bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Euthanasia via CO2 inhalation causes premature cortical granule exocytosis in mouse oocytes and influences in vitro fertilization and embryo development
Authors: Wuri Liga , Agca Cansu , Agca Yuksel 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGeneration of high quality mouse metaphase II oocytes is an integral part for efficient in vitro fertilization (IVF), and subsequent embryo production for reproductive studies and genome banking. The main objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of various euthanasia methods on IVF, embryo development, and subcellular structures of MII mouse oocytes. Following superovulation regimen, female mice were euthanized by high flow CO2 (H CO2), low flow CO2 (L CO2), or cervical dislocation (CD). The MII oocytes obtained from these mice were evaluated for subcellular integrity by assessing their cortical granules and F‐actin. Furthermore, fertilization and subsequent embryonic development competence up to blastocyst stage were also evaluated in vitro. The oocytes collected from females euthanized by CD resulted in significantly higher two‐cell development rates (p = 0.028) and subsequently lead to in higher embryo development rates (p = 0.027) compared with oocytes from females euthanized by L CO2. The cortical granule integrity analysis revealed significantly higher rate of premature cortical granules exocytosis (PCGE) for L CO2 group compared with CD and H CO2 groups (p < 0.001). These data collectively suggest that CO2 associated PCGE during euthanasia procedure is the main cause of decreased IVF rates and CD is the optimal euthanasia method for the purpose of obtaining good quality MII oocytes for mouse IVF and other reproductive studies.
Ion channels and signaling pathways used in the fast polyspermy block
Authors: Wozniak Katherine L. , Carlson Anne E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractFertilization of an egg by multiple sperms, polyspermy, is lethal to most sexually reproducing species. To combat the entry of additional sperm into already fertilized eggs, organisms have developed various polyspermy blocks. One such barrier, the fast polyspermy block, uses a fertilization‐activated depolarization of the egg membrane to electrically inhibit supernumerary sperm from entering the egg. The fast block is commonly used by eggs of oviparous animals with external fertilization. In this review, we discuss the history of the fast block discovery, as well as general features shared by all organisms that use this polyspermy block. Given the diversity of habitats of external fertilizers, the fine details of the fast block‐signaling pathways differ drastically between species, including the identity of the depolarizing ions. We highlight the known molecular mediators of these signaling pathways in amphibians and echinoderms, with a fine focus on ion channels that signal these fertilization‐evoked depolarizations. We also discuss the investigation for a fast polyspermy block in mammals and teleost fish, and we outline potential fast block triggers. Since the first electrical recordings made on eggs in the 1950s, the fields of developmental biology and electrophysiology have substantially matured, and yet we are only now beginning to discern the intricate molecular mechanisms regulating the fast block to polyspermy.
Optimized and accelerated 19F‐MRI of inhaled perfluoropropane to assess regional pulmonary ventilation
Authors: Neal Mary A. , Pippard Benjamin J. , Hollingsworth Kieren G. , Maunder Adam , Dutta Prosenjit , Simpson A. John , Blamire Andrew M. , Wild James M. , Thelwall Peter E. 
Published: May 2019

PurposeTo accelerate 19F‐MR imaging of inhaled perfluoropropane using compressed sensing methods, and to optimize critical scan acquisition parameters for assessment of lung ventilation properties.MethodsSimulations were performed to determine optimal acquisition parameters for maximal perfluoropropane signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR) in human lungs for a spoiled gradient echo sequence. Optimized parameters were subsequently employed for 19F‐MRI of inhaled perfluoropropane in a cohort of 11 healthy participants using a 3.0 T scanner. The impact of 1.8×, 2.4×, and 3.0× undersampling ratios on 19F‐MRI acquisitions was evaluated, using both retrospective and prospective compressed sensing methods.Results3D spoiled gradient echo 19F‐MR ventilation images were acquired at 1‐cm isotropic resolution within a single breath hold. Mean SNR was 11.7 ± 4.1 for scans acquired within a single breath hold (duration = 18 s). Acquisition of 19F‐MRI scans at shorter scan durations (4.5 s) was also demonstrated as feasible. Application of both retrospective (n = 8) and prospective (n = 3) compressed sensing methods demonstrated that 1.8× acceleration had negligible impact on qualitative image appearance, with no statistically significant change in measured lung ventilated volume. Acceleration factors of 2.4× and 3.0× resulted in increasing differences between fully sampled and undersampled datasets.ConclusionThis study demonstrates methods for determining optimal acquisition parameters for 19F‐MRI of inhaled perfluoropropane and shows significant reduction in scan acquisition times (and thus participant breath hold duration) by use of compressed sensing.
