bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cyp2a5 Promoter‐based Gene Reporter Assay: A Novel Design of Cell‐based Bioassay for Toxicity Prediction
Authors: Abu‐Bakar A'edah , Hu Hao , Lang Matti A. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe murine cytochrome P450 2a5 (Cyp2a5) gene is regulated by complex interactions of various stress‐activated transcription factors (TFs). Elevated Cyp2a5 transcription under chemical‐induced stress conditions is achieved by interplay between the various TFs – including as aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and nuclear factor (erythroid‐derived 2)‐like 2 wild‐type (Nrf2) – at the ‘stress‐responding’ cluster of response elements on the Cyp2a5 promoter, as well as through mRNA stabilization mediated by interaction of the stress‐activated heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A1 (hnRNP A1) with the 3′‐UTR of the CYP2A5 mRNA. We designed a unique toxicity pathway‐based reporter assay to include regulatory regions from both the 5′ and the 3′ untranslated regions of Cyp2a5 in a luciferase reporter plasmid to reflect in vivo responses to chemical insult. Human breast cancer MCF‐7 cells were stably transfected with pGL4.38‐Cyp2a5_Wt3k (wild‐type) or mutant – pGL4.38‐Cyp2a5_StREMut and pGL4.38‐Cyp2a5_XREMut – reporter gene to monitor chemical‐induced cellular response mediated by AhR and Nrf2 signalling. The recombinant cells were treated with representative of AhR agonist, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, brominated flame retardant, fluorosurfactant, aromatic organic compound and metal, to determine the sensitivity of the Cyp2a5 promoter‐based gene reporter assays to chemical insults by measuring the LC50 and EC50 of the respective chemicals. The three assays are sensitive to sublethal cellular responses of chemicals, which is an ideal feature for toxicity pathway‐based bioassay for toxicity prediction. The wild‐type reporter responded well to chemicals that activate crosstalk between the AhR and Nrf2, whilst the mutant reporters effectively gauge cellular response driven by either Nrf2/StRE or AhR/XRE signalling. Thus, the three gene reporter assays could be used tandemly to determine the predominant toxicity pathway of a given compound.
Iatrogenic Botulism Outbreak in Egypt due to a Counterfeit Botulinum Toxin A Preparation – A Descriptive Series of Patient Features and Outcome
Authors: Rashid Eman Abdel Monaem Abdel , El‐Mahdy Nashwa Mohamed , Kharoub Huda Shehata , Gouda Ahmed Salah , ElNabarawy Naglaa Ahmed , Mégarbane Bruno 
Published: May 2018

AbstractIatrogenic botulism resulting from the substantial increase in use of botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT‐A) treatment is rarely reported. We aimed to describe a large iatrogenic botulism outbreak in Egypt in June–July 2017. Nine patients developed botulism after receiving intramuscular injections of BoNT‐A (dose: 200–300 IU) to treat cerebral palsy (N = 7), spastic dystonia (N = 1) and hyperhidrosis (N = 1). Detailed findings were available in five of nine cases. Patients were admitted to the hospital 5‐10 days after the BoNT‐A injection. Complaints included muscle weakness in the upper and lower limbs (N = 5), dysphagia (N = 5), dizziness (N = 2), dyspnoea (N = 2), dysphonia (N = 2), dysarthria (N = 2), fatigue (N = 1), diplopia (N = 1) and blurred vision (N = 1). Physical examination showed bilateral ptosis (N = 5), diminished gag reflex (N = 2), ophthalmoparesis (N = 1), facial paresis (N = 1) and tongue weakness (N = 1). Diagnosis was based on the patients' history and presentation and did not require any confirmatory test. On hospital admission, patients received supportive care and trivalent botulism type A/B/E antitoxin (250–500 IU) was started. No patient required mechanical ventilation. Immediate reversal of the most severe features was observed while varying degrees of peripheral muscular weakness persisted. Full recovery required 6–12 weeks. Cases were promptly reported to the Egyptian health authorities, and epidemiological investigations revealed that the outbreak was related to a recently imported highly concentrated unlicensed BoNT‐A preparation sold as Neuroxin®. Immediate withdrawal from the market was ordered. In conclusion, iatrogenic botulism outbreak due to counterfeit botulism toxin may result in life‐threatening features. The early administration of botulism antitoxin in addition to supportive care is life‐saving. Clinicians should remain mindful of the risk of systemic botulism with BoNT‐A therapy.
Housing the Contingent Life Course: Domestic Aspiration and Extreme Poverty in Peruvian Shantytowns
Authors: Skrabut Kristin 
Published: May 2018

