bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Intrauterine CRH‐treated PBMC in repeated implantation failure
Authors: Makrigiannakis Antonis , Vrekoussis Thomas , Makrygiannakis Fanourios , Ruso Halil , Kalantaridou Sophia N. , Gurgan Timur 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe intrauterine administration of activated autologous peripheral blood monocytes (PBMC) prior to embryo transfer seems to improve reproductive outcomes in women with repeated implantation failure (RIF). We have previously shown that the intrauterine administration of PBMC treated with corticotropin‐releasing hormone (CRH) prior to blastocyst transfer (day 5) improves significantly the clinical pregnancy rate of women with RIF. In the present crossover pilot study, we have investigated whether CRH‐PBMC treatment could be of benefit in case of fresh early cleavage stage embryo transfer (day 3) in women with RIF.MethodsTwenty‐six (n = 26) women with at least three previous failed IVF attempts and no history of clinical pregnancy in the past were recruited in this study. Ovarian stimulation was performed following either the long or the short protocol. PBMC were collected during the oocyte retrieval, were treated with CRH, and transferred in the uterine cavity 2 days later. Good quality cleavage stage embryos were transferred at day 3, following oocyte retrieval.ResultsFollowing the intrauterine administration of CRH‐treated autologous PBMC, 15/26 clinical pregnancies occurred (57.69%). Compared to the null result of the same women prior to recruitment, this observation was considered significant (P < 10−2).ConclusionOur findings further support the role of the intrauterine administration of CRH‐treated PBMC as an effective approach when transferring cleavage stage embryos in women with RIF. Prospective randomized studies are needed to clarify whether such intervention could be of benefit in clinical practice.
Effect of circadian rhythm, age, training and acute lameness on serum concentrations of cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) neo‐epitope in horses
Authors: Ekman S. , Lindahl A. , Rüetschi U. , Jansson A. , Björkman K. , Abrahamsson‐Aurell K. , Björnsdóttir S. , Löfgren M. , Hultén L. Mattsson , Skiöldebrand E. 
Published: February 2019

SummaryBackgroundMolecular serum markers that can identify early reversible osteoarthritis (OA) in horses are lacking.ObjectivesWe studied serum concentrations of a novel cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP) neo‐epitope in horses subjected to short‐term exercise and with acute lameness. The effects of circadian rhythm and age were also evaluated.Study designLongitudinal studies in healthy horses and cross‐sectional comparison of lame and non‐lame horses.MethodsSera were collected from five horses before and after short‐term interval exercise and during full‐day box rest. Sera from 32 acutely lame horses were used to evaluate age‐related effects. Independent samples from control horses (n = 41) and horses with acute lameness (n = 71) were included. COMP neo‐epitope concentrations were analysed using custom‐developed inhibition ELISAs validated for equine serum. The presence of COMP neo‐epitope was delineated in healthy and osteoarthritic articular cartilage with immunohistochemistry.ResultsCOMP neo‐epitope concentrations decreased after speed training but returned to baseline levels post‐exercise. No correlations between age and serum COMP neo‐epitope concentrations were found (r = 0.0013). The mean (±s.d.) serum concentration of COMP neo‐epitope in independent samples from non‐lame horses was 0.84 ± 0.38 μg/mL, and for lame horses was 5.24 ± 1.83 μg/mL (P<0.001). Antibodies against COMP neo‐epitope did not stain normal articular cartilage, but intracytoplasmic staining was found in superficial chondrocytes of mild OA cartilage and in the extracellular matrix of moderately osteoarthritic cartilage.Main limitationsELISA was based on polyclonal antisera rather than a monoclonal antibody. There is a sex and breed bias within the groups of horses, also it could have been of value to include horses with septic arthritis and tendonitis and investigated joint differences.ConclusionsThis COMP neo‐epitope can be measured in sera, and results indicate that it could be a biomarker for pathologic fragmentation of cartilage in connection with acute joint lameness.
