bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Controlling the Hydrolysis and Loss of Nitrogen Fertilizer (Urea) by using a Nanocomposite Favors Plant Growth
Authors: Zhou Linglin , Zhao Pan , Chi Yu , Wang Dongfang , Wang Pan , Liu Ning , Cai Dongqing , Wu Zhengyan , Zhong Naiqin 
Published: March 2017

AbstractUrea tends to be hydrolyzed by urease and then migrate into the environment, which results in a low utilization efficiency and severe environmental contamination. To solve this problem, a network‐structured nanocomposite (sodium humate–attapulgite–polyacrylamide) was fabricated and used as an excellent fertilizer synergist (FS) that could effectively inhibit the hydrolysis, reduce the loss, and enhance the utilization efficiency of nitrogen. Additionally, the FS exerted significant positive effects on the expression of several nitrogen‐uptake‐related genes, ion flux in maize roots, the growth of crops, and the organic matter in soil. The FS could modify the microbial community in the soil and increase the number of bacteria involved in nitrogen metabolism, organic matter degradation, the iron cycle, and photosynthesis. Importantly, this technology displayed a high biosafety and has a great potential to reduce nonpoint agricultural pollution. Therefore, this work provides a promising approach to manage nitrogen and to promote the sustainable development of agriculture and the environment.
Predicting coastal algal blooms in southern California
Authors: McGowan John A. , Deyle Ethan R. , Ye Hao , Carter Melissa L. , Perretti Charles T. , Seger Kerri D. , de Verneil Alain , Sugihara George 
Published: March 2017

AbstractThe irregular appearance of planktonic algae blooms off the coast of southern California has been a source of wonder for over a century. Although large algal blooms can have significant negative impacts on ecosystems and human health, a predictive understanding of these events has eluded science, and many have come to regard them as ultimately random phenomena. However, the highly nonlinear nature of ecological dynamics can give the appearance of randomness and stress traditional methods—such as model fitting or analysis of variance—to the point of breaking. The intractability of this problem from a classical linear standpoint can thus give the impression that algal blooms are fundamentally unpredictable. Here, we use an exceptional time series study of coastal phytoplankton dynamics at La Jolla, CA, with an equation‐free modeling approach, to show that these phenomena are not random, but can be understood as nonlinear population dynamics forced by external stochastic drivers (so‐called “stochastic chaos”). The combination of this modeling approach with an extensive dataset allows us to not only describe historical behavior and clarify existing hypotheses about the mechanisms, but also make out‐of‐sample predictions of recent algal blooms at La Jolla that were not included in the model development.
Interaction between stress induced by competition, predation, and an insecticide on the response of aquatic invertebrates
Authors: Van den Brink Paul J. , Klein Sylvan L. , Rico Andreu 
Published: March 2017

