bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Structure and development of the subesophageal zone of the Drosophila brain. I. Segmental architecture, compartmentalization, and lineage anatomy
Authors: Hartenstein Volker , Omoto Jaison J. , Ngo Kathy T. , Wong Darren , Kuert Philipp A. , Reichert Heinrich , Lovick Jennifer K. , Younossi‐Hartenstein Amelia 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe subesophageal zone (SEZ) of the Drosophila brain houses the circuitry underlying feeding behavior and is involved in many other aspects of sensory processing and locomotor control. Formed by the merging of four neuromeres, the internal architecture of the SEZ can be best understood by identifying segmentally reiterated landmarks emerging in the embryo and larva, and following the gradual changes by which these landmarks become integrated into the mature SEZ during metamorphosis. In previous works, the system of longitudinal fibers (connectives) and transverse axons (commissures) has been used as a scaffold that provides internal landmarks for the neuromeres of the larval ventral nerve cord. We have extended the analysis of this scaffold to the SEZ and, in addition, reconstructed the tracts formed by lineages and nerves in relationship to the connectives and commissures. As a result, we establish reliable criteria that define boundaries between the four neuromeres (tritocerebrum, mandibular neuromere, maxillary neuromere, labial neuromere) of the SEZ at all stages of development. Fascicles and lineage tracts also demarcate seven columnar neuropil domains (ventromedial, ventro‐lateral, centromedial, central, centrolateral, dorsomedial, dorsolateral) identifiable throughout development. These anatomical subdivisions, presented in the form of an atlas including confocal sections and 3D digital models for the larval, pupal and adult stage, allowed us to describe the morphogenetic changes shaping the adult SEZ. Finally, we mapped MARCM‐labeled clones of all secondary lineages of the SEZ to the newly established neuropil subdivisions. Our work will facilitate future studies of function and comparative anatomy of the SEZ.
Stabilizing the Performance of High‐Capacity Sulfur Composite Electrodes by a New Gel Polymer Electrolyte Configuration
Authors: Agostini Marco , Lim Du Hyun , Sadd Matthew , Fasciani Chiara , Navarra Maria Assunta , Panero Stefania , Brutti Sergio , Matic Aleksandar , Scrosati Bruno 
Published: July 2017

AbstractIncreased pollution and the resulting increase in global warming are drawing attention to boosting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar or wind. However, the production of energy from most renewable sources is intermittent and thus relies on the availability of electrical energy‐storage systems with high capacity and at competitive cost. Lithium–sulfur batteries are among the most promising technologies in this respect due to a very high theoretical energy density (1675 mAh g−1) and that the active material, sulfur, is abundant and inexpensive. However, a so far limited practical energy density, life time, and the scaleup of materials and production processes prevent their introduction into commercial applications. In this work, we report on a simple strategy to address these issues by using a new gel polymer electrolyte (GPE) that enables stable performance close to the theoretical capacity of a low cost sulfur–carbon composite with high loading of active material, that is, 70 % sulfur. We show that the GPE prevents sulfur dissolution and reduces migration of polysulfide species to the anode. This functional mechanism of the GPE membranes is revealed by investigating both its morphology and the Li‐anode/GPE interface at various states of discharge/charge using Raman spectroscopy.
Autoantibodies against PFDN2 are associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes: A case‐control study
Authors: Chang Douglas C. , Piaggi Paolo , Hanson Robert L. , Knowler William C. , Bogardus Clifton , Krakoff Jonathan 
Published: July 2017