AbstractPeru's urban peripheries have long been shaped by the intertwining of urban development policies with Peruvians' domestic aspirations. Since the 1960s, different formulations of progressive and self‐help housing policies have relied on and reproduced a domestic life course model in which Peruvians' inexorable progress through the “domestic cycle” is mirrored in the steady transformation of their precarious, unconsolidated shantytown homes into “noble” (modern; concrete) constructions in fully urbanized neighborhoods. While shantytowns partially reflect this predictable life course temporality, they are also shaped by future imaginings and contingent time. People use shantytowns to fulfill ideals of adulthood, autonomy, and success, but also to hedge their bets, retreating from some relations while striving to forge new ones. Drawing on twenty‐one months of fieldwork in Peruvian shantytowns, this article examines informal urban development from a contingent life course perspective to demonstrate how Peru's urban peripheries are embedded in and shaped by Peruvians' efforts to pursue domestic life projects while managing fluctuating kin relations and preparing for uncertain futures.
Long‐term high‐intensity sound stimulation inhibits h current (Ih) in CA1 pyramidal neurons
Authors: Cunha Alexandra Olimpio Siqueira , Ceballos Cesar Celis , de Deus Junia Lara , Leão Ricardo Maurício 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAfferent neurotransmission to hippocampal pyramidal cells can lead to long‐term changes to their intrinsic membrane properties and affect many ion currents. One of the most plastic neuronal currents is the hyperpolarization‐activated cationic current (Ih), which changes in CA1 pyramidal cells in response to many types of physiological and pathological processes, including auditory stimulation. Recently, we demonstrated that long‐term potentiation (LTP) in rat hippocampal Schaffer‐CA1 synapses is depressed by high‐intensity sound stimulation. Here, we investigated whether a long‐term high‐intensity sound stimulation could affect intrinsic membrane properties of rat CA1 pyramidal neurons. Our results showed that Ih is depressed by long‐term high‐intensity sound exposure (1 min of 110 dB sound, applied two times per day for 10 days). This resulted in a decreased resting membrane potential, increased membrane input resistance and time constant, and decreased action potential threshold. In addition, CA1 pyramidal neurons from sound‐exposed animals fired more action potentials than neurons from control animals; however, this effect was not caused by a decreased Ih. On the other hand, a single episode (1 min) of 110 dB sound stimulation which also inhibits hippocampal LTP did not affect Ih and firing in pyramidal neurons, suggesting that effects on Ih are long‐term responses to high‐intensity sound exposure. Our results show that prolonged exposure to high‐intensity sound affects intrinsic membrane properties of hippocampal pyramidal neurons, mainly by decreasing the amplitude of Ih.
Methodologies for Investigating and Interpreting Student–Teacher Rating Incongruence in Noncognitive Assessment
Authors: Flake Jessica Kay , Petway Kevin Terrance 
Published: May 2018

AbstractNumerous studies merely note divergence in students’ and teachers’ ratings of student noncognitive constructs. However, given the increased attention and use of these constructs in educational research and practice, an in‐depth study focused on this issue was needed. Using a variety of quantitative methodologies, we thoroughly investigate student–teacher in congruence with two commonly assessed noncognitive constructs: intrinsic motivation and time management. We present ways to describe, visualize, and predict differences between student and teacher ratings and discuss implications for interpretation. We show how descriptive and predictive analyses that consider the nesting of students within teachers expand our understanding of the incongruence. We demonstrate the importance of considering ancillary variables in predictive analysis, and latent variable methods for comparing measurement models. We found that student and teacher factors exhibited only small‐to‐moderate correlations, reinforcing the need for more measurement research in this area. Further, we report that teachers tended to rate students more favorably than students rate themselves, and teachers’ ratings were more related to student performance. We discuss how these methodologies can be used to better understand the incongruence between students and teachers and how they can be incorporated into construct validation studies.
Comparison of using the crack mouth displacement (CMOD) and load line displacement (LLD) methods in the determination of critical J integral in SENB specimens
Authors: Moore Philippa , Pargeter Alex 
Published: May 2018

