bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin on the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes, as well as the structural changes in testicular tissue of adult rats
Authors: Ameli Mojtaba , Moghimian Maryam , Saeb Farzaneh , Bashtani Elham , Shokoohi Majid , Salimnejad Ramin , Abtahi Hossein 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of clomiphene citrate and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) on the structural changes, as well as the evaluation of the expression of cation channel sperm‐associated protein 1 (CatSper1), cation channel sperm‐associated protein 2 (CatSper2), luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), and steroidogenic factor 1 (SF1) genes in testicular tissue of rats. All rats divided into five groups as follows; G1 as the control group that received normal saline, G2 received olive oil, G3 received 100 IU/kg HCG, G4 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate, and G5 received 5 mg/kg clomiphene citrate and 100 IU/kg HCG. At the end of the experiment period, Day 56, blood samples were taken and the serum was isolated. Then, histomorphometric analysis, hormonal assess, and real‐time polymerase chain reaction to measure the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were performed. The results showed that the concentrations of testosterone, follicle‐stimulating hormone, and luteinizing hormone were decreased in the G4 group, whereas these parameters were increased in the G3 group. A comparison of the sperm quality indicated a significant reduction in the quality of sperm cells in the G4 group compared with other groups. The quality of sperm was significantly enhanced in the G3 and G5 groups in comparison with the G1 group. Also, our findings demonstrated that the expression of CatSper1, CatSper2, LHCGR, and SF1 genes were significantly elevated in the G3 group when compared with other experimental groups. According to the obtained results, it seems that clomiphene citrate reduces the process of spermatogenesis and the detrimental impacts of this compound would be neutralized by the administration of HCG.
Endoplasmic reticulum stress is involved in lipopolysaccharide‐induced inflammatory response and apoptosis in goat endometrial stromal cells
Authors: Mohamed Amira Abdalla Abdelshafy , Yang Diqi , Liu Shouqin , Lin Pengfei , Mohamad Osama Abdalla Abdelshafy , Jin Yaping 
Published: May 2019

AbstractEndoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress is involved in regulating cell metabolism, apoptosis, autophagy, and survival. However, there is not enough information about the role of ER stress in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)‐induced apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine secretion in the uterus. In this study, we found that LPS induced apoptosis and inflammation in goat endometrial stromal cells (ESCs). LPS treatment inhibited cell viability and cell proliferation. In addition, the genes associated with proliferation, such as proliferating cell nuclear antigen and MKI67, were affected by LPS treatment. Moreover, LPS increased the secretion of interleukin (IL)‐1β and IL‐8, promoting the levels of MYD88, caspase1, and TRL4. The 4‐phenylbutyric acid pretreatment inhibited the expression of unfolded protein response proteins and the secretion of inflammatory cytokines in LPS‐treated cells. However, blockage of inositol‐requiring enzyme 1 and activating transcription factor 6 did not significantly reduce apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine secretion. Collectively, ER stress involved in LPS‐induced apoptosis and inflammatory cytokine increased in goat ESCs. This study provides new insight into the function of ER stress in the pathological process.
Balancing a one‐way corridor capacity and safety‐oriented reliability: A stochastic optimization approach for metro train timetabling
Authors: Yin Jiateng , Yang Lixing , Zhou Xuesong , Tang Tao , Gao Ziyou 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn urban rail transit systems of large cities, the headway and following distance of successive trains have been compressed as much as possible to enhance the corridor capacity to satisfy extremely high passenger demand during peak hours. To prevent train collisions and ensure the safety of trains, a safe following distance of trains must be maintained. However, this requirement is subject to a series of complex factors, such as the uncertain train braking performance, train communication delay, and driver reaction time. In this paper, we propose a unified mathematical framework to analyze the safety‐oriented reliability of metro train timetables with different corridor capacities, that is, the train traffic density, and determine the most reliable train timetable for metro lines in an uncertain environment. By employing a space‐time network representation in the formulations, the reliability‐based train timetabling problem is formulated as a nonlinear stochastic programming model, in which we use 0‐1 variables to denote the time‐dependent velocity and position of all involved trains. Several reformulation techniques are developed to obtain an equivalent mixed integer programming model with quadratic constraints (MIQCP) that can be solved to optimality by some commercial solvers. To improve the computational efficiency of the MIQCP model, we develop a dual decomposition solution framework that decomposes the primal problem into several sets of subproblems by dualizing the coupling constraints across different samples. An exact dynamic programming combined with search space reduction strategies is also developed to solve the exact optimal solutions of these subproblems. Two sets of numerical experiments, which involve a relatively small‐scale case and a real‐world instance based on the operation data of the Beijing subway Changping Line are implemented to verify the effectiveness of the proposed approaches.
