bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
A 2-Tier standard method to test the toxicity of microplastics in marine water using Paracentrotus lividus and Acartia clausi larvae
Authors: Beiras Ricardo , Tato Tania , López-Ibáñez Sara 
Published: December 2018

Abstract

A 2-tier standardized protocol was designed to test the toxicity of microplastics to planktonic organisms. This approach uses sea urchin (Paracentrotus lividus) and copepod (Acartia clausi) larvae because they are common biological models in marine research, and standard methods for toxicity testing with regulatory applications are available. In Tier I, leachates obtained at a 100 to 1 liquid to solid ratio are tested, and toxic units are calculated using a probit dose–response model to quantify the toxicity of the plastics. In Tier II, which is conducted only if significant toxicity (&gt; 1 toxic unit) is found in Tier I, particles less than 20 μm in size are tested at concentrations between 0.1 and 10 mg L−1, and a toxicity threshold suitable for ranking materials according to their toxicity is obtained from the 10% effect concentration (EC10) values. Results point to chemical additives as being responsible for the toxicity found in certain plastic materials. This process is suitable for both a priori identification of the hazard posed by plastic objects in the aquatic environment, and a posteriori assessment of environmental risk caused by microplastic pollution. The method also provides a quantitative procedure appropriate for ranking plastic materials according to their toxicity to aquatic organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:630–637. © 2018 SETAC
Abstract
Standard protocol for plastics’ toxicity testing including micronization of plastic objects, Tier I leachate test and calculation of toxic units (toxic units), and Tier II microparticle test and calculation of the toxicity threshold. EC10 = 10% effect concentration.
An accurate and robust HLLC‐type Riemann solver for the compressible Euler system at various Mach numbers
Authors: Xie Wenjia , Zhang Ran , Lai Jianqi , Li Hua 
Published: December 2018

SummaryA simple, robust, and accurate HLLC‐type Riemann solver for the compressible Euler equations at various Mach numbers is built. To cure shock instability of the HLLC solver at strong shocks, a pressure‐control technique, which plays a role in limiting the propagation of erroneous pressure perturbation, is proposed. With an all Mach correction method for the compressible Euler system, the proposed method is further extended to compute flow problems at low Mach numbers. The proposed all Mach HLLC‐type scheme has been implemented and used to compute a variety of flow problems ranging from hypersonic compressible to low Mach incompressible flow regimes. Various numerical results demonstrate that the obtained all Mach HLLC‐type scheme is both accurate and stable for all speed ranges.
Early experience of transoral thyroidectomy: Comparison of robotic and endoscopic procedures
Authors: Tae Kyung , Lee Dong Won , Song Chang Myeon , Ji Yong Bae , Park Jung Hwan , Kim Dong Sun , Tufano Ralph P. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundThe aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility, safety, and early surgical outcomes of transoral thyroidectomy and to compare robotic and endoscopic procedures.MethodsA total of 37 patients underwent robotic (23 cases) or endoscopic (14 cases) transoral thyroidectomy. We compared the outcomes of the two procedures.ResultsOf the 37 patients, 2 were converted to the robotic facelift approach as a result of an intraoperative CO2 embolism and inability to remove the tumor. The mean operative time was 172.8 ± 37.5 minutes. Transient recurrent laryngeal nerve palsy occurred in one case, and transient hypoparathyroidism in two cases. Most of patients were satisfied with the postoperative cosmesis. There were no significant differences between the robotic and endoscopic procedures, except for operative time, which was significantly longer in the robotic group.ConclusionRobotic and endoscopic transoral thyroidectomies are both feasible and safe in appropriate patients.
NETS: Network estimation for time series
Authors: Barigozzi Matteo , Brownlees Christian 
Published: December 2018

