bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The Moral Imagination of De‐extinction
Authors: Jennings Bruce 
Published: July 2017

AbstractWe live amidst the sixth great extinction of life on Earth, and we live under the sign of molecular biology and biotechnology. An ethical maxim that is well‐nigh universally acknowledged holds that with great power comes great moral responsibility. For those who accept the science and embrace the responsibility, there are two rather different kinds of moral vision and moral imagination at work. Detractors of biotechnology say that we should see ourselves as creaturely good citizens of the biotic community, accepting and accommodating what evolutionary natural selection has bequeathed to us, warts and all. Boosters of biotechnology say that we should see ourselves as its sovereigns, fashioning better forms of synthetic life and genetically driving evolution in better ways through anthropogenic selection.Faced with biodiversity loss, technology boosters, or eco‐modernists, tend to respond by upping the ante on technology in hopes of increasing the benefits and lessening the impact of human relations with nature. The detractors, or eco‐communitarians, respond by seeking to restructure the relationship between humans and nature by lowering the profile of human power so as to hear the voice of nonhuman being and better attune ourselves to it. Undergirding both of these moral visions is atonement. As a way of providing atonement, however, de‐extinction fails.
Neural substrates of context‐ and person‐dependent altruistic punishment
Authors: Wang Lili , Lu Xiaping , Gu Ruolei , Zhu Ruida , Xu Rui , Broster Lucas S. , Feng Chunliang 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHuman altruistic behaviors are heterogeneous across both contexts and people, whereas the neural signatures underlying the heterogeneity remain to be elucidated. To address this issue, we examined the neural signatures underlying the context‐ and person‐dependent altruistic punishment, conjoining event‐related fMRI with both task‐based and resting‐state functional connectivity (RSFC). Acting as an impartial third party, participants decided how to punish norm violators either alone or in the presence of putative others. We found that the presence of others decreased altruistic punishment due to diffusion of responsibility. Those behavioral effects paralleled altered neural responses in the dorsal anterior cingulate cortex (dACC) and putamen. Further, we identified modulation of responsibility diffusion on task‐based functional connectivity of dACC with the brain regions implicated in reward processing (i.e., posterior cingulate cortex and amygdala/orbital frontal cortex). Finally, the RSFC results revealed that (i) increased intrinsic connectivity strengths of the putamen with temporoparietal junction and dorsolateral PFC were associated with attenuated responsibility diffusion in altruistic punishment and (ii) increased putamen‐dorsomedial PFC connectivity strengths were associated with reduced responsibility diffusion in self‐reported responsibility. Taken together, our findings elucidate the context‐ and person‐dependent altruistic behaviors as well as associated neural substrates and thus provide a potential neurocognitive mechanism of heterogeneous human altruistic behaviors.Hum Brain Mapp 38:5535–5550, 2017. ©2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Scenario Simulation of Field Soil Water and Salt Balances Using SahysMod for Salinity Management in a Coastal Rainfed Farmland
Authors: Yao Rongjiang , Yang Jingsong , Wu Danhua , Xie Wenping , Wang Xiangping , Zhang Xing 
Published: July 2017

AbstractUnderstanding the long‐term soil water and salt balances in coastal salt‐affected farming areas is important for developing appropriate management practices, controlling salinization and maximizing crop production. An integrated spatial agro‐hydro‐salinity model (SahysMod) was employed to analyse water and salt balances of rainfed salt‐affected farmland. The model was calibrated using the observed soil and groundwater data, and the potential influence of various field management practices on rootzone salinity and groundwater properties was simulated using the calibrated model. Results revealed that rootzone soil salinity (ECe) generally decreased at an annual average rate of 2.2 dS m−1 under existing conditions, and the decreasing rate of rootzone salinity ranged from 1.9 to 2.7 dS m−1 yr−1 under the other scenarios. Practices including subsurface drainage systems and plastic film mulching were suggested for managing soil salinity and stabilizing the groundwater table. Irrigation with brackish water in the dry season was not recommended since it increased soil and groundwater salinity in comparison with existing conditions. It was concluded that subsurface drainage was the most high‐efficient approach for salt leaching, whereas plastic film mulching was more economic and effective to control soil and groundwater salinization when considering the additional cost and environmental effects. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Estimating the effects of the minimum wage in a developing country: A density discontinuity design approach
Authors: Jales Hugo 
Published: July 2017

