‐rich primary bone tumors. In this report, we present a case of a 16‐year‐old male with a primary ABC of the left distal femur. USP6 break apart fluorescence in situ hybridization was positive for a rearrangement and conventional chromosome analysis identified a reciprocal X;17 translocation. In order to identify the putative USP6 fusion partner, we performed RNA sequencing and uncovered a novel USP9X‐USP6 promoter swap fusion. This result was confirmed by reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction (RT‐PCR) and by mate pair sequencing thus showing the utility of these alternative methodologies in identifying novel fusion candidates. Ubiquitin‐specific protease 9X (USP9X), like USP6, encodes a highly conserved substrate‐specific deubiquitylating enzyme. USP9X is highly expressed in a number of tissue types and acts as both an oncogene and tumor suppressor in several human cancers. We conclude that oncogenic activation of USP6 via USP9X promoter exchange represents a novel driver of primary ABC formation.
Tracking CO Release in Cells via the Luminescence of Donor Molecules and/or their By‐Products
Authors: Soboleva Tatiana , Berreau Lisa M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractCarbon monoxide (CO) is a bioactive signalling molecule that is produced endogenously via the breakdown of heme. Beneficial health effects associated with the delivery of CO gas have spurred the development of CO‐releasing molecules (CORMs) that can be used to provide specific amounts of the gas. In addition to their potential use as therapeutics, CORMs are needed to provide insight into the biological targets of CO. In this regard, light‐activated CO‐releasing molecules (photoCORMs), are valuable for examining the effects of localized CO release.Herein we examine luminescent CORMs and photoCORMs that have been reported for tracking CO delivery in cells. A variety of motifs are available that exhibit differing luminescence properties and cover a wide range of wavelengths. Trackable CO donors have been successfully applied to targeting CO delivery to mitochondria, thus demonstrating the feasibility of using such molecules in detailed investigations of the biological roles of CO.
Acute kidney injury model established by systemic glutathione depletion in mice
Authors: Matsubara Akiko , Oda Shingo , Jia Ru , Yokoi Tsuyoshi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGlutathione (GSH) is one of the most extensively studied tripeptides. The roles for GSH in redox signaling, detoxification of xenobiotics and antioxidant defense have been investigated. A drug‐induced rhabdomyolysis mouse model was recently established in L‐buthionine‐(S,R)‐sulfoximine (BSO; a GSH synthesis inhibitor)‐treated normal mice by co‐administration of antibacterial drug and statin. In these models, mild kidney injury was observed in the BSO only‐treated mice. Therefore, in this study, we studied kidney injury in the GSH‐depleted mouse. BSO was intraperitoneally administered twice a day for 7 days to normal mice. The maximum level of plasma creatine phosphokinase (351 487 ± 53 815 U/L) was shown on day 8, and that of aspartate aminotransferase was shown on day 6. Increased levels of blood urea nitrogen, plasma creatinine, urinary kidney injury molecule‐1 and urinary creatinine were observed. An increase of mRNA expression level of renal lipocalin 2/neutrophil gelatinase‐associated lipocalin was observed. Degeneration and necrosis in the skeletal muscle and high concentrations of myoglobin (Mb) in blood (347‐203 925 ng/mL) and urine (2.5‐68 583 ng/mL) with large interindividual variability were shown from day 5 of BSO administration. Mb‐stained regions in the renal tubule and renal cast were histologically observed. In this study, the GSH‐depletion treatment established an acute kidney injury mouse model due to Mb release from the damaged skeletal muscle. This mouse model would be useful for predicting potential acute kidney injury risks in non‐clinical drug development.
Electrospun triple‐layered PLLA/gelatin. PRGF/PLLA scaffold induces fibroblast migration
Authors: Piran Mehrdad , Shiri Mahdi , Soufi Zomorrod Mahsa , Esmaeili Elaheh , Soufi Zomorrod Mina , Vazifeh Shiran Nader , Mahboudi Hossein , Daneshpazhouh Hamed , Dehghani Naeimeh , Hosseinzadeh Simzar 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe function of fibroblast cells in wounded areas results in reconstruction of the extra cellular matrix and consequently resolution of granulation tissue. It is suggested that the use of platelet‐rich plasma can accelerate the healing process in nonhealing or slow‐healing wounds. In this study, a simple and novel method has been used to fabricate an electrospun three‐layered scaffold containing plasma rich in growth factor with the aim of increasing the proliferation and migration of fibroblast cells in vitro. First, plasma rich in growth factor was derived from platelet rich plasma, and then a three‐layered scaffold was fabricated using PLLA nanofibers as the outer layers and plasma rich in growth factor‐containing gelatin fibers as the internal layer. The growth morphology of cells seeded on this scaffold was compared to those seeded on one layered PLLA scaffold. The study of the cell growth rate on different substrates and the migration of cells in response to the drug release of multilayered scaffold was investigated by the cell quantification assay and a modified under agarose assay. Scanning electron microscopy and fluorescence images showed that cells seeded on multilayered scaffold were completely oriented 72 hours after seeding compared to those seeded on PLLA scaffold. The cell quantification assay also indicated significant increase in proliferation rate of cells seeded on three‐layered scaffold compared to those seeded on PLLA scaffold and finally, monitoring cell migration proved that cells migrate significantly toward the three‐layered scaffold up to 48 to 72 hours and afterwards start to show a diminished migration rate toward this scaffold.
