bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Plant ecological groups and soil properties of common hazel (Corylus avellana L.) stand in Safagashteh forest, north of Iran
Authors: Pourbabaei Hassan , Adel Mohammad Naghi 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
In Safragashteh forest of Fuman in north of Iran, there is a hazel stand, which has grown naturally. The aim of this research was to evaluate the plant communities and soil characteristics in the area. This study included 50 ha of hazel protected area. A selective sampling method was utilized to record 30 400 m2 for tree and shrub layers, and sub-plots of 100 m2 for herbaceous species. Soil samples were collected at the 30 plots. We found three ecological species groups in the study area. Corylus avellana and Epimedium pinnatum in first group, Fagus orientalis, Asperula odorata, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Carex sp., Fragaria vesca and Viola sylvestris in second group, and Crataegus microphylla, Ilex spinigera, Primula heterochroma, Sedum stoloniferum and Vicia crocea in thirth group were the indicator species. Sand percent was significantly highest in Corylus avellana group, while clay, nutrients elements, pH and SP were significantly highest in the other groups. Biodiversity indices in Corylus avellana group were significantly less than other stands. We recommend to provide comprehensive conservation and management programs in order to protect of common hazel, associated plant species, and to prevent of human activities such as recreational use and livestock.
Damascenine induced hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity in mice and in vitro assessed human erythrocyte toxicity
Authors: Bouguezza Yacine , Khettal Bachra , Tir Lydia , Boudrioua Souad 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Nigella damascena seed is characterized by the presence of the major alkaloid, damascenine and its related metabolites. To our knowledge, no detailed subchronic toxicological assessment of damascenine (DA) has been reported. The present study evaluated the potential toxicity of DA in vivo after sub-chronic intraperitoneal (i.p) administration in mice and in vitro following human erythrocyte hemolysis. In vivo, a total of 48 adult male and female Swiss albino mice were used in a sub-chronic toxicity study. The mice received intraperitoneally two doses of DA (20 and 100 mg/kg) for 28 days. Food intake, body weight and central body temperature were measured during the experiment. After completion of drug treatment, biochemical and histological analyses were performed. No mortality was observed in any of the treatment groups of mice, showing no toxic effects during the study. Neither were biochemical parameters altered; no significant differences were observed concerning glucose, bilirubin, aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), urea, and creatinine parameters. No histopathological alterations were found in kidney and liver structures. In vitro, we focused on the human erythrocyte hemolytic process in the presence of several concentrations of DA. High level concentration of 1 000 μg/ml of DA revealed normal cell shapes and absence of hemolysis and deformation.
Zinc asparaginate supplementation induces redistribution of toxic trace elements in rat tissues and organs
Authors: Skalny Andrey A. , Tinkov Alexey A. , Medvedeva Yulia S. , Alchinova Irina B. , Karganov Mikhail Yu. , Ajsuvakova Olga P. , Skalny Anatoly V. , Nikonorov Alexandr A. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The primary objective of the current study was the investigation of the influence of zinc asparaginate supplementation for 7 and 14 days on toxic metal and metalloid content in rat organs and tissues. Rats obtained zinc asparaginate in doses of 5 and 15 mg/kg/day for 7 and 14 days. At the end of the experiment rat tissues and organs (liver, kidney, heart, m. gastrocnemius, serum, and hair) were collected for subsequent analysis. Estimation of Zn, Al, As, Li, Ni, Sn, Sr content in the harvested organs was performed using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry at NexION 300D. The obtained data showed that intragastric administration of zinc significantly increased liver, kidney and serum zinc concentrations. Seven-day zinc treatment significantly affected the toxic trace element content in the animals’ organs. Zinc supplementation significantly decreased particularly liver aluminium, nickel, and tin content, whereas lead tended to increase. Zinc-induced changes in kidney metal content were characterized by elevated lithium and decreased nickel concentration. Zinc-induced alteration of myocardical toxic element content was multidirectional. Muscle aluminium and lead concentration were reduced in response to zinc supplementation. At the same time, serum and hair toxic element concentrations remained relatively stable after 7-day zinc treatment. Zinc asparaginate treatment of 14 days significantly depressed liver and elevated kidney lithium content, whereas a significant zinc-associated decrease was detected in kidney strontium content. Zinc supplementation for 14 days resulted also in multidirectional changes in the content of heart toxic elements. At the same time, significant zinc-associated decrease in muscle lithium and nickel levels was observed. Fourteen-day zinc treatment resulted in significantly increased serum arsenic and tin concentrations, whereas hair trace element content remained relatively stable. Generally, the obtained data indicate a significant redistribution of toxic metals in the animal organism under zinc supplementation.
Evaluation of miR-9 and miR-143 expression in urine specimens of sulfur mustard exposed patients
Authors: Khafaei Mostafa , Samie Shahram , Mowla Seyed Javad , Alvanegh Akbar Ghorbani , Mirzaei Behnaz , Chavoshei Somaye , Dorraj Ghamar Soltan , Esmailnejad Mostafa , Tavallaie Mahmood , Nourani Mohammadreza 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Sulfur mustard (SM) or mustard gas is a chemical alkylating agent that causes blisters in the skin (blister gas), burns the eyes and causes lung injury. Some major cellular pathways are involved in the damage caused by mustard gas such as NF-κb signaling, TGF-β signaling, WNT pathway, inflammation, DNA repair and apoptosis. MicroRNAs are non-coding small RNAs (19–25 nucleotides) that are involved in the regulation of gene expression and are found in two forms, extracellular and intracellular. Changes in the levels of extracellular microRNAs are directly associated with many diseases, it is thus common to study the level of extracellular microRNAs as a biomarker to determine the pathophysiologic status. In this study, 32 mustard gas injured patients and 32 healthy subjects participated. Comparative evaluation of miR-9 and miR-143 expression in urine samples was performed by Real Time PCR and Graph Pad software. The Mann Whitney t-test analysis of data showed that the expression level of miR-143 and miR-9 had a significant decrease in sulfur mustard individuals with the respective p-value of 0.0480 and 0.0272 compared to normal samples, with an imbalance of several above mentioned pathways. It seems that reducing the expression level of these genes has a very important role in the pathogenicity of mustard gas injured patients.
Genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity study of aqueous and hydro-methanol extracts of Spondias mombin L., Nymphaea lotus L. and Luffa cylindrical L. using animal bioassays
Authors: Oyeyemi Ifeoluwa Temitayo , Yekeen Olaide Maruf , Odusina Paul Olayinka , Ologun Taiwo Mary , Ogbaide Orezimena Michelle , Olaleye Olayinka Israel , Bakare Adekunle A. 
Published: March 2016