SummaryWe model a large panel of time series as a vector autoregression where the autoregressive matrices and the inverse covariance matrix of the system innovations are assumed to be sparse. The system has a network representation in terms of a directed graph representing predictive Granger relations and an undirected graph representing contemporaneous partial correlations. A LASSO algorithm calledNETSis introduced to estimate the model. We apply the methodology to analyze a panel of volatility measures of 90 blue chips. The model captures an important fraction of total variability, on top of what is explained by volatility factors, and improves out‐of‐sample forecasting.
Has_circ_0055625 from circRNA profile increases colon cancer cell growth by sponging miR‐106b‐5p
Authors: Zhang Jian , Liu Hua , Zhao Ping , Zhou Hao , Mao Tao 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCircular RNAs (circRNA) are endogenous noncoding RNAs and play important roles in cancer; however, the roles of circRNAs in colon cancer are far from clear. The circRNA expression profile in colon cancer tissues was analyzed by microarray. The data from microarray showed that there were 198 upregulated and 136 downregulated circRNAs in colon cancer tissues. Among the top 10 upregulated circRNAs, hsa_circ_0055625 (circ_0055625) was confirmed to be significantly upregulated in colon cancer tissues. Further analysis demonstrated that circ_0055625 might get involved in the pathogenesis of colon cancer by functioning as miRNA sponges and performed bioinformatics analysis of the predicted circ_0055625/miR‐106b‐5p (miR‐106b)/ITGB8 network. Moreover, we found that circ_0055625 expression was associated with pathological TNM stage and metastasis. These data indicated that circ_0055625/miR‐106b/ITGB8 played a role in promoting tumor growth and metastasis, which suggested that circ_0055625 was a potential biomarker of colon cancer.
LncRNA SNHG20 contributes to cell proliferation and invasion by upregulating ZFX expression sponging miR‐495‐3p in gastric cancer
Authors: Cui Ning , Liu Jun , Xia Hong , Xu Dong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractLong noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert key regulators in cancer development and progression. The functional significance of lncRNA small nucleolar RNA host gene 20 (SNHG20) was reported in gastric cancer (GC); however, the underlying molecular mechanism in GC development is largely unknown. Here, our results showed that the lncRNA SNHG20 expression was significantly higher in GC tissues compared with adjacent normal tissues by quantitative real‐time PCR (qRT‐PCR) analysis. Higher lncRNA SNHG20 expression was highly associated with tumor size and lymphatic metastasis of patients. Patients with higher lncRNA SNHG20 expression predicted a short disease‐free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). Furthermore, lncRNA SNHG20 expression negatively associated with miR‐495‐3p expression and regulated miR‐495‐3p expression. Function assays confirmed that lncRNA SNHG20 knockdown using RNA interference suppressed cell proliferation and invasion of GC by negatively regulating miR‐495‐3p expression. Moreover, we demonstrated that lncRNA SNHG20 inhibited zinc finger protein X‐linked (ZFX) expression by negatively miR‐495‐3p expression in GC cells. In vivo, the current study also indicated that lncRNA SNHG20 knockdown reduced the tumor growth by downregulating ZFX expression. Thus, our results implied that inhibition of SNHG20/miR‐495‐3p/ZFX axis may provide valuable target for GC treatment.
Hsa‐miRNA‐29a protects against high glucose‐induced damage in human umbilical vein endothelial cells
Authors: Huang Zhigang , Li Na , Shan Yi , Liang Chun 
Published: December 2018

AbstractSustained exposure to high glucose (HG) results in dysfunction of vascular endothelial cells. Hence, diabetic patients often suffer from secondary vascular damages, such as vascular sclerosis and thrombogenesis, which may eventually cause cardiovascular problems. Thus, elucidating how HG results in vascular endothelial cell damage and finding an approach for prevention are important to prevent and treat vascular damages in diabetic patients. In the current study, we first showed that 72‐hour exposure to HG‐decreased hsa‐miRNA‐29a and increased the expression of Bcl‐2 associated X protein (Bax), which subsequently inhibited Bcl‐2 and promoted the expression of apoptotic protease activating factor‐1 and activation of caspase‐3, thus directly triggering the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Study of the underlying mechanism showed that hsa‐miRNA‐29a/Bax plays an essential role in the decreased proliferation and increased apoptosis of HUVECs induced by HG, and overexpression of hsa‐miRNA‐29a effectively inhibits HG‐induced apoptosis and restores the proliferation and tube formation of HUVECs exposed to HG by inhibiting its target gene Bax. In short, our study demonstrates that hsa‐miRNA‐29a is a promising target for the prevention and treatment of vascular injury in diabetic patients.
Long noncoding RNA FOXD2‐AS1 promotes glioma malignancy and tumorigenesis via targeting miR‐185‐5p/CCND2 axis
Authors: Shen Fazheng , Chang Haigang , Gao Guojun , Zhang Bin , Li Xiangsheng , Jin Baozhe 
Published: December 2018

