bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Low frataxin mRNA expression is associated with inflammation and oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes
Authors: Tatsch Etiane , De Carvalho José A.M. , Bollick Yãnaí S. , Duarte Thiago , Duarte Marta M.M.F. , Vaucher Rodrigo A. , Premaor Melissa O. , Comim Fabio V. , Moresco Rafael N. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractBackgroundThe mitochondrial protein frataxin is involved in iron metabolism, as well as regulation of oxidative stress. To elucidate the association of frataxin with the pathophysiology of diabetes, we evaluated the mRNA levels of frataxin in leukocytes of patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). In addition, we investigated the relation between frataxin mRNA levels, inflammatory cytokines, and oxidative stress biomarkers.MethodsA study including 150 subjects (115 patients with T2D and 35 healthy subjects) was performed to evaluate the frataxin mRNA levels in leukocytes. We assessed the relation between frataxin and interleukin (IL)‐6, IL‐1, tumour necrosis factor‐alpha (TNF‐α), total oxidation status (TOS), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), and serum iron.ResultsThe frataxin mRNA levels in the T2D group were significantly lower than those in healthy subjects. It was also demonstrated that T2D patients with frataxin mRNA levels in the lowest quartile had significantly elevated levels of serum iron, TOS, and inflammatory cytokines, such as TNF‐α, IL‐1, and IL‐6, while TAC levels were significantly lower in this quartile when compared with the upper quartile.ConclusionsOur findings showed that T2D patients with low frataxin mRNA levels showed a high degree of inflammation and oxidative stress. It is speculated that frataxin deficiency in T2D patients can contribute to the imbalance in mitochondrial iron homeostasis leading to the acceleration of oxidative stress and inflammation.
Investigating the Impact of Manufacturing Processes on the Ecotoxicity of Carbon Nanofibers: A Multi–Aquatic Species Comparison
Authors: Barrick Andrew , Châtel Amélie , Manier Nicolas , Kalman Judit , Navas José M. , Mouneyrac Catherine 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
Manufactured nanomaterial production is outpacing the ability to investigate environmental hazard using current regulatory paradigms, causing a backlog of materials requiring testing. To ameliorate this issue, regulatory bodies have proposed integrating safety into the production of novel nanomaterials, allowing for hazards to be identified early in development rather than aftermarket release. In addition, there is a growing interest in short-term ecotoxicity testing to rapidly identify environmental hazards. In this sense, the present study investigated 3 carbon nanofibers (CNFs), created with different production methods, using short-term in vitro and in vivo exposures on fish cell lines, mussel hemocytes, crustacea, and algae. The present study investigated if differences in ecotoxicity hazard between the CNFs could be identified and, if so, which product could be considered less hazardous. A major challenge in assessing the potential hazards posed by manufactured nanomaterials is standardizing the preparation for testing. Standardized operating protocols have been proposed using protein to facilitate the preparation of stable stock suspension, which is not environmentally representative. As such, the study also assessed the potential impacts these standardized protocols (with or without the use of protein) could have on the interpretation of environmental hazard. The results demonstrated that there were clear differences between the 3 CNFs and that the dispersion protocol influenced the interpretation of hazard, demonstrating a need for caution when interpreting ecotoxicity in a regulatory context. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2314–2325. © 2019 SETAC.
Uptake and Effects of the Beta-Adrenergic Agonist Salbutamol in Fish: Supporting Evidence for the Fish Plasma Model
Authors: Weil Mirco , Falkenhain Anna-Maria , Scheurer Marco , Ryan Jim J. , Coors Anja 
Published: July 2019

