bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Profiling transcriptomes of human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells exposed to maleic acid
Authors: Wang Chia-Chi , Lin Yin-Chi , Cheng Yin-Hua , Tung Chun-Wei 
Published: April 2017

BackgroundMaleic acid is a multi-functional chemical widely used in the field of industrial chemistry for producing food additives and food contact materials. As maleic acid may contaminate food by the release from food packages or intentional addition, it raises the concern about the effects of excessive dietary exposure to maleic acid on human health. However, the influence of maleic acid on human health has not been thoroughly studied. In silico toxicogenomics approaches have found the association between maleic acid and nervous system disease in human. The aim of this study is to experimentally explore the effects of maleic acid on human neuronal cells.MethodsA microarray-based transcriptome profiling was performed to offer a better understanding of the effects of maleic acid on human health. Gene expression profiles of human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells exposed to three concentrations of maleic acid (10, 50, and 100 μM) for 24 h were analyzed. Genes which were differentially expressed in dose-dependent manners were identified and further analyzed with an enrichment analysis. The expression profile of selected genes related to the inferred functional changes was validated using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Specific fluorescence probes were applied to observe the inferred functional changes in maleic acid-treated neuronal cells.ResultsA total of 316 differentially expressed genes (141 upregulated and 175 downregulated) were identified in response to the treatment of maleic acid. The enrichment analysis showed that DNA binding and metal ion binding were the significant molecular functions (MFs) of the neuronal cells affected by maleic acid. Maleic acid exposure decreased the expression of genes associated with calcium and thiol levels of the cells in a dose-dependent manner. The levels of intracellular calcium and thiol levels were also affected by maleic acid dose-dependent.DiscussionThe exposure to maleic acid is found to decrease the cellular calcium and thiol levels in human neuronal cells at both transcriptional and functional levels. This study reported the first transcriptomic profiling of human neuronal cells treated with maleic acid. It is also the first experimental validation of chemical effects predicted by in silico toxicogenomics approaches. The proposed approach may be useful in understanding the potential effects of other poorly characterized chemicals on human health.
Reproducibility of 2‐Dimensional Shear Wave Elastography Assessment of the Liver: A Direct Comparison With Point Shear Wave Elastography in Healthy Volunteers
Authors: Fang Cheng , Konstantatou Eleni , Romanos Odyssefs , Yusuf Gibran T. , Quinlan Daniel J. , Sidhu Paul S. 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesTwo‐dimensional shear wave elastography (2D‐SWE) imaging for the noninvasive assessment of tissue stiffness was assessed for reproducibility in healthy volunteers in quantifying liver elasticity, compared with an established point shear wave elastography (p‐SWE) technique also known as virtual touch quantification (VTQ) (SIEMENS).MethodsEleven healthy volunteers were examined by four experienced operators on two occasions, separated by two weeks (sessions A and B). Ten 2D‐SWE using LOGIQ E9 and p‐SWE measurements using VTQ (in meters per second) were consecutively taken from deep portions of liver segments 5 or 6 away from vascular structures, using standard techniques. Inter‐ and intra‐observer agreement was assessed by intraclass coefficient (ICC).ResultsA total of 880 2D‐SWE and p‐SWE velocities were recorded. Mean values from the four operators ranged between 1.188 and 1.196 m/s for 2D‐SWE and 1.170 to 1.207 m/s for p‐SWE. Interobserver reproducibility was good for both sessions with ICCs of 0.88 and 0.93 (2D‐SWE) and 0.87 and 0.93 (p‐SWE). The overall intra‐operator reproducibility between sessions A and B was good for both p‐SWE and 2D‐SWE with ICC of 0.87 and 0.83, respectively. For inter‐ and intra‐observer variability, the ICC was more than or equal to 0.71, indicating that the results were reliable. There was a strong and significant correlation between the 2D‐SWE and p‐SWE measurements (r = 0.87, P = .0006), but their velocities did not agree equally across different velocities.ConclusionsTwo‐dimensional SWE using LOGIQ E9 is a reliable and reproducible method for measuring elasticity in healthy volunteers and has a similar degree of reliability as p‐SWE using VTQ, but absolute measurements from the two techniques should not be used interchangeably.
The Serial Duplex Index Improves Differential Diagnosis of Acute Renal Transplant Dysfunction
Authors: Meier Markus , Fricke Lutz , Eikenbusch Katrin , Smith Emma , Kramer Jan , Lehnert Hendrik , Nitschke Martin 
Published: April 2017

