bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Thermodynamic properties of PrRhO3 and phase diagrams of the system Pr–Rh–O
Authors: Jacob Kallarackel T. , Muraleedharan Srilekshmi 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA solid‐state electrochemical cell with yttria‐stabilized zirconia (YSZ) as the electrolyte is used to measure accurately thermodynamic properties of PrRhO3 in the range of temperature from 875 to 1325 K. The standard Gibbs energy of formation of PrRhO3 with orthorhombically distorted perovskite structure from its binary oxides β‐Rh2O3 and hexagonal Pr2O3 is given by, . Invoking the Newmann‐Kopp rule, the standard enthalpy of formation from elements and standard entropy of PrRhO3 at 298.15 K are evaluated: and . Phase relations in the system Pr–Rh–O at 1200 K are computed from thermodynamic data. Calorimetric data on enthalpy of formation of two intermetallic compounds are combined with the semi‐empirical model of Miedema and phase diagram to estimate Gibbs energy of formation for the intermetallics and liquid alloys. An isothermal section of ternary phase diagram, an oxygen potential‐composition diagram in 2‐D and a 3‐D chemical potential diagram for the system Pr–Rh–O at 1200 K are presented. In addition, temperature‐composition diagrams at different oxygen pressures are developed. The diagrams provide a road map for design and optimization of processing routes for catalysts based on Rh.
Elevational and microclimatic drivers of thermal tolerance in Andean Pristimantis frogs
Authors: Pintanel Pol , Tejedo Miguel , Ron Santiago R. , Llorente Gustavo A. , Merino‐Viteri Andrés 
Published: May 2019

AbstractAimWe analysed elevational and microclimatic drivers of thermal tolerance diversity in a tropical mountain frog clade to test three macrophysiological predictions: less spatial variation in upper than lower thermal limits (Bretts’ heat‐invariant hypothesis); narrower thermal tolerance ranges in habitats with less variation in temperature (Janzen's climatic variability hypothesis); and higher level of heat impacts at lower elevations.LocationForest and open habitats through a 4,230‐m elevational gradient across the tropical Andes of Ecuador.MethodWe examined variability in critical thermal limits (CTmax and CTmin) and thermal breadth (TB; CTmax–CTmin) in 21 species of Pristimantis frogs. Additionally, we monitored maximum and minimum temperatures at the local scale (tmax, tmin) and estimated vulnerability to acute thermal stress from heat (CTmax–tmax) and cold (tmin–CTmin), by partitioning thermal diversity into elevational and microclimatic variation.ResultsOur results were consistent with Brett's hypothesis: elevation promotes more variation in CTmin and tmin than in CTmax and tmax. Frogs inhabiting thermally variable open habitats have higher CTmax and tmax and greater TBs than species restricted to forest habitats, which show less climatic overlap across the elevational gradient (Janzen's hypothesis). Vulnerability to heat stress was higher in open than forest habitats and did not vary with elevation.Main conclusionsWe suggest a mechanistic explanation of thermal tolerance diversity in elevational gradients by including microclimatic thermal variation. We propose that the unfeasibility to buffer minimum temperatures locally may explain the rapid increase in cold tolerance (lower CTmin) with elevation. In contrast, the relative invariability in heat tolerance (CTmax) with elevation may revolve around the organisms’ habitat selection of open‐ and canopy‐buffered habitats. Secondly, on the basis of microclimatic estimates, lowland and upland species may be equally vulnerable to temperature increase, which is contrary to the pattern inferred from regional interpolated climate estimators.
BAG3‐positive pancreatic stellate cells promote migration and invasion of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma
Authors: Yuan Ye , Jiang Jing‐Yi , Wang Jia‐Mei , Sun Jia , Li Chao , Liu Bao‐Qin , Yan Jing , Meng Xiao‐Na , Wang Hua‐Qin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBAG3 is constitutively expressed in multiple types of cancer cells and its high expression is associated with tumour progression and poor prognosis of PDAC. However, little is known about the role of BAG3 in the regulation of stromal microenvironment of PDAC. The current study demonstrated that beside PDAC tumour cells, BAG3 was also expressed in some activated stroma cells in PDAC tissue, as well as in activated PSCs. In addition, the current study demonstrated that BAG3 expression in PSCs was involved in maintenance of PSCs activation and promotion of PDACs invasion via releasing multiple cytokines. The current study demonstrated that BAG3‐positive PSCs promoted invasion of PDACs via IL‐8, MCP1, TGF‐β2 and IGFBP2 in a paracrine manner. Furthermore, BAG3 sustained PSCs activation through IL‐6, TGF‐β2 and IGFBP2 in an autocrine manner. Thereby, the current study provides a new insight into the involvement of BAG3 in remodelling of stromal microenvironment favourable for malignant progression of PDAC, indicating that BAG3 might serve as a potential target for anti‐fibrosis of PDAC.
