bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Ovarian reserve evaluation in a woman with 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism: A case report and a review of literature
Authors: Tang Ruiyi , Lin Lin , Guo Zaixin , Hou Haiyan , Yu Qi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundTurner syndrome (TS) is a common chromosomal disorder affecting approximately 1:2,500 live female births. Mosaic 47,XXX karyotype is found in 3%–4% of TS patients. TS phenotype in rare 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism patients is milder than in classic TS, however their ovarian function, especially in the mature age, has not been described in detail.MethodsA case report and literature review.ResultsA 30‐year‐old woman with menstrual irregularity and primary infertility presented with short stature and multiple nevi on the face without other common TS clinical features. She had spontaneous puberty and menarche but diminished ovarian reserve at the age of 30. Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) indicated 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism, which was once misdiagnosed as 45,X monosomy. Literature review revealed the prevalence of short stature in only 64.3% of 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism cases, that is, much less frequently than in pure 45,X monosomy. The risk of premature ovarian insufficiency in 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism patients is higher, and ovarian failure is usually observed at around 30 years of age.ConclusionFISH should be recommended to evaluate low proportion mosaicism in similar cases. Due to the risk of ovarian failure, fertility preservation for patients with 45,X/47,XXX mosaicism at a younger age must be considered.
Deep learning‐based carotid media‐adventitia and lumen‐intima boundary segmentation from three‐dimensional ultrasound images
Authors: Zhou Ran , Fenster Aaron , Xia Yujiao , Spence J. David , Ding Mingyue 
Published: May 2019

PurposeQuantification of carotid plaques has been shown to be important for assessing as well as monitoring the progression and regression of carotid atherosclerosis. Various metrics have been proposed and methods of measurements ranging from manual tracing to automated segmentations have also been investigated. Of those metrics, quantification of carotid plaques by measuring vessel‐wall‐volume (VWV) using the segmented media‐adventitia (MAB) and lumen‐intima (LIB) boundaries has been shown to be sensitive to temporal changes in carotid plaque burden. Thus, semi‐automatic MAB and LIB segmentation methods are required to help generate VWV measurements with high accuracy and less user interaction.MethodsIn this paper, we propose a semiautomatic segmentation method based on deep learning to segment the MAB and LIB from carotid three‐dimensional ultrasound (3DUS) images. For the MAB segmentation, we convert the segmentation problem to a pixel‐by‐pixel classification problem. A dynamic convolutional neural network (Dynamic CNN) is proposed to classify the patches generated by sliding a window along the norm line of the initial contour where the CNN model is fine‐tuned dynamically in each test task. The LIB is segmented by applying a region‐of‐interest of carotid images to a U‐Net model, which allows the network to be trained end‐to‐end for pixel‐wise classification.ResultsA total of 144 3DUS images were used in this development, and a threefold cross‐validation technique was used for evaluation of the proposed algorithm. The proposed algorithm‐generated accuracy was significantly higher than the previous methods but with less user interactions. Comparing the algorithm segmentation results with manual segmentations by an expert showed that the average Dice similarity coefficients (DSC) were 96.46 ± 2.22% and 92.84 ± 4.46% for the MAB and LIB, respectively, while only an average of 34 s (vs 1.13, 2.8 and 4.4 min in previous methods) was required to segment a 3DUS image. The interobserver experiment indicated that the DSC was 96.14 ± 1.87% between algorithm‐generated MAB contours of two observers' initialization.ConclusionsOur results showed that the proposed carotid plaque segmentation method obtains high accuracy and repeatability with less user interactions, suggesting that the method could be used in clinical practice to measure VWV and monitor the progression and regression of carotid plaques.
