bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
An examination of surface epithelium structures of the embryo across the genus Poeciliopsis (Poeciliidae)
Authors: Panhuis Tami M. , Fris Megan , Tuhela Laura , Kwan Lucia 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn viviparous, teleost fish, with postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning, embryonic structures that facilitate maternal‐fetal nutrient transfer are predicted to be present. For the family Poeciliidae, only a handful of morphological studies have explored these embryonic specializations. Here, we present a comparative morphological study in the viviparous poeciliid genus, Poeciliopsis. Using microscopy techniques, we examine the embryonic surface epidermis of Poeciliopsis species that vary in their level of postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning and placentation across two phylogenetic clades and three independent evolutionary origins of placentation. We focus on surface features of the embryo that may facilitate maternal‐fetal nutrient transfer. Specifically, we studied cell apical‐surface morphology associated with the superficial epithelium that covers the body and sac (yolk and pericardial) of embryos at different developmental stages. Scanning electron microscopy revealed common surface epithelial cells across species, including pavement cells with apical‐surface microridges or microvilli and presumed ionocytes and/or mucus‐secreting cells. For three species, in the mid‐stage embryos, the surface of the body and sac were covered in microvillus epithelium. The remaining species did not display microvillus epithelium at any of the stages examined. Instead, their epithelium of the body and sac were composed of cells with apical‐surface microridges. For all species, in the late stage embryos, the surface of the body proper was composed of apical‐surface microridges in a “fingerprint‐like arrangement.” Despite the differences in the surface epithelium of embryos across Poeciliopsis species and embryonic developmental stages, this variation was not associated with the level of postfertilization maternal nutrient provisioning. We discuss these results in light of previous morphological studies of matrotrophic, teleost fish, phylogenetic relationships of Poeciliopsis species, and our earlier comparative microscopy work on the maternal tissue of the Poeciliopsis placenta.
Teacher's Encouragement on Creativity, Intrinsic Motivation, and Creativity: The Mediating Role of Creative Process Engagement
Authors: Yuan Yu‐Hsi , Wu Ming‐Hsiung , Hu Meng‐Lei (Monica) , Lin I‐Chien 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDrawing on Dewey's pragmatic perspective on talent cultivation and previous research on promoting employee creativity in industry, this study investigates student creativity performance in relation to teacher's encouragement, intrinsic motivation, and creative process engagement. Based on survey data collected from 140 vocational high school students who participated in a nation‐wide contest in Taiwan, path analyses were performed using structure equation modeling techniques. The results indicate that both teacher's encouragement and intrinsic motivation have a significant, although indirect, effect on student creativity, and that creative process engagement, as opposed to teacher encouragement or intrinsic motivation, has a direct and significant mediating effect on student creativity. This finding is in partial agreement with prior research which reports student creativity is positively associated with teacher encouragement and intrinsic motivation, highlighting the mediating role of creative process engagement in facilitating student creative performance.
Enantioselective determination of 1‐[4‐(2‐methoxyethyl)phenoxy]‐3‐[2‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino]‐2‐propanol hydrochloride, a novel antihypertensive agent, in rat plasma and tissues by liquid chromatography–tandem mass spectrometry
Authors: He Sijie , Wu Sanlan , Zhu Wenwen , Guan Yeli , Li Gao , Si Luqin , Huang Jiangeng 
Published: August 2017

AbstractEnantioselective biodistribution studies of 1‐[4‐(2‐methoxyethyl)phenoxy]‐3‐[2‐(2‐methoxyphenoxy)ethylamino]‐2‐propanol hydrochloride (TJ0711), a novel antihypertensive agent, require the accurate and precise quantification of each TJ0711 enantiomer in biological fluids and tissues. Here we report a simple and sensitive liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry method for simultaneous determination of (R)‐TJ0711 and (S)‐TJ0711 in rat plasma and tissue samples using protein precipitation. The influence of column type, temperature, mobile phase composition, and flow rate on the retention and enantioselectivity was evaluated. The separation of the TJ0711 enantiomers was ultimately achieved on a SUMICHIRAL OA‐2500 column in 15 min using isocratic elution with ethanol/hexane (40:60) at a flow rate of 0.8 mL/min. Good linearities of spiked analyte concentration from 5 to 2000 ng/mL were achieved and the correlation coefficients (R) were greater than 0.99. The intra‐ and inter‐day accuracy and precision for both analytes were <15% at all concentration levels, and the extraction recoveries were consistent among the five quality control concentrations. This assay was successfully applied to quantify plasma and tissue concentrations of TJ0711 enantiomers in a preclinical study.