Abstract

Spondias mombin (Linn), Nymphaea lotus (Linn) and Luffa cylindrica (Linn) (syn Luffa aegyptiaca Mill) are plants traditionally used as food ingredients and in the management of diseases, including cancer, in Nigeria. Despite the therapeutic potentials attributed to these plants, reports on their genotoxicity are scanty. In this study, the genotoxicity of the aqueous and hydro-methanol extract of these plants was evaluated using mouse bone marrow micronucleus and sperm morphology assays. Antigenotoxicity was assessed by the bone marrow micronucleus test. The highest attainable dose of 5 000 mg/kg according to OECD guidelines was first used to assess acute toxicity of the aqueous and hydro-methanol extracts in Swiss albino mice. For each extract, there were five groups of mice (n=4/group) treated with different concentrations of the extract as against the negative and positive control group for the genotoxicity study. In the antigenotoxicity study, five groups of mice were exposed to five different concentrations of the extracts along with 60 mg/kg of methyl methane sulfonate (MMS), which was used to induce genotoxicity. The mice were administered 0.2 mL of extract per day for 10 days in the genotoxicity and antigenotoxicity groups. Administration of each of the extracts at the concentration of 5 000 mg/kg did not induce acute toxicity in mice. At the concentrations tested, all the extracts, except aqueous S. mombin, increased micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes. The aqueous and hydro-methanol extracts of N. lotus increased the frequency of aberrant sperm cells. All the extracts were also able to ameliorate MMS induced genotoxicity in bone marrow cells of the exposed mice. The results showed the potential of the extracts to induce somatic and germ cell mutation in male mice. The extracts also ameliorated the genotoxic effect of MMS.
Working with Data: Two Empiricists’ Experience
Authors: Knittel Christopher R. , Metaxoglou Konstantinos 
Published: March 2016