Short echo time relaxation‐enhanced MR spectroscopy reveals broad downfield resonances
Authors: Gonçalves Sónia I. , Ligneul Clémence , Shemesh Noam 
Published: May 2019

PurposeMost MR spectroscopy (MRS) pulse sequences rely on broadband excitation with water saturation and typically focus on upfield signals. By contrast, the downfield spectrum, which contains many potentially useful resonances, is typically not targeted because conventional water‐suppressed techniques indirectly saturate the labile protons through exchange. Relaxation‐enhanced MRS (RE‐MRS) uses frequency‐selective excitation while actively avoiding bulk water perturbation, thereby enabling high‐quality downfield spectroscopy. However, RE‐MRS typically requires very long (typically >40 ms) echo times (TEs) due to its localization module, which inevitably decreases sensitivity and filters shorter T2 components. Here, we overcome this limitation by combining RE‐MRS and image selected in vivo spectroscopy (ISIS) localization, abbreviated iRE‐MRS, which in turn allows very short TEs (5 ms using our hardware).MethodsExperiments were performed in vitro for validation as well as and in in vivo rat brains at 9.4T.ResultsThe new iRE‐MRS methodology was validated in phantoms where good performance was noted. When the downfield spectrum was investigated at short TEs in in vivo rat brains, iRE‐MRS provided very high sensitivity; the ensuing downfield spectra encompassed numerous broad peaks, as well as a broad baseline. All downfield spectral peaks were highly attenuated by increasing TEs as well as by applying water saturation, although to different extent. The signal ratios also varied between TEs, suggesting that exchange rates are different among the downfield signals.ConclusionsShort‐TE iRE 1H downfield MRS opens new directions in the investigation of in vivo downfield metabolites and their role on healthy and disease processes.
Genetic Population Structure of White Grunt in the Southeastern United States
Authors: O'Donnell Timothy P. , Reichert Marcel J. M. , Darden Tanya L. 
Published: May 2019

Abstract
The White Grunt Haemulon plumierii is a reef-associated coastal fish species in the western Atlantic Ocean that occurs from the Chesapeake Bay south through the Gulf of Mexico and along the eastern coast of Brazil. In U.S. waters, there are recreational and commercial fisheries for White Grunt, but there are currently no size regulations in the recreational fishery and no size or trip regulations in the commercial fishery. A stock assessment for White Grunt is necessary prior to enacting any potential future regulations, and informed stock boundaries must first be delineated. Studies finding regional differences in genetic population structure and growth rates for White Grunt in the southeastern USA have resulted in uncertainty of stock definition. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the genetic population structure of White Grunt in the southeastern USA and the U.S. Virgin Islands using 10 microsatellite markers. Pairwise genetic distances, allele frequency distributions, principal coordinates analysis, and Bayesian clustering results indicated that White Grunt should be separated into four distinct populations among the regions sampled: the Carolinas (North Carolina and South Carolina); southeast Florida, including the Florida Keys (from Cape Canaveral to Key West); eastern Gulf of Mexico (western coast of Florida north of Key West); and the U.S. Caribbean. The genetic differentiation results presented here, along with regional growth studies, warrant the management of White Grunt as three separate stocks in the Atlantic Ocean bordering the continental USA: the Carolinas, southeast Florida and Florida Keys, and the eastern Gulf of Mexico, with at least one other separate stock in the Caribbean Sea.
