bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Naked Mole‐Rats: Blind, Naked, and Feeling No Pain
Authors: Browe Brigitte M. , Vice Emily N. , Park Thomas J. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTAround the world and across taxa, subterranean mammals show remarkable convergent evolution in morphology (e.g., reduced external ears, small eyes, shortened limbs and tails). This is true of sensory systems as well (e.g., loss of object vision and high frequency hearing). The naked mole‐rat (Heterocephalus glaber) displays these typical subterranean features, but also has unusual characteristics even among subterranean mammals. Naked mole‐rats are cold‐blooded, completely furless, very long‐lived (> 30 years), and eusocial (like termites). They also live in large colonies, which is very unusual for subterraneans. Their cortical organization has reduced area for visual processing, utilizing 30% more cortex for tactile processing. They are extremely tolerant to oxygen deprivation, and can recover from 18 min of anoxia. Their pain pathway is reduced and they feel no pain from acidosis. They are the only rodent tested to date whose pheromone‐detecting vomeronasal organ shows no postnatal growth. These features may be a result of this species' “extreme subterranean lifestyle” that combines living underground and living in large colonies. Many respiring animals cramped together in unventilated burrows elevates CO2 levels, high enough to cause acidosis pain, and depletes O2 concentrations low enough to kill other mammals. The naked mole‐rat may be an extreme model of adaptation to subterranean life and provides insights into the complex interplay of evolutionary adaptations to the constraints of subterranean living. Anat Rec, 2018. © 2018 American Association for Anatomy.
Effects of Estrogen Treatment on Aging in the Rat Epididymis
Authors: Davis Kathryn , Pearl Christopher A. 
Published: October 2018

ABSTRACTPrevious studies from our laboratory demonstrated that estrogen signaling in the testis contributes to maintaining spermatogenesis in adult rats, and that estrogen treatment attenuated the age‐associated decline in sperm production. The purpose of this study was to determine if epididymal function is also altered with age, and what effects estrogen treatment may have on the epididymis during aging. We compared untreated rats at 3 and 15 months of age to 18‐month‐old vehicle‐treated and estrogen treated rats. In all four groups, tubule and lumen diameter of the cauda was significantly larger than more proximal regions of the epididymis. In the 3‐, 15‐, and 18‐month‐old treated animals, the epithelial cell height of the cauda was significantly shorter than that of more proximal regions. The caput cell height was shorter at 18 months compared to 3 months but this was not seen in estrogen treated animals. Thus, estrogen appears able to prevent some age related changes in epididymal morphology. Sperm transit time through the distal cauda was significantly delayed with aging. Estrogen treatment prevented this delay, indicating that sperm transit through the epididymis is an estrogen regulated function. Differences in estradiol and testosterone concentrations were observed between 3‐ and 15‐month‐old animals, but no further differences were noted between treated or untreated animals at 18 months. Interestingly, expression of androgen receptor and estrogen receptor alpha were similar between ages and treatments. Collectively, these results suggest epididymal morphology and function are affected by aging and estrogen treatment. Anat Rec, 302:1447–1457, 2019. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Flavonoids as putative modulators of Δ4‐, Δ5‐, and Δ6‐desaturases: Studies in cultured hepatocytes, myocytes, and adipocytes
Authors: Kühn Gianna , Pallauf Kathrin , Schulz Carsten , Rimbach Gerald 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis study was conducted to screen flavonoids for affecting expression of desaturases involved in omega‐3 fatty acid synthesis and ceramide (CER) metabolism. To this end, cultured HepG2 hepatocytes, C2C12 myocytes, and 3T3‐L1 adipocytes were treated with nontoxic concentrations of 12 selected flavonoids and expression of Δ4‐, Δ5‐, and Δ6‐desaturases (DEGS1, FADS1, and FADS2, respectively) was determined. The flavonoids tested were more cytotoxic to HepG2 and 3T3‐L1 than to C2C12 cells. In HepG2 cells, FADS1 was induced by quercetin and FADS2 expression was increased by daidzein, genistein, and pratensein treatment. DEGS1 was increased by apigenin, luteolin, orobol, and quercetin administration. In differentiated C2C12 cells, substances had no inducing effect or even lowered target gene expression. Pratensein induced both FADS1 and FADS2 in differentiated 3T3‐L1 cells and DEGS1 