ObjectivesRenal duplex sonography represents a standard noninvasive diagnostic procedure to demonstrate morphologic changes in acute kidney transplant dysfunction. We investigated whether a newly developed serial duplex index (SDI) can differentiate between acute cellular rejection and acute vascular rejection more effectively than the established Doppler parameters of the resistive index (RI) and pulsatility index (PI) in recently transplanted patients.MethodsSerial duplex scans of patients with histologically proven acute tubular necrosis (n = 25), acute cellular rejection (n = 28), acute vascular rejection (n = 18), and normal graft function (n = 50, partially protocol biopsied) were retrospectively analyzed. For each patient, the RI, PI, and cortex‐pelvis proportion (CPP) were included from the day of biopsy (t0) and 3 to 7 days before biopsy (t–1). The sequential CPP ratio (CPPt0/CPPt–1), RI ratio (RIt0/RIt–1), and PI ratio (PIt0/Pit–1) were determined. The SDI was calculated as: RI ratio × PI ratio/CPP ratio. The diagnostic accuracy of the SDI was compared with that of the RI and PI ratios.ResultsSelected groups were statistically comparable in all routinely determined transplant parameters. The SDI was significantly different between patients with normal graft function, acute cellular rejection, and acute vascular rejection (P < .01, analysis of variance on ranks), whereas the RI and PI ratios were only significantly different between patients with normal graft function and acute vascular rejection (P < .05, analysis of variance on ranks). The indices' ranges were defined by the 95% confidence intervals between the allograft functions.ConclusionsThe developed SDI was able to detect acute renal transplant rejection with greater sensitivity and specificity than the RI and PI ratios. Since the SDI distinguishes between acute tubular necrosis, acute cellular rejection, and acute vascular rejection, it might be a supportive tool to indicate renal biopsy.
Evaluation of modeled land‐atmosphere exchanges with a comprehensive water isotope fractionation scheme in version 4 of the Community Land Model
Authors: Wong Tony E. , Nusbaumer Jesse , Noone David C. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAll physical process models and field observations are inherently imperfect, so there is a need to both (1) obtain measurements capable of constraining quantities of interest and (2) develop frameworks for assessment in which the desired processes and their uncertainties may be characterized. Incorporation of stable water isotopes into land surface schemes offers a complimentary approach to constrain hydrological processes such as evapotranspiration, and yields acute insight into the hydrological and biogeochemical behaviors of the domain. Here a stable water isotopic scheme in the National Center for Atmospheric Research's version 4 of the Community Land Model (CLM4) is presented. An overview of the isotopic methods is given. Isotopic model results are compared to available data sets on site‐level and global scales for validation. Comparisons of site‐level soil moisture and isotope ratios reveal that surface water does not percolate as deeply into the soil as observed in field measurements. The broad success of the new model provides confidence in its use for a range of climate and hydrological studies, while the sensitivity of simulation results to kinetic processes stands as a reminder that new theoretical development and refinement of kinetic effect parameterizations is needed to achieve further improvements.
Bayesian calibration of groundwater models with input data uncertainty
Authors: Xu Tianfang , Valocchi Albert J. , Ye Ming , Liang Feng , Lin Yu‐Feng 
Published: April 2017