High glucose induced calcium overload via impairment of SERCA/PLN pathway and mitochondrial dysfunction leads to oxidative stress in H9c2 cells and amelioration with ferulic acid
Authors: Salin Raj Palayyan , Swapna Sasi U. S. , Raghu Kozhiparambil G. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractOxidative stress and associated complications are the major pathological concerns of diabetic cardiomyopathy (DC). We aim to elucidate the mechanisms by which high glucose (HG) induced alteration in calcium homeostasis and evaluation of the beneficial effect of two concentrations (10 and 25 μm) of ferulic acid (FA). HG was induced in H9c2 cardiomyoblast by treating with glucose (33 mm) for 48 h, and FA was co‐treated. Intracellular calcium ([Ca2+]i) overload was found increased significantly with HG. For elucidation of mechanism, the SERCA pathway and mitochondrial integrity (transmembrane potential and permeability transition pore) were explored. Then, we assessed oxidative stress, and cell injury with brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release. HG caused significant [Ca2+]i overload through downregulation of SERCA2/1, pPLN, and pPKA C‐α; and upregulation of PLN and PKA C‐α and alteration in the integrity of mitochondria with HG. The [Ca2+]i overload in turn caused oxidative stress via generation of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, and protein carbonylation. This resulted in cell injury which was evident with significant release of BNP, ANP, and LDH. FA co‐treatment was effective to mitigate all pathological changes caused by HG. From the overall results, we conclude that [Ca2+]i overload via SERCA pathway and altered mitochondrial integrity is the main cause for oxidative stress during HG. Based on our result, we report that FA could be an attractive nutraceutical for DC.
Effect of the CoFe2O4 initial particle size when sintered by microwave on the microstructural, dielectric, and magnetic properties
Authors: Fernández Perdomo Claudia P. , Zabotto Fabio L. , Garcia Ducinei , Kiminami Ruth H. G. A. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe particle size of CoFe2O4 powders (average particle size of 350 nm) was reduced to 50 nm by high‐energy milling. In this paper, special attention was given for analyzing the densification and grain growth of both particle sizes (350 and 50 nm) subject to ultrafast sintering assays using microwave sintering and their effect on the magnetic and electric properties. The results indicated that the grain growth was 10 times higher for the nanoparticle system, reaching similar sizes of ~1 μm in both cases after sintering. The relative density values were higher (95%) in the nanoparticle system due to the wide distribution of particle sizes generated in the grinding process. Qualitatively inferred microscopy analysis showed high sinterability of fine particles with a narrow distribution of grain size when subjected to ultrafast firing processes. Magnetization measurements at room temperature clearly show the reduction of Hc with increasing grain size. Electric resistivity, dielectric constant (ε′), and dielectric loss tangent (tan δ) were measured as a function of frequency at room temperature. The low values of dielectric constant (ε′) and dielectric loss (tan δ) in the low frequency range, shown for all samples sintered by microwave, prove the excellent uniformity in the microstructure.
Mixed barium‐lead borate glasses studied by optical and vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Othman Hosam A. , Herrmann Andreas , Möncke Doris 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGlasses of the ternary lead‐barium borate series (70−x) B2O3–30 BaO–xPbO with x = 0.05 to 30 mol% were studied for their optical properties by photoluminescence (PL) and UV‐Vis absorption spectroscopy. Variations in the s‐p transition of Pb2+ were followed as variations of the lead content and varying optical basicities of the glass. The UV cutoff of the undoped glass sample is observed at about 340 nm and increasing PbO addition results in a red shift of the optical absorption edge to 480 nm for the glass with x = 30 mol%. In lead barium borate glasses, the emission intensity increases up to 4 mol% PbO before decreasing at higher PbO levels. Additionally, the series was studied regarding structural variations by Raman and infrared spectroscopy. The fraction of tetrahedrally coordinated [BO4/2]− and of trigonal borate units with nonbridging oxygen atoms (metaborate and pyroborate) increases with PbO addition. The molar volume of the prepared glasses is found to increase with increasing lead content. The glass basicity, as determined from the composition, correlates well with the position of the lead excitation band.