COPB2 is up‐regulated in breast cancer and plays a vital role in the metastasis via N‐cadherin and Vimentin
Authors: Bhandari Adheesh , Zheng Chen , Sindan Namita , Sindan Namrata , Quan Ruida , Xia Erjie , Thapa Yubaraj , Tamang Dependra , Wang Ouchen , Ye Xiaohe , Huang Duping 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBreast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumour for the adult female and its relative incidence has increased continuously in recent years. The primary molecular mechanisms of breast tumourigenesis remain unclear. With the sequencing technology, we found that coatomer protein complex subunit beta 2 (COPB2) gene is overexpressed in breast cancer tissues. However, the biological function of COPB2 in BC has yet to be determined. This current research demonstrates, significant up‐regulation of COPB2 in tissues of breast cancer while comparing the adjacent normal tissue both invalidated cohort and TCGA cohort. Up‐regulated expression of COPB2 was correlated with lymph node metastasis (LNM) and oestrogen receptor (ER) in the TCGA cohort and a high level of COPB2 was associated with age and lymph node metastasis in the validated cohort. Besides, logistic analysis illustrated in BC patient COPB2 expression, tumour size, age, ER and disease stage were independent high‐risk factors of LNM. Loss of function experiments revealed that down‐regulation of COPB2 could inhibit capacities of proliferation and cell invasion in MDA‐MB‐231 and BT‐549 cell lines. Moreover, underexpression of COPB2 could decrease the EMT‐related protein N‐cadherin and vimentin which may lead to cell invasion. This current research provides new shreds of evidence that COPB2 overexpression shows significant character in the progression of breast cancer. To best of our knowledge, our findings indicated that COPB2 was vital oncogene which was associated with breast cancer.
Identification of mineralocorticoid receptor target genes in the mouse hippocampus
Authors: van Weert Lisa T. C. M. , Buurstede Jacobus C. , Sips Hetty C. M. , Vettorazzi Sabine , Mol Isabel M. , Hartmann Jakob , Prekovic Stefan , Zwart Wilbert , Schmidt Mathias V. , Roozendaal Benno , Tuckermann Jan P. , Sarabdjitsingh R. Angela , Meijer Onno C. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBrain mineralocorticoid receptors (MRs) and glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) respond to the same glucocorticoid hormones but can have differential effects on cellular function. Several lines of evidence suggest that MR‐specific target genes must exist and might underlie the distinct effects of the receptors. The present study aimed to identify MR‐specific target genes in the hippocampus, a brain region where MR and GR are co‐localised and play a role in the stress response. Using genome‐wide binding of both receptor types, we previously identified MR‐specific, MR‐GR overlapping and GR‐specific putative target genes. We now report altered gene expression levels of such genes in the hippocampus of forebrain MR knockout (fbMRKO) mice, killed at the time of their endogenous corticosterone peak. Of those genes associated with MR‐specific binding, the most robust effect was a 50% reduction in Jun dimerization protein 2 (Jdp2) mRNA levels in fbMRKO mice. Down‐regulation was also observed for the MR‐specific Nitric oxide synthase 1 adaptor protein (Nos1ap) and Suv3 like RNA helicase (Supv3 l1). Interestingly, the classical glucocorticoid target gene FK506 binding protein 5 (Fkbp5), which is associated with MR and GR chromatin binding, was expressed at substantially lower levels in fbMRKO mice. Subsequently, hippocampal Jdp2 was confirmed to be up‐regulated in a restraint stress model, posing Jdp2 as a bona fide MR target that is also responsive in an acute stress condition. Thus, we show that MR‐selective DNA binding can reveal functional regulation of genes and further identify distinct MR‐specific effector pathways.