Advances in pile integrity testing
Authors: Ertel Jens-Peter , Niederleithinger Ernst , Grohmann Maria 
Published: May 2019

ABSTRACTFor decades, the low‐strain impact integrity testing using a hammer blow is well established as a method of quality assurance for various pile types. However, this method has its limitations. Our research and development focuses on improving the excitation signal using a shaker system in contrast to the standard hammer method. Another approach is to increase the amount of sensors used during testing. The purpose is to identify the direction of wave propagation that gives advantages under difficult conditions, such as piles below structures.Pile integrity testing using a shaker system was performed on two 11‐m‐long piles of 90 cm in diameter. While one pile was intact, the other one showed a flaw at approximately 3.5 m below pile top, which was confirmed by standard pile integrity testing in 2012. A logarithmic sweep between 500 Hz and 1 KHz of 0.1 s was used as the input signal, being vertically injected into the pile. Prior to that, simulations on similar pile geometries showed that the depth of the pile toe as well as flaws within the pile can be extracted by applying regularised deconvolution. The result is the impulse response in the time domain.The application of deconvolution on the measured signals shows that it is possible to identify the pile length, but it is more difficult to clearly extract the flaw’s position in the pile. Additional digital signal processing techniques and the improvement of the regularised deconvolution method and the experimental setup need to be investigated.Another way to improve the pile integrity testing method is to use a multi‐channel sensor arrangement. By arranging several accelerometers vertically along the accessible part of the pile shaft, it is possible to distinguish between downward and upward travelling waves. Furthermore, it is possible to estimate the unknown wave speed, which gives the possibility of more accurate pile length calculations. The method was evaluated successfully during a measurement campaign of a slab foundation with subjacent piles. In 20 of 28 cases, the pile length could be detected accurately.
Transitional care practices, services, and delivery in childhood cancer survivor programs: A survey study of U.S. survivorship providers
Authors: Sadak Karim Thomas , Szalda Dava , Lindgren Bruce R. , Kinahan Karen E. , Eshelman‐Kent Debra , Schwartz Lisa A. , Henderson Tara , Freyer David R. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractPurposeThere are limited reports describing transition of young adult childhood cancer survivors (CCS) from pediatric to adult‐focused survivorship care. The purpose of this study was to characterize current transitional care practices in the United States.Project DescriptionAn online survey was sent to one preselected respondent at 163 Children's Oncology Group member institutions in the United States. Data were collected about (i) the availability and type of long‐term follow‐up services for adult CCS and (ii) policies and procedures for transitioning. Logistic regression was used to evaluate factors related to care for CCS.ResultsThe response rate was 60% (97/163). Eighty‐one respondents (84%) represented centers with specialized pediatric‐focused CCS programs. Thirty‐nine percent (38/97) of programs delivered specialized transitional care for adult CCS. Adult‐centered care was delivered in both pediatric (39%, 15/38) and adult oncology clinics (39%, 15/38). The most common perceived transition barriers were lack of available partnering adult providers and adult providers’ lack of knowledge regarding CCS. The larger the program in terms of new diagnoses, the more likely they were to offer formal transitional care (<50 vs >200: odds ratios [OR] 20.0; 95% CI 3.2, 100.0, P = 0.004).ConclusionsA variety of models are utilized for delivering care to adult CCS. Our results suggest that interventions to establish effective partnerships with adult providers on appropriate care of CCS may facilitate expanded availability of these services.
The Role of p38 MAPK in Triacylglycerol Accumulation during Apoptosis
Authors: Li Nasi , Saitou Marie , Atilla‐Gokcumen Gunes Ekin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractLipids are emerging as key regulators of apoptosis. Specific lipid species are associated with apoptosis with important functional roles, but the understanding of the regulation of these lipid species is still limited. It has been previously shown by our laboratory that polyunsaturated triacylglycerols accumulate and get stored within lipid droplets during apoptosis via activated glycerolipid biosynthesis. In this work, the biochemical mechanisms that result in the activation of glycerolipid biosynthesis and, consequently, triacylglycerol and lipid droplet accumulation during apoptosis are investigated. The transcriptomes of control and apoptotic HCT‐116 cells are compared and gene enrichment analysis revealed the upregulation of p38 mitogen‐activated protein kinase (MAPK). It is shown that p38 MAPK regulates triacylglycerol biosynthesis through diacylglycerol acyltransferase1 during apoptosis. Perilipin 2 and cytosolic phospholipase A2delta are also shown to be involved in lipid droplet and polyunsaturated triacylglycerol accumulation in this process. Overall, the results provide new insights into the upregulation of glycerolipid synthesis during apoptosis.