An accurate and efficient three‐dimensional high‐order finite element methodology for the simulation of magneto‐mechanical coupling in MRI scanners
Authors: Seoane M. , Ledger P.D. , Gil A.J. , Mallett M. 
Published: May 2019

SummaryTransient magnetic fields are generated by the gradient coils in an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanner and induce eddy currents in their conducting components, which lead to vibrations, imaging artefacts, noise, and the dissipation of heat. Heat dissipation can boil off the helium used to cool the super conducting magnets and, if left unchecked, will lead to a magnet quench. Understanding the mechanisms involved in the generation of these vibrations, and the heat being deposited in the cryostat, are key for a successful MRI scanner design. This requires the solution of a coupled physics magneto‐mechanical problem, which will be addressed in this work. A novel computational methodology is proposed for the accurate simulation of the magneto‐mechanical problem using a Lagrangian approach, which, with a particular choice of linearisation, leads to a staggered scheme. This is discretised by high‐order finite elements leading to accurate solutions. We demonstrate the success of our scheme by applying it to realistic MRI scanner configurations.
Efficacy of Tramadol for Pain Management in Patients Receiving Strong Cytochrome P450 2D6 Inhibitors
Authors: Frost Derek A. , Soric Mate M. , Kaiser Ricky , Neugebauer Rachel E. 
Published: May 2019

Study ObjectiveTramadol is metabolized by cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2D6 to form an active metabolite that exhibits its analgesic effect. Medications that inhibit this enzyme are used often in practice, yet the clinical impact of this interaction on the analgesic effects of tramadol has yet to be fully described. The objective was to determine whether a clinically relevant decrease in pain control is observed in patients taking scheduled tramadol concomitantly with a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor.DesignRetrospective cohort study.SettingLarge health care system.PatientsOne hundred fifty‐two adult inpatients who received scheduled tramadol for at least 24 hours with (76 patients) or without (76 patients) a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor between January 1, 2012, and February 28, 2017, were included in the analysis. Patients hospitalized for opioid use disorder or those receiving substandard dosing of tramadol were excluded.Measurements and Main ResultsThe primary outcome was mean breakthrough opiate consumption in the presence and absence of CYP2D6 inhibitors. Secondary outcomes included mean pain scores, length of hospital stay, tramadol discontinuation rates, and prespecified subgroup analyses based on patient sex, race, and specific CYP2D6 inhibitor administered. Patients receiving concurrent CYP2D6 inhibitors required significantly more breakthrough morphine milligram equivalents per day compared with patients receiving scheduled tramadol without CYP2D6 inhibitors (geometric mean ± SD 18.2 ± 6.3 vs 5.7 ± 6.7 mg morphine milligram equivalents, p<0.001). No significant differences existed between cohorts for mean pain score, length of hospital stay, or tramadol discontinuation rate.ConclusionThis study demonstrated a clinically relevant decrease in the efficacy of tramadol when used for pain control in patients receiving a strong CYP2D6 inhibitor. These results should encourage clinicians to review medication lists for this interaction and adjust regimens accordingly to ensure adequate pain control.