AbstractBackgroundThe adaptive immune system is involved in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), indicating the presence of unidentified autoantibodies that might be useful biomarkers for emerging immunomodulatory therapy. A prior microarray study with a small number of participants suggested the association of novel autoantibodies with T2DM in Southwest American Indians. We therefore sought to determine whether antibodies against 14 target proteins are associated with T2DM in a large case‐control study.MethodsParticipants were adults (age 20‐59 y) of Southwest American Indian heritage. Plasma antibodies against 14 possible target proteins were measured in 476 cases with T2DM of less than 5 years duration and compared with 424 controls with normal glucose regulation.ResultsHigher levels of antibodies against prefoldin subunit 2 (PFDN2) were associated with T2DM (P = .0001; Bonferroni‐corrected threshold for multiple tests = 0.0036 [α = 0.05]). The association between anti‐PFDN2 antibodies and T2DM remained in multivariable logistic regression (odds ratio 1.27; 95% confidence interval, 1.09‐1.49; per one SD difference in anti‐PFDN2 antibody). The odds of T2DM were increased in the highest anti‐PFDN2 antibody quintile by 66% compared with the lowest quintile. Differences in anti‐PFDN2 antibodies were most prominent among cases with earlier onset of disease (ie, age 20‐39 y) compared with controls.ConclusionsAnti‐PFDN2 antibodies are associated with T2DM and might be a useful biomarker. These findings indicate that autoimmunity may play a role in T2DM in Southwest American Indians, especially among adults presenting with young onset of disease.
Alkaloid profiling of herbal drugs using high resolution mass spectrometry
Authors: Nardin Tiziana , Piasentier Edi , Barnaba Chiara , Larcher Roberto 
Published: July 2017

AbstractHerbal infusions are consumed worldwide thanks to their “natural” beneficial effects, also due to the presence of alkaloids, although these compounds can have poisonous effects. A method combining online solid‐phase purification with high resolution mass spectrometry was used to define the alkaloid profiles of 117 herbs and 7 commercial blends. Forty‐one alkaloids were quantified in reference to analytical standards, while the presence of a further 116 was confirmed based on accurate mass, retention time, and fragmentation profile. The targeted study showed that 52% of herbs and 42% of commercial blends contained at least one alkaloid. Pyrrolizidines were the most commonly present (26% of samples), with concentrations generally ranging from the quantification limit to roughly 100 μg kg−1. Moreover, a homemade infusion was studied, finding on average 45% and 6% lower extraction for pyrrolizidine and steroidal alkaloids, respectively. Nevertheless, the migration of pyrrolizidines was confirmed. The study confirmed the frequent presence, natural or accidental, of alkaloids in commercial infusion herbs, highlighting the urgent need for routine and accurate controls.
The thermal niche of Neotropical nectar‐feeding bats: Its evolution and application to predict responses to global warming
Authors: Ortega‐García Stephanie , Guevara Lázaro , Arroyo‐Cabrales Joaquín , Lindig‐Cisneros Roberto , Martínez‐Meyer Enrique , Vega Ernesto , Schondube Jorge E. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractThe thermal niche of a species is one of the main determinants of its ecology and biogeography. In this study, we determined the thermal niche of 23 species of Neotropical nectar‐feeding bats of the subfamily Glossophaginae (Chiroptera, Phyllostomidae). We calculated their thermal niches using temperature data obtained from collection records, by generating a distribution curve of the maximum and minimum temperatures per locality, and using the inflection points of the temperature distributions to estimate the species optimal (STZ) and suboptimal (SRZ) zones of the thermal niche. Additionally, by mapping the values of theSTZandSRZon a phylogeny of the group, we generated a hypothesis of the evolution of the thermal niches of this clade of nectar‐feeding bats. Finally, we used the characteristics of their thermal niches to predict the responses of these organisms to climate change. We found a large variation in the width and limits of the thermal niches of nectar‐feeding bats. Additionally, while the upper limits of the thermal niches varied little among species, their lower limits differ wildly. The ancestral reconstruction of the thermal niche indicated that this group of Neotropical bats evolved under cooler temperatures. The two clades inside the Glossophaginae differ in the evolution of their thermal niches, with most members of the clade Choeronycterines evolving “colder” thermal niches, while the majority of the species in the clade Glossophagines evolving “warmer” thermal niches. By comparing thermal niches with climate change models, we found that all species could be affected by an increase of 1°C in temperature at the end of this century. This suggests that even nocturnal species could suffer important physiological costs from global warming. Our study highlights the value of scientific collections to obtain ecologically significant physiological data for a large number of species.
Topographic, edaphic, and vegetative controls on plant‐available water
Authors: Dymond Salli F. , Bradford John B. , Bolstad Paul V. , Kolka Randall K. , Sebestyen Stephen D. , DeSutter Thomas M. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractSoil moisture varies within landscapes in response to vegetative, physiographic, and climatic drivers, which makes quantifying soil moisture over time and space difficult. Nevertheless, understanding soil moisture dynamics for different ecosystems is critical, as the amount of water in a soil determines a myriad ecosystem services and processes such as net primary productivity, runoff, microbial decomposition, and soil fertility. We investigated the patterns and variability in in situ soil moisture measurements converted to plant‐available water across time and space under different vegetative cover types and topographic positions at the Marcell Experimental Forest (Minnesota, USA). From 0‐ to 228.6‐cm soil depth, plant‐available water was significantly higher under the hardwoods (12%), followed by the aspen (8%) and red pine (5%) cover types. Across the same soil depth, toeslopes were wetter (mean plant‐available water = 10%) than ridges and backslopes (mean plant‐available water was 8%), although these differences were not statistically significant (p < .05). Using a mixed model of fixed and random effects, we found that cover type, soil texture, and time were related to plant‐available water and that topography was not significantly related to plant‐available water within this low‐relief landscape. Additionally, during the 3‐year monitoring period, red pine and quaking aspen sites experienced plant‐available water levels that may be considered limiting to plant growth and function. Given that increasing temperatures and more erratic precipitation patterns associated with climate change may result in decreased soil moisture in this region, these species may be sensitive and vulnerable to future shifts in climate.
Switchable Dielectric Constant in the Cyanometalate‐Based Hydrogen‐Bonded [(CH3)2NH2]2(H3O)[Co(CN)6] Framework
Authors: Shi Chao , Wang Ya , Han Xiang‐Bin , Zhang Wen 
Published: July 2017

