bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Transcriptomic analysis of differential gene expression during chick periocular neural crest differentiation into corneal cells
Authors: Bi Lian , Lwigale Peter 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundMultipotent neural crest cells (NCC) contribute to the corneal endothelium and keratocytes during ocular development, but the molecular mechanisms that underlie this process remain poorly understood. We performed RNA‐Seq analysis on periocular neural crest (pNC), corneal endothelium, and keratocytes and validated expression of candidate genes by in situ hybridization.ResultsRNA‐Seq profiling revealed enrichment of genes between pNC and neural crest‐derived corneal cells, which correspond to pathways involved in focal adhesion, ECM‐receptor interaction, cell adhesion, melanogenesis, and MAPK signaling. Comparisons of candidate NCC genes to ocular gene expression revealed that majority of the NCC genes are expressed in the pNC, but they are either differentially expressed or maintained during corneal development. Several genes involved in retinoic acid, transforming growth factor‐β, and Wnt signaling pathways and their modulators are also differentially expressed. We identified differentially expressed transcription factors as potential downstream candidates that may instruct expression of genes involved in establishing corneal endothelium and keratocyte identities.ConclusionCombined, our data reveal novel changes in gene expression profiles as pNC differentiate into highly specialized corneal endothelial cells and keratocytes. These data serve as platform for further analyses of the molecular networks involved in NCC differentiation into corneal cells and provide insights into genes involved in corneal dysgenesis and adult diseases.
Temporal and abiotic fluctuations may be preventing successful rehabilitation of soil‐stabilizing biocrust communities
Authors: Young Kristina E. , Bowker Matthew A. , Reed Sasha C. , Duniway Michael C. , Belnap Jayne 
Published: April 2019

AbstractLand degradation is a persistent ecological problem in many arid and semiarid systems globally (drylands hereafter). Most instances of dryland degradation include some form of soil disturbance and/or soil erosion, which can hinder vegetation establishment and reduce ecosystem productivity. To combat soil erosion, researchers have identified a need for rehabilitation of biological soil crusts (biocrusts), a globally relevant community of organisms aggregating the soil surface and building soil fertility. Here, the impact of plant and biocrust cover was tested on soil erosion potential in the piñon–juniper woodlands of Bandelier National Monument,New Mexico, USA. Biocrusts were found to be similarly influential to vascular plants in reducing erosion, largely acting by promoting surface roughness. The potential to rehabilitate biocrusts within the Monument was also tested. Plots were inoculated on eroding soils before the summer monsoon with greenhouse‐cultured biocrusts. In a full‐factorial design, treatments to reduce or halt erosion were administered to the inoculated plots and their paired controls. These erosion‐reduction treatments included barriers to overland flow (flashing), slash placement, and seeding of vascular plants. Dynamic changes to soil stability, penetration resistance, and extractable soil nutrients were observed through time, but no strong effects with the addition of biocrust inoculum, seeding, or erosion intervention treatments were seen. The results do suggest possible ways forward to successfully rehabilitate biocrust, including varying the timing of biocrust application, amending inoculum application with different types of soil stabilization techniques, and adding nutrients to soils. The insights gleaned from the lack of response brings us closer to developing effective techniques to arrest soil loss in these socially and ecologically important dryland systems.
The pre‐79 CE alluvial environment south of Pompeii's city walls
Authors: Nicosia Cristiano , Bonetto Jacopo , Furlan Guido , Musazzi Simona 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe environment in the suburban area of Pompeii between Porta Marina and Porta Stabia at the time of the 79 CE volcanic event was investigated by means of a series of core drillings. These revealed the presence of a ubiquitous dark brown layer (referred to as “Phase 2 interval”) immediately below the 79 CE eruption deposits. Its stratigraphic interpretation relied on 14C dates, diatom analysis and micromorphology, and on comparisons and correlations with the available stratigraphic logs and excavation data. Phase 2 interval represents the sedimentary accretion that took place from ca. 900–750 cal a BCE to 79 CE. Its formation is the result of periodic flooding by the Sarno river in this distal reach of its floodplain (i.e., backswamps). The resulting picture is that of a patchy environment with weakly developed alluvial soil juxtaposed to areas with stagnating waters. No indication of artificial or natural watercourses derived from the Sarno river, of navigable lagoons, or of harbor basins was found.
Impact of sampling rate on statistical significance for single subject fMRI connectivity analysis
Authors: James Oliver , Park Hyunjin , Kim Seong‐Gi 
Published: April 2019

