bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The geometry of habitat fragmentation: Effects of species distribution patterns on extinction risk due to habitat conversion
Authors: May Felix , Rosenbaum Benjamin , Schurr Frank M. , Chase Jonathan M. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractLand‐use changes, which cause loss, degradation, and fragmentation of natural habitats, are important anthropogenic drivers of biodiversity change. However, there is an ongoing debate about how fragmentation per se affects biodiversity in a given amount of habitat. Here, we illustrate why it is important to distinguish two different aspects of fragmentation to resolve this debate: (a) geometric fragmentation effects, which exclusively arise from the spatial distributions of species and habitat fragments, and (b) demographic fragmentation effects due to reduced fragment sizes, and/or changes in fragment isolation, edge effects, or species interactions. While most empirical studies are primarily interested in quantifying demographic fragmentation effects, geometric effects are typically invoked as post hoc explanations of biodiversity responses to fragmentation per se. Here, we present an approach to quantify geometric fragmentation effects on species survival and extinction probabilities. We illustrate this approach using spatial simulations where we systematically varied the initial abundances and distribution patterns (i.e., random, aggregated, or regular) of species as well as habitat amount and fragmentation per se. As expected, we found no geometric fragmentation effects when species were randomly distributed. However, when species were aggregated, we found positive effects of fragmentation per se on survival probability for a large range of scenarios. For regular species distributions, we found weakly negative geometric effects. These findings are independent of the ecological mechanisms which generate nonrandom species distributions. Our study helps to reconcile seemingly contradictory results of previous fragmentation studies. Since intraspecific aggregation is a ubiquitous pattern in nature, our findings imply widespread positive geometric fragmentation effects. This expectation is supported by many studies that find positive effects of fragmentation per se on species occurrences and diversity after controlling for habitat amount. We outline how to disentangle geometric and demographic fragmentation effects, which is critical for predicting the response of biodiversity to landscape change.
When rarity has costs: coexistence under positive frequency‐dependence and environmental stochasticity
Authors: Schreiber Sebastian J. , Yamamichi Masato , Strauss Sharon Y. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractStable coexistence relies on negative frequency‐dependence, in which rarer species invading a patch benefit from a lack of conspecific competition experienced by residents. In nature, however, rarity can have costs, resulting in positive frequency‐dependence (PFD) particularly when species are rare. Many processes can cause positive frequency‐dependence, including a lack of mates, mutualist interactions, and reproductive interference from heterospecifics. When species become rare in the community, positive frequency‐dependence creates vulnerability to extinction, if frequencies drop below certain thresholds. For example, environmental fluctuations can drive species to low frequencies where they are then vulnerable to PFD. Here, we analyze deterministic and stochastic mathematical models of two species interacting through both PFD and resource competition in a Chessonian framework. Reproductive success of individuals in these models is reduced by a product of two terms: the reduction in fecundity due to PFD, and the reduction in fecundity due to competition. Consistent with classical coexistence theory, the effect of competition on individual reproductive success exhibits negative frequency‐dependence when individuals experience greater intraspecific competition than interspecific competition, i.e., niche overlap is less than one. In the absence of environmental fluctuations, our analysis reveals that (1) a synergistic effect of PFD and niche overlap that hastens exclusion, (2) trade‐offs between susceptibility to PFD and maximal fecundity can mediate coexistence, and (3) coexistence, when it occurs, requires that neither species is initially rare. Analysis of the stochastic model highlights that environmental fluctuations, unless perfectly correlated, coupled with PFD ultimately drive one species extinct. Over any given time frame, this extinction risk decreases with the correlation of the demographic responses of the two species to the environmental fluctuations, and increases with the temporal autocorrelation of these fluctuations. For species with overlapping generations, these trends in extinction risk persist despite the strength of the storage effect decreasing with correlated demographic responses and increasing with temporal autocorrelations. These results highlight how the presence of PFD may alter the outcomes predicted by modern coexistence mechanisms.
Autophagy and immunological aberrations in systemic lupus erythematosus
Authors: Qi Yuan‐yuan , Zhou Xu‐jie , Zhang Hong 
Published: February 2019

AbstractSystemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease, in which immune defects can occur at multiple points of the cascading auto‐aggressive immune reactions, resulting in a striking heterogeneity of clinical presentations. The clinical manifestations of such autoimmune response can be severe: common manifestations symptoms include rash and renal inflammation progressing to kidney failure. Autophagy, the cellular “self‐digestion” process, is a key factor in the interplay between innate and adaptive immunity. Dysregulation of autophagy has been implicated in numerous autoimmune diseases. Several lines of evidence from genomic studies, cell culture systems, animal models, and human patients are emerging to support the role of autophagy in progression and pathogenesis of SLE. In this review, we summarize recent key findings on the aberrations of autophagy in SLE, with a special focus on how deregulated autophagy promotes autoimmunity and renal damage. We will also discuss how the observed findings may be translated into therapeutic settings.
Comparative Analyses of DHA‐Phosphatidylcholine Forage and Liposomes on Alzheimer's Disease in SAMP8 Mice
Authors: Meng Jing , Zhou Miaomiao , Wang Chengcheng , Xue Changhu , Zhang Tiantian , Wang Yuming 
Published: February 2019

The present work comparatively evaluates the efficacy of docosahexaenoic acid – phosphatidylcholine (DHA‐PC) forage and liposome on Alzheimer's disease (AD) in the senescence‐accelerated prone 8 (SAMP8) mice and illustrates the potential mechanism. The dose of DHA‐PC in forage group (1% of total diets) is equal to that of liposome group. The results of Morris maze test show that both DHA‐PC forage and liposome obviously alleviated cognitive impairment (P < 0.05). Moreover, the administration of DHA‐PC liposome shows advantage than forage in reducing β‐amyloid (Aβ) accumulation (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, DHA‐PC forage exhibits excellent inhibition on the IL‐1β protein expression (P < 0.05) and improvement in the protein levels of SYN and BDNF (P < 0.05). These data are the first to perform comparative analysis of DHA‐PC forage and liposome on AD.Practical Applications: The outcomes in the present study might help to understand the bioactivities of DHA‐PC forage and liposomes, which might exert potential application value for dietary supplement with neuroprotective effects.Both docosahexaenoic acid – phosphatidylcholine (DHA‐PC) forage and liposome shows benefits in alleviating Alzheimer's disease development in senescence‐accelerated prone 8 mice by inhibiting β‐amyloid generation, oxidative stress, apoptosis, neural inflammation, and enhancing neurotrophins pathway in different degrees.
Placenta‐on‐a‐Chip: In Vitro Study of Caffeine Transport across Placental Barrier Using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry
Authors: Pemathilaka Rajeendra L. , Caplin Jeremy D. , Aykar Saurabh S. , Montazami Reza , Hashemi Nicole N. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractDue to the particular structure and functionality of the placenta, most current human placenta drug testing methods are limited to animal models, conventional cell testing, and cohort/controlled testing. Previous studies have produced inconsistent results due to physiological differences between humans and animals and limited availability of human and/or animal models for controlled testing. To overcome these challenges, a placenta‐on‐a‐chip system is developed for studying the exchange of substances to and from the placenta. Caffeine transport across the placental barrier is studied because caffeine is a xenobiotic widely consumed on a daily basis. Since a fetus does not carry the enzymes that inactivate caffeine, when it crosses a placental barrier, high caffeine intake may harm the fetus, so it is important to quantify the rate of caffeine transport across the placenta. In this study, a caffeine concentration of 0.25 mg mL−1 is introduced into the maternal channel, and the resulting changes are observed over a span of 7.5 h. A steady caffeine concentration of 0.1513 mg mL−1 is reached on the maternal side after 6.5 h, and a 0.0033 mg mL−1 concentration on the fetal side is achieved after 5 h.
PLA Easy Fil – White‐based membranes for CO2 separation
Authors: Iulianelli Adolfo , Russo Francesca , Galiano Francesco , Desiderio Giovanni , Basile Angelo , Figoli Alberto 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPolymeric membrane technology applied to gas separation is seen as a valuable alternative to conventional systems due to its ease integrability with existing plant, its lower energy consumption, and its flexibility when scaling up. It constitutes a cheaper solution because, in accordance with the principles of process intensification strategy, realized with a reduced number of stages process. In this work, for the first time, a modified polylactic acid‐based polymer (PLA Easy Fil™ – White) was used to synthesize polymeric membranes for use in CO2 separation. This has the further advantage of adopting a biodegradable and non‐toxic material and environmental friendly. Dense symmetric PLA Easy Fil™ – White membranes (average thickness ∼ 27 μm) were prepared and characterized in terms of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Fourier‐transform infrared (FTIR) analyses and in single gas permeation tests to determine their perm‐selectivity at room temperature in the particular field of CO2/CH4 separation as an example of CO2 removal from raw natural gas or biogas. A CO2/CH4 ideal selectivity equal to 285 (corresponding to a CO2 permeability of 70 barrer) was obtained, overcoming the related Robeson's upper bound. © 2019 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Feasibility and safety of needle‐assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection for papillary thyroid carcinoma: a preliminary experience
Authors: Wang Bo , Weng Yu‐jing , Wang Si‐si , Zhao Wen‐xin , Yan Shou‐yi , Zhang Li‐yong , Wen Jia 
Published: February 2019

