bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Preventing birth defects: The value of the NBDPS case–control approach
Authors: Dolk Helen 
Published: July 2015

Birth Defect Registries provide a basis for epidemiological research into risk factors, thus facilitating a growing understanding of what causes congenital anomalies and how one might target preventive public health actions and reduce inequalities. The National Birth Defects Prevention Study (NBDPS) has used 10 U.S. registries as a basis for a large case–control study. This commentary reviews its methodology and selected areas of output. The strengths of NBDPS lie in the quality of diagnostic coding and classification of birth defects and its size. The sources of bias in NBDPS data relate particularly to retrospective exposure ascertainment entailing a long period of recall, incomplete ascertainment of terminations of pregnancy for fetal anomaly, and unknown bias in case selection. NBDPS results have shown the protective effect of healthy dietary patterns, but have not been as informative as expected in relation to furthering understanding of the protective effect of folic acid. NBDPS medication studies are making important contributions to addressing the gap in existing evidence systematically across a wide range of birth defects, but are challenged by the quality of information on exposure, dose and underlying disease condition, and the interpretation of results of multiple testing.Studies of environmental contaminants in collaboration with experts in exposure assessment have linked addresses to residential exposure measures, using the advantages of information on residential history and confounders, but are challenged by the need to consider exposure mixtures. NBDPS could increase its public health impact by placing more emphasis on socioeconomic inequalities. Birth Defects Research (Part A) 103:670–679, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Determination of salvianolic acid C in rat plasma using liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry and its application to pharmacokinetic study
Authors: Song Junke , Zhang Wen , Sun Jialin , Zhang Xue , Xu Xiaona , Zhang Li , Feng Zhangying , Du Guanhua 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA sensitive and reliable LC‐ESI‐MS method for the determination of salvianolic acid C in rat plasma has been developed and validated. Plasma samples were prepared by liquid–liquid extraction with ethyl acetate and separated on a Zorbax SB‐C18 column (3.5 µm, 2.1 × 100 mm) at a flow rate of 0.3 mL/min using acetonitrile–water as mobile phase. The detection was carried out by a single quadrupole mass spectrometer with electrospray ionization source and selected ion monitoring mode. Linearity was obtained for salvianolic acid C ranging from 5 to 1000 ng/mL. The intra‐ and inter‐day precisions (RSD, %) didn't exceed 9.96%, and the accuracy (RE, %) were all within ±3.64%. The average recoveries of the analyte and internal standard were >89.13%. Salvianolic acid C was proved to be stable during all sample storage, preparation and analytic procedures. The validated method was successfully applied to pharmacokinetic study after oral and intravenous administration of salvianolic acid C to rats. The absolute oral bioavailability of salvianolic acid C was 0.29 ± 0.05%. This method was further applied to simultaneous determination of salvianolic acid A, salvianolic acid B and salvianolic acid C in rat plasma and showed good practicability. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The ventrolateral hypothalamic area and the parvafox nucleus: Role in the expression of (positive) emotions?
Authors: Alvarez‐Bolado Gonzalo , Celio Marco R. 
Published: July 2015

ABSTRACTThe lateral hypothalamus has been long suspected of triggering the expression of positive emotions, because stimulations of its tuberal portion provoke bursts of laughter. Electrophysiological studies in various species have indeed confirmed that the lateral hypothalamus contributes to reward mechanisms. However, only the rudiments of the neural circuit underlying the expression of positive emotions are known. The prefrontal cortex, the lateral hypothalamus, and the periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) are involved in these circuits; so, too, are the brainstem nuclei that control the laryngeal muscles and subserve mimicry, as well as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. The implicated populations of hypothalamic neurons have not been defined either anatomically or molecularly. One promising candidate is the novel parvafox nucleus, which we recently described, in the murine medial forebrain bundle (mfb), which specifically expresses parvalbumin and Foxb1. With the molecularly defined parvafox nucleus as a centerpiece, the inputs from the prefrontal cortex and the projections to the PAG and brainstem can be studied with precision. By drawing on genetic approaches, it will be possible to manipulate the circuitry selectively with spatial and temporal exactitude and to evaluate the concomitant autonomic changes. These data will serve as a basis for imaging studies in humans using various paradigms to provoke the expression of positive emotions. In conclusion, studies of the hypothalamic parvafox nucleus will reveal whether this entity represents the fulcrum for positive emotions, as is the amygdala for fear and the insula for disgust. J. Comp. Neurol. 524:1616–1623, 2016. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Electrochemistry of Cd3As2—A 3D Analogue of Graphene
Authors: Lim Chee Shan , Sofer Zdeněk , Pumera Martin 
Published: July 2015