Novel Macromolecular Emulsifiers as Coatings with Water‐Tolerant Antifogging Properties Based on Coumarin‐Containing Copolymeric Micelles
Authors: Wang Feng , Yang Xinwei , Zhang Lulu , Xu Wenshuang , Liu Hui 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAn efficient macromolecular emulsifier as water‐tolerant antifogging coating based on coumarin‐containing copolymeric micelles is reported. Compared to the previous work using poly(methyl methacrylate‐co‐2‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate), coumarin unit in copolymer‐based coating can be photo‐crosslinked under UV light to form an interchain network, successfully avoiding the use of chemical crosslinking agents.
Polymer‐Based Surfaces Designed to Reduce Biofilm Formation: From Antimicrobial Polymers to Strategies for Long‐Term Applications
Authors: Riga Esther K. , Vöhringer Maria , Widyaya Vania Tanda , Lienkamp Karen 
Published: August 2017

AbstractContact‐active antimicrobial polymer surfaces bear cationic charges and kill or deactivate bacteria by interaction with the negatively charged parts of their cell envelope (lipopolysaccharides, peptidoglycan, and membrane lipids). The exact mechanism of this interaction is still under debate. While cationic antimicrobial polymer surfaces can be very useful for short‐term applications, they lose their activity once they are contaminated by a sufficiently thick layer of adhering biomolecules or bacterial cell debris. This layer shields incoming bacteria from the antimicrobially active cationic surface moieties. Besides discussing antimicrobial surfaces, this feature article focuses on recent strategies that were developed to overcome the contamination problem. This includes bifunctional materials with simultaneously presented antimicrobial and protein‐repellent moieties; polymer surfaces that can be switched from an antimicrobial, cell‐attractive to a cell‐repellent state; polymer surfaces that can be regenerated by enzyme action; degradable antimicrobial polymers; and antimicrobial polymer surfaces with removable top layers.
Clinical rating scale for pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration: A pilot study
Authors: Darling Alejandra , Tello Cristina , Martí María Josep , Garrido Cristina , Aguilera‐Albesa Sergio , Tomás Vila Miguel , Gastón Itziar , Madruga Marcos , González Gutiérrez Luis , Ramos Lizana Julio , Pujol Montserrat , Gavilán Iglesias Tania , Tustin Kylee , Lin Jean Pierre , Zorzi Giovanna , Nardocci Nardo , Martorell Loreto , Lorenzo Sanz Gustavo , Gutiérrez Fuencisla , García Pedro J. , Vela Lidia , Hernández Lahoz Carlos , Ortigoza Escobar Juan Darío , Martí Sánchez Laura , Moreira Fradique , Coelho Miguel , Correia Guedes Leonor , Castro Caldas Ana , Ferreira Joaquim , Pires Paula , Costa Cristina , Rego Paulo , Magalhães Marina , Stamelou María , Cuadras Pallejà Daniel , Rodríguez‐Blazquez Carmen , Martínez‐Martín Pablo , Lupo Vincenzo , Stefanis Leonidas , Pons Roser , Espinós Carmen , Temudo Teresa , Pérez Dueñas Belén 
Published: August 2017

ABSTRACTBackgroundPantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration is a progressive neurological disorder occurring in both childhood and adulthood. The objective of this study was to design and pilot‐test a disease‐specific clinical rating scale for the assessment of patients with pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration.MethodsIn this international cross‐sectional study, patients were examined at the referral centers following a standardized protocol. The motor examination was filmed, allowing 3 independent specialists in movement disorders to analyze 28 patients for interrater reliability assessment. The scale included 34 items (maximal score, 135) encompassing 6 subscales for cognition, behavior, disability, parkinsonism, dystonia, and other neurological signs.ResultsForty‐seven genetically confirmed patients (30 ± 17 years; range, 6‐77 years) were examined with the scale (mean score, 62 ± 21; range, 20‐106). Dystonia with prominent cranial involvement and atypical parkinsonian features were present in all patients. Other common signs were cognitive impairment, psychiatric features, and slow and hypometric saccades. Dystonia, parkinsonism, and other neurological features had a moderate to strong correlation with disability. The scale showed good internal consistency for the total scale (Cronbach's α = 0.87). On interrater analysis, weighted kappa values (0.30‐0.93) showed substantial or excellent agreement in 85% of the items. The scale also discriminated a subgroup of homozygous c.1583C>T patients with lower scores, supporting construct validity for the scale.ConclusionsThe proposed scale seems to be a reliable and valid instrument for the assessment of pediatric and adult patients with pantothenate kinase‐associated neurodegeneration. Additional validation studies with a larger sample size will be required to confirm the present results and to complete the scale validation testing. © 2017 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society
Theoretical Study on the Conformational Bioeffect of the Fluorination of Acetylcholine
Authors: Silla Josué M. , Silva Daniela R. , Freitas Matheus P. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThere has been an increasing interest in the study of fluorinated derivatives of gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA), an acetylcholine (AC) analog. This work reports a theoretical study on the effect of an α‐carbonyl fluorination in AC, aiming at understanding the role of a distant fluorine relative to the positively charged nitrogen on the conformational folding of the resulting fluorinated AC. In addition, the chemical and structural changes were evaluated on the basis of ligand‐enzyme (acetylcholinesterase) interactions. In an enzyme‐free environment, the fluorination yields conformational changes relative to AC due to the appearance of some attractive interactions with fluorine and a weaker steric repulsion between the fluorine substituent and the carboxyl group, rather than to a possible electrostatic interaction F⋅⋅⋅N+. Moreover, the gauche orientation in the N−C−C−O fragment of AC owing to the electrostatic gauche effect is reinforced after fluorination. For instance, the conformational equilibrium in AC is described by a competition between gauche and anti conformers (accounting for the N−C−C−O dihedral angle) in DMSO, while the population for a gauche conformer in the fluorinated AC is almost 100 % in both gas phase and DMSO. However, this arrangement is disrupted in the biological environment even in the fluorinated derivative (whose bioconformation‐like geometry shows a ligand‐protein interaction of −84.1 kcal mol−1 against −79.5 kcal mol−1 for the most stable enzyme‐free conformation), which shows an anti N−C−C−O orientation, because the enzyme induced‐fit takes place. Nevertheless, the most likely bioconformation for the fluorinated AC does not match the bioactive AC backbone nor the most stable enzyme‐free conformation, thus revealing the role of fluorination on the bioconformational control of AC.
Metabolic effects of Hedyotis diffusa on rats bearing Walker 256 tumor revealed by NMR‐based metabolomics
Authors: Wang Zhiyong , Gao Kuo , Xu Can , Gao Jian , Yan Yujing , Wang Yingfeng , Li Zhongfeng , Chen Jianxin 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHedyotis diffusa, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is widely used for oncotherapy and shows a positive effect in the clinical treatment. But its mechanism of anticancer activities is complicated and unclear. This study was undertaken to assess the therapeutic effects and reveal detailed mechanisms of H. diffusa for oncotherapy. A Walker 256 tumor‐bearing rat model was established, and metabolomic profiles of plasma and urine were obtained from 1H NMR technique. Multivariate statistical analysis methods were used to characterize the discriminating metabolites between control (C), Walker 256 tumor‐bearing rats model (M), and H. diffusa treatment (H) groups. Finally, 13 and 10 metabolomic biomarkers in urine and plasma samples were further identified as characteristic metabolites in M group, whereas H group showed a partial metabolic balance recovered, such as ornithine, N‐acetyl‐l‐aspartate, l‐aspartate, and creatinine in urine samples, and acetate, lactate, choline, l‐glutamine, and 3‐hydroxybutyrate in plasma samples. On the basis of the methods above, we hypothesized H. diffusa treatment reduced the injury caused by Walker 256 tumor and maintained a metabolic balance. Our study demonstrated that this method provided new insights into metabolic alterations in tumor‐bearing biosystems and researching on the effects of H. diffusa on the endogenous metabolism in tumor‐bearing rats.