AbstractWe propose a set of best practices on how to organize empirical research drawn from our experience. We offer some ideas on organizing, processing and analyzing data efficiently with an eye towards quality control, documentation, and replicability. Although these best practices are by no means unique, they have served us and colleagues well over the years. We hope they will be helpful to students and young economists in their research endeavors.
Right Atrial Thrombosis in the Fetus with Dilatation of the Right Atrium with in Utero Spontaneous Resolution - A Case Report with Neonatal Follow-Up
Authors: Płużańska Joanna , Jaguszewska Kinga , Binikowska Jolanta , Oleś Adam , Łukaszewski Maciej , Respondek-Liberska Maria 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
We present an extraordinary case of congenital enlargement of the right atrium diagnosed at 31 weeks of gestation. This case emphasizes the fact that timing of the detection of this particular cardiac malformation is of capital importance to tract the optimal treatment strategy in order to monitor further progression (in this case accompanying thrombosis) and prevent complications.
Civil Liability for Medical Malpractice. Damage Resulting from Doctor’s Negligence (Breach of Professional Duties)
Authors: Bączyk-Rozwadowska Kinga 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
Civil liability for medical malpractice may be attributed either to a doctor or a hospital when any of these persons’ acts or omissions cause injuries to a patient; it may be also the hospital’s liability for the damage caused by negligence of its staff (doctors and other personnel). The rules that govern this liability and the way of compensating the damage are different due to the grounds on which the doctor performs medical services and, in case of hospital’s liability, the relation between a doctor and a health care institution. A doctor who runs his private medical practice bears civil liability individually and is obliged to pay damages if any of his patient suffers injury in connection with the treatment. However, a doctor who acts as employee of a health care institution is protected by the provisions of the Labour Code and exempted from civil liability to a patient. On the other hand, a so-called independent contractor’s liability is joint and several with a hospital that has engaged him. However, case law seems to protect such doctors and treat them as hospital’s employees if certain premises are fulfilled (like de facto subordination of the doctor to the head of the ward).
Influence of Collaborative Reasoning discussions on metadiscourse in children’s essays
Authors: M. Latawiec Beata , Anderson Richard C. , Ma Shufeng , Nguyen-Jahiel Kim 
Published: March 2016

AbstractMetadiscourse has been conceptualized as a means to organize discourse, convey interpersonal and evaluative meanings, as well as engage the reader or listener. Importantly, metadiscourse has been theorized to uncover thought mediation during the essay-composing process. This study compares the metadiscourse in the reflective essays of 180 fifth graders, who either participated in small-group discussions using an approach called Collaborative Reasoning (CR), or who did not. Comparative analysis involving six major categories and forty subcategories of metadiscourse revealed, among other findings, that CR-exposed writers better signaled illocutionary force of reasoning, made greater use of engagement imperatives/directives and common-good rather than self-centered attitude marking. CR writers organized their ideas in a more argument-befitting logical-temporal non-list-like structure. Control students made greater use of emphatics, more often introduced hypothetical scenarios, and more frequently linked propositions together with simple additive conjunctions. The findings suggest that CR students have greater concern for how readers will take their arguments and greater appropriation of argument-enhancing formal elements, thus revealing cross-modal transfer from oral to written discourse.
Thermal behavior of benzobis(tetraethyldisilacyclobutene)
Authors: Naka Akinobu , Yoshizawa Kazunari , Ishikawa Mitsuo 
Published: March 2016

