bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Developmental Chromatin Restriction of Pro‐Growth Gene Networks Acts as an Epigenetic Barrier to Axon Regeneration in Cortical Neurons
Authors: Venkatesh Ishwariya , Mehra Vatsal , Wang Zimei , Califf Ben , Blackmore Murray G. 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTAxon regeneration in the central nervous system is prevented in part by a developmental decline in the intrinsic regenerative ability of maturing neurons. This loss of axon growth ability likely reflects widespread changes in gene expression, but the mechanisms that drive this shift remain unclear. Chromatin accessibility has emerged as a key regulatory mechanism in other cellular contexts, raising the possibility that chromatin structure may contribute to the age‐dependent loss of regenerative potential. Here we establish an integrated bioinformatic pipeline that combines analysis of developmentally dynamic gene networks with transcription factor regulation and genome‐wide maps of chromatin accessibility. When applied to the developing cortex, this pipeline detected overall closure of chromatin in sub‐networks of genes associated with axon growth. We next analyzed mature CNS neurons that were supplied with various pro‐regenerative transcription factors. Unlike prior results with SOX11 and KLF7, here we found that neither JUN nor an activated form of STAT3 promoted substantial corticospinal tract regeneration. Correspondingly, chromatin accessibility in JUN or STAT3 target genes was substantially lower than in predicted targets of SOX11 and KLF7. Finally, we used the pipeline to predict pioneer factors that could potentially relieve chromatin constraints at growth‐associated loci. Overall this integrated analysis substantiates the hypothesis that dynamic chromatin accessibility contributes to the developmental decline in axon growth ability and influences the efficacy of pro‐regenerative interventions in the adult, while also pointing toward selected pioneer factors as high‐priority candidates for future combinatorial experiments. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 00: 000–000, 2018
Gold surface plasmon crystal structure based‐on polystyrene template for biosensor application
Authors: Cheng Min‐Zhuo , Zhang Jing , Bao Dequan , Huang Xiwei 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIn this communication, we assembled ordered polystyrene (PS) microsphere array as a template with the drop‐coating method, and the oxygen plasma was used to etch the template to adjust the spacing between the PS microspheres. Nano‐triangular gold array and silver nano‐pyramid array were obtained by ion beam sputtering to deposit precious metal gold and silver. We observed the surface morphology of Au and Au/Ag composite films by scanning electron microscope and characterized the films by X‐ray diffraction and ultraviolet/visible light spectrophotometer. The results show that the etching time of oxygen plasma has an obvious effect in adjusting the spacing between PSs and has a significant effect on the morphology of Au structure.
Systematic review of clobazam use in patients with status epilepticus
Authors: Mahmoud Sherif Hanafy , Rans Caleb 
Published: May 2018

SummaryClobazam (CLB) is a commonly used oral antiepileptic drug (AED) that has been shown to be effective in various forms of epilepsy. Given its distinct 1,5‐benzodiazepine structure, rapid absorption, minimal drug interactions, and favorable safety profile, CLB displays unique properties when compared to other commonly used benzodiazepines. Recent evidence has shown that CLB may demonstrate therapeutic efficacy in status epilepticus (SE). The objective of this systematic review was to summarize the available evidence pertaining to the efficacy of CLB use in SE. An electronic literature search of Medline (1946 to November 6, 2017), Embase (1974 to November 6, 2017), and the Cochrane Library (1999 to November 6, 2017) databases was performed to identify reports of CLB use in SE. After screening and full text review, a total of 15 articles were included: 8 retrospective studies, 2 case series, and 5 case reports. Efficacy rates for CLB have varied among reports. Overall, based on the retrospective studies, a total of 76 patients with SE have been reported. CLB was introduced within 2–4 days from SE onset and has been reported to contribute to remission in 36 patients (47%). CLB maintenance dose ranged from 10 to 60 mg/day. However, the results need to be interpreted carefully because SE patients are a heterogeneous group with different etiologies and disease severities, and the response to CLB might vary in different patient population or seizure types. In conclusion, there is not sufficient evidence to determine the safety and efficacy of clobazam in the setting of SE. However, the current limited evidence combined with the unique characteristics of CLB suggest that the drug might be considered as an add‐on option in SE patients, with a suggested dosage range of 10–60 mg/day. Prospective studies are needed to fully establish the role of CLB in the management of SE.
