bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Determination of Isoproturon in Environmental Samples using the QuEChERS Extraction-Spectrofluorimetric Method
Authors: Muhammad Mian , Rasul Jan Muhammad , Shah Jasmin , Ara Behisht 
Published: September 2019

Abstract
An accurate and sensitive method has been developed for determination of the herbicide isoproturon using the Quick Easy Cheap Effective Rugged Safe (QuEChERS) extraction-spectrofluorimetric technique. The method involves the reaction of 2-cyanoacetamide with isoproturon in basic medium (NH3; 15 mol/L). The resulting fluorescent product was found to show maximum emission at 378 nm and maximum excitation at 333 nm. Fluorescence intensity under the influence of different parameters was investigated. The linear range of analyte concentrations was found to be 0.5 to 15 µg/mL, with a limit of detection of 0.144 µg/mL, a limit of quantification of 0.437 µg/mL (signal to noise ratio = 3), and a regression coefficient of 0.9991, under optimized conditions. The proposed method was effectively applied for determination of isoproturon in different matrices; the percentage of recovery varied from 85.00 ± 1.2% to 96.00 ± 0.5%. The method was also applied for residue analysis of isoproturon in real soil samples collected from a pilot field. For extraction of isoproturon, the QuEChERS extraction approach was used, and the average residue in the soil samples was found to be 0.81 ± 0.07 µg/g. To show the potential of this approach, our results were compared with those of other methods reported in the literature. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2614–2620. © 2019 SETAC
Fermented black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger) attenuates methionine and choline deficient diet‐induced nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in mice
Authors: Ahn Meejung , Kim Jeongtae , Choi Yuna , Ekanayake Poornima , Chun Ji‐Yeon , Yang DaWun , Kim Gi-Ok , Shin Taekyun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractAs one of the wide‐ranging form of chronic liver disease, there are only limited therapeutic options for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We evaluated whether fermented black radish (Raphanus sativus L. var. niger; FBR) ameliorates lipid accumulation, inflammation, and hepatic fibrosis, which are characteristics of the pathogenesis of NAFLD. Fermented black radish treatment reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3‐L1 adipocytes, which appeared to be associated with the downregulation of adipogenic transcription factors, including sterol regulatory element‐binding protein 1c, CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein α, peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor γ, and lipid accumulation‐related genes including adipocyte protein‐2 and fatty acid synthase. Administration of FBR to C57BL/6J mice challenged with methionine and choline deficient (MCD) diet significantly attenuated the increased serum levels of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and triglyceride. In addition, treatment with FBR interestingly repressed the hepatic inflammation induced with MCD diet, by lowering the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and suppressing the inactivation of macrophages and Kupffer cells in the liver. Fermented black radish was also shown to mitigate liver fibrosis through the inhibition of alpha‐smooth muscle actin, transforming growth factor beta‐1, and collagen type I alpha 1 chain. Our results indicate that FBR ameliorates NAFLD and its related metabolic disease by regulating multiple pathways, suggesting that FBR may be an effective dietary supplement for ameliorating NAFLD.
A general statistic to test an optimally weighted combination of common and/or rare variants
Authors: Zhang Jianjun , Wu Baolin , Sha Qiuying , Zhang Shuanglin , Wang Xuexia 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBoth genome‐wide association study and next‐generation sequencing data analyses are widely employed to identify disease susceptible common and/or rare genetic variants. Rare variants generally have large effects though they are hard to detect due to their low frequencies. Currently, many existing statistical methods for rare variants association studies employ a weighted combination scheme, which usually puts subjective weights or suboptimal weights based on some adhoc assumptions (e.g., ignoring dependence between rare variants). In this study, we analytically derived optimal weights for both common and rare variants and proposed a general and novel approach to test association between an optimally weighted combination of variants (G‐TOW) in a gene or pathway for a continuous or dichotomous trait while easily adjusting for covariates. Results of the simulation studies show that G‐TOW has properly controlled type I error rates and it is the most powerful test among the methods we compared when testing effects of either both rare and common variants or rare variants only. We also illustrate the effectiveness of G‐TOW using the Genetic Analysis Workshop 17 (GAW17) data. Additionally, we applied G‐TOW and other competitive methods to test disease‐associated genes in real data of schizophrenia. The G‐TOW has successfully verified genes FYN and VPS39 which are associated with schizophrenia reported in existing publications. Both of these genes are missed by the weighted sum statistic and the sequence kernel association test. Simulation study and real data analysis indicate that G‐TOW is a powerful test.
