bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Effects of motherwort alkaloids on rat ear acne
Authors: Mingsan Miao , Yan Li , Tan Wang , Ting Wang , Ming Bai , Jinxin Miao , Bao Gong 
Published: February 2016

<p class="Abstract">The aim of this study was to explore the effects of motherwort alkaloids on rat ear acne. The rats that were administered high, medium, and low doses of motherwort alkaloids, tanshinone capsules, a model and a control group. Each group of rats was subjected to gavage once daily for 14 consecutive days. On the first day of testing, the control and model groups were administered an intradermal auricle injection of sterilized saline solution and the remaining groups were administered an intradermal auricle injection of <em>Staphylococcus epidermidis</em> in addition to the gavage. The thicknesses of the rats’ auricles were measured for five consecutive days following the injections. Anticoagulated blood was used for erythrocyte rheology index measurement. In addition, the entire ear of each rat was removed for morphological examination. Compared to the model group, the group administered motherwort alkaloids exhibited significantly reduced swelling, improved localized auricle proliferation, and reduced blood viscosity. This result suggests motherwort alkaloids are effective in rat ear acne.</p><p> </p>
Preparation and release characteristics study on the novel minocycline hydrochloride sustained-release capsule
Authors: Zhao Songfeng , Zhang Xiao , Zhang Xiaojian , Shi Xiuqin , Li Jun , Kan Quancheng , Yang Shuoye 
Published: February 2016

In present study, a novel minocycline hydrochloride sustained-release capsule was prepared with the new extrusion-spheronization method. The in vitro release studies were performed using marketed sample as a reference and data were analyzed in terms of cumulative release amounts as a function of time. Results demonstrated that the developed analysis method was reliable and convenient for the quantification and dissolution study of minocycline hydrochloride. The release characteristics of different batches of preparations were quite similar with each other, similarity factors f2 of 12 batches were all within 50-100, and our developed sample was similar to reference preparation in release characteristics in vitro. The developed sustained-release preparation may be a promising alternative dosage form for treatment of related diseases.
Vitamin D [1,25(OH)2D3] Differentially Regulates Human Innate Cytokine Responses to Bacterial versus Viral Pattern Recognition Receptor Stimuli
Authors: Fitch Natascha , Becker Allan B. , HayGlass Kent T. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractVitamin D plays multiple roles in regulation of protective and maladaptive immunity. Although epidemiologic studies link poor in vivo 25(OH)D status to increased viral respiratory infections, we poorly understand how vitamin D affects viral pattern recognition receptor (PRR)-driven cytokine production. In this study, we hypothesized that the biologically active metabolite of vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D3, inhibits human proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory innate cytokine responses stimulated by representative bacterial or viral PRR ligands. Fresh PBMCs or CD14+ monocytes were stimulated with TLR4, TLR7/8-selective ligands, or respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) ± 1,25(OH)2D3. Proinflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses resulting from TLR4 stimulation were inhibited ∼50% in the presence of 1,25(OH)2D3. Conversely, its usage at physiologic through pharmacologic concentrations inhibited neither proinflammatory nor anti-inflammatory responses evoked by viral PRR ligands or infectious RSV. This differential responsiveness was attributed to the finding that TLR7/8, but not TLR4, stimulation markedly inhibited vitamin D receptor mRNA and protein expression, selectively reducing the sensitivity of viral PRR responses to modulation. 1,25(OH)2D3 also enhanced expression of IkBa, a potent negative regulator of NF-κB and cytokine production, in TLR4-stimulated monocytes while not doing so upon TLR7/8 stimulation. Thus, 1,25(OH)2D3 inhibits both proinflammatory and a broad panel of anti-inflammatory responses elicited by TLR4 stimulation, arguing that the common view of it as an anti-inflammatory immune response modifier is an oversimplification. In viral responses, it consistently fails to modify TLR7/8- or RSV-stimulated innate cytokine production, even at supraphysiologic concentrations. Collectively, the data call into question the rationale for increasingly widespread self-medication with vitamin D supplements.
Loss of Fancc Impairs Antibody-Secreting Cell Differentiation in Mice through Deregulating the Wnt Signaling Pathway
Authors: Sertorio Mathieu , Amarachintha Surya , Wilson Andrew , Pang Qishen 
Published: February 2016

