bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Patterns of diversity along a habitat size gradient in a biodiversity hotspot
Authors: Lawrence Alexandra , O'Connor Kerry , Haroutounian Vahe , Swei Andrea 
Published: April 2018

AbstractHabitat destruction and loss are the gravest threats to wildlife worldwide. We examined the correlation between habitat patch size and species richness and abundance of mammals and reptiles in a biodiversity hotspot in California. Within nine forest fragments standardized for age, topography, climate, and vegetation cover, we tested the effects of patch size and isolation on biodiversity. To measure species richness and abundance, we used wildlife cameras for meso‐and‐large vertebrates, mark‐and‐recapture analyses for small mammals, mark‐and‐resight analysis for reptiles, and standard dragging techniques for tick collections because they are frequent ectoparasites on vertebrates in oak woodland habitats. Our results show that meso‐and‐large vertebrate richness and abundance increase with patch area as does tick density. Surprisingly, small mammal species richness and abundance peak in intermediate‐sized fragments. Resource limitation and competition at the smallest habitats and predation at the largest patches may be responsible for this pattern. Further, there is a significant decrease in invasive species richness with habitat patch size. We found that habitat destruction and fragmentation are acting upon species and communities in context‐dependent ways that is critical to conservation planning, land use design, and ecosystem function.
Phytotoxicity and microbial respiration of Ni-spiked soils after field aging for 12 yr
Authors: Tang Xiaoyan , McBride Murray B. 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

To assess the impact of Ni toxicity in soils after long-term field aging, a coarse-textured soil was spiked with Ni salt at 100, 200, and 400 mg kg−1 Ni concentrations. These soils were aged in the field along with an unspiked (control) soil under natural conditions for 12 yr, after which total soil Ni was measured and tests of Ni extractability by 0.01 M CaCl2 and diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (DTPA) were done. Soybean assays and soil respiration tests were performed to determine residual Ni toxicity of the aged contaminated soils. The greatest loss of Ni after 12 yr of aging occurred from the soil spiked with the highest Ni level, but substantial loss of Ni occurred from the lower Ni levels as well. Loss was attributable to leaching as the fraction of readily extractable (by 0.01 M CaCl2) Ni diminished with long-term aging. Readily extractable and DTPA-extractable Ni increased with increasing soil spiking levels, but only the latter was linearly proportional to total Ni. Phytotoxicity to soybeans (Glycine max L.) in the field was initially high at all levels of added Ni but diminished over the 12 yr of aging. A greenhouse soybean assay with the 12-yr aged soils confirmed toxicity to be statistically significant at all Ni addition levels and dose-dependent, with 0.01 M CaCl2-extractable Ni &gt;5 mg kg−1 shown to be measurably phytotoxic to soybeans. Phytotoxicity may have been caused at least in part by the observed inhibition of Mn, Fe, Cu, and Zn uptake by soil Ni. Soil respiration was increasingly inhibited as levels of added Ni increased from 100 to 400 mg kg−1. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1933–1939. © 2018 SETAC
Optimization of Ca2+ content in alginate hydrogel injected in myocardium
Authors: Barka Eleonora , Papayannis Demetrios K. , Kolettis Theofilos M. , Agathopoulos Simeon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe spontaneous uptake of Ca2+‐ions is a unique property of alginate hydrogels, which, along with their high biocompatibility, disintegration (approximately within 2 weeks), and morphological similarity to heart tissue, makes them attractive as scaffolding materials in therapies in infarct myocardium. To shed light on the aforementioned ability, thorough theoretical calculations were carried out with the density functional theory (DFT) method. The influence of Ca‐content οn the molecular structure and the thermodynamic stability of the alginate hydrogel was determined; what is more, these results effectively interpreted the experimental findings, as well. This analysis suggests that in Ca‐free or Ca‐deficient alginates spontaneous Ca2+ cations uptake can occur from the biological environment and develop, via chelation reaction, a well‐formed and thermodynamically stable hydrogel in situ inside the tissue. The highest degree of cross linking results in viscosity peak. Nevertheless, further increase of Ca‐content in alginate structure beyond this peak results in products with poorer thermodynamic stability. Structural optimization DFT calculations revealed that the destabilization of the Ca‐rich alginate hydrogels is attributed to changes of the alginate chain molecule, which are relaxation, weakening, and eventually total collapse of the bond between the units of the alginate chain. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 107B: 223–231, 2019.
Cellular and molecular mechanisms involved in the resolution of innate leukocyte inflammation
Authors: Rahtes Allison , Geng Shuo , Lee Christina , Li Liwu 
Published: April 2018