Rationale for Cocreating a Community for Underrepresented Minorities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math: An Indigenous Paradigm
Authors: Windchief Sweeney 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis chapter provides a rationale for supporting American Indians and Alaska Natives in the Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) fields particularly at the graduate level through Pacific Northwest Circle of Success: Mentoring Opportunities in STEM (PNW‐COSMOS) Alliance activities and offers direction for the development of programming for other groups underrepresented in STEM.
Institutional Commitments to Ensure Native Graduate Student Success
Authors: Mills Jack I. , Bisbee Yolanda , Aston Barbara , Komlos Barbara Z. , Lokensgard Kenneth H. , Carris Lori M. , Arouca Raquel A. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractRather than implementing diversity initiatives piecemeal, institutions seeking to broaden the participation of Indigenous students in higher education should consider adopting a comprehensive strategy of transformation. This chapter provides elements of a comprehensive strategy to ensure the success of Indigenous students.
Adherence with National Comprehensive Cancer Network posttreatment surveillance guidelines in patients with head and neck cancer
Authors: Tam Samantha , Nurgalieva Zhannat , Weber Randal S. , Lewis Carol M. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundSurveillance in head and neck cancer (HNC) is essential to detect recurrent or new lesions and to optimize function. This study describes drivers of surveillance adherence in patients with HNC and its effect on prognosis.MethodsAdherence with surveillance of HNC patients was determined using the National Comprehensive Cancer Network HNC guidelines. Logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine predictors of adherence and overall survival (OS).ResultsResults showed that 110 of 221 patients (50.2%) were adherent with surveillance. Distance from the treatment center was the only significant association. Adherence was not associated with OS following multivariate adjustment (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.43‐1.09). However, 5‐10 years after treatment completion, adherence was an independent predictor of survival (aHR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.09‐0.61).ConclusionAdherence with surveillance is important in improving survival in patients with HNC, especially in the long term.
Factors predisposing to the development of orocutaneous fistula following surgery for oral cancer: Experience from a tertiary cancer center
Authors: Girkar Farhana , Thiagarajan Shivakumar , Malik Akshat , Sawhney Shikhar , Deshmukh Anuja , Chaukar Devendra , D'Cruz Anil 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundOrocutaneous fistula (OCF) is one of the frequently encountered postoperative complications following surgery for oral cancer, leading to prolonged hospital stay and delay in the initiation of adjuvant therapy.MethodsWe included all patients with oral cancer operated between January 2016 to December 2017 and at risk to develop an OCF. We assessed the incidence of OCF, its management, and factors predisposing to its development.ResultsOf 587 eligible patients, 9% developed OCF. On univariate and multivariate analysis, patients undergoing bilateral neck dissection or with surgical site infection (SSI) (P < .001) were at maximum risk. On univariate analysis, the incidence was higher following resections for tongue‐floor of mouth sub site (P = .002), irrespective of the type of flap used for reconstruction. Majority (57%) required surgical intervention for management.ConclusionThe presence of SSI and performing bilateral neck dissection posed the maximum risk for developing OCF in patients undergoing surgery for oral cancer.
Young and elderly oral squamous cell carcinoma patients present similar angiogenic profile and predominance of M2 macrophages: Comparative immunohistochemical study
Authors: Teixeira Lucas R. , Almeida Luciana Y. , Silva Rodrigo N. , Mesquita Ana T. M. , Colturato Carla B. N. , Silveira Heitor A. , Duarte Andressa , Ribeiro‐Silva Alfredo , León Jorge E. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractBackgroundM2 macrophages are often detected in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), which, influenced by hypoxic conditions, appear to have high angiogenesis‐inducing capacity. However, the effects of immunosenescence on tumor‐associated macrophages (TAMs) and angiogenesis in OSCC are unknown.MethodsFifty‐seven OSCCs were divided into 3 groups (I: <40 years [n = 17]; II: 40‐65 years [n = 20]; III: >65 years [n = 20]). Immunohistochemistry for CD68 and CD163 (TAMs), and CD34 and D2‐40 for microvessel density (MVD), microvessel area (MVA), and total vascular area (TVA) were performed.ResultsAll groups showed similar clinicopathological and immunohistochemical findings. Similar CD68 and CD163 expression, confirmed a M2 phenotype. MVD, MVA, and TVA were similar, however, with significant predominance of blood vessels. No significant correlation between macrophage and angiogenic markers was observed.ConclusionsA similar TAM and angiogenesis profile suggests the participation of other mechanisms, instead immunosenescence, in young and elderly OSCC patients.