Exploring emotion regulation as a mediator of the relationship between resilience and distress in cancer
Authors: Vaughan Emma , Koczwara Bogda , Kemp Emma , Freytag Corinna , Tan Wilson , Beatty Lisa 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesDistress in patients with cancer is a significant problem that affects up to 32% of patients. Yet research indicates that 35% of cancer patients do maintain high levels of well‐being. Resilience is one psychological factor implicated as being protective against distress; however, the mechanisms for this relationship are currently unknown. The present study aimed to explore emotion regulation as a potential mediator of the relationship between resilience and distress.MethodsA cross‐sectional survey examining emotional regulation, resilience, and distress was completed by 227 patients from two hospitals with heterogeneous cancer types. Measures included the Difficulties in Emotion Regulation Scale (DERS), the Connor Davidson Resilience Scale, and the Depression, Anxiety, Stress Scale.ResultsDifficulties in emotion regulation and resilience explained 33.2% of the variance in distress. Resilience had a significant direct effect on distress, accounting for 15.8% of the variance. However, this effect was no longer significant when difficulties in emotion regulation were controlled for. The indirect effect through difficulties in emotion regulation was significant, b = 0.009, 95% CI [−0.013,−0.007], suggesting that the effect of resilience on distress was fully mediated by emotion regulation. Parallel mediation analyses also examined the differential effects of the six DERS subscales on the relationship between resilience and distress.ConclusionThese findings suggest that emotion regulation is an important mediator of resilience in cancer. Hence, in patients with cancer, difficulties in emotion regulation (and the DERS specifically) might be a useful focus for screening for patients at risk of distress.
Critically Reviewing GraphoGame Across the World: Recommendations and Cautions for Research and Implementation of Computer‐Assisted Instruction for Word‐Reading Acquisition
Authors: McTigue Erin M. , Solheim Oddny Judith , Zimmer Wendi K. , Uppstad Per Henning 
Published: May 2019

AbstractOverall, game‐based technology for early reading instruction has not robustly met the learning potentials of young readers. To better understand the effects and limitations of computer‐assisted instruction in classrooms, researchers have called for more critical attention to learning theory, methodological selection, and context for learning. GraphoGame (GG), an adaptive serious game designed to prevent reading difficulties through the promotion of sound–symbol connections, has been implemented in over 20 countries. Therefore, the GG research base provides an opportunity to synthesize research on a single computer‐assisted instruction across diverse contexts. Surprisingly, despite extensive use and further implementation plans, no review has yet synthesized GG's effects. Specifically, this systematic literature review, with an embedded meta‐analysis, synthesized 28 empirical studies for theory, methodological quality, and outcomes. The GG research base was dominated by theories of reading disabilities and psycholinguistics. Methodologically, quantitative methods, focusing on phonological and decoding outcome measures only, were most common. The meta‐analysis (n = 19), measuring GG's impact on word‐reading outcomes, did not yield an overall meaningful effect size (g = −0.02). However, among moderators (language complexity, duration of intervention, and adult interaction), adult interaction was significant, favoring implementation contexts with high levels of adult interaction. Specifically, studies with high adult interaction produced an average positive effect size (g = 0.48), which suggests implications for classroom use. Regarding future research, the authors recommend stronger clarity of theory, attention to learning context, and a more purposeful collection of process data, which can be obtained through greater plurality of methodology.