AbstractGraphene has been well‐known for its outstanding electrochemical properties over the years owing to its zero band gap and structural advantages. Lately, Cd3As2, a three‐dimensional (3D) Dirac semi‐metal, has been fervently explored in the field of material physics due to its high electron carrier mobility and transport properties. However, unlike graphene and its derivatives, the electrochemical behavior of Cd3As2 has been underexplored despite it being established as a bulk analogue of 3D graphene in its electronic properties. In this work, we investigate the interesting electrochemistry of Cd3As2 in terms of its heterogeneous electron transfer, as well as its electrocatalytic potential in energy applications like hydrogen evolution reaction.
Morphological divergence between three Arctic charr morphs – the significance of the deep‐water environment
Authors: Skoglund Sigrid , Siwertsson Anna , Amundsen Per‐Arne , Knudsen Rune 
Published: July 2015

AbstractMorphological divergence was evident among three sympatric morphs of Arctic charr (Salvelinus alpinus(L.)) that are ecologically diverged along the shallow‐, deep‐water resource axis in a subarctic postglacial lake (Norway). The two deep‐water (profundal) spawning morphs, a benthivore (PB‐morph) and a piscivore (PP‐morph), have evolved under identical abiotic conditions with constant low light and temperature levels in their deep‐water habitat, and were morphologically most similar. However, they differed in important head traits (e.g., eye and mouth size) related to their different diet specializations. The small‐sizedPB‐morph had a paedomorphic appearance with a blunt head shape, large eyes, and a deep body shape adapted to their profundal lifestyle feeding on submerged benthos from soft, deep‐water sediments. ThePP‐morph had a robust head, large mouth with numerous teeth, and an elongated body shape strongly related to their piscivorous behavior. The littoral spawning omnivore morph (LO‐morph) predominantly utilizes the shallow benthic–pelagic habitat and food resources. Compared to the deep‐water morphs, theLO‐morph had smaller head relative to body size. TheLO‐morph exhibited traits typical for both shallow‐water benthic feeding (e.g., large body depths and small eyes) and planktivorous feeding in the pelagic habitat (e.g., streamlined body shape and small mouth). The development of morphological differences within the same deep‐water habitat for thePB‐ andPP‐morphs highlights the potential of biotic factors and ecological interactions to promote further divergence in the evolution of polymorphism in a tentative incipient speciation process. The diversity of deep‐water charr in this study represents a novelty in the Arctic charr polymorphism as a truly deep‐water piscivore morph has to our knowledge not been described elsewhere.
Toxicity and utilization of chemical weapons: does toxicity and venom utilization contribute to the formation of species communities?
Authors: Westermann Fabian L. , McPherson Iain S. , Jones Tappey H. , Milicich Lesley , Lester Philip J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractToxicity and the utilization of venom are essential features in the ecology of many animal species and have been hypothesized to be important factors contributing to the assembly of communities through competitive interactions. Ants of the genus Monomorium utilize a variety of venom compositions, which have been reported to give them a competitive advantage. Here, we investigate two pairs of Monomorium species, which differ in the structural compositions of their venom and their co‐occurrence patterns with the invasive Argentine ant. We looked at