Clinical outcomes and predictive relapse factors of IgG4‐related disease following treatment: a long‐term cohort study
Authors: Peng Y. , Li J. Q. , Zhang P. P. , Zhang X. , Peng L. Y. , Chen H. , Zhou J. X. , Zhang S. Z. , Yang H. X. , Liu J. J. , Guo H. F. , Li J. , Zhang X. , Zhao Y. , Zeng X. F. , Zhang F. C. , Fei Y. Y. , Zhang W. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractObjectivesThe aim of this study was to investigate the predictive factors for relapse of IgG4‐related disease (IgG4‐RD) and observe the long‐term clinical outcomes in patients with IgG4‐RD.MethodsWe included in the present analysis 122 patients who were newly diagnosed with IgG4‐RD, treated with glucocorticoid (GC) monotherapy or GC and immunosuppressant combination therapy, and followed for at least 3 years. Clinical relapse, response and side effects were recorded.ResultsThe cumulative relapse rates of patients in this study were 10.66%, 22.95% and 27.87% at 12, 24 and 36 months, respectively. Complete drug withdrawal was an independent risk factor for disease relapse. Higher serum IgG4 concentrations, involvement of more organs, higher IgG4 RI scores and elevation of eosinophils at baseline were closely associated with disease relapse. Re‐elevation of serum IgG4 concentrations and low GC maintenance dosage during the follow‐up period were significantly associated with clinical relapse. The GC dosage should be more than 6.25 mg day−1 as monotherapy during the maintenance stage; moreover, combining with immunosuppressants can reduce the GC dosage. Adding GC or immunosuppressants for patients with re‐elevation of serum IgG4 levels could prevent later disease relapse. No serious complications were noted during long‐term follow‐up.ConclusionsThe combination of GC with immunosuppressants was more effective than GC monotherapy during the steroid tapering and maintenance stages. Higher serum IgG4 levels, involvement of more organs, higher IgG4 RI scores, history of allergy, eosinophil elevation at baseline, re‐elevation of serum IgG4 levels and lower GC maintenance dosage at follow‐up might be predictive of relapse.
Predictive value of low testosterone concentrations regarding coronary heart disease and mortality in men and women – evidence from the FINRISK97 study
Authors: Zeller T. , Appelbaum S. , Kuulasmaa K. , Palosaari T. , Blankenberg S. , Jousilahti P. , Salomaa V. , Karakas M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIntroductionThe relevance of low testosterone concentrations for incident coronary heart disease (CHD) and mortality has been discussed in various studies. Here, we evaluate the predictive value of low baseline testosterone levels in a large population‐based cohort.MethodsWe measured the serum levels of testosterone in 7671 subjects (3710 male, 3961 female) of the population‐based FINRISK97 study.ResultsThe median follow‐up (FU) was 13.8 years. During the FU, a total of 779 deaths from any cause, and 395 incident CHD events were recorded. The age‐adjusted baseline testosterone levels were similar in subjects suffering incident events during FU and those without incident events during FU (men: 15.80 vs. 17.01 nmol L−1; P = 0.69, women: 1.14 vs. 1.15 nmol L−1; P = 0.92). Weak correlations of testosterone levels were found with smoking (R = 0.09; P < 0.001), HDL cholesterol levels (R = 0.22, P < 0.001), systolic blood pressure (R = −0.05; P = 0.011), BMI (R = −0.23; P < 0.001) and waist‐hip‐ratio (R = −0.21; P < 0.001) in men, and with eGFR (R = −0.05; P = 0.009) in women. Kaplan–Meier analyses did not reveal a positive association of testosterone levels with incident CHD or mortality. Accordingly, also in Cox regression analyses, testosterone levels were not predictive for incident CHD or mortality – neither in men (HR 1.02 [95%CI: 0.70–1.51]; P = 0.79 for lowest versus highest quarter regarding CHD and HR 1.06 [95%CI: 0.80–1.39]; P = 0.67 regarding mortality), nor in women (HR 1.13 [95%CI: 0.69–1.85]; P = 0.56 for lowest versus highest quarter regarding CHD and HR 0.99 [95%CI: 0.71–1.39]; P = 0.80 regarding mortality).ConclusionsLow levels of testosterone are not predictive regarding future CHD or mortality – neither in men, nor in women.
