bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Comparison of Various Extraction Techniques of Medicago sativa: Yield, Antioxidant Activity, and Content of Phytochemical Constituents
Authors: Krakowska Aneta , Rafińska Katarzyna , Walczak Justyna , Kowalkowski Tomasz , Buszewski Bogusław 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Medicago sativa L. (M. sativa) is a source of many valuable secondary metabolites. Extraction yield and the concentration of phenolics, flavonoids, and saponins, as well as antioxidant potential were determined in extracts from different parts of M. sativa obtained using extraction methods such as maceration, ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), accelerated solvent extraction (ASE), and supercritical fluid extraction (SFE). The concentrations of the listed groups of compounds were spectrophotometrically determined and confirmed by HPLC-MS. The results showed that ASE of flowers with 70% ethanol (EtOH) provided the highest yield of extraction (47.5 ± 4.0%), whereas the lowest yield was obtained in stems (4.0 ± 0.2%). The 70% EtOH extract from flowers showed the highest phenolic content [48.4 ± 4.6 mg gallic acid equivalents/g dry matter (DM)], as well as the highest antioxidant activity. The highest total flavonoid content (139.0 ± 7.1 mg rutin equivalents/g DM) was observed in the extract from leaves obtained through SFE. This extract was also especially rich in saponins [622.2 ± 30.3 mg oleanolic acid equivalents (OAE)/g DM]. However, the lowest compound content was observed in maceration extracts from stems (54.6 ± 27.0 mg OAE/g DM). The results suggest that EtOH extracts from alfalfa flowers and SFE extracts from M. satvia leaves, especially, may serve as potential sources of natural antioxidants for nutraceuticals, food additives, and cosmetic ingredients.
Graphene Ribbon Growth on Structured Silicon Carbide
Authors: Stöhr Alexander , Baringhaus Jens , Aprojanz Johannes , Link Stefan , Tegenkamp Christoph , Niu Yuran , Zakharov Alexei A. , Chen Chaoyu , Avila José , Asensio Maria C. , Starke Ulrich 
Published: August 2017

AbstractStructured Silicon Carbide was proposed to be an ideal template for the production of arrays of edge specific graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), which could be used as a base material for graphene transistors. We prepared periodic arrays of nanoscaled stripe‐mesas on SiC surfaces using electron beam lithography and reactive ion etching. Subsequent epitaxial graphene growth by annealing is differentiated between the basal‐plane mesas and the faceting stripe walls as monitored by means of atomic force microscopy (AFM). Microscopic low energy electron diffraction (μ‐LEED) revealed that the graphene ribbons on the facetted mesa side walls grow in epitaxial relation to the basal‐plane graphene with an armchair orientation at the facet edges. The π‐band system of the ribbons exhibits linear bands with a Dirac like shape corresponding to monolayer graphene as identified by angle‐resolved photoemission spectroscopy (ARPES).
Environmental correlates of geographic divergence in a phenotypic trait: A case study using bat echolocation
Authors: Maluleke Tinyiko , Jacobs David S. , Winker Henning 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDivergence in phenotypic traits may arise from the interaction of different evolutionary forces, including different kinds of selection (e.g., ecological), genetic drift, and phenotypic plasticity. Sensory systems play an important role in survival and reproduction, and divergent selection on such systems may result in lineage diversification. Such diversification could be largely influenced by selection in different environments as a result of isolation by environment (IbE). We investigated this process using geographic variation in the resting echolocation frequency of the horseshoe bat species, Rhinolophus damarensis, as a test case. Bats were sampled along a latitudinal gradient ranging from 16°S to 32°S in the arid western half of southern Africa. We measured body size and peak resting frequencies (RF) from handheld individual bats. Three hypotheses for the divergence in RF were tested: (1) James’ Rule, (2) IbE, and (3) genetic drift through isolation by distance (IbD) to isolate the effects of body size, local climatic conditions, and geographic distance, respectively, on the resting frequency of R. damarensis. Our results did not support genetic drift because there was no correlation between RF variation and geographic distance. Our results also did not support James' Rule because there was no significant relationship between (1) geographic distances and RF, (2) body size and RF, or (3) body size and climatic variables. Instead, we found support for IbE in the form of a correlation between RF and both region and annual mean temperature, suggesting that RF variation may be the result of environmental discontinuities. The environmental discontinuities coincided with previously reported genetic divergence. Climatic gradients in conjunction with environmental discontinuities could lead to local adaptation in sensory signals and directed dispersal such that gene flow is restricted, allowing lineages to diverge. However, our study cannot exclude the role of processes like phenotypic plasticity in phenotypic variation.