AbstractGlioma is the most aggressive malignant tumor in the adult central nervous system. Abnormal long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) FOXD2‐AS1 expression was associated with tumor development. However, the possible role of FOXD2‐AS1 in the progression of glioma is not known. In the present study, we used in vitro and in vivo assays to investigate the effect of abnormal expression of FOXD2‐AS1 on glioma progression and to explore the mechanisms. FOXD2‐AS1 was upregulated in glioma tissue, cells, and sphere subpopulation. Upregulation of FOXD2‐AS1 was correlated with poor prognosis of glioma. Downregulation of FOXD2‐AS1 decreased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, stemness, and epithelial‐mesenchymal transition (EMT) in glioma cells and inhibited tumor growth in transplanted tumor. We also revealed that FOXD2‐AS1 was mainly located in cytoplasm and microRNA (miR)‐185‐5p both targeted FOXD2‐AS1 and CCND2 messenger RNA (mRNA) 3′‐untranslated region (3′‐UTR). miR‐185‐5p was downregulated in glioma tissue, cells, and sphere subpopulation. Downregulation of miR‐185‐5p was closely correlated with poor prognosis of glioma patients. In addition, miR‐185‐5p mimics decreased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, stemness, and EMT in glioma cells. CCND2 was upregulated in glioma tissue, cells, and sphere subpopulation. Upregulation of CCND2 was closely correlated with poor prognosis of glioma patients. CCND2 knockdown decreased cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and EMT in glioma cells. In glioma tissues, CCND2 expression was negatively associated with miR‐185‐5p, but positively correlated with FOXD2‐AS1. FOXD2‐AS1 knockdown and miR‐185‐5p mimics decreased CCND2 expression. Inhibition of miR‐185‐5p suppressed FOXD2‐AS1 knockdown‐induced decrease of CCND2 expression. Overexpression of CCND2 suppressed FOXD2‐AS1 knockdown‐induced inhibition of glioma malignancy. Taken together, our findings highlight the FOXD2‐AS1/miR‐185‐5p/CCND2 axis in the glioma development.
Astrocyte elevated gene‐1 induces autophagy in diabetic cardiomyopathy through upregulation of KLF4
Authors: Zhao Lichun , Zhang Qianhua , Liang Jie , Li Junxiu , Tan Xiaoming , Tang Nong 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundAstrocyte elevated gene‐1 (AEG‐1), also known as metadherin, 3D3, and lysine‐rich carcinoembryonic antigen‐related cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1) coisolated, has emerged as an important oncogene that is overexpressed in a variety of cancers. Previous studies revealed that AEG‐1 is also involved in multiple physiological and pathological processes, such as development, inflammation, neurodegeneration, migraine, and Huntington's disease. However, the function of AEG‐1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy (DCM) has not been reported yet. Therefore, we conducted this study to characterize the potential role and mechanism of AEG‐1 in DCM rats.MethodsDCM was induced by injections of streptozocin (STZ) in Wistar rats. Rats were randomized to be injected with lentivirus carrying AEG‐1 small interfering RNA. Haemodynamic changes of Wistar rats, assessment of cardiac weight index, and the expression of AEG‐1 and KLF4 were detected and compared among these three groups.ResultsThe expressions of AEG‐1 and KLF4 in the STZ group were significantly elevated in cardiac tissues compared with the control group. Knockdown of AEG‐1 significantly increased the values of left ventricular ejection fraction, ±dp/dt
max, repressed autophagy, as well as upregulated the expression of KLF4.ConclusionsKnockdown of AEG‐1 suppresses autophagy in DCM by downregulating the expression of KLF4. This study provide first‐notion evidence for the potential value of AEG‐1 as a therapeutic target for the treatment of the patients with DCM.
CD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes in cancer immunotherapy: A review
Authors: Farhood Bagher , Najafi Masoud , Mortezaee Keywan 
Published: December 2018