Mixed alkali/alkaline earth‐silicate glasses: Physical properties and structure by vibrational spectroscopy
Authors: Grund Bäck Lina , Ali Sharafat , Karlsson Stefan , Möncke Doris , Kamitsos Efstratios I. , Jonson Bo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractIn this article, we investigate the correlation of selected physical properties with structural changes in quaternary mixed modifier alkali/alkaline earth oxide silicate glass systems, focusing either on the mixed alkali effect [(20−x)Na2O–xK2O–10CaO–70SiO2 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20)] or on the mixed alkaline earth effect [20Na2O–(10−y)CaO–yBaO–70SiO2 (y = 0, 5, 10)]. A maximum microhardness and packing density, as well as a minimum glass transition temperature were observed for mixed alkali glasses. The mixed alkaline earth glasses do not exhibit any clear extrema in any of the properties studied. The hardness and glass transition temperature decreases, while the density and molar volume increases with increasing BaO content. Raman spectroscopy showed an increase in the Q3 group compared to the Q2 and Q4 groups as the high field strength ions Na+ or Ca2+ are substituted by their low field strength analogs K+ or Ba2+. In the mixed alkali series, the high field strength ion Na+, seems to push the low field strength ion K+ into lower energy sites when present simultaneously, while such an effect is not apparent for the mixed alkaline earth glasses, where the far IR spectra of mixed glasses are equivalent to the weighted averages of the pure glasses.
The role of cultural values in green purchasing intention: Empirical evidence from Chinese consumers
Authors: Sheng Guanghua , Xie Fang , Gong Siyu , Pan Hong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractEnvironmental problems, especially in the case of water and air pollution, are the harmful result of the overconsumption of fossil fuels as well as various forms of industrial sewage water discharge. Recently, growing environmentally friendly purchasing behaviour of consumers has become regarded as an effective method for alleviating such environmental problems. Due to concerns regarding the natural environment, consumers have increasingly begun to exhibit favourable attitudes towards environmentally friendly products, and as a result, are more likely to purchase “green” products. However, green purchasing behaviour of consumers varies across different nations and cultures. This study aims to reveal how Chinese cultural values (specifically, the Doctrine of the Mean) influence green purchasing intention of Chinese consumers. As the lifestyles of consumers will be deeply affected by their cultural values, this study examines the mediating effects of the four dimensions of Chinese lifestyle have on consumers. At the same time, environmental knowledge is considered as a moderating variable in order to investigate the relationship between the Doctrine of the Mean and green purchasing intention. The study’s data were collected from Chinese consumers. Empirical results reveal that such Chinese cultural values are positively associated with green purchasing intention, and that three dimensions of consumer lifestyle (namely leadership, cost consciousness and development consciousness), are all found to play mediating roles in the relationship between the Doctrine of the Mean and green purchasing intention in Chinese consumers. The moderating effects of environmental knowledge are exhibited in the influence of leadership as well as development consciousness on green purchasing intention. The study’s findings have theoretical implications for understanding green purchasing intention as well as behaviour of Chinese consumers further. The study’s findings also present practical implications for how to promote green purchasing intention in Chinese consumers better.
Geographical origin discrimination of wheat kernel and white flour using near‐infrared reflectance spectroscopy fingerprinting coupled with chemometrics
Authors: Wadood Syed Abdul , Guo Boli , Zhang Xiaowen , Wei Yimin 
Published: February 2019

SummaryWheat kernel and flour with three genotypes across 4 years procured from three different geographical areas of China were analysed using near‐infrared reflectance (NIR) spectroscopy coupled with chemometrics to better classify wheat according to the origin, production year and genotypes, respectively. For this purpose, principle component analysis‐linear discriminant analysis and multi‐way anova were applied to the NIR data. The best classification percentages were obtained for flour matrix both for geographical origin and production years with the correct percentages of 100% and 73%, respectively. For genotypes, wheat whole kernel showed better classification percentage (98.2%). All the samples were validated using external validation procedure and the obtained percentages were found satisfactory with the average prediction abilities of >85% in all regions indicating the suitability of the developed model. Multivariate anova showed that NIR fingerprints of wheat kernels and flours were significantly influenced by regions, years, genotypes and their interactions. In conclusion, white flour showed better performance in discriminating the geographical origin as compared to wheat whole kernel.