Abstract
The fish plasma model (FPM) predicts the fish blood plasma concentration of a pharmaceutical from the water concentration to which the fish is exposed and compares it with the human therapeutic plasma concentration (HtherPC) with the postulate that no adverse toxic effects occur below the HtherPC. The present study provides several lines of evidence supporting the FPM for the beta-adrenergic agonist salbutamol, a small cationic molecule at ambient pH. Salbutamol exhibited very low acute toxicity to early and adult life stages of fish. Biomass reduction in fish early life stages was the most sensitive apical endpoint, with no-observed-effect concentrations (NOECs) in the low mg/L range after continuous exposure for up to 120 d. Given that predicted and measured environmental concentrations are at least 1000-fold lower, the risk of salbutamol in freshwater is deemed very low. Increase in heart beat rate and decrease in total triglyceride content in fish also occurred at the low mg/L range and resembled effects known from humans. This finding supports the FPM assumption of conserved targets in fish with similar functionality. Plasma concentrations measured in adult and juvenile fish exposed to water concentrations at approximately the NOECs exceeded HtherPC and even approached plasma concentrations toxic to humans. This result confirms for salbutamol the FPM hypothesis that no adverse (i.e., population-relevant) toxic effects occur in fish below the HtherPC. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2509–2519. © 2019 SETAC
Risk factors for ectopic pregnancy among pregnant women attending a tertiary healthcare facility in Accra, Ghana
Authors: Asah‐Opoku Kwaku , Oppong Samuel A. , Ameme Donne K. , Nuamah Mercy A. , Mumuni Kareem , Yeboah Alexander O. , Ndanu Tom A. , Nkyekyer Kobinah 
Published: July 2019

AbstractObjectiveTo investigate risk factors for ectopic pregnancy among pregnant women attending the Korle‐Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana.MethodsIn an unmatched case–control study from September to November 2015, 104 women with ectopic pregnancy (cases) were compared with 208 women with intrauterine pregnancy (controls). Data were collected by interviewer‐administered questionnaire and record review. Bivariable analysis was used to compare characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression was used to assess associations between risk factors and ectopic pregnancy. Adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence interval (CIs) were reported.ResultsRisk factors for ectopic pregnancy were being single (aOR, 5.5; 95% CI, 2.15–14.65), sexual debut at younger than 15 years (aOR, 36.4; 95% CI, 2.49–532.49), multiple sexual partners (aOR, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.76–13.36), previous instrumental evacuation of uterus (aOR, 5.8; 95% CI, 1.20–27.99); previous diagnosis of infertility (aOR, 6.1; 95% CI, 1.36–27.28), being uninsured (aOR, 11.8; 95% CI, 4.23–32.74), and condom use (aOR, 6.1; 95% CI, 1.36–27.28).ConclusionWomen who were single with early sexual intercourse, multiple partners, instrumental evacuation of the uterus, and diagnosis of infertility were at risk of ectopic pregnancy. Identification of these factors should facilitate early diagnosis and treatment of ectopic pregnancy.
Quadrature demodulation in line‐scan focal modulation microscopy for imaging three‐dimensional zebrafish neural structure
Authors: Shen Shuhao , Wu Jian , Chen Nanguang 
Published: July 2019

AbstractVisualizing biological processes in neuroscience requires in vivo functional imaging at single‐neuron resolution, high image acquisition speed and strong optical sectioning ability. However, due to light scattering of in tissue, very often conventional wide‐field fluorescence microscopes are unable to resolve cells in the presence of a strong out‐of‐focus background. Line‐scan focal modulation microscopy enables high temporal resolution and good optical sectioning ability at the same time. Here we demonstrate a quadrature demodulation method to extract the focal information with an extended frequency bandwidth and therefore higher spatial resolution. The performance of the demodulation scheme in line‐scan focal modulation microscope has been evaluated by performing imaging experiments with fluorescence beads and zebrafish neural structure. Reduced background, reduced artifacts and more detailed morphological information are evident in the obtained images.
Integral equation‐based nonoverlapping domain decomposition method for electromagnetic scattering analysis of PEC targets in half‐space environment
Authors: Gu Zongjing , Zhang Yu , Zhao Xunwang , Lin Zhongchao 
Published: July 2019