Analytical and empirical models for predicting the drift capacity of modern unreinforced masonry walls
Authors: Wilding Bastian Valentin , Beyer Katrin 
Published: May 2018

SummaryDisplacement‐based seismic assessment of buildings containing unreinforced masonry (URM) walls requires as input, among others, estimates of the in‐plane drift capacity at the considered limit states. Current codes assess the drift capacity of URM walls by means of empirical models with most codes relating the drift capacity to the failure mode and wall slenderness. Comparisons with experimental results show that such relationships result in large scatter and usually do not provide satisfactory predictions. The objective of this paper is to determine trends in drift capacities of modern URM walls from 61 experimental tests and to investigate whether analytical models could lead to more reliable estimates of the displacement capacity than the currently used empirical models. A recently developed analytical model for the prediction of the ultimate drift capacity for both shear and flexure controlled URM walls is introduced and simplified into an equation that is suitable for code implementation. The approach follows the idea of plastic hinge models for reinforced concrete or steel structures. It explicitly considers the influence of crushing due to flexural or shear failure in URM walls and takes into account the effect of kinematic and static boundary conditions on the drift capacity. Finally, the performance of the analytical model is benchmarked against the test data and other empirical formulations. It shows that it yields significantly better estimates than empirical models in current codes. The paper concludes with an investigation of the sensitivity of the ultimate drift capacity to the wall geometry, static, and kinematic boundary conditions.
Circular RNA 0068669 as a new biomarker for hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis
Authors: Yao Ting , Chen Qingqing , Shao Zhouwei , Song Zhihua , Fu Liyun , Xiao Bingxiu 
Published: May 2018

BackgroundCircular RNAs (circRNAs) play important roles in disease occurrence. However, the roles of circRNAs in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely unknown. The aim of this study is to investigate the clinical diagnostic values of hsa_circ_0068669 (Alias: hsa_circ_103561), one of the representative HCC‐associated circRNAs.MethodsHsa_circ_0068669 expression levels in HCC tissues, HCC cell lines, and chronic hepatitis tissues were detected by real‐time quantitative reverse transcription‐polymerase chain reaction. Its expression levels between HCC tissues and adjacent non‐tumorous tissues were analyzed using paired t test. Independent t test and one‐way analysis of variance (ANOVA) were performed to analyze the relationships between hsa_circ_0068669 expression levels and clinicopathological factors of patients with HCC. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to estimate the value of hsa_circ_0068669 as a biomarker in HCC.ResultsHsa_circ_0068669 expression was significantly downregulated in HCC tissues and HCC cell lines compared with paired non‐tumorous tissues and normal hepatic cell line, respectively. Moreover, hsa_circ_0068669 expression in HCC tissues was decreased comparing with chronic hepatitis tissues. Furthermore, hsa_circ_0068669 expression was correlated with microvascular invasion and TNM stages.ConclusionsOur findings indicate that hsa_circ_0068669 might be served as a novel potential biomarker for HCC metastasis.
Electrostatic recognition in substrate binding to serine proteases
Authors: Waldner Birgit J. , Kraml Johannes , Kahler Ursula , Spinn Alexander , Schauperl Michael , Podewitz Maren , Fuchs Julian E. , Cruciani Gabriele , Liedl Klaus R. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSerine proteases of the Chymotrypsin family are structurally very similar but have very different substrate preferences. This study investigates a set of 9 different proteases of this family comprising proteases that prefer substrates containing positively charged amino acids, negatively charged amino acids, and uncharged amino acids with varying degree of specificity. Here, we show that differences in electrostatic substrate preferences can be predicted reliably by electrostatic molecular interaction fields employing customized GRID probes. Thus, we are able to directly link protease structures to their electrostatic substrate preferences. Additionally, we present a new metric that measures similarities in substrate preferences focusing only on electrostatics. It efficiently compares these electrostatic substrate preferences between different proteases. This new metric can be interpreted as the electrostatic part of our previously developed substrate similarity metric. Consequently, we suggest, that substrate recognition in terms of electrostatics and shape complementarity are rather orthogonal aspects of substrate recognition. This is in line with a 2‐step mechanism of protein‐protein recognition suggested in the literature.