Abstract
Fanconi anemia (FA) is characterized by a progressive bone marrow failure and an increased incidence of cancer. FA patients have high susceptibility to immune-related complications such as infection and posttransplant graft-versus-host disease. In this study, we investigated the effect of FA deficiency in B cell function using the Fancc mouse model. Fancc−/− B cells show a specific defect in IgG2a switch and impaired Ab-secreting cell (ASC) differentiation. Global transcriptome analysis of naive B cells by mRNA sequencing demonstrates that FA deficiency deregulates a network of genes involved in immune function. Significantly, many genes implicated in Wnt signaling were aberrantly expressed in Fancc−/− B cells. Consistently, Fancc−/− B cells accumulate high levels of β-catenin under both resting and stimulated conditions, suggesting hyperactive Wnt signaling. Using an in vivo Wnt GFP reporter assay, we verified the upregulation of Wnt signaling as a potential mechanism responsible for the impaired Fancc−/− B cell differentiation. Furthermore, we showed that Wnt signaling inhibits ASC differentiation possibly through repression of Blimp1 and that Fancc−/− B cells are hypersensitive to Wnt activation during ASC differentiation. Our findings identify Wnt signaling as a physiological regulator of ASC differentiation and establish a role for the Wnt pathway in normal B cell function and FA immune deficiency.
Clinicians’ Perspectives on the Use of Intra-Articular Hyaluronic Acid as a Treatment for Knee Osteoarthritis: A North American, Multidisciplinary Survey
Authors: Rosen Jeffrey , Avram Victoria , Fierlinger Anke , Niazi Faizan , Sancheti Parag , Bedi Asheesh 
Published: February 2016

Introduction This study aims to describe the perceptions of orthopedic surgeons on the efficacy of intra-articular hyaluronic acid (IA-HA), the influence of IA-HA product characteristics on its efficacy, and to identify patterns and factors related to the use of IA-HA. Additionally, this study examines factors that influence IA-HA brand selection, focusing on Euflexxa¯ (1% sodium hyaluronate). Methods We developed survey questions by reviewing the current literature and consulting with experts on the use of IA-HA in the management of knee osteoarthritis (OA). The survey included questions on demographics, previous experience with knee OA treatment, opinions on different treatment methods, and where information regarding treatments is obtained. Additionally, questions specific to opinions regarding IA-HA and the reasoning behind these opinions were asked. Results A total of 117 orthopedic surgeons and physicians completed the survey. IA-HA is most frequently prescribed to patients with early-stage (82%) or mid-stage (82.8%) OA, while fewer orthopedic surgeons and physicians use IA-HA for patients with late-stage OA (57.4%). Respondents were generally uncertain of the effects that intrinsic characteristics, such as molecular weight, cross-linking, and production process, had on patient outcomes. Respondents typically use their own clinical experience and results as a deciding factor in utilizing IA-HA treatment, as well as in choosing an IA-HA brand. Conclusion Uncertainty regarding the efficacy of IA-HA treatments is likely due to inconsistency within clinical guidelines and the current literature. Additional research investigating the efficacy of IA-HA treatment and how product characteristics affect outcome and safety is required to provide clarity to the controversy surrounding IA-HA treatment for knee OA.
Good Governance and Leadership: Pathway to Sustainable National Development in Nigeria
Authors: Olanike Sharon Nicholas Omoregbe , Oladele Joseph Kehinde , David Imhonopi , Idowu Kikelomo Evbuoma 
Published: February 2016