the effects of Monomorium venom toxicity, venom utilization, and aggressive physical interactions on Monomorium and Argentine ant survival rates during arena trials. The venom toxicity of the two species co‐occurring with the invasive Argentine ants was found to be significantly higher than the toxicity of the two species which do not. There was no correlation between venom toxicity and Monomorium survival; however, three of the four Monomorium species displayed significant variability in their venom usage which was associated with the number of Argentine ant workers encountered during trials. Average Monomorium mortality varied significantly between species, and in Monomorium smithii and Monomorium antipodum, aggressive interactions with Argentine ants had a significant negative effect on their mortality. Our study demonstrates that different factors and strategies can contribute to the ability of a species to withstand the pressure of a dominant invader at high abundance, and venom chemistry appears to be only one of several strategies utilized.
Adaptive plasticity and niche expansion in an invasive thistle
Authors: Turner Kathryn G. , Fréville Hélène , Rieseberg Loren H. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractPhenotypic differentiation in size and fecundity between native and invasive populations of a species has been suggested as a causal driver of invasion in plants. Local adaptation to novel environmental conditions through a micro‐evolutionary response to natural selection may lead to phenotypic differentiation and fitness advantages in the invaded range. Local adaptation may occur along a stress tolerance trade‐off, favoring individuals that, in benign conditions, shift resource allocation from stress tolerance to increased vigor and fecundity and, therefore, invasiveness. Alternately, the typically disturbed invaded range may select for a plastic, generalist strategy, making phenotypic plasticity the main driver of invasion success. To distinguish between these hypotheses, we performed a field common garden and tested for genetically based phenotypic differentiation, resource allocation shifts in response to water limitation, and local adaptation to the environmental gradient which describes the source locations for native and invasive populations of diffuse knapweed (Centaurea diffusa). Plants were grown in an experimental field in France (naturalized range) under water addition and limitation conditions. After accounting for phenotypic variation arising from environmental differences among collection locations, we found evidence of genetic variation between the invasive and native populations for most morphological and life‐history traits under study. Invasive C. diffusa populations produced larger, later maturing, and therefore potentially fitter individuals than native populations. Evidence for local adaptation along a resource allocation trade‐off for water limitation tolerance is equivocal. However, native populations do show evidence of local adaptation to an environmental gradient, a relationship which is typically not observed in the invaded range. Broader analysis of the climatic niche inhabited by the species in both ranges suggests that the physiological tolerances of C. diffusa may have expanded in the invaded range. This observation could be due to selection for plastic, “general‐purpose” genotypes with broad environmental tolerances.
Assessing the performance of structure‐from‐motion photogrammetry and terrestrial LiDAR for reconstructing soil surface microtopography of naturally vegetated plots
Authors: Nouwakpo Sayjro Kossi , Weltz Mark A. , McGwire Kenneth 
Published: July 2015