AbstractA typical time series in functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) exhibits autocorrelation, that is, the samples of the time series are dependent. In addition, temporal filtering, one of the crucial steps in preprocessing of functional magnetic resonance images, induces its own autocorrelation. While performing connectivity analysis in fMRI, the impact of the autocorrelation is largely ignored. Recently, autocorrelation has been addressed by variance correction approaches, which are sensitive to the sampling rate. In this article, we aim to investigate the impact of the sampling rate on the variance correction approaches. Toward this end, we first derived a generalized expression for the variance of the sample Pearson correlation coefficient (SPCC) in terms of the sampling rate and the filter cutoff frequency, in addition to the autocorrelation and cross‐covariance functions of the time series. Through simulations, we illustrated the importance of the variance correction for a fixed sampling rate. Using the real resting state fMRI data sets, we demonstrated that the data sets with higher sampling rates were more prone to false positives, in agreement with the existing empirical reports. We further demonstrated with single subject results that for the data sets with higher sampling rates, the variance correction strategy restored the integrity of true connectivity.
Implementing and enforcing a smoke‐free policy and by‐law on hospital grounds at Central Coast Local Health District
Authors: Giles Luke , Bauer Lyndon 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIssue addressedSmoking by patients, staff and visitors on the grounds of Central Coast Local Health District (CCLHD).MethodsNSW Health introduced a smoke‐free buildings and vehicles policy in 1988. A smoke‐free grounds policy was implemented in 1999, and a smoke‐free by‐law adopted by CCLHD in 2013, making smoking on CCLHD grounds an offence. Smoking in high‐profile areas near hospital entrances was counted regularly since 2000. Several methods for communicating, monitoring and enforcing these smoke‐free interventions have been adopted, including signage, Public Address announcements and enforcement patrols to ensure by‐law compliance and to issue fines where required. Compliance with the smoke‐free interventions has been supported with the availability of Nicotine Replacement Therapy for patients and visitors.ResultsWhen monitoring counts first commenced in 2000, smoking rates in high‐profile areas were 8.1% at Gosford Hospital and 11.1% at Wyong Hospital. Counts conducted in 2018 indicated a substantial improvement, with the smoking rate in high‐profile areas reducing to 0.25% at Gosford Hospital and 0.5% at Wyong Hospital. Smoking rates in high‐profile areas have held steady at approximately 0.3% since 2014, after the by‐law was implemented.ConclusionsThe introduction of the smoke‐free by‐law added extra impetus to efforts to reduce smoking on CCLHD hospital grounds by providing the option to fine people who breach the by‐law. Smoking in high‐profile areas has declined substantially since 2011, and is minimal since the establishment of the smoke‐free by‐law.So what?The experiences of CCLHD in implementing the smoke‐free by‐law may provide insights for other health services looking to use a similar intervention at their facilities. There are also methodological lessons for other organisations looking to communicate, monitor and enforce smoke‐free policies, without enforcing fines.
Numerical illustrations of 3D tangent hyperbolic liquid flow past a bidirectional moving sheet with convective heat transfer at the boundary
Authors: Kumar Kondlalli Ganesh , Manjunatha Sarpabhushana , Gireesha Bijjanal Jayappa , Abbasi Fahad Munir , Shehzad Sabir Ali 
Published: April 2019