The primary active components, antioxidant properties, and differential metabolite profiles of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.) upon domestic storage: analysis of nutritional quality
Authors: Li Ru , Zhu Yi 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDThis study aimed to analyze the nutritional quality of radish sprouts (Raphanus sativus L.) after domestic short‐term storage. We stored fresh radish sprouts at 25 ± 1 °C and at 4 ± 1 °C for 12 h, and detected phenolic substances, glucosinolates, isothiocyanates, vitamin C, and various antioxidant and abiotic stress‐related factors. We investigated nutrient‐related metabolic differences and associated pathways and postharvest treatment effects on nutritional quality using metabolomic analysis.RESULTSMost active substances and antioxidant properties, but not phenolic acids and vitamin C, decreased significantly (P < 0.05) upon domestic storage; this reduction decelerated at low temperatures. Short‐term storage disrupted redox balance; low temperature enhanced stress resistance. Differences were observed in amino acid and vitamin derivatives, phospholipid accumulation, and organic acids. Short‐term storage at ambient temperature promoted lysine, threonine, cysteine, vitamin H, phospholipid, and lauric (dodecanoic) acid accumulation, inhibiting proline, phosphatidic acid (PA) (14:1(9Z)/12:0), and phosphatidylcholine (PC) (O‐18:0/O‐18:0) accumulation; low‐temperature, short‐term storage promoted myristic acid and phospholipid accumulation and reduced methionine synthesis and vitamin H and K accumulation.CONCLUSIONOverall, the nutritional quality of radish sprout decreased upon short‐term storage, with differences in certain active substances. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Effect of cold plasma on maintaining the quality of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus): biochemical and sensory attributes
Authors: Chen Jing , Wang Sheng‐Zhe , Chen Jun‐Yu , Chen Dong‐Zhi , Deng Shang‐Gui , Xu Bin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBACKGROUNDAtmospheric cold plasma (ACP) has emerged as a potential alternative to traditional methods for non‐thermal food decontamination. However, few data are available about ACP treatment for seafood. In this study, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) was applied to generate CP, and the aim of the study was to investigate the effectiveness of DBD‐ACP on improving the quality of chub mackerel on the basis of chemical, microbial and sensory characteristics.RESULTSThe effect of DBD‐ACP on the quality of chub mackerel (Scomber japonicus) during storage was examined. Results revealed that the optimal voltage level and exposure time of this treatment were 60 kV and 60 s respectively, and such conditions exhibited excellent inactivation efficacy and weak influence on proximate chemical compositions. Variations in total viable count (TVC), sensory scores and total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N) indicated that ACP treatment extended the shelf life of chub mackerel to 14 days, whereas samples without this treatment exceeded the limits of the three parameters after 6 days. The slow development rates of peroxide value (PV) and thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value implied that lipid oxidation was also effectively retarded by ACP exposure. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed that CP could effectively delay the degradation of myofibrillar proteins and enhance the stability of tissue structures.CONCLUSIONThe excellent antimicrobial efficacy of ACP treatment makes it a potential and promising alternative to other seafood preservation technology. This is the first report on the application of ACP to seafood, which is essential to perishable food storage. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry
Enantioselective micellar electrokinetic chromatography of dl‐amino acids using (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)‐ethyl chloroformate derivatization and UV‐induced fluorescence detection