Toxicity of extracts from municipal wastewater to early life stages of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes) to evaluate removals of micropollutants by wastewater treatment
Authors: Maya Nicholas , Crispo Calvin , McFarland Victoria , Nasuhoglu Deniz , Isazadeh Siavash , Yargeau Viviane , Metcalfe Chris D. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract

Treatment of municipal wastewater reduces the concentrations of some pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), hormones, and drugs of abuse. However, reduced concentrations of these micropollutants in wastewater may not correlate with reduced toxicity because transformations of micropollutants and/or the formation of disinfection by-products may generate toxic compounds. In the present study, we prepared extracts by solid phase extraction of samples collected from wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) at various stages of treatment and tested these extracts for toxicity to early life stages of Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Toxicity data for extracts prepared from a WWTP with secondary treatment showed that the numbers of exposed embryos (n = 12 per treatment) that did not hatch increased from 1 of 12 for the treatment with untreated effluent to 5 of 12 for the treatment with final treated effluent. For extracts prepared from a WWTP with tertiary treatment, toxicity among exposed embryos (n = 12 per treatment) also increased with each step of wastewater treatment, as shown by mortalities of 2 of 12 and 8 of 12 in treatments with extracts from untreated and final treated effluent, respectively, as well as an increase in the numbers of embryos that did not hatch from 2 of 12 to 9 of 12 in treatments with untreated and final treated effluent, respectively. Ozonation of treated wastewater collected from a third WWTP caused a high incidence of delayed hatch in exposed embryos (n = 24 per treatment). However, hatching success and the numbers of developmental abnormalities in embryos from this ozonation treatment were not different from controls. The present study shows the value of including toxicity testing to assess the effectiveness of technologies for treatment of municipal wastewater. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:136–144. © 2017 SETAC
Predictors of remission in children with newly diagnosed immune thrombocytopenia: Data from the Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group Registry II participants
Authors: Bennett Carolyn M. , Neunert Cindy , Grace Rachael F. , Buchanan George , Imbach Paul , Vesely Sara K. , Kuhne Thomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractBackgroundImmune thrombocytopenia (ITP) during childhood spontaneously remits in up to 80% of children. Predictors of remission are not well understood.ProcedureWe analyzed data from Intercontinental Cooperative ITP Study Group (ICIS) Registry II, a large prospective cohort of children with ITP, to investigate factors that might predict remission.ResultsIn ICIS Registry II, 705 patients had data collected through 12 months following diagnosis, with 383 patients having data available at 24 months as well. Younger age and pharmacologic treatment at diagnosis were significantly associated with disease resolution at 12 and 24 months (P < 0.0001 for both) as was bleeding at diagnosis (P < 0.0001 and P = 0.0213, respectively). Gender and platelet count at diagnosis were not significantly correlated with remission. In the multivariable analysis, remission at 12 months was associated with younger age, higher bleeding grade at diagnosis, and treatment with a combination of intravenous immunoglobulin (IVIG) and corticosteroids at diagnosis. Only younger age and treatment with IVIG and steroids in combination at diagnosis were associated with remission at 24 months. Patients <1 year of age had the highest odds of achieving remission at both 12 months (OR 4.7, 95% CI: 2.0–10.6) and 24 months (OR 7.0, 95% CI: 2.3–20.8).ConclusionsYounger age, bleeding severity at diagnosis, and initial treatment with a combination of corticosteroids and IVIG are associated with remission at 12 months in the ICIS Registry II. Patients <1 year of age have the highest likelihood of remission. The relationship of bleeding and treatment at diagnosis requires further study to clarify whether these are independent predictors of remission.