AbstractConvective heat transfer plays a central role in the numerous industrial devices because it perturbs the mechanical behavior of a system along with its thermodynamics. Keeping such applications in mind, analysis of heat transportation in three‐dimensional tangent hyperbolic fluid flow is investigated here. Convective heat transportation at the boundaries is considered. Rosseland's approximation has been used for the radiation effects. Closed form analytical solutions for the governing equations are difficult to obtain even after the use of similarity transformations. Therefore, the numerical solutions are presented through the Runge‐Kutta‐Fehlberg forth‐fifth method. Graphical analysis of the numerical results has been carried out. Roles of sundry constraints on flow are studied. It is also noted that the rates of heat transportation and skin‐friction are higher in the presence of convective heat transfer near the boundary.
Highly polydisperse keratin rich nanofibers: Scaffold design and in vitro characterization
Authors: Cruz‐Maya Iriczalli , Guarino Vincenzo , Almaguer‐Flores Argelia , Alvarez‐Perez Marco A. , Varesano Alessio , Vineis Claudia 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThe use of bioactive proteins such as keratin has been successfully explored to improve the biological interface of scaffolds with cells during the tissue regeneration. In this work, it is optimized the fabrication of nanofibers combining wool keratin extracted by sulfitolysis, with polycaprolactone (PCL) in order to design bicomponent fibrous matrices able to exert a self‐adapting pattern of signals—morphological, chemical, or physical—confined at the single fiber level, to influence cell and bacteria interactions. It is demonstrated that the blending of highly polydisperse keratin with PCL (50:50) improves the stability of the electrospinning process, promoting the formation of nanofibers—144.1 ± 43.9 nm—without the formation of defects (i.e., beads, ribbons) typically recognized in the fabrication of keratin ones. Moreover, keratin drastically increases the fiber hydrophilicity—compared with PCL fiber alone—thus improving the hMSC adhesion and in vitro proliferation until 14 days. Moreover, the growth of bacterial strains (i.e., Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus) seems to be not specifically inhibited by the contribution of keratin, so that the integration of further selected compounds (i.e., metal ions) is suggested to more efficiently fight against bacteria resistance, to make them suitable for the regeneration of different interfaces and soft tissues (i.e., skin and cornea). © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 1803–1813, 2019.
Biophysical study on the interaction of cartap hydrochloride and hemoglobin: Heme degradation and functional changes of protein
Authors: Emadi Mahdieh , Maghami Parvaneh , Khorsandi Khatereh , Hosseinzadeh Reza 
Published: April 2019

AbstractCartap hydrochloride is a mildly perilous insecticide known as “Padan” which is used largely in agricultural farms to control weevil and caterpillars. The over use of cartap causes harmful effects on human health. Since the blood may acts as a target and carrier for insecticides, the effect of these compounds on blood in mammalian toxicology is very important. Hemoglobin is a tetramer protein that play critical role in oxygen transport. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare the function and structural changes of hemoglobin in the presence of different concentrations of cartap by employing different spectroscopic techniques. The obtained results show that cartap has a high hemolytic effect which is increased with cartap concentration and reduces the thermal midpoint of hemoglobin. Fluorescence measurements reveal heme degradation at different concentrations of cartap. In consequence of theoretical and experimental results, cartap has an undesirable effect on hemoglobin structure and function.
Involvement of ABC transporters in the efflux and toxicity of MPA‐COOH‐CdTe quantum dots in human breast cancer SK‐BR‐3 cells
Authors: Huang Gui , Wang Lei , Zhang Xiaoying 
Published: April 2019

AbstractThis paper aimed to study the possible involvement of adenosine triphosphate‐binding cassette (ABC) transporters in the detoxification of quantum dots (QDs) in human breast carcinoma (SK‐BR‐3) cells. The effects of QD sizes on such interactions were also evaluated. For this purpose, we used monodispersed MPA‐COOH‐CdTe QDs with different diameters (emission length at 560 and 625 nm, named as QD‐560 and QD‐625). Such QDs tended to accumulate in cells and cause significant toxicity. Using specific inhibitors of ABC transporters, the cellular accumulation and toxicity of QDs in SK‐BR‐3 cells were significantly affected. Moreover, treatment of QDs caused concentration‐ and time‐dependent induction of ABC transporters. Furthermore, the induction effects of smaller QDs were found to be greater than larger ones at equivalent concentrations, suggesting a size‐dependent recognition of substrates by ABC transporters. Overall, these results provided important support for the modulation of QDs toxicity by ABC transporters.
Clinical features and treatment outcome of elderly multiple myeloma patients with impaired renal function
Authors: Chen Jin , Liu Hui , Li Lijuan , Liu Zhaoyun , Song Jia , Wang Guojin , Wang Huaquan , Ruan Erbao , Ding Kai , Shao Zonghong , Fu Rong 
Published: April 2019