was increased by treatment with apigenin, genistein, luteolin, orobol, and quercetin. In conclusion, pratensein may be an interesting test compound for further studies in vitro and in vivo on omega‐3 synthesis since it induces its rate‐limiting enzyme FADS2. Apigenin, luteolin, orobol, and quercetin induced DEGS1 and thereby possibly synthesis of proapoptotic CER in malignant HepG2 cells and 3T3‐L1. In contrast, in benign C2C12 cells, they did not elevate mRNA steady state levels of DEGS1. That may partly explain the higher resistance of C2C12 cells against flavonoids compared to the other cell lines. By affecting tumor cells and nontumor cells differently, these flavonoids may be promising substances for further research regarding anticancer properties. © 2018 BioFactors, 44(5):485–495, 2018
Highly sensitive and rapid determination of tacrolimus in peripheral blood mononuclear cells by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: Bahmany Soma , de Wit Lucia E.A. , Hesselink Dennis A. , van Gelder Teun , Shuker Nauras M. , Baan Carla , van der Nagel Bart C.H. , Koch Birgit C.P. , de Winter Brenda C.M. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractAfter solid organ transplantation, tacrolimus is given to prevent rejection. Therapeutic drug monitoring is used to reach target concentrations of tacrolimus in whole blood. Because the site of action of tacrolimus is the lymphocyte, and tacrolimus binds ~80% to erythrocytes, the intracellular tacrolimus concentration in lymphocytes is possibly more relevant. For this purpose, we aimed to develop, improve and validate a UPLC–MS/MS method to measure tacrolimus concentrations in isolated peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). PBMCs were isolated using a Ficoll separation technique, followed by a washing step using red blood cell lysis. A cell suspension of 50 μL containing 1 million PBMCs was used in combination with MagSiMUS‐TDMPREP. To each sample we added 30 μL lysis buffer, 20 μL reconstitution buffer containing 13C2H4‐tacrolimus as internal standard, 40 μL MagSiMUS‐TDMPREP Type I Particle Mix and 175 μL Organic Precipitation Reagent VI for methanol‐based protein precipitation. A 10 μL aliquot of the supernatant was injected into the UPLC–MS/MS system. The method was validated, resulting in high sensitivity and specificity. The method was linear (r2 = 0.997) over the range 5.0–1250 pg/1 × 106 PBMCs. The inaccuracy was <5% and the imprecision was <15%. The washing steps following Ficoll isolation could be performed at either room temperature or on ice, with no effect of the temperature on the results. A method for the analysis of tacrolimus concentrations in PBMCs was developed and successfully validated. Further research will be performed to investigate the correlation between concentrations in PBMCs and clinical outcome.
Inter‐firm R&D collaborations and green innovation value: The role of family firms' involvement and the moderating effects of proximity dimensions
Authors: Ardito Lorenzo , Messeni Petruzzelli Antonio , Pascucci Federica , Peruffo Enzo 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe present paper investigates the relationship between the involvement of family firms in R&D collaborations aimed at developing green solutions and the value of resulting innovations. To dig into this relationship, the moderating effects of two proximity dimensions (i.e., geographical distance and technological relatedness) are also assessed. Analyses are based on a sample of 156 joint patents classified into the “Alternative energy production” field, as defined by the International Patent Classification Green Inventory and successfully filed at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the period 1997–2010 by publicly listed companies. According to our conjectures, results reveal a positive relationship between the involvement of family firms and green innovation value. Moreover, our findings show that this relationship is hindered when partners are geographically distant or technologically proximate. Eventually, we contribute to the literature on green innovation by unveiling under which conditions inter‐firm R&D collaborations lead to more valuable innovations.
An association with hypopituitarism and 9q subtelomere deletion syndrome
Authors: Higuchi Shinji , Takagi Masaki , Takeda Ryojun , Yoshihashi Hiroshi , Narumi Satoshi , Hasegawa Tomonobu 
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical MessageHypopituitarism could have been overlooked so far in the patients with 9q subtelomere deletion syndrome (9qSTDS); thus, further investigations or reevaluation of clinical information, especially hormonal evaluations, are warranted to determine whether hypopituitarism is a rare or relatively common presentation in patients with 9qSTDS.
