bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Past and present mercury accumulation in the Lake Baikal seal: Temporal trends, effects of life history, and toxicological implications
Authors: Poste Amanda E. , Pastukhov Mikhail V. , Braaten Hans Fredrik Veiteberg , Ozersky Ted , Moore Marianne 
Published: January 2018

Abstract

Despite global efforts to reduce anthropogenic mercury (Hg) emissions, the timescale and degree to which Hg concentrations in the environment and biota respond to decreased emissions remain challenging to assess or predict. In the present study we characterize long-term trends and life-history patterns in Hg accumulation and toxicological implications of Hg contamination for a freshwater seal from one of the world's largest lakes (Lake Baikal, Siberia, Russia) using contemporary tissues and archival teeth. Stable isotope analysis and Hg analyses of soft tissues (muscle, liver, kidney, blood, brain, heart) and teeth from 22 contemporary seals revealed rapid changes in diet and Hg accumulation in the first year of life with a stable diet and increase in tissue Hg throughout the rest of life. Although maternal transfer of Hg was an important source of Hg to seal pups, reproduction and lactation by female seals did not appear to result in sex-related differences in Hg concentrations or age-related accumulation in adult seals. Based on Hg analysis of archival teeth (n = 114) and reconstructed values for soft tissues, we also assessed temporal trends in seal Hg between the years 1960 and 2013. Seal Hg concentrations in hard (teeth) and soft (e.g., muscle, liver) tissues were highest in the 1960s and 1970s, followed by a decrease. The decline in seal Hg concentrations in recent decades was most likely driven by a reduction in Hg inputs to the lake, suggesting that global and regional efforts to reduce Hg emissions have been successful at reducing ecosystem and human health risks posed by Hg in Lake Baikal. Environ Toxicol Chem 2018;37:1476–1486. © 2018 SETAC
Fuzzy logic vector–based forwarding routing protocol for underwater acoustic sensor networks
Authors: Bu Renfei , Wang Shilian , Wang Hao 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe sensor nodes working in the underwater environment are generally powered by batteries, which are undesirable or infeasible to replace and recharge. Thus, limited energy is one of the major constraints in underwater acoustic sensor networks. It is of great significance to design an energy‐efficient routing algorithm to prolong network lifetime. In this paper, we propose a fuzzy logic vector–based forwarding routing protocol wherein we consider both the position information and energy information of sensor nodes in the calculation of desirableness. In addition, parameters such as valid distance to forwarder nodes, projection, and the battery level of nodes are also considered in fuzzy logic system. The fuzzy logic–based energy‐efficient routing algorithm can achieve multiparameter and fuzzy routing decision. The performance analyses show that the routing protocol we proposed has better performance in energy consumption and average end‐to‐end delay compared with the similar algorithms; meanwhile, reliability can be guaranteed.
Exophytic sinonasal papillomas and nasal florid papillomatosis: A retrospective study
Authors: Glâtre Romain , De Kermadec Héloïse , Alsamad Issam Abd , Badoual Cécile , Gauthier Anne , Brugel Lydia , Parra Claire , Coste André , Prulière‐Escabasse Virginie , Bequignon Emilie 
Published: January 2018