SummaryThis paper proposes a framework to identify the effects of the minimum wage on the joint distribution of sector and wage in a developing country. I show how the discontinuity of the wage distribution around the minimum wage identifies the extent of noncompliance with the minimum wage policy, and how the conditional probability of sector given wage recovers the relationship between latent sector and wages. I apply the method in the “PNAD,” a nationwide representative Brazilian cross‐sectional dataset for the years 2001–2009. The results indicate that the size of the informal sector is increased by around 39% compared to what would prevail in the absence of the minimum wage, an effect attributable to (i) unemployment effects of the minimum wage on the formal sector and (ii) movements of workers from the formal to the informal sector as a response to the policy.
Effects of free radical initiators on polyethylene glycol dimethacrylate hydrogel properties and biocompatibility
Authors: Wilems Thomas S. , Lu Xi , Kurosu Yuki E. , Khan Zara , Lim Hyun Ju , Smith Callahan Laura A. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMany studies have utilized Irgacure 2959 photopolymerized poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogels for tissue engineering application development. Due to the limited penetration of ultraviolet light through tissue, Irgacure 2959 polymerized hydrogels are not suitable for use in tissues where material injection is desirable, such as the spinal cord. To address this, several free radical initiators (thermal initiator VA044, ammonium persulfate (APS)/TEMED reduction–oxidation reaction, and Fenton chemistry) are evaluated for their effects on the material and mechanical properties of PEG hydrogels compared with Irgacure 2959. To emulate the effects of endogenous thiols on in vivo polymerization, the effects of chain transfer agent (CTA) dithiothreitol on gelation rates, material properties, Young's and shear modulus, are examined. Mouse embryonic stem cells and human induced pluripotent stem cell derived neural stem cells were used to investigate the cytocompatibility of each polymerization. VA044 and Fenton chemistry polymerization of PEG hydrogels both had gelation rates and mechanical properties that were highly susceptible to changes in CTA concentration and showed poor cytocompatibility. APS/TEMED polymerized hydrogels maintained consistent gelation rates and mechanical properties at high CTA concentration and had a similar cytocompatibility as Irgacure 2959 when cells were encapsulated within the PEG hydrogels. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 3059–3068, 2017.
An Ectosteric Inhibitor of Cathepsin K Inhibits Bone Resorption in Ovariectomized Mice
Authors: Panwar Preety , Xue Liming , Søe Kent , Srivastava Kamini , Law Simon , Delaisse Jean-Marie , Brömme Dieter 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACT

