bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Generation of Nkx2‐5/CreER transgenic mice for inducible Cre expression in developing hearts
Authors: Ranjbarvaziri Sara , Park Shuin , Nguyen Ngoc B. , Gilmore William B. , Zhao Peng , Ardehali Reza 
Published: June 2017

SummaryNkx2‐5 is a homeobox‐containing transcriptional regulator that serves as one of the earliest markers of cardiac lineage commitment. To study the role of Nkx2‐5‐expressing progenitors at specific time points in cardiac development, we have generated a novel and inducible NKX2‐5 mouse line by knocking in a CreER cassette into the Nkx2‐5 genomic locus, while preserving the endogenous Nkx2‐5 gene to avoid haploinsufficiency. We evaluated the specificity and efficiency of CreER activity after 4‐OHT injection by crossing Nkx2‐5CreER/+ mice with a Rosa26tdT/+ reporter strain. Our immunohistochemistry results confirmed Cre‐induced tdTomato expression specifically in cells expressing Nkx2‐5. These cells were mainly cardiomyocytes and were observed in the embryonic heart as early as day 9.5. Additionally, quantitative polymerase chain reaction on postnatal hearts showed enriched expression of Nkx2‐5 in isolated tdTomato‐expressing cells. No tdTomato expression was observed in Nkx2‐5CreER/+;Rosa26tdT/+ mice in the absence of 4‐OHT, confirming the inducible nature of CreER activity. The Nkx2‐5/CreER mouse model described in this article will serve as an invaluable tool to trace myocardial lineage and to temporally induce genetic manipulation in a selective population of cardiac progenitors during embryonic development and in the adult heart.
Right ventricular involvement in cardiac sarcoidosis demonstrated with cardiac magnetic resonance
Authors: Smedema Jan‐Peter , van Geuns Robert‐Jan , Ainslie Gillian , Ector Joris , Heidbuchel Hein , Crijns Harry J.G.M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractAimsCardiac involvement in sarcoidosis is reported in up to 30% of patients. Left ventricular involvement demonstrated by contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance has been well validated. We sought to determine the prevalence and distribution of right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement in patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis.Methods and resultsWe prospectively evaluated 87 patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis with contrast‐enhanced cardiac magnetic resonance for right ventricular involvement. Pulmonary artery pressures were non‐invasively evaluated with Doppler echocardiography. Patient characteristics were compared between the groups with and without right ventricular involvement, and right ventricular enhancement was correlated with pulmonary hypertension, ventricular mass, volume, and systolic function. Left ventricular late gadolinium enhancement was demonstrated in 30 patients (34%). Fourteen patients (16%) had right ventricular late gadolinium enhancement, with sole right ventricular enhancement in only two patients. The pattern of right ventricular enhancement consisted of right ventricular outflow tract enhancement in 1 patient, free wall enhancement in 8 patients, ventricular insertion point enhancement in 10 patients, and enhancement of the right side of the interventricular septum in 11 patients. Pulmonary arterial hypertension correlated with the presence of right ventricular enhancement (P < 0.001). Right ventricular enhancement correlated with systolic ventricular dysfunction (P < 0.001), hypertrophy (P = 0.001), and dilation (P < 0.001).ConclusionsRight ventricular enhancement was present in 16% of patients diagnosed with pulmonary sarcoidosis and in 48% of patients with left ventricular enhancement. The presence of right ventricular enhancement correlated with pulmonary arterial hypertension, right ventricular systolic dysfunction, hypertrophy, and dilation.