AbstractBackgroundSinonasal exophytic papillomas are rare. The multifocal form, florid papillomatosis, has not been yet described in literature. We report on the clinical features and the management of the different forms of exophytic papilloma.MethodsA retrospective study was conducted that included all patients with exophytic papilloma treated in our center over the past 12 years. We recorded clinical presentation, treatments, recurrences, pathology (p16 expression and human papillomavirus [HPV] status).ResultsWe included 13 patients with a mean follow‐up of 5 years. The main location of exophytic papilloma was the anterior part of the septum. Lesions were multifocal in 3 patients corresponding to florid papillomatosis. The main treatment was surgery. Cases of HPV‐11 or HPV‐6 were present in all forms of exophytic papilloma (dysplasia in 4 cases). Late recurrences occurred in 3 patients (2 patients with florid papillomatosis) over a period of 3 years.ConclusionExophytic papilloma has 2 clinical presentations: localized and diffuse. Patients with florid papillomatosis should be monitored closely as recurrence seems to be frequent.
The medial temporal lobe functional connectivity patterns associated with forming different mental representations
Authors: Sheldon Signy , Levine Brian 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe medial temporal lobes (MTL), and more specifically the hippocampus, are critical for forming mental representations of past experiences—autobiographical memories—and for forming other “nonexperienced” types of mental representations, such as imagined scenarios. How the MTL coordinate with other brain areas to create these different types of representations is not well understood. To address this issue, we performed a task‐based functional connectivity analysis on a previously published dataset in which fMRI data were collected as participants created different types of mental representations under three conditions. One condition required forming and relating together details from a past event (autobiographical task), another required forming and relating together details of a spatial context (spatial task) and another condition required relating together conceptual/perceptual features of an object (conceptual task). We contrasted the connectivity patterns associated with a functionally defined region in the parahippocampal cortex (PHC) and anatomically defined anterior and posterior hippocampal segments across these tasks. Examining PHC connectivity patterns revealed that the PHC seed was distinctly connected to other MTL structures during the autobiographical task, to posterior parietal regions during the spatial task and to a distributed network of regions for the conceptual task. Examining hippocampal connectivity patterns revealed that the anterior hippocampus was preferentially connected to regions of default mode network during the autobiographical task and to areas implicated in semantic processing for the conceptual task whereas the posterior hippocampus was preferentially connected to medial‐posterior regions of the brain during the spatial task. We interpret our findings as evidence that there are MTL‐guided networks for forming distinct types of mental representations that align with functional distinctions within the hippocampus.
Computational intelligence techniques for human brain MRI classification
Authors: El‐Dahshan El‐Sayed A. , Bassiouni Mahmoud M. 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTThis study proposes an image classification methodology that automatically classifies human brain magnetic resonance (MR) images. The proposed methods contain four main stages: Data acquisition, preprocessing, feature extraction, feature reduction and classification, followed by evaluation. First stage starts by collecting MRI images from Harvard and our constructed Egyptian database. Second stage starts with noise reduction in MR images. Third stage obtains the features related to MRI images, using stationary wavelet transformation. In the fourth stage, the features of MR images have been reduced using principles of component analysis and kernel linear discriminator analysis (KLDA) to the more essential features. In last stage, the classification stage, two classifiers have been developed to classify subjects as normal or abnormal MRI human images. The first classifier is based on K‐Nearest Neighbor (KNN) on Euclidean distance. The second classifier is based on Levenberg‐Marquardt (LM‐ANN). Classification accuracy of 100% for KNN and LM‐ANN classifiers has been obtained. The result shows that the proposed methodologies are robust and effective compared with other recent works.
Human teeth biobank: Microbiological analysis of the teeth storage solution
Authors: Curylofo‐Zotti Fabiana Almeida , Lorencetti‐Silva Francine , de Almeida Coelho Jéssica , Monteiro Rachel Maciel , Watanabe Evandro , Corona Silmara Aparecida Milori 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThe cross‐infections may occur during handling of dental elements, affecting the health of dental practitioners and researchers. This study aimed to analyze the influence of the storage medium temperature on the bacterial contingent of the human teeth used for research purposes. Thirty human teeth were donated to the Human Teeth Biobank immediately after extraction. The teeth were cleaned with tap water and neutral soap. The teeth were randomly distributed according to the temperature of the storage solution (deionized water): at 4 °C (refrigerator) or at −10 °C (freezer) and were stored individually in sterile vials during 60 days. After this period, a microbiological analysis (CFU/mL) of the storage solutions was performed and teeth were submitted to SEM analysis. Data were analyzed by Kruskal–Wallis test followed by Dunn's post‐test (p ≤ .05). Total aerobic bacteria ranged from 5.8 to 8.4 log10 CFU/mL for refrigerated solution and from 1.9 to 8.5 log10 CFU/mL for frozen solution. No statistical differences were found between the storage solutions (p > .05). The counts of Streptococcus spp., Lactobacillus spp., and Staphylococcus spp. were similar for both storage solutions (p > .05). SEM analysis showed spiral‐ and rod‐shaped bacteria attached on teeth stored under 4 °C, which may suggest the presence of Treponema spp. and Lactobacillus spp. Similar morphological forms were found on teeth stored under −10 °C. A biofilm organized in honeycomb‐like form was found in the frozen teeth. Cocci were eventually found in all the samples. It was concluded that bacterial growth and survival were not influenced by the temperature of the teeth storage solution.
Inhibition of soluble epoxide hydrolase attenuates eosinophil recruitment and food allergen-induced gastrointestinal inflammation
Authors: Bastan Idil , Ge Xiao Na , Dileepan Mythili , Greenberg Yana G , Guedes Alonso G , Hwang Sung Hee , Hammock Bruce D , Washabau Robert J , Rao Savita P , Sriramarao P 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPrevalence of food allergies in the United States is on the rise. Eosinophils are recruited to the intestinal mucosa in substantial numbers in food allergen-driven gastrointestinal (GI) inflammation. Soluble epoxide hydrolase (sEH) is known to play a pro-inflammatory role during inflammation by metabolizing anti-inflammatory epoxyeicosatrienoic acids (EETs) to pro-inflammatory diols. We investigated the role of sEH in a murine model of food allergy and evaluated the potential therapeutic effect of a highly selective sEH inhibitor (trans-4-{4-[3-(4-trifluoromethoxyphenyl)-ureido]-cyclohexyloxy}-benzoic acid [t-TUCB]). Oral exposure of mice on a soy-free diet to soy protein isolate (SPI) induced expression of intestinal sEH, increased circulating total and antigen-specific IgE levels, and caused significant weight loss. Administration of t-TUCB to SPI-challenged mice inhibited IgE levels and prevented SPI-induced weight loss. Additionally, SPI-induced GI inflammation characterized by increased recruitment of eosinophils and mast cells, elevated eotaxin 1 levels, mucus hypersecretion, and decreased epithelial junction protein expression. In t-TUCB-treated mice, eosinophilia, mast cell recruitment, and mucus secretion were significantly lower than in untreated mice and SPI-induced loss of junction protein expression was prevented to variable levels. sEH expression in eosinophils was induced by inflammatory mediators TNF-α and eotaxin-1. Treatment of eosinophils with t-TUCB significantly inhibited eosinophil migration, an effect that was mirrored by treatment with 11,12-EET, by inhibiting intracellular signaling events such as ERK (1/2) activation and eotaxin-1-induced calcium flux. These studies suggest that sEH induced by soy proteins promotes allergic responses and GI inflammation including eosinophilia and that inhibition of sEH can attenuate these responses.Soy protein-induced soluble epoxide hydrolase promotes allergic responses, gastrointestinal inflammation and eosinophilia; pharmacological inhibition of this enzyme leads to attenuation of these responses.
SHIP negatively regulates type II immune responses in mast cells and macrophages
Authors: Dobranowski Peter , Sly Laura M 
Published: January 2018

