bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
The effects of epoxiconazole and α-cypermethrin on Daphnia magna growth, reproduction, and offspring size
Authors: Gottardi Michele , Birch Michala Rosa , Dalhoff Kristoffer , Cedergreen Nina 
Published: February 2017

Abstract

Two of the main classes of pesticides commonly used in agriculture are azole fungicides and pyrethroid insecticides. Because azoles have been shown to synergize the effect of pyrethroids, the effect of their mixture is of concern. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effect of sublethal concentrations of epoxiconazole and α-cypermethrin and their mixture on growth, reproduction, and in vivo cytochrome P450 activity of the aquatic crustacean Daphnia magna over 42 d. Continuous exposure to nonlethal concentrations of α-cypermethrin at 20 ng/L negatively affected adult growth and number and size of neonates within the first 14 d of exposure. Exposure to epoxiconazole at 25 μg/L increased protein content of adults within 1 to 3 d after initiating exposure and increased cumulative number of offspring at exposure times &gt;31 d. Epoxiconazole enhanced the negative effect of α-cypermethrin up to 3-fold leading to decreased growth, cytochrome P450 activity, and reproduction of D. magna within the first 14 d of exposure. After 14 d, the synergistic interactions disappeared. The reported effects, although lacking direct negative consequence in the long term, might have cumulative toxicity with other stressors such as food scarcity, predation, and pathogens, posing an additional hazard for the organisms at the beginning of their life cycle. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:2155–2166. © 2017 SETAC
Assessing the Benefits of Andean Crop Diversity on Farmers' Livelihood: Insights from a Development Programme in Bolivia and Peru
Authors: Gotor Elisabetta , Bellon Alejandro , Polar Vivian , Caracciolo Francesco 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThis paper analyses the impact of a development programme designed at promoting the sustainable use of Andean Grain diversity. Results demonstrate that knowledge‐sharing on agronomic practices, on benefits derived from consumption, and improving Andean Grain quality had a positive impact on income generation and farmer livelihoods. These results demonstrate the effectiveness of programmes aimed at improving rural livelihoods through greater knowledge transfer and use of local agrobiodiversity, wherein private benefits may incentivise the public benefits of agrobiodiversity use and conservation. Findings warrant the need to further monitor and evaluate the potential of agrobiodiversity to improve the well‐being of rural communities. © 2017 The Authors Journal of International Development Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.
Placentation in watersnakes I: Placental histology and development in North American Nerodia (Colubridae: Natricinae)
Authors: Blackburn Daniel G. , Anderson Kristie E. , Aronson Kera W. , Burket Mary K. , Chin Jessica F. , San‐Francisco Susan K. , Callard Ian P. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAs part of a broad survey of placental structure, function, and evolution in reptilian sauropsids paraffin‐section histology was used to study microscopic anatomy of the uterus and fetal membranes of three species of North American watersnakes (Nerodia: Colubridae). The pre‐ovulatory uterus is poorly vascularized with inactive shell glands. These shell glands are activated during vitellogenesis but regress during pregnancy. Two placentas develop through apposition of the uterine lining to the chorioallantois and the yolk sac omphalopleure. Fetal and maternal components of the chorioallantoic placenta are progressively vascularized during development. Their epithelia are attenuated, but (contrary to a previous report), epithelia of neither the uterus nor the chorion are eroded. The fetal portion of the yolk sac placenta is an omphalallantois, formed of avascular omphalopleure, isolated yolk mass, and allantois. This placenta is progressively replaced by chorioallantoic placenta during mid‐ to late‐development through depletion of the isolated yolk mass. The chorioallantoic placenta is anatomically specialized for maternal–fetal gas exchange, and its expansion during development reflects the growing needs of the fetus for gas exchange. The yolk sac placenta is morphologically unsuited for gas exchange, but may serve other functions in maternal‐fetal exchange.
Waveport modeling for the DGTD simulation of electromagnetic devices
Authors: Chang Chang‐Pao , Chen Geng , Yan Su , Jin Jianming 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe issue of waveport modeling for the numerical simulation of electromagnetic devices using the discontinuous Galerkin time‐domain (DGTD) method is investigated. A new implementation of the waveport boundary condition (WPBC) is presented along with a fast evaluation of the required convolution. The performance of the WPBC for the DGTD simulation is then compared with that of the first‐order absorbing boundary condition and the uniaxial perfectly matched layer (UPML). Two numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the waveport modeling for the DGTD simulation of electromagnetic devices based on the WPBC and UPML.
Adaptive Modeling: An Approach for Incorporating Nonlinearity in Regression Analyses
Authors: Knafl George J. , Barakat Lamia P. , Hanlon Alexandra L. , Hardie Thomas , Knafl Kathleen A. , Li Yimei , Deatrick Janet A. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAlthough regression relationships commonly are treated as linear, this often is not the case. An adaptive approach is described for identifying nonlinear relationships based on power transforms of predictor (or independent) variables and for assessing whether or not relationships are distinctly nonlinear. It is also possible to model adaptively both means and variances of continuous outcome (or dependent) variables and to adaptively power transform positive‐valued continuous outcomes, along with their predictors. Example analyses are provided of data from parents in a nursing study on emotional‐health‐related quality of life for childhood brain tumor survivors as a function of the effort to manage the survivors' condition. These analyses demonstrate that relationships, including moderation relationships, can be distinctly nonlinear, that conclusions about means can be affected by accounting for non‐constant variances, and that outcome transformation along with predictor transformation can provide distinct improvements and can resolve skewness problems.© 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Treatment period and medical care costs to achieve the first live birth by assisted reproductive technology are lower in the single embryo transfer period than in the double embryo transfer period: a retrospective analysis of women younger than 40 years of age