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of species interactions like competition and (intraguild) predation on the sensitivity of aquatic organisms to the insecticide chlorpyrifos. In the first experiment, combined effects of chlorpyrifos and different levels of intraspecific and interspecific interaction were assessed on Gammarus pulex survival using Asellus aquaticus as an interacting species. Intraspecific and interspecific interactions increased the time to extinction of G. pulex up to a factor of 2, most likely because of the cannibalistic nature of G. pulex and its intraguild predation on A. aquaticus under stress conditions. In the second experiment, combined effects of chlorpyrifos and intraspecific and interspecific interaction were assessed on Daphnia pulex abundance using Brachionus calyciflorus as a competing species and Chaoborus sp. larvae as a predator. Intraspecific and interspecific interactions significantly affected the D. pulex population structure, but they did not influence the total population size. Predation decimated D. pulex abundance; however, interacting effects of predation and chlorpyrifos exposure were less noticeable at high exposure concentrations because of the reduced predatory efficiency of Chaoborus sp. larvae. The present study shows that species interactions do not always increase the vulnerability of aquatic populations to chemical stress and that some interactions (e.g., cannibalism and intraguild predation) or reduced predator grazing pressure can alleviate competition and predation stress on population-level insecticide effects under food-limiting conditions. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2485–2492. © 2017 SETAC
Knockdown of Long Non‐Coding RNA‐ZFAS1 Protects Cardiomyocytes Against Acute Myocardial Infarction Via Anti‐Apoptosis by Regulating miR‐150/CRP
Authors: Wu Tao , Wu Dan , Wu Qinghua , Zou Bing , Huang Xiao , Cheng Xiaoshu , Wu Yanqing , Hong Kui , Li Ping , Yang Renqiang , Li Yunde , Cheng Yingzhang 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTZFAS1 is one of cardiac‐specific or cardiac‐related lncRNAs. This study was to explore the functional involvement of ZFAS1 and its regulatory role in AMI. In this study, the models of AMI rat and myocardial cell cultured under hypoxia were made. The expression of ZFAS1 and miR‐150 of myocardial infarction tissue or cardiac myocytes was determined by quantitative real time PCR. The regulatory role of ZFAS1 on miR‐150 was examined by RNA pull down assay. The effect of miR‐150 or ZFAS1 expression on cell viability was analyzed by MTT assay. The relative expression of ZFAS1 in the myocardium infracted zone and border zone was significantly upregulated at 1–48 h of AMI rats, but it downregulated at 1 week and 2 weeks; miR‐150 was significantly downregulated at AMI‐1–48 h and upregulated at 1 and 2 weeks after model establishment. The result of RNA pull down assay indicated that ZFAS1 could interact directly with miR‐150. C‐reactive protein (CRP) was regulated by ZFAS1/miR‐150 axis and negatively targeted by miR‐150. Hypoxia caused the decrease of cell viability and the upregulation of CRP at mRNA and protein levels; whereas this upregulation could be attenuated by miR‐150 mimic or si‐ZFAS1 in H9C2 cells and cardiomyocytes. Knockdown of ZFAS1 or miR‐150 overexpression effectively relieved AMI‐induced myocardial infarction in AMI‐1 week rats. The ZFAS1/miR‐150 axis was involved in the molecular mechanism of AMI induced cardiomyocytes apoptosis via regulating CRP. J. Cell. Biochem. 118: 3281–3289, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Regulation of Uterine Proinflammatory Gene Expression during Pregnancy in the Live‐Bearing Lizard, Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii
Authors: Hendrawan Kevin , Whittington Camilla M , Brandley Matthew C , Belov Katherine , Thompson Michael B 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTThe evolutionary transition from egg‐laying to live‐bearing in amniote vertebrates (reptiles and mammals) requires the development of a closer association between the maternal and embryonic tissue to facilitate gas and nutrient exchange with the embryo. Because the embryo is an allograft to the father and mother, it could be considered foreign by the maternal immune system and thus be immunologically rejected during pregnancy. In eutherian (“placental”) mammals, the proinflammatory genes interleukin 1B (IL1B), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and tumor necrosis factor receptor superfamily 1A (TNFRSF1A) are tightly regulated in the pregnant uterus to prevent embryonic rejection. We tested whether inflammation is similarly regulated in pregnant viviparous reptiles by comparing the expression of IL1B, TNF, and TNFRSF1A in the pregnant and nonpregnant uterus of the viviparous lizard, Pseudemoia entrecasteauxii. We found statistically significant support for the downregulation of pregnant uterine TNF mRNA expression in P. entrecasteauxii, but no statistically significant changes in mRNA expression of TNFRSF1A or IL1B between pregnant and nonpregnant uteri. Although these genes are apparently not regulated at the transcriptional level, our immunofluorescence microscopy analyses nonetheless demonstrate that the IL1B proteins are stored intracellularly during pregnancy, possibly resulting in inhibition of inflammatory response. We therefore conclude that processes of both transcriptional (TNF) and posttranslational (IL1B) gene regulation may reduce inflammation in the pregnant uterus of this viviparous reptile. Our study is important because it demonstrates that regulating the maternal immune system to prevent embryonic rejection may be important in reptilian pregnancy as it is in mammalian pregnancy.
Artisanal Sonoran cheese (Cocido cheese): an exploration of its production process, chemical composition and microbiological quality
Authors: Cuevas‐González Paúl F , Heredia‐Castro Priscilia Y , Méndez‐Romero José I , Hernández‐Mendoza Adrián , Reyes‐Díaz Ricardo , Vallejo‐Cordoba Belinda , González‐Córdova Aarón F 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBACKGROUNDThe objective of this study was to explore and document the production process of artisanal Cocido cheese and to determine its chemical composition and microbiological quality, considering samples from six dairies and four retailers.RESULTSCocido cheese is a semi‐hard (506–555 g kg−1 of moisture), medium fat (178.3–219.1 g kg−1), pasta filata‐type cheese made from raw whole cow's milk. The production process is not standardized and therefore the chemical and microbiological components of the sampled cheeses varied. Indicator microorganisms significantly decreased (P < 0.05) during the processing of Cocido cheese. Salmonella spp. were not found during the production process, and both Listeria monocytogenes and staphylococcal enterotoxin were absent in the final cheeses.CONCLUSIONThis study provides more information on one of the most popular artisanal cheeses with high cultural value and economic impact in northwestern Mexico. In view of the foregoing, good manufacturing practices need to be implemented for the manufacture of Cocido cheese. Also, it is of utmost importance to make sure that the heat treatment applied for cooking the curd ensures a phosphatase‐negative test, otherwise it would be necessary to pasteurize milk. Nevertheless, since Cocido cheese is a non‐ripened, high‐moisture product, it is a highly perishable product that could present a health risk if not properly handled. © 2017 Society of Chemical Industry
Long‐term safety and efficacy of deferasirox in young pediatric patients with transfusional hemosiderosis: Results from a 5­year observational study (ENTRUST)
Authors: Vichinsky Elliott , El‐Beshlawy Amal , Al Zoebie Azzam , Kamdem Annie , Koussa Suzanne , Chotsampancharoen Thirachit , Bruederle Andreas , Gilotti Geralyn , Han Jackie , Elalfy Mohsen 
Published: March 2017