Developing a project sustainability index for sustainable development in transnational public–private partnership projects
Authors: Chen Chuan , Yu Yao , Osei‐Kyei Robert , Chan Albert Ping Chuen , Xu Jing 
Published: May 2019

AbstractDuring the last couple of years, sustainability has become topical in transnational public–private partnership (TPPP) projects primarily because of the enormous impact TPPP projects have on the environment, economic, and well‐being of people. This paper aims to develop a model that could be used to evaluate the sustainability levels of TPPP projects. The proposed model consists of four categories of social responsibility factors; these include economic, environment, social, and people‐oriented factors. Of the four categories, social factors obtained the highest coefficient (i.e., 0.255) in the TPPP sustainability index equation. The substantive model will enable practitioners to quantify the sustainability levels of TPPP projects prior to their implementations. Moreover, the outputs of this study inform private investors of the key areas to focus on to enhance sustainable development through TPPP project implementations.
Electrochemical Sensors and Biosensors Based on Graphene Functionalized with Metal Oxide Nanostructures for Healthcare Applications
Authors: Kumar Sudesh , Bukkitgar Shikandar D. , Singh Supriya , Pratibha  , Singh Vanshika , Reddy Kakarla Raghava , Shetti Nagaraj P. , Venkata Reddy Ch. , Sadhu Veera , Naveen S. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractGraphene has attracted wide consideration in recent years to the assembly of sensitive sensors and biosensors due to its unique and remarkable physical and electrochemical properties. Moreover, graphene, as an essential two‐dimensional carbon material with remarkably high quartz and electronic superiority, has also received significant research attention. This review presents the different synthesis techniques of graphene; graphene functionalized based electrochemical sensors and biosensors for various health care appellations. Further, were discussed on the basis of enhanced catalytic activity, improved detection limit in conjunction with sensitivity, and selectivity. Synergistic action of graphene and metal oxide nanostructure has contributed towards high activity as a biosensing material. The results with different sensors and biosensors for the detection of significant biomarkers such as protein sensor, electrochemical immune sensor, phytochrome sensor, cholesterol biosensor glucose, hydrogen peroxide, and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide detection sensor etc., and highlighted the use of graphene and functionalized graphene in different sensing platforms. Finally, the challenges related to less aggregated graphene‐based electrochemical sensors and biosensors as well as future research directions are discussed.
Total Synthesis of (3R, 4 S)‐4‐Hydroxylasiodiplodin via Ring Closing Metathesis Protocol
Authors: Reddy Julakanti Satyanarayana , Manimala Patel , Gangababu Marri , Rammohan Aluru , Yadav Jillu Singh 
Published: May 2019

AbstractTotal synthesis of (3R, 4 S)‐4‐Hydroxylasiodiplodin has been accomplished through convergent strategy using D‐isoascorbic acid and trihydroxybenzoic acid as the starting materials in an optimal reaction sequence. The salient features of the synthesis are the utilization of Stille coupling, trans‐esterification and Ring‐Closing Metathesis (RCM).
ICT‐Based Blue‐Emitting Dual‐Functional Probe (Ugi EML BLUE) for Bio‐Imaging and Cytotoxic Activities on HeLa Cells
Authors: Puthumana Shyam Shankar Eramangalam , Damodaran Bahulayan 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAn Intramolecular Charge Transfer (ICT) based blue emitting fluorescent probe (Ugi EML BLUE) has been developed and its binding properties against human CDK2 protein have been studied via docking methods. The docking studies showed that, Ugi EML BLUE can effectively interact with the ATP binding sites of CDK2. The positive results obtained from the docking studies have been extended to the bio‐imaging as well as antineoplastic applications in HeLa cells. The in vitro biological activity studies revealed the remarkable potential of Ugi EML BLUE as a dual‐functional molecule that can be used not only as a CDK2‐targeted fluorescent probe for bio‐imaging (λabs 338 nm, λems 443 nm) but also as a CDK2 targeted inhibitor for HeLa cells (IC 50: 0.5 μg/mL). At the sub cellular level, Ugi EML BLUE can selectively interact with the ATP binding sites of the activated CDK 2 to arrest the transfer of phosphate groups from its bound ATP to the serine and threonine residues of the target substrates involved in DNA transcription and replication initiated at the G1 cell cycle phase and which will lead to the inhibition of tumor growth.