AbstractAn integral equation‐based nonoverlapping domain decomposition method (IE‐NDDM) is proposed for efficient and accurate scattering analysis of electrically large PEC targets in a half‐space environment. Taking the condition that there are null fields as well as current inside PEC objects in the original problem, a novel explicit transmission condition is proposed to ensure continuity of electric currents between adjacent subdomains. Moreover, to deal with this situation that targets located in half‐space environment, the stratified‐medium dyadic Green's function is adopted. Numerical examples are provided to demonstrate the correctness and the performance of the proposed method. In detail, an analysis about electromagnetic scattering respect to the altitude of the target away from half‐space interface, the incident direction of plane wave, and the material parameters of the lower half‐space is presented; furthermore, the convergence behavior of the proposed method is studied.
Measurements, models and drivers of incoming longwave radiation in the Himalaya
Authors: de Kok Remco J. , Steiner Jakob F. , Litt Maxime , Wagnon Patrick , Koch Inka , Azam Mohd F. , Immerzeel Walter W. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMelting snow and glacier ice in the Himalaya forms an important source of water for people downstream. Incoming longwave radiation (LWin) is an important energy source for melt, but there are only few measurements of LWin at high elevation. For the modelling of snow and glacier melt, the LWin is therefore often represented by parameterizations that were originally developed for lower elevation environments. With LWin measurements at eight stations in three catchments in the Himalaya, with elevations between 3,980 and 6,352 m.a.s.l., we test existing LWin parameterizations. We find that these parameterizations generally underestimate the LWin, especially in wet (monsoon) conditions, where clouds are abundant and locally formed. We present a new parameterization based only on near‐surface temperature and relative humidity, both of which are easy and inexpensive to measure accurately. The new parameterization performs better than the parameterizations available in literature, in some cases halving the root‐mean‐squared error. The new parameterization is especially improving existing parameterizations in cloudy conditions. We also show that the choice of longwave parameterization strongly affects melt calculations of snow and ice.
The Impact of Coronary Artery Disease and Statins on Survival After Liver Transplantation
Authors: Patel Samarth S. , Rodriguez Viviana A. , Siddiqui Mohammad B. , Faridnia Masoud , Lin Fei‐Pi , Chandrakumaran Anchalia , Laurenzano John , Clinton Joseph , Kowlgi Gurukripa N. , Kirkman Danielle , Sima Adam P. , Liptrap Erika , Bhati Chandra , Siddiqui Mohammad Shadab 
Published: July 2019

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a major contributor to longterm mortality after liver transplantation (LT) necessitating aggressive modification of CVD risk. However, it is unclear how coronary artery disease (CAD) and the development of dyslipidemia following LT impacts clinical outcomes and how management of these factors may impact survival. Patients undergoing LT at Virginia Commonwealth University from January 2007 to January 2017 were included (n = 495). CAD and risk factors in all potential liver transplantation recipients (LTRs) over the age of 50 years were evaluated via coronary angiography. The impact of pre‐LT CAD after transplantation was evaluated via a survival analysis. Additionally, factors associated with new‐onset dyslipidemia, statin use, and mortality were assessed using multiple logistic regression or Cox proportional hazards models. The mean age of the cohort was 55.3 ± 9.3 years at the time of LT, and median follow‐up was 4.5 years. CAD was noted in 129 (26.1%) patients during the pre‐LT evaluation. The presence or severity of pre‐LT CAD did not impact post‐LT survival. Dyslipidemia was present in 96 patients at LT, and 157 patients developed new‐onset dyslipidemia after LT. Statins were underused as only 45.7% of patients with known CAD were on therapy. In patients with new‐onset dyslipidemia, statin therapy was initiated in 111 (71.1%), and median time to initiation of statin therapy was 2.5 years. Statin use conferred survival benefit (hazard ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence interval, 0.12‐0.49) and was well tolerated with only 12% of patients developing an adverse event requiring the cessation of therapy. In conclusion, pre‐LT CAD did not impact survival after LT, potentially suggesting a role of accelerated atherosclerosis that may not be captured on pre‐LT testing. Although statin therapy confers survival benefit, it is underused in LTRs.
Reduction of mutual coupling between patch antennas using defected ground structure in L‐ and S‐bands
Authors: Zhao Chengwei , Li Xiaoping , Sun Chao , Huang He 
Published: July 2019