Polyimide nanohybrid films with electrochemically functionalized graphene
Authors: Yoo Dae‐Geon , Park Sung Soo , Noh Chi‐Woo , Shin Inho , Lim Ki‐Hyun , Son Jinha , Ahn Suk‐kyun , Ha Chang‐Sik 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGraphite was functionalized electrochemically in a potassium fluoride solution and used to prepare polyimide (PI)/graphene nanohybrid films. The as‐made electrochemically fluorinated graphene (EFG) was used to prepare nanohybrid films with colorless PI, which was synthesized from 4,4′‐(hexafluoroisopropylidene) diphthalic anhydride and bis(trifluoromethyl) benzidine by in situ polymerization. The surface functionalization of graphite was characterized by powder XRD, TEM with energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy elemental mapping, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and TGA. The microstructure of the films was characterized by Fourier transform IR spectroscopy, XRD and SEM. The film properties were measured using a universal testing machine, TGA, dynamic mechanical analysis, four‐point probe, UV–visible spectroscopy and water contact angle analysis. EFG improved the tensile strength and modulus of the nanohybrid films by 20% and 50%, respectively. The glass transition temperature and electrical conductivity of the nanohybrid films were 12 °C and nine orders of magnitude higher than those of the neat PI film, respectively. The nanohybrid film maintained 80% optical transmittance even after the addition of 0.1 wt% EFG. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry
Structures of Cu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 solar cells for minimizing open‐circuit voltage deficit: Investigation of carrier recombination rates
Authors: Chantana Jakapan , Kato Takuya , Sugimoto Hiroki , Minemoto Takashi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractCu(In,Ga)(S,Se)2 (CIGSSe) solar cell structures are designed to reduce open‐circuit voltage deficit (VOC,def) for the enhancement of power conversion efficiency (η) through the optimizations of conduction band offsets not only between the buffer and absorber (ΔEC‐BA) but also between the transparent conductive oxide and absorber (ΔEC‐TA). Voltage‐independent carrier recombination rates at buffer/absorber interface (Ri0), in space‐charge region (Rd0), and in quasi‐neutral region (Rb0) of the CIGSSe solar cells with different structures are separately extracted. Consequently, the development of device structures with similar CIGSSe quality leads to the primary reduction of Ri0, while Rd0 and Rb0 are not varied very much, thus minimizing the VOC,def. It is disclosed that the solar cell structure of CIGSSe/Cd0.75Zn0.25S/Zn0.8Mg0.2O/Zn0.9Mg0.1O:Al together with K‐treated CIGSSe absorber is appropriate with the ΔEC‐BA of 0.31 eV and ΔEC‐TA of 0.37 eV, thereby significantly decreasing Ri0 and VOC,def to approximately 1.1 × 104 cm−2 s−1 and 0.374 V, respectively, and increasing the η to 21.1%.
Concept and benchmarks for assessing narrow‐sense validity of genetic risk score values
Authors: Yu Hongjie , Shi Zhuqing , Wu Yishuo , Wang Chi‐Hsiung , Lin Xiaoling , Perschon Chelsea , Isaacs William B. , Helfand Brian T. , Lilly Zheng S. , Duggan David , Mo Zengnan , Lu Daru , Xu Jianfeng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundWhile higher genetic risk score (GRS) has been statistically associated with increased disease risk (broad‐sense validity), the concept and tools for assessing the validity of reported GRS values from tests (narrow‐sense validity) are underdeveloped.MethodsWe propose two benchmarks for assessing the narrow‐sense validity of GRS. The baseline benchmark requires that the mean GRS value in a general population approximates 1.0. The calibration benchmark assesses the agreement between observed risks and estimated risks (GRS values). We assessed benchmark performance for three prostate cancer (PCa) GRS tests, derived from three SNP panels with increasing stringency of selection criteria, in a PCa chemoprevention trial where 714 of 3225 men were diagnosed with PCa during the 4‐year follow‐up.ResultsGRS from Panels 1, 2, and 3 were all statistically associated with PCa risk; P = 5.58 × 10−3, P = 1 × 10−3, and P = 1.5 × 10−13, respectively (broad‐sense validity). For narrow‐sense validity, the mean GRS value among men without PCa was 1.33, 1.09, and 0.98 for Panels 1, 2, and 3, respectively (baseline benchmark). For assessing the calibration benchmark, observed risks were calculated for seven groups of men with GRS values <0.3, 0.3–0.79, 0.8–1.19, 1.2‐1.49, 1.5‐1.99, 2‐2.99, and ≥3. The calibration slope (higher is better) was 0.15, 0.12, and 0.60, and the bias score (lower is better) between the observed risks and GRS values was 0.08, 0.08, and 0.02 for Panels 1, 2, and 3, respectively.ConclusionPerformance differed considerably among GRS tests. We recommend that all GRS tests be evaluated using the two benchmarks before clinical implementation for individual risk assessment.