AbstractBackgroundEndoscopic thyroidectomy is popular among patients with cosmetic requirements. However, when lateral neck dissection (LND) is required, endoscopic surgery may be challenging. Therefore, we introduced needle‐assisted endoscopic technique to achieve endoscopic LND procedure and evaluated its safety and feasibility in the present study.MethodsMedical records of 37 patients who underwent needle‐assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with LND were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsAll of 37 patients had excellent cosmetic outcomes. The mean operative time was 338.2 ± 58.74 minutes. Mean number of lymph nodes retrieved in the lateral was 33.5 ± 11.69 and 15.9 ± 7.51 in the central neck. The rates of transient and permanent hypocalcemia were 32.4% and 2.7% and the rates of transient and permanent recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy were 8.1% and 0%, respectively.ConclusionsNeedle‐assisted endoscopic thyroidectomy with lateral neck dissection shows potential feasibility but further study is needed to better characterize its safety and applicability.
In vivo comparison of shape memory polymer foam‐coated and bare metal coils for aneurysm occlusion in the rabbit elastase model
Authors: Herting Scott M. , Ding Yonghong , Boyle Anthony J. , Dai Daying , Nash Landon D. , Asnafi Solmaz , Jakaitis Daniel R. , Johnson Collin R. , Graul Lance M. , Yeh Chung , Kallmes David F. , Kadirvel Ramanathan , Maitland Duncan J. 
Published: February 2019

AbstractShape memory polymer (SMP) foam‐coated coils (FCCs) are new embolic coils coated with porous SMP designed to expand for increased volume filling and enhanced healing after implantation. The purpose of this study was to compare chronic aneurysm healing after treatment with SMP FCCs to bare platinum coil (BPC) controls in the rabbit elastase aneurysm model. BPCs or SMP FCCs were implanted in rabbit elastase‐induced aneurysms for follow‐up at 30 days (n = 10), 90 days (n = 5), and 180 days (n = 12 for BPCs; n = 14 for SMP FCCs). Aneurysm occlusion and histologic healing, including a qualitative healing score, neointima thickness, collagen deposition, and inflammation were compared between the two groups. The mean neointima thickness was significantly greater in groups treated with SMP FCCs for all three time points. Histologic healing scores and collagen deposition quantification suggested that aneurysms treated with SMP FCCs experience more complete healing of the dome by 90 days, but the differences were not statistically significant. More progressive occlusion and recanalization were observed in aneurysms treated with SMP FCCs, but neither difference was statistically significant. Additionally, the SMP foam used in the FCCs was found to degrade faster in the rabbit elastase model than expected based on previous studies in a porcine sidewall aneurysm model. This study suggests that SMP FCCs can promote neointima formation along the aneurysm neck, and may lead to more complete healing of the dome and neck. These findings indicate potential benefits of this device for aneurysm occlusion procedures. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater 107B:2466–2475, 2019.
Overexpression of UBR5 promotes tumor growth in gallbladder cancer via PTEN/PI3K/Akt signal pathway
Authors: Zhang Zhen , Zheng Xin , Li Jiaxin , Duan Jutao , Cui Lihua , Yang Lei , Zhang Lanqiu , Zhang Qi , Wang Ximo 
Published: February 2019