Delineating extent and magnitude of river flooding to lakes across a northern delta using water isotope tracers
Authors: Remmer Casey R. , Owca Tanner , Neary Laura , Wiklund Johan A. , Kay Mitchell , Wolfe Brent B. , Hall Roland I. 
Published: September 2019

AbstractHydrological monitoring in complex, dynamic northern floodplain landscapes is challenging, but increasingly important as a consequence of multiple stressors. The Peace‐Athabasca Delta in northern Alberta, Canada, is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance reliant on episodic river ice‐jam flood events to recharge abundant perched lakes and wetlands. Improved and systematic monitoring of landscape‐scale hydrological connectivity among freshwater ecosystems (rivers, channels, wetlands, and lakes) is needed to guide stewardship decisions in the face of climate change and upstream industrial development. Here, we use water isotope compositions, supplemented by measurements of specific conductivity and field observations, from 68 lakes and 9 river sites in May 2018 to delineate the extent and magnitude of spring ice‐jam induced flooding along the Peace and Athabasca rivers. Lake‐specific estimates of input water isotope composition (δI) were modelled after accounting for influence of evaporative isotopic enrichment. Then, using the distinct isotopic signature of input water sources, we develop a set of binary mixing models and estimate the proportion of input to flooded lakes attributable to river floodwater and precipitation (snow or rain). This approach allowed identification of areas and magnitude of flooding that were not captured by other methods, including direct observations from flyovers, and to demarcate flow pathways in the delta. We demonstrate water isotope tracers as an efficient and effective monitoring tool for delineating spatial extent and magnitude of an important hydrological process and elucidating connectivity in the Peace‐Athabasca Delta, an approach that can be readily adopted at other floodplain landscapes.
Kanechlor 500‐mediated changes in serum and hepatic thyroxine levels primarily occur in a transthyretin‐unrelated manner
Authors: Kato Yoshihisa , Tamaki Sekihiro , Haraguchi Koichi , Ikushiro Shin‐ichi , Fujii Yukiko , Ohta Chiho , Atobe Kazutaka , Kimura Osamu , Endo Tetsuya , Koga Nobuyuki , Yamada Shizuo , Degawa Masakuni 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe effects of Kanechlor‐500 (KC500) on the levels of serum total thyroxine (T4) and hepatic T4 in wild‐type C57BL/6 (WT) and its transthyretin (TTR)‐deficient (TTR‐null) mice were comparatively examined. Four days after a single intraperitoneal injection with KC500 (100 mg/kg body weight), serum total T4 levels were significantly decreased in both WT and TTR‐null mice. The KC500 pretreatment also promoted serum [125I]T4 clearance in both strains of mice administrated with [125I]T4, and the promotion of serum [125I]T4 clearance in WT mice occurred without inhibition of the [125I]T4‐TTR complex formation. Furthermore, the KC500 pretreatment led to significant increases in liver weight, steady‐state distribution volume of [125I]T4, hepatic accumulation level of [125I]T4, and concentration ratio of the liver to serum in both strains of mice. The present findings indicate that the KC500‐mediated decrease in serum T4 level occurs in a TTR‐unrelated manner and further suggest that KC500‐promoted T4 accumulation in the liver occurs through the development of liver hypertrophy and the promotion of T4 transportation from serum to liver.