AbstractInflammation is a host response to infection or damage and is vital for clearing pathogens and host debris. When this resolution fails to occur, chronic inflammation ensues. Chronic inflammation is typically characterized as a low-grade, persistent inflammatory process that can last for months or even years. This differs from acute inflammation, which is typically a fast, robust response to a stimulus followed by resolution with return to homeostasis. Inflammation resolution occurs through a variety of cellular processes and signaling components that act as “brakes” to keep inflammation in check. In cases of chronic inflammation, these “brakes” are often dysfunctional. Due to its prevalent association with chronic diseases, there is growing interest in characterizing these negative regulators and their cellular effects in innate leukocytes. In this review, we aim to describe key cellular and molecular homeostatic regulators of innate leukocytes, with particular attention to the emerging regulatory processes of autophagy and lysosomal fusion during inflammation resolution.Review on homeostatic processes of innate leukocytes, with particular attention to the emerging roles of autophagy and lysosomal fusion during inflammation resolution.
In Vitro and In Vivo Inhibition of Intestinal Glucose Transport by Guava (Psidium Guajava) Extracts
Authors: Müller Ulrike , Stübl Flora , Schwarzinger Bettina , Sandner Georg , Iken Marcus , Himmelsbach Markus , Schwarzinger Clemens , Ollinger Nicole , Stadlbauer Verena , Höglinger Otmar , Kühne Tobias , Lanzerstorfer Peter , Weghuber Julian 
Published: April 2018

ScopeKnown pharmacological activities of guava (Psidium guajava) include modulation of blood glucose levels. However, mechanistic details remain unclear in many cases.Methods and resultsThis study investigated the effects of different guava leaf and fruit extracts on intestinal glucose transport in vitro and on postprandial glucose levels in vivo. Substantial dose‐ and time‐dependent glucose transport inhibition (up to 80%) was observed for both guava fruit and leaf extracts, at conceivable physiological concentrations in Caco‐2 cells. Using sodium‐containing (both glucose transporters, sodium‐dependent glucose transporter 1 [SGLT1] and glucose transporter 2 [GLUT2], are active) and sodium‐free (only GLUT2 is active) conditions, we show that inhibition of GLUT2 was greater than that of SGLT1. Inhibitory properties of guava extracts also remained stable after digestive juice treatment, indicating a good chemical stability of the active substances. Furthermore, we could unequivocally show that guava extracts significantly reduced blood glucose levels (≈fourfold reduction) in a time‐dependent manner in vivo (C57BL/6N mice). Extracts were characterized with respect to their main putative bioactive compounds (polyphenols) using HPLC and LC‐MS.ConclusionThe data demonstrated that guava leaf and fruit extracts can potentially contribute to the regulation of blood glucose levels.
Characteristics of high‐gain ESPAR antenna using collinear dipole array
Authors: Lee Young‐Jun , Choi Hak‐Keun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this study, a high‐gain electrically steerable parasitic array radiator (ESPAR) antenna using a collinear dipole array as a feed element is proposed, and its radiation characteristic is discussed. The feed element of the proposed antenna has a higher gain than existing ESPAR antennas, and it makes impedance matching easier via a length of coaxial cable between the arrayed feed elements and the thickness of the dielectric, using a collinear dipole array of circular dipole antennas. The proposed antenna is structured with feed elements of two‐layer collinear circular dipole arrays surrounded by four parasitic elements with an array radius of λ/16. The variable directional radiation pattern and high‐gain characteristic can be achieved through changes in reactance between the parasitic elements. The gain of the proposed antenna is 7.2 dBi approximately at the center frequency, and the return loss is less than −15 dB at the used frequencies of 2.4–2.5 GHz.
Comparative Proteome Analysis Reveals that Cuticular Proteins Analogous to Peritrophin‐Motif Proteins are Involved in the Regeneration of Chitin Layer in the Silk Gland of Bombyx mori at the Molting Stage
Authors: Zhang Xiaolu , Chang Huaipu , Dong Zhaoming , Zhang Yan , Zhao Dongchao , Ye Lin , Xia Qingyou , Zhao Ping 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe silk gland of silkworm produces silk proteins during larval development. Many studies have long focused on the silk gland of the fifth instar larvae, but few have investigated this gland at other larval stages. In the present study, the silk gland proteomes of the fourth instar and fourth molt are analyzed using liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry. In total, 2654 proteins are identified from the silk gland. A high abundance of ribosomal proteins and RR‐motif chitin‐binding proteins is identified during day 2 of the fourth instar (IV‐2) larval developmental stage, and the expression of cuticular proteins analogous to peritrophin (CPAP)‐motif chitin‐binding proteins is higher during the fourth molt (IV‐M). In all, nine enzymes are found to be involved in the chitin regeneration pathway in the silk gland. Among them, two chitinase and two chitin deacetylases are identified as CPAP‐motif proteins. Furthermore, the expression of CPAP3‐G, the most abundant CPAP‐motif cuticular protein in the silk gland during the IV‐M stage, is investigated using western blot and immunofluorescence analyses; CPAP3‐G shows a reverse changing trend with chitin in the silk gland. The findings of this study suggest that CPAP‐motif chitin‐binding proteins are involved in the degradation of the chitin layer in the silk gland. The data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD008677.
A Simple Discriminating p‐tert‐Butylcalix[4]arene Thiospirolactam Rhodamine B Based Colorimetric and Fluorescence Sensor for Mercury Ion and Live Cell Imaging Applications
Authors: Anandababu Ambigapathi , Anandan Sambandam , Ashokkumar Muthupandian 
Published: April 2018