Modeling Glaucoma: Retinal Ganglion Cells Generated from Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells of Patients with SIX6 Risk Allele Show Developmental Abnormalities
Authors: Teotia Pooja , Van Hook Matthew J. , Wichman Christopher S. , Allingham R. Rand , Hauser Michael A. , Ahmad Iqbal 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Glaucoma represents a group of multifactorial diseases with a unifying pathology of progressive retinal ganglion cell (RGC) degeneration, causing irreversible vision loss. To test the hypothesis that RGCs are intrinsically vulnerable in glaucoma, we have developed an in vitro model using the SIX6 risk allele carrying glaucoma patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) for generating functional RGCs. Here, we demonstrate that the efficiency of RGC generation by SIX6 risk allele iPSCs is significantly lower than iPSCs-derived from healthy, age- and sex-matched controls. The decrease in the number of RGC generation is accompanied by repressed developmental expression of RGC regulatory genes. The SIX6 risk allele RGCs display short and simple neurites, reduced expression of guidance molecules, and immature electrophysiological signature. In addition, these cells have higher expression of glaucoma-associated genes, CDKN2A and CDKN2B, suggesting an early onset of the disease phenotype. Consistent with the developmental abnormalities, the SIX6 risk allele RGCs display global dysregulation of genes which map on developmentally relevant biological processes for RGC differentiation and signaling pathways such as mammalian target of rapamycin that integrate diverse functions for differentiation, metabolism, and survival. The results suggest that SIX6 influences different stages of RGC differentiation and their survival; therefore, alteration in SIX6 function due to the risk allele may lead to cellular and molecular abnormalities. These abnormalities, if carried into adulthood, may make RGCs vulnerable in glaucoma.
RNA‐mediated signal perception in pathogenic bacteria
Authors: Ignatov Dmitriy , Johansson Jörgen 
Published: August 2017

Bacterial pathogens encounter several different environments during an infection, many of them possibly being detrimental. In order to sense its surroundings and adjust the gene expression accordingly, different regulatory schemes are undertaken. With these, the bacterium appropriately can differentiate between various environmental cues to express the correct virulence factor at the appropriate time and place. An attractive regulator device is RNA, which has an outstanding ability to alter its structure in response to external stimuli, such as metabolite concentration or alterations in temperature, to control its downstream gene expression. This review will describe the function of riboswitches and thermometers, with a particular emphasis on regulatory RNAs being important for bacterial pathogenicity. WIREs RNA 2017, 8:e1429. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1429This article is categorized under:

RNA Structure and Dynamics > Influence of RNA Structure in Biological Systems
Translation > Translation Regulation
Regulatory RNAs/RNAi/Riboswitches > Riboswitches
Genesis of volatiles in suprasubduction basaltic melts from Tolbachik Volcano, Kamchatka
Authors: Dobretsov N.L. , Simonov V.A. , Kotlyarov A.V. , Stupakov S.I. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
Vitreous basalts and plagioclase lapilli from Tolbachik Volcano studied by high-temperature gas chromatography reveal features of a fluid regime uncommon to suprasubduction melts. Prominent depletion in volatiles confirms the anomalous behavior of the Tolbachik fluid systems. Vitreous basalts contain minor amounts of water (0.16–0.27 wt.%) and carbon dioxide (95–440 ppm). New data on volatiles in the Tolbachik plagioclase lapilli show very low contents of CO2 and total gas (exclusive of H2O) and enrichment in reduced fluids (CO and CH4) relative to the basalts. In general, analysis of basalts and plagioclase lapilli from different eruptions trace a progressive increase in reduced fluids (CO and CH4) and decrease in CO2 and total gas from past to present events. The concentrations of CO2 decrease, while those of CO and CH4 in basalts and plagioclase lapilli increase systematically with an increase in FeO/MgO ratios and K2O contents in the lavas and in anorthite component in plagioclase.
Geochemistry of Precambrian volcanosedimentary rocks of the Karsakpai Group in southern Ulutau (Central Kazakhstan)
Authors: Dmitrieva N.V. , Letnikova E.F. , Vishnevskaya I.A. , Serov P.A. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
We have analyzed the isotope-geochemical features of volcanosedimentary rocks of the Karsakpai Group in southern Ulutau (Central Kazakhstan): mafic volcanics, siliceous and siliceous-ferruginous sediments, and quartz–sericite–chlorite schists. The close association of ferruginous quartzites with intraplate volcanics indicates that they formed in a tectonically active basin. The Nd isotope composition of ferruginous quartzites was governed by synchronous underwater volcanism, whereas the 143Nd/144Nd value of schists was additionally controlled by the Nd isotope composition of older sources. The Mesoproterozoic Nd model ages and positive εNd(t) values of the metaterrigenous rocks of the Karsakpai Group indicate the presence of Mesoproterozoic juvenile material in the provenance. The minimum Nd model ages suggest the lower boundary of sedimentation of 1.3 Ga.