Abstract
SHIP is a hematopoietic-specific lipid phosphatase that dephosphorylates PI3K-generated PI(3,4,5)-trisphosphate. SHIP removes this second messenger from the cell membrane blunting PI3K activity in immune cells. Thus, SHIP negatively regulates mast cell activation downstream of multiple receptors. SHIP has been referred to as the “gatekeeper” of mast cell degranulation as loss of SHIP dramatically increases degranulation or permits degranulation in response to normally inert stimuli. SHIP also negatively regulates Mϕ activation, including both pro-inflammatory cytokine production downstream of pattern recognition receptors, and alternative Mϕ activation by the type II cytokines, IL-4, and IL-13. In the SHIP-deficient (SHIP−/−) mouse, increased mast cell and Mϕ activation leads to spontaneous inflammatory pathology at mucosal sites, which is characterized by high levels of type II inflammatory cytokines. SHIP−/− mast cells and Mϕs have both been implicated in driving inflammation in the SHIP−/− mouse lung. SHIP−/− Mϕs drive Crohn's disease-like intestinal inflammation and fibrosis, which is dependent on heightened responses to innate immune stimuli generating IL-1, and IL-4 inducing abundant arginase I. Both lung and gut pathology translate to human disease as low SHIP levels and activity have been associated with allergy and with Crohn's disease in people. In this review, we summarize seminal literature and recent advances that provide insight into SHIP's role in mast cells and Mϕs, the contribution of these cell types to pathology in the SHIP−/− mouse, and describe how these findings translate to human disease and potential therapies.
A physics‐based threshold voltage model for hetero‐dielectric dual material gate Schottky barrier MOSFET
Authors: Kumar Prashanth , Bhowmick Brinda 
Published: January 2018