AbstractEffective water resources management typically relies on numerical models to analyze groundwater flow and solute transport processes. Groundwater models are often subject to input data uncertainty, as some inputs (such as recharge and well pumping rates) are estimated and subject to uncertainty. Current practices of groundwater model calibration often overlook uncertainties in input data; this can lead to biased parameter estimates and compromised predictions. Through a synthetic case study of surface‐ground water interaction under changing pumping conditions and land use, we investigate the impacts of uncertain pumping and recharge rates on model calibration and uncertainty analysis. We then present a Bayesian framework of model calibration to handle uncertain input of groundwater models. The framework implements a marginalizing step to account for input data uncertainty when evaluating likelihood. It was found that not accounting for input uncertainty may lead to biased, overconfident parameter estimates because parameters could be over‐adjusted to compensate for possible input data errors. Parameter compensation can have deleterious impacts when the calibrated model is used to make forecast under a scenario that is different from calibration conditions. By marginalizing input data uncertainty, the Bayesian calibration approach effectively alleviates parameter compensation and gives more accurate predictions in the synthetic case study. The marginalizing Bayesian method also decomposes prediction uncertainty into uncertainties contributed by parameters, input data, and measurements. The results underscore the need to account for input uncertainty to better inform postmodeling decision making.
Numerical simulation of backward erosion piping in heterogeneous fields
Authors: Liang Yue , Yeh Tian‐Chyi Jim , Wang Yu‐Li , Liu Mingwei , Wang Junjie , Hao Yonghong 
Published: April 2017

AbstractBackward erosion piping (BEP) is one of the major causes of seepage failures in levees. Seepage fields dictate the BEP behaviors and are influenced by the heterogeneity of soil properties. To investigate the effects of the heterogeneity on the seepage failures, we develop a numerical algorithm and conduct simulations to study BEP progressions in geologic media with spatially stochastic parameters. Specifically, the void ratio e, the hydraulic conductivity k, and the ratio of the particle contents r of the media are represented as the stochastic variables. They are characterized by means and variances, the spatial correlation structures, and the cross correlation between variables. Results of the simulations reveal that the heterogeneity accelerates the development of preferential flow paths, which profoundly increase the likelihood of seepage failures. To account for unknown heterogeneity, we define the probability of the seepage instability (PI) to evaluate the failure potential of a given site. Using Monte‐Carlo simulation (MCS), we demonstrate that the PI value is significantly influenced by the mean and the variance of ln k and its spatial correlation scales. But the other parameters, such as means and variances of e and r, and their cross correlation, have minor impacts. Based on PI analyses, we introduce a risk rating system to classify the field into different regions according to risk levels. This rating system is useful for seepage failures prevention and assists decision making when BEP occurs.
Incorporation of Carbon Dioxide into Carbamate Directing Groups: Palladium‐Catalyzed meta‐C–H Olefination and Acetoxylation of Aniline Derivatives
Authors: Yang Long , Fu Lei , Li Gang 
Published: April 2017

AbstractCarbon dioxide (CO2), a readily available, non‐toxic, and inexpensive greenhouse gas, is an ideal reagent for carbamate synthesis. For the first time, CO2 has been efficiently incorporated into a novel nitrile‐containing directing group (DG) for meta‐C–H activation of anilines under mild conditions. Thus, various aniline derivatives were meta‐olefinated with palladium(II) acetate. meta‐C–H acetoxylation was also feasible and the carbamate DG could be easily removed under basic conditions. The practicality of substrate preparation, functional group tolerance, and versatility of this method make it a valuable addition to the meta‐C–H functionalization of anilines.magnified image
An exploratory clinical trial of bortezomib in patients with lower risk myelodysplastic syndromes
Authors: Daher May , Hidalgo Lopez Juliana Elisa , Randhawa Jasleen K. , Jabbar Kausar Jabeen , Wei Yue , Pemmaraju Naveen , Borthakur Gautam , Kadia Tapan , Konopleva Marina , Kantarjian Hagop M. , Hearn Katherine , Estrov Zeev , Reyes Steven , Bueso‐Ramos Carlos E. , Garcia‐Manero Guillermo 
Published: April 2017