AbstractInvited for the cover of this issue is the group of Wen Zhang from Southeast University, Nanjing, China. The cover image shows host–guest type organic–inorganic frameworks that have switchable dielectric constants.
Bio-nano interface and environment: A critical review
Authors: Pulido-Reyes Gerardo , Leganes Francisco , Fernández-Piñas Francisca , Rosal Roberto 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

The bio–nano interface is the boundary where engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) meet the biological system, exerting the biological function for which they have been designed or inducing adverse effects on other cells or organisms when they reach nontarget scenarios (i.e., the natural environment). Research has been performed to determine the fate, transport, and toxic properties of ENMs, but much of it is focused on pristine or so-called as-manufactured ENMs, or else modifications of the materials were not assessed. We review the most recent progress regarding the bio–nano interface and the transformations that ENMs undergo in the environment, paying special attention to the adsorption of environmental biomolecules on the surface of ENMs. Whereas the protein corona has received considerable attention in the fields of biomedics and human toxicology, its environmental analogue (the eco-corona) has been much less studied. A section dedicated to the analytical methods for studying and characterizing the eco-corona is also presented. We conclude by presenting and discussing the key problems and knowledge gaps that need to be resolved in the near future regarding the bio–nano interface and the eco-corona. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3181–3193. © 2017 SETAC
Abstract
Integration of cellular and molecular endpoints to assess the toxicity of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in HepG2 cell line
Authors: Morgado Patrícia I. , Jose Sílvia , Wanke Riccardo , M. Antunes Alexandra M. , Cardoso Ana Sofia , Jordao Luisa 
Published: July 2017