The concept of governance and leadership are intertwined. Good governance and leadership is critical for the achievement of results. It is often said that no country can develop beyond the level of its leadership. The predicament of Nigeria in terms of underdevelopment and corruption can be adduced to the problem of leadership and governance. Nigeria needs committed leaders who will govern with integrity and doggedly influence its human and natural resources toward the actualization of sustainable national development. This paper is descriptive; it looks at the place of leadership and good governance in the actualization of overall national development in Nigeria. Transformational leadership theoryand contingency theory of leadership viewpoints are examined vis a vis diverse impediments to national development in Nigeria, as vital to feasible and substantial national development; The paper recommends that; The leaders who govern should be made accountable by publicly declaring what they have been able to achieve in terms of performance as well as how much was expended in every sector on a yearly basis; Auditors with integrity should be made to verify their claims in order to ascertain the genuineness of the claims; Corrupt leaders should be brought to book and made to face necessary and lawful penalties without fear or favour; and elections made free and fair and not rigged. When citizens are allowed to choose their leaders, leaders would in turn have a sense of responsibility that they owe the people good governance.
Formation of layers of methane in the atmosphere of Mars after surface release
Authors: Viscardy S. , Daerden F. , Neary L. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractSimulations with a general circulation model for the atmosphere of Mars show that surface emissions of methane can result in a highly nonuniform vertical distribution throughout the atmosphere, including the formation of layers, during the first weeks after the release. The fate of the released methane is determined by the global circulation pattern at the time of the release, and the methane can be transported to locations over the planet that are remote from the emission site. It typically takes several weeks for the methane to become more uniformly mixed, implying that the detection of vertical layers of methane can be indicative of recent surface emission. This puts the existing observations in a new perspective and will allow instruments on the upcoming ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission to detect signatures of surface emission activity as they are designed to measure the first vertical profiles of methane on Mars.
Electron heating in the exhaust of magnetic reconnection with negligible guide field
Authors: Wang Shan , Chen Li‐Jen , Bessho Naoki , Kistler Lynn M. , Shuster Jason R. , Guo Ruilong 
Published: February 2016

AbstractElectron heating in the magnetic reconnection exhaust is investigated with particle‐in‐cell simulations, space observations, and theoretical analysis. Spatial variations of the electron temperature (Te) and associated velocity distribution functions (VDFs) are examined and understood in terms of particle energization and randomization processes that vary with exhaust locations. Inside the electron diffusion region (EDR), the electron temperature parallel to the magnetic field (Te∥) exhibits a local minimum and the perpendicular temperature (Te⊥) shows a maximum at the current sheet midplane. In the intermediate exhaust downstream from the EDR and far from the magnetic field pileup region, Te⊥/Te∥ is close to unity and Te is approximately uniform, but the VDFs are structured: close to the midplane, VDFs are quasi‐isotropic, whereas farther away from the midplane, VDFs exhibit field‐aligned beams directed toward the midplane. In the far exhaust, Te generally increases toward the midplane and the pileup region, and the corresponding VDFs show counter‐streaming beams. A distinct population with low v∥ and high v⊥ is prominent in the VDFs around the midplane. Test particle results show that the magnetic curvature near the midplane produces pitch angle scattering to generate quasi‐isotropic distributions in the intermediate exhaust. In the far exhaust, electrons with initial high v∥ (v⊥) are accelerated mainly through curvature (gradient‐B) drift opposite to the electric field, without significant pitch angle scattering. The VDF structures predicted by simulations are observed in magnetotail reconnection measurements, indicating that the energization mechanisms captured in the reported simulations are applicable to magnetotail reconnection with negligible guide field.
Scalings of Alfvén‐cyclotron and ion Bernstein instabilities on temperature anisotropy of a ring‐like velocity distribution in the inner magnetosphere
Authors: Min Kyungguk , Liu Kaijun , Gary S. Peter 
Published: February 2016