The calcium‐sensing receptor regulates protein tyrosine phosphorylation through PDK1 in boar spermatozoa
Authors: Macías‐García Beatriz , García‐Marín Luis J. , Bragado María J. , González‐Fernández Lauro 
Published: May 2019

AbstractRegulation of protein tyrosine phosphorylation is required for sperm capacitation and oocyte fertilization. The objective of the present work was to study the role of the calcium‐sensing receptor (CaSR) on protein tyrosine phosphorylation in boar spermatozoa under capacitating conditions. To do this, boar spermatozoa were incubated in Tyrode's complete medium for 4 hr and the specific inhibitor of the CaSR, NPS2143, was used. Also, to study the possible mechanism(s) by which this receptor exerts its function, spermatozoa were incubated in the presence of specific inhibitors of the 3‐phosphoinositide dependent protein kinase 1 (PDK1) and protein kinase A (PKA). Treatment with NPS2143, GSK2334470, an inhibitor of PDK1 and H‐89, an inhibitor of PKA separately induced an increase in tyrosine phosphorylation of 18 and 32 kDa proteins, a decrease in the serine/threonine phosphorylation of the PKA substrates together with a drop in sperm motility and viability. The present work proposes a new signalling pathway of the CaSR, mediated by PDK1 and PKA in boar spermatozoa under capacitating conditions. Our results show that the inhibition of the CaSR induces the inhibition of PDK1 that blocks PKA activity resulting in a rise in tyrosine phosphorylation of p18 and p32 proteins. This novel signalling pathway has not been described before and could be crucial to understand boar sperm capacitation within the female reproductive tract.
The orientation order of liquid‐crystalline polymer, measured by ESR and optical dichroism techniques
Authors: Bogdanov Alexey V. , Bobrovsky Alexey Yu. , Vorobiev Andrey Kh. 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTMolecular orientation order and rotation mobility of comb‐shaped liquid crystalline polymer forming nematic and smectic mesophases are characterized by spin probe and dichroism technique in the temperature range 100–420 K. The models describing the mechanism of molecular rotations in different temperature ranges were determined by quantitative numerical simulations of ESR spectra. In the vicinity of the glass transition point of the polymer, where the fast amplitude‐restricted molecular reorientations take place, the quasi‐libration model was found to be adequate for the description of ESR spectra, while the often used Brownian rotational diffusion is appropriate at higher temperatures only. Orientation distribution function of probe molecules was characterized quantitatively by order parameters up to sixth rank for a wide temperature range. The orientation order parameters measured via the spin probe technique are shown to correlate with orientation order parameters measured by optical techniques. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part B: Polym. Phys. 2019, 57, 819–825
Preclinical characterization of AMPA receptor potentiator TAK‐137 as a therapeutic drug for schizophrenia
Authors: Tanaka Maiko , Kunugi Akiyoshi , Suzuki Atsushi , Suzuki Noriko , Suzuki Motohisa , Kimura Haruhide 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe downregulation of the glutamate system may be involved in positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms of schizophrenia. Through enhanced glutamate signaling, the activation of the α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methyl‐4‐isoxazole‐propionic acid (AMPA) receptor, an ionotropic glutamate receptor, could be a new therapeutic strategy for schizophrenia. TAK‐137 is a novel AMPA receptor potentiator with minimal agonistic activity; in this study, we used rodents and nonhuman primates to assess its potential as a drug for schizophrenia. At 10 mg kg−1 p.o., TAK‐137 partially inhibited methamphetamine‐induced hyperlocomotion in rats, and at 3, 10, and 30 mg kg−1 p.o., TAK‐137 partially inhibited MK‐801‐induced hyperlocomotion in mice, suggesting weak effects on the positive symptoms of schizophrenia. At 0.1 and 0.3 mg kg−1 p.o., TAK‐137 significantly ameliorated MK‐801‐induced deficits in the social interaction of rats, demonstrating potential improvement of impaired social functioning, which is a negative symptom of schizophrenia. The effects of TAK‐137 were evaluated on multiple cognitive domains—attention, working memory, and cognitive flexibility. TAK‐137 enhanced attention in the five‐choice serial reaction time task in rats at 0.2 mg kg−1 p.o., and improved working memory both in rats and monkeys: 0.2 and 0.6 mg kg−1 p.o. ameliorated MK‐801‐induced deficits in the radial arm maze test in rats, and 0.1 mg kg−1 p.o. improved the performance of ketamine‐treated monkeys in the delayed matching‐to‐sample task. At 0.1 and 1 mg kg−1 p.o., TAK‐137 improved the cognitive flexibility of subchronic phencyclidine‐treated rats in the reversal learning test. Thus, TAK‐137‐type AMPA receptor potentiators with low intrinsic activity may offer new therapies for schizophrenia.