Inflammatory mediators of prostate epithelial cells stimulated with Trichomonas vaginalis promote proliferative and invasive properties of prostate cancer cells
Authors: Han Ik‐Hwan , Kim Jung‐Hyun , Jang Ki‐Seok , Ryu Jae‐Sook 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundTrichomonas vaginalis (Tv) is the most common sexually transmitted parasite. It is detected in prostatic tissue of benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostatitis, and prostate cancer (PCa) and has been suggested to cause chronic prostatitis. Moreover, up to 20% of all cancers worldwide are associated with chronic inflammation. Here, we investigated whether inflammatory mediators produced by normal human prostate epithelial cells (RWPE‐1) stimulated with Tv could promote growth and invasiveness of PCa cells.MethodsConditioned medium of RWPE‐1 cells was prepared by stimulating them with Tv (trichomonad‐conditioned medium [TCM]) and without Tv (conditioned medium [CM]). Promotion of PCa cells (PC3, DU145, and LNCaP) was assessed by wound healing, proliferation, and invasion assays.ResultsWe observed that the production of interleukin (IL)‐1β, IL‐6, CCL2, CXCL8, prostaglandin‐E2 (PGE2), and COX2 by RWPE‐1 cells was increased by stimulating them with Tv. When PCa cells were incubated with TCM, their proliferation, invasion, and migration increased. Moreover, they showed increased epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT)‐related markers by a reduction in epithelial markers and an increase in mesenchymal markers. In vivo, xenograft tumor tissues injected with TCM also showed increased expression of cyclin D1 and proliferating cell nuclear antigen, as well as induction of EMT. Receptors and signal molecules of PCa cells increased in response to exposure to TCM, and blocking receptors (CXCR1, CXCR2, C‐C chemokine receptor 2, glycoprotein 130, EP2, and EP4) reduced the proliferation of PCa cells with decreased production of cytokines (CCL2, IL‐6, and CXCL8) and PGE2, and expression of NF‐κB and Snail1.CONCLUSIONSOur results suggest that Tv infection may be one of the factors creating the supportive microenvironment to promote proliferation and invasiveness of PCa cells.
Differentiation and authentication of fishes at the species level through analysis of fish skin by matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry
Authors: Bi Hongyan , Zhong Chunyi , Shao Mingke , Wang Chengyu , Yi Jia , Qiao Liang , Zhang Junbo 
Published: May 2019

RationaleAuthentication of fish is of importance in the view of toxins, allergen warnings and economic fraud control. Traditional methods in the authentication of fish, e.g. morphological, genetic and proteomic analysis, are either at low throughput or at high‐cost.MethodsA high‐throughput matrix‐assisted laser desorption/ionization time‐of‐flight mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF MS)‐based approach was developed to analyze biomaterials from fish skin, and mass spectra from different fish species were compared by chemometric methods to differentiate fish species.ResultsA total of 51 fish samples were used to generate more than 150 fingerprinting mass spectra. The fish belonging to the same genus can be identified at species level. A mass spectral database of different fishes can be built as reference for authentication. The analysis can be performed based on micrograms of fish‐skin sample and accomplished in 1–3 hours.ConclusionsThe developed strategy holds potential to be applied to fish authentication in the fishing industry and as a scientific method to avoid mislabeling. It has promise to be practically used for fast and effective identification of closely related fish species to guarantee the quality of fishery products to consumers.
Passivity‐based asymptotic stabilization for switched nonlinear systems using the sampled integral stabilization technique
Authors: Wang Hanmei , Zhao Jun 
Published: May 2019

SummaryThe asymptotic stabilization problem is studied for a cascade connection of passive switched nonlinear systems and a passive switched nonlinear system in this paper. When each subsystem is asymptotically zero state detectable and passive on active time intervals, asymptotic stabilization is achieved via co‐design of switching laws and controllers without damping injection. First, an output‐feedback controller is designed to asymptotically stabilize a cascade connection of two passive switched systems if outputs are measurable. Second, when the output of the first switched system is noisy or unmeasurable, a sampled integral stabilization (SIS) technique is employed to investigate asymptotical stabilization of a cascade connection by measuring only the storage function of the second switched system. Finally, as a special case of a cascade connection, the SIS technique is used to stabilize a passive switched system without damping injection. Under this circumstance, the controller is designed by sampling the integral of the passive output. The two‐link robot manipulator is provided to illustrate the effectiveness of the SIS technique.