AbstractMyelodysplastic syndromes (MDSs) are characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and an increased risk of transformation. Few effective therapies are available for lower risk MDS patients, especially after the failure of hypomethylating agents. MDS progenitor cells are dependent on the nuclear factor‐κB (NF‐κB) for survival, which makes it an attractive therapeutic target. As a proteosomal inhibitor, bortezomib is thought to have inhibitory activity against NF‐κB. We designed a proof‐of‐principle study of subcutaneous (SC) bortezomib in lower risk MDS patients with evidence of NF‐κB activation in their bone marrow. Fifteen patients were treated, their median age was 71 (range 56–87), 33% were low and 67% int‐1 by IPSS, median number of prior therapies was 2, all patients were transfusion dependent. Baseline median pp65 percentage was 31% and 11 patients had evidence of ring sideroblasts (RS). SC bortezomib was safe, well tolerated with no excess toxicity. Three patients out of the 15 (20%) had evidence of response with hematologic improvement (HI‐E). Bortezomib caused a decrease in pp65 levels in 7 out of 13 evaluable patients (54%, P = .025). Of interest, unexpectedly, we observed a significant decrease in RS in 7 out of 10 (70%) evaluable patients during treatment. In conclusion, this study suggests that NF‐κB activation, measured by pp65 levels, may be a useful biomarker in MDS. Bortezomib is safe in this patient population but has modest clinical activity. The role of the proteasome in the genesis of RS needs further study.
Ammonium acid urate urolithiasis in anorexia nervosa: a case report and literature review
Authors: Fukai Mina , Hirosawa Tetsu , Nakatani Hideo , Muramatsu Tomoko , Kikuchi Mitsuru , Minabe Yoshio 
Published: April 2017

Key Clinical MessageAmmonium acid urate urolithiasis is a quite rare condition. Our literature review of ammonium acid urate urolithiasis suggests that ammonium acid urate urolithiasis should be regarded as a general medical complication related to anorexia nervosa, and purging by laxative abuse might be a crucially important risk.
Lake nutrient stoichiometry is less predictable than nutrient concentrations at regional and sub‐continental scales
Authors: Collins Sarah M. , Oliver Samantha K. , Lapierre Jean‐Francois , Stanley Emily H. , Jones John R. , Wagner Tyler , Soranno Patricia A. 
Published: April 2017

AbstractProduction in many ecosystems is co‐limited by multiple elements. While a known suite of drivers associated with nutrient sources, nutrient transport, and internal processing controls concentrations of phosphorus (P) and nitrogen (N) in lakes, much less is known about whether the drivers of single nutrient concentrations can also explain spatial or temporal variation in lake N:P stoichiometry. Predicting stoichiometry might be more complex than predicting concentrations of individual elements because some drivers have similar relationships with N and P, leading to a weak relationship with their ratio. Further, the dominant controls on elemental concentrations likely vary across regions, resulting in context dependent relationships between drivers, lake nutrients and their ratios. Here, we examine whether known drivers of N and P concentrations can explain variation in N:P stoichiometry, and whether explaining variation in stoichiometry differs across regions. We examined drivers of N:P in ~2,700 lakes at a sub‐continental scale and two large regions nested within the sub‐continental study area that have contrasting ecological context, including differences in the dominant type of land cover (agriculture vs. forest). At the sub‐continental scale, lake nutrient concentrations were correlated with nutrient loading and lake internal processing, but stoichiometry was only weakly correlated to drivers of lake nutrients. At the regional scale, drivers that explained variation in nutrients and stoichiometry differed between regions. In the MidwesternU.S.region, dominated by agricultural land use, lake depth and the percentage of row crop agriculture were strong predictors of stoichiometry because only phosphorus was related to lake depth and only nitrogen was related to the percentage of row crop agriculture. In contrast, all drivers were related to N and P in similar ways in the NortheasternU.S.region, leading to weak relationships between drivers and stoichiometry. Our results suggest ecological context mediates controls on lake nutrients and stoichiometry. Predicting stoichiometry was generally more difficult than predicting nutrient concentrations, but human activity may decouple N and P, leading to better prediction of N:P stoichiometry in regions with high anthropogenic activity.
The evolution of different maternal investment strategies in two closely related desert vertebrates
Authors: Ennen Joshua R. , Lovich Jeffrey E. , Averill‐Murray Roy C. , Yackulic Charles B. , Agha Mickey , Loughran Caleb , Tennant Laura , Sinervo Barry 
Published: April 2017