AbstractThis paper presents the analytical model of threshold voltage for hetero‐dielectric dual material gate Schottky barrier (SB) metal oxide semiconductor field effect transistor (MOSFET). The threshold voltage model is derived on the basis of the surface potential model. The threshold voltage is extracted using transconductance change method. The two‐dimensional surface potential, electric field, and threshold voltage model for the hetero‐dielectric dual material gate SB‐MOSFET are developed using 2‐D Poisson's equation, which satisfies the boundary conditions. Moreover, the model precisely depict the impact of hetero‐gate dielectric and gate oxide thickness on the surface potential, and threshold voltage of the hetero‐dielectric dual material gate SB and compared with single material gate SB‐MOSFET. Finally, a good agreement between the model results and numerical simulated results is achieved.
Future changes in extreme precipitation indices over Korea
Authors: Kim Gayoung , Cha Dong‐Hyun , Park Changyong , Lee Gil , Jin Chun‐Sil , Lee Dong‐Kyou , Suh Myoung‐Seok , Ahn Joong‐Bae , Min Seung‐Ki , Hong Song‐You , Kang Hyun‐Suk 
Published: January 2018

ABSTRACTIn this study, the regional climate of the Korean Peninsula is dynamically downscaled using a high‐resolution regional climate model forced by two representative concentration pathway scenarios of Hadley Centre Global Environmental Model version 2‐Atmosphere and Ocean (HadGEM2‐AO) using multiple regional climate models. Changes in extreme precipitation indices are investigated. Through the evaluation of the present climate, a multi‐model ensemble reasonably reproduces the long‐term climatology of extreme precipitation indices over South Korea despite some systematic errors. Both mean and extreme precipitation intensities for 80 years in the future (2021–2100) increase compared to those of the present. However, the increasing rates of indices related to precipitation intensities are different according to sub‐period, season, and emission scenarios. Mean and extreme precipitation intensities of the future climate increase during the summer when most extreme precipitation events occur over the Korean Peninsula. Also, abnormal extreme precipitation can increase during future summers due to increasing variances of indices related to extreme precipitation intensity. Increasing extreme summer precipitation over South Korea is proportional to the increases in convective precipitation compared to non‐convective precipitation. This indicates that future changes in summer precipitation, with regard to intensity and frequency, over South Korea, among representative concentration pathway scenarios, are more related to a change in convective instability rather than synoptic condition.
Mesoporous Poly(divinylbenzene) Fibers Based On Crosslinked Nanoparticles
Authors: Migenda Julia , Werner Sebastian , Ellinghaus Rüdiger , Smarsly Bernd M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractPoly(divinylbenzene) (PDVB) nanofibers are synthesized by electrospinning dispersions of PDVB nanoparticles (diameter 40–90 nm) derived by miniemulsion polymerization. Interparticle crosslinking is achieved by addition of a radical starter after electrospinning endowing the fibers with high solvent‐stability. The fibers exhibit a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area in the range of ≈30–70 m2 g−1 due to internal mesoporosity, which originates from the interparticle space. Spinning parameters like the concentrations of spin polymer and nanoparticles, as well as the nanoparticle diameter, are systematically varied to investigate the influence of these parameters on the mesopore structure. The fiber morphology is studied by scanning electron microscopy and the mesopore size, volume, and BET surface area are determined by nitrogen physisorption measurements. The findings indicate that the pore size mainly depends on the PDVB nanoparticle diameter. As a main finding, the fiber diameter can be adjusted by the concentration of spin polymer or nanoparticles without changing the mesopore diameter. Chlorine‐functionalized fibers are synthesized by electrospinning of poly(divinylbenzene‐co‐4‐vinylbenzyl chloride) nanoparticle dispersions. Chlorine groups are further used for the covalent immobilization of an organocatalyst (2,2,6,6‐tetramethylpiperidine‐1‐oxyl (TEMPO)).
Research on the Preparation of Polycaprolactone Porous Films with Decoration of Protein Arrays via the Emulsion‐Based Breath Figure Method
Authors: Ding Lingyun , Sun Wei , Ju Yuanlai , Cui Pengcheng , Wang Siyu , Huang Junjie , Zhou Wanrong , Zhu Jiafeng 
Published: January 2018