AbstractThe thermolysis of benzo[1,2:4,5]bis(1,1,2, 2-tetraethyl-1,2-disilacyclobut-3-ene) (1) in the presence of ethylene in an autoclave at 250 °C for 24 h afforded two products, compound2, consisting of one molecule of1and two ethylene molecules, and compound3, arising from two molecules of1and three molecules of ethylene in 60 and 20 % yields, respectively. The reaction of1with phenylacetylene at 150 °C for 24 h gave a mixture of regio-isomers4aand4b, arising from the insertion of the triple bond of phenylacetylene into two silicon–silicon bonds in1in 86 % combined yield. The reaction of1with 1-hexyne at 150 °C for 24 h again produced two regio-isomers5aand5bin 85 % combined yield.
NQR and X-ray crystal structure studies of cadmium halide complexes: [C(NH2)3]CdI3 and [4-ClC6H5NH3]3CdBr5
Authors: Gesing Thorsten M. , Lork Enno , Terao Hiromitsu , Ishihara Hideta 
Published: March 2016

Abstract
The crystal structures of [C(NH2)3]CdI3 (1) and [4-ClC6H5NH3]3CdBr5 (2) have been determined at 100 K: monoclinic, Cc, a = 828.75(3) pm, b = 1615.31(5) pm, c = 810.64(3) pm, and β = 106.5820(10)° for 1; monoclinic, P21
/c, a = 1486.93(5) pm, b = 794.31(3) pm, c = 2290.59(7) pm, and β = 99.6830(10)° for 2. The structure of 1 has an infinite chain of anions consisting of [CdI4] tetrahedra sharing two corners. The structure of 2 has an infinite chain of anions consisting of [CdBr6] octahedra sharing two corners in cis positions. In both structures, isolated cations are connected to the anion chains through weak hydrogen bonds Cd–X···H to result in three-dimensional network structures. In accordance with the crystal structures, three 127I (m = ±1/2 ↔ m = ±3/2), five 81Br, and three 35Cl nuclear quadrupole resonance (NQR) lines were observed for 1 and 2. The NQR spectra reflect the anion chain structures and their weak hydrogen bonds. The MO calculations of the models [Cd5I16]6– for 1 and [Cd3Br16]10– for 2 estimate only about half the values for the NQR frequencies but give accurate electric field gradient directions.
Microglial Cells Prevent Hemorrhage in Neonatal Focal Arterial Stroke
Authors: Fernández-López David , Faustino Joel , Klibanov Alexander L. , Derugin Nikita , Blanchard Elodie , Simon Franziska , Leib Stephen L. , Vexler Zinaida S. 
Published: March 2016

Perinatal stroke leads to significant morbidity and long-term neurological and cognitive deficits. The pathophysiological mechanisms of brain damage depend on brain maturation at the time of stroke. To understand whether microglial cells limit injury after neonatal stroke by preserving neurovascular integrity, we subjected postnatal day 7 (P7) rats depleted of microglial cells, rats with inhibited microglial TGFbr2/ALK5 signaling, and corresponding controls, to transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (tMCAO). Microglial depletion by intracerebral injection of liposome-encapsulated clodronate at P5 significantly reduced vessel coverage and triggered hemorrhages in injured regions 24 h after tMCAO. Lack of microglia did not alter expression or intracellular redistribution of several tight junction proteins, did not affect degradation of collagen IV induced by the tMCAO, but altered cell types producing TGFβ1 and the phosphorylation and intracellular distribution of SMAD2/3. Selective inhibition of TGFbr2/ALK5 signaling in microglia via intracerebral liposome-encapsulated SB-431542 delivery triggered hemorrhages after tMCAO, demonstrating that TGFβ1/TGFbr2/ALK5 signaling in microglia protects from hemorrhages. Consistent with observations in neonatal rats, depletion of microglia before tMCAO in P9 Cx3cr1GFP/+/Ccr2RFP/+mice exacerbated injury and induced hemorrhages at 24 h. The effects were independent of infiltration of Ccr2RFP/+monocytes into injured regions. Cumulatively, in two species, we show that microglial cells protect neonatal brain from hemorrhage after acute ischemic stroke.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTThe pathophysiological mechanisms of brain damage depend on brain maturation at the time of stroke. We assessed whether microglial cells preserve neurovascular integrity after neonatal stroke. In neonatal rats, microglial depletion or pharmacological inhibition of TGFbr2/ALK5 signaling in microglia triggered hemorrhages in injured regions. The effect was not associated with additional changes in expression or intracellular redistribution of several tight junction proteins or collagen IV degradation induced by stroke. Consistent with observations in neonatal rats, microglial depletion in neonatal mice exacerbated stroke injury and induced hemorrhages. The effects were independent of infiltration of monocytes into injured regions. Thus, microglia protect neonatal brain from ischemia-induced hemorrhages, and this effect is consistent across two species.
Top-Down-Mediated Facilitation in the Visual Cortex Is Gated by Subcortical Neuromodulation
Authors: Pafundo Diego E. , Nicholas Mark A. , Zhang Ruilin , Kuhlman Sandra J. 
Published: March 2016