AbstractSoil microtopography is a property of critical importance in many earth surface processes but is often difficult to quantify. Advances in computer vision technologies have made image‐based three‐dimensional (3D) reconstruction or Structure‐from‐Motion (SfM) available to many scientists as a low cost alternative to laser‐based systems such as terrestrial laser scanning (TLS). While the performance of SfM at acquiring soil surface microtopography has been extensively compared to that of TLS on bare surfaces, little is known about the impact of vegetation on reconstruction performance. This article evaluates the performance of SfM and TLS technologies at reconstructing soil microtopography on 6 m × 2 m erosion plots with vegetation cover ranging from 0% to 77%. Results show that soil surface occlusion by vegetation was more pronounced with TLS compared to SfM, a consequence of the single viewpoint laser scanning strategy adopted in this study. On the bare soil surface, elevation values estimated with SfM were within 5 mm of those from TLS although long distance deformations were observed with the former technology. As vegetation cover increased, agreement between SfM and TLS slightly degraded but was significantly affected beyond 53% of ground cover. Detailed semivariogram analysis on meter‐square‐scale surface patches showed that TLS and SfM surfaces were very similar even on highly vegetated plots but with fine scale details and the dynamic elevation range smoothed out with SfM. Errors in the TLS data were mainly caused by the distance measurement function of the instrument especially at the fringe of occlusion regions where the laser beam intersected foreground and background features simultaneously. From this study, we conclude that a realistic approach to digitizing soil surface microtopography in field conditions can be implemented by combining strengths of the image‐based method (simplicity and effectiveness at reconstructing soil surface under sparse vegetation) with the high accuracy of TLS‐like technologies. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic modeling approach using Myriophyllum spicatum to predict effects caused by short-term exposure to a sulfonylurea
Authors: Heine Simon , Schild Frederik , Schmitt Walter , Krebber Ralph , Görlitz Gerhard , Preuss Thomas G. 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic models are a promising tool to address the effects of time-variable chemical exposure. Standard toxicity tests usually rely on static concentrations, but these chemical exposure patterns are unlikely to appear in the field, where time-variable exposure of chemicals is typical. In the present study, toxicodynamic processes were integrated into an existing model that includes the toxicokinetics and growth of the aquatic plant Myriophyllum spicatum, to predict the impact on plant growth of 2 iofensulfuron short-term exposure patterns. To establish a method that can be used with standard data from risk assessments, the toxicodynamics of iofensulfuron were based on effect data from a 14-d standard toxicity test using static concentrations. Modeling showed that the toxicokinetic and toxicodynamic growth model of M. spicatum can be successfully used to predict effects of short-term iofensulfuron exposure by using effect data from a standard toxicity test. A general approach is presented, in which time-variable chemical exposures can be evaluated more realistically without conducting additional toxicity studies. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:376–384. © 2015 SETAC
Macroinvertebrate responses to nickel in multisystem exposures
Authors: Custer Kevin W. , Kochersberger Jon P. , Anderson Padrick D. , Fetters Kyle J. , Hummel Steven , Burton G. Allen 
Published: July 2015

Abstract

Metals introduced to sediments undergo a variety of complexation and partitioning changes that affect metal bioavailability. Using simultaneously extracted metal (SEM)/acid volatile sulfide (AVS) and organic carbon (fOC) models, the authors examined nickel (Ni) toxicity and bioavailability in 2 field studies (using streamside mesocosm and in situ colonization) and 1 laboratory study. The streamside mesocosm experiments indicated that benthic communities (Ephemeroptera, abundance, and taxa richness) responded negatively to increasing SEMNi/AVS and (SEMNi–AVS)/fOC models. In the in situ colonization study, taxa richness, abundance, and Ephemeroptera, Plecoptera, and Trichoptera (EPT) taxa decreased with increasing SEMNi and SEMNi/AVS values. Nickel-spiked sediments were tested in the laboratory with indigenous field-collected mayflies (Anthopotamus verticis, Isonychia spp., and Stenonema spp) and a beetle (Psephenus herricki), and with laboratory-cultured Hyalella azteca and Chironomus dilutus. The amphipod H. azteca was the most sensitive organism tested, and the mayflies Anthopotamus verticis and Stenonema spp. were the most sensitive indigenous organisms to Ni-spiked sediments. These studies help discern which factors are important in determining Ni toxicity and bioavailability at the individual, population, and community levels. Environ Toxicol Chem 2016;35:101–114. © 2015 SETAC
Synthesis and odour evaluation of allenic derivatives
Authors: Diaf Ilhem , Joffrin Amélie , Lemière Gilles , Duñach Elisabet 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA series of readily available allenic aldehydes and their alcohol, acetate and enol ether derivatives have been prepared and evaluated for their olfactory properties. The tested compounds revealed interesting fruity, floral and woody aspects as the main notes. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Resting state connectivity of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis at ultra‐high field
Authors: Torrisi Salvatore , O'Connell Katherine , Davis Andrew , Reynolds Richard , Balderston Nicholas , Fudge Julie L. , Grillon Christian , Ernst Monique 
Published: July 2015

