bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Aroclor1254 disrupts the blood–testis barrier by promoting endocytosis and degradation of junction proteins via p38 MAPK pathway
Authors: Jia Xiaoyu , Xu Ying , Wu Weixing , Fan Yunxia , Wang Guoli , Zhang Tianbiao , Su Wenhui 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe blood–testis barrier (BTB) constituted by coexisting junction apparatus between Sertoli cells (SCs) plays an important role in spermatogenesis, which is a known target of various environmental toxicants. The commercial polychlorinated biphenyls mixture, Aroclor1254, has been shown to impair male reproduction by decreasing sperm count and affecting SC metabolism. This study was designed to investigate the effects of Aroclor1254 on the BTB integrity and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. We found that Aroclor1254 treatment in rats (1 or 3 mg/kg per day for 21 consecutive days) and in primary cultured SCs (5 or 10 μg/ml for 48 h) could induce BTB disruption via p38 MAPK pathway, concurrently with increments in junction proteins (JAM-A, N-cadherin, and β-catenin) endocytosis, and occludin ubiquitination. Either inhibition of caveolin-dependent membrane protein internalization by cholesterol oxidase or silencing E3 ubiquitine ligase Itch by small interfering RNA could partially counteract the effects of Aroclor1254 on the barrier function of cultured SCs. These results demonstrate that Aroclor1254 disrupts the BTB function by promoting the caveolin-dependent endocytosis and ubiquitine–proteasome degradation of junction proteins through the p38 MAPK pathway, which might be the potential reasons for its negative effects on spermatogenesis and male reproduction.
Coordination of cortical and thalamic activity during non-REM sleep in humans
Authors: Mak-McCully Rachel A. , Rolland Matthieu , Sargsyan Anna , Gonzalez Chris , Magnin Michel , Chauvel Patrick , Rey Marc , Bastuji Hélène , Halgren Eric 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEvery night, the human brain produces thousands of downstates and spindles during non-REM sleep. Previous studies indicate that spindles originate thalamically and downstates cortically, loosely grouping spindle occurrence. However, the mechanisms whereby the thalamus and cortex interact in generating these sleep phenomena remain poorly understood. Using bipolar depth recordings, we report here a sequence wherein: (1) convergent cortical downstates lead thalamic downstates; (2) thalamic downstates hyperpolarize thalamic cells, thus triggering spindles; and (3) thalamic spindles are focally projected back to cortex, arriving during the down-to-upstate transition when the cortex replays memories. Thalamic intrinsic currents, therefore, may not be continuously available during non-REM sleep, permitting the cortex to control thalamic spindling by inducing downstates. This archetypical cortico-thalamo-cortical sequence could provide the global physiological context for memory consolidation during non-REM sleep.
Metallization and Electrical Transport Behaviors of GaSb under High-Pressure
Authors: Zhang Guozhao , Wu Baojia , Wang Jia , Zhang Haiwa , Liu Hao , Zhang Junkai , Liu Cailong , Gu Guangrui , Tian Lianhua , Ma Yanzhang , Gao Chunxiao 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe high-pressure metallization and electrical transport behaviors of GaSb were systematically investigated using in situ temperature-dependent electrical resistivity measurements, Hall effect measurements, transmission electron microscopy analysis, and first-principles calculations. The temperature-dependent resistivity measurements revealed pressure-induced metallization of GaSb at approximately 7.0 GPa, which corresponds to a structural phase transition from F-43m to Imma. In addition, the activation energies for the conductivity and Hall effect measurements indicated that GaSb undergoes a carrier-type inversion (p-type to n-type) at approximately 4.5 GPa before metallization. The first-principles calculations also revealed that GaSb undergoes a phase transition from F-43m to Imma at 7.0 GPa and explained the carrier-type inversion at approximately 4.5 GPa. Finally, transmission electron microscopy analysis revealed the effect of the interface on the electrical transport behavior of a small-resistance GaSb sample and explained the discontinuous change of resistivity after metallization. Under high pressure, GaSb undergoes grain refinement, the number of interfaces increases, and carrier transport becomes more difficult, increasing the electrical resistivity.
Label-Free Fluorescence Spectroscopy for Detecting Key Biomolecules in Brain Tissue from a Mouse Model of Alzheimer’s Disease
Authors: Shi Lingyan , Lu Luyao , Harvey George , Harvey Thomas , Rodríguez-Contreras Adrián , Alfano Robert R. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractIn this study, label-free fluorescence spectroscopy was used for the first time to determine spectral profiles of tryptophan, reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH), and flavin denine dinucleotide (FAD) in fresh brain samples of a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Our results showed that the emission spectral profile levels of tryptophan and NADH were higher in AD samples than normal samples. The intensity ratio of tryptophan to NADH and the change rate of fluorescence intensity with respect to wavelength also increased in AD brain. These results yield an optical method for detecting early stage of AD by comparing spectral profiles of biomolecules.
Microscopic description of insulator-metal transition in high-pressure oxygen
Authors: Craco Luis , Laad Mukul S. , Leoni Stefano 
Published: May 2017