Abstract

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are persistent pollutants present in the environment with known mutagenic and carcinogenic properties. In the present study the effects of exposure to single or multiple doses of benzo[a]anthracene (BaA), pyrene (Pyr), and 3 halogenated derivatives of these compounds (1-chloropyrene, 1-bromopyrene [1-BrPyr], and 7-chlorobenzo[a]anthracene [7-ClBaA]) were evaluated in a liver-derived human cell line (HepG2). Cytotoxicity as assessed by the classic 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and neutral red assays showed a mild toxic effect in response to single or multiple dose exposure for up to 72 h, except for multiple dose exposure to BaA and 7-ClBaA (1 μM/d for 4 d) and single exposure to 10 μM BaA. Furthermore, selective mitochondrial and lysosomal toxicity was observed for Pyr and BaA series, respectively. To understand the underlying molecular mechanisms responsible for this effect, reactive oxygen species production, mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lysosomal pH, DNA fragmentation, and early and late apoptosis mediators were evaluated after exposure to single doses of the compounds. All compounds were able to trigger oxidative stress after 24 h as measured by catalase activity, and a good correlation was found between mitochondrial membrane depolarization, lysosomal pH increase, and MTT and neutral red assays. Evaluation of cell death mediators showed that caspase-3/7, but not annexin-V, pathways were involved in toxicity triggered by the studied compounds. The integration of all results showed that 1-BrPyr and BaA have a higher toxicity potential. Environ Toxicol Chem 2017;36:3404–3414. © 2017 SETAC
Recurrent triploid digynic conceptions and mature ovarian teratomas: Are they different manifestations of the same genetic defect?
Authors: Khawajkie Yassemine , Buckett William , Nguyen Ngoc Minh Phuong , Mechtouf Nawel , Ao Asangla , Arseneau Jocelyne , Slim Rima 
Published: July 2017

AbstractMiscarriages affect 15% of clinically recognized pregnancies. Recurrent miscarriage (RM) is defined by the occurrence of at least two consecutive pregnancy losses and affects 1%‐5% of couples trying to conceive. In an attempt to categorize patients with RM and identify the mechanisms leading to their miscarriages, we first used flow cytometry to assess the ploidy of 93 products of conception (POCs) from 53 patients with RM (≥3 miscarriages). We identified a single patient with four triploid POCs. We then used fluorescent in situ hybridization to confirm the triploidies and fluorescent microsatellite genotyping with distal and pericentromeric markers to determine their parental origin and the mechanisms leading to their formation. We found that all four triploidies were digynic and due to a failure in meiosis II (MII), suggesting a genetic predisposition. Upon further investigation into the family, we found a remarkable history of ovarian cysts and dysfunctions on the maternal side. Notably, one maternal cousin had a mature ovarian teratoma that we analyzed and found an identical mechanism at its origin, a failure in MII. The identification of two patients in the same family with two different manifestations—digynic triploid conceptions and mature ovarian teratomas, both resulting from the failure of MII—suggests an inherited genetic susceptibility toward an error in MII segregating in the family that may manifest in the form of a triploid digynic miscarriage or a mature ovarian teratoma. Our findings may facilitate the future identification of causative mutations for MII defects.
Analysis of structure–function network decoupling in the brain systems of spastic diplegic cerebral palsy
Authors: Lee Dongha , Pae Chongwon , Lee Jong Doo , Park Eun Sook , Cho Sung‐Rae , Um Min‐Hee , Lee Seung‐Koo , Oh Maeng‐Keun , Park Hae‐Jeong 
Published: July 2017