AbstractA ring‐like proton velocity distribution with ∂fp(v⊥)/∂v⊥>0 and which is sufficiently anisotropic can excite two distinct types of growing modes in the inner magnetosphere: ion Bernstein instabilities with multiple ion cyclotron harmonics and quasi‐perpendicular propagation and an Alfvén‐cyclotron instability at frequencies below the proton cyclotron frequency and quasi‐parallel propagation. Recent particle‐in‐cell simulations have demonstrated that even if the maximum linear growth rate of the latter instability is smaller than the corresponding growth of the former instability, the saturation levels of the fluctuating magnetic fields can be greater for the Alfvén‐cyclotron instability than for the ion Bernstein instabilities. In this study, linear dispersion theory and two‐dimensional particle‐in‐cell simulations are used to examine scalings of the linear growth rate and saturation level of the two types of growing modes as functions of the temperature anisotropy T⊥/T|| for a general ring‐like proton distribution with a fixed ring speed of 2vA, where vA is the Alfvén speed. For the proton distribution parameters chosen, the maximum linear theory growth rate of the Alfvén‐cyclotron waves is smaller than that of the fastest‐growing Bernstein mode for the wide range of anisotropies (1≤T⊥/T||≤7) considered here. Yet the corresponding particle‐in‐cell simulations yield a higher saturation level of the fluctuating magnetic fields for the Alfvén‐cyclotron instability than for the Bernstein modes as long as
. Since fast magnetosonic waves with ion Bernstein instability properties observed in the magnetosphere are often not accompanied by electromagnetic ion cyclotron waves, the results of the present study indicate that the ring‐like proton distributions responsible for the excitation of these fast magnetosonic waves should not be very anisotropic.
Observation of TEC perturbation associated with medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbance and possible seeding mechanism of atmospheric gravity wave at a Brazilian sector
Authors: Jonah O. F. , Kherani E. A. , De Paula E. R. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractIn the present study, we document daytime total electron content (TEC) disturbances associated with medium‐scale traveling ionospheric disturbances (MSTIDs), on few chosen geomagnetically quiet days over Southern Hemisphere of Brazilian longitude sector. These disturbances are derived from TEC data obtained using Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) receiver networks. From the keograms and cross‐correlation maps, the TEC disturbances are identified as the MSTIDs that are propagating equatorward‐eastward, having most of their average wavelengths longer in latitude than in longitude direction. These are the important outcomes of the present study which suggest that the daytime MSTIDs over Southern Hemisphere are similar to their counterparts in the Northern Hemisphere. Another important outcome is that the occurrence characteristics of these MSTIDs and that of atmospheric gravity wave (AGW) activities in the thermosphere are found to be similar on day‐to‐day basis. This suggests a possible connection between them, confirming the widely accepted AGW forcing mechanism for the generation of these daytime MSTIDs. The source of this AGW is investigated using the Geostationary Operational Environmental Satellite system (GOES) and Constellation Observing System for Meteorology, Ionosphere, and Climate satellite data. Finally, we provided evidences that AGWs are generated by convection activities from the tropospheric region.
Rayleigh wave azimuthally anisotropic phase velocity maps beneath western Canada
Authors: Bao Xuewei , Eaton David W. , Gu Yu Jeffrey 
Published: February 2016