Authors: Kawahara Shunsuke , Ueda Akane , Nakahori Takashi , Honda Tetsuro 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAimIt was examined whether the single embryo transfer policy makes the treatment period longer for couples to achieve their first live birth by assisted reproductive technology.MethodsThis study retrospectively analyzed women who started assisted reproductive technology at younger than 40 years of age in the authors’ organization. The treatment periods for couples to achieve the first live birth by assisted reproductive technology, between the women who started assisted reproductive technology from 2004 to 2009 (the double embryo transfer period group, n=250), in which the double embryo transfer was predominant, and the women who started assisted reproductive technology from 2010 to 2015 (the single embryo transfer period group, n=298), in which the single embryo transfer was predominant, were compared.ResultsThe age at the start of assisted reproductive technology, pregnancy rate per embryo transfer, and rate of women who achieved a live birth by assisted reproductive technology per number of women who tried assisted reproductive technology were all significantly higher in the single embryo transfer period group. Among the women who achieved a live birth by assisted reproductive technology, the incidence of multiple births and severe ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome, the treatment period, and medical care costs needed to achieve the first live birth were all significantly lower in the single embryo transfer period group.ConclusionIn the single embryo transfer period group, those women who were younger than 40 years of age achieved their first live birth by assisted reproductive technology more safely, quickly, and reasonably.
Automatic Biological Cell Counting Using a Modified Gradient Hough Transform
Authors: Denimal Emmanuel , Marin Ambroise , Guyot Stéphane , Journaux Ludovic , Molin Paul 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe present a computational method for pseudo-circular object detection and quantitative characterization in digital images, using the gradient accumulation matrix as a basic tool. This Gradient Accumulation Transform (GAT) was first introduced in 1992 by Kierkegaard and recently used by Kaytanli & Valentine. In the present article, we modify the approach by using the phase coding studied by Cicconet, and by adding a “local contributor list” (LCL) as well as a “used contributor matrix” (UCM), which allow for accurate peak detection and exploitation. These changes help make the GAT algorithm a robust and precise method to automatically detect pseudo-circular objects in a microscopic image. We then present an application of the method to cell counting in microbiological images.
A cocktail of three virulent bacteriophages prevents Vibrio cholerae infection in animal models
Authors: Yen Minmin , Cairns Lynne S. , Camilli Andrew 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEffective prevention strategies will be essential in reducing disease burden due to bacterial infections. Here we harness the specificity and rapid-acting properties of bacteriophages as a potential prophylaxis therapy for cholera, a severely dehydrating disease caused by Vibrio cholerae. To this end, we test a cocktail of three virulent phages in two animal models of cholera pathogenesis (infant mouse and rabbit models). Oral administration of the phages up to 24 h before V. cholerae challenge reduces colonization of the intestinal tract and prevents cholera-like diarrhea. None of the surviving V. cholerae colonies are resistant to all three phages. Genome sequencing and variant analysis of the surviving colonies indicate that resistance to the phages is largely conferred by mutations in genes required for the production of the phage receptors. For acute infections, such as cholera, phage prophylaxis could provide a strategy to limit the impact of bacterial disease on human health.
Complexion-mediated martensitic phase transformation in Titanium
Authors: Zhang J. , Tasan C. C. , Lai M. J. , Dippel A. -C. , Raabe D. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractThe most efficient way to tune microstructures and mechanical properties of metallic alloys lies in designing and using athermal phase transformations. Examples are shape memory alloys and high strength steels, which together stand for 1,500 million tons annual production. In these materials, martensite formation and mechanical twinning are tuned via composition adjustment for realizing complex microstructures and beneficial mechanical properties. Here we report a new phase transformation that has the potential to widen the application window of Ti alloys, the most important structural material in aerospace design, by nanostructuring them via complexion-mediated transformation. This is a reversible martensitic transformation mechanism that leads to a final nanolaminate structure ofα″ (orthorhombic) martensite bounded with planar complexions of athermalω(a–ω, hexagonal). Both phases are crystallographically related to the parentβ(BCC) matrix. As expected from a planar complexion, thea–ωis stable only at the hetero-interface.
Self-surface charge exfoliation and electrostatically coordinated 2D hetero-layered hybrids
Authors: Yang Min-Quan , Xu Yi-Jun , Lu Wanheng , Zeng Kaiyang , Zhu Hai , Xu Qing-Hua , Ho Ghim Wei 
Published: February 2017