Authors: Prior Amir , van de Nieuwenhuijzen Erik , de Jong Gerhardus J. , Somsen Govert W. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractChiral analysis of dl‐amino acids was achieved by micellar electrokinetic chromatography coupled with UV‐excited fluorescence detection. The fluorescent reagent (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate was employed as chiral amino acid derivatizing agent and sodium dodecyl sulfate served as pseudo‐stationary phase for separating the formed amino acid diastereomers. Sensitive analysis of (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids was achieved applying a xenon‐mercury lamp for ultraviolet excitation, and a spectrograph and charge‐coupled device for wavelength‐resolved emission detection. Applying signal integration over a 30 nm emission wavelength interval, signal‐to‐noise ratios for derivatized amino acids were up to 23 times higher as obtained using a standard photomultiplier for detection. The background electrolyte composition (electrolyte, pH, sodium dodecyl sulfate concentration, and organic solvent) was studied in order to attain optimal chemo‐ and enantioseparation. Enantioseparation of 12 proteinogenic dl‐amino acids was achieved with chiral resolutions between 1.2 and 7.9, and detection limits for most derivatized amino acids in the 13–60 nM range (injected concentration). Linearity (coefficients of determination > 0.985) and peak‐area and migration‐time repeatabilities (relative standard deviations lower than 2.6 and 1.9%, respectively) were satisfactory. The employed fluorescence detection system provided up to 100‐times better signal‐to‐noise ratios for (+)‐1‐(9‐fluorenyl)ethyl chloroformate‐amino acids than ultraviolet absorbance detection, showing good potential for d‐amino acid analysis.
Supporting Asylum Seekers: Clinician Experiences of Documenting Human Rights Violations Through Forensic Psychological Evaluation
Authors: Baranowski Kim A. , Moses Melissa H. , Sundri Jasmine 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe United States permits foreign nationals to apply for asylum if they have experienced persecution or have a fear of future persecution. In order to meet the criteria for persecution, the harm inflicted upon the asylum seeker does not need to be or have been physical and can include psychological sequelae. In an effort to document persecution, lawyers seek the assistance of health professionals when preparing their clients’ asylum applications. Mental health professionals work to corroborate psychological evidence of the asylum seeker's report of ill treatment through evaluation and presentation of their findings in the form of legal affidavits. This study gathered the experiences of 15 mental health clinicians who conduct forensic psychological evaluations and document the impact of torture and other human rights violations on asylum seekers. We analyzed the resulting interview transcripts using a consensual qualitative research (CQR) approach. The results of the study highlight challenges associated with this work, suggest recommendations for training, and encourage advocacy endeavors by mental health professionals who provide these services.
Association Between Initial Age of Exposure to Childhood Abuse and Cognitive Control: Preliminary Evidence
Authors: Mackiewicz Seghete Kristen L. , DePrince Anne P. , Banich Marie T. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractCognitive control, which relies on the protracted development of frontal‐parietal regions into adolescence, is a brain process that may be particularly vulnerable to the impact of childhood abuse. In this study, we used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) to examine associations between the age of onset of childhood abuse and alterations to the neural mechanisms supporting cognitive control in early adulthood, which have not been previously examined. During fMRI scanning, participants completed hybrid block/event‐related versions of a classic color‐word Stroop task as well as emotional Stroop tasks (threat and positive words). Participants were young adult women (N = 15; age range: 23–30 years) who had a history of childhood physical or sexual abuse that began prior to 13 years of age. Results indicated that earlier age of onset of childhood abuse was robustly associated with increased transient (i.e., event‐related) recruitment of medial cognitive control regions in the classic color‐word paradigm as well as with less suppression of medial frontal regions that are part of the default mode network, βs = −.16 to −.87. In comparison, increased activation in dorsolateral prefrontal regions was associated with earlier age of abuse onset under conditions of sustained (i.e., blocked) cognitive control in the emotional Stroop task for blocks of positive distracting words versus fixation, βs = −.50 to −.60. These results provide preliminary evidence that earlier age of exposure to childhood abuse impacts the functional activation of neural systems involved in cognitive control in adulthood.