Eosinophilic lung disease with plastic bronchitis and bronchiectasis in an adolescent male
Authors: Hussain Habiba , Kherallah Nizar 
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical MessageAny case of unresolving chronic pneumonia with expectoration of thick mucoid plugs should have high index of suspicion for plastic/cast bronchitis, requiring early flexible bronchoscopy with lavage and histopathologic evaluation. Associated presence of idiopathic chronic eosinophilic pneumonia is unusual and could be considered as a cause for atypical plastic bronchitis complicated by bronchiectasis.
An unusual presentation of a patient with severe hypogammaglobulinemia
Authors: Hoffman Thijs W. , van Kessel Diana A. , van Tol Maarten J. D. , Vidarsson Gestur , Jol‐van der Zijde Els C. , Rijkers Ger T. , van Velzen‐Blad Heleen 
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical MessageWe present a patient who was diagnosed with severe hypogammaglobulinemia after her newborn child presented with two episodes of meningitis. The patient had no history or symptoms suggestive of immunodeficiency. Thus far, a cause for the immunodeficiency has not been found, even after extensive immunological evaluation.
A case of coronary venous angioplasty to facilitate left ventricular lead placement
Authors: Timmer Stefan A. J. , de Swart Johannes B. R. M. , Tahapary Giovanni J. M. 
Published: October 2018

Key Clinical MesageCoronary venous stenosis is an uncommon finding in patients referred for cardiac resynchronization therapy device implantation. Nonetheless, it may result in suboptimal lead positioning for chronic left ventricular (LV) pacing. Coronary venous angioplasty is a technique that can be performed relatively easily and safely to enable LV lead passage beyond a stenosis.
Towards the Development of Photo‐Reactive Ruthenium(II) Complexes Targeting Telomeric G‐Quadruplex DNA
Authors: Weynand Justin , Diman Aurélie , Abraham Michaël , Marcélis Lionel , Jamet Hélène , Decottignies Anabelle , Dejeu Jérôme , Defrancq Eric , Elias Benjamin 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe design and characterization of new ruthenium(II) complexes aimed at targeting G‐quadruplex DNA is reported. Importantly, these complexes are based on oxidizing 1,4,5,8‐tetraazaphenanthrene (TAP) ancillary ligands known to favour photo‐induced electron transfer (PET) with DNA. The photochemistry of complexes 1–4 has been studied by classical methods, which revealed two of them to be capable of photo‐abstracting an electron from guanine. From studies of the interactions with DNA through luminescence, circular dichroism, bio‐layer interferometry, and surface plasmon resonance experiments, we have demonstrated the selectivity of these complexes for telomeric G‐quadruplex DNA over duplex DNA. Preliminary biological studies of these complexes have been performed: two of them showed remarkable photo‐cytotoxicity towards telomerase‐negative U2OS osteosarcoma cells, whereas very low mortality was observed in the dark at the same photo‐drug concentration.
Synthesis of a Series of Non‐Symmetric Bispyridinium and Related Compounds and Their Affinity Characterization at the Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptor
Authors: Rappenglück Sebastian , Sichler Sonja , Höfner Georg , Wein Thomas , Niessen Karin V. , Seeger Thomas , Paintner Franz F. , Worek Franz , Thiermann Horst , Wanner Klaus T. 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThe current standard therapy to counteract organophosphate intoxication is not effective in equal measure against all types of organophosphorus compounds (OPCs), as the outcome of oxime‐induced reactivation of inactivated acetylcholinesterase (AChE) strongly depends on the particular OPC. In case the reactivation is insufficient, acetylcholine concentrations that rise to pathophysiological levels force the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) into a desensitized state and hence a functionally inactive state. As a consequence, neurotransmission is irreversibly disrupted at the neuromuscular junction. Previous electrophysiological studies identified the symmetric bispyridinium compound 1,1′‐(propane‐1,3‐diyl)bis[4‐(tert‐butyl)pyridin‐1‐ium] diiodide (MB327) as a re‐sensitizer of the desensitized nAChR. MB327 is thereby capable of restoring the functional activity. Very recently, in silico modeling studies suggested non‐symmetric derivatives of MB327 as potential re‐sensitizers with enhanced binding affinity and thus possible enhanced efficacy. In this study, 26 novel non‐symmetric bispyridinium compounds and related derivatives were synthesized. For the synthesis of the highly polar target compounds in sufficient quantities, newly developed and highly efficient two‐step procedures were used. Compounds were characterized in terms of their binding affinity toward the MB327 binding site at the nAChR using recently developed mass spectrometry (MS) Binding Assays. Regarding structure–affinity relationships at the MB327 binding site, the presence of two quaternary aromatic nitrogen centers as well as pyridinium systems with a tert‐butyl group at the 4‐position or a NMe2 group at the 3‐ or 4‐positions appeared to be beneficial for high binding affinities.