AbstractVarious methods for direct and indirect determination of LLD and CMOD were used to determine J from SENB specimens in three different steels. The influence of the displacement measurement on J is discussed, and shows that the values of J using LLD determined from clip gauge methods to the ASTM E1820 or ISO 12135 standards are consistent with values of J determined from CMOD (either directly or using clip gauge methods), as defined in ASTM E1820. From this work it is recommended that standard methods such as ISO 12135 should permit load‐CMOD and load‐LLD as alternative methods to determine J. Methods to determine LLD by corrections to the ram displacement were also shown to be effective in determining J, for applications where the use of clip gauges may be challenging, such as fracture toughness testing in sour environments, dynamic tests, or testing at very high temperature.
Destination China: International Students in Chengdu
Authors: Lu Zheng , Li Wei , Li Mingming , Chen Yixuan 
Published: May 2018

AbstractBased on a survey of 355 international students studying at seven universities in Chengdu, China, this article analyses the reasons for their choosing to study in China. The main methods employed are factor analysis and associated nonparametric tests. Results reveal that the quality of Chinese education and Chinese specialities are the most important reasons. In addition, personal referral sources, tuition and living costs, bilateral relations between China and home countries, and policy incentives at the destination, are also important. There are differences between students from developing and developed countries. Students from developing countries placed more emphasis on the quality of Chinese education, suggestions from relatives/friends, and geographic proximity. Those from developed countries referred more frequently to costs and policy incentives. Students who chose courses focusing on Chinese culture, society and language tended to be attracted by human interest, while students who chose courses on other subjects paid more attention to the quality and content of the teaching.
Periodontal regeneration via chemoattractive constructs
Authors: Cai Xinjie , Yang Fang , Walboomers X. Frank , Wang Yining , Jansen John A. , van den Beucken Jeroen J. J. P. , Plachokova Adelina S. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractAimChemoattractants, such as stromal cell‐derived factor‐1α (SDF‐1α), can offer an advantage for periodontal regeneration by recruiting the patient’s own stem cells to stimulate self‐repair. We here developed a chemoattractive construct for periodontal regeneration using SDF‐1α and evaluated its efficacy in vivo.Materials and MethodsSDF‐1α was loaded on gelatin sponge and tested in vitro for SDF‐1α release. Subsequently, SDF‐1α constructs were implanted into rat periodontal defects for 1 and 6 weeks, with unloaded materials and empty defects as controls. The regenerative efficacy was evaluated by micro‐CT, histological and histomorphometrical analyses.ResultsIn vitro results showed limited SDF‐1α release up to 35 days. In contrast, SDF‐1α constructs significantly improved periodontal defect regeneration in terms of alveolar bone height, new bone area and functional ligament length. Additionally, SDF‐1α constructs decreased the inflammatory response at Week 6.ConclusionChemoattractive constructs significantly improved periodontal regeneration in terms of alveolar bone height, new bone area and functional ligament length.
PRICE DISCOVERY OF INTERNATIONALLY CROSS‐LISTED STOCKS DURING THE 2008 FINANCIAL CRISIS
Authors: Lockwood Jimmy , Lockwood Larry , Lau Sie Ting 
Published: May 2018

AbstractStudies of cross‐listings show home markets dominate price discovery and point to informational advantages of local investors. However, we show price discovery gravitates to markets with better order execution quality and find home markets do not dominate price discovery. Instead, price discovery is more evenly split, especially for emerging markets. Order execution quality determines the dominant market as price discovery shifts 22% when order execution advantages reverse between home and foreign markets. Thus, markets with poor execution quality act more as satellite markets, adjust to more liquid markets, and play a diminished role in the pricing of cross‐listed stocks.
Arabidopsis small ubiquitin‐related modifier protease ASP1 positively regulates abscisic acid signaling during early seedling development
Authors: Wang Qiongli , Qu Gao‐Ping , Kong Xiangxiong , Yan Yan , Li Jigang , Jin Jing Bo 
Published: May 2018