AbstractMutual coupling (MC) is a common phenomenon in array antennas, which severely reduces antenna performance. Therefore, reducing MC is an important direction in array antennas. This article presents a novel defected ground structure (DGS) suppressing the MC between L‐ and S‐band microstrip patches. The antenna operates in two frequency bands with both relative bandwidths of approximately 10%. To reduce the overall size, the antennas of the two bands are designed together, using the same ground, reflective cavity, and dielectric substrates. By introducing six DGSs in the middle of the ground, the surface currents of the two frequency bands are cutoff, thus reducing the MC. A prototype is fabricated and measured. From the measured results, the isolation of more than 26.18 dB can be achieved in the L‐band from 1.6 to 1.8 GHz, and the isolation of 12.3 dB can be achieved in the S‐band from 2.05 to 2.25 GHz with the adoption of the DGS. The impedance bandwidth with return loss greater than 15 dB is 11.76% and 9.3% in the L‐ and S‐bands, respectively, which provides valuable reference for the design of other dual‐band antennas.
The effect of the noncovalent functionalization of CNT by ionic liquid on electrical conductivity and electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness of semi‐biodegradable polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) composites
Authors: Soares Bluma G. , Cordeiro Elisangela , Maia Jorge , Pereira Elaine C. L. , Silva Adriana A. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractSemi‐biodegradable polypropylene/poly(lactic acid) (PLA) (70:30 wt.%) blend with co‐continuous structure was used for the development of conducting composites. Multi‐walled carbon nanotube (CNT) and the noncovalently functionalized CNT with alkylphosphonium‐based ionic liquid (IL‐CNT) were used as conducting fillers. Relative high AC electrical conductivity was achieved by using 1 wt.% of CNT (around 10−3 S/m). This property increased four orders of magnitude when IL‐CNT was employed. The effect of the functionalization with IL on the rheological, morphological and thermal properties was investigated. The DSC analysis also suggested that the filler (CNT or IL‐CNT) exerted strong influence on the cold crystallization of the PLA phase and also on the melt crystallization of the PP phase. The effect of the IL on the dispersion of CNT was also confirmed by rheological measurements and transmission electron microscopy. An increase of the attenuation of the electromagnetic radiation, that is, an improvement of the electromagnetic interference shielding effectiveness (EMI SE) in the X‐band microwave region (8‐12 GHz) was achieved by using IL‐CNT, with an important influence of the absorption mechanism to this property.
LC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS and HPLC‐DAD phytochemical investigation and in vitro antioxidant assessment of Rosa sp. stem pruning products from different northern areas in Tunisia
Authors: Ouerghemmi Saloua , Sebei Houcine , Siracusa Laura , Ruberto Giuseppe , Saija Antonina , Khebour Allouche Faiza , Dhaouadi Karima , Cimino Francesco , Cristani Mariateresa 
Published: July 2019

AbstractIntroductionRosa species are known by their richness in bioactive compounds useful in cosmetic, perfumery, food and phytotherapy. These metabolites are influenced by several factors accordingly affecting the plant properties in different environments.ObjectiveExploration of polyphenolic composition and antioxidant activity of stem extracts from Rosa moschata Herrm., R. canina L. and R. sempervirens L. growing in different northern areas in Tunisia.MethodsPhytochemical composition was carried out by means of high‐performance liquid chromatography diode‐array detector (HPLC‐DAD) and HPLC‐DAD‐ESI‐MS (electrospray ionisation mass spectrometry). Antioxidant activity was measured using the DPPH (1,1‐diphenyl‐2‐picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging assay, the FRAP (ferric reducing antioxidant power) test, the TEAC (Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity) and the ORAC (oxygen radical absorbance capacity) assays.ResultsRosa stem profiles were dominated by flavonols but qualitative variation was recorded between sections (Caninae and Synstylae). Aromadendrin‐O‐hexoside‐deoxyhexoside, quercitrin and quercetin 3‐O‐glucoside were identified as the major compounds of R. sempervirens, R. moschata and R. canina, respectively. Quantitative differences were found between species, provenances and extracts either for the individual compounds or for the total phenolic contents. This variability was also highlighted in Rosa scavenger ability results. The highest mean values were recorded by methanolic extracts of R. moschata from Bizerte (TEAC and FRAP) and R. canina for DPPH. However, for ORAC assay, the most active extract was obtained by ethyl acetate from stems of R. canina.ConclusionResults allow concluding that stems of R. sempervirens, R. moschata and R. canina could present a new natural residual source of bioactive phytochemicals, to be employed as additives in pharmaceutical products or in cosmetic and food preparations.
Universal output feedback adaptive control with uncertain nonlinearity and unknown high‐frequency gain sign: A new design
Authors: Huang Chao , Zhang Hao , Wang Zhuping 
Published: July 2019