Stable boundary‐layer relative humidity profiles and the conditions for onset of radiation fog over land
Authors: Derbyshire Steve H. 
Published: May 2019

Fog is a physically complex problem, with substantial impacts motivating further advances in prediction. We focus here on radiation fog over land, and the typical development of an optically thin initial phase which can be regarded as a continuation of the stable boundary layer. Textbook analytical models exist for quasi‐steady stable boundary layer models, but these have hitherto not been extended to treat the relative humidity appropriate to the onset conditions for fog. Such extension is complicated by the nonlinearity of the saturation curve, identified in Taylor's classic work as a key term due to the high level of cancellation between cooling and drying fluxes.Here we show how, by idealization of the saturation curve, the nonlinear mixing mechanism can be combined with analytical stable boundary layers so as to provide solutions for two canonical cases. To complement these solutions, a simple numerical model is presented, illustrating key aspects of behaviour and the potential impact of additional physics. A non‐dimensional parameter is derived as a ratio of time‐scales governing the magnitude of nonlinear mixing in the boundary‐layer problem. Boundary‐layer properties, surface transfer and water properties, saturation nonlinearity, clear‐air radiation and sedimentation are all supported as important ingredients in the general fog problem. The findings suggest that a hierarchical approach can be developed in a manner traceable to the analytic solutions for the simpler cases.
Rapid determination of carbon isotope composition in carbonatites using isotope ratio mass spectrometry – Comparison of dual‐inlet, elemental‐analyzer and continuous‐flow techniques
Authors: Trubač Jakub , Magna Tomáš , Čejková Bohuslava , Vondrovicová Lenka , Rapprich Vladislav 
Published: May 2019

RationaleApplications where stable C and O isotope compositions are useful require routine instrumental techniques with a fast sample throughput which should also produce accurate and precise results. We present a comparison of three different instrumental isotope ratio mass spectrometry (IRMS) approaches (Dual Inlet ‐ DI; Elemental Analyzer ‐ EA; Continuous Flow ‐ CF) to determine the stable isotope composition of carbon in carbonate matrices, with a focus on evaluating the optimum approach for less complex instrumental techniques.MethodsThe DI‐IRMS method is taken as an absolute method for obtaining accurate and precise 13C/12C ratios with internal errors usually < ±0.01‰ (2SD) and long‐term reproducibility better than ±0.03‰ (2SD). The drawbacks of DI‐IRMS are that it requires extensive offline sample preparation, rather large sample sizes (commonly >20 mg) and extended analysis times.ResultsEA‐IRMS provides rapidity of analysis, relatively non‐complex technique optimization and large sample throughput sufficient to distinguish natural trends although the larger internal errors and poorer reproducibility must be considered. The major disadvantage of EA‐IRMS lies in a constant offset of the 13C/12C ratios against DI‐IRMS, large internal errors (±0.2‰, 2SD) and the worst reproducibility (±0.3‰, 2SD) of all the explored methods. The results acquired using CF‐IRMS are comparable with those obtained by employing DI‐IRMS with an external reproducibility better than ±0.2‰ (2SD). Compared with EA‐IRMS, however, this technique requires more elaborate sample preparation – more akin to DI‐IRMS. None of these two latter techniques can provide C isotope results for coexisting phases such as calcite, dolomite and ankerite unless they are physically separated and analyzed independently.ConclusionsAll methods are appropriate for 13C/12C determinations with CF‐IRMS and EA‐IRMS less applicable to high‐precision measurements but relevant for studies requiring high sample throughput. Periodical analysis of matrix‐matched reference materials during the analytical sequence is warranted for both EA‐IRMS and CF‐IRMS.