AbstractUnusual metallic states involving breakdown of the standard Fermi-liquid picture of long-lived quasiparticles in well-defined band states emerge at low temperatures near correlation-driven Mott transitions. Prominent examples are ill-understood metallic states in d- and f-band compounds near Mott-like transitions. Finding of superconductivity in solid O2 on the border of an insulator-metal transition at high pressures close to 96 GPa is thus truly remarkable. Neither the insulator-metal transition nor superconductivity are understood satisfactorily. Here, we undertake a first step in this direction by focussing on the pressure-driven insulator-metal transition using a combination of first-principles density-functional and many-body calculations. We report a striking result: the finding of an orbital-selective Mott transition in a pure p-band elemental system. We apply our theory to understand extant structural and transport data across the transition, and make a specific two-fluid prediction that is open to future test. Based thereupon, we propose a novel scenario where soft multiband modes built from microscopically coexisting itinerant and localized electronic states are natural candidates for the pairing glue in pressurized O2.
Liquid-liquid extraction intensification by micro-droplet rotation in a hydrocyclone
Authors: Huang Yuan , Wang Hua-lin , Chen Yu-quan , Zhang Yan-hong , Yang Qiang , Bai Zhi-shan , Ma Liang 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe previous literature reports that using a hydrocyclone as an extractor intensifies the mass transfer and largely reduces the consumption of extractant from 1800–2000 kg h−1 to 30–90 kg h−1. However, the intensification mechanism has not been clear. This paper presents experimental and numerical methods to study the multi-scale motion of particles in hydrocyclones. In addition to the usually considered translational behavior, the high-speed rotation of dispersed micro-spheres caused by the anisotropic swirling shear flow is determined. The rotation speeds of the tested micro-spheres are above 1000 rad s−1, which are much larger than the instantaneous rotation speed in isotropic turbulence. Due to the conical structure of a hydrocyclone, the rotation speed maintains stability along the axial direction. Numerical results show that the particle Reynolds number of micro-droplets in a hydrocyclone is equal to that in conventional extractors, but the particles have high rotation speeds of up to 10,000 rad s−1 and long mixing lengths of more than 1000 mm. Both the rotation of micro-droplets along the spiral trajectories and the intense eddy diffusion in a hydrocyclone contribute to the extraction intensification.
Trichogenic-selenium nanoparticles enhance disease suppressive ability of Trichoderma against downy mildew disease caused by Sclerospora graminicola in pearl millet
Authors: Nandini Boregowda , Hariprasad Puttaswamy , Prakash Harischandra Sripathy , Shetty Hunthrike Shekar , Geetha Nagaraja 
Published: May 2017