Synergic Deoxy Reforming of Cellulose and Fatty Oil Using Molecular‐Sieve‐Supported Molybdenum Carbide and Tungsten Carbide towards Hydrocarbon‐Rich Oil for Fuels
Authors: Wang Chao , Gu Wenli , Li Jinhua , Huang Dayong , Lu Weipeng , Huang Yong , Wu Min 
Published: June 2017

AbstractCellulose with 15 % fatty oil is converted to a hydrocarbon‐rich oil comprised mainly of alkylbenzenes and aliphatic hydrocarbons through a synergic deoxy reforming (SDR) process. To further decrease the oxygen content and investigate the carbon distribution in the hydrocarbon oil, metal carbides (M2C, M=Mo, W) supported on molecular sieves (ZSM‐5, MCM‐41, SBA‐15) with different pore structures were synthesized and employed as catalysts. The impacts of the M2C particles on the pore size of the supports and the catalytic selectivity were investigated. The ZSM‐5 series of catalysts shows a relatively high selectivity for alkylbenzenes, especially Mo2C/ZSM‐5, because of the abundant acid sites on the catalyst surfaces, whereas the MCM‐41 and SBA‐15 series of catalysts, especially W2C/MCM‐41, show a relatively high selectivity for alkanes, which is attributed to their mesoporous structure. Additionally, Mo2C/MCM‐41 catalysts show the highest deoxygenation efficiency of 95.7 %. This research provides a rational catalyst design to control the carbon distribution and components in SDR oil and paves the way for the full utilization of biomass waste and waste/gutter oil.
Is there evidence for global‐scale forcing of Southern Hemisphere Quaternary desert dune accumulation? A quantitative method for testing hypotheses of dune system development
Authors: Thomas David S.G. , Bailey Richard M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractLuminescence dating of desert dune sediments has generated many hundreds of ages, many used in reconstructions of Quaternary environmental changes, others in attempts to elucidate dune processes. Environmental and climatic interpretations of these records have proved problematic and it remains challenging to test hypotheses of the systematic response of dunefields to changes in external forcing in the past and to make predictions of the future. We use a method that quantifies dune sediment accumulation to interpret dune luminescence age datasets, rather than simply using the ages themselves as proxies of change. The Accumulation Intensity method allows periods of dune sediment accumulation, here over the timescale 102–105 years, to be identified from compilations of dated sand sea stratigraphic sequences. We apply this approach to two of the largest dune age datasets, from southern Africa and Australia, testing whether or not dunefield accumulation has co‐varied in the Late Quaternary and whether systematic relationships to external drivers at global, hemispheric, regional and local scales can be identified. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A study of a flowslide with significant entrainment in loess areas in China
Authors: Zhang Fanyu , Kang Chao , Chan Dave , Zhang Xiaochao , Pei Xiangjun , Peng Jianbing 
Published: June 2017

AbstractFlowslides are a frequent type of natural disaster in loess areas and may result in the significant loss of properties and/or casualties. The Dagou flowslide is a typical event in a loess area and is accompanied by significant sediment entrainment. To analyze the mechanisms responsible for flowslides and to obtain the parameters for a runout analysis, a field investigation was conducted. Specimens were sampled on site to carry out laboratory tests, including a triaxial test, sieve analysis, and chemical component analysis. The parameters were used in the runout study employing an energy‐based runout model. An analytical entrainment model was adopted to calculate the entrainment after considering physical properties and the mechanism of the entrainment process of the loess. Finally, the entrainment model was incorporated into the runout model to simulate the post‐failure process of this case. Energy dissipation due to the deformation of slices was considered as it was thought to be important for a slide with a significant deformation. The simulation results were compared with the measurements, including runout distance, total volume, erosion depth, deposition height at different sections, and velocities at specific locations. The results indicate that the energy‐based runout model, together with the entrainment model, can capture the kinematic characteristics of the Dagou flowslide. Therefore, it is feasible to use this model to predict the runout characteristics of flowslides in similar areas. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Outburst susceptibility assessment of moraine‐dammed lakes in Western Himalaya using an analytic hierarchy process