Hierarchical group key management for secure data sharing in a cloud‐based environment
Authors: Velumadhava Rao R. , Selvamani K. , Kanimozhi S. , Kannan A. 
Published: October 2018

SummaryIn cloud environment, the importance of security for the outsourced data has increased much, since the data is maintained and controlled by the semi‐trusted third‐party cloud providers. Data Security is one of the major factors to be considered in group data sharing. Using the secret key, the entire file is encrypted directly in a conventional security framework; however, in a cloud‐based environment for group mechanism, this framework cannot be applied as there is a problem of key distribution. This research paper proposes an efficient hierarchical‐based group key mechanism for a cloud‐based environment. This proposed system relies on Key Distribution Server (KDS), which performs cryptographic key operations for securing the data in the cloud. Also, this system uses logical key hierarchy (LKH) protocol to maintain hierarchical tree for scalability. The group key is generated using the group member secret values and a secret value assigned by the KDS server. Performance analysis of this system shows that the proposed key management system is more efficient and much suitable for cloud environment.
Consumer's response to CSR activities: Mediating role of brand image and brand attitude
Authors: Ramesh Kumar , Saha Raiswa , Goswami Susoban , Sekar  , Dahiya Richa 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCorporate social responsibility (CSR) is a well‐touted term in management disciplines that connects the business goals and societal values. CSR is used as a strategic approach that gives competitive differentiation through coagulation of both business and overarching societal goals. Organizations believe that goodwill created by CSR activities bestows the strategic competitive advantage and sustainable development. The objective of the study is to measure the impact of CSR activities on purchase intention either directly or indirectly; for this purpose, the study has administered a structured questionnaire and collected responses from Indian citizens purchasing products from FMCG companies topping the CSR spending list and used structural equation modeling to validate the results. The findings suggest that customers process CSR details unconsciously and may not remember the explicit detail, but they are more likely to include the brand in the consideration set evokedby positive attitudes trailing behind.
SDN‐based dynamic multipath forwarding for inter–data center networking
Authors: Wang Yao‐Chun , Lin Ying‐Dar , Chang Guey‐Yun 
Published: October 2018

SummaryEqual‐cost multipath (ECMP)–based traffic engineering (TE) methods are commonly used in intra–data center (DC) networks to improve the transmission performance for east‐west traffic (ie, traffic from server to server within a DC). However, applying ECMP on inter‐DC wide area network (WAN) offers limited performance enhancement as a result of irregular network topology. Since TE can be intelligently and efficiently realized with software‐defined networking (SDN), SDN‐based multipath becomes a popular option. However, SDN suffers from scalability issue caused by limited ternary content‐addressable memory (TCAM) size. In this paper, we propose an SDN‐based TE method called dynamic flow‐entry‐saving multipath (DFSM) for inter‐DC traffic forwarding. DFSM adopts source‐destination–based multipath forwarding and latency‐aware traffic splitting to reduce the consumption of flow entries and achieve load balancing. The evaluation results indicate that DFSM saves 15% to 30% of system flow entries in practical topologies and reduces the standard deviation of path latencies from 10% to 7% than do label‐switched tunneling, and also reduces average latency by 10% to 48% by consuming 6% to 20% more flow entries than do ECMP in less‐interconnected topologies. Note that the performance gain may not always be proportional to flow entry investment, with the interconnectivity between nodes being an important factor. The evaluation also indicates that per‐flow provision consumes several times the flow entries consumed by DFSM but reduces latency by 10% at most. Besides, DFSM reduces the standard deviation of path latencies from 14% to 7% than do even traffic splitting.