AbstractCD8+ cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are preferred immune cells for targeting cancer. During cancer progression, CTLs encounter dysfunction and exhaustion due to immunerelated tolerance and immunosuppression within the tumor microenvironment (TME), with all favor adaptive immune‐resistance. Cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), macrophage type 2 (M2) cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) could make immunologic barriers against CD8
+ T cell‐mediated antitumor immune responses. Thus, CD8
+ T cells are needed to be primed and activated toward effector CTLs in a process called tumor immunity cycle for making durable and efficient antitumor immune responses. The CD8
+ T cell priming is directed essentially as a corroboration work between cells of innate immunity including dendritic cells (DCs) and natural killer (NK) cells with CD4
+ T cells in adoptive immunity. Upon activation, effector CTLs infiltrate to the core or invading site of the tumor (so‐called infiltrated–inflamed [I–I] TME) and take essential roles for killing cancer cells. Exogenous reactivation and/or priming of CD8
+ T cells can be possible using rational immunotherapy strategies. The increase of the ratio for costimulatory to coinhibitory mediators using immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) approach. Programmed death‐1 receptor (PD‐1)–ligand (PD‐L1) and CTL‐associated antigen 4 (CTLA‐4) are checkpoint receptors that can be targeted for relieving exhaustion of CD8
+ T cells and renewing their priming, respectively, and thereby eliminating antigen‐expressing cancer cells. Due to a diverse relation between CTLs with Tregs, the Treg activity could be dampened for increasing the number and rescuing the functional potential of CTLs to induce immunosensitivity of cancer cells.
From Secondary to Postsecondary: Charting an Engineering Career and Technical Education Pathway
Authors: Gottfried Michael A. , Plasman Jay Stratte 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundAs a whole, the percentage of undergraduates pursuing degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields has remained constant, a trend of particular concern in the field of engineering. One potential solution for increasing the number of students completing engineering degrees in postsecondary education (PSE), and perhaps closing the gender gap in this area as well, might be through completion of engineering career and technical education (E‐CTE) coursework in high school.Purpose/HypothesisThis study explores the following questions: What are the characteristics of students who take E‐CTE in high school and the high schools offering these courses? How does E‐CTE in high school connect to engineering degrees in PSE? Does any relationship observed differ by gender?Design/MethodThis study utilizes the Education Longitudinal Study of 2002 (ELS) to respond to these research questions. ELS provides a rich array of student and school variables including complete high school and PSE transcripts. The study uses probit regression and a random intercepts model to determine completion of the following engineering outcomes: declared engineering major, AA/AS, BA/BS, MA/MS, and PhD/Doctoral/Professional.ResultsThis study found that the engineering gender gap is evident in high school, that there are observed connections between E‐CTE in high school and all levels of degree except for AA/AS, and that there is a clear difference across genders as women benefitted more from E‐CTE in connection to completion of an engineering BA/BS than men.ConclusionsThis study documents an engineering gender gap in high school and finds that participation in E‐CTE can encourage completion of an engineering degree as well as potentially narrowing the engineering gender gap.
Shared Resources: Engineering Students' Emerging Group Understanding of Thermodynamic Work
Authors: Cao Ying , Koretsky Milo D. 
Published: December 2018

AbstractBackgroundWe have developed several interactive virtual laboratories (IVLs) based on a sequence of agent‐based molecular simulations designed to target specific threshold concepts to help students learn thermodynamics. We previously analyzed learning in the IVLs from a cognitive perspective, seeking to repair students' misconceptions; however, that perspective provided limited information for iteratively improving the IVLs.PurposeIn this study, we shift to a sociocultural perspective to identify student learning resources activated during their engagement in the Thermodynamic Work IVL. We seek to identify the productive social and environmental triggers through which students develop conceptual ideas using technology in a social setting.MethodWe conducted emergent lexical coding on a cohort of 187 students' textual responses as they completed the IVL in a studio setting. We then analyzed the discursive and technology interactions of four students from different groups using video recordings.ResultsCoding results show distributions of students' activated resources. Almost all of the students demonstrated productive ideas, and almost all also revealed opportunities to learn more. Through the detailed studies, we illustrate the moment‐by‐moment interactions of students with one another and with technology to describe how they activate and share resources. These interactions are conceptualized and illustrated through the construct of shared resources. We relate shared resources to processes of knowledge co‐construction and knowledge transfer, and discuss implications for instructional practice and educational technology design.ConclusionsThe resources framework helps us recognize productive ideas in students' evolving understanding of thermodynamic work. Shared resources allows for elaboration of the interwoven cognitive and social aspects of learning.
Quantitation of cobalt in Chinese tea by surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy in combination with the spectral shape deformation quantitative theory
Authors: Liu Qing , Chen Zeng‐Ping , Shi Cai‐Xia , Chen Yao , Yu Ru‐Qin 
Published: December 2018