AbstractBackgroundRenal impairment (RI) is a most common complication of multiple myeloma (MM), which is associated with an increased risk of early death and worse survival.MethodsWe retrospectively analyzed clinical features and outcomes of 77 MM patients over 70 years old and compared the differences between with and without RI groups.ResultsThe percentage of elder MM patients with RI was 61%. Hemoglobin level was a protective factor (OR = 0.954, P = 0.033), while creatinine and hypertension were hazards (OR = 1.288, P < 0.001 and OR = 30.12, P = 0.008). And the percentages of patients with mild‐to‐moderate RI and moderate‐to‐severe RI were 40.4% and 59.6%. Complete remission (CR) rate was higher in patients treated with bortezomib (33.3%) than those with non‐bortezomib treatment (3.33%) (P = 0.007). Meanwhile, CRrenal was higher in patients with bortezomib (58.3%) than non‐bortezomib treatment (22.2%) (P = 0.025). The median OS of the patients with RI treated with bortezomib was longer than those with non‐bortezomib regimens (15.0 vs 6.0 months, P = 0.001). The same result was observed in the patients with moderate‐to‐severe RI (13.0 vs 6.0 months, P = 0.007). The median OS of the patients with RI receiving the bortezomib regimens (15 months) was longer than those with non‐bortezomib regimens (6.0 months) (P = 0.001).ConclusionHemoglobin is a protective factor in elder patients with RI, while creatinine and hypertension were hazards. The median OS of elderly patients with RI was worse, and bortezomib can improve the CR rate in these patients.
Cognitive‐behavioral therapy (CBT) for generalized anxiety disorder: Contrasting various CBT approaches in a randomized clinical trial
Authors: Stefan Simona , Cristea Ioana A. , Szentagotai Tatar Aurora , David Daniel 
Published: April 2019

AbstractObjectiveCognitive‐behavior therapy (CBT) is considered the “golden standard” psychotherapy for generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) but, at this point, we have little information about differences among various CBT approaches.MethodWe conducted a randomized controlled trial to compare three CBT protocols for GAD: (a) Cognitive Therapy/Borkovec's treatment package; (b) Rational Emotive Behavior Therapy, and (c) Acceptance and Commitment Therapy/Acceptance‐based behavioral therapy. A number of 75 patients diagnosed with GAD, aged between 20 and 51 (m = 27.13; standard deviation = 7.50), 60 women and 11 men, were randomized to the three treatment arms.ResultsAll treatments were associated with large pre‐post intervention reductions in GAD symptoms and dysfunctional automatic thoughts, with no significant differences between groups. Correlation analyses showed similar associations between changes in symptoms and changes in dysfunctional automatic thoughts.ConclusionsAll three approaches appear to be similarly effective. Implications for the theoretical models underlying each of the three cognitive‐behavior therapy approaches are discussed.
The evolution of our understanding and treatment of eating disorders over the past 50 years
Authors: Marks Andrea 
Published: April 2019

AbstractAlthough historical descriptions date back to the Hellenistic era, and Gull's naming of anorexia nervosa as a medical disorder to the late 19th century, it is only in the past 50 years that eating disorders have become widely recognized as the prevalent, potentially fatal, complex, and confounding biopsychosocial illnesses we confront today. This paper reviews the considerable advancements in our knowledge of eating disorders during three time periods: the “early years” of the 1960s and 1970s; the “middle years” of the 1980s and 1990s; and the 21st century to date. The recent Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th Edition describes six major feeding and eating disorders. This historical focus addresses the interaction of multiple factors contributing to the incidence, primarily of anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, in vulnerable individuals, and efforts to develop effective treatment strategies and programs in a variety of settings. Future challenges are also addressed.
Compulsory treatment in eating disorders: Control, provocation, and the coercion paradox
Authors: Túry Ferenc , Szalai Tamás , Szumska Irena 
Published: April 2019