Persistence of Delirium after Cessation of Sedatives and Analgesics and Impact on Clinical Outcomes in Critically Ill Patients
Authors: Kenes Michael T. , Stollings Joanna L. , Wang Li , Girard Timothy D. , Ely E. Wesley , Pandharipande Pratik P. 
Published: August 2017

Study ObjectiveAs delirium is a common manifestation in critically ill patients and is associated with worse clinical outcomes, we sought to characterize the reversibility of delirium after discontinuation of sedation and to determine whether sedation‐associated delirium that rapidly reverses impacts clinical outcomes.DesignPost hoc subgroup analysis of prospectively collected data from a previously published study.PatientsSeventy adults admitted to a medical intensive care unit (ICU) between March and July 2012 who required mechanical ventilation with continuous analgesia and/or sedation and underwent a spontaneous awakening trial (SAT).Measurements and Main ResultsPatients were grouped into four categories: delirium free, rapidly reversible delirium (RRD; defined as delirium always resolving within 4 hrs of stopping sedatives), persistent delirium (PD; defined as delirium always persisting for ≥ 4 hours after stopping sedatives), or mixed delirium (consisting of RRD and PD episodes). The incidence of the four delirium subtypes and their associations with clinical outcomes were evaluated. A validated, guideline‐recommended, bedside delirium monitoring instrument—the Confusion Assessment Method for the ICU (CAM‐ICU)—was used to assess for the presence or absence of delirium. Clinical outcomes included ventilator‐free days at day 28, ICU and hospital length of stay, 28‐day mortality, and patient disposition; time to first CAM‐ICU becoming negative (delirium free) for a continuous 48‐hour duration was also assessed. A total of 103 SATs were performed in the 70 patients. Of the 103 SATs, 28 (27.2%) were CAM‐ICU negative before the SAT. Of the remaining 75 SATs, PD was present for the majority of SATs (62 [82.7%]); RRD was present after 13 (17.3%) SATs. On a patient level, 17 patients (24.3%) were always delirium free before cessation of medications for continuous sedation. Of the 53 patients with delirium before undergoing an SAT, 11 (20.8%) had RRD, 2 (3.8%) had mixed delirium, and 40 (75.5%) had PD. Proportional odds logistic regression adjusting for age, Acute Physiology and Chronic Health Evaluation II score, sepsis, and preexisting hypertension showed that patients with PD had a higher probability of longer ICU length of stay (odds ratio 4.01 [95% confidence interval 1.36–11.77], p=0.011), but those with RRD did not.ConclusionDespite the cessation of medications for continuous sedation, delirium persisted for the majority of patients and was associated with worse outcomes, which attests to the importance of strategies to minimize sedation.
Comparison of Bioavailability of Single‐Dose Extended‐Release Venlafaxine Capsules in Obese Patients Before and After Gastric Bypass Surgery
Authors: Krieger Carrie A. , Cunningham Julie L. , Reid Joel M. , Langman Loralie J. , Grothe Karen B. , Clark Matthew M. , Dierkhising Ross A. 
Published: August 2017

Study ObjectiveThe extended‐release (ER) form of venlafaxine is preferred because of improved patient adherence, but the immediate‐release (IR) form is frequently used after Roux‐en‐Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery because of concerns for malabsorption. The objective of this study was to determine whether a statistically significant and predictable change in the bioavailability of venlafaxine ER capsules occurs after RYGB.DesignProspective nonblinded single‐dose pharmacokinetic study.SettingClinical research unit at a large tertiary care medical practice.PatientsTen adult pre–bariatric surgery patients who met the criteria for noncomplicated RYGB were enrolled and served as their own controls.InterventionsPatients were administered one venlafaxine ER 75‐mg capsule at two visits—the first visit at least 1 week before undergoing RYGB and the second visit 3–4 months after RYGB. Blood samples were collected at predetermined intervals over 48 hours after each dose, and the pharmacokinetics of venlafaxine were measured.Measurements and Main ResultsPlasma levels of venlafaxine and its primary metabolite, O‐desmethylvenlafaxine (ODV), were compared at baseline and 3–4 months after RYGB. The areas under the serum concentration–time curves from 0–24 hours (AUC0–24) for venlafaxine (mean ± SD 734 ± 602 vs 630 ± 553 ng·hr/ml, p=0.22) and ODV (mean ± SD 894 ± 899 vs 1083 ± 972 ng·hr/ml, p=0.07) were similar before and after RYGB. Using a bioequivalence approach, differences in pre‐RYGB and post‐RYGB values of AUC0–24, peak serum concentration, and time to peak serum concentration were not statistically significant for either venlafaxine or ODV.ConclusionThis study suggests that RYGB does not significantly alter the amount of venlafaxine or its active metabolite, ODV, absorbed from a venlafaxine ER capsule or the time over which it is absorbed.