AbstractAs a key regulator of the ubiquitin‐proteasome system, ubiquitin protein ligase E3 component N‐recognin 5 (UBR5) plays an important role in various cancers. In this study, our results showed for the first time that UBR5 was overexpressed in gallbladder cancer (GBC) tumor tissues. UBR5 overexpression was significantly associated with tumor size, histological and tumor differentiation. UBR5 overexpression was also associated with poor prognosis in patients with GBC. The knockdown of UBR5 remarkably inhibited the cell proliferation and colony formation of GBC‐Shandong (SD) cells in vitro and in vivo. UBR5 potentially increases the level of protein kinase B phosphorylation via the degradation of phosphatase and tensin homolog, which contributes to tumor growth in GBC. UBR5 may be an important biomarker for predicting the prognosis of patients with GBC.
AMPKα1 overexpression improves postoperative cognitive dysfunction in aged rats through AMPK‐Sirt1 and autophagy signaling
Authors: Yan Wen‐Jun , Wang Da‐Bin , Ren Dong‐Qing , Wang Ling‐Kai , Hu Zhong‐Yuan , Ma Ya‐Bing , Huang Jin‐Wen , Ding Shao‐Li 
Published: February 2019

AbstractPostoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication in elderly patients who undergo surgery involving anesthesia. Its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Autophagy plays an important role in the damage and repair of the nervous system and is associated with the development of POCD. Using a rat model, adenosine monophosphate‐activated protein kinase α1 (AMPKα1), an important autophagy regulator, was found to be significantly downregulated in rats with POCD that was induced by sevoflurane anesthesia or by appendectomy. Overexpression of AMPKα1‐ameliorated POCD, as indicated by decreased escape latencies and increased target quadrant swimming times, swimming distances, and platform crossing times during Morris water maze tests. AMPKα1 overexpression activated autophagy signals by increasing the expression of light chain 3 II (LC3‐II) and Beclin1 and decreasing the expression of p62 in the hippocampus of rats with POCD. Moreover, blocking autophagy by 3‐methyladenine partly attenuated AMPKα1‐mediated POCD improvement. Furthermore, overexpression of AMPKα1 could upregulate the expression of p‐AMPK and Sirt1 in the hippocampus of rats with POCD. Intriguingly, inhibiting AMPK signals via Compound C effectively attenuated AMPKα1‐mediated POCD improvement, concomitant with the downregulation of p‐AMPK, Sirt1, LC3‐II, and Beclin1 and the upregulation of p62. We thus concluded that overexpression of AMPKα1 can improve POCD via the AMPK‐Sirt1 and autophagy signaling pathway.
Identification of DNA methylation signature to predict prognosis in gastric adenocarcinoma
Authors: Hu Sifeng , Yin Xiankun , Zhang Guangyong , Meng Fanmei 
Published: February 2019

AbstractGastric adenocarcinoma is an important death‐related cancer. To find factors related to survival and prognosis, and thus improve recovery prospects, a powerful signature is needed. DNA methylation plays an important role in gastric adenocarcinoma processes and development, and here we report on the search for a significant DNA methylation gene to aid with the earlier diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma patients. A Cox proportional risk regression analysis and random survival forest algorithm were used to analyze gastric adenocarcinoma patients’ DNA methylation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, a public database. DNA methylation gene signature consisting of five genes (SERPINA3, AP000357.4, GZMA, AC004702.2, and GREB1L) were selected. As the most accurate predictor, the area under the curve in the training and test group were 0.72 and 0.61, respectively. The signature was able to sort patients into high‐ and low‐risk groups with meaningful overall survival rates (median: 18.36 vs 72.23 months, log‐rank test, P < 0.001) in the training group, which predictive ability was validated in a test data set (median: 25.56 vs 58.80 months, log‐rank test, P < 0.016). A multivariate Cox regression analysis showed the significant DNA methylation was an independent prediction prognostic factor for gastric adenocarcinoma patients. Functional analysis suggests that these signature genes may be related to pathways and biological processes associated with tumorigenesis. The significant DNA methylation gene could be a novel prediction and prognostic biomarker that both aids in the treatment and predicts the overall survival likelihoods of gastric adenocarcinoma patients.
Complex depression: The treatment of major depression and severe personality pathology
Authors: Clarkin John F. , Petrini Mark , Diamond Diana 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe intensive treatment of a patient presenting with major depression, chronic suicidal ideation, and a borderline personality disorder with narcissistic features is described as it developed over an 18‐month treatment. The treatment approach is a transdiagnostic one with an emphasis on change in the patient's representation of self and others, identity and interpersonal functioning. The intended change is not only in the reduction of depression and suicidal ideation but also an improvement in interactions with others at work and intimate relations. The combination of rich clinical information from the therapist and independent research ratings of patient progress provide a complex picture of the treatment.
The crucial role of ZEB2: From development to epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition and cancer complexity
Authors: Fardi Masoumeh , Alivand Mohammadreza , Baradaran Behzad , Farshdousti Hagh Majid , Solali Saeed 
Published: February 2019

