bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Methane Emissions From the Baltimore‐Washington Area Based on Airborne Observations: Comparison to Emissions Inventories
Authors: Ren Xinrong , Salmon Olivia E. , Hansford Jonathan R. , Ahn Doyeon , Hall Dolly , Benish Sarah E. , Stratton Phillip R. , He Hao , Sahu Sayantan , Grimes Courtney , Heimburger Alexie M. F. , Martin Cory R. , Cohen Mark D. , Stunder Barbara , Salawitch Ross J. , Ehrman Sheryl H. , Shepson Paul B. , Dickerson Russell R. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractUrban areas are responsible for a substantial fraction of anthropogenic emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) including methane (CH4), with the second largest anthropogenic direct radiative forcing relative to carbon dioxide (CO2). Quantification of urban CH4 emissions is important for establishing GHG mitigation policies. Comparison of observation‐based and inventory‐based urban CH4 emissions suggests possible improvements in estimating CH4 source emissions in urban environments. In this study, we quantify CH4 emissions from the Baltimore‐Washington area based on the mass balance aircraft flight experiments conducted in Winters 2015 and 2016. The field measurement‐based mean winter CH4 emission rates from this area were 8.66 ± 4.17 kg/s in 2015 and 9.14 ± 4.49 kg/s in 2016, which are 2.8 times the 2012 average U.S. GHG Inventory‐based emission rate. The observed emission rate is 1.7 times that given in a population‐apportioned state of Maryland inventory. Methane emission rates inferred from carbon monoxide (CO) and CO2 emission inventories and observed CH4/CO and CH4/CO2 enhancement ratios are similar to those from the mass balance approach. The observed ethane‐to‐methane ratios, with a mean value of 3.3% in Winter 2015 and 4.3% in Winter 2016, indicate that the urban natural gas system could be responsible for ~40–60% of total CH4 emissions from this area. Landfills also appear to be a major contributor, providing 25 ± 15% of the total emissions for the region. Our study suggests there are grounds to reexamine the CH4 emissions estimates for the Baltimore‐Washington area and to conduct flights in other seasons.
Human embryonic stem cell-derived retinal pigment epithelium transplants as a potential treatment for wet age-related macular degeneration
Authors: Liu Yong , Xu Hai Wei , Wang Lei , Li Shi Ying , Zhao Cong Jian , Hao Jie , Li Qi You , Zhao Tong Tao , Wu Wei , Wang Yi , Zhou Qi , Qian Cheng , Wang Liu , Yin Zheng Qin 
Published: August 2018

AbstractStem cell therapy may provide a safe and promising treatment for retinal diseases. Wet age-related macular degeneration (wet-AMD) is a leading cause of blindness in China. We developed a clinical-grade human embryonic stem cell (hESC) line, Q-CTS-hESC-2, under xeno-free conditions that differentiated into retinal pigment epithelial cells (Q-CTS-hESC-2-RPE). A clinical trial with three wet-AMD patients was initiated in order to study the safety and tolerance to Q-CTS-hESC-2-RPE cell transplants. The choroidal neovascularization membrane was removed and then a suspension of 1 × 106 Q-CTS-hESC-2-RPE cells were injected into a subfoveal pocket. The patients were followed for 12 months during which no adverse effects resulting from the transplant were observed. Anatomical evidence suggested the existence of new RPE-like cell layer in the previously damaged area. Visual and physiological testing indicated limited functional improvement, albeit to different degrees between patients. This study provides some promising early results concerning the use of transplanted hESC-RPE cells to alleviate wet-AMD.
Activation of mineralocorticoid receptor by ecdysone, an adaptogenic and anabolic ecdysteroid, promotes glomerular injury and proteinuria involving overactive GSK3β pathway signaling
Authors: Lu Minglei , Wang Pei , Ge Yan , Dworkin Lance , Brem Andrew , Liu Zhangsuo , Gong Rujun 
Published: August 2018