The functional difference of eight chitinase genes between male and female of the cotton mealybug, Phenacoccus solenopsis
Authors: Omar Mohamed A.A. , Ao Y. , Li M. , He K. , Xu L. , Tong H. , Jiang M. , Li F. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe cotton mealybug Phenacoccus solenopsis Tinsley (Hemiptera: Pseudococcidae) is a polyphagous insect that attacks tens of plant and causes substantial economic loss. Insect chitinases are required to remove the old cuticle to allow for continued growth and development. Though insect chitinases have been well studied in tens of insects, their functions in mealybug are still not addressed. Here, we sequenced the transcriptomes of adult males and females, from which eight chitinase genes were identified. We then used the method of rapid amplification of cDNA ends to amplify their full length. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that these genes clustered into five subgroups. Among which, group II PsCht2 had the longest transcript and was highly expressed at second instar nymph. PsCht10, PsCht3‐3 and PsIDGF were highly expressed in the adult females, whereas PsCht4 and PsCht4‐1 were significantly expressed at the male pupa and adult male. Next, we knocked down all eight chitinase genes by feeding the double‐stranded RNA. Knockdown of PsCht4 or PsCht4‐1 led to the failure of moult and, silencing PsCht5 resulted in pupation defect, while silencing PsCht10 led to small body size, suggesting these genes have essential roles in development and can be used as a potential target for pest control.
Microstructures, properties, and applications of laser sintered 17‐4PH stainless steel
Authors: Irrinki Harish , Nath Subrata Deb , Alhofors Magnus , Stitzel Jason , Gulsoy Ozkan , Atre Sundar V. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe effects of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) on the densification, mechanical properties, and microstructures of laser‐powder bed fusion (L‐PBF) 17‐4 PH stainless steel parts were studied using gas‐ and water‐atomized powders. The % theoretical density, ultimate tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and hardness of as‐printed and HIP‐ed L‐PBF parts were sensitive to energy density and starting powder shape, size, and type. At low‐energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm3, densification was significant for water‐atomized L‐PBF parts when subjected to HIP treatment and density increased from 90% to 97%. For all the energy densities, the gas‐atomized L‐PBF parts after the HIP treatment showed significantly higher tensile strength, yield strength, and hardness when compared to water‐atomized L‐PBF parts properties. At low‐energy densities of 64 and 80 J/mm3, long columnar grains in the as‐printed L‐PBF parts did not change significantly after the HIP treatment whereas the columnar grains present in as‐printed gas‐atomized L‐PBF parts completely disappeared when subjected to HIP treatment. However, at high‐energy densities of 84 and 104 J/mm3, the columnar grains in as‐printed L‐PBF gas‐ and water‐atomized L‐PBF parts were changed to equiaxed grains and showed a higher level of homogenization when subjected to HIP treatment. This variation in grains and grain size had significantly affected the yield strength and elongation of HIP‐treated gas‐ and water‐atomized L‐PBF parts.
Synthesis and characterization of the ternary metal diboride solid‐solution nanopowders
Authors: Wen Tongqi , Ning Shanshan , Liu Da , Ye Beilin , Liu Honghua , Chu Yanhui 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe synthesis of the multi‐component transition‐metal diboride (MeB2) solid‐solution powders has been recently attracting considerable attentions. However, the synthesis of the ternary or more component MeB2 solid‐solution powders has rarely been reported until now. To fabricate the ternary MeB2 solid‐solution powders, herein we utilized two kinds of the ternary MeB2 solid solutions as prototypes, namely (Hf1/3Zr1/3Ti1/3)B2 (HZTB) and (Ta1/3Nb1/3Ti1/3)B2 (TNTB). The formation possibility of HZTB and TNTB was first analyzed by the first‐principles calculations and then we attempted of fabricated them by a simple molten salt synthesis technique. The first‐principles calculations results showed that the mixing Gibbs free energy at room temperature and lattice size difference at 0 K of HZTB and TNTB were (1.666 kJ/mol and 3.146%) and (−3.030 kJ/mol and 1.254%), respectively. This suggested that TNTB solid solution was more prone to being fabricated than HZTB solid solution. The experimental results showed the high purity TNTB solid‐solution nanopowders were successfully synthesized by the molten salt synthesis technique at 1373 K with 30% excessive B as precursors while the HZTB solid solution was not able to be synthesized by the molten salt synthesis technique. The as‐synthesized TNTB solid‐solution nanopowders exhibited the distinguished nanorod morphology with the diameters of 20‐40 nm and lengths of 100‐200 nm. Meanwhile, they possessed the good single‐crystal hexagonal structure and high compositional uniformity from nanoscale to microscale. In addition, their formation mechanism associated to the possible chemical reactions was well interpreted by the thermodynamics analysis.