Authors: Prakash Chander , Nagarajan R. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractGlacier retreat results in the formation and expansion, and sometimes outburst, of moraine‐dammed lakes worldwide. Sudden outburst floods from such lakes have caused enormous damage to settlements and infrastructure located downstream. Such lakes located in the Himalayan region are highly prone to outburst floods due to climatic conditions and geotectonic settings. In this study, multi‐temporal Landsat images from 2002–2014, digital elevation models (DEMs), geomorphic analysis and modelling were used to assess the changes in glacial lakes and the outburst susceptibility of moraine‐dammed lakes in the Chandra–Bhaga basin of the north‐western Indian Himalaya. An inventory of lakes was developed using satellite data, thematic maps and ground‐based investigations for the Chandra–Bhaga basin. The total area of all glacial lakes (size >5000 m2) increased by 47% from 2002 to 2014, with a pronounced increase of 57% for moraine‐dammed lakes. Sixteen moraine‐dammed lakes were identified and assessed for outburst susceptibility using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP). Forty‐one reported glacial lake outburst flood (GLOF) events from moraine‐dammed lakes in Himalayan regions were analysed, culminating in the identification of 11 critical factors for assessing outburst susceptibility using the AHP, including those related to the lake area and change, surrounding terrain characteristics, dam geometry, regional seismicity and rainfall history. The past three GLOF events in the Himalayan region were used to validate the method and to classify moraine‐dammed lakes as having very high, high, medium or low outburst susceptibility. Eight lakes classified as very high and high outburst susceptibility should be further investigated in detail. The proposed AHP‐based approach is suitable for first‐order identification of critical lakes for prioritising future detailed investigation and monitoring of moraine‐dammed glacial lakes in the Himalayan region. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Effect of carrageenans alone and in combination with casein or lipopolysaccharide on human epithelial intestinal HT‐29 cells
Authors: Sokolova E. V. , Kuz'mich A. S. , Byankina A. O. , Yermak I. M. 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe research described here was focused on the effect on human intestinal epithelial cell monolayers of sulfated red algal polysaccharides (κ‐, λ‐, and κ/β‐carrageenans) alone and in combination with casein or lipopolysaccharide (LPS). HT‐29 cells were investigated under normal and stress conditions; stress was induced by exposure to ethanol. Cell viability was monitored with a real‐time system. The change in binding properties of negatively sulfated red algal polysaccharides assessed by the measurement of free carrageenans in mixtures with casein or McCoy's 5 A culture medium by means of toluidine blue O. Low sulfate content and the presence of 3,6‐anhydogalactose are prerequisites for the recovery of ethanol‐exposed HT‐29 cells by carrageenans. Analysis of carrageenan binding ability confirmed that casein and LPS should affect carrageenan activity. Whether the combined action of the mucin‐containing layer and carrageenans or the action of carrageenans alone was responsible for enhanced cell viability under stress conditions induced by ethanol is a subject for further research. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 105A: 2843–2850, 2017.
Afatinib Decreases P‐Glycoprotein Expression to Promote Adriamycin Toxicity of A549T Cells
Authors: Zhang Yan , Wang Chang‐yuan , Duan Ying‐jie , Huo Xiao‐kui , Meng Qiang , Liu Zhi‐hao , Sun Hui‐jun , Ma Xiao‐dong , Liu Ke‐xin 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTWe investigated the reversal effect of afatinib (AFT) on activity of adriamycin (ADR) in A549T cells and clarified the related molecular mechanisms. A549T cells overexpressing P‐glycoprotein (P‐gp) were resistant to anticancer drug ADR. AFT significantly increased the antitumor activity of ADR in A549T cells. AFT increased the intracellular concentration of ADR by inhibiting the function and expression of P‐gp at mRNA and protein levels in A549T cells. Additionally, the reversal effect of AFT on P‐gp mediated multidrug resistance (MDR) might be related to the inhibition of PI3K/Akt pathway. Cotreatment with AFT and ADR could enhance ADR‐induced apoptosis and autophagy in A549T cells. Meanwhile, the co‐treatment significantly induced cell apoptosis and autophagy accompanied by increased expression of cleaved caspase‐3, PARP, LC3B‐II, and beclin 1. Apoptosis inhibitors had no significant effect on cell activity, while autophagy inhibitors decreased cell viability, suggesting that autophagy may be a self protective mechanism of cell survival in the absence of chemotherapy drugs. Interestingly, when combined with AFT and ADR, inhibition of apoptosis and/or autophagy could enhance cell viability. These results indicated that in addition to inhibit P‐gp, ADR‐induced apoptosis, and autophagy promoted by AFT contributed to the antiproliferation effect of combined AFT and ADR on A549T cells. These findings provide evidence that AFT combined ADR may achieve a better therapeutic effect to lung cancer in clinic. J. Cell. Biochem. 119: 414–423, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Optimization of Maternal Magnesium Sulfate Administration for Fetal Neuroprotection: Application of a Prospectively Constructed Pharmacokinetic Model to the BEAM Cohort