New data on betekhtinite: refinement of crystal structure and revision of chemical formula
Authors: Krivovichev S.V. , Yakovenchuk V.N. 
Published: August 2017

Abstract
The crystal structure of betekhtinite from Dzhezkazgan copper ore deposit, Kazakhstan, has been refined to R1 = 0.047 for 1321 unique observed reflections. The mineral is orthorhombic, Immm, a = 3.9047(6), b = 14.796(2), c = 22.731(3) Å, and V = 1313.3(3) Å3. Structure refinement revealed five additional partially occupied Cu sites compared to the previous structural study. The structure contains one Pb and thirteen Cu sites. The coordination of the Pb site is sevenfold. Coordination geometries of the Cu sites are variable: The Cu1, Cu2, Cu3 Cu6, Cu7, Cu8, and Cu9 sites are tetrahedrally coordinated, whereas Cu4, Cu5, Cu10, Cu11, and Cu13 have a triangular coordination. The Cu12 site is coordinated by two S atoms to form a CuS2 dumbell. The crystal structure of betekhtinite is based upon complex Pb–Cu sulfide rods running parallel to the a axis. The rods have a rhombus-like cross sections with lateral dimensions of ca. 11 × 16 Å2. The core of the rod is composed from the CuS4 tetrahedra and may be considered a module extracted from the archetype structure of fluorite, CaF2. The tetrahedral columns are further incrustated by the Cu4S3 and Cu5S3 triangles and Pb atoms to form the [Pb2Cu16S15] rods, which are linked to each other along the b axis via S6 atoms. The low-occupied Cu sites are located in between the rods. The structural formula determined on the basis of the crystal-structure refinement can be written as Pb2Cu22.18Fe1.04S15, which is in good agreement with the chemical analyses of betekhtinite and disagrees notably with the formula Pb2(Cu,Fe)21S15 suggested by Dornberger-Schiff and Höhne. The general crystal chemical formula of betekhtinite can be written as Pb2(Cu,Fe)22–24S15. Information-based structural complexity parameters for betekhtinite are: Ig = 3.696 bits/atom and IG,total = 144.131 bits/cell. Decomposition of betekhtinite into a mixture of galena (PbS; Ig = 1.000 bits/atom; IG,total = 2.000 bits/cell) and chalcocite (Cu2S; IG = 1.500 bits/atom; IG,total = 12.000 bits/cell) at temperatures above 150 °C is associated with the loss of structural complexity and the rise of configurational entropy of the system.
Interferon-alpha treatment rapidly clears Hepatitis E virus infection in humanized mice
Authors: van de Garde Martijn D. B. , Pas Suzan D. , van Oord Gertine W. , Gama Lucio , Choi Youkyung , de Man Robert A. , Boonstra Andre , Vanwolleghem Thomas 
Published: August 2017

AbstractAntiviral treatment options for chronic Hepatitis E Virus (HEV) infections are limited and immunological determinants of viral persistence remain largely unexplored. We studied the antiviral potency of pegylated interferon-α (pegIFNα) against HEV infections in humanized mice and modelled intrahepatic interferon stimulated gene (ISG) responses. Human gene expression levels in humanized mouse livers were analyzed by qPCR and Nanostring. Human CXCL10 was measured in mouse serum. HEV genotype 3 (gt3) infections were cleared from liver and feces within 8 pegIFNα doses in all mice and relapsed after a single pegIFNα injection in only half of treated animals. Rapid viral clearance by pegIFNα was confirmed in HEV gt1, but not in Hepatitis B Virus infected animals. No ISG induction was observed in untreated HEV gt3 and gt1 infected humanized livers compared to control chimeric mice, irrespective of the human hepatocyte donor, viral isolate or HEV infection duration. Human specific ISG transcript levels in mouse liver increased significantly after pegIFNα treatment and induced high circulating human CXCL10 in mouse serum. In conclusion, HEV gt1 and gt3 infections do not elicit innate intrahepatic immune responses and remain highly sensitive to pegIFNα in immunocompromised humanized mice.