AbstractIn eating disorders, the denial of the illness is a central phenomenon. In the most severe forms of anorexia, compulsory treatment may be necessary. The professional acceptance of involuntary treatment is controversial due to the fact that the autonomy of the patient is juxtaposed with the obligation of the health care practitioner to save lives. This paper discusses the major practical and ethical considerations surrounding this controversy. In addition, case vignettes are used to illustrate various strategies to diminish client resistance and enhance motivation toward treatment. Involving the family is nearly always essential for the treatment of patients with eating disorders. In some cases, parental consultation (i.e., treatment without the client) can also be an option. Home visits, though rarely used, can reframe the therapeutic relationship and provide information about family functioning. In general, a lower level of treatment coercion can be achieved through transparent client‐parent and client‐therapist communication.
Low‐dose aspirin reduces hypoxia‐induced sFlt1 release via the JNK/AP‐1 pathway in human trophoblast and endothelial cells
Authors: Lin Li , Li Guanlin , Zhang Wanyi , Wang Yan‐Ling , Yang Huixia 
Published: April 2019

AbstractPre‐eclampsia (PE) is a serious hypertensive disorder of pregnancy that remains a leading cause of perinatal and maternal morbidity and mortality worldwide. Placental ischemia/hypoxia and the secretion of soluble fms‐like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt1) into maternal circulation are involved in the pathogenesis of PE. Although low‐dose aspirin (LDA) has beneficial effects on the prevention of PE, the exact mechanisms of action of LDA, particularly on placental dysfunction, and sFlt1 release, have not been well investigated. This study aimed to determine whether LDA exists the protective effects on placental trophoblast and endothelial functions and prevents PE‐associated sFlt1 release. First, we observed that LDA mitigated hypoxia‐induced trophoblast apoptosis, showed positive effects on trophoblast cells migration and invasion activity, and increased the tube‐forming activity of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). In addition, LDA decreased hypoxia‐induced sFlt1 production, and the c‐Jun NH2‐terminal kinase/activator protein‐1 (JNK/AP‐1) pathway was shown to mediate the induction of sFlt1. Moreover, the transcription factor AP‐1 was confirmed to regulate the Flt1 gene expression by directly binding to the Flt1 promoter in luciferase assays. The result of chromatin immunoprecipitation assays further demonstrated that LDA could directly decrease the expression of the transcription factor AP‐1, and thus decrease sFlt1 production. Finally, the effects of LDA on sFlt1 production were proved in human placental explants. Taken together, our data show the protective effects of LDA against trophoblast and endothelial cell dysfunction and reveal that the LDA‐mediated inhibition of sFlt1 via the JNK/AP‐1 pathway may be a potential cellular/molecular mechanism for the prevention of PE.
Long noncoding RNA C2dat1 protects H9c2 cells against hypoxia injury by downregulating miR‐22
Authors: Sun Huan , Shi Kaiyao , Xie Di , Zhang Hongli , Yu Bo 
Published: April 2019

AbstractMyocardial ischemia is accompanied with hypoxia injury in myocardial cells. Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNA) CAMK2D‐associated transcript 1 (C2dat1) C2dat1) has been linked with several ischemic diseases. However, the investigation regarding its role in myocardial ischemia is relatively rare. The aim of this study was to examine the role of C2dat1 in hypoxia response in H9c2 cells. H9c2 cells were subjected to hypoxia to evoke cell damage. Expressions of C2dat1, miR‐22, and VEGF in H9c2 cells were altered by transfection, and then cell survival, migration, and invasion were respectively assessed posttransfection. Regulatory relationship between C2dat1, miR‐22, and VEGF, as well as the involvement of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT3 pathways in H9c2 cells injury was then studied. C2dat1 upregulation ameliorated hypoxia injury in H9c2 cells due to the increased viability, migration, and invasion, as well as the decreased apoptosis. miR‐22 was negatively regulated by C2dat1. The effects of C2dat1 on H9c2 cells injured by hypoxia were attenuated when miR‐22 was overexpressed. VEGF was a target gene of miR‐22, and VEGF exerted similar protective effects to C2dat1. Finally, we found that silence of C2dat1 deactivated PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT3 pathways via regulating miR‐22 and its downstream gene VEGF. C2dat1‐miR‐22‐VEGF axis could regulate hypoxia injury in H9c2 cells. C2dat1 alleviated hypoxia injury possibly via downregulating miR‐22, then upregulating VEGF, which further enhancing the activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR and JAK/STAT3 pathways.