The growth and nutrient uptake of invasive vines on contrasting riverbank soils
Authors: Rashid M. Harun , Uddin Md Nazim , Sarkar Animesh , Parveen Mahfuza , Asaeda Takashi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThis study sought to investigate the research question as to whether the growth and nutrient uptake of two invasive vines, Pueraria lobata and Sicyos angulatus, are affected by the heterogeneity of soil characteristics of two riverbank sites with different flooding regimes. Soil, individual ramets of P. lobata and S. angulatus plants were sampled monthly from quadrats set on homogenous stands from two riparian sites along Tama River, Japan for over a year. Soil nutrients, above‐ground (AGB) and below‐ground biomass (BGB), tissue nutrient, and nonstructural carbohydrate contents were estimated, and resource allocations to different organs were calculated. Flooding frequency directly affected the substrate characteristics of the sites; the frequently flooded site had coarser particle and less nutrient content. There were significant differences between the BGB and the AGB of both P. lobata and S. angulatus between the sites. However, the BGB:AGB ratio of these species were statistically similar regardless of the substrate conditions. Although the biomass of S. angulatus were much reduced in coarse habitat, the total amount of nutrient uptake by P. lobata was not affected by habitat the condition. Concentrations of total nitrogen, total phosphorus, and starch in root tissues of S. angulatus were less in frequently inundated soil. The results of this study suggest that inundation frequency directly affects the substrate condition of a riverbank habitat, which in turn affects plant growth, and invasive plant species growing in such habitat respond differently to substrate condition in terms of growth and nutrient uptake.
Taming the Combinatorial Explosion of the Formose Reaction via Recursion within Mineral Environments
Authors: Colón‐Santos Stephanie , Cooper Geoffrey J. T. , Cronin Leroy 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOne‐pot reactions of simple precursors, such as those found in the formose reaction or formamide condensation, continuously lead to combinatorial explosions in which simple building blocks capable of function exist, but are in insufficient concentration to self‐organize, adapt, and thus generate complexity. We set out to explore the effect of recursion on such complex mixtures by ‘seeding’ the product mixture into a fresh version of the reaction, with the inclusion of different mineral environments, over a number of reaction cycles. Through untargeted UPLC‐HRMS analysis of the mixtures we found that the overall number of products detected reduces as the number of cycles increases, as a result of recursively enhanced mineral environment selectivity, thus limiting the combinatorial explosion. This discovery demonstrates how the involvement of mineral surfaces with simple reactions could lead to the emergence of some building blocks found in RNA, ribose and uracil, under much simpler conditions that originally thought.
Comprehensive analysis of the influence of structural and dynamic parameters on the accuracy of nano-precision positioning stages
Authors: Liang Chengyuan , Yuan Fang , Chen Xuedong , Jiang Wei , Zeng Lizhan , Luo Xin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractNano-precision positioning stages are characterized by rigid-flexible coupling systems. The complex dynamic characteristics of mechanical structure of a stage, which are determined by structural and dynamic parameters, exert a serious influence on the accuracy of its motion and measurement. Systematic evaluation of such influence is essential for the design and improvement of stages. A systematic approach to modeling the dynamic accuracy of a nano-precision positioning stage is developed in this work by integrating a multi-rigid-body dynamic model of the mechanical system and measurement system models. The influence of structural and dynamic parameters, including aerostatic bearing configurations, motion plane errors, foundation vibrations, and positions of the acting points of driving forces, on dynamic accuracy is investigated by adopting the H-type configured stage as an example. The approach is programmed and integrated into a software framework that supports the dynamic design of nano-precision positioning stages. The software framework is then applied to the design of a nano-precision positioning stage used in a packaging lithography machine.