Authors: Brookfield Kathleen F. , Elkomy Mohammed , Su Felice , Drover David R. , Carvalho Brendan 
Published: June 2017

AbstractThe aim of the study was to identify the optimal therapeutic maternal magnesium drug exposure and maternal serum concentration to prevent cerebral palsy in the extremely preterm fetus. We applied a previously constructed pharmacokinetic model adjusted for indication to a large cohort of pregnant women receiving magnesium sulfate to prevent cerebral palsy in their preterm offspring at 20 different US academic centers between December 1997 and May 2004. We simulated the population‐based individual maternal serum magnesium concentration at the time of delivery and the total magnesium dose for each woman who received magnesium sulfate to determine the relationship between maternal serum magnesium level at the time of delivery and the development of cerebral palsy. Among 1905 women who met inclusion criteria, the incidence of cerebral palsy in the cohort was 3.6% for women who had received magnesium sulfate and 6.4% for controls. The simulated maternal serum concentration at delivery associated with the lowest probability of delivering an infant with cerebral palsy was 4.1 mg/dL (95%CI 3.7 to 4.4). Our population‐based estimates of magnesium disposition suggest that to optimize fetal neuroprotection and prevent cerebral palsy, magnesium sulfate administration should target a maternal serum magnesium level between 3.7 and 4.4 mg/dL at delivery.
Treatment of heterotopic caesarean scar pregnancy complicated with post termination increase in size of residual mass and morbidly adherent placenta
Authors: Miyague Andre Hadyme , Chrisostomo Adriano Pienaro , Costa Sergio Luis , Nakatani Edson Tetsuya , Kondo William , Gomes Claudio Corrêa 
Published: June 2017

ABSTRACTWe report a case of a secundipara with heterotopic cesarean scar pregnancy (HCSP) treated with potassium chloride injection into the ectopic embryo followed by sac aspiration. The remaining “mass” increased in size threefold and was surrounded by a rich vascular network. An arteriovenous malformation was suspected; however, appropriate treatment was precluded because of the viability of the ectopic gestation. Sonographic examination revealed a morbidly adherent placenta, and attempt to resect the mass laparoscopically was complicated by bleeding that required hysterectomy. This case illustrates a complication of the intervention performed to preserve the intrauterine gestation in case of HCSP. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 46:227–230, 2018
Region‐specific atrophy of precentral gyrus in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Authors: Qin Yuanyuan , Zhang Shun , Jiang Rifeng , Gao Fei , Tang Xiaoying , Zhu Wenzhen 
Published: June 2017

PurposeTo assess the region‐specific atrophy of precentral gyrus (PrCG) and its correlation to clinical function score in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).Materials and MethodsTwenty‐eight patients with sporadic ALS and 28 healthy controls underwent high‐resolution 3D T1‐BRAVO magnetic resonance imaging at 3T. The bilateral PrCG segmentations were automatically obtained from a validated segmentation pipeline based on diffeomorphic multi‐atlas likelihood fusion. Patients with ALS were further subclassified into early‐stage (ALS‐e, n = 22) and late‐stage (ALS‐l, n = 6) groups, with 12 months as a disease duration cutoff. Vertex‐based shape analysis was performed to quantify the region‐specific abnormalities of PrCG in ALS subgroups as compared to controls. In addition, we tested the statistical association between altered PrCG morphometry and clinical disability in ALS as evaluated by the revised ALS Functional Rating Scale (ALSFRS‐r).ResultsCompared to controls, vertex‐wise analysis showed that both ALS‐e and ALS‐l had significant atrophy of the dorsal‐lateral part of PrCG (P < 0.05, uncorrected). Importantly, atrophy in ALS‐e was not as widespread as that in ALS‐l; while atrophy in ALS‐e was mostly confined to the dorsal‐lateral region (P < 0.05, uncorrected, surface areas exhibiting significant difference at a level of P = 0.05: left 613.88 mm2, right 937.80 mm2), atrophy in ALS‐l occurred at the dorsal‐medial and ventral region as well (P < 0.05, uncorrected, surface areas exhibiting significant difference at a level of P = 0.05: left 1465.98 mm2, right 1253.89 mm2). Partial correlation analysis showed that the significant surface area atrophy of PrCG in ALS, especially that of the dorsal‐lateral portion, was found to link tightly with ALSFRS‐r (P < 0.05, uncorrected, surface areas exhibiting significant correlation: left 723.08 mm2, right 474.24 mm2).ConclusionOur findings suggest that an altered PrCG morphometry, especially atrophy of the surface area in the dorsal‐lateral portion, may be associated with the dysfunction that characterizes ALS. This study is an initial attempt to apply a validated statistical shape analysis pipeline to cortical gray matter structure like PrCG.Level of Evidence: 1Technical Efficacy Stage: 1J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018;47:115–122.