SummaryIn this paper, we propose a new universal output feedback adaptive controller to globally (or semiglobally) stabilize nonlinear output feedback systems, whose nonlinearities are bounded either by known functions with unknown parameters or by completely unknown functions. In addition, no a priori knowledge of the sign of high‐frequency gain is required. The new design focuses on properly arranging the control gains step by step in the filter backstepping design. Instead of Lyapunov‐based argument, an inductive contradiction argument is employed in the proof of stability, which is not common in literature.
Sized dependence and microstructural defects on highly photocatalytic activity based on multisized CdTe quantum dots sensitized TiO2
Authors: Li Yuesheng , Han Yan , Song Xiaofang , Li Tingting , Liu Guo , Chen Zhiyuan , Dong Zhibing , Liu Yi 
Published: July 2019

A series of sensitized TiO2 NPs with enhanced photocatalytic activity were prepared by different sized CdTe QDs with bifunctional ligand interlinking. The microstructures and morphologies of four different sizes of CdTe QDs and CdTe QDs sensitized TiO2 NPs were characterized systematically by fluorescence spectroscopy, UV‐Vis diffuse reflectance spectroscopy, FT‐IR, XRD, XPS, FE‐SEM, HRTEM, BET, and positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy (PALS). The photocatalytic performance of CdTe QDs sensitized TiO2 NPs was investigated by degrading MO and MB in aqueous solution under visible light irradiation. The process of degradation complied with the first‐order reaction kinetics. Four different sized CdTe QDs sensitized TiO2 exhibited higher photocatalytic activities than TiO2. Particularly, yellow emitting CdTe QDs (3.28 nm) sensitized TiO2 (CT_1.5) showed the best photocatalytic performance, which may be attributed to the optimal NP size, and has a moderate light absorption and electron injection. The effect of microstructural defects on CdTe QDs sensitized TiO2 has been confirmed effectively by positron lifetime measurements.
Synthesis of Diamond‐Shaped Mesoporous Titania Nanobricks as pH‐Responsive Drug Delivery Vehicles for Cancer Therapy
Authors: Wang Yanbing , Wang Qi , Zhang Chunmei 
Published: July 2019

AbstractApplication of nanotechnology and nanomaterials in cancer therapeutics has attracted much attention in recent years. Here, we prepared diamond‐shaped mesoporous TiO2 nanobricks (MTNs for short) via a facile and reproducible synthetic strategy. The obtained MTNs possess excellent biocompatibility, drug loading capability and pH‐responsive property through covalent conjugation to succinmidyl glutarate (PEG). These features enable the drug‐loaded PEG‐MTNs to be applied for cancer therapy. The confocal laser scanning microscopy studies show that the MTNs could be efficiently internalized by cancer cells and the loaded doxorubicin (DOX) in the MTNs could be successfully released in acidic intracellular environment. Meanwhile, the mice treated with drug‐loaded PEG‐MTNs exhibits the better tumor inhibition than those with free DOX. These data indicate the effectivity and significance of the MTNs in the cancer therapy.
Aggregation Induced Emission (AIE) Properties of Heteroleptic IrIII Complexes With Non‐chromophoric Ligand Effect: Synthesis, Characterization and Photophysical Investigations
Authors: Prajapati Meha J. , Surati Kiran R. 
Published: July 2019

AbstractThree bis‐cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes (1‐3) [Ir(ppz)2(L1)](1), [Ir(ppz)2(L2)](2) and [Ir(ppz)2(L3)](3), containing 1‐phenypyrazole (ppz) as the cyclometalated ligands and pyrazolone based derivatives as ancillary ligands (L1‐L3) were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques. All the complexes show strong photoluminescence in the range of 517‐521 nm in solid state at room temperature. However, it does not show luminescence in solution state due to ‘Aggregation Induced Emission’ (AIE). Photophysical and electrochemical properties were performed to understand and evaluate the AIE behavior of designed complexes on the basis of structural properties relationship with other reported iridium complexes. The designed complexes show good ΦPL in the range of 0.18‐0.21 in solid state due to non‐chromophoric schiff base ligands lower the energy of the triplet state to such a value that the non‐radiative (NR) state is no longer thermally accessible at room temperature. The ancillary ligands also tune the HOMO and LUMO level, where the decreases LUMO mainly influence by substitution effect of phenyl ring of Schiff base ligands and subsequently it makes the excited state far from the non‐radiative states, leading to enhance the efficiency even at room temperature with the bandgap (Eg) in the range of 2.63‐2.65 eV. All the designed complexes are thermally stable upto 300 °C.