AbstractEcdysone is an arthropod molting hormone and has been marketed as a non-androgenic natural anabolic and adaptogen. However, the safety profile of ecdysone is largely undetermined. After ecdysone treatment for 2 weeks, mice developed albuminuria with histologic signs of glomerular injury, including hypertrophy, mesangial expansion, mild glomerulosclerosis and podocyte injury. A direct glomerulopathic activity of ecdysone seems to contribute, since addition of ecdysone to cultured glomerular cells induced cytopathic changes, including apoptosis, activation of mesangial cells, podocyte shape changes and a decreased expression of podocyte markers. To explore the molecular target responsible for the pathogenic actions, we employed an in silico modeling system of compound-protein interaction and identified mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) as one of the top-ranking proteins with putative interactions with ecdysone. The molecular structure of ecdysone was highly homologous to mineralocorticoids, like aldosterone. Moreover, ecdysone was capable of both inducing and activating MR, as evidenced by MR nuclear accumulation in glomerular cells both in vitro and in vivo following ecdysone treatment. Mechanistically, glycogen synthase kinase (GSK) 3β, which has been recently implicated in pathogenesis of glomerular injury and proteinuria, was hyperactivated in glomeruli in ecdysone-treated mice, concomitant with diverse glomerulopathic changes. In contrast, spironolactone, a selective blockade of MR, largely abolished the cytopathic effect of ecdysone in vitro and attenuated albuminuria and glomerular lesions in ecdysone treated mice, associated with a mitigated GSK3β overactivity in glomeruli. Altogether, ecdysone seems able to activate MR and thereby promote glomerular injury and proteinuria involving overactive GSK3β pathway signaling.
DNMT1 and DNMT3A haplotypes associated with noise-induced hearing loss in Chinese workers
Authors: Ding Enmin , Liu Jing , Guo Haoran , Shen Huanxi , Zhang Hengdong , Gong Wei , Song Haiyan , Zhu Baoli 
Published: August 2018

AbstractThis study was conducted to explore the effects of DNMT1 and DNMT3A polymorphisms on susceptibility to noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) in Chinese workers. A total of 2689 industrial workers from a single textile factory were recruited. Venous blood was collected, as were questionnaire and pure-tone audiometry (PTA) data by specialist physicians. Four selected SNPs (rs7578575, rs749131, rs1550117, and rs2228611) in DNMT1 and DNMT3A were genotyped in 527 NIHL patients and 527 controls. Then, main effects of the genotypes and their interactions were evaluated. Results revealed that the GG genotype at rs749131 and the AG/GG genotypes at rs1550117 and rs2228611 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, 2.57, and 1.98 respectively], as well as the haplotypes AGGG and TGGA (rs7578578-rs749131-rs1550117-rs2228611) (OR = 1.35 and 1.56, respectively) were associated with an increased risk of NIHL in the Chinese population. Multifactor dimensionality reduction analysis indicated that rs7578575, rs749131, and rs2228611 interact and are related to increased NIHL risk (OR = 1.63). The genetic polymorphisms rs749131 G, rs1550117 G, and rs2228611 G within the DNMT1 and DNMT3A genes are associated with an increased risk of NIHL in the Chinese population and have the potential to act as biomarkers for noise-exposed workers.
A moldable sustained release bupivacaine formulation for tailored treatment of postoperative dental pain
Authors: Shepherd Sarah D. , O’Buckley Sandra C. , Harrington James M. , Haines Laura G. , Rothrock Ginger D. , Johnson Leah M. , Nackley Andrea G. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA moldable and biodegradable dental material was designed for customized placement and sustained delivery of bupivacaine (BP) within an extraction cavity. Microparticles comprising poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) containing BP were generated via solvent-evaporation and combined with absorbable hemostat Gelfoam®. Kinetics of drug release were evaluated by in vitro dialysis assays, showing higher release within the first 24 hours, with subsequent tapering of release kinetics. Formulations of Gelfoam® and BP-PLGA microparticles (GelBP), with three targeted dosing profiles (0.25, 0.5, and 1 mg/kg/day), were evaluated alongside acute subcutaneous BP injections (2 mg/kg) to determine analgesic efficacy in a rat model of tooth extraction pain. Molar extraction resulted in mechanical and thermal cold hyperalgesia in male and female rats. GelBP outperformed acute BP in blocking post-surgical dental pain, with the 0.25 mg/kg GelBP dose preventing hypersensitivity to mechanical (p < 0.01) and thermal cold stimuli (p = 0.05). Molar extraction also resulted in decreased food consumption and weight. Males receiving acute BP and 0.25 mg/kg GelBP maintained normal food consumption (p < 0.002) and weight (p < 0.0001) throughout 7 days. Females, receiving 0.25 mg/kg GelBP maintained weight on days 5–7 (p < 0.04). Customized, sustained release formulation of anesthetic within a tooth extraction cavity holds potential to eliminate post-operative dental pain over several days.
Context-Dependent Regulation of Conjunctival Goblet Cell Function by Allergic Mediators
Authors: García-Posadas Laura , Hodges Robin R. , Diebold Yolanda , Dartt Darlene A. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn the eye, goblet cells responsible for secreting mucins are found in the conjunctiva. When mucin production is not tightly regulated several ocular surface disorders may occur. In this study, the effect of the T helper (Th) 2-type cytokines IL4, IL5, and IL13 on conjunctival goblet cell function was explored. Goblet cells from rat conjunctiva were cultured and characterized. The presence of cytokine receptors was confirmed by Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR). Changes in intracellular [Ca2+], high molecular weight glycoconjugate secretion, and proliferation were measured after stimulation with Th2 cytokines with or without the allergic mediator histamine. We found that IL4 and IL13 enhance cell proliferation and, along with histamine, stimulate goblet cell secretion. We conclude that the high levels of IL4, IL5, and IL13 that characterize allergic conjunctivitis could be the reason for higher numbers of goblet cells and mucin overproduction found in this condition.
Wound Healing in Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats Using Atmospheric-Pressure Argon Plasma Jet
Authors: Cheng Kuang-Yao , Lin Zhi-Hua , Cheng Yu-Pin , Chiu Hsien-Yi , Yeh Nai-Lun , Wu Tung-Kung , Wu Jong-Shinn 
Published: August 2018