pH‐Selective Fluorescent Enhancement with Glyphosate in Aqueous Media
Authors: Luo Meng‐Han , Dou Hong‐Xi , Wang Kui , Feng Yu‐Xin , Xing Si‐Yang , Zhu Bo‐Lin , Wu Yue 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn this work the host–guest interactions between calixpyridinium and glyphosate were studied in aqueous media at pH 2.0 and 6.0 by using a calixpyridinium–dye complex. A pH‐selective fluorescent enhancement with glyphosate at pH 6.0 was found. The results of competitive binding titration experiments showed that calixpyridinium formed 1:1 host–guest complexes with glyphosate at pH 6.0. The association constant of calixpyridinium with glyphosate, extracted from the competitive binding titration, was (4.83±1.42)×102 M−1. The binding mode between calixpyridinium and glyphosate in D2O at pD 6.0 was further deduced by using 1H NMR spectroscopy. The result showed that the anionic carboxyl group, rather than the anionic phosphate group, was the main binding site of glyphosate to calixpyridinium accompanied by electrostatic interaction. pH 6.0 is in the pH range suitable for plant growth. Therefore, it is anticipated that these results are extremely important in the detection of glyphosate. These studies were further performed in some real aqueous samples, and the results were similar to those obtained in simple pure water. More importantly, this method indeed could be applied in the detection of glyphosate in the different real soil samples, and some potential background interferences could not affect the detection. All these studies in the real samples can greatly increase the usefulness of this work.
Near‐Infrared Activated Black Phosphorus as a Nontoxic Photo‐Oxidant for Alzheimer's Amyloid‑β Peptide
Authors: Li Yang , Du Zhi , Liu Xinping , Ma Mengmeng , Yu Dongqin , Lu Yao , Ren Jinsong , Qu Xiaogang 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe inhibition of amyloid‐β (Aβ) aggregation by photo‐oxygenation has become an effective way of treating Alzheimer's disease (AD). New near‐infrared (NIR) activated treatment agents, which not only possess high photo‐oxygenation efficiency, but also show low biotoxicity, are urgently needed. Herein, for the first time, it is demonstrated that NIR activated black phosphorus (BP) could serve as an effective nontoxic photo‐oxidant for amyloid‑β peptide in vitro and in vivo. The nanoplatform BP@BTA (BTA: one of thioflavin‐T derivatives) possesses high affinity to the Aβ peptide due to specific amyloid selectivity of BTA. Importantly, under NIR light, BP@BTA can significantly generate a high quantum yield of singlet oxygen (1O2) to oxygenate Aβ, thereby resulting in inhibiting the aggregation and attenuating Aβ‐induced cytotoxicity. In addition, BP could finally degrade into nontoxic phosphate, which guarantees the biosafety. Using transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans CL2006 as AD model, the results demonstrate that the 1O2‐generation system could dramatically promote life‐span extension of CL2006 strain by decreasing the neurotoxicity of Aβ.
Explicating the Sodium Storage Kinetics and Redox Mechanism of Highly Pseudocapacitive Binary Transition Metal Sulfide via Operando Techniques and Ab Initio Evaluation
Authors: Lim Yew Von , Huang Shaozhuan , Hu Junping , Kong Dezhi , Wang Ye , Xu Tingting , Ang Lay Kee , Yang Hui Ying 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe economic advantage of sodium resources has triggered worldwide enthusiasm in sodium‐ion batteries (SIBs). As a new breed of transition metal sulfides, binary metal sulfides (BMS) have garnered increasing interests due to its pseudocapacitive capabilities but with limited reports to address its potentials. To address them, bimetallic nickel cobalt sulfide (NiCo2S4, or NCS) embedded in graphene aerogel matrix (NCSGO) with excellent reaction kinetics and rate performance are studied by first‐principles methods and operando techniques to elucidate its sodiation kinetics and redox mechanism. The kinetic analysis on sodiation behavior reveals a major contribution of pseudocapacitance versus total capacity, providing fast reaction kinetics and highly reversible cycling. The sodiation dynamics are unraveled by first‐principles approach manifesting favorable Na+ adsorption kinetics (<−2.1 eV) and extremely low diffusion barrier (0.28 eV), indicating the strong adsorption and diffusion capability for SIBs. The redox mechanism is studied and confirmed via operando techniques that NCS‐based electrodes are based on both a combination of intercalation and conversion reactions. Following the results of the joint experimental‐computational approach, the excellent BMS SIBs performance enabled by conversion‐based and fast pseudocapacitive sodiation kinetics provides a promising strategy for developing SIBs anodes with both high specific capacity and fast rate response.