AbstractTrichoderma spp. are well known biocontrol agents used against phytopathogens. In the present work Trichoderma-mediated Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) were synthesized and extent of downy mildew (DM) disease control in pearl millet (PM) was studied. Six species of Trichoderma namely, T. asperellum, T. harzianum, T. atroviride, T. virens, T. longibrachiatum and T. brevicompactum were evaluated in the form of culture filtrate (CF), cell lysate (CL) and crude cell wall (CW) to synthesize SeNPs. All these components produced SeNPs, but CF was significant than CL and CW. The size of SeNPs ranged from 49.5 to 312.5 nm with zeta potential of +3.3 mv to −200 mv. The nanoparticles suppressed the growth, sporulation and zoospore viability of Sclerospora graminicola and these biological activities were inversely proportional to the size of SeNPs. Under greenhouse conditions, application of SeNPs and T. asperellum together enhanced the early plant growth and suppressed DM incidence as compared to their individual application. This study demonstrated the ability of Trichogenic-SeNPs to suppress growth and proliferation of S. graminicola, the incitant of DM of PM and their activity is inversely proportional to size of nanoparticles.
Understanding the mechanisms of dormancy in an invasive alien Sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata through transcript and metabolite profiling
Authors: Li Feng-Qi , Fu Ning-Ning , Qu Cheng , Wang Ran , Xu Yi-Hua , Luo Chen 
Published: May 2017

AbstractThe sycamore lace bug, Corythucha ciliata, is a pest of sycamore trees. In China, it is found in the most northern border where it has been known to become dormant during harsh winters. But the molecular and metabolic basis for dormancy in this insect is still unknown. In this study, we analyzed the transcript and metabolite profiles of this bug to identify key genes and metabolites that are significantly regulated during dormancy in adult females and males. In total, 149 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were significantly up-regulated and 337 DEGs were significantly down-regulated in dormant adults (both females and males). We found major differences in heat shock protein (HSPs), immunity-responsive genes, NAD-dependent deacetylase sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and genes involved in the spliceosome pathway that is known to regulate stress. Among the 62 metabolites identified by GC-MS, 12 metabolites including glycerol, trehalose, and alanine were significantly increased during C. ciliata dormancy. By integrating the transcriptome and metabolite datasets, we found that the metabolites in glycolysis/gluconeogenesis and citrate cycle (TCA) were significantly reduced. This study is the first to report both transcript and metabolite profiles of the overwintering responses of C. ciliata to cold stress at the molecular level.
Visual Detection of Denatured Glutathione Peptides: A Facile Method to Visibly Detect Heat Stressed Biomolecules
Authors: Farrell Monique J. , Reaume Robert J. , Pradhan Aswini K. 
Published: May 2017

AbstractEvery year pharmaceutical companies use significant resources to mitigate aggregation of pharmaceutical drug products. Specifically, peptides and proteins that have been denatured or degraded can lead to adverse patient reactions such as undesired immune responses. Current methods to detect aggregation of biological molecules are limited to costly and time consuming processes such as high pressure liquid chromatography, ultrahigh pressure liquid chromatography and SDS-PAGE gels. Aggregation of pharmaceutical drug products can occur during manufacturing, processing, packaging, shipment and storage. Therefore, a facile in solution detection method was evaluated to visually detect denatured glutathione peptides, utilizing gold nanoparticle aggregation via 3-Aminopropyltreithoxysilane. Glutathione was denatured using a 70 °C water bath to create an accelerated heat stressed environment. The peptide, gold nanoparticle and aminosilane solution was then characterized via, UV-Vis spectroscopy, FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering and scanning electron microscopy. Captured images and resulting absorbance spectra of the gold nanoparticle, glutathione, and aminosilane complex demonstrated visual color changes detectable with the human eye as a function of the denaturation time. This work serves as an extended proof of concept for fast in solution detection methods for glutathione peptides that have experienced heat stress.
Voluntary Vaccination through Self-organizing Behaviors on Locally-mixed Social Networks
Authors: Shi Benyun , Qiu Hongjun , Niu Wenfang , Ren Yizhi , Ding Hong , Chen Dan 
Published: May 2017