Elevated expression of the V‐ATPase D2 subunit triggers increased energy metabolite levels in KrasG12D‐driven cancer cells
Authors: Yang Jigang , Guo Feihu , Yuan Leilei , Lv Guangxin , Gong Jianhua , Chen Jing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractMutations of the Ras oncogene are frequently detected in human cancers. Among Ras‐mediated tumorigenesis, Kras‐driven cancers are the most dominant mutation types. Here, we investigated molecular markers related to the Kras mutation, which is involved in energy metabolism in Kras mutant‐driven cancer. We first generated a knock‐in KrasG12D cell line as a model. The genotype and phenotype of the Kras
G12D‐driven cells were first confirmed. Dramatically elevated metabolite characterization was observed in Kras
G12D‐driven cells compared with wild‐type cells. Analysis of mitochondrial metabolite‐related genes showed that two of the 84 genes in Kras
G12D‐driven cells differed from control cells by at least twofold. The messenger RNA and protein levels of ATP6V0D2 were significantly upregulated in Kras
G12D‐driven cells. Knockdown of ATP6V0D2 expression inhibited motility and invasion but did not affect the proliferation of Kras
G12D‐driven cells. We further investigated ATP6V0D2 expression in tumor tissue microarrays. ATP6V0D2 overexpression was observed in most carcinoma tissues, such as melanoma, pancreas, and kidney. Thus, we suggest that ATP6V0D2, as one of the V‐ATPase (vacuolar‐type H
+‐ATPase) subunit isoforms, may be a potential therapeutic target for Kras mutation cancer.
Molecular interaction of investigational ligands with human brain acetylcholinesterase
Authors: Shakil Shazi 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAlzheimer's disease, a neurodegenerative disorder continues to be an area of investigation by the international researchers’ fraternity. Despite all the ongoing efforts, the effective set of promising cholinesterase inhibitors available in the market for patients’ use is limited. Furthermore, the currently available drugs could provide only a palliative type of treatment instead of providing a complete cure or foolproof prevention. Hence, design/discovery of fresh drug molecules as acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors still remains an urgent requirement. The drug discovery platform, MCULE in the “structure‐based virtual screening” (SBVS) mode was used for high throughput ligand screening of over five million structures targeted against the AChE catalytic site. A stepwise query was made for the SBVS input. The number of hits was narrowed down in consecutive succession via varied filtration criteria as AutoDock‐Vina rankings, MCULE toxicity filtration, exclusion of ligands having less than four H‐bond acceptors, filtration by ΔG cutoff, rule‐of‐five violation and SWISS ADME profiling. This was followed by holistic analysis of all the results, thereby leading to one promising ligand. The screened out drug molecule, MCULE‐5872671137‐0‐1 exhibited a robust interaction with the AChE catalytic site involving 20 amino acid residues, an acceptable binding free energy of −10.2 kcal/mol in addition to a favorable SWISS ADME‐profie showing no harmful effects on the human body. It can be carefully stated that the molecule, MCULE‐5872671137‐0‐1, which is chemically (3S)‐N‐{4‐[(4‐chlorophenyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}‐3‐hydroxypyrrolidine‐1‐carboxamide could function as a significant “seed” ligand for future design of potent AChE inhibitors and/or novel neuro drugs built upon the seed‐scaffold.