AbstractThe inherent amphiphilic property of modified p‐tert‐butylcalix[4]arene thiospirolactam rhodamine b based ligand for effective colorimetric Off‐On sensor for Hg2+ ion in neutral aqueous condition, has been investigated by electronic spectroscopic techniques. This ligand discriminates chronic poisonous Hg2+ ion over various alkali, alkaline earth and transition metal ions due to the presence of thiospirocyclic moiety. The ligand shows an association constant of 3.63 X 105 M‐1 and a detection limit 9.65 X 10‐9 M for Hg2+ ion. This ligand is also capable of penetrating into HeLa cell, which could be used to detect Hg2+ ions in biological system using a fluorescence imaging technique.
Oxygen Doping to Optimize Atomic Hydrogen Binding Energy on NiCoP for Highly Efficient Hydrogen Evolution
Authors: Liu Chunlei , Zhang Gong , Yu Li , Qu Jiuhui , Liu Huijuan 
Published: April 2018

AbstractAn outstanding hydrogen evolution electrocatalyst should have a free energy of adsorbed atomic hydrogen of approximately zero, which enables not only a fast proton/electron‐transfer step but also rapid hydrogen release. An economic and industrially viable alternative approach for the optimization of atomic hydrogen binding energy is urgently needed. Herein, guided by density functional theory (DFT) calculations, it is theoretically demonstrated that oxygen doping in NiCoP can indeed optimize the atomic hydrogen binding energy (e.g., |ΔGH*| = 0.08, 0.12 eV on Co, P sites). To confirm this, NiCoP electrodes with controllable oxygen doping are designed and fabricated via alteration of the reducing atmosphere. Accordingly, an optimal oxygen‐doped NiCoP (≈0.98% oxygen) nanowire array is found to exhibit the remarkably low hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) overpotential of 44 mV to drive 10 mA cm−2 and a small Tafel slope of 38.6 mV dec−1, and long‐term stability of 30 h in an alkaline medium. In neutral solution, only a 51 mV overpotential (@10 mA cm−2) is required, and the Tafel slope is 79.2 mV dec−1. Meanwhile, in situ Raman spectra confirm the low formation overpotential (−30 mV) of NiCo‐phosphate at the surface of ≈0.98% oxygen‐doped NiCoP, which enables the material to show better HER performance.
Responsive and Adaptive Micro Wrinkles on Organic‐Inorganic Hybrid Materials
Authors: Takahashi Masahide 
Published: April 2018

AbstractA buckling induced wrinkling is a general phenomenon in daily life, which is induced by mechanical instability at the interface of multi‐layered systems. Variety of applications have been proposed for wrinkles in nano to micrometer periodicity on the surface of soft materials. In recent decades, researchers are trying to use wrinkles for variety of sophisticated applications such as micro pattern fabrication, control of wettability, templating/directing substrate for elongated nano materials or virus, size‐selective adsorption/desorption of functional objects, cells or microorganisms, delamination induced material fabrication such as micro‐rolls, substrates for stretchable electronics, valves for microfluidic devices and soft actuators. Herein, recent advances on the fabrication and application of micro‐wrinkles are reviewed.
The Role of Family Behaviors in Determining Income Distribution: The Case of South Korea
Authors: Ku Inhoe , Lee Wonjin , Lee Seoyun , Han Kyounghoon 
Published: April 2018