AbstractVoluntary vaccination reflects how individuals weigh the risk of infection and the cost of vaccination against the spread of vaccine-preventable diseases, such as smallpox and measles. In a homogeneously mixing population, the infection risk of an individual depends largely on the proportion of vaccinated individuals due to the effects of herd immunity. While in a structured population, the infection risk can also be affected by the structure of individuals’ social network. In this paper, we focus on studying individuals’ self-organizing behaviors under the circumstance of voluntary vaccination in different types of social networks. Specifically, we assume that each individual together with his/her neighbors forms a local well-mixed environment, where individuals meet equally often as long as they have a common neighbor. We carry out simulations on four types of locally-mixed social networks to investigate the network effects on voluntary vaccination. Furthermore, we also evaluate individuals’ vaccinating decisions through interacting with their “neighbors of neighbors”. The results and findings of this paper provide a new perspective for vaccination policy-making by taking into consideration human responses in complex social networks.
Velopharyngeal Status of Stop Consonants and Vowels Produced by Young Children With and Without Repaired Cleft Palate at 12, 14, and 18 Months of Age: A Preliminary Analysis
Authors: Eshghi Marziye , Vallino Linda D. , Baylis Adriane L. , Preisser John S. , Zajac David J. 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The objective was to determine velopharyngeal (VP) status of stop consonants and vowels produced by young children with repaired cleft palate (CP) and typically developing (TD) children from 12 to 18 months of age.

Method
Nasal ram pressure (NRP) was monitored in 9 children (5 boys, 4 girls) with repaired CP with or without cleft lip and 9 TD children (5 boys, 4 girls) at 12, 14, and 18 months of age. VP status was categorized as open or closed for oral stops and vowels in three contexts—consonant–vowel syllables, vowel–consonant–vowel syllables, and isolated vowels—on the basis of the presence or absence of positive nasal ram pressure.

Results

At 12 months of age, TD children produced 98% of stops and vowels in syllables with VP closure throughout the entire segment compared with 81% of stops and vowels for children with CP (
p
< .0001). There were no significant group differences at 14 or 18 months of age.

Conclusions
TD children exhibit consistent VP closure for stop consonants and vowels at 12 months of age. Some children with repaired CP do not achieve consistent closure until 14 months of age, approximately 3 to 4 months following palate repair.
The Effect of Visual Variability on the Learning of Academic Concepts
Authors: Bourgoyne Ashley , Alt Mary 
Published: May 2017

Purpose
The purpose of this study was to identify effects of variability of visual input on development of conceptual representations of academic concepts for college-age students with normal language (NL) and those with language-learning disabilities (LLD).

Method

Students with NL (
n
= 11) and LLD (
n
= 11) participated in a computer-based training for introductory biology course concepts. Participants were trained on half the concepts under a low-variability condition and half under a high-variability condition. Participants completed a posttest in which they were asked to identify and rate the accuracy of novel and trained visual representations of the concepts. We performed separate repeated measures analyses of variance to examine the accuracy of identification and ratings.

Results
Participants were equally accurate on trained and novel items in the high-variability condition, but were less accurate on novel items only in the low-variability condition. The LLD group showed the same pattern as the NL group; they were just less accurate.

Conclusions
Results indicated that high-variability visual input may facilitate the acquisition of academic concepts in college students with NL and LLD. High-variability visual input may be especially beneficial for generalization to novel representations of concepts. Implicit learning methods may be harnessed by college courses to provide students with basic conceptual knowledge when they are entering courses or beginning new units.
An Unusual Cause of Osteomyelitis of the Rib and the Scalp
Authors: Jayaraman Aparna , Gurusaran Prasantha , Sivathanu Shobhana , Raghavendran Angelina 
Published: May 2017

Abstract
Salmonella osteomyelitis is unusual in nonsicklers. We report the case of a child with T-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) on maintenance therapy who developed osteomyelitis of two different flat bones. The culture grew Salmonella paratyphi B. Surgical drainage and appropriate antibiotic therapy led to complete resolution of this unusual infection.
Growth-Related Major Recanalization of Coiled Aneurysms: Incidence and Risk Factors
Authors: Cho Young Dae , Jeon Jin Pyeong , Yoo Dong Hyun , Cho Won-Sang , Kang Hyun-Seung , Kim Jeong Eun , Han Moon Hee 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Though endovascular techniques and procedural devices continue to advance, recurrence of embolized aneurysms is still problematic. Enlarging size during follow-up is the presumed basis of recanalization in some lesions, but such growth has not been adequately investigated.

OBJECTIVE
To generate estimates of growth in coiled aneurysms with major recanalization, focusing on incidence and risk factors involved.