Recurring surface fires cause soil degradation of forest land: A simulation experiment with the EFIMOD model
Authors: Nadporozhskaya Marina A. , Chertov Oleg G. , Bykhovets Sergey S. , Shaw Cindy H. , Maksimova Ekaterina Yu. , Abakumov Evgeny V. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractRenewal of pine forests is ecologically dependent on fires, but if fires become too frequent, they can disrupt the equilibrium and sustainability of these ecosystems. Field studies of the effects of fire are challenging because of the heterogeneity of forest ecosystems and because of the heterogeneous effect of fire on recovery of vegetation. As an alternative to complex field studies, mathematical models can be used as a tool to assess the complex dynamics of natural ecosystems as they recover after fire. The aim of this study was to apply the ecosystem model EFIMOD to analyse the effect of surface fires on soil degradation and its feedback on tree productivity in Scots pine forests on different soil types in Russia: Haplic Podzols in the Leningrad region and Psamment Entisols of the fragmented steppe in the Samara region. Simulation of the cumulative effects of fire cycles over 140 years showed that one fire did not affect growing stock but decreased soil organic matter by about 10% at both sites, and that three fires reduced the growing stock by 30% on the Haplic Podzols and 9% on the Psamment Entisols and decreased soil organic matter by about 30% on both sites. Forest fires led to the loss of soil carbon (C), as well as nitrogen (N), which is a principal limiting factor in forest ecosystems of boreal and temperate ecozones. The effect of repeated fire cycles on land degradation is similar to that of soil erosion, through the loss of soil C and N.
Simulation of the Degradation of Cyclic Ketene Acetal and Vinyl‐Based Copolymers Synthesized via a Radical Process: Influence of the Reactivity Ratios on the Degradability Properties
Authors: Gigmes Didier , Van Steenberge Paul H. M. , Siri Didier , D'hooge Dagmar R. , Guillaneuf Yohann , Lefay Catherine 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe radical copolymerization of vinyl and cyclic ketene acetal (CKA) monomers is a promising way to prepare degradable vinyl polymers. The reactivity of the comonomer pair is known to be dependent of the vinyl monomer structure that requires to play with experimental conditions (feed ratio, overall monomer conversion, etc.) to target a desired cumulative (average) copolymer composition. Even if the materials are completely degradable, there is no information about the homogeneity of the degraded products. This theoretical study, using kinetic Monte Carlo simulations, allows simulating degradation at the molecular level. It is shown that disparate reactivity ratios (styrene/CKA, etc.) and also a composition drift at high conversion can lead to an inhomogeneous degraded product compared to systems with similar reactivity ratios (vinyl ether/CKA, etc.). The use of reversible deactivation radical polymerization techniques does not influence the final degraded products and is only useful for the design of advanced macromolecular architectures before degradation.
Air Activated Self‐Decontaminating Polydicyclopentadiene PolyHIPE Foams for Rapid Decontamination of Chemical Warfare Agents
Authors: McGann Christopher L. , Daniels Grant C. , Giles Spencer L. , Balow Robert B. , Miranda‐Zayas Jorge L. , Lundin Jeffrey G. , Wynne James H. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe threat of chemical warfare agents (CWA) compels research into novel self‐decontaminating materials (SDM) for the continued safety of first‐responders, civilians, and active service personnel. The capacity to actively detoxify, as opposed to merely sequester, offending agents under typical environmental conditions defines the added value of SDMs in comparison to traditional adsorptive materials. Porous polymers, synthesized via the high internal phase emulsion (HIPE) templating, provide a facile fabrication method for materials with permeable open cellular structures that may serve in air filtration applications. PolyHIPEs comprising polydicyclopentadiene (polyDCPD) networks form stable hydroperoxide species following activation in air under ambient conditions. The hydroperoxide‐containing polyDCPD materials react quickly with CWA simulants, Demeton‐S and 2‐chloroethyl ethyl sulfide, forming oxidation products as confirmed via gas chromatography mass spectrometry. The simplicity of the detoxification chemistry paired with the porous foam form factor presents an exciting opportunity for the development of self‐decontaminating filter media.