AbstractIn this study, we used an argon-based round atmospheric-pressure plasma jet (APPJ) for enhancing wound healing in streptozotocin (STZ) induced diabetic rats. The APPJ was characterized by optical emission spectroscopy. We induced Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes in rats with different amounts of STZ combined with normal and high-fat diets, respectively. The wound area ratio of all the plasma-treated normal and diabetic groups was greatly reduced (up to 30%) compared with that of the untreated groups during healing. Histological analysis revealed faster re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, less inflammation, and a complete skin structure in the plasma-treated groups was found as compared with the untreated control groups. In addition, the new blood vessels of plasma-treated tissues decreased more than untreated tissues in the middle (Day 14) and late (Day 21) stages of wound healing. The plasma-treated wounds demonstrated more transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) expression in the early stage (Day 7), whereas they decreased in the middle and late stages of wound healing. The levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and catalase (CAT) increased after plasma treatment. In addition, plasma-treated water had a higher concentration of hydrogen peroxide, nitrite and nitrate when the plasma treatment time was longer. In summary, the proposed argon APPJ based on the current study could be a potential tool for treating diabetic wounds.
Changes in Antimicrobial Usage Patterns in Korea: 12-Year Analysis Based on Database of the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort
Authors: Kim Young Ah , Park Yoon Soo , Youk Taemi , Lee Hyukmin , Lee Kyungwon 
Published: August 2018