METHODS
A cohort of 134 patients harboring 139 aneurysms were retrospectively reviewed, each subjected to re-embolization for major recanalization after initial coil embolization. Cumulative medical records and radiological data were assessed. The aneurysms were grouped by nature of recanalization, either related or unrelated to growth. Growth was defined as >50% increase in aneurysm volume (including coil mass) at the time of re-embolization, compared initial status. Aneurysm volumes were determined by volume of coil mass within full confines of the aneurysm. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify risk factors predisposing to growth.

RESULTS
Major recanalization was growth related in 74 coiled aneurysms (53.2%) and unrelated to growth (by coil compaction) in 65 (46.8%). Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that growth of coiled aneurysm was linked to aneurysms initially ruptured at presentation (P = .002) and aneurysm size <7 mm (P < .001). Cumulative growth rates were as follows: 14 (18.9%), 6 mo; 18 (24.3%), 12 mo; 13 (17.6%), 24 mo; 10 (13.5%), 36 mo; and 19 (25.7%), >36 mo.

CONCLUSION
Our data suggest that aneurysms presenting with hemorrhage and small-sized aneurysms (<7 mm) are predisposed major recanalization by growth after coil embolization, as opposed to coil compaction.
Implementation and Evaluation of a Smartphone Application for the Perioperative Care of Neurosurgery Patients at an Academic Medical Center: Implications for Patient Satisfaction, Surgery Cancelations, and Readmissions
Authors: Felbaum Daniel R , Stewart Jeffrey J , Anaizi Amjad N , Sandhu Faheem A , Nair Mani N , Voyadzis Jean-Marc 
Published: May 2017

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Smartphone applications (apps) in the health care arena are being increasingly developed with the aim of benefiting both patients and their physicians. The delivery of adequate instructions both before and after a procedure or surgery is of paramount importance in ensuring the best possible outcome for patients.

OBJECTIVE
To demonstrate that app-based instructions with built-in reminders may improve patient understanding and compliance and contribute to reducing the number of surgery cancellations and postoperative complications and readmissions.

METHODS
We prospectively accrued 56 patients undergoing routine neurosurgery procedures who subsequently downloaded the app. The median age was 54 (range 27-79). Patients were followed for successful registration and use of the app, compliance with reading instructions before and after surgery, and sending pain scores and/or wound images. The number of surgeries cancelled, postoperative complications, 30-d readmissions, and phone calls for surgery-related questions were examined.

RESULTS
Fifty-four of the 56 patients successfully registered, downloaded, and used the app and read and complied with instructions both before and after surgery. There were no cancelled surgeries. There was 1 postoperative complication. There were no readmissions. Eight of the 54 patients (14.8%) called the office on a single occasion for a surgery related question.

CONCLUSION
We demonstrate the utility of a smartphone application in the perioperative neurosurgical care setting with regard to patient compliance and satisfaction as well as surgery cancellations and readmissions. Further study of a larger number of patients with a control group is warranted.
Allergic contact dermatitis in preservatives: current standing and future options
Authors: Deza Gustavo , Giménez-Arnau Ana M. 
Published: May 2017

Purpose of review
Preservatives are well known skin sensitizers and represent one of the main causes of contact allergy. The purpose of this article is to review the current state of contact sensitization induced by preservatives and point future alternatives for products’ preservation.

Recent findings
Isothiazolinones currently are the most common preservatives responsible of contact allergy in Europe and in the United States, and although some regulatory interventions have been taken place, the current contact allergy outbreak is not yet under control. Despite the ban of methyldibromo glutaronitrile from cosmetics in Europe, sensitized patients are still diagnosed, suggesting other nonregulated sources of exposure. Sensitization rates to formaldehyde and formaldehyde-releasers are lower in Europe in comparison with the United States due to stricter regulations regarding their use. Prevalence of contact allergy to parabens has remained stable over the last decades, whereas iodopropynyl butylcarbamate is an emerging allergen with an increasing prevalence. Future alternatives for products’ preservation look for a broad antimicrobial spectrum, but with a better safety profile (in terms of sensitization) than the currently available compounds.

Summary
Given the high rates of sensitization reported over the last years, timely regulatory actions are urgently required for some preservatives that currently represent a concern for public health.