Floral development in the androdioecious tree Tapiscia sinensis: Implications for the evolution to androdioecy
Authors: Xin Gui‐Liang , Jia Guo‐Lun , Ren Xiao‐Long , Wang Yue‐Yue , Zhao Peng , Liu Wen‐Zhe 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe evolutionary pathway between hermaphroditism and dioecy (females and males in a single population) draws widespread interests, and androdioecy (bisexuals and males in a single population) is rarely achieved as an intermediate state between the two breeding systems. Flower bud differentiations in the pistils of hermaphrodites and the pistillodes of males in androdioecious Tapiscia sinensis Oliv. are investigated by routine paraffin section technology, light microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy. A phylogenetic approach is used to analyze the origin of androdioecy. In
T. sinensis, hermaphroditic flowers (HF) and male flowers (MF) experienced a similar development pattern in early flower bud differentiation, including the initiation of tepals and stamens. However, the carpel differentiation of MF and HF proceed in different patterns. In HF, the central zone bulges out and produces a ring meristem on which two to three carpel primordia emerge, which eventually developed into a normal pistil with a stigma, a style, and an ovary. However, in most MF, vestigial pistils are stem‐like (type I), and very few have an empty ovary (type II) or a sterile ovule (type III). Moreover, the evolution of sexual systems within the Huerteales indicates that hermaphroditism is the primitive character of
T.
sinensis.
Tapiscia sinensis shows different degrees of reduction between male flowers and bisexual ones in the evolution to dioecy. Functional androdioecy originated from a hermaphroditic ancestor in
T.
sinensis and, as an intermediate sexual system, involves evolution from hermaphrodites to dioecy.
Strategic uncertainty, coordination failure and emergence: A game theory study on agency‐structure interactions
Authors: Yang Yi , Liu Lin 
Published: May 2019

AbstractIn the social sciences there is a long standing debate over the primacy of structure or agency in shaping human behavior. Structurationists like Giddens think of individuals' agency and collective features as two sides of the same coin while emergentists including Archer and Elder‐Vass claim that structurationists are blurring an important ontological distinction——they argue for effective social analysis, we should think of structures and individuals as different things because emergence happens when the properties of the collective are not reducible to the properties of the parts that constitute them. This paper contributes to the agency‐structure debate by showing how production and reproduction of emergent properties of social groups sharing same normative commitments (norm circles) can be empirically studied using two behavioral game theory experiments, adding a previously neglected insight that strategic uncertainty can lead to coordination failures of individual behaviors within norm circles, manifested as unintended outcomes of interdependent actions that are difficult to predict. Here the synchronic relation between the unpredictable collective outcomes of each game round and agential reactions of the participants to them defines emergence——the previous outcomes are diachronic inputs but they appear in the new outcome only through their effects on the individual decisions.
Diffusive emissions of methane and nitrous oxide from a cascade of tropical hydropower reservoirs in Kenya
Authors: Okuku Eric O. , Bouillon Steven , Tole Mwakio , Borges Alberto V. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractThe present study investigated diffusive emissions of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) to the atmosphere from three relatively small (3–120 km2) reservoirs (Masinga, Kamburu and Gitaru) on the Tana River (Kenya). Sampling was conducted biweekly in 2011, 2012 and 2013, at sampling sites upstream and downstream of these reservoirs while five sampling campaigns were carried out in 2011, 2012 and 2013 for different sites within each of the reservoirs. The dissolved CH4 (range: 19–2101 nmol/L) and N2O (range: 6.2–11.5 nmol/L) concentrations in the surface waters were generally very low in the three reservoirs, compared with other reservoirs globally. The lower diffusive emissions of CH4 (20–216 µmol/m2 day−1) and N2O (1.0–1.6 µmol/m2 day−1) from these reservoirs, compared with other tropical reservoirs, are probably related to their age (30–40 years), and lower vegetation biomass (savannah) originally present and submerged during their commissioning. The reservoirs with longer water residence times were characterized by higher diffusive CH4 fluxes (216 ± 666 µmol/m2 day−1) and slightly lower N2O fluxes (1.0 ± 1.5 µmol/m2 day−1). The relative contribution of turbine fluxes of CH4 and N2O, compared to diffusive fluxes, was also highly variable among the three dams, being lower in Masinga Reservoir and higher in Gitaru Reservoir.