The potent cathepsin K (CatK) inhibitor, Tanshinone IIA sulfonic sodium (T06), was tested for its in vitro and in vivo antiresorptive activities. T06 binds in an ectosteric site of CatK remote from its active site and selectively inhibits collagen degradation with an IC50 value of 2.7 ± 0.2 μM (CatK:T06 molar ratio of 1:5). However, it does not suppress fluorogenic peptide cleavage and gelatinolysis at a 2500-fold molar excess. Contrary to active site-directed CatK inhibitors, such as odanacatib, T06 suppresses bone resorption in both human and mouse osteoclasts equally well (IC50 value for human and mouse osteoclasts: 237 ± 60 nM and 245 ± 55 nM, respectively) and its antiresorptive activity is fully reversible in both cell types. Moreover, T06 affects neither the metabolic activity of osteoclasts nor osteoclastogenesis. In in vivo studies, 40 mg T06/kg/d given to 12-week-old ovariectomized (OVX) mice for 3 months reduced plasma CTx-1 by 20% and increased osteoblast numbers and plasma P1NP by ∼28% when compared with the OVX control. μCT analysis of T06-treated OVX mice showed a 35% increase in bone mineral density and other femoral trabecular bone parameters when compared with OVX animals. T06 did not alter the number of osteoclasts, had no estrogenic effect on the uterus, did not change plasma estradiol levels, and did not inhibit fibroblast-mediated TGF-ß1 processing or degradation and cognitive functions in OVX mice. This study indicates that the ectosteric inhibitor, T06, is a selective antiresorptive CatK inhibitor that may overcome the shortcomings of side effect–prone active site-directed drugs, which all failed in clinical trials. © 2017 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Redox homeostasis and age‐related deficits in neuromuscular integrity and function
Authors: Sakellariou Giorgos K. , Lightfoot Adam P. , Earl Kate E. , Stofanko Martin , McDonagh Brian 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSkeletal muscle is a major site of metabolic activity and is the most abundant tissue in the human body. Age‐related muscle atrophy (sarcopenia) and weakness, characterized by progressive loss of lean muscle mass and function, is a major contributor to morbidity and has a profound effect on the quality of life of older people. With a continuously growing older population (estimated 2 billion of people aged >60 by 2050), demand for medical and social care due to functional deficits, associated with neuromuscular ageing, will inevitably increase. Despite the importance of this ‘epidemic’ problem, the primary biochemical and molecular mechanisms underlying age‐related deficits in neuromuscular integrity and function have not been fully determined. Skeletal muscle generates reactive oxygen and nitrogen species (RONS) from a variety of subcellular sources, and age‐associated oxidative damage has been suggested to be a major factor contributing to the initiation and progression of muscle atrophy inherent with ageing. RONS can modulate a variety of intracellular signal transduction processes, and disruption of these events over time due to altered redox control has been proposed as an underlying mechanism of ageing. The role of oxidants in ageing has been extensively examined in different model organisms that have undergone genetic manipulations with inconsistent findings. Transgenic and knockout rodent studies have provided insight into the function of RONS regulatory systems in neuromuscular ageing. This review summarizes almost 30 years of research in the field of redox homeostasis and muscle ageing, providing a detailed discussion of the experimental approaches that have been undertaken in murine models to examine the role of redox regulation in age‐related muscle atrophy and weakness.
Specification of Larval Axes of Partial Embryos in the Temnopleurid Temnopleurus toreumaticus and the Strongylocentroid Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus
Authors: Kitazawa Chisato , Nakano Michihiro , Yamaguchi Tadashi , Miyahara Chisato , Yamanaka Akira 
Published: July 2017

ABSTRACTMany sea urchins, including the strongylocentroid Hemicentrotus pulcherrimus, produce an amniotic cavity on the left for adult rudiment formation at the late larval stage. In contrast, temnopleurids form a cell mass at the early larval stage instead of an amniotic cavity. Although the mechanisms establishing left–right polarity of the amniotic cavity involve cell–cell interactions and signaling pathways, corresponding pathways for the cell mass are unknown. We analyzed the effects of blastomere isolation on the specification of larval axes in the temnopleurid Temnopleurus toreumaticus and compared them to those in H. pulcherrimus. Blastomere isolation at the two‐ or four‐cell stages in T. toreumaticus disturbed the location of the cell mass and adult rudiment in approximately 10–20% of specimens. In contrast, isolation at the two‐cell stage in H. pulcherrimus caused the left–right polarity to become random. When blastomeres isolated at the two‐cell stage were cultured as pairs, approximately 20% of pairs had atypical polarity in both species. Following isolation at the four‐cell stage, 71.4% of quartets produced larvae with atypical polarity in T. toreumaticus. Thus, cell–cell interaction between two daughter blastomeres after the second cleavage may be involved in the mechanism determining left–right polarity. Dye injection into a blastomere and subsequent observations indicated that the location of the boundary of the first cleavage showed similar patterns in both species. These observations suggest that species‐specific mechanisms establish the larval axes and blastomeres at the two‐ and four‐cell stages redistribute their cytoplasm, forming gradients that establish left–right polarity.
Association of incretin receptors genetic polymorphisms with type 2 diabetes mellitus in Egyptian patients
Authors: Shalaby Sally M. , Zidan Haidy E. , Shokry Amira , Saeed Jehan , El‐Sokkary Rehab H. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundIncretins have opened a new era in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) pathogenesis. The present study aimed to assess whether there is an association between GIPR rs2302382, GIPR rs1800437 and GLP‐1R rs367543060 polymorphisms with T2DM or not and also to determine the effect of these polymorphisms on gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) and glucagon‐like peptide‐1 (GLP‐1) levels.MethodsOne hundred and fifty T2DM patients and 150 healthy controls were included in the study. Polymorphisms of GIPR rs1800437, GIPR rs2302382 and GLP‐1R rs367543060 were genotyped using restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP)‐polymerase chain reaction (PCR), multiplex allele‐specific PCR and RFLP‐PCR respectively. GIP and GLP levels were measured by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay.ResultsWe found a significant association of both the homozygous AA and the minor allele A of GIPR rs2302382 with T2DM. The frequency of haplotype C(rs2302382) G(rs1800437) was significantly higher in controls than in diabetics; odds ratio (95% confidence interval): 1.99 (1.44–2.75) (p < 0.001), whereas the haplotype A(rs2302382) C(rs1800437) was significantly higher in patients than controls. We did not find any association of GLP‐1R rs367543060 polymorphism with T2DM. We found a significant increase in serum total GIP and a significant decrease of GLP‐1 levels in T2DM patients.ConclusionsWe reveal for the first time an association between the GIPR rs2302382 polymorphism and T2DM in Egyptians. Yet, there was no significant association of GIPR rs1800437 or GLP‐1R rs367543060 with T2DM risk. The haplotype A (rs2302382) C (rs1800437) was associated with an increased risk of T2DM. Furthermore, there was a significant increase of GIP and a significant decrease of GLP‐1 levels when diabetic patients were compared with controls. An important finding was that there was a relationship between both GIPR rs2302382 and rs1800437 variants and their cognate ligand levels.
An option pricing approach to optimal bidding in construction projects
Authors: Ribeiro João Adelino , Pereira Paulo J. , Brandão Elisio M. 
Published: July 2017