Response properties in primary sensory cortices are highly dependent on behavioral state. For example, the nucleus basalis of the forebrain plays a critical role in enhancing response properties of excitatory neurons in primary visual cortex (V1) during active exploration and learning. Given the strong reciprocal connections between hierarchically arranged cortical regions, how are increases in sensory response gain constrained to prevent runaway excitation? To explore this, we usedin vivotwo-photon guided cell-attached recording in conjunction with spatially restricted optogenetic photo-inhibition of higher-order visual cortex in mice. We found that the principle feedback projection to V1 originating from the lateral medial area (LM) facilitated visual responses in layer 2/3 excitatory neurons by ∼20%. This facilitation was reduced by half during basal forebrain activation due to differential response properties between LM and V1. Our results demonstrate that basal-forebrain-mediated increases in response gain are localized to V1 and are not propagated to LM and establish that subcortical modulation of visual cortex is regionally distinct.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTReciprocal connectivity among brain regions is a prominent feature of all sensory cortices. In primary visual cortex (V1), top-down signals from association areas aid in context-dependent perception of visual scenes by altering the response properties of individual neurons. Sensory-evoked responses in V1 are also highly dependent on subcortical neuromodulation pathways that regulate brain state. Here, with cell-type-specific resolution, we addressed how corticocortical and subcortical pathways interact to regulate responsiveness of V1. Our results provide insight into the rules and conditions governing activity propagation in reciprocally connected networks.
Adaptation Independent Modulation of Auditory Hair Cell Mechanotransduction Channel Open Probability Implicates a Role for the Lipid Bilayer
Authors: Peng Anthony W. , Gnanasambandam Radhakrishnan , Sachs Frederick , Ricci Anthony J. 
Published: March 2016

The auditory system is able to detect movement down to atomic dimensions. This sensitivity comes in part from mechanisms associated with gating of hair cell mechanoelectric transduction (MET) channels. MET channels, located at the tops of stereocilia, are poised to detect tension induced by hair bundle deflection. Hair bundle deflection generates a force by pulling on tip-link proteins connecting adjacent stereocilia. The resting open probability (Popen) of MET channels determines the linearity and sensitivity to mechanical stimulation. Classically,Popenis regulated by a calcium-sensitive adaptation mechanism in which lowering extracellular calcium or depolarization increasesPopen. Recent data demonstrated that the fast component of adaptation is independent of both calcium and voltage, thus requiring an alternative explanation for the sensitivity ofPopento calcium and voltage. Using rat auditory hair cells, we characterize a mechanism, separate from fast adaptation, whereby divalent ions interacting with the local lipid environment modulate restingPopen. The specificity of this effect for different divalent ions suggests binding sites that are not an EF-hand or calmodulin model. GsMTx4, a lipid-mediated modifier of cationic stretch-activated channels, eliminated the voltage and divalent sensitivity with minimal effects on adaptation. We hypothesize that the dual mechanisms (lipid modulation and adaptation) extend the dynamic range of the system while maintaining adaptation kinetics at their maximal rates.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENTClassically, changes in extracellular calcium and voltage affect open probability (Popen) through mechanoelectric transduction adaptation, and this mechanism is the only means of controlling the set point of the channel. Here, we further characterize the effects of extracellular calcium and voltage on the channel and for the first time determine that these manipulations occur through a mechanism that is independent of fast adaptation and involves the lipid bilayer. These data additionally demonstrate that effects onPopenare not enough to characterize adaptation and thus may clarify some of the discrepancies within the literature as to mechanisms underlying adaptation.