AbstractThe bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BNST), a portion of the “extended amygdala,” is implicated in the pathophysiology of anxiety and addiction disorders. Its small size and connection to other small regions prevents standard imaging techniques from easily capturing it and its connectivity with confidence. Seed‐based resting state functional connectivity is an established method for mapping functional connections across the brain from a region of interest. We, therefore, mapped the BNST resting state network with high spatial resolution using 7 Tesla fMRI, demonstrating the in vivo reproduction of many human BNST connections previously described only in animal research. We identify strong BNST functional connectivity in amygdala, hippocampus and thalamic subregions, caudate, periaqueductal gray, hypothalamus, and cortical areas such as the medial PFC and precuneus. This work, which demonstrates the power of ultra‐high field for mapping functional connections in the human, is an important step toward elucidating cortical and subcortical regions and subregions of the BNST network. Hum Brain Mapp 36:4076–4088, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
A New Tricyclic Alkaloid from Portulaca oleracea L.
Authors: Yue Su , Jiao Ze‐Zhao , Sun Hong‐Xiang , Jin Tian‐Yun , Xiang Lan 
Published: July 2015

AbstractA new tricyclic alkaloid named portulacatone (1), i.e., 5,6‐dihydro‐8,9‐dihydroxy‐11H‐pyrrolo[2,1‐b] [3]benzazepin‐11‐one, together with eight known compounds, methyl 4‐hydroxyphenylacetate (2), p‐hydroxybenzaldehyde (3), vanillin (4), protocatechualdehyde (5), p‐hydroxybenzoic acid (6), iseluxine (7), oleracein E (8), and (+)‐(R)‐feruloyl malate (9) were isolated from aerial parts of Portulaca oleracea L. Their structures were elucidated based on spectroscopic analyses. Among them, compounds 1–7 and 9 were isolated from this medicinal plant for the first time. Compounds 1 and 7 showed dose‐dependent scavenging activities against DPPH (2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picryl‐hydrazyl) free radical, with EC50 values of 14.36 μM and 9.98 μM, respectively, more potent than the natural antioxidant vitamin C (EC50 20.72 μM).
Dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane regulates stem cell activity in vitro
Authors: Massee Michelle , Chinn Kathryn , Lei Jennifer , Lim Jeremy J. , Young Conan S. , Koob Thomas J. 
Published: July 2015

AbstractHuman‐derived placental tissues have been shown in randomized clinical trials to be effective for healing chronic wounds, and have also demonstrated the ability to recruit stem cells to the wound site in vitro and in vivo. In this study, PURION® Processed dehydrated human amnion/chorion membrane allografts (dHACM, EpiFix®, MiMedx Group, Marietta, GA) were evaluated for their ability to alter stem cell activity in vitro. Human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM‐MSCs), adipose derived stem cells (ADSCs), and hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) were treated with soluble extracts of dHACM tissue, and were evaluated for cellular proliferation, migration, and cytokine secretion. Stem cells were analyzed for cell number by DNA assay after 24 h, closure of an acellular zone using microscopy over 3 days, and soluble cytokine production in the medium of treated stem cells was analyzed after 3 days using a multiplex ELISA array. Treatment with soluble extracts of dHACM tissue stimulated BM‐MSCs, ADSCs, and HSCs to proliferate with a significant increase in cell number after 24 h. dHACM treatment accelerated closure of an acellular zone by ADSCs and BM‐MSCs after 3 days, compared to basal medium. BM‐MSCs, ADSCs, and HSCs also modulated endogenous production of a number of various soluble signals, including regulators of inflammation, mitogenesis, and wound healing. dHACM treatment promoted increased proliferation and migration of ADSCs, BM‐MSCs, and HSCs, along with modulation of secreted proteins from those cells. Therefore, dHACM may impact wound healing by amplifying host stem cell populations and modulating their responses in treated wound tissues. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part B: Appl Biomater, 104B: 1495–1503, 2016.