AbstractBackgroundChildren with red blood cell disorders may receive regular transfusions from an early age and consequently accumulate iron. Adequate iron chelation therapy can prevent organ damage and delayed growth/development. Deferasirox is indicated for treatment of pediatric patients with chronic iron overload due to transfusional hemosiderosis; however, fewer than 10% of patients in the registration studies were aged 2 to less than 6 years.ProcedureDeferasirox, a once‐daily oral iron chelator, was evaluated in young pediatric patients with transfusional hemosiderosis during the observational 5‐year ENTRUST study. Patients aged 2 to less than 6 years at enrollment received deferasirox according to local prescribing information, with the primary objective of evaluating safety, specifically renal and hepatic function. Serum ferritin was observed as a surrogate efficacy parameter.ResultsIn total, 267 patients (mean age 3.2 years) predominantly with β‐thalassemia (n = 176, 65.9%) were enrolled. Mean ± standard deviation deferasirox dose was 25.8 ± 6.5 mg/kg per day over a median of 59.9 months. A total of 145 patients (54.3%) completed 5 years’ treatment. The proportion of patients with two or more consecutive postbaseline measurements (≥7 days apart) of serum creatinine higher than age‐adjusted upper limit of normal (ULN) and alanine aminotransferase more than five times the ULN was 4.4% (95% confidence interval [CI]: 2.1–7.9) and 4.0% (95% CI: 1.8–7.4), respectively. Median serum ferritin decreased from 1,702 ng/ml at baseline to 1,127 ng/ml at 5 years. There were no new safety signals.ConclusionsSafety and efficacy of deferasirox in young pediatric patients in this long‐term, observational study in everyday clinical practice were consistent with the known deferasirox profile.
Controllability of multi‐agent systems under directed topology
Authors: Guan Yongqiang , Ji Zhijian , Zhang Lin , Wang Long 
Published: March 2017

SummaryIn this paper, the controllability of multi‐agent systems is studied under leader‐follower framework, where the interconnection between agents is directed. The concept of leader‐follower connectedness is first introduced for directed graph to check controllability, and some graph‐theoretic conditions are derived for constructively designed topologies. Then, distance partition and almost equitable partition are employed to quantitatively study the controllable subspaces. Moreover, the relationship between the state invariance of multi‐agent systems and the existence of almost equitable partition is discussed. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Targeted Genome Engineering to Control VEGF Expression in Human Umbilical Cord Blood-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells: Potential Implications for the Treatment of Myocardial Infarction
Authors: Cho Hyun-Min , Kim Pyung-Hwan , Chang Hyun-Kyung , Shen Yi-ming , Bonsra Kwaku , Kang Byung-Jae , Yum Soo-Young , Kim Joo-Hyun , Lee So-Yeong , Choi Min-cheol , Kim Hyongbum (Henry) , Jang Goo , Cho Je-Yoel 
Published: March 2017