AbstractIn this article, we examined what has contributed to the worsening income inequality and poverty between 1996 and 2011 in South Korea. We used a rank-preserving exchange method and a conditional reweighting method to assess the roles of family behaviors—including female labor force participation and family structure—characteristics of household heads, and men’s earnings. The results showed that the change in men’s earnings was a dominant factor in accounting for the increasing income inequality and poverty. The change in age and education among household heads also contributed significantly to the worsening income distribution. The change in family structure mainly affected the income disparity among lower-income families and increased poverty. The rise in women’s labor force participation improved the income distribution but not considerably. The distributional roles of family have not worked to prevent or reverse the worsening income distribution in the past few decades in South Korea.
Does the association of prostate cancer with night-shift work differ according to rotating vs. fixed schedule? A systematic review and meta-analysis
Authors: Mancio Jennifer , Leal Cátia , Ferreira Marta , Norton Pedro , Lunet Nuno 
Published: April 2018

Abstract

Background
Recent studies suggested that the relation between night-shift work and prostate cancer may differ between rotating and fixed schedules.

Objectives
We aimed to quantify the independent association between night-shift work and prostate cancer, for rotating and fixed schedules.

Methods
We searched MEDLINE for studies assessing the association of night-shift work, by rotating or fixed schedules, with prostate cancer. We computed summary relative risk (RR) estimates with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) using the inverse variance method and quantified heterogeneity using the I
2 statistic. Meta-regression analysis was used to compare the summary RR estimates for rotating and fixed schedules, while reducing heterogeneity.

Results
A total of nine studies assessed the effect of rotating and, in addition, four of them provided the effect of fixed night-shift work, in relation to daytime workers. Rotating night-shift work was associated with a significantly increased risk of prostate cancer (RR = 1.06, 95% CI of 1.01 to 1.12; I
2 = 50%), but not fixed night-shift work (RR of 1.01, 95% CI of 0.81 to 1.26; I
2 = 33%). In meta-regression model including study design, type of population, and control of confounding, the summary RR was 20% higher for rotating vs. fixed schedule, with heterogeneity fully explained by these variables.

Conclusions
This is the first meta-analysis suggesting that an increased risk of prostate cancer may be restricted to workers with rotating night shifts. However, the association was weak and additional studies are needed to further clarify this relation before it can be translated into measures for risk reduction in occupational settings.
The Rho GTPase Rnd1 inhibits epithelial–mesenchymal transition in hepatocellular carcinoma and is a favorable anti-metastasis target
Authors: Qin Cheng-Dong , Ma De-Ning , Zhang Shi-Zhe , Zhang Ning , Ren Zheng-Gang , Zhu Xiao-Dong , Jia Qing-An , Chai Zong-Tao , Wang Cheng-Hao , Sun Hui-Chuan , Tang Zhao-You 
Published: April 2018

AbstractRnd1, a member of Rho GTPases, was found to be downregulated in human malignancies and downregulation of Rnd1 promotes tumor invasion via various mechanisms. However, the role of Rnd1 in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) progression remains unclear. In this study, our results demonstrated that Rnd1 was downregulated in HCC cells and in human HCC tissues. Low expression of Rnd1 was associated with aggressive clinic-pathologic characteristics, such as vascular invasion, and poor prognosis in patients who underwent curative surgery for HCC. Overexpression of Rnd1-suppressed cell growth, migration, invasion, and EMT processes in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, Rnd1 blocked HCC progression by restricting EMT process through inhibition of the Raf/MEK/ERK cascade, and this was correlated with a reduction in RhoA activity. Combination of Rnd1 overexpression with sorafenib, a Raf signaling pathway inhibitor, showed a more potent inhibition on HCC metastasis. Moreover, epigenetic inhibitors (5-Aza and SAHA) increased the expression of Rnd1, and potentiated sorafenib-induced toxicity in HCC cells. In a conclusion, Rnd1-suppressed EMT-mediated metastasis of HCC by reducing the activity of the RhoA/Raf/MEK/ERK signaling pathway, functioning as a favorable anti-metastasis target for HCC patients. Rnd1 overexpression in combination with sorafenib may result in enhanced anti-metastasis efficacy in HCC.
KIF4A facilitates cell proliferation via induction of p21-mediated cell cycle progression and promotes metastasis in colorectal cancer
Authors: Hou Ping-Fu , Jiang Tao , Chen Fang , Shi Pei-Cong , Li Hai-Qing , Bai Jin , Song Jun 
Published: April 2018