Reaching an optimal mark‐up value in the context of construction projects' bidding competitions has been a research topic for more than 40 years. This paper aims to contribute to this debate by applying a real options approach. The proposed model has a pure theoretical nature and is based on a maximization problem, whose outcome is the optimal price, that is, the price that should be included in the bid proposal. The model is later extended to accommodate the existence of penalty costs if the selected bidder refuses to enter into contract. Results reached using a numerical example demonstrate that the optimal price is higher when penalty costs are considered.
Detection and quantification of overactive bladder activity in patients: Can we make it better and automatic?
Authors: Niederhauser Thomas , Gafner Elena S. , Cantieni Tarcisi , Grämiger Michelle , Haeberlin Andreas , Obrist Dominik , Burkhard Fiona , Clavica Francesco 
Published: July 2017

AimsTo explore the use of time‐frequency analysis as an analytical tool to automatically detect pattern changes in bladder pressure recordings of patients with overactive bladder (OAB). To provide quantitative data on the bladder's non‐voiding activity which could improve the current diagnosis and potentially the treatment of OAB.MethodsWe developed an algorithm, based on time‐frequency analysis, to analyze bladder pressure during the filling phase of urodynamic studies. The algorithm was used to generate a bladder overactivity index (BOI) for a quantitative estimation of the average bladder non‐voiding‐activity. We tested the algorithm with one control group and two groups of patients with OAB symptoms: one group with detrusor overactivity (DO), assessed by an experienced urologist (OAB‐with‐DO group), and another group for which detrusor overactivity was not diagnosed (OAB‐without‐DO group).ResultsThe algorithm identified diagnostically significant data on the bladder non‐voiding activity in a specified frequency range. BOI was significantly higher for both OAB groups compared to the control group: the median value of BOI was twice as big in OAB‐without‐DO and more than four times higher in OAB‐with‐DO compared to control group. Moreover the algorithm was successfully tested to detect episodes of detrusor overactivity.ConclusionsWe have shown that a simple algorithm, based on time‐frequency analysis of bladder pressure, may be a promising tool in the clinical setting. The algorithm can provide quantitative data on non‐voiding bladder activity in patients and quantify the changes according to phenotype. Moreover the algorithm can detect DO, showing potential for triggering conditional bladder stimulation.
Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis is Associated with Cardiac Remodeling and Dysfunction
Authors: Simon Tracey G. , Bamira Daniel G. , Chung Raymond T. , Weiner Rory B. , Corey Kathleen E. 
Published: July 2017