Abstract
Human umbilical cord blood-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUCB-MSCs) exhibit potency for the regeneration of infarcted hearts. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is capable of inducing angiogenesis and can boost stem cell-based therapeutic effects. However, high levels of VEGF can cause abnormal blood vessel growth and hemangiomas. Thus, a controllable system to induce therapeutic levels of VEGF is required for cell therapy. We generated an inducible VEGF-secreting stem cell (VEGF/hUCB-MSC) that controls the expression of VEGF and tested the therapeutic efficacy in rat myocardial infarction (MI) model to apply functional stem cells to MI. To introduce the inducible VEGF gene cassette into a safe harbor site of the hUCB-MSC chromosome, the transcription activator-like effector nucleases system was used. After confirming the integration of the cassette into the locus, VEGF secretion in physiological concentration from VEGF/hUCB-MSCs after doxycycline (Dox) induction was proved in conditioned media. VEGF secretion was detected in mice implanted with VEGF/hUCB-MSCs grown via a cell sheet system. Vessel formation was induced in mice transplanted with Matrigel containing VEGF/hUCB-MSCs treated with Dox. Moreover, seeding of the VEGF/hUCB-MSCs onto the cardiac patch significantly improved the left ventricle ejection fraction and fractional shortening in a rat MI model upon VEGF induction. Induced VEGF/hUCB-MSC patches significantly decreased the MI size and fibrosis and increased muscle thickness, suggesting improved survival of cardiomyocytes and protection from MI damage. These results suggest that our inducible VEGF-secreting stem cell system is an effective therapeutic approach for the treatment of MI.
Multicenter screening for pre‐eclampsia by maternal factors and biomarkers at 11–13 weeks' gestation: comparison with NICE guidelines and ACOG recommendations
Authors: O'Gorman N. , Wright D. , Poon L. C. , Rolnik D. L. , Syngelaki A. , de Alvarado M. , Carbone I. F. , Dutemeyer V. , Fiolna M. , Frick A. , Karagiotis N. , Mastrodima S. , de Paco Matallana C. , Papaioannou G. , Pazos A. , Plasencia W. , Nicolaides K. H. 
Published: March 2017

ABSTRACTObjectiveTo compare the performance of screening for pre‐eclampsia (PE) based on risk factors from medical history, as recommended by NICE and ACOG, with the method proposed by The Fetal Medicine Foundation (FMF), which uses Bayes' theorem to combine the a‐priori risk from maternal factors, derived by a multivariable logistic model, with the results of various combinations of biophysical and biochemical measurements.MethodsThis was a prospective multicenter study of screening for PE in 8775 singleton pregnancies at 11–13 weeks' gestation. A previously published FMF algorithm was used for the calculation of patient‐specific risk of PE in each individual. The detection rates (DRs) and false‐positive rates (FPRs) for delivery with PE < 32, < 37 and ≥ 37 weeks were estimated and compared with those derived from application of NICE guidelines and ACOG recommendations. According to NICE, all high‐risk pregnancies should be offered low‐dose aspirin. According to ACOG, use of aspirin should be reserved for women with a history of PE in at least two previous pregnancies or PE requiring delivery < 34 weeks' gestation.ResultsIn the study population, 239 (2.7%) cases developed PE, of which 17 (0.2%), 59 (0.7%) and 180 (2.1%) developed PE < 32, < 37 and ≥ 37 weeks, respectively. Screening with use of the FMF algorithm based on a combination of maternal factors, mean arterial pressure (MAP), uterine artery pulsatility index (UtA‐PI) and serum placental growth factor (PlGF) detected 100% (95% CI, 80–100%) of PE < 32 weeks, 75% (95% CI, 62–85%) of PE < 37 weeks and 43% (95% CI, 35–50%) of PE ≥ 37 weeks, at a 10.0% FPR. Screening with use of NICE guidelines detected 41% (95% CI, 18–67%) of PE < 32 weeks, 39% (95% CI, 27–53%) of PE < 37 weeks and 34% (95% CI, 27–41%) of PE ≥ 37 weeks, at 10.2% FPR. Screening with use of ACOG recommendations detected 94% (95% CI, 71–100%) of PE < 32 weeks, 90% (95% CI, 79–96%) of PE < 37 weeks and 89% (95% CI, 84–94%) of PE ≥ 37 weeks, at 64.2% FPR. Screening based on the ACOG recommendations for use of aspirin detected 6% (95% CI, 1–27%) of PE < 32 weeks, 5% (95% CI, 2–14%) of PE < 37 weeks and 2% (95% CI, 0.3–5%) of PE ≥ 37 weeks, at 0.2% FPR.ConclusionPerformance of screening for PE at 11–13 weeks' gestation by the FMF algorithm using a combination of maternal factors, MAP, UtA‐PI and PlGF, is by far superior to the methods recommended by NICE and ACOG. Copyright © 2017 ISUOG. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
An artificial neural network‐based condition monitoring method for wind turbines, with application to the monitoring of the gearbox
Authors: Bangalore P. , Letzgus S. , Karlsson D. , Patriksson M. 
Published: March 2017