The near‐surface evening transition
Authors: Mahrt L. 
Published: August 2017

Understanding of the evening boundary‐layer transition has increased substantially in the past few years although such progress has led to new questions particularly regarding the evolution of the wind field. Results from the literature and analyses of measurements from three contrasting sites in our study suggest that the near‐surface temperature evolution of the evening transition begins with a late afternoon period of slow cooling. Subsequent reversal from upward heat flux to downward heat flux is followed by a period of rapid cooling. This rapid cooling typically occurs over a 60–90 min period, mostly before sunset, and accounts for much of the total ‘nocturnal cooling’. The rapid cooling subsequently transitions into slow cooling that can last for the rest of the night. The details of the temperature evolution vary substantially between sites and vary between nights at a given site.The evolution of the wind and temperature fields during the evening transition are coupled, but both are characterized by unique features. The near‐surface wind usually decelerates in the late afternoon sometimes reaching temporary near‐calm conditions. The wind‐directional shear close to the surface can account for most of the total vector shear for part of the evening transition. Even weak slopes can generate local drainage flows that are sometimes eliminated by formation of regional drainage flows. Our study also examines other aspects of the evening transition that do not necessarily fit into this simple framework. For example, at one site, an intermediate flow develops between the elimination of a larger‐scale upslope flow and the formation of local cold‐air drainage.
Acoustic monitoring data of avian species inside and outside the evacuation zone of the Fukushima Daiichi power plant accident
Authors: Fukasawa Keita , Mishima Yoshio , Yoshioka Akira , Kumada Nao , Totsu Kumiko 
Published: August 2017

AbstractLarge‐scale land abandonment and reconstruction activity has altered the ecosystem structure in the evacuation area for the Fukushima Daiichi power plant accident in 2011. Despite social concerns about changes in the avian assemblages that occurred after the accident, publicly accessible data are quite limited. We engaged in acoustic monitoring of birds using digital voice recorders from 2014 in and around the Fukushima evacuation zone. All monitoring sites were located within schoolyards (including those that had been converted to community centers) to examine the bird assemblages in the urban and rural landscapes that were heavily altered by land abandonment due to the nuclear plant accident. A digital voice recorder was installed at each monitoring site during May–July, and we recorded 20 min a day using timer‐recording mode. We divided the audio data into 1‐min segments and identified species occurred in sampled segments by experts. These data represent the presence‐absence records from 52 sites monitored in 2014. In 2014, we identified the species for 7138 segments in total and 68 species occurred. We are continuing to monitor and intend to update the dataset with new observations hereafter. Our dataset will help people to recognize the status and dynamics of avian assemblage inside the evacuation zone, and will contribute to promote open science in avian ecological studies.
The functional–formal impasse in (trust) property
Authors: Wall Jesse 
Published: August 2017

AbstractThis paper identifies an impasse between two conceptions of ‘property rights’. Formal conceptions explain ‘property rights’ in terms of an alienable right to exclude, that has moral significance in terms of individuals’ preference satisfaction, and describe a trust beneficiary as having a right against the trustees’ right. Functional conceptions explain a ‘property right’ in terms of the entitlements in a resource, which has moral significance in terms of a range of individual and social values, and describe a trust beneficiary as having a share in entitlements in the resource. This impasse has general implications for the normative analysis of property law and particular implications for the practical application of redistributive statutory provisions to discretionary trusts. The solution to this impasse lies in the abandoning the language of ‘property’ when we are concerned with the entitlements in a resource.