AbstractNational antimicrobial usage and prescription patterns during the 12 years from 2002 to 2013 were analyzed using the National Health Insurance Service-National Sample Cohort. Antimicrobial usage was analyzed by major illness, sex, age, area of residence, income rank, diagnosis, and type of medical institution for each year. Total antimicrobial prescriptions increased from 15.943 daily defined dose (DDD)/1,000 inhabitants/day in 2002 to 24.219 in 2013. In 2013, 72% of total prescriptions were administered in clinics. Antimicrobials were most frequently prescribed to children younger than 10 years, followed by adults aged 70 years or older and those aged 60–69 years. Penicillins and cephems were the most popular classes of antimicrobial used. In 2013, 48% of total antibiotic usage (11.683 DDD/1,000 inhabitants/day) was due to respiratory diseases. After the Korean government has implemented a series of healthcare policies, antibiotic prescription decreased for the treatment of upper respiratory infection, the causative agents are mostly viruses.
Structure Properties of Generalized Farey graphs based on Dynamical Systems for Networks
Authors: Jiang Wenchao , Zhai Yinhu , Martin Paul , Zhao Zhiming 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFarey graphs are simultaneously small-world, uniquely Hamiltonian, minimally 3-colorable, maximally outerplanar and perfect. Farey graphs are therefore famous in deterministic models for complex networks. By lacking of the most important characteristics of scale-free, Farey graphs are not a good model for networks associated with some empirical complex systems. We discuss here a category of graphs which are extension of the well-known Farey graphs. These new models are named generalized Farey graphs here. We focus on the analysis of the topological characteristics of the new models and deduce the complicated and graceful analytical results from the growth mechanism used in generalized Farey graphs. The conclusions show that the new models not only possess the properties of being small-world and highly clustered, but also possess the quality of being scale-free. We also find that it is precisely because of the exponential increase of nodes’ degrees in generalized Farey graphs as they grow that caused the new networks to have scale-free characteristics. In contrast, the linear incrementation of nodes’ degrees in Farey graphs can only cause an exponential degree distribution.
Genetic relatedness of Staphylococcus aureus isolates obtained from cystic fibrosis patients at a tertiary academic hospital in Pretoria, South Africa
Authors: Goolam Mahomed T. , Kock M. M. , Masekela R. , Hoosien E. , Ehlers M. M. 
Published: August 2018

AbstractCystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited recessive disease that affects mucocillary clearance in the lung, allowing it to be colonised with bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus. To survive in the CF lung S. aureus adapts both phenotypically and genotypically, through various mechanisms. In this study, multiple specimens were collected from the participants and were processed routinely and were additionally cultured in chromogenic media. Multiplex PCR assays were employed to detect methicillin resistance and selected virulence and quaternary ammonium compound (qac) genes. Genetic relatedness of the S. aureus was determined using agr, SCCmec and spa typing as well as pulsed field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and multi-locus sequence typing (MLST). Thirty-three S. aureus isolates were isolated, of which 51% (17/33) were methicillin resistant S. aureus (MRSA). The virulence and qac genes were more prevalent in MRSA than the methicillin sensitive S. aureus (MSSA) isolates. The PFGE analysis showed nine distinct pulsotypes while MLST showed eight sequence types. All the STs detected in this study, except for ST508 have been previously isolated from CF patients according to the literature. This study showed a genetically diverse S. aureus population with a high prevalence of virulence genes among the MRSA isolates from the CF clinic.
A Molecularly Modulated Mode-Locked Laser
Authors: Zaitsu Shin-ichi , Tsuchiya Takao 
Published: August 2018

AbstractA mode-locked laser operating at a frequency over 10 THz is reported, which is three orders of magnitude greater than a standard mode-locked laser. The system used molecules with a Raman gain as an amplifier, while coherent molecular motions were used for optical modulation. Molecules in a high-finesse optical cavity modulated a continuous-wave beam to produce a train of ultrashort optical pulses at a repetition rate corresponding to the frequency of molecular motion. Phase-locking was achieved by an appropriate compensation of the total dispersion of the optical cavity. Thus, the oscillating multiple longitudinal modes were all coupled under phase-matching conditions of parametric four-wave mixing.
Angiogenic response of rat hippocampal vasculature to focused ultrasound-mediated increases in blood-brain barrier permeability
Authors: McMahon Dallan , Mah Ethan , Hynynen Kullervo 
Published: August 2018