Assessment of mesenchymal stem cell effect on foreign body response induced by intraperitoneally implanted alginate spheres
Authors: Fath‐Bayati Leyla , Ai Jafar 
Published: September 2019

AbstractForeign body response to implanted hydrogels and consequently fibrotic overgrowth on implanted spheres will decrease in vivo performance of these biomaterials. Considering the previous reports related to the immune‐privileged properties of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), we hypothesized that encapsulated human placenta‐derived MSCs (HP‐MSCs) will mitigate the foreign body response against alginate hydrogels. The HP‐MSC‐laden alginate hydrogel was cross‐linked with a CaCl2 solution. Morphological and mechanical properties of alginate spheres were determined by scanning electron microscopy imaging, degradation, and swelling tests. The HP‐MSC‐laden alginate spheres or cell‐free spheres were implanted into the peritoneal cavity of BALB/c mice. After intraperitoneal implantation of spheres into BALB/c mice over a period of 14 days, capsules were recovered and precapsular fibrotic tissue on their surfaces was investigated. Assessment of encapsulated HP‐MSC viability using acridine orange/propidium iodide staining revealed that foreign body response against cell‐laden hydrogel results in fibrous overgrowth on spheres and consequently leads to the HP‐MSC necrosis. In spite of immunomodulatory effects of MSCs, the introduction of spheres into the body induces foreign body response that affects the viability of immuno‐isolated HP‐MSCs during 14‐day posttransplant period. The presence of HP‐MSCs within alginate hydrogel could not reduce the fibrotic overgrowth on spheres compared with cell‐free spheres. Therefore, there is an essential need for hydrogels that mitigate the foreign body response as a key challenge in the development of tissue engineering and drug delivery technologies.
Calcium-Sensing Receptors in Chondrocytes and Osteoblasts Are Required for Callus Maturation and Fracture Healing in Mice
Authors: Cheng Zhiqiang , Li Alfred , Tu Chia-Ling , Maria Christian Santa , Szeto Nicholas , Herberger Amanda , Chen Tsui-Hua , Song Fuqing , Wang Jiali , Liu Xiaodong , Shoback Dolores M , Chang Wenhan 
Published: September 2019

ABSTRACT
Calcium and its putative receptor (CaSR) control skeletal development by pacing chondrocyte differentiation and mediating osteoblast (OB) function during endochondral bone formation—an essential process recapitulated during fracture repair. Here, we delineated the role of the CaSR in mediating transition of callus chondrocytes into the OB lineage and subsequent bone formation at fracture sites and explored targeting CaSRs pharmacologically to enhance fracture repair. In chondrocytes cultured from soft calluses at a closed, unfixed fracture site, extracellular [Ca2+] and the allosteric CaSR agonist (NPS-R568) promoted terminal differentiation of resident cells and the attainment of an osteoblastic phenotype. Knockout (KO) of the Casr gene in chondrocytes lengthened the chondrogenic phase of fracture repair by increasing cell proliferation in soft calluses but retarded subsequent osteogenic activity in hard calluses. Tracing growth plate (GP) and callus chondrocytes that express Rosa26-tdTomato showed reduced chondrocyte transition into OBs (by &gt;80%) in the spongiosa of the metaphysis and in hard calluses. In addition, KO of the Casr gene specifically in mature OBs suppressed osteogenic activity and mineralizing function in bony calluses. Importantly, in experiments using PTH (1-34) to enhance fracture healing, co-injection of NPS-R568 not only normalized the hypercalcemic side effects of intermittent PTH (1-34) treatment in mice but also produced synergistic osteoanabolic effects in calluses. These data indicate a functional role of CaSR in mediating chondrogenesis and osteogenesis in the fracture callus and the potential of CaSR agonism to facilitate fracture repair. © 2019 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Identification of messenger and long noncoding RNAs associated with gallbladder cancer via gene expression profile analysis
Authors: Kong Lei , Wu Qinghua , Zhao Liangchao , Ye Jinhua , Li Nengping , Yang Huali 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThe present study aimed to investigate the long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) and messenger RNAs (mRNAs) involved in the progression of gallbladder cancer and explore the potential physiopathologic mechanisms of gallbladder cancer in terms of competing endogenous RNAs (ceRNAs). The original lncRNA and mRNA expression profile data (nine gallbladder cancer tissues samples and nine normal gallbladder samples) in GSE76633 was downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed mRNAs and lncRNAs between gallbladder cancer tissue and normal control were selected and the pathways in which they are involved were analyzed using bioinformatics analyses. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) were also predicted based on the differentially expressed mRNAs. Finally, the co‐expression relation between lncRNA and mRNA was analyzed and the ceRNA network was constructed by combining the lncRNA‐miRNA, miRNA‐mRNA, and lncRNA‐mRNA pairs. Overall, 373 significantly differentially expressed mRNAs and 47 lncRNAs were identified between cancer and normal tissue samples. The upregulated genes were significantly enriched in the extracellular matrix (ECM)‐receptor interaction pathway, while the downregulated genes were involved in the complement and coagulation cascades. Altogether, 128 co‐expression relations between lncRNA and mRNA were obtained. In addition, 196 miRNA‐mRNA regulatory relations and 145 miRNA‐lncRNA relation pairs were predicted. Finally, the lncRNA‐miRNA‐gene ceRNA network was constructed by combining the three types of relation pairs, such as XLOC_011309‐miR‐548c‐3p‐SPOCK1 and XLOC_012588‐miR‐765‐CEACAM6. mRNAs and lncRNAs may be involved in gallbladder cancer progression via ECM‐receptor interaction pathways and the complement and coagulation cascades. Moreover, ceRNAs such as XLOC_011309‐miR‐548c‐3p‐SPOCK1 and XLOC_012588‐miR‐765‐CEACAM6 can also be implicated in the pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer.