AbstractThe small ubiquitin‐related modifier (SUMO) modification plays an important role in the regulation of abscisic acid (ABA) signaling, but the function of the SUMO protease, in ABA signaling, remains largely unknown. Here, we show that the SUMO protease, ASP1 positively regulates ABA signaling. Mutations in ASP1 resulted in an ABA‐insensitive phenotype, during early seedling development. Wild‐type ASP1 successfully rescued, whereas an ASP1 mutant (C577S), defective in SUMO protease activity, failed to rescue, the ABA‐insensitive phenotype of asp1‐1. Expression of ABI5 and MYB30 target genes was attenuated in asp1‐1 and our genetic analyses revealed that ASP1 may function upstream of ABI5 and MYB30. Interestingly, ASP1 accumulated upon ABA treatment, and ABA‐induced accumulation of ABI5 (a positive regulator of ABA signaling) was abolished, whereas ABA‐induced accumulation of MYB30 (a negative regulator of ABA signaling) was increased in asp1‐1. These findings support the hypothesis that increased levels of ASP1, upon ABA treatment, tilt the balance between ABI5 and MYB30 towards ABI5‐mediated ABA signaling.
Risk profile of young people admitted to hospital for suicidal behaviour in Melbourne, Australia
Authors: Borschmann Rohan , Stark Patrick , Prakash Chidambaram , Sawyer Susan M 
Published: May 2018

AimSelf‐harm and suicidal behaviour is most prevalent during adolescence, but little is known about the risk profile of adolescents admitted to hospital for suicidal behaviour. Young people who self‐harm are at an increased risk of mortality compared to those who do not self‐harm; adolescents admitted to hospital for suicidal behaviour are particularly at risk. The aim of this study was to generate a risk profile of adolescents admitted to hospital with suicidal behaviour.MethodsWe conducted a 12‐month retrospective audit of adolescent admissions to the mental health inpatient unit at a tertiary children's hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Routinely collected data were used to generate a risk profile.ResultsWe found that 212 of 271 (78.2%) admissions were due to suicidal behaviour. Of these, 107 (51%) adolescents were diagnosed with one or more mental disorders at discharge, most commonly major depressive disorder. Beyond known distal determinants of health risk, the proximal risk profile of these adolescents included factors relating to gender, substance use, prior mental health diagnoses and prior admission to hospital. Poor sleep was also a risk factor, with 159 (75%) reporting a recent history of sleeping problems.ConclusionsThe very high proportion of admissions to the mental health inpatient unit due to suicidal behaviour reinforces the importance of finding effective methods of identification of the risk processes underpinning suicidal behaviours to reduce the unnecessary waste of young lives by suicide.
Associations of mental health with cardiovascular risk phenotypes and adiposity in adolescence: A cross‐sectional community‐based study
Authors: Lycett Kate , McNamara Clare , Mensah Fiona K , Burgner David , Kerr Jessica A , Muller Josh , Wake Melissa 
Published: May 2018