Low protein-induced increases in FGF21 drive UCP1-dependent metabolic but not thermoregulatory endpoints
Authors: Hill Cristal M. , Laeger Thomas , Albarado Diana C. , McDougal David H. , Berthoud Hans-Rudolf , Münzberg Heike , Morrison Christopher D. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractDietary protein restriction increases adipose tissue uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1), energy expenditure and food intake, and these effects require the metabolic hormone fibroblast growth factor 21 (FGF21). Here we test whether the induction of energy expenditure during protein restriction requires UCP1, promotes a resistance to cold stress, and is dependent on the concomitant hyperphagia. Wildtype, Ucp1-KO and Fgf21-KO mice were placed on control and low protein (LP) diets to assess changes in energy expenditure, food intake and other metabolic endpoints. Deletion of Ucp1 blocked LP-induced increases in energy expenditure and food intake, and exacerbated LP-induced weight loss. While LP diet increased energy expenditure and Ucp1 expression in an FGF21-dependent manner, neither LP diet nor the deletion of Fgf21 influenced sensitivity to acute cold stress. Finally, LP-induced energy expenditure occurred even in the absence of hyperphagia. Increased energy expenditure is a primary metabolic effect of dietary protein restriction, and requires both UCP1 and FGF21 but is independent of changes in food intake. However, the FGF21-dependent increase in UCP1 and energy expenditure by LP has no effect on the ability to acutely respond to cold stress, suggesting that LP-induced increases in FGF21 impact metabolic but not thermogenic endpoints.
Direct Detection Electron Energy-Loss Spectroscopy: A Method to Push the Limits of Resolution and Sensitivity
Authors: Hart James L. , Lang Andrew C. , Leff Asher C. , Longo Paolo , Trevor Colin , Twesten Ray D. , Taheri Mitra L. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractIn many cases, electron counting with direct detection sensors offers improved resolution, lower noise, and higher pixel density compared to conventional, indirect detection sensors for electron microscopy applications. Direct detection technology has previously been utilized, with great success, for imaging and diffraction, but potential advantages for spectroscopy remain unexplored. Here we compare the performance of a direct detection sensor operated in counting mode and an indirect detection sensor (scintillator/fiber-optic/CCD) for electron energy-loss spectroscopy. Clear improvements in measured detective quantum efficiency and combined energy resolution/energy field-of-view are offered by counting mode direct detection, showing promise for efficient spectrum imaging, low-dose mapping of beam-sensitive specimens, trace element analysis, and time-resolved spectroscopy. Despite the limited counting rate imposed by the readout electronics, we show that both core-loss and low-loss spectral acquisition are practical. These developments will benefit biologists, chemists, physicists, and materials scientists alike.
The impact of human population pressure on flying fox niches and the potential consequences for Hendra virus spillover
Authors: Walsh Michael G. , Wiethoelter Anke , Haseeb M. A. 
Published: August 2017

AbstractHendra virus (HeV) is an emerging pathogen of concern in Australia given its ability to spillover from its reservoir host, pteropid bats, to horses and further on to humans, and the severe clinical presentation typical in these latter incidental hosts. Specific human pressures over recent decades, such as expanding human populations, urbanization, and forest fragmentation, may have altered the ecological niche of Pteropus species acting as natural HeV reservoirs and may modulate spillover risk. This study explored the influence of inter-decadal net human local migration between 1970 and 2000 on changes in the habitat suitability to P. alecto and P. conspicillatus from 1980 to 2015 in eastern Australia. These ecological niches were modeled using boosted regression trees and subsequently fitted, along with additional landscape factors, to HeV spillovers to explore the spatial dependency of this zoonosis. The spatial model showed that the ecological niche of these two flying fox species, the human footprint, and proximity to woody savanna were each strongly associated with HeV spillover and together explained most of the spatial dependency exhibited by this zoonosis. These findings reinforce the potential for anthropogenic pressures to shape the landscape epidemiology of HeV spillover.