Optical and Optoelectronic Properties of Black Phosphorus and Recent Photonic and Optoelectronic Applications
Authors: Yi Ya , Sun Zhengbo , Li Jia , Chu Paul K. , Yu Xue‐Feng 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe rapid development of the semiconductor industry calls for the exploration of novel semiconductors to cater to modern technical and commercial needs. Recently, black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as a new class of 2D semiconducting material and has attracted intensive research attention. The high carrier mobility and tunable direct bandgap of BP deliver great promise in photonic and optoelectronic device applications. Furthermore, the unique intrinsic anisotropy arising from the puckered structure can be exploited in the design of new devices. This review briefly introduces the history of BP and puts emphasis on recent advances pertaining to its optical properties and applications in the photonic and optoelectronic fields. From the perspective of mass production and practical use of BP, some of the research challenges and opportunities are discussed.
Effect of hangebyakujutsutemmato on pregabalin‐induced dizziness in a rat model of neuropathic pain
Authors: Watanabe Kunitaro , Moriyama Kumi , Tokumine Joho , Yorozu Tomoko 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTAimThis study investigated the efficacy of hangebyakujutsutemmato (HBT) in alleviating disturbances of equilibrium using a rat pregabalin model of neuropathic pain with dizziness. Pregabalin is effective for treating neuropathic pain, but some patients cannot tolerate continued treatment owing to dizziness resulting from pregabalin, especially shortly after beginning treatment. HBT is a Japanese kampo medicine that is used to treat dizziness.MethodsRats with chronic constriction injury of the sciatic nerve (Bennett and Xie model) underwent the beam balance test to evaluate their sense of equilibrium. The animals were divided into four groups, as follows: pregabalin (50 mg/kg) + HBT (1 g/kg; PH), n = 8; pregabalin (50 mg/kg; P), n = 8; HBT (1 g/kg; H), n = 8; and water (N), n = 8. Pregabalin and HBT treatments were initiated 9 days following injury.ResultsOn postoperative day 10 (POD10), the day after starting drug treatment, there was a significant difference in the crossing time between PH and P (P < 0.01). The crossing time in group P recovered to a level similar to the other groups on POD16.ConclusionHBT alleviated the disturbance of equilibrium resulting from pregabalin in a rat model of neuropathic pain. This suggests that HBT may also alleviate dizziness and/or accelerate recovery from dizziness due to pregabalin treatment in humans.
Using brain organoids to study human neurodevelopment, evolution and disease
Authors: Kyrousi Christina , Cappello Silvia 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe brain is one of the most complex organs, responsible for the advanced intellectual and cognitive ability of humans. Although primates are to some extent capable of performing cognitive tasks, their abilities are less evolved. One of the reasons for this is the vast differences in the brain of humans compared to other mammals, in terms of shape, size and complexity. Such differences make the study of human brain development fascinating. Interestingly, the cerebral cortex is by far the most complex brain region resulting from its selective evolution within mammals over millions of years. Unraveling the molecular and cellular mechanisms regulating brain development, as well as the evolutionary differences seen across species and the need to understand human brain disorders, are some of the reasons why scientists are interested in improving their current knowledge on human corticogenesis. Toward this end, several animal models including primates have been used, however, these models are limited in their extent to recapitulate human‐specific features. Recent technological achievements in the field of stem cell research, which have enabled the generation of human models of corticogenesis, called brain or cerebral organoids, are of great importance. This review focuses on the main cellular and molecular features of human corticogenesis and the use of brain organoids to study it. We will discuss the key differences between cortical development in human and nonhuman mammals, the technological applications of brain organoids and the different aspects of cortical development in normal and pathological conditions, which can be modeled using brain organoids.This article is categorized under:

Comparative Development and Evolution > Regulation of Organ Diversity
Nervous System Development > Vertebrates: General Principles