AbstractA facile method to fabricate honeycomb‐patterned biocompatible polycaprolactone (PCL) films with cavities that are selectively decorated with protein by one‐step method is developed in this study. To carry out this method, proteins carried in water are dispersed into chloroform solution of PCL to form inverse emulsion with the assistance of the chitosan particles serving as emulsifier. The evaporation of the organic solvent in the inverse emulsion on substrate under a high‐humidity atmosphere leads to the formation of ordered porous arrays incorporated with proteins on the inner surface of the cavities. The method, based on the combination of breath figures and inverse emulsion template, provides a reliable route for the directed assembly of water‐soluble materials into patterned polymer matrix. It has the potential to be further established as a novel procedure to fabricate a multifunctional hybrid porous structure containing hydrophilic component based on the breath figure method.
Nanostructured Biopolymer/Few‐Layer Graphene Freestanding Films with Enhanced Mechanical and Electrical Properties
Authors: Silva Cláudia , Caridade Sofia G. , Cunha Eunice , Sousa Maria P. , Rocha Helena , Mano João F. , Paiva Maria C. , Alves Natália M. 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the present work, novel freestanding multilayered films based on chitosan (CHI), alginate (ALG), and functionalized few‐layer graphene are developed through layer‐by‐layer assembly. First, functionalized few‐layer graphene aqueous suspensions are prepared from graphite by a stabilizer‐assisted liquid phase exfoliation process, using a pyrene derivative as stabilizer. Afterward, the films are produced and their physical, morphological, thermal, and mechanical properties are evaluated. Furthermore, their degradation and swelling profiles, as well as their biological behavior, are assessed. The incorporation of functionalized few‐layer graphene results in films with a nanolayered structure, lower roughness than the control CHI/ALG films, and hydrophilic behavior. The mechanical characterization reveals an increase of the Young's modulus, ultimate tensile strength, and elongation at break due to the incorporation of the graphene derivative. A decrease in the electrical resistivity of the multilayered films is also observed. The biological assays reveal improved cytocompatibility toward L929 cells when functionalized few‐layer graphene is incorporated in the CHI/ALG matrix. Therefore, these new graphene‐reinforced multilayered films exhibit interesting properties and great potential for biomedical applications, particularly in wound healing and cardiac and bone tissue engineering.
Evolutionary and genetic features of drug targets
Authors: Quan Yuan , Wang Zhong‐Yi , Chu Xin‐Yi , Zhang Hong‐Yu 
Published: January 2018

AbstractIn the modern drug discovery pipeline, identification of novel drug targets is a critical step. Despite rapid progress in developing biomedical techniques, it is still a great challenge to find promising new targets from the ample space of human genes. This fact is partially responsible for the situation of “more investments, fewer drugs” in the pharmaceutical industry. A series of recent researches revealed that successfully targeted genes share some common evolutionary and genetic features, which means that the knowledge accumulated in modern evolutionary biology and genetics is very helpful to identify potential drug targets and to find new drugs as well. In this article, we comprehensively summarize the links between human drug targets and genetic diseases and their evolutionary origins, with an attempt to introduce these novel concepts and their medical implications to the biomedical community.
Rhodol Derivatives as Selective Fluorescent Probes for the Detection of HgII Ions and the Bioimaging of Hypochlorous Acid
Authors: Li Ling , Wang Shu , Lan Hongxia , Gong Guiyi , Zhu Yifan , Tse Yu Chung , Wong Keith Man‐Chung 
Published: January 2018

AbstractInvited for this month's cover picture is the group of Professor Keith Man‐Chung Wong from the Southern University of Science and Technology (P.R. China). The cover picture illustrates a novel rhodol‐based fluorescence probe from the structural combination of rhodamine and fluorescein motifs. Read the full text of their Full Paper at 10.1002/open.201700154.