AbstractWe compared egg size phenotypes and tested several predictions from the optimal egg size (OES) and bet‐hedging theories in two North American desert‐dwelling sister tortoise taxa, Gopherus agassizii and G. morafkai, that inhabit different climate spaces: relatively unpredictable and more predictable climate spaces, respectively. Observed patterns in both species differed from the predictions of OES in several ways. Mean egg size increased with maternal body size in both species. Mean egg size was inversely related to clutch order in G. agassizii, a strategy more consistent with the within‐generation hypothesis arising out of bet‐hedging theory or a constraint in egg investment due to resource availability, and contrary to theories of density dependence, which posit that increasing hatchling competition from later season clutches should drive selection for larger eggs. We provide empirical evidence that one species, G. agassizii, employs a bet‐hedging strategy that is a combination of two different bet‐hedging hypotheses. Additionally, we found some evidence for G. morafkai employing a conservative bet‐hedging strategy. (e.g., lack of intra‐ and interclutch variation in egg size relative to body size). Our novel adaptive hypothesis suggests the possibility that natural selection favors smaller offspring in late‐season clutches because they experience a more benign environment or less energetically challenging environmental conditions (i.e., winter) than early clutch progeny, that emerge under harsher and more energetically challenging environmental conditions (i.e., summer). We also discuss alternative hypotheses of sexually antagonistic selection, which arise from the trade‐offs of son versus daughter production that might have different optima depending on clutch order and variation in temperature‐dependent sex determination (TSD) among clutches. Resolution of these hypotheses will require long‐term data on fitness of sons versus daughters as a function of incubation environment, data as yet unavailable for any species with TSD.
Elements of metacommunity structure in Amazonian Zygoptera among streams under different spatial scales and environmental conditions
Authors: Brasil Leandro Schlemmer , Vieira Thiago Bernardi , de Oliveira‐Junior José Max Barbosa , Dias‐Silva Karina , Juen Leandro 
Published: April 2017

AbstractAn important aspect of conservation is to understand the founding elements and characteristics of metacommunities in natural environments, and the consequences of anthropogenic disturbance on these patterns. In natural Amazonian environments, the interfluves of the major rivers play an important role in the formation of areas of endemism through the historical isolation of species and the speciation process. We evaluated elements of metacommunity structure for Zygoptera (Insecta: Odonata) sampled in 93 Amazonian streams distributed in two distinct biogeographic regions (areas of endemism). Of sampled streams, 43 were considered to have experienced negligible anthropogenic impacts, and 50 were considered impacted by anthropogenic activities. Our hypothesis was that preserved (“negligible impact”) streams would present a Clementsian pattern, forming clusters of distinct species, reflecting the biogeographic pattern of the two regions, and that anthropogenic streams would present random patterns of metacommunity, due to the loss of more sensitive species and dominance of more tolerant species, which have higher dispersal ability and environmental tolerance. In negligible impact streams, the Clementsian pattern reflected a strong biogeographic pattern, which we discuss considering the areas of endemism of Amazonian rivers. As for communities in human‐impacted streams, a biotic homogenization was evident, in which rare species were suppressed and the most common species had become hyper‐dominant. Understanding the mechanisms that trigger changes in metacommunities is an important issue for conservation, because they can help create mitigation measures for the impacts of anthropogenic activities on biological communities, and so should be expanded to studies using other taxonomic groups in both tropical and temperate systems, and, wherever possible, at multiple spatial scales.