The effect of plant identity and mixed feeding on the detection of seed DNA in regurgitates of carabid beetles
Authors: Sint Daniela , Guenay Yasemin , Mayer Rebecca , Traugott Michael , Wallinger Corinna 
Published: October 2018

AbstractCarabids are abundant in temperate agroecosystems and play a pivotal role as biocontrol agents for weed seed and pest regulation. While there is good knowledge regarding their effects on invertebrate pests, direct evidence for seed predation in the field is missing. Molecular approaches are ideally suited to investigate these feeding interactions; however, the effects of an omnivorous diet, which is characteristic for many carabid species, and seed identity on the detection success of seed DNA has not yet been investigated. In a series of feeding experiments, seeds of six different Central European weed species were fed to beetles of the speciesPseudoophonus rufipes, to determine post‐feeding seed DNA detection rates and how these are affected by plant identity, meal size, and chemical seed composition. Moreover, we investigated the effect of a mixed diet of seeds and mealworm on prey DNA detection. Four out of six seed species were detectable for up to five days after consumption, and seed species identity significantly affected post‐feeding detection rates. Detectability was negatively influenced by protein content and seed mass, whereas oil content and meal size had a positive effect. The mixed diet led to both increased detection rates and post‐feeding detection intervals of seed DNA. This suggests that mixed feeding leads to an enhancement of food detection intervals in carabid beetles and that seed identity, their chemical composition, and meal size can affect DNA detection of consumed seeds. These aspects and potential implications of this non‐invasive approach are discussed as they can become highly relevant for interpreting field‐derived data.
Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.)) as influenced by daylength and water availability
Authors: Di Lucchio Luisa Maddalena , Fensholt Rasmus , Markussen Bo , Ræbild Anders 
Published: October 2018

AbstractWater availability is often described as one of the main drivers of phenology of tropical dry forests but experimental studies to identify the cues triggering phenological changes are few. In a greenhouse trial, we exposed seedlings of thirteen origins, seven from West and six from East Africa, respectively, of Adansonia digitata L.(baobab) to a well‐watered control treatment and a water withholding treatment in combination with exposure to three different daylengths (11.5, 12.0, and 12.5 hr). Responses were measured in terms of meristematic activity, number of leaves, and height growth followed over 6.5 months. Multi‐level mixed‐effects statistical models were used to analyze how environmental and inter‐population variables affected phenological behavior. Flushing was influenced by the daylength with the lowest degree of meristematic activity observed in the short daylength treatment. Daylength also influenced the number of leaves through an interaction with the water regime. The water regime influenced all variables through interactions with the origins. Seedlings subjected to water stress had higher meristematic activity, but initially lower numbers of leaves than continuously watered plants. Height growth in continuously watered plants was fastest or at par with water‐stressed plants, depending on the origin. Origins from West Africa tended to have higher meristematic activity and their phenology was found to be less influenced by water withholding than East African origins. There were no signs of significant differences between origins in their response to photoperiod. In conclusion, baobab seedlings show opportunistic behavior, setting leaves when water is available, but larger activity is found when days are long. We discuss the results in terms of triggering factors for baobab phenology and adaptation to specific environmental conditions at the site of origins.
Enzymatic acylation of flavone isolated from extractive of bamboo leaves with oleic acid and antioxidant activity of acylated product
Authors: Qian Junqing , Gou Lihong , Chen Yan , Ding Jing , Xu Jiang , Guo Hui 
Published: October 2018

AbstractThis present study aims to establish a relatively cheap and effective method for preparation of ester of flavone isolated from bamboo‐leaf extracts. According to this method, the solubility of bamboo leaf extract in a lipid medium could be improved, which would expand the utilization of bamboo leaf extract. Acylation of flavone with oleic acid was efficient in a system containing dried tert‐amyl‐alcohol and molecular sieves. The bioconversion yield ranged from 24 to 63% in different conditions. the type of fatty acids, the amount of the lipase, water content and temperature of the system were investigated in detail to influence on the performance of the acylation reaction. High purity of ester (>95%) was obtained by a two‐step solvent purification procedure and chromatographic separation. Followed by the 1H and 13C nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy analysis, single product of 6′′‐O‐oleate isoorientin ester was detected. Introducing an acyl group into isoorientin significantly improved its lipophilicity yet slightly reduced their antioxidant activity, while its antioxidant activity still significantly better than VE.