Continuous enantiomer‐selective acylation reaction of 1‐phenylethanamine in a magnetic fluidized bed reactor system (MFBRS)
Authors: Ou Zhimin , Pan Jiaying , Tang Lan , Shi Hanbing 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBACKGROUNDMagnetic nanoparticle immobilized enzymes are attractive owing to their potential applications in many biological fields. When an alternating magnetic field is applied, the magnetic moments of the magnetic nanoparticles are apt to align in the direction of the field, and the magnetic nanoparticles experience force in the direction of the field. Thus, the magnetic nanoparticles behave like microscopic stirrers.RESULTSIn this study, (R)‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl)acetamide was prepared continuously using immobilized lipase in an alternating magnetic field. The effect of several factors on the acylation reaction were investigated. A kinetic model of the continuous acylation reaction process also was developed. The conversion of 1‐phenylethanamine reached a maximum value of 41.8% with lipase concentration 75 mg mL−1 (dry weight/reaction volume), substrate concentration 500 mmol L−1 and flow rate 25 μL min−1 The enantiomeric excess of (R)‐N‐(1‐phenylethyl)acetamide was > 98.4%. The kinetic constants of the continuous reduction were rm = 2.25 × 10−2 mmol L–1 min−1, kcat = 6 × 10−4 mmol L–1 min−1, KA = 0.75 mmol L–1 , KB = 4.36 × 10−3, KQA = 2.43 × 10−2 and KBQA = 6.2 × 10−4 mmol L–1. The kinetic model was in good agreement with the experimental data obtained during continuous acylation reaction.CONCLUSIONThe results revealed that the inhibition of the acylation reaction at high substrate concentrations was eliminated during the continuous reaction. Compared with the batch acylation reaction, the continuous acylation reaction showed significantly improved lipase catalyst efficiency. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Detoxification and functionalization of gold nanorods with organic polymers and their applications in cancer photothermal therapy
Authors: Jin Na , Zhang Qing , Yang Manyi , Yang Mingying 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGold nanorods (AuNRs) have attracted widespread attention in the last few decades due to their potential applications in cancer photothermal therapy (CPTT). However, the utilization of AuNRs is restricted because of their high toxicity for cells and tissues. Numerous methods have been developed to solve this problem, among which the most convenient one is to coat AuNRs with biocompatible materials or replace their original toxic surfactant such as the hexadecyl‐trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB). Organic polymers (OPs) are intensively researched due to their low toxicity and easy access to modification with functional groups (e.g.,targeting molecules), pharmaceuticals (e.g.,chemo drugs) and imaging agents (e.g.,radioactive elements). Herein, this mini review summarized recent progress in detoxification and functionalization of AuNRs exploiting OPs coatings and their applications in CPTT. To begin with, we introduced current major approaches used to modify AuNRs with typical OPs. Then, applications of OPs coated AuNRs in CPTT were discussed. At the end of the review, we proposed a brief outlook for the future development of modification and functionalization of AuNRs with organic materials.
Feature enhancement framework for brain tumor segmentation and classification
Authors: Tahir Bilal , Iqbal Sajid , Usman Ghani Khan M. , Saba Tanzila , Mehmood Zahid , Anjum Adeel , Mahmood Toqeer 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAutomatic medical image analysis is one of the key tasks being used by the medical community for disease diagnosis and treatment planning. Statistical methods are the major algorithms used and consist of few steps including preprocessing, feature extraction, segmentation, and classification. Performance of such statistical methods is an important factor for their successful adaptation. The results of these algorithms depend on the quality of images fed to the processing pipeline: better the images, higher the results. Preprocessing is the pipeline phase that attempts to improve the quality of images before applying the chosen statistical method. In this work, popular preprocessing techniques are investigated from different perspectives where these preprocessing techniques are grouped into three main categories: noise removal, contrast enhancement, and edge detection. All possible combinations of these techniques are formed and applied on different image sets which are then passed to a predefined pipeline of feature extraction, segmentation, and classification. Classification results are calculated using three different measures: accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity while segmentation results are calculated using dice similarity score. Statistics of five high scoring combinations are reported for each data set. Experimental results show that application of proper preprocessing techniques could improve the classification and segmentation results to a greater extent. However, the combinations of these techniques depend on the characteristics and type of data set used.
Use of Concentrated Parenteral Nutrition Solutions Is Associated With Improved Nutrient Intakes and Postnatal Growth in Very Low‐Birth‐Weight Infants
Authors: Späth Cornelia , Zamir Itay , Sjöström Elisabeth Stoltz , Domellöf Magnus 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundEvidence showing the beneficial effects of enhanced parenteral nutrition (PN) to very low‐birth‐weight (VLBW, <1500 g) infants is accumulating. However, PN composition and its impact on growth outcomes are questioned. This study aimed to investigate the associations between administration of a concentrated PN regime and intakes of energy and macronutrients as well as postnatal growth in VLBW infants.MethodsWe compared 2 cohorts of VLBW infants born before (n = 74) and after (n = 44) a concentrated PN regime was introduced into clinical use. Daily nutrition and fluid intake during the first 28 postnatal days and all available growth measurements during hospitalization were retrospectively collected from clinical charts.ResultsInfants who received concentrated PN compared with original PN had higher parenteral intakes of energy (56 vs 45 kcal/kg/d,P< 0.001), protein (2.6 vs 2.2 g/kg/d,P= 0.008), and fat (1.5 vs 0.7 g/kg/d,P< 0.001) during the first postnatal week. Changes in standard deviation scores for weight and length from birth to postnatal day 28 were more positive in the concentrated PN group (mean [95% CI]; weight change: –0.77 [–1.02 to –0.52] vs –1.29 [–1.33 to –1.05],P= 0.005; length change: –1.01 [–1.36 to –0.65] vs –1.60 [–1.95 to –1.25],P= 0.025). There were no significant differences in fluid intake and infant morbidity between the groups.ConclusionOur results suggest that concentrated PN is useful and seems to be safe for improving early nutrition and growth in VLBW infants.