Fluconazole plus flucytosine is a good alternative therapy for non‐HIV and non‐transplant‐associated cryptococcal meningitis: A retrospective cohort study
Authors: Li Zhanyi , Liu Yu , Chong Yutian , Li Xiangyong , Jie Yusheng , Zheng Xiaoyan , Yan Ying 
Published: May 2019

SummaryCryptococcal meningitis (CM) carries a high risk of mortality with increasing incidences in immune competent hosts. Current treatments are not well tolerated, and evaluation of other treatments is needed. Fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine in treating immune competent hosts have not been characterised. To evaluate the efficacy of fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine in treating non‐HIV‐ and non‐transplant‐associated CM. We performed a retrospective cohort study of the outcomes in immune competent patients with CM treated with fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine or deoxycholate‐amphotericin B and 5‐flucytosine. The primary outcome was treatment response evaluated at the 12th week after initiation of antifungal therapy. A total of 43 and 47 patients received amphotericin B deoxycholate and 5‐flucytosine or fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine, respectively. A total of 38 (88.4%) patients cannot tolerate recommended doses of amphotericin B deoxycholate and 5‐flucytosine (patients needed dose reduction during the treatment). Patients given fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine had higher baseline cryptococcal burdens (median 3632 versus 900 cryptococci/mL, P = 0.008). No significant differences were seen in cryptococcus clearance (74.4% vs 70.2%, P = 0.814), treatment time (39 days, 20‐69 days vs 21 days, 7‐63 days, P = 0.107) and successful response (including complete and partial responses) rates (69.7% vs 72.3%, P = 0.820). Fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine treatment had lower total adverse events (19.1% vs 90.7%, P < 0.001). Fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine had relatively high efficacy with few adverse events in treating CM. Fluconazole and 5‐flucytosine therapy is promising in patients that do not tolerate or are not suited for amphotericin B deoxycholate treatment.
Reduction in IBS symptom severity is not paralleled by improvement in quality of life in patients with irritable bowel syndrome
Authors: Weerts Zsa Zsa R. M. , Vork Lisa , Mujagic Zlatan , Keszthelyi Daniel , Hesselink Martine A. M. , Kruimel Joanna , Leue Carsten , Muris Jean W.M. , Jonkers Daisy M. A. E. , Masclee Ad A. M. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractBackgroundIrritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a brain‐gut disorder, of which the natural course varies between patients and is difficult to predict. This study aimed to evaluate symptom evolution over a 5‐year follow‐up period and to identify baseline predictors for symptom severity and quality of life (QoL) at follow‐up.MethodsMaastricht IBS cohort participants completed questionnaires upon inclusion regarding demographics and lifestyle, gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms, anxiety and depression, and QoL. The same questionnaires, in addition to others, were completed after 5 years. Rome criteria were confirmed face‐to‐face at initial enrollment and through telephonic interviews at follow‐up.Key ResultsAt a mean follow‐up of 4.7 years, 379 patients were approached of whom 203 (53.7%) responded. Of these, 161 were reached by telephone and analyzed; 49 (30.4%) did not fulfill the Rome III criteria at follow‐up and had lower levels of GI symptoms and GI‐specific anxiety compared to those remaining Rome III‐positive (P < 0.001). However, Rome III‐negative patients had comparable levels of QoL and life satisfaction, comorbid anxiety and depression, work absenteeism, and impaired productivity. No baseline predictors were found for being Rome III‐positive or Rome III‐negative. However, greater age and lower baseline physical QoL predicted lower physical QoL at follow‐up (P < 0.005 andP < 0.01, respectively), while lower baseline mental QoL predicted lower mental QoL at follow‐up (P = 0.005). Additionally, higher anxiety and depression scores at follow‐up were associated with lower QoL and life satisfaction at follow‐up (P < 0.001).Conclusions and InferencesLong‐term QoL and general well‐being might depend on concurrent psychological symptoms, rather than GI symptom improvement.
A Paradox for the Intrinsic Value of Freedom of Choice
Authors: Gustafsson Johan E. 
Published: May 2019

AbstractA standard liberal claim is that freedom of choice is not only instrumentally valuable but also intrinsically valuable, that is, valuable for its own sake. I argue that each one of five conditions should hold if freedom of choice is intrinsically valuable: First, if rational people may differ as to which option is the most preferred in an option set, the offered freedom of choice has some intrinsic value. Second, if an option set is expanded with an option that must be less preferred than the already available options by any rational person, the intrinsic value of the offered freedom of choice does not increase. Third, if an option set is expanded, the intrinsic value of the offered freedom of choice does not decrease. Fourth, if an option set has only one option, it does not offer any intrinsically good freedom of choice. And, fifth, the relation ‘at least as good freedom of choice as’ is transitive. The trouble is that there exists a counter‐example to the conjunction of these conditions. Hence freedom of choice is not intrinsically valuable.