AbstractMajor failures in wind turbines are expensive to repair and cause loss of revenue due to long downtime. Condition‐based maintenance, which provides a possibility to reduce maintenance cost, has been made possible because of the successful application of various condition monitoring systems in wind turbines. New methods to improve the condition monitoring system are continuously being developed. Monitoring based on data stored in the supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system in wind turbines has received attention recently. Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have proved to be a powerful tool for SCADA‐based condition monitoring applications. This paper first gives an overview of the most important publications that discuss the application of ANN for condition monitoring in wind turbines. The knowledge from these publications is utilized and developed further with a focus on two areas: the data preprocessing and the data post‐processing. Methods for filtering of data are presented, which ensure that the ANN models are trained on the data representing the true normal operating conditions of the wind turbine. A method to overcome the errors from the ANN models due to discontinuity in SCADA data is presented. Furthermore, a method utilizing the Mahalanobis distance is presented, which improves the anomaly detection by considering the correlation between ANN model errors and the operating condition. Finally, the proposed method is applied to case studies with failures in wind turbine gearboxes. The results of the application illustrate the advantages and limitations of the proposed method. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Pioneering medical advances through nanofluidic implantable technologies
Authors: Hood R. Lyle , Hood Gold Darr , Ferrari Mauro , Grattoni Alessandro 
Published: March 2017

Nanofluidic implantables represent a recent advance in a broad effort for developing personalized, point‐of‐care medical technologies. Such systems have unprecedented potential when matched with the newest developments in robotics, microprocessing, and tissue engineering. In this review, we present their emergence in medicine within the fields of diagnostics, biosensing, therapeutics, and theranostics. Discussion includes current limitations and future directions for these systems, as commensurate advances in power density and electronic processing are continually redefining the possible. As the research and funding attention coincide with complementary technological breakthroughs, the field is expected to grow into an advanced toolset for preserving human health. WIREs Nanomed Nanobiotechnol 2017, 9:e1455. doi: 10.1002/wnan.1455This article is categorized under:

Therapeutic Approaches and Drug Discovery > Emerging Technologies
Diagnostic Tools > In Vivo Nanodiagnostics and Imaging
Implantable Materials and Surgical Technologies > Nanomaterials and Implants
At the Heart of the Pregnancy: What Prenatal and Cardiovascular Genetic Counselors Need to Know about Maternal Heart Disease
Authors: Morales Ana , Allain Dawn C. , Arscott Patricia , James Emily , MacCarrick Gretchen , Murray Brittney , Tichnell Crystal , Shikany Amy R. , Spencer Sara , Fitzgerald‐Butt Sara M. , Kushner Jessica D. , Munn Christi , Smith Emily , Spoonamore Katherine G. , Tandri Harikrishna S. , Kay W. Aaron 
Published: March 2017

AbstractIn the last decade, an increasing number of cardiac conditions have been shown to have a genetic basis. Cardiovascular genetic counseling has emerged as a subspecialty aiming to identify unaffected at‐risk individuals. An important sector of this at‐risk population also includes expectant mothers, in whom unique clinical challenges may arise. Genetic counselors, especially those in cardiovascular and prenatal settings, have an opportunity to identify and assist women who may benefit from cardiovascular care during pregnancy. This paper provides basic management and genetic evaluation principles for affected women, as well as guidance on identifying those who are at risk. We provide considerations for cardiac surveillance in pregnancy and the post‐partum period. Finally, key psychosocial issues that appraise how to best provide support to at risk women as they make informed decisions are discussed. We propose that a team approach including cardiology, maternal fetal medicine, and genetic counseling best serves this patient population. Ongoing questions addressing an evidence based approach to cardiovascular genetic conditions in pregnancy still remain. Thus, well‐designed research protocols are essential to mark progress in this area.