Laser perturbation two‐dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopy for quality control of bovine colostrum products
Authors: Zhang Zheng‐Yong , Sha Min , Wang Hai‐Yan 
Published: June 2017

In this paper, laser perturbation two‐dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopy was explored as a rapid and reliable determination method for the assessment of bovine colostrum products and their analogue, namely, milk powder. Compared with the traditional instrumental analytical methods, such as chromatography, Raman spectroscopy measurements can be realized easily without the need of sample preparation. Two‐dimensional correlation spectroscopy can enhance the spectral resolution and provide more useful information of samples. Laser perturbation technique is a new way, which has been developed in this work; additionally, only few minutes (<5 min) are in demand of the whole experiment process for one sample. Correlation coefficient method was employed to quantitatively analyze the similarities between bovine colostrum products and the other brands of milk powder that include bovine colostrum products containing some milk powder based on the developed two‐dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the correlation coefficients between each bovine colostrum product with their mean value could reach 0.991 ± 0.003, which indicated that there were high similarities between these products. Under the same experimental conditions, the correlation coefficients between the bovine colostrum product (mean) and the other brands of milk powder that include bovine colostrum products containing some milk powder were located in the range of 0.596–0.761, far below the 0.991 ± 0.003. Hence, these results clearly demonstrated the utility of the laser perturbation two‐dimensional correlation Raman spectroscopy combined with correlation coefficient as a rapid method for quality control of bovine colostrum products. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Efficient approach for the extraction of proanthocyanidins from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves using ultrasonic irradiation and an evaluation of their inhibition activity on digestive enzymes and antioxidant activity in vitro
Authors: Liu Zaizhi , Mo Kailin , Fei Shimin , Zu Yuangang , Yang Lei 
Published: June 2017

Proanthocyanidins were separated for the first time from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves. An experiment‐based extraction strategy was used to research the efficiency of an ultrasound‐assisted method for proanthocyanidins extraction. The Plackett–Burman design results revealed that the ultrasonication time, ultrasonic power and liquid/solid ratio were the most significant parameters among the six variables in the extraction process. Upon further optimization of the Box–Behnken design, the optimal conditions were obtained as follows: extraction temperature, 100°C; ethanol concentration, 70%; pH 5; ultrasonication power, 660 W; ultrasonication time, 44 min; liquid/solid ratio, 20 mL/g. Under the obtained conditions, the extraction yield of the proanthocyanidins using the ultrasonic‐assisted method was 7.88 ± 0.21 mg/g, which is higher than that obtained using traditional methods. The phloroglucinolysis products of the proanthocyanidins, including the terminal units and derivatives from the extension units, were tentatively identified using a liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Cinnamomum longepaniculatum proanthocyanidins have promising antioxidant and anti‐nutritional properties. In summary, an ultrasound‐assisted method in combination with a response surface experimental design is an efficient methodology for the sufficient isolation of proanthocyanidins from Cinnamomum longepaniculatum leaves, and this method could be used for the separation of other bioactive compounds.