The importance of BRAF‐V600E mutation to ameloblastoma metabolism
Authors: Duarte‐Andrade Filipe Fideles , Silva André Myller Barbosa , Vitório Jéssica Gardone , Canuto Gisele André Baptista , Costa Sara Ferreira Santos , Diniz Marina Gonçalves , Fernandes Ana Paula , de Toledo Juliano Simões , André Leiliane Coelho , Gomes Carolina Cavaliéri , Gomez Ricardo Santiago , Fonseca Felipe Paiva 
Published: February 2019

BackgroundAmeloblastoma is a locally infiltrative, aggressive epithelial odontogenic neoplasm. BRAF‐V600E mutation is frequently found in this tumor and has a pivotal role in its pathogenesis, but the consequences of this alteration need to be addressed. An untargeted metabolomics approach was applied to verify whether metabolic disturbances are related to tumor biology and whether BRAF‐V600E mutation contributes to these alterations.MethodsFormalin‐fixed and paraffin‐embedded tissue specimens from thirteen ameloblastoma and six dental follicles were included in this study. BRAF mutational status was determined by competitive allele‐specific real‐time PCR. Metabolite extracts were analyzed using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Univariate and multivariate statistical methods were employed to compare the metabolic profiles of the samples.ResultsThe abundance of eleven metabolites was significantly higher in ameloblastoma in relation to dental follicles, including amino acids, fatty acids, carbohydrates, inorganic acids, and organoheterocyclic compounds. The presence of BRAF‐V600E mutations in ameloblastoma was related to decreased levels of glycerol in comparison with tumors carrying only wild‐type alleles of this gene. No metabolic differences were observed between recurrent and primary manifestations of ameloblastoma.ConclusionsAmeloblastoma exhibits a distinct metabolic profile from normal odontogenic epithelium. BRAF‐V600E may contribute to metabolic alterations in ameloblastoma. Collectively, our findings suggest that metabolic alterations might play a role in tumor pathogenesis.
Diabetes poses a higher risk of hepatocellular carcinoma and mortality in patients with chronic hepatitis B: A population‐based cohort study
Authors: Shyu Yu‐Chiau , Huang Ting‐Shuo , Chien Cheng‐Hung , Yeh Chau‐Ting , Lin Chih‐Lang , Chien Rong‐Nan 
Published: February 2019

SummaryDiabetes mellitus may be a risk factor of HCC development in chronic hepatitis B infected patients and affect the all‐cause mortality. This study aimed to examine whether DM was associated with the development of HCC with CHB and affected the all‐cause mortality. A total of 2966 CHB patients newly diagnosed with DM in 2000 were retrieved from the Longitudinal Cohort of Diabetes Patients database and used propensity scores matching based on age, sex‐gender, alcohol‐related liver disease and baseline liver cirrhosis to compare with the non‐DM patients from the Taiwanese National Health Insurance Research Database. The CHB patients with DM compared to the non‐DM had significantly increased (3.3%) risk for HCC development and significantly increased (2.8%) risk of HCC‐related mortality. Interestingly, the all‐cause mortality was significantly higher in the DM cohort (16.9%) compared to the non‐DM cohort (8.2%). In a multivariable transition‐specific Cox model to investigate the adjusted hazard ratio of CHB patients with DM or non‐DM during the transitions from start to HCC was 1.35; 95% CI (1.16‐1.57) and from HCC to death was 1.31; 95% CI (1.06‐1.62). All‐cause mortality between CHB patients with DM or non‐DM during the transitions from start to death was 2.32; 95% CI (1.84‐2.92). Taken together, DM is an independent risk factor associated with increasing disease development of HCC, HCC‐related mortality and all‐cause mortality in CHB patients. This study may provide a clinical strategy for strict DM control in order to reduce the risk of disease development in CHB patients.