miR‐215‐5p is an anticancer gene in multiple myeloma by targeting RUNX1 and deactivating the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway
Authors: Liu Shuyan , Zhang Yun , Huang Chang , Lin Shengyun 
Published: September 2019

AbstractThis study examined the underlying mechanism of miR‐215‐5p in multiple myeloma (MM) at the molecular level. miR‐215‐5p was upregulated in bone marrow specimens of patients with MM and MM cell lines through real‐time polymerase chain reaction, and downregulation of miR‐215‐5p was related to poor survival of patients with MM. The results of Western blot assay showed that the PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling pathway was activated in bone marrow specimens of patients with MM. miR‐215‐5p was found to negatively correlate with runt‐related transcription factor 1 (RUNX1) expression in MM clinical bone marrow samples. Therefore, to test the probable mechanisms of the regulation of MM cell proliferation and apoptosis, a miR‐215‐5p mimics/inhibitors/negative control was transfected into MM cells. The targets of miR‐215‐5p were estimated using four bioinformatics databases (including miRDB, miRTarBase, Starbase, and Targetscan). Furthermore, enrichment analyses of gene ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genomes pathway were carried out at the Enrichr website. Cell viability was detected using the MTT method, while apoptosis and cell cycle were measured using flow cytometry. RUNX1, CDK2, CDC25B, cleaved‐caspase‐3, cleaved‐PARP, p‐PI3K, PI3K, p‐AKT, AKT, p‐mTOR as well as mTOR protein were also investigated using Western blot analysis. According to our findings, miR‐215‐5p overexpression could induce apoptosis while rendering cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and reducing the proliferation of cells. Meanwhile, miRNA‐215‐5p could negatively regulate messengerRNA and protein levels of RUNX1 in MM cells. In addition, there was a similar effect in cell proliferation and apoptosis after miR‐215‐5p mimics or siRNA‐RUNX1 transfection. miR‐215‐5p inhibition inhibited apoptosis while increased the phosphorylation levels of PI3K, AKT, and mTOR proteins, whereas, miR‐215‐5p overexpression increased cell proliferation. Therefore, miR‐215‐5p inhibited MM cell apoptosis via targeting RUNX1 and suppressing the activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
On the structure of small strength‐2 covering arrays
Authors: Kokkala Janne I. , Meagher Karen , Naserasr Reza , Nurmela Kari J. , Östergård Patric R. J. , Stevens Brett 
Published: September 2019

AbstractA covering array of strength is an array of symbols from an alphabet of size such that in every subarray, every ‐tuple occurs in at least one row. A covering array is optimal if it has the smallest possible for given , , and , and uniform if every symbol occurs or times in every column. Before this paper, the only known optimal covering arrays for were orthogonal arrays, covering arrays with constructed from Sperner's Theorem and the Erdős‐Ko‐Rado Theorem, and 11 other parameter sets with and . In all these cases, there is a uniform covering array with the optimal size. It has been conjectured that there exists a uniform covering array of optimal size for all parameters. In this paper, a new lower bound as well as structural constraints for small uniform strength‐2 covering arrays is given. Moreover, covering arrays with small parameters are studied computationally. The size of an optimal strength‐2 covering array with and is now known for 21 parameter sets. Our constructive results continue to support the conjecture.