ObjectivePreliminary data suggest that nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is associated with early heart failure (HF). However, whether nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is directly associated with echocardiographic changes in cardiac structure or function remains unknown.MethodsA retrospective cohort was identified of individuals (N = 65) without known heart disease, undergoing elective bariatric surgery with perioperative liver biopsy, and available recent transthoracic echocardiography (TTE). TTE measures were evaluated by NASH status using correlation coefficients, ANOVA, and linear regression, accounting for cardiometabolic factors.ResultsMedian age was 47 years; 22% (n = 14) had NASH. NASH patients had increased median left atrial (LA) volume (28.6 mL/m2 vs. 24.8 mL/m2; P < 0.0001) and left ventricular (LV) mass (82.6 g/m2 vs. 78.6 g/m2; P < 0.0001), indexed for height. NASH was inversely correlated with indices of diastolic function, including septal E′ (r = −0.90 [95% CI: −1.21 to −0.42]; P = 0.020) and E:A (r = −0.31 [95% CI: −0.51 to −0.09]; P = 0.037). In adjusted analyses, NASH remained associated with increased LV mass index (ß1 = 7.16 [SE: 4.95]; P = 0.001) and LA volume index (ß1 = 0.19 [SE: 0.08]; P = 0.001) and reduced lateral and septal E′ (ß1 = −0.91, P = 0.015; ß1 = −0.89, P = 0.047, respectively).ConclusionsIn this bariatric cohort, NASH was associated with changes in myocardial structure and in load‐dependent indices of LV diastolic function, suggestive of subclinical HF.
Metal–Polymer Hybrid Nanoparticles for Correlative High‐Resolution Light and Electron Microscopy
Authors: Reifarth Martin , Preußger Elisabeth , Schubert Ulrich S. , Heintzmann Rainer , Hoeppener Stephanie 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe combination of fluorescence microscopy and electron microscopy promises a deeper insight into the ultrastructural features of cell organelles, e.g., after drug administration. Both methods complement each other and provide, as a correlative approach, a keen insight into the fate of nanoparticles within the cell. Moreover, it represents a promising tool to determine alterations of the cellular environment as a response to particle uptake. However, the availability of suitable correlative markers is mandatory for such correlative approaches. In this contribution, the utilization of poly(ethylene imine) based metal–polymer hybrid particles labeled with small gold nanoparticles and Rhodamine B facilitating the observation of the particles by means of fluorescence as well as by transmission electron microscopy is suggested. Correlative light and electron microscopy is used to study uptake and intracellular fusion processes of endosomal/lysosomal structures.
A subset of high Gleason grade prostate carcinomas contain a large burden of prostate cancer syndecan‐1 positive stromal cells
Authors: Sharpe Benjamin , Alghezi Dhafer A. , Cattermole Claire , Beresford Mark , Bowen Rebecca , Mitchard John , Chalmers Andrew D. 
Published: July 2017

BackgroundThere is a pressing need to identify prognostic and predictive biomarkers for prostate cancer to aid treatment decisions in both early and advanced disease settings. Syndecan‐1, a heparan sulfate proteoglycan, has been previously identified as a potential prognostic biomarker by multiple studies at the tissue and serum level. However, other studies have questioned its utility.MethodsAnti‐Syndecan‐1 immunohistochemistry was carried out on 157 prostate tissue samples (including cancerous, adjacent normal tissue, and non‐diseased prostate) from three independent cohorts of patients. A population of Syndecan‐1 positive stromal cells was identified and the number and morphological parameters of these cells quantified. The identity of the Syndecan‐1‐positive stromal cells was assessed by multiplex immunofluorescence using a range of common cell lineage markers. Finally, the burden of Syndecan‐1 positive stromal cells was tested for association with clinical parameters.ResultsWe identified a previously unreported cell type which is marked by Syndecan‐1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate tumors and adjacent normal tissue but not in non‐diseased prostate. We call these cells Prostate Cancer Syndecan‐1 Positive (PCSP) cells. Immunofluorescence analysis revealed that the PCSP cell population did not co‐stain with markers of common prostate epithelial, stromal, or immune cell populations. However, morphological analysis revealed that PCSP cells are often elongated and displayed prominent lamellipodia, suggesting they are an unidentified migratory cell population. Analysis of clinical parameters showed that PCSP cells were found with a frequency of 20‐35% of all tumors evaluated, but were not present in non‐diseased normal tissue. Interestingly, a subset of primary Gleason 5 prostate tumors had a high burden of PCSP cells.ConclusionsThe current study identifies PCSP cells as a novel, potentially migratory cell type, which is marked by Syndecan‐1 expression and is found in the stroma of prostate carcinomas, adjacent normal tissue, but not in non‐diseased prostate. A subset of poor prognosis high Gleason grade 5 tumors had a particularly high PCSP cell burden, suggesting an association between this unidentified cell type and tumor aggressiveness.