AbstractAt present, the technological groundwork of atomically thin two-dimensional (2D) hetero-layered structures realized by successive thin film epitaxial growth is in principle constrained by lattice matching prerequisite as well as low yield and expensive production. Here, we artificially coordinate ultrathin 2D hetero-layered metal chalcogenides via a highly scalable self-surface charge exfoliation and electrostatic coupling approach. Specifically, bulk metal chalcogenides are spontaneously exfoliated into ultrathin layers in a surfactant/intercalator-free medium, followed by unconstrained electrostatic coupling with a dissimilar transition metal dichalcogenide, MoSe2, into scalable hetero-layered hybrids. Accordingly, surface and interfacial-dominated photocatalysis reactivity is used as an ideal testbed to verify the reliability of diverse 2D ultrathin hetero-layered materials that reveal high visible-light photoreactivity, efficient charge transfer and intimate contact interface for stable cycling and storage purposes. Such a synthetic approach renders independent thickness and composition control anticipated to advance the development of ‘design-and-build’ 2D layered heterojunctions for large-scale exploration and applications.
Processable high internal phase Pickering emulsions using depletion attraction
Authors: Kim KyuHan , Kim Subeen , Ryu Jiheun , Jeon Jiyoon , Jang Se Gyu , Kim Hyunjun , Gweon Dae-Gab , Im Won Bin , Han Yosep , Kim Hyunjung , Choi Siyoung Q. 
Published: February 2017

AbstractHigh internal phase emulsions have been widely used as templates for various porous materials, but special strategies are required to form, in particular, particle-covered ones that have been more difficult to obtain. Here, we report a versatile strategy to produce a stable high internal phase Pickering emulsion by exploiting a depletion interaction between an emulsion droplet and a particle using water-soluble polymers as a depletant. This attractive interaction facilitating the adsorption of particles onto the droplet interface and simultaneously suppressing desorption once adsorbed. This technique can be universally applied to nearly any kind of particle to stabilize an interface with the help of various non- or weakly adsorbing polymers as a depletant, which can be solidified to provide porous materials for many applications.
Anisotropically organized three-dimensional culture platform for reconstruction of a hippocampal neural network
Authors: Kim So Hyun , Im Sun-Kyoung , Oh Soo-Jin , Jeong Sohyeon , Yoon Eui-Sung , Lee C. Justin , Choi Nakwon , Hur Eun-Mi 
Published: February 2017

AbstractIn native tissues, cellular and acellular components are anisotropically organized and often aligned in specific directions, providing structural and mechanical properties for actuating biological functions. Thus, engineering alignment not only allows for emulation of native tissue structures but might also enable implementation of specific functionalities. However, achieving desired alignment is challenging, especially in three-dimensional constructs. By exploiting the elastomeric property of polydimethylsiloxane and fibrillogenesis kinetics of collagen, here we introduce a simple yet effective method to assemble and align fibrous structures in a multi-modular three-dimensional conglomerate. Applying this method, we have reconstructed the CA3–CA1 hippocampal neural circuit three-dimensionally in a monolithic gel, in which CA3 neurons extend parallel axons to and synapse with CA1 neurons. Furthermore, we show that alignment of the fibrous scaffold facilitates the establishment of functional connectivity. This method can be applied for reconstructing other neural circuits or tissue units where anisotropic organization in a multi-modular structure is desired.
miR-34a inhibits pancreatic cancer progression through Snail1-mediated epithelial–mesenchymal transition and the Notch signaling pathway
Authors: Tang Yan , Tang Yong , Cheng Ying-sheng 
Published: February 2017

AbstractEpithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) and Notch signaling are important for the growth and invasion of pancreatic cancer, which is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. miR-34a has been shown to play pivotal roles in the progression of several types of cancer. However, little is known about the regulatory mechanisms of miR-34a in pancreatic cancer processes. The aim of this study was to determine whether miR-34a has negative effects on pancreatic cancer and whether these effects are related to EMT and Notch signaling. In vitro, we demonstrated that miR-34a inhibited, while miR-34a inhibitors enhanced, migration and invasion of pancreatic cancer cell lines (PANC-1 and SW-1990).These effects were reversed by Snail1 overexpression or Snail1 shRNA. Furthermore, the anti-apoptotic effects of the miR-34a inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cells were abrogated by Notch1 shRNA. Luciferase reporter assays revealed that the Snail1 and Notch1 genes were direct targets of miR-34a. In vivo, we also demonstrated that miR-34a inhibited pancreatic cancer growth by decreasing Snail1 and Notch1 expression. Therefore, our results indicate that miR-34a inhibits pancreatic cancer progression by post-transcriptionally regulating Snail1 and Notch1 expression.
Caffeic Acid Cyclohexylamide Rescues Lethal Inflammation in Septic Mice through Inhibition of IκB Kinase in Innate Immune Process
Authors: Choi Jun Hyeon , Park Sun Hong , Jung Jae-Kyung , Cho Won-Jea , Ahn Byeongwoo , Yun Cheong-Yong , Choi Yong Pyo , Yeo Jong Hun , Lee Heesoon , Hong Jin Tae , Han Sang-Bae , Kim Youngsoo 
Published: February 2017

AbstractTargeting myeloid differentiation protein 2 (MD-2) or Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) with small molecule inhibitor rescues the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) in sepsis due to infection with Gram-negative bacteria but not other microbes. Herein, we provided IκB kinase β (IKKβ) in innate immune process as a molecular target of caffeic acid cyclohexylamide (CGA-JK3) in the treatment of polymicrobial TLR agonists-induced lethal inflammation. CGA-JK3 ameliorated E. coli lipopolysaccharide (LPS, MD-2/TLR4 agonist)-induced endotoxic shock, cecal ligation and puncture (CLP)-challenged septic shock or LPS plus D-galactosamine (GalN)-induced acute liver failure (ALF) in C57BL/6J mice. As a molecular basis, CGA-JK3 inhibited IKKβ-catalyzed kinase activity in a competitive mechanism with respect to ATP, displaced fluorescent ATP probe from the complex with IKKβ, and docked at the ATP-binding active site on the crystal structure of human IKKβ. Furthermore, CGA-JK3 inhibited IKKβ-catalyzed IκB phosphorylation, which is an axis leading to IκB degradation in the activating pathway of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB), in macrophages stimulated with TLR (1/2, 2/6, 4, 5, 7, 9) agonists from Gram-positive/negative bacteria and viruses. CGA-JK3 consequently interrupted IKKβ-inducible NF-κB activation and NF-κB-regulated expression of TNF-α, IL-1α or HMGB-1 gene, thereby improving TLRs-associated redundant inflammatory responses in endotoxemia, polymicrobial sepsis and ALF.
Computational imaging reveals shape differences between normal and malignant prostates on MRI
Authors: Rusu Mirabela , Purysko Andrei S. , Verma Sadhna , Kiechle Jonathan , Gollamudi Jay , Ghose Soumya , Herrmann Karin , Gulani Vikas , Paspulati Raj , Ponsky Lee , Böhm Maret , Haynes Anne-Maree , Moses Daniel , Shnier Ron , Delprado Warick , Thompson James , Stricker Phillip , Madabhushi Anant 
Published: February 2017