AbstractThe lithospheric evolution of western Laurentia spans several billion years of Earth history and provides an exceptional opportunity for investigating continental deformation during Archean and Proterozoic assembly of the craton and subsequent Phanerozoic orogenic processes along its western margin. In this study we present fundamental‐mode Rayleigh wave azimuthal anisotropy in the period range 20–150 s for western Laurentia and the southern Canadian Cordillera. The surface wave phase velocity maps offer new constraints on the depth distribution of seismic anisotropy in this region. At short periods (20–25 s), strong anisotropy with an orogen‐parallel fast direction is evident in the Cordillera and neighboring foreland belt, suggesting pervasive ductile deformation in the lower crust during Laramide orogenesis. At periods of 70 s and higher, a zone of low‐to‐null azimuthal anisotropy is evident in the southern part of the Cordillera. This apparent null region is interpreted to reflect complex asthenospheric flow due to the combined effects of the Juan de Fuca slab window, lithospheric delamination, and small‐scale edge‐driven convection. Depth‐variant azimuthal anisotropy is evident beneath the cratonic part of the study region. The dominant direction of fast wave propagation in the southeastern part of the craton changes from N‐S at periods of <120 s to NE‐SW at 150 s period. This depth dependence is inferred to arise from different origins of the observed anisotropy, with “frozen” anisotropy within cratonic lithosphere underlain by flow‐driven anisotropy in the asthenosphere. The frozen N‐S trending fabrics in the middle to lower cratonic lithosphere most likely reflect processes of Paleoproterozoic assembly of western Laurentia.
Tropical West Pacific moisture dynamics and climate controls on rainfall isotopic ratios in southern Papua, Indonesia
Authors: Permana Donaldi S. , Thompson Lonnie G. , Setyadi Gesang 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUnderstanding the controls on stable isotopologues of tropical rainfall is critical for paleoclimatic reconstruction from tropical ice core records. The southern Papua region, Indonesia, has a unique climate regime that allows for the evaluation of the influence of precipitation and convective activity on seasonal rainfall δ18O. The influence of the El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) on interannual rainfall δ18O variation is also important for paleoclimate reconstruction. Here we present stable isotope analyses of 1332 rain samples collected daily during the period from January 2013 to February 2014 (ENSO‐normal) and December 2014 to September 2015 (El Niño) at various elevation stations (9 to 3945 m above sea level) on the southern slope of the central mountain ranges in Papua. The results suggest an altitude effect with an isotopic lapse rate for δ18O (δD) of −2.4‰/km (−18.2‰/km). The temporal δ18O variability (daily to interannual) is controlled mostly by regional convective activity rather than local/regional precipitation amount. The intraseasonal δ18O variation resembles the Madden‐Julian Oscillation cycle with major δ18O depletion events associated with active (wet) phases. Moisture origins, transport pathways, moisture convergence, and raindrop evaporation appear to have no significant seasonal effects on δ18O, leading to the conclusion that condensation temperature controls δ18O depletion associated with convective activity. Seasonal δ18O variation is likely associated with atmospheric temperature at the mean condensation level as indicated by the altitude of latent heat release in the troposphere. Rainfall δ18O (δD) is generally enriched by 1.6‰–2‰ (11‰–15‰) during El Niño than during ENSO‐normal periods.
Spatial patterns and source attribution of urban methane in the Los Angeles Basin
Authors: Hopkins Francesca M. , Kort Eric A. , Bush Susan E. , Ehleringer James R. , Lai Chun‐Ta , Blake Donald R. , Randerson James T. 
Published: February 2016

AbstractUrban areas are increasingly recognized as a globally important source of methane to the atmosphere; however, the location of methane sources and relative contributions of source sectors are not well known. Recent atmospheric measurements in Los Angeles, California, USA, show that more than a third of the city's methane emissions are unaccounted for in inventories and suggest that fugitive fossil emissions are the unknown source. We made on‐road measurements to quantify fine‐scale structure of methane and a suite of complementary trace gases across the Los Angeles Basin in June 2013. Enhanced methane levels were observed across the basin but were unevenly distributed in space. We identified 213 methane hot spots from unknown emission sources. We made direct measurements of ethane to methane (C2H6/CH4) ratios of known methane emission sources in the region, including cattle, geologic seeps, landfills, and compressed natural gas fueling stations, and used these ratios to determine the contribution of biogenic and fossil methane sources to unknown hot spots and to local urban background air. We found that 75% of hot spots were of fossil origin, 20% were biogenic, and 5% of indeterminate source. In regionally integrated air, we observed a wider range of C2H6/CH4 values than observed previously. Fossil fuel sources accounted for 58–65% of methane emissions, with the range depending on the assumed C2H6/CH4 ratio of source end‐members and model structure. These surveys demonstrated the prevalence of fugitive methane emissions across the Los Angeles urban landscape and suggested that uninventoried methane sources were widely distributed and primarily of fossil origin.