AbstractKinesin family member 4A (KIF4A) was found to be implicated in the regulation of chromosome condensation and segregation during mitotic cell division, which is essential for eukaryotic cell proliferation. However, little is known about the role of KIF4A in colorectal carcinoma (CRC). This study explored the biological function of KIF4A in CRC progression and investigated the potential molecular mechanisms involved. Here, we found that KIF4A was remarkably upregulated in primary CRC tissues and cell lines compared with paired non-cancerous tissues and normal colorectal epithelium. Elevated expression of KIF4A in CRC tissues was significantly correlated with clinicopathological characteristics in patients as well as with shorter overall and disease-free cumulative survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis revealed that KIF4A was an independent prognostic factor for poor survival in human CRC patients. Functional assays, including a CCK-8 cell proliferation assay, colony formation analysis, cancer xenografts in nude mice, cell cycle and apoptosis analysis, indicated that KIF4A obviously enhanced cell proliferation by promoting cell cycle progression in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, gene set enrichment analysis, Luciferase reporter assays, and ChIP assays revealed that KIF4A facilitates cell proliferation via regulating the p21 promoter, whereas KIF4A had no effect on cell apoptosis. In addition, Transwell analysis indicated that KIF4A promotes migration and invasion in CRC. Taken together, these findings not only demonstrate that KIF4A contributes to CRC proliferation via modulation of p21-mediated cell cycle progression but also suggest the potential value of KIF4A as a clinical prognostic marker and target for molecular treatments.
lncAKHE enhances cell growth and migration in hepatocellular carcinoma via activation of NOTCH2 signaling
Authors: Huang Guanqun , Jiang Hui , Lin Ye , Wu Yanpeng , Cai Weilong , Shi Boyun , Luo Yuanwei , Jian Zhixiang , Zhou Xinke 
Published: April 2018

Abstract
Hepatocellular carcinoma is the sixth most common cancer and gives rise to numerous deaths around the world every year. However, the molecular mechanism that controls hepatocarcinogenesis remains largely unknown. Here we found out an uncharacterized long noncoding RNA named lncAKHE. We found that lncAKHE was highly expressed in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues. lncAKHE depletion remarkably impaired the abilities of cell proliferation, migration, and invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma while promgoogoting cell apoptosis. Moreover, higher expression level of lncAKHE in hepatocellular carcinoma tissues was associated with more clinical severity and lower survival rates. Mechanistically, lncAKHE cooperated with YEATS4 to enhance the activation of NOTCH2 signaling which is usually abnormally upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma. In conclusions, our study showed that lncAKHE may promote tumor progression in HCC and serve as a novel target for HCC treatment.
High spatial resolution nanoslit SERS for single-molecule nucleobase sensing
Authors: Chen Chang , Li Yi , Kerman Sarp , Neutens Pieter , Willems Kherim , Cornelissen Sven , Lagae Liesbet , Stakenborg Tim , Van Dorpe Pol 
Published: April 2018

AbstractSolid-state nanopores promise a scalable platform for single-molecule DNA analysis. Direct, real-time identification of nucleobases in DNA strands is still limited by the sensitivity and the spatial resolution of established ionic sensing strategies. Here, we study a different but promising strategy based on optical spectroscopy. We use an optically engineered elongated nanopore structure, a plasmonic nanoslit, to locally enable single-molecule surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). Combining SERS with nanopore fluidics facilitates both the electrokinetic capture of DNA analytes and their local identification through direct Raman spectroscopic fingerprinting of four nucleobases. By studying the stochastic fluctuation process of DNA analytes that are temporarily adsorbed inside the pores, we have observed asynchronous spectroscopic behavior of different nucleobases, both individual and incorporated in DNA strands. These results provide evidences for the single-molecule sensitivity and the sub-nanometer spatial resolution of plasmonic nanoslit SERS.