AbstractWe seek to characterize differences in the shape of the prostate and the central gland (combined central and transitional zones) between men with biopsy confirmed prostate cancer and men who were identified as not having prostate cancer either on account of a negative biopsy or had pelvic imaging done for a non-prostate malignancy. T2w MRI from 70 men were acquired at three institutions. The cancer positive group (PCa+) comprised 35 biopsy positive (Bx+) subjects from three institutions (Gleason scores: 6–9, Stage: T1–T3). The negative group (PCa−) combined 24 biopsy negative (Bx−) from two institutions and 11 subjects diagnosed with rectal cancer but with no clinical or MRI indications of prostate cancer (Cl−). The boundaries of the prostate and central gland were delineated on T2w MRI by two expert raters and were used to construct statistical shape atlases for the PCa+, Bx− and Cl− prostates. An atlas comparison was performed via per-voxel statistical tests to localize shape differences (significance assessed at p < 0.05). The atlas comparison revealed central gland hypertrophy in the Bx− subpopulation, resulting in significant volume and posterior side shape differences relative to PCa+ group. Significant differences in the corresponding prostate shapes were noted at the apex when comparing the Cl− and PCa+ prostates.
ZP3 is Required for Germinal Vesicle Breakdown in Mouse Oocyte Meiosis
Authors: Gao Lei-Lei , Zhou Chun-Xiang , Zhang Xiao-Lan , Liu Peng , Jin Zhen , Zhu Gang-Yi , Ma Yang , Li Jing , Yang Zhi-Xia , Zhang Dong 
Published: February 2017

AbstractZP3 is a principal component of the zona pellucida (ZP) of mammalian oocytes and is essential for normal fertility, and knockout of ZP3 causes complete infertility. ZP3 promotes fertilization by recognizing sperm binding and activating the acrosome reaction; however, additional cellular roles for ZP3 in mammalian oocytes have not been yet reported. In the current study, we found that ZP3 was strongly expressed in the nucleus during prophase and gradually translocated to the ZP. Knockdown of ZP3 by a specific siRNA dramatically inhibited germinal vesicle breakdown (GVBD) (marking the beginning of meiosis), significantly reducing the percentage of MII oocytes. To investigate the ZP3-mediated mechanisms governing GVBD, we identified potential ZP3-interacting proteins by immunoprecipitation and mass spectrometry. We identified Protein tyrosine phosphatase, receptor type K (Ptprk), Aryl hydrocarbon receptor-interacting protein-like 1 (Aipl1), and Diaphanous related formin 2 (Diaph2) as potential candidates, and established a working model to explain how ZP3 affects GVBD. Finally, we provided preliminary evidence that ZP3 regulates Akt phosphorylation, lamin binding to the nuclear membrane via Aipl1, and organization of the actin cytoskeleton via Diaph2. These findings contribute to our understanding of a novel role played by ZP3 in GVBD.
Whole Genome Sequencing Identifies Novel Compound Heterozygous Lysosomal Trafficking Regulator Gene Mutations Associated with Autosomal Recessive Chediak-Higashi Syndrome
Authors: Jin Yaqiong , Zhang Li , Wang Senfen , Chen Feng , Gu Yang , Hong Enyu , Yu Yongbo , Ni Xin , Guo Yongli , Shi Tieliu , Xu Zigang 
Published: February 2017

AbstractChediak–Higashi syndrome (CHS) is a rare autosomal recessive disease characterized by varying degrees of oculocutaneous albinism, recurrent infections, and a mild bleeding tendency, with late neurologic dysfunction. This syndrome is molecularly characterized by pathognomonic mutations in the LYST (lysosomal trafficking regulator). Using whole genome sequencing (WGS) we attempted to identify novel mutations of CHS based on a family of CHS with atypical symptoms. The two patients demonstrated a phenotypic constellation including partial oculocutaneous albinism, frequency upper respiratory infection or a marginal intelligence, without bleeding tendency and severe immunodeficiency. WGS revealed two compound LYST mutations including a maternally inherited chr1:235969126G > A (rs80338652) and a novel paternally inherited chr1: 235915327A > AT, associated with autosomal recessive CHS. These two variants fall in the coding regions of LYST, resulting in premature truncation of LYST due to R1104X/N2535KfsX2 induced incomplete translation. Notably, the heterozygous carriers (i.e. parents) were unaffected. Our finding also reveals decreased plasma serotonin levels in patients with CHS compared with unaffected individuals for the first time. The present study contributes to improved understanding of the causes of this disease and provides new ideas for possible treatments.