AbstractFocused ultrasound (FUS) and circulating microbubbles can induce a targeted and transient increase in blood-brain barrier permeability. While preclinical research has demonstrated the utility of FUS for efficacious drug deliver to the brain, there remain gaps in our knowledge regarding the long-term response of brain vasculature to this intervention. Previous work has demonstrated transcriptional changes in hippocampal microvessels following sonication that are indicative of the initiation of angiogenic processes. Moreover, blood vessel growth has been reported in skeletal muscle following application of FUS and microbubbles. The current study demonstrates that blood vessel density in the rat hippocampus is modestly elevated at 7 and 14 d post-FUS compared to the contralateral hemisphere (7 d: 10.9 ± 6.0%, p = 0.02; 14 d: 12.1 ± 3.2%, p < 0.01), but returns to baseline by 21 d (5.9 ± 2.6%, p = 0.12). Concurrently, relative newborn endothelial cell density and frequency of small blood vessel segments were both elevated in the sonicated hippocampus. While further work is required to determine the mechanisms driving these changes, the findings presented here may have relevance to the optimal frequency of repeated treatments.
A star-forming dwarf galaxy candidate in the halo of NGC 4634
Authors: Stein Y. , Bomans D. J. , Kamphuis P. , Jütte E. , Langener M. , Dettmar R.-J. 
Published: August 2018

Context. The halos of disk galaxies form a crucial connection between the galaxy disk and the intergalactic medium. Massive stars, H II regions, or dwarf galaxies located in the halos of galaxies are potential tracers of recent accretion and/or outflows of gas, and are additional contributors to the photon field and the gas phase metallicity.
Aims. We investigate the nature and origin of a star-forming dwarf galaxy candidate located in the halo of the edge-on Virgo galaxy NGC 4634 with a projected distance of 1.4 kpc and a Hα star formation rate of ∼4.7 × 10−3 M⊙ yr−1 in order to increase our understanding of these disk-halo processes.
Methods. With optical long-slit spectra we measured fluxes of optical nebula emission lines to derive the oxygen abundance 12 + log(O/H) of an H II region in the disk of NGC 4634 and in the star-forming dwarf galaxy candidate. Abundances derived from optical long-slit data and from Hubble Space Telescope (HST) r-band data, Hα data, Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (GMRT) H I data, and photometry of SDSS and GALEX data were used for further analysis. With additional probes of the luminosity–metallicity relation in the B-band from the Hα-luminosity, the H I map, and the relative velocities, we are able to constrain a possible origin of the dwarf galaxy candidate.
Results. The high oxygen abundance (12 + log(O/H) ≈ 8.72) of the dwarf galaxy candidate leads to the conclusion that it was formed from pre-enriched material. Analysis of auxiliary data shows that the dwarf galaxy candidate is composed of material originating from NGC 4634. We cannot determine whether this material has been ejected tidally or through other processes, which makes the system highly interesting for follow up observations.
The ALMA-PILS survey: Stringent limits on small amines and nitrogen-oxides towards IRAS 16293–2422B
Authors: Ligterink N. F. W. , Calcutt H. , Coutens A. , Kristensen L. E. , Bourke T. L. , Drozdovskaya M. N. , Müller H. S. P. , Wampfler S. F. , van der Wiel M. H. D. , van Dishoeck E. F. , Jørgensen J. K. 
Published: August 2018

Context. Hydroxylamine (NH2OH) and methylamine (CH3NH2) have both been suggested as precursors to the formation of amino acids and are therefore, of interest to prebiotic chemistry. Their presence in interstellar space and formation mechanisms, however, are not well established.
Aims. We aim to detect both amines and their potential precursor molecules NO, N2O, and CH2NH towards the low-mass protostellar binary IRAS 16293–2422, in order to investigate their presence and constrain their interstellar formation mechanisms around a young Sun-like protostar.
Methods. ALMA observations from the unbiased, high-angular resolution and sensitivity Protostellar Interferometric Line Survey (PILS) are used. Spectral transitions of the molecules under investigation are searched for with the CASSIS line analysis software.
Results. CH2NH and N2O are detected for the first time, towards a low-mass source, the latter molecule through confirmation with the single-dish TIMASSS survey. NO is also detected. CH3NH2 and NH2OH are not detected and stringent upper limit column densities are determined.
Conclusions. The non-detection of CH3NH2 and NH2OH limits the importance of formation routes to amino acids involving these species. The detection of CH2NH makes amino acid formation routes starting from this molecule plausible. The low abundances of CH2NH and CH3NH2 compared to Sgr B2 indicate that different physical conditions influence their formation in low- and high-mass sources.