AbstractA surface‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) method for the quantification of Co2+ in Chinese tea was developed in this contribution. SERS‐enhancing substrates with a high selectivity for Co2+ were prepared by attaching 2‐(bis (pyridin‐2‐ylmethyl)amino)ethane‐1‐thiol onto the surfaces of Ag nanoparticles. A calibration model based on the spectral shape deformation quantitative theory was derived to address the poor reproducibility problem in SERS assays due to the practical impossibility in controlling the number and distribution of “hot spots” on or close to the surface of enhancing substrates. The proposed SERS platform was applied to the quantification of Co2+ in Chinese tea samples and achieved quite satisfactory quantitative results. The average relative deviation between the quantitative results of the proposed SERS platform and those of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was about 6.0%. It is therefore reasonable to expect that the proposed SERS platform can be a competitive alternative for the quantification of Co2+ in food samples.
Effect of Levodopa on Speech Dysfluency in Parkinson's Disease
Authors: Im Hannah , Adams Scott , Abeyesekera Anita , Pieterman Marcus , Gilmore Greydon , Jog Mandar 
Published: December 2018

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo examine the effect of levodopa medication on speech dysfluency in Parkinson's disease.MethodsFifty‐one individuals with Parkinson's disease (IWPD) read aloud during off‐ and on‐ medication states. Total speech dysfluencies were calculated from transcriptions of recorded speech samples.ResultsSeverity of speech dysfluency was not significantly related to the severity of motor symptoms, duration of disease, levodopa equivalent dosage, or age. When the IWPD were divided into two groups based on dysfluency severity, there was a significant group‐by‐medication state interaction. There was a significant correlation between the medication‐related change in speech dysfluency and the off‐medication severity of speech dysfluency measure (r = −0.46).ConclusionsThe results of this study indicate that levodopa medication can have a significant effect on speech dysfluency. The beneficial levodopa effect appears to be related to the severity of the off‐medication speech dysfluency. Results did not provide strong support for the excess dopamine theory of stuttering in IWPD. A dualistic model of the effects of dopamine on speech fluency in PD is proposed.
Gallic Acid Suppresses Cardiac Hypertrophic Remodeling and Heart Failure
Authors: Yan Xiao , Zhang Yun‐Long , Zhang Liang , Zou Lei‐Xin , Chen Chen , Liu Ying , Xia Yun‐Long , Li Hui‐Hua 
Published: December 2018

ScopeGallic acid (GA) is a dietary phenolic acid found in tea, red wine, and some plants. It exhibits anti‐oxidative and anti‐inflammatory activities. Recent studies have revealed that GA has beneficial effects against several cardiovascular diseases; however, whether GA attenuates pressure‐overload‐induced cardiac hypertrophy and the underlying mechanism remains unclear.Methods and resultsPrimary cardiomyocyte hypertrophy is stimulated with angiotensin II (Ang II). Cardiac hypertrophic remodeling is induced in mice by transverse aortic constriction (TAC). Myocardial function is evaluated by echocardiographic and hemodynamic analyses, while cardiac tissues are analyzed by histological staining. It is observed that GA significantly decreases Ang II‐induced increases in cardiomyocyte size in vitro. Administration of GA in mice markedly improves TAC‐induced cardiac dysfunction and attenuates pathological changes, including cardiac myocyte hypertrophy, fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Mechanistically, GA inhibits ULK1 and activates autophagy, which induces the degradation of EGFR, gp130, and calcineurin A, thereby inhibiting the downstream signaling cascades (AKT, ERK1/2, JAK2/STAT3, and NFATc1).ConclusionsThe results demonstrate for the first time that GA prevents myocardial hypertrophy and dysfunction via an autophagy‐dependent mechanism. Thus, GA represents a promising therapeutic candidate for treating cardiac hypertrophy and heart failure.