AbstractZinc finger E‐box binding homeobox 2 (ZEB2) is a DNA‐binding transcription factor, which is mainly involved in epithelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EMT). EMT is a conserved process during which mature and adherent epithelial‐like state is converted into a mobile mesenchymal state. Emerging data indicate that ZEB2 plays a pivotal role in EMT‐induced processes such as development, differentiation, and malignant mechanisms, for example, drug resistance, cancer stem cell‐like traits, apoptosis, survival, cell cycle arrest, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. In this regard, the understanding of mentioned subjects in the development of normal and cancerous cells could be helpful in cancer complexity of diagnosis and therapy. In this study, we review recent findings about the biological properties of ZEB2 in healthy and cancerous states to find new approaches for cancer treatment.
Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, Immunogenicity, Safety, and Tolerability of JNJ‐61178104, a Novel Tumor Necrosis Factor‐Alpha and Interleukin‐17A Bispecific Antibody, in Healthy Subjects
Authors: Akpalu Derrick E. , Frederick Bart , Nnane Ivo P. , Yao Zhenling , Shen Fang , Ort Tatiana , Fink Damien , Dogmanits Shannon , Raible Donald , Sharma Amarnath , Xu Zhenhua 
Published: February 2019

AbstractThe safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and immunogenicity of JNJ‑61178104, a novel anti–tumor necrosis factor‐alpha (TNFα) and anti–interleukin‐17A (IL‑17A) bispecific antibody, were investigated in a placebo‐controlled, first‐in‐human study. Healthy subjects (n = 54) received a single dose of JNJ‐61178104 by either intravenous infusion (0.1, 0.3, 1, 3, and 10 mg/kg) or subcutaneous injection (1 mg/kg). Blood samples for measurement of serum JNJ‐61178104 concentrations, total IL‐17A, total TNFα, and detection of antidrug antibodies were collected for up to 16 weeks after dosing and assessed using electrochemiluminescence immunoassays. PK parameters were calculated by noncompartmental analysis and estimated by nonlinear mixed‐effects modeling. JNJ‐61178104 was generally well tolerated in healthy subjects. For the intravenous cohorts, mean maximum concentration, and area under the concentration‐time curve values increased in a dose‐proportional manner. Mean clearance ranged from 6.73 to 9.99 mL/day/kg, mean volume of distribution at terminal phase after intravenous administration ranged from 51.0 to 91.9 mL/kg, and mean half‐life ranged from 4.3 to 9.7 days following intravenous administration. After a single subcutaneous dose of 1 mg/kg, median time to maximum concentration was 4.0 days, mean bioavailability was 52.0% and mean half‐life was 5.3 days. A linear 2‐compartment population model with first‐order elimination adequately characterized the pharmacokinetics with parameters consistent with noncompartmental analysis estimates. Body weight and antidrug antibodies were significant covariates on JNJ‐61178104 clearance. The time to reach mean maximum serum total TNFα and total IL‐17A concentrations appeared to be dose dependent across the 0.1 mg/kg to 10 mg/kg IV dose groups. All subjects who received active treatment were antidrug antibody positive after dosing with JNJ‐61178104.