AimCardiovascular disease and mental illness commonly co‐occur in later life, but it is unknown how early these associations arise. We aimed to determine the extent to which: (i) childhood mental health is associated with functional and structural cardiovascular risk phenotypes and adiposity in late childhood/adolescence, and (ii) associations between mental health and cardiovascular phenotypes may be explained by differential body mass index.MethodsThis cross‐sectional study drew on three longitudinal community‐based cohort studies (two enriched for overweight/obesity) in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, with harmonized follow‐up in 2014. Mental health exposures included emotional and behavioural problems (Strength and Difficulties Questionnaire) and psychosocial health and general well‐being (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL)), which were assessed by self‐ and parent‐proxy report. Cardiovascular risk phenotypes and adiposity measures included mean arterial pressure, pulse wave velocity, carotid artery intima‐media thickness, retinal arterioleto‐venule ratio, waist circumference, % body fat, and BMI z‐score. We used multivariable linear regression models, adjusting for age, sex and neighbourhood disadvantage, to examine associations.ResultsOf the 364 participants (mean age 14.7, standard deviation 2.0, years), 30% were overweight and 16% obese. All adiposity indicators were positively associated with higher behavioural/emotional problems and poorer psychosocial health and negatively associated with better ratings of positive general well‐being, as reported by parents and children (all P ≤ 0.03). However, there was little evidence that cardiovascular functional or structural phenotypes varied by mental health.ConclusionsBy late childhood/adolescence, mental health is strongly associated with adiposity but not with cardiovascular structure or function. This suggests that the known relationship between these constructs may not develop until early or mid‐adulthood.
Hepatitis E virus in South America: The current scenario
Authors: Pisano María B. , Martinez‐Wassaf Maribel G. , Mirazo Santiago , Fantilli Anabella , Arbiza Juan , Debes José D. , Ré Viviana E. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractHepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the most frequent causes of acute viral hepatitis of enteric transmission worldwide. In South America the overall epidemiology has been little studied, and the burden of the disease remains largely unknown. A research of all scientific articles about HEV circulation in South America until November 2017 was carried out. Human seroprevalences of HEV varied according to the studied population: blood donors presented prevalence rates ranging from 1.8% to 9.8%, while reports from HIV‐infected individuals, transplant recipients and patients on hemodialysis showed higher prevalence rates. Only 2 cases of chronic hepatitis in solid‐organ transplant patients from Argentina and Brazil have been described. Detection of HEV in the swine population is widely prevalent in the region. Anti‐HEV antibodies have also been recently documented in wild boars from Uruguay. Although scarce, studies focused on environmental and food HEV detection have shown viral presence in these kind of samples, highlighting possible transmission sources of HEV in the continent. HEV genotype 3 was the most frequently detected in the region, with HEV genotype 1 detected only in Venezuela and Uruguay. HEV is widely distributed throughout South America, producing sporadic cases of acute hepatitis, but as a possible agent of chronic hepatitis. Finding the virus in humans, animals, environmental samples and food, show that it can be transmitted through many sources, alerting local governments and health systems to improve diagnosis and for the implementation of preventive measures.
Linking seed germination and plant height: a case study of a wetland community on the eastern Tibet Plateau
Authors: Liu K. , Cao S. , Du G. , Baskin J. M. , Baskin C. C. , Bu H. , Qi W. , Ting L. 
Published: May 2018

AbstractSeed germination is the earliest trait expressed in a plant's life history, and it can directly affect the expression of post‐germination traits. Plant height is central to plant ecological strategies, because it is a major determinant of the ability of a species to compete for light. Thus, linking seed germination and plant height at the community level is very important to understanding plant fitness and community structure.Here, we tested storage condition and temperature requirements for germination of 31 species from a wetland plant community on the eastern Tibet Plateau and analysed correlation of germination traits with plant height in relation to storage condition.Germination percentage was positively related to plant height, and this relationship disappeared when seeds were incubated at a low temperature (i.e. 5 °C) or after they were stored under wet‐cold conditions. The response of seeds to dry+wet–cold storage was negatively related to plant height. Based on the scores of each species on the first two principal components derived fromPCA, species were classified into two categories by hierarchical clustering, and there was a significant difference between germination and plant height of species in these two categories.These results suggest that the requirements for seed germination together with seasonal change in environmental conditions determine the window for germination and, in turn, plant growth season and resource utilisation and ultimately plant height.
Rare labial ulcer related to the use of all‐trans retinoic acid in a patient with acute promyelocytic leukemia
Authors: Buligon MP , Mielke JC , Chiesa J , Ferrazzo KL 
Published: May 2018

ABSTRACTAcute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) is a subtype of acute myeloid leukemia (AML). All‐trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is the first‐choice therapy for the treatment of this disease, but has been associated with side effects, the most serious of which is retinoic acid syndrome (RAS). RAS is characterized by unexplained fever, dyspnea, pulmonary infiltrate, leukocytosis and nephropathy. Genital ulcers have been described in some cases, but only two cases of oral ulcers related to this syndrome have been described in the literature. This paper describes the third case of oral ulceration related to ATRA in a 32‐year‐old white man with diagnosis of APL. Clinicians should know the side effects of ATRA and identify oral ulcers resulting from this therapy. The prompt identification of these ulcers enables the institution of appropriate treatment and can therefore contribute to continuation of the patient's cancer treatment.