AbstractManifestation of the functionalities from the structural brain network is becoming increasingly important to understand a brain disease. With the aim of investigating the differential structure–function couplings according to network systems, we investigated the structural and functional brain networks of patients with spastic diplegic cerebral palsy with periventricular leukomalacia compared to healthy controls. The structural and functional networks of the whole brain and motor system, constructed using deterministic and probabilistic tractography of diffusion tensor magnetic resonance images and Pearson and partial correlation analyses of resting‐state functional magnetic resonance images, showed differential embedding of functional networks in the structural networks in patients. In the whole‐brain network of patients, significantly reduced global network efficiency compared to healthy controls were found in the structural networks but not in the functional networks, resulting in reduced structural–functional coupling. On the contrary, the motor network of patients had a significantly lower functional network efficiency over the intact structural network and a lower structure–function coupling than the control group. This reduced coupling but reverse directionality in the whole‐brain and motor networks of patients was prominent particularly between the probabilistic structural and partial correlation‐based functional networks. Intact (or less deficient) functional network over impaired structural networks of the whole brain and highly impaired functional network topology over the intact structural motor network might subserve relatively preserved cognitions and impaired motor functions in cerebral palsy. This study suggests that the structure–function relationship, evaluated specifically using sparse functional connectivity, may reveal important clues to functional reorganization in cerebral palsy. Hum Brain Mapp 38:5292–5306, 2017. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Randomized controlled trial comparing operative times between standard and robot‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy
Authors: Deimling Timothy A. , Eldridge Jennifer L. , Riley Kristin A. , Kunselman Allen R. , Harkins Gerald J. 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo compare the operative time between robot‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomies and standard laparoscopic hysterectomies.MethodsA prospective, randomized controlled trial enrolled women aged 18–80 years attending Penn State Hershey Medical Center between April 23 and October 20, 2014 to undergo hysterectomy. Participants were randomized using a random number generator to undergo either robot‐assisted or standard laparoscopic hysterectomy. The primary outcome was the total operative time (surgeon incision to surgeon stop, including robot docking time, if applicable). Intention‐to‐treat analyses were performed and the operative time was compared between the two treatments for non‐inferiority, defined as a difference in operative time of no longer than 15 minutes.ResultsThere were 72 patients randomized to each treatment arm. The mean operative time was 73.9 minutes (median 67.0 minutes; interquartile range 59.0–83.0 minutes) in the robot‐assisted hysterectomy group and 74.9 minutes (median 65.5 minutes; interquartile range 57.0–90.5 minutes) in the standard laparoscopic hysterectomy group. The upper bound of the 95% confidence interval of the difference in operative time was 6.6 minutes, below the 15‐minute measure of non‐inferiority.ConclusionWhen performed by a surgeon experienced in both techniques, the operative time for robot‐assisted laparoscopic hysterectomy was non‐inferior to that achieved with standard laparoscopic hysterectomy.ClinicalTrials.govNCT02118974
Applicability of the modified ACOG/SGO referral criteria for adnexal mass within a limited‐resource setting
Authors: Battarbee Ashley , Strohl Anna , Zimmerman Lindsay , Patel Ashlesha , Burtch Radha 
Published: July 2017

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the performance of the modified American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG)/Society of Gynecologic Oncology (SGO) referral guidelines in a high‐risk limited‐resource setting.MethodsIn a retrospective study, data were assessed for all women who underwent surgery for an adnexal mass at John H. Stroger Jr Hospital, Chicago, IL, USA, between July 2006 and July 2011. Sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values were calculated both for actual practice referral patterns and for the modified ACOG/SGO guidelines.ResultsAmong 542 study women, 176 (32.5%) were diagnosed with ovarian malignancy. The ACOG/SGO guidelines showed 81.3% sensitivity and 71.9% specificity for the prediction of malignancy at time of surgery, with positive and negative predictive values of 58.1% and 88.9%, respectively. Actual practice patterns demonstrated lower sensitivity (68.2%; P<0.001) but higher specificity (84.2%; P<0.001).ConclusionAs compared with practice patterns, the modified ACOG/SGO guidelines lacked sufficient specificity for referral and might not be applicable in high‐risk, low‐resource settings. For this population, screening should be based on stratifying patients into low‐, intermediate